The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Try not to read anything about it beforehand. It is straightforward, but NOT predictable.

I had a little window in between my TV shows, but now it's back to episode marathoning.





Hell on Wheels 07/16/13
Orphan Black 07/16/13
Banshee 07/30/13
The Borgias 08/06/13
Enlightened 08/13/13
Boardwalk Empire 08/20/13
Revenge 08/20/13
The Walking Dead 08/27/13
Homeland 09/10/13
Big Bang Theory 09/10/13
Bates Motel 09/17/13
American Horror Story 09/24/13
Hannibal 09/24/13

What did you think of Orphan Black? I'm enjoying it.

I never finished the first season of Hannibal, but the acting was stellar. I have been looking forward to Bates Motel as well.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

North Face

Why is there a Nazi symbol underneath the title?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Squid: Mad Men, Game of Thrones, and BSG have impressed me on a similar level, but not quite as consistently.

[Show spoiler]Is it just me or is Hank the only pure victim in all of this? (Walt's kids don't count)

I am not sure what you mean by victim.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

Why is there a Nazi symbol underneath the title?

I dunno...1936, Germans competing for national pride, it's got to be a historic thing, not just an aesthetic thing.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

What did you think of Orphan Black? I'm enjoying it.

I never finished the first season of Hannibal, but the acting was stellar. I have been looking forward to Bates Motel as well.

This is my must watch list. The bolded are shows that I will be seeing for the first time as they release on Blu over the next few weeks/months.

Strike Back
The Killing
Hell on Wheels
Orphan Black
Banshee
The Borgias
Enlightened
Boardwalk Empire
Revenge
The Walking Dead
Homeland
The Big Bang Theory
Bates Motel
American Horror Story
Hannibal
Dexter
Shameless
Game of Thrones
Downton Abbey
Longmire
House of Cards
Rectify
The Newsroom
Modern Family
Burn Notice
Californication
House of Lies
Justified
Archer
Breaking Bad
Copper
Mad Men
Ripper Street
The Americans
Parade's End

And these are shows that have not begun/finished airing yet, but I am very interested in.

Lost Angels (TNT) Frank Darabont creator noir period drama
The Bridge (FX)
Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
The Saint (none yet) Eliza Dushku
Intelligence (CBS)
Hunted (BBC-Cinemax)
Ray Donovan (Showtime) Liev Schreiber stars.
Endeavour (PBS)
Low Winter Sun (AMC)

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I dunno...1936, Germans competing for national pride, it's got to be a historic thing, not just an aesthetic thing.

Fair enough, I'll give you this one, Al...just this one.

[Show spoiler]

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I dunno...1936, Germans competing for national pride, it's got to be a historic thing, not just an aesthetic thing.

Correct. And it is good to understand this time in history to fully appreciate the film. This takes place three years before World War Two. At this time in history Hitler had led Germany out of its Great Depression. The counrty was thriving and prosperous again. People had food and clothes and shelter again. The Nazi Party (around since 1920) was a political party. The party was created as a means to draw workers away from communism and into völkisch nationalism. Initially, Nazi political strategy focused on anti-big business, anti-bourgeois, and anti-capitalist rhetoric, although such aspects were later downplayed in order to gain the support of industrial entities. It was not until later that the "Racial Purity" bullshit blossomed into the horrible cancer that we are all aware of...... enter the beginning of WWII.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I am not sure what you mean by victim.

Breaking Bad:

[Show spoiler]Any flaws in/downfalls for his character are either related to his PTSD-symptoms or things that tie back to Walt. Victim as in it's easiest to pity him.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

This is my must watch list. The bolded are shows that I will be seeing for the first time as they release on Blu over the next few weeks/months.

Strike Back

[Show spoiler]The Killing
Hell on Wheels
Orphan Black
Banshee
The Borgias
Enlightened
Boardwalk Empire
Revenge
The Walking Dead
Homeland
The Big Bang Theory
Bates Motel
American Horror Story
Hannibal
Dexter
Shameless
Game of Thrones
Downton Abbey
Longmire
House of Cards
Rectify
The Newsroom
Modern Family
Burn Notice
Californication
House of Lies
Justified
Archer
Breaking Bad
Copper
Mad Men
Ripper Street
The Americans
Parade's End

And these are shows that have not begun/finished airing yet, but I am very interested in.

Lost Angels (TNT) Frank Darabont creator noir period drama
The Bridge (FX)
Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
The Saint (none yet) Eliza Dushku
Intelligence (CBS)
Hunted (BBC-Cinemax)
Ray Donovan (Showtime) Liev Schreiber stars.
Endeavour (PBS)
Low Winter Sun (AMC)

Not sure what cable provider you have, but the first 7 episodes of Orphan Black is free on On-Demand. Fair warning though, not sure whose genius idea this was but a preview for season 2 literally airs before the pilot if you watch it through On-Demand. So... minor spoilers there unless you can manage to look away and fast-forward 30 seconds. Only before the pilot though.

I heard good things about Orange is the New Black. Strike Back was definitely huge at Comic-Con. I got a free shirt of the show for going to the panel The main actor is the star of 300: Rise of an Empire. I've been itching to begin Newsroom.

Also, I heard amazing things about Downton Abbey. Have you seen any of American Horror Story S2 yet? I didn't really dig it.

Nice to see Eliza Dushku back in the spotlight.

I'm going to try to read through books 1-4 before the next GoT season. The show is just too good to ignore the source material any longer!

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed a pattern with recent blockbusters. Producers making a bit more sincere decisions, as opposed to sticking to an all-out cash-grabbing formula... I mean, a Wolverine film with less explosions and more story? (not to mention using the source material fans have been waiting for). Hiring up-and-coming indie talents for WoW and Godzilla? Don't get me wrong- the "let's make everything a trilogy" fever isn't dying down, but some decisions have been nice to hear.



Actually, if I recall, the footage shown wasn't supposed to be indicative of the mood of the film. I think it will end up as more of a quiet psychological film.



Salt in my wound, Foggy. It was on my agenda all four days, and I just never managed to get to it. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. I didn't get the Adult Swim free massage either. Or the Gravity or Ender's Game experience. But I got a picture on the GoT Throne, a customized GoT T-Shirt (House *LastName*), and won an Adventure Time medallion (second year in a row). I wanted to demo the PS4 and XBox One but too many lines, too little time.



Agreed. DC and Fox scrambled for an answer to The Avengers, and it's Superman/Batman & Days of Future Past. Bat & Supes duo has so much potential. Their team-up comics offer some brilliant writing, though I have noticed it works better when one is an accessory for the other- which is what it looks like Batman might be for Superman here.

A lot of information

Breaking Bad-wise, glad the show continues to impress, but you must watch Season 4 like right now! It's intense It's gutting I'm missing out on so much good TV, University taking up so much time last year I was hoping this Summer I was going to get into the swing of things and catch up with everything, but I've been so busy I haven't even had the time to catch up with the big back lot of films I have to go through along with some books I need to read.

Director and Blockbuster-wise, I am liking the new approach to giving indie directors with potential big movies. I don't see this being a trend that'll be able to hold, considering things going the Pacific Rim way. Regardless the films seem great, I'm hoping things turn around to these guys and they're not getting hired only to be pushed around by producers.

Gravity-wise, if the film is more psychological then I'm still excited, the cinematography feels very immersive so it should be a unique cinema trip.

Swag-wise, shame you missed out on some good stuff, but it looks like you got some good stuff in return. The next-gen games consoles queues must of been insane though.

And finally, Bat-Sups-wise, I've got a bad feeling about that film. Goyer is a pretty lousy writer, he's a great ideas man, but he can never pull them off, hence why his Dark Knight work is good, but stuff that's purely him is flimsy at best, he just needs a moderator. I saw an interview with him about his Da Vinci show titled 'The Mind of a Genius' and it made me in my mouth.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Foggy

A lot of information

Breaking Bad-wise, glad the show continues to impress, but you must watch Season 4 like right now! It's intense

That is the last thing I need to hear right now...

Breaking Bad has literally been robbing my time and interfering with my functional life. At least it's only one more season...

And finally, Bat-Sups-wise, I've got a bad feeling about that film. Goyer is a pretty lousy writer, he's a great ideas man, but he can never pull them off, hence why his Dark Knight work is good, but stuff that's purely him is flimsy at best, he just needs a moderator. I saw an interview with him about his Da Vinci show titled 'The Mind of a Genius' and it made me in my mouth.

He wrote Da Vinci's Demons? That show is terrible. And I tried desperately hard to like it too.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

He wrote Da Vinci's Demons? That show is terrible. And I tried desperately hard to like it too.

Haha! Case and point

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Breaking Bad:

[Show spoiler]Any flaws in/downfalls for his character are either related to his PTSD-symptoms or things that tie back to Walt. Victim as in it's easiest to pity him.

Oh, I see. I personally see

[Show spoiler]Walt Jr. as the one who suffers the most. They dont focus on it, which is cool, and they portray him as quite the trooper, but in reality he has been negatively affected a lot. His Mom and Dad split up. His Dad goes MIA a bunch of times. His Dad gets him drunk. He has been teased at school becasue of the "Naked journey" episode. His Dad is getting in fights an is "no longer himself". And we pretty much know that one way or another, the boy will be losing his father alltogether.

Not sure what cable provider you have, but the first 7 episodes of Orphan Black is free on On-Demand. Fair warning though, not sure whose genius idea this was but a preview for season 2 literally airs before the pilot if you watch it through On-Demand. So... minor spoilers there unless you can manage to look away and fast-forward 30 seconds. Only before the pilot though.

No cable for me. Blu-ray or DVD only.

I've been itching to begin Newsroom.

Newsroom was weird for me. The first three or four episodes felt like the show was trying too hard to BE IMPORTANT AND MEANINGFUL. Then an event happened that helped me feel like those episodes were all just one big setup to START (now) the show going in its intended direction. Immediately 100% hooked right there for me. I have a suspicion that you may hate it though.

Also, I heard amazing things about Downton Abbey.

Surfdude turned me onto it. Pure execellence.

Have you seen any of American Horror Story S2 yet? I didn't really dig it.

No. I hear it was weird and disjointed. Fingers crossed for season three.

[Al_The_Strange]

Cyborg

Not to be confused with Manborg.

Cyborg is a film that tries so hard to be wicked and awesome. It is at least partway successful; set in a cruel violence-ridden apocalyptic landscape, the characters fight bad guys at every turn, with knives, big guns, and their fists! The overall look, style, and tone of the film would make it a fine compliment to the Mad Max series, but Cyborg is a grade meaner and more intense.

That being said, the film is still very much on the cheap side. Many of the fights are cheaply-edited and choreographed. There are laughable moments to be had. Dialogue and writing are pretty cheesy, and the whole film feels pretty short and insubstantial.

The film's story is pretty basic, lacking in any deep characterization, depth, or emotional resonance. It's very short and small-scale overall. The plot consists of a man meeting cyborg woman, and they fight their way to a specific destination. There are moments in between the action where characters try to warm up, with some flashbacks and touching scenes, but it never feels like we really get to know these characters in depth. It's all just a fine excuse to see Van Damme kicking a lot of butt.

This film does have quite the style though, with some impressive camera angles and cool photography. Editing is pretty good. Acting can be quite cheesy, not only with the occasional silly line, but also with the exaggerated movements and the way everybody likes to scream at each other. Writing is alright. This production uses pretty cheap sets, props, costumes, and locales, although it doesn't show that much; the film plays within its limitations pretty well. I personally don't like the music score, but I see that other viewers love it.

Cyborg is pretty wicked, but also quite cheesy, with a short and small-scale story attached to it. It does have its moments though. If you're a fan of cheesy action, gritty post-apocalypse sci-fi, or a Jean Claude Van Damme fan, then this film may satisfy. Otherwise, you'll probably dismiss it as something trashy and dumb.

3/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Average | Film: Marginal)

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Oh, I see. I personally see

[Show spoiler]Walt Jr. as the one who suffers the most. They dont focus on it, which is cool, and they portray him as quite the trooper, but in reality he has been negatively affected a lot. His Mom and Dad split up. His Dad goes MIA a bunch of times. His Dad gets him drunk. He has been teased at school becasue of the "Naked journey" episode. His Dad is getting in fights an is "no longer himself". And we pretty much know that one way or another, the boy will be losing his father alltogether.

Well said but

[Show spoiler]I said Walt's kids don't count! (since they don't play any major role in the story--at least not to my knowledge yet, unless some twist is cooking). I do like your point that his victimization runs deep yet is kept subtle.

No cable for me. Blu-ray or DVD only.

I knew this.

I have a suspicion that you may hate it though.

Hmm, how come? The slow start?

[jvince]

It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
dir. Don Hertzfeldt

The Good: Unique. Ambitious. Funny. Sad. Dark. Wrong. Right. So right. Random. Smart. Profound. Mesmerizing. Surreal. Strange. Familiar. Relatable. Resonant. Poignant. Uplifting. Brilliant. Beautiful. Powerful. Unforgettable. Masterpiece.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: I'm completely floored. Just speechless. Stunned. Who would've thought an odd, little film about a stickman would turn out to be one of the most humanistic works in cinematic history? This is surreal existentialism at its finest. Thank you, Mr. Hertzfeldt. It's Such a Beautiful Day is a new, personal, all-time favorite, and I'm pretty confident it will be one of yours too.

[Abdrewes]

Will try to see it Vince, man.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I was about to say that you, Vince, are hard to please

I kinda am though, but I've been on a roll lately.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

WTF???????????? Grave of the Fireflies overrated??????

It's the truth.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Salt in my wound, Foggy. It was on my agenda all four days, and I just never managed to get to it. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. I didn't get the Adult Swim free massage either. Or the Gravity or Ender's Game experience.

Ah man, that sucks. That Godzilla thing looked pretty cool.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

But I got a picture on the GoT Throne, a customized GoT T-Shirt (House *LastName*), and won an Adventure Time medallion (second year in a row). I wanted to demo the PS4 and XBox One but too many lines, too little time.

Ahhh!!! I want!!!

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Sounds like you should attend next year! Don't you live in LA?

Man, I'd love to, but it's too rich for me. I'm just a poor, little cheapskate. That and they sell out fast.

Next year should be awesome though.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

And yes, I see her every year but this is the first time we had an exchange. Much more beautiful in person imo.

I don't even watch her show, but I'm well-aware of the hotness.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

This is my must watch list.
The Killing: Season 3
The Walking Dead
Hannibal
Breaking Bad

Those are the ones I recommend.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

And these are shows that have not begun/finished airing yet, but I am very interested in.

Lost Angels (TNT) Frank Darabont creator noir period drama
The Bridge (FX)
Orange is the New Black (Netflix)
The Saint (none yet) Eliza Dushku
Intelligence (CBS)
Hunted (BBC-Cinemax)
Ray Donovan (Showtime) Liev Schreiber stars.
Endeavour (PBS)
Low Winter Sun (AMC)

The Bridge is decent, but I prefer The Killing. Linden & Holder >>> Cross & Ruiz.

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Have you seen any of American Horror Story S2 yet? I didn't really dig it.

I tried to watch both seasons and I gave up both times. It's an oftentimes laughable mess made of scenes and storylines ripped off from horror classics. Many dicks were sucked to get all those Emmy nods.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Will try to see it Vince, man.

Hope you like it. It's composed of three shorts, the first of which I watched and reviewed a few months ago and is still available on YouTube:

Originally Posted by jvince

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IUX0Qy-IDM

Everything Will Be OK (2006)
dir. Don Hertzfeldt

The Good: Unique style of animation. So f*cking surreal. Absolutely mesmerizing. Top-notch editing and sound effects. Inventive. Artistic. Insightful. Profound.

The Bad: None.

The Bottom Line: A (very) strange yet (very) compelling film. You just have to see this masterpiece for yourself.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Hmm, how come? The slow start?

It is extremely political.

I have read critical accusations that the show has an agenda and a message, which it delivers via a facade of the actual opposite messenger. Camouflage if you will, camouflaged as ones opponent. Quite sneaky. I'd agree with those accusations. If one were the intended target of such messages, it could be received as monumentally condescending and insulting. I fully understand the anger (rage in some cases) that some viewers feel about the shows stance and writing. I am, however, very comfortable with it.

The controversy was part of my reason for checking it out. I reckoned I'd hate it or love it.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jvince

Man, I'd love to, but it's too rich for me. I'm just a poor, little cheapskate. That and they sell out fast.

Next year should be awesome though.

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