The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Probably so but it more a comedy then Mission Impossible movies are. The first was ok but I really did not enjoy the second and never bothered with the third one

You should look into M:I 3, it was pretty good. Much different than #2.

[Foggy]

I watched Snatch, I really can't be bothered giving it a full review so I'll just rate it a solid 9/10

[QuasidodoJr]

Just watched 127 Hours. The scene where he

[Show spoiler]removes his arm

is one of the hardest scenes I've ever sat through. I turned my head probably 5 or 6 times. I realize why the scene was so graphic, but man did it kill me. Otherwise, great movie. Awesome performance from Franco. Don't think I'd watch it again, though.

4.5 out of 5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Diesel

You should look into M:I 3, it was pretty good. Much different than #2.

Agreed. If anything, I consider #3 the best, largely because it has the best story imo.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Agreed. If anything, I consider #3 the best, largely because it has the best story imo.

You just adore Michelle Monaghan.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Tangled.”

As the 50th animated film Disney ever created, “Tangled” tackles the classic fairy-tale of Rapunzel with the confines of a well-worn formula involving princesses, magic, amusingly-personified-animals, and musical numbers. But in this day and age, the comedy is much more slapstick and amusing. The princesses are more badass. The magic is cooler-looking. The personified animals are cuter. The music is more poppy. And surprisingly, the action scenes can be really ambitious at times. It’s especially novel seeing the best fight scenes ever choreographed with a frying pan! Combined with strong visuals and fluid animation, the film is pretty darn fun!

It looks like this film gets a slightly bad rap for having an unremarkable story, but I beg to differ. I don’t know how it compares to the original story, but this adaptation seems quite sublime. The prologue presents an interesting mythological background, and the story remains true to it for the duration. When the story takes full swing, it becomes quite the thrilling adventure with plenty of peril, comedy, and some rather heart-warming moments. In the end, I felt it was as tightly constructed as it was enjoyable. And to top it off, the characters are pretty decently developed; especially Rapunzel herself, who effectively fuels the story with her ambition, dreams, and rebellious spirit. Not to mention, I thought the villain was pretty decent too.

The film shows smashing animation quality; the imagery is often impressive, and shows slick, smooth, highly-detailed animation. Voice-acting seems strong. Production designs are brilliant; I especially loved the whole sun/flower motif. Music is not bad for what it is.

4.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5)

Recommendation: Yep!

As near as I can tell, this Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

I approve this review. 100% accurate.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Sucker Punch

This will act as a mini-review. If I do decide to do a more in depth one, it will be after I watch this again on Blu-ray...

Has Squid lost his mind?: No. This was pretty much everything I hoped it would be. The visuals were amazing and you can tell it is a Zack Snyder film, the fight scenes were insane, and I actually liked the story. I especially have to give Zack and company credit for the ending

[Show spoiler]where we find out that it wasn't Babydoll's story. It was Sweet Pea's.

I had no problem understanding the story and the connections between things once all was said and done.

The final fight scene

[Show spoiler]where they have to disarm a bomb and fight the cyborg guards

left my jaw on the floor and easily showed that Zack did not go overboard with the slow motion and stop motion. It was the perfect way to show what ended up being my favorite of the fight scenes.

I don't have a final rating as I want to wait until I see it again on Blu-ray before I make that call. I know it will likely end up being higher than a 4/5 when all is said and done.

And the music was like frosting on the cake for me. Glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to the directors cut on Blu-ray to see if it adds or detracts.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

And the music was like frosting on the cake for me. Glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to the directors cut on Blu-ray to see if it adds or detracts.

Tell Zack to make sure we get a director's cut with a combo pack and a steelbook.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Probably so but it more a comedy then Mission Impossible movies are. The first was ok but I really did not enjoy the second and never bothered with the third one

Originally Posted by Diesel

You should look into M:I 3, it was pretty good. Much different than #2.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Agreed. If anything, I consider #3 the best, largely because it has the best story imo.

Pat, check out MI3. IMO it was significantly better than 2, which I found Meh. MI3 was very slick.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Pat, check out MI3. IMO it was significantly better than 2, which I found Meh. MI3 was very slick.

3 was good enough that I wanted to see 4 until I heard Tom may not be in it.

[SquidPuppet]

127 Hours

I liked it.

Franco was pretty darn good.

All the split screens that I have heard so many complaints about, didnt bother me.

There was a sound effect that occurred twice that just killed me. Super effective.

Boyle somehow successfully blended some humor into some dark moments. Strange, but it really worked.

Crazy camera work was needed and well executed it the tight confines of the narrow canyon.

I had too look away during the nasty scenes. Brutal.

PQ varied a lot, but I'd base that on the source and conditions not the transfewr to digital.

AQ was good. Clear and detailed dialog. Strong ambient sounds too.

4/5

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

127 Hours

I liked it.

Franco was pretty darn good.

All the split screens that I have heard so many complaints about, didnt bother me.

There was a sound effect that occurred twice that just killed me. Super effective.

Boyle somehow successfully blended some humor into some dark moments. Strange, but it really worked.

Crazy camera work was needed and well executed it the tight confines of the narrow canyon.

I had too look away during the nasty scenes. Brutal.

PQ varied a lot, but I'd base that on the source and conditions not the transfewr to digital.

AQ was good. Clear and detailed dialog. Strong ambient sounds too.

4/5

So, recommended? Getting it at last this week, hoping it will be one I will want to see again and again, even with all of the gut-wrenching scenes.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

So, recommended? Getting it at last this week, hoping it will be one I will want to see again and again, even with all of the gut-wrenching scenes.

I'll be getting Day One over here, and I'll be watching it endless amounts of times. (And yes I looked away a lot during that scene)

I watch Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, again, not feeling a review (I really should start getting back into writing reviews) but I give it 10/10 I love that film.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: “The American.”

The elements are there; a rough tough American weapons maker in the middle of an exotic Italian countryside, helping a hot chick assassin complete her clandestine mission. And yet…this movie’s so boring! It’s one of those films that’s filled with long empty space and silence; it’s pretty moody, sincere, serious film along similar lines to “The Bourne Identity,” or perhaps “Day of the Jackal.” But even then, “The American” has no real big action scenes, and what little action it does have is brief and unremarkable (and probably way more realistic). It’ll probably interest folks looking for this type of thriller, but I didn’t find it that thrilling at all.

I also didn’t find the story all that thrilling either. Conflict is minimal, the story drags so much that it becomes uneventful, and the characters are so soft-spoken and moody that they become halfway flat. There is a good helping of romance (along with some nudity to pique the interest level up a little more), but otherwise the story seemed very empty. I didn’t even really catch why these characters were there, doing what they were doing… Not sure if I care anyway.

Cinematically, it is a gorgeous film with loads of beautiful locales and quality camera work. Acting is good and subtle. Writing is minimalistic and to-the-point. Production value seems good.

3/5 (entertainment: 2.5/5, story: 2/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Meh…

The Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 4/5



“Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.”

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Disney put this film out. Or the fact that it’s made by Hayao Miyazaki, the man who gave us “Spirited Away,” “Ponyo,” and other cute films worthy of Disney’s distribution. “Nausicaa” is a post-apocalypse sci-fi adventure primarily, and it paints an eerie, sobering future where the Earth is consumed by a polluted deserts, toxic jungle, and a race of freaking huge bugs. And with the human race still tearing itself apart with war, the stage is set for this sweeping adventure involving massive aerial battles, scenes of war and strife, fights with bizarre creatures, and loads of peril. There are a few cute and amusing scenes, but once the conflict starts it remains intense and constant throughout.

The story is brilliantly crafted, as is the environment it works in. The film steadily immerses the audience in its world before systematically piling on all the problems and cumulating into a thrilling climax. The title character stands in the middle of it all, fighting, struggling, and sometimes literally shouting to quell the mounting problems. Given the situations, she comes across as the only one with any sense of reason, and I can’t help but to sympathize and root for her. Most other characters are fairly flat, but distinctive and likable. In the end, this is a story that emphasizes care for the environment and the futility of war.

Come to think of it, this could be another movie “Avatar” ripped off…

The film is swell, showing quality animation. It shows a few weaknesses perhaps, especially given its age, but it is mostly well-drawn, well-textured, and quite detailed. Voice-acting on the English side is not too terrible imo, and it’s quite interesting hearing the likes of Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, and a young Shia LaBeouf in the mix. Production designs show awesome designs for all settings, characters, vehicles, props, costumes, creatures, and everything else. Music is a bit dated in some spots, but quite lovely in others.

5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5, intellectual/emotional impact: 4/5)

Recommendation: Yes!

The Blu-Ray image looks sharp with a good amount of detail. Colors and contrast look faithful. This film is pretty grainy, but it’s hardly problematic, and if anything this transfer captures the film’s age and intended look accurately. Sound quality on the English side was clear, but didn’t really have many standout sound effects or anything. But once again, that could be a limitation of the film’s age and resources.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4/5

[Steve46]

I loved 127 Hours in the theater and have already watched it since buying it. I don't agree with the claims that it has no replay value.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I approve this review. 100% accurate.

Thank you all for the recommendation!

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “The American.”

The elements are there; a rough tough American weapons maker in the middle of an exotic Italian countryside, helping a hot chick assassin complete her clandestine mission. And yet…this movie’s so boring! It’s one of those films that’s filled with long empty space and silence; it’s pretty moody, sincere, serious film along similar lines to “The Bourne Identity,” or perhaps “Day of the Jackal.” But even then, “The American” has no real big action scenes, and what little action it does have is brief and unremarkable (and probably way more realistic). It’ll probably interest folks looking for this type of thriller, but I didn’t find it that thrilling at all.

I also didn’t find the story all that thrilling either. Conflict is minimal, the story drags so much that it becomes uneventful, and the characters are so soft-spoken and moody that they become halfway flat. There is a good helping of romance (along with some nudity to pique the interest level up a little more), but otherwise the story seemed very empty. I didn’t even really catch why these characters were there, doing what they were doing… Not sure if I care anyway.

Cinematically, it is a gorgeous film with loads of beautiful locales and quality camera work. Acting is good and subtle. Writing is minimalistic and to-the-point. Production value seems good.

3/5 (entertainment: 2.5/5, story: 2/5, film: 4/5)

Recommendation: Meh…

The Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect!

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 4/5



“Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.”

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Disney put this film out. Or the fact that it’s made by Hayao Miyazaki, the man who gave us “Spirited Away,” “Ponyo,” and other cute films worthy of Disney’s distribution. “Nausicaa” is a post-apocalypse sci-fi adventure primarily, and it paints an eerie, sobering future where the Earth is consumed by a polluted deserts, toxic jungle, and a race of freaking huge bugs. And with the human race still tearing itself apart with war, the stage is set for this sweeping adventure involving massive aerial battles, scenes of war and strife, fights with bizarre creatures, and loads of peril. There are a few cute and amusing scenes, but once the conflict starts it remains intense and constant throughout.

The story is brilliantly crafted, as is the environment it works in. The film steadily immerses the audience in its world before systematically piling on all the problems and cumulating into a thrilling climax. The title character stands in the middle of it all, fighting, struggling, and sometimes literally shouting to quell the mounting problems. Given the situations, she comes across as the only one with any sense of reason, and I can’t help but to sympathize and root for her. Most other characters are fairly flat, but distinctive and likable. In the end, this is a story that emphasizes care for the environment and the futility of war.

Come to think of it, this could be another movie “Avatar” ripped off…

The film is swell, showing quality animation. It shows a few weaknesses perhaps, especially given its age, but it is mostly well-drawn, well-textured, and quite detailed. Voice-acting on the English side is not too terrible imo, and it’s quite interesting hearing the likes of Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman, Mark Hamill, and a young Shia LaBeouf in the mix. Production designs show awesome designs for all settings, characters, vehicles, props, costumes, creatures, and everything else. Music is a bit dated in some spots, but quite lovely in others.

5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 5/5, film: 4.5/5, intellectual/emotional impact: 4/5)

Recommendation: Yes!

The Blu-Ray image looks sharp with a good amount of detail. Colors and contrast look faithful. This film is pretty grainy, but it’s hardly problematic, and if anything this transfer captures the film’s age and intended look accurately. Sound quality on the English side was clear, but didn’t really have many standout sound effects or anything. But once again, that could be a limitation of the film’s age and resources.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4/5

I liked The American because it tried to show how an assassin might think rather than just relying on action. But yeah, it's not for everyone.

Nausicaa is brilliant of course. Glad you liked it

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I liked The American because it tried to show how an assassin might think rather than just relying on action. But yeah, it's not for everyone.

Nausicaa is brilliant of course. Glad you liked it

Makes me wish I had gotten Nausicaa while the coupon was still valid, will now have to wait for it to go on sale, I guess.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

And the music was like frosting on the cake for me. Glad it worked out for you. Looking forward to the directors cut on Blu-ray to see if it adds or detracts.

True, the music was pretty good. Most of it is not my style, but I actually was listening to clips of the soundtrack on iTunes earlier. Good stuff.

Also, thanks. I am looking forward to it as well. I just hope they release it with both the theatrical and director's cut unlike what they did with Watchmen. Not that I'm complaining about Watchmen since I wouldn't want to watch it any other way, but I want the theatrical cut for Sucker Punch included just in case I don't like the director's cut as much. Otherwise I will have wished I watched this in the theater a second time.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Probably so but it more a comedy then Mission Impossible movies are. The first was ok but I really did not enjoy the second and never bothered with the third one

Originally Posted by Diesel

You should look into M:I 3, it was pretty good. Much different than #2.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Agreed. If anything, I consider #3 the best, largely because it has the best story imo.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Pat, check out MI3. IMO it was significantly better than 2, which I found Meh. MI3 was very slick.

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

3 was good enough that I wanted to see 4 until I heard Tom may not be in it.

I agree, M:I 3 is the best and probably the only decent one in the series. It's not exactly groundbreaking or anything, but it's certainly the most entertaining and well-made one.