The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Over ten years ago, I watched this movie as part of history class. Back then, it felt like a chore. Long, boring, weird, dark, shocking, depressing; at that time, I didn’t care for it. But I decided to give it another try.

Next greatest movie borrowed from a library: “Schindler’s List.”

There are very few, if any, atrocities in human history that could overshadow the horrors of the Holocaust during WWII. The persecution and massacre of millions of Jews is on full display in this film; it starts off looking uneventful and unassuming, but then paces us through the phases of persecution until we, along with the characters, face death itself. The character drama in the film can be a total hit or miss, but as a chronicle of the Holocaust, it’s very comprehensive, it seems accurate, and it’s utterly brutal. Even though it’s well over three hours, it does move pretty swiftly, and is loaded with stark and memorable scenes. It is one film worthwhile seeing for all.

Aside from the portrayal of the Holocaust, the film tries its best to make a story out of Oskar Schindler and his attempts to save as many victims as he can. Despite the film’s decent pace, the story does suffer a little drag and can be rather uneventful in certain places. The plot does have a solid structure, and is populated with a strong cast of characters. It is especially interesting comparing and contrasting Schindler with Goeth; the two make for decent foil characters. Though I’m not certain how historically accurate any of this is, it at least appears to be spot-on and believable.

In my review of "SPR," I complained about the commemoration beginning and ending. Here in "Schindler's List," it's not quite as manipulative or annoying as I remember; it's actually quite respectable.

The film has wonderful and classy photography, about 95% in glorious black-and-white. There are a few scenes with shaky hand-held cameramanship, but it adds a realistic and unnerving vibe more than anything. Acting is smashing; Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley are all darn near perfect (and practically unrecognizable) in their respective roles. Writing is quite good. Production value is very detailed and accurate-looking, with loads of quality sets, props, costumes, and locales. The music score is quite good too.

4.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 5/5, emotional impact: 4/5) A huge increase from 3/5.

Compared to my viewing 10+ years ago, it's not quite as shocking as I remember, but still pretty darn bleak. The story's not as disjointed as I first believed. Characters aren't as flat as I first thought. Nothing is as boring as I remember. Overall, it's a better film than I remember.

Recommendation: Everybody should see it at least once in their lifetime.

If they Blu-Ray it, I would buy it.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Thanks man, I forgot a few like I also have The F

[Show spoiler]ountain and Sunset Boulevard along with others I can't think off, quite a lot of stuff to work my way through, starting with...

Big Trouble in Little China

Now, this goes back a very long way a way, but I know at a very young age watching this film, none of it has stuck and none of it made goddamn sense, all I know was that it was cool, and that it was on way too late for me as I would constantly fall asleep and wake up at random parts (I think the first film I stayed extra awake for was Commando at about 10:15 to Midnight, that blew my 5 year old mindAnother film on my list, although I doubt I will get around to it soon)

Now, I'm a man who loves his crazy campness, his ridiculousness and cheese laid on thick. Big Trouble in Little China is a masterpiece in all meaning of the word, it's in my Top 20 at least (which I will devise one day). Every frame is crafted to such elegance and grace, even though each frame you see portrays to exact opposite of that.

A big problem I can see people, like my friends, having is the fact that it tries to hard to be a cult classic, there is nothing accidentally genius to it, it's all implied. I say that for a film to be a cult classic, it needs to be good, but unique, a diversifying experience that will cause people to argue over it's greatness for years. Big Trouble in Little China is just that, it's hard to find a film similar to it, and people are obviously not going to like it. But what makes it a great cult classic is the passion, this is a film that doesn't care about what you think, it does what it thinks is best and all you can do is witness it. That, is why this film is a MASTERPIECE!!!

"You people sit tight, hold the fort and keep the home fires burning, and if we're not back by dawn...call the president."

10/10

Was going to start watching Infernal Affairs but the production teams logo just didn't put me in a good mood for a foreign film at this time

Maybe I need to see it more time to really appreciate.

I am a very big martial artist fan but man, I almost feel asleep halfway.

I would give it 8/10

[iam1bearcat]

so, we had a group of friends over today / tonight and watched some blus. oddly enough, i didn't enjoy the films we watched as much as i do when i watch them by myself (we watched Adventureland, Dan in Real Life and Shaun of the Dead). i still really enjoyed them of course, but it just seemed... different watching them with a bunch of people. i kind of hated it.

i think i've gotten too used to watching films either alone or with the gf, and having more people around just bugs me lol. even though they are all quiet and paying attention, i just don't "connect" with the film as much as i do when it's just the two of us or me.

weird.

good thing i don't go to the theater!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

so, we had a group of friends over today / tonight and watched some blus. oddly enough, i didn't enjoy the films we watched as much as i do when i watch them by myself (we watched Adventureland, Dan in Real Life and Shaun of the Dead). i still really enjoyed them of course, but it just seemed... different watching them with a bunch of people. i kind of hated it.

i think i've gotten too used to watching films either alone or with the gf, and having more people around just bugs me lol. even though they are all quiet and paying attention, i just don't "connect" with the film as much as i do when it's just the two of us or me.

weird.

good thing i don't go to the theater!

I think the same thing happens to me with certain films. If I start fearing that the other people hate the film, then I get uncomfortable.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

so, we had a group of friends over today / tonight and watched some blus. oddly enough, i didn't enjoy the films we watched as much as i do when i watch them by myself (we watched Adventureland, Dan in Real Life and Shaun of the Dead). i still really enjoyed them of course, but it just seemed... different watching them with a bunch of people. i kind of hated it.

i think i've gotten too used to watching films either alone or with the gf, and having more people around just bugs me lol. even though they are all quiet and paying attention, i just don't "connect" with the film as much as i do when it's just the two of us or me.

weird.

good thing i don't go to the theater!

I know the feeling. I watched Mulholland Dr. with three friends and it ruined their night. I am learning that I have completely different taste to most of the people likely to watch things with me. The Criterions and foreign language films have to stay on the shelf. Anything with a non-linear plot stays on the shelf. Clever dialogue - forget it.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Over ten years ago, I watched this movie as part of history class. Back then, it felt like a chore. Long, boring, weird, dark, shocking, depressing; at that time, I didn’t care for it. But I decided to give it another try.

Next greatest movie borrowed from a library: “Schindler’s List.”

[Show spoiler]

There are very few, if any, atrocities in human history that could overshadow the horrors of the Holocaust during WWII. The persecution and massacre of millions of Jews is on full display in this film; it starts off looking uneventful and unassuming, but then paces us through the phases of persecution until we, along with the characters, face death itself. The character drama in the film can be a total hit or miss, but as a chronicle of the Holocaust, it’s very comprehensive, it seems accurate, and it’s utterly brutal. Even though it’s well over three hours, it does move pretty swiftly, and is loaded with stark and memorable scenes. It is one film worthwhile seeing for all.

Aside from the portrayal of the Holocaust, the film tries its best to make a story out of Oskar Schindler and his attempts to save as many victims as he can. Despite the film’s decent pace, the story does suffer a little drag and can be rather uneventful in certain places. The plot does have a solid structure, and is populated with a strong cast of characters. It is especially interesting comparing and contrasting Schindler with Goeth; the two make for decent foil characters. Though I’m not certain how historically accurate any of this is, it at least appears to be spot-on and believable.

In my review of "SPR," I complained about the commemoration beginning and ending. Here in "Schindler's List," it's not quite as manipulative or annoying as I remember; it's actually quite respectable.

The film has wonderful and classy photography, about 95% in glorious black-and-white. There are a few scenes with shaky hand-held cameramanship, but it adds a realistic and unnerving vibe more than anything. Acting is smashing; Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley are all darn near perfect (and practically unrecognizable) in their respective roles. Writing is quite good. Production value is very detailed and accurate-looking, with loads of quality sets, props, costumes, and locales. The music score is quite good too.

4.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 5/5, emotional impact: 4/5) A huge increase from 3/5.

Compared to my viewing 10+ years ago, it's not quite as shocking as I remember, but still pretty darn bleak. The story's not as disjointed as I first believed. Characters aren't as flat as I first thought. Nothing is as boring as I remember. Overall, it's a better film than I remember.

Recommendation: Everybody should see it at least once in their lifetime.

If they Blu-Ray it, I would buy it.

One of the most popular films that I haven't got around to seeing.

Isn't it amazing how your tastes change as you get older? I love stuff now that I couldn't watch 20 or 30 years ago.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

so, we had a group of friends over today / tonight and watched some blus. oddly enough, i didn't enjoy the films we watched as much as i do when i watch them by myself (we watched Adventureland, Dan in Real Life and Shaun of the Dead). i still really enjoyed them of course, but it just seemed... different watching them with a bunch of people. i kind of hated it.

i think i've gotten too used to watching films either alone or with the gf, and having more people around just bugs me lol. even though they are all quiet and paying attention, i just don't "connect" with the film as much as i do when it's just the two of us or me.

weird.

good thing i don't go to the theater!

Same for me.
It affects my attention which is bad.

I am also used to watcing them alone and I enjoy them that way the ost.

[Al_The_Strange]

And, my current WWII kick will take a wild direction…

“Inglourious Basterds”

I think most folks I know hate on this movie because its trailer and overall attitude infers that there’ll be lots and lots of Nazi killin’ in this unusual war-time film. Be advised that this is not an action movie per se, nor is it a war movie; this is a Tarantino movie. In the same vein as “Pulp Fiction,” you can expect lots of interesting dialogue full of character and pop references (in this case, circa 1944). Like “Kill Bill,” you can expect plentiful amounts of homage and references to other classics (especially westerns). There are a handful of action scenes and gruesome violence, but very few and far-between. For the most part, it’s a film of style. But even without a whole lot of butt-kicking action, the style is entertaining, and I think it works very well.

The story takes precedence here, and in the same fashion as “Pulp Fiction,” “Inglourious Basterds” is divided into a few different chapters. Unlike “PF,” this film merges the stories into one heck of a climax. The film boasts a pretty big group of characters, most of which are distinctive, and a few show substantial depth. There’s nothing particularly realistic to this story, but it does show apt attention to detail, and is a pretty fun ride overall.

The film has wonderful photography and editing. Acting is darn near perfect: Christoph Waltz chews the scenery as Hans Landa, and is probably one of the most distinctive bad guys I’ve seen in recent film. Brad Pitt is very entertaining as Aldo Raine. Melanie Laurent, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, and Daniel Bruehl are all brilliant in their respective roles. Writing is pretty darn awesome, as expected from Tarantino; there are plenty of memorable lines here. Production value shows plenty of excellent sets, props, and costumes. The music is very interesting, and very good overall.

My only real complaint is that there could be a lot more action to it. But as it is, I love it.

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

Recommendation: Since it seems like a lot of folks are disappointed by it, I can only recommend it as a rental.

The Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect! Some scenes do have an overwhelming loudness to them.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 4.5/5

The British Limited Edition is region-free!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I know the feeling. I watched Mulholland Dr. with three friends and it ruined their night. I am learning that I have completely different taste to most of the people likely to watch things with me. The Criterions and foreign language films have to stay on the shelf. Anything with a non-linear plot stays on the shelf. Clever dialogue - forget it.

Yep, I wouldn't expect most normal people to enjoy/appreciate "Mulholland Drive." Give 'em "Transformers" or something else instead.

Originally Posted by Steve46

Isn't it amazing how your tastes change as you get older? I love stuff now that I couldn't watch 20 or 30 years ago.

Yep, it's strange how that happens.

Ten years ago, I never would have suspected that "Battlefield Earth" would be regarded as one of the worst movies ever made.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

And, my current WWII kick will take a wild direction…

“Inglourious Basterds”

[Show spoiler]
I think most folks I know hate on this movie because its trailer and overall attitude infers that there’ll be lots and lots of Nazi killin’ in this unusual war-time film. Be advised that this is not an action movie per se, nor is it a war movie; this is a Tarantino movie. In the same vein as “Pulp Fiction,” you can expect lots of interesting dialogue full of character and pop references (in this case, circa 1944). Like “Kill Bill,” you can expect plentiful amounts of homage and references to other classics (especially westerns). There are a handful of action scenes and gruesome violence, but very few and far-between. For the most part, it’s a film of style. But even without a whole lot of butt-kicking action, the style is entertaining, and I think it works very well.

The story takes precedence here, and in the same fashion as “Pulp Fiction,” “Inglourious Basterds” is divided into a few different chapters. Unlike “PF,” this film merges the stories into one heck of a climax. The film boasts a pretty big group of characters, most of which are distinctive, and a few show substantial depth. There’s nothing particularly realistic to this story, but it does show apt attention to detail, and is a pretty fun ride overall.

The film has wonderful photography and editing. Acting is darn near perfect: Christoph Waltz chews the scenery as Hans Landa, and is probably one of the most distinctive bad guys I’ve seen in recent film. Brad Pitt is very entertaining as Aldo Raine. Melanie Laurent, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, and Daniel Bruehl are all brilliant in their respective roles. Writing is pretty darn awesome, as expected from Tarantino; there are plenty of memorable lines here. Production value shows plenty of excellent sets, props, and costumes. The music is very interesting, and very good overall.

My only real complaint is that there could be a lot more action to it. But as it is, I love it.

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

Recommendation: Since it seems like a lot of folks are disappointed by it, I can only recommend it as a rental.

The Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect! Some scenes do have an overwhelming loudness to them.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 4.5/5

The British Limited Edition is region-free!

I love this movie. Landa is great and the opening scene is one of my favorites from any movie. The Bowie song fits perfectly too. A 5/5 for me.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I love this movie. Landa is great and the opening scene is one of my favorites from any movie. The Bowie song fits perfectly too. A 5/5 for me.

I agree totally; Landa is one awesome villain, the opening scene is very good (it goes on for 20 minutes, but never really feels that long; the dialogue is that interesting), and Bowie rocks.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I agree totally; Landa is one awesome villain, the opening scene is very good (it goes on for 20 minutes, but never really feels that long; the dialogue is that interesting), and Bowie rocks.

The opening scene is so powerful my brother-in-law couldn't finish the movie. He had to leave the room.

[P@t_Mtl]

State of the Union

USA 1948
Directed by Frank Capra
Starring Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn
Format: DVD

Base of a play written by Russel Crouse & Howard Lindsay, it tell's the story of a honest man trying to become nominated to the Republican party for President of the USA and how one honest man can be corrupt on the way up. It show's exactly why men can be honest and well meaning as they enter politic but how the system is just made to corrupt them as they try to make a better world. This movie is not as original as one might think, it's a typical Frank Capra movie, his view's on America and politic. While one can have the feeling that he as heard this message before in other Capra's movie, the story, the actors and Frank Capra himself make it a charming, wonderful movie. Tracy is in his usual form and while Hepburn seem to be playing the same usual strong character woman that she always play, in fact she is much tone down in this one. Is it Capra's best movie? No it's not but it's still a good fun movie to see and even if the message is just a bit utopia, it's still great to think that even in the real world, politics could just be about something honest and not be just about being elected. One can always dream, it's one of the few things humans still have that politicians can't tax us on

[Foggy]

For bearcat...

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

It's a non-stop deception twisting film, a romantic comedy that keeps you constantly on your toes to see what happens next. If that isn't worth a high score then I don't know what is

I only have one minor problem with the film which I won't get over an done with before I do the typical praise a shit-ton routine I usually do. The score sometimes felt as if it was jamming the fact that it's quirky down my ear so hard that it was similar to a wet-willy from hell. I know the film is quirky, but the score felt a bit over bearing in a lot of scenes. However, it also worked in a lot of scenes, sometimes sounding like a video tape being re-wound to the beginning as a similar way to the film.

At that were the film just purely wins, the execution of it's ideas, Michel Gondary is always creating unique ways to show stuff through discarded memories and always slapping them together, creating abstract paintings most the time. Sometimes creating nice visuals, sometimes creating dark and horrifying visuals.

Acting is great obviously, would of been nice for the Academy to give some credit to Jim Carrey for his role, but Kate Winslet does worthy to achieve the nomination she got. Other supporting roles like Elijah Wood and Mary Jane Watson () are great also retrospectively.

I seem to be on a roll with the films I'm picking at the moment, there surely has to be a downfall soon

10/10

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Foggy

For bearcat...

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[Show spoiler]It's a non-stop deception twisting film, a romantic comedy that keeps you constantly on your toes to see what happens next. If that isn't worth a high score then I don't know what is

I only have one minor problem with the film which I won't get over an done with before I do the typical praise a shit-ton routine I usually do. The score sometimes felt as if it was jamming the fact that it's quirky down my ear so hard that it was similar to a wet-willy from hell. I know the film is quirky, but the score felt a bit over bearing in a lot of scenes. However, it also worked in a lot of scenes, sometimes sounding like a video tape being re-wound to the beginning as a similar way to the film.

At that were the film just purely wins, the execution of it's ideas, Michel Gondary is always creating unique ways to show stuff through discarded memories and always slapping them together, creating abstract paintings most the time. Sometimes creating nice visuals, sometimes creating dark and horrifying visuals.

Acting is great obviously, would of been nice for the Academy to give some credit to Jim Carrey for his role, but Kate Winslet does worthy to achieve the nomination she got. Other supporting roles like Elijah Wood and Mary Jane Watson () are great also retrospectively.

I seem to be on a role with the films I'm picking at the moment, there surely has to be a downfall soon

10/10

Infinitely re-watchable film.

[iam1bearcat]

Gone Baby Gone

109 minutes

First Viewing: 19 years old
Second Viewing: 23 years old (today)

Year: 2007

Director: Ben Affleck
Writers: Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Amy Ryan, and Titus Welliver

I remember in 2007 when I saw previews for Gone Baby Gone I was in awe by how real, interesting and great it looked. Previews showed a film that was well directed, well acted, had a pretty solid cast and an interesting story. So color me surprised when at the end it said, “written and directed by Ben Affleck”! Yes, the same guy that dated J-Lo, that starred in bunches of Kevin Smith movies and made that wonderful Gigli film, had suddenly turned director and seemed to be damn good at it. But sometimes previews lie.

But for Gone Baby Gone, they were dead on. I remember watching it and thinking how great it was and having no real complaints with the film. It was just so solid and incredible on every level.

So fast forward four years when I pick it up for a ridiculously low $6 at Wal-Mart and would it have the same impact now that I know how the “mystery” unravels? Would performances hold up? Would I still enjoy Gone Baby Gone as much as I did before?

Absolutely!

Look, Gone Baby Gone isn’t gonna be a film that ranks in my favorites list very high. It’s a great film, but not one I will watch very often, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a must see film. Hell, Ryan’s performance alone is worthy renting the film. It’s one of those films that you love, have no complaints with and is just all around very well made, but you know you like a bunch of other movies (that may or may not be as well made) more than this. So when my list of favorites come out and you see this maybe lower than expected, this is why.

The film, for those who may not know, follow a young couple who are detectives as they help try and solve the mystery behind a missing three year old girl. Now, before thinking this is an easy story to find the good guys and the bad guys in, be prepared because 99% of the audience will (at least DEFINITELY SHOULD) hate the girl’s mother. Absolutely hate her. The girl’s mother (Ryan in an amazing performance, I mean seriously. Watch this and then watch scenes of her from the fifth season of The Office. Mind blowing) is a crack addict. She doesn’t seem to care for her daughter, doesn’t seem to really care that she’s missing and definitely isn’t helpful for police because of her shady history and questionable friends. Mixed with some bad living quarters and we certainly aren’t dealing with Mother of the Year material here.

When I watched this four years ago I thought that the film was like two and a half hours, so color me even more surprised when it was 109 minutes.

The pace is VERY well done and while dialogue heavy, the film never feels bogged down or slow. Every scene is important and crucial to unraveling what happened to the little girl.

The film is also VERY serious in nature. There is maybe one or two jokes or moments to laugh at. I sometimes am not a big fan of that. I think dramas work well when they are able to mix in some slight humor, but with a story as serious and dark in nature as this, I guess it makes sense to not have humor. But then you look at a show like Dexter where the main character is a serial killer, it has plenty of wicked humor. But alas, that depends on the characters you give humor to. Gone Baby Gone doesn’t have any characters that would work well with humor. This is “real people” in a sense, with real life issues, so I understand completely. Just be aware that the film could be exhausting for some due to the heavy handed seriousness. Hell, even the music and directing seem very bogged down in seriousness.

But it’s not really a negative in my book, but it may be in yours.

The biggest thing that Gone Baby Gone offers is discussion on the controversial ending. I personally strongly dislike the decision made by Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck). Now, that’s my personal choice, but I can understand those who would do what he does, but I wouldn’t. Not a chance.

Interested in seeing it yet?

So far, Affleck has gone two for two as a director (this and The Town). Honestly, I can’t really pick which one I like more. I’d say that The Town is “easier” to sit through and watch, mainly because the story isn’t as super oozing with seriousness as this, but both are fantastic. So two thumbs up to Affleck and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

Visuals: 4/5

Audio: 4/5

The Film: 5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Foggy

For bearcat...

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[Show spoiler]It's a non-stop deception twisting film, a romantic comedy that keeps you constantly on your toes to see what happens next. If that isn't worth a high score then I don't know what is

I only have one minor problem with the film which I won't get over an done with before I do the typical praise a shit-ton routine I usually do. The score sometimes felt as if it was jamming the fact that it's quirky down my ear so hard that it was similar to a wet-willy from hell. I know the film is quirky, but the score felt a bit over bearing in a lot of scenes. However, it also worked in a lot of scenes, sometimes sounding like a video tape being re-wound to the beginning as a similar way to the film.

At that were the film just purely wins, the execution of it's ideas, Michel Gondary is always creating unique ways to show stuff through discarded memories and always slapping them together, creating abstract paintings most the time. Sometimes creating nice visuals, sometimes creating dark and horrifying visuals.

Acting is great obviously, would of been nice for the Academy to give some credit to Jim Carrey for his role, but Kate Winslet does worthy to achieve the nomination she got. Other supporting roles like Elijah Wood and Mary Jane Watson () are great also retrospectively.

I seem to be on a roll with the films I'm picking at the moment, there surely has to be a downfall soon

10/10

this is a bearcat approved review!

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Infinitely re-watchable film.

infinitely agree

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Gone Baby Gone

[Show spoiler]109 minutes

First Viewing: 19 years old
Second Viewing: 23 years old (today)

Year: 2007

Director: Ben Affleck
Writers: Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard
Starring: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Amy Ryan, and Titus Welliver

I remember in 2007 when I saw previews for Gone Baby Gone I was in awe by how real, interesting and great it looked. Previews showed a film that was well directed, well acted, had a pretty solid cast and an interesting story. So color me surprised when at the end it said, “written and directed by Ben Affleck”! Yes, the same guy that dated J-Lo, that starred in bunches of Kevin Smith movies and made that wonderful Gigli film, had suddenly turned director and seemed to be damn good at it. But sometimes previews lie.

But for Gone Baby Gone, they were dead on. I remember watching it and thinking how great it was and having no real complaints with the film. It was just so solid and incredible on every level.

So fast forward four years when I pick it up for a ridiculously low $6 at Wal-Mart and would it have the same impact now that I know how the “mystery” unravels? Would performances hold up? Would I still enjoy Gone Baby Gone as much as I did before?

Absolutely!

Look, Gone Baby Gone isn’t gonna be a film that ranks in my favorites list very high. It’s a great film, but not one I will watch very often, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a must see film. Hell, Ryan’s performance alone is worthy renting the film. It’s one of those films that you love, have no complaints with and is just all around very well made, but you know you like a bunch of other movies (that may or may not be as well made) more than this. So when my list of favorites come out and you see this maybe lower than expected, this is why.

The film, for those who may not know, follow a young couple who are detectives as they help try and solve the mystery behind a missing three year old girl. Now, before thinking this is an easy story to find the good guys and the bad guys in, be prepared because 99% of the audience will (at least DEFINITELY SHOULD) hate the girl’s mother. Absolutely hate her. The girl’s mother (Ryan in an amazing performance, I mean seriously. Watch this and then watch scenes of her from the fifth season of The Office. Mind blowing) is a crack addict. She doesn’t seem to care for her daughter, doesn’t seem to really care that she’s missing and definitely isn’t helpful for police because of her shady history and questionable friends. Mixed with some bad living quarters and we certainly aren’t dealing with Mother of the Year material here.

When I watched this four years ago I thought that the film was like two and a half hours, so color me even more surprised when it was 109 minutes.

The pace is VERY well done and while dialogue heavy, the film never feels bogged down or slow. Every scene is important and crucial to unraveling what happened to the little girl.

The film is also VERY serious in nature. There is maybe one or two jokes or moments to laugh at. I sometimes am not a big fan of that. I think dramas work well when they are able to mix in some slight humor, but with a story as serious and dark in nature as this, I guess it makes sense to not have humor. But then you look at a show like Dexter where the main character is a serial killer, it has plenty of wicked humor. But alas, that depends on the characters you give humor to. Gone Baby Gone doesn’t have any characters that would work well with humor. This is “real people” in a sense, with real life issues, so I understand completely. Just be aware that the film could be exhausting for some due to the heavy handed seriousness. Hell, even the music and directing seem very bogged down in seriousness.

But it’s not really a negative in my book, but it may be in yours.

The biggest thing that Gone Baby Gone offers is discussion on the controversial ending. I personally strongly dislike the decision made by Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck). Now, that’s my personal choice, but I can understand those who would do what he does, but I wouldn’t. Not a chance.

Interested in seeing it yet?

So far, Affleck has gone two for two as a director (this and The Town). Honestly, I can’t really pick which one I like more. I’d say that The Town is “easier” to sit through and watch, mainly because the story isn’t as super oozing with seriousness as this, but both are fantastic. So two thumbs up to Affleck and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

Visuals: 4/5

Audio: 4/5

The Film: 5/5

Definitely not something I would buy, but I loved it when I watched it several months ago. #2 or #3 for 2007 for me.

Originally Posted by Diesel

Gone Baby Gone

• 2007 | R | 114 minutes
  
  
• Director: Ben Affleck
  
  
• Starring: Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, Michelle Monaghan
  
  
• Crime | Drama | Mystery

Another movie that I really didn't know anything much about going in. I knew Ben Affleck directed it and...well that's pretty much it.

The film follows a Boston detective (Affleck) and his girlfriend (Monaghan) as they work a case of a missing child. Patrick has many connections on the streets of the city and uses them to help solve his cases. Along the way they work with the local police in the case (Harris, John Ashton, Morgan Freeman) to help find the girl. Patrick soon uncovers deeper and darker secrets than he ever expected to find.

This movie for the first half or so was very good and I was really enjoying it...but the second half thew some serious curve balls at me that I honestly did not see coming at all. The

[Show spoiler] revelations that are made; Remy knowing Lionel, knowing Ray; Doyle being involved, Lionel being involved, Remy being involved. What Patrick first believes really happened at the quarry after a few of the revelations, and then what really happened.

Great stuff, some people probably saw some of it coming, but I sure didn't.

Then there's Patrick's

[Show spoiler]choice: Leave the girl with Doyle or call the police and get her back to her mom. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, and I was that they actually had him make the tough choice and stick up for what he thought he needed to do. I was SO glad they didn't make him take a stand to Freeman about what he was going to do and then back down after talking to Monaghan. Instead they went the tough way and brought the girl back to the apparently neglectful mother instead of with the people who were taking good care of her (but stole her) and gave up his relationship with his girlfriend. What would I have done in the situation Patrick was in? I honestly can't say that I know for sure which I would do. Gut reaction says calling the police/FBI/Whoever would be the "right" thing to do because these people did some pretty bad things to get this girl out of there. Then you think about the things we know about her mother and the home she would be raised in and the probable future that is waiting for her and then things all of a sudden aren't as clear cut as they were before... What option would you choose if you were in Patrick's situation in real life? Would you stand up for the law because you think it is right or would you bend/break the rules to give the girl a home with people that not only say they love her but show it? Some might be able to say easily which choice they would make...but when put in the position, I highly doubt it would be a clear cut choice for ANYONE.

I thought it was executed very well in the film and really makes the viewer squirm a little when thinking about the choice.

Squid mentioned that the movie Blood Diamond tackles some pretty heavy issues, but I said that didn't mean it made for a good film. Gone Baby Gone tackles some pretty heavy issues as well AND makes for a great film.


The acting in the film from the main characters were all very strong.

Casey Affleck was definitely my favorite; he handled the character exquisitely. His delivery of the dialog wasn't his strongest aspect in the film (though that was very good), it was his visual acting. His face was telling in the movie, when he is conflicted, when he is horrified, when he is truly sad. Great job

Monaghan worked very well along side of him. The two had very nice chemistry and fit nicely together.

Morgan Freeman...well, he was Morgan Freeman. 'Nuff said.

Ed Harris was probably my second favorite in the film behind Affleck. Whether it was the script or his performance...probably both...

[Show spoiler]I never for a second thought that he was involved with any of the stuff that was going down until he made the drunken slip to Patrick. There are many, many characters in movies that you can spot from a mile away, "Yep, he's got something going on with him..."; well not this time. I was when the revelation was made.

I see that Amy Ryan was nominated for an Oscar for her performance and also nominated/won many other awards. That really, really surprises me. I thought she did pretty good as the mother, but not THAT good. If anyone would have been nominated for anything I would have expected it to be Affleck.


Ben Affleck did a great job directing as well. The movie has a constant pace, it never lags or goes too fast; he keeps things nice and tight and moving along at the perfect speed that they should be at.


If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend checking this one out.


Rating - 4.75/5

[iam1bearcat]

Love & Other Drugs

108 minutes

Year: 2010
Director: Edward Zwick
Writer: Charles Randolph, Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Josh Gad

First viewing (age: 23)

Being a big fan of Gyllenhaal and quickly becoming a fan of Hathaway’s, when I saw previews for Love & Other Drugs I was instantly excited to one day see it. As most of you know, I have an odd attraction to romantic comedies, many of which will be in my personal top 50 favorite movies list… whenever that is made, so I had a good idea that I was going to like Love & Other Drugs. Unless it absolutely sucked.

Luckily for me, it didn’t

Now, the film isn’t all that great. It’s heartily generic and clichéd but it just has a wonderful twist dealing with pharmaceuticals and a serious disease of one of the main characters. But, when you cut that away, this is your standard romantic comedy.

Gyllenhaal plays Jamie Randall, a young, cocky, arrogant, self-professed “sh*thead” who sleeps with a lot of women. Hathaway plays Maggie Murdock, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, but is a free-spirit who enjoys her life but won’t let anyone get close to her. When the two of them meet up, they decide to just have random sex because she doesn’t want a boyfriend and that’s just what he does.

In that sense, it’s a lot like No Strings Attached.

Of course, the “sh*thead” falls in love with the girl and the girl hates him for it but slowly falls in love with him. Again, nothing shocking, this is a rom-com after all.

What surprised me was how the first half of the film was a lot of jokes, witty sexual innuendos, and sight gags that make us laugh. Then after about 70 minutes, the film takes a very serious, somber tone. Almost too serious.

And then there is that one scene at the convention (or “Unconvention” as you will) that just made my jaw drop because it seemed soooooooo out of place for the film and was so shockingly cold to hear, but I imagine, sadly, it does happen to someone suffering from Parkinson’s.

[Show spoiler]when the husband tells Jamie to pack a bag, leave a note and start over and how he loved his wife but wouldn't do it all over again i was it seems so frighteningly cruel but i'm sure that has been said by some people

On the lighter side of things is Josh Gad, who must be from the future because I swear this man is Jonah Hill only a little bit heavier and 10 years old. Hell, he SOUNDS like Hill, he acts like Hill, his jokes are ripped straight from an Apatow comedy starring Hill. I’m surprised Hill hasn’t sued him for identity theft. I mean, just look at the two of them! Either Gad is his brother or very close relative or there are worlds colliding this very moment!



With all that said though, he was very humorous in the film and supplied the majority of the dialogue heavy laughs, while Gyllenhaal was more of the “look I ran into something again!” type of laughs (and one overly obvious drug side effect gag that we all knew was going to happen eventually).

It may sound like I’m cold and callous to the film, but I really did enjoy it and am glad I own it. I wasn’t expecting anything super original or life altering and that’s not what these types of films are about. So I walked away happy

I do wonder why the writers chose Parkinson’s as the disease to place Maggie with, as any disease I’d imagine would have sufficed. I’m also a bit surprised no female was on the writing staff (main three above I imagine are all males) since this is a rom-com, but the writing for Maggie wasn’t bad. Surprising since it was written by a man, but likely had help from women (as it should).

One last thought I had once it ended that may be odd to some was that Love & Other Drugs, and other films of this ilk, have made me appreciate Blue Valentine so much more than I did before. It’s perfectly fine to have happy endings in films, but not all of our real life relationships end perfectly, and I’m very glad there are films like Blue Valentine and Revolutionary Road to show us that.

Visuals: 4.5/5
Audio: 4/5

4/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Definitely not something I would buy, but I loved it when I watched it several months ago. #2 or #3 for 2007 for me.

indeed! i see we pretty much have the same thoughts and positives on the film

i imagine you know this by now, but this can be had from wally world for $6. so while you may not watch it very often, for $6 it may be worth it, right?