The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

How many posts per page do you have your profile set on?

25? but i searched like, the five pages before and after page 433 and never saw it

[iam1bearcat]

holy flopping jerky salmon! that review for me is on page 866! thank god i didn't keep searching for it

[Diesel]

Mine is set to 40, that's why you couldn't find it

You would have been at it all night.

[Show spoiler](TWSS?)

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Diesel

This:

[Show spoiler]Attachment 35415

Oh bearcat. This reminds me of a similar post...

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post4337111

And that page reminds me that you haven't used my nifty sig idea yet. You would have much more work to do, but it's a nice reference for yourself and the rest of us.

Originally Posted by Diesel

That's how I search for old posts when I have to

I like your signature idea
I may have to pay the usage fee and do that myself at some point.

[Lepidopterous]

Just got back from B&N with:

Au Revoir Les Enfants - A must-see to show friends and family.
Diabolique - Simply can't wait to see the blu-ray.
Fish Tank - Netflix Instant has convinced me this has replay value.
The Killing - Also high replay value and immensely entertaining.
Smiles of a Summer Night - A beautiful and amusing comedy.
Solaris - A film overflowing with depth and quality.

No blind-buys yet, but might snag Still Walking before the sale ends.

On that note, Harakiri was recently announced for a Criterion release. A must-own imo.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Oh bearcat. This reminds me of a similar post...

https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/127...ml#post4337111

And that page reminds me that you haven't used my nifty sig idea yet. You would have much more work to do, but it's a nice reference for yourself and the rest of us.

I remember saying that

And never got around to it

Maybe one of these days I actually will.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I remember saying that

And never got around to it

Maybe one of these days I actually will.

[Show spoiler]

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Just got back from B&N with:

Au Revoir Les Enfants - A must-see to show friends and family.
Diabolique - Simply can't wait to see the blu-ray.
Fish Tank - Netflix Instant has convinced me this has replay value.
The Killing - Also high replay value and immensely entertaining.
Smiles of a Summer Night - A beautiful and amusing comedy.
Solaris - A film overflowing with depth and quality.

No blind-buys yet, but might snag Still Walking before the sale ends.

On that note, Harakiri was recently announced for a Criterion release. A must-own imo.

I hope you're right about Fish Tank. I ordered that earlier today from Amazon for $20.99 since my B&N store doesn't have it according to their website. It looks pretty good from the trailer though.

I'm going to stop by my B&N store tomorrow after work and probably get a few more Criterions. These will be my first ever ones.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

It'll be a pain tracking down all my reviews
And I'll see the ones where I didn't write a proper review and then I'll be forced (because of my own crazy self...) to go back and write real ones

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by killowertz

I hope you're right about Fish Tank. I ordered that earlier today from Amazon for $20.99 since my B&N store doesn't have it according to their website. It looks pretty good from the trailer though.

I'm going to stop by my B&N store tomorrow after work and probably get a few more Criterions. These will be my first ever ones.

Check out my review (link in my sig). It is flawed and eccentric at times, but overall has an in-your-face realism about it some might appreciate. You will learn to sympathize with or at least understand the hot-headed rebellious teen. Definitely a neat little film.

Which Criterions do you have your eye on? It would be a shame to end up with a bad pick as a blind-buy and be turned off to other brilliant releases by Criterion.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]

It'll be a pain tracking down all my reviews
And I'll see the ones where I didn't write a proper review and then I'll be forced (because of my own crazy self...) to go back and write real ones

Oh stop your complaining.

[Diesel]

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

[Mandalorian]

I've reviewed many films on RT and even on here, but this marks my first review posted in this thread (also can be found in the user review section of the movie's page). Tell me what you think...

The Film (Final Rating: 8/10):

Where to begin with Rango? I intentionally avoided it when it was in theaters for no good reason, other than the fact that I knew I would buy it when it came out on Blu-ray, and I figured I would save myself some money since I was not dying to see it. In some ways that may have contributed to me loving the film so much after only a couple of viewings. It's definitely my new favorite Western, as hard as that may be to believe. Rango takes many aspects from classic Westerns and reiterates them through fresh, and often funny ways. I'll briefly summarize the plot. The story revolves around a pet chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp at the top of his game) who becomes stranded in the Mojave Desert after his terrarium is thrown from his owner's car. After meeting an armadillo named Roadkill (voiced by Alfred Molina), who is seeking the mystical Spirit of the West, he narrowly avoids being eaten by a hawk before meeting another lizard, named Beans (voiced by Isla Fisher). Beans then takes Rango to Dirt, a small, Old West town populated by a colorful cast of various species of desert animals (watch the "Real Creatures of Dirt" feature in the extras to see their real-life counterparts), whom each has their own different personality, look, and shall I say, walk? That's a joke that ties into an early gag when Rango first arrives at Dirt. There is quite a bit of quirky, offbeat humor throughout, and that caught me off guard. I had a lot of fun watching this movie. More so than I expected to. I have to say, this may just be the most gorgeously animated film that I have ever seen.

It's my dream to be an animator and a visual effects artist after I finish college, and to witness the magnificent work on display in this film was a real treat. This may be controversial because Pixar is backed by legions of fans (myself included), but honestly, if ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) worked on more animated films, they would dominate the industry. It's quite funny to me that the very same visual effects house (founded by none other than George Lucas) that gave us Pixar, arguably the best in the business at what they do (which is the whole package of story and animation, not just animation), has made one of the few films that I think looks more visually arresting than anything they have done. It's also ironic that this film is so beautiful, because it has the ugliest cast of characters that I have ever seen in an animated film. Not only the characters, but the scenery has a rugged beauty as well. In the town, Dirt, Gore Verbinski (Director) said that he didn't want any parallel lines or 90 degree angles. He wanted it to show that this ugly little town was not made by expert craftsmen. It was made by animals. It's so incredibly rich and detailed that it's hard not to ogle at it. There are some very well-done action sequences in this film, and I must say that the bat scene is not to be missed. It's quite obvious that this movie is not aiming its focus at little children, in more ways than one. The director himself said so on the commentary, but before I listened to that, I thought that. First of all, as I already mentioned, these characters are not visually appealing, so they probably won't want a plush doll of any of them, except for maybe Rango. He literally is the only character in the film with some color.

Another reason why I felt this film was not aiming itself at children was the writing itself. There are so many big words throughout this film that even some older kids and adults will have to look them up. Definitely a few lines that parents will have to explain to their kids later. I can hear it now. "Mommy, what's a prostate?" "Oh, um, I'll tell you in a few years..." "Okay, but what about a mammogram?" "Oh dear God, this is supposed to be a cartoon." And that's where the parent would be wrong. If ever there was a perfect example that not all animated films are for little children, Rango would be it. In one of the bonus features, Verbinski said a quote that I have said a few times, so it really stood out to me. He said, "Animation is not a genre. It's a technique to tell a story." I wish more people would understand this, because it's disappointing when someone won't even give an animated film a chance because they think it's for little kids. On another note, film buffs should, especially Western buffs, should have a ball looking for all of the references to other films, none of which a kid would catch (wink, wink). I definitely couldn't catch them all, so I looked them up. I'll name the ones I found (without spoiling what parts they appear in). There are references to: The Man With No Name Trilogy (referenced quite a few times, in various ways), John Wayne cowboy films in general, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Chinatown, Cat Ballou, High Noon, The Shakiest Gun in the West, Apocalypse Now, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aliens. As you can see, there are plenty to look for, and that probably isn't all of them. Rango is exciting, charming, funny, and fresh. I will definitely be returning to it many times in the coming years.

The Transfer and Extras:

There is no reason to go into great detail here. The movie has enough detail to the point where the animators could probably have taken out a bit of the various textures and fine details, and the movie would probably still be ahead of its competition. The picture quality is simply flawless (no exaggeration). If there was a level above perfection, Rango would be there. I've already said enough about how beautiful and detailed the animations are, and the transfer brings it life very, very well. I'd recommend this Blu-ray just as a reference to show off to friends and family who still buy DVDs. I'd be willing to bet my left nut that it would convert at least one of them. Rescue one of them from the Dark Side. All kidding aside, it truly is a sight to behold. I also want to commend the creators for not succumbing to the 3D craze, and filming Rango in 3D. Even though we always have a choice as to whether or not we want to watch a film in the format, and I pretty much always choose to watch animated films in 3D (so forgive my hypocrisy), it's undeniable that filmmakers spend time tinkering with the 3D that they would otherwise have spent on another aspect of the film. So I'm happy that all of their time was spent perfecting other aspects of Rango. As for the audio, it's top notch as well. Admittedly, I don't have the greatest sound system, but I did not notice any glaring flaws with the audio either, so I have to say it's flawless as well. The extras are also pretty damn good. I almost never watch extras right after the film ends, but I did with Rango.

I started with the "Real Creatures of Dirt" featurette. It was actually pretty cool. It was a fairly short (about the length of a half hour TV show with no commercials) and was in the style of the old Zoboomafoo show from PBS, with a Steve Irwin twist (dangerously close, in other words). Next up was the "Breaking the Rules: Making Animation History" featurette, which was your standard "Making of" fair. Both were fun to watch, and will definitely strengthen your love for the film if you like it. It was quite interesting to see the creative way they filmed the actors on a sound stage acting out the entire film, then used the footage for reference when doing the animations. It was almost like motion capture, without the tights suits and little dot markers. Johnny Depp is hilarious to watch. His facial expressions really sell his commitment to the character. I also listened to the audio commentary. It was fun to listen to, and while fans will learn a few interesting tidbits here and there, I wouldn't say it's a necessity.So, all in all, Rango is an all-around satisfying film. It's funny and witty, with fresh humor that isn't often found in animated films. It's often exciting with thrilling chases and square-offs (as all great Westerns do). It has gorgeous scenery (some of the most realistic CGI environments that I have ever seen). And most importantly, it should be entertaining for the whole family, but adults should get more out of it than young children, I give Rango my highest recommendation. MUST OWN.

[Geode]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

THE SILVER CHALICE (1954)

When I was growing up, religious epics reigned supreme with such films as Quo Vadis, The Robe, The Ten Commandments and Ben Hur. Then there are the more laughable ones like David and Bathsheba and The Silver Chalice.

Thank GOD that On the Waterfront and some other great films came out that year because The Silver Chalice is now a movie one should watch if they want to just have a good laugh or to see great actors in a really bad movie. I can also see what The Pythons might have watched before they came out with their movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I remember seeing this with my class when I went to Catholic school in Chicago as a little boy and I think the only performance which fascinated me back then was that of Jack Palance, who played Simon the Magician. I just LOVED the part where he jumps off the tower thinking he could fly. Still, I can't believe that this film was even nominated for 2 Academy Awards but it was: one for Color Cinematography and the other for Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or [probably more likely for this one] Comedy Picture. I mean, can you imagine a Roman soldier actually saying "There's no place like Rome;" I'm surprised they didn't have him clicking his leather sandals together but hopefully you get the idea that this film RANKS up there with films done by Edward D Woods, Jr like Plan 9 from Outer Space. Film debut for Paul Newman (film debut for Lorne Green too and performance by teenager and blond Natalie Wood) and just a piece of trivia, Newman supposedly took out a full page ad in either the NY Times, Variety or some other Hollywood trade paper apologizing for his performance in this film but I haven't been able to locate the ad. [I bet that would be a valuable collectible if true.] I hope Warner doesn't release this one on BD because it has one of the worst sets I've ever seen in a film.

Film: 1.5/5 For Laughs: 3.5/5 PQ: No comment SQ: was released w/4 track stereo but apparently, only available w/mono now

Available on DVD now at a store near you or just watch it on TCM

I fully undestand why "The Silver Chalice" can be termed laughable, but I don't see why "David and Bathesheba" should be considered in the same light.

[Al_The_Strange]

It’s been a Hell of a weekend. In the bad sense of the term, my computer went kaput, so I had the joy of rebuilding the thing and reloading Windows. In the good sense of the term, I joined some friends and got a chance to see…

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II”



Ever since Harry Potter’s introduction some ten years ago, I’ve always been eager to see how this finale would turn out (I am a big sucker for grand finales). After ten or so somber minutes of recapping the last film, this last hurrah starts off gently as the characters infiltrate a magical vault, before moving along to the ultimate Battle of Hogwarts. As far as finales go, I wouldn’t dare rank the Hogwarts battle over my other favorite scenes (like the Battle of Zion in the “Matrix” saga, the Battle of Endor in “Star Wars,” or the Battle of Minas Tirith in “LOTR,” among others). Even though it takes up over twenty minutes of screen time, something about the final HP battle didn’t really strike me as exceptional; I suspect it’s because the actual fighting is subdued to the background, with no real sense of progression, variety, or danger. But after some sporadic bursts of fighting and mystery, the film finally gets into the final duel between HP and Voldemort, which is pretty damn cool. There are also a number of other epic moments in the film that’ll keep it lively, and will enthrall most diehard HP fans. I felt there could have been a bigger punch, and there are perhaps just a few scenes that drag, but what we get is satisfying.

The story is ultimately tied together quite well, combing up all the elements, characters, and events of the last several films for some final revelations and a decent conclusion. Some scenes may not make sense to casual fans or those who are unfamiliar with the books (I honestly forgot all about the Resurrection Stone, even when they showed it on screen). The characters are as strong as ever, and with an overt theme of duality, I have found most of it very intriguing.

The film shows fine photography and editing. Some scenes look made for 3D, but are never overly-gimmicky. Acting is as strong as ever, save for maybe one or two cheesy moments (I’ll probably always be laughing at Voldemort when he zaps Harry, wheezing out his spell in a big rush ), but I was quite impressed with Emma Watson’s mad ability to mirror Helen Bonham Carter so well! I have no complaints about the writing. Production value looks strong, with plenty of solid sets, props, costumes, and wonderful special effects. Music is pretty decent (and often echoes John Williams’ original theme from the first couple of films).

Yep, it’s a decent ending for this series. I just wish there could have been more to the main battle, and maybe a little tighter pacing in the beginning half. For now, I think I like it about as much as the last few movies, but my score could increase over time.

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

Recommendation: Yep, especially for fans.

[Al_The_Strange]

So I picked out all these favorites…

[Show spoiler]

…and I randomly picked one for requisite Birthday viewing. I wound up watching…

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Watching crazy people can be fun. Especially when you throw Jack Nicholson in the mix. At times, this film is strangely mesmerizing and amusing as these madmen bicker, pout, throw tantrums, and ultimately form a unique camaraderie. It’s especially intriguing and tense when you throw a steely Nazi-esque nurse in the room with them. This film is not side-achingly hilarious or action-packed or anything, but it strikes a decent pacing and showcases a story well worth telling.

This story is quite strong, even if it isn’t 100% eventful. The plot is well-structured, with a decent build-up and a very invoking climax (the movie’s ending is the thing that really makes this stand out; it has to be seen completely to be understood). Above all, the characters are very strong; McMurphy is quite believable and real, as are all his buddies; Nurse Ratched is quite an interesting animal, for even though she is never totally evil, she is so cold and commanding that she looks like she belongs on the command center of the Death Star. Altogether, these characters present a story that deals heavily with anti-institution themes; it’s a hoot, and an integral conflict in the film, watching the main character mixing things up in the asylum and causing trouble, all for the sake of enjoying life rather than being slaves to a regimen. The events of this film could probably apply just as easily to a large-scale government, or even the fundamental battle between God and the Devil (just my interpretation, I see the nurse as angelic and McMurphy as devilish).

The film might look a little pedestrian at times, but it does have quality photography and editing, and it helps convey a sense of gritty realism (the same kind of style you’d find in movies like “The Graduate” or “Taxi Driver”). Acting is awesome; Jack Nicholson’s role here is probably the sanest of all the ones he’s done , and he really becomes the character here. Louise Fletcher is smashing as the nurse. It’s also very interesting watching Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, and Brad Dourif in their youths, working alongside with a few other familiar faces and a number of authentic mental patients. Production value is not terribly high, but still very effective, especially with genuine sets, props, and costumes. This movie only has one or two moments with music, and it’s pretty weird.

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

Recommendation: Yes!

This Blu-Ray has some soft-looking scenes, some level of intense grain/noise, and a few specks here and there, but is otherwise quite clear and sharp. I’m not sure if any DNR was applied to this film, but if so it would just be a slight amount. Sound quality seemed a bit weak with the voices.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 3.5/5

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by RJ Smoove

I've reviewed many films on RT and even on here, but this marks my first review posted in this thread (also can be found in the user review section of the movie's page). Tell me what you think...

Very good review. I agree that the presentation is perfect and I also gave the movie itself 4/5. There are plenty of better animated movies, but it's worth owning for sure. None look better.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

So I picked out all these favorites…

[Show spoiler]

…and I randomly picked one for requisite Birthday viewing. I wound up watching…

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

Watching crazy people can be fun. Especially when you throw Jack Nicholson in the mix. At times, this film is strangely mesmerizing and amusing as these madmen bicker, pout, throw tantrums, and ultimately form a unique camaraderie. It’s especially intriguing and tense when you throw a steely Nazi-esque nurse in the room with them. This film is not side-achingly hilarious or action-packed or anything, but it strikes a decent pacing and showcases a story well worth telling.

This story is quite strong, even if it isn’t 100% eventful. The plot is well-structured, with a decent build-up and a very invoking climax (the movie’s ending is the thing that really makes this stand out; it has to be seen completely to be understood). Above all, the characters are very strong; McMurphy is quite believable and real, as are all his buddies; Nurse Ratched is quite an interesting animal, for even though she is never totally evil, she is so cold and commanding that she looks like she belongs on the command center of the Death Star. Altogether, these characters present a story that deals heavily with anti-institution themes; it’s a hoot, and an integral conflict in the film, watching the main character mixing things up in the asylum and causing trouble, all for the sake of enjoying life rather than being slaves to a regimen. The events of this film could probably apply just as easily to a large-scale government, or even the fundamental battle between God and the Devil (just my interpretation, I see the nurse as angelic and McMurphy as devilish).

The film might look a little pedestrian at times, but it does have quality photography and editing, and it helps convey a sense of gritty realism (the same kind of style you’d find in movies like “The Graduate” or “Taxi Driver”). Acting is awesome; Jack Nicholson’s role here is probably the sanest of all the ones he’s done , and he really becomes the character here. Louise Fletcher is smashing as the nurse. It’s also very interesting watching Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, and Brad Dourif in their youths, working alongside with a few other familiar faces and a number of authentic mental patients. Production value is not terribly high, but still very effective, especially with genuine sets, props, and costumes. This movie only has one or two moments with music, and it’s pretty weird.

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

Recommendation: Yes!

This Blu-Ray has some soft-looking scenes, some level of intense grain/noise, and a few specks here and there, but is otherwise quite clear and sharp. I’m not sure if any DNR was applied to this film, but if so it would just be a slight amount. Sound quality seemed a bit weak with the voices.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 3.5/5

Belated Happy Birthday.

I love Cuckoo's Nest too; it's in my Top 25. Lots of memorable scenes.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Just got back from B&N with:

Au Revoir Les Enfants - A must-see to show friends and family.
Diabolique - Simply can't wait to see the blu-ray.
Fish Tank - Netflix Instant has convinced me this has replay value.
The Killing - Also high replay value and immensely entertaining.
Smiles of a Summer Night - A beautiful and amusing comedy.
Solaris - A film overflowing with depth and quality.

No blind-buys yet, but might snag Still Walking before the sale ends.

On that note, Harakiri was recently announced for a Criterion release. A must-own imo.

The Killing? I thought the release date was August 16?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by RJ Smoove

I've reviewed many films on RT and even on here, but this marks my first review posted in this thread (also can be found in the user review section of the movie's page). Tell me what you think...

Nice