The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

City of Lost Children

Film: 5/5
-(1) I have NO EFFING CLUE what I just watched
-(2) In spite of (1), this film kicks a$$!!!
-(3) The End.

Why?

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Hep

...unless you want a review of The Smurfs

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

More like...

[Foggy]

Hobo with a Shotgun

To be honest, for a film with a title as this one, it was a lot dafter than I expected

There are a lot of things I like in this film, and there are a few things I really don't. But as far as reviews on here go, I enjoyed it the most out of most the people on here.

The comedy really gels with me, and I when a film gets me laughing at

[Show spoiler]school children getting burnt alive

I believe it's done something special. The film has an over the top and over saturated style that makes all the goofiness work, and when something seriously horrible happens, it's done in a very well way that makes you know it's not to be taken seriously.

However, when the film needs to be taken seriously, I think the film could of really fell apart, but, it's Rutger Hauer that really makes this, a lesser actor would of struggled to add weight, but he pulls it off effortlessly, and still has some room to keep it tongue-in-cheek. A lot of the supporting cast are great as well, but I really hate the villain, he's hamming it up as he's supposed to, but he's too forceful, making it unpleasant to watch him.:

I also found it to get a tad too self-indulgent towards the end, and loosing track of what it was supposed to be doing, with the introduction of The Plague. I found them to be great characters, and the mystery behind them being hidden in the background was pretty clever, but they felt to be out of a completely different movie, and really didn't add much to the overall plot except a little bit of movement.

However, Hobo with a Shotgun really surprised me, I was expecting some cheap grindhouse rip-off that would be oozing gore and be having times of ludicrous daftness while reminiscing about past vigilante troma films from the 80's. It was that, but it did it so well, it was none stop and really felt like a film from the era instead of reminiscent look.

8.5/10

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Hobo with a Shotgun

[Show spoiler]
To be honest, for a film with a title as this one, it was a lot dafter than I expected

There are a lot of things I like in this film, and there are a few things I really don't. But as far as reviews on here go, I enjoyed it the most out of most the people on here.

The comedy really gels with me, and I when a film gets me laughing at

[Show spoiler]school children getting burnt alive

I believe it's done something special. The film has an over the top and over saturated style that makes all the goofiness work, and when something seriously horrible happens, it's done in a very well way that makes you know it's not to be taken seriously.

However, when the film needs to be taken seriously, I think the film could of really fell apart, but, it's Rutger Hauer that really makes this, a lesser actor would of struggled to add weight, but he pulls it off effortlessly, and still has some room to keep it tongue-in-cheek. A lot of the supporting cast are great as well, but I really hate the villain, he's hamming it up as he's supposed to, but he's too forceful, making it unpleasant to watch him.:

I also found it to get a tad too self-indulgent towards the end, and loosing track of what it was supposed to be doing, with the introduction of The Plague. I found them to be great characters, and the mystery behind them being hidden in the background was pretty clever, but they felt to be out of a completely different movie, and really didn't add much to the overall plot except a little bit of movement.

However, Hobo with a Shotgun really surprised me, I was expecting some cheap grindhouse rip-off that would be oozing gore and be having times of ludicrous daftness while reminiscing about past vigilante troma films from the 80's. It was that, but it did it so well, it was none stop and really felt like a film from the era instead of reminiscent look.

8.5/10

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Oh. When you said "unwatched" I assumed that meant unseen.

Trim the list to unseen and I'll give a rec.

Mad Men is darn good though.

I'm getting back on it this weekend.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

No, its cool. It reminds me of when Hep used to do a "If this movie were food, it would be..."

I miss Hep.

Surfdude seems to be MIA again as well.

And Steve...

Always count on Squid to bring the family back together.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Steve46

America Lost and Found (seven movies)
Casino Jack
Diabolique
The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (would have to watch parts 1 and 2 again first)
Good Night and Good Luck
Horrible Bosses
Howard's End
Killer's Kiss (already saw The Killing)
Le Cercle Rouge
Mad Men (Seasons 1-3)
Red
Rushmore
Scarface
Something Wild
Withnail and I

Definitely gotta see those two.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Melancholia

Film: 4.5/5

[Show spoiler]-visual powerhouse, like Antichrist
-I haven't read any reviews or interpretations, but the themes seemed metaphorical/allegorical to me, where

[Show spoiler]the planet Melancholia

symbolizes death, and

[Show spoiler]Earth

symbolizes the individual (whichever character). Thus, sister A who wanted

[Show spoiler]Melacholia to hit earth

seemed to be more

[Show spoiler]suicidal

, while sister B who didn't want

[Show spoiler]Melancholia to hit earth

seemed to be

[Show spoiler]in fear of death

. Neither is ideal. Ideal is sister C (who wasn't in the film), who would

[Show spoiler]just acknowledge Melacholia is there, not want it to hit or go away, but just accept its there and that its going to do whatever its going to do

i could be way off but who gives a &%*#$

Love this film.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I'm getting back on it this weekend.

Which season?

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Always count on Squid to bring the family back together.

All we need is a Jhiggy review to complete the reunion. His reviews were always entertaining because they were SO FAR OFF BASE.

[Show spoiler]Lets see if he is reading this.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Which season?

A few episodes left from season 2, then 3 and 4. I'm not big on TV dramas because I usually can't find the patience/endurance. I have to be very interested. Rome, Nip/Tuck, and Firefly are the only TV series I've ever finished. I think Mad Men will be next if it keeps up with the first two seasons.

All we need is a Jhiggy review to complete the reunion. His reviews were always entertaining because they were SO FAR OFF BASE.

[Show spoiler]Lets see if he is reading this.

Ha right? I miss our other French New Waver. He'll have to poke his head in soon because I'm going to want to know what he thinks of the Dragon Tattoo remake later this month.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Hobo with a Shotgun

[Show spoiler]To be honest, for a film with a title as this one, it was a lot dafter than I expected

There are a lot of things I like in this film, and there are a few things I really don't. But as far as reviews on here go, I enjoyed it the most out of most the people on here.

The comedy really gels with me, and I when a film gets me laughing at

[Show spoiler]school children getting burnt alive

I believe it's done something special. The film has an over the top and over saturated style that makes all the goofiness work, and when something seriously horrible happens, it's done in a very well way that makes you know it's not to be taken seriously.

However, when the film needs to be taken seriously, I think the film could of really fell apart, but, it's Rutger Hauer that really makes this, a lesser actor would of struggled to add weight, but he pulls it off effortlessly, and still has some room to keep it tongue-in-cheek. A lot of the supporting cast are great as well, but I really hate the villain, he's hamming it up as he's supposed to, but he's too forceful, making it unpleasant to watch him.:

I also found it to get a tad too self-indulgent towards the end, and loosing track of what it was supposed to be doing, with the introduction of The Plague. I found them to be great characters, and the mystery behind them being hidden in the background was pretty clever, but they felt to be out of a completely different movie, and really didn't add much to the overall plot except a little bit of movement.

However, Hobo with a Shotgun really surprised me, I was expecting some cheap grindhouse rip-off that would be oozing gore and be having times of ludicrous daftness while reminiscing about past vigilante troma films from the 80's. It was that, but it did it so well, it was none stop and really felt like a film from the era instead of reminiscent look.

8.5/10

One of the biggest you will see from me in disagreement with a review, and I like Grindhouse style/way over the top movies. Bearcat would agree with me. It's all good though. I'm glad it at least worked for you.

[Show spoiler]Still, I have to put another

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Why?

I guess I would just put it in the "visuals alone suffice - plot need not to be figured out" column. Kind of like Last Year at Marienbad, Mulholland Drive, etc.
Or as I've said before: like watching a painting. I think we forget that a film is just a continuous array of paintings. When I view a painting, I just enjoy viewing it. I don't try to "figure it out". It seems almost so simple that its hard to grasp and apply the same viewing rules for paintings to films (i.e., the idea of just watching, for the sake of watching).

Part of the cool visuals:
-Dark City atmosphere (closest to Dark City I've seen: city, always nighttime, murky river around it, etc)

-Continuous use of awkward camera angles, eerie closeups (Clockwork-style), and a "Mad Max" type cast (eerie beings in post-apocalyptic world)

-dream/surreal sequences (my favorite!)

[Steve46]

Horrible Bosses

I don't like dumb comedies, but this one manages to avoid falling into that category for the most part. Even though the subject matter isn't that different from most dumb comedy, the cast keeps Horrible Bosses afloat.

I think I enjoyed this because the actors have been in better movies that I loved.

I have always liked Kevin Spacey. He can appear in just about anything and make it work. American Beauty is in my Top 10.

Colin Farrell was great in In Bruges and can certainly do comedy.

Jason Bateman is growing on me because I'm always delighted to watch Up in the Air and Juno; two of the most intelligent comedies I own.

Friends seems older and more predictable than I remember, but I like Jennifer Aniston because of that show. I haven't enjoyed her movie roles - with the exception of Derailed - but she does a good job here.

The idea is predictable, but pretty well executed.

I would watch this again and show it to friends.

Overall 4/5

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jvince

Love this film.

great film, but my one gripe: WTF is Kiefer Sutherland doing in a Lars Von Trier film? He is so type-cast as Bauer that he pretty much is toxic to any movie cast, but especially a Lars Von Trier cast, where many of the actors are no names. When Kiefer would get animated and start getting upset, all I could think was "where is the chopper? do we have schematics on the building? ...oh wait...shi$ this isn't 24...its a Lars Von Trier film...dang it...ok back to wearing my 'metaphorical depressive theme seeking' glasses"

[Hep]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]

I haven't actually watched it yet, but I suspect you nailed it. It's the theme of my daughter's b-day party next Saturday, so I'll be able to agree with you then .

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

A few episodes left from season 2, then 3 and 4. I'm not big on TV dramas because I usually can't find the patience/endurance. I have to be very interested. Rome, Nip/Tuck, and Firefly are the only TV series I've ever finished. I think Mad Men will be next if it keeps up with the first two seasons.

.

Deadwood didnt suck you in?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I guess I would just put it in the "visuals alone suffice - plot need not to be figured out" column. Kind of like Last Year at Marienbad, Mulholland Drive, etc.
Or as I've said before: like watching a painting. I think we forget that a film is just a continuous array of paintings. When I view a painting, I just enjoy viewing it. I don't try to "figure it out". It seems almost so simple that its hard to grasp and apply the same viewing rules for paintings to films (i.e., the idea of just watching, for the sake of watching).

Part of the cool visuals:
-Dark City atmosphere (closest to Dark City I've seen: city, always nighttime, murky river around it, etc)

-Continuous use of awkward camera angles, eerie closeups (Clockwork-style), and a "Mad Max" type cast (eerie beings in post-apocalyptic world)

-dream/surreal sequences (my favorite!)

Thank you. That helps me make the decision.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

great film, but my one gripe: WTF is Kiefer Sutherland doing in a Lars Von Trier film? He is so type-cast as Bauer that he pretty much is toxic to any movie cast, but especially a Lars Von Trier cast, where many of the actors are no names. When Kiefer would get animated and start getting upset, all I could think was "where is the chopper? do we have schematics on the building? ...oh wait...shi$ this isn't 24...its a Lars Von Trier film...dang it...ok back to wearing my 'metaphorical depressive theme seeking' glasses"

Were you waiting for him to say "Copy that Chloe!" ?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Deadwood didnt suck you in?

I've never seen it...

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: "Tengoku to Jigoku," aka "Heaven and Hell," aka "High and Low."

This is probably the first Akira Kurosawa movie I've seen now that have no samurai in it. As such, there are no major fights, duels, or battles in this. It's simply a crime drama that's heavy on dialogue and heavy on the purposeful pacing. Chances are that this may be a turn-off for some folks.

It is surprisingly mesmerizing though. A good chunk of this movie takes place in a lounge with all the characters talking, arguing, and struggling to cope with the changing situation. Even though the scene doesn't change, the film maintains a sense of panic and tension. By the last half of the movie, the story explodes into the rest of the world, opening up the scope and allowing us to follow the action into the seedy underbelly of the city. From then on, it's a fairly gripping mystery/investigation, and a rather thrilling cat-and-mouse chase at the end. Altogether, it's a very fulfilling experience.

The story really shines too. Based on an American crime story, this movie runs with a rather interesting premise, and uses it as a platform to showcase the extreme social divide between the fortunate and the unfortunate. It occurred to me (especially with the film's original title) that this is a figurative conflict between heaven and hell (and perhaps between God and the Devil by extension); I couldn't help but to look at Gondo's house on the hill as a parallel to Mount Olympus, and the incredibly creepy "dope alley" as the Underworld (especially when all the addicts rose up like the undead). The characters are all pretty fun to watch; all of the cops dominate the middle and end parts of the story, but Gondo's predicament is quite invoking, and draws the perfect parallel to an enraged deity, in stark contrast with the villain and his insolent, devilish behavior.

In order to facilitate these interesting themes and parallels, the film utilizes some very interesting photography and editing. It provides some fantastic views of cityscapes and then-relevant technology that help reinforce the story and themes. Acting is great; Toshiro Mifune is the man, Tatsuya Nakadai is not bad, I thought that Takeshi Kato was cool, I thought Tsutumo Yamazaki was perfect, and I was intrigued to see Takashi Shimura in a brief role. Writing is good. This production features awesome-looking locales, and plenty of good-looking sets, props, and costumes. Music is okay.

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

Recommendation: Yep.

This Blu-Ray looks a little soft at times, with some blemishes and flickering at times. But other times, it looks darn near perfect. Sharpness and detail are quite strong throughout. Some scenes seem to have overblown white levels; part of it may be by design to give the cityscapes a purposefully hazed-out look, but it does obscure some faces, shirts, and maps. Sound quality is generally clean and clear, but some scenes are a bit muffled.

PQ: 4.5/5, AQ: 4/5

If this was a song, it would be

[Show spoiler]some nice Japanese jazz music.

RahXephon - Midday Dream - YouTube

Sorry to say, I can't find a link to the full-length 7-min song (without going to music download sites that may or may not be legal, I dunno anymore). I'll leave it up to you to pursue the song if at all interested; it's "Midday Dream" by Ichiko Hashimoto, from the "RahXephon" anime soundtrack, volume 3.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

great film, but my one gripe: WTF is Kiefer Sutherland doing in a Lars Von Trier film? He is so type-cast as Bauer that he pretty much is toxic to any movie cast, but especially a Lars Von Trier cast, where many of the actors are no names. When Kiefer would get animated and start getting upset, all I could think was "where is the chopper? do we have schematics on the building? ...oh wait...shi$ this isn't 24...its a Lars Von Trier film...dang it...ok back to wearing my 'metaphorical depressive theme seeking' glasses"

It didn't bother me much since he was great in this film.