The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

seriously, any bozo who thinks this film isn't great and especially someone who thinks it has cheesy acting , is off his bonkers!

[Show spoiler]squidpoopy, i'm talking to you

I was reading this post and getting ready to write a brutally sarcastic comeback, but your spoiler spoiled the need.

The Musical number in the office was one of my many breaking points.

[SquidPuppet]

Take Shelter arrived today.

Young Adult and Melancholia arrive tomorrow.

I am stoked, been waiting many months for these, since they never hit a theater near me.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Musical number in the office was one of my many breaking points.

ah yes. I can see how that would turn people off. Didn't bother me for whatever reason. In fact, I loved Ebert's review, talking about (a) how there was flood lights on the ground pointing at the ceiling, giving Kane and the dancers a sinister look, (b) the ceiling is INCHES above Welles' head! I had no idea watching the scene. and most importantly from that scene (for what its worth to you): (c) the camera shows Joseph Cotton (Kane's longtime friend) and another guy watching Kane dance. THe guy beside Cotton is all excited that Kane is celebrating his success. Cotton's face is PERFECT: he has a RELUCTANT SMILE as he watches Kane, essentially saying "what's happened to my buddy Charlie? I think I've lost him" (Squid level emotion during Kite Runner, Departures!)

to summarize: you're not alone in that scene being your breaking point - it was also Kane's best friends breaking point!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Take Shelter arrived today.

Young Adult and Melancholia arrive tomorrow.

I am stoked, been waiting many months for these, since they never hit a theater near me.

I think you'll like Melancholia. Anti-christ lite I definietly preferred Anti-christ, but still enjoyed Melancholia (3.5-3.75 level for me)

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I think you'll like Melancholia. Anti-christ lite I definietly preferred Anti-christ, but still enjoyed Melancholia (3.5-3.75 level for me)

My copy of Melancholia is on a UPS truck somewhere. Delivery due today.

Why am I the only one who is excited about The Descendants?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

My copy of Melancholia is on a UPS truck somewhere. Delivery due today.

Why am I the only one who is excited about The Descendants?

I am excited to see The Descendants. If it's totally-super-awesome, I might like it almost as much as The Artist.



I really enjoy Clooney and I like family dramas, so I have a good feeling about it.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I am excited to see The Descendants. If it's totally-super-awesome, I might like it almost as much as The Artist.



I really enjoy Clooney and I like family dramas, so I have a good feeling about it.

[SquidPuppet]

Hey Steve, since we both like Clooney, and we have been talking about comedies, have you ever seen Intolerable Cruelty?

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Hey Steve, since we both like Clooney, and we have been talking about comedies, have you ever seen Intolerable Cruelty?

Never, but I would like to. I heard it wasn't great, but I would like to make up my own mind.

I love Burn After Reading.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Never, but I would like to. I heard it wasn't great, but I would like to make up my own mind.

I love Burn After Reading.

If you liked Pitts zany silly nincompoop character, then Intolerable Cruelty should work for you. It isnt dark, its an odd combo of sharp witty jabs and super sillyness.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

If you liked Pitts zany silly nincompoop character, then Intolerable Cruelty should work for you. It isnt dark, its an odd combo of sharp witty jabs and super sillyness.

I'll check it out if I get the chance.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

74. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Biography, Drama, 117 minutes
Directed by Gabriele Muccino
Starring Will Smith, Jaden Smith and Thandie Newton

[Show spoiler]Chris Gardner (Will Smith) lives in a cheap rental apartment with his partner, Linda (Newton), who is the mother of his son Christopher (Jaden Smith). Gardner works as a salesman and is trying his hardest to support his family, but nobody wants to buy his bone density scanners. Bills are piling up, the rent is two months behind, and his landlord is running out of patience.

Gardner's world changes when he has a chance encounter on the street with a stockbroker. The man owns a flashy car and Gardner notes that everyone walking out of the office building seems happy. He decides to apply to Dean Witter in an attempt to solve all of his problems.

Getting the attention of his potential employer is not easy, but the film, which is set it 1981, uses a Rubik's Cube to demonstrate Gardner's intelligence. Gardner manages to share a cab with a Dean Witter employee who is in a position to recommend him for an interview, and he solves the puzzle of the Rubik's Cube during the journey. That leads to an interview, but Gardner is arrested for non-payment of parking tickets the night before. He turns up for the interview covered in paint and without a shirt. It's a great scene with a lot of humor and Gardner somehow passes the interview.

The film is based on a true story and shows a typical struggle of a man trying to make his way in the world. You might compare it to It's a Wonderful Life in many ways. Linda eventually decides to leave Gardner, but he insists that Christopher will stay with him. It's here that the film stands out. The relationship between father and son is the very heart of the film. Gardner tries to support Christopher, but money is always a problem. The pair are forced to endure some rough times, but Christopher trusts his father and rarely complains.

I think Pursuit of Happyness was a breakthrough role for Smith. We already knew that he could pull off action roles and comedy, but he had to show considerable range to play Chris Gardner. The performance earned him an Oscar nomination and it was truly deserved.

It's interesting watching Gardner claw his way up while he serves his internship. His dual role as a father limits the time he can spend working and studying, but he makes the best use of what time he has available. Jaden Smith was effective as Christopher, though I wonder how much acting was necessary when your on-screen father is your real father.

Director Gabriele Muccino did a good job of focusing on Smith's emotional side and I found myself fully-invested with Gardner's struggle the whole time.

The film makes me wonder how many people are quietly struggling through similar problems every day. In the current economic climate, things are even tougher than they were in 1981. What would you do to ensure that your family is able to survive? Taking two or three jobs is an option, but that places a strain on you and on all of your relationships.

How do you define happiness? Is it enough just to be able to survive? I've explored this theme in a number of reviews and it's highly relevant here. I don't think Gardner was simply pursuing money and career success; he was taking care of his child. Maybe it's important to feel like you are making the most of your abilities? Pride in your performance is one measure of success, and so is spending time with the people you love. I think The Pursuit of Happyness explores a number of important themes. The definition of happiness is subjective. Do you know what your own definition would be?

If you like The Pursuit of Happyness:

Gabriele Muccino worked with Smith a second time on Seven Pounds. It prompted a lot of negative reviews, but it worked for me. One of the early scenes shows what will happen to Smith's character at the end of the movie. As a result, it's easy to spot what he's up to after 15 or 20 minutes. Viewers complained that the mystery was too easy to solve. My own theory was that you're meant to figure it out that early and that the point of the movie is to place yourself in his shoes and understand his choices.

If you haven't seen Seven Pounds and liked The Pursuit of Happyness, I would recommend it. However, it would be a mistake to read any reviews because it plays out better if you know nothing of the story going in.

I need to buy this someday. I'm a fan of Will Smith and I do remember really liking it, but it's one of those movies that's on my "to buy later on down the road" list. It's just unfortunately the way it has to be with some movies so my collection doesn't get out of hand. Definitely a pretty good movie either way though.

My copy of Melancholia is on a UPS truck somewhere. Delivery due today.

Why am I the only one who is excited about The Descendants?

I am excited about it as well. It arrived from Amazon today along with Young Adult. I won't watch either for probably a couple of weeks, but I'm definitely excited about both.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I need to buy this someday. I'm a fan of Will Smith and I do remember really liking it, but it's one of those movies that's on my "to buy later on down the road" list. It's just unfortunately the way it has to be with some movies so my collection doesn't get out of hand. Definitely a pretty good movie either way though.



I am excited about it as well. It arrived from Amazon today along with Young Adult. I won't watch either for probably a couple of weeks, but I'm definitely excited about both.

I must have seen Pursuit of Happyness close to 10 times.

Melancholia arrived, but I think I'll watch it in a day or two.

I've seen Young Adult twice in the past six days. I hope you like it.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I must have seen Pursuit of Happyness close to 10 times.

Melancholia arrived, but I think I'll watch it in a day or two.

I've seen Young Adult twice in the past six days. I hope you like it.

I've only seen it once, but I've also never owned it on any format. Someday once things calm down with catalog titles.

I guess you like Young Adult then (besides the fact that you gave it a 4.5/5).

Thanks. I really hope I do as well. I was going to watch it this weekend, but I think I'm going to continue my break from my collection for a week or two. It'll be part of a pretty good group of movies I will have to watch once the break is over though.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I've only seen it once, but I've also never owned it on any format. Someday once things calm down with catalog titles.

I guess you like Young Adult then (besides the fact that you gave it a 4.5/5).

Thanks. I really hope I do as well. I was going to watch it this weekend, but I think I'm going to continue my break from my collection for a week or two. It'll be part of a pretty good group of movies I will have to watch once the break is over though.

Reitman's stuff appeals to me a lot for some reason.

I'm fighting the urge to watch The Descendants for the third time in six days. A friend wants to watch it Saturday week so I'll try to hold off until then.

[Diesel]

Going watch Silent House and John Carter on Thursday.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Reitman's stuff appeals to me a lot for some reason.

I'm fighting the urge to watch The Descendants for the third time in six days. A friend wants to watch it Saturday week so I'll try to hold off until then.

You are starting to worry me. Its becoming like Bearcat and 500 Days of Summer.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Reitman's stuff appeals to me a lot for some reason.

I'm fighting the urge to watch The Descendants for the third time in six days. A friend wants to watch it Saturday week so I'll try to hold off until then.

Your name is Steve and you are addicted to The Descendants and Young Adult. Admitting it is the first step.

[spanky87]

I seem to be in the minority who didn't like the Descendants. I like some of Alexander Payne's previous work, especially Election, which is one of my favorite dark comedies. With the Descendants, it was just an empty experience for me, and I felt nothing. The film failed to engage me in the story, or to make a personal connection, and I just didn't care what was happening. And then there's the boring land deal subplot. I found every character to be unlikable, and annoying, (Clooney's character was decent), and found Shailene Woodley's performance to be cringe worthy. Her and Clooney had zero chemistry, and they did not make me believe they were father and daughter.

The idea of the story is good, but it just wasn't executed well for me, and felt like this project was just set up for Academy Awards. If other people can find a connection with this story, and its characters, than they will obviously like it, (which is fine of course) but I didn't. And I probably hate it even more, because of how over praised it is, when there is so much better and important work that comes out year after year that never gets acknowledged by general audiences, and the Academy. Especially when Clooney gets praised for giving a good performance (for Clooney standards), but not a great one.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Going watch Silent House and John Carter on Thursday.

"JC" seems to have resonated with me very well. I still got it on my mind. I'll be intruiged to see what you think.