The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I was asked today whether Dragon Tattoo was okay to watch for a 16-year-old girl. I have no idea. Any thoughts?

I would say it very much depends on her upbringing. I know 16 year olds who could appreciate the film as an adult would, but I also know 16 year olds who would be adversely affected. Too much darkness too soon, if that makes sense.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I couldn't help but relate to humans living on earth about to get wiped out. I felt I had no choice. When impending doom (not just death, but any kind of "impending doom" = you're about to be fired, dumped, etc) is coming, how many of us have had that "f&*k it - might as well enjoy myself while I still can" (first sister) and that "OMG, this can't happen?!?!" (second sister). I've felt both, so could completely relate to both.

Like I said in my review, I looked at the themes as more metaphorical/allegorical, and thus the planet coming to earth could represent any "fear" I have (fear of dying, fear of getting rejected by a chick, fear of getting sick, fear of getting attacked, etc etc). Its all fear, to me. Death is just one example of how it comes. I may have 8-9 "Melancholias" every day that I am afraid are going to "hit" me (fears). But I know what you mean, and you're probably right that Von Trier has those views, even if I don't share them all.

I was wondering, even as I picked up this film and read its case, if the planet was supposed to be some kind of metaphor. Especially juxtapose to the wedding scenes (like, could the planet collision represent doom for the characters?). It probably could still be interpreted that way.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

how funny! I felt that was a huge strength of the film (that it didn't devolve into the cliche apolcayptic film, with shooting missles at the planet, showing tidal waves, etc etc). It was too classy for that. It rose above it. Seriously, if I was out in that country mansion, and the earth was about get annhilitated by another planet, I wouldn't see troops, I wouldn't see tidal waves, I wouldn't see TV updates (if no cable). I would just see less and less light until....GOODBYE LIFE. I'll take realism over hollywood-popcorn action

I know what you mean, but it still felt a little odd to me. I think because the story took place solely at the castle, with absolutely no other interaction with the outside world; it's as if nothing else matters and only these handful of characters are experiencing the end. Maybe it's just me (spoiled by movies like "2012" and "Armageddon" and stuff ).

Originally Posted by surfdude12

good points here. "how the characters coped" was something I was engaged with, as I discussed above, so it did work for me. But I completely udnerstand why it didn't work for you!

Yep, that's it exactly. Failure to connect with the characters.

On the other hand, I suspect anybody who can connect with them will enjoy the film.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

the wedding is the perfect ironic tool to use for a film involving the end of the world. weddings are supposed to symbolize the beginning of something new and happy ever after. by showing that the wedding

[Show spoiler]crashes and burns, with teh wife banging that dude in the sand bunker, the families fighting and then the wife being sick at claire's house (can't walk),

, I think he's doing a perfect interlude to the end of the world theme. in other words, by showing a wedding

[Show spoiler]crashing and burning in all respects

, he is hinting at us that the future is bleak, not happy ever after.

Ironically, my only gripe with teh film was Kiefer Sutherland - he is so typecast as Bauer that I can't get Bauer out of Sutherland! I kept waiting for him to say "Chole send us the building schematics, now!!!"

Interesting, I can see what you mean about the wedding stuff.

I was a little put off by Kiefer's

[Show spoiler]death

scene. It was kinda funny how

[Show spoiler]his wife just threw a bunch of hay on him and left him there.

Originally Posted by Steve46

For a film to work for me, I have to care about the characters. I had no interest in any character during the entire story.

Yep, that was my main problem too.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

your'e not alone there - I went to the theater with a friend of mine who loves Von Trier. she hated the film for the same reason you said. different strokes for different folks. she said she's going to give it another chance. we'll see.

That now makes three of us disliking the film for the same reason.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I was asked today whether Dragon Tattoo was okay to watch for a 16-year-old girl. I have no idea. Any thoughts?

Haven't seen the US version yet, but I heard the rape scene is still in there. As such, I probably wouldn't recommend it to anybody that young. Seems rather brutal for anybody under the age of 18. But that's just the way I see it.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Haven't seen the US version yet, but I heard the rape scene is still in there. As such, I probably wouldn't recommend it to anybody that young. Seems rather brutal for anybody under the age of 18. But that's just the way I see it.

Yep, it's in there. It's different, but it's there. I don't have a daughter or niece that age so I can't say what I would do. I don't like censorship. Maybe have a talk explaining some of what is to come and see how she reacts?

This link suggests it's not an easy decision:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movi...ragon-tattoo-0

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Yep, it's in there. It's different, but it's there. I don't have a daughter or niece that age so I can't say what I would do. I don't like censorship. Maybe have a talk explaining some of what is to come and see how she reacts?

This link suggests it's not an easy decision:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movi...ragon-tattoo-0

Cant you talk to her parents and tell them what the film contains? Then get their feedback?

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Cant you talk to her parents and tell them what the film contains? Then get their feedback?

I already passed on my thoughts and the link. I'm not sure why I even brought it up

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I already passed on my thoughts and the link. I'm not sure why I even brought it up

I misunderstood. You were asked BY her parents.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I misunderstood. You were asked BY her parents.

Her uncle.

I just heard that Whisper of the Heart, Castle in the Sky and The Secret World of Arrietty will all be released on Blu-ray May 22.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Her uncle.

I just heard that Whisper of the Heart, Castle in the Sky and The Secret World of Arrietty will all be released on Blu-ray May 22.

Wow. Anime party.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Wow. Anime party.

Yep. I'll be rubbing them all over my body

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I'm a big fan too, thats why I went to see it.

My beef was how pathetic she was. I am very sympathetic towards people who stumble in life. But that character had the biggest chip in the world on her shoulder. Just wallowing in an ocean of self pity. And that sissy Dad. I wanted to slap some Manliness into that guy.

Part of my enjoyment of the movie is watching her great performance, which is obviously very non "Anne Hathaway". That and the way she acted didn't bother me. I just accepted the fact that Kym was who she was. I will give you one with the dad though. He was definitely a pushover.

The movie just works for me. It basically feels like I'm watching a two hour home video of a family preparing for a wedding.

[Show spoiler]I was glad to see, despite all of the melodrama, that everything turned out about as ok as can be expected in the end.

[Diesel]

Silent House - (as expected)

John Carter - (better than expected)


Might have time to write up the reviews tomorrow.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Wow. Anime party.

It ain't an anime party without some Yoshiaki Kawajiri films!

Originally Posted by Steve46

Yep. I'll be rubbing them all over my body

[Show spoiler]Well, I did the same thing when "Star Wars" came out."

Originally Posted by Diesel

John Carter - (better than expected)

Woo!

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats how I felt in Rachel Getting Married. I disliked everyone and all the dysfunctional family scenes were ones that I would have excused myself from in real life.

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

Part of my enjoyment of the movie is watching her great performance, which is obviously very non "Anne Hathaway". That and the way she acted didn't bother me. I just accepted the fact that Kym was who she was. I will give you one with the dad though. He was definitely a pushover.

The movie just works for me. It basically feels like I'm watching a two hour home video of a family preparing for a wedding.

[Show spoiler]I was glad to see, despite all of the melodrama, that everything turned out about as ok as can be expected in the end.

Rachel Getting Married was surprisingly pretty good. The best thing Demme's done in a long time.

Originally Posted by Diesel

Silent House - (as expected)

I warned you... I was really digging it until

[Show spoiler]she got out of the house

. It just went downhill from there. I thought it'd turn out to be the second coming of [REC], but it just left me disappointed. Olsen is a pretty good actress though.

Originally Posted by Diesel

John Carter - (better than expected)

[Steve46]

77. The Reader (2008)
Drama, Romance, 124 minutes
Directed by Stephen Daldry
Starring Kate Winslet, David Kross, Ralph Fiennes and Bruno Ganz



The Reader is set in Germany and the opening scene takes place in 1958. Michael Berg (Kross) is 15 years old and becomes ill on his way home from school. He's helped by Hanna Schmitz (Winslet), who cleans up his mess and ensures that he makes it home. Three months later, he's well enough to go and thank her, and they begin a brief, but intense affair.

Hanna appears moody and is quick to anger, but it doesn't usually last for long. There are some fairly graphic sex scenes, although the behavior does fit the characters well. Hanna loves having Michael read to her and it becomes part of his visits. She insists that he read before they have sex.

After a while, the affair ends and Michael isn't sure why Hanna left. We see him moving on with his life and studying law in college. Part of his course involves a trip to see a real trial and Michael is stunned to see Hanna among a group of six women who are being charged with war crimes. I only mention this because it's revealed in the trailer. The Reader is not a war film, it's a character study of the effects war can have on people throughout their lives.

Imagine being in that situation. Your first experience of sex is something you never forget. It's a very intense memory because it's tied to strong emotions. Michael has a dilemma because he has a piece of information which would help Hanna's case. The problem is, she hasn't volunteered the information herself. Should he allow her to make that decision, or should he present the evidence to ensure that justice is done?

The story frequently jumps from 1958 and 1966 to 1995, where Michael (Fiennes plays the older version) is now a successful lawyer. We see how his experience as a child has affected his life. He's unwilling to allow people to get close to him, whether it's a sexual partner or his own daughter.

I'm not going to reveal any more of the story because it would ruin the experience if you're watching it for the first time.

The acting is superb throughout. Winslet won the Oscar for her performance which spanned 30 years of Hanna's life. It can't have been an easy part to play with the frequent nudity and the strong subject matter. I don't think I have seen a better Winslet performance. Fiennes and Kross are also convincing as Michael Berg. Michael's college professor is played by the always excellent Bruno Ganz, and I loved his subtle performance.

If you enjoy good writing and emotional drama with fully-developed characters, The Reader is worth your time.

If you like The Reader:

Ralph Fiennes isn't a stranger to movies about the Holocaust. Schindler's List is probably the most well known movie about the subject.

Earlier in this 100 movies series, I mentioned Freedom Writers. It doesn't deal with people directly involved with the Holocaust, but it's an important part of the story.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is another intensely emotional story set in Germany during the war. Asa Butterfield (Hugo) gives a good performance as a boy who befriends someone in a work camp.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rental: "Windtalkers."

This might as well be called the great film of 'splosions. Everything blows up in this movie! It seems like not ten minutes go by without a big boming 'splosion! The hills and trees blow up! People blow up! Houses blow up! The film itself might as well blow up! BOOM!!!!

...oh yeah, there's also occasional shooting, stabbing, and lots of blood.

It's a bit of a typical war film in terms of the combat; it really does seem to emphasize over-the-top violence, but coming from John Woo, I expecting nothing less. This is definitely not the sad, introspective, or deep type of war movie you see in "Saving Private Ryan" or "City of Life and Death;" this is pretty damn adventurous, like a modern-day "Sands of Iwo Jima."

Is there a story for this? Ummm....yeah... ...something about using native Americans to talk in code in the Pacific Theater of WWII, so the Japanese have no freakin' what to make of their intercepted signals. Yep, this is an interesting piece of cryptologic history. But it kinda gets pushed to the wayside in favor of action scene upon action scene. The good news is that the characters do receive adequate development; not terribly great or memorable, but they're good enough to be likable.

The film has okay photography and smashing editing. Acting and writing are fine and dandy; the cast is solid, but with no particular standouts. This production looks like it could have been done on the cheap in some areas, but still uses nice-looking locales, and has fine sets, props, and costumes. Music is quite upbeat and adventurous.

3.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 3/5, film: 3.5/5

Recommendation: As a rental.

--------------------

Now, for no reason whatsoever, my John Woo rankings:

[Show spoiler]"Red Cliff" 4.5/5 (with the possibility of becoming a full 5/5 )
"Hard Boiled" 4.5/5 (one of the best action films evar! )
"The Killer" 4/5
"Face/Off" 4/5
"Windtalkers" 3.5/5
"Broken Arrow" 3.5/5
"Paycheck" 3/5
"MI:II" 3/5

The guy seems to make movies best when he's in his home country. I really ought to check out more of his earlier flicks.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I was asked today whether Dragon Tattoo was okay to watch for a 16-year-old girl. I have no idea. Any thoughts?

I'm 17 and I watched it

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Yep. I'll be rubbing them all over my body

Thats why a lot of people wont buy used Blu-rays.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by squidpuppet

thats why a lot of people wont buy used blu-rays.

Hehe

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm 17 and I watched it

Yeah, but I could see how some wouldn't like it.