The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

quality of show - the sex/violence is right there. Rome just seemed more real (because it was, I guess). But beyond the non-fiction basis of Rome, the characters/actors of Rome seemed better than GOT, in spite of Sean Bean, who is quite obviously perfectly cast in these roles (the guy looks like he stepped out of a 1100 AD time machine). I can't tell if its the script or the acting, but something just doesn't seem as real as Rome. I know I shouldn't even be comparing them, as one is fantasy (I think?) and one is based on history, but the similarities in the show are so blatantly similar that I can't help it.

I have episodes 3-6 at home. will know much more after those

The similarities are similar?

Thats a shame. And I'm talking about your sentence, not the show.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The similarities are similar?

Thats a shame. And I'm talking about your sentence, not the show.

yes. that's actually a correct sentence. for those who can read, that is.

the similarities (sex, politics, fighting) could either be close (sex is rougher in one, but gentle in other; politics is light in one, heavy in other, etc) or not (both have rough sex, both have heavy politics, etc).

[Show spoiler]
ok ok ok you're right, I should have said "the shared characteristics were used in the same fashion in both shows". you happy now, you prude?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

yes. that's actually a correct sentence. for those who can read, that is.

the similarities (sex, politics, fighting) could either be close (sex is rougher in one, but gentle in other; politics is light in one, heavy in other, etc) or not (both have rough sex, both have heavy politics, etc).

[Show spoiler]
ok ok ok you're right, I should have said "the shared characteristics were used in the same fashion in both shows". you happy now, you prude?

You are making it too difficult for yourself. Which is probably pretty easy though.

Try this on for size.

but the similarities in the shows are so blatantly similar strong, that I can't help it.

And actually, your spoiler is redundant too.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Try this on for size.

And actually, your spoiler is redundant too.

did you just quote me with strikethrough edits?!?!?! gotta love the patronizing hand-holding. so cute, warm and friendly awwww

just call me an a$$hole. my ego could take that MUCH easier

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

did you just quote me with strikethrough edits?!?!?! gotta love the patronizing hand-holding. so cute, warm and friendly awwww

just call me an a$$hole. my ego could take that MUCH easier

I was just trying to make it easy for you to understand.

Disclaimer 1. The above sentence is intended to be as condescending as possible for entertainment purposes.

Disclaimer 2. Also because its true.

Disclaimer 3. Feel free to call me an a$$hole too.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I was just trying to make it easy for you to understand.

Disclaimer 1. The above sentence is intended to be as condescending as possible for entertainment purposes.

Disclaimer 2. Also because its true.

Disclaimer 3. Feel free to call me an a$$hole too.

funny store about the GOT chick: she is like us and loves great films. she digs most of the same films we do. she hated Melancholia. I told her months ago how much I liked it. so what did I do last night???? haha, I shamelessly pulled a 180 and told her I had a "change of heart" and agreed with her (LIE), and gave her the "squid list" of things THAT I NOTICED (hehe) upon a subsequent viewing. how evil is that? she was sooo impressed!!! her impressed = surfdude happy.

[Show spoiler]ok ok i didn't tell her I came up with all your stuff, but mentioned some of it. it was quality!! her face was like "wow, you're not the dumbsh!t i thought you were". she said (and i quote): "sorry, I like that guy's films, but that was the most pretentious piece of BS ever"

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

funny store about the GOT chick: she is like us and loves great films. she digs most of the same films we do. she hated Melancholia. I told her months ago how much I liked it. so what did I do last night???? haha, I shamelessly pulled a 180 and told her I had a "change of heart" and agreed with her (LIE), and gave her the "squid list" of things THAT I NOTICED (hehe) upon a subsequent viewing. how evil is that? she was sooo impressed!!! her impressed = surfdude happy.

[Show spoiler]ok ok i didn't tell her I came up with all your stuff, but mentioned some of it. it was quality!! her face was like "wow, you're not the dumbsh!t i thought you were". she said (and i quote): "sorry, I like that guy's films, but that was the most pretentious piece of BS ever"

Awesome. Were you handsomely rewarded for finding clarity (telling her she was right all along)?

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Awesome. Were you handsomely rewarded for finding clarity (telling her she was right all along)?

not telling her she was right. giving her the illusion she was right.

haha, I'm actually looking forward to another Melancholia viewing. I honestly don't know if its going to survive after all of the bombs that have been thrown at it by you and her

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

not telling her she was right. giving her the illusion she was right.

Yeah yeah yeah, thats what I meant.

Now she credits herself with your desire and ability to evolve. Women love to "fix" us.

[Steve46]

95. The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
Biography, Drama, Sport, 127 minutes
Directed by Roger Donaldson
Starring Anthony Hopkins and Diane Ladd



This film wasn't on my radar until a friend recommended it. The title seemed meaningless and I really couldn't imagine what it might be about. As a fan of Anthony Hopkins, I decided to buy it and give it a chance.

Good decision.

Forget that it's labeled as a sports movie or a biography. It's a great human interest story showing how passion and determination can overcome the odds.

The film opens with a shot of Burt Munro (Hopkins) waking up. Until he speaks, he's just Anthony Hopkins. Then the New Zealand accent is revealed and Munro starts to emerge.

Burt Munro lived in Invercargill, New Zealand and had a dream to go to Bonneville Flats, Utah, to see how fast his motorcycle could go. He tinkered with the bike for 25 years to make it as fast as possible. He was born in 1899 and first visited Bonneville in 1956, setting the speed record for bikes under 1,000cc in 1967. So while the choice of Hopkins looks strange, he was the right age and a perfect fit for the part.

Munro held several speed records in New Zealand before making his first trip and was something of a celebrity. He annoyed his neighbors by working on his bike in the early mornings and urinating on his lemon tree. He was quite a character.

Hopkins plays him as an eccentric with passion for his hobby and a lot of charm. He has the ability to win people over to his way of thinking and borrows the money he needs to make the trip to the US from the local bank. He also has heart trouble, but hides that from most people. His honesty and the way he accepts when he is wrong makes him easy to like.

The film really takes off when he makes the trip. He travels by boat and pays for the passage by working as its chef. After arriving in the US, he has to face the reality of the high prices and the chance that people will try to rip him off. He books into a motel, more often used by prostitutes, and befriends the night clerk.

Although he's initially naive, he turns out to be perfectly capable of surviving in his new surroundings.

The movie works because Munro is so likable. If you only know Anthony Hopkins for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, you're in for a surprise. Hopkins is easily one of my favorite actors because he's so versatile and you often don't notice that he is acting. He brings a lot of warmth to the character of Munro and there are many humorous and touching moments. I promise you that you'll root for Munro and care about what happens to him.

The special features show the real Burt Munro and Hopkins played him perfectly. Hopkins is also on record as saying it's probably the best thing he has ever done. Quite a statement when you look at the roles he has had throughout his career. I don't quite agree, but it's certainly up there.

This is one of those films that shouldn't work. Few people would think they have any interest in the subject matter, but the story and the acting make you care. You don't have to be a fan of bikes. Just give this a chance and see what magic Hopkins has worked to bring Munro's character back to life.

Director Roger Donaldson had wanted to film this story for 25 years. His script is excellent and his passion for the subject matter comes shining through.

If you like The World's Fastest Indian:

In many ways, The World's Fastest Indian reminds me of The Straight Story, directed by David Lynch. Both movies tell the story of a journey and focus on an older character. Each man interacts with the people he meets along the way and we see the good side of humanity.

Anthony Hopkins is surely one of the best actors working today. If you want to explore some of his other performances, consider The Edge, The Remains of the Day, 84 Charing Cross Road and The Elephant Man.

[antmumford]

^ great review and agree with every word. It really is an incredibly heartwarming film. I must get this on Blu soon

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Yeah yeah yeah, thats what I meant.

Now she credits herself with your desire and ability to evolve. Women love to "fix" us.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by antmumford

^ great review and agree with every word. It really is an incredibly heartwarming film. I must get this on Blu soon

Thanks

I bet a lot of people haven't seen it because they didn't have a clue what the title meant.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

95. The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

[Show spoiler]Biography, Drama, Sport, 127 minutes
Directed by Roger Donaldson
Starring Anthony Hopkins and Diane Ladd



This film wasn't on my radar until a friend recommended it. The title seemed meaningless and I really couldn't imagine what it might be about. As a fan of Anthony Hopkins, I decided to buy it and give it a chance.

Good decision.

Forget that it's labeled as a sports movie or a biography. It's a great human interest story showing how passion and determination can overcome the odds.

The film opens with a shot of Burt Munro (Hopkins) waking up. Until he speaks, he's just Anthony Hopkins. Then the New Zealand accent is revealed and Munro starts to emerge.

Burt Munro lived in Invercargill, New Zealand and had a dream to go to Bonneville Flats, Utah, to see how fast his motorcycle could go. He tinkered with the bike for 25 years to make it as fast as possible. He was born in 1899 and first visited Bonneville in 1956, setting the speed record for bikes under 1,000cc in 1967. So while the choice of Hopkins looks strange, he was the right age and a perfect fit for the part.

Munro held several speed records in New Zealand before making his first trip and was something of a celebrity. He annoyed his neighbors by working on his bike in the early mornings and urinating on his lemon tree. He was quite a character.

Hopkins plays him as an eccentric with passion for his hobby and a lot of charm. He has the ability to win people over to his way of thinking and borrows the money he needs to make the trip to the US from the local bank. He also has heart trouble, but hides that from most people. His honesty and the way he accepts when he is wrong makes him easy to like.

The film really takes off when he makes the trip. He travels by boat and pays for the passage by working as its chef. After arriving in the US, he has to face the reality of the high prices and the chance that people will try to rip him off. He books into a motel, more often used by prostitutes, and befriends the night clerk.

Although he's initially naive, he turns out to be perfectly capable of surviving in his new surroundings.

The movie works because Munro is so likable. If you only know Anthony Hopkins for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, you're in for a surprise. Hopkins is easily one of my favorite actors because he's so versatile and you often don't notice that he is acting. He brings a lot of warmth to the character of Munro and there are many humorous and touching moments. I promise you that you'll root for Munro and care about what happens to him.

The special features show the real Burt Munro and Hopkins played him perfectly. Hopkins is also on record as saying it's probably the best thing he has ever done. Quite a statement when you look at the roles he has had throughout his career. I don't quite agree, but it's certainly up there.

This is one of those films that shouldn't work. Few people would think they have any interest in the subject matter, but the story and the acting make you care. You don't have to be a fan of bikes. Just give this a chance and see what magic Hopkins has worked to bring Munro's character back to life.

Director Roger Donaldson had wanted to film this story for 25 years. His script is excellent and his passion for the subject matter comes shining through.

If you like The World's Fastest Indian:

In many ways, The World's Fastest Indian reminds me of The Straight Story, directed by David Lynch. Both movies tell the story of a journey and focus on an older character. Each man interacts with the people he meets along the way and we see the good side of humanity.

Anthony Hopkins is surely one of the best actors working today. If you want to explore some of his other performances, consider The Edge, The Remains of the Day, 84 Charing Cross Road and The Elephant Man.

I LOVE this movie and the character.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[/SPOILER]

I LOVE this movie and the character.

I hope a few more people give it a try. It's almost impossible to watch without rooting for Burt.

[volcomsocal]

Flickan Som Lekte Med Elden (The Girl Who Played With Fire) - 2009

While not as gripping and flawless as The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, this movie held its own. Very engaging story with a smart script. This is a quality movie that is both entertaining and suspenseful. It leaves you hanging at the end, but that's not a problem when all you gotta do is watch the third movie of the trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest. I'm really looking forward to watching the final movie.

Netflix Streaming

PQ - n/a
AQ - n/a

4.5/5

[volcomsocal]

Warrior - 2011

I initially wasn't interested in watching this film because I hate MMA. BUT, I heard it was good, and that the action itself took a backseat to the storyline. So, I figured, why not?

Boy, was I surprised! This was one hell of a movie. The story is very engaging, the acting is great, and the fight sequences were just awesome. While this film will not get me to start watching MMA, I thoroughly enjoyed what Warrior had to offer. For a movie that ran two hours and fifteen minutes, it sure didn't feel like that long. It had great pacing and a great finish to the story. Quite simply, I wasn't expecting Warrior to be this good.

PQ - 4.5/5
AQ - 4/5

4.5/5





*now I know how big and badass Bane will be in The Dark Knight Rises. Holy crap!!

[Steve46]

As I worked through my 100 movies list, 5 were not as good as I remembered. So the remaining five supplemental entries will not be in alphabetical order.

96. Bottle Rocket (1996)
Comedy, Crime, Romance, 91 minutes
Directed by Wes Anderson
Starring Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, James Caan and Robert Musgrave



Bottle Rocket is one of the hardest movies I've ever decided to review. The story isn't great and the acting isn't meant to be taken seriously. There aren't any memorable messages or profound events. So why has it become one of my favorite comedies?

It's all about tone and style.

Director Wes Anderson doesn't look for the obvious laugh. It doesn't matter whether the story makes sense or whether events fit perfectly. Anderson reminds me of David Lynch in some ways, but the subject matter is generally much lighter. He creates worlds, and there's something not quite right with those worlds. It makes them fascinating places to visit.

Bottle Rocket begins with Anthony (Luke Wilson) feigning escape from a mental institution which he attends voluntarily. He does this to make things more exciting for his friend, Dignan (Owen Wilson). Dignan is an interesting character. He's capable of doing idiotic things, but he's not exactly stupid. He just can't see the danger in some of the bizarre things he attempts. We are shown his 75-year plan, outlining all the goals he's aiming to reach over the course of his life.

Dignan sees himself as a criminal mastermind and practices by helping Anthony rob his own house. The pair hang around with their friend, Bob (Musgrove), who drives their getaway car because he's the only one of the group who owns a car. The group proves how utterly inept it is during a bookstore robbery. They are so bad that it works well as comedy. After the robbery, the group decides to flee the town and hides in a motel.

Anthony falls in love with a housekeeper at the motel, despite the fact that she can barely speak any English. He does his best to communicate and occasionally enlists the help of someone to translate. That leads to major confusion at one point in the movie.

Dignan eventually introduces the gang to Mr. Henry (Caan), who once fired him from his job as a landscape gardener. Dignan believes that Henry's company is just a front and that he's also a criminal mastermind. He wants to prove to Henry that he can pull off robberies of his own and so he plans a raid on a storage facility with Anthony, Bob and some of Henry's friends. This sequence is ridiculous and highlights just how idiotic Dignan can be. When the robbery is interrupted and they have been seen, he instructs the group to put on their bandit masks.

Bottle Rocket marked the debuts of Luke and Owen Wilson, and Owen Wilson helped Wes Anderson with the screenplay. It's a film made by a group of friends who had known each other since they met in school. The film was rejected by the Sundance Festival, and initial test screenings were a disaster. It appeared that nobody wanted to embrace Anderson's quirky sense of humor. However, over the years, Bottle Rocket has gained a lot of fans.

Wes Anderson's career has blossomed since his debut, but he's always retained that quirky style and tone. Bottle Rocket isn't perfect, but it's significant to me because it's where everything began for Anderson.

If you like Bottle Rocket:

Anderson's work is an acquired taste. Like many directors, he trusts certain actors and works with them on a regular basis. I would honestly recommend all of his films if you are a fan of Bottle Rocket. Start with Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.

[Foggy]

12 Monkeys

I'm a bit disappointed at the fact that the title of the film was a bit of a red herring...actually...now that I think about it, the title of the film should of been red herring

Not that I didn't enjoy the film, but I felt that somewhere along the line on a repeat viewing, I feel something won't add up. But the film did a good job at holding my attention, and it always was trying to get me to guess ahead, heck the film even held pretty unpredictable up until it's final moments.

A few problems I had was that I felt Gilliam's style didn't seem all that suited for the subject matter, a think a bit of a subtler touch would of made the film work more for me, as there was just a tad too much of a juxtaposition between the two realities within the film, but there were a lot of moments where I really liked Gilliam's direction

I also wasn't a big fan of Brad Pitt in this one, he was just too crazy for my liking, and a lot of the time I was glad he wasn't on screen even though he put a hell of a lot of effort into the role it seems.

Other than that, I liked the plot enough as I mentioned before, the script has a few annoying niggles, but it's crafty in its craftsmanship, and I wasn't bored, which is something a lot of films I've recently been watching have managed to be

8/10

[volcomsocal]

Like Crazy - 2011

In a world of cookie-cutter romantic films, here's a breath of fresh air. This is no chick flick.

American guy. English girl. Guy and girl meet at an L.A. college. Guy and girl fall in love. English girl overstays her student Visa. Girl goes back home to London. Problems ensue.

Like Crazy does an amazing job at capturing human emotion, young love, and desire. It's a pretty realistic look at how a long distance relationship could possibly be. You want them to work out. You want them to be together. But things don't always work out perfectly.

The two main actors, Anton Yelchin and Felicity Jones, deliver excellent performances. You can truly feel the chemistry between them. The love they have is so passionate and so beautiful, all you can do is root for them.

Of course, there are obstacles that come up, and things may or may not work out for the best. But watching it all unfold is the entertaining part. Thing is though, the ending is probably not going to make you happy. It sure didn't make me happy. Now, I'm not saying Like Crazy is another Blue Valentine. But, it's simply how the movie ended is what left me upset.

There could have been just a couple tweaks here and there to make Like Crazy simply perfect. It would have been so easy to make this a completely wonderful movie. But for whatever reason, the director or writer slightly messed up this gem of a film. And it's too bad, because it could have been so completely wonderful.

I still really, really liked this movie. And I really got into the characters and their relationship. It's just too bad that such a small change could have made Like Crazy that much better.

PQ - 4.5/5
AQ - 4/5

4.5/5



*this movie introduced me to Felicity Jones for the first time. Wow. Just, wow. She is an angel. She's one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. end of story.