The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

The Mist

Even after all these years, Stephen King's material continues to be an ever-flowing source of terrific horror entertainment. Based on his novella, The Mist is one freaky, thrilling, and terrifying experience that pits a handful of people (and by extension, the audience) against a plethora of some of the scariest and most unnatural monsters imaginable. The film really hammers the fear into the audience, as characters suffer some rather frightening encounters and horrific deaths. It gets even more unnerving as characters bicker and fight amongst themselves. There are some cases where you might get wound up by the characters' infighting, but it'll be the film's ending which will prove to be the most polarazing aspect. While the novella just ended inconclusively, the film pulls out one heck of an ironic twist in the last moments; it is a cold, brutal, hard-hitting finale that you'll either love or hate (and it'll either make or break the film for you).

The story is pretty simple, and not much different than something like Dawn of the Dead; it just swaps out zombies with Lovecraftian monsters. What really makes it work is, first of all, the characters, who are all adequately developed and full of emotional intensity. In a manner no different than the director's TV show The Walking Dead, you get a good feeling for who these people are and how intense their struggle for survival really is. In light of such adversity, the film also does an excellent job of underscoring the themes of civil order as it breaks down. The film ultimately becomes a microcosm depicting the end of the world, not overrun by hellish monsters necessarily, but overrun by a primal cult of irrational and fearful human beings. Between the scary monsters and the crazed humans, I couldn't tell you which one is scarier.

The film has quality photography and editing. Acting is pretty swell, and the writing matches up pretty well with the original story. This production makes the best use of its sets, props, and costumes. Some of the special effects don't hold up very well, but are imaginatvely rendered. Music is pretty decent.

With its surprise ending, you'll either love or hate this film. I for one love it, and consider it one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date (second only to The Shining).

5/5 (Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Very Good)

Recommendation: Watch it at least once, see what you think.

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds pretty good; maybe not as sharp as I expected, but it has a decent amount of detail, and the clarity is awesome.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4.5/5

This disc includes both the theatrical cut, and a black-and-white version, which looks really classy (this time around, I just stuck with the color version). Deleted scenes are pretty arbitrary. Didn't look at the other extras.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

The Mist

[Show spoiler]Even after all these years, Stephen King's material continues to be an ever-flowing source of terrific horror entertainment. Based on his novella, The Mist is one freaky, thrilling, and terrifying experience that pits a handful of people (and by extension, the audience) against a plethora of some of the scariest and most unnatural monsters imaginable. The film really hammers the fear into the audience, as characters suffer some rather frightening encounters and horrific deaths. It gets even more unnerving as characters bicker and fight amongst themselves. There are some cases where you might get wound up by the characters' infighting, but it'll be the film's ending which will prove to be the most polarazing aspect. While the novella just ended inconclusively, the film pulls out one heck of an ironic twist in the last moments; it is a cold, brutal, hard-hitting finale that you'll either love or hate (and it'll either make or break the film for you).

The story is pretty simple, and not much different than something like Dawn of the Dead; it just swaps out zombies with Lovecraftian monsters. What really makes it work is, first of all, the characters, who are all adequately developed and full of emotional intensity. In a manner no different than the director's TV show The Walking Dead, you get a good feeling for who these people are and how intense their struggle for survival really is. In light of such adversity, the film also does an excellent job of underscoring the themes of civil order as it breaks down. The film ultimately becomes a microcosm depicting the end of the world, not overrun by hellish monsters necessarily, but overrun by a primal cult of irrational and fearful human beings. Between the scary monsters and the crazed humans, I couldn't tell you which one is scarier.

The film has quality photography and editing. Acting is pretty swell, and the writing matches up pretty well with the original story. This production makes the best use of its sets, props, and costumes. Some of the special effects don't hold up very well, but are imaginatvely rendered. Music is pretty decent.

With its surprise ending, you'll either love or hate this film. I for one love it, and consider it one of the best Stephen King adaptations to date (second only to The Shining).

5/5 (Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Very Good)

Great review. I would have given it the same score were it not for the ending. I met Thomas Jane over the summer and asked his thoughts on the ending, and he seems to be a fan of it because he likes the shock value. Strange thing was he was holding his little daughter's hand as he answered my question.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

In The Mood For Love (2000)

Directed by : Wong Kar-wai
Starring : Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung
Format : Blu-ray

[Show spoiler]Story : In 1962 Hong Kong, journalist Chow Mo-wan (Leung) and secretary Su Li-zhen (Cheung) move into the same rental building. Both are married but lonely souls as both of their spouses are always working and absent from home. Each of them have doubts on their own spouse's fidelity. Lonely, both start forming a strange relationship but keep everything on a platonic level even if the neighbours seem to think otherwise. They both refuse to fall to the level of their own spouses and not be faithful. After a time they are seperated due to Chow going to Singapore for work. Over time they keep crossing each other without meeting, their love remaining as it always was platonic. The final scene taking place at Angkor Wat

Comments : I have to say that I am very biase when it come's to this movie. It's one of my favorite movies of the last 15 years (and that is a very short list). Been a fan of the two actors for many years (Cheung made quite a few movies with Jackie Chan in the 80's and early 90's). I always try to hold myself back in recommending this movie because I understand that it's not a movie for everyone. I like it but I always have doubt that others will. It's slow and the relationship remain's a platonic one which for a western audience just seem so darn strange. However if you have seen other movies made by Wong Kar-wai than I say watch this one as well, it's worth the time.

A note on the Blu-ray. I have seen this movie about 4 times in HD in the last three years, so I suspect I knew what to expect. This site gave a average note to the PQ but frankly it's really above that. It's on pair with the other Wong Kar-wai movies.

Ratings : 4.5/5

I really love this film. Chungking Express is probably my favorite Wong Kar Wai and Ashes of Time is the only one I dislike, though Tony Leung is good in anything he is in.

The only thing that bothers me sometimes about one of my favorite films Hiroshima Mon Amour, is that the entire premise is based on a love affair. Now, normally, infidelity of the protagonist is something that can ruin a film for me because it is a form of betrayal, thus detaches me from the main character(s). But in the case of Hiroshima, I find this angle effective because it makes their transient connection more sensual and hopeless at the same time. In the Mood for Love approaches it in the exact opposite way by taking us into the lives of the spouses of the cheating couple in Hiroshima Mon Amour. Very poetic film.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Great review. I would have given it the same score were it not for the ending. I met Thomas Jane over the summer and asked his thoughts on the ending, and he seems to be a fan of it because he likes the shock value. Strange thing was he was holding his little daughter's hand as he answered my question.

Right on. That's pretty cool that you met the guy, despite the irony of his daughter being there.

[Al_The_Strange]

And then, I watched The Sixth Sense

It's been fourteen years or so since I saw this (which would have been its initial DVD release). Back then, give all its hype and acclaim, I regarded this film as something of a masterpiece. It represented a type of quality filmmaking and storytelling that only men like Hitchcock seemed to master (and for a short time it seemed as though you just couldn't go wrong with M. Night Shyamalan; it's a shame that after his initial three films he went downhill and hit rock bottom with The Last Airbender ).

The story is pretty evenly-paced, but it is a slow-moving one. There's not a whole lot of conflict involved with this, but it's built pretty sturdily on the occasional paranormal fright scene and plenty of mystery.

What really matters here is the story, and it is perfectly constructed. It's most famous for its twist ending, but it's not just an arbitrary narrative trick; in this case, the whole movie was built around that twist, so that it holds up on multiple viewings and gives new meaning every time. With quality characters that you can actually care for, and some strong themes concerning people and their gifts, the rest of the story stands strongly on its own and has plenty of insight.

This film is immortalized with solid photography and editing. Acting is extremely delicate and subtle, with great nuanced performances by Bruce Willis and Haley Joel Osment. Writing shows some perchant for a little too much exposition (a standard complaint for most of Shyamalan's work, and it really only shows when compared to his later features), but is otherwise very good. This production doesn't have anything lavish, but it makes good use of its utilitarian sets, props, and costumes. Music is nice.

4.5/5 (Entertainment: Pretty Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Very Good)

Recommendation: It's worth seeing at least once.

I see DNR.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by dag

I corrected that score for you.

[Show spoiler]

I saw this movie a few years ago, but I will definitely watch it again on Blu. Glad you liked it.

I am always reluctant to give a 5/5 but I suppose if any movie ever came close to that it would be In The Mood For Love. Seen this movie a douzen time since 2000, never get tired of it

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I really love this film. Chungking Express is probably my favorite Wong Kar Wai and Ashes of Time is the only one I dislike, though Tony Leung is good in anything he is in.

The only thing that bothers me sometimes about one of my favorite films Hiroshima Mon Amour, is that the entire premise is based on a love affair. Now, normally, infidelity of the protagonist is something that can ruin a film for me because it is a form of betrayal, thus detaches me from the main character(s). But in the case of Hiroshima, I find this angle effective because it makes their transient connection more sensual and hopeless at the same time. In the Mood for Love approaches it in the exact opposite way by taking us into the lives of the spouses of the cheating couple in Hiroshima Mon Amour. Very poetic film.

It's strange, I think Ashes Of Time is probably the one movie of him that most everyone dislike but I really enjoy it. I have a harder time with 2046 and in general most people like that one.

I think In The Mood For Love can be a little weird for western audiences because of the fact that nothing happens Most people don't expect that, they would think "it just does not make sense that they have all these feelings but they yet remain faithful to their own spouses who are cheating". It's one of the reason I enjoy Asian cinema so much, they don't always follow the rules, they do the unexpected. Don't always expect a happy ending cause in life that doesn't always happen.

[jvince]

Argo (2012)
dir. Ben Affleck

The Good: Exceptional cast. Exceptional direction by Affleck (who's now a perfect 3-for-3). Great writing; a perfect balance of suspense, laughs, and drama. Yet another beautiful score by Desplat. Replicates the look and feel of late 70s/early 80s thrillers rather well. The climax is just sheer cinematic perfection (I must admit I got teary-eyed really bad). A genuine crowd-pleaser (the audience clapped eight times. Eight! And that's including twice during the end credits. I have never seen anything like that). "Argo f*ck yourself."

The Bad: A little contrived and Hollywoodish at times (which is typically a pet peeve of mine, but this is one of those rare instances where it didn't bother me because the film is just so darn well-made).

The Bottom Line: An unrelentingly intense and nerve-racking thriller, Argo is (and will remain), without a doubt in my mind, one of the best movies of the year. Highly recommended. Don't miss it.

[Foggy]

Going on a documentary binge watching, fire up so good suggestions. I've got, thus far:

Solider Girls
The Leader, His Driver, And The Drivers Wife
Man on Wire
Don't Look Back

[P@t_Mtl]

Hop (2011)

Directed by : Tim Hill
Starring : James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco
Format : HDTV

Story : The son of the current Easter bunny is reluctant to take over the family business and run's away to Los Angeles where he run's into Fred (Marsden) another sort of slacker and dreamer. They both try to find their way to land a dream job and in the process become friends and stop a hostile take over of the Easter bunny job by a rather nasty chicken.

Comments : This type of story as been done so often now, Santa Clause son doesn't want to be Santa Clause....The movie is not horrible but nothing in it as quite amazing either. I could see how the little ones who enjoy it even if some of the jokes would probably pass them by. Like I said not horrible but it,s really not something I would wish to see again

Ratings : 2.5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Going on a documentary binge watching, fire up so good suggestions. I've got, thus far:

Solider Girls
The Leader, His Driver, And The Drivers Wife
Man on Wire
Don't Look Back

Man on Wire is brilliant!

be sure to add Cocaine Cowboyz (may be "Cowboys" not sure) an... interesting look at the cocaine boom in the 80's in Miami.

[P@t_Mtl]

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)

Directed by : Neveldine/Taylor
Starring : Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido
Format : HDTV

Story : Johnny Blaze ride's again! Trying to hide away from the curse place on him by the devil, Johnny as to protect a boy to prevent the Devil to take him over before the Summer soltice. The child is intended to become the new body in which the Devil intend on continuing his work on Earth. Blaze (Cage) along with the boy's mother (Placido) are help by a very strange sort of priest (Hinds). In the end Johnny discover a new power inside him that might let him finaly accept that he is the Ghost Rider

Comments : I am in the minority that actually enjoyed the 2007 movie. This new movie is not bad if in my view not as good as the first one. The effects for the Ghost Riders are not as cartoonish but I did not like the look as much. The story was a little better however than the first one but someone I did not enjoyed it as much (I know make's no sense). If you are a fan of comic books movies you will probably enjoy it.

Ratings : 3.5/5

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

An example of Ford crafting a classic Western that would continue to inspire filmmakers right to this day, The Searchers is one of his earlier forays into the Western genre with superb results...

I have this as a 3-pack with The Wild Bunch and How the West Was Won.

Still have to watch it...

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by jvince

Just saw Argo and damn... it was f*cking incredible. Best movie of the year? Could be...

Is that the one where us crazy Canucks got the US hostages out of Iran by pretending they were a hockey team or something?

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by Foggy

...
Man on Wire...

Hope you're not afraid of heights....I almost felt nauseous at times - even thinking about it now gives me the willies lol.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Is that the one where us crazy Canucks got the US hostages out of Iran by pretending they were a hockey team or something?

From what I have read on this seem that the Canadian involvement is rather played down quite a bit and make seem like it was all a CIA operation

[P@t_Mtl]

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

Directed by : Ron Clements
Starring : Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin. Vincent Price
Format : Blu-ray

Story : The young daughter of a kidnap toy maker ask the help of the great mouse detective Basil Of Baker Street. Very soon they along with the good doctor Dawson and their trusted dog Toby fall into the evil scheme of the notorious professor Ratigan (Price). Basil must save all of Mousedom before it's to late.

Comments : This movie is based off a series of books by Eve Titus. Of course the influence for these children books was Sherlock Holmes and the other characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle. The name of Basil come's from the British actor Basil Rathbone who played Holmes in 14 movies. The voice of Rathbone is actually used in the movie, playing a shadow type Holmes. For the longest time I felt like I was the only person who actually enjoyed this movie but the age of the Internet showed me that it was actually much more popular than I ever suspected.

Ratings : 4/5

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012)

[Show spoiler]Directed by : Neveldine/Taylor
Starring : Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido
Format : HDTV

Story : Johnny Blaze ride's again! Trying to hide away from the curse place on him by the devil, Johnny as to protect a boy to prevent the Devil to take him over before the Summer soltice. The child is intended to become the new body in which the Devil intend on continuing his work on Earth. Blaze (Cage) along with the boy's mother (Placido) are help by a very strange sort of priest (Hinds). In the end Johnny discover a new power inside him that might let him finaly accept that he his the Ghost Rider

Comments : I am in the minority that actually enjoyed the 2007 movie. This new movie is not bad if in my view not as good as the first one. The effects for the Ghost Riders are not as cartoonish but I did not like the look as much. The story was a little better however than the first one but someone I did not enjoyed it as much (I know make's no sense). If you are a fan of comic books movies you will probably enjoy it.

Ratings : 3.5/5

I actually liked the first one as well. After watching the sequel, like you, I enjoyed it less than the original. Also like you, I didn't hate it though. I just kind of feel they slightly missed the opportunity the solid premise gave them.

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

The Great Mouse Detective (1986)

[Show spoiler]Directed by : Ron Clements
Starring : Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin. Vincent Price
Format : Blu-ray

Story : The young daughter of a kidnap toy maker ask the help of the great mouse detective Basil Of Baker Street. Very soon they along with the good doctor Dawson and their trusted dog Toby fall into the evil scheme of the notorious professor Ratigan (Price). Basil must save all of Mousedom before it's to late.

Comments : This movie is based off a series of books by Eve Titus. Of course the influence for these children books was Sherlock Holmes and the other characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle. The name of Basil come's from the British actor Basil Rathbone who played Holmes in 14 movies. The voice of Rathbone is actually used in the movie, playing a shadow type Holmes. For the longest time I felt like I was the only person who actually enjoyed this movie but the age of the Internet showed me that it was actually much more popular than I ever suspected.

Ratings : 4/5

Completely forgot about this when I was at Best Buy today, but that's probably because I nearly botched my initial haul today by not having as many DVDs as I had planned on. I'll consider getting this for $14.99 before the week is over.

[jvince]

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)
dir. Steven Spielberg

The Good: Incredible animation; looks life-like. Great voice acting. Andy Serkis steals the show. Well-thought-out and well-executed action sequences. Highlight is the 3-minute, single-shot chase scene at Morocco. Fitting score by John Williams.

The Bad: Very predictable, contrived, and convoluted. Some parts fall flat.

The Bottom Line: Inspired action set-pieces, uninspired writing. If only the screenplay was just as great... Nevertheless, Tintin is worth checking out for fans of adventure flicks such as Indiana Jones.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Foggy

The Apartment

Charming, funny and dramatic film that shows how far a simple clever idea can go if you know where to push it in the right areas and develop it forward.

Acting is decent, script is sharp and pacing is consistent although it began to drag towards the end. Just a really good all round classic.

9/10

I felt the same way. You gotta check out Sunset Boulevard. It's Wilder's best film, by far.