The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[P@t_Mtl]

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Directed by : Guy Ritchie
Starring : Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace
Format : HDTV

Story : Holmes (Downey Jr) and Watson (Law) must find out and stop the plans of Holme's number one enemy, Professor Moriarty. Watson as just got married but Moriarty will kill him and his wife since Holmes keep getting into his way. Holmes manage's to make sure Watson wife is safe and they both track Moriarty to Paris, Holmes cannot prevent the explosion of a bomb which with the death of a German businesman Moriarty take's possesion of his weapon industry. Holmes now see that Moriarty intend to start a war and make profits with his new weapon business. They manage to stop the start of a war and then Holmes reveal the big final punch in that he stole Moriarty dairy and that the London police as been able to seize most of his assett and criple him financially. In one final confrontation, Holmes grab's Moriarty and pull's him over the edge and fall in Reichenbach waterfall. However is that the end of Holmes?

Comments : Just like the first one this movies is a fun action adventur story but just never fell like a Sherlock Holmes movie for me. The actors are good and the story very interesting but it just does not work for me as a Home's story.

Ratings : 3/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Cast Away

This movie starts off a little dry (and ultimately ends a little dry) as it follows the main character around the world on these time-crunching Fedex deliveries, all caught up in a modern world of conveniences and expediency. Then, BAM! Dude winds up on a desert island in the middle of nowhere, all alone, with all the time in the world and absolutely modern conveniences. Sure, we've all seen survivalist stories before, but something about Cast Away feels fresh and rewarding. It focuses so much on very simple things (finding food, shelter, how to make fire, etc) and turns it all into harrowing struggles. You can really feel the pain and suffering the character endures, and it makes all the minor victories all the more pleasing (and sometimes funny). Obviously, I've found the actual island scenes the best and most entertaining, but the film suffers some drag in the beginning and ending.

Despite all its simplicity, the story is well-told and carries a surprising amount of weight. It excels with its pathos, since the main character's pain, longing, and lonliness are so apparent that we can really feel it and relate to him. It gives the story a good emotional oomph, and it digs up some integral themes regarding life, time, survival, and endurance (and possibly faith).

The film is competently-made, with some gorgeous tropical locales and quality photography. It's especially interesting that so much of the film is digitally enhanced or altered, but rarely feels fake. Acting and writing are excellent; Tom Hanks is the man. This production makes ample use of its given sets, props, costumes, and special effects. Music is minimal, but effective.

4/5 (Entertainment: Pretty Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Good)

Recommendation: Yep.

This Blu-Ray will have an abundance of grain and noise, and some softness in certain scenes, but it is sharp and has a number of great-looking shots. It's a good transfer, but probably could be better. Sound quality is great though.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4.5/5

Desert Island? Looked more on the tropical side to me.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Desert Island? Looked more on the tropical side to me.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

It just kinda jumped out at me.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

It just kinda jumped out at me.

I also realize I forgot to add the word "no" in front of "modern conveniences," so the whole sentence didn't make much sense. That's what I get for not proofreading.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: Looper

"The path was a circle, round and round." - Joseph Gordon-Levitt

It seems like I've seen the trailer for this film all year in 2012. The preview in itself presented a unique concept, in which a hired gun shoots people who are time-warped into the past. Then he winds up having to hunt and shoot his future. What a twist!

All that in itself seemed like a good premise for an action-packed sci-fi thriller with maybe some food for thought. Seeing the film in its entirety, I got to admit that the previews didn't do this film justice. Sure, there is action, thrills, and style, but the man-vs-himself plot didn't really take the center stage like I thought it would. If anything, the film felt like it was cut into two distinct halves: the first is pretty much everything I expected (lots of gangsters in a futuristic city with occasional bursts of violence), but the second half ventures into some fairly unpredictable territory.

The story is brimming with intriguing ideas and implications. I'm still not sure if the time-traveling mechanics are 100% foolproof; it's definitely not hard sci-fi (and it won't be as deep as something like Primer). However, the film lays out its concepts and rules coherently, and shows them in interesting ways. What really makes it work will be its characters, who show a fair amount of development, and plenty of emotional resonance. The film goes on to show a whole world of people struggling to hold onto things precious to them. The "loop" of the movie is not so much about time travel, as it is endless circles of violence, vengeance, and hate that other people inflict on one another (and maybe even themselves). As such, the film's final solution is quite brilliant.

The film looks slick and stylish. Photography and editing are pretty decent. Acting is great: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is quite earnest in his role, and does a tremendous job of showing enough nuance to match up with Bruce Willis, who is still as badass as ever. Writing is decent. This production has its fair share of good-looking sets, props, costumes, and special effects, but it's most noteworthy for depicting a future that's not overly fantastic, but truly does look plausible. Music is quite intense.

Chances are good that most casual audiences will enjoy this flick, but fans of sci-fi, action, and crime films should definitely check this out.

4/5 (Entertainment: Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Good)

Recommendation: Sure, why not?

This Blu-Ray looks good, sharp, and clean, but does suffer from some dark and murky scenes (likely a source issue). Sound quality is insane, but suffers from having dialogue that's really low and music/noise that's really loud.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 5/5

[Foggy]

I'm interested in the deleted scenes, stemmed like they cut quite a bit out of the film.

Also did you import the film or is out over here already?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm interested in the deleted scenes, stemmed like they cut quite a bit out of the film.

Also did you import the film or is out over here already?

I got the US release from the local PX.

The disc supposedly has deleted scenes, plus 17 other deleted scenes exclusive to the Blu-Ray disc, but I didn't bother looking at it today.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I also realize I forgot to add the word "no" in front of "modern conveniences," so the whole sentence didn't make much sense. That's what I get for not proofreading.

[Show spoiler]WILLLSooooooooooooN

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm interested in the deleted scenes, stemmed like they cut quite a bit out of the film.

Also did you import the film or is out over here already?

Stems, or branches?

[Abdrewes]

The Impossible (2012)

The Impossible details the journey to survival and resolution of a family torn apart by the 2004 Thailand tsunami. J.A. Bayona chronicles the events through his wondrous emotionally potent eye: Detailed, remarkably strong mis en scene with astonishing depth of field, clarity and succinct narrative cogency. In what most directors would achieve in multiple shots and setups, Bayona condenses to one thrilling mastershot, not unlike his Mexican peers Guillermo del Toro and Alfonso Cuaron.*

The film is a triumph of technical proficiency over thoughtful discourse. Where 2011's Contagion detailed a large scale catastrophe in a researched intelligent manner, showing us the actions the C.D.C. and the W.H.O.; The Impossible aims to manipulate, engulf and devour the audience into ist web of sentimentality. Many will successfully navigate away from such currents, *but this viewer could not.

Sweeping, melodramatic ride laden with artifice such as actors shot in a sun-kissed glow and incessant twinkly piano and thunderous orchestral scoring. Nonetheless, the production is such a rich, lively and fully realized one that's more Spielberg than Rossellini. However, the grime and dirt on everyones faces is pronounced, each blow and puncture enacted on the characters is felt to an almost metaphysical extent. The chronicling of the horrors of such a tsunami are so vivid, that I can't remember the last PG-13 (or even R rated) film that had such a visceral impact that I nearly lost my breath. I yearned for the reunion of this family through the rubble and innumerable hospitals and transport operations.

One would be remiss to not mention the whitewashing of the story. The true story, in fact, happened to a Hispanic family. I can understand this has nothing to do with racism, but rather marketing. There are quite frankly few Hispanic actors that could gather the crowds for a mid-budget picture.

4/5

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jvince

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
dir. Kathryn Bigelow

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Great performances from Jessica Chastain and company. Intense. A little bit on the talky side, but the dialogue is well-written and well-delivered. The second half with the Navy SEALs, which was shot documentary-style with night vision, is pretty cool. It's a joy to watch Chastain's character evolve into a hard-ass. "I'm the motherf*cker that found this place, sir."

The Bad: Seems like it's missing some crucial parts, like why did they decide to go through with the raid out of the blue? I could see some viewers getting distracted by whether it's accurate or not, since most of it (especially the raid) is quite suspect. Hollywoodized Oscar bait.

The Bottom Line: Is Zero Dark Thirty the best film of 2012? Not really. What it is is a solid and entertaining action-thriller showcasing some adept acting and writing.

I think I'm the only one in my house that wants to watch this. I just recently finished the first season of Homeland, and this reminds me of that to an extent, so I wouldn't mind taking another trip into something like that while waiting for the second season to be released on Blu-ray.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm interested in the deleted scenes, stemmed like they cut quite a bit out of the film.

Also did you import the film or is out over here already?

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I got the US release from the local PX.

The disc supposedly has deleted scenes, plus 17 other deleted scenes exclusive to the Blu-Ray disc, but I didn't bother looking at it today.

i read most deleted scenes are from

[Show spoiler]the time when he was growing up in Asia (or whatever country it was )

as there is a longer cut that included these scenes that aired in

[Show spoiler]South Pacific island countries

who knows what else though or what they show!

[jvince]

Roman Holiday (1953)
dir. William Wyler

The Good: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck both exude charm and delightful on-screen chemistry. Eddie Albert is also a riot as perhaps the sub-genre's first comic relief best friend/sidekick. Deceptively witty writing. So many great, memorable scenes. The hairstyles. Rome. What a perfect ending. "Hit him again, Smitty!"

The Bad: Plot isn't that creative or original. Lots of jarring jump cuts (I know, nitpicking...)

The Bottom Line: A wonderful mix of rom-com elements both old and new, Roman Holiday is an absolute, must-see classic, especially for fans of the sub-genre.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jvince

Roman Holiday (1953)
dir. William Wyler

The Good: Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck both exude charm and delightful on-screen chemistry. Eddie Albert is also a riot as perhaps the sub-genre's first comic relief best friend/sidekick. Deceptively witty writing. So many great, memorable scenes. The hairstyles. Rome. What a perfect ending. "Hit him again, Smitty!"

The Bad: Plot isn't that creative or original. Lots of jarring jump cuts (I know, nitpicking...)

The Bottom Line: A wonderful mix of rom-com elements both old and new, Roman Holiday is an absolute, must-see classic, especially for fans of the sub-genre.

Best romance movie ever!

[Foggy]

I'm in this auditorium by myself...this Life of Pi better be damn good!

[Foggy]

I'm sat in this auditorium all by myself...this Life of Pi better be damn good!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm in this auditorium by myself...this Life of Pi better be damn good!

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'm sat in this auditorium all by myself...this Life of Pi better be damn good!

So, first you were in the auditorium, then you were sitting. Glad to see you're making progress.

[P@t_Mtl]

Justice League: Doom (2011)

Directed by : Lauren Montgomery
Starring : Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Susan Eisenberg
Format : HDTV

Story : Vandal Savage as a plan for the conquest of the world but he first need's the Justice League to be taken out. He offer's money and plan to league of rogues that will take down each member of the league using their weak points. A plan he stole and modified from Batman's computer. It's up once again to the none super power member of the League, Batman to save the day. After he manage's to stop the attacks and regroup the league, they go after Savage and his legion of doom. Savage as a missile that will cause a giant solar flare that will wipe out half the planet. He will then take over as leader of what is left. Working as a group the league defeat's the legion of doom and Savage and save the planet. The league as then a decision about Batman but seeing that they do not see the danger they represent he make's it easy on them and leave's the league. Superman confront's him and Batman does reveal he is not above everyone else he does have a plan to have himself stop as well if something went wrong, which make's Superman smile.

Comments : If you are not a big comic book fan, it's usually better to stay away from these animated movies. They won't offer you much that will be a value to you. It's a bit sad however that in many cases these animated movies are sometimes much better than the live action movies Hollywood give's us.

Ratings : 3.5/5

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

So, first you were in the auditorium, then you were sitting. Glad to see you're making progress.

my post wasn't coming through on my phone, so I presumed it didn't post

Anyway, seems you own my £5.75. Review coming soon...