The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[legendarymatt92]

The Good Points: Incredible visual style and cinematography. A fully realised and conceivable world, both visually and narratively. Great character development and absorbing emotion, especially in the third act. Excellent performances from Cruise and Kurylenko, with truly palpable chemistry. Impressive twists and turns, with an ending that really fits with what the film is aiming for. Fantastic soundtrack!

The Bad Points: Slightly favours style over substance. Plot is uneven and, at times, slightly muddled, mostly through the dialogue. The reveal of an important and prominent figure in the final third is extremely anti-climactic, and their origins are left a mystery (although some may prefer that).

Much like Kosinski's directorial début Tron: Legacy, Oblivion is undoubtedly a feast for the senses, but suffers somewhat in the plot department. It should be (and deserves to be) praised for its incredibly immersive world and the atmosphere held throughout, but I cannot shake the feeling that it could have been more if the plot had fallen into place, too.

8.5/10

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

Maybe it's this guy:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavor_Flav

Na, he's just a mockery of himself.

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Whats up gents! Its been a while but im back.

Welcome back!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I love it. Funny, touching, romantic.

+1. Watch it Matt!

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

The Good Points:

[Show spoiler]Incredible visual style and cinematography. A fully realised and conceivable world, both visually and narratively. Great character development and absorbing emotion, especially in the third act. Excellent performances from Cruise and Kurylenko, with truly palpable chemistry. Impressive twists and turns, with an ending that really fits with what the film is aiming for. Fantastic soundtrack!

The Bad Points:

[Show spoiler]Slightly favours style over substance. Plot is uneven and, at times, slightly muddled, mostly through the dialogue. The reveal of an important and prominent figure in the final third is extremely anti-climactic, and their origins are left a mystery (although some may prefer that).

[Show spoiler]Much like Kosinski's directorial début Tron: Legacy, Oblivion is undoubtedly a feast for the senses, but suffers somewhat in the plot department. It should be (and deserves to be) praised for its incredibly immersive world and the atmosphere held throughout, but I cannot shake the feeling that it could have been more if the plot had fallen into place, too.

8.5/10

...jvince?

Olga Kurylenko is really getting back her momentum now, with this, Seven Psychopaths, and To the Wonder. She is breathtakingly beautiful.

[jvince]

Charade (1963)
dir. Stanley Donen

The Good: Audrey Hepburn. Delightful chemistry between Cary Grant and Hepburn. Stylish cinematography. Plenty of quotable one-liners. Fantastic ensemble. Great score by Henry Mancini (The Pink Panther, Breakfast at Tiffany's).

The Bad: Way too many twists. Couldn't quite balance comedy and suspense. Humor is hit and miss. Lacks a sense of danger. Shows its age.

The Bottom Line: While it's never sure of what it primarily wants to be -- is it a romantic comedy or a murder mystery? -- Charade is quite charming enough to be a worthwhile caper thanks in large part to its two leads. I really can't see anybody outright hating this film. I just wish it was tighter and more focused.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Na, he's just a mockery of himself.





Welcome back!



+1. Watch it Matt!



...jvince?

Olga Kurylenko is really getting back her momentum now, with this, Seven Psychopaths, and To the Wonder. She is breathtakingly beautiful.

I know, I seem to have ripped off jvince's review style! It's just such an easy way to get down your ideas and not possibly bore the people reading . I hope he's not angered by it I probably won't do it for much longer anyway...

I shall check out Spanglish at your and Squid's suggestion then! Thank you both And I completely agree about Kurylenko, too.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

I know, I seem to have ripped off jvince's review style! It's just such an easy way to get down your ideas and not possibly bore the people reading . I hope he's not angered by it I probably won't do it for much longer anyway...

You don't need to justify yourself, I was just pulling your leg.

I can be a carbon-copy of Diesel sometimes and he never complains.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

You don't need to justify yourself, I was just pulling your leg.

I can be a carbon-copy of Diesel sometimes and he never complains.

At least it's common then!

[jvince]

Duel (1971)
dir. Steven Spielberg

The Good: Dennis Weaver carries the film as an average joe tormented by a psychotic truck driver. Impressive camera work. Well-executed chase sequences. The thrilling final act. The slo-mo crash scene.

The Bad: Would've been perfect as a short film. Could've done without the internal monologues (but I guess keeping it wordless would've been a risky move for a TV movie back then). Many obvious gaffes wherein the crew and equipment are visible.

The Bottom Line: You know, if David Mann (Weaver) had a cell phone, we wouldn't have a movie. Oh, technology... Solid feature-length debut by Spielberg. Worth a look.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

I know, I seem to have ripped off jvince's review style! It's just such an easy way to get down your ideas and not possibly bore the people reading . I hope he's not angered by it I probably won't do it for much longer anyway...

I shall check out Spanglish at your and Squid's suggestion then! Thank you both And I completely agree about Kurylenko, too.

Nah man, it's cool with me.

I used to write longer reviews, but I simplified my format because of time. Plus, it's much easier to read.

[BJKH]

My The Amazing Spider-Man Review

The Amazing Spider-Man Review

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

Duel (1971)

[Show spoiler]dir. Steven Spielberg

[Show spoiler]

The Good: Dennis Weaver carries the film as an average joe tormented by a psychotic truck driver. Impressive camera work. Well-executed chase sequences. The thrilling final act. The slo-mo crash scene.

The Bad: Would've been perfect as a short film. Could've done without the internal monologues (but I guess keeping it wordless would've been a risky move for a TV movie back then). Many obvious gaffes wherein the crew and equipment are visible.

The Bottom Line: You know, if David Mann (Weaver) had a cell phone, we wouldn't have a movie. Oh, technology... Solid feature-length debut by Spielberg. Worth a look.

Sneakin' up on a year man.

[SquidPuppet]

The Imposter.

This is a cool documentary.

The storytelling is really well done, but that doesnt hold a candle to the story itself.



It just keeps revealing more and more creepy stuff. I dont want to say anything more about the story. If you have an interest in seeing a documentary about missing people, identity theft, impersonation, family trauma/drama and international crime investigation, then see this film.

A UK-based film magazine, Total Film, had this to say, "Creepier than Catfish and as cinematic as Man On Wire, this is an unnerving story immaculately told." I'd say that was spot on.

Warning: Read nothing about the film before seeing it.

4.5/5

[SquidPuppet]

War Horse

Formulaic, too long and overly sentimental. I didnt care though. Had a Disney feel to it. Lots of great scenery and shots. Big music and sounds. Satisfying ending.



Film 4/5
PQ 4.5/5
AQ 5/5

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

War Horse

Formulaic, too long and overly sentimental. I didnt care though. Had a Disney feel to it. Lots of great scenery and shots. Big music and sounds. Satisfying ending.



Film 4/5
PQ 4.5/5
AQ 5/5

During the plowing scenes, I almost felt like walking out. I could picture Spielberg telling John Williams, "just a little more, I want the audience to really feel it."

(adds strings, amps up the volume)

Williams: "okay, how about now?"

Speilberg: "just a little more."

So on and do forth.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Imposter.

This is a cool documentary.

The storytelling is really well done, but that doesnt hold a candle to the story itself.



It just keeps revealing more and more creepy stuff. I dont want to say anything more about the story. If you have an interest in seeing a documentary about missing people, identity theft, impersonation, family trauma/drama and international crime investigation, then see this film.

A UK-based film magazine, Total Film, had this to say, "Creepier than Catfish and as cinematic as Man On Wire, this is an unnerving story immaculately told." I'd say that was spot on.

Warning: Read nothing about the film before seeing it.

4.5/5

Really want to watch this one, but I'm just waiting for it to drop a little in price.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Really want to watch this one, but I'm just waiting for it to drop a little in price.

Wanna hear something weird? I'd like a sequel to this.

There is more than one story "inside" this film. You'll understand when you see it.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Wanna hear something weird? I'd like a sequel to this.

There is more than one story "inside" this film. You'll understand when you see it.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for it then. I missed a chance to go watch it followed by a Q&A with the director ashamedly.

Next director Q&A film is the opening gala of Pedro Almodavar's film I'm So Excited, I'm going to definitely make time to check that out, although it looks a little hit and miss.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Next director Q&A film is the opening gala of Pedro Almodavar's film I'm So Excited, I'm going to definitely make time to check that out, although it looks a little hit and miss.

Nice!

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by jvince

Nah man, it's cool with me.

I used to write longer reviews, but I simplified my format because of time. Plus, it's much easier to read.

Thanks, pal . I really like the style of your reviews, hence why I took a little "inspiration" from them

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I'll keep my eyes peeled for it then. I missed a chance to go watch it followed by a Q&A with the director ashamedly.

Next director Q&A film is the opening gala of Pedro Almodavar's film I'm So Excited, I'm going to definitely make time to check that out, although it looks a little hit and miss.

Anxious to read your review. It looks to be Almodovar's Burn After Reading.

[Al_The_Strange]

American Graffiti

There is a certain charm to 1950s America that’s hard to describe. Something about the music, the cars, the fashion, the pop culture, the diners, and everything else all coalesced into something that seems so innocent and conservative, but still really hip and happening. It’s no wonder that many folks hold a strong nostalgia for that long gone era. George Lucas was one such fellow, so naturally, he made a film to reminisce over the era and reflect his own experiences.

To be honest, such a film never fully engaged me personally. It may be a personal film for Lucas, but in terms of entertainment, there’s very little action involved, and what comedy exists is not really all that funny. The best that can be said is that the characters all seem to have a good time, and it can potentially leek out to the audience.

The biggest issue I have with the film is that it’s one of those movies that have no real plot involved. The film just follows a bunch of characters on a bunch of different tangents, and shenanigans ensue. The various episodes can be amusing and interesting on their own, but it doesn’t really amount to much when you add up all the parts. The most important aspect to this film will be the characters; by the film’s end, you can come to appreciate, enjoy, and relate to the kids and their relationships. It ultimately reflects on Lucas’ own experience, leaving small-town America for Hollywood, in addition to his own nostalgia for cars and cruisin’ and the birth of rock ‘n roll. Chances are that audiences who have similar nostalgia for that era may relate to the movie even more. If nothing else, the film does a smashing job of recreating and bringing it to life, and doing so with just enough roughness around the edges to keep it realistic and believable.

The film looks decent, with quality photography and some interesting editing techniques. As one of Lucas’ earlier and more experimental works, the film is most notable for “using music as sound effects and sound effects as music”; the effect is pretty vivid overall. Acting is pretty lively and fun, while the writing is not bad. This production has some fine-looking sets, props, costumes, and some really cool-looking rides. This film uses a massive smorgasbord of classic 50s tunes on its soundtrack, and is quite fitting.

I never really liked this film as much as everybody else out there, but it does have technical merit, nostalgic value, and a few fun scenes to make it worthwhile. I’d recommend checking this movie out at least once.

3.5/5 (Entertainment: Average | Story: Average | Film: Very Good) Increased from 2 – 3/5-ish.

Recommendation: Sure.

Had this on DVD once, but got rid of it. Since my appreciation of the film has grown a little, I just might pick up the Blu-Ray at some point.