The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Despicable Me 2

[Show spoiler]The first Despicable Me film has come out as a personal favorite among CGI-animations; it is a zany world of mad supervillains, awesome gadgets and superweapons, funny characters, and some of the most quotable and most hilarious dialogue I've seen in a while.

This second film offers more of the same, for better or for worse. It does still dish out huge helpings of imaginative gadgets, transforming vehicles, crazy weapons, and mad villains. There's still a huge amount of slappy, silly comedy, amusing dialogue, and fun characters. The minions are back in full force, often stealing the show with their zany antics and unique lingo.

The only problem is, something feels out of place. Part of it is the comedy; there's certainly a lot of physical gags at work, but it doesn't feel as fresh or memorable as the first film. The dialogue is also lacking in particularly memorable or quotable lines. The gags feel like they're aiming more and more at the kids, and while they'll certainly get a kick out of everything, it'll leave the adults wishing there was something more.

I think the plot is also to blame. It is notable for progressing the characters along in their relationships. In doing so, it puts out a number of individual subplots that don't really tie into the main story. The subplots in the first film at least tied in with the main conflict, but here, it's purely distracting and random. That being said, I did enjoy the characters and their nuances.

This film utilizes the same animation style and quality as the first film. It shows a little more ambition as it fills up the screen with endless minions and detailed settings. Movements are cartoony and exaggerated, as before. Character designs are pretty much the same as before; they're wild, but distinctive. Even though some viewers found Kristen Wiig's character a little too animated and wacky, I enjoyed watching her. Voice-acting from the whole cast is great. The writing is okay. Designs for all the settings, props, costumes, and creatures are decent. Music is pretty lively and fun.

I personally favor the first film over this sequel, but it is fun to see the characters and minions back in action, and to see new faces and new gizmos on display. Unfortunately, the film seems to aim more at the lowest-common denominator, and the plot suffers a little; it's great for kids, okay for adults, and would be worth a rental for anybody who wants more of Gru and the imaginative world he inhabits.

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

Recommendation: As a rental.

Notes:

• A couple of good laughs came from a few blatant film references:
  [Show spoiler]the chicken popping out of Gru's sweater was exactly like the Alien chestburster, and the purple minion screaming at him was just like the ending for Invasion of the Body Snatchers '78.

^ I love that kinda silly stuff. Thanks for the review. Gotta check it out...I loved the first one.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

Triangle (2009)

The Bottom Line: Sorry, guys, but Triangle just didn't make much sense to me in the end. If someone could convince me I'm wrong, a rewatch would be in order, along with a full serving of crow.

The answers to all you questions are here. In great detail. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=144770

For a small example, the axe reappears in it's original location for the same reason the oceanliner does.

Another example, Her memory loss is only of the loop itself, not what is outside of the loop. It is only short term loss caused by being IN the loop.

Even though the events are "impossible", the dots of the story itself ARE ALL connected with no holes.

Find the posts that Sufdude made AFTER he watched it while chronologically documenting everything on a chart on his livingroom wall.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The answers to all you questions are here. In great detail. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=144770

For a small example, the axe reappears in it's original location for the same reason the oceanliner does.

Another example, Her memory loss is only of the loop itself, not what is outside of the loop. It is only short term loss caused by being IN the loop.

Even though the events are "impossible", the dots of the story itself ARE ALL connected with no holes.

Find the posts that Sufdude made AFTER he watched it while chronologically documenting everything on a chart on his livingroom wall.

See, the memory loss, I could buy, but the ax has been bugging me.

[Show spoiler]The ax shouldn't go back to its original place because it is inside the ship. By that logic, every object that was moved inside the ship should reset as well, and if Main Jess keeps holding the ax and doesn't put it down, it should disappear from her hand. However, I remember the reset happens before she puts the ax down. The exact order of events is: (1) Main Jess swings the ax at Masked Jess and she falls overboard, (2) Main Jess realizes the wind stops blowing which means the loop has already reset, (3) Main Jess puts the ax down, (4) We see the clock has already reset as Main Jess notices the record player, (5) Main Jess sees Boat Jess and friends. So, if Main Jess puts the ax down after the reset, then the ax should still be right where she left it.

So, the only explanation I could come up with is that it is Jess (or a version of Jess) who puts the ax back, but that also doesn't make sense because Jess should know that the ax is what will eventually cause her to lose and fall overboard.

That bugs me a lot because the ax plays such a crucial part in the whole loop she's in.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

See, the memory loss, I could buy, but the ax has been bugging me.

[Show spoiler]The ax shouldn't go back to its original place because it is inside the ship. By that logic, every object that was moved inside the ship should reset as well, and if Main Jess keeps holding the ax and doesn't put it down, it should disappear from her hand. However, I remember the reset happens before she puts the ax down. The exact order of events is: (1) Main Jess swings the ax at Masked Jess and she falls overboard, (2) Main Jess realizes the wind stops blowing which means the loop has already reset, (3) Main Jess puts the ax down, (4) We see the clock has already reset as Main Jess notices the record player, (5) Main Jess sees Boat Jess and friends. So, if Main Jess puts the ax down after the reset, then the ax should still be right where she left it.

So, the only explanation I could come up with is that it is Jess (or a version of Jess) who puts the ax back, but that also doesn't make sense because Jess should know that the ax is what will eventually cause her to lose and fall overboard.

That bugs me a lot because the ax plays such a crucial part in the whole loop she's in.

[Show spoiler]Falling overboard does not = lose. It equals win. Jess WANTS to fall overboard to get to her son. By the time she voluntarily accepts her turn in the role of "Overboard Jess" she has a good understanding of how the events play out.

The Axe constantly restets just like all other permanant fixtures of the loop. Like the ship itself, the clock, the food, the missing bullet holes etc. It doesnt have to reset at the exact moment of the storm or Her nap. It can occur between events of the cycle. The nap is only a reset for Jess's (the one we are following) memory. The nap is not an actual entry point....she is already in the loop. You'll notice the things that do NOT reset are the things from outside the loop that enter the loop. Like all the dead girls piling up on the ship, the charms at the bottom of the grate, the notes etc.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]Falling overboard does not = lose. It equals win. Jess WANTS to fall overboard to get to her son. By the time she voluntarily accepts her turn in the role of "Overboard Jess" she has a good understanding of how the events play out.

The Axe constantly restets just like all other permanant fixtures of the loop. Like the ship itself, the clock, the food, the missing bullet holes etc. It doesnt have to reset at the exact moment of the storm or Her nap. It can occur between events of the cycle. The nap is only a reset for Jess's (the one we are following) memory. The nap is not an actual entry point....she is already in the loop. You'll notice the things that do NOT reset are the things from outside the loop that enter the loop. Like all the dead girls piling up on the ship, the charms at the bottom of the grate, the notes etc.

[Show spoiler]See, but Masked Jess shouldn't know it's a win because of her memory loss. So, if she knows the ax leads her back, then why repeat the same mistakes that lead to the crash, which is the reason she goes on boat?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

[Show spoiler]See, but Masked Jess shouldn't know it's a win because of her memory loss. So, if she knows the ax leads her back, then why repeat the same mistakes that lead to the crash, which is the reason she goes on boat?

[Show spoiler]She doesnt know it is a win per se, she comes to realize that getting knocked off is the only way home to her son.

While on the oceanliner She is witnessing the loop play out in front of her for the very first time. She, through necessity, chooses to participate in the events. Our Jess knocks a girl off of the boat who asks/begs to be knocked off. Through witnessing the series of events that follow, (a jess leaves via knock off and a new one arrives via sailboat) Our Jess realizes two things. One, is that she is IN A LOOP and two, is that the way off the boat is to allow the New Arrival Jess to knock her off. Then later, after all the horrible shit Our Jess goes through, she is willing to play the role of masked Jess in order to get the hell off the boat.

She does not know about the car crash while she is on the oceanliner.

Everytime she experiences everything, from after the nap all the way to reboarding the sailboat, it is for the first time in her head. Thats why the notes and charms trip her out, becasue they tell her that she has been here before, many many times, but she doesnt remember it. She chooses to get on the sailbaot again after the car crash because she believes that if she goes through the loop again, she can get off the oceanliner again, go home again, kill the Bad Jess at her house again, take her son in the car again (or not), but then go somewhere different to avoid the car crash that kills him. The problem is, when she gets on the sailboat she takes the nap. When emerging from the nap, she has no memory of the LOOP. We know this because she is genuinely frightened when the storm arrives. If her memory had not been reset during the nap, she would just say "Ho hum, this storm again? Big deal, I survive it every time." But it isnt like that. She is frightened and experiencing the storm for the "first time". She remembers her friends, her son, where she is, that she is boating with friends, weeks ago, years ago etc. It is just the contents of the loop that are reset/erased everytime. Thus, she is doomed to repeat the events for all eternity. Thus the heaviness and awesomeness of the movie.

Does the reset occur because she is the only one sleeping when they physically enter the Bermuda Triangle? What exactly IS the Loop? Is she in Purgatory for being a bad Mother who is responsible for child abuse? Is she in Purgatory becasue she is responsible for the car crash death of her son? Is she in Hell? Is it all a bad dream? These are all things that we can decide/choose for ourselves. But the inner workings of the Loop itself are all pretty bulletproof.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

^ I love that kinda silly stuff. Thanks for the review. Gotta check it out...I loved the first one.

I'd be surprised if you didn't love the sequel then too. I saw it last week and loved it.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Find the posts that Sufdude made AFTER he watched it while chronologically documenting everything on a chart on his livingroom wall.

The good old days

[jvince]

Dark City (1998)
dir. Alex Proyas

The Good: Great concept. Interesting ideas. Creative set design. Nice ending. Melissa George... Wow.

The Bad: Cringe-worthy performances from Rufus Sewell and Kiefer Sutherland. (Man, I wanted to punch Kiefer so badly.) Atrocious dialogue. Too much exposition. Poorly contrived. Oozing with cheesy moments. Terribly dated visual effects. ADD editing. Laughable climax.

The Bottom Line: Recommended viewing for maximum eye-rolling effect.

[Abdrewes]

^^^
One of my favorite science fiction films.

Bound (1996)

The Wachowski's debut film ranks among the greatest first films of the 1990's. It's a hell of a film. The verve, confidence, and energy on display here is so striking: the tight visuals a mere extension of the Wachowski's total command of the screenplay. It feels as if they have studied what makes this well-oiled machine crank, so execution comes easy. Plot developments and character motivations are so clearly intuited, that you know exactly what lies behind their poker faces. All of this without ever fully breaking the restricted narration the film utilizes.

The opening act calmly and confidently introduces it's subjects: a sexy, tattoed ex-convict named Corky (Gina Gershon) moving into a new apartment, a mid level gangster's seductress girlfriend named Violet (Jennifer Tily), and the mid level gangster himself played by Joe Pantalione who conducts his dirty business in the apartment complex. Violet's seduction of Corky leads to one of the most notable pieces of Bravura editing in the Wachowski's career: the shot of them passionately making out in a truck, the camera then pans up to reveal them in the stages of making love in Corky's apartment room. The tone is sensual, but never exploitative. What the Wachowskis choose to conceal holds as much effect as what the show.

The oblivious Caesar is about to take back 2 million dollars from a skimmer. Corky devises a scheme to take the money and run. The subsequent "heist" is just so carefully executed. Revealing much else would be criminal, but needless to say, the house of cards is steadily being erected and one false move could mean certain death for our heroines.

The ride is unpredictable, not exactly the end outcome but each twist that forces the girls to change their master-plan along the way. It's at times deliriously silly, scary and nail-bitingly tense. This is the work of seasoned professionals, not two college dropouts from Chicago, Illinois.

Being the only film without elements of fantasy or science fiction, Bound is a great anomaly in the Wachowski siblings oeuvre. But on further inspection much of what would define them is present in this twisty caper. Superficially, there is Bill Pope's cinematography which captures crimson and blood red, forest green, inky blacks and whites which would populate their features to come. It's a big bold color palate, made all the more so with the inclusion of the leather jacket Corky dons.

The tactile focus on the elements in the apartment complex widens the films scope as opposed to narrowing it: faces, emotions, colors is what the film is really about. When each shot is abstracted from the narrative the film's intentions are crystal clear. It's the type of visual storytelling Hitchcock specialized in: exposition conveyed with a minimum of dialogue while never neglecting the human component. What these women feel along the way, however contrived one may deem the plotting, is key. Regardless as to how many times I see the film, Violet's tiptoeing around Caesar will always retain its effect. I feel implicated in the moment.

If thrillers (especially the erotic thrillers DePalma specialized in) are your game, take this one on. From a bonafide classic in The Matrix, to unappreciated experiments in film form (Speed Racer and Cloud Atlas), these are born filmmakers. If they perplex audiences in the pursuit of new ways to convey emotion through sight and sound, it's just as well. Compromise just isn't their game. Just like Corky and Violet, the only thing they are bound to are each other.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jvince

Dark City (1998)
dir. Alex Proyas

The Good: Great concept. Interesting ideas. Creative set design. Nice ending. Melissa George... Wow.

The Bad: Cringe-worthy performances from Rufus Sewell and Kiefer Sutherland. (Man, I wanted to punch Kiefer so badly.) Atrocious dialogue. Too much exposition. Poorly contrived. Oozing with cheesy moments. Terribly dated visual effects. ADD editing. Laughable climax.

The Bottom Line: Recommended viewing for maximum eye-rolling effect.

I thought the film was ace when I first watched it (although the climax was lousy) although I remember very little of it now, I do remember loving the look of the film and the set designs of the buildings moving around. Maybe if I watched it now the problems would become clear

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]She doesnt know it is a win per se, she comes to realize that getting knocked off is the only way home to her son.

While on the oceanliner She is witnessing the loop play out in front of her for the very first time. She, through necessity, chooses to participate in the events. Our Jess knocks a girl off of the boat who asks/begs to be knocked off. Through witnessing the series of events that follow, (a jess leaves via knock off and a new one arrives via sailboat) Our Jess realizes two things. One, is that she is IN A LOOP and two, is that the way off the boat is to allow the New Arrival Jess to knock her off. Then later, after all the horrible shit Our Jess goes through, she is willing to play the role of masked Jess in order to get the hell off the boat.

She does not know about the car crash while she is on the oceanliner.

Everytime she experiences everything, from after the nap all the way to reboarding the sailboat, it is for the first time in her head. Thats why the notes and charms trip her out, becasue they tell her that she has been here before, many many times, but she doesnt remember it. She chooses to get on the sailbaot again after the car crash because she believes that if she goes through the loop again, she can get off the oceanliner again, go home again, kill the Bad Jess at her house again, take her son in the car again (or not), but then go somewhere different to avoid the car crash that kills him. The problem is, when she gets on the sailboat she takes the nap. When emerging from the nap, she has no memory of the LOOP. We know this because she is genuinely frightened when the storm arrives. If her memory had not been reset during the nap, she would just say "Ho hum, this storm again? Big deal, I survive it every time." But it isnt like that. She is frightened and experiencing the storm for the "first time". She remembers her friends, her son, where she is, that she is boating with friends, weeks ago, years ago etc. It is just the contents of the loop that are reset/erased everytime. Thus, she is doomed to repeat the events for all eternity. Thus the heaviness and awesomeness of the movie.

Does the reset occur because she is the only one sleeping when they physically enter the Bermuda Triangle? What exactly IS the Loop? Is she in Purgatory for being a bad Mother who is responsible for child abuse? Is she in Purgatory becasue she is responsible for the car crash death of her son? Is she in Hell? Is it all a bad dream? These are all things that we can decide/choose for ourselves. But the inner workings of the Loop itself are all pretty bulletproof.

I understood all of that and I really liked the story Smith was trying to tell, hence the three stars, but it's the "science" part that ruins the whole film for me.

[Show spoiler]So you're saying Masked Jess knows that falling overboard is the only way home to her son? But exactly how could she be so sure of that? How could she know she'll survive, wash ashore, and miraculously end up back home? She should have no memory of this due to the nap reset.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

[Show spoiler]Falling overboard does not = lose. It equals win. Jess WANTS to fall overboard to get to her son. By the time she voluntarily accepts her turn in the role of "Overboard Jess" she has a good understanding of how the events play out.

The Axe constantly restets just like all other permanant fixtures of the loop. Like the ship itself, the clock, the food, the missing bullet holes etc. It doesnt have to reset at the exact moment of the storm or Her nap. It can occur between events of the cycle. The nap is only a reset for Jess's (the one we are following) memory. The nap is not an actual entry point....she is already in the loop. You'll notice the things that do NOT reset are the things from outside the loop that enter the loop. Like all the dead girls piling up on the ship, the charms at the bottom of the grate, the notes etc.

[Show spoiler]Going with that theory, imo, the ax should reset at exactly the same time as everything else from the ship. It can't go last because the ship must go back to how it was (with exception of the bodies, of course) once Boat Jess and friends appear. And if every object from the ship must reset, then how come the notes don't?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by KilloWertz

I'd be surprised if you didn't love the sequel then too. I saw it last week and loved it.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

Dark City (1998)
dir. Alex Proyas

The Good: Great concept. Interesting ideas. Creative set design. Nice ending. Melissa George... Wow.

The Bad: Cringe-worthy performances from Rufus Sewell and Kiefer Sutherland. (Man, I wanted to punch Kiefer so badly.) Atrocious dialogue. Too much exposition. Poorly contrived. Oozing with cheesy moments. Terribly dated visual effects. ADD editing. Laughable climax.

The Bottom Line: Recommended viewing for maximum eye-rolling effect.

Thats two in a row that you got all wrong. Dark City is great. Actually, there are many problems with the film, but for some reason I love it anyway.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

I understood all of that and I really liked the story Smith was trying to tell, hence the three stars, but it's the "science" part that ruins the whole film for me.

[Show spoiler]Science? Dude, it's a (pick one) unintentional time travel/alternate universe/Bermuda Triangle/purgatory/dream/hell/ movie. Or a combination of a few. There AINT NO science.

Suspension of disbelief is for sure required. My only argument is that there are no "holes" in the "Loop".

[Show spoiler]So you're saying Masked Jess knows that falling overboard is the only way home to her son? But exactly how could she be so sure of that? How could she know she'll survive, wash ashore, and miraculously end up back home? She should have no memory of this due to the nap reset.

[Show spoiler]You are correct, she would not KNOW. Getting off the ship is no guarantee that shee WILL get home, but it is the ONLY way home. Dangerous, yes, but necessary. It was a gamble for sure, a roll of the dice...just following the lead of the previous Jess.

[Show spoiler]Going with that theory, imo, the ax should reset at exactly the same time as everything else from the ship. It can't go last because the ship must go back to how it was (with exception of the bodies, of course) once Boat Jess and friends appear. And if every object from the ship must reset, then how come the notes don't?

[Show spoiler]1. Why does everything have to reset at the same time? They dont. As long as the resets (of each object) occur in a position within the chronoligical sequence of events that allows for the next event to occur on time, I'm OK with that.

2. Again, permanent fixture vs things brought aboard. The charms also dont reset, nor does the pile of dead girls. Thats why it is so perfect.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats two in a row that you got all wrong. Dark City is great.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Trance is so-so, I enjoyed it when I saw it, but I think it's a film with very little replay value. It's definitely one of his weaker films, although it is no 'Life Less Ordinary' kind of lousy.

It is worth checking out, but not worth a blind buy. Also have an awesome time at Comic-Con.

I think it's one of his stronger films, but we are all well aware as to why. The "important themed" Boyle movies don't sit well with me.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

The good old days

Indeed.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Have you ever seen Triangle?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

I think it's one of his stronger films, but we are all well aware as to why. The "important themed" Boyle movies don't sit well with me.

Have you seen Millions?