The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by U7ysses S Gr4nt

[Show spoiler]

Good review. Really, really surprised at how this has taken off.

Thank you. I'm glad some people like my review; on imdb, 0 out of 2 found it useful. Stupid imdb...that review will probably get a bunch of negative votes by folks who think the movie's overrated, just like every other 2013 movie I've reviewed.

[Al_The_Strange]

The Fly II

A few years after David Cronenberg's remake of The Fly, this sequel came along to pick up where the first film left off. Following in Cronenberg's footsteps, The Fly II continues to shock and horrify, with a fresh new wave of grotesque mutations, gnarly blood and gore, and even more inhuman experiments in teleportation.

Unfortunately, the film doesn't quite move along as smoothly or quickly as its predecessor; this sequel is laden with quite a bit of dragging at certain spots. When the film isn't dragging, it does maintain decent interest with some explosive drama, and explosive bloodshed. A lot of it is more of the same (guy continues to morph into a fly-human hybrid, animals continue to get mangled by the teleporters, more digestive goo is sprayed liberally), but there are a few surprising twists to the thing as well (there's a certain scene involving an elevator that I found quite gnarly, and the ending is wickedly ironic).

I never saw that much wrong with the story either. As a continuation that follows a new generation of characters, the story keeps a decent focus on the characters. It is pretty easy to relate to them, as they are effectively treated like lab specimens. That is also the source of the movie's drama and horror. Beyond that, however, the film isn't quite as fresh or deep as the predecessor.

The film looks decent, with quality photography and editing. The actors do the best they can, but they don't really stand out enough to surpass the cast of the first film. Writing is okay, but nothing to scream about. The production has okay-looking sets, props, costumes, and SFX. Make-up work and gore is pretty well-done. Music is not bad either.

I felt this was a decent follow-up to Cronenberg's The Fly, for it has its moments. If you liked that first film, then this one should be worth a rent.

3.5/5 (Entertainment: Pretty Good | Story: Pretty Good | Film: Pretty Good)

Why didn't they put this on Blu-Ray?!

[U7ysses S Gr4nt]

No One Lives (Blu-ray, 1st viewing) – not necessarily the worst movie I’ve ever seen, but it’s completely forgettable. Luke Evans isn’t even close to as menacing as he wants to be, all of the fodder is just that - fodder, and the whole thing is just kind of dumb. You’ll have it figured it out pretty quick, too. Fortunately, it’s really short (78 minutes), and has decent gore, so at least you won’t have to suffer for too long.
3/10

The Brave One (Blu-ray, 1st viewing) – I’m all for revenge thrillers, and generally found this to be a middling entry in the sub-genre. Jodie Foster makes for a believable heroine, but a lot of it seems pretty far fetched. There’s crime in NYC, but it’s a little over the top here. As with most revenge movies, there are some moments of triumph as the oppressed take down the scum. I expected this to be a decent but ultimately forgettable movie and I wasn’t wrong.
6/10

The Arrival (Blu-ray, 1st viewing) – I enjoyed this more than I expected to. This was one of those bargain buys you get, and then you realize the sole reason you bought it was because of the price. It borrows heavily from all of The Invasion movies, with a slightly more modern twist on some of the details. Sheen does good work here; this was before he became as crazy as a run over dog. This is from 1996 and there’s strong reliance on special effects, so that at times can detract from the experience. Overall, if you like your alien invasion films to have a little more focus on the thrills and less on action, you’ll like this. It’s not something I can see myself watching again, but for $5 I don’t have any regrets.
6/10

Cape Fear (Blu-ray, 1st viewing) – This is the remake, not the original. I haven’t seen the original, but from what I understand, Scorsese emulates it pretty closely, and the principal actors from it have small parts here. It has a different feel to it; you can definitely see that it’s a throwback to the mysteries and suspense films of the 50s and 60s. It definitely has a harder edge than those movies did, mostly in part to De Niro’s very strong performance as Max Cady. I liked it overall, but don’t consider it one of Scorsese’s best, though De Niro is almost as good here as he was in Taxi Driver. Cady is much easier to figure out than Bickle was, but is much more scary, though.
6.5/10

This Is The End (Blu-ray, 1st viewing) – I’ve been waiting to see this since it was released, as I was unable to catch it in theater. Overall, I was a little disappointed, to be honest. There are some funny moments, but mostly it’s just the absurdity of the situation the guys work themselves into. I really like all 6 of the main actors, but they’ve all done much better work in my eyes. It’s caught on really well with most people, so you’d be better served making your own conclusion here.
6/10

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) (Blu-ray, 2nd viewing) – I haven’t seen the original, but I think this is a serviceable science fiction film. It doesn’t really have the depth it aspires to obtain, nor is it really an action packed film. Keanu is well cast as the stoic Klaatu; he doesn’t really have to have any emotion for the role. It’s far from the top of the heap in its genre, but settles in somewhere around the middle.
6/10

The Last Samurai (Blu-ray, 2nd viewing) – This is probably my favorite Edward Zwick film, with Glory being a very close second. Cruise is very, very good here, probably his best role in my eyes, and Watanabe is as great as always. It may borrow from other films a bit much for some people, but I really enjoy it. After my 1st viewing, I had it somewhere in my top 10. I wouldn’t rank it that high after a 2nd viewing, but it’s still a bit underrated as a drama/epic.
8.5/10

[jvince]

Whistle and I'll Come to You (1968)
dir. Jonathan Miller

The Good: The two horror sequences are quite effective and legitimately spine-tingling. Economic and resourceful.

The Bad: Mostly dull and boring. Annoying main character.

The Bottom Line: Whistle and I'll Come to You later inspired the annual '70s BBC special, A Ghost Story for Christmas. The most popular film in the series is Lawrence Gordon Clark's adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Signalman. I recommend you seek that one out instead.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Pondosinatra

Nothing specific. It's just a general dislike. Like when you meet someone and instantly don't like them. She's a good actress...or at least she was until she started doing the endless quirky comedy roles, but she just annoys me.

This would have been killer had it been Charlize Theron or Noomi Rapace...

Gotcha. And I agree that it is a very odd casting choice. I guess I am lucky though, since I like her. Probably seeing the flick tomorrow.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Gravity (2013)

[Show spoiler]Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller, 90 minutes
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and the voice of Ed Harris

Many people don't take science fiction seriously, but here's a movie that might work for those who don't usually like the genre. There are no aliens, unknown worlds, monsters, or laser shootouts. This is a movie that's set in the real world, or more accurately, above it.

The story opens with a George Clooney voice-over. We meet astronauts working to repair a satellite. This shows how calm such a silent world can be. I reluctantly saw the movie in 3D, but this was one occasion that I came away feeling that it added to the experience. It almost made me dizzy seeing Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (Clooney) go about their routine business with Earth looming large in the background. Indeed, the cinematography was breathtaking throughout the 90 minutes.

I don't want to give away too many details, but if you have seen the trailer or even looked at the poster, you'll know that this movie is far from being a calm ride. An accident sends debris racing toward the astronauts like some kind of deadly shrapnel. What follows is a story about the strength of the human spirit, and the will to survive against all odds. Remember that the word gravity has more than one meaning.

While I enjoyed Sandra Bullock's performances in The Blind Side and Speed, I would hardly describe myself as a fan. However, I left the theater thinking that she carried the whole movie, and it's easily the most accomplished performance of her career.

Alfonso Cuarón directed Y Tu Mamá También, Children of Men, and the best Harry Potter movie (Azkaban), but this is comfortably my favorite from his impressive portfolio. The story is lean, gripping, thoughtful, thrilling, scary, breathtaking, beautiful, and emotional, and feels perfectly paced at every point. He doesn't insult us by giving too much exposition, and that draws us deeper into the story. His use of extreme close-ups is another reason we are drawn to these characters. It's hard to avoid feeling that you are a part of the movie.

As I watched, I thought of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Moon, Apollo 13, Cast Away, Alien, and a few other great movies. Cuarón lets us see his characters thinking, and that's a good thing. Remember that astronauts are not selected because they are stupid or incapable of adapting in extreme situations. I'm always impressed when I see a movie which takes the trouble to show how people really think. It's not an easy thing to do well. This choice works perfectly and helps the whole story succeed because it's so believable.

Although the visuals dazzled on a regular basis, my favorite shot in the whole movie was Sandra Bullock in the fetal position. It jumped out at me as being so appropriate for the scene, and it was a stroke of genius. You'll know what I mean when you see it. The opening titles remind us that there is no sound in space, just as Kubrick depicted almost 50 years ago.

I admire this movie so much that I would happily watch it again tomorrow. It's a wild 90 minutes. I left the theater feeling as if it was an effort to be back in the real world. I was totally immersed in the story to the point of being almost unable to function when it was over. I'm glad I had a long walk back to the car so that I could catch my breath.

There are so many reasons to see this movie, even if you hate science fiction. It won't be forgotten when the awards season arrives. See it immediately. I would even go as far to say you should see it in 3D

.

5/5

Eager.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Just popped in 1986's The Fly

1958's The Fly is a seminal B-movie sci-fi classic, thanks to its sublime storytelling and its iconic "Help meeeee!" scene. David Cronenberg's remake, however, goes a step further and taps into all the unused potential of this classic story. This version of The Fly is grosser, gnarlier, more extreme, more schlocky type of B-movie, but still with diligent attention to story and character.

Among the film's highlights, this version of The Fly handles the teleportation concepts in a more earnest manner, to actually show what could happen when different matter collides. The results are often freaky and bloody. Most of the film focuses on Seth Brundle literally falling apart after his body merges with that of a fly, and the film explores the implications in full. The man adopts the various properties of a common fly, even to the extent of spewing digestive acid. It makes for a genuinely sickening and emotionally hard-hitting experience to watch this guy morph into something other than human.

The plot is pretty straightforward (much in contrast to the original film, which hinged greatly on its twisty structure). It does have a cast of endearing characters, who show some genuinely good emotional range and are easy to like. What really matters, however, are the themes, which focus on power-hunger and corruption, effectively manifested as physical decay. It's a bit like the portrait of Dorian Gray, only instead of a portrait, it's the man's flesh. And if there's anything that Cronenberg does best, it's in showing just how scary and gross it is for the human flesh to contort and fall apart into something non-human. The Fly echoes a lot of the same themes and grotesqueness as movies like Videodrome, and it is awesome that way.

This film uses decent photography and editing. Jeff Goldblum is a great joy to watch in this film, as is Geena Davis, and the rest of the cast is not bad either. Writing is pretty decent. This production uses pretty good-looking sets, props, costumes, and some very wicked make-up effects. Music is pretty good too.

If you can stomach it, The Fly is one wicked exploration on the terrors of teleportation mutating the human flesh. Although the original is a classic worth seeing, I do prefer this remake a little more, for all its frightful implications.

4.5/5 (Experience: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Very Good)

Armwrestling scene.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by U7ysses S Gr4nt

Still haven't seen this, and considering I liked The Happening, I should probably get on that!

The Sixth Sense is a very special movie. Very.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Sixth Sense is a very special movie. Very.

I can't wait for my UK BluRay to arrive I haven't seen it in about a decade, so I hope it gives Signs a run for its money as my favorite M. Night film.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

[Show spoiler]Seven years removed from his last film, Alfonso Cuarón returns with a mighty spectacle which charts an astronaut’s quest for survival after debris from a satellite collides with the Explorer space shuttle. Though, there are spots which demand one’s suspension of disbelief (I noted a few possible instances of possible departures from my Calculus level understanding of Physics), Gravity’s status as one of the most astounding cinematic technical achievements cannot be refuted. The tracking shots here, though clearly composites, are not only some of the most impressive since Cuarón’s last film, Children of Men, but of all time (suddenly the opening of Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil looks like a cute trick). But beyond being the source of endless how-did-they-do-it fascination, they anchor the film in real-time reality. We are gifted the perspective of these can-do engineers even while the camera whirls around them in countless combinations. Gravity conveys the feeling of being in space more satisfyingly than any other film (2001: A Space Odyssey included). Each moment is both terrifying and awe-inspiringly beautiful.

In one of the most demanding roles of her career, Sandra Bullock plays bio-medical engineer Ryan Stone whom is left to conjure up a survival plan after the afforemntioned accident strikes. This terrible turn of event serves as the catalyst for a reevaluation of her life which has recently been filled with inconsolable grief after the death of her very young daughter. These details ring completely true due to Bullock’s magnetic performance. She is a much better actress than the countless naysayers would like to admit. When paired with the right role, she is a force to be reckoned with. Further, I was taken aback by the earnestness in which the characters were rendered. Though this is clearly Sandra Bullock’s show, George Clooney’s inhabitation of the cocksure Matt Kowalski is a spot on depiction of chest pounding utilitarian-types that sign up to become an astronaut and an effective source of comic relief. Alfonso Cuarón and son Jonás Cuarón do such an admirable job of birthing such grim proceedings with a fable-like sense of levity. Yes, the film is nerve-rackingly tense for the entirety of its ninety-minute duration, but it is also an incredibly moving allegory for the triumph of the human spirit. All this with none of the de rigueur gloom that has gradually become all too popular today in mainstream science-fiction. As I sat frozen in my seat watching the credits roll by, I pondered the depths of the film’s straight forward sincerity moreso than the copious thrills that I had just been subjected to.

In a sense, this film forms a perfect melody with the Mexican director’s other offerings. Like Y Tu Mamá También and Children of Men, this is a movie that follows its characters from point A to point B, no different than a road movie (though not a road movie in the classical sense, Gravity can be viewed as such). What is of consequence are not the specifics of the plot, but what truths the characters learn about themselves while on the adventure of a lifetime (in this case, many, many lifetimes). The optimistic parallel between this film and Children of Men is explicit (even though the scope is radically different), but following that line to Y Tu Mamá También may prove more elusive to some viewers. The great tragedy (and irony) of that film’s dénouement is that a matter so trivial ultimately formed an unspoken schism between two friends that were one inseparable. Julio and Tenoch succumbed to the minute blows of life while Luisa lived the rest of her days in effervescent content. Here, Cuarón’s humanism is in full bloom. He highlights the ways life’s many blows can be subjugated to one’s advantage. No matter how desperate the situation, there is always a path to safety.

No amount of impassioned rambling on my behalf can aptly convey the, majesty of this one-of-a-kind film. Alfonso Cuarón is a director who consistently dreams big and dares to push the formal boundaries of film, what emotions images and sounds alone can conjure, but that would all be moot if the results didn’t speak for themselves. Gravity is one of the rare films that needs no defense. Like the works of Stanley Kubrick, he makes films that are both brimming with such unworldly ecstatic wonder and insight. Whereas in Children of Men he dared to speculate where an infertile mankind would be in the year 2027, here he focuses his gaze on the simple truths of perseverance and the indescribably powerful sensation of being wholly alive. Gravity offers what all other special effects extravaganzas cannot: a poignant reminder of how transient our existence really is.

Originally Posted by Steve46

Gravity (2013)
Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller, 90 minutes
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and the voice of Ed Harris

[Show spoiler]Many people don't take science fiction seriously, but here's a movie that might work for those who don't usually like the genre. There are no aliens, unknown worlds, monsters, or laser shootouts. This is a movie that's set in the real world, or more accurately, above it.

The story opens with a George Clooney voice-over. We meet astronauts working to repair a satellite. This shows how calm such a silent world can be. I reluctantly saw the movie in 3D, but this was one occasion that I came away feeling that it added to the experience. It almost made me dizzy seeing Ryan Stone (Bullock) and Matt Kowalski (Clooney) go about their routine business with Earth looming large in the background. Indeed, the cinematography was breathtaking throughout the 90 minutes.

I don't want to give away too many details, but if you have seen the trailer or even looked at the poster, you'll know that this movie is far from being a calm ride. An accident sends debris racing toward the astronauts like some kind of deadly shrapnel. What follows is a story about the strength of the human spirit, and the will to survive against all odds. Remember that the word gravity has more than one meaning.

While I enjoyed Sandra Bullock's performances in The Blind Side and Speed, I would hardly describe myself as a fan. However, I left the theater thinking that she carried the whole movie, and it's easily the most accomplished performance of her career.

Alfonso Cuarón directed Y Tu Mamá También, Children of Men, and the best Harry Potter movie (Azkaban), but this is comfortably my favorite from his impressive portfolio. The story is lean, gripping, thoughtful, thrilling, scary, breathtaking, beautiful, and emotional, and feels perfectly paced at every point. He doesn't insult us by giving too much exposition, and that draws us deeper into the story. His use of extreme close-ups is another reason we are drawn to these characters. It's hard to avoid feeling that you are a part of the movie.

As I watched, I thought of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Moon, Apollo 13, Cast Away, Alien, and a few other great movies. Cuarón lets us see his characters thinking, and that's a good thing. Remember that astronauts are not selected because they are stupid or incapable of adapting in extreme situations. I'm always impressed when I see a movie which takes the trouble to show how people really think. It's not an easy thing to do well. This choice works perfectly and helps the whole story succeed because it's so believable.

Although the visuals dazzled on a regular basis, my favorite shot in the whole movie was Sandra Bullock in the fetal position. It jumped out at me as being so appropriate for the scene, and it was a stroke of genius. You'll know what I mean when you see it. The opening titles remind us that there is no sound in space, just as Kubrick depicted almost 50 years ago.

I admire this movie so much that I would happily watch it again tomorrow. It's a wild 90 minutes. I left the theater feeling as if it was an effort to be back in the real world. I was totally immersed in the story to the point of being almost unable to function when it was over. I'm glad I had a long walk back to the car so that I could catch my breath.

There are so many reasons to see this movie, even if you hate science fiction. It won't be forgotten when the awards season arrives. See it immediately. I would even go as far to say you should see it in 3D.

5/5

Originally Posted by U7ysses S Gr4nt

Still haven't seen this, and considering I liked The Happening, I should probably get on that!

It's 1,000,000 better than The Happening.

[jvince]

http://vimeo.com/5048966

Treevenge (2008)
dir. Jason Eisener

The Good: Okay, so we got Christmas trees throwing tree toppers like shurikens, raping men, chopping off legs, forcing their branches into eyes and orifices, killing kittens and kids, and head-stomping innocent babies. Yep, that's pretty much exactly how I imagined a tree uprising would turn out.

The Bad: Acting is way too campy, especially from the lumberjacks. I wasn't feeling the first half. The trees should've had their "treevenge" on the lumberjacks alone.

The Bottom Line: The best treesploitation there is, Treevenge is certainly not for the easily offended.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

treevenge (2008)


killing kittens and kids, and head-stomping innocent babies.

wtf?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by jvince

http://vimeo.com/5048966

Treevenge (2008)
dir. Jason Eisener

The Good: Okay, so we got Christmas trees throwing tree toppers like shurikens, raping men, chopping off legs, forcing their branches into eyes and orifices, killing kittens and kids, and head-stomping innocent babies. Yep, that's pretty much exactly how I imagined a tree uprising would turn out.

The Bad: Acting is way too campy, especially from the lumberjacks. I wasn't feeling the first half. The trees should've had their "treevenge" on the lumberjacks alone.

The Bottom Line: The best treesploitation there is, Treevenge is certainly not for the easily offended.

Sounds like a must-see to me!

[CoolRanch]

Originally Posted by jvince

http://vimeo.com/5048966

Treevenge (2008)
dir. Jason Eisener

The Good: Okay, so we got Christmas trees throwing tree toppers like shurikens, raping men, chopping off legs, forcing their branches into eyes and orifices, killing kittens and kids, and head-stomping innocent babies. Yep, that's pretty much exactly how I imagined a tree uprising would turn out.

The Bad: Acting is way too campy, especially from the lumberjacks. I wasn't feeling the first half. The trees should've had their "treevenge" on the lumberjacks alone.

The Bottom Line: The best treesploitation there is, Treevenge is certainly not for the easily offended.

Thanks jvince, I can always count on you to post the most ridiculous/disturbing shorts And I had just recovered from "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared" too...

Seriously though that was brilliant, forwarded it to my disturbist friend

[jvince]

Videodrome (1983)
dir. David Cronenberg

The Good: Five good reasons why you should watch Videodrome (even if you don't want to): (1) incredible special effects and makeup by the master himself, Rick Baker; (2) James Woods makes out with a television screen; (3) James Woods grows a vagina on his stomach (for real, I am not making this up); (4) it stars the hottest rock chick of all time; and (5) this is classic Cronenberg mind****ery at its best.

The Bad: Story can be incoherent at times. I also felt the final act was a bit rushed.

The Bottom Line: Hmm... So that's why Betamax failed. Fancy a good brain ****ing? Go watch Videodrome. Long live the new flesh.

[Abdrewes]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Sounds like a must-see to me!

Haha! As soon as I read that title, I thought, "Seems like something Al would like."

[jvince]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

wtf?

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Sounds like a must-see to me!

Originally Posted by CoolRanch

Thanks jvince, I can always count on you to post the most ridiculous/disturbing shorts And I had just recovered from "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared" too...

Seriously though that was brilliant, forwarded it to my disturbist friend

Gotta thank Foggy for Don't Hug Me. He's the reason why I now have nightmares of those freaky dancing mascots. lol.

[jvince]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes

Haha! As soon as I read that title, I thought, "Seems like something Al would like."

I'm sure Al will like it.

[Abdrewes]

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Abdrewes