The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Q!

Yup, I think I saw that some weeks ago.

(500) Days of Summer is more witty, bittersweet and is a bit sillier too, Adventureland has a slower pace and just a hair or two better. Though it has just as much comedy they're very different in terms of style. (500) is set in almost a perfect world and more stylistic, Adventureland being grounded in reality with the location sets.

I actually thought Adventureland was a 2 hour movie when it finished, turns out it was "only" 1 hour 36 min. lol
Though not in a bad way.

Everyone has been speaking very highly of Adventureland. I will def see it sooner rather than later.

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

As always, you choose great films to watch and you're reviews are always great to read. I know you and I have talked about this film so I won't post any of that here, but I do have to say something about They Shoot Pictures. I absolutely love that site but their top 1000 films is a bit odd at times. It baffles me that Schindler's List is ranked where it is, when it is far better than many films above it. That's the case for a lot of films I consider to be great, such as 12 Angry Men, Judgment at Nuremberg, and others. Still, it is the single best movie website out there.

Can't wait to pick up this title!

Yes, you were the one in fact who posted info about They Shoot Pictures and they have become my preferred site when it comes to film ratings. However, I agree with you about their specific ranking of some films and these were 2 specific ones which bothered me. I hadn't seen Wages of Fear until I purchased it on BD and I just happen to think it is a much better film than The Deer Hunter and Schindler's List would be in my top 100. However, that's my opinion.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

This is a great review, which I've come to expect from you. Of course, many ppl know that I don't like this film at all at gave it 2 1/2 stars, simply because the acting of Day-Lewis was absolutely incredible (I wasn't a fan of the other acting in the film) and the directing was exceptional. I just didn't like the story or the payoff.

thanks jhiggy! appreciate it!
for me, as soon as the film ended i was like, "this is definitely one of my all-time favorites" i just don't know where it is on the list yet, but it's way up there. and for me, if i ever even come close to having that thought, then it's pretty much an instant 5/5. and that thought doesn't happen very often.

i would like to think that even for people who don't like the film as a whole, they can respect and recognize the job at Day-Lewis did here. glad you did! otherwise we might have to have a heated conversation

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

There Will Be Blood

5/5

I'm actually DVR-ing this right now


I've never seen it.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I'm actually DVR-ing this right now


I've never seen it.

i think i tend to give out too many 5/5's, whereas when i go back and watch it again and write a user review the film might go down to a 4.5/5 because i know the 5/5 was just from my initial reaction, but There Will Be Blood definitely earned a 5/5 from me and always will be awarded a 5/5

hope you enjoy it!

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I'm actually DVR-ing this right now


I've never seen it.

How can you be a top reviewer and not own this on BD and even worse yet, not have seen it on film? Just kidding! There are so many BDs I don't own and films I haven't seen that the list could fill a book.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

thanks jhiggy! appreciate it!
for me, as soon as the film ended i was like, "this is definitely one of my all-time favorites" i just don't know where it is on the list yet, but it's way up there. and for me, if i ever even come close to having that thought, then it's pretty much an instant 5/5. and that thought doesn't happen very often.

i would like to think that even for people who don't like the film as a whole, they can respect and recognize the job at Day-Lewis did here. glad you did! otherwise we might have to have a heated conversation

Yeah it's weird--it's not often you see a film and think the directing is exceptional and the lead acting performance is one of the greatest of all-time, but overall you dislike the film. I think in the end, it all comes back to story.

I liken it a bit to Howards End, which I reviewed a few days ago. I think the acting, directing, score, and cinematography are excellent but the story just didn't do it for me.

[Propellarhead9]

Toy Story 3 - 10/10
Twister 9/10
Ninja Assassin - 8/10

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Everyone has been speaking very highly of Adventureland. I will def see it sooner rather than later.

Interested to see what your review for it will be like as I'm one of those people that has been speaking very highly of Adventureland. Actually, I have ever since I first saw it the week it came out on Blu-ray, but it's nice to see more people seeing it.

[Marcus Wright]

Alice in Wonderland 3/5
Toy Story 3 (4.5/5)
District 9 (5/5)

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Interested to see what your review for it will be like as I'm one of those people that has been speaking very highly of Adventureland. Actually, I have ever since I first saw it the week it came out on Blu-ray, but it's nice to see more people seeing it.

I've wanted to see it for awhile, I just focus more of my time on watching classics that I haven't seen with some modern ones thrown in. I really think I'll like it and I'm glad so many ppl appear to enjoy it.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Alice in Wonderland 3/5
Toy Story 3 (4.5/5)
District 9 (5/5)

You voted 3/5 in the review/rate thread.


Did you vote before you saw it....?

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I've wanted to see it for awhile, I just focus more of my time on watching classics that I haven't seen with some modern ones thrown in. I really think I'll like it and I'm glad so many ppl appear to enjoy it.

Nothing wrong with that. There's plenty of movies you would be surprised that I've never seen. I hope you do enjoy it like you think you will.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

You voted 3/5 in the review/rate thread.


Did you vote before you saw it....?

i'm really really really hoping he saw it twice and this is his score for the second viewing... really really hoping because if he voted before seeing the film... that's just pathetic.

[jhiggy23]

A Passage to India (blu)


PQ: 5 stars (out of 5)

The bluray.com reviewer gave it a perfect score, and it's hard for me to disagree. It doesn't look as good as some other 5 star PQs, such as Australia, but I've realized I'm too stingy with this rating. This is the best I've seen an older film look on blu. Clarity, detail, and depth are unbelievable at times.


AQ: 4 stars (out of 5)

Dialogue is low at some points but good for the most part.


Extras: No rating (never give one)

Watch the 10 minute interview with David Lean and the 15 minute retrospective with the actors and producers. Both are very good.


Film: 4 stars (out of 4)


Nominated for 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director (won best score and best supporting actress)


Rotten Tomatoes: 85%

This is an exceptional film, and I like it more than both Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia, although Arabia is undoubtedly David Lean's masterpiece. Ebert calls the film "one of the best screen adaptations he's ever seen," and it's hard to disagree. I like this movie more than Dr. Z and Lawrence because I just felt more engaged in the story. As always, the vistas are spectacular and the dialogue is well-written. I think this is a better film than Zhivago because it has much more of a point, which is the conflict between the British and Indians in the 1920s. I think Victor Banerjee, an actor I was previously unfamiliar with, was fantastic as Dr. Aziz (although at times bordering on overacting). I know this is a weak review, but I highly recommend seeing this film (it was Lean's last film before he died and his first film after a 14 year hiatus) and its PQ makes it a great one to own.

[sheeraz]

Inglourious Basterds 4/5

Fun movie, but too many problems.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Diesel

You voted 3/5 in the review/rate thread.


Did you vote before you saw it....?

He does that a lot. He voted the Karate Kid 1 star way before he saw it hatin, then when he actually saw it he gave it 3 1/2 stars. I hate when people prejudge films or vote before seeing them. Got Em!!

[CZAR]

Mo' Money - I have always liked this dramedy starring Damon Wayans. Has a nice mix of comedy/action/romance/drama. This was also Marlon Wayans first film. Who can forget the gorgeous Stacey Dash. She has always been one of my favorites. Overall a very fun film.

Film Rating - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

[opterasis]

Toy Story 3 5/5

Pretty much a perfect movie.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

There Will Be Blood

5/5

Agree 100% on your review. TWBB is in my top 15 all-time.

I would point out one thing: Yes Daniel Plainview's prime motivation is greed, but

[Show spoiler] at the same time, like all human beings, he has a conscience, at it continuously tortures him throughout the film. Example: leaving the boy on the train. He didn't do that effortlessly. He wept/sobbed. He continuously asked "how big is his room?" (the son). Yes, he was trying to absolve his own guilt, but at the same time, his conscience was eating him alive. And the other example of his conscience torturing him is the church sequence: notice how DDL goes from "this is a f&*king joke" mode (when Eli talks about blood, Jesus, etc), but then DDL goes into "I'm a horrible person" mode (when Eli mentions the son). DDL's conscience is eating him again. His jaw even quivers (if you watch close) when Eli says "you have abandoned your child" (the first time).

That's one of the reasons this character is so powerful: Yes, he's a greed-driven monster, but at the same time, he's tortured by his conscience - a universal attribute of any human - whether he likes it or not