The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Brazil

loved it. loved it. loved it.

within a mere 8 minutes i thought, "now this is something!"



4.5/5

Awesome, Awesome, Awesome movie!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Guaranteeing right now the top 3 contenders will be Peter Weir's The Way Back, Malick's Tree of Life, and Schnabel's Miral. A fourth film, which is a bit of a wildcard but is guaranteed acclaim bc it's Eastwood, is Hereafter. I'm going with The Way Back winning a close race.

Thanks for mentioning those. I didn't know Schnabel is releasing a new movie. The trailer looks promising.

I wonder if The Tree of Life will even see a release this year...

[J.Cornelius]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Side note: I mentioned a day or two ago that I was wondering when Elizabeth Kostova's megahit "The Historian" would be brought to screen, considering the fact that its rights were bought for seven figures a couple years back. Here's an update:


http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...n+kane+kostova


This novel could make an EXCELLENT film, despite its length and density.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Godfather Part III

Film: 4/5
-Yes, it doesn't come anywhere close to Parts I/II (which I'd give a 6/5 )
-IMO, how much one can enjoy this film depends on how much one can separate it from the first 2. Yes, it has some loose ties, like

[Show spoiler]Michael and Kay marriage and kids

but most of the plot and characters are new and aren't in parts 1-2, so I dont find it too hard to insulate my rating of part 3 from the curse of being compared to its older brothers
-major weakness is Sofia's performance. I winced at times. Too bad Winona rejected the role of Mary.
-Overall, I loved the Vatican plot.

PQ and AQ: 4/5

Andy Garcia's best performance. I agree with your assessment about the separation of I & II, if you can do that it is a satisfying movie watching experience. I just do not think it is as bad a film as some people make it out to be. Part II is my favorite though, I loved seeing NYC depicted in the early 1900s, so cool.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Thanks for mentioning those. I didn't know Schnabel is releasing a new movie. The trailer looks promising.

I wonder if The Tree of Life will even see a release this year...

I tend think it will, because otherwise it'll be pushed back to next winter. There's no way it won't be released during the award push months.

Miral has all the tools to be a best picture winner, but I just think it'll go to The Way Back. Both are topically right down the Academy's alley, so it'll be a tough call. Tree of Life won't win because although almost all critics love Malick, I can't see them giving it to one of his films.

[jhiggy23]

I change my mind. Shutter Island gets 2 1/2 (out of 4). It didn't handle the source material well and it was a borderline mess.

[Steve46]

Love Actually 4/5
PQ 4/5
AQ 4/5

I'm not a fan of romantic comedies, but I do like the way Richard Curtis handles them. Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones and Notting Hill all have entertaining parts and this is no different.

This is a very ambitious movie which tries to tie together about 10 stories dealing with love of some kind. My favorite elements are Liam Neeson's relationship with his stepson and Colin Firth's relationship with his Portugese housekeeper. Hugh Grant plays his typical role and you know exactly what to expect, but he does it well.

A couple of these stories are actually moving, incredible as it may seem. You'll probably laugh too.

PQ isn't dazzling, but it's probably worth upgrading from DVD.

AQ is adequate too, although this is a dialogue-driven movie.

Around 40 minutes was deleted and the missing scenes can be found in the special features. Some are pretty good, but it was felt that 2 hours 45 minutes was too long for a movie in this genre and it was trimmed.

Not a bad choice if you need to visit the romantic comedy genre.

[jhiggy23]

Oh, and I'll make this prediction too: Ed Harris will be the frontrunner for Best Actor for the film Touching Home. He will possibly get a double nomination, with his performance in The Way Back being a possible supporting actor nom. Colin Farrell will be another major contender for Best Actor.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Love Actually 4/5
PQ 4/5
AQ 4/5

I'm not a fan of romantic comedies, but I do like the way Richard Curtis handles them. Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones and Notting Hill all have entertaining parts and this is no different.

This is a very ambitious movie which tries to tie together about 10 stories dealing with love of some kind. My favorite elements are Liam Neeson's relationship with his stepson and Colin Firth's relationship with his Portugese housekeeper. Hugh Grant plays his typical role and you know exactly what to expect, but he does it well.

A couple of these stories are actually moving, incredible as it may seem. You'll probably laugh too.

PQ isn't dazzling, but it's probably worth upgrading from DVD.

AQ is adequate too, although this is a dialogue-driven movie.

Around 40 minutes was deleted and the missing scenes can be found in the special features. Some are pretty good, but it was felt that 2 hours 45 minutes was too long for a movie in this genre and it was trimmed.

Not a bad choice if you need to visit the romantic comedy genre.

Solid film.

[Steve46]

12 Angry Men 4.5/5

I watched Sidney Lumet's directorial debut (for films at least) on TCM last night and it was the second time I had seen this excellent drama. Over 90 of the 95 minutes takes place in one room as a jury decides the fate of a young man accused of murder.

The cast, led by Henry Fonda, is incredible. Everyone brings something to the mix. It takes place on the hottest day of the year and you can almost feel the heat as Lumet uses camera angles to make the room more claustrophobic.

It feels like a play somewhat, just as Glengarry Glen Ross does. The structure is so logical and the transitions between the points made, the voting and the eventual decision all flow well.

It doesn't sound that exciting. Twelve jurors in a room discussing someone's fate. It's in black and white and made in 1957. Don't let any of that put you off. This is an ideal film for anyone who appreciates dialogue and good acting.

I hope that this classic gets a release on blu-ray soon. It deserves it.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Steve46

12 Angry Men 4.5/5

I watched Sidney Lumet's directorial debut (for films at least) on TCM last night and it was the second time I had seen this excellent drama. Over 90 of the 95 minutes takes place in one room as a jury decides the fate of a young man accused of murder.

The cast, led by Henry Fonda, is incredible. Everyone brings something to the mix. It takes place on the hottest day of the year and you can almost feel the heat as Lumet uses camera angles to make the room more claustrophobic.

It feels like a play somewhat, just as Glengarry Glen Ross does. The structure is so logical and the transitions between the points made, the voting and the eventual decision all flow well.

It doesn't sound that exciting. Twelve jurors in a room discussing someone's fate. It's in black and white and made in 1957. Don't let any of that put you off. This is an ideal film for anyone who appreciates dialogue and good acting.

I hope that this classic gets a release on blu-ray soon. It deserves it.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Shutter Island (blu)

I'll be honest--I have absolutely zero clue why people think the ending is ambiguous--it's not. It wasn't in the book, and although a slight change was made here, the movie is not.

I'd like your take on Bronx Bull's post. I agree with most of it.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...ml#post3377384

[surfdude12]

The Elephant Man (DVD)
Film: 4/5
-great film, loved it
-cant' put my finger on the weakpoints, but it wasn't good enough for 4.5 or 5 in my book. perhaps too conventional
-Ebert was waaaaaay off. He contended that

[Show spoiler]courage is about choice, and Merrick's courage isn't true courage, since he didn't choose his condition, citing to a polio sufferer's quote. He then falsely defines the film being solely about Merrick's condition (hence why he states Merrick had no "choice" to be courageous about), not his achievements. In fact, the film is about Merrick's achievements/choices in spite of his condition. His achievements and condition aren't detached. He did make choices. He could have chosen not to be upbeat, not to speak to anyone, not to read any books. Wouldn't that have been an "easier choice" for him, than someone without his condition? Ebert's other criticism was the film's omission of showing Merrick's learning of his skills. He can't have it both ways: either show us Merrick's learning his skills or show us Merrick's performing his skills/abilities. Of course, Ebert could have it both ways and the film could be 4 hours

[wonkavision]

A Single Man (blu-ray)
3/5
Colin Firth and Julianne Moore are outstanding in this film and get a whole star for their performance, although I have some issues with choices the director makes that are overtly pounded over your head in what is generally a very subtle film. Overall, a well paced, dialogue driven character study. Even though it has a gay theme, the message is universal to all.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

The Elephant Man (DVD)
Film: 4/5
-great film, loved it
-cant' put my finger on the weakpoints, but it wasn't good enough for 4.5 or 5 in my book. perhaps too conventional
-Ebert was waaaaaay off. He contended that

[Show spoiler]courage is about choice, and Merrick's courage isn't true courage, since he didn't choose his condition, citing to a polio sufferer's quote. He then falsely defines the film being solely about Merrick's condition (hence why he states Merrick had no "choice" to be courageous about), not his achievements. In fact, the film is about Merrick's achievements/choices in spite of his condition. His achievements and condition aren't detached. He did make choices. He could have chosen not to be upbeat, not to speak to anyone, not to read any books. Wouldn't that have been an "easier choice" for him, than someone without his condition? Ebert's other criticism was the film's omission of showing Merrick's learning of his skills. He can't have it both ways: either show us Merrick's learning his skills or show us Merrick's performing his skills/abilities. Of course, Ebert could have it both ways and the film could be 4 hours

I don't remember this film well at all--need to revisit it.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by wonkavision

A Single Man (blu-ray)
3/5
Colin Firth and Julianne Moore are outstanding in this film and get a whole star for their performance, although I have some issues with choices the director makes that are overtly pounded over your head in what is generally a very subtle film. Overall, a well paced, dialogue driven character study. Even though it has a gay theme, the message is universal to all.

Everyone, including my parents, have said the same. Firth is great but the director's choices are questionable.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I'd like your take on Bronx Bull's post. I agree with most of it.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...ml#post3377384

I just read it and I'm utterly baffled about how off he is about every single point he makes, sorry. Yes, the book and film need to be separated. But the movie so closely follows the book that it has to be considered, and there is no ambiguity in the book, nor is there meant to be. I appreciate that poster's effort in attempting to dissect the film, but I honestly can't believe how far off he is on each point he makes. This is an example of searching for things far beyond what needs to be searched for. When I was reading it, I mentally was able to negate every single point he made, and it has nothing to do with my having read the book or anything like that--it has to do with the evidence presented and the purpose of the story. I don't really think it's necessary to write out a negation of each point because I don't think it'll yield much discussion.

[wonkavision]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Everyone, including my parents, have said the same. Firth is great but the director's choices are questionable.

It's his (Tom Ford) directorial debut, so I'll cut him some slack (just a little). However, he could be quite promising in the future, we'll see.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I just read it and I'm utterly baffled about how off he is about every single point he makes, sorry. Yes, the book and film need to be separated. But the movie so closely follows the book that it has to be considered, and there is no ambiguity in the book, nor is there meant to be. I appreciate that poster's effort in attempting to dissect the film, but I honestly can't believe how far off he is on each point he makes. This is an example of searching for things far beyond what needs to be searched for. When I was reading it, I mentally was able to negate every single point he made, and it has nothing to do with my having read the book or anything like that--it has to do with the evidence presented and the purpose of the story. I don't really think it's necessary to write out a negation of each point because I don't think it'll yield much discussion.

dude, you need to stop reading so much -- its getting in the way of movie I.Q.

by the way, I take extreme offense to that bolded part -- you're just jealous that Bronx Bull (Shutter) and Gremal (Prestige) have insights you don't

no but seriously, you may be right -- I plan to watch it again soon and may conclude the ending isn't ambigious, but in all honesty, this may end up in the "Doubt" column for me (i.e., conclude different endings with each viewings). I don't mind that! Its fun!

[wonkavision]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

The Elephant Man (DVD)

-cant' put my finger on the weakpoints, but it wasn't good enough for 4.5 or 5 in my book. perhaps too conventional

How could a story about a freak be anything but unconventional?
A beautiful film, shot in glorious B&W as well.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by wonkavision

How could a story about a freak be anything but unconventional?
A beautiful film, shot in glorious B&W as well.

You're right. Its just that in "Lynch world," its fairly conventional. That's what I meant.