The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

4 stars being the highest

Movie: 3 stars
Video: 3 1/2 stars
Audio: 3 stars

Very solid movie till the end. I felt we went from 0 to 60 in the last 20 minutes of the movie and i never felt like i caught up emotionally. Though i'm thankful they didn't go for a full-on cliche' hollywood ending.
Bridges and Gyllenhyll (sic) were really, really, good. Bridges deserves the accolades. His performance is effortless. Accent, gait, look, etc. are all perfect.
Robert Duvall was perfect and gave me the most chuckles. He's just so good.
And guess what? Colin Ferrell didn't make me wretch. He was really good, especially if that was his actual singing voice.

I like movies that feel real and this felt real.

That was his actual singing voice. Farrell has REALLY come on in the past two years. He won the Golden Globe for acting in a comedy/musical for In Bruges, yet unbelievably didn't get an Oscar nom. This year he put forth Triage and Ondine, both of which he was apparently very good in. And then, later this year he'll be in the Peter Weir film I mentioned, and the early buzz is that he's a lock for an Oscar nom and a major competitor.

I gave Crazyheart 3 out of 4. It was good but not great.

[Q?]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

It's good.

So true, I'll write a little review later.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Dude! Are you kidding me??? I bought a used DVD for like $4 shipped. Don't wait!!

After you watch it, I'll send you a link to a post on here that explains the film REALLY simply and in only 3-4 sentences. It saved my butt. Squid read it too. For whatever reason, I had watched it twice and had only a vague idea of what was going on. It really helped.

Surf, I want to wait, I've delayed watching it for different reasons over the years. Now finally I'll see it on Blu-ray, might as well wait for that. you need the best whenever you're getting your cherry popped
Thanks but no thanks, I don't ever want a Lynch movie explained to me. I love the mystery of Lynch's movies and I want to keep that alive for years to come.

tbizzle, look forward to the The Road, never has such a drab movie been so beautiful.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by Q!

Surf, I want to wait, I've delayed watching it for different reasons over the years. Now finally I'll see it on Blu-ray, might as well wait for that. you need the best whenever you're getting your cherry popped
Thanks but no thanks, I don't ever want a Lynch movie explained to me. I love the mystery of Lynch's movies and I want to keep that alive for years to come.

tbizzle, look forward to the The Road, never has such a drab movie been so beautiful.

+1 on waiting for the blu, I'm doing the same. And yes, can't wait for The Road to show up. Just checked and it's still on Long Wait. It's toying with me! It was at Short Wait for like a week and then shot back up

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I really, really, REALLY need to see this film.

It's a well done film. I thought it was all right, but I would like to see it again someday. I now understand what they were talking about in Last Action Hero!

[Q?]

The Road

Wow, it's so rare for me to be so emotionally affected when watching movies. This movie gutted me, frightened and disgusted me. I got the sense of losing the will to live during the movie, the actors perfomances are to "blame" for that. Not once did I question the realness of the movie. Also it's never explained why the world has died and civilization has crumbled, I didn't care either because the core of the story was about a man and his son, a man literally doing everything for his son. Right down to the basics. Tough stuff! Also did something I never do, I cried. The last time I cried to a movie was Schindlers List years ago, But I want to end my review as I don't want to hype it too much. This movie ain't pretty, it's intense and slow moving and not cheery at all.
Rent it at the very least!

[Show spoiler]This has one of the best "happy" endings I've seen, sure his dad died but the family that had been following them was just perfect and didn't feel forced at all. I loved the "twist" that it was them that had been following them all along with the kid and the dog earlier.

PQ 4/5 It's not pretty, but I wouldn't say it's bad because it looks like it accurately shows what the movie is supposed to look like. Maybe I should just give it 5/5 instead? Grey and dull it is and should be.
9.5/10
I want to watch it again before I decide for a possible perfect 10.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Q!

The Road

Wow, it's so rare for me to be so emotionally affected when watching movies. This movie gutted me, frightened and disgusted me. I got the sense of losing the will to live during the movie, the actors perfomances are to "blame" for that. Not once did I question the realness of the movie. Also it's never explained why the world has died and civilization has crumbled, I didn't care either because the core of the story was about a man and his son, a man literally doing everything for his son. Right down to the basics. Tough stuff! Also did something I never do, I cried. The last time I cried to a movie was Schindlers List years ago, But I want to end my review as I don't want to hype it too much. This movie ain't pretty, it's intense and slow moving and not cheery at all.
Rent it at the very least!

[Show spoiler]This has one of the best "happy" endings I've seen, sure his dad died but the family that had been following them was just perfect and didn't feel forced at all. I loved the "twist" that it was them that had been following them all along with the kid and the dog earlier.

PQ 4/5 It's not pretty, but I wouldn't say it's bad because it looks like it accurately shows what the movie is supposed to look like. Maybe I should just give it 5/5 instead? Grey and dull it is and should be.
9.5/10
I want to watch it again before I decide for a possible perfect 10.

Can't wait to see the movie. The book is heartbreaking and intensely moving. I read it about 3 years ago.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Q!

The Road

Wow, it's so rare for me to be so emotionally affected when watching movies. This movie gutted me, frightened and disgusted me. I got the sense of losing the will to live during the movie, the actors perfomances are to "blame" for that. Not once did I question the realness of the movie. Also it's never explained why the world has died and civilization has crumbled, I didn't care either because the core of the story was about a man and his son, a man literally doing everything for his son. Right down to the basics. Tough stuff! Also did something I never do, I cried. The last time I cried to a movie was Schindlers List years ago, But I want to end my review as I don't want to hype it too much. This movie ain't pretty, it's intense and slow moving and not cheery at all.
Rent it at the very least!

[Show spoiler]This has one of the best "happy" endings I've seen, sure his dad died but the family that had been following them was just perfect and didn't feel forced at all. I loved the "twist" that it was them that had been following them all along with the kid and the dog earlier.

PQ 4/5 It's not pretty, but I wouldn't say it's bad because it looks like it accurately shows what the movie is supposed to look like. Maybe I should just give it 5/5 instead? Grey and dull it is and should be.
9.5/10
I want to watch it again before I decide for a possible perfect 10.

great review Q!
i gave the film 4.5/5, and i agree, it is soul crushing.
a movie rarely does that to me. i think i was literally mentally sick for the next few days after watching it.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I really, really, REALLY need to see this film.

I had no idea. Yeah, get on it Would be very interested to read your review.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

As always, you provide completely legitimate reasons for your viewpoint and I don't disagree, but the film still worked for me.

As do you. BTW, on the ending, I think both you and __? can't remeber who you were debating have logic supporting each of your positions.

[Show spoiler]Your logic would be that pimp2 would want to shoot Nana, to prevent Pimp1 from being able to use her (i.e., in pure spite of pimp1). This is akin to the bridge scene at the end of Saving Private Ryan: rig it in case the enemy takes it over His logic would be: shoot pimp1! Then just take her back. I don't know what I'd do in pimp2's shoes. Hopefully I'd never be in them

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Q!

The Road

holy crappola, nice review Q! I really need to see this now! You're the second/third person that's been recommending it.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Q!

Surf, I want to wait, I've delayed watching it for different reasons over the years. Now finally I'll see it on Blu-ray, might as well wait for that. you need the best whenever you're getting your cherry popped
Thanks but no thanks, I don't ever want a Lynch movie explained to me. I love the mystery of Lynch's movies and I want to keep that alive for years to come.
.

Wow, I envy you. Seriously. I am prone to the curse of "instant gratification." It'll be worth your wait! And I completely understand on the mystery-part...another instance of my insistence on instant gratification

[Q?]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

great review Q!
i gave the film 4.5/5, and i agree, it is soul crushing.
a movie rarely does that to me. i think i was literally mentally sick for the next few days after watching it.

Yeah, I'm still thinking about lol.

[Show spoiler]I thought for sure Guy Pierce was going to eat him, he looked like crap lol. Did really good with creating tension. Then came the family and the dog. Perfect.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

holy crappola, nice review Q! I really need to see this now! You're the second/third person that's been recommending it.

Dude, hope you enjoy.

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Can't wait to see the movie. The book is heartbreaking and intensely moving. I read it about 3 years ago.

you as well

And thanks guys!

[surfdude12]

Red Desert

Film: 3.5/5
-very difficult to rate this: direction/cinematography was great, but plot/script/themes seemed detached from the direction/cinematography. (i.e., I found myself asking myself "wait, how do these characters fit into this setting/cinematography/etc, again?", "what does theme X have to do with this industrial setting, which is so heavily shown?"). but with another 2-3 viewings, I could easily see my rating going to 4/5, the more I am able to merge the two together.
-at times it seemed a little "Playtime-like", with the director trying to convey a message on modernization (except in industrial area instead of urban area), but from what I just read, his intent was much different than Tati. Won't say anymore
-very very slow film, I would definitely recommend a rental for those considering a blind buy, if you don't favor slow films/plots.
-great theme of

[Show spoiler]acceptance/adjustment to life circumstances. apparently, the directors intent was to show the beauty of the industrial structures, not to use the ugliness of them to accentuate the negative mood of the characters, hence why I still am finding a detachment between the characters/themes and the setting

PQ: 4/5 (NOTE: thick orange line down center of screen at 1:05 for about 10 seconds, and a faded orange line down center of screen at 1:33 for about a minute). I assume this is a source issue, not transfer issue, so didn't dock the PQ for it.

AQ: 4/5

[Q?]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Wow, I envy you. Seriously. I am prone to the curse of "instant gratification." It'll be worth your wait! And I completely understand on the mystery-part...another instance of my insistence on instant gratification

It ain't easy though, I keep thinking about Mulholland Drive every other day and I'm totally impatient! At first I thought it was kind of embarrasing loving movies I have no clue what they're about. But whatever, it's a personal thing that most wouldn't understand anyways.
And nothing wrong with instant gratification, life's short, enjoy

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I had to watch Law Abiding Citizen at my cousin's house tonight (I was out voted ).

It was....

Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx did decent with their roles and watching

[Show spoiler]Butler take out almost everyone

was mildly entertaining.

But I didn't really care about any of the characters, whether they died or not, the story...I just generally didn't care.

Rating - 2.5/5


My friend described it as "better than Taken" before we started.
PUUUUH-LEASE

I thought Law Abiding Citizen was ok and thought it was worth the watch, but I was definitely disappointed by it. It was a great concept, but I thought it went overboard

[Show spoiler](especially at the end)

.

With all due respect to the people who do actually really like Law Abiding Citizen, there is no possible way that it is better than Taken. In my opinion of course.

[Al_The_Strange]

“Darkman.”

A wild, wicked, and entertaining flick. It has plenty of action (I love the helicopter chase scene). It has plenty of attitude and a fair amount of violence, but is never overly graphic or vulgar. There is a lot of interesting imagery and in-your-face camera moves. There are some absurd moments (and perhaps some dumb moments), but I think it works with the intensity of the film overall. Combined with a decent story and a pretty good production value, the film is quite cool.

4/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 4/5, film: 3.5/5)

The Blu-Ray is quite a good value. It is quite sharp and extremely clean. Colors vary a bit, but look good for the most part. Contrast is good. I think a bit of DNR has been applied, as there is no film grain and some blurring of facial details, but it’s nowhere near as distracting as other films. Sound quality seemed decent, especially concerning background sound effects; it’s all quite clear and clean.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5



“Did You Hear About The Morgans?” on DVD.

This might be the first rom-com I’ve reviewed here.

It’s actually pretty amusing. It has plenty of funny moments (especially regarding the differences between city and country lifestyles) and witty dialogue. The story is alright (although predictable as well), and the characters are likable. It’s well-filmed and has good acting. Probably not the kind of movie I’ll want to buy, but it’s one of the better comedies I know of.

3.5/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 3/5, film: 3/5)

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I really, really, REALLY need to see this film.

Just for giggles, I'll share. I couldnt make it through it. Too giddy.

[Romulus]

Following (via Netflix Instant)

Hard to believe that Chris Nolan would go on to direct Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Inception after watching his first film. First and foremost the aspect ratio is 4:3. I actually thought that Netflix had cropped the original aspect ratio.

This is in my opinion Chris Nolan's weakest film I've seen. The film is presented in Nolan's trademarked non-linear structure. The characters didn't have a lot of depth but the acting was good.

Film: 3/5

[ScarredLungs]

At Home

Man on Fire: Great Movie
PQ: 5/5
AQ:5/5


In Theaters
Inception: 5/5

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

That was his actual singing voice. Farrell has REALLY come on in the past two years. He won the Golden Globe for acting in a comedy/musical for In Bruges, yet unbelievably didn't get an Oscar nom. This year he put forth Triage and Ondine, both of which he was apparently very good in. And then, later this year he'll be in the Peter Weir film I mentioned, and the early buzz is that he's a lock for an Oscar nom and a major competitor.

I gave Crazyheart 3 out of 4. It was good but not great.

Did the end bother you like it did me, or was your deduction based on something else?