The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I didn't do it last year because I'm not a big horror fan and there's no doubt it has the weakest depth of quality for a particular genre. I'm going to do it this year though, alternating between horror films and the Criterions I haven't seen before the November sale. On my list to see, in order:


Diabolique
The Devil's Backbone
Them
Shiver
Vampyr
The Strangers (sorry Czar)
Paranormal Activity
Drag Me to Hell


I will also add in The Orphanage and Blair Witch, which I own.

Very disturbing film with a dumb ending and the dumbest couple in horror history haha. I will wait for your review though. Got Em!!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Very disturbing film with a dumb ending and the dumbest couple in horror history haha. I will wait for your review though. Got Em!!

hahaha I know you hate it and you're not alone. I expect dumb people in modern horror films, which is why most of them are terrible (granted, even the classics have dumb people so my argument is weak!)

I remember my parents saying it was disturbing, as did this girl I'm very good friends with. For whatever reason it intrigues me, although admittedly I'm more interested in seeing Them, which is the film it was based on.

[Denoku]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

“Halloween” 2007.

Between the excessive visceral brutality of the murders (and the sheer number of murders) and Rob Zombie’s hillbilly deluxe sensibilities, it’s a trashy film. The shaky-cam gets a little out of control sometimes. The victims still act dumb, and it’s especially annoying since they all scream their heads off. There is a lot of perversity in the dialogue that approaches frivolous levels. Yeah, I can’t blame folks for hating this film.

But I like it slightly better than the original for a couple of reasons. First, it is more interesting visually. Not only because of the jumpy camera, but also because the production value is a little better. The sets, props, costumes, and lighting style are all distinctive and slick. I find its overall look and style more pleasing.

But the second and most important reason is the story and characters. I love how Michael Meyers is given a stronger background, attributing solid reasons for the way he thinks and acts, and ultimately humanizing him. Personally, I find him scarier as a human being turned into an inhuman monster rather than an invincible entity. I also like the fact that the film shows his prison break and some more of his rampage. From then on, the film takes on a typical slasher film stab-a-thon, but I feel it’s one with a stronger backing to it.

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

This Blu-Ray is quite the deal. The image is sharp and clean; so much that I wonder if some level of DNR was applied. If so, it’s a subtle amount that’s hard to detect, for the image is still very sharp, detailed, and has some film grain. Black levels are not the best, but I believe that color and contrast are adequate. Sound quality didn’t really impress me, as much of it seemed very low and nothing really stood out (too bad, because it is lossless).

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

This set has shedloads of extras that I haven’t bothered looking at yet.

But there is a great actor in this movie

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

hahaha I know you hate it and you're not alone. I expect dumb people in modern horror films, which is why most of them are terrible (granted, even the classics have dumb people so my argument is weak!)

I remember my parents saying it was disturbing, as did this girl I'm very good friends with. For whatever reason it intrigues me, although admittedly I'm more interested in seeing Them, which is the film it was based on.

U have a point about dumb people in horror films but I am telling u this couple takes the cake! There are some very good modern horror films with very intelligent people. Good example is the remake of The Last House on the Left. The couple in that film were beast and I was very surprised and thats one of the main reasons I think it was a great remake. Got Em!!

[Pondosinatra]

Just finished watching the remake of The Crazies. I thought while it was somewhat predictable story wise (but hey it's a remake of a formula that Romero established over 30 years ago) it was really well acted and it looked great. It was also definately creepy and I did 'jump' at least once.

Good stuff. I give it 4 out of 5 zombie heads.

[surfdude12]

A Clockwork Orange

Film: 5/5
-Oh my brothers, how is pleases me to convey to thou the pleasure this film sends all through my gully-wuts. Real horror show! It matters not, my dear brothers, if the old ultraviolence upsets thee. For the real Moloko is that change for our humble narrator must then cometh from within thee, not from without thee. Anyway, bedways is rightways now my dear brothers, I'm gonna get me some spatchka. Night night.

PQ: 3/5

AQ: 3.5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

A Clockwork Orange

Film: 5/5
-Oh my brothers, how is pleases me to convey to thou the pleasure this film sends all through my gully-wuts. Real horror show! It matters not, my dear brothers, if the old ultraviolence upsets thee. For the real Moloko is that change for our humble narrator must then cometh from within thee, not from without thee. Anyway, bedways is rightways now my dear brothers, I'm gonna get me some spatchka. Night night.

PQ: 3/5

AQ: 3.5/5

ugh. remember way back when, when i reviewed Zodiac and there were pages and pages of Zodiac / David Fincher discussions and you thought you were in hell? yeah, i'm getting that now with all this damn A Clockwork Orange talk lately

[Denoku]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

A Clockwork Orange

Film: 5/5
-Oh my brothers, how is pleases me to convey to thou the pleasure this film sends all through my gully-wuts. Real horror show! It matters not, my dear brothers, if the old ultraviolence upsets thee. For the real Moloko is that change for our humble narrator must then cometh from within thee, not from without thee. Anyway, bedways is rightways now my dear brothers, I'm gonna get me some spatchka. Night night.

PQ: 3/5

AQ: 3.5/5

Awesomeness

[tbizzle]

The Runaways - 3.5/5

Pretty decent film. Dakota was good, Kristen was fine, but I thought Michael Shannon stole the show. Overall, I enjoyed it and I'd recommend it.

[Woodsy]

Memories of Murder (2003)
4.5/5

One of the older films by Korean director of The Host, Bong Joon-Ho. It takes place in the 1980's and is about the first recorded serial killer in Korea and its investigation.
Very entertaining movie with a great blend of suspense and comedy. The characters are pretty off-the-wall and grab you right away. The ending leaves a little to be desired which will definitely throw some off, but it satisfied me for the most part. Of the other Bong Joon-Ho films (The Host and Mother), Memories of Murder is probably my favorite...but only by a hair.
See this movie if you're at all interested in Foreign, or even serial killer flicks!

[shinseiRomeo]

Saving Private Ryan (posted here under the movie)


This is as real as it gets.

Movie: I was only a teenager the first time I watched Saving Private Ryan. I remember back when it first came out, that it was the first movie to have me so moved that I had tears in my eyes from such simple yet powerful scenes. Truth be told I was actually a bit nervous going into it again ten years later to watch it on BD, and ten years later it still has the same effect on me.

SPR gives up a perfect mix of the best of his class director, a powerful lead, and most importantly a story which is part of the backbone of US history. SPR no knows bounds and is not afraid to show you every part of war, no holds barred. Even though the film is now over a decade old, it's great to see a director not afraid to show us the truth and real side of war, particularly in today's politically correct world. SPR is as real as it gets.

Video: The video transfer is near flawless, particularly with using the 1:85 aspect ratio. I only state near flawless because of certain scenes where special lens techniques were used, I was concerned I had an error with the disc. I realize special lens techniques were used to create a feeling that you are the soldier, but I found the usage at times to be extremely distracting. Besides the camera tricks in a handful of scenes, the video transfer is pristine. Grain is used when needed and creates a wonderful experience overall.

Audio: The DTS: MA soundtrack is absolutely superb. You are literally immersed in the battle as if you're storming Omaha Beach with your squad. One of the most notable parts of the audio experience was when a shell exploded in front of you, and you could hear the dust cloud rolling over you, moving from front to back.

Extras: I found the extras here wonderful and truly appreciate them, as they have taught me some things I have never known about filming during WWII. The documentary Shooting War is just superb, telling us how men were able to capture the scenes seen recreated in Saving Private Ryan, and the sacrifices they made to give us such amazing footage.

Overall: Saving Private Ryan has everything you could possibly ask for in a movie. From the story and its realism, to the perfect casting roles, SPR and it's appearance on BD cannot be topped. Video is near flawless, the audio puts you right in the middle of things, and the extras provide a wealth of information into the history of film. This is without a doubt a must own BD.

[Foggy]

Watched Kick-Ass, I don't really need or feel like saying anything.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Paranormal Activity
Drag Me to Hell

for Paranormal Activity
for Drag me to Hell

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

But there is a great actor in this movie

Ah yeah, how can I forget. Donald Pleseance is cool and all, but I feel that his dialogue is dull most of the time, and Malcolm McDowell is cooler.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

A Clockwork Orange

Film: 5/5
-Oh my brothers, how is pleases me to convey to thou the pleasure this film sends all through my gully-wuts. Real horror show! It matters not, my dear brothers, if the old ultraviolence upsets thee. For the real Moloko is that change for our humble narrator must then cometh from within thee, not from without thee. Anyway, bedways is rightways now my dear brothers, I'm gonna get me some spatchka. Night night.

PQ: 3/5

AQ: 3.5/5

[Denoku]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Ah yeah, how can I forget. Donald Pleseance is cool and all, but I feel that his dialogue is dull most of the time, and Malcolm McDowell is cooler.

Just purchased ACO on Blu!!

I finished Sherlock Holmes

It was a good movie overall. I like Robert Downey Jr., he does great job always. The plot was interesting, definitely had some twists. Good intellectual and action packed movie. I give it 3.75/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

Just purchased ACO on Blu!!

I finished Sherlock Holmes

It was a good movie overall. I like Robert Downey Jr., he does great job always. The plot was interesting, definitely had some twists. Good intellectual and action packed movie. I give it 3.75/5

Cool, glad you liked it.

Last night, I watched:

“Oldboy.”

Wicked. Strange. Brutal. Disturbing. What more does a film need?

This is definitely not your average Asian crime drama; this is a grim tale of bloody revenge with psychotic overtones. At times the film seems very surreal, and other times it feels all too real. But altogether, it’s a freaky trip into the main character’s deranged mind; the story and mystery unfolds in a gripping and methodical way, before the ending presents a brilliant (if not unsettling) paradigm shift. It’s a brilliant story.

The film has decent acting. It is very stylish with strong photography, gritty colors, and an interesting production design. Music is brilliant too, reminding me a bit of Kubrick; I had it stuck in my head all last night.

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

I got the “Ultimate Revenge Edition” Blu-Ray, but I believe it’s the same transfer as the older edition. The image is quite grainy and noisy, with limited amount of detail and sharpness. Some scenes do look excellent, but others seem a bit soft. Colors look decent, contrast has some weak spots. Sound quality is decent.

PQ: 3.5/5, AQ: 4/5

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

ugh. remember way back when, when i reviewed Zodiac and there were pages and pages of Zodiac / David Fincher discussions and you thought you were in hell? yeah, i'm getting that now with all this damn A Clockwork Orange talk lately

[MDJ]

Black Dynamite
8/10

epic.

[J.Cornelius]

The Friends of Eddie Coyle (Criterion DVD via Netflix)


I love the mood of this movie, takes place in late fall/early winter Boston in the 1970s. A unique cops and robbers film with a terrific screenplay. No long car cashes in this one, you really need to follow all the dialog between the characters because this is what makes the film so great. And the characters oh boy, you have Robert Mitchum as the title character, a young Peter Boyle and Richard Jordan. These actors tear up the screen, my favorite though was Peter Boyle. He gives one hellova performance. They just do not make them like this in Hollywood anymore.

4.5/5

[dag]

Taking a break today from the Toronto International Film Festival, and will tonight instead watch two DVDs I'm renting from Zip.ca. Real quick reactions to the TIFF films I've seen:

Film Socialism - Jean-Luc Godard's appalling mess. It is incomprehensible.

Legend of the Fist - ridiculous kung fu movie set in 1920s Shanghai. To be seen only for the action sequences.

The King's Speech - your usual faux-historical biopic, detailing George VI's dealings with a speech coach in an attempt to correct his stammer. It takes the customary short cuts in its effort to tell a story.

Poetry - an interesting Korean film about an older woman who must deal with several major problems in her life.

Little Sister - a Chinese (actually, minority ethnic) take on Cinderella. The last 25 minutes really slowed to a crawl, but a good film to see with your daughter. Some good scenery (Yunnan province? not sure).

Break Up Club - a Hong Kong romcom that needed better editing. It was too long, but, for me, I got pretty annoyed at the end by these puppy lovers bawling their eyes out. Guys, see this with the girlfriend.

The Housemaid - I haven't seen the original, but I found this Korean film actually quite entertaining. Sexy, erotic, political, and featuring an adorable little girl who I hope gets lots of big hugs.