The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Freekman]

Iron Man 2
Film - 5/5
PQ - 4.5/5
AQ - 5/5

[supaflyz]

The Island
Picture4 audio 5
THis movie is pretty good. I went to rent the dvd version a few years back. It was very entertaining then. Now I got the bluray version it's even better.

[iam1bearcat]

The Strangers

well, well, well. another film i can finally cross of the list of "wanted to watch for a long time now"
all i had heard about this film was either you love it, or you hate it. i don't know if that's correct on this site or not, but i was in the middle ground. there were certain things i loved. and while nothing that i particularly hated, there was enough negatives that it brought down my overall feelings on the film. first, the easy to get a point across:

PROS
+ extremely terrifying (at least the first 30 minutes and then bits and pieces from there on out) for me, i'm not scared of the usual and the mundane, i'm freaked out by weird stuff - like yelling outside when it's dark, and someone knocking on your door at 4:00am. and both those things happen here
+ atmosphere incredibly real and incredible frightening. had me on edge about 85% of the time
+ the musical score / sound effects having the record player repeat the same part 1,666 times was a nice touch. and all the haunting scrapes of metal, knives, random household objects, doors slamming, all had my skin crawling. i loved it yet hated it
+the masks very creepy. very, very creepy
+ the pacing after the first act it changes up a bit, but the pacing and directing of the first act was fantastic

NEGATIVES
- character response / actions this was the biggie for me. while at times the portrayals were accurate, most of the time it was downright stupid. i know, i know, part of the fun of a horror movie is character stupidity, but for me, it ruins it. if this was me, i would be crying like a little b*tch under a bed or in a closet and then maybe, after awhile, i'd run like hell and never stop. here? we get doses of intelligence followed by larger doses of "what the hell are you doing?! RUN!"
- standard horror cliches the first 30 mins was soooo good! it's a shame the wheels came off after that i was such a baby in the first act, few films have me all and but The Strangers did, and then it threw 90% of it away for standard horror cliches, gimmicks and quick jump scares ugh, not how i wanted things to turn out.

i also didn't need to know the whole "who, what, where, when and why" and the "why" of "because you were home" should have left out. along with another dumb action our psychopaths take:

[Show spoiler]taking their masks off. i guess this is supposed to mean the end is near for the couple? but they should've just left them on

.

additionally the way the film starts, with a phone call, really didn't help the film. was it spooky? yes. but did it give away the end? pretty much. which sucks. i know people hate how Seven Pounds started (i didn't mind it ironically enough) but this is the exact same case of giving away the ending!

all in all though, scare factor for The Strangers: a terrific 8/10 from me. few films even reach 6/10, and not because i'm a big macho guy but because most horror films do everything wrong and "by the book" and it is ineffective. The Strangers is extremely effective - for awhile. so i enjoyed it, even though by the time the credits came, my skin was no longer crawling and my eyes had done this a few times

recommended? best suited for a rental because after the 1st act, it becomes pretty standard horror material

3/5

[iam1bearcat]

Session 9

my feelings on Session 9 are going to be eschewed because i have a very deep, and personal love affair with insane asylums, haunted buildings / areas, and abandoned, folk tale riddled stories. living in Wisconsin gives me a lot of opportunities to visit supposedly haunted places and i've gotten more than my share of tickets for trespassing and breaking and entering (what else is a teenager being about? ). so when i long ago heard of Session 9 and that the story involves a group of workers who are clearing asbestos out of an old abandoned insane asylum, i was instantly intrigued.

sadly though, Session 9 fails on almost every conceivable level

does it have its moments of freakiness? oh yeah. but too much of the story is focused outside of the asylum and on characters that i didn't really care about because we barely knew them and they were terribly, terribly acted by almost every actor.

even the directing is hilariously bad and completely ruins any short bursts of momentum the film has going for it. it feels like a cheap "made for TV movie" with awkward zoom ins and random lingering shots that do not submerse the viewer into this large, eerie atmosphere. is there an eerie feel to the film? yes. but it could've been so much more.

recommended? no, sadly even though there isn't quite anything else like it, and the film isn't a cheap "rampaging murderer" story, it just doesn't sink into you or really make you fearful or scared because of everything it does wrong. glaring negatives everywhere you turn.

2/5

[Batman1980]

Chronicles of Narnia: Lion, Witch & Wardrobe 4/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 5/5
Another reference transfer from Disney on an excellent movie.

[CZAR]

Green Zone - Wow I couldnt even finish this film. It was so bland and boring. Now I know why it flopped at the theater. Man I dont think there are any good war films about the Irag war. I think I even like Hurt Locker better than this film. I atleast finished Hurt Locker. I know they are two different films but still. I cant even rate the film so it gets an incomplete from me. The PQ wasnt even that good as it was very grainy. I know some say certain films are supposed to look that way but I grade the films on what I see and I cant stand that grainy dirt look. The AQ was outstanding. The only positive from the film of what I saw.

Film Rating - Incomplete (couldnt finish film)

PQ - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 5 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Blazing Saddles

[Show spoiler]
Director: Mel Brooks
Writer: Mel Brooks
Mains: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Mel Brooks


We dont need no Stinkin Badges!

Ha i thought this movie was pretty decent. Had a laugh here in there but overall just decent. Im pretty sure its because im 23 and i didnt watch this film growing up so its not a "Classic" for myself. Im a 90's baby and im just more attracted to a different style of humor.

About the movie, i think Mel Brooks is a genius and im pretty sure he caused lots of headaches with this movie and his other titles that are know widely. Im a big fan of Spaceballs so i typically like his work. This film connected but not the way i want it too. Like i said before im just attracted to modern humor. On a positive note if you're a big western fan or just Mel Brooks fan you'd probably enjoy this more than i did.

3/5

I think I gave it the same rating years ago. I seriously need to rewatch it, to see if my opinion has changed at all. Plus, the BD's PQ is awesome!

I seem to remember hearing a story that a studio exec looked over the film and wanted to take out all the swearing, all the racial references, all the provicative content, etc, and Mel Brooks just said "Yes sir, yes sir..." But since Mel had the final cut, he didn't change anything. What a way to push the envelope!

Originally Posted by CZAR

Green Zone

[Show spoiler]- Wow I couldnt even finish this film. It was so bland and boring. Now I know why it flopped at the theater. Man I dont think there are any good war films about the Irag war. I think I even like Hurt Locker better than this film. I atleast finished Hurt Locker. I know they are two different films but still. I cant even rate the film so it gets an incomplete from me. The PQ wasnt even that good as it was very grainy. I know some say certain films are supposed to look that way but I grade the films on what I see and I cant stand that grainy dirt look. The AQ was outstanding. The only positive from the film of what I saw.

Film Rating - Incomplete (couldnt finish film)

PQ - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 5 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

I gave it a 3.5/5, but I barely remember it. You're right, it is rather unremarkable.

[nathanbarlow]

Originally Posted by phoenixram1977

I watched Public Enemies. I thought it was a great movie. I may be among the few who really enjoyed it. Watching a movie like this just makes you look up the bios on Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, and the history. Good movie.

Amen. None of my friends agreed with me on that. Found it fascinating that they went to insane lengths to shoot on the ACTUAL locations.

This was my v. first blu-ray experience. The PQ was really good IMO as a noob, and makes me glad i got a free blu-ray upgrade to my laptop (external)

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by CZAR

[Show spoiler]Green Zone - Wow I couldnt even finish this film. It was so bland and boring. Now I know why it flopped at the theater. Man I dont think there are any good war films about the Irag war. I think I even like Hurt Locker better than this film. I atleast finished Hurt Locker. I know they are two different films but still. I cant even rate the film so it gets an incomplete from me. The PQ wasnt even that good as it was very grainy. I know some say certain films are supposed to look that way but I grade the films on what I see and I cant stand that grainy dirt look. The AQ was outstanding. The only positive from the film of what I saw.

Film Rating - Incomplete (couldnt finish film)

PQ - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 5 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I gave it a 3.5/5, but I barely remember it. You're right, it is rather unremarkable.

I liked Green Zone and own it. I guess I'm in the minority here on that one.

[Batman1980]

Iron Man 2 5/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 5/5
That's right, I'm already watching it again, 2 days after I got it.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

The Strangers

[Show spoiler]well, well, well. another film i can finally cross of the list of "wanted to watch for a long time now"
all i had heard about this film was either you love it, or you hate it. i don't know if that's correct on this site or not, but i was in the middle ground. there were certain things i loved. and while nothing that i particularly hated, there was enough negatives that it brought down my overall feelings on the film. first, the easy to get a point across:

PROS
+ extremely terrifying (at least the first 30 minutes and then bits and pieces from there on out) for me, i'm not scared of the usual and the mundane, i'm freaked out by weird stuff - like yelling outside when it's dark, and someone knocking on your door at 4:00am. and both those things happen here
+ atmosphere incredibly real and incredible frightening. had me on edge about 85% of the time
+ the musical score / sound effects having the record player repeat the same part 1,666 times was a nice touch. and all the haunting scrapes of metal, knives, random household objects, doors slamming, all had my skin crawling. i loved it yet hated it
+the masks very creepy. very, very creepy
+ the pacing after the first act it changes up a bit, but the pacing and directing of the first act was fantastic

NEGATIVES
- character response / actions this was the biggie for me. while at times the portrayals were accurate, most of the time it was downright stupid. i know, i know, part of the fun of a horror movie is character stupidity, but for me, it ruins it. if this was me, i would be crying like a little b*tch under a bed or in a closet and then maybe, after awhile, i'd run like hell and never stop. here? we get doses of intelligence followed by larger doses of "what the hell are you doing?! RUN!"
- standard horror cliches the first 30 mins was soooo good! it's a shame the wheels came off after that i was such a baby in the first act, few films have me all and but The Strangers did, and then it threw 90% of it away for standard horror cliches, gimmicks and quick jump scares ugh, not how i wanted things to turn out.

i also didn't need to know the whole "who, what, where, when and why" and the "why" of "because you were home" should have left out. along with another dumb action our psychopaths take:

[Show spoiler]taking their masks off. i guess this is supposed to mean the end is near for the couple? but they should've just left them on

.

additionally the way the film starts, with a phone call, really didn't help the film. was it spooky? yes. but did it give away the end? pretty much. which sucks. i know people hate how Seven Pounds started (i didn't mind it ironically enough) but this is the exact same case of giving away the ending!

all in all though, scare factor for The Strangers: a terrific 8/10 from me. few films even reach 6/10, and not because i'm a big macho guy but because most horror films do everything wrong and "by the book" and it is ineffective. The Strangers is extremely effective - for awhile. so i enjoyed it, even though by the time the credits came, my skin was no longer crawling and my eyes had done this a few times

recommended? best suited for a rental because after the 1st act, it becomes pretty standard horror material

3/5

The ending....oh for the love of Pete.
-0/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The ending....oh for the love of Pete.
-0/5

i kept looking for some type of hidden, hard to find meaning. or some small glimmer of genius. you know, like how some films are all "WTF?" until the last closing moments and then it's all "ohhhhh, i see.... that's genius!" but even after thinking about it for 20 minutes, i still had nothing

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Green Zone - Wow I couldnt even finish this film. It was so bland and boring. Now I know why it flopped at the theater. Man I dont think there are any good war films about the Irag war. I think I even like Hurt Locker better than this film. I atleast finished Hurt Locker. I know they are two different films but still. I cant even rate the film so it gets an incomplete from me. The PQ wasnt even that good as it was very grainy. I know some say certain films are supposed to look that way but I grade the films on what I see and I cant stand that grainy dirt look. The AQ was outstanding. The only positive from the film of what I saw.

Film Rating - Incomplete (couldnt finish film)

PQ - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 5 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I think I gave it the same rating years ago. I seriously need to rewatch it, to see if my opinion has changed at all. Plus, the BD's PQ is awesome!

I seem to remember hearing a story that a studio exec looked over the film and wanted to take out all the swearing, all the racial references, all the provicative content, etc, and Mel Brooks just said "Yes sir, yes sir..." But since Mel had the final cut, he didn't change anything. What a way to push the envelope!



I gave it a 3.5/5, but I barely remember it. You're right, it is rather unremarkable.

Removed from queue. Thanks for saving me a snooze.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i kept looking for some type of hidden, hard to find meaning. or some small glimmer of genius. you know, like how some films are all "WTF?" until the last closing moments and then it's all "ohhhhh, i see.... that's genius!" but even after thinking about it for 20 minutes, i still had nothing

Thats why I gave it a -0.

Its so damn scary in the beginning. The creepy factor is executed to perfection. Then it unravels into nothing. And the little "BOO, gotcha" at the end was pathetic.

[SquidPuppet]

Broken Embraces

Cast:Penélope Cruz, Lluís Homar, Blanca Portillo, Jose Luis Gomez, Rubén Ochandiano, Tamar Novas, Ángela Molina, Chus Lampreave, Kiti Manver, Lola Dueñas, Kira Miro, Rossy de Palma, Alejo Sauras

Director:Pedro Almodóvar

Well, I have to disagree with DjMethod on this one. I found the story to be pretty generic.

Penelope was good for the most part, but there were a few scenes where she and Lluis Homar were guilty of extreme overacting. José Luis Gómez was guilty as well, although I will always hold the director accountable for these offenses. I thought Blanca Portillo as the agent did the best work for the most part. Except when she was revealing her secrets and guzzling gin. Felt kinda forced.

Was I supposed to like Penelopes character? Uh, I dont think the writers were even sure. Put her in situations that make me care, yet at her core she seems a bit unlikeable? Confused effort I say.

Nice camera work and colors.

Film 2.5/5
PQ 4/5 (for colors and contrast. Detail was meh)
AQ 4/5 (dialog was perfectly rendered, but many missed opportunities for surround usage)

I was never bored, but I cant recommend it.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I gave it a 3.5/5, but I barely remember it. You're right, it is rather unremarkable.

Boy oh boy is it! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by killowertz

I liked Green Zone and own it. I guess I'm in the minority here on that one.

Yea we all have been in that minority position before so dont worry. My girl felt the exact same way I did also and we both kinda gave up at the sametime which was funny. the film just didnt do anything for either of us about 45 minutes or so into it. I turned it off and put on Lost!!! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The ending....oh for the love of Pete.
-0/5

Man u are telling me! Just pathetic! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Removed from queue. Thanks for saving me a snooze.

Yea man dont bother. I mean I know we all dont always agree on films but we did agree on the Hurt Locker as well so Im sure well agree here. Just a very bland Iraq war film. I say watch this only if u are in a movie drought! Got Em!!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Removed from queue. Thanks for saving me a snooze.

I'd put it in the same league as "Body of Lies" and "The Hurt Locker," but both are better. Meh...

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I'd put it in the same league as "Body of Lies" and "The Hurt Locker," but both are better. Meh...

Wow really??? I love Body of Lies and its tons better than both Green Zone & Hurt Locker. I also forgot it was about the Iraq war so we do have a good film regarding that war after all. Got Em!!

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Wow really??? I love Body of Lies and its tons better than both Green Zone & Hurt Locker. I also forgot it was about the Iraq war so we do have a good film regarding that war after all. Got Em!!

I do remember it being pretty good, seemed rather realistic, and it's Ridley Scott!

I should watch it again someday, see if my opinion changes. In fact, I could have a marathon...

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I do remember it being pretty good, seemed rather realistic, and it's Ridley Scott!

I should watch it again someday, see if my opinion changes. In fact, I could have a marathon...

Yea man Leonardo was great in it and I was hooked from beginning to end. Speaking of marathon's I am starting my Halloween marathon tomorrow! Got Em!!