The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Didnt work fo me either. It was too dreary with all the characters being weasels.

I thought it was an excellent movie and I didn't think Ethan Hawke's character was that bad. Also the father only did what he did because his older son was complete trash.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Room in Rome (IFC HD on demand)

[Show spoiler]Film: 4 stars (out of 4)


The most notorious film of 2010, Julio Medem's explicitly graphic film about two women who spend the night in a lavish room in Rome.

This is an exceptional film and I'm currently watching it for the second time in a row, which I honestly can't remember the last time I've done. The acting in this film is fantastic, with the woman who plays Alba being someone I will be watching out for in the future, as her performance is one of the finest I've seen recently. The direction and cinematography are top notch, as was the case with Medem's previous film Sex and Lucia. Every scene is meticulously crafted, emulating famous paintings or being very artistically created. The depth of the symbols seen in the film is extensive.

A lot has been made about the graphic sexual nature of this film and the fact that the entire film takes place in the hotel room, with 99% of the film involving the two characters being completely nude. The sex scenes are also very graphic. Gratuitous? Some might argue this, although it was argued in Sex and Lucia too. I disagree with both claims--in both films there's a point to the sex and the nudity.

While some may dismiss this film as simply intending to shock people with its graphic sexual nature, these people are narrow minded and did not pay attention to the film. The dialogue is eloquent and the characters are complex and deep. This is a poignant film. The stories of the two characters are involving and make you care for them.

Can't say enough about this film and it's truly too bad that the blu-ray, which comes out in two weeks, will be region B locked. This and Sin Nombre alone are making me get a region free player.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Show spoiler]

Imma have to check this out. Its sounds vary interesting!

[Batman1980]

I am Legend 4.5/5
PQ 4.5/5
AQ 4/5
Excellent doomsday thriller with a powerful performance from Will Smith.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Dude for a minute i thought i was the only living guy that loved this movie. I really hope they release this on blu. They released Lonesome Dove (T.V. Mini Series) so i hope they give this movie some love or i'll just continue to watch it on DVD

There are a bunch of Stephen King miniserieses I'd love to own on BD; "Storm of the Century" would certainly top the list (second only to "The Stand").

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Dude you should try to become a Critic. I'd follow your reviews because you are very open minded about allot of movies! Theres nothing wrong with us have minute things we dont like but you are very open and could connect with a wider range of people.

I find that flattering; thank you. It could be an awesome idea...

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Room in Rome (IFC HD on demand)


Film: 4 stars (out of 4)

[Show spoiler]The most notorious film of 2010, Julio Medem's explicitly graphic film about two women who spend the night in a lavish room in Rome.

This is an exceptional film and I'm currently watching it for the second time in a row, which I honestly can't remember the last time I've done. The acting in this film is fantastic, with the woman who plays Alba being someone I will be watching out for in the future, as her performance is one of the finest I've seen recently. The direction and cinematography are top notch, as was the case with Medem's previous film Sex and Lucia. Every scene is meticulously crafted, emulating famous paintings or being very artistically created. The depth of the symbols seen in the film is extensive.

A lot has been made about the graphic sexual nature of this film and the fact that the entire film takes place in the hotel room, with 99% of the film involving the two characters being completely nude. The sex scenes are also very graphic. Gratuitous? Some might argue this, although it was argued in Sex and Lucia too. I disagree with both claims--in both films there's a point to the sex and the nudity.

While some may dismiss this film as simply intending to shock people with its graphic sexual nature, these people are narrow minded and did not pay attention to the film. The dialogue is eloquent and the characters are complex and deep. This is a poignant film. The stories of the two characters are involving and make you care for them.

Can't say enough about this film and it's truly too bad that the blu-ray, which comes out in two weeks, will be region B locked. This and Sin Nombre alone are making me get a region free player.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Glad you liked it man! I can't wait to see this one

[seigneur_rayden]

A Day with Ron Burgundy5/5

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

as for whether it's selfish, I'm not Ayn Rand so I can't answer that. She would say that there are no unselfish acts, to which I would reply that she was a crazy and untalented writer who I find despicable. ]

Have you read Atlas Shrugged? A friend of mine seems to think I would love it and continues to encourage me to read it.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

CARS

easily my least favorite Pixar film to date.

it's hard to explain why i dislike Cars, but it just doesn't click with me. i don't think you have to enjoy cars (actual cars) to enjoy the film, but maybe that has something to do with it? because while i can sit through Cars, it's very bland and at times extremely boring. never thought i'd say that for a Pixar film!

the story itself is also just very, "meh" and doesn't hold my interest.

i like the quirky "car related" dialogue, and of course it looks amazing, but i just couldn't connect with any of the characters. and i didn't really care to learn about them. big city kid gets stuck in small hick town? original... and of course the big city kid is arrogant and selfish and of course he learns his lesson at the end of the movie.

and the end just feels to sugar coated and super gushy. it's sickening in a sense.

most Pixar movies are above the IQ level of the intended audience. while being enjoyed by kids and giving them laughs and something fun and shiny to watch, adults also can enjoy the "under the radar" symbolism and messages that Pixar puts in their films. but Cars? Cars doesn't have that. Cars has a very basic, generic, done a million times already message. story wise and characters, i think Pixar just cashed it in here.

2.5/5

FCP

[Show spoiler]FAILURE of CATACLYSMIC PROPORTIONS.

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest rentals (from my folks, who are bigger “Halloween” fans than I am…)

“Halloween VI: The Curse of Michael Meyers”

From the start, I could tell that this film would be a lot of style over substance. It has a lot of flashy editing and images without context, and some cheap jump-scare tactics. If it weren’t for those elements, the film probably could have come out stronger.

The story is okay; I did find the cultists and the mythical aspects of the film interesting. I especially liked how it connected to other elements of the previous films (such as the reference to Samhain, as in film #2, or the reference to Michael being evil incarnate, throughout the series, or the continuation of all the different characters from all previous films). Unfortunately, it also starts to get really convoluted; maybe if the entire series was planned out in advance, it would have been a lot more coherent. It just seems like a lot of elements have been added that weren’t there before (like the mark of Michael, where did that come from? ). It’s also getting to the point where I’m losing track of the Strode family and all the other characters that are now involved with the saga.

One other minor gripe I have is regarding the mysterious man in black, now fully revealed.

[Show spoiler]He turns out to be some guy, leading this cult…WTF? I would have found it a lot creepier and more intriguing if he was another supernatural figure, as he appeared to be at the end of film #5, but now the mystique is gone. Bummer.

Otherwise…the film overall seemed like a hit and a miss. Some interesting parts and some dumb parts. I am glad that the film tied together some things from previous films, but otherwise, I feel this is the weakest of the series.

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



“H20”

No, this is not a movie about water. This is “Halloween,” 20 years later. And it is an interesting enough premise to bring back Jamie Lee Curtis to reprise her original role; she did a great job replaying the character and portraying her internal struggles.

Otherwise, it is a pretty average slasher film. It foregoes everything from “Halloween” IV – VI, making it a sort of spin-off. Also a fine excuse to indiscriminately chase and kill people without introducing many original elements or twists. Aside from bringing Laurie Strode back, I didn’t think this film offered much else to the saga.

On the plus side, I admire the film’s style (for whatever reason, movies from the late 90s appeal to me a lot). It has very splendid photography, decent editing, interesting enough writing and acting (and I was intrigued to see many fine young actors in the mix). However, the use of repeated jump-scare tactics reaches its peak in this film. Yeesh.

I also like the music score for this film. John Carpenter did a brilliant job composing the music in the first film, for sure, but I think Marco Beltrami’s score here is a good take on it.

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

[Batman1980]

Face/Off 4.5/5
PQ 3.5/5
AQ 3/5
Still an excellent action movie carried by the performances of Cage and Travolta, not to mention both of the women in Archer's family are hot.

[antwonaj]

The Fourth Kind

4/5
This was a really good film just hated the son.

P/Q: 4/5 A/Q: 4/5

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Have you read Atlas Shrugged? A friend of mine seems to think I would love it and continues to encourage me to read it.

I've read both that and The Fountainhead, as well as seen many interviews Rand gave before her death. I find both her and her books despicable.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Room in Rome (IFC HD on demand)


Film: 4 stars (out of 4)


The most notorious film of 2010, Julio Medem's explicitly graphic film about two women who spend the night in a lavish room in Rome.

This is an exceptional film and I'm currently watching it for the second time in a row, which I honestly can't remember the last time I've done. The acting in this film is fantastic, with the woman who plays Alba being someone I will be watching out for in the future, as her performance is one of the finest I've seen recently. The direction and cinematography are top notch, as was the case with Medem's previous film Sex and Lucia. Every scene is meticulously crafted, emulating famous paintings or being very artistically created. The depth of the symbols seen in the film is extensive.

A lot has been made about the graphic sexual nature of this film and the fact that the entire film takes place in the hotel room, with 99% of the film involving the two characters being completely nude. The sex scenes are also very graphic. Gratuitous? Some might argue this, although it was argued in Sex and Lucia too. I disagree with both claims--in both films there's a point to the sex and the nudity.

While some may dismiss this film as simply intending to shock people with its graphic sexual nature, these people are narrow minded and did not pay attention to the film. The dialogue is eloquent and the characters are complex and deep. This is a poignant film. The stories of the two characters are involving and make you care for them.

Can't say enough about this film and it's truly too bad that the blu-ray, which comes out in two weeks, will be region B locked. This and Sin Nombre alone are making me get a region free player.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Sure Higgy, sure.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Glad you liked it man! I can't wait to see this one

I haven't been able to get the film out of my head and plan on watching it a third time today. One of the better love stories I've seen, in addition to the other comments I made about it. Like Sex and Lucia, however, it's not for everyone.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Sure Higgy, sure.

haha you're right, I didn't hear a word they were saying because I was too busy staring.

I originally had a header to my review that went like this:

"Grab a box of tissues before watching this film, but not for the reason you'd expect..."

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I've read both that and The Fountainhead, as well as seen many interviews Rand gave before her death. I find both her and her books despicable.

Can you expand on the despicable part. I am 99% in the dark on her and her work.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

haha you're right, I didn't hear a word they were saying because I was too busy staring.

I originally had a header to my review that went like this:

"Grab a box of tissues before watching this film, but not for the reason you'd expect..."

Well, I am a coffee drinker, and I just sprayed a little out my nose. LOL.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

FCP

[Show spoiler]FAILURE of CATACLYSMIC PROPORTIONS.

i count this as a monumental day; i made you create a new expression go to alongside NSE

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Have you read Atlas Shrugged? A friend of mine seems to think I would love it and continues to encourage me to read it.

I've been meaning to read that too! Like you, don't know much about her, but would agree that fundamentally, there's no such thing as an unselfish act.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

I've read both that and The Fountainhead, as well as seen many interviews Rand gave before her death. I find both her and her books despicable.

dude, don't hold back , tell us how you really feel.