The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Brick

[Show spoiler]
one thing was made very clear to me as the credits rolled on Brick:
if it wasn't for the performances, this would have been a god awful film

the cast, led by the always terrific (it seems) Joseph Gordon-Levitt really brings a somber, realistic portrayal of a character hurting, confused and angry. and the rest of the cast, some of whom i've seen in other films, others who i don;t think i've seen since, do a great job of making a generally goofy story seem somewhat real.

the biggest problem of Brick is the age group it works with. the characters are in high school. okay, a lot of high school age films can work with serious subject matter. but this film reminded me a lot of Cruel Intentions - an absolute bizarre plot that doesn't seem logical for the setting. but Cruel Intentions was fun to watch because of how off the world bat sh*t crazy it was. Brick? Brick is much more somber, much more serious, much slower paced and it takes itself way to seriously.

the film is a detective story, a murder mystery and contains a drug circle all in a small suburban city. but again, the kids are in high school. but the dialogue, some of the wardrobe selections, and the logic behind what happens makes no sense. it's impossible to be taken seriously. want an example? please tell me how you take the following seriously:

- a character (who is a "major player" in a drug circle, and yes, is in high school ) lives with his mom, wears a cape (yes, a cape), and has a cane with a gold duck on the top.

really? this is supposed to be an intimidating character? it's one thing if the film would poke fun at itself, or at least have a comical moment or two, but Brick lacks all of that. it's a movie filled with moody teenagers in over exaggerated predicaments. it's baffling why they didn't make these kids at least college age. when a character - in a serious tone - says to another one, "tell her to meet me at 12. she knows where i eat lunch" how is that supposed to be taken seriously?! again, baffling.

it was interesting to watch and first time director Rian Johnson has some skill, but since he wrote the script i can't say i'd ever want him to write another film again. none of the characters acted their age, the film takes itself way to seriously, and the worst problem: the big mystery that's supposed to have us invested in the next 120 minutes, isn't something i ever got invested in. for as "deep" as Johnson wanted the film to be, it was about as deep as a puddle.

interesting to watch if you have nothing else to watch, but that's it.
chalk this one up to my "one and done" collection (Diesel! ). i've seen a hell of a lot worse, but Brick tried too hard to be something than it was.

3/5

I really need to re-watch this one. It kinda confused me the first time around. I did agree that the story's a bit hard to get, until I realized that it's a loose remake of "The Maltese Falcon."

Other than that, I didn't mind the rest of it, and found the writing pretty wild.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

how genius are these Pixar dudes? Animated outakes??? are you effin serious?? can I get an "O" for original? holy crap

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

bold part - looks like someone hasn't seen A Bug's Life yet (that was the first Pixar movie to have animated outtakes)

"Monsters Inc" has outtakes too in the extra features. And while not a Pixar film, "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" has some amusing ones too. I'm not aware if any of the other CG-animated films have 'em.

[vegeta88]

Robin Hood: 4/5

Definitely an interesting take on an old story told time and time again. The acting was fantastic and I felt like no actor was bigger than his or her role. The direction was also darn amazing in terms of epic story-telling and huge battle-scenes. My only gripes with the film are two. 1) Too much time spent on the romantic story along with all the partying. I would have been happier if 15 minutes were cut out, primarily from those scenes. 2) Not enough Russel Crowe fighting in the climax. It seemed like the fight between him and Mark Strong should have lasted longer, especially on such a huge film that seems to be leading to a showdown between the two.

Great cast. In the first thirty minutes I kept on being pleasantly surprised when a familiar face showed.

PQ: 4.5/5
AQ: 5/5
Extras: 3.5/5 Well made behind the scenes documenting pre-production, production, and post-production.
Over-all: 4/5

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Awesome. I've never seen The Counterfeiters but seems like they've got a pretty good director on board too.

Counterfeiters won the Oscar for foreign film in 2008. I thought it was well-directed and an interesting story but something was missing for me. I gave it 3 (out of 4). I think the story of Voyage sounds great and has a lot of freedom afforded to it. Could be very atmospheric and the cast/director look great.

[lDlisturb3d]

Falling Down

Director: Joel Schumacher
Writer: Ebbe Roe Smith
Mains: Michael Dogulas, Robert Devuall

What will you do when you completely "Lose It"?

This has been sitting in my collection for a while now and i finally popped it in. First off im not a fan of Michael Douglas at all but all my friends mentioned that this isnt his normal type of role so i bought into it. Now after viewing the movie for myself i can honestly say its not that bad. I enjoyed all of the anger issues and how they really werent directed towards that specific person but to general ideal of what he's pissed about. I thought it was a great ideal but to be quite honest it was over the top. It had its moments but it really didnt feel authentic the entire time.

So this is the first Michael Douglas movie i can stomach and i thought it was ok entertainment. Wasnt too thrilled but wasnt that upset neither. He's a man that is fed up with everything and has lost his sense of direction. Oh another thing i'd like to mention is there's allot of humor, really dark but hilarious non the less. Its hard for me to rate this movie as i liked it which would be a 4/5 but it authenticity makes me wanna give it a 3.5. Once again i enjoyed it but im rating the film for what its worth through my eyes.

Recommended

3.5/5

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Falling Down

[Show spoiler]
Director: Joel Schumacher
Writer: Ebbe Roe Smith
Mains: Michael Dogulas, Robert Devuall

What will you do when you completely "Lose It"?

This has been sitting in my collection for a while now and i finally popped it in. First off im not a fan of Michael Douglas at all but all my friends mentioned that this isnt his normal type of role so i bought into it. Now after viewing the movie for myself i can honestly say its not that bad. I enjoyed all of the anger issues and how they really werent directed towards that specific person but to general ideal of what he's pissed about. I thought it was a great ideal but to be quite honest it was over the top. It had its moments but it really didnt feel authentic the entire time.

So this is the first Michael Douglas movie i can stomach and i thought it was ok entertainment. Wasnt too thrilled but wasnt that upset neither. He's a man that is fed up with everything and has lost his sense of direction. Oh another thing i'd like to mention is there's allot of humor, really dark but hilarious non the less. Its hard for me to rate this movie as i liked it which would be a 4/5 but it authenticity makes me wanna give it a 3.5. Once again i enjoyed it but im rating the film for what its worth through my eyes.

Recommended

3.5/5

Wait a minute...I'm the bad guy? How did that happen?

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Fantastic summary Steve! Like you I am obsessed with this film - my #2 all-time.

Thanks. I think it's safe to say that it doesn't matter which interpretation is "correct" as long as the viewer enjoys his or her version of events.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

However, as you know, one of the best features of the film is that its not exclusive to one theory. In a Watts interview, the interviewer proposed your theory and specifically said that

[Show spoiler]we see the exact same waitress (face is identical) in the restaurant -- one is named Betty (when Diane is there with hitman), other is named Diane (when Betty is there with Rita). He argues that this proves that only one of the waitress' can be real (and hence that only one of the Naomi Watts' is real). He argues that he believes that Diane is real and that she got the name Betty (subconciously, for the dream) when she saw the watiress Betty nametag. Watts responded: "good, I'm glad that interpretation works for you. Now David would argue that Diane is just as likely to be imaginary as Betty"

[Show spoiler]I have no doubt in my mind that Diane is real and Betty isn't. Diane's life is everything that happens after the blue box is opened. That's why it's so gritty and why all of the "Betty" scenes seem like a Disney movie. She got the name from the waitress and that whole 1 hour 45 minute sequence happens in her mind. It's how she wants to be. It's not how (or who) she really is.

Diane had an affair with Camilla. She was jilted. She arranged to have Camilla killed because of that rejection.

Her mind then ruins Kesher's life by taking his wife and money and having the mafia control his career. All her invention. This isn't because she wants Kesher, she just resents him for stealing Camilla.

She arranges the hit to punish Camilla, later regrets it, so her mind makes the killer incompetent. In reality, he's anything but incompetent and the blue key on the table confirms that he killed Camilla as instructed.

Originally Posted by surfdude12

This got me thinking on my next viewing, so I watched it with a

[Show spoiler] "Betty is real"

perspective. I found that there are solid arguments on that perspective/theory too. For example,

[Show spoiler]assuming Betty is real, we could just be watching her real experience with Rita, followed by Betty's dream of an imaginary Diane. After all, if Betty is real, Betty and Rita discovered Diane's corpse (we don't see her face), so Betty knows (a) Diane killed herself and (b) Diane was likely involved with Rita. Betty was also just involved with Rita, so she is most qualified to put herself in the shoes of Rita's ex, by dreaming of the imaginary Diane to show a rejected, depressed Diane, who Camilla (a name Betty is now getting from the girl Adam picked out in the audition, and now is similarly picking her out in her dream) rejected and now commits suicide. Under this interpretation, its almost as if Betty (again, assuming she is real) first learns about a real Diane who killed herself, and then has a dream where she puts herself in that Diane's shoes and kills herself. It has lots of logic behind it, because Betty has been intimate with Rita, and so now can more easily put herself in the shoes of Rita's ex who just killed herself because of rejection and depression. I need to see it again to check this interpretation, but let me know your thoughts

It's interesting that this last theory works somewhat. What an incredible film this is to make it open to so many interpretations.

[Show spoiler]The main reasons I think that Diane is real and Betty doesn't exist is the feel of the scenes.

Another reason is seeing Diane go to sleep at the start when you see the pillow and Lynch does his thing and takes you through it, indicating that's a dream part. Then later we hear "it's all illusion" and "wake up pretty girl."

The whole Betty persona lives in a world that is too good to be true. She's impossibly bubbly and a great person. It's like a Nancy Drew sequence. She never puts herself above anyone, she just tries to help "Rita." While I suppose that could be reality, I don't really think it is. The Diane at the end, in her apartment, is the real person. Her blue key is simply a painted blue key. It's not the key to a magic box. Yeah, Diane is real and Betty is Diane's version of how she sees herself or how she would like to be.

Watts was brilliant, making Betty and Diane seem like totally different people. Some of my friends initially thought they were different actresses.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

wow. bravo man! brav-freakin'-o. your review / take is phenomenal and makes 100% sense. the best part about the film is of course the open interpretation, but as i was reading it, it all clicked and made perfect sense. again, bravo. and i too await the blu-ray (US) release

Judging by your other reviews, I was almost certain you would enjoy Mulholland Drive. You have the mind and personality of the target audience.

I think it will only grow in your estimation and climb your rankings as you view it for sheer pleasure once you have your interpretation decided and out of the way.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

and don't worry, i've only seen Mulholland Dr. and Eraserhead of Lynch's. Inland Empire is on netflix streaming, may watch that sometime this week

Inland Empire and Eraserhead are his two most confusing films in my opinion. I enjoy the experience, but they lack the delights that Mulholland Drive holds.

I would rank Lynch's work something like this (in terms of how much I actually enjoy repeat viewings):

1) Mulholland Drive
(Twin Peaks - not a film, but it slots in here)
2) Blue Velvet
3) Lost Highway (the closest in feel to Mulholland Drive IMO)
4) Wild at Heart
5) Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
6) Dune (not as terrible as Lynch feels it is and I love the book)
7) The Elephant Man
8) The Straight Story
9) Inland Empire
10) Eraserhead

[CZAR]

Babysitter Wanted - This fun caught me way off guard! This is not what I was expecting goin in. I wont give nuthin away but damn this film took a turn. Anyhoo it was very low budget and the father in the film is one of the worst actors I ever seen. It had its moments like any film but it wasnt a very good film but somewhat enjoyable at the same time if that makes sense. I couldnt say I would recommend this film but for horror films it would be ok to rent especially if the cubbard is running dry. The lead actress was ok and the film did pick it during certain parts.

Film Rating - 2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

PQ - 3 stars (out of 5)

AQ - 2 1/2 stars (out of 5)




Saw II - This was my 2nd viewing of the film. Not as good as the first one as the first one is a top 10 all time great horror film in my eyes. This did have a lot to live up to and it did fairly well. It would be hard to come up with a great twist like the first film but I thought the ending in this one was very good. Love the atmosphere as well and this is just my kind of film. A pretty good sequel to a masterpiece.

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)

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

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

Got Em!!

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Wait a minute...I'm the bad guy? How did that happen?

"You should of wrote it in F@cking english" haha. I liked this movie so dont take the 3.5 in a bad way. I just thought it was over the top a notch.

[iam1bearcat]

11:14 (netflix instant)

i had never heard of 11:14 before i stumbled upon it on netflix. i then looked at the cast and realized that for such a high number of known actors, i was stunned that either this had a very limited release, or went straight to dvd. and while i was hesitant to watch it at first, i am very glad i did.

the movie is terrific! darkly humorous, incredibly intelligent, close attention to detail with the story (stories) and kept me interested from start to finish. some of the fastest 90 minutes of movie viewing i have ever experienced!

some notable cast members:

Hilary Swank
Colin Hanks
Patrick Swayze
Rachael Leigh Cook



and the score is done by the always great Clint Mansell! (Moon, Requiem for a Dream)

the story behind the film is that a bunch of character's lives all connect and run into each other at precisely 11:14. now, there are a bunch of films that have this same set up of watching 10 minute scenes with person A, then person B and then seeing how they overlap and connect, so that's not new, but the film is dark, fun and at times very serious with its characters stories and motives.

to be honest, for awhile with some of the characters it felt like a Coen's Bros. film filled with dumb characters and criminals who do stupid things. the writing isn't Coen-esque, nor is the directing, and the film loses that Coen's feel after awhile, but at first it really did feel as such.

there are some goofy funny scenes, some incredibly dark humorous scenes and some sad scenes all gelled into one well oiled machine. it's on netflix instant and i encourage everyone here who has netflix to add it to their queue now.

the film isn't so much a mystery story, but it essentially is because it does ask questions like, "who is that?" or "who did that to who?" and the film answer them in a realistic and smart manner.

are there better films? sure. but this was incredible fun and i was not expecting that at all. i was expecting something that would be somewhat interesting because of the cast, but something i probably wouldn't watch again or like all that much. i was completely wrong. if this is ever (or maybe already is) released on blu-ray, i'd pick it up day one

and major kudos to Shawn Hatosy who plays Duffy. he easily steals the show and made me laugh the most. and while all characters seem to get the same amount of screen time (except Jack, the first character we meet), Duffy will easily be the most memorable for me. but it should be noted everyone does a phenomenal job. with a cast of nobody's this may have sucked, but with the veteran cast that is assembled here? it adds another great layer to a fresh, fun, film.

and i just looked, on Rotten Tomatoes it has 100%! and while it is only 11 reviews, that's still something i believe. and looking at the cover it seems like a dark, psychological thriller, but i think it was advertised BADLY. because there is humor at every turn, and i loved it.

5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Inland Empire and Eraserhead are his two most confusing films in my opinion. I enjoy the experience, but they lack the delights that Mulholland Drive holds.

agreed about Eraserhead. although it certainly gets major points for being like absolutely nothing else, i don't think i'd ever want to go back and revisit it because of how freaky it was. Mulholland Dr. though i will be revisiting bunches. (once it comes out here )

I would rank Lynch's work something like this (in terms of how much I actually enjoy repeat viewings):

1) Mulholland Drive
(Twin Peaks - not a film, but it slots in here)
2) Blue Velvet
3) Lost Highway (the closest in feel to Mulholland Drive IMO)
4) Wild at Heart
5) Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
6) Dune (not as terrible as Lynch feels it is and I love the book)
7) The Elephant Man
8) The Straight Story
9) Inland Empire
10) Eraserhead

wow. Eraserhead was the first of his i watched and was in shock at how creative and different it was, and if that's the "worst" in terms of repeat viewings and whatnot i cannot wait to see what else has made

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

wow. Eraserhead was the first of his i watched and was in shock at how creative and different it was, and if that's the "worst" in terms of repeat viewings and whatnot i cannot wait to see what else has made

I'm biased and Lynch is my favorite director, but I think all of his films are superb. And Twin Peaks is easily my favorite TV show of all time.

Most will argue against Dune. I like sci-fi and the original six Dune books, so I like Lynch's take on the story. It certainly has its flaws.

I agree that Eraserhead is very creative. I do watch it sometimes, but the order reflects how often I return to each film.

I think you'll love Lost Highway if you enjoyed Mulholland Drive as much as you said. Another confusing mess that you will be thinking about for weeks.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

11:14 (netflix instant)
5/5

Wow, I'll look this one up, sounds pretty darn good

EDIT: Watched the trailer, DAMN THIS LOOKS GOOD!!!

[Denoku]

The Mist

This has a massive spoiler about the ending so if you have not seen it do not look.

One of my favorite Horror/Thriller movies. I'm not so good at really describing movies but this was just done right. One of my favorite aspects about it was people taking sides.

[Show spoiler]I think it's true like that depict in the move; people will start to form sides, plot to kill eachother just to survive, seek whatever seems to be a way out. Slowly but surely people are recurited into following Mrs. Carmody because they are scared and people start listening to her every word. Then it's at the point where you're not so afraid of the Creatures anymore, you're wondering what Mrs. Carmody and her crazy posse are going to do. That was one of the great aspects that I liked about the movie. Although it's obviously an unrealistic movie, it seems very realistic. My favorite part now, the ending. My main problem with movies is that they are always predictable and the hero always wins, guy always gets the girl etc. That is why I love a movie (Book) when they have the balls to go against the norm and give us something totally different. I may not have seen too many bad endings but this one takes the cake for me. I don't think it can get much worse than killing everbody but yourself than only minutes later find out resuce was right around the corner. That is just mind-blowing. This movie was just great all around for me and I can't wait to watch the Black and White version!

5/5

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

The Mist

This has a massive spoiler about the ending so if you have not seen it do not look.

One of my favorite Horror/Thriller movies. I'm not so good at really describing movies but this was just done right. One of my favorite aspects about it was people taking sides.

[Show spoiler]I think it's true like that depict in the move; people will start to form sides, plot to kill eachother just to survive, seek whatever seems to be a way out. Slowly but surely people are recurited into following Mrs. Carmody because they are scared and people start listening to her every word. Then it's at the point where you're not so afraid of the Creatures anymore, you're wondering what Mrs. Carmody and her crazy posse are going to do. That was one of the great aspects that I liked about the movie. Although it's obviously an unrealistic movie, it seems very realistic. My favorite part now, the ending. My main problem with movies is that they are always predictable and the hero always wins, guy always gets the girl etc. That is why I love a movie (Book) when they have the balls to go against the norm and give us something totally different. I may not have seen too many bad endings but this one takes the cake for me. I don't think it can get much worse than killing everbody but yourself than only minutes later find out resuce was right around the corner. That is just mind-blowing. This movie was just great all around for me and I can't wait to watch the Black and White version!

5/5

I agree completely. Stephen King is very good at describing how society quickly breaks down in times of trouble. The Stand is another fine example. Human behavior is perhaps the most frightening thing in The Mist.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

The Mist

This has a massive spoiler about the ending so if you have not seen it do not look.

One of my favorite Horror/Thriller movies. I'm not so good at really describing movies but this was just done right. One of my favorite aspects about it was people taking sides.

[Show spoiler]I think it's true like that depict in the move; people will start to form sides, plot to kill eachother just to survive, seek whatever seems to be a way out. Slowly but surely people are recurited into following Mrs. Carmody because they are scared and people start listening to her every word. Then it's at the point where you're not so afraid of the Creatures anymore, you're wondering what Mrs. Carmody and her crazy posse are going to do. That was one of the great aspects that I liked about the movie. Although it's obviously an unrealistic movie, it seems very realistic. My favorite part now, the ending. My main problem with movies is that they are always predictable and the hero always wins, guy always gets the girl etc. That is why I love a movie (Book) when they have the balls to go against the norm and give us something totally different. I may not have seen too many bad endings but this one takes the cake for me. I don't think it can get much worse than killing everbody but yourself than only minutes later find out resuce was right around the corner. That is just mind-blowing. This movie was just great all around for me and I can't wait to watch the Black and White version!

5/5

AS good as the ending was, I think it was over the top.
They wanted to shock us way too hard, and thats silly.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Wow, I'll look this one up, sounds pretty darn good

EDIT: Watched the trailer, DAMN THIS LOOKS GOOD!!!

awesome!
after it ended i was like, "how? how the world have i never heard or even seen this film anywhere?!"
it's a shame. because it's a great film

[Denoku]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

AS good as the ending was, I think it was over the top.
They wanted to shock us way too hard, and thats silly.

I disagree. I don't think it was way too over the top at all.

[Show spoiler]I mean what would you rather happen, be eaten by one of those weird creatures or be killed nice and easy? I think they chose the easiest way out, they were at the end of the road, no gas, no hope and only 4 bullets. The logical thing was they were done and might as well kill themselves before one of those creatures does it for them.