The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

lucky #12,000th post DJ!

Lucky 12,000th reply!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

This is the typical response from a civilian. Its ok you guys would only know the depth of this if you were a service member.

eesh not to sound too much like a d*** or get this thread off topic but i come from a heavy military family. both grandfathers served for over 15 years, three uncles, and my pops all served 4+ years. and from everything i've heard from them, read and followed over the years about military, the United States speaking English does not come from the military. it came long, long before then.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Lucky 12,000th reply!

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Great thanks bud. The United States Chair Force. Naw jk. We are all lazy. Drafted, Thats sucks. How did you make E-5 in one year?

Originally Posted by Dark Moses

Hey I resent that. I work on A-10's so I know anyone that works on planes doesn't sit around, everyone else I can agree does sit around though.

I resent that comment too; however, I do realize you were just joking. Actually, I was an E-4 Sergeant, which I made during my first 2 years of service in Southern California. I was sent to Nam with just a little more than a year and a half to go before my enlistment ended. I guess I was promoted quickly not only because I was good at what I did but also because the higher ups appreciated the fact that I took college classes while I served (first the U of CA - San Bernadino, then U of Maryland - Far East Division while in Nam and then the U of Arkansas - Little Rock, where I finished my last 6 months of service after returning from Nam). Also, I wouldn't consider constant 122mm rocket attacks, one tussle with the NVA during a ground assault, jungle rot, flying over N Vietnam in a Jolly Green snagging the earliest recon drones mid air (I have some photos that I bet Jane's Aircraft would just love to have), etc. to be sitting on my duff! I knew the guys who went on the failed Son Tay POW raid in N Vietnam but that was something I was unwilling to volunteer for because my parents didn't raise a dope. However, like they have depicted in some war movies, I was really good at scrounging. My friends never went without a steak dinner, sometimes I was able to get lobster and in the hootch I lived in, everyone had walls and doorways so they had separate rooms and we all enjoyed air conditioning. This is just a partial list of what I did, saw and experienced there. Some of it I just don't care very much to write about. However, I can tell you that they tried several times, including while I was in Nam to promote me to E-5 but the Air Force said I just didn't have enough time in.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

What did you think of Saw VII? Have you seen it yet?

I watched VI and VII Friday night with a few buddies. VI was very good, but thought the majority of VII was idiotic with the exception of the ending.

Havnt seen Saw VII yet but VI was brilliant almost as good as part one. Easily the 2nd best in the series only behind part one. Got Em!!

[rkolinski]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

It is on that list. I'm currently at Barnes and Noble and just reserved the seven Criterions I'll be buying (Thin Red Line, Breathless, Seven Samurai, El Norte, Paris Texas, Night of the Hunter, Red Desert), but Paths of Glory is not on my list. The reason for that is that I haven't seen it yet and since I'm already getting a good number of Criterions, I had to draw a line somewhere. I'm really looking forward to seeing it though. What are your thoughts?


Btw, my parents watched Katyn the other nite, which I believe you recommended to me, and they really liked it.

Since I know your background and job field, I would have thought Paths of Glory would be on your short list. I think it's one of the best films set during WWI next to All Quiet on the Western Front. Just MHO! I'm also glad your parents got to see and that they enjoyed Katyn. I just recorded a half-hour History Channel-International program which specifically dealt with the Katyn Massacre. I wish they had been on the BD. I've also chatted with some women who live in Poland who strongly believe that their late President was killed by the Russians, just shortly before the most recent anniversary.

[rkolinski]

ALIEN (Theatrical Cut)

Even though there can be much debate over what is the best film ever made, in my opinion Alien (1979) is the best SciFi/Horror film ever made. The release of Alien in 1979 was the sole reason for my starting not only film collecting but also collecting in so many other areas. I think I saw Alien in the theater 10 times, more than any other film. Alien was the first video I purchased when the now defunct CED disc player was released by RCA (I'm sure some of you younger members don't even know what I'm talking about but a CED disc actually had grooves like a record and the player had a needle). And I have owned the film on every other format except for DVHS.

This film is what led me to start collecting original motion picture art in the form of lobby card sets, half-sheets, Quads (from the UK) and One-Sheets. My original poster collection, which numbers approximately 300 (it might be more if I count lobby card sets, original signed lithographs and art), ranges from my oldest, the 1943 Bataan starring Robert Taylor, Lloyd Nolan and a very young Desi Arnaz to my most valuable, the original and very scarce Advance poster (http://www.filmposters.com/movie-pos...p?ProdID=13863 or here http://entertainment-memorabilia.sho....c0.m270.l1313) to the most obscure one, an original 1954 Gog or perhaps it's my original lobby card sets from either the 1958 The Blob starring Steve McQueen or the 1964 Robinson Crusoe on Mars.

Also, I happen to own other memorabilia, original comic books, collector cards, autographs, all of the Halcyon models, an original 1979 Kenner Alien and polystone and other statues from Sideshow Collectibles, Hollywood Collectibles Group,the 1998 Icons Replicas M41A Pulse Rifle, etc. (a partially complete list is here: https://forum.blu-ray.com/group.php?...scussionid=440). Over the next few months, my focus will be on getting a nice DSLR and a very fast lens so I can actually photograph and post here my entire collection.

On to my rating of the film Alien on BD. First, I purchased the Alien Anthology - Limited Edition Egg because I knew the egg was from Sideshow. Even though the egg/alien is plastic, I think it was nicely done for the price, considering the fact that one gets 6 BDs, the Egg/Alien (which I think is pretty cool looking lit up) and a $50 gift card to Sideshow Collectibles (I have to think about how I'm going to use this but it will probably be for something Alien). Again, I'm only rating Alien and just the theatrical cut. I think the PQ is amazing - certainly better than an I've seen on any other video format with very fine film grain. Since Alien is such a dark film, I think how a movie handles various shades of black is very important and again, I think Fox and Ridley Scott did an outstanding job bringing Alien to BD. If I were to rate the PQ alone having only seen this movie on earlier formats and not considering other movies release on BD, I would easily give this movie a 5/5. However, I have seen other films on BD so I would have to give this release a 4.5/5. SQ is likewise a setup over previous video releases and there were places where my subwoofers really shook the floor. However, I have heard much better DTS-HD MA soundtracks, the most recent being Terence Malick's The Thin Red Line. Based on that kind of comparison, I would give the SQ a 4.5/5.

Sorry, I haven't watched the Supplements yet but I am sure that they will be a 5/5. Since this is my favorite film ever, I would imagine that I will be spending months watching and marveling at the beauty of this BD release. This set gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION and I think EVERYONE SHOULD OWN IT ON BD.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

eesh not to sound too much like a d*** or get this thread off topic but i come from a heavy military family. both grandfathers served for over 15 years, three uncles, and my pops all served 4+ years. and from everything i've heard from them, read and followed over the years about military, the United States speaking English does not come from the military. it came long, long before then.

Maybe you misunderstood me bro. We are speaking English today because no one has be able to invade and or conquer America.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

I resent that comment too; however, I do realize you were just joking.

[Show spoiler]Actually, I was an E-4 Sergeant, which I made during my first 2 years of service in Southern California. I was sent to Nam with just a little more than a year and a half to go before my enlistment ended. I guess I was promoted quickly not only because I was good at what I did but also because the higher ups appreciated the fact that I took college classes while I served (first the U of CA - San Bernadino, then U of Maryland - Far East Division while in Nam and then the U of Arkansas - Little Rock, where I finished my last 6 months of service after returning from Nam). Also, I wouldn't consider constant 122mm rocket attacks, one tussle with the NVA during a ground assault, jungle rot, flying over N Vietnam in a Jolly Green snagging the earliest recon drones mid air (I have some photos that I bet Jane's Aircraft would just love to have), etc. to be sitting on my duff! I knew the guys who went on the failed Son Tay POW raid in N Vietnam but that was something I was unwilling to volunteer for because my parents didn't raise a dope. However, like they have depicted in some war movies, I was really good at scrounging. My friends never went without a steak dinner, sometimes I was able to get lobster and in the hootch I lived in, everyone had walls and doorways so they had separate rooms and we all enjoyed air conditioning. This is just a partial list of what I did, saw and experienced there. Some of it I just don't care very much to write about. However, I can tell you that they tried several times, including while I was in Nam to promote me to E-5 but the Air Force said I just didn't have enough time in.

Damn that sounds horrible but i know you got something positive from that experience. Im a win win guy so i find something even in the most horrible situation positive. Thanks for clearing up that confusion.

[DavePS3]

Watched Winter's Bone. Very well done. Takes you right inside that world. I found I had to lower the brightness of the display a few steps to get black in those areas. They may have made the film like this on purpose for an effect but I preferred the slightly darker image. Great movie.

[Diesel]

Let's keep the thread on topic shall we guys?

[surfdude12]

The Big Chill (DVD)

Film: 3.5/5
-great soundtrack -- one of the better ones you'll hear
-great cast (close, kline, goldblum, berenger, and others)
-story about half dozen childhood friends who reunite in their 40's, and share memories and reflect on their lives -- has adulthood/growing up robbed them of their childhood essence or are they still true to who they've always been?

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Diesel

The

[Show spoiler]snake dudes

were based on these guys.
I love the word, because its like assassin...but if Daffy Duck said it

The place the dagger was from was pretty much just a city.

[Show spoiler]It just happened to be where that big freaking hourglass was and where the dagger was kept because of the little girls plea to the gods.

It was actually a real place...though a fortress, not a city really as shown in the movie.

wow great background info Diesel! so those dudes weren't real

[Show spoiler]snake dudes, were they?

. and that real place was

[Show spoiler]just some place, and not a real sand hourglass? and the dagger wasn't real (or any historical info on it)?

I think that background info you knew is the kind of info that makes a film MUCH more fun/entertaining.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

wow great background info Diesel! so those dudes weren't real

[Show spoiler]snake dudes, were they?

. and that real place was

[Show spoiler]just some place, and not a real sand hourglass? and the dagger wasn't real (or any historical info on it)?

I think that background info you knew is the kind of info that makes a film MUCH more fun/entertaining.

The

[Show spoiler]snake part was added in for that particular character, I don't think they had any association with serpents or anything.

Of course, I could be wrong.


It was some sort of stronghold apparently, but I don't know if it was as important in real life as they made it out to be in the film (a "sacred" or "holy" city)
Maybe there's a secret

[Show spoiler]giant hourglass underneath

In the game, you have to steal the dagger from some sort of vault, reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark (something they did on purpose), so I guess that's the only inspiration for the dagger; don't know if it has any basis in ancient beliefs or anything (though the

[Show spoiler]thing of gods deciding to spare humanity for different reasons

obviously is).

[Diesel]

I'm not going to have time tomorrow, so I moved my Toy Story watching up to the weekend.

Toy Story

Previously reviewed.

Summary:
My #3 animated movie, hilarious, great characters, great voice acting for those characters, love the story.

Rating - 5/5




Toy Story 2

Also previously reviewed.

This one grows on me more every time I watch it. I had settled on a 4.5/5 but I've decided to bump that up to a 4.75/5.

This one is great too, just not quite as good as the original, its just a little "off" from it for some reason.

Same great characters (mostly), a couple new ones, who have also grown on me the more I watch it.

Its nice to hear the repeated dialog with a new twist this time around. This one has more adventure and has a larger scope to it than the first (

[Show spoiler]freeway crossing, cross city adventure, airport sequence, the airplane part

). And like the first one, it is hilarious.

But, like I said, its just a little "off" from the first one for some reason.

Rating - 4.75/5




Toy Story 3 on Tuesday

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Diesel

In the game, you have to steal the dagger from some sort of vault, reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark (something they did on purpose), so I guess that's the only inspiration for the dagger; don't know if it has any basis in ancient beliefs or anything (though the

[Show spoiler]thing of gods deciding to spare humanity for different reasons

obviously is).

how's the girl's luscious lips in the game? those game designers are naughty!

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

how's the girl's luscious lips in the game? those game designers are naughty!

[Show spoiler]

When my cousin and I watched the film, every time she would be on screen he'd say, "Wow"


She's only based on the video game princess though.

The screenwriter explained the reason for this (and also why the Prince has a name in the film unlike the games):

Having a nameless hero as a literary device only works if it doesn’t call attention to itself. It worked in the games because (a) the prince was onscreen in pretty much every scene and (b) he was a stranger arriving in a new place where no one knew him. (Same with the Clint Eastwood spaghetti westerns.)

In the movie, the prince has a family, and there are scenes where people talk about him when he’s not there. For them to never refer to him by name would have felt really forced and contrived, and broken the reality of the world. (Try it with someone you know well and you’ll see how weird it feels.)

As for Tamina, yes, she is based on Farah. I chose the new name in homage to one of my favorite operas, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which has a princess Pamina and Prince Tamino. One reason I changed her name was so that game fans wouldn’t expect her character to exactly match the portrayal of Farah in the game.

[Batman1980]

Paranormal Activity 5/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 5/5
The best part about me watching it late at night for the second time ever? During one of the couple's freak outs, my sister pounds on my bedroom door and I fall out of my chair in shock.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

Paranormal Activity 5/5
PQ 5/5
AQ 5/5
The best part about me watching it late at night for the second time ever? During one of the couple's freak outs, my sister pounds on my bedroom door and I fall out of my chair in shock.

jeez, if that would happen to me, i totally would've ruined my pants!
i remember the first time me and the gf were watching this, we were having problems with squirrels in our attic and they would make scraping noises from time to time, and during one of the scenes

[Show spoiler]right before they find the picture in the attic

we hear scraping at the ceiling! it was so spooky

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

Since I know your background and job field, I would have thought Paths of Glory would be on your short list. I think it's one of the best films set during WWI next to All Quiet on the Western Front. Just MHO! I'm also glad your parents got to see and that they enjoyed Katyn. I just recorded a half-hour History Channel-International program which specifically dealt with the Katyn Massacre. I wish they had been on the BD. I've also chatted with some women who live in Poland who strongly believe that their late President was killed by the Russians, just shortly before the most recent anniversary.

Hmm...that's interesting. Admittedly, I don't know too much about the Katyn Massacre but the film is on my netflix short list, especially after my parents enjoyed it.

As for Paths of Glory, there is certainly a chance I'll pick it up during the sale. As of right now, it's the first one out simply because I haven't seen it.