The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[lDlisturb3d]

I seriosly dont get the big fuss over Shawshank. Is it a good movie? Of course but is it a grand epic masterpiece HELL NO. Sorry i just dont get it. There is nothing at all unique about Shawshank besides the story. Thats just me.....

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Ponyo

[Show spoiler]year: 2008
director: Hayao Miyazaki
voice cast: Matt Damon, Lily Tomlin, Tina Fey, Liam Neeson, and Betty White.

to be completely honest i had absolutely no interest in seeing Ponyo. it wasn't on my radar, it was something i had heard of and seen at the store on the shelf, but never even thought of looking at it. but a recommendation from steve46, and my reasoning behind giving anything a chance - even when it isn't necessarily my style or taste, led to me to watching Ponyo.

and it wasn't half bad. i went in with super low expectations and it surpassed them. did i love the film? no. but was i able to enjoy it for the duration of its run time and not be bored? yes. visually, the film is a delight and i'm sure on blu-ray, like all animated films, this looks great (very bright, colorful color palette), and the story is wholly unique and filled with quirky humor and characters.

the story follow a fish, who a small boy named Sosuke finds and named Ponyo. like most kids with a pet, he's obsessed with taking care of Ponyo, who seems to not be any ordinary fish. as it turns out, Ponyo has powers and holds the key to the "universe" so to speak.

the film has deep themes of loving and caring for something that isn't "normal" or like you, or something you're accustomed to. friendship, bravery and then, later on, themes or mortality (i think) and living your life fully

[Show spoiler]i think, i got this from the old folks who believed they were dead (i think) when in the underground aquarium and then when they were walking up the hill instead of being assisted.

.

i liked it, enjoyed it, much more so than i thought i would, and even though the animation and feel of the film is very Japanese in nature, it's not what i thought it would be in terms of feel, atmosphere and story. maybe the voiceovers with English speaking actors was what changed it? i have no idea, but if you're a fan of unique, quirky animated pictures, Ponyo should be looked at for possible viewing. i don't regret my decision to watch it. just overall it didn't do a lot for me, but i liked it more than i envisioned.

thanks again to steve46 for the recommendation

3/5

I think Ponyo is wonderful but definitely very shallow for a Miyazaki film. I think it is one of his weaker efforts, focusing more on visuals this time than theme or memorable characters (with the exception of the character Ponyo of course). If you are just beginning Miyazaki, Ponyo is a great taste for things to come but I wouldn't consider it a masterpiece (that said, it is still miles ahead of Wall-E or any other nominee that year). On the other hand, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away certainly are masterful.

Btw bearcat, you always mention watching movies with your gf. I do the same with my gf from time to time and she tends to get angry at me more often than not. But there are a few instances where the movie will connect so well with her or she will get excited or emotional (then I follow up with some sarcastic remark like "saayyyy itt...." -- "You were right " ). Anyway, Ponyo was one of those films. She liked it even more than I did and I'm a huge Miyazaki fan! Ever since I showed her Grave of the Fireflies, she trusts my judgment in animated films (and takes them as seriously as motion picture films). So of all movies, you should have seen this one with her, assuming you didn't.

Also, I will be sure to address all of your questions about Persona in my review sometime this week. I have an exam in the morning so I won't be loitering on here tonight. Glad you gave it a chance btw. Great review.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I think Ponyo is wonderful but definitely very shallow for a Miyazaki film. I think it is one of his weaker efforts, focusing more on visuals this time than theme or memorable characters (with the exception of the character Ponyo of course). If you are just beginning Miyazaki, Ponyo is a great taste for things to come but I wouldn't consider it a masterpiece (that said, it is still miles ahead of Wall-E or any other nominee that year). On the other hand, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away certainly are masterful.

Btw bearcat, you always mention watching movies with your gf. I do the same with my gf from time to time and she tends to get angry at me more often than not. But there are a few instances where the movie will connect so well with her or she will get excited or emotional (then I follow up with some sarcastic remark like "saayyyy itt...." -- "You were right " ). Anyway, Ponyo was one of those films. She liked it even more than I did and I'm a huge Miyazaki fan! Ever since I showed her Grave of the Fireflies, she trusts my judgment in animated films (and takes them as seriously as motion picture films). So of all movies, you should have seen this one with her, assuming you didn't.

Also, I will be sure to address all of your questions about Persona in my review sometime this week. I have an exam in the morning so I won't be loitering on here tonight. Glad you gave it a chance btw. Great review.

yep. my first Miyazaki film. i'll have to look and see what else he has done so i know which director directs what when i'm watching some of these foreign animation films.

i have not yet seen Grave of the Fireflies but i'll make sure she's home when we watch it. Squid and numerous people have told me it brings on the waterworks and is bleak and depressing, which i love of course lol but i think she's still a fan of "normal, upbeat" films. she doesn't fully get yet why i watch so many depressing films and aim in that direction for my favorites list and tastes. but of course that type of thing is hard to explain.

thanks in advance for answers about Persona! and good luck on your exam!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

oh dammit Surf! i never even thought or noticed that before! but the answer is simple:

[Show spoiler]because you get to punch people in the face, duh god Surf, how do you not love such a complex and deep film?

crap! now when i watch it next i'm gonna find all these flaws that make me hate it. poop. can't have that happen! i may have to stop expanding my film tastes and thinking process

...can't... allow... fight club.... to be... replaced...

like I said...I am revisting it...for real

but in the meantime I'll joke around.

by teh way your logic about

[Show spoiler]getting to punch people in the face = more freedom isn't entirely accurate. the real test is: getting to punch people in face > not being able to tell people what club i'm in + having to stop when people go limp

.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

agreed. although, at the same time, if someone doesn't feel that way, that's fine too. and no amount of discussion with change the person's mind if they feel that way, and i think we all know and respect each others opinions

if someone thinks Step-Mom is the best movie EVER. all the power to them. i don't, but that's okay.

Exactly

If someone loves a movie I hate, it's all good. I'm bound to like/love at least one movie that person hates

i like how we all have our own different ways of ranking favorites and coming up with lists and what makes a movie a great movie.

That's why its a club now


__________

Watched tonight:

Minority Report

Previously reviewed, so just a few things:

I highly enjoy this movie. I love the look of the movie, I'm sure some people probably are annoyed by the visual style, but I think its very cool looking and works for the movie

Cruise is really good. I tend to like him in the movies I've seen him in though. A while back I wasn't really a fan of his, but he's grown on me since then. I couldn't care less what he does in his real life, he does good with his performances and that's all that matters to me.

There's only really one thing I don't care for in the movie, and that thing is the annoying overacting of the girl who plays Agitha in several points. She just didn't pull those parts off well at all.
But it's a minor nitpick in an otherwise great movie.


Rating - 5/5

[iam1bearcat]

question for the folks of the thread:

since my reviews tend to get a bit... 'wordy' shall we say do you think i should:

1) just put my review in one big spoiler tag so it doesn't take up so much space?
2) leave it as is, it doesn't bother anyone
3) learn to convey my thoughts in under 1,000 words and not be so NSE with writing

thanks

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Seriously though, you should catch Papillon if you dig prison flicks.

This is my mom's favorite movie. I watched the first half but had to catch a flight to LA and never finished it

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

question for the folks of the thread:

since my reviews tend to get a bit... 'wordy' shall we say do you think i should:

1) just put my review in one big spoiler tag so it doesn't take up so much space?
2) leave it as is, it doesn't bother anyone
3) learn to convey my thoughts in under 1,000 words and not be so NSE with writing

thanks

(1) no
(2) yes
(3) no - your thoughts are your thoughts. change them or compress them and they're not your thoughts.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

question for the folks of the thread:

since my reviews tend to get a bit... 'wordy' shall we say do you think i should:

1) just put my review in one big spoiler tag so it doesn't take up so much space?
2) leave it as is, it doesn't bother anyone
3) learn to convey my thoughts in under 1,000 words and not be so NSE with writing

thanks

Leave it as it is. We're all here for exactly what you do.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

question for the folks of the thread:

since my reviews tend to get a bit... 'wordy' shall we say do you think i should:

1) just put my review in one big spoiler tag so it doesn't take up so much space?
2) leave it as is, it doesn't bother anyone
3) learn to convey my thoughts in under 1,000 words and not be so NSE with writing

thanks

You're doing just fine. We're all here to support each other's enthusiasm for movies, not discourage it.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

question for the folks of the thread:

since my reviews tend to get a bit... 'wordy' shall we say do you think i should:

1) just put my review in one big spoiler tag so it doesn't take up so much space?
2) leave it as is, it doesn't bother anyone
3) learn to convey my thoughts in under 1,000 words and not be so NSE with writing

thanks

It's your reviews, do as you wish I say

If its a long review, most of us will remove the text or spoiler tag it when we quote you anyway, so no need for you to


Sometimes mine are short sometimes they are quite long (Lord of the Rings), it depends on what you feel like writing for the movie you just watched.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Watched tonight:

Minority Report



Rating - 5/5

Cruise is good!!! (DJ MEthod takes notes!! Just kiddin dude )

Another film that suffers from an inherent plot flaw:

[Show spoiler]when Cruise sees how he will kill someone (in an urban environment, hotel, etc), what does he do?? PUts himself right there to be arrested...DUH! what would any sane dude do?? Take a trip to the country and hang out under an oak tree till it passes

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

yep. my first Miyazaki film. i'll have to look and see what else he has done so i know which director directs what when i'm watching some of these foreign animation films.

i have not yet seen Grave of the Fireflies but i'll make sure she's home when we watch it. Squid and numerous people have told me it brings on the waterworks and is bleak and depressing, which i love of course lol but i think she's still a fan of "normal, upbeat" films. she doesn't fully get yet why i watch so many depressing films and aim in that direction for my favorites list and tastes. but of course that type of thing is hard to explain.

thanks in advance for answers about Persona! and good luck on your exam!

Thanks. Oh I know, my sister (in her 30's) got so upset over Grave of the Fireflies she had to leave the room. I think any Miyazaki film is safe girlfriend material though. I swear there is some magic to his films no other movie has ever come close to.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Cruise is good!!! (DJ MEthod takes notes!! Just kiddin dude )

Another film that suffers from an inherent plot flaw:

[Show spoiler]when Cruise sees how he will kill someone (in an urban environment, hotel, etc), what does he do?? PUts himself right there to be arrested...DUH! what would any sane dude do?? Take a trip to the country and hang out under an oak tree till it passes

All those

[Show spoiler]future drugs

must have jacked up his through process


But seriously though,

[Show spoiler]he was the guy who stopped this sort of thing for all these years, he HAD to know why he was going to kill him. It was just who he was, he needed to understand why they saw that and why he did it. He didn't plan to go to the place originally, he was looking for a Minority Report, but after he found out there wasn't one and that was exactly what was going to happen, that was his only way to understand why they saw him doing what they saw him doing. Also, he arrived at the building inadvertently, he was walking down the street when he noticed the billboard and realized he was at the location.

He also knew they had no idea who the guy he was going to kill was, and since he was their main/best guy, he knew they wouldn't figure it out in time to get there and stop him.

[surfdude12]

holy schnikies, I just realized this thread was on like page 600 yesterday

maybe we need "Movie Discussion and Review Overflow Thread -- when the post volume gets too hot"

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I swear there is some magic to his films no other movie has ever come close to.

I couldn't agree more. He sees things that other people overlook and somehow manages to bring them to life. His imagination is just incredible.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

holy schnikies, I just realized this thread was on like page 600 yesterday

maybe we need "Movie Discussion and Review Overflow Thread -- when the post volume gets too hot"

Yeah it's been gettin pretty popular recently!

I don't know if you saw my post on Fight Club, but I'm glad you're gonna watch it again sometime. It really is a kickass film!

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Diesel

All those

[Show spoiler]future drugs

must have jacked up his through process


But seriously though,

[Show spoiler]he was the guy who stopped this sort of thing for all these years, he HAD to know why he was going to kill him. It was just who he was, he needed to understand why they saw that and why he did it. He didn't plan to go to the place originally, he was looking for a Minority Report, but after he found out there wasn't one and that was exactly what was going to happen, that was his only way to understand why they saw him doing what they saw him doing.

He also knew they had no idea who the guy he was going to kill was, and since he was their main/best guy, he knew they wouldn't figure it out in time to get there and stop him.

great explanation. That was something that bugged me after the film, and every time someone posts a review , I throw that at them and see how they refute it. Movie is fresh in their mind, so its just good timing! You explained it very well, sir, great job

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

great explanation. That was something that bugged me after the film, and every time someone posts a review , I throw that at them and see how they refute it. Movie is fresh in their mind, so its just good timing! You explained it very well, sir, great job

I've been planning on seeing this soon (haven't seen it in years), so I'll revert back to that post after I see it!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Cruise is good!!! (DJ MEthod takes notes!! Just kiddin dude )

Another film that suffers from an inherent plot flaw:

[Show spoiler]when Cruise sees how he will kill someone (in an urban environment, hotel, etc), what does he do?? PUts himself right there to be arrested...DUH! what would any sane dude do?? Take a trip to the country and hang out under an oak tree till it passes

Hey, MR is one of my favorite sci-fi's and Collateral one of my favorites period! I think I need to take a cruise with Cruise films over the holidays. I've never seen Eyes Wide Shut but I've always loved the premise.