The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

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

Originally Posted by Steve46

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

Originally Posted by DjMethod

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

Originally Posted by Diesel

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.

thanks guys for your considerate input i'll keep things as they are

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

The rules only applied to the fights...

before joining club:

[Show spoiler]I can talk about whatever I want, to whomever I want

after joining club:

[Show spoiler]I can't talk about whatever I want, to whomever I want

hence, less "free"


BUt seriously, I am giving it another shot, and that wasn't my biggest gripe. It was just that overall, I didn't feel very intrigued by the film (or motivated enough to put on my gloves and start going to ideological work on thematic issues ). Other complex films have given me that level of intrigue to the point that I"ll gladly spend 2, 5, 10, or 100 hours researching them, but FC didn't maybe it will on my next viewing.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

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.

Yeah check it out -- I'd love to see your review. Its an all-time favorite of mine.

IMO, its a perfect marriage of Kubrick and Hitchcock. THe plot felt very Hitchcockian to me, while the directing/acting/etc was classic Kubrick.

Quite a sales pitch, no?

NO but seriously, I don't want to raise your expectations. Just remember a lot of people HATE IT

P.S. You're officially absolved on the Cruise front

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Steve46

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.

Indeed. Just a fun story: I bought Kiki's Delivery Service for my two little cousins last summer and we watched it together. Of course, kids always say they love every movie so it was difficult to gauge how much they liked it. Then I found out that the same night their mom caught them watching it again in the middle of the night.

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by Diesel

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

a great, great movie i enjoy it a lot
my issue is

[Show spoiler]why his eyes still work on the security system when he's a wanted fugitive

but i still love it as well (4.5/5 i think from me)

and agreed about Cruise. although i think subconsciously i did let it effect me for awhile (somehow) because all of a sudden i realized i hadn't seen very many of his films, and now 4 are ones i love (Vanilla Sky, Minority Report, Collateral, The Last Samurai). he's had a magnificent career

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Indeed. Just a fun story: I bought Kiki's Delivery Service for my two little cousins last summer and we watched it together. Of course, kids always say they love every movie so it was difficult to gauge how much they liked it. Then I found out that the same night their mom caught them watching it again in the middle of the night.

Kiki's is a definite 5/5 for me. I guess I'm just a big kid.

No villains - no explosions. Just innocence and Hartman's amusing interpretation of Jiji.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

Yeah check it out -- I'd love to see your review. Its an all-time favorite of mine.

IMO, its a perfect marriage of Kubrick and Hitchcock. THe plot felt very Hitchcockian to me, while the directing/acting/etc was classic Kubrick.

Quite a sales pitch, no?

NO but seriously, I don't want to raise your expectations. Just remember a lot of people HATE IT

Hah yes I am aware of it's status as Kubrick's bad egg. But with your pitch and my interest in the premise (and Cruise's excellent acting ) I just might like it.

[surfdude12]

Watching Seven Samurai...

Looks awesome!
-This opening track is such a simple 5-drum beat, but has my replaying it over and over, I LOVE IT:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMNz2xETKU
(first 0:45. in the film it lasts 5:00 )

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

P.S. You're officially absolved on the Cruise front

You're forgetting that wasn't even my opinion to begin with! I think his best performance I've seen was in Magnolia.

Originally Posted by Steve46

Kiki's is a definite 5/5 for me. I guess I'm just a big kid.

No villains - no explosions. Just innocence and Hartman's amusing interpretation of Jiji.

That's true. Ponyo also never had a villain... but unlike Kiki's, I felt like it needed one. I initially gave Kiki's a 4.5/5 but raised it to a 5/5 after that bit I told you about.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

You're forgetting that wasn't even my opinion to begin with! I think his best performance I've seen was in Magnolia.
.

no, I haven't. I remember it was your friends -- hence why I said i was just kidding -- just giving you shi%. I guess I should have clarified for those who didn't read the previous posts...all 5000 since your Cruise post

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

before joining club:

[Show spoiler]I can talk about whatever I want, to whomever I want

after joining club:

[Show spoiler]I can't talk about whatever I want, to whomever I want

hence, less "free"


BUt seriously, I am giving it another shot, and that wasn't my biggest gripe. It was just that overall, I didn't feel very intrigued by the film (or motivated enough to put on my gloves and start going to ideological work on thematic issues ). Other complex films have given me that level of intrigue to the point that I"ll gladly spend 2, 5, 10, or 100 hours researching them, but FC didn't maybe it will on my next viewing.

Even if it doesn't intrigue you on that level and if you don't want to spend much time on the themes, it's still a very entertaining film. For what Fincher set out to do with this film, I think he nailed it! It's got such a unique style and a kickass score that compliments it perfectly... and a great cast that work very well together... I think it's full of win and awesome!

[lDlisturb3d]

Off topic but i think my favorite new actor is Daniel Day Lewis. Once i see "My Left Foot" then i will be able to say. Another up for running is Gary Oldman (Awesome sometimes i cant tell its Gary thats acting)

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I find most of Malicks work to be unfocused. I think he "Develops the film as he goes along". Evidence of this would be the many scenes including prominent actors from The Thin Red Line that were left on the cutting room floor. I dont believe that he has a clear and "Precise" vision of the final product when he starts. And thats OK because he is an artist, but for me, it shows up (in a negative way) in the final work. I have no problems with films that meander and dont follow a straight path, but his feel "Destinationless". And yes, I know, some films are about the journey and not the destination, but his feel clumsy to ME.

I also believe he put a 14 year old actress into situations that were beyond her years. Bale and Farrell were in their late 20's early 30's.

agree 100% on my viewing of Days of Heaven.

but for whatever reason, TTRL engaged me. It felt like a Baraka of war. As in Baraka, which just showed images without a biased perspective, I felt this did the same thing, except it just happened to be over a portion of the earth that happened to hosting a war conflict. There was some narration, but it seemed to encourage, not discourage, a perspective beyond each characters perspective, and look at a battle from a higher perspective. this came natural me since i am

[Show spoiler]god

no but seriously, i liked it a lot.

i'll see how New World turns out. I'll revisit Days of Heaven.

[Diesel]

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"

I told you guys, its because its a "club" now, its cool to be in here

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 was expecting your issue to be with the

[Show spoiler]eyes

thing.

Originally Posted by tbizzle

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!

I didn't see it for the first time until it played on TNT a week or two before the blu-ray release. I recorded it and checked it out because the blu-ray thread for it was buzzing, so I checked it out and instantly loved it

I've watched my copy 3 times since buying it.

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

a great, great movie i enjoy it a lot
my issue is

[Show spoiler]why his eyes still work on the security system when he's a wanted fugitive

but i still love it as well (4.5/5 i think from me)

and agreed about Cruise. although i think subconsciously i did let it effect me for awhile (somehow) because all of a sudden i realized i hadn't seen very many of his films, and now 4 are ones i love (Vanilla Sky, Minority Report, Collateral, The Last Samurai). he's had a magnificent career

Speak of the devil

Here's how I look at it.

[Show spoiler]Yea, he's a wanted fugitive so it would probably make sense to make sure his security clearance is removed. But then again, who in the world would expect him to sneak back into the bloody police office? So I suppose they didn't make that a priority. BUT, later, his wife gets in with his eye, it should have DEFINITELY been revoked by that time since he had already got in once...unless they figured, "nah, he's not dumb enough to come in twice"

Plus, if he didn't

[Show spoiler]get back in using his eyes

we wouldn't get the funniest scene in the movie when he is

[Show spoiler]chasing his eyes down the ramp going, "sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!"

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Even if it doesn't intrigue you on that level and if you don't want to spend much time on the themes, it's still a very entertaining film. For what Fincher set out to do with this film, I think he nailed it! It's got such a unique style and a kickass score that compliments it perfectly... and a great cast that work very well together... I think it's full of win and awesome!

mmhmm

Originally Posted by Diesel

I was expecting your issue to be with the

[Show spoiler]eyes

thing.

Speak of the devil

Here's how I look at it.

[Show spoiler]Yea, he's a wanted fugitive so it would probably make sense to make sure his security clearance is removed. But then again, who in the world would expect him to sneak back into the bloody police office? So I suppose they didn't make that a priority. BUT, later, his wife gets in with his eye, it should have DEFINITELY been revoked by that time since he had already got in once...unless they figured, "nah, he's not dumb enough to come in twice"

Plus, if he didn't

[Show spoiler]get back in using his eyes

we wouldn't get the funniest scene in the movie when he is

[Show spoiler]chasing his eyes down the ramp going, "sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t!"

true. good point. and yes, that scene is #1 on my list for scenes

[Show spoiler]involving eyeballs and ramps

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

A number of us didn't care for it, and a number of us liked it a lot. That's enough reason right there to check it out.

Gotta love this thread.

U aint neva lied! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I enjoyed the hell out of it, but a lot of people give it a "Just OK" mark. The visuals and audio are great. The story is simple, but it worked for me.

Ok Ill give it a shot! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler]oh man! i had no idea Shawshank was gonna cause such a stir!
not to continue the rampage of discussion or anything, but kind of like what Diesel said (unless i took it the wrong way), but along the lines of "there is no 1 BEST film" i kind of agree. my favorite film is Fight Club as everyone knows.

is it perfect? no.
does it have the best directing i've seen? no.
does it have the best performances i've seen? no.
does have one of the best, jaw-dropping "WTF?" surprises i've ever seen? yes.

and an assortment of other "yes's" and "no's".

i don't know if Czar feels Shawshank has the best everything or not, but that's my take on why there is no 1 BEST film: because i don't think i've seen one film that has the best directing, story, performances, characters and everything else all rolled in to one. some films comes close, but none have all of them. at least for me

Man to be honest it just may have the best of everything. The story is definitely the best or right at the top. The performances are arguably some of the best performances especially Freeman's. His narration is beyond excellent and the best narrating I ever heard. It may not have had that jaw droppin WTF moment but I dont think Ive seen a better climax and a masterful ending that is very uplifting. Just a perfect film in my book and thats why I think its the best film. I cant find a weakness for the life of me. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i will, don't worry. i've got some stuff to do now so it'll be a few hours fyi, but by late, late night (the film is 2.5 hours, i'll probably start it in 3 hours or so, and then think about it before writing the review for about 20-25 mins) the review will be up.

although i'm sure you'd be able to wait until tomorrow to read it if necessary.
i don't think you're on the edge of your seat waiting for the review

Got Em!!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Czar has no idea what hes talking about. Watch, I'll prove it.

Czar, how can Shawshank be #1 if Denzel isnt in it? Gotcha.

Darn it man u just had to ruin it! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Steve46

I would say maybe I'll redeem myself with the Shawshank suggestion, but that would be too corny.

Indeed u will! Got Em!!

Originally Posted by tbizzle

That's a shame, you're ignoring soooo many great films!

I know man but I am confident that these great films will hit blu at some point. Patience is a virtue. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by killowertz

I can make you mad and happy all in one post. I have never seen Shawshank and don't ever plan to, but I did watch The Karate Kid (2010) last night and really liked it.

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

Got Em!!

Originally Posted by surfdude12

because Freeman >>>> Denzel

[Show spoiler]just to throw fuel on the fire

I dont agree but Freeman is right up there so I wont argue that point! They were both excellent in Glory. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by 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.....

Got Em!!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Off topic but i think my favorite new actor is Daniel Day Lewis. Once i see "My Left Foot" then i will be able to say. Another up for running is Gary Oldman (Awesome sometimes i cant tell its Gary thats acting)

Check out In the Name of the Father. Excellent film.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

107 people voted that it was not their #1 film. 20 did. 29 people didnt have in their top 50.

Whats better you ask? Well, if I stick ONLY with the genre (Prison buddy film) I would say that Papillon (1973) (Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen) is better in every way. And better by a long shot. More emotional. More poignant. More danger. Better acting by far. Insane locations and cinematography.

Now if we leave the genre, there are many better films.

Just my opinion though.

Papillon is a better film than Shawshank but Shawshank is a bit more enjoyable and I think has more replay value. Shawshank isn't in the top 200 best films of all-time. Not even close.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Papillon is a better film than Shawshank but Shawshank is a bit more enjoyable and I think has more replay value. Shawshank isn't in the top 200 best films of all-time. Not even close in my opinion.

Fixed it for u. Got Em!!

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Watched tonight:

Minority Report

[Show spoiler]
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

Once again, you're welcome for recommending Minority Report back before it came out on Blu-ray.

Originally Posted by CZAR

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

Got Em!!

I knew I would get those reactions. As far as The Karate Kid goes, I thought it started out slow, but once he

[Show spoiler]started training with Jackie, it took off. In a way, it would have been cool to see Jackie fight the teacher, but in the end I agree with their choice not to include that.