The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

About time, the movie's only been out for SIX YEARS.

I've been intentionally putting it off because Squid wants me to watch it. Yes, I was putting it off for that reason since about 4 - 4.5 years before I had ever talked to Squid

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Yep. He's had copyright protection for months now.

I'll make sure to call it a Diesel one and done from now on then

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i think what i'm gonna do is look at my total list of films and then cross ones i didn't enjoy, sucked, never want to see again (even if decent), and would have no interest in owning. and whatever is left, then probably makes the cut, and then go from there

That should work well.

trying again i have Amelie on my netflix queue at like, #22 and it's on instant. probably gonna try and watch it sometime soon. the gf actually watched it this morning without telling me so i missed it! she's such a fool. really think she needs to be replaced soon

haha I hope we're not replacing her...

Tautou just might though.

thanks for that info Method. i understand completely that some films stories need that to either be realistic or something, and i don't downgrade a film really for that, i just cannot and will not watch those types of things. i don't hate the director for having it in the film if it's part of the story / setting, but that doesn't make it any easier to think of or watch it

I know I understand and respect that. Movies that explore taboos such as dogfighting are destined to be unpopular or controversial. Like the director said, there was no way around it. Amores Perros is still a phenomenal movie if you can absorb that kind of thing. Not sure exactly what Antichrist is about (haven't read any of the spoilers) but whatever it is also seems to be taboo and controversial, though the degree of inappropriateness in either subject is entirely subjective and also must be taken in context.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Originally Posted by tbizzle

LMAO

I don't know about you guys but I found his bewilderment even funnier:

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

I don't get what a picture of Chewbacca throwing a pitch has to do with my post? American soldiers shooting Germans who have given up...nice.

That is sig-worthy Wolvie.

Originally Posted by Diesel

Indeed. Anyone who uses it has to pay me a quarter every time

I think referencing your name should suffice

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by Diesel

I've been intentionally putting it off because Squid wants me to watch it. Yes, I was putting it off for that reason since about 4 - 4.5 years before I had ever talked to Squid

I think you'll like it. PQ = + set/costume/scenery = amazing, so even if you're not impressed by the acting (me), the film is just flat out gorgeous (did u notice the implicit reference, squid? )

[SquidPuppet]

The Girl Who Played With Fire

I liked it better than Dragon Tatoo.

I wont go into plot details, because if you are interested in the Millennium Trilogy, you are going to see it no matter what.

So why did I like it more? More conspiracy. A more complex crime to solve. Stakes are higher. MUCH more direct danger for Lisbeth. More, scarier, and intricate web of villains. Faster pacing. And a few other things that would be mild spoilers.

In short, Lisbeth really has her hands full in this one, and she makes no bones about getting her hands dirty. Real Dirty. She's a super sleuth. Master of disguise. Good at her trade. Takes no shit. Fun to watch. She's a mixture of McGyver and Veronica Mars, rated a hard "R". And I really enjoyed her weapon du jour in this film.

This sequel "feels" a lot more focused on Lisbeth, rather than the Lisbeth/Mikael team. The Salander/Blomkvist relationship develops/evolves/changes in an interesting way though.

Lots of neat tie-ins to Dragon and some answers to questions I didnt even have.

Directing, acting, camera work and lighting... all good stuff here.

There were 2 instances (brief) of some bad editing, but nothing to be upset about or alter my score.

Film 4.5/5
PQ 4.25/5 Damn satisfactory, but not reference.
AQ 4.25 Same as PQ.

VERY eager for The Hornets Nest.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Good call on Revanche over Everlasting Moments. EM is a great film and I agree with Jhiggy in describing it as "an absolute gem", but I'm not sure it's a film I'd want to watch again. Not much replay value for me, whereas I liked Revanche enough to buy it at the beginning of the sale.

I watched Everlasting Moments last night. I am beginning Revanche in a few minutes. Will report.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

haha, I know what you mean. Someoen told me about teh timing of new releases and how you have to mail back a film on the eve of a release if you want to get the new release, otherwise it'll go to "long wait" within a few days after release. <-- good info to know.

let us know how the Dragon Tattoo sequel is! Unlike Jhiggy, I'm too lazy to read it, so will just rely on movie knowledge!!!

Yep. When there is a new release that I simply MUST see, I make sure they receive a disc on Monday. It's worked everytime for me.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Best.Title.Ever.







Oh, Squid. Tonight. Troy.

[Show spoiler]Why. Am I typing. Like. Shatner.

Really?

[Show spoiler]Or. Are. You. Just. Bustin. My. Balls?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (netflix instant)

[Show spoiler]year: 2007
director: Cristian Mungiu
starring: Anamaria Marinca (Otilia), Laura Vasiliu (Gabita)

"how far would you go for a friend?"

that is the tagline for this masterful film. however, a warning to all those who may be looking into the film for future viewing, i personally would stay away from any and all plot summaries. they all give away what the focus of the film is. and while we learn what exactly is up at about the 45 minute mark (the film is 2 hours) so it's not like a last second "wtf?!" moment that is ruined, but still, during the first 45 minutes as we're learning about the characters and what their plan is, i should be thinking, "why are they doing this? what are they so nervous about?" but instead, because i already knew what they were planning, it kind of ruined the whole, "whoa. wait a minute" intrigue and shock that would have come from the surprise had i not known.

without giving too much away, i'll simply say that the film centers around two friends who are about to do engage in something that will change both of their lives for the remainder of their days. it's one of those instance, i believe, where you will have good days and bad. some days where you may not think of what you've done and helped with, and other days where it crushes you.

the film, as expected with foreign films, is excellent in all individual categories: directing, writing, story and acting. the performances are notably masterful and feel frighteningly real while not being a "loud in your face" type of performance. it's more subdued, it's more complex and more of a "burning under the surface" performance than anything else. more, "held back" if that explains it better.

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days is one of the most psychologically and emotionally impactful films i have ever seen. the emotional and mental toll of the story far outweighs what's happening on screen. the term "less is more" visually, takes into account. in the wrong hands, this could have been an awful, gross, distasteful film. but it was made with care and we know exactly what's happening, without actually seeing what's happening.

some will hate the subject matter. some will probably refuse to watch because of what the film is centered around, and because of that, maybe that's why it's included in a plot synopsis. i could easily see some people watching the film for 45 minutes and then turning it off in disgust because they don't believe in or understand what the characters are doing. again, not visually in disgust, but just personally in terms of the story being told.

but even if you dislike the story, you cannot look past how excellent the film is on every level. and it does raise the question, "would you do this for a friend?", would you become mentally, physically and emotionally invested in something that you could easily turn your back to and leave for your friend to figure out for herself?

the film also expresses very vividly how living with this decision will be a burden on both main characters in very different ways. almost in the same way, but to varying degrees very different. and whether or not their friendship remains as strong as it was before, stronger after this incident, or if it crumbles under the possible guilt, pain and exhaustive toll remains to be seen. the film covers one day's time, and honestly, there is no way to envision what would happen, because everyone is different.

for those who may want to know what the big incident is, what the friends are doing, it will be in the spoiler here, otherwise, again, it can easily be found in plot summary on imdb, and i believe netflix:

[Show spoiler]the film is about a friend who helps her friend have an abortion in 1980's Romania

.

now i guess my only issue / question with the film, is one that is a lot like i had with The Road. in The Road, my question was

[Show spoiler]what made the world the way it is for our characters? why does it look like it is and why are there cannibals and death everywhere? was it necessary to know for the film? no.

and with that, it's the same here. my question here is

[Show spoiler]why does she want the abortion? was she raped? are they not allowed to have kids unless married? no kids at all? a new law? does she just not want to have it?

again, it's probably not necessary to know, but that was my only issue (even though it isn't an issue) with the film.

a film that will make you think and will make you question what it means to be a friend.
absolutely amazing.

5/5

This has been on my to watch list for a while. Will check it out soon, thanks.

[Batman1980]

I will see the Girl Fire movie soon, sounds like my kind of movie, just waiting for a price drop at this point.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

The Proposal (netflix instant)

[Show spoiler]year: 2009
director: anne fletcher
starring: ryan reynolds, sandra bullock

the gf's pick after the super serious 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days and before we watch what is likely the super serious In the Bedroom (finally! )

i'm a big ryan reynolds fan. pretty muc everything he's been in that i've seen i've really enjoyed. actually, i can't even think of a film he's in that i haven't enjoyed. and even though i enjoyed The Proposal, it's probably the ryan reynolds film i like least. it's not bad. but it's the typical rom-com. some cute antics. a cliche, over obvious ending to the story, and a crazy-fun grandma. nothing original here but the set up.

and the set up is that Margaret Tate (Bullock) is a wealthy, super serious publisher at a book company, but her work Visa has expired and she's about to be deported, for at least a year, so she loses her job. to save it, she panics and says she is engaged to her assistance Andrew Paxton (Reynolds). the problem is Paxton (and the whole office) cannot stand Margaret. of course, once they are together in Alaska visiting Andrew's family (as part of a ploy to show the Deportation officer that they aren't just lying to keep her in the country) they learn about each other, begin to bond, and then... well, you know how it goes.

the ending was actually pretty mushy and touching, and even though what happens is exactly what i figured would happen, it still got me to go a little soft in the heart and of course the gf loved it. although i'm pretty sure i have more of a crush / fan on reynolds than she does, which is weird we both enjoyed the film, but it isn't anything any of us have seen before.

and honestly, this isn't nearly as good and reynolds other rom-com, Just Friends which was absolutely hysterical and exciting. this? eh, it had it's moments, but overall worth a rental but nothing more. probably wouldn't buy this, but the gf might.

3/5

I thought it was pretty funny and a great family movie with very likable leads. Not a great movie really, but has a lot of replay value imo. It's upbeat and cheerful, kind of like Yes Man.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

City of God (DVD)

[Show spoiler]Film: 5/5
-a film that puts you in the setting unlike any other: I can smell the streets of Rio watching this
-one of the best cut-back shots of any film I've seen at about 3-4 minutes in. Not 2001 great, but in that league.
-based on a true story , which always makes a film more fun to watch -- the emotions are more heavily felt.
-huge emotional roller coaster: huge emotional low at some of the horrific violence, etc involving kids, while then huge emotional high while seeing the beacon of hope that can prevail in this huge darkness
-a film that is 2 hours but feels like 2 days (in a good way): you won't believe you've seen as much as you've seen in 2 short hours! a sign of great screenwriting and editing!
-BRING OUT THE BLU!!!

The foreign release is so tempting but I'm waiting for a US release as well. /

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

In the Bedroom (dvd)

[Show spoiler]
year: 2001
director: todd field
starring: tom wilkinson, sissy spacek, william mapother, marisa tomei

for as much as i enjoyed In the Bedroom, when the credits rolled i was very about the whole thing.

is it a great movie? well, yeah, but i just didn't think it was as great as others i guess. the cover of the dvd says "5 academy award nominations including Best Picture" which i found kind of surprising. i could see for the performances, there were some great ones here, but Best Picture nomination? eh, i guess we're all different in that aspect.

i'm a big fan of tom wilkinson and he was great here, no doubt about it. playing a father dealing with a tragic situation can never be easy i'm sure and he plays the role to great depths and shows great range within the character. it's a sobering look at a family is absolutely wrecked by tragedy.

sissy spacek is no slouch either as the mother of the film dealing with the tragedy at hand. and goes scene for scene with wilkinson. tomei was also great (and gorgeous, that doesn't hurt) but i had one issue with her and that was the

[Show spoiler]scene where frank gets shot.

she just didn't seem to be "there" and it felt really cheesy and out of place in such a greatly executed film. but that may just be me, but it felt like it stood out like a sore thumb.

i really have no complaints with the film, but aside from the performances, it just didn't "wow" me over, and will likely be added to my 'one and done' collection (1.25 now Diesel ) but then again, you never know.

4/5

My gf met the costume designer for that film. Just thought I'd give my random input.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

That should work well.



haha I hope we're not replacing her...

Tautou just might though.


I know I understand and respect that. Movies that explore taboos such as dogfighting are destined to be unpopular or controversial. Like the director said, there was no way around it. Amores Perros is still a phenomenal movie if you can absorb that kind of thing. Not sure exactly what Antichrist is about (haven't read any of the spoilers) but whatever it is also seems to be taboo and controversial, though the degree of inappropriateness in either subject is entirely subjective and also must be taken in context.

With regards to the dog fights, for me, its not an issue of taboo or its controversial nature. Its about the suffering. There is almost no subject matter, political, religion, sexual etc that would turn me away from a film due to is controversy. I am just an animal softy. Heck, I couldnt even watch The Cove, which is a documentary about the efforts to improve the dolphins situatioin.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I received Departures today. So I'll be watching that soon.

One of the most rewarding films!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

I think you'll like it. PQ = + set/costume/scenery = amazing, so even if you're not impressed by the acting (me), the film is just flat out gorgeous (did u notice the implicit reference, squid? )

The acting isnt great, I agree. But its workman-like acceptable at least. Which, by the way, didnt stop 10,000 BC from being the greatest timeless epic masterpiece of all modern cinema.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

With regards to the dog fights, for me, its not an issue of taboo or its controversial nature. Its about the suffering. There is almost no subject matter, political, religion, sexual etc that would turn me away from a film due to is controversy. I am just an animal softy. Heck, I couldnt even watch The Cove, which is a documentary about the efforts to improve the dolphins situatioin.

Right, that makes sense. I think that's what I was getting at was it's bound to bother/disturb some people.

Growing up, I would never hunt with my dad because I hated hurting animals. I've owned 2 pomeranians, 4 cats, 2 chickens, and countless rabbits throughout my life. I even have my own horse in my uncle's farm. So I certainly see where you're coming from. However, with my current research on owls and having taken several zoology classes over the years including vertebrate organology, I have become desensitized enough to not be overwhelmed by certain depictions in movies or documentaries (if done well).

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The Girl Who Played With Fire

I liked it better than Dragon Tatoo.

I wont go into plot details, because if you are interested in the Millennium Trilogy, you are going to see it no matter what.

So why did I like it more? More conspiracy. A more complex crime to solve. Stakes are higher. MUCH more direct danger for Lisbeth. More, scarier, and intricate web of villains. Faster pacing. And a few other things that would be mild spoilers.

In short, Lisbeth really has her hands full in this one, and she makes no bones about getting her hands dirty. Real Dirty. She's a super sleuth. Master of disguise. Good at her trade. Takes no shit. Fun to watch. She's a mixture of McGyver and Veronica Mars, rated a hard "R". And I really enjoyed her weapon du jour in this film.

This sequel "feels" a lot more focused on Lisbeth, rather than the Lisbeth/Mikael team. The Salander/Blomkvist relationship develops/evolves/changes in an interesting way though.

Lots of neat tie-ins to Dragon and some answers to questions I didnt even have.

Directing, acting, camera work and lighting... all good stuff here.

There were 2 instances (brief) of some bad editing, but nothing to be upset about or alter my score.

Film 4.5/5
PQ 4.25/5 Damn satisfactory, but not reference.
AQ 4.25 Same as PQ.

VERY eager for The Hornets Nest.

Glad to hear you liked it. I know tons and tons of ppl that have read the entire trilogy and quite literally every single person listed the second book as their favorite. It's not as good of a film as the first simply because it's far harder to adapt (i.e. a murder mystery is much easier to adapt than a wide ranging conspiracy), but it's still a very fine film. The ppl who bash it bc it was "made for tv" only do so because they know that fact. If you didn't know it had a much smaller budget and was made for tv, you'd never know. It's not quite as refined as the first, but it's still put together extremely well.

I have the blu but haven't watched it yet. The lady friend has a hundred pages left of the book, so we'll be watching it next week. I'm sure I'll like it even better this time. Can't wait to see the third.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i don't know what this means

If I Recall Correctly

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Sorry Bro. I got hosed by Netflix. Well, not really. Antichrist had NO wait at the top of my queue. I got the email saying they mailed me a disc, but it said The Girl Who Played With Fire. WTF? I go look at my queue, and now Antichrist is "Very Long Wait".

So, although I got hosed, I didnt really, because on Wednesday TGWPWF was a long wait.

I'll review TGWPWF in a couple minutes. I am at the mercy of Netflix availability now for Antichrist.

I received Departures today. So I'll be watching that soon.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo comes in on Monday for me. Can't wait to hear what you think about Departures!

Originally Posted by DjMethod

One of the most rewarding films!

+1