The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Nice. Followed by 21 Grams and Babel?

That's the plan!

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i've seen Armageddon about 100+ times used to watch that movie relentlessly a few years ago. so cheesy but awesome

Actually I don't think Armageddon is cheezy, it's just a fun film. I know Bay doesn't make amazing films or anything, but for what he sets out to do with each project, I think he nails it. I love all of his work!

if you've seen any of my conversations with Diesel, you'll know that for whatever reason, i seem to have some sort of man-crush on Paul Walker, as everything he's been in i've really enjoyed. and that's the same for Into the Blue (and Alba of course ) and The Fast and the Furious. and i have absolutely no love of cars or street racing or rap music. that's just one damn fun film! can't wait to own it someday (hopefully pick it up cheap during the holiday season )

What does Fast and the Furious have to do with rap?

Originally Posted by Diesel

American components, Russian components....ALL MADE IN TAIWAN!!!

I love it! I haven't seen this in years, can't wait to get the blu.

[Lepidopterous]

So some of you may know, as per my https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/875...ovie-made.html thread, that I consider Club Vampire the "worst movie ever." I have included some Club Vampire reviews from IMDb to enlighten you:

Absolute WORST film I have ever had the misfortune to see

[Show spoiler]Author: Argentyn from Oregon

I seriously regret having paid even the small rental fee associated with this. The film quality is poor at best, the cinematography was crap, the poor staging gave me headaches. If there was acting in this film I have yet to even find a ghost of it, let along the idea of a plot.

This stupid thing made Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie) and Children of the Night look like great theatre!

I could not even get more than 32 minutes into this piece of garbage and returned it and I DON'T MISS IT!!

There is no God...

[Show spoiler]If there was a God, he would have made sure this movie stayed in the toilet were it was crapped up. This is BY FAR the worst vampire movie I have ever seen. I may never watch a vampire film again because of this movie. It makes Zombie Lake look like The Sound of Music.

Andy Ruben's Club Vampire

[Show spoiler]Author: Charles Tatum from North Dakota

I will never be a member of any club that would have me, especially this one.

Starr Andreeff is a single mom/stripper who gets attacked by a female vampire and left for dead. She begins to get a hankering for blood, and meets up with John Savage, looking like he's wondering where he left Michael Cimino's phone number. Savage is also a vampire and wants to let Andreef join his little vampire family, which consists of a British vamp, the blonde vamp who attacked Starr, and a green haired midget (I am not making this up). The family does not want Starr, so they try to kill Savage and Starr and Starr's kid. Someone forgot to tell John Savage that this was a drama. He spends most of his screen time exhibiting more facial tics than Hugh Grant on a Jolt Cola bender, and he reads all of his lines like he is making a Farrelly Brothers film. Andreeff tries to make the most of a badly written role, but screenwriter/director Ruben goes for all the vampire cliches, like Starr eating her son's pet hamster and buying a lot of raw meat to fight the craving for blood. The kid also gets knocked around a lot, for those who think watching violence against children is really entertaining. The film is extra gory, but not in a wild, over the top way like "Killer Tongue." Here, the gore is gross and never justified, it just occurs. It is just in the budget. Most of the R rating goes to Andreeff's coworkers, who are put through embarassing strip routines in the background of conversation scenes. The budget does not include vampire fangs! All the vampires here must stab their prey to eat. Nifty idea, unless you have already seen George Romero's "Martin." Even at 77 minutes, and once you throw in Ruben's attempts at arty direction (skewed frames, blurred scenes), this is one tiresome, dull, and dirty ride. Leave this club and take a shower, you will need it.

Jesus Christ

[Show spoiler]Author: freyovsvart from along the puget sound
*** This review may contain spoilers ***

This movie was horrible. I watched it three times, and not even the whole thing. It's just impossible to watch, the story line sucks, it's depressing, and utterly disgusting. I don't write spoilers for anything, so if you want to know why it's so disgusting, see it for yourself. The only good thing about this movie was John Savage, his dialogue at the beginning, and some funny parts in the movie. The little kid in this movie is annoying, and the whole situation is bullshit. I saw this movie at movie stores around America, so I assumed it would be a good movie. Jesus Christ, was I wrong!!!! The acting is all horrible, and the nudity itself is lame and nasty. Another thing is, Starr Andreef, the other main character, hasn't been in such bad movies in the past, in fact, she was in some pretty good ones. Same with John Savage. This movie SUCKS!

The following review is for Hell Ride, which I consider my worst blind-buy:

One of the Worst Movies Ever Made

[Show spoiler]Author: DaveDiggler from United States

Larry Bishop directs, writes, and leads this soft core porn, plot less biker movie about nothing to do with anything. To call this one of the worst movies of 2008 is being kind to the garbage that I spent money on while in theaters. Its one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I felt sorry for the girls mostly, who probably think they're in the making of a feature film, when in all reality they're making a porno. They walk on the set for four days, say some sexual lines to disgusting old men -- thirty years older than them -- then take off their cloths, and run around naked for the four days they're on set. I can only assume this was Larry Bishops only way to get laid. You see shot after shot directly on a girls asses. Shot after shot of Bishop walking up to some random chick and grabbing her most intimate parts, as if he were shaking her hand. How this crap was even funded is beyond me. Why Tarantino has his name on it is beyond me, but he's been slowly fading away since 1994, so I can't say I was surprised.

After 15 minutes, you get that awful feeling that only horrible (and I mean horrible) movies give you. When you see it in theaters, the pain you feel is amplified. After 15 minutes, I wanted to cry for being so stupid, and wasting, not only my time, but my hard earned ten dollars. There isn't one redeeming quality, or one moment in the movie that creates any kind of reaction or shows any kind of inclination that these people had any idea of what they are doing. If you don't see naked women all that often, then I guess this movie would be for you. If you're eleven-years-old, you will probably like it. You can't even laugh at it, because every idiot making it was laughing about the crap they were making. The acting is awful, the writing is awful, the production is awful, and the directing is awful. It's not even worth your time renting it to see the car crash. Stay away, stay very far away. You shouldn't even be reading these reviews. I shouldn't even be writing one.

And finally, a random funny review for Pocket Ninjas:

Fun To Watch (in fast forward)

[Show spoiler]10 January 2005 | by tclover (Lufkin, Texas) – See all my reviews

My daughter and I found this movie in a clearance bin for only $3.00 and thought, "Why not?". Now I'm thinking of asking for a refund. The acting was very poor. Scripting was third grade level and that's being generous. I've read comic books with better lines. What little plot existed could have been improved by my six year old nephew. They re-used scenes multiple times and used some cheap stock footage to fill in some time. I guess this is what you get when people without skills or talent try to make a movie. The fight scenes reminded me of very low-brow slap-stick humor. This was supposed to be an action adventure and turned out to be a bad comedy. I feel sorry for the actors and actresses. If this didn't kill their careers then nothing will. If you are thinking of buying or renting this movie give your cash to the homeless guy in front of the liquor store instead. The money will be better spent and chances are it's one of the actors.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

"You see what you want to see."

Everlasting Moments

[Show spoiler]is a film about a Swedish woman's hardships in a working class family in the early 1900's. The main character, Maria Larsson, has an abusive and alcoholic husband, who finds work to support the family but continually uses his charm on other women. Never once before thinking about herself, she stumbles upon a discovery of self-interest when she learns to use an old camera of hers. In one particular scene involving the silhouette of a butterfly, she regards photography as miraculous. Her talent is certainly noticed by others, most notably by a photography shop owner. Throughout the film, she never acknowledges her unique vision of beauty.

[Show spoiler]Her resolution involved finally thinking of herself (finally giving herself some credit) when she takes a picture of herself for the first time.

Instead of utilizing her talent to financially help her family, she keeps it reserved as an escape from her struggles (as each photo captures an everlasting moment to imagine).

Maria is strong but unhappy. Although she is repeatedly punished when standing up for herself, it is made clear that she does not fear her husband. Instead, she looks at him as if seeing through his soul.

[Show spoiler]Her daughter said that in the end, her persistence to remain married was a mystery. When she came to her father with strong doubts, he reminded her of their vows, that only death shall part them. With her unique perspective, she understood from that point on why she must stay with him.

Maria understands the world like nobody else does. Only she can see the good in her husband which is why it is such a mystery to everyone else. His good intentions are subtle, but they are there.

[Show spoiler]A striking scene involves her husband raging mad at her when she startles him with a photo of their children. Although her husband is seemingly uncontrollable, she finds a path to his heart. In another scene, a mother tells Maria she wishes she aborted her child with Down's Syndrome. Maria responds with a request to take her daughter's picture. Almost immediately, the woman realizes in tears that the beauty was always there but only Maria could see.

A theme of guilt is prevalent in the film. The weight of consequences for individual actions bears down heavily on the family, and the characters seem to evolve from it. The cinematography is gorgeous. Inky, gritty, old-fashioned, and real at the same time. I love the color palette used for the film. The main actress gives a phenomenal performance as well. Her poignant expressions throughout the film add tremendous depth to the narrative and her mysterious character.

Overall, this is a masterpiece and must-see period piece.

5/5

I just watched Everlasting Moments last night and couldn't add much to what you have said here. I especially loved the visual style used for this film. 5/5.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

oh god i just died laughing from this. i watched that trailer about 5 times
i may have to readjust my schedule and instead of watching what i had planned, i may just watch Tammy and the T-Rex instead

Really? lol I would never watch it after that. Got a good kick out of the synopsis and trailer though.

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Haha, Jhiggy's actually the M-word police, I really don't care. But if someone uses it on Transformers, I'll definitely share my thoughts

In that case, I would definitely join his squad

Originally Posted by Hep

I just watched Everlasting Moments last night and couldn't add much to what you have said here. I especially loved the visual style used for this film. 5/5.

That's great. I'm glad you liked it!

[SquidPuppet]

Departures

I just finished watching Departures moments ago.

I am unable to construct a sentence beautiful enough to honor this Masterpiece.

I am ruined for a few hours.

Assigning a number rating feels dishonorable.

My highest, strongest recommendation.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Departures

I just finished watching Departures moments ago.

I am unable to construct a sentence beautiful enough to honor this Masterpiece.

I am ruined for a few hours.

Assigning a number rating feels dishonorable.

My highest, strongest recommendation.

[two40]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Interesting review. Was this your first viewing? They certainly have a parallel resemblance, but I've never noticed it to that extent. Curious, did it bother you or give you more appreciation for it? I regard Oldboy as one of the best films ever made for its narrative, direction, acting, cinematography and themes. It's a film that never gets old for me.

Btw, does the Vengeance trilogy come with slim blu-ray cases or regular? And did you buy from Amazon or Best Buy? I'm curious if Amazon sells a non-tin version (I don't really like tins or steelbooks). Thanks.

Yes, this was my first viewing. The only thing I knew about this title going in was, well, the title. I have seen it mentioned in top lists on a few forums which is what made me interested in watching it.

As for the resemblance, I would say that I was more aware of it because I have recently read the book. As much as there is a resemblance though, there are big differences. For example,

[Show spoiler]in the book, Dante is the one that has been unjustly imprisoned and he is the one that exacts revenge on his 3 wrong doers. After spending many years planning his revenge, he finds emptiness at fulfillment and even falls to mercy and tries to amend for his viciousness. In the film, Dante is cleverly split between two characters who also serve as the wrong doers. Oh plays the wrong doer who is also imprisoned and on a revenge mission. Woo-jin portrays the drawn out revenge and adds the elements of regret and mercy (spared Mido the revelation) and also the emptiness after fulfillment.

I would say that having read the novel, I had a greater appreciation for the film. One does not affect the other for me, it merely adds layers. I echo your sentiments for the film to a certain extent. I don't believe it's a perfect package with

[Show spoiler]overuse of internal monologue (too much telling and not enough showing - we're not a dumb audience) and some pacing problems towards the end - in particular the drawn out flashback scenes. Some of the support acting is average but it didn't detract too much for me.

All in all though, a very thought provoking film and one that I will surely watch again.

Sorry, I can't speak to the Blu-Ray questions. I borrowed a DVD copy from work.

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

I didn't know "Oldboy" was an adaptation (or a rip-off?) of the "Count of Monte Cristo." That's pretty interesting; I'll have to see/read the original story some day.

The novel is long but very interesting and worth it. If you are serious about reading it, send me a pm and I'll point you in the right direction in regards to which translation to read. Some of them are surprisingly bad.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

10,000 BC

[Show spoiler]The film that delvors deep into the truth of cavemen, that it were in fact slave cavemen and wolly manmoths that made the pyramids and not the Egyptions, with the help of of Cavemen witches and a saber-tooth tiger. But not only does this deliver the facts, but they are brought to life on screen by the amazingly well developed characters, so devolped in fact I consider them to be 4th Dimentonal as we know by our main character...errrm....well....I think he's called Mr. Caveman, anyway, he has so many moral complexities going on at once. His dad goes, who I think is called Senior Mr. Caveman and then he kills a wooly manmoth by accident and takes credit for it, but then he's village is ruined, and Mrs Caveman is taken. And all this is handled by the great diolauge and fine acting, as we see when Mr. Caveman lets the tiger free, but asks only one thing of the tiger, not to get eaten. You feel a geniuine tremble in his voice as you can really tell, that he doesn't really want to get eaten by the tiger. Finest film making, at it's finest

0/10:rock

:

Dude, use spoiler tags. Some people havent been fortunate enough to see this yet.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Good thing then, because if you had heard the dialog you would have actually died from the laughter


The entire movie is on Youtube


Here's the plot:




That last sentence has to be the best thing I have ever read

They just dont make 'em like they used to.

[SquidPuppet]

LOST season 6 for $27.99 at AMazon.

I know there is a hot deal forum and thread for this but it just popped up and I wanted to alert my PALS because I bet its a mistake. Jump on it now before it vanishes.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Departures

I just finished watching Departures moments ago.

I am unable to construct a sentence beautiful enough to honor this Masterpiece.

I am ruined for a few hours.

Assigning a number rating feels dishonorable.

My highest, strongest recommendation.

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Squid, gather yourself buddy. We're here for you.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Squid, gather yourself buddy. We're here for you.

What could I say to do it justice? Its all about the mood and the messages. Guttingly poignant. All the tiny gestures that carried monumental meaning.

I'll be OK. Its just going to take a couple hours.

[surfdude12]

Seven Samurai

Film: 5/5
-second viewing, first on blu
-great premise: village repeatedly attacked by bandits realizes they need help against another attack, so recruit Samurai to help them defend the village against any more attacks.
-the film seems to be divided into 3 parts, 1 hour each: (1) recruiting samurai, (2) establish a defense strategy of the village, and (3) try to defend the village.
-in part (1), we learn what defines a samurai (so you don't accidentally recruit some fake samurai dude), and what personality defines a samurai who would be willing to volunteer (without pay) to risk his life for a village he doesn't even know
-in part (2), we learn a ton about 101 war/defense strategy, unlike any other action-war film I've seen. We also see themes of fear, and leadership challenges anyone in charge of a large group will have. THe lead Samurai's speech at 1:46 that "You must protect others if you hope to save yourself. If you only try to save yourself, you will die" was gut-wrenching.
-one of the best "don't judge a book by its cover" characters ever in any film:

[Show spoiler]the guy who asks to be recruited by the samurai, but isn't a samurai, but turns out to be a HUGE asset: sets of false alarm to get everyone out of their house and breaks the ice, flys the flag at a crucial low moment, etc

-the lead samurai actor has an incredible screen presence: his face was able to convey HUGE emotion to me without any dialogue. his smile was incredibly genuine (the film has great humor), while his sad/concerned looks were also just as genuine. towards the end

[Show spoiler]his expression when he said "we also lost. only the villagers won this battle" and then looks up at the 4 fallen samurai who freely gave their lives was a huge emotional moment!!

-while this is an action-war film, its just as much about honor/ethics and sacrifice (more about how the fights are fought, than the fight itself)
-can't recommend this enough. I ranked it top 50 on my first viewing, but now I'd say top 30.

PQ: 4.5/5 (great! however, there was some obvious flashing for about 30 mins of the film. during the scene when

[Show spoiler]one of the samurai went out at night, stole one of the guns, and then came back the next morning with teh gun,

the flashing was SEVERE. however, it seems to be a source issue, not a transfer issue. Criterion did their best it seems)

AQ: 5/5

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Departures

I just finished watching Departures moments ago.

I am unable to construct a sentence beautiful enough to honor this Masterpiece.

I am ruined for a few hours.

Assigning a number rating feels dishonorable.

My highest, strongest recommendation.

dude. Haven't read you recommend a film with language this strong since The Fountain. Will be watching this SOON!! Thanks!!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by two40

Yes, this was my first viewing. The only thing I knew about this title going in was, well, the title. I have seen it mentioned in top lists on a few forums which is what made me interested in watching it.

As for the resemblance, I would say that I was more aware of it because I have recently read the book. As much as there is a resemblance though, there are big differences. For example,

[Show spoiler]in the book, Dante is the one that has been unjustly imprisoned and he is the one that exacts revenge on his 3 wrong doers. After spending many years planning his revenge, he finds emptiness at fulfillment and even falls to mercy and tries to amend for his viciousness. In the film, Dante is cleverly split between two characters who also serve as the wrong doers. Oh plays the wrong doer who is also imprisoned and on a revenge mission. Woo-jin portrays the drawn out revenge and adds the elements of regret and mercy (spared Mido the revelation) and also the emptiness after fulfillment.

I would say that having read the novel, I had a greater appreciation for the film. One does not affect the other for me, it merely adds layers. I echo your sentiments for the film to a certain extent. I don't believe it's a perfect package with

[Show spoiler]overuse of internal monologue (too much telling and not enough showing - we're not a dumb audience) and some pacing problems towards the end - in particular the drawn out flashback scenes. Some of the support acting is average but it didn't detract too much for me.

All in all though, a very thought provoking film and one that I will surely watch again.

Thanks for the clarification on the comparison. Since you didn't know anything going in, the hammer scene with the panning shot is the most famous scene in Oldboy. Brilliantly framed and full of intensity.

I know what you mean about the

[Show spoiler]flashbacks (if you are referring to the reveal). I like it though because it really drags out the pain of his discovery and adds power to the scenes. It could be seen as "babying" you through some scenes again, but I think it's more about reliving the moments. Most movies don't use this approach so you can rewatch the movie yourself, but this one sums it up nicely so that the entire impact hits you with one viewing. And Oh's subsequent plunge into insanity is pure genius.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by surfdude12

dude. Haven't read you recommend a film with language this strong since The Fountain. Will be watching this SOON!! Thanks!!

Definitely! I absolutely can't for this to get a US release... maybe even a Criterion release

Glad to hear the praise about Seven Samurai. A shipment of The Thin Red Line blu's are coming in at one of the local B&N's (ETA: tomorrow) so I reserved a copy and I'm thinkin about blind buying Seven Samurai when I go in.

[surfdude12]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Definitely! I absolutely can't for this to get a US release... maybe even a Criterion release

Glad to hear the praise about Seven Samurai. A shipment of The Thin Red Line blu's are coming in at one of the local B&N's (ETA: tomorrow) so I reserved a copy and I'm thinkin about blind buying Seven Samurai when I go in.

Dude seriously, SS is only $18 with the $5 coupon. Its honestly worth $50. FOr $18???? everyone should own it.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

For some reason it reminds me of Clifford. Except I love that movie.

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

oh god i just died laughing from this. i watched that trailer about 5 times
i may have to readjust my schedule and instead of watching what i had planned, i may just watch Tammy and the T-Rex instead

It looks so bad that I have to see it to be able to say I've watched it. I don't know why....I just do....

Originally Posted by tbizzle

I love it! I haven't seen this in years, can't wait to get the blu.

Anytime any one in my family talks about that movie its the line we all say

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Departures

I just finished watching Departures moments ago.

I am unable to construct a sentence beautiful enough to honor this Masterpiece.

I am ruined for a few hours.

Assigning a number rating feels dishonorable.

My highest, strongest recommendation.

Going to have to check this out some day.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

They just dont make 'em like they used to.

Indeed

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

LOST season 6 for $27.99 at AMazon.

I know there is a hot deal forum and thread for this but it just popped up and I wanted to alert my PALS because I bet its a mistake. Jump on it now before it vanishes.

Yowza that's a hell of a drop.


I'm not going to spend more than $20 a season when I eventually buy them. I can wait a while
Bound to be a great deal eventually....preferably when I have the $$$ to drop.

[Show spoiler]PALS = People Also Lost Stupefied?

[two40]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Thanks for the clarification on the comparison. Since you didn't know anything going in, the hammer scene with the panning shot is the most famous scene in Oldboy. Brilliantly framed and full of intensity.

I know what you mean about the

[Show spoiler]flashbacks (if you are referring to the reveal). I like it though because it really drags out the pain of his discovery and adds power to the scenes. It could be seen as "babying" you through some scenes again, but I think it's more about reliving the moments. Most movies don't use this approach so you can rewatch the movie yourself, but this one sums it up nicely so that the entire impact hits you with one viewing. And Oh's subsequent plunge into insanity is pure genius.

Hmm, I see. It is a pretty good scene although my favourite by far is the Ménage à trois as pictured on my blog. Here's the pic:

[Show spoiler]

It's such a twisted scene with huge impact that visually shows off Woo-jin.

[Show spoiler]Love the heavy breathing as if he's having sex by just being there with them on the bed.

I could frame this screen grab 6 feet wide and hang it in my theatre with pride.

Agree on the plunge into insanity. I think the director handled it particularly well. It was kind of hard to watch there near the end but at the same time nothing would make you turn away from the raw emotion. Hmm, can't wait to re-watch it soon. ^.^