The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Fine I'll call it a schmiesel schmun and dun.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

We do it every time a movie with a lot of hype comes out? Well, it wouldn't be done if ppl didn't go see a film and then immediately say it's the best film ever made, as they did with Avatar and Inception. It's the overblown statements that raise eyebrows, not the fact that many ppl seem to enjoy the films. Some of us are just movie snobs? What, pray tell, is a movie snob to you? If memory serves correctly, you bought up practically the whole Criterion collection without having seen them. Does that make you a movie snob as well? Or, does it just make you a movie fan?

Exactly!

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Man that sucks. I just received my "The Thin Red Line" but as i mentioned i ordered it on the 1st. I hope you find a alternative that will please you. You're just getting the short end of the stick bud.

Nice, glad you got it! Mine actually just shipped yesterday, should be here on Monday! No word on Seven Samurai, but I'm ecstatic that The Thin Red Line is coming in!

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by two40

Yeah, in Sydney. I have a region free player but that doesn't help with the price of BD's. I hire out a lot of them. Nothing like Netflix instant over here but we do have a mail order one that I'm looking to join.

Tasmania is a gorgeous state although it gets a bit cold (nothing like some of the US states though). It has some of the most gorgeous hiking tracks and nature reserves. It also has lots of windy roads which car buffs love. I'm a car fanatic and a hiker. I'm going to Tasmania in February on a road trip slash camping trip. I plan to drive around the whole state (very small anyway) and stay at the various popular camping sites. Really looking forward to it.

I love taking my car through the twisty's!

I've always admired Australia's beauty and I definitely plan on making it down there someday. I'd love to catch some of the killer surf down there, as well as in Indonesia. I love hiking as well and I'd love to do a trip like that in Tasmania, sounds like a lot of fun!

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Thats kinda the point though. Thats what they experienced, at that moment in time, in their lives. A fleeting connection, then poof, gone.

Higgys just going through his college/lesbian phase.

Haha now that I think about it, I definitely agree with you on that. I guess I'll rephrase it, the film didn't do much for me. I preferred the second one over the first, so I recommend that you definitely give it a shot Jhiggy. If anything, it will tie finish the story for you

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

As do the people you're referring to as movie snobs.

I think you think im using the word "Snob" in a derogatory way which im not. The world needs "snobs" to be the picky people they are. If a "snob" says a movie is great then i wanna see it because its probably well written, directed or very theme heavy. But there are also other movies that are great but get downplayed because of their popularity. This is when i dont need the "snob's" opinion. Ebert is a "snob" but i like him. Get it?

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Haha now that I think about it, I definitely agree with you on that. I guess I'll rephrase it, the film didn't do much for me. I preferred the second one over the first, so I recommend that you definitely give it a shot Jhiggy. If anything, it will tie finish the story for you

I need to seriously watch Seven Samurai asap.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

I think you think im using the word "Snob" in a derogatory way which im not. The world needs "snobs" to be the picky people they are. If a "snob" says a movie is great then i wanna see it because its probably well written, directed or very theme heavy. But there are also other movies that are great but get downplayed because of their popularity. This is when i dont need the "snob's" opinion. Ebert is a "snob" but i like him. Get it?

I think you're using the word snob incorrectly

A snob is someone who looks at others as though they themselves (or their opinion or tastes) are inferior in some way. Some people on this site have this attitude and act a bit film snobby, talkin sh!t about certain films and ridiculing someone for liking them because it's not some critically acclaimed masterpiece. However, that's now what your friends in this thread are doing. We just tend to be more critical of certain films because we have high standards and we all appreciate quality art. That doesn't mean that we can't enjoy Dumb and Dumber or The Fantastic Four, but we generally require a lot from the films that we watch.

movies that are great but get downplayed because of their popularity.

This simply is not the case, and I challenge you to prove otherwise.

I know it's been discussed a lot here, but I'm gonna use Avatar as an example. In my opinion, this is an awesome film and I really enjoy it. However, it's not a very good film. It does everything it's supposed to and it obviously kept myself and MANY others very entertained, but the acting, direction, etc. was without a doubt not "top notch" in any way. The film has a good message, but is very cliche, shallow, mainstream and arguably unoriginal, however it's still an awesome, very entertaining film. Others have the same critiques, that the direction, acting, etc. are not high caliber, but differ in that they simply did not like it.

Not everyone is gonna like a film like TDK, Inception or Avatar. Bearcat is the perfect example of this, because he's engaged by drama as opposed to action. Being so new and cool, Avatar may have blown you away, along with millions of others... and might be the fan's favorite film of all time. But that doesn't mean it's great, that just means that it's popular. Those who expressed their dislike for Avatar aren't just hatin bro, they have their reasons

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

If i had the choice of watching "Avatar" "Last of the Mohicans" or "Dances with Wolves" i would pick Avatar in a heart beat. It clearly shows the ambition of a great director and above all great acting. Same story? Yep but i rather watch something that set a standard for movie making and special effects. Its a NON STOP NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC RIDE for all ages.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Wow, I think I'd cry if I got that response to one of my posts. If I wasn't going for that kind of a response of course.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

hahaha college/lesbian phase.


Contrary to belief, I actually will be giving Sunrise a shot because the concept is still one that I greatly like. I agree that Sunset really wasn't meant to go anywhere because it's meant to show a fleeting connection. However, Room in Rome takes the same concept and delivers a film that far exceeds Sunset in every conceivable way. It's every bit as realistic but is memorable due to the acting, directing, and depth of the characters. Sunset is a failure because it's essentially this:

boring guy with nothing to talk about meets boring girl with nothing to talk about, they spend the nite together talking about mundane things.

There was no characterization, no depth. The characters were akin to a modern Stephen King novel--cardboard. While I felt the chemistry, I never felt the connection. Based on what we see on the screen, their encounter would be remembered for about a week (even though there's a sequel). Room in Rome, however, makes you FEEL the connection and leaves you feeling as if you know both characters intimately. It leaves you with the impression that these two ppl will never forget this nite. Sunrise is nothing more than a glimpse into the boring, trivial conversations you might have in an elevator on a Wednesday afternoon.

Hmmm. Thats exactly what I got from Sunrise, and a big dose too.

Maybe your point from your previous post carries a lot of weight, that Sunrise suffers partially from being viewed after Room.

Is Sunset scheduled, or floating in limbo until the mood hits?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

right uh huh. You couldn't convince me of that. You guys do it ever time a new movie comes out that has allot of hype behind it. Avatar, The Dark Knight, Inception etc. Honestly i think some of you are just movie snobs but it doesn't bother me because i like to know what you think is good and usually you are a good reference to lesser know films. If you cant watch a box office hit and a critically acclaimed movie then you are without a doubt a versatile movie watcher which imo is the best person to listen to for recommendations. (A PAID CRITIC) Al the Strange and Surf seem like the only guys that can sit and watch a "film" and a "movie".

Once again im not trying to offend anyone im just stating my opinion. I like reading this thread because of the huge difference in taste and thats it.

Painting with a pretty broad brush there.

I think DJMethod might hold the record for broadest spectrum of appreciation. And there are MANY here that like ALL types of films regardless of hype, budgets or box office receipts.

I love a good popcorn flick. Emphasis on good.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

How to Train Your Dragon

Almost every review I've seen is positive, so I decided on a blind buy.

I'm not thrilled with the animation or the look of the world, it's people or the dragons.

The story relies on action and is extremely noisy with lots of shouting.

There's almost zero character development.

The story is weak and I'm not sure it even makes sense.

There's almost nobody to root for.

Try naming four characters...

Very disappointing. Never touches on the emotion or depth that even the worst Pixar movies do and isn't fit to lick Miyazaki's boots.

3/5

What the what?

Really?

[Steve46]

Saw Alien last night. Pretty good presentation from the new Blu, although not perfect as has been suggested. I'd give the PQ 4.25 or 4.5/5 though.

Now it's time to watch Aliens which I don't remember seeing at all although I must have at some point.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Painting with a pretty broad brush there.

I think DJMethod might hold the record for broadest spectrum of appreciation. And there are MANY here that like ALL types of films regardless of hype, budgets or box office receips.

I love a good popcorn flick. Emphasis on good.

*cough* 10,000 B.C. *cough*

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Steve46

I thought the humor was extremely weak too, along with the accents. But my sense of humor isn't exactly normal.

I'm glad that most people enjoyed it, but it's way down on my list. I would even consider trading it at this point.

The accents were all real.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

What the what?

Really?

Yep, it seemed like a mess and not what I was hoping for. Not a disaster, but there are dozens of animated titles that I like more.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

The accents were all real.

It was a bit annoying to me.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Sorry it didn't work for you
I just watched it for the first time a few days ago and it was very good for me

I didn't think it relied on action at all. The story revolved around

[Show spoiler]Hiccup and Toothless and him attempting to change the way the Vikings viewed the dragons and make things better for everyone.

Toothless grows VERY fond of Hiccup (same for him), Hiccup grows over the course of the film and ends up being a confident person, the dragons and people all become accepting of each other, and his dad in particular grows big time in his relationship with his son.

Too bad you didn't enjoy it as much as some of us did.

I agree. And I found numerous scenes very emotional.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Sorry it didn't work for you
I just watched it for the first time a few days ago and it was very good for me

I didn't think it relied on action at all. The story revolved around

[Show spoiler]Hiccup and Toothless and him attempting to change the way the Vikings viewed the dragons and make things better for everyone.

Toothless grows VERY fond of Hiccup (same for him), Hiccup grows over the course of the film and ends up being a confident person, the dragons and people all become accepting of each other, and his dad in particular grows big time in his relationship with his son.

Too bad you didn't enjoy it as much as some of us did.

I enjoyed it more than you did, Mr. Toy Story 3 is better. About to watch A Christmas Carol, hope I like it.