The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

It does when it comes across as an attempt to get attention. Everyone needs to recharge their batteries every once in awhile. Maybe it's your time.

if that's how it comes across then i'll be sure to keep my opinions to myself.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Diesel

12 Angry Men

First Time Viewing


Like I said earlier tonight, someone on the site recommended it to me so I checked it out. And I can say I am very glad I did.

I knew the basic premise (guys in a jury trying to decide on a verdict) but I didn't know what to expect out of that.

I loved the way the story was told. It wasn't just the other jurors who needed to be convinced, it was the viewer, and that's how the movie went about it. A detail here, one there, eventually forming a larger and larger understanding of what LIKELY happened that night (Fonda's character makes dead certain to not say something did or didn't happen, only that its possible). It was a rather short movie (just over an hour and a half) so the pace moved pretty briskly, but it didn't feel rushed; it covered the ground it needed to cover and never overstayed its welcome.

The characters and the performances were all very strong. Each representing a very different man with no two too much alike. The most typical answer is probably that Fonda's character is a given person's favorite, and for this movie I'm going to agree with the most likely typical answer. He did a great job, I thought the best of the bunch, with his character and his character was also the most interesting for me. It's also worth noting that his character is dressed in a white suit.

My least favorite character was Juror #10, though that's only because I didn't like him...but he's not supposed to be a likable character; so its not that the character fails, on the contrary, it very much succeeds. One of the most "powerful" moments in the film is when

[Show spoiler]he is having his rant about "those" people and the other characters just each get up one at a time and walk away from the table with the exception of Juror #4 and Juror #7 (who turns away). The dead, awkward silence besides him speaking was just very unnerving and the actor played it very well reacting to it. It's also a nice touch that after Juror #4 tells him to not open his mouth again...he doesn't.

I really enjoyed the camera work of the film as well. I liked how it went on the shots were tighter and lower in relation to the actors, increasing the sense of close space and making the movie more claustrophobic if you will as things began to "ramp up" as it proceeded.


There wasn't a thing in the film that I didn't enjoy, it definitely fired on all cylinders and worked across the board. A fantastic film, and for anyone who hasn't seen it, I definitely recommend checking it out (don't want to rent it? It's on Youtube in very good quality, that's how I watched it).


Rating - 4.75/5

[tbizzle]

This thread's been getting like a page or 2 a day and you fools throw down 10 pages for me to read... mostly about bearcat losing motivation and/or interest in film

Let me comment on that for a sec. Bearcat, I think you are moody. I don't mean that in a condescending, you're a chick kinda way, just that there are certain times you are in the mood for a specific type of film. I know that you enjoy the Fast and Furious films, but I wonder how much you'd enjoy them if you were in a mood for, let's say, Babel or Black Swan. You might just say, "nah... not interested" and proceed to turn it off. Like you did with 12 Angry Men

This move is kind of shocking, especially coming from you. Give 12 Angry Men a shot someday when you feel like watching an important classic that's a very "feel good film". I think you may be in a rut right now, and watching films doesn't seem interesting to you (or maybe you were in the mood to watch a dark, mindbending film and threw this one on ). Either way, maybe take a break from your normal life and switch things up. When you feel like watching something, go take a walk and find a new part of your town that you didn't know was there. Maybe lay off of movies for a little while and go have a football night with your buddies and suck down a few beers and some pizza. Maybe you and your girl should take a trip this weekend or somethin. Change it up a bit man, cuz you seem to be in a rut right now and I think some new experiences might bring about some "outlook on life/music/film/etc." changes.

Of course I could be completely wrong about all of this and therefore am rambling

Lots of comments to come... this will be bizzle's page

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler] that is great. speaking of that scene i laughed hysterically today at

[Show spoiler]seeing the skeleton with his hair while being shocked

and still having his scream with the visual

and i LOVE when he first

[Show spoiler]falls through the floor, gets up and says, "wow. what a hole"

both films are terrific, and i've been debating if i'd purchase them.
i think i might, even though i won't watch them that often, they are exceptionally funny and great christmas / holiday themed films

i remember seeing the third film in theaters i've never been so disappointed.
i think that was the first time i realized that movies could actually suck

That's funny, I kinda had the same thought. I remember liking it, but thinking that it was NO WHERE near as good as the first 2.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

Terrence Malick--his films are among the most beautiful and poetic out there

Couldn't agree more

As for modern directors, I respect Julian Schnabel, Sam Mendes, Joe Wright, Sir Ridley Scott, Alfonso Cuaron, Ed Zwick, Michael Mann, Zhang Yimou, James Cameron, Peter Jackson, among many others

Have you seen any of Inarritu's films?

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Tarantino - we'll have to disagree as everything comes from somewhere else and I believe his way of presenting these known elements is unique and fun. Maybe not great, but a favorite.

Tarantino's a favorite of mine as well. I haven't seen many of the films that he's accused of stealing from, but I think his style and alternate take on the aforementioned content/idea is what differentiates them.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

drugs seem... what's the word... dangerous. and bad. yeah, bad. so i won't go down that road

You've been conditioned by The Man

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Sorry to hear that.

You need a jumpstart and I know just the ticket. Get started on your Hitchcock list.

Agreed, just watched North by Northwest after not having seen it in years and really enjoyed it.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Well the Coens are unique. And by your good scores for a few of their films, you obviously "Get" them, which is required in order to enjoy them. You gave some of the movies bad scores, and thats cool too. What I find is that you know they have a special quirky way of making films that, when it works, it really works. So I am dumbfounded that you wouldnt want to explore more of their work, in search of another gem.

It's like Jhiggy and Malick. I assume that no matter what the subject matter, Jhiggy will always give the next Malick fim a shot. He believes (I assume) that Malick can make anything entertaining and interesting. I am the same way with Aronofsky. He could make a film about janitors and I would see it.

When the Coens nail it, they really nail it. Thats why I am confused that you have no interest in exploring their other films.

About Malick, I've become the same way... as well as Aronofsky

I recommend that bearcat check out O Brother Where Art Thou, it's great. It's more in line with Fargo and Burn Without Reading in that it's a quirky comedy.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

A couple of ratings just throw in for the sake of it.

Inception - 4.5/5
Iron Man 2 - 5/5
Memento - 4/5
Commando - 5/5
One Flew Over Coocko's Nest - 5/5

I LOL'd at seeing Commando in there

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by lDlisturb3d

Hey Jhiggy is this what you meant but a movie being disliked because of it's Success..

PRIME EXAMPLE. CANT KNOCK IT UNTIL YOU TRY IT.


I Watch any movie, if it interest me or if its acclaimed. Especially if its Acclaimed. (That why im so into Criterion) I must put the HYPE to the TEST.

Disturbed, you've come a long way brother! Glad to see that you're so interested in all kinds of films now, Mr. Criterion fiend! I remember when you were just starting to come around here more often and you refused see anything that didn't have a theatrical run

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

now Kubrick is #1?! make up your mind man, this list changes far too often

first it was Fincher, then in an Avatar debate you mention Cameron being high on your list, then back to Fincher, now suddenly Kubrick? and that seems to have come out of nowhere! when id Kubrick become #1?

as for your list (i love lists ) i'm not a big Nolan fan. he's "pretty" good in my book but i find his films to either not interest me or have very little replay value.

[Show spoiler]here's my list that i'm sure will piss you off

Following (3/5)
Memento - watched 20 minutes of this like 7 years ago and was completely uninterested in it. have absolutely no urge to watch it.
Insomnia - no interest in seeing it.
Batman Begins (3/5) sometimes i've rated it 3.5/5, first time was 1.5/5 it's just very bring and uninteresting
The Prestige - no interest in seeing it
The Dark Knight (4.5/5) has no real replay value for me. i've seen it 4 times? and while entertaining it's an horribly made film
Inception - no interest in seeing

it also doesn't help he had Christian Bale in three of his films, and i cannot stand that guy

As I said in my response to Disturbed's post, he's come a long way. Hell I've learned a lot and grown up some since I started posting on here a few years ago, as I'm sure a lot of us younger members have. As one sees more films, their tastes change and therefore new favorites are cemented. IIRC, he just saw Paths of Glory recently and even though he's not a huge fan of 2001, he still respects it. Maybe after PoG, Kubrick just jumped up to the top

As for Bale, I can understand people's dislike, but he's undeniably a very good actor.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler]see, that's the thing. the Coens haven't "won me over" enough to give them a fair shot at whatever they create. they seem to be generally "yeah!" (2 films) or "meh" (whatever else i've seen) and most of their films, the story / plot themselves seem highly uninteresting to me. so no matter how much i may "get" them, if it doesn't interest me, i'm not gonna sit through it in hopes it will be a success.

now, if we're talking PTA, then yes, i would see whatever he makes. but he may be the only one (maybe Aronfosky, although i'm not interested at all in The Wolverine) and the Coens are nowhere near making this very short list.

look at my Fincher list. he used to be my favorite director because of Fight Club and Zodiac, but the rest of his work (aside from Social Network which i haven't seen but want to) has been, well, crap. the reason i saw The Game? because it's Fincher. the reason i saw Panic Room? Fincher. the reason for Boring Buttons? Fincher. and all "sucked" to varying degrees.

so aside from PTA right now, i don't care who the director is, if the story doesn't intrigue me, they don't get anymore free passes.

I seriously LOL'd at the "Boring Buttons" comment

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Really surprised at your lack of desire to see The Matrix. It brought some new stuff (technicals) to the table.

Agreed, definitely give this a shot as well bearcat. But do it on a day that you're feeling like a good action film (even though I know these aren't your favorites). It's got a good amount of philosophy to it and isn't just your average explosion fest, though there are some killer ones in this. Great cast and an awesome story that if you're really into, can be a ton of fun.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by Steve46

Three Colors Trilogy
Directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski

[Show spoiler]I decided to borrow all three parts of the trilogy from my local library after seeing The Double Life of Veronique recently. I sat down to watch part one yesterday, not really expecting much.

I was wrong.

The stories pulled me in and I ended up watching the entire trilogy.

Blue
Starring Juliette Binoche

What is it about French women and huge dark eyes? This opening story starts like a Hitchcock movie with a shot of a leaky brake cable underneath a car. Sure enough, it crashes

[Show spoiler]killing Julie's composer husband and her little girl.

Julie deals with life in the only way she knows how, desperate to feel something. Her journey is very interesting and I was drawn in almost immediately. I cared what happened to her.

White
Starring Zbigniew Zamachowski

This also starts off in Paris and we see a Polish man appearing in court. His wife wants a divorce. There's a lot of humor in this tale as he travels back to Poland and plots how to get even with his wife. Some of the events are bizarre, others funny, a few sad. The time races by.

Red
Starring Irène Jacob

This is the best of a very strong trilogy and is set in Geneva. It plays as a mystery and stars the incredibly beautiful and talented Irène Jacob (The Double Life of Veronique). She runs over a dog and it fully recovers. She meets the owner and a series of strange events occur. There's a lot of emotion as she is initially disgusted before developing an understanding with the owner. There are many deep themes running through this one and the closing scenes tie the whole trilogy together brilliantly.

It's available in France as part of a set which also includes The Double Life of Veronique (Region B). I was tempted until reading a recent review which says the transfer is weak and only 1080i.

If Criterion gets hold of this trilogy to complement February's release of Veronique, I'll snap it up in an instant.

This is a great trilogy for Criterion fans, as well as those who liked The Double Life of Veronique and Irène Jacob's performance in that. I've been thinking about it all day.

Thanks for your thoughts, I've had these in my queue for a long time now and I'd like to get to them soon. Ratings for the films?

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i might eventually. i think i'm just a bit disgruntled today for one reason or another so it didn't put me in the exact mood to watch a complex thriller. i think Marcus' review on the last page is great and was a main worry of mine - it looks great and probably has a lot of "wow" moments, but little interaction and character building. it seems like the film is built more on the story of what Cobb does and the visuals than the characters themselves, which isn't exactly what i enjoy from films. but we'll see.

the gf wanted to see it really badly so i told her to go watch it with friends today because i had no interest in it. but if she likes it, i'm sure she'll come home and start hounding me to see it with her, so chances are i will have to eventually lol

You're pre-judging the film This could be a good one for you to see with her. Even if you don't care for it, she expressed a lot of interest in seeing that film and she might like it if you wanted to see it with her There is some romance in the story, btw.

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

[Show spoiler]right on!

just for giggles sometimes i'll now go on metacritic or imdb and read the negative "hate it" reviews of my favorite movies and i was thinking, "who could possibly HATE (500) Days of Summer? honestly, who?" i mean, dislike it? maybe. hate it? no way, right?

wrong. tons and tons of 1/10 reviews of course reading about how "cliched", "corny", "pretentious", "unrealistic" and how "it tries to be quirky and unique but fails on every level imaginable" made me wonder what people think is a more realistic rom-com because this is as real as it gets.

what fools!

the best line of one of the reviews i read is:
"it would be cool if there was an actual story to grasp onto, like PS I Love You. now that was an incredible movie."

this was made incredibly laugh worthy because P.S. I Love You is as generic and awful a rom-com you can get.
and hilary swank is hideous to look at

Ouch, that's kinda harsh man. Beauty can be found anywhere, and should be looked for. Otherwise, many aspects of life can seem ugly. Hilary Swank is far from a favorite of mine, but I think she's very attractive, at times gorgeous. She certainly has a great "range" of looks in her films, but I think she's an intelligent, strong yet graceful, beautiful woman.

You don't think so?

[Show spoiler]

[tbizzle]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

You are so into dramas, I am surprised you wouldnt be interested in Insomnia and The Prestige.

What was poorly done on TDK? I thought it was well made.

Agreed, haven't seen Insomnia in years but I definitely think bearcat should give The Prestige a shot. I also don't think TDK was poorly made.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

Thanks for your thoughts, I've had these in my queue for a long time now and I'd like to get to them soon. Ratings for the films?

The key thing watching the Three Colors trilogy is that I only intended to watch the first one in one sitting. It was so good that I watched all three straight through.

Blue 4.5/5

White 4/5 (more comedic)

Red 5/5 (mysterious and interesting throughout, plus the stunning Irène Jacob in almost every scene)

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

you know... i didn't buy this during BF season, and i have $44 in amazon credit just sitting there so i may just finally buy this (and finally see Tokyo Drift). i'll sleep on it to be sure, but eventually i'll bite



i think 7keyboards, but way too many already and and 4 monitors

The 4-film UK set of Fast and Furious is available for just over $29 delivered and is region free if you want to save that Amazon credit for a better deal.