The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[SquidPuppet]

Once

2006 R 85 minutes DVD

Synopsis from Netflix.

In this charming contemporary musical helmed by John Carney, a street musician (Glen Hansard) in Dublin, Ireland, strikes up a friendship with a migrant street hawker (Markéta Irglová), and the duo ends up composing and recording a series of songs over the course of a week. The tunes mirror their burgeoning romance and help the young busker release his musical passions. The actors wrote the tunes they perform, winning an Oscar for their efforts.

The film opens with "Guy" playing guitar in the streets for change. Guy is also a vacuum repair man by day. Quite soon he bumps into "Girl" who peddles magazines and flowers in the same area. She likes his tunes. They talk. Guy learns that Girl plays piano. Their relationship strengthens as they begin to play music together, at his place, in music stores, anywhere. Girl helps Guy complete some of his unfinished works. Romance may bud, but other circumstances from both of their pasts must be dealt with.

This movie grabbed me from the opening scene. Perhaps because I loved Guy's music so much. You cant put more heart and emotion behind a tune than he did. Add Girl's delicate piano playing and supporting vocals and I was owned for the next 90 minutes. The first time they played together, casually in a music store, the connection through music that these two made was a joy to watch. At the same moment, I felt as if I were connected to both of them, somehow, strongly.

There was something very magical about this onscreen couple and I cared about them deeply. The chemistry was palpable and thay both did fantastic jobs. Forget that they arent professional actors, they were just at home in front of the camera.

The story is a little clumsy and akward at first, and this is perfect because thats how new relationships and possible romances often begin. I suppose my own life experiences and past relationships helped me to love this film as much as I did, but I really believe that anyone who loves music and positive relationships would really enjoy it.

I wont go into camerawork, editing or other aspects of the filmmaking process because thats not what this was about for me. It was all about music, human connection and emotion. I'm sure the budget was microscopic, and for this story, about these characters, it is pefectly fitting.

I was bowled over by how much I loved this film. These types of "hit me hard" pictures are few and far between for me, and I am grateful that I stumbled onto this. It needs a Blu-ray (lossless audio) release.

5/5

Thanks Steve for your recommendation. It was they "way" you reviewed it that told me what I would find in this film. And it was there, simply, deeply and richly poignant.

[Steve46]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Once

2006 R 85 minutes DVD

Synopsis from Netflix.

[Show spoiler]

In this charming contemporary musical helmed by John Carney, a street musician (Glen Hansard) in Dublin, Ireland, strikes up a friendship with a migrant street hawker (Markéta Irglová), and the duo ends up composing and recording a series of songs over the course of a week. The tunes mirror their burgeoning romance and help the young busker release his musical passions. The actors wrote the tunes they perform, winning an Oscar for their efforts.

The film opens with "Guy" playing guitar in the streets for change. Guy is also a vacuum repair man by day. Quite soon he bumps into "Girl" who peddles magazines and flowers in the same area. She likes his tunes. They talk. Guy learns that Girl plays piano. Their relationship strengthens as they begin to play music together, at his place, in music stores, anywhere. Girl helps Guy complete some of his unfinished works. Romance may bud, but other circumstances from both of their pasts must be dealt with.

This movie grabbed me from the opening scene. Perhaps because I loved Guy's music so much. You cant put more heart and emotion behind a tune than he did. Add Girl's delicate piano playing and supporting vocals and I was owned for the next 90 minutes. The first time they played together, casually in a music store, the connection through music that these two made was a joy to watch. At the same moment, I felt as if I were connected to both of them, somehow, strongly.

There was something very magical about this onscreen couple and I cared about them deeply. The chemistry was palpable and thay both did fantastic jobs. Forget that they arent professional actors, they were just at home in front of the camera.

The story is a little clumsy and akward at first, and this is perfect because thats how new relationships and possible romances often begin. I suppose my own life experiences and past relationships helped me to love this film as much as I did, but I really believe that anyone who loves music and positive relationships would really enjoy it.

I wont go into camerawork, editing or other aspects of the filmmaking process because thats not what this was about for me. It was all about music, human connection and emotion. I'm sure the budget was microscopic, and for this story, about these characters, it is pefectly fitting.

I was bowled over by how much I loved this film. These types of "hit me hard" pictures are few and far between for me, and I am grateful that I stumbled onto this. It needs a Blu-ray (lossless audio) release.

5/5

Thanks Steve for your recommendation. It was they "way" you reviewed it that told me what I would find in this film. And it was there, simply, deeply and richly poignant.

Excellent. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

The budget was $150,000.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Have you tried drugs? Seriously, do the drugs, then watch the movies

Or maybe try some tv shows. I'm off movies right now, but totally into several tv shows.
I'm talking good tv shows, not two and a half men and crap like that.

Then you need to see Damages! You and I agree on almost all things TV, and I cant recommend Damages strongly enough. Mean, sneaky, evil, corrupt, slandrous, back-stabbing, blackmailing, lecherous, vindictive, violence, adultery and all the other good stuff we love. Serialized drama with an all star cast.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

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

i'm actually more in a tv kick around now actually. catching up on Prison Break season 2, 24 season 2, rewatching LOST (for about the millionth time), and starting the first season of Battlestar Galactica.

Breaking Bad. See it.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by diesel

12 angry men

[Show spoiler]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

S.E.

[Show spoiler]:d

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

12 Angry Men

yeah, not gonna happen. i was semi interested in seeing the film, but by the 13 minute mark i was and shut it off. i used to never shut off films early. i used to finish everything i started, no matter how terrible, and while 12 Angry Men obviously isn't terrible, it was good enough to make me want to spend 90 minutes with it.

what pushed me over the limit was when

[Show spoiler]the 1 guy who says "not guilty" has no reason for saying it and "just wants to talk"

that made me go "ugh, oh crap. not gonna listen to this" and then turn it off. if i was in that room with him i would have already had a strong urge to beat him to death right then and there for wasting my time.

a film i was curious about because i heard it was very profound and had some great performances. however, i won't be able to judge that because i didn't make it that far. watched 13 minutes and knew this wasn't something i cared to watch any longer.

score:incomplete. did not / will not finish.

Houston, we have a problem.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

oh, well i'm not gonna go back to it now. decision has been made

A punchline is meaningless without the setup.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

that could be. but somehow i do believe it is my infatuation with The Big Bang Theory, which is frightening because it's making everything else look very redundant, boring and uninteresting. it's just so much easier to watch a 22 minute episode of fun than a 120 minute serious film. weird

and to be completely honest, aside from LOST and like, 5 other items in my collection i was looking at it last night and said to myself, "i could very easily sell all of these right now and not even have a second thought about it" and i still kind of have that thought.

and i love my collection. what is going on in my head?

ADD? Not being a smartass either. You seem impatient. Are you feeling that way about other things besides movies as well?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by tbizzle

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.

Sage advise. Booze and junkfood to solve ones problems

[Show spoiler] kiddin'

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

S.E.

[Show spoiler]:d

Woo!

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Sage advise. Booze and junkfood to solve ones problems

[Show spoiler] kiddin'

[Show spoiler]A car wash is always nice

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Woo!

[Show spoiler]A car wash is always nice

Booze and pizza while watching the car wash? Problem solved.

But on a serious note. Beracat, take a break. Stop watching films alltogether for a day or two or three. Just stay away from them until you miss them, and then they will feel fresh again.

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Houston, we have a problem.

Houston, positive.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Houston, positive.

The Matrix 5/5
PQ 4/5
AQ 5/5
Awesome movie, probably one of my top 50 of all-time, not sure if I count all 3 movies as one long movie though, will watch 2 and 3 today and tomorrow for sure.

[SquidPuppet]

Millers Crossing

If you go into this film with your expectations properly alligned (Coen mode) you will be rewarded.

I love the story. I love the noir mood and look. The characters are so deliciously intentionally stereotypical, it's awesome. The shady guy, the big Irish boss, the ultra high blood pressure, wound tighter than a spring Italian up and comer, the henchmen, the small time swindler, the bad girl, the crooked politicians and cops. It just wreaks of comic book cliche and works perfectly. Everbody is screwing everybody, literally and figuratively.

Casting is perfect and everyone does a great job. They act like 40's actors in a 40's film. Eveyone is a charicature and I love it.

The dialogue is so breif and dry and filled with era-centric slangs. Every line includes a cut, or a jab, or a snarky retort. Every sentence is a dark punchline from yesteryear. "Ya gotta lip on ya kid"

The shootouts are ridiculous, over the top, with neverending ammo supplies and impossible misses and impossible hits. Perfect! Just like the old Golden Era of Hollywood.

The camerawork is five star genius and an homage to throwback retro 40's style. It's executed with extreme confidence to perfect success. Framing and composition are both on parade for the entire flick, and they are glorious.

Costumes, hair, sets, streets, signage, lamp posts, furniture, autos.... 11 out of 10. Trenchcoats, wide lapels, shiney shoes, and hats. Hats, hats and more hats.

Knock knock:

Verna: Yeah?
Tom: I've come for my hat!
Verna: Drop Dead
Tom: Can I have a drink?
Verna: Why didnt you say so?

4.75/5

And the DVD looke pretty darn good upscaled.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Stormcrow

The Matrix 5/5
PQ 4/5
AQ 5/5
Awesome movie, probably one of my top 50 of all-time, not sure if I count all 3 movies as one long movie though, will watch 2 and 3 today and tomorrow for sure.

[Show spoiler]

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Diesel

[Show spoiler]

I've already made my feelings clear about iam1bearcat's blinding hatred of movies. It is quite clear to me he is simply unable to enjoy 99% of movies and therefore should stop watching them indefinitely. Let's move on to a happier subject...will try to fit in a viewing of Role Models tomorrow before work.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

i still don't understand or follow this.

maybe because i don't pay attention to films as they come out and because i feel most people have terrible taste in film so when they "hype" up a film, that doesn't stay with me because people hype so many damn things, the wording gets watered down and becomes extremely meaningless. to me.

so i don't have any "put the hype to the test" because i don't believe in hype. well, i believe in people blabbering about something constantly, but it doesn't effect my judgment of it.

if a film doesn't look interesting to me, then i'm no longer gonna bother. i don't care if it wins awards or whatnot. i have zero interest in seeing The Hurt Locker, so even though it won "best picture" i will probably never see it.

the reason i saw Avatar was because of the visuals. i didn't know how much money it made or where it was on imdb until after i watched it and everyone on here was either hating or loving it.

and by the way, i've been meaning to slightly mock you for something:

i believe you were going off about how "great" Avatar is and one of your defenses was because it was like, #3 on imdb's top 250 list. have you seen where it is now? #133 last time i checked. and we all tol you not to use that because in time it would fall, but you didn't listen

Sorry guy wrong person I've never said anything about Avatar being on IMDb top. All I've ever mentioned about IMDb is Inception which was number 3 but its now number 6. SORRY TO BURST YOUR BUBBLE.

[lDlisturb3d]

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.

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

I have 2 responses for this post

1. You dont pay attention that well to my reviews nor time line of movies that i've watched. My first Kubrick film was 2001 and i disliked it. Then i got around to ACWO, Paths of Glory, The Shinning, and Full Metal Jacket. Out of all the movies i've seen he's the only director that has constantly blown my mind with his originality.

2. I NEVER said Cameron was my favorite EVER! Please find a post with me saying that and ill leave this thread. I might of mentioned his box office success as a director but thats it bud!!

Dont become a critic. You will have limited followers and i mean LIMITED!!

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

You have a rating scale for members? Hmmm.

Yeah dont we all. I listen to some more than others

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by two40

No, you are right. I would put them at 0, just above 1. hehe

lol! Nice. He is good.