The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Hep]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Happy new year! Time to face harsh cruel reality!

Next greatest random selection:

“Requiem for a Dream.”

[Show spoiler]Excessive drug use inherently destroys human bodies, destroys human lives, destroys human minds, and kills human dreams. We all know it. But people habitually do it anyway. What follows is a bleak downward spiral of decay and despair.

That’s exactly what this film entails: four characters who suffer from their habitual addictions. By the end of the movie, it seeps nothing but bleakness and sorrow off the screen and really pounds it into the viewer. Combined with an extremely stylish visual style, the film has the power to grab you and stay with you long after the credits roll. It is that powerful (…at least to me).

The story is pretty simple and is populated by acceptably well-developed characters (ones who seem fairly realistic though). What makes it stand out is the presentation; the photography is vivid and always interesting to look at. Editing techniques are just as varied and wild, especially in seeing rapid-fire successions of close-up shots. The use of sound accentuates the wild visuals very well. The music is freaking epic.

By the end of this film, I was thoroughly saddened. It is definitely a bleak and sobering look at addiction and obsession, and it has affirmed my resolution to never pollute myself with drugs or meds.

5/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 4.5/5, film: 5/5, emotional/intellectual impact: 4.5/5)

Recommendation: Everybody should see this at least once in their lifetime (though it might be too graphic or harrowing for some folks). Rent it.

Dude, I scored a totally pure Blu-Ray here. It looks pretty darn sharp and detailed. Grain is a little heavy, and there might have been a few specks, but most of it looks clean. Colors and contrast might be a bit iffy given the film’s dark settings and style, but I hardly consider it a problem. Some scenes toward the end looked very noisy. Sound quality is pretty good, but some dialogue seemed a little subdued.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

Extras are fairly interesting. The behind-the-scenes stuff has some amusing parts, but it looks like the actors went through a lot of work in this film. The interview with Hubert Selby is cool; the guy looks pretty interesting and smart. Deleted scenes are short, but interesting.

Extras: 3/5

Great movie for New Year's Day! Were you trying to motivate yourself to keep a New Year's resolution?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Hep

[/SPOILER]

Great movie for New Year's Day! Were you trying to motivate yourself to keep a New Year's resolution?

Yeah, but it's like really hard man...

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by Hep

[/SPOILER]

Great movie for New Year's Day! Were you trying to motivate yourself to keep a New Year's resolution?

He's staring at that double sided dildo as we speak.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

He's staring at that double sided dildo as we speak.

I don't know what I gotta do to make money...

Or do I...?

[Hep]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

He's staring at that double sided dildo as we speak.

[Show spoiler]I didn't see that coming

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest random selection:

“A Knight’s Tale.”

Here we have a wonderfully lighthearted and upbeat tale of a commoner, so full of spirit, ambition, and love, who goes on to win a bunch of jousting tournaments and butt heads with nobles. All while sporting distinctively un-medieval duds, speaking fairly modern-style English, and with good ol’ fashioned rock music playing in the background. The mix of classic medieval settings with contemporary elements makes the film novel, stylish, and entertaining.

The jousting scenes, the lighthearted comedy, and the overall pacing keeps the movie fairly entertaining. I think it started to drag a bit towards the end, and the film does feel a bit long overall. But overall, it is a fun flick.

The film is pretty solidly made with quality photography, decent acting, interesting writing, and a high production value. The music stands out; some people will love it and others will hate it. I think it’s pretty cool seeing all these knights and peasants clapping their hands and chanting “we will rock you!” At the very least, it’s something unique.



4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

This Blu-Ray looks decently sharp with plenty of detail. It can be rather grainy, colors are a little dulled, and there might be one or two specks here and there. Sound quality is uncompressed, but I felt it lacked a certain impact.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

Approved.

I dare Squid to try anything. He'll face death by teacup if he is not careful.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Approved.

I dare Squid to try anything. He'll face death by teacup if he is not careful.

The way this thread is going, he'll get death by teabag .

[Show spoiler]There are worse ways to go I guess

[Marcus Wright]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest random selection:

“A Knight’s Tale.”

[Show spoiler]Here we have a wonderfully lighthearted and upbeat tale of a commoner, so full of spirit, ambition, and love, who goes on to win a bunch of jousting tournaments and butt heads with nobles. All while sporting distinctively un-medieval duds, speaking fairly modern-style English, and with good ol’ fashioned rock music playing in the background. The mix of classic medieval settings with contemporary elements makes the film novel, stylish, and entertaining.

The jousting scenes, the lighthearted comedy, and the overall pacing keeps the movie fairly entertaining. I think it started to drag a bit towards the end, and the film does feel a bit long overall. But overall, it is a fun flick.

The film is pretty solidly made with quality photography, decent acting, interesting writing, and a high production value. The music stands out; some people will love it and others will hate it. I think it’s pretty cool seeing all these knights and peasants clapping their hands and chanting “we will rock you!” At the very least, it’s something unique.

4/5 (entertainment: 4/5, story: 4/5, film: 4/5)

This Blu-Ray looks decently sharp with plenty of detail. It can be rather grainy, colors are a little dulled, and there might be one or two specks here and there. Sound quality is uncompressed, but I felt it lacked a certain impact.

PQ: 4/5, AQ: 4/5

One of my favorite movies.
Have watched it 5 times already at least.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Agree.



Disappointed.

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

unintimidated.

[Show spoiler] my word now! "unintimidated" is now property of iam1bearcat

Originally Posted by Hep

Concur.

I feel like Sisyphus!!!

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by Hep

[Show spoiler]I didn't see that coming

Nikki brings out my inner biatch!! I could say or do anything with her as my avatar.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Nikki brings out my inner biatch!! I could say or do anything with her as my avatar.

And there's a reason why my avatar is ripping off his robe...

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

It was the opposite for me, purely because I've never grown up with that language, so it felt out of place in a high-school comedy. In this light though, maybe not.

At home it was taboo. No foul language allowed. Maybe thats why we overused profanity when we were out getting into mischief.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

New member here!! Just wanted to say hi to all you fine fellows and wish you a happy new year.

Welcome, blondie.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

At home it was taboo. No foul language allowed. Maybe thats why we overused profanity when we were out getting into mischief.

I'm gonna give the ol' +1 to this comment. I think it's pretty well established that we are the juvenile delinquents of this site. Although, most of these newbies think we're docile and domesticated.

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Welcome, blondie.

Is it wrong to have a crush on a fictional polygamist mormon? Bill's a fool. I'd be ravaging that bizness when it wasn't even my night.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

“Requiem for a Dream.”

Combined with an extremely stylish visual style, the film has the power to grab you and stay with you long after the credits roll. ]

A stylish style?

I am going to have to run that over to the Department of Redundancy Department and see what they have to say about that and hear what they say.



Requiem For a Dream is pretty much a perfect tragidrama.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

A stylish style?

I am going to have to run that over to the Department of Redundancy Department and see what they have to say about that and hear what they say.



Requiem For a Dream is pretty much a perfect tragidrama.

Dang it, that's my fatal weakness as a writer! Thanks for catching it!

*runs off to edit all reviews posted throughout the Internet...*

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Hep

The way this thread is going, he'll get death by teabag .

[Show spoiler]There are worse ways to go I guess

Yikes. I'm just trying to make a living here.... tough crowd.

[Diesel]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Agree.



Disappointed.

[Show spoiler]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

A stylish style?

I am going to have to run that over to the Department of Redundancy Department and see what they have to say about that and hear what they say.

Smooth. Well played.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

I'm gonna give the ol' +1 to this comment. I think it's pretty well established that we are the juvenile delinquents of this site. Although, most of these newbies think we're docile and domesticated.
.

Having a well maintained facade can pay dividends when needed.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by diesel

Smooth. Well played.

se