The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

"Mulholland Drive"

5/5

On a sidenote, went over to IMDB and found that the movie was estimated to have a budget of $15 million and that it only pulled in just over 7. Guess there aren't alotta people who like thinkin' about movies, huh?

Glad you put the effort in; this is one weird puzzle of a movie.

Yeah, most people around me don't like to think about films either. I guess we're a minority? I definitely wouldn't recommend this to the average person (like my coworker, who watched "Inception" and said "That's the first time I ever had to think during a movie!" ).

Wasn't this movie supposed to be the pilot for a TV series? If it was more successful, we might have seen more crazy episodes.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Yeah, i liked Beowulf as well. It's one of those movies where i went into it with very low expectations and was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly entertained. The book is obviously great and can be dissected endlessly from now till the end of time, but i didn't expect this movie to be that super deep and poetic and i knew they'd be changing things for the movie, so i wasn't heartbroken when they did. I've taken guff from pretty much all my friends for enjoying this movie. Everyone says it looks great, but........

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Same with me. Never read the original story. I'm sure the movie butchers it, and it certainly has its weaknesses. But I can dig the movie's barbaric action and slick visuals.

"I...AM...BEEEOOOWUULLLFFFF"

"THIS IS SPARTAAAA!!!!!"

"FREEEEDDDDOOOOOMMMM!!!!!"

Oh wait, I got my movies mixed up...

Nice fellas. Yea I still need to buy it actually. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Cool!

Yea man I had to catch up and get back into gear with the club haha. DJ was on my arse lol Got Em!!

[jhiggy23]

The Social Network (dvd)


Film: 3 1/2 (out of 4)


Random thoughts:


Andrew Garfield was excellent in his role and worthy of an Oscar nom, albeit he wouldn't be nominated if it wasn't a bit of an off-year in that category. As good as his performance was, I can't see Garfield ever making it to the upper echelon of actors because his range seems limited.

Jesse Eisenberg nailed his performance and I definitely think he deserves a nomination. I loved how he always said "yeah." Like Garfield but even more so, Eisenberg seems to have zero range. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as many good actors don't have range.

The music by Reznor was pretty good but incredibly overhyped. It fit with the movie well and I liked that it was a bit different, but it's not an all-time great and I don't even think it should win the Oscar. The test of a great score isn't whether you'd listen to it in your cd player, it's whether the music enhances the scenes of the movie to a significant degree. His score improved some scenes but never significantly.

Cinematography was pretty good but definitely not deserving of any type of award or nomination.

The guy who played the twins did a very good job and I can see him getting more roles.

The directing was good but absolutely not award-worthy, and this has nothing to do with me not being a Fincher fan. I thought he directed well in Fight Club and especially in Benjamin Button. I think it's ridiculous that by default the film that wins best picture almost always wins best director. That award should go to the best direction, hence its name. Although I liked this film better than Inception and Black Swan, Nolan and Aronofsky ran circles around Fincher in regards to direction of their respective films.

The screenplay was excellent in all regards, a truly deserving Oscar winner. It's the one and ONLY thing that will be memorable about this film (aside from the subject matter) imo.

People say this film will be remembered because of its themes. I disagree. Yes, it deals with the timeless themes of greed and friendship, but the film never truly gets into them. There's very little depth to the characters here, especially Zuckerberg. You never see his motivation for

[Show spoiler]why he froze Eduardo out

or why he did a lot of the things he did. To me, this was an entertaining film but not a deep one.

The editing was very good but nowhere near as good as Inception's.

Justin Timberlake's performance was AT BEST mediocre. The fact that there was hype of an Oscar nom when the film came out is a joke.

I found the film highly enjoyable and so did my girlfriend. I'd put it as the second best film of the year so far, with The Fighter beating it out.


Overall, this is a very good film and an extremely entertaining one, but it's not an all-time great film. Like the Hurt Locker, it's a film I see being forgotten as a best picture winner 10 years from now. I still plan on buying it at some point.

[Monkey_Boy]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Glad you put the effort in; this is one weird puzzle of a movie.

Yeah, most people around me don't like to think about films either. I guess we're a minority? I definitely wouldn't recommend this to the average person (like my coworker, who watched "Inception" and said "That's the first time I ever had to think during a movie!" ).

Wasn't this movie supposed to be the pilot for a TV series? If it was more successful, we might have seen more crazy episodes.

I'm "Mr. Movie Guy" to everyone that knows me and I've even had an influence on what they watch. I've tried to force friends and family to watch it by refusing to put anything else in, but so far they always get up and leave. The wife was astounded by the symbolism and metaphores that I've told her about , but still refuses to watch it. I don't understand what the crap is goin' on in their minds. I mean, I'm there as a guide so they aren't as confused as I was when I first watched it, but they still want nothing to do with it after it gets to the dude in the Winkie's talking with his therapist. That part is just too much and makes no sense no matter how you explain what's going on. So, I give up on them. However, I have one more friend that I can run this by, so all isn't lost just yet.

When I read that it was originally a pilot where the mystery was to be solved during an entire season of episodes, a huge feeling of disappointment did wash over me. Makes me wonder how much more the story woulda been fleshed out. Like, how many episodes woulda been the dream? How many would've been devoted to reality? Would the ending have been clearer? I love shows that you haveta pay attention to and that have a singular storyline where each episode is a progression of that story (kinda like in alotta the great anime shows out there. I notice one of my faves is used in your signature.). What a lost opportunity, indeed.

Thanks alot for the suggestion. Like I said, I was looking for it, but it wasn't until you brung it back into the front of my mind that I made it my mission to get my hands on it. And whatta ya know? I find it at FYE for 7.99 (less than that with my discount). Only one they had, too! I've read alotta folks typin' smack on ol' FYE 'round here, but they're nearly constant "buy 3, get 1 free" sale is what helped my DVD and BD collection explode and I've rarely paid more than 15 bucks for any of 'em.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

haha if only you knew what I'm working on right now, that's taking up my time!


But I'll get to it, I swear! Short: 3 1/2 (out of 4). Very entertaining and interesting concept but not very deep and it tries to be smarter than it is. Little to no characterization. The plot revolves around it trying to be smart but offers little else. Great directing. Good score.

Work, school, or the GF?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Same with me. Never read the original story. I'm sure the movie butchers it, and it certainly has its weaknesses. But I can dig the movie's barbaric action and slick visuals.

"I...AM...BEEEOOOWUULLLFFFF"

"THIS IS SPARTAAAA!!!!!"

"FREEEEDDDDOOOOOMMMM!!!!!"

Oh wait, I got my movies mixed up...

That was damn funny Al.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by menaceuk

The Triangle -WTF/5

Could somebody please explain to me what this movie is about, cause to me there seemed to be no actual point to it

[Show spoiler] She can't save her kid cause he is already dead which leaves me with, It is self punishment because she feels guilt for her kids death

623 posts of theories.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...iscussion.html

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The Social Network (dvd)


Film: 3 1/2 (out of 4)

[Show spoiler]Random thoughts:


Andrew Garfield was excellent in his role and worthy of an Oscar nom, albeit he wouldn't be nominated if it wasn't a bit of an off-year in that category. As good as his performance was, I can't see Garfield ever making it to the upper echelon of actors because his range seems limited.

Jesse Eisenberg nailed his performance and I definitely think he deserves a nomination. I loved how he always said "yeah." Like Garfield but even more so, Eisenberg seems to have zero range. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as many good actors don't have range.

The music by Reznor was pretty good but incredibly overhyped. It fit with the movie well and I liked that it was a bit different, but it's not an all-time great and I don't even think it should win the Oscar. The test of a great score isn't whether you'd listen to it in your cd player, it's whether the music enhances the scenes of the movie to a significant degree. His score improved some scenes but never significantly.

Cinematography was pretty good but definitely not deserving of any type of award or nomination.

The guy who played the twins did a very good job and I can see him getting more roles.

The directing was good but absolutely not award-worthy, and this has nothing to do with me not being a Fincher fan. I thought he directed well in Fight Club and especially in Benjamin Button. I think it's ridiculous that by default the film that wins best picture almost always wins best director. That award should go to the best direction, hence its name. Although I liked this film better than Inception and Black Swan, Nolan and Aronofsky ran circles around Fincher in regards to direction of their respective films.

The screenplay was excellent in all regards, a truly deserving Oscar winner. It's the one and ONLY thing that will be memorable about this film (aside from the subject matter) imo.

People say this film will be remembered because of its themes. I disagree. Yes, it deals with the timeless themes of greed and friendship, but the film never truly gets into them. There's very little depth to the characters here, especially Zuckerberg. You never see his motivation for

[Show spoiler]why he froze Eduardo out

or why he did a lot of the things he did. To me, this was an entertaining film but not a deep one.

The editing was very good but nowhere near as good as Inception's.

Justin Timberlake's performance was AT BEST mediocre. The fact that there was hype of an Oscar nom when the film came out is a joke.

I found the film highly enjoyable and so did my girlfriend. I'd put it as the second best film of the year so far, with The Fighter beating it out.


Overall, this is a very good film and an extremely entertaining one, but it's not an all-time great film. Like the Hurt Locker, it's a film I see being forgotten as a best picture winner 10 years from now. I still plan on buying it at some point.

Glad you enjoyed it! This was a good one.

[lDlisturb3d]

Just droppin in. Wish i had the time to write a review of the last couple of movies i've seen like
The Fighter
Chronos

But im soo busy now a-days.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

623 posts of theories.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...iscussion.html

I love how you're spreading this viral movie. It truly is something else. Thanks again for the recommendation.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

The Social Network (dvd)

Justin Timberlake's performance was AT BEST mediocre. The fact that there was hype of an Oscar nom when the film came out is a joke.

Haaa haaa

Why did you watch it on DVD?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Monkey_Boy

When I read that it was originally a pilot where the mystery was to be solved during an entire season of episodes, a huge feeling of disappointment did wash over me. Makes me wonder how much more the story woulda been fleshed out. Like, how many episodes woulda been the dream? How many would've been devoted to reality? Would the ending have been clearer? I love shows that you haveta pay attention to and that have a singular storyline where each episode is a progression of that story (kinda like in alotta the great anime shows out there. I notice one of my faves is used in your signature.). What a lost opportunity, indeed.
:

HBO could have turned this into the show of all shows!

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Work, school, or the GF?

All three! It's my last semester of law school but I'm taking seven classes, in addition to working for a criminal defense and appellate lawyer. His first assignment to me, which was given last Thursday? Write a 50+ page appeal for a MAJOR felony case (can't say which one). And yes the gf as well but that's definitely not a bad thing

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Haaa haaa

Why did you watch it on DVD?

because we could get it right away instead of having to wait for it--$1 a nite redbox. Still looked good upscaled.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

All three! It's my last semester of law school but I'm taking seven classes, in addition to working for a criminal defense and appellate lawyer. His first assignment to me, which was given last Thursday? Write a 50+ page appeal for a MAJOR felony case (can't say which one). And yes the gf as well but that's definitely not a bad thing

I got tired just reading that.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

because we could get it right away instead of having to wait for it--$1 a nite redbox. Still looked good upscaled.

Ah.

[menaceuk]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

623 posts of theories.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-mo...iscussion.html

623 posts that isn't helping and is just confusing me more and I still have like 400 posts to look at


It is Memento all over again

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by menaceuk

623 posts that isn't helping and is just confusing me more and I still have like 400 posts to look at


It is Memento all over again

Everyone holds different beliefs about some of the minor points. A majority, though, agree on the major theories.

Where she is, why she's there, why she's stuck.

Focus on Jhiggy's and Surfdudes posts and you will find some good analysis.

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by menaceuk

623 posts that isn't helping and is just confusing me more and I still have like 400 posts to look at


It is Memento all over again

Basically,

[Show spoiler]she is trapped in a loop (purgatory, Hell, whatever you want to call it) just like Sisyphus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus

[Riff Magnum]

The Lives of Others

This might be brief as i have to get my kids from school soon.

I loved it! Very poignant, thought provoking, and emotional. I love it when a movie can combine historical elements, political intrigue, and also weave in a personal story that takes the edge off the usually sterile nature of a straight historical pic. This movie did all that in spades.
There are other movies of the past decade that hit me harder in the gut and resonate more from a style POV, (TWBB, NCFOM, and more recently Winters Bone and Black Swan) but that doesn't diminish this movies stature and place in history, imo. I simply gravitate to darker material and movies where music and sound design play a more central role.

I give this movie an A.