The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Foggy]

Black Swan

Can I start of by saying I really really really really really like this film

Everything from a technical standpoint is 10/10 across the board.

The camerawork really makes you feel the hardship within ballet, the blood, sweat and tears as the pressure and balance and precious is forced upon the viewer.

Natalie Portman transports herself into the role,

[Show spoiler]you really feel for her weak and fragile world as she's been wrapped up in the bubble coated protective layer from her mother. And as she decides to break from this dependency to break into the real world and into a darker area of herself, she starts to lose her mind and she quick spirals down uncontrollably, but the magic of it is, it all comes naturally, I was fearful that it was going to become forced on the viewer, or she would slowly go down in stages into the "Black Swan", but the film does nether, when she does turn into the black swan, you know she is a changed person yet you still see that Nina in there, changed and dis-formed but you can tell it is still that same character from the start. It sounds like the film didn't do it's job within those words, but what I'm trying to get across is that it does it more effectively than it could be imagined.

The visuals of the film are haunting and in some cases disturbing, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat thoughout, consistently assaulting you from all corners with mindf**ks galore, as you see the darkness constantly pulling you in thoughout the entire run time, you are never safe.

And with all this in mind, I don't get it.

I really really really really really like, when I feel I should love it.

There is nothing wrong in Black Swan, other than a few odd injections of spass, I get why it was used but I don't see why you would want your audience to laugh at your Psychological Thriller

I think I was just waiting to be amazed, to be bowled over, but never felt that pay off, maybe it's because the ending was spoiled for me, but I don't think that would of effected how I would of walked out the movie, as early on I would of probably guessed how it would end. I just didn't feel the punch, it felt like a huge well down build up without the actual climax, though that was evidently there.

Nevertheless, it's probably the quickest film I've sat through, didn't feel like it lasted 108 Mins at all, so that shows I heavily enjoyed it at least.

9.5/10

[menaceuk]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

Basically,

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

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus[/url

]

yeah that is pretty obvious but that isn't a why or a point of the movie.

[Romulus]

Originally Posted by SDon1969

[Show spoiler]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

Well thanks for the spoiler!

This significantly will ruin part of the mystery from the film.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Black Swan

Can I start of by saying I really really really really really like this film

Everything from a technical standpoint is 10/10 across the board.

The camerawork really makes you feel the hardship within ballet, the blood, sweat and tears as the pressure and balance and precious is forced upon the viewer.

[Show spoiler]Natalie Portman transports herself into the role, you really feel for her weak and fragile world as she's been wrapped up in the bubble coated protective layer from her mother. And as she decides to break from this dependency to break into the real world and into a darker area of herself, she starts to lose her mind and she quick spirals down uncontrollably, but the magic of it is, it all comes naturally, I was fearful that it was going to become forced on the viewer, or she would slowly go down in stages into the "Black Swan", but the film does nether, when she does turn into the black swan, you know she is a changed person yet you still see that Nina in there, changed and dis-formed but you can tell it is still that same character from the start. It sounds like the film didn't do it's job within those words, but what I'm trying to get across is that it does it more effectively than it could be imagined.

The visuals of the film are haunting and in some cases disturbing, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat thoughout, consistently assaulting you from all corners with mindf**ks galore, as you see the darkness constantly pulling you in thoughout the entire run time, you are never safe.

And with all this in mind, I don't get it.

I really really really really really like, when I feel I should love it.

There is nothing wrong in Black Swan, other than a few odd injections of spass, I get why it was used but I don't see why you would want your audience to laugh at your Psychological Thriller

I think I was just waiting to be amazed, to be bowled over, but never felt that pay off, maybe it's because the ending was spoiled for me, but I don't think that would of effected how I would of walked out the movie, as early on I would of probably guessed how it would end. I just didn't feel the punch, it felt like a huge well down build up without the actual climax, though that was evidently there.

Nevertheless, it's probably the quickest film I've sat through, didn't feel like it lasted 108 Mins at all, so that shows I heavily enjoyed it at least.

9.5/10

Glad you liked it Foggy. I think knowing the ending deprived you of some of the intensity.

You might want to spoiler tag the same part that I did.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Well thanks for the spoiler!

This significantly will ruin part of the mystery from the film.

I agree that should have been tagged. However, that becomes known during the middle of the film. You still have a LOT of mental gymnastics to perform on the whys and hows. Its not actually ruined.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Glad you liked it Foggy. I think knowing the ending deprived you of some of the intensity.

You might want to spoiler tag the same part that I did.

Good point!

Part that freaked me out the most

[Show spoiler]Winona Ryder stabbing herself in the cheeks

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by menaceuk

yeah that is pretty obvious but that isn't a why or a point of the movie.

What aspect are you attempting to digest?

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Good point!

Part that freaked me out the most

[Show spoiler]Winona Ryder stabbing herself in the cheeks

That was nuts. The part that freaked me out, and BADLY was when

[Show spoiler]her knees snapped backwards like a bird. I had to turn away, but the big CRACK sound was still there.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by 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.

I need to watch this again. I saw it when it first released and thought it was a smart and well crafted film. But so many people say its brilliant, I believe I may have missed something.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

That was nuts. The part that freaked me out, and BADLY was when

[Show spoiler]her knees snapped backwards like a bird. I had to turn away, but the big CRACK sound was still there.

The sound was but the CGI was but I let it pass, I found when she was

[Show spoiler]plucking the feather very and slamming the door on her mothers hands

So much of that film is effective, I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep tonight

[Diesel]

Triangle spoiler tags added

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I need to watch this again. I saw it when it first released and thought it was a smart and well crafted film. But so many people say its brilliant, I believe I may have missed something.

I didn't think it was brilliant, but i believe it did exactly what it set out to do and it kept me engaged throughout. I almost gave it an A-, but couldn't really think what would warrant that. IMO, it's not even in the top ten of the decade, let alone the best.
The only thing that seems super odd about the movie is the

[Show spoiler]quick transformation of the main character from hard line party zealot to..........traitor.

It seems like it just happens and maybe it's easier to swallow considering the subject matter. I dunno, but maybe the director just took it for granted that everyone would sympathize. I actually liked him better in the first half of the movie when i knew where i stood with the guy. But, i almost always root for the bad guys.

[Romulus]

Well I'll be watching Animal Kingdom tonight. Hopefully I'll have reviews up Dr. Zhivago and The Bridge on the River Kwai up in the next couple of days.

Anyways, I'm taking three film courses this semester with three screenings each week. Here's what I have lined up for the rest of this semester:

It's A Wonderful Life
Bicycle Thieves
High Noon
Rashomon
Rebel without a Cause
Breathless
8 1/2
A Hard Day's Night
The Conversation
Down by Law
Three Kings
Turtles Can Fly
City of God*
Waltz with Bashir*
---------------------
Beowulf* - 2/5
Jaws the Revenge
The Graduate*
Kill Bill
Rear Window*
Psycho*
Written on the Wind
Gaslight
Double Idemnity
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Ocean's Eleven
Hero
--------------------------
The Little Greek Godfather
Cinema Paradiso
The Smiling Lieutenant
Saved from Drowning
Kolya
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Band's Visit
Boy
The God's Must Be Crazy
Viridiana
No Man's Land
Dreams
Caramel

*indicates which films I've seen.

I know, I'm shocked by how many of these I haven't seen as well. Feel free to comment on these certain films and give your intake on them, I would appreciate it.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Well I'll be watching Animal Kingdom tonight. Hopefully I'll have reviews up Dr. Zhivago and The Bridge on the River Kwai up in the next couple of days.

Anyways, I'm taking three film courses this semester with three screenings each week. Here's what I have lined up for the rest of this semester:

It's A Wonderful Life
Bicycle Thieves
High Noon
Rashomon
Rebel without a Cause
Breathless
8 1/2
A Hard Day's Night
The Conversation
Down by Law
Three Kings
Turtles Can Fly
City of God*
Waltz with Bashir*
---------------------
Beowulf* - 2/5
Jaws the Revenge
The Graduate*
Kill Bill
Rear Window*
Psycho*
Written on the Wind
Gaslight
Double Idemnity
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Ocean's Eleven
Hero
--------------------------
The Little Greek Godfather
Cinema Paradiso
The Smiling Lieutenant
Saved from Drowning
Kolya
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Band's Visit
Boy
The God's Must Be Crazy
Viridiana
No Man's Land
Dreams
Caramel

*indicates which films I've seen.

I know, I'm shocked by how many of these I haven't seen as well. Feel free to comment on these certain films and give your intake on them, I would appreciate it.

@ Jaws the Revenge? WTF?? Why are yall watching that? Is that the session on how not to make a film?

The Gods Must Be Crazy is a classic baby! Very funny man. Cant wait to see what u think of it. Got Em!!

[Romulus]

Jaws the Revenge is for my Writing about Film class. Instructor purposely picked the worst film that she had ever seen in her life and we're supposed to write a cliche review praising the film that would appear on a DVD box and one where we can absolutely slander it, cursing allowed of course!

I for one, cannot wait to watch it.

As for The Gods Must Be Crazy, it's my most anticipated film for that last section (class). It's for World Comedy so we watch a foreign film from each country each week and compare and contrast how different cultures and nations view comedy as a whole and the effects it has on their social lifes.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Jaws the Revenge is for my Writing about Film class. Instructor purposely picked the worst film that she had ever seen in her life and we're supposed to write a cliche review praising the film that would appear on a DVD box and one where we can absolutely slander it, cursing allowed of course!

I for one, cannot wait to watch it.

As for The Gods Must Be Crazy, it's my most anticipated film for that last section (class). It's for World Comedy so we watch a foreign film from each country each week and compare and contrast how different cultures and nations view comedy as a whole and the effects it has on their social lifes.

Hhahahah thats funny man. Sounds like cool classes. Yea man Jaws the Revenge is bad and what a silly idea. As for TGMBC man we need a blu release of that film so bad!!!! I grew up on that film and just thinking about that film brings back great childhood memories. Very funny man. Im surprised u never seen it. Again cant wait to see what u think of it. Got Em!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Well I'll be watching Animal Kingdom tonight. Hopefully I'll have reviews up Dr. Zhivago and The Bridge on the River Kwai up in the next couple of days.

Anyways, I'm taking three film courses this semester with three screenings each week. Here's what I have lined up for the rest of this semester:

It's A Wonderful Life
Bicycle Thieves
High Noon
Rashomon
Rebel without a Cause
Breathless
8 1/2
A Hard Day's Night
The Conversation
Down by Law
Three Kings
Turtles Can Fly
City of God*
Waltz with Bashir*
---------------------
Beowulf* - 2/5
Jaws the Revenge
The Graduate*
Kill Bill
Rear Window*
Psycho*
Written on the Wind
Gaslight
Double Idemnity
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Ocean's Eleven
Hero
--------------------------
The Little Greek Godfather
Cinema Paradiso
The Smiling Lieutenant
Saved from Drowning
Kolya
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Band's Visit
Boy
The God's Must Be Crazy
Viridiana
No Man's Land
Dreams
Caramel

*indicates which films I've seen.

I know, I'm shocked by how many of these I haven't seen as well. Feel free to comment on these certain films and give your intake on them, I would appreciate it.

Lots of good times ahead ther fella.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Romulus

It's A Wonderful Life (it's a wonderful classic!)
Bicycle Thieves (I was quite impressed by this film)
Rashomon (it grew on me quite a bit)
Rebel without a Cause (classic)
8 1/2 (couldn't quite "get it," but it is a well-made film)
Three Kings (probably one of the funnest war films I know of)
Waltz with Bashir* (awesome)
---------------------
Beowulf* - 2/5 (yeah... )
Jaws the Revenge (I don't even remember this one)
The Graduate* (pretty interesting)
Kill Bill (personal favorite martial-arts film; lots of bloody fights and vivid imagery!)
Rear Window* (it's alright)
Psycho* (classic!)
Double Idemnity (classic!)
Ocean's Eleven (the original or remake? I love the remake)
Hero (gotta be my top favorite wuxia film; it's beautiful!)
--------------------------
Monty Python's Life of Brian (hilarious!)
The God's Must Be Crazy (had some funny parts. The stuff with the coke bottle is well worth seeing)

Comments are above.

[lDlisturb3d]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Jaws the Revenge is for my Writing about Film class. Instructor purposely picked the worst film that she had ever seen in her life and we're supposed to write a cliche review praising the film that would appear on a DVD box and one where we can absolutely slander it, cursing allowed of course!

I for one, cannot wait to watch it.

As for The Gods Must Be Crazy, it's my most anticipated film for that last section (class). It's for World Comedy so we watch a foreign film from each country each week and compare and contrast how different cultures and nations view comedy as a whole and the effects it has on their social lifes.

I can't wait for your review on 8 1/2!! It's one of my personal favorites!!

[Monkey_Boy]

"Jaws: The Revenge" was my most favorite "Jaws" when I was a kid. I just thought that the shark... looked great. (I was young!) Hadn't ever decided to revisit the movie in my adult years because I consider the first one the ONLY one... that is I hadn't seen it until my nephew developed the same love for the movie I used to have and I watched it with him. (Admittedly, I bought it for him when I saw it for 5 bucks.) Good gawd was it terrible! Just made no sense! I mean the shark actually follows Mrs. Brody to Jamaica! When I was a kid that idea was too cool. As an adult, I cannot believe this movie was ever greenlit. I especially cannot believe that Michael Cain & Mario Van Peebles were in it!