The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[Al_The_Strange]

Next greatest blind-buy: “Scott Pilgrim vs the World.”

Truly an epic film. The fights and battles are fast and ferocious, with a hugely ambitious scope and scale. With a fast, almost hyperactive pace, the action is frequent and spectacular.

Not bad for a romantic comedy.

It is truly an interesting comedy, largely in spite of the wacky over-the-top fights, and a strong visual style. The whole movie is loaded with generous embellishments of video-game, anime, graphic novel, and overall geek aesthetics. It’s funny at times (some lines are genuinely good), stylish all of the time, and quite entertaining throughout.

The story is a bizarre concoction between a typical rom-com and “The Ninja Scroll,” replacing the Eight Devils of Kimon with several hilariously crazy bad guys. I wouldn’t say the story really matters here, but it has enough conflict to keep it moving, and the characters are pretty darn distinctive.

Cinematically, the film has a lot going for it. Photography is great, and the editing effects are brilliant. Acting is appropriately over-the-top, and pretty darn awesome. Production value features plenty of good sets, props, costumes, and nifty special effects. Sound design is brilliant. Music totally rocks (I will probably buy this soundtrack).

4/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 4.5/5)

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect; I can’t think of any flaws worth pointing out.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

[iam1bearcat]

Donnie Brasco [Extended Cut] (144 minutes)

Year: 1997
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino

not a huge fan of mafia / crime type films, but still enjoyed Donnie Brasco - for the most part.

pacing and editing seemed odd at times as the film quickly shifted from scene to scene and story line to story line with no real fluidity, which made the film seem very long in stretches and overly bloated (probably since it's the extended cut).

acting by pacino and depp was great. some very humorous moments as well mainly playing around with the age of Pacino's character and the "youngster" in Depp. dark humor of course, but very funny moments

[Show spoiler]some big laughs from the scenes with the tiger and when Pacino's room is too cold and he freaks out at Depp

music and some sets were VERY late 90's which at times made the film awesome and other times very cliche and laughably outdated.

will have to watch it again to really decide on a score and to see if i understand why Pacino's character did what he did when he first meets Depp's character. definitely didn't feel like something someone in the mafia would do, but maybe that's just me.

3.5/5

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Scott Pilgrim vs the World.”

[Show spoiler]Truly an epic film. The fights and battles are fast and ferocious, with a hugely ambitious scope and scale. With a fast, almost hyperactive pace, the action is frequent and spectacular.

Not bad for a romantic comedy.

It is truly an interesting comedy, largely in spite of the wacky over-the-top fights, and a strong visual style. The whole movie is loaded with generous embellishments of video-game, anime, graphic novel, and overall geek aesthetics. It’s funny at times (some lines are genuinely good), stylish all of the time, and quite entertaining throughout.

The story is a bizarre concoction between a typical rom-com and “The Ninja Scroll,” replacing the Eight Devils of Kimon with several hilariously crazy bad guys. I wouldn’t say the story really matters here, but it has enough conflict to keep it moving, and the characters are pretty darn distinctive.

Cinematically, the film has a lot going for it. Photography is great, and the editing effects are brilliant. Acting is appropriately over-the-top, and pretty darn awesome. Production value features plenty of good sets, props, costumes, and nifty special effects. Sound design is brilliant. Music totally rocks (I will probably buy this soundtrack).

4/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 4.5/5)

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect; I can’t think of any flaws worth pointing out.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

I found the PQ a bit disappointing but agree with u on the AQ and the film itself. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

Donnie Brasco [Extended Cut] (144 minutes)

[Show spoiler]Year: 1997
Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Johnny Depp, Al Pacino

not a huge fan of mafia / crime type films, but still enjoyed Donnie Brasco - for the most part.

pacing and editing seemed odd at times as the film quickly shifted from scene to scene and story line to story line with no real fluidity, which made the film seem very long in stretches and overly bloated (probably since it's the extended cut).

acting by pacino and depp was great. some very humorous moments as well mainly playing around with the age of Pacino's character and the "youngster" in Depp. dark humor of course, but very funny moments

[Show spoiler]some big laughs from the scenes with the tiger and when Pacino's room is too cold and he freaks out at Depp

music and some sets were VERY late 90's which at times made the film awesome and other times very cliche and laughably outdated.

will have to watch it again to really decide on a score and to see if i understand why Pacino's character did what he did when he first meets Depp's character. definitely didn't feel like something someone in the mafia would do, but maybe that's just me.

3.5/5

Thats about what I scored it. Some folks like it a lot more than me but I was somewhat let down just a little. I watched that film and Blow within the same week and much prefer Blow over this film and thought Depp was better in Blow also. Got Em!!

[iam1bearcat]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Thats about what I scored it. Some folks like it a lot more than me but I was somewhat let down just a little. I watched that film and Blow within the same week and much prefer Blow over this film and thought Depp was better in Blow also. Got Em!!

DEFINITELY AGREE. with everything you just said

[kpkelley]

Originally Posted by CZAR

I found the PQ a bit disappointing but agree with u on the AQ and the film itself. Got Em!!

It's a difficult one to judge given the deliberately blocky special effects. I didn't see it in theatres, but from what I've read and heard from others the disc is a good representation.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

DEFINITELY AGREE. with everything you just said

Thats a good look. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by kpkelley

It's a difficult one to judge given the deliberately blocky special effects. I didn't see it in theatres, but from what I've read and heard from others the disc is a good representation.

Yea I plan to add it to my collection at some point so I will revisit it but I think I gave it 4 stars which isnt bad by any means but Ive viewed several films that had better PQ. I dont think it was as clear or sharp as I was hoping for. Got Em!!

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Scott Pilgrim vs the World.”

[Show spoiler]

Truly an epic film. The fights and battles are fast and ferocious, with a hugely ambitious scope and scale. With a fast, almost hyperactive pace, the action is frequent and spectacular.

Not bad for a romantic comedy.

It is truly an interesting comedy, largely in spite of the wacky over-the-top fights, and a strong visual style. The whole movie is loaded with generous embellishments of video-game, anime, graphic novel, and overall geek aesthetics. It’s funny at times (some lines are genuinely good), stylish all of the time, and quite entertaining throughout.

The story is a bizarre concoction between a typical rom-com and “The Ninja Scroll,” replacing the Eight Devils of Kimon with several hilariously crazy bad guys. I wouldn’t say the story really matters here, but it has enough conflict to keep it moving, and the characters are pretty darn distinctive.

Cinematically, the film has a lot going for it. Photography is great, and the editing effects are brilliant. Acting is appropriately over-the-top, and pretty darn awesome. Production value features plenty of good sets, props, costumes, and nifty special effects. Sound design is brilliant. Music totally rocks (I will probably buy this soundtrack).

4/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 4.5/5)

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect; I can’t think of any flaws worth pointing out.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

[Hep]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Next greatest blind-buy: “Scott Pilgrim vs the World.”

[Show spoiler]Truly an epic film. The fights and battles are fast and ferocious, with a hugely ambitious scope and scale. With a fast, almost hyperactive pace, the action is frequent and spectacular.

Not bad for a romantic comedy.

It is truly an interesting comedy, largely in spite of the wacky over-the-top fights, and a strong visual style. The whole movie is loaded with generous embellishments of video-game, anime, graphic novel, and overall geek aesthetics. It’s funny at times (some lines are genuinely good), stylish all of the time, and quite entertaining throughout.

The story is a bizarre concoction between a typical rom-com and “The Ninja Scroll,” replacing the Eight Devils of Kimon with several hilariously crazy bad guys. I wouldn’t say the story really matters here, but it has enough conflict to keep it moving, and the characters are pretty darn distinctive.

Cinematically, the film has a lot going for it. Photography is great, and the editing effects are brilliant. Acting is appropriately over-the-top, and pretty darn awesome. Production value features plenty of good sets, props, costumes, and nifty special effects. Sound design is brilliant. Music totally rocks (I will probably buy this soundtrack).

4/5 (entertainment: 4.5/5, story: 3.5/5, film: 4.5/5)

This Blu-Ray looks and sounds darn near perfect; I can’t think of any flaws worth pointing out.

PQ: 5/5, AQ: 5/5

It’s nice to see some more Scott Pilgrim love here. I went in sceptical and was blown away with how much fun it was.

[SDon1969]

Originally Posted by Hep

It’s nice to see some more Scott Pilgrim love here. I went in sceptical and was blown away with how much fun it was.

Me, too (on the skeptical part). Now I am very interested in seeing it.

[Foggy]

Once Upon A Time In The West

Good Movie, but waaaaay too long.

It just felt endlessly padded, and never actually got intresting till 1 hour 30 mins in, half way through the film. The Acting is good and it's typical Sergio Leone western style and I love it for it, it just needed quite a bit of trimming. I also wished he was able to get Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach for the opening as well, that would of been pure

8/10

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by CZAR

I found the PQ a bit disappointing but agree with u on the AQ and the film itself. Got Em!!

Originally Posted by CZAR

Yea I plan to add it to my collection at some point so I will revisit it but I think I gave it 4 stars which isnt bad by any means but Ive viewed several films that had better PQ. I dont think it was as clear or sharp as I was hoping for. Got Em!!

Like I said, I didn't notice much wrong. It was nice and sharp and clean. I did notice the aspect ration changed from scene to scene, and I figured it was some kind of cool artistic effect. It met my expectations.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Once Upon A Time In The West

Good Movie, but waaaaay too long.

It just felt endlessly padded, and never actually got intresting till 1 hour 30 mins in, half way through the film. The Acting is good and it's typical Sergio Leone western style and I love it for it, it just needed quite a bit of trimming. I also wished he was able to get Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach for the opening as well, that would of been pure

8/10

Yep, I remember that being a very long one. It's the one Sergio Leone film I've seen that I don't want to own. But I think it would be nice on Blu-Ray.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Once Upon A Time In The West

Good Movie, but waaaaay too long.

It just felt endlessly padded, and never actually got intresting till 1 hour 30 mins in, half way through the film. The Acting is good and it's typical Sergio Leone western style and I love it for it, it just needed quite a bit of trimming. I also wished he was able to get Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach for the opening as well, that would of been pure

8/10

Avoid Once Upon a Time in America then. 3 hours 50 minutes.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Hep

It’s nice to see some more Scott Pilgrim love here. I went in sceptical and was blown away with how much fun it was.

I agree. I liked the solid review for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the movie itself definitely blew away my expectations. It's not my favorite film of last year, but I find it pretty entertaining.

[Hep]

Originally Posted by killowertz

I agree. I liked the solid review for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the movie itself definitely blew away my expectations. It's not my favorite film of last year, but I find it pretty entertaining.

Oh ya...no, I wouldn't suggest it's anywhere near my favourite either, but it probably bridged the greatest delta between expectations and enjoyment.

[Diesel]

Should be watching Buried today.

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Should be watching Buried today.

I dug it!

[Show spoiler]

[SquidPuppet]

Easy A

I find most High School angst films a little hard to watch.

Not this one.

I dont know exactly why, but Easy A really worked for me. Maybe its because Emma Stone is so cool. I really liked her characters sarcastic personality.

Everything was pretty good here. The script had realistic dialogue. The acting was fine across the board. Most of the humor hit the mark for me. I really liked the cast too. Church as the "cool" teacher, Kudrow as the wacky guidance counselor, McDowell as the Pricipal, Tucci and Clarkson as the laid back parents.

Not too serious, but not without a message.

This was a fun watch.

Film 4/5
PQ 4.25/5 pretty darn good
AQ 4.25/5 Clear, clean, well prioritized dialogue and nice usage of the rears for tunes and ambient sounds.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I dug it!

[Show spoiler]

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Should be watching Buried today.

Hurry up. I want to hear about it.