The Movie Review and Discussion Thread

[QuasidodoJr]

I guess I'm the major odd man out. I found Date Night hilarious. Steve Carell gets me laughing - every time. I also really like Tina Fey.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

Hey guys, figured to ask this here as you are most knowledgable in movies IMO.

So, should I blind buy Raging Bull on Blu?
Is it a good movie? Does it have any rewatchability value? What movie is it comparable to?

Basically, Scorsesse is my most favorite director of all time, and 2 of his movies that I have seen so far (Gangs Of New York and Casino) are in my top 30 for sure.

Thanks.

It's absolutely worth a blind-buy and don't let anyone tell you differently! It's undoubtedly one of the best films of the 80s. I consider it De Niro's second best performance, behind Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. I do, however, consider it Scorsese's best directing job. I wouldn't say it has an incredible amount of replay value, in terms of watching it very often, but owning one of the preeminent films in American cinema isn't a bad thing. Considering Scorsese is your favorite director, this is a no brainer.

[CZAR]

Saw 3D - This film was basically on parallel with the other Saw films and probably sits somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as where it would rank in the series. I liked some of the things they added to the story but to me they may have over did it just a bit and tried to get to clever. For those that saw it should know what I mean especially the revealing climax seemed a bit to much to be true although I guess its possible. Sometimes the timelines are a bit confusing so that doesnt help. The film was entertaining as the rest so it didnt disappoint there and some of the traps were very cool. All in all this is for all Saw fans and horror fans alike. PQ & AQ were top notch in my book.

Film Rating - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)



Let Me In - Heard so much about the original film but wasnt interested in watching due to subtitles. I however was waiting to view this version of the film as I am a fan if Chloe Moretz. I have to say this was a very well made film. It was slow at times but I never lost attention to the film and when things happened that caught my attention, the execution was very well done. Chloe was great as usual and I see her becoming a great actress with great range. The atmosphere of the film was very creepy and fit perfectly. Again I cant compare this film to the original but this is a definite recommendation to all horror fans unless u arent a fan of gore. This is one of the best vampire horror films period. PQ & AQ were very good.

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)



Beverly Hills Cop - I saw this back during its release but didnt remember much of the film. I was a huge fan of Eddie in the 80's as he had hit after hit after hit. The film has aged pretty well and I enjoyed watching it again to get the details fresh in my mind. Its not his best film but its still a pretty good film and an 80's classic in its own right. I love that 80's atmosphere that the film has and the music just brings back memories. The whole series could use a blu release and Im sure they will be released in the future. Im sure most have seen this film but if not please do. Eddie at his finest.

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)



Hatchet II - Big fan of the first film and was so looking forward to the sequel. It didnt disappoint. It was a bit slow early and much slower than I expected for a slasher film of this nature. Once it got going there was no turning back. Danielle Harris is a sight for sore eyes and did a good job. The kills were straight up classic and original. Victor Crowley continues to climb the list of great horror icons and if the franchise continues who knows how high he could climb. All in all this is another hardcore slasher film for us hardcore slasher fans. Recommended to hardcore horror fans as it may be to much to stomach for the casual fan lol.

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)

Got Em!!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by QuasidodoJr

I guess I'm the major odd man out. I found Date Night hilarious. Steve Carell gets me laughing - every time. I also really like Tina Fey.

Yeah I really like Date Night too, I guess it's a love it or hate it movie. Watching Friday the 13th part 3, still think it had some of the best kills in the series and was second only to the Platinum Dunes take as far as gorgeous women go.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Right on!

Hey Al, are you getting Summer Wars?

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Hey Al, are you getting Summer Wars?

Holy crap, I didn't realize it's an anime! I will rent it!!!

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jvince

Genre: Animation/Family/Fantasy
Synopsis: A fairy tale set in Jazz Age-era New Orleans and centered on a young girl named Tiana and her fateful kiss with a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again.
Running Time: 97 minutes

Directors: Ron Clements (Aladin, The Little Mermaid), John Musker (Aladin, The Little Mermaid)
Writers: Ron Clements, John Musker, Rob Edwards (Treasure Planet)
Stars: Anika Noni Rose (Dreamgirls), Oprah Winfrey (The Color Purple), Terrence Howard (Iron Man), John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.)

I love Disney's animated films, but I skipped The Princess and the Frog when it was released on theaters since I wasn't really impressed by the trailers. So when I caught this on cable recently, I was immensely surprised and thoroughly entertained. This is how you do fairy-tale musicals. Beautiful animation, lovable characters and catchy songs. Tangled nailed it with Rapunzel's character, but the rest fell flat and the songs were uninspired and unmemorable. There are a ton of beautifully conceived scenes in this film. In fact, it possesses some of the best I've ever seen from Disney. The Princess and the Frog perfectly balances lightheartedness and darkness, and it's great, family fun from start to end. Don't miss it like I did. Highly recommended.

Rating: **** out of 5

I agree with you about TPatF, but I disagree about Tangled. I thought the songs were fantastic and the characters were delightful. The song in the tavern was catchy as heck....I was sad when it ended because it was so much fun.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

I agree with you about TPatF, but I disagree about Tangled. I though the songs were fantastic and the characters were delightful. The song in the tavern was catchy as heck....I was sad when it ended because it was so much fun.

4/5 is also an odd score for jvince to give the movie if the only thing it seems he liked about it WAS Rapunzel. Can't believe I have to wait 43 days for this to come out on blu-ray.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by jhiggy23

It's absolutely worth a blind-buy and don't let anyone tell you differently! It's undoubtedly one of the best films of the 80s. I consider it De Niro's second best performance, behind Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver. I do, however, consider it Scorsese's best directing job. I wouldn't say it has an incredible amount of replay value, in terms of watching it very often, but owning one of the preeminent films in American cinema isn't a bad thing. Considering Scorsese is your favorite director, this is a no brainer.

He shouldnt blind buy it. Blind buys are always risky, even if you are fond of a particular director. That would be similar to me urging you to blind buy "Pi" because its Aronofsky, widely considered excellent, and Ebert gave it 3.5/4. A flawed formula.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Saw 3D - This film was basically on parallel with the other Saw films and probably sits somewhere in the middle of the pack as far as where it would rank in the series. I liked some of the things they added to the story but to me they may have over did it just a bit and tried to get to clever. For those that saw it should know what I mean especially the revealing climax seemed a bit to much to be true although I guess its possible. Sometimes the timelines are a bit confusing so that doesnt help. The film was entertaining as the rest so it didnt disappoint there and some of the traps were very cool. All in all this is for all Saw fans and horror fans alike. PQ & AQ were top notch in my book.

Film Rating - 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

I agree it's about somewhere in the middle... but I would give it a 2 or 2.5 because the traps were terrible and I also had a hard time believing the twist (although I liked the ending in general).

Let Me In - Heard so much about the original film but wasnt interested in watching due to subtitles. I however was waiting to view this version of the film as I am a fan if Chloe Moretz. I have to say this was a very well made film. It was slow at times but I never lost attention to the film and when things happened that caught my attention, the execution was very well done. Chloe was great as usual and I see her becoming a great actress with great range. The atmosphere of the film was very creepy and fit perfectly. Again I cant compare this film to the original but this is a definite recommendation to all horror fans unless u arent a fan of gore. This is one of the best vampire horror films period. PQ & AQ were very good.

Film Rating - 4 stars (out of 5)

I'm a fan of Chloe too. There is a thin line between enjoying a child actor and becoming completely irritated by them. Dakota Fanning for example has always been on my good side but I know plenty of people who can't stand her earlier films. Moretz has a lot going for her.

[Al_The_Strange]

I just got a couple of movies in the mail and popped them in to see how they look. I'm looking at the trailer for "Ong Bak 3" (not sure if I'll spend time tonight watching it, so I'm getting a little preview), and right away the announcer says "Tony Jaa is back from the dead to finish the greatest martial arts trilogy of the past decade!"

WTF? Tony Jaa was dead?!! And he came back to life?!!! Just for this movie?!!! That's so freaking awesome!!!!!



Um, yeah, I'm not holding my breath over this movie anyway.

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange

Holy crap, I didn't realize it's an anime! I will rent it!!!

Yea I'm not sure yet whether I will rent or buy it. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is one of my all-time favorite movies (same director). Have you seen it?

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

He shouldnt blind buy it. Blind buys are always risky, even if you are fond of a particular director. That would be similar to me urging you to blind buy "Pi" because its Aronofsky, widely considered excellent, and Ebert gave it 3.5/4. A flawed formula.

It really is though. The same thing happened to me with Fernando Meirelles. I consider both City of God and The Constant Gardener to be two of the most excellent films... and Blindness is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It made my bottom 10.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

I agree it's about somewhere in the middle... but I would give it a 2 or 2.5 because the traps were terrible and I also had a hard time believing the twist (although I liked the ending in general).




I'm a fan of Chloe too. There is a thin line between enjoying a child actor and becoming completely irritated by them. Dakota Fanning for example has always been on my good side but I know plenty of people who can't stand her earlier films. Moretz has a lot going for her.

Yea I couldnt rate Saw 3D that low because 2 stars in my book equals a bad film and I dont think its a bad film. As for the twist while I liked it also and how they brought dude back into the picture but Im like

[Show spoiler]"damn how many people did he have working for him at the sametime without them knowing haha"

It was still cool to see

[Show spoiler]Cary Elwes in the film as a badass though.

As for Chloe yes she is a natural and I see big things for her in the future. Very good and at an early age. I look forward to more work from her. Got Em!!

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by CZAR

but Im like

[Show spoiler]"damn how many people did he have working for him at the sametime without them knowing haha"

Exactly!!!!!!

That's what I've been telling you the whole time. The writing is so ridiculous.

[Al_The_Strange]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Yea I'm not sure yet whether I will rent or buy it. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is one of my all-time favorite movies (same director). Have you seen it?

Sounds familiar, but I haven't seen it. That could be another one for me to check out.

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Exactly!!!!!!

That's what I've been telling you the whole time. The writing is so ridiculous.

Yea but up to that point the other twist were believable in my book. This one is a bit over doin it as it seemed like the

[Show spoiler]other guy was his main help but then u tell me that he had Cary helping him the whole time on top of it?

Thats the only thing I find kinda hard to believe. The other endings and climax's have been fine and not as far out there as this one. Still enjoyable film though. Got Em!!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by CZAR

Yea but up to that point the other twist were believable in my book. This one is a bit over doin it as it seemed like the

[Show spoiler]other guy was his main help but then u tell me that he had Cary helping him the whole time on top of it?

Thats the only thing I find kinda hard to believe. The other endings and climax's have been fine and not as far out there as this one. Still enjoyable film though. Got Em!!

Well

[Show spoiler]we believed Amanda Young was his only assistant for a long time but she's a little slip of a thing. You also never see Doctor Gordon die, you just see the door slam. Hoffman and Gordon both helping him is possible as long as he kept them separate, plus he would've wanted someone like Gordon to protect his beautiful wife if anything ever happened to him./

[CZAR]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Well

[Show spoiler]we believed Amanda Young was his only assistant for a long time but she's a little slip of a thing. You also never see Doctor Gordon die, you just see the door slam. Hoffman and Gordon both helping him is possible as long as he kept them separate, plus he would've wanted someone like Gordon to protect his beautiful wife if anything ever happened to him./

Oh thats true and I aint saying its impossible for it to go down like that but its still a bit far fetched. Like u said he already had

[Show spoiler]Amanda, and then Hoffman. So now they are sayin he also had a 3rd accomplice or even 4th if u include his wife. Thats just to many people to trust and to keep secret from each other for so long.

But hey he was Jigsaw the genius so I guess if anyone can do it it would be him lol. Mrs. Tuck was one fine milf to if I can add that. Got Em!!

[Evra]

The King's Speech (2010)

While it would be easy to dismiss The King's Speech as a British ho-hum drama cum Oscar-bait, rest assured as The King Speech is sublimely entertaining. It tells an uplifting tale of a King who overcomes his weakness of public speaking with the aid of a therapist and his loving wife and it would be fit to stand alongside some of the great Cameron Crowe 'feel-good' films that tell tales of friendship, loyalty, love and triumph of the human spirit. The film contains many funny moments but it is done in a manner that never distorts the overall tone of the film.

The film's strong point lies in the performances of the three main actors (L to R in picture: Helena Bonham Carter, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush). Helena Bonham Carter may have played some mean-spirited characters in the past (Harry Potter, Fight Club and Alice in Wonderland) but here, she delivers a wonderful performance as Queen Elizabeth in this film filled with tenderness, wit, humanity and devotion to her husband's cause. There are two scenes in the film, each eliciting different sorts emotions; one in the opening sequence when her husband stutters through an opening paragraph and another when she finds out her husband could read Shakespeare beautifully where you feel a full range of emotions flowing through your body, all credit to the subtle changes in facial expressions throughout those two scenes.

I have never really been a fan of Colin Firth as from what I have seen of him in romantic comedies, I have felt that the less of him I see, the better it is for me. However in the past two years, we have really seen Firth taking up complex and challenging roles, each showcasing the tremendous depth of talent that he possesses, proving that he is indeed one of the great actors in Hollywood. As King George VI, Firth not only captures the torturous struggles of a debilitating stutter but he also manages to humanize the monarch as a man whom is forced to bear extraordinary responsibilities and overcome his inner demons when his self-esteem was robbed from him since childhood. Alongside Colin Firth is Geoffrey Rush who delivers one of his best career performances as Lionel Logue, King George VI's speech therapist. The chemistry between Firth and Rush is electric with both actors pitch-perfect in acting out their characters' dynamic relationship culminating in the film's climax when King George VI addresses his people in a radio address in a small room with Logue by his side.

If there is a negative to the film, it is the fact that Firth and Rush are so good together on screen that when they are not on it, my attention tended to wander until both the two actors were back on screen. Scenes depicting King George V's death and King Edward VIII's personal turmoil ended up being nothing more than a forced necessity to move the story forwards. In this regard, I have to say that I would rather have some of those scenes trimmed.

The ever dubious MPAA has awarded The King's Speech with an R rating for language, believing that the film has used the word 'f***' one time too many and forgive me for saying this but that decision by the MPAA is one big f**king joke. The Social Network contains two-and-a-half 'f***s', scenes depicting drug usage and sexual content and the film gets away with a PG-13. While The King's Speech uses the 'f***' word more than is permitted for a PG-13 film but use of the 'f***' word here is perfectly justifiable for the progression of the film and its characters. It is such a shame that such a great film will not be able to be seen by a wider audience, all for one particular scene that uses the word 'f***' ten or more times for necessary effect. Shame on you, MPAA and the respective countries' counterparts for following similar rating systems.

The King's Speech is a classic case of how a simple story acted remarkably well could become a great film. While it may be a performance-driven film, it would be naive to overlook the production values, the cinematography, the screenplay and the direction. The King's Speech is one of those rare British period dramas where it isn't a mere protocol when the main character triumphs but we will be genuinely happy for the title character when he overcomes his fear of speaking in public. While I am not sure that The King's Speech is 2010's best film, I am convinced it is the best acted film of 2010.

4/5