What movies have you seen lately? Now with reviews!Movies

[Pagey279]

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 8/10

Really enjoyable. It was edge of the seat stuff all the way through with a very interesting twist at the end. One of my favourites of the year actually. But that might be because I have a thing for Jennifer Lawrence, but who can blame me.

 

[ildd]

Last weekend, I had to watch "12 Years a Slave" for my history class, where we actually finished the book a couple weeks before...
If you've read the book, you know what to expect. For the most part it's just like the book with a couple twists here and there (but don't influence the outcomes).
They advertise Brad Pitt, but he's only in there for about 10 minutes. The guy who played Solomon Northup was great...

If you don't mind 1840's slavery movies, it would be a pretty good movie to watch. Not exactly Django, though
If I had to rate it, it would be a 7.5/10. I'm not too interested in these types of movies though.

 

[terminator363]

Blitz 8/10

Pretty sweet, makes for an awesome movie experience and Jason Statham really shines in this one. Go watch it! It's good/fun!

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 8/10

Really enjoyable. It was edge of the seat stuff all the way through with a very interesting twist at the end. One of my favourites of the year actually. But that might be because I have a thing for Jennifer Lawrence, but who can blame me.

I agree, movie of the year 2013 so far IMO. Truly moving and incredible experience. I have not read the books and still could not believe how great this movie was. The first was good but this was WAY better. I have to admit, I actually lost my man card a couple times during this movie. Some truly sad moments. Not many movies move me emotionally but dang I feel so bad for her and everything these kids go through. Its rare I rate movies but this would be a 9/10 for me.

 

[FoolKiller]

Ender's Game - (6.5/10)

I'm a fan of the book(s). The film did not quite live up to it. The main story is there and the important points, but the entertaining bits are cut out. Tons of Battle School stuff cut out. You never really understand why Ender is the only hope. There are soMe huge aspects to show his tactical genius left out. You also barely get a chance to know Bean.

They do include enough to leave the potential for the other books to be made, but I don't know how those will play.

If you like the book, see it. If not, you'll get lost.

 

[sems4arsenal]

Just seen prisoners and while I'm not a huge fan of drama I enjoyed this one alot, will write a better review later and while there were parts in the film that I still don't fathom it was a decent watch 8/10

 

[Sting]

The Wolverine - 9/10

Watched it last night for the first time and was hooked. It felt like it went on for a while but because I was enjoying it, I didn't mind one bit. Nice to see a little bit more of Logan's history, and the way it ties with with the other X-Men films, not to mention that post-credits scene. WOW! So far there hasn't been an X-Men film that I dislike (I know alot of people don't like Last Stand, but I still feel it was OK), and I can't wait for Days of Future Past. I may see if I can get the comic story arc on my iPad to get a headstart.

 

[FoolKiller]

Frozen - (7/10)

Took my daughter to her first theater movie on Thanksgiving. She loved it. Two sources of comic relief, two princesses, and a love triangle. It's everything a little girl needs.

As an adult, Olaf was funny and the dialogue was good. But the writing was weak. One princess is born with the ability to freeze stuff but can't control it, so she stays hidden away. No one explains where this ability came from. No family history of powers or curse. And no one ever thinks to find a way to help her learn how to control it. So later, when she accidentally causes an eternal winter she's accused of evil and run off without anyone trying to fix it, except her sister, who has been ignorant of the powers her entire life.

Along the way, we meet Kristoff, who has a schizophrenic tendency to talk to his moose, speaking both sides of the conversation. Then we meet Olaf, well-voiced by Josh Gad (1600 Penn, Jobs, and Book of Mormon), a living snowman made by the princesses when they were young. No one explains why he is alive. Ever. But he has an unhealthy obsession with experiencing warm weather.

Now this is the same team that did Tangled. In Tangled they fall back on sun worship or gifts from the sun (it was brushed over just enough to be there) as their explanation. We don't even get that much here.

This is supposed to be loosely (very loosely) based on The Snow Queen, by Hans Christian Anderson. That tale has an evil troll as the root cause of things (we have trolls here, but they are good and a source of deus ex machina) and the snow queen is evil and kidnaps the guy, and the girl goes to save him.

Disney had an opportunity to take traditional fairy tale gender roles and flip them. Instead they put a princess in need of a male hero, again. Hopefully they just couldn't get rights to The Snow Queen (or is it public domain at this point?) and had to make it very different.

Anyway, great kids movie. View it as that. It's easy with a child, but adult examination leaves a lot of gaps.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Hobbit Desolation of Smaug- I posted about this in the official hobbit thread.

JOBS- Excellent movie about Steve Jobs. Ashton Kutcher actually did a great job playing Steve. I still think they first few minutes of the movie, should have been the way they ended it. The beginning would have made for the perfect ending.

 

[terminator363]

I just saw the Cloud Atlas and made this:



(Graphic Violence)

 

[SuperShouden]

Quick rundown:

Man of Steel - Story was good, everything around it was terrible. Product placement, excessive building destruction..."They say it's all down hill after the first kiss." 3/5.

Despicable Me 2 - Good movie, but doesn't have the charm of the first one. 4/5.

Iron Man 3 - I actually thought this movie was alright. Although, it was basically the same story as the first two, just with the Dark Night Returns ending. 4/5.

Gravity - Awesome movie. The science was a little off, but it's Hollywood and Hollywood and science don't mix well. 5/5.

 

[terminator363]

Taxi (1998) - 9.5/10

I loved watching this, really cool music, great chase scenes, awesome characters, nice humor, and cool camerawork. Go watch it!

 

[Adamgp]

Gumball Rally (1976)

A wealthy business man who works at a candy company initiates a cross country race from New York city to L.A. Ultimately comes down to a close race between an original '66 Shelby 427 Cobra and a '72 Ferrari Daytona Daytona spyder.

One of my favorites. 9/10

 

[mister dog]

In the end it was slightly confusing as to why some stuff was possible or not but over all it was very good, 8/10.​

You let your woman pick that one out no poor bastard?

Anyone seen the new Martin Scorsese "wall street" movie by any chance? Have some cinema tickets for me and the misses tomorrow evening for that movie.

 

[Brett]

I went to Wolf of Wall Street earlier today and thought the movie was 30-45 minutes too long. The first hour was pretty good. After the first hour, the movie started to drag and I was pretty much just waiting for the movie to end.

 

[Mike Rotch]

American Hustle

In short, some bit player conmen get caught by the FBI and in return for their pardon, have to deliver 4 big stings - however the first sting is becomes so big that the FBI agent running it starts to 'bend the rules' to make it happen. The conclusion saves the story from mediocrity.

The hype machine tempted me to go see this - and the hype machine won. Maybe it is more culturally relevant for those who were alive during the 'AbScam' but for me, it was just a crime caper set in the 70's. What saved it was the superb performance from Bale and Cooper in particular (and the eye candy in the form of Adams who was smoking). Those two actors really put in performances worth seeing.

That said, it was somewhat jarring seeing a few actors from Boardwalk Empire with bit parts - I havent figured out the link yet. All in all, I am not sad I saw it, but it failed to meet my expectations - 6.5/10

A Scanner, Darkly

One of Philip K. Dick's more difficult reads - however translated magnificently into a story true to the original, and lavished with rotoscoping to secure the ephemeral world of dope fiends.

In short, the story revolves are Bob Arctor and his friends. Is he a dope head undercover as a Narc Cop, or a Narc Cop who became addicted to the dope he was trying to find the source of? He and the viewer only find out at the end, but it is a well crafted journey that does not disappoint. 9/10

Drive

Again, beaten by the hype machine. This movie attracted his praise in 2011 and its taken until now for me to get around to see it.

The story is around the nameless Driver, who is a stunt driver moonlighting as a wheel man. After meeting a romantic interest, he is let down to learn her ex is being released from prison shortly. When the ex falls into trouble with associates from prison, the Driver offers to assist in one more score to ensure his romantic interest is looked after - unbeknownst to her. It all goes south and starts a cycle of death and complication with him purely driven by his desire to ensure his lady friend is safe.

The sound dubbing of the car chases was horrid, and I found the stylised music choices over constructed. Gosling played a similar 'tortured soul' in a Place Beyond the Pines - hope he doesn't want to be type cast in this sort of role...6/10

 

[mister dog]

I went to Wolf of Wall Street earlier today and thought the movie was 30-45 minutes too long. The first hour was pretty good. After the first hour, the movie started to drag and I was pretty much just waiting for the movie to end.

Cheers 👍 let's see if it gave me the same feelings, will let you know.

Drive

Again, beaten by the hype machine. This movie attracted his praise in 2011 and its taken until now for me to get around to see it.

The story is around the nameless Driver, who is a stunt driver moonlighting as a wheel man. After meeting a romantic interest, he is let down to learn her ex is being released from prison shortly. When the ex falls into trouble with associates from prison, the Driver offers to assist in one more score to ensure his romantic interest is looked after - unbeknownst to her. It all goes south and starts a cycle of death and complication with him purely driven by his desire to ensure his lady friend is safe.

The sound dubbing of the car chases was horrid, and I found the stylised music choices over constructed. Gosling played a similar 'tortured soul' in a Place Beyond the Pines - hope he doesn't want to be type cast in this sort of role...6/10

Funny i heard about the movie also (recommended in CAR magazine if i'm not mistaken), and i too only saw it this week. It's a fairly good one but the title is misleading as it's more an action movie vs the bad guys than it is a car movie. I only recall the getaway scene in the beginning, and the car chase midway through to apease the petrolhead.

Descent action movie tough, i would give it a 7.

Edit: Just saw Wolf of Wall street, and found it a very entertaining movie which i could recommend seeing in the cinema. Good acting, good director (Marty), good screenplay (Terence Winter from Sopranos fame), and alltogether a lot of funny and sexy moments.

Film is long (3 hours) but never bored me: 9/10.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Captain Phillips

I was hesitant that this was the wrong side of two hours long, but the reality of it was that is flew by. Without rehashing the well known story, I will say that it was not Hanks' performance that shone through (although it was stock standard Hanks fare - high), it was the performances of the 4 hijackers that really made it an enjoyable movie with an authentic feel. Their desperation and unpredictable behaviour came across as very authentic and brought an edge to the film; the conclusion of his rescue was always a forgone conclusion but the how was the interesting part - 8 /10

Silver Linings Playbook

I didn't know anything about this, other than it had attracted some favourable reviews in the last few months. Call me a softy, but I am a sucker for uplifting/ romdrama movies and this one hit the mark for me at least. Cooper is pretty versatile but Lawrence really put in a performance beyond being only 21 at the time of filming. De Niro put in a subtle but genuine showing as his father and Chris Tucker added just the right amount of comedic sugar to keep it from falling into a sob story. - 8/10

 

[Mr. S]

You let your woman pick that one out no poor bastard?

Anyone seen the new Martin Scorsese "wall street" movie by any chance? Have some cinema tickets for me and the misses tomorrow evening for that movie.

It was actually me suggesting to see that one, merely since I knew she likes that kind of movies.

Some of us actually care about their girlfriends and what they like, y'know.

 

[Lucas]

Cape Fear, from Martin Scorsese.

A truly entertaining film. De Niro's performance as vengeful ex-convict Max Cady had me in the edge of my seat whenever he came across one of the Bowden's family members. Really makes you think about how justice works. In a way, you can't help but feel sorry about Cady, betrayed by the man supposed to help him, even if his crime deserved him to be put behind bars.

 

[mister dog]

It was actually me suggesting to see that one, merely since I knew she likes that kind of movies.

Some of us actually care about their girlfriends and what they like, y'know.

Once i become the next dictator of Europe, romantic "feel good movies" will be one of the first things i ban!

 

[Mike Rotch]

The Railway Man (2013)

I'm not sure is this is a general release film or 'arthourse' but for anyone who has no or little knowledge of PoW in the context of Japanese masters, rather than Nazi, this will be a powerful movie.

Broadly, it is about Eric Lomax, who was an English signalman stationed in Singapore when it fell to the Japanese Army in 1942. As a PoW, they were entrained to Thailand to build the Thailand - Burma railway line under brutal conditions. His treatment there, heightened by a particular event, leaves him mentally and psychologically tormented decades after his release. Upon meeting Patty (Kidman), and with her help along with his best friend and fellow PoW (Skarsgard) he returns to the scene of the inprisonment and confrontation with one of his torturers to find release from his torment.

Irvine gives the best performance, but Firth is perfectly matched for his role and ably complemented by Kidman and Skarsgard. Well worth a watch - 7/10

 

[Duke]

The Hobbit (both editions) - 1/10 stars

Sorry, Mr. Jackson, but everything you did right in LOTR, you seem determined to throw out the window in these over-long, over-stupid, over-wrought pieces of crap. You should at least have the grace to pretend that you read the book. This could have been so much more… instead it is so much less, but twice as much of it.

 

[Phoenix]

I saw Rush yesterday. Fantastic movie. I recommend it.

9/10.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

Were The Millers
I found this movie to be quite hilarious. Especially the outtakes at the end. There is a really good prank they play on Jennifer Aniston at the end.

 

[FoolKiller]

The Hobbit (both editions) - 1/10 stars

Sorry, Mr. Jackson, but everything you did right in LOTR, you seem determined to throw out the window in these over-long, over-stupid, over-wrought pieces of crap. You should at least have the grace to pretend that you read the book. This could have been so much more… instead it is so much less, but twice as much of it.

He tried combining stuff from the Return of the King appendices to tell a more grand story and create another epic, but as you point out, not so great. At most, it should have been two films and not have tried drawing out scenes never covered in the books. But no, we must spell out very blatantly that the side story of the necromancer sending in orcs and goblins is directly tied to LOTR.

I didn't dislike it as much as you, as there was still some enjoyment to be had, but they haven't been great by any means.

 

[Mike Rotch]

Europa Report (2013)

If you are a sci-fi fan, this should be on your watchlist.

The film is about Europa One, the first inter-planetary manned mission to Europa, Jupiter's moon in the not too distant future. The story is told as a recollection of events (ie. found footage) as captured by the onboard camera's on the spaceship, and pieced together by the head of the space program.

Without giving too much away, a manned mission to Europa is sent on its way - a two year journey there. Half way through, communications are lost between Earth and the craft, leaving the crew isolated and without guidance from mission control beyond their original parameters. They decide to press on to Europa but error's in judgement and other small events leave them having to face a difficult decision; turn back with no scientific findings or continue and risk it all.

The CGI is understarted but very well done, and the lack of big names in the cast helps the believability of it all. I'd recommend this as a non-mainstream sci-fi flick for sure - 7/10

 

[Pagey279]

Pacific Rim

God awful acting, and a plot so full of holes that if it were a cheese, it would be a giant wheel of leerdammer. But the action sequences were so freaking epic I couldn't tear my eyes away. It awakened the little kid in me and I watched in awe of the awesomeness.
These films aren't about the quality of acting, or the plots, just pure action. It's sort of a cross between Transformers and Godzilla, what little kid wouldn't love that!

8/10

47 Ronin

Based on a "true" story (stripped back to the bare essentials so minus all the mythical creatures, witches etc) it was a good film, nothing more but nothing less, good. I was expecting more action but there was a fair bit, in hindsight we did spend a lot of time staring at close ups of Keanu Reaves face.
If you enjoy Asian myths and sorcery and all that shizz, give it a go.

7/10

 

[Waheed]

The Wolf Of Wall Street

Score: 9.5/10

What a movie, there's a comedy scene I swear I almost cried while watching, Dicaprio deserves an Oscar, also the script is a piece of genius

 

[mister dog]

The Wolf Of Wall Street

Score: 9.5/10

What a movie, there's a comedy scene I swear I almost cried while watching, Dicaprio deserves an Oscar, also the script is a piece of genius

Apparently the gents of the academy awards boo'd Scorcese and Di Caprio after seeing the screening, as there was to much sex and drugs related stuff in it. I hate most academy award winning movies nowadays actually, their stories should always be "grand and cheesy with a hero story"...

I'm still thinking back about scenes out of wolf of wall street even though i saw the movie already a week ago, that means it's a top notch one 👍

Talking about cheesy academy awards type of pictures, this evening we watched this one:

Between a snobby 14 year old girl that is spitting out her lines from the script to sound wise, and Jeff Bridges mumbling that is supposed to represent "cowboy language", the cheesy plot didn't help things forward neither;

5/10 we turned off the movie after an hour and didn't even bother to finish it, worst Coen brothers movie i have ever seen.