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

[ExigeEvan]

Not movies Per Se, but I got The big 'ol box set of Band Of Brothers on Christmas, I watched Episode 1-Currahee, and Episode 2-Day of Days tonight. I absolutely love this series for how well made it is. It is definitely a 10/10 in my book. Currently going to watch Episode 3-Carentan, and if time permits, Episode 4-Replacements. Again, if time permits.

Make time!

 

[bergauk]

I ended up watching the third and fourth episode last night, stopped at about 4 am? Man I love winter break. I'm probably going to watch two more tonight as well.

 

[a6m5]

I found the Band of Brothers to be like a more detailed version of Saving Pt. Ryan, and Ryan is the best war film I've ever seen.

I'm going to sell my DVD set now, I just got the Blu-ray set for half price!

 

[peeweegary]

Saw Valkyrie yesterday. There wasn't much action but the story was excellent. I don't get why so many people dislike it. I thoroughly enjoyed the acting by Cruise and the attempted assassination of Hitler =)

Just my 2 cents.

 

[boiltheocean]

NWD 9(New World Disorder). Mountain bike film with stunning scenery and crazy riders.

 

[a6m5]

Sukiyaki Western Django - I didn't make this title up.

This film is an Samurai-Western by Miike Takashi. I rate Miike as one of the best Directors in Japan today. Most of his films are those super violent, "Asian Extreme" flicks. And this film also has little bit of that as well. While I don't care for those at all, Miike is so talented, I do find few merit in his films, here & there. If this guy actually directed more normal to standard, or independent type films, I have no doubt that his name will be right up there with the biggest names in film directing today.

In Sukiyaki Western Django however, there is another catch. With the exception of Quentin Tarantino, it's a 100% Japanese cast. And they all have & speak poor(sometimes horrid) English dialogue. And to even it out, Tarantino chips in some poor Japanese in it as well. At first, I was very critical of this decision. If you've spoken to many Japanese people, you know how godawful our Engrish can be. It's true. But when I saw the "making of" in the extra features section of the DVD, it explained the decision to my satisfaction. They put the Engrish in for the sake of the Japanese audience. There were 'Western' words and speeches that they wanted in the film, that they simply felt that it was impossible to translate to Japanese, and to still have the same effect.

Now we got the handicaps of this film out of the way, onto the props. If you like the mainstream movies, this movie might be OK for you, but probably not. The film is crazy, just like most other Miike films. But if you are hardcore, fan of extreme Japanese flicks, cinemaphile, you might find this one worthwhile. Cinematography, unlike most Japanese films, are pretty decent. He takes some chances here with it, and some did end up kinda dumb IMO, there were few really awesome types of shots that you won't find anywhere else. I really liked that part that Yo****sune, one of the villains, where he is shot in the head. The most beautiful, stylish way for any movie villains to go in my recent memory. Sorry if that sounds weird.

Only thing that's crazier than this movie is how long this review is for the movie that no one is going to go see. "C"

 

[Lee]

The Spirit - 7/10

Start = Fine.
Middle = Eva Mendes saves it for the blokes.
Ending = Scraps through.

I can understand why this hasn't been given favourable reviews, but at the same time, I kinda enjoyed it and it looks slick as hell. (Just wish he'd, y'know, credit Robert Rodriguez for the comic book technique..)

 

[FoolKiller]

(Just wish he'd, y'know, credit Robert Rodriguez for the comic book technique..)

Why would Frank Miller credit Robert Rodriguez for using Frank Miller art style in a movie based on a Frank Miller graphic novel, which used said art style?

 

[Lee]

Why would Frank Miller credit Robert Rodriguez for using Frank Miller art style in a movie based on a Frank Miller graphic novel, which used said art style?

Because Robert was the one who was able to transfer it to the big screen?

 

[Driving Park]

The Day The Earth Stood Still - 6/10

It was a great movie with pretty much nonstop action and some teardrippers, with an all right soundtrack, but what I didn't like about it was it wasn't resolved. I don't want to give it away, but I don't know how to do spoiler text so I just made it the color closest to the background. If you can't see it than I've accomplished my goal and you can highlight to reveal the rest.Yes the aliens leave earth, but they leave everything (electronics, cars, machines, pretty much everything) dormant. So it begs the question: what happens to everyone? Do they just go back to the stone age or what? If it was resolved, it would have gotten an 8/10 from me.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - 7/10

It was action packed and had funny parts, but had no real content and I think the plot wasn't developed enough. I think it was just a shoot em up movie with a relationship thrown in for better ratings. But it was good for escapism with nets it a 7/10 from me.

(To FoolKiller) The Day The Earth Stood Still did in fact say what it is the humans were doing wrong. It had to do with the humans destroying the earth from pollution and such. Since habitable planets like earth were very rare according to the aliens, their goal was to cleanse the earth of the humans so it could be preserved. I'm not going to argue with you about how good it was, I thought it was almost as good as the original (which I've seen), but I'll respect your opinion and leave it at that.

To those who completely remember the plot to the movie, please correct me for anything wrong, that was from memory.

:-)

 

[FoolKiller]

(To FoolKiller) The Day The Earth Stood Still did in fact say what it is the humans were doing wrong. It had to do with the humans destroying the earth from pollution and such. Since habitable planets like earth were very rare according to the aliens, their goal was to cleanse the earth of the humans so it could be preserved.

I may have missed it, but I don't remember them ever specifically saying pollution. They just said that humans were killing the Earth, almost as if they were dancing around the topic. You don't necessarily kill the Earth only through pollution. They needed to spell it out better, especially when your source material used violence as the catalyst. Maybe I didn't see it as clearly because I expected violence to be the catalyst.

Anyway, I am of the opinion that if anyone wants to see a good retelling of this story watch The Abyss. I don't even know if Cameron realized that was what he was doing, but it passes the plot along much better.

I saw two movies this weekend.

United 93 - (6.5/10)
I liked the style. It reminded me of Tora! Tora! Tora! in the way that it focused on events less than characters. They did not try and cram any story or personal focus on any one character (Pearl Harbor ). It was good for a watch, but it felt a bit forced on creating the unknown dialogue of the passengers. Had it not been for that and the soap opera style acting then I would have called it fully good.

Marley & Me - (7.5/10)
I'll be completely honest, I went in expecting this to just be an other romantic comedy that was predictable and that I hated. I typically hate animal movies, usually because they are never any good, and a RomCom with animals in the mix just makes it worse.

I am happy to say I was wrong. This is a story about a dog being a part of the family. It takes you through the dog's entire life from the moment it is adopted by a young couple until it reaches old age and the couple now has three kids. What makes it good is that it is probably a story that any pet-owning family can relate to. And as I said, it follows the dog through his entire life, so it will end as all lives end. Expect a tear jerker. I was surrounded by the sound of an entire theater of sniffles and cries. I would say that this is almost the equivalent of a modern day Old Yeller, minus the having to shoot the dog. Modern science is much more humane.

The only bad thing I could find was the casting. Let's be honest here. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston lack the ability to play anyone but themselves. Granted Owen Wilson was not his usual slapstick self, but he still managed to work in "you know" every other sentence. And I kept thinking how nice it was that Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) finally got over Ross and married a respectable newspaper columnist. That said, Alan Arkin nailed his roll and the Wilson and Aniston did well enough on the emotion to not ruin the movie.

It is a good date movie that guys won't hate because nothing is over-the-top. It is based on a true story and it shows. It is a story about real life, a real family, and how a real dog affected them. Just have some tissues ready for your significant other. And if you have kids that don't understand things like death or where babies come from (there is much discussion on kids and getting pregnant) be prepared for questions.

 

[L_Hamilton]

Saw Valkyrie yesterday. There wasn't much action but the story was excellent. I don't get why so many people dislike it. I thoroughly enjoyed the acting by Cruise and the attempted assassination of Hitler =)

Just my 2 cents.

+2132142

You can't just put stuff to livin' up the movie that is "based on a true story". It was great if you like History. And I do.

 

[a6m5]

Marley & Me - (7.5/10)

I'm gonna have to check this one out for sure. 👍

 

[Lucas]

Pulp Fiction

A total classic, but I did not see it until last week. Awesome movie, with lots of funny moments 👍

 

[a6m5]

That one, you pretty much gotta watch it several times. So much you've missed the first time.

 

[McLaren]

Gran Torino: 9/10

Clint did an amazing job behind this movie. The story is excellent, and really shows a man connecting with a different culture. And the ending is terrific (and a bit sad). It really grabs your attention, and the end doesn't really grasp you as to why he did that until you think about what he's said.

 

[Mr P]

Defiance 9 / 10

This is a fantastic movie and also a true story about 3 brothers who took charge of a small group of Jews fleeing in WWII from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, from hiding in the mountains and the struggle to survive .. relocating camp everytime the Germans closed in on them and conflicts within their own people due to desperate times .. this film has it all!

Top marks and definitely worth a watch 👍

 

[bennyrrr]

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button 8.0/10.0

Going into this movie, I really didnt know what to expect, the almost 3 hour time was kind of daunting, but the story line is very immersive and I never found myself bored once. I was constantly engaged in the story and found it very very good. Brad Pitt did an excellent job and the movie was well worth it. Definant must see!

 

[ferrari_chris]

Defiance 9 / 10

This is a fantastic movie and also a true story about 3 brothers who took charge of a small group of Jews fleeing in WWII from Nazi-occupied Poland into the Belarussian forest, from hiding in the mountains and the struggle to survive .. relocating camp everytime the Germans closed in on them and conflicts within their own people due to desperate times .. this film has it all!

Top marks and definitely worth a watch 👍

Looks like it will go well with Valkyrie. Can't wait! 👍

 

[Diego440]

Black Snake Moan (2006) -- Either I didn't get the movie, or whatever there is to get is too damn superficial. It was funny to see Christina Ricci play a super slut, though Sam Jackson as a blues singer was a bit over the top. THe movie is "too american" at times, using the 'blues' as a stepping stone to everything in life, plus the southern behaviour atmosphere. In the end, I think the movie was a bit less than okay, though very badly marketed. It's the type of movie that makes you think befire even recommending it, has very good acting, well filmed and the story is very different. I wouldn't recommend it, but only because I think people will react differently to the scenes, especially the more twisted ones. 6/10



Soylent Green (1973) -- It's the year 2022... People are still the same. They'll do anything to get what they need. And they need SOYLENT GREEN. The setting is very made-for-tv, or only-marketable-in-the-US, but I liked it a lot. It's amazing how a movie made in 1973 is so current nowadays plotwise. Mostly with all the ways society becomes more and more violent. On the minus side, except for very few ocasions, this movie doesn't invest much in visuals, so it seems like it's really 1973, and it lacks a bit of action. Still, it's a cult classic. 7.5/10



Cool as Ice (1991) -- Before anyone says anything, I was checking out IMDb's Bottom 100 and wondered just how bad a movie had to be to be included in the Bottom 100 List... the answer is very, very bad. Seriously, this is a movie as cool as Vanilla Ice, especially when he's the star of the movie and the producers actually trusted him with acting. The movie is so bad that the director had to wait 8 years before he got someone else to trust him with a movie.

Some bits not to be missed:
- Mr. Ice dry humping his teenaged love interest on the floor during a dance number. Very classy.
- The peanut butter-sardine-pineapple sandwich. Yum.
- Vanilla Ice saying "You don't know me. You don't know me at all!" in an Oscar clip moment. Then he zips off on his dayglo painted motorcycle. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper were never so cool.
- Vanilla Ice and his posse busting through the SECOND floor of a building on their motorcycles. He's so cool, even the laws of physics don't apply.
- Ice uttering the hysterical line "Drop that zero. Get wit' a hero." Has to be heard to be appreciated.

I'd venture enough to give this movie a 3/10, but just because of its amazing pathetic scenes and overall use of fucsia.



Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) -- Seriously, what movie could go wrong with a setting like this: Elvis and JFK, both alive and in nursing homes, fight for the souls of their fellow residents as they battle an ancient Egyptian Mummy. Enough said. 2/10



Down by Law (1986) -- I've always liked the movies by Jim Jarmusch, where different people with different stories come together; but where the movie is actually like three different shorts. This one is about three different men in a Louisiana prison and their eventual journey. It does get a bit boring at times, but it's mostly because of artsy scenes and very slow sequences. Roberto Benigni is a bit awkward, but a great addition. In the end, it's a simple but memorable film. 7/10



Spellbound (1945) -- Great Hitchcock movie, though probably not among the best of his. Ingrid Bergman is beautiful, though she can't really rescue this film from being bland. Some scenes are inspired from Salvador Dali, so expect major psychedelia to go on. Though simplistic in its treatment of psychiatry, it's a bore. 7/10



The Toxic Avenger (1984) -- The typical movie most b-movies wanted to be. Poster child of the 'so bad it's good' brigade. None of the actors give even remotely decent performances, the sets are crap and the effects are like uhhh. Oh, and of course Marisa Tomei has a small appearance in the movie. 5/10 for its classic value.



You Move, You Die (2007) -- This movie is the product of somone who saw Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and thought 'heeeey, I'm sure I could make a movie like that'... the result is complete crap, with a few bits of genius, including some decent camera work (though it's too much handheld at times) and some funny lines. All in all, this movie is a continuation of this never ending cycle of sub-mediocre, ego- driven and wholly wretched home-movies that seem to sprout everywhere. 3/10



C'est arrivé près de chez vous (a.k.a. Man BItes Dog) (1992) -- Probably one of the most violent movies I've ever seen, though it's also probably one of the best mockumentaries out there. A camera crew follows a serial killer/thief around as he exercises his craft, resulting in a movie that is both hilarious and horrifying. The only flaw with the film is that towards the end it slightly runs out of steam (it could've been cut of about ten minutes without losing its impact). Still, its a classic whose originality and audacity require more than just one viewing. 8/10



Fa yeung nin wa (a.k.a. In The Mood for Love) (2000) -- V ery good film set in Honk Kong in 1962, about a man and a woman who suspect their respective spouses are having an affair. It's sexy without showing everything. Wong Kar-Wai also doesn't allow the audience to see what the spouses look like, suggesting that Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan should be together. Just prepare yourself for the ending. I heard that the Chinese censors completely destroyed this movie by eliminating any contact between the characters, and to be honest at times it was hard to realise the characters were sleeping with each other... oh well, such is censorship. Most people will probably fall asleep in it, though. 7.5/10



Koyaanisqatsi (1982) -- If you saw Baraka and liked it, this is a movie for you. This is a movie with no conventional plot: merely a collection of expertly photographed scenes. There are no actors, no storyline, and no dialogue. Produced by Francis Ford Coppola and the music is by Philip Glass. Though not something to rent and watch with friends, it's definitely what you'd want to have around to test out the huge-screen TV, especially if there's an HD version out. 8/10



Smoke (1995) -- A Brooklyn smoke shop is the center of neighborhood activity, and the stories of its customers. A lot in the style of Jim Jarmusch, but less artsy and with a nice message in the end. Excellent depiction of humanity at its best and its worst, but with a more mundane approach. Very likeable. 8.5/10

 

[boiltheocean]

Spacejam - Never going to get bored of that!

 

[opendriver]

Gran Torino: 9/10

Clint did an amazing job behind this movie. The story is excellent, and really shows a man connecting with a different culture. And the ending is terrific (and a bit sad). It really grabs your attention, and the end doesn't really grasp you as to why he did that until you think about what he's said.

+1

If anyone is wondering if they should see this movie or not, go see it. Be warned though, if you are easily offended by racial slurs,there is a fair amount through out the movie.

 

[Danoff]

Hancock 👎👎

Very slapped together "need a payday" sort of film. From the "all the good parts are in the previews" category, the movie was marketed as a funny take on the superhero, but ended up being another superhero movie. The funny parts were great in movie trailers (where the tone of the movie couldn't be properly assessed) those same clips come off less funny in the actual movie because you understand the characters a little more.

A coherent plot with a special effects budget higher than the average romantic comedy would have been necessary to make this movie anywhere close to viable.

 

[TB]

I agree, Danoff. I didn't completely despise it, but it certainly left a lot to be desired. I actually fell asleep watching it, skipped back to the last thing I remembered only to ask myself why I bothered.

 

[ceiling_fan]

Spacejam - Never going to get bored of that!

Haha. I have that on VHS somewhere.

 

[Diego440]

eXistenZ (1999) -- A movie which must've scored better, but being video game-like, it probably scores law on most audiences due to its lack of SFX. Overall, the plot falls short of depth after a while, but scores high on making the viewer part of the action, indeed until the very end of the movie, much like Cronenberg's previous work. Too bad the concept is so overused, though the biotech future of videogames where graphics don't add realism, but it's rather through implants that the game works is a great way to hop for the future of gaming. 7.5/10



Midnight Cowboy (1969) -- Very depressing but truly excellent movie from the age of sexual liberation. Very dark and the product of sexual revolution vs. sexual repression of the establishment, it's no wonder it was rated X when it came out. There isn't that much of a story, as the movie centers on the two characters and their life as low lives in New York, prostituting themselves (well, only John Voight) and hoping for a better future... which seems farther and farther away as the movie goes on. 8.5/10



The Brothers Grimm (2005) -- Probably the most viewable Terry Gilliam movie, since it's such a PG-like adventure, though it may give most kids nightmares for a while. There's a few good laughs and the movie is fairly suspenseful at times. Not bad, but far from the great flicks Gilliam has us used to. 6.5/10



Tideland (2005) -- And on the opposite end of the spectrum, produced in the same year as the previous mentioned movie, Gilliam makes the hardest movie to watch, IMO. Even if you hate this movie, it's sure to keep you talking about it. Deeply disturbing, kinda boring and profoundly incorrect, coupled with one of the most enigmatic endings I've seen in a long time. Great to see Jeff Bridges in a very junkie role, which reminds me of The Dude, on a more drugged up level. In many ways this is the purest Gilliam film since Brazil, though this one is much more disturbing and for most people, probably too weird. 7/10

[The Brothers] Grimm would have been a better film had Gilliam been left to his own devices; Tideland would have been a better film had Gilliam not been left to his own devices

Jumper (2008) -- The concept was okay, the acting was (amazingly) not bad, though the movie is little more than action sequences mixed with geography lessons. The lead character's relationship with the girl is unrealistic, no chemistry whatsoever and Sam Jackson pretty much plays Sam Jackson. Jamie Bell almost saves the movie, though it's little more than rental quality. 5/10



MIller's Crossing (1990) -- Up is down, black is white and nothing is what it seems. Pretty good movie by the Coen brothers, though IMO it's a very long route to tell a simple story. I think it's the type of movie you have to watch more than once, since I was only mildly impressed the first time I saw it (when it came out) but this time I liked it much more. There is only one mayor flaw here and it's that movies need to be more entertaining... oh well. 8/10

 

[Brett]

Gran Torino: 9/10

Clint did an amazing job behind this movie. The story is excellent, and really shows a man connecting with a different culture. And the ending is terrific (and a bit sad). It really grabs your attention, and the end doesn't really grasp you as to why he did that until you think about what he's said.

Just got back from the movie and it was very good. Eastwood is excellent in the movie.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Gran Torino - 9.5/10

Seriously one of the best movies ever, like a few have said.

 

[ceiling_fan]

Bad Santa - A really really wonderful family film Some many hilarious lines and actions. The only thing that irked me was the girl's attraction to him 8.76/10

Stepbrothers - A wonderful example of a movie where all the good parts are in the previews and the rest is dumb and unfunny. If you found the trailers boring then STAY AWAY. 6.61/10

 

[GT Pro]

Watched Epic Movie today and the title couldn't be more exact; it fails epicly. Although not much focus would have gone into the story line anyway, the movement of the plot in the film is just plain horrible. Their 'humorous' rendition of the popular box-office films of the time fall far below the mark in the genre and the mise en scene is clumsy at best.

Probably the worst med-large-budget film I have ever seen - 1/10.