Hesher - Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh This one really annoyed me, because it's one of those cases where it feels like a bad movie wrapped in a good movie. Or vice versa, I don't know. As far as the production, performances, and bare bones narrative, I can't really fault it. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is great in the titular role, adding yet another dimension to his acting repertoire - this time as "the unredeemable scum****." Rainn Wilson is extremely believable as the deadbeat dad who has utterly lost control of his life (sweet beard too). Natalie Portman is Natalie Portman. The kid who plays the main character is... really good at playing a whiny little shit? Which brings me to the movie's crucial flaw: I hate all of these characters and don't give a solitary shit what happens to any of them. This is a problem because the movie obviously wants you to care, or at least wants you to find your way to caring by its conclusion. The better part of the movie is spent examining just how dreadful and loathsome a character can be while also hinting at some kind of redeeming characteristics... without ever actually exploring them. Basically, Hesher is a terrible c*nt who occasionally almost just about says or does something right, but usually doesn't. But then, at some indeterminate point (I lost track), the movie does an about face and decides that he's meant to be the wise mentor character or something. Then it ends with one of the most ham-fisted, phoned-in pieces of sanctimonious profundity I've ever seen, and I hold my head in my hands and wonder why I didn't listen to the voice in my head telling me to just give it up at the half hour mark. Uggggghhhhhh.
Yeah, but so too does Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell and Clancy Brown. Although they've been involved in a whole lot more shit than Lindelof has, and in his defense there was like four screen writers on this project. When the "written by" title came up (not to mention the preceding "based on the novel by" "adapted for the screen by") I was baffled by the amount of writers involved in one screenplay. Orci and Kurtzman, the bane of Hollywood screenwriting, among them. But four. Four. And this boring shitfest is all they could come up with?
12 Angry Men - 9/10 It's very highly rated on IMDb, that was the reason I checked it out in the first place. I have never seen a 50s movie that was this layered. It's basically a film about a jury deciding if a kid is guilty of murder. The 12 jurors all have vastly different character traits, which influence their reasoning on the case. The acting is sublime throughout. You're at the edge of your seat the whole time, which isn't an easy feat for a film that takes place almost entirely in a single room.
Unknown 3/10 Saw it on the airplane. Like a bad mashup of Bourne Identity and The Fugitive. Liam Neeson could be replaced with a brick for all the emotion he gives in this movie. The story could be good, but the writing and acting completely sunk it.
Batman Begins - David Goyer/10 Easily Christopher Nolan's worst film. Let's take a look at the script: WHY DO WE FALL BRUCE/LEARN TO PICK OURSELVES UP, HAVEN'T GIVEN UP ON ME YET/NEVER, LEARN TO MIND YOUR SURROUNDINGS/YOU NEVER MIND YOUR SURROUNDINGS, DIDN'T YOU GET THE MEMO/DIDN'T YOU GET THE MEMO, IT'S ALL A BIT TECHNICAL/ALL A BIT TECHNICAL, and IT'S NOT WHO YOU ARE UNDERNEATH, WHAT YOU DO THAT DEFINES YOU. AD NAUSEUM. This half-assed script has Goyer written all over it.
Tangled - 7 or 8/10 It was cute and pretty funny. I liked that the hair didn't actually move around on its own accord, like it seemed from some of the trailers. I still kinda wish animated movies didn't have to be funny all the time now. The songs kinda sucked too. I'm surprised these were by Alan Menken. His older Disney songs seemed so much better. I was also pretty weirded out that many of the scenes were strongly reminiscent of classic Disney, e.g.: Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler The old witchy-lookin' lady reminds me of the old lady in Snow White Hiding the princess in the woods was like Sleeping Beauty except in reverse -- now the bad witch lady has her instead of the good guys. Lots of things reminiscent of Little Mermaid, like disobeying authority figures to explore the outside world. Tavern with the thugs reminded me of that scene in Beauty and the Beast. Lantern scene reminded me of something, can't remember what though. Mulan? Not sure. Anyways, overall it was enjoyable.
Super - Yeah but nah but yeah Had me until the end. Besides that, it does everything I thought Kick Ass would and many times more effectively.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (Original) I missed the start but I really enjoyed this film. It's all rather refreshing in how simple it is. There are no fancy camera tricks or attempts to dazzle you or make it seem more dramatic than it actually is. There are some basic 50s special effects that may have been impressive at the time (it's funny how Metropolis is so amazing compared in its effects compared to every other film that came out for decades after it) but are not given too much emphasis and are just there to get the job done. Any given scene is pretty much just a camera pointed at people who are talking. It's about people interacting and there aren't camera cuts where they aren't needed (except when they cut away from Gort knocking out some soldiers to hid how little the guy in the suit could move). Now I don't hate modern cinematography at all, the 10-minute running scene in Children of Men is wonderful, but it is really a nice change of pace from modern films. I must watch more B&W movies and more Hitchcock. All in all I have no problems with this film at all and it's certainly not worth comparing to the 2008 crapfest with Keanu Reeves and lots of close-ups of LG logos. Tinker Tailor Solider Spy I don't normally watch spy thrillers but this was a very good film. I don't really know what to say other than I really enjoyed it. Not familiar enough with the genre to make comparisons. I also haven't gathered my thoughts on it enough to give my full impressions. I think I'm definitely going to have to rewatch it. Bridesmades Not a chick flick. However this looked in the ads or what people tell you it is it is not a chick flick; it's a comedy. It's a fairly decent one too. It's nothing astounding but it is one of the better American comedies I've seen recently. The characters are rather exaggerated but believable in broad strokes (except perhaps the crazy fat one) and I think it deserves some acknowledgement for having a cast of normal-looking women instead of making sure they're all completely drop-dead gorgeous before being allowed to show their faces on a screen. Chris O'Dowd makes a surprising and decent appearance as the love-interest. No attempt is made to hide his Irishness and I found the contrast with the very American film pretty funny for some reason. "Who's yer wan?" becomes a strangely amusing phrase after being soaking in Americanness for an hour and a bit. The film has plenty of problems though. Two of the bridesmaids who were fairly important secondary characters in the first half of the film simply do nothing in the second. They stand in the background and have no lines and some other things I won't mention because I'm sick of talking about this film and I need to go to work.
Mmmm, I remember liking the original The Day the Earth Stood Still a lot when I first saw it a couple of years ago. I wasn't expecting much because my friend was sick of watching it (it's his dad's favorite movie ever), but it was good. I feel like a lot of old Sci Fi -ish movies are like you described, where they're not as overwhelmingly flashy/in-your-face as today's. e.g. Soylent Green. Frankly I find that some of the dialogue can get to be a drag and the movies become too slow/long, but sometimes this allows them to incorporate some really good scenes that you wouldn't expect from your stereotypical mindless modern sci-fi flick, like... Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler the scene in Soylent Green where he watches his old friend go to die with the nature videos and the classical music playing -- so good, especially when you find out it was that actor's last scene in any movie and they knew he was dying in real life ;(
Straw Dogs (original) - rape/10 A worthy successor to the Home Alone franchise but I think they need to reassess their key demographic.
Oh God, I stumbled onto Straw Dogs on Cinemax late one night when I was like 8 or 9. That rape scene haunted me for the rest of my days.
Johnny English: Reborn - 6.5/10 Decently funny, nothing incredible. Though still better than the first Johnny English, from memory. Directing was pretty poor, and there are inaccuracies that should make any moderately intelligent viewer facepalm something shocking, the whole Tibet scene was f*cking retarded. Rowan Atkinson is funny in whatever role he plays though, so it's worth a look at if there is nothing else on and you're in the mood . 6.5/10 The Lion King (3D Re-release) - 8.5/10 I only ever saw The Lion King once before the other day, and I was a newborn baby at the time. I must say it is a beautiful film, and I am glad I have seen it, particularly now when I can understand and appreciate the themes and social values it presents under the facade of being for kids. These were some things I noticed: 1) It's almost a retelling of Macbeth. Scar [Macbeth] kills King Mufasa [Duncan] and Simba [Malcom/Donalbain], next in line to throne, flees and eventually returns to kill the usurper. The summoning of Mufasa's ghost was a bit like the witch's apparitions in Macbeth too. 2) Scar is Hitler. He uses words to manipulate people, and during his song the Hyenas [Nazis] are doing the goose step march. In total resemblance of Hitler and Nazi soldiers. 3) The Circle of Life is the Buddhist 'Wheel of Dharma'. That's all I can think of at the moment, but it was very rich in thought provoking moments, which is brilliant. I've never read anything on The Lion King, but I'm assuming I am not the first person to draw these parallels? It's a shame kids films have gone so far down the toilet nowadays, it seems Pixar are the only ones who don't pump them with just child humor. The 3D itself was pretty good, the rain near the end was really neat. I can't exactly make a comparison between old and new, but the quality of the film doesn't look dated in the slightest. 8.5/10
I kinda liked the songs. They're pretty catchy. The lantern scene reminded me of The Little Mermaid, Kiss the Girl scene.
Drive - 8/10 That number might go a bit higher as the night goes on. I never saw any trailers for it and apparently some people got the impression it was a Fast/Furious kind of deal, just with a splash of Gosling's deadpan. In truth, the action is sparse and there's very little driving. It's also nearly dead silent if you don't count the recurring 80's electro-pop used in the soundtrack. Its simplicity gives way to a strange, quiet beauty though. There's been some hubbub over the violence in the film. I'll say that I never found any of it gratuitous, but it's pretty intense when it happens. I was reminded a lot of A History Of Violence, but a degree nastier. My only complaint would be that the film takes a while to properly get going, although it does give later scenes more punch. Ryan Gosling has never really made a strong impression on me (though I never thought him terrible), but he does a great job playing the nameless hero archetype here. I'd recommend a watch if there's nothing else jumping out at you at the cinema. Don't let the neon pink titling put you off. I was pleasantly surprised and there's certainly worse trash you could be spending your money on.
Neglected to post my impressions when I saw it, but I've been liking that movie more and more in retrospect. I think my expectations of it ruined it for me the first time I saw it, not to mention (and I'm probably going to get a lot of flak for this) not caring for the soundtrack at all. Minus the track in the intro running up until he finishes the first job, that one fit like a glove, and the way it went from washed out to clear as he entered the car was a neat touch. Actually everything in that sequence was about flawless, with the exception of a pretty glaring error on the bridge scene (if you watch it again, pay attention to the other cars in front of him when it switches to his car's point of view). Honestly though, after discussing it with the friend I saw it with I think the film is a bit deeper than a lot of people will give it credit. I can't agree more with your comparison to History of Violence, but this one was much, much more subdued, and the detached, almost ethereal tone in the quieter scenes lent a much greater severity to the violence (Cronenberg can't be beat for gratuitousness, though). The thing it didn't sell me on straight away, though, was Gosling's character, and how the movie was trying to portray him. If you dig into the subtext a little it's pretty easy to see they're trying to hint at his violent past, but you never really get a feel for how this re-emerges in his character (besides the violence itself) or how it takes its toll on him. He just flits between reserved, shy nice guy and stone-faced killer, and you never get the sense that the movie is trying to present him as anything but a stock protagonist. Even so, it's a pretty unique action (if not driving) film, well worth a watch. I get the feeling I'll enjoy it much more the second time.
In the director's mind, it's likely he thought that his hinted past, in combination with his stoic vagueness, are enough to figure him out. But I think that's giving modern audiences too much to work with. People are so offput by the performance they believe he's autistic. His facial expressions at the end of the motel and elevator scenes are arguably the closest we get to seeing the violence's toll on him. It's especially significant in the latter because of Irene. But I agree with you that he was much too simplified (if that's even possible with such a character). His char would have gelled a lot better if there was some suggestion that he was changing slightly after meeting Irene; the alone-away-from-the-party scene felt like they hadn't progressed at all in their relationship. Imo the weakest aspect is Irene's character. She's just... void. She's pretty much confirmed for complete contrivance with everything she does post-elevator scene. The film really could have gone places if she had acted in any way traumatised, or confused, or something, but she just stayed her same vacuous self. I think everything broke down post-elevator. From that point on you can just end the movie because nothing after it kept with the ideas they had been building on and it just spirals further into a revenge flick. But hey it's a dream/mood movie so none of it matters anyway~~~~~~ ^.-
Also I think they went a bit too far with the tomboy look. Honestly a couple of times I caught a glance of her and almost saw the kid from Two and a Half Men. Just saying.
Bleak Night- Absolutely loved it. A very different Korean movie compared to what I usually watch, gonna hunt out more like it. Probably my #1 for this year. 9/10 Yellow Sea- Solid action flick, but I feel about 20 or so minutes could have been cut out without any significant problems. I liked The Chaser more. 7/10 Noroi: The Curse- Very believable and immersive J-Horror. I felt the ending (ending before the -good- ending) was a bit silly and I find myself agreeing with Badhat's assessment of it; just made me ask myself "WHY would you film this happening?!" but the payoff at the very end was great. 8/10 Trollhunter- Lived up to the hype for the most part. Some shoddy CGI in parts, but in other areas it looked great so I don't know. Different from most "found footage" movies and I think it's better for that. 8/10 The Guard- Great movie. Actually the first movie that I've actually enjoyed Don Cheadle in. Took a little bit to get used to the accents, but just a plain old funny and fun movie. 9/10
Ides of March 8/10 It was pretty good, not amazing, but a good simple story. I also liked Michael Clayton and Syrianna though, so maybe I am biased towards GC productions.
Last page of this thread has some impressions. http://www.halflife2.net/forums/sho...Prequel-Animatronic-Monsters-and-No-Norwegian
Paranormal Activity 3 - 4/10 - Not surprisingly, albeit disappointing, the series reverts to ninety minutes of consecutive boo! moments. The original had a tense buildup. It bided it's time and focused more on creepy occurences than a hard knock which makes everyone release their bowels in the cinema. It had footprints, shadows, weird voices and just a amazing sense of dread. If I recall correctly it didn't even have a jump scare until a good forty five minutes into the film. PA3 on the other hand is content to simply have people watching in silence waiting for a door to slam or a light bulb to burst and make every girl in the cinema scream. Which, I suppose, makes for a good cinema going experience. Doesn't make for a good horror film. Kairo (Pulse) - 7/10 - I think this film stands as the ultimate comparison point between American and Japanese horror, especially when regarding it's remake. Here we have a film built entirely on a foreboding atmosphere, with nary a boo moment to be seen. The ghosts themselves barely make an appearance (unlike the remake) and it's not even sure if they are entirely malevolent. Instead it focuses it's gaze on the ideas behind the ghosts, the concept of isolation and alienation due to technology. Not entirely original but not handled in a way that's heavy handed either. It adds up to a film that I suppose is less horror in the traditional sense but perhaps more a depressing cautionary tale, especially regarding the last fifteen minutes when everything ratchets up. However, to come back to it as the comparison point, it also exemplifies where J-Horror falls down. It's got a muddled plot, a complete lack of in depth characters and an overall feel of confusion as to what exactly is happening on screen. I think it results in the whole film entrancing you in a dream like state, and whether that's intentional or not it's effective in accentuating that atmosphere even more. The film is a worthy look in, if only because it deviates from the usual gamut of horror. Audition - 7.5/10 - This is a film that I had wished I knew nothing about before going in. I suppose I'll keep the details light but if you can, don't even google this film and acquire it in a way that requires to see absolutely no promotional material. I think it makes it that much sweeter. To give a description, I suppose it's a Japanese romance about a guy auditioning girls to become his new potential suitor. Any more than that I cannot say. For those who have seen it: Spoiler (Move your mouse to the spoiler area to reveal the content) Show Spoiler Hide Spoiler The left turn it takes is positively brilliant. When it's finally revealed in that sack scene like an hour in where this film is going, it was so surprising and bone chillingly creepy. The film leading up to that is completely different, and I can see why it would never see success released in America, remake or not. It needs that first hour to gestate, and audiences here just would not have the patience. It's easily the best "torture porn" film I've viewed, mainly because the torture itself really isn't the focus. It keeps tracking on the characters until the very end and there's real emotions beneath the eventual bloodshed. Shiina's performance is positively brilliant, and I only take points off because her character's reasoning for being a psychopath are too entrenched in the clichéd. It still works though, and there's still empathy to be had between the two characters in the end. A shout out too, to the man inside that sack. The vomit meal and his appearance has not left my mental recollection, it was scarring.
In Time - 7/10 A lot better than I expected going in, though the third act seems a little disjointed and comes from left field somewhat.
Incredible movie. The acting is pitch perfect, and the way it gradually ratchets things up while giving you just enough information to piece things together kept me completely absorbed. Definitely one of my new favourites from this year. Edit: Oh yeah and I saw True Grit and Submarine. Both pretty great but didn't leave a huge lasting impression on me. Looking forward to seeing where Ayoade goes next, if he sticks to direction.
Tintin - 9/10 Excellent film, reminiscent of old-school Indie. Spielberg in top form. Also the best implemented 3D I've seen yet.
American History X x/10 Not a happy film, but really good. I could relate to a lot of the issues raised, and Edward Norton was ****ing great in the lead role
Raiders of the Lost Ark - I hadn't seen this movie in quite a few years and had forgotten how near-perfect it is. Going to continue with the trilogy tonight.
One of my favorite trilogies, I keep meaning to rewatch them all again but I can't find the time to do so. Temple of Doom is probably my least favorite just because of Shortround being so damn annoying.
Temple of Doom was my favourite as a kid, but I've been informed that it doesn't get better with age. The last time I saw Last Crusade I think was 6 years ago or so, but I haven't seen the first two in probably more than 10, so I'm pretty excited about this whole thing.
Yeah, I loved Temple as a kid too and would re-enact the ripping out heart scene on my brother all the time. I watched them all again a couple of years ago and I felt that both Raiders and Crusade stood the test of time quite well but Temple was hampered by the kid sidekick and overly screamy female character.
i, too, was a big fan of temple as a kid and it was likely the first of the three films i ever saw. i wonder what it is about that specific film during childhood? it's my least favourite of the three now, though it's still a damn good film. might watch it again soon - i am far too prone to missing it out due to how overwhelmingly amazing raiders and last crusade are.
I just finished Temple of Doom. It's definitely the worst of the three, but it's still not a bad film as a whole. It's flawed, but I still like it. The first like, half hour is terrible, though. The movie opens with an attempt at a James Bond flick, complete with jumping out of a plane with an inflatable raft, and then we're forced to watch Willie adjust to life with Indy. It's clear that she only got the role because she was shagging Spielberg. That whole segment was so painful. I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I actually like Short Round. I find him endearing. And his relationship with Indy, and what we see of Indy later with the other children, really strengthens Jones as a character.
Might have to watch it again but I just found Short Round's voice grating really, he was amusing at first but then it just sort of eh, I don't know. And yeah, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere or heard in an interview that Willie only got a role in the film because of her relationship to Spielberg... I believe Sharon Stone was going to get the role originally. X-Men First Class - 8/10... Surprisingly good. I think I may have liked it more than X2 but I'm not entirely sure, will have to watch it(X2) again. Super 8 - 8/10... God damn, it was E.T., The Goonies, and Stand By Me all over again. I miss these types of movies.