Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread

[Phoenix Dark]

Wrapped up District 9. Delicious Blu-ray.

Despite characterization issues, it was thoroughly entertaining. Avatar isn't even the best film featuring aliens or mechs released in 2009!

First time you've seen it? I remember some "lol it's overrated" talk from someone here, but I can't remember.

I really liked it. It sure does transition from an adventure/sci fi flick to a pure balls-to-the-wall action flick effortlessly

[OptimoPeach]

It sure does transition from an adventure/sci fi flick to a pure balls-to-the-wall action flick effortlessly

This is what I remember everyone here bitching about

[The Fake Shemp]

I piped in and said that my peers felt it was pretty overrated, and had massive characterization issues - and I would say both are true. It is not an Oscar-worthy flick, nor would I call it the greatest science-fiction film of all-time (or any kind of crazy praise), but it was entertaining. Its reputation is what scared me away from seeing it in theaters, and I'm glad I did not, because seeing it months later put some distance between a lot of the commentary I heard and my own personal screening.

Like I said, it's an entertaining flick bogged down by some screenplay problems. It also follows a recent trend of sci-fi that has the subtlety of a lead pipe.

[Great Rumbler]

I can't really recall a lot of "aliens stranded on Earth, segregated from society" films, unless you want to count something like Alien Nation.

Replace "racism" with "environmental issues" and Avatar and D9 have several striking similarities. You've got an oblivious guy who eventually sees the error of his ways with regards to how a group is treated, going so far as to abandon his own group and even become part of the other group in order to help them. D9's even got the alien-killing military guy and the dollars-for-eyes corporate guy who will do anything for another buck. D9 tries to disguise what it is and for the most part it does a pretty good job of that, but it's still almost as much a going-native story as Avatar is. The main difference is that Avatar makes no bones about what it is, firmly embracing that genre and reveling in it.

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, I guess if you toss away the fact that Avatar is a virtual retelling Pocahontas/Dances With Wolves (and District 9 is not) and that the main character doesn't want to be one of the "natives" (which by the way, the aliens are not - they are not natives, nor are they indigenous people!) and that he doesn't really learn the error of his ways until he is forced to (basically by gun point) and that he never abandons his "group" but rather spends the vast majority of the running time trying to return to the status quo and that District 9 deals with racism and such... they're totally identical.

[The Fake Shemp]

Other striking similarities: District 9 and Avatar have protagonists and are feature length. Both have aliens and mechs. They are practically the same film!

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

They're both Edward Zwick sci-fi films (whitey helps out a marginalized/endangered race/culture/alien).

[brawndolicious]

Replace "racism" with "environmental issues" and Avatar and D9 have several striking similarities. You've got an oblivious guy who eventually sees the error of his ways with regards to how a group is treated, going so far as to abandon his own group and even become part of the other group in order to help them. D9's even got the alien-killing military guy and the dollars-for-eyes corporate guy who will do anything for another buck. D9 tries to disguise what it is and for the most part it does a pretty good job of that, but it's still almost as much a going-native story as Avatar is. The main difference is that Avatar makes no bones about what it is, firmly embracing that genre and reveling in it.

In Avatar, the main character changes his ways after being able to walk again and having tentacle-sex.  In D9, the main character changes because he is forced to become an ugly, oppressed alien and weapon tester.

Those movies are so similar.

[brawndolicious]

If you saw one of them, you wouldn't need a lot of imagination to write the other.

[Mandark]

Now you're gonna start defending the artistic integrity of Pocohontas?

Really?

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

Its cool, I'mma gonna get him back by pirating some unwatchable Korean melodrama.



WHO'S LAUGHING NOW, HUH?!  MY GIRL AND I, THAT'S WHO!

[Ichirou]

[TakingBackSunday]

[BlueTsunami]

Nomination #2 for 2010 Ether

[Ichirou]

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

[Powerslave]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks so much like Heath Ledger.

That's why Nolan is grooming him to be The Joker in the next Batman movie.

Really?

[The Fake Shemp]

If you can suggest to me a way to support this film while I'm in Korea, I'm all ears.

Considering it was available for download via Amazon.com, unless you are blocked from purchasing video titles from that store, you could have rented it. Even if there's no available way for you to view it right now outside of importing a DVD, you have a pretty awesome track record of downloading stuff that will eventually reach Korea.

[Great Rumbler]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt looks so much like Heath Ledger.

That's why Nolan is grooming him to be The Joker in the next Batman movie.

Really?

It's a distinct possibility, but, since the third Batman movie is still under wraps at this point, Nolan's not going to come out and actually say it.

[tiesto]

Saw Invictus in a movie theatre that had no heat yesterday. Damn great movie, and an interesting look at history, even though I don't know shit about the rules of rugby. Between this and Gran Torino, seems Clint Eastwood directing + racial tension makes a damn good movie.

[Powerslave]

Great Rumbler, what are you basing all this on? Mere speculation?

[Great Rumbler]

Great Rumbler, what are you basing all this on? Mere speculation?

Yeah, it's just speculation.

[Eric P]

just got back from IFC Center's showing of Elevator to the Gallows, Malle's first film

It was almost like a parody of what a French crime film should be with lots of existential wandering around Paris at night with some really rather ridiculous characters.

The best part was the insane irony of the plot which was downplayed rather than expounded upon

ugh.

Next week is Goddard's Pierrot le Fou.

[chronovore]

Jesus GS thanks for spoiling the movie

Now I'm even more happy I've still got GS on Ignore.

[Fresh Prince]

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

That annihilation was null and void. I annihilated PD in the KFC thread.

[Ichirou]

Hmmm, I guess I must've missed that particular annihilation.

[Powerslave]

Great Rumbler, what are you basing all this on? Mere speculation?

Yeah, it's just speculation.

thanks for getting my hopes up jackass. I mean, these weren't even rumors, just YOUR speculation  :stfu

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

That annihilation was null and void. I annihilated PD in the KFC thread.

link to thread plz

[Great Rumbler]

Great Rumbler, what are you basing all this on? Mere speculation?

Yeah, it's just speculation.

thanks for getting my hopes up jackass. I mean, these weren't even rumors, just YOUR speculation  :stfu

 

[Phoenix Dark]

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

That annihilation was null and void. I annihilated PD in the KFC thread.

I voided it by eating KFC while reading your post

[Flannel Boy]

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

That annihilation was null and void. I annihilated PD in the KFC thread.

I voided it by eating KFC while reading your post

I just voided this post by eating Popeyes.

[Phoenix Dark]

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

That annihilation was null and void. I annihilated PD in the KFC thread.

I voided it by eating KFC while reading your post

I just voided this post by eating Popeyes.

I tried voiding this post by determining whether there even were Popeyes in Canada. In conclusion my google search fail voids my attempts to stall annihilation

[Flannel Boy]

PD annihilating ManaByte in the Artie Lange suicide thread.

That annihilation was null and void. I annihilated PD in the KFC thread.

I voided it by eating KFC while reading your post

I just voided this post by eating Popeyes.

I tried voiding this post by determining whether there even were Popeyes in Canada. In conclusion my google search fail voids my attempts to stall annihilation

I understand why your google search was unsuccessful; it's a tricky address: http://www.popeyeschicken.ca/

[Phoenix Dark]

I meant I searched, assuming Popeyes was an American thang, only to find they serve Canada as well. Thus ruining the annihilation I was going to try.

[BlueTsunami]

They also get served their tonic with said cupcakes in 20oz baggies

[brawndolicious]

Moon

Pretty emotionally fucked up but amazing movie.  Every part of this movie was perfect.  The only time I ever had a problem was when I realized that it was supposed to be an indie movie and yet the production values were so not shitty.

Coraline

Definitely one of the more interesting and original animated movies plus it had extremely charming animation.  I think it will be remembered as a classic.  I haven't seen it in 3D but it seems like a stop-motion movie would be the only type to really benefit from that so I'm thinking of trying that.

Taken

Pretty corny at times but fuck-awesome action.  Liam Neeson's combination of Agent 47 and Sam Fisher really makes me regret that he wasn't the new Bond.

[Raban]

I saw Private Parts recently. Pretty excellent.

Also, not impressed at Princess and the Frog. Animation varied from solid to a quality comparable to Newgrounds seniors (not a knock at either, I simply expect Disney to be the forerunner of animation). The use of CGI was alright for most of the movie, being really out of place in other spots. The story had the potential to break free of the typical fare, but it caved in near the halfway point. Excellent VA, however.

EDIT: Coraline is fucking awesome. Saw it in theaters when it was out. I love that the plot is laid out like a video game.

[brawndolicious]

EDIT: Coraline is fucking awesome. Saw it in theaters when it was out. I love that the plot is laid out like a video game.

The part with the fetch quest was more to shatter her fantasy about the "other" world, I think.  Some bomb-ass animation in those parts anyways.

[Raban]

EDIT: Coraline is fucking awesome. Saw it in theaters when it was out. I love that the plot is laid out like a video game.

The part with the fetch quest was more to shatter her fantasy about the "other" world, I think.  Some bomb-ass animation in those parts anyways.

I guess it could be seen that way, but I don't really need a rationalization, I DO like that it's laid out like a video game. I wasn't be ironic.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

so what was the creepiest part of Coraline?
the...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

alternate trapeze artist turning into a mess of rats?

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the...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

needle hand clawing its way into the real world?

[close]

the...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

the now blinded other mother going apeshit?

[close]

When I get around to doing my best of list for 2010, I've got a nice spot reserved for Coraline.  Undoubtedly the best kids horror film in years, and I'd even say one of the best horror-horror films of the year.

[Raban]

so what was the creepiest part of Coraline?
the...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

alternate trapeze artist turning into a mess of rats?

[close]

the...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

needle hand clawing its way into the real world?

[close]

the...

spoiler (click to show/hide)

the now blinded other mother going apeshit?

[close]

When I get around to doing my best of list for 2010, I've got a nice spot reserved for Coraline.  Undoubtedly the best kids horror film in years, and I'd even say one of the best horror-horror films of the year.

You though it was horror? Really? I guess it didn't phase me since I'm normally inclined to creepy, disgusting things.

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

Yeah, its a straight up dark fantasy/horror flick, albeit a PG-rated one.  The only other 2009 horror flicks I liked were Carriers and My Bloody Valentine, and I'd say that Coraline was objectively better then both of them (tho Carriers was pretty decent, and MBV was more fun then most slasher films are).

[Great Rumbler]

The only time I ever had a problem was when I realized that it was supposed to be an indie movie and yet the production values were so not shitty.

Why would that be a problem?

[duckman2000]

G-Force. Felt a bit like watching a bunch of Halo cutscenes, only of course a good deal better. Still not good.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

G-Force?  Isn't that with the gerbils?

[Joe Molotov]

The best parts of G-Force was when it was like Splinter Cell for kids. The worst parts was the other hour, when they tried to have plot and character development and crap. Who cares? They're CG Guinea Pigs, I don't care if they always longed to be a part of a family or some BS. Also the twist-ending  Transformer-esque final battle was SMH even for a kid's movie about talking rodent secret agents.

[Eric P]

Yeah, its a straight up dark fantasy/horror flick, albeit a PG-rated one.  The only other 2009 horror flicks I liked were Carriers

carriers was really quite enjoyable and recommended to anyone looking for something a bit different with their post apocalyptica


Just saw Haneke's The White Ribbon.  Very dense and disturbing without being as explicit as many of his other films

[Don Flamenco]

Anvil: The Story of Anvil.   

Loved it.  It's about this 80s metal band that should have been huge, on paper, but since they didn't have management or a big break, it never happened. They were influential on GNR, Slayer, Metallica, etc.  They kept on playing and releasing albums though.  I thought it would be like a Christopher Guest-style mockumentary with lots of schadenfreude, but it was more about how dedicated they are.  Sure, there are some cringing moments where they're like "we're still gonna be rockstars...never give up hope!" They are like 50 years old now...but the rest of it was very heartwarming and sometimes sad because they'd get fucked over by bar owners.

Was gonna see them play tonight, but I feel like shit and it was a $20 cover...so I guess they're doing alright for themselves now, heh.

[brawndolicious]

The only time I ever had a problem was when I realized that it was supposed to be an indie movie and yet the production values were so not shitty.

Why would that be a problem?

Well obviously independent movies get some extra hype for not having a lot of resources to work with.  In this movie, I never felt like they had to use anything "second-hand".  The special effects and the set design never felt lacking at all and the budget was sort of the unofficial max for an indie movie ($5 million).  On the other hand, it is impressive that they shot the whole movie in a month and 95% was one actor.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

Anvil: The Story of Anvil.   

Loved it.  It's about this 80s metal band that should have been huge, on paper, but since they didn't have management or a big break, it never happened. They were influential on GNR, Slayer, Metallica, etc.  They kept on playing and releasing albums though.  I thought it would be like a Christopher Guest-style mockumentary with lots of schadenfreude, but it was more about how dedicated they are.  Sure, there are some cringing moments where they're like "we're still gonna be rockstars...never give up hope!" They are like 50 years old now...but the rest of it was very heartwarming and sometimes sad because they'd get fucked over by bar owners.

Was gonna see them play tonight, but I feel like shit and it was a $20 cover...so I guess they're doing alright for themselves now, heh.

I've been talking about this movie for months.  Fucking love it.

[Bebpo]

The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus

Great!  I loooove Terry Gilliam's films but his last couple (Tideland, Brothers Grimm) have been less than stellar so expectations were a bit lower here but he made another great movie   It wasn't bizarro art-world pacing like Brazil but rather entertaining well paced mainstream movie with fantastic visuals like Munchausen and 12 Monkey's to a lesser degree.  Was a lot of fun with good performances, a good script and neat visual design.  The CG was really low-budget, but sometimes it still looked cool.  Glad to see Gilliam hasn't lost his touch.

The movie really should have gotten wide release and not just be limited to art houses.  It has enough mainstream appeal and big name actors to carry it.

[ManaByte]

Star Trek II: The Second Wrath of Khan is set for May 2012.

[Raban]

Star Trek II: The Second Wrath of Khan is set for May 2012.

That can't be the title.

[ManaByte]

Star Trek II: The Second Wrath of Kahn
Star Trek III: Search for Spock Again
Star Trek IV: Another Voyage Home
Star Trek V: The Final Final Frontier
Star Trek VI: More Undiscovered Country

[BobFromPikeCreek]

Just saw Funny Games. Awesome movie. Loved how aware the movie is of its viewers, and how it toys with their expectations.

[The Fake Shemp]

I don't think anyone would want to remake Search for Spock or The Final Frontier.

[Eric P]

they should remake Undiscovered Country, but instead of heavy handed cold war parable, they can make it a war on terror parable!

"the klingons are a race of PEACE, but there are extremists who seek to destroy the Federation!"

[HyperZoneWasAwesome]

oh man.  Second First Contact is gonna kick so much ass.

[cool breeze]

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

people saying this is better than Up are so right

[Eric P]

[Eric P]

"STEVE!"

[cool breeze]

the movie sets things up so early on that you kinda ignore them until they resurface

spoiler (click to show/hide)

the gummy bear line was hilarious early in the movie when it seemed like a random joke they kept putting in there, and then at the end with the giant gummy bears and steve ripping out a gummy bear heart 

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