Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread

[Phoenix Dark]

Yea, Tom Cruise was pretty awesome. Didn't like that emotional scene towards the end of the film with his father, but overall it was a great performance; especially how his face went from smug to sadness to pure anger during the interview

Also William H Macy is great in the movie, as if Phillip Seymor Hoffman. In fact I can't think of a PSH film I've seen where he's not awesome

[The Fake Shemp]

I really liked Pineapple Express. I didn't quite love it as much the second time, but I still found it pretty awesome.

That is why we are BFFFs.

I want to be the middle piece.

[etiolate]

I am currently watching the Himuro story




Already had an asian girl in an anime outfit.

[cool breeze]

The Fountain

I liked it.  If I didn't already see The Wrestler, I would say "Darren Aronofsky redeemed"

[duckman2000]

Pineapple Express was a good movie. Andrews what was wrong with it?

Too talky, the characters were unrealistic and/or shit, and Seth Rogen. It had its moments, but it was overall quite shit. And to respond to Willco's comment re: pot movies, this one had more of a pot smoking focus than most other such movies I've seen. Only it all seemed produced under the watchful eyes of people who just plain don't smoke.

Oh yeah, and wtf was up with the socks? Typical shit director habit of trying to make a statement using sock style, fucking cheap.

[The Fake Shemp]

Miracle Mile

Continuing my post-apocalyptic Los Angeles on streaming Netflix kick, this was a pretty good ride. I think it was all in real-time too. I thought it was kind of lame that they pulled their punches near the end; I would've liked to see full-on rape and stuff.

[tiesto]

Ponyo

I have to say I was a bit disappointed in this one... I'm a big Miyazaki fan, his moves are usually all-ages but this one seemed much more geared to little kids. The movie lacked tension for the most part, and the actual story only seemed to appear towards the end. But, the art is definitely charming, going for a retro, colored-pencil sketchy design. Also liked the whole Devonian ocean fauna towards the end, was pretty cool since I recently got back from seeing the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. I mean, I liked it, but compared to Mononoke and Spirited Away (2 of my favorite movies ever) it left a bit to be desired.

[OptimoPeach]

I just finished up S1 of The Wire, and it was so good that I don't even know if I want to continue.

spoiler (click to show/hide)

My one complaint is D'angelo backing down from snitching after a single fucking visit from his mommy. That smelled like some bullshit.

[close]

I'm probably just assed out from marathoning it, but I really don't know if I have it in me to watch another 4 hours of the show gearing up all over again. How many new characters do they introduce to the mix? How many of the old ones do they keep around? Is there another storyline in the series that even comes close to the investigation of the Barksdale crew? Is that arc completely dead? The way the season finale made it look, it seems like the show moves on completely, which would kinda irritate me.

I'm thinking about just checking out The Shield instead.

[twerd]

I've been watching the Wire too, and I just have to say that Season 2's pilot was some shit.

[Phoenix Dark]

I've been watching the Wire too, and I just have to say that Season 2's pilot was some shit.

No it wasn't. The docks arc was very strong and ends with a pretty great conclusion

[chronovore]

I just started The Wire last night, watched first two eps. It's hard to understand what people are saying.

[twerd]

I've been watching the Wire too, and I just have to say that Season 2's pilot was some shit.

No it wasn't. The docks arc was very strong and ends with a pretty great conclusion

I just don't care about them as much as the neeeeeegers. it got a lot better at season 2, but still, i think the community and the ability to "root for the bad guy" was a major hook of season 1, and in season 2 everyone seems to be total assholes.

[Phoenix Dark]

Most of them are assholes in S1 as well though; McNulty, his bosses, Herc, Carver, Griggs to a certain degree, etc. But imo, Frank Sobodka is one of the best characters ever introduced in The Wire. The story definitely starts slow - the entire season does - but after three episodes it finds the floor and starts running

[ManaByte]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/08/17/bruce-willis-confirms-role-in-the-expendables/

Bruce will play Mr Church, the man who hires the Expendables, a highly-trained team of deadly combat mercenaries, to go on a mission to South America to overthrow and execute a villainous dictator. Interestingly enough, the role of Church was originally offered to Schwarzenegger, who declined in favor of a smaller cameo part due to political concerns. Schwarzenegger will now play a retired Lieutenant General of the Expendables.

[Tauntaun]

No it's like Constantine but taking ideas from The Mist (Dennis Quaid's death is like directly out of the spider part of the Mist) while looking like a made for SyFy movie.

When I saw the preview I said Constantine 2 and my friend said "looks horrible".   

[Great Rumbler]

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

The owls are not what they seem!

[youtube=560,345][/youtube]

This movie looks so awful. 

That is pretty fucked up to have Milla talking as herself, vouching for the credibility of the so-called "archive footage".

There's no archive footage or even any real events related to Nome, Alaska. It's just Texas Chainsaw Massacre/The Strangers all over again, only with even more pretending that there's an actual story that the movie's based on.

[Phoenix Dark]

Abduction movie? :yawn

This.

A good alien flick can be awesome, but that just looks outdated. The "true story" is almost always bullshit

[ManaByte]

They're trying to make to be like a SciFi Blair Witch Project...and failing thanks to the internets.

[twerd]

why the fuck did i click the spoiler  :'(

[Solo]

District 9 was pretty great. Nice to have one of these internet hypegasm movies live up to said hype for once. Blomkamp is going to be someone to watch for years to come.

[CajoleJuice]

Didn't Star Trek live up to the hype for you, too?

[The Fake Shemp]

I hope not. I thought Star Trek was just okay, and way overhyped.  I walked out more excited about the prospect of a sequel than the actual film.

[CajoleJuice]

Oh, I didn't like it much either, but I was pretty sure Solo loved it.

[Mr. Gundam]

I watched Monsters vs. Aliens on the flight home yesterday. I fell asleep for a while, it was really bad.

[The Fake Shemp]

Oh, I didn't like it much either, but I was pretty sure Solo loved it.

That is why we are Internet brothers.

[duckman2000]

I watched Monsters vs. Aliens on the flight home yesterday. I fell asleep for a while, it was really bad.

Real bad. Even the kid turned it off, and she usually isn't so picky. But this was some serious crap.

[CajoleJuice]

Oh, I didn't like it much either, but I was pretty sure Solo loved it.

That is why we are Internet brothers.

Pineapple Express

Star Trek

[fistfulofmetal]

i want to see Star Trek.
Pineapple Express was garbage.

[chronovore]

Most of them are assholes in S1 as well though; McNulty, his bosses, Herc, Carver, Griggs to a certain degree, etc. But imo, Frank Sobodka is one of the best characters ever introduced in The Wire. The story definitely starts slow - the entire season does - but after three episodes it finds the floor and starts running

I'm glad to hear that. The first two eps were good, and I enjoyed that it wasn't clear who I supposed to root for -- everybody seems like a jerk: lazy, deceitful, hateful, abusive, stupid -- but there was intrigue, and that's a nasty hook for me. I'll keep pushing for a bit longer.

If I can sit through the first lame episodes of The Dollhouse, I should be able to deal with another episode or two of quality ambiguous-ness.

[Bebpo]

Glory

Never seen it before.  I teared up  :'(

[twerd]

I saw Perfume today.

It and Magnolia get the award for most WTF endings in a movie.

[Solo]

Didn't Star Trek live up to the hype for you, too?

I didnt really have ny ST hype. I wasnt a fan of the series previously. Hell, Im still not a fan of the series aside from ST2009. But I didn enjoy the movie, yes.

[Bebpo]

I saw Perfume today.

It and Magnolia get the award for most WTF endings in a movie.

Awesome ending   Deus Ex Machina at it's best.

[Third]

Minority Report

Pretty good flick. Didn't expect it to be that good. But the ending is so cliché..

[Eel O'Brian]

Just saw Iron Man the other night.  Fun movie, although some of the camera work looked like a made-for-television movie.  All the suit effects were really cool and the flight scenes had an awesome rush.  Robert Downey, Jr. was both hilarious and perfect for the part.  I don't think anyone's going to miss Terrence Howard in the next one, they could also lose Paltrow and I wouldn't mind at all. 

[ManaByte]

For fistful:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/08/20/script-for-aronofskys-black-swan-is-very-intriguingwith-a-quiet-slow-burn/

(Spoiler warning: Since this article is based on a script review, there are spoilers all over, even before the jump. You’re warned.)

There’s a review of Mark Heyman’s script for Black Swan, soon to be a Darren Aronofsky film starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, over at ScriptShadow. There’s a lot of detail there and some good analysis, but the piece opens with a huge bit of salesmanship that will likely get at least half our readers interested in the film really, really fast: “in this movie, Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis have sex…And not just nice sweet innocent sex either. We’re talking ecstasy-induced hungry aggressive angry sex.” Does that make all you puerile bastards more interested in a movie about ballerinas? Yeah, I thought so. More after the break.

I don’t always agree with the take of Carson at ScriptShadow, but I at least get where he’s coming from. And in this case, I’m intrigued by the premise and description. Basically, Black Swan sounds like it could be a Don’t Look Now sort of piece — ‘quiet slow burn’ sounds really appropriate, and I’d love to see Aronofsky make that work on screen. He can nail things this script suggests: soft tension, an increasing lack of trust in your own perception, a shaken sense of identity.

We’ve previously run this description: Portman is a veteran ballerina who finds herself locked in to a competitive showdown with a rival dancer, with the stakes and twists increasing as the dancers approach a big performance. Portman’s character is not sure whether her rival is a supernatural apparition or if she is having delusions.

Based on this review, that sounds more or less right. Portman’s character, Nina, is angling for the lead role in Swan Lake, where she’d have to play two halves of one being, the ‘White’ and the ‘Black’. Nina’s overtly sweet nature makes the White a snap, but her director has doubts about her ability with the dark side, and Nina struggles to find the right darkness. Then, as ScriptShadow summarizes:

    …she begins noticing another girl around town and at the ballet company who looks exactly like her. But not just “exactly.” We’re talking identical. Yet every time Nina tries to get close, the girl turns away or hides her face. Finally, Nina meets this mysterious doppelganger after rehearsal. Her name is Lily. And while she definitely looks like Nina, she’s by no means an identical replica. Was it Nina’s imagination perhaps?

Nina and Lily begin to revolve around each other, and in her mind Nina’s identity begins to blur with Lily’s. One thing ScriptShadow notes is that the script really takes its time. The thing is 130 pages long, and a good chunk of that is evidently dedicated to creating moments and observing very small action. On the page that probably seems indulgent, but that’s the sort of thing I can see Aronofsky knowing how to work. He’s no slouch when it comes to timing and understanding how a subtle moment can change the tone of a scene. Oh, right, and then there’s the sex. You’re probably already thinking Requiem For A Dream, and who am I to stop you?

The film was put into turnaround by Universal two years ago before Portman’s interest and The Wrestler’s success helped revive it, and is currently a total independent production. Fox Searchlight may come on board to distribute. Filming will hopefully begin in the fall in New York City.

[chronovore]

Yeah, I'm excited to see Cheadle take over the role. Terence Howard didn't do anything for me. Paltrow was OK in the role, but the role itself was pointless: a kind of love-interest-but-not, with overtones of Batman's Alfred.

[Cormacaroni]

well, there's a reason the movie wasn't called 'Pepper Potts'. Film critics who wanted to see more of Paltrow because she's a big-time actress got it all wrong IMHO. The Iron Man/Tony-being-a-pimp ('i was doing a Vanity Fair piece and lost track of time' - harf!) segments were awesome and carried the movie. I think it's one of the most re-watchable movies of recent years actually - the last third is a bit weak but other than that, i can start watching from any point and feel compelled to keep watching.  <3 Iron Man

[The Fake Shemp]

I felt it was totally forgettable fluff, completely undone by a very, very weak third act. And that's putting it mildly.

Totally entertaining, though.

I'm nervous about the sequel. I'm never a fan when things are rushed along for marketing sake. I mean, Favreau didn't even sign his contract until pretty late into pre-production.

[Cormacaroni]

of course it's totally forgettable fluff, that should be taken as read for superhero summer blockbuster.

i think the last third isn't as bad as most thought - the press conference at the end was absolutely awesome and brings a smile to my face every time i see it. The rest of it is just two dudes in suits hitting each other. It wasn't great but it didn't drag too badly either. I disliked the fact that they seemingly felt they had to have the two adversaries with their helmets off jawing at each other so much. I liked Stane stealing Tony's chest repulsor thingy etc....he was a much better villain before he got in the suit basically.

edit: The Nick Fury stuff after the credits is also awesome. Between that and the press conference, I always leave the movie with a grin on my face despite some of the tedium before that. YMMV.

[The Fake Shemp]

I couldn't disagree more. The press conference nice, but the film as a whole was pretty mediocre.

[chronovore]

I'm in bed with Cormacaroni on this one. The only reason I don't own the movie is because I'm waffling on whether or not to get BluRay or standard DVD. It's action fluff, but delivers nicely in that regard as opposed to Superman Returns, Wolverine, or even Transformers or $RolandEmmerichFilm. I'm not looking for every instance of big screen superhero presence to be a masterpiece; all they have to manage is to handle the material and its audience with some respect. Iron Man managed that in spades.

PS: I was one of the loudmouths who likes Robert Downey, Jr. a lot but thought the choice for him as Stark was too ironic. Very happy to see how well he finished the film, and how much fun he appears to be having in reprising the role at SDCC.

[Eel O'Brian]

Tropic Thunder:

*light chuckle*

[Bebpo]

The Cell

The script's weak finale hurts the amazing visual design that is freaking awesome.  Not getting Tarsem for the Silent Hill movie was the biggest lost opportunity ever.  He really should be doing videogame movies.

[The Fake Shemp]

I'm in bed with Cormacaroni on this one. The only reason I don't own the movie is because I'm waffling on whether or not to get BluRay or standard DVD. It's action fluff, but delivers nicely in that regard as opposed to Superman Returns, Wolverine, or even Transformers or $RolandEmmerichFilm. I'm not looking for every instance of big screen superhero presence to be a masterpiece; all they have to manage is to handle the material and its audience with some respect. Iron Man managed that in spades.

PS: I was one of the loudmouths who likes Robert Downey, Jr. a lot but thought the choice for him as Stark was too ironic. Very happy to see how well he finished the film, and how much fun he appears to be having in reprising the role at SDCC.

... You liked it against not very good films?  Well, duh.

But it's not even the Top 5 of its sub genre, and maybe edges into the Top 10 on Robert Downey Jr.'s performance.  And that's arguable (I'd push it out). Iron Man isn't even the best film adapted from a comic book starring a rocket propelled man - that goes to The Rocketeer.

In terms of just superhero fare, it's forgettable fluff. And that's saying something, considering the heap of crap you have to climb on top of to get to the good stuff.

It's more along the lines of Del Toro's Hellboy II. Totally forgettable, but above the garbage. Doesn't belong near the upper echelon. Downey's performance lets it flirt with doing so, though.

[Bebpo]

Ebert is seriously my favorite reviewer/writer of all time.  His writing style is soooo entertaining.  I was reading his review of The Cell and he says:

We live in a time when Hollywood shyly ejects weekly remakes of dependable plots, terrified to include anything that might confuse the dullest audience member. The new studio guidelines prefer PG-13 cuts from directors, so now we get movies like "Coyote Ugly" that start out with no brains and now don't have any sex, either. Into this wilderness comes a movie like "The Cell," which is challenging, wildly ambitious and technically superb, and I dunno: I guess it just overloads the circuits for some people.

how many times do you read professional journalism where the guy/girl says "...I dunno" 

[The Fake Shemp]

He won a Pulitzer, so he can write whatever he wants.

The truth is that he is confident in his writing abilities, so he doesn't break out his thesaurus and adhere to rigid structure in order to his point across. He knows his job is to give the lowdown to the layman. What's the point of writing something that no one is going to understand except for those who don't care what he has to say anyway?

A lot of critics totally fail at this, and use bloated, verbose reviews (and essays) to mask their insecurities.

See: any Internet geek.

[Solo]

I couldn't disagree more. The press conference nice, but the film as a whole was pretty mediocre.

Yep. Im still scratching my head over the movie's success. Its mediocre to crappy in every way aside from RDJ, who is really just playing a similar type of character to what he normally plays, so even that isnt a stretch.

[Phoenix Dark]

Agreed. Outside of RJD it's not a good or interesting movie at all. So much so that it was impossible for me to watch it for a second time. The action isn't particularly amazing either imo, and it lacks a worth while villain; seems like the sequel will have the same problem

[ManaByte]

http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/08/singer-stick-sword-into-excalibur-redo.html

Warner Bros. has closed a rights deal to remake the 1981 “Excalibur,” with Bryan Singer producing and developing the picture as a potential directing vehicle.

Excalibur - now with GAY.

[Flannel Boy]

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2009/08/20/beatles-submarine-movie.html

Zemeckis and Disney may remake Yellow Submarine.

But they might as well do something completely different because the original film wasn't even voiced by the Beatles.

[ManaByte]

Yea but it featured their music, they were the main characters, and they did appear at the end.

I like the idea that was put out there to keep the original ending with the remake

And since Zemeckis is 100% cg these days it could turn out to look at least interesting. 

[muckhole]

Finally watched Defiance last night, but I'm going to have to watch it again. I enjoyed it, but I felt terribly disconnected through the whole film, and I'm not sure if that has more to do with still being sick and having bloaty head.

[Great Rumbler]

The Cell

The script's weak finale hurts the amazing visual design that is freaking awesome.  Not getting Tarsem for the Silent Hill movie was the biggest lost opportunity ever.  He really should be doing videogame movies.

`

Silent Hill visual design was rock solid.

SH was uneven in every other category, but it's visuals designs were pretty much spot-on with the game.

[Hitler Stole My Potato]

Finally watched Defiance last night, but I'm going to have to watch it again. I enjoyed it, but I felt terribly disconnected through the whole film, and I'm not sure if that has more to do with still being sick and having bloaty head.

No, that's just the way the film is.  I didn't give a damn about anyone or anything while watching it.  Wasted potential.


I was bored the other day and watched Trade off of Netflix.  I kept seeing it available to stream for awhile now but was never interested in it until I was over at Blockbuster and noticed one of the clerks had it in his recommended movie section, so I thought what the hell.  In the end, not too bad.  After it was done I looked it up on Rotten Tomatoes and was surprised to see how low it scored all around but it seems most were put off by the subject matter rather than the film itself.

[The Fake Shemp]

Let the Right One In

Finally was able to sit down and watch this one. In HD, no less (thanks Netflix)!

Awesome film, with some truly memorable scenes. I really hope Matt Reeves doesn't fuck up the American remake.

[Phoenix Dark]

yup so awesome on many levels. really stays fresh in your mind

[OptimoPeach]

The Wire S2 stuff

spoiler (click to show/hide)

I was just about to post and say that I was wholly disappointed with this season, and then I watched S2E10. Shit just got real.

Still, it is definitely underwhelming after last season. The pollocks are far too boring to get this much screentime, and I got tired of all the allusions to the death of the working class after the first few episodes. There was just too much going on this season. Not enough Avon, not enough Stringer, not enough Omar. I hear that the show really starts to hit its stride in S3, so I'm looking forward to finishing this one up. 2 more episodes to go.

Oh, and Brother Mouzone is a badass. I'm nearly jizzing in anticipation at the thought of him vs Omar

[close]

[Tauntaun]

Let the Right One In

Finally was able to sit down and watch this one. In HD, no less (thanks Netflix)!

Awesome film, with some truly memorable scenes. I really hope Matt Reeves doesn't fuck up the American remake.

   

Great movie, need to pick it up.

American remake

[The Fake Shemp]

The hospital scene and the pool scene were awesome.