Author Topic: Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread (Read 2630989 times)

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #1140 on:** May 23, 2009, 02:35:33 PM »

Quote from: Tucah on May 17, 2009, 03:53:27 AM

Almost Famous - I've been meaning to watch it for years but just never got around to it until tonight. I loved it. The little touches of comedy were perfect between the various outbursts of band drama. The dynamics between William and Russell were always entertaining to watch, and Kate Hudson's character was fun and interesting. Some great performances here by the supporting roles as well, especially by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Frances McDormand. I never thought I would enjoy a Kate Hudson movie as much as I did this one.

If you can find it, look for the director's cut of Almost Famous (think it's titled Bootleg Cut, but whatever). It's totally worth it. I wasn't really a fan of the theatrical cut of Almost Famous 'cause if felt too rushed but the additional 40 minutes or so of footage in the extended edition really helps out the film by fleshing out some of the characters. Plus the disc has commentary with Crowe and his mother, which is pretty entertaining in itself.

Tucah · « **Reply #1141 on:** May 23, 2009, 03:14:00 PM »

Quote from: Hitler Stole My Potato on May 23, 2009, 02:35:33 PM

Quote from: Tucah on May 17, 2009, 03:53:27 AM
Almost Famous - I've been meaning to watch it for years but just never got around to it until tonight. I loved it. The little touches of comedy were perfect between the various outbursts of band drama. The dynamics between William and Russell were always entertaining to watch, and Kate Hudson's character was fun and interesting. Some great performances here by the supporting roles as well, especially by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Frances McDormand. I never thought I would enjoy a Kate Hudson movie as much as I did this one.

If you can find it, look for the director's cut of Almost Famous (think it's titled Bootleg Cut, but whatever). It's totally worth it. I wasn't really a fan of the theatrical cut of Almost Famous 'cause if felt too rushed but the additional 40 minutes or so of footage in the extended edition really helps out the film by fleshing out some of the characters. Plus the disc has commentary with Crowe and his mother, which is pretty entertaining in itself.

Is the director's cut the one that's a little over 2 1/2 hours? That's the one I watched.

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #1142 on:** May 23, 2009, 11:07:25 PM »

Quote from: Tucah on May 23, 2009, 03:14:00 PM

Quote from: Hitler Stole My Potato on May 23, 2009, 02:35:33 PM
Quote from: Tucah on May 17, 2009, 03:53:27 AM
Almost Famous - I've been meaning to watch it for years but just never got around to it until tonight. I loved it. The little touches of comedy were perfect between the various outbursts of band drama. The dynamics between William and Russell were always entertaining to watch, and Kate Hudson's character was fun and interesting. Some great performances here by the supporting roles as well, especially by Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Frances McDormand. I never thought I would enjoy a Kate Hudson movie as much as I did this one.

If you can find it, look for the director's cut of Almost Famous (think it's titled Bootleg Cut, but whatever). It's totally worth it. I wasn't really a fan of the theatrical cut of Almost Famous 'cause if felt too rushed but the additional 40 minutes or so of footage in the extended edition really helps out the film by fleshing out some of the characters. Plus the disc has commentary with Crowe and his mother, which is pretty entertaining in itself.

Is the director's cut the one that's a little over 2 1/2 hours? That's the one I watched.

Yeah that's the one. You did it right. That edition is out of print so it's a little harder to find but it definitely makes a big difference in the end. Those additional 40 minutes turns a somewhat likeable film into a great one, imo.

Bebpo · « **Reply #1143 on:** May 24, 2009, 04:13:59 AM »

The Spirit

This movie was great. Wtf at all the terrible reviews and negative word of mouth. I thought it was hilarious. Miller really captured the old Batman & Robin type silly superhero show for 12 year olds feel and it gave it a unique flavor that none of the other superhero movies have. Everything else is so so serious, so it's neat watching a movie that's entirely tongue in cheek. I feel like Sam Jackson has been getting totally typecast since forever, but he was really good here and very funny. I think Scarlett Johanson is a terrible actress, but she was actually ok here. The visuals were really cool and stylish and there was enough story/character development to carry it just fine.

What didn't work is that the movie felt about 30 mins too long, some of the jokes didn't work (sticking a grenade up someone's ass; the kitten part; etc...), and the acting was mediocre to bad. But that stuff isn't enough to kill the movie. I thought it was still really enjoyable. Way better than Spiderman 3, X-men 3, both Hulks, Daredevil, etc... so I don't really get why everyone hated it so much. Was it just because it was silly to the point of almost having "zonk" and "pow" appear when characters hit each other?

Bebpo · « **Reply #1144 on:** May 24, 2009, 04:26:29 AM »

Ok, so I'm reading the reviews at rottentomatoes where it got 4% and yeah I don't think people got the joke:

"At times, it's difficult to determine whether Miller intends for us to take the movie seriously or whether it's intended as a parody. The dialogue sounds like it was lifted from a potboiler, the acting is frequently embarrassing, and there are times when the drama is so corny that it borders on laugh-inducing. The effect kills any element of suspense or tension but allows The Spirit to be perversely enjoyed as unintentional comedy. Granted, some of the levity is in place on purpose, but I don't think Miller intended for viewers to be chortling their way through Samuel L. Jackson's way-over-the-top monologues. The Octopus isn't sinister; he's silly. And The Spirit is far too dull and personality-deficient to be able to hold together a motion picture. He's easily the least interesting of all the significant characters. And, while Nazi imagery is normally expected to evoke a reaction of disgust, its use here is more in the vein of "Springtime for Hitler." For that scene, I was wondering if Mel Brooks had been hired as an unpaid advisor. "

It sure seemed to me that Miller wanted audiences to be laughing through Jackson's dialogue and wanted him to come off as "silly". It definitely seemed to me like the Samurai part or Nazi part were meant to be funny and not "evoke a reaction of disgust". It's like everyone took the movie seriously when it sure seemed to me that the whole movie was an intended campy superhero stylish comedy adventure. Maybe I'm crazy and Miller meant to make a hard boiled serious film that just comes off as hilarious but when you cut to a T-REX randomly it sure seems like it's trying to be silly fun and not take itself seriously one bit.

Diunx · « **Reply #1145 on:** May 25, 2009, 09:40:38 PM »

The Dreamers: some guy that looks like a young Christopher Nolan fucking a completely naked Eva Green 10/10.

Eric P · « **Reply #1146 on:** May 25, 2009, 10:14:40 PM »

watched Death Proof and Vanishing Point last night.

enjoyed them both but loved Vanishing Point.

chronovore · « **Reply #1147 on:** May 26, 2009, 02:35:39 AM »

Rented Hot Rod, which is kind of what happens when the genius of The Lonely Island gang tries to make a safe Hollywood comedy. There are some great parts, and I laughed a lot, but I'll laugh at Andy Samberg and Jorma just making faces.

We also rented Don't Mess with the Zohan. It was about the same as other Adam Sandler films. It's hard to remember anything particularly funny, but I chuckled a lot during it. The female lead was pretty hot. I really liked Happy Gilmore, and wish he'd return to some more random moments of comedy. Carl Weathers had some great scenes.

Bebpo · « **Reply #1148 on:** May 27, 2009, 11:20:18 PM »

Tyson

Interesting doc about an interesting life. But Tyson cannot speak well worth a damn and by the end of the movie I thought he was a pretty dumb/bad person who got and misused fame only because he was good at beating the shit out of people. It's interesting that the documentary wasn't particularly sympathetic like many are.

Eric P · « **Reply #1149 on:** May 28, 2009, 01:30:54 AM »

went to the brand new restoration of Dr Strangelove today

zomfg. it was so clean that i could see the strings holding up the bomber model and could see ash on Peter Sellers as Dr Strangelove's suit from where his "nazi" hand controlled the cigarette, also, his dead pan facial expressions as george c scott tells him about the bomber wing are totally visible and ultimately far more expressive than i'd seen before.

absolutely fucking stunning

this saturday, RASHOMON RESTORATION ON THE BIG SCREEN

NYC is fucking awesome.

WrikaWrek · « **Reply #1150 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:01:44 PM »

Saw Angels and Demons today.

Much better than i expected, i was expecting the worst. It was a pretty fun broken sword like movie, with its biggest downfall being the predictable and stupid ending twist.

Herr Mafflard · « **Reply #1151 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:05:13 PM »

awesome Eric P.

I saw my first digital restoration Raging Bull on the big screen over here a couple weeks ago. Everything from the seats being more comfy to having more leg room (there was a bar outside aswell), everything was perfect. The film was beautiful aswell. Best thing is, it costs less than a ticket for a new film.

Next up, Kubrick's Spartacus.

Kirk Douglas

Eric P · « **Reply #1152 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:05:58 PM »

i missed my chance to see that in DC when i lived there. it was playing one night and i had a previous commitment

alas

Mandark · « **Reply #1153 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:21:11 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on May 28, 2009, 01:30:54 AM

this saturday, RASHOMON RESTORATION ON THE BIG SCREEN

Huh. I recall you not being a big fan of that one.

Eric P · « **Reply #1154 on:** May 28, 2009, 04:28:55 PM »

buh?

Nah, it's Seven Samurai that I don't really like.

Mandark · « **Reply #1155 on:** May 28, 2009, 05:08:47 PM »

That's not how I remember it!

Tucah · « **Reply #1156 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:50:01 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on May 28, 2009, 01:30:54 AM

went to the brand new restoration of Dr Strangelove today

zomfg. it was so clean that i could see the strings holding up the bomber model and could see ash on Peter Sellers as Dr Strangelove's suit from where his "nazi" hand controlled the cigarette, also, his dead pan facial expressions as george c scott tells him about the bomber wing are totally visible and ultimately far more expressive than i'd seen before.

absolutely fucking stunning

I reaaaally want to see this.

Diunx · « **Reply #1157 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:26:30 PM »

Quote from: Eric P on May 28, 2009, 01:30:54 AM

went to the brand new restoration of Dr Strangelove today

zomfg. it was so clean that i could see the strings holding up the bomber model and could see ash on Peter Sellers as Dr Strangelove's suit from where his "nazi" hand controlled the cigarette, also, his dead pan facial expressions as george c scott tells him about the bomber wing are totally visible and ultimately far more expressive than i'd seen before.

absolutely fucking stunning

this saturday, RASHOMON RESTORATION ON THE BIG SCREEN

NYC is fucking awesome.

Is this coming out on dvd?

Eric P · « **Reply #1158 on:** May 29, 2009, 06:29:27 PM »

more than likely

Eric P · « **Reply #1159 on:** May 31, 2009, 12:16:41 AM »

Today I watched the 2008 restoration of Rashomon. Nothing really revelatory with regards to the restoration. watching it on the big screen really gave me a better appreciation for the shots as they were set up and executed. i'd forgotten a bit of the smaller aspects of the plot(s) as the last time I'd seen the film was with the first Criterion release many many years ago.

tonight i watched billy wilder's The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. Excellent, as all Wilder films are, but it makes me a bit more apprehensive concerning the new Holmes film.

Mandark · « **Reply #1160 on:** May 31, 2009, 12:53:44 AM »

Quote from: Eric P on May 31, 2009, 12:16:41 AM

Today I watched the 2008 restoration of Rashomon.

No you didn't.

Eric P · « **Reply #1161 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:22:33 AM »

think you kind of won with the last joke so i dunno if i'd keep going back to that well

brawndolicious · « **Reply #1162 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:44:03 AM »

I just watched M.A.S.H.

I liked it until the heterosexual resurrection scene. The ending with the football game just blew my mind in how random it was. By the end of the movie, there were no likable characters or even a coherent message left.

Bebpo · « **Reply #1163 on:** May 31, 2009, 09:04:16 PM »

I rewatched 2046 again last night.

The movie is PERFECT and amazing until the last 30 mins where it seems over but keeps going and going and going and tries to sabatoge the film.

Still my favorite WKW movie because when it's good it's AWESOME. Faye Wong is better in Chungking and In the Mood for Love has better cinematography, but I just love the story base in 2046 and Tony Leung is like the sexiest man in the universe.

ch1nchilla · « **Reply #1164 on:** May 31, 2009, 11:44:25 PM »

Quote from: Bebpo on May 31, 2009, 09:04:16 PM

I rewatched 2046 again last night.

The movie is PERFECT and amazing until the last 30 mins where it seems over but keeps going and going and going and tries to sabatoge the film.

Still my favorite WKW movie because when it's good it's AWESOME. Faye Wong is better in Chungking and In the Mood for Love has better cinematography, but I just love the story base in 2046 and Tony Leung is like the sexiest man in the universe.

2046 is, in fact, the best movie of all time until the last 30 minutes. I can't decide between it and Chunking Express though... it's pretty close for me. Couldn't stand the unbelievably repetitive music in In the Mood for Love, and I refuse to watch My Blueberry Nights or whatever it's called.

chronovore · « **Reply #1165 on:** June 01, 2009, 01:21:59 AM »

I tried watching My Blueberry Nights. Good god, what a mess. Every character in it looks like they're auditioning for some off-broadway role, with the main cause being the stilted dialog and corny personal affectations of them. I started to pass out about 30~40 minutes in, and ended up turning it off. My wife watched the rest on her own, and said it was OK. It was pretty, but so cornball.

Madrun Badrun · « **Reply #1166 on:** June 01, 2009, 01:38:58 AM »

Kung fu hustle. So awesome.

ch1nchilla · « **Reply #1167 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:04:31 AM »

Quote from: Father_Mike on June 01, 2009, 01:38:58 AM

Kung fu hustle. So awesome.

Still haven't seen this. Need to get on it.

duckman2000 · « **Reply #1168 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:40:08 AM »

Pusher II. Actually better than the first one, although also a hell of a lot dirtier.

Bebpo · « **Reply #1169 on:** June 01, 2009, 03:57:15 AM »

Quote from: chronovore on June 01, 2009, 01:21:59 AM

I tried watching My Blueberry Nights. Good god, what a mess. Every character in it looks like they're auditioning for some off-broadway role, with the main cause being the stilted dialog and corny personal affectations of them. I started to pass out about 30~40 minutes in, and ended up turning it off. My wife watched the rest on her own, and said it was OK. It was pretty, but so cornball.

Yeah, it was horrible. SJ was incredibly annoying and all the acting was just baaaad. WKW should not make movies in English if they will end up like this.

Eric P · « **Reply #1170 on:** June 01, 2009, 11:10:14 PM »

i'm watching splinter and it's highly entertaining.

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #1171 on:** June 02, 2009, 02:23:25 AM »

Frost/Nixon - fantastic. Not sure how it'd play for someone that isn't interested or familiar with that time period but I really loved the film. Best thing Ron Howard has ever done by far.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #1172 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:03:18 AM »

Just came back from Knowing. They should have called it 'Owning', because it fucking owned

And I rented probably the worst pile of DVDs ever:

Dumb & Dumber
Showgirls
Space Jam
The Rock

Watch Dumb & Dumber, followed by Showgirls, and you too will feel the pain of true nausea! (I did it the other night)

Next week I will be renting Wild Wild West, and my movie taste will be in worse condition than living in your own puke!

chronovore · « **Reply #1173 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:10:03 AM »

Toss Catwoman in there for some real pain. Hard to believe Halle Berry in torn leather jeans, prowling on all fours -- it should be hard to screw that up, but boy did they ever.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #1174 on:** June 02, 2009, 07:12:15 AM »

I watched Snatch with the subtitles on. Now that I can understand the movie's dialogue better, I give it four thieving gypsies out of five.

duckman2000 · « **Reply #1175 on:** June 03, 2009, 01:58:39 AM »

Watched Taken. It was poo.

brawndolicious · « **Reply #1176 on:** June 03, 2009, 02:26:06 AM »

Oh btw, the one black guy in MASH was nicknamed spearchucker. Apparently that was because he used to throw javelins, not because he's well you know.....the figment of a totally racist imagination.

How the FUCK did that movie get released the same year as Patton, and by the same studio too I think? Only young, white, chauvinistic, draft-dodgers could like that movie.

Flannel Boy · « **Reply #1177 on:** June 06, 2009, 02:26:43 AM »

I just watched The Goonies for the first time in about twenty years. The movie is terribly boring and is only saved by the most amazingly stereotypical East Asian boy and Kerri Green--I feel like a pedo now.

* Malek check Wikipedia

okay she was 18 at the time.

wow Josh Brolin was in this.

David Carradine's niece Martha Plimpton was in the movie, too.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #1178 on:** June 06, 2009, 04:08:40 AM »

I'm scared to watch it again. Maybe I'll just avoid it, keeping the nostalgic memory perfect in my mind

watching Neverending Story as an adult= smh

bork · « **Reply #1179 on:** June 06, 2009, 04:16:30 AM »

The Hangover was fun, and consistently funny the entire movie. No slow parts!

BlueTsunami · « **Reply #1180 on:** June 06, 2009, 05:53:43 AM »

Quote from: Phoenix Dark on June 06, 2009, 04:08:40 AM

I'm scared to watch it again. Maybe I'll just avoid it, keeping the nostalgic memory perfect in my mind

watching Neverending Story as an adult= smh

Hopefully the rumored remake is hardcore

Cheebs · « **Reply #1181 on:** June 06, 2009, 12:39:59 PM »

Quote from: Edge Lyteman on June 06, 2009, 04:16:30 AM

The Hangover was fun, and consistently funny the entire movie. No slow parts!

Agreed. Funniest movie of the year.

Tucah · « **Reply #1182 on:** June 06, 2009, 01:13:44 PM »

Quote from: Edge Lyteman on June 06, 2009, 04:16:30 AM

The Hangover was fun, and consistently funny the entire movie. No slow parts!

Great to hear, can't wait to see this tonight.

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #1183 on:** June 06, 2009, 01:47:29 PM »

City of God

"Slumdog Millionaire meets Means Streets" - Master Shake

Fuck awesome movie.

Eric P · « **Reply #1184 on:** June 06, 2009, 02:42:13 PM »

goddamn the hangover is fucking hilarious

laughed like a moron pretty much the whole way through

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1185 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:11:09 AM »

JCVD

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Tucah · « **Reply #1186 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:17:42 AM »

The Hangover- Awesome, see now, comedy of the year

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1187 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:06:46 PM »

I saw Departures last night. I now understand why this beat out Revanche and Waltz with Bahir for the Foreign Language Film award at the Oscar's. It was REALLY good.

fistfulofmetal · « **Reply #1188 on:** June 07, 2009, 01:16:52 PM »

Narnia 2

was a little hokey. thought the battle scenes were great. The big sister is oddly hot.

WrikaWrek · « **Reply #1189 on:** June 07, 2009, 02:07:50 PM »

Terminator Salvation, i had fun even though the movie has a whole list of issues. Sam Worghinton is the next big thing in hollywood and the Marcus character was a really bright spot in a not so bright movie.

Eric P · « **Reply #1190 on:** June 07, 2009, 02:39:12 PM »

Quote from: distantmantra on June 07, 2009, 01:06:46 PM

I saw Departures last night. I now understand why this beat out Revanche and Waltz with Bahir for the Foreign Language Film award at the Oscar's. It was REALLY good.

i am cautious because i'd heard it was the definiton of "middle-brow"

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1191 on:** June 07, 2009, 03:12:01 PM »

Eh, it was sentimental and predictable, but damn if it wasn't a good movie.

Revanche and Bashir were fabulous films, but emotionally draining. It was nice to see a happy film.

Joe Hisaishi's (all the Ghibli films) score was beautiful.

Eric P · « **Reply #1192 on:** June 07, 2009, 06:33:07 PM »

god, revanche was so awesome, though wasn't it?

Mr. Gundam · « **Reply #1193 on:** June 07, 2009, 06:48:01 PM »

Yeah it was! It was a good year for nominated films in the Foreign category at the Oscars. I still need to see Baader Meinhof Komplex, but or some reason the NA distributor for it (Vitagraph Films) isn't releasing the film in theaters until August.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1194 on:** June 08, 2009, 01:15:11 AM »

Revolutionary Girl Utena the Movie

One of the biggest WTF movies I've ever seen. Seriously, it makes End of Evangelion simple and easy-to-understand by comparison. It's also the homoist of the J-homo; totally wacked out, psychadelic, and lesbian-rific. The movie starts out as some kind of high-school drama where everyone is trying to win duels so they can gain this magical power and then at the end it warps into something out of Speed Racer! I'm not in any way exaggerating or being hyperbolic, this movie is balls-out insane.

ch1nchilla · « **Reply #1195 on:** June 08, 2009, 01:15:49 AM »

The Hangover-- fucking. awesome. That's all there is to say.

etiolate · « **Reply #1196 on:** June 08, 2009, 03:53:53 AM »

Recently watched Let the Right One In and Revolutionary Road.

LTROI was awesome and been discussed already.

After I watched Revolutionary Road, I realized it suffers a bit from its commitment to reality. A boring life is boring to watch, but then the ending made me realize the film was just as much if not moreso about the rest of the characters than it was the main couple. Also, Zoe Kazan's boobs.

The Sceneman · « **Reply #1197 on:** June 08, 2009, 05:56:01 AM »

I rented Drop Dead Fred, I am convinced it will deliver

chronovore · « **Reply #1198 on:** June 08, 2009, 10:53:42 PM »

I rented the GET SMART remake, and am convinced I'll chuckle.

I suspect you and I will both be disappointed.

Great Rumbler · « **Reply #1199 on:** June 08, 2009, 10:58:07 PM »

Quote from: chronovore on June 08, 2009, 10:53:42 PM

I rented the GET SMART remake, and am convinced I'll chuckle.

I expected it to be terrible, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it had some good parts.

News:

Author Topic: Movie News, Reviews, and Discussion Super-Thread (Read 2630989 times)