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[Satyamdas]

i can't see the full gif because I'm on my phone atm, but I want you to know I did as promised and wrote all of those impressions before reading your criticisms of Zardoz. Great minds think alike, I hope! :3

Our impressions seem to align quite well, though I must defer to your superior writing and insight.

I think I can bottom line it by saying the film is categorically bad, and not bad in a "so bad it's good" way, yet it is just charming and goofy enough that it deserves a view by those with a sense of adventure.

 

[BotoxAgent]

Iron Man: Extremis motion comic

i really loved the story

 

[Borgnine]

The Hangover: lol? I guess... a couple times anyway. Not bad.

The Ten Commandments: A solid 5/10. Ye olde acting was barely tolerable, but I made it through. Still had some great moments towards the end, even is the effects were dated. I'd love to see a modern big budget modern remake. Mel Gibson directs? Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Ramses II, Morgan Freeman as Moses.

 

[Solo]

Another thing I want to mention is how well the film captures that perfect night where you charm the girl you've had a crush on for years. It also helps that Topher Grace and Teresa Palmer were great. Oh yea since this film was finished in 07, 500 days of summer totally jocked the penis game from here lol.

I think the bolded is a bit of a stretch. There were several times during the abbreviated courtship that the girl would have completely shut it down in real life (when he talks to her at the party the first time, damn, no girl would give you a second chance after that, not to mention him somehow coming throgh smelling like roses after the lie). It was a bit too "movie-esque" in that regard.

Agreed on the rest though - the two leads were very good. Especially Topher Grace, who excels in these kind of roles. As for 500 Overrated Days of Summer? I would say I enjoyed TMHT more.

 

[Ridley327]

Yeah, I have those in my queue, and should have started in a better spot, especially seeing as Black Moon caught a lot of crap on their FB page when it was announced, but it had just been released, so I figured I would check it out. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

There aren't a lot of films I simply abandon after a little bit, but Black Moon was one of them.

You definitely do owe it to yourself to check out Elevator to the Gallows, though.

 

[big ander]

World's Greatest Dad
Recommended to me as a moving black comedy. It was neither moving nor funny. The premise (pathetic dad loses his pervert son to autoerotic asphyxiation and stages it as a suicide) was interesting enough to carry it for an hour, but past that you realize that the writers couldn't find a way to use it to provide a satisfying character conclusion for anybody. I ended up hating everyone. The entire world it takes place in is filled with despicably superficial and intentionally antagonistic people. It's needlessly pessimistic. The few characters that are sympathetic are revealed to be pathetic and unable to help themselves. I had hoped Robin Williams' character would, over the course of the film,

Spoiler

recognize where he had gone wrong with his son and where he couldn't have done anything better. Instead he quits trying to find the good in anyone and takes the same pessimistic view that the filmmakers seem to have.

Layer Cake
I think Craig is an excellent Bond, but you wouldn't think he'd be a good fit if you only saw the first half of this film. Craig shows a nice amount of range as Mr. X. The plot is complicated in a good way, sucking the viewer deeper and deeper into the business-turned-personal proving ground of the drug trade, showing us over a dozen characters who all have some sort meaningful part to play. Thanks to a lot of clever matching on movement in the editing, though, the film still feels fluid and very easily comprehensible. The ending "heist" deal is great fun to watch unfold. I haven't seen Stardust and I think X-Men was only okay, but I'm more than willing to stand up for both this film and even Vaughn's Kick-Ass. I know a lot dislike how Kick-Ass promises to be a realistic take on superheros but actually tracks a boy going from a realistic world to a fantasy superhero one. I felt the same way at first, but rewatching it knowing that was what was in store allowed me to appreciate is just for being a well-shot action flick with creative fight scenes (I'll still say the hallway scene might have been the best fight scene of 2010, so insanely kinetic and fun). Layer Cake, at the beginning, seems like it might take a stance on whether or not these drugs are good and should be more available. Pulling back from that allows it to breathe and become a slick and fun crime thriller.

I can't bellieve I missed Super 8. If I would have known S. Speilberg was in it, I would have wtahced it day 1. Too bad its not on cinemas Anymore. Stupid me

Super 8 no longer in cinemas? Where do you live? I live in a sleepy midwest town and I can find it at 3 theaters within 10 minutes.

 

[HiResDes]

Just watched Love in a Puff, twas fantastic and ranks up there possibly in my virtual top ten of romantic movies to watch if and when I ever meet that special someone and make it out of forever alone-gaf. 9/10

 

[Mister Wilhelm]

World's Greatest Dad
Recommended to me as a moving black comedy. It was neither moving nor funny. The premise

Spoiler

(pathetic dad loses his pervert son to autoerotic asphyxiation and stages it as a suicide)

was interesting enough to carry it for an hour, but past that you realize that the writers couldn't find a way to use it to provide a satisfying character conclusion for anybody. I ended up hating everyone. The entire world it takes place in is filled with despicably superficial and intentionally antagonistic people. It's needlessly pessimistic. The few characters that are sympathetic are revealed to be pathetic and unable to help themselves. I had hoped Robin Williams' character would, over the course of the film,

Spoiler

recognize where he had gone wrong with his son and where he couldn't have done anything better. Instead he quits trying to find the good in anyone and takes the same pessimistic view that the filmmakers seem to have.

DUDE!!!! Huge spoiler, fix that!

Also, I think you pretty much missed the point if all you took from the movie was pessimism.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Re-watched ESCAPE FROM LA for the 20th time or so.

If you think it is a bad movie, you are not very good at watching movies.

Pro-tip: it is a comedy.

 

[Solo]

Layer Cake
I think Craig is an excellent Bond, but you wouldn't think he'd be a good fit if you only saw the first half of this film.

It was this role that got him Bond though.

 

[TheKaeptain]

Just watched Love in a Puff, twas fantastic and ranks up there possibly in my virtual top ten of romantic movies to watch if and when I ever meet that special someone and make it out of forever alone-gaf. 9/10

More people need to watch it. It's almost the perfect romance or should I say...It's the perfect film about love that just happens out of the blue. One of the rare films were I was happy after watching it.

Spoiler

the ending on the freeway is wonderful.

 

[big ander]

It was this role that got him Bond though.

Yeah, I know. I guess I wasn't clear enough: I meant that in the first half of Layer Cake

Spoiler

he's really just a smart business man who is uncomfortable with most of the criminal world and prone to some awkwardness. I had a ton of fun watching him transform into the true criminal character that Mr. X was by the end, and that transformation revealed him to be a perfect Bond-type. Smooth, suave, and powerful.

DUDE!!!! Huge spoiler, fix that!

Also, I think you pretty much missed the point if all you took from the movie was pessimism.

Second part is, sure. I'll tag it. First part is the premise to the movie. The description everywhere starts with "After his son dies in an awkward freak accident"

Spoiler

Robin Williams' doesn't look back and realize he was violent toward his son, every single person other than Andrew and the old lady next door turn into bonafide villains obsessed with everything shallow and meaningless, and Williams' registers only a small amount of emotional growth. Show me the optimism.

 

[AgentChris]

The Chaser - Really well made Korean film. 9/10

 

[XNarte]

I finally saw Alice in Wonderland (2010).

More like Alice in WonderBland. I went in with low expectations, because even though I like most of Burton's films, I had not seen Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' or this because the trailers made them seem like an unnecessary remakes (ha, though aren't most of them?). Still, it just didn't grab me at all.

It seemed like Johnny Depp was going to be WAY overused considering he was on the posters and DVD covers instead of the title character, and though I love Depp as an actor, his whimsical, bouncy schtick had gotten a little grating for me as of late. Luckily that was more of a marketing tactic and Johnny Depp wasn't as overused as I thought. This isn't his best role at all, but the fact that he didn't take too much of the spotlight was a relief.

It's funny because I can't really pin down too many details for why I didn't like it, but everything in it was so boring and uninteresting. I almost would have tolerated it more if it had done something really bad, because then it would at least be memorable for something. Instead, it was just like a roller coaster that has no hills, loops, or steep drops, and just goes around in a circle once. I will forget everything about this movie.

The art direction was not Oscar worthy in my eyes (Scott Pilgrim would get my 2010 vote for that) and nothing in the world felt tangible or real, or as real as fantasy can get anyway. It's a problem that many "99% CG" movies have. Some can pull it off (Avatar) but others (this, Attack of the Clones) just make everything feel so lifeless. Once Alice went with the White Queen to do her mission or whatever and left Mad Hatter and the rest behind with the Queen of hearts I was basically on Autopilot until the end.

2 out of 5

There is probably more I could say, but it's just not worth it. The movie is fairly competent, but that's about it.

 

[Count Dookkake]

As the forum's resident Carpenter apologist, what is your excuse for Ghosts of Mars, huh? ;p

For real: have you seen The Ward yet?

GoM is an enjoyable, although silly, remake of Assault on Precinct 13, in turn a remake of Rio Bravo. Probably as close to a Western as we will see Carpenter do. Also, as Carpenter says, you can't shoot Henstridge from a bad angle. He allegedly tried to find one, but it does not exist.

Have not seen The Ward yet, unfortunately.

 

[Cosmic Bus]

No excuses need to be made for Ghosts of Mars! It was the most entertaining and characteristic thing Carpenter did since the '80s.

The Ward, on the other hand, is embarrassingly bland - if his name weren't in the credits, you'd never know the movie from any number of those disposable horrorfest-type flicks.

 

[Solo]

No excuses need to be made for Ghosts of Mars! It was the most entertaining and characteristic thing Carpenter did since the '80s.

In The Mouth Of Madness refutes this!

 

[AgentChris]

Tron Legacy - (Blu Ray)

I started watching thinking that it was going to be absolute rubbish, but the combination of the visuals and sound track were just amazing. The stupid CG face of Jeff Bridges was really annoying and I didn't really understand what was going on in the story at some points, but it was an enjoyable film overall. Just make sure you don't have any hefty expectations and enjoy the ride.

6/10 (With a heavy Daft Punk bias)

I really enjoyed TRON Legacy. Olivia Wilde, Jeff Bridges and Daft Punk's amazing OST were enough to keep me entertained. The movie could have been a lot better with a good director and script. Hopefully Disney learns from this and makes a great TRON film next time.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Lol, I don't think I've seen Ghosts of Mars, and I mainly remember it as being part of the weird glut of Mars movies at that time. (OTOH I am pretty sure I saw Mission to Mars and Red Planet, but I remember nothing about them...)

You should have skipped Red Planet.

 

[ThatCrazyGuy]

Finally watched How to Train Your Dragon Blu-Ray. Such a great movie. perfect pace. I cared about everybody. I just really enjoyed it.

 

[A Human Becoming]

A pity for them.

They wanted to see Insidious. *shrugs*

 

[Expendable.]

Here is my I Check Movies profile.

I wish I liked it a bit more. I loved the concept and effects and performances, but I felt the story could have easily said what it wanted to in a 30-45 minute short. It just felt a bit bare to me.

Studio Ghibli's Arrietty - Thought this thing was wonderful. I loved reading The Borrowers as a kid and this is a great adaptation. I'm surprisingly not always a fan of their work, but this was a great story. See it when it comes to US theaters February 2012!

 

[Zyzyxxz]

Saw the Gantz movie last night

I thought it was a good adaptation of the manga but if you have read the manga like I have you may be put off by the slow pace of the film since it seemed the movie revolved around the characters being pissy poos most of the time.

 

[swoon]

videodrome kinda defines rococo horror

 

[_Isaac]

Saw the Gantz movie last night

http://inside.anime-expo.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/181889-gantz1_super1.jpg

I thought it was a good adaptation of the manga but if you have read the manga like I have you may be put off by the slow pace of the film since it seemed the movie revolved around the characters being pissy poos most of the time.

Oh my God. I saw this in theatres for a one time showing in my city. I was shocked at how many people went to go watch it. I guess there are a lot of anime fans here. Anyway, the movie wasn't very good. I feel like they were too scared to go balls to the wall with the adaptation. A lot of the charm from the show was because of the nudity and crazy violence. I. felt like it was less shocking because of this.

Spoiler

For example, the deaths of the main female lead and the old lady and the kid were a lot less shocking. I think having the female lead's torso melt off really made that scene.

The movie started off great with the violence but it died down a bit around the end. However, I thought some of the set pieces were pretty fun like the scene with

Spoiler

the bird robot in the parking garage.

 

[Mister Wilhelm]

Second part is, sure. I'll tag it. First part is the premise to the movie. The description everywhere starts with "After his son dies in an awkward freak accident"

Spoiler

Robin Williams' doesn't look back and realize he was violent toward his son, every single person other than Andrew and the old lady next door turn into bonafide villains obsessed with everything shallow and meaningless, and Williams' registers only a small amount of emotional growth. Show me the optimism.

Wait wait wait...when was he

Spoiler

violent towards his son? Even from an emotionally metaphorical perspective I don't see how that happened.

I found the movie rather uplifting in the end.

Spoiler

Robert's character realizes he's not searching for approval as a writer or a person as he sees the flaws in the judgement of those around him, hence him stating he feels reborn at the end. He realizes he's not miserable because despite his differences from those around him, he loves himself and he loved his son even though he was deeply flawed himself. The theme of the movie to me was learning to love in a world where affection can be completely misguided. This is shown in Robin's relationship with his son, his girlfriend, between his girlfriend and the other teacher, initially between Robin and his neighbor, and especially between his son and his classmates after his death.

World's Greatest Dad is a black comedy, so of course on the surface it seems pretty dark. However, in the end it's a positive take on what is emotional reality.

 

[harSon]

I've watched a bunch of movies recently, and I'll make a more extensive list later, but I just re-watched Oldboy with a friend and was amused to see that we happened to be watching it on July 5th, the film's self described key date haha

 

[AlternativeUlster]

I am going to see both the Crispin Glover films on Thursday and Friday. Has anyone seen them?

 

[Meliorism]

ICM
Criticker

 

[CrunchyFrog]

Due Date

Not bad, like the much more physical/action-y comedy in this one, and Downey and Galifanakis make a good chemistry, like a 21st century Spade/Farley. Not legendary, but good.


True Grit

Why did it take me so damn long to finally get around to seeing this. Bridges is fantastic as usual, and to his credit really makes the part his own instead of mimicking John Wayne's rather campy rendition. Damon's part was eh, but with the material he had to work with it's to be expected. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld, however, deserves every bit of praise she's gotten. Every bit of newfound family caretaker masking frightened young teenager show's in her performance. Expect good things out of this actress in coming years, so long as she doesn't catch Hamill's disease.

 

[Mifune]

Great op, Cosmic.

Beautiful movie. Saw this from the front row of the theater, and I wished that I was closer, the screen was even bigger.

The film does a great job of using its opening shots of, well, nothing happening, to inure you to its slow pace. When the whole thing was over, it felt like maybe an hour had passed.

Corny and sweet. Hemingway was hilarious, and all of the actors seemed to have a lot of fun making this. The fun is infectious. And I found a key story turn to be rather poignant.

I also caught a double feature of Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons. Kane never felt more vital, while Ambersons never felt more lacking. Fascinating movie, though.

 

[swoon]

I am going to see both the Crispin Glover films on Thursday and Friday. Has anyone seen them?

i've seen what is it and wasn't incredibly impressed, but it was a on a really shitty vhs dub of it so maybe the visuals don't look as awful on whatever the source was. i felt like it was 5 hours long and i think it's only really an hour which has more to do with him not being a great film maker.

 

[Kentpaul]

Just watched Deja Vu, disappointed in my self for not seeing it sooner.

So good.

 

[AwesomeSauce]

I think the bolded is a bit of a stretch. There were several times during the abbreviated courtship that the girl would have completely shut it down in real life (when he talks to her at the party the first time, damn, no girl would give you a second chance after that, not to mention him somehow coming throgh smelling like roses after the lie). It was a bit too "movie-esque" in that regard.

Agreed on the rest though - the two leads were very good. Especially Topher Grace, who excels in these kind of roles. As for 500 Overrated Days of Summer? I would say I enjoyed TMHT more.

Yeah i guess thinking about it, it is a stretch, but the reason i think of it so was that it reminded me of a similar experience/situation that happened to me personally which made me relate to it more than say anyone else.

Also it wasn't really the situations about him courting her that they nailed and i agree about the girl giving him the second chance was really a stretch, but to rephrase what i said before is that it captures that infatuation and feeling of getting closer the girl of your dreams really well IMO.

 

[Solo]

My hat is off to you if you nailed your high school crush on a trampoline, my man!

 

[MikeMyers]

Maybe you can explain this for me. Why was Michael just wandering around outside in the rain when they drove up in the beginning? Seems he could have just run away any time he wanted. I didn't quite get the logistics of the security system or the escape sequence.

Didn't see this earlier, but Solo covered it anyway.

My contribution for this thread...

The Funhouse (Tobe Hooper, 1981) - Pretty much just a generic slasher but Hooper does a good job setting up the mood and atmosphere of the movie. I guess its worth a watch if you are a fan of Hooper.

 

[ShipTheCheese]

Just finished watching Rango. Gotta admit I enjoyed it a helluva lot more than I initially thought I would. Yeah, the story follows the predictable beats, but its a great ride and Johnny Depp does his best to make you root for his character. Special mention must be made of the animation. Holy. Crap. If this is any indication of what ILM is capable of in the making of animated films, then I can't wait what they're going to do next!

A solid 7.5/10

 

[big ander]

Wait wait wait...when was he

Spoiler

violent towards his son? Even from an emotionally metaphorical perspective I don't see how that happened.

I found the movie rather uplifting in the end.

Spoiler

Robert's character realizes he's not searching for approval as a writer or a person as he sees the flaws in the judgement of those around him, hence him stating he feels reborn at the end. He realizes he's not miserable because despite his differences from those around him, he loves himself and he loved his son even though he was deeply flawed himself. The theme of the movie to me was learning to love in a world where affection can be completely misguided. This is shown in Robin's relationship with his son, his girlfriend, between his girlfriend and the other teacher, initially between Robin and his neighbor, and especially between his son and his classmates after his death.

World's Greatest Dad is a black comedy, so of course on the surface it seems pretty dark. However, in the end it's a positive take on what is emotional reality.

Spoiler

He threatens to physically hurt his son at least three times, in very explicit ways. Do I think he'd go through with it? No. But it was very indicative of his failure to take care of his son. If the only way you can get your son's attention is through promising graphic violence, you've done something wrong.

I understood what Williams' character learned about the rest of the world being so incorrect in who and what they're affectionate for. It was happy that Andrew and Williams and the neighbor found others to whom they could be kind. It was pessimistic that nobody else in the entire film was at all kind. Every single other person was beyond flawed. They were nearly sociopathic.

And I know it's a black comedy. Thanks for that.

 

[Apdiddy]

Tron (1982) - I watched this movie this afternoon and was struck by how bewildered Jeff Bridges looked....it was like he didn't fully understand the premise of the movie either. Some of his lines were absolutely hilarious ("If this is about those parking tickets, I can explain...") Still, it's a nice movie if you don't look too deeply or take the geek/nerd talk too seriously. Amazing visuals even today.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - Watched this yesterday. What's amazing about this is how conventional or even family friendly this movie is....the Coen Brothers seem to not do this that often (I guess True Grit counts for that). Goes back to a common theme in Coen Brothers movies: Absolute power is totally and completely incompetent but stays in control somehow.

Oh, and I'm on ICM too: I Check Movies - Apdiddy I know, I know....I haven't seen The Godfather & The Godfather Part II. I've seen bits and pieces of it, but not the complete films from beginning to end.

And I've seen a lot of garbage films too. THAT needs to change.

 

[Drewsky]

I forgot I have an ICM too.

I think I may try to work my way through the Top 250.

 

[Salazar]

Dead Snow.

Gets going around the

Spoiler

45

minute mark.

Some gnarly zombie kills. I'm pretty impressed.

 

[big ander]

today:

Modern Times - not only is Chaplin his usual hilarious and charismatic self, but the impossibly cute Paulette Goddard nearly matches his energy and gives the film a nice emotional core. Music and sound effects are great. I had to pause to laugh in the climactic performance scene.

Suicide Club - Found it enjoyably weird and gruesome and affecting. The end is a little too convoluted for its own good, but the entire rest of the film is well-presented and gets to you.

Noriko's Dinner Table - Went to Sono's prequel/sequel next and didn't like it as much. While watching I could very easily appreciate the themes of alienation and wanting a new identity. I also liked how it focused on the internet and how it has changed social interaction. But, not being Japanese, I didn't understand how closely those themes were tied into the cultural identity of the nation so I couldn't enjoy that part of the movie. The acting was pretty good and while the narrative meandered at points, it was overall compellingly delivered. Wasn't shot that well.

 

[Count Dookkake]

IT'S FINE. EVERYTHING IS FINE! by Crispin Hellion Glover

Saw this as part of his book and movie tour. Amazing. Deals with the rejected desires of a man with a cerebral palsy. At times funny and others sad, I got teary eyed. There are things in this film that you have not seen before.

During the Q&A, Glover explained that the script was written by the actor, lending even more sadness to it all. Which is weird because he got to make a movie, but it is the closest he could get to his fantasy. Which I guess is true of all filmmakers to a certain degree, but still... he just wanted pretty girls to like him.

Highly recommended. If he is scheduled to appear near you, please do not hesitate to go.

Plot is somewhat reminiscent of a Japanese film called LATE BLOOMER, but the execution is completely different.




Oh yeah, NEW YORK RIPPER is awesome. Sleaze par excellence.

 

[Count Dookkake]

I don't know if "like" is the right word, but it is a good movie.

 

[Erasus]

Just finished watching Rango. Gotta admit I enjoyed it a helluva lot more than I initially thought I would. Yeah, the story follows the predictable beats, but its a great ride and Johnny Depp does his best to make you root for his character. Special mention must be made of the animation. Holy. Crap. If this is any indication of what ILM is capable of in the making of animated films, then I can't wait what they're going to do next!

A solid 7.5/10

I saw it this weekend and I agree, though I would go for 8/10. Love the story and the animation holy shit.

 

[Amagon]

The Mist - I gotta say, this movie left me a little bit desolated. It gave me The Road/Cloverfield vibes watching it all the way til the end. I thought Thomas Jane's acting was medicore and Marcia Gay Harden playing the crazy religous bitch was down to the core. I like the movie but I think watching it once is just enough for me.

Spoiler

When the soldier mention parallel universes from the military base could of been the cause of the shitstorm going around. I was really hoping for just appearing Gordon Freeman fucking shit up.

 

[Replicant]

The Ward - Not as bad as people make it out to be but it's very mediocre. Especially in comparison to "The Thing". For some reason the story reminds me a lot of

Spoiler

Shutter Island

.

 

[dmshaposv]

Just found out about ICM, so I've only checked a couple of movies yet. Loads I still have to check off. Here it is: http://www.icheckmovies.com/profile/dmshaposv/

I saw Norwegian Wood yesterday night. I'm not familiar with the work of Trah Ann Hung. It had some pacing issues I felt - although I haven't read murakami's novel so perhaps the drawn out pacing might've been deliberate. Still, judging purely as a film, the movie could've done with trimming 15-20 mins.

With that out of the way, the acting was good, especially Rinko Kikuchi. There were some good shots and I really liked Jonhnny Greenwood's score. The cinematography was also very well done.

 

[Replicant]

I saw Norwegian Wood yesterday night. I'm not familiar with the work of Trah Ann Hung. It had some pacing issues I felt - although I haven't read murakami's novel so perhaps the drawn out pacing might've been deliberate. Still, judging purely as a film, the movie could've done with trimming 15-20 mins.

With that out of the way, the acting was good, especially Rinko Kikuchi. There were some good shots and I really liked Jonhnny Greenwood's score. The cinematography was also very well done.

The book is a slow-boiling kind of story. And the main male character is quite indecisive IMO. So it sounds like the movie is not that different.

 

[swoon]

El verdugo ***** kinda like breathless a little more levity. if you thought breathless should be about characters that are likable maybe this film is for you, but i don't understand you anyway. this is a wonderful film about a boy and girl and the dad's work as the state The executioner in franco's spain.

The Man From Nowhere * awful and ugly movie. i believe the director is of the same age as the one who made el verdugo.

Busting *** recommended for the cosmic bus/fnord chan types. elliot gould and robert blake as vice cops taking down corrupt something or another. feels a lot like 48 hours x Hardcore. elliot gould has the worst/best winter cap in this movie.

Death in High Heels *** awesome score, but lackluster movie. has the dumbest/best twist at the end though. the opening scene is one of the best, but it never really felt like a giallo outside of the constant red herrings.