What movies have you seen lately? Now with reviews!Movies

[Diego440]

Sounds like a good movie. Care to name the movies of this trilogy ?

Yep.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002)
Oldboy (2003) (also #114 in IMDb's Top 250)
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005)... speaking of which



Chinjeolhan geumjassi (a.k.a. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) (Chan-wook Park, 2005) -- The final chapter in Park's Revenge trilogy, and probably my favourite, though I'd have to tie it with Oldboy. This one is perhaps more accesible and easier to understand and it's maybe the less bloody of the three. Also, it's IMO the one where the person on whom the revenge is placed deserves it the most. In Mr Vengeance and Oldboy, I couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for the poor guy(s), but this one really deserved it. It's also the funniest (as far as black humour goes). Oldboy is a 'better quality' movie, but this one's story is much more linear and much more accesible, especially for Western thought. IPlotwise, it's about an ex-convict who is seeking redemption as much as revenge and has had 13 years olf planning it, so you can expect a very well-made and highly creative plan, which blends tragedy and hilarity perfectly. 9/10
(10/10 for the whole trilogy)

 

[breakpoint]

I didn't see a need to make a completely new thread just to ask this so going to ask it here. What is your all time favorite movie, and why?



My all time favorite would have to be Donnie Darko. I was working at Blockbuster Video and one day my manager said, hey this screener came in today and I watched it and thought you would really like it so she gave it to me. I was blown away by the movie, its so good. Its one of those movies where you either love it or hate it. Its a really deep movie is the scrap past the surface. I would also recommend watching the directors cut and watching all of the deleted scenes, the story unfolds much better if you watch some of the deleted scenes.

Spoiler

The way I interpret the movie is Donnie Darko was suppose to have died in the jet engine crash into his room that slipped through from another dimension. Certain events kept this from happening and the world was going to unravel because of the timeline being tampered with in a way that it was not suppose to have been. Donnie is then guided by god, creator, whatever force to lead him to correct all of these problems to make the events that were suppose to happen, happen that way the timeline would be on track and all of the events would play out like was intended. Of course thats how I see the movie, you might see it completely different.

Just the fact that the movie was 26-year-old writer-director Richard Kelly's first film is just amazing, what a great way to start a carrer:tup: If you haven't seen it I would recommend watching the directors cut and after you finish go back and watch all of the deleted scenes, after you watch those allot more of the film smacks you right in the face because the film leads you to think Donnie suffers from certain things that he doesn't.

Spoiler

Like the pills he takes are placebo's, that alone rips open a completely new light on the film, why didn't they leave that in!?

And if you have seen it and want to dip a little, well allot deeper into the story then check out this page.

 

[Paulie]

I saw Clash of the Titans today, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it had nothing to do with Titans what so ever.

 

[Diego440]

What is your all time favorite movie, and why?

Yeah, but there's a thread on that already. Granted, it's been dead for almost a year, though. I think Famine also did a thread on user's top movies at some point as well. My favourite of all time would have to be The Big Lebowski. There's so much depth to it and the humour is so dark and sarcastic that I'll always laugh; the story is complicated enough to keep it interesting and funny enough to make me watch it again. For a time I remember watching that movie almost weekly. I love movies with depth, side stories and inner meanings, and TBL is one of those. 👍

My all time favorite would have to be Donnie Darko.

And if you have seen it and want to dip a little, well allot deeper into the story then check out this page.

There's a thread on GTP about Donnie Darko, and in it I posted that link

 

[Omnis]

I'm watching Tampopo thanks to Edward Norton. This is a weird ****in movie.

 

[Diego440]

Desierto Adentro (a.k.a. The Desert Within) (Rodrigo Plá, 2008) -- The story of a man who's commited a great sin and decides to build a church so as to seek absolution, even if it kills him and his children, which it eventually does. I heard many good reviews about this Mexican movie, but my guess is that they stopped it halfway and decided it was okay. I keep seeing this trend over and over, in which Latin American movies are being given good reviews based on the production quality but not on the movie's quality itself (La Teta Asustada, La Nana, Bajo La Sal, etc.) . It's like the quality is improving in terms of budget, lighting, sets, sound, but the quality in terms of plot, acting and story imagination remain the same old crap. This movie is a perfect example of a lame story with good production. 2.5/10

 

[Daniel]

Lately... umm... Well, 2 or three days ago, I watched Tropic Thunder (even though it's an R16 - I'm 14.333333... shhh!!). Yesterday - Men in Black ('twas on TV, and nothin' else was on). Hmmm, and just now: Naked Gun 33 and a 1/3. My whole family loved it (I'm one of those people who enjoy a good comedy). And tomorrow, Alice in Wonderland at the movies. Then, when it comes out, Date Night.
Am I in for a double-treat?

 

[DK]

I watched Alice In Wonderland on Thursday. I honestly think that the Mad Hatter is tripping serious balls.

 

[breakpoint]

Yeah, but there's a thread on that already. Granted, it's been dead for almost a year, though. I think Famine also did a thread on user's top movies at some point as well. My favourite of all time would have to be The Big Lebowski. There's so much depth to it and the humour is so dark and sarcastic that I'll always laugh; the story is complicated enough to keep it interesting and funny enough to make me watch it again. For a time I remember watching that movie almost weekly. I love movies with depth, side stories and inner meanings, and TBL is one of those. 👍



There's a thread on GTP about Donnie Darko, and in it I posted that link

I know there are threads about it, but since everyone in this thread watches movies and usually do good reviews I was curious what everyones favorite movie that posted in this thread was, really didn't see the point in bringing a thread back from the dead for one question, oh well....

 

[Joey D]

She's Out of My League: It's a chick flick, I knew this going in. I was on a date and needed something that was sort of neutral that we both could enjoy and the girls I work with suggested it to me because their boyfriends/husbands didn't hate it. It's about a guy who wants this girl that's out of his league (go figure right?). I found myself laughing through the whole movie but it was fall out of my seat funny like say The Hangover was, but it was funny enough where I was bored. If you have a girl and need a good date movie, this one is perfect.

Clash of the Titans in 3D: The next night we thought it would be a good idea to see another movie, we both wanted to see it so we ended up at some swanky theatre in downtown Birmingham. We had to wait a while to see it in 3D but is seemed like it was going to be worth it.

Now I had a major problem with this movie, the whole movie felt rushed and it felt like they cut a lot of stuff out of it. They said it was 118 minutes long but the movie started at 9:10 with about 15-20 minutes of previews and we were walking out of the theatre by 11, so I'm slightly suspect of that time. The acting was so-so at best and big chunks of the story was missing that left you wondering where the hell X character came from. Knowing mythology some what I sort of knew what was going on, but at the same time it just didn't add up. The 3D wasn't even that cool either, I sort of felt like we could have saved some money and skipped wearing those stupid glasses.

I haven't seen the original one so I'm not sure how it compared, but Kari had and said that it was missing a lot of stuff.

 

[TB]

Stomp Live

Not a movie, but it was more entertaining, and surprisingly funnier, than some of things I've watched recently. For anyone who doesn't know what Stomp is, it's a group of adults that beat on everything they can get their hands on - garbage cans, pipes, brooms and yes, even the kitchen sink - basically all the things you got in trouble for doing as a kid. The comedic elements were a bit unexpected and the "players" all work well together. All-in-all, an enjoyable watch.

8/10

 

[Public'sTwin]

Clash of the Titans in 3D: The next night we thought it would be a good idea to see another movie, we both wanted to see it so we ended up at some swanky theatre in downtown Birmingham. We had to wait a while to see it in 3D but is seemed like it was going to be worth it.

Now I had a major problem with this movie, the whole movie felt rushed and it felt like they cut a lot of stuff out of it. They said it was 118 minutes long but the movie started at 9:10 with about 15-20 minutes of previews and we were walking out of the theatre by 11, so I'm slightly suspect of that time. The acting was so-so at best and big chunks of the story was missing that left you wondering where the hell X character came from. Knowing mythology some what I sort of knew what was going on, but at the same time it just didn't add up. The 3D wasn't even that cool either, I sort of felt like we could have saved some money and skipped wearing those stupid glasses.

I haven't seen the original one so I'm not sure how it compared, but Kari had and said that it was missing a lot of stuff.

Eh?

 

[Apok]

beat on everything they can get their hands on - garbage cans, pipes, brooms and yes, even the kitchen sink

Hmmm
You got me interested.

 

[Joey D]

Eh?

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I'm not real big on 3D, although seeing the Tron preview in 3D blew up my geek-o-meter. I think my opinion is changing about that movie.

 

[Slick Rick]

Garden State - Brilliant movie, I knew I was going to love it from the first 10mins. Impressive in that it was Zach Braffs first movie he wrote, directed and starred in, bit surprised when I saw Natalie Portman in it too she was very good. I would recommend it if you liked Lost in Translation

The Last Kiss - Another movie starring Zach Braff. This was a very different movie than what I was expecting, it was emotional, hard hitting and straining, waited for the light at the end of the tunnel but it kinda didnt come. Wasnt a very good movie, too depressing and I dont really like those kinda movies where half of it is women screaming hysterically and crying.

Funny People - A lot of people dont like this movie, I think its probably because they were expecting something different as it stars Adam Sandler and Seth Rogan. I liked the movie a lot, you go on a journey with them as you watch the story progress also your opinion of the main character changes as the movie goes on, its not all serious there are a lot of funny bits in there too, mostly from Seth though...


I wouldnt normally watch that many movies at once but I was hungover and need an excuse to keep stalling the start of my dissertation...

 

[FoolKiller]

I saw Clash of the Titans today, and correct me if I'm wrong, but it had nothing to do with Titans what so ever.

Does it not mention that the Kraken is supposed to be the last of the Titans? They spelled that out pretty plainly in the original.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I'm not real big on 3D, although seeing the Tron preview in 3D blew up my geek-o-meter. I think my opinion is changing about that movie.

Cinematical had a good article on Clash of the Titans in 3D entitled: "Here's How 3-D is Ruining Movies"

This paragraph sums up why Clash doesn't work as well as something like avatar:

But guess what, moviegoers? Someone out in Hollywood figured out a way to "3-D-ize" an already finished film. Yes, a film that was (again) composed, framed, and photographed with a flat surface in mind is now being retrofitted with a gauzy, tacky 3-D "conversion" process that may look great on the marketing materials ... but really suck eggs when it comes to entertaining an audience. Oh, and it's more expensive, too. Suckers.

Avatar: Designed around 3-D. Clash of the Titans: Designed around 2-D with 3-D slapped on as an afterthought.



As for me:

Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (5/10)
OK, I didn't see this one coming. My wife rented it for her fantasy affair with Matthew McConaughey, so I assumed it was just another chick flick. Well, it is, but it sinks to a new low. It is a blatant ripoff of A Christmas Carol. Conner (McConaughey) is a big time womanizer who learned how to woo a woman from his uncle, who is now dead. When he returns home his uncle's ghost visits him to warn him of how that lifestyle turns out and that he will be visited by three spirits. They take the form of pivotal women in his life from the past present, and possible future. There you go. Jennifer Garner is the one that got away and made him become uncaring and you can guess how this ends. Predictable, flat, and boring...mostly. During his trip to the past his uncle, played by Michael Douglass, is a riot. He embodies every stereotype you can pull from the Rat Pack generation. His hair is slicked back, he calls Conner Dutch for no apparent reason, he wears sunglasses 24/7, and he always has a glass of scotch in one hand and a woman in the other. This 30 minutes of the movie was actually entertaining. The rest was predictable and annoying. And it has to be said that no movie should ever put Breckin Meyer and Michael Douglass together ever again. We knew Breckin Meyer was bad before this movie gave us a compare and contrast with someone with talent.

Zombieland - (8.5/10)
I like it!!! It has been a while since I saw a movie that I just truly enjoyed for fun. I liked the style and the constant reminder of the rules. I also loved the concept that the WoW geek with no life is a zombie apocalypse survivor because he had no one close to attack him when they turned. This film does a good job of taking the whole zombie apocalypse concept and making it fun and entertaining while not toning down the horror. I highly recommend this movie. I will likely buy it. And now I want to go play Dead Rising some more.

Sherlock Holmes - (8/10)
If ever Hollywood had a chance to screw something up, this was it. Fortunately, they didn't. It was entertaining and just fun to watch and try to keep up with the connections that Holmes makes out of the tiny details he sees. The problem with this move is that with the information Holmes has for the case itself, any of us could have figured it out. Will I notice dust on a jacket? No. Will I notice the obvious details he picks up in flashbacks that we were never shown? Yes. A good mystery story has all the facts in front of the audience so that they can try to deduce the outcome before it ends. It sucks balls when I get to the end and then Holmes goes on a deductive rant and we get flashes of some stuff we hadn't seen.

And this is clearly ripe for a sequel. Well, it was blatantly set up for one. But if it makes just 5% of the audience pick up Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books then this is a success.

 

[Daniel]

OK, saw Alice in Wonderland yesterday. Was a pretty good movie, and a bit of eye-stabbing (three times if I can remember ). Still was good (I'm suck at critiquing movies!).
My conclusion - The Red Queen has a big head.

 

[RUI]

Whatever Works (Woody Allen, 2009)

I went to see Whatever Works this Saturday and although I wasn’t expecting much I have to say I quite liked it.
Woody Allen + Larry David is probably too big a dose of pessimism, cynicism, self-paranoia, etc. for most people out there but it sort of works having David in Allen’s shoes (better than Branagh or Cusack, I think), even if he’s not that great an actor - the rest of the cast though were outstanding, especially Patricia Clarkson and Evan Rachel Wood.
All in all, and even if this is nothing new for those familiar enough with Woody Allen’s universe - with the exception of the masterpiece Match Point is -, this was the best from him I saw in quite a few years, working somehow as a synthesis of many of the central themes of his cinema. (8/10)

 

[ExigeEvan]

No one has seen Kick Ass yet?

A genuinley brilliant film. Funny, slapstick and self mocking, but with action scenes that border on grotesque to incredible.

More people need to see this movie. 9/10

Why not 10/10? Well it was never going to be a life changer.

 

[addictions]

Just got back from taking the kids to see "The spy next door" Quite amusing to say the least Jackie Chan was on top form. The whole family enjoyed the film.
Also seen the trailer for Karate Kid again with Jackie Chan which also looks like a great film.

 

[Omnis]

Saw The King of Comedy, another recommendation by Edward Norton. This one, however, was actually good. De Niro at his best. Reminded me a lot of some of John Gemberling's characters.

 

[LeftyWright69]

wrong thred sorry............

 

[Neal]

No one has seen Kick Ass yet?

A genuinley brilliant film. Funny, slapstick and self mocking, but with action scenes that border on grotesque to incredible.

More people need to see this movie. 9/10

Why not 10/10? Well it was never going to be a life changer.

Nice one 👍 I'm going to see it tomorrow so I'm looking forward to it even more now

 

[Diego440]

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Shane Black, 2005) -- I was expecting this to be some sort of The Saint remake about a James Bond-wannabe who travels around the world doing stuff. The movie was the complete opposite. Told from a narrative stance by Robert Downey Jr, who along with Michelle Monaghan and Val Kilmer solve a murder/crime/mystery in a very savvy, creative and black humoured kind of way. It's definitely a film noir movie with a comedy element. Parallel story lines unfold and given plot assumptions are turned over, always with achingly funny results. Be advised, leave your logical thinking and probability predicting at the door. This is one of those rare movies where you'll consistently find something new to laugh at and a definite recommendation. 8.5/10

 

[Public'sTwin]

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Shane Black, 2005) -- I was expecting this to be some sort of The Saint remake about a James Bond-wannabe who travels around the world doing stuff. The movie was the complete opposite. Told from a narrative stance by Robert Downey Jr, who along with Michelle Monaghan and Val Kilmer solve a murder/crime/mystery in a very savvy, creative and black humoured kind of way. It's definitely a film noir movie with a comedy element. Parallel story lines unfold and given plot assumptions are turned over, always with achingly funny results. Be advised, leave your logical thinking and probability predicting at the door. This is one of those rare movies where you'll consistently find something new to laugh at and a definite recommendation. 8.5/10

This was a brilliant flick; there's little more that needs to be said about it; highly entertaining throughout, this was the film that resurrected Downey Jr's career.

 

[Mr. Mopar727]

I was in the mood for a Steve McQueen movie, and my dad suggested Bullitt (1968)

In my opinion Steve McQueen and a 1968 mustang makes for one great cult classic.

 

[Diego440]

That much? I'll agree on its brilliantness, really not what I expected and probably one of the best I've sene this year in this genre.

 

[Syntax error]

I have to agree that Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is an excellent movie 👍

District 9 (Neill Blomkamp, 2009)

I'm sure this flick has been covered in this thread a few times by now. I finally got around to watching it as it's been sitting on the shelf at home for some time now. I don't really know why I didn't watch it before, but I think the hesitation might have been because I tend to find that I get a little let down when I have high expectations of a movie. Well I certainly did not feel let down here. This movie was is what other people should be forced to watch before they are allowed to make sci-fi movies. The only thing a little annoying was the camera shake but I can understand why they went with this style filming. The story was good and it was paced just right, not leaving me enough time to ponder plot holes but not making it feel rushed either. Also nice to see aliens don't always feel the need to head straight for DC New York or LA I give this a well deserved 9/10

 

[Diego440]

Vals Im Bashir (a.k.a. Waltz with Bashir) (Ari Folman, 2008) -- Speaking of unexpected movies again! While the film's plot may not seem all that fun, I have to admit I was really impressed; An Israeli film director interviews fellow veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon to reconstruct his own memories of his term of service in that conflict. The movie is quite raw and shows almost everything regarding war and the attrocities that occur in it, but the movie is animated. That's right! It's definitely not a cartoon thing with strong heroes and cliché'd scenes, but it's thanks to this animation that they can show what really happens in a war and not become gross or gruesome, plus it also makes for an entertaining movie that deals with an otherwise boring narrative. Definite recommendation, though absolutely not for kids. An amazing movie that makes you think about life, people, and the complexity of war. 8.5/10

 

[Neal]

No one has seen Kick Ass yet?

A genuinley brilliant film. Funny, slapstick and self mocking, but with action scenes that border on grotesque to incredible.

More people need to see this movie. 9/10

Why not 10/10? Well it was never going to be a life changer.

Nice one 👍 I'm going to see it tomorrow so I'm looking forward to it even more now

Kick Ass 9/10

As Exige has said this is a very funny and entertaining film. The action sequences are genuinely exciting and well choreographed while being just the right side of ridiculous to be expletive awesome. My comic book geek friend tells me there are a few changes to the story from the books but I personally don't think it matters when the film is this much fun.