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Post by curbside on Jan 14, 2010 16:08:01 GMT -5
Narc.
I'd heard good things about this film, so I decided to pick it up for only a few bucks. I must say I'm glad I did. It's quite good. It's gritty and raw and great. Ray Liotta puts in a good performance and Jason Patric does a great job. A cop drama/thriller that leaves you questioning what really happened at all times. And when you think you've figured it out (along with Patric's character) you realize you couldn't be anymore wrong. Very good writing and directing from Joe Carnahan. I'm hoping he makes something along these lines again (as opposed to the fun, but lacking "Smokin' Aces"). A film about doing the wrong thing for the right reason (or the right thing for the right reason, depending on how you look at it).
Moon.
A great first outing from Duncan Jones. An intriguing, slow-moving (in a good way) and thrilling sci-fi drama. Its tone is very similar to 70's films, specifically 70's sci-fi. 2001 is an obvious inspiration, but even things like Star Wars can be found within the film, with its harking back to the old-school looking special effects that are very real looking. A great job of acting by Sam Rockwell, as well. Overall, a thrilling and very solid film.
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Post by RyanGoslingFan99 on Jan 18, 2010 6:20:45 GMT -5
Halloween II (2009) Starring: Scout Taylor-Compton, Brad Dourif, Malcolm McDowell Rob Zombies original Halloween ends on a bit of a cliffhanger... We have Laurie shooting Myers in the face after Michael had killed Dr. Loomis, thus ending the series...but, its a horror movie, so naturally he survives. Laurie also begins to lose her grip on sanity, the beginning of Halloween 2 starts the way Halloween ended, a chaotic mess with blood splattered across the screen. Flash forward a few years and we see Laurie a pill popping teen trying to move on with her life but having a very difficult time doing so. Michael re enters the picture in a violent fashion as he tries to complete the reunion of his family and he needs Laurie to do so. Liked: Brad Dourif and Malcolm McDowell : Both Brad Dourif and Malcolm McDowell are amazing in the film; Dourif plays a sheriff trying to protect his daughter and her friend Laurie. Dourif plays the father role great and adds alittle comedic relief here and there. McDowell reprises his role as Dr. Loomis, this time around the only person he is trying to help... is himself by pushing his new Michael Myers book. Story Now, I know that most people absolutely hated Rob Zombie's Halloween because of whatever reason, I enjoyed it but felt that at times it was too vulgar and brutal for its own good. But Rob doesn't repeat that in Halloween 2, of course its still very brutal and vulgar but it's not as much as it was in the first film. The story focuses alot more on Laurie and Michael's relationship and shows us the downward spiral of both characters. We see Laurie lose her grip on sanity and Michael continuing to lose his. DislikedExcess While it's not as bad as the first, the violence in this film is still very excessive. Sometimes in the shadows is a good thing. Dreams There are some very weird dream sequences/shots that I didn't necessarily hate but some of them were unnecessary to the plot; I understand trying to illustrate the point of the characters losing their minds but sometimes less is more. There are also points where the time line jumps back and forth and to the present again that leaves the viewer to figure out what is exactly happening at what date. Though far from perfect, I was surprised at where Zombie took these characters. I was very skeptical when I heard about some of things that were happening in the film (i.e. no mask Myers, a sequence with adult Myers, kid Myers, his mom and his sister Laurie) but the film manages to pull it off. The characters aren't glossed over, they are presented for everyone to see with all their flaws. There is no hero, just people reacting to the carnage around them.
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Post by Atomsk on Jan 19, 2010 0:28:08 GMT -5
Smokin Aces 2 Fucking terrible. Action movie that had poor action, poor acting, and cheap explosive effects. A disappointment from the first. I feel sorry for whoever thinks this piece of crap is better than the first.
The Lovely Bones Besides the fact that the beginning of the "Otherworld" scenes looks EXACTLY like a scene from What Dreams May Come, I actually enjoyed this movie. Of course, the acting at some parts were...well, not very good, but it was made up at certain points. I didn't enjoy the ending too much. It seemed like a very slow movie, and when it finally hit the ending, it just didn't seem like an ACTUAL ending. Still watchable though.
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Post by curbside on Jan 25, 2010 2:24:00 GMT -5
Harrison's Flowers A good, not great film. Shows some of the worst aspects of war, through the eyes of photojournalists. A film that is not perfect, however, is very touching. Good acting throughout.
Talented Mr. Ripley A film that is very much carried by its great acting. Without this great acting, the suspense falls flat. Matt Damon does a great job in the title role. However, I think the two standouts are Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jude Law. A suspenseful film that is made better than good by its acting.
Hot Fuzz A fantastic and funny film. It shares similarities with Shaun of the Dead, however it is also very different. Much of the humor is the same (bordering on parody, yet having such a loving touch that is more of an homage or love letter), however, the structure is quite different. The film builds slowly, ultimately reaching a huge climax that calls back to jokes earlier in the film. While Shaun contained a highly climactic ending, much like Hot Fuzz, its crescendo is not as high as this film's.
The Hurt Locker Second time viewing this film, and I loved it just as much as the first. However, I wasn't nearly as touched or enthralled (but this was simply because I knew what was coming). A great film, and definitely deserves any recognition it gets (and possibly awards that it hasn't won/will not win).
The Hangover A very funny film. However, I was a little underwhelmed by it. It's the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time, and I can't figure out why. It is a wonderful and funny film, but it's not much different than other comedies of our time. Still, it is an entertaining film.
Touch of Evil A fine example of the genius of Orson Welles. Good acting throughout by an all-star cast and fantastic direction by Welles. A fine thriller with such cinematic flare.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind An absolutely wonderful film. Wonderful. Wonderful. WONDERFUL. There's no other way to describe it. It's touching and beautiful. It's shocking and surprising. Simply wonderful. Spielberg is incredible.
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Post by pnb on Jan 26, 2010 7:08:47 GMT -5
I loved "Up In The Air." The cinematography felt like they transitioned well from serious/business into family/happiness during the wedding, enjoyed the brief change and the small swerve. I loved the relationship between ryan and natalie from when they meet to when they begin traveling. Knew the chick was going to influence him in some way but wasn't sure how. Reminded me of 500 days of summer in the way that he was treated, how he felt something could have happened but the woman never signed up for it. I'm not saying its never been done before, simply reminded me of that most recent example. GOOD MOVIE!
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Post by thesoberdouglas on Jan 26, 2010 13:13:36 GMT -5
Blood Diamond
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2010 15:37:51 GMT -5
Police Story.
My friend and I were watching it last night. She's a Jackie Chan fan, but has never seen his early stuff.
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Post by rocketfromthetombs on Jan 26, 2010 20:58:10 GMT -5
Oh, I love older Jackie Chan stuff! I really liked "Armor of God II".
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Post by mattallica on Jan 27, 2010 1:39:51 GMT -5
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.
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Post by Harry on Jan 28, 2010 16:05:34 GMT -5
It was a weird movie for me. Up until about the last three minutes, I wanted to slap some sense into Patton's character, but then I just sort of accepted that he's happy the way he is. It was a much more personal feel that I think I've ever gotten from a film.
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Post by curbside on Jan 28, 2010 20:43:42 GMT -5
I just recently watched Big Fan too. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I couldn't seem to get into it or relate to (or even understand) the main character at all. It wasn't quite what I expected.
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Post by HY2J on Jan 30, 2010 1:26:00 GMT -5
The GoodTimesKid - Brings filmmaking back to it's natural and simplistic essence. Beautiful with every passing frame, one of the best of the decade especially as a reflection upon true independent cinema.
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Post by ALIAS/JAMIE on Feb 1, 2010 15:46:37 GMT -5
A Prophet / Un ProphèteSaw this yesterday at the lovely Curzon Renoir art-house cinema in Russel Square. First time being there after hearing so many good things. Hopefully try and go once evey few months depending on what treats and events they have lined up. As for A Prophet: Gritty, harsh and raw would be the most basic way to describe it. There is an awful lot going on and at times felt like it was dragging as long as Malik's jail sentence... I mainly put that down to watching it and the end of a very long day as I came away really wanting to re-watch it asap. It was however wonderfully shot with some real memorable moments and some cheeky little references. Flawless performances and remarkably handled well as in the hands of someone like Guy Ritchie it could have turned into a right mess with all the eccentric characters and sprawling story. Overall it wasn't exceptional upon first viewing but something you should try and check out.
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Post by Her 69 Eyes on Feb 1, 2010 17:24:47 GMT -5
The GoodTimesKid - Brings filmmaking back to it's natural and simplistic essence. Beautiful with every passing frame, one of the best of the decade especially as a reflection upon true independent cinema. I haven't seen that film, but I really loved Jacobs' "Momma's Man". -- I guess I liked "A Prophet" a bit more than you, Jamie, but I can certainly see where you're coming from regarding the length. I grew a tad restless simply because of how familiar the character arc is: bottom of the food chain to the top. The prison setting, in all of it's over-exploited glory, didn't help much as it regards the film feeling too familiar.
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Post by Harry on Feb 3, 2010 20:30:37 GMT -5
I started my Film Studies class last week, and it's shown me some good to great movies I hadn't seen before. So far we've watched "Three Ages", "City Lights", "The Circus", "A Streetcar Named Desire", and we're currently watching "The Sting".
Meanwhile, I'm home watching "Bullit" on netflix and loving it.
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