Last Movie You Watched

[The new erato]

Visually impressive, but the story is really weak, and the dialogue seems almost like it was written by a random text generator.  I shall not be watching this again, and I think I shall skip any sequels.  This makes me think that Pan's Labyrinth may be the exception among Del Toro's work, the one good movie he will make.

I totally agree.The visuals were the only thing making this flick palatable; that; and the faxt that I saw it with my son.

[mc ukrneal]

Man of Steel (2013) w/ Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, et al - streamed from my cable tonight - was on my 'to watch list' but was not expecting much from the reviews, e.g. 2+*(of 4*) in my local paper; 3+*/5* on Amazon; RottenTomatoes, 56% from critics (75% from audience) - the Amazon curve of reviews is quite broad - for myself, I'd not go more than 3* (maybe 1/2 less) - absolutely TOO much CGI destruction - no relationships developed, no clever dialogue, no memorable characters - recommended only for those into current (and utterly boring) CGI w/ noise & explosions - Dave

For me, it was like two different movies smashed together. There was the background and development story that could have been really interesting (and wasn't too terrible even as is), but just wasn't given enough focus. Then there was the 'bad guy', who I thought was about as uninteresting a villain as I could imagine and all the scenes involvong him were dreadful. As a result, it was a real struggle for me to finish the film. There were a lot of other issues too. If Superman is tryng to protect the planet, he sure seemed indifferent to all the destruction he caused. So most of the CGI was against character type. Anyway, I agree with your assessment.

[George]

First time seeing this and it definitely won't be my last.

[SonicMan46]

For me, it was like two different movies smashed together. There was the background and development story that could have been really interesting (and wasn't too terrible even as is), but just wasn't given enough focus. Then there was the 'bad guy', who I thought was about as uninteresting a villain as I could imagine and all the scenes involvong him were dreadful. As a result, it was a real struggle for me to finish the film. There were a lot of other issues too. If Superman is tryng to protect the planet, he sure seemed indifferent to all the destruction he caused. So most of the CGI was against character type. Anyway, I agree with your assessment.

Hi Neal - if not already done, go back to Greg's response to my post on this film - and watch the 'Honest Trailer' - it's hilarious and 'spot on' for my feelings toward the film - Dave

[Bogey]

First time seeing this and it definitely won't be my last.

Might just be my all time favorite sci-fi film...Alien being right there as well.

[George]

Might just be my all time favorite sci-fi film...Alien being right there as well.

Mine is the first Matrix.

[SonicMan46]

First time seeing this and it definitely won't be my last.

Hey George - did you watch this film on Blu-ray?  If so, what were your impressions of the video & audio quality? - I have the DVD 'Director's Cut' and was interested in replacing it w/ a BD; also, for those who have seen this presumed 'Final Cut', how does this differ from the one I now own - thanks for any help!  Dave

[George]

Hey George - did you watch this film on Blu-ray?  If so, what were your impressions of the video & audio quality? - I have the DVD 'Director's Cut' and was interested in replacing it w/ a BD; also, for those who have seen this presumed 'Final Cut', how does this differ from the one I now own - thanks for any help!  Dave

No, I did not watch it on Bluray, sorry.

As to your last question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versions_of_Blade_Runner#Differences

   

[SonicMan46]

No, I did not watch it on Bluray, sorry.

As to your last question: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versions_of_Blade_Runner#Differences

Thanks George - the link certainly helps - believe I'll obtain the BD from Amazon Prime (just $11) - the video/audio rating on Blu-ray is 4.5/5 for both (HERE) - Dave

[lisa needs braces]

Octave's post about that Japanese film reminds that about six years ago I saw this film and utterly loved it:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061847/

Awesome non-Kurosawa Toshiro Mifure Samurai film.

[SonicMan46]

That's a really good movie. I have th Blu Ray, the 'Final Cut' is the Director's intended cut & vision fully reinstated ..
visually stunning, the film looks like it was filmed yesterday on BR. Audio quality is great too. No brainer. Buy it.

Thanks James - ordered it from Amazon last night, and will replace my DVD - looking forward to viewing it again!  Dave

[SonicMan46]

The Heat.  An utterly predictable, formulaic, but moderately enjoyable buddy picture.

Well, I'm a Sandra Bullock fan, so streamed last night and did enjoy -

[SonicMan46]

My brother-in-law just visited us and spoke very highly of Gravity.  As a Sandra Bullock fan, 1) have you seen it? and 2) if so, what did you think?

Hi San Antone - below is my post on Gravity from early October - if interested, try to see the film in 3D on a BIG screen!  Dave

Just returned from a trip to Indianapolis to see our son & DIL - saw Gravity last friday in 3D @ an IMAX theater - basically agree w/ Todd & the subsequent posters - an outstanding piece of film making and some of the most 'realistic' use of CGI that I've seen recently - I would strongly encourage those who plan to see the production in a theater to try to find a 3D presentation on a BIG screen - probably will not stream this for a 2nd viewing on my 42" HDTV, when released - just would be a letdown - highly recommended, so don't let the opportunity pass - Dave

[Rinaldo]

I have the DVD 'Director's Cut' and was interested in replacing it w/ a BD; also, for those who have seen this presumed 'Final Cut', how does this differ from the one I now own - thanks for any help!  Dave

Go, no, RUN for the Final Cut. The original DVD release is one of the worst DVD transfers ever. A travesty, given this movie's visual qualities.

The Final Cut, in full Blu-ray glory, is just something else entirely. The restoration is perfect and the additions are barely noticeable while fixing what deserved to be fixed. While I think Ridley Scott has gone crazy and lost all his artistic credibility over the past few years, he didn't screw up here.

[mn dave]

MAN OF STEEL - best Superman movie...ever.

That's not saying much I guess. 

[snyprrr]

Someone pleeeeeeez explain the appeal of Sling Blade to me. Besides the obvious scenery chewing, I thought it was just one of those new modern movies making fun of rednecks ("We are NOT a band'- that was funny!) that I find so ugly.

nICE photography

worst haircut in history

Is that what brando would have looked like?

gaaah

[Octave]

While I think Ridley Scott has gone crazy and lost all his artistic credibility over the past few years, he didn't screw up here.

So, curious, was he still OK when he made GLADIATOR?  I was quite a bit younger then, but I booed the end credits of that movie, out loud, in the theater; not something I ever do.  Have not given it a second chance.  I say this as a current strong fan of Joaquin Phoenix, on or off drugs.  I just have not had the heart to revisit that epic slop of a movie.

In fact, now that I see the films of his I know, he has been pret-ty ragged since, I don't know...THELMA AND LOUISE?  (Which title I remember rather liking.)  For the same man to helm ALIEN and BLADE RUNNER (both canon), it was just too good to be true.

Oh no....I see he is directing.....the book of EXODUS!  With Bale!  Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[TheGSMoeller]

When it came out, everyone I knew in Nashville loved it - I heard of audiences applauding at the end.  Most thought Billy Bob Thornton did a great job, and the kid was fantastic.  Jon Ritter's role was one of his best supporting appearances, and Dwight Yoakam was a huge surprise.  Maybe it's a regional thing.  The music was good too.  Jim Jarmusch's cameo was a nice touch.

That said, I have not seen it since and don't know how well it holds up.

Danial Lanois did the music, including a really good rendention of "The Maker" which I think Lanois wrote himself before the likes of Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews Band and Willie Nelson made covers of it.

The movie is good, I really enjoyed it the first viewing. But it does seem to suffer from multiple viewings, any sort of authenticity diminishes.

[mc ukrneal]

So, curious, was he still OK when he made GLADIATOR?  I was quite a bit younger then, but I booed the end credits of that movie, out loud, in the theater; not something I ever do.  Have not given it a second chance.  I say this as a current strong fan of Joaquin Phoenix, on or off drugs.  I just have not had the heart to revisit that epic slop of a movie.

I rather liked Gladiator (and that is despite Russel Crowe and the Phoenix guy, neither of whom I like). What is it you didn't like?

[kishnevi]

I'll intervene with one serious problem I had with that production:  Robert Graves apparently never got the screenwriting credit he deserves for Gladiator. 

If my point seems obscure,  I invite any of you who have read his Claudius novels (especially I, Claudius) to compare Graves' central plot device of an Imperial insider (first Claudius's father, then his brother, both killed by Livia before they could come close to realizing their ideal, and then Claudius himself) who hopes to use his power to restore the dead Republic to that of Gladiator.

(And I invite any of you who have not read those novels to put it on your reading list.  Or at least get the DVD set of the Masterpiece Theater series based on the novels, which is fairly faithful to Graves.)