What Movie Did You Just Watch? ...Rises

[SillySymphony]

Various movie viewings from the last 12 days.
Ratings based on a 5 star method.
[Blue = 1st time rating and/or viewing]

Arthur Christmas (2011)✰✰✰✰
[^ I liked the 3 generations of Santa approach. Wouldn't mind to see it again outside of the 'Christmas season'.]
The Secret World of Arrietty (2012) ✰✰✰✰
[^ I agree with those who say it's a gentle film. Wasn't bored a bit. The sights and sounds were captivating.]
Phantom: At Royal Albert Hall (2011) ✰✰✰✰1/2
[^ Didn't end up watching on V-Day like I planned. Wanted more special features on the Blu-ray: Even YouTube vids would've been nice.]
My Fair Lady (1964) ✰✰✰1/2
[^ Last time I watched this was at a sleepover 7+ yrs ago. I remember it being long and annoying. Liked it a bit more this time, but only just.]

[dvdjunkie]

Hugo 2011 - Blu-ray

Martin Scorsese's triumphant family film that truly jumps off the screen at your whether it is in 3-D or regular 2-D. Watching as a family (four adults and two grnadkids under the age of 10) this film has something for everyone. Based on the book by Brian Selznick "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", this movie tells a very good story about an orphaned boy, portrayed by Asa Butterfield, named Hugo who lives within the walls of the Paris train station. He has responsibilities like keeping the big clock wound up so it tells the correct time, and trying to get his 'automaton' repaired and working. The film stars Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe Grace Moretz, Harry Winstone and Christopher Lee and was directed by John Logan.

I saw this film in the theater four times, twice in IMAX 3-D, and twice in standard 2-D and could not wait to add this to my Blu-ray collection. It is a remarkable film and you want to watch it over and over again. It tells such a human story with every character fleshed out for you in the very short two hours that it runs.

Just one heck of a movie and it deserved every Oscar it won, and a couple that it lost to "The Artist", which I also loved and can't wait until april, when it comes to Blu-ray.

On the Junkie Home Theater meter "Hugo" gets 5 out of 5 stars.

[dvdjunkie]

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax 2012 - Warren Theaters

Took our four year old grand daughter, Tymber, to see "The Lorax" this afternoon and she loved it. I also enjoyed it very much. I personnally think this is the best adaptation of a Dr. Seuss book since "The Grinch". It is definitely better than "The Cat in the Hat", and "Horton Hears a Who".

Voice cast includes Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Danny DeVito, and Betty White, who almost steals the show.

Some very good music, and a real great transfer from book to screen. Our 4 year old is still laughing about certain scenes.

Definitely worth a watch. We didn't pay the extra $3.50 to see it in #-D, but id didn't look like there was much that the 3-D could enhance. Definitely worth the matinee price and I would give it a solid 4 on a 5 scale. I will definitely buy the Blu-ray when it comes out.

[Goliath]

Doubt (2008)

Nothing much to say here. It's about a nun (Meryl Streep) who suspects a priest (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of abusing an altar boy. What's good about the movie, is that you never get to know who is right: is it the nun who thinks she sees clues here and there, but doesn't have any actual evidence; or is it the priest, who is the victim of rumors and gossip? Keeps you guessing through the entire film and that's what keeps in entertaining.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

^ I love Doubt, Goliath. I certainly need to pick it up on Blu-ray sometime soon.

I've recently watched:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - One of my favorite movie musicals; it's gritty and raw, and even though some of the singing isn't up to par (I'm looking at you Helena), the film overall is wonderful.

The Phantom of the Opera - Again, this is probably my favorite movie musical ever. If anyone here remembers, in my first days of UD, I obsessed about Phantom and it still remains one of my favorite movies. It may not be exactly like Webber's stage musical, but I just find it amazing. It also introduced me to some great actors (especially Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler).

Up next is Tales from Earthsea, a film that was probably judged too harshly (but I really enjoy it).

[dvdjunkie]

Fly Away Home (1996) Special Edition DVD

If ever a movie needs an upgrade to Blu-ray, this one leads the pack. Directed by Carroll Ballard and scored by Mark Isham, this film has a great cast featuring Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin, and Dana Delaney.

The story is about a 13-year-old girl (Paquin) who, with her mother, is involved in a violent car crash in New Zealand. Her mother is killed, and Amy is left with her estranged, eccentric father (Jeff Daniels).

Taken back around the world to Ontario, Canada, Amy and her father try to make things go the way they should, but it just isn't the same for Amy. Then Daddy brings home his girlfriend (Delaney) who sympathizes with Amy's plight.

When loggers impose their will on Danels' land and are finally driven off, Amy finds a nest of goose eggs. She takes them home to the barn and when they start to hatch, she has a whole lot of other responsibility on her hands. As the geese grow Daniels realizes that they think Amy is there mother and they only follow what she does and tell them to do.

The geese are getting old enough to fly south for the winter so Amy is taught to fly by her dad, after finding out the geese won't follow him in the air.

The adventure of traveling by air for four days is a wonderful story, and based on a true incident that happened in 1997, and still goes on today.

A wonderful film that never gets preachy, and has three strong lead characters, and should be seen by everyone, young and old alike.

The extras on this Special Edition include a documentary "The Ultra Geese" that follows a flock of geese from birth to their need to be 'guided' in flight to make their journey south for the winter.

I would really like to see this film get released on Blu-ray.

On the Junkie Home Theater meter I will give this film a very strong 4 out of 5 stars.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

After finishing Tales from Earthsea, I continued my Ghibli film-watching and watched Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle (which are definitely my two favorite Ghibli films). After that I watched Kung Fu Panda, which was nice but nothing amazing.

EDIT:

After KFP, I watched Ghibli's The Cat Returns and now I'm finishing up Kiki's Delivery Service. I absolutely love Kiki's Delivery Service (it was the first Ghibli film I ever saw, so it holds a special place in my heart). After I finish Kiki, I'm going to watch My Neighbor Totoro and then after that I only have Ponyo, Nausicaa and Castle in the Sky left (to finish what I have in my own collection). I should definitely watch my Ghibli films more often because I absolutely love them.

[Dr Frankenollie]

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Although the plot can be unfocused and messy, The Big Lebowski is a hilarious, surreal ride. Jeff Bridges is "the Dude", a bum who gets caught up in the alleged kidnapping of a trophy wife; in the process, he encounters wealthy pornographers, German nihilists and has a Busby Berkeley-inspired dream sequence with lurid costumes and cinematography. John Goodman deservedly gets the limelight as the oafish ex-soldier Walter Sobchak, who forcefully gets involved in the Dude's story and wrecks everything amusingly. Steve Buscemi, the great John Turturro and Philip Seymour Hoffman are amusing in supporting roles, but it's the crackling, profanity-ridden conversations and adventures of the Dude and Walter that make the movie. There's even an emotional, bittersweet sequence near the end, which gives the protagonists depth. Because it's the Coen Brothers, the dialogue is witty, memorable and instantly quotable, and while this isn't one of their strongest films, it still has charm and many funny moments.

[Avaitor]

I watched a lot of movies over the weekend.

Playtime

I recently discovered that Criterion has some movies you can watch on Hulu without having to subscribe to Hulu Plus, their pay program. While there were a couple of other interesting choices in here for me to peruse later, I figured that I'd use this chance to introduce myself to the world of Jacques Tati now. Sadly, I didn't like it at all, however. It's an interesting idea, but I only got a couple of chuckles throughout.

Maybe if I find it's DVD for cheap around here I'll give it another chance then, but I was left cold by the film.

Only Angels Have Wings

Had this one saved on my DVR for a while, and decided to finally watch it. Good stuff. Cary Grant in one of his most charismatic roles, and as per usual, he has great chemistry with his romantic interest and the dialogue is rather sharp.

Fun fact- a lot of Cary Grant impersonators like to say "Judy, Judy, Judy" in his voice, but Grant never said this line in any of his movies. It's obvious that the phrase must come from here, since Rita Hayworth's character's name is Judith, but Grant refers to her as Judy. He never says he name three times in a row, but it's as close as you can get to find out where this misconception comes from.

Another fun fact- this movie was the inspiration for the TV series Tales of the Gold Monkey, which in turn was the inspiration for TaleSpin. So Disney Afternoon fans have everything to thank for this film.

Some Like It Hot/This is Spinal Tap

TCM kicked off their new season of The Essentials with a double showing of these two films (well, kind of- the former aired at the block's normal time at 8 PM, while the latter was a "special presentation" at 2 am, probably due to its excessive language). Since I was a pretty big fan of the previous few seasons with Robert Osborne and Alec Baldwin, I wanted to see how Drew Barrymore fit into Baldwin's shoes.

She fits fairly well, IMO. Barrymore is more high-energy than Baldwin, who was more reserved and wise. They're both quite experienced and excited about their subject material, but I think Barrymore's girlish aspiration is a better contrast to Osborne. It'll make for a fun season, even if I just pick and choose the movies like I normally do. I am watching next week's, though, which is The Razor's Edge, a film I've been wanting to watch.

I've seen both of these films before, multiple times. They're two of the funniest ever made, and worth watching if you haven't seen them yet.

The Gold Rush

I was in the mood for some Chaplin. While there are some films of his up on Hulu for free, I didn't feel like leaving my room, and since this 1925 classic is the only one available on Netflix and I don't own any on DVD, I went with it. I've seen it before once or twice, and I think it's as funny as ever. Highlights include the Little Tramp's bread roll dance, the great dance hall scene, and the "hunger games" between the Tramp and his sheltermates.

[PeterPanfan]

Some Like It Hot/This is Spinal Tap

TCM kicked off their new season of The Essentials with a double showing of these two films (well, kind of- the former aired at the block's normal time at 8 PM, while the latter was a "special presentation" at 2 am, probably due to its excessive language). Since I was a pretty big fan of the previous few seasons with Robert Osborne and Alec Baldwin, I wanted to see how Drew Barrymore fit into Baldwin's shoes.

She fits fairly well, IMO. Barrymore is more high-energy than Baldwin, who was more reserved and wise. They're both quite experienced and excited about their subject material, but I think Barrymore's girlish aspiration is a better contrast to Osborne. It'll make for a fun season, even if I just pick and choose the movies like I normally do. I am watching next week's, though, which is The Razor's Edge, a film I've been wanting to watch.

I've seen both of these films before, multiple times. They're two of the funniest ever made, and worth watching if you haven't seen them yet.

When does The Essentials air? I loved when Rose McGowan was on it, and I really like Drew so I want to check this out!

[Avaitor]

Some Like It Hot/This is Spinal Tap

TCM kicked off their new season of The Essentials with a double showing of these two films (well, kind of- the former aired at the block's normal time at 8 PM, while the latter was a "special presentation" at 2 am, probably due to its excessive language). Since I was a pretty big fan of the previous few seasons with Robert Osborne and Alec Baldwin, I wanted to see how Drew Barrymore fit into Baldwin's shoes.

She fits fairly well, IMO. Barrymore is more high-energy than Baldwin, who was more reserved and wise. They're both quite experienced and excited about their subject material, but I think Barrymore's girlish aspiration is a better contrast to Osborne. It'll make for a fun season, even if I just pick and choose the movies like I normally do. I am watching next week's, though, which is The Razor's Edge, a film I've been wanting to watch.

I've seen both of these films before, multiple times. They're two of the funniest ever made, and worth watching if you haven't seen them yet.

When does The Essentials air? I loved when Rose McGowan was on it, and I really like Drew so I want to check this out!

Saturday nights at 8 EST

Heh, I never watched it when Rose McGowan was on. I only started with Alec Baldwin's run. I regret not watching the block sooner though, but my appreciation for classic movies have only picked up in the past few years.

[jpanimation]

Drive (2011) 7.5/10 - The greatest feature of the movie is it’s soundtrack and style. I’m a sucker for this kind of stuff. The 80s style synth music just put a big goofy grin on my face the whole time to which I was just itching to buy the soundtrack. The nighttime L.A. stuff just has this dreamy aurora about it (it was one of my favorite aspects of Collateral) to which anything seems possible.

That said, I felt they went overboard with the who misdirection thing, where they have characters seem innocent and then making a 360 part way through. Both Brooks and Gosling became almost psychotic out of no where. The whole ending to this movie was a letdown. After Cranston died, I expected Gosling to reek havoc and go completely psycho since his character only seemed to be getting more unhinged as we went along. How disappointed was I to find out that the movie suddenly got tame and that all the deaths of the mob bosses were off screen. It built up to but a mere simmer but that’s not even my biggest problem with the ending. Gosling is a total badass who is obviously comfortable with violence and certainly knows a great deal about that kind of stuff. From what we’ve witnessed his character do up to this point, seeing him getting stabbed at the end just didn’t make sense. He anticipated his opponents moves all the way up to that point but then gets stabbed by a guy who just spent the past few minutes making it clear that he’s making it his life goal to kill him? Just doesn’t make sense. I’ll end this by saying, that in most cases, I just don’t like these ambiguous endings. They come off as pretentious.

Hugo (2011) 7.5/10 - I wan’t to clear things up for anyone who may have reservations about seeing this “children’s movie”. When hearing a movie labeled as such, you may immediate picture a movie full of over acting, stupid adults, kids with attitude and fart jokes. It has none of that. What reviewers mean is that in a classic sense it’s a children’s story and it’s much closer to Oliver Twist or David Copperfield. I honestly found the whole thing refreshing. It was visually arresting and it’s great to see such a versatile director with such a clear vision (many directors seem to be paired with films that they have NO passion for and it definitely shows). Child actors can be problematic but here they’re wonderful. Not to mention the large cast of veteran actors who bring character to even the smallest parts. The whole movie just has a childlike whimsy about it that is epitomized in Howard Shore’s very Joe Hisaishi-esque score. I guess the biggest fault of this movie is that the title character just isn’t as interesting as Georges Méliès. The whole movie could’ve just been about him and probably would’ve been better. Still, they don’t often make such visionary movies like this anymore (fuck Avatar, that’s not visionary, just a shitload of CGI) and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Fun fact- a lot of Cary Grant impersonators like to say "Judy, Judy, Judy" in his voice, but Grant never said this line in any of his movies. It's obvious that the phrase must come from here, since Rita Hayworth's character's name is Judith, but Grant refers to her as Judy. He never says he name three times in a row, but it's as close as you can get to find out where this misconception comes from.

The first time I saw this movie was on TCM and Robert Osborn brought that up. He equated it to a whole list of misquotes, like Clint Eastwood impressions that misquote him saying "Do you feel lucky, punk?" or the Tarzan impressions that misquote him saying "Me Tarzan, you Jane" or the Sherlock Holmes impressions misquoting him saying "Elementary, my dear Watson!" or Darth Vader impressions that misquote him saying "Luke, I am your father." or misquoting Treasure of SierraMadre by saying "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!" or misquoting All About Eve by saying "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride." (night) or misquoting Sunset Blvd. by saying "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." They've just become stereotypes for some reason and they aren't even accurate.

[Dr Frankenollie]

(fuck Avatar, that’s not visionary, just a shitload of CGI)...

The first time I saw this movie was on TCM and Robert Osborn brought that up. He equated it to a whole list of misquotes, like Clint Eastwood impressions that misquote him saying "Do you feel lucky, punk?" or the Tarzan impressions that misquote him saying "Me Tarzan, you Jane" or the Sherlock Holmes impressions misquoting him saying "Elementary, my dear Watson!" or Darth Vader impressions that misquote him saying "Luke, I am your father." or misquoting Treasure of SierraMadre by saying "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!" or misquoting All About Eve by saying "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy ride." (night) or misquoting Sunset Blvd. by saying "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille." They've just become stereotypes for some reason and they aren't even accurate.

Don't forget the most notorious misquote of all: "Play it again, Sam."

[dvdjunkie]

People who don't like Avatar but like some of the other crap they write about, lose many points in my book.

Hugo should be given a 10/10 because the minute it is over you want to see it again.

You read into these movies something that isn't there. If you are so damned talented why aren't you directing movies and rolling in the millions.

I have never gone to a movie and, after watching it, said "I could have done better."

Movies are for entertainment and that is the bottom line. If you think you can do better, then go to Hollywood and apply for a job, and make sure you take your press book with all of your great reviews of the stuff you have directed.

C'mon, let's watch a movie for what it telling us. When you go into a movie like "Avatar" you have already read all the reviews, and if you don't like it, don't use foul language to describe it, that just shows your lack of education and total disrespect for others who read these posts.

If you can honestly go to a film and say that you didn't know what it was supposed to be about, then if you don't like it, let that be that - "I didn't like it" - none of the other dribble that you might think makes us think you are a genius.

No names mentioned here, but you know who you are. Let's take it easy with the language, and don't waste time with flowery reviews of movies you don't like.

[jpanimation]

If you are so damned talented why aren't you directing movies and rolling in the millions.

Talent accounts for very little of it. It's all the politics of showbiz.

Your argument is also terrible, that's like saying a race car driver can't criticize the way his car handles because he can't build one himself. Actually, it's more like telling a poverty level working mother that she can't criticize the president since she's never been one (this is more accurate, since both are very political careers saved mainly for the privileged).

I have never gone to a movie and, after watching it, said "I could have done mbetter."

I'm calling you out on this one.

[..] if you don't like it, let that be that - "I didn't like it" - none of the other dribble that you might think makes us think you are a genius.

Some of us like to back our opinion and explain our ratings. Just showing up to a board and saying "This movie sucks!" without any kind of explanation, especially if it goes against popular opinion, is called trolling. I'm no genius and have never pretend to be, I just happen to be very opinionated and enjoy expressing my opinion (which according to you: my opinion = dribble).

If you think you can do better, then go to Hollywood and apply for a job

If only it were as easy as you seem to think it is. Having enough money to buy a camera, let alone a plane ticket, would be a start.

That said, you don't like my opinion (or anyone else's), then don't read them. This should save you the trouble of having to derail the thread just to criticize a member of the forums whenever they have an opinion different from your own.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

So, I changed my viewing schedule and I watched Ponyo today and now I'm watching Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Up next is Castle in the Sky and then My Neighbor Totoro.

[jpanimation]

^What, no Porco Rosso or Whisper of the Heart or Princess Mononoke. That's his entire 90s work and my personal favs

[TheSequelOfDisney]

^What, no Porco Rosso or Whisper of the Heart or Princess Mononoke. That's his entire 90s work and my personal favs

I'm only watching the Ghibli films that I have in my personal collection. I'm getting Princess Mononoke from my library, though (since it's definitely one of my favorites), but I'm not too fond of Porco Rosso and Whisper of the Heart; I might get them if my library has them, though.

[ajmrowland]

^I just watched that for the first time last night from *my* local library. Also the Ray Harryhousen Early Years collection.

[jpanimation]

^What did you just watch? Princess Mononoke? Like everyone else on here, I have to go to my library to get it, despite it being one of my favorite Ghibli films. I just don't feel like buying a decade old DVD and am holding out for the inevitable Blu-ray release.