What Movie Did You Just Watch? ...Rises

[jediliz]

Yesterday, I watched animated 101 Dalmations with my 2 year old niece. She was trying to say the villian's name (Cruella) when we restarted it again so her older siblings could watch it after they got home from school.

And then last night I watched THE AVENGERS that I had rented on Blu Ray from Blockbuster.com (only reason I keep that service is because they don't charge EXTRA to rent Blu Rays like Netflix does).

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I watched Gimme Shelter in my Film class this week. I do like some of the Stones' songs, but this documentary was a tad boring for me. I wish there was more of a narrative instead of what we got. Nonetheless, it'll certainly help for when Bully director Lee Hirsch visits my class next week (unfortunately, I was unable to see Bully because the distributor pulled the plug on that campus event).

Yesterday I watched The Avengers for the first time. I think it's a pretty interesting action film, but I definitely think I should've seen the other Marvel films before watching this one. The Avengers themselves seemed like a really odd combination of characters, but I guess it all worked out in the end with Loki and the Chitauri. It's certainly not bad, but I don't think I would call it the best superhero film of all time (like the packaging states).

[Kraken Guard]

Was woken up by my mom, who told me: "Wake up! Wake up! The Dark Crystal is on!"

So, yeah! Um... The Dark Crystal wasn't exactly something I'd expect to see! So, I've got that set to record again in... Actually, a few hours!

As well as Secret of NIMH or NIHM, which will be on, Thursday...

[BelleGirl]

So Kraken Guard, how did you like The Dark Crystal? It's one of the movies of my youth.


Saw three Disney and/or Pixar productions.

The Pixar story; Quite informative on the development of CGI-animation.

Ratatouille For the fifth time maybe? Though I think there is enough in this movie that will entertain kids, I regard it more as a movie for adults. Especially Anton Ego's contemplating review given in the end might be a bit over young kids heads (but maybe I'm underestimating these kids)

Meet the Robinsons It seemed that this movie flopped at the box office; still not a bad effort by Disney. Overall I liked it, especially Wilbur the genius inventor kid. A bit to much of over-the top-characters and actions in the middle of the story, but I find the ending touching.

[Kraken Guard]

So Kraken Guard, how did you like The Dark Crystal? It's one of the movies of my youth.

It was en unexpected surprise, so I enjoyed it very much!

[jpanimation]

The Girl (2012) 5.5/10 - The HBO made for TV movie about Hitchcock's mistreatment of Tippi on the set of The Birds and Marnie. I enjoyed some of the recreations of the the film-making process but I couldn't really get into the movie. The acting is nice, with Toby doing a pretty good Hitch and Imelda Staunton as his wife but it was just too melodramatic for my tastes. In many ways, it felt more like a Lifetime movie then an HBO movie. Instead of exploring the characters and their relationships, we're presented with one overdramatized event after another (as Tippi remembers them). No offense to Tippi but the whole movie feels like a cry for attention, as if she's trying to sell us a new book. Nothing backs this up like the false statement at the end of the movie claiming that Marnie is hailed as Hitchcock's final masterpiece. I don't think anyone but Tippi feels that way. I can only recommend this to the most die hard of Hitchcock fans.

[disneyboy20022]

Anger Management starring Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson.

I would like my 106 minutes of life I wasted

[ajmrowland]

^however good that movie is, I'd say pushing the car off the roof was hilarious.

[disneyboy20022]

^however good that movie is, I'd say pushing the car off the roof was hilarious.

Yeah, it had a few funny scenes.

Jack Nicholson's character is someone I wanted to reach out into the screen and go Michael Myers on him.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Pan's Labyrinth - I watched this for my film class yesterday, and I was a little freaked out. It's still pretty good, though. I definitely have to hand it to Del Toro for making such a unique and interesting world. And I kind of knew what would have to Ofelia in the end (after all, her name is Ofelia, which is an obvious reference to Ophelia from Hamlet). When I was watching it, I just kept thinking that I only want to watch the parts with Ofelia because that was the more interesting of the two storylines. Vidal was pretty frightening, though. Still, it's a great film, and I may just have to pick it up on Blu-ray.

Moonrise Kingdom - Without a doubt, this is my favorite film of the year (so far, I'm still waiting to see Cloud Atlas and a few other films coming out in December). It's got that Wes Anderson quirkiness that I absolutely love, and it's definitely my favorite of his films. It's just wonderful and feels nostalgic (even though I wasn't born until the 90s). I don't know, I just love it. I wish the Universal Blu-ray had some more bonus features; if Criterion does release this film (which I think it will eventually), I'll definitely purchase it.

[Dr Frankenollie]

The Grapes of Wrath - Although I much prefer the book and a few of the characters (e.g. Uncle John and Noah) should have been cut, it's an enjoyable film and well-adapted. Henry Fonda is wonderful as everyman-turned-hero Tom Joad, and Jane Darwell does well at portraying how Ma Joad hides her sadness and fear behind the appearance of a strong and resilient woman. The cinematography reminds me of Night of the Hunter, and is beautifully edited.

Foreign Correspondent - Besides Family Plot, this is the first Hitchcock film I dislike. It features stereotypical Hitchcockian plot devices and there are echoes of it in the brilliant North by Northwest, but Joel McCrea is a dull and uninteresting protagonist, none of the dialogue is anything more than mediocre and it feels very run-of-the-mill. Moreover, there's nothing compelling or clever in execution and it takes a while for the plot to get going. It also ends rather abruptly, in a similar fashion to The Lady Vanishes.

Rear Window - After it was almost shaken by Foreign Correspondent, my view of Hitchcock being the finest director was reasserted by this masterpiece, entertaining and thrilling me more than ever. I love how Hitchcock crafts characters by purely visual means: we learn the background of JB Jeffries simply by the camera panning over his apartment, focusing on his name displayed on the cast, cameras strewn across his desk and photographs hinting at what caused his injury; we also get to know the others in the neighbourhood by mere gestures and actions. I also love how Hitchcock suggests that viewers of film are 'peeping toms' because of the subtle manner and the accuracy. James Stewart is perfect as usual in the everyman role - affable, humorous and instantly likable.

Life of Brian - Monty Python's appeal for me has been wearing thin for a while, and this consolidated the regrettable fact that I don't find them funny anymore. Nonetheless, the "Yes, we're all different!"/"I'm not" gag remains hilarious and the final scenes' mix of morbid/serious imagery with a corny song of optimism is incessantly amusing.

Bringing Up Baby - Katharine Hepburn's a bitch in this film: she's a manipulative, lying monster, and annoying as hell. Fortunately, Cary Grant's charming even as a temperate and bespetacled scientist and there are quite a few comedy gems adorning the script.

Heathers - A dated film, yet a dated film with infectious, febrile energy, deliciously dark humour and a wittily-written script. Winona Ryder's parody of angst-ridden teenagers and dry tones make Veronica funny, but her horror at the deaths she inadvertently causes makes Veronica likable human. Christian Slater's character is intriguing, mysterious and charismatic (qualities helped by his good looks), until he manifests himself as a creepy psychopath. Veronica and JD's battle is entertaining, yet I get the feeling that the film

The Man Who Knew Too Much - Spoiled slightly by a slow start, this mediocre Hitchcock thriller picks up pace and quality near the end, and the sequence at the Royal Albert Hall is one of the most well-directed scenes Hitchcock's ever produced, helped tremendously by Bernard Herrmann's score.

[dvdjunkie]

Looper (2012)

I have been looking forward to seeing this movie for quite some time and last night I was treated to it by my son-in-law.

Directed by Rian Johnson, who was responsible for 2005's terrific film "Brick", and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, this is a really fast paced film with more than its share of violence.

Also starring Jeff Daniels, Emily Blunt, and the young boy from television's "One Tree Hill", Pierce Gagnon, and from "Covert Affairs" we get to see another side of Piper Perabo.

The story is a time-travel film about a group of men who are 'legalized' killers. The year is 2044 and gang violence is at its peak. In the year 2074 anyone who violates the law is sent back in a time-machine because they don't allow a death penalty in their year.

These killers in 2044 are given a watch that is set for them, and they have appointed times to be at a certain spot for the appearance of their next victim. Sounds a little bit confusing but the story is done effortlessly and the flashbacks and forwards are really done effectively.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is probably one of Hollywood's most underrated actors. He is very good in this film, and you don't hardly recognize him for the facial prosthetics he wears to look like a younger version of Bruce Willis.

The current society tells these men that when and if they kill their 30 year older self, the "loop" is complete and they are freed from their job.

The young Pierce Gagnon, as the story goes, is the future ruler of the 2074 police state, called 'The Rainmaker'. He is really good in this role and it amazes me how this young actor can be so 'devilishly good' in a part like this. He has a huge part in the storyline and I found that this movie had a depth to its storyline that can't be described here for fear of spoilers.

Really good movie, and along with "Lawless", I think I have seen two of the years better films. I give "Looper" 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it those who enjoy these sci-fi with a twist films.

[Dr Frankenollie]

True Grit - Although this is my least favourite Coen Brothers film, that's due to how perpetually brilliant they are at making movies rather than anything faults in this one. It's probably flawless. Hailee Steinfeld is a talented and versatile young actress and Jeff Bridges impressively brings the corpulent and lazy yet lovable anti-hero Cogburn to unforgettable life. There's gorgeous cinematography too, and Cogburn and Mattie's ride on Little Blackie back after the violent climax is beautiful. It's a compelling piece on the pointlessness of revenge and the sadness in growing up too quickly, although I don't think it's the Coens' most captivating or creative work by a long shot.

Brief Encounter - Like The Man Who Knew Too Much, this film really picks up in the second half and becomes excellent, mesmerising cinema. Celia Johnson carries the film and acts as its heart and soul: she is honest and human in her portrayal of an emotionally confused and bewildered married woman partaking in an affair, and it's her talent that makes her sympathetic despite sometimes being uncaring towards her husband and children. Trevor Howard's focused on less and more restrained in his portrayal, and consequentially is less likable. The humour didn't charm me and I could have done without the Stanley Holloway romantic subplot, yet the shots were impeccable, the unusual narrative structure intriguing, the bold premise impressive and the scene near the end when Johnson contemplates suicide hypnotic.

[jpanimation]

Glad to see you back Dr. Frankenollie. Its been awhile

Anyways, I re-watched Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. It's my third viewing and boy does it hold up. What a gem. My only complaint is the same as before (the obnoxiously self-aware ending). Original review HERE.

[Mooky]

Heathers - A dated film, yet a dated film with infectious, febrile energy, deliciously dark humour and a wittily-written script. Winona Ryder's parody of angst-ridden teenagers and dry tones make Veronica funny, but her horror at the deaths she inadvertently causes makes Veronica likable human. Christian Slater's character is intriguing, mysterious and charismatic (qualities helped by his good looks), until he manifests himself as a creepy psychopath. Veronica and JD's battle is entertaining, yet I get the feeling that the film

That the film what?

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Cloud Atlas - This film was beyond breathtaking; it was completely epic, and I really want to see it again to see if I can absorb anything more. I really haven't seen that great of a film since Moonrise Kingdom earlier this year. Every actor was brilliant, and the weaving of the six stories was very well done. Again, a breathtaking film that is a definite must-watch. There's no way in the world that I won't be picking this up when it hits Blu-ray.

[Dr Frankenollie]

Thanks jpanimation; nice to see you too.

That the film what?

Oops. I can't recall what I was going to put at the end of that sentence, and I don't know why I didn't complete it there and then. Actually, come to think of it, I may have intended to say something about the ending: I felt as though that it had been changed near the end by studio meddling and originally the school was destroyed. The actual ending was too abrupt and unsatisfying, lacking the wit and imagination the rest of the film glittered with.

[Mooky]

Thanks jpanimation; nice to see you too.

That the film what?

Oops. I can't recall what I was going to put at the end of that sentence, and I don't know why I didn't complete it there and then. Actually, come to think of it, I may have intended to say something about the ending: I felt as though that it had been changed near the end by studio meddling and originally the school was destroyed. The actual ending was too abrupt and unsatisfying, lacking the wit and imagination the rest of the film glittered with.

I too feel that the ending is the film's weakest link. It does seem a bit abrupt and structurally disjointed from the rest of the narrative, but it's still effective and it makes the end-result positive.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

The Shining - For a horror film, I really wasn't all that scared. I kind of had three issues with the film: (1) the overacting was ridiculous, (2) Jack Nicholson didn't seem to be all that convincing to me (I just wasn't convinced that he was a normal guy who slowly became crazy; he just kind of seemed to go from normal to psycho in no time), and (3) the music was kind of annoying. I'm not trying to be nit-picky or anything, but those three things really stood out to me. There were some parts that were shocking, but most of it was just kind of creepy and not scary. I'm not a big horror fan anyway, but this one was kind of a let down since I had heard how great it was. I don't know; maybe I should watch it again and see if my attitude toward it changes.

[jpanimation]

^It's by Kubrick...soo it's automatically great. I thought everyone understood this rule?

Real talk...I thought it was mediocre at best. Creepy atmosphere but that's about it. Second viewing didn't help.