What Movie Did You Just Watch? ... And Robin

[jpanimation]

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) 6/10 - don't take my number rating to heart, as this was probably one of the hardest movies for me to review, as I so quickly forgot most of what I saw right after it ended. These Jerry Bruckheimer movies have become so cookie cutter and forgettable. An all action and visual effects spectacle that does nothing really to stand out. From what I remember, Jake Gyllenhaal stood out...as NOT fitting in at all. He's just not the hero type, he tried to hard to be funny (failed on delivery) and he had no chemistry with Gemma Arterton. There seemed to be some poor writing and casting all about. People were dying left and right, including the protagonist's best friend and adoptive brothers, and I didn't care at all. Even Brother Bear made me feel something when Sitka sacrificed himself but I had no attachment to these characters (the director made no investment in them). The only reason anyone will remember this movie at all is due to it being based on a highly successful video game franchise (I'll admit, I hated the original game too). I personally enjoyed the Alanis Morissette song during the credits more then the actual movie.

[littlefuzzy]

I started Jackie Chan's "The Myth", but got sidetracked... Just as well, though... The US DVD is cut by almost 30 minutes. I'll watch the original version instead...

[Goliath]

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)

The theatrical prequel to the best television show ever, that unfortunately got cancelled at the point of the most intense cliffhanger ever (damn you, Bob Iger!). Typical David Lynch to not make a sequel to wrap up everything tightly, but to come with a prequel that delves into the psyche of the character that started all the events in Twin Peaks:Laura Palmer, the tormented homecoming queen whose murder started the series.

Some faults I found with the movie: too little characters from the series. Madchen Amick (Shelley) and Peggy Lipton (Norma) are only seen in snippets, and important figures like Michael Ontkean (Sheriff Truman) and Richard Beymer (Ben Horne) are missing. Also, Donna was not played by Lara Flynn Boyle, but Moira Kelly --which was not so bad, since Moira was 10 times hotter than Lara, and a better actress. But I can forgive all that, since the movie really focussed on Laura Palmer and her father anyway. Another setback is the first 20 minutes with Chester Desmond, which has to do with the plot, but seems to stand apart from the rest of the film. It takes too long to see any familiar Twin Peaks-character (apart from minor character Gordon Cole).

All in all, this movie exhausted me, emotionally. I really was exhausted at the end, because of all Laura went through, and the insensity with which it was depicted. And while it truly had that remarkable Twin Peaks atmosphere and it was nice to be 'back' in that quirky world, I think the film needed the humor and 'space to breathe' that the series did have. It simply was too much and too heavy to take in. And of course Kyle MacLachlan's role was too small.

And I *still* can't stand that I'll never know what would have happened with Cooper at the end of the series.

[Goliath]

Nobody watches movies anymore these days?

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world (1963)

It's a very long, long, long, yet very funny comedy. The kind of film about which you keep saying: "they don't make films like this anymore". A great ensemble cast, including many well known comedic actors (Milton Berle, Terry-Thomas, Buddy Hackett, Mickey Rooney) provides two and a half hours of pure, classic slapstick.


Letter from Iwo Jima (2006)

A wonderful film, which definitly proves Clint Eastwood's talent as a director. Bold move to have the entire film be spoken in Japanese. And what a good thought to have a WWII film which let you see the war through the eyes of the Japanese.

[UmbrellaFish]

I've watched a bunch of movies since this past weekend-

A Streetcar Named Desire- Never seen it before. Honestly, I wasn't paying much attention so I'll have to watch it again.

Suddenly, Last Summer- I've seen it before, and I enjoy it more each time. I really appreciate the cast, Montgomery Clift, Kate Hepburn, Liz Taylor. And it's TN Williams, which makes it even awesomer.

Sunset Blvd.- Good flick. Creepier than I thought it would be. Now, I'm very interested in seeing that Lloyd-Webber musical...

The Hunchback of Notre Dame- Disney's version, of course. See, I was craving a CAPs flick, in particular Post Fab-Four (mainly because I'm in the mood for BATB but I'm waiting for my BD to arrive before I watch it again), and I decided on Hunchback. Great movie. The gargoyles are a bit much, but I don't find them hugely distracting. Kind of wish they had included more of Hugo's darker elements, but oh well. Still a good picture. Love the singing and the music.

Wait Until Dark- I was intrigued by seeing Audrey Hepburn in a thriller. It was okay. Best part was the ending, really. Otherwise, I wasn't a huge fan of the film. Would love to experience it the same way it was originally exhibited in theatres with the progressive dimming of the lights until the climax of the final struggle.

The Virgin Spring- I don't watch enough foreign films, and I really should as this movie is a prime example of such. Also, I'm a sucker for Max von Sydow in anything (I want to see The Exorcist; as a sidenote, had no clue that was him in "Shutter Island").

Also have Greed (which I've never seen before and saving to watch for a time when I can really concentrate on it) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on my DVR.

Oh, and all of that (except Hunchback) was aired on TCM.

[zackisthewalrus]

Easy A - This was the first movie for me to see in theaters since..... um... Toy Story 3? Anyways, I LOVED it! It was so funny.

[TheValentineBros]

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.

I liked it. The plot was great, the dialogue is good, it's not a bad movie to me.

[DaveWadding]

Cop Out - 8.4/10 - I liked it. Better than Jersey Girl at least, maybe Zack and Miri as well. Made me laugh a few times.

[jpanimation]

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

A wonderful film, which definitly proves Clint Eastwood's talent as a director. Bold move to have the entire film be spoken in Japanese. And what a good thought to have a WWII film which let you see the war through the eyes of the Japanese.

You know, after seeing Flags of Our Fathers, I was reluctant to see the other Clint Eastwood WWII flick from 2006. Luckily I saw this gem. It was a million times better then Flags of Our Fathers, which was a mess, and I completely got invested in the characters. It's a shame that subtitles scare off some people and this movie gets overlooked.

This definitely ranks up there with Grave of the Fireflies.

Also have Greed (which I've never seen before and saving to watch for a time when I can really concentrate on it) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on my DVR.

Oh, and all of that (except Hunchback) was aired on TCM.

TCM is god's gift to lovers of film, and having seen all those before, it looks like you watched some greats (and some meh).

Also, are we talking about the 4 hour 1924 silent film Greed, directed by Erich von Stroheim (Max from Sunset Blvd., since you just watched it)? I liked that one enough but hated all the still frames and exposition used to make up for the 5 hours of cut footage. I can't judge the missing footage, we have no idea if it would've bettered the film (like Metropolis or Kingdom of Heaven) or bogged it down with fluff, but what is actually there is good.

[UmbrellaFish]

Also, are we talking about the 4 hour 1924 silent film Greed, directed by Erich von Stroheim (Max from Sunset Blvd., since you just watched it)? I liked that one enough but hated all the still frames and exposition used to make up for the 5 hours of cut footage. I can't judge the missing footage, we have no idea if it would've bettered the film (like Metropolis or Kingdom of Heaven) or bogged it down with fluff, but what is actually there is good.

Yes, we are! But I still have yet to watch it, so I can't comment yet.

[dvdjunkie]

Just watched Iron Man on Blu-ray, getting ready for the release of Iron Man 2.

Watched both discs, and am now ready for the continuation of the story. Best Buy has the best price on the three-disc edition from 10 a.m. til 12 noon today - it is their featured Doorbuster Sale event.

[ajmrowland]

Prince of Persia-The Sands of Time-a fun, swashbuckling adventure flick, but nothing more. The action is exciting, the plot lacks exposition and character development, and the Jake Gyllenhal is no action star, but the effects are nicely done and it's a decent movie.

[PixarFan2006]

Rented and watched (most of) Iron Man 2 last night.

I thought it was just okay. It was not as good as the first film neither was it terrible. I may get the Blu-Ray sometime down the road and try to watch it again when I have more time.

3/5

[dvdjunkie]

Don't think you saw the same movie that I saw in Iron Man 2. I believe that this movie is as good as, if not better than, the first one. The story delves more into the story of the Avengers and how they are eventually going to be brought together next year beginning with "Thor" and continuing through "The Ultimate Avengers" movie which will precede "Iron Man 3". If you watched the extras on disc two you will understand more of what this movie is telling us about Iron Man and Wat Machine and Black Widow.

Suggest you watch the 3-hours of extras before founding your belief in the weaknesses of this film.

[Goliath]

Sideways (2004)

I didn't expect too much when I caught this one on tv. I had never heard of it before, and the description ("two friends go on a wine-tasting trip to celebrate one of theirs last week before marriage") didn't really appeal all that much to me. But, I'm glad I did sat down for it. It's a funny, charming little movie that's about a lot more than the description suggests. What really makes this film great, is Paul Giamatti's character, a depressed middle-aged, lightly alcoholic misfit who wallows in self-pity. Sounds way too heavy? Giamatti makes it funny, and he's very convincing in his part. All in all, I'd say this film is a hidden gem --for those who want to look for it.


Wall Street: Money never sleeps (2010)

Just saw this one in the cinema. I still have issues with the cheesy 'direct-to-video' sub-title, but since it's a reference to the first Wall Street, I can live with it. I enjoyed this one very much, but it's not as strong as the original. The first film was much sharper and darker, much more a painful satire of the Wall Street culture of the 1980's. Since yuppies all over the world took Gordon Gekko as an example rather than the warning Oliver Stone had wanted him to be, the Gordon in Money never sleeps is overly moralistic. Although I wholeheartedly agree with the message the film sends to the audience, I find it a bit overly preachy. However, in the visual department (direction, photography), Stone made a big improvement over the original. Also, it's a delight to see Michael Douglas on the big screen. It seems he gets even better and better as he ages. And how cool is it to see a 95 year old Eli Wallach *still* acting and doing it so perfectly? My hat is off to you, Mr. Wallach! I stand in awe.

[PeterPanfan]

But I'm A Cheerleader! - Watched this a few nights ago, and I plan to review it in-depth at my blog (see my signature). I really liked it... it was unusual, but fun, and definitely a good message. I really enjoyed Natasha Lyonne and Clea Duvall, and the few scenes Michelle Williams was in.

[littlefuzzy]

I watched Steel today (the Superman spinoff with Shaquille O'Neal.) It was pretty fun for what it is... I've seen it before.

If you don't think that's bad enough, I've got his other movie "Kazaam!" lined up for tomorrow!

[Lazario]

If you don't think that's bad enough, I've got his other movie "Kazaam!" lined up for tomorrow!

Ah, getting a fresh start on a horror movie marathon?

[BelleGirl]

Bubble(s) Not a really long movie directed by Soderberg. Several people werk in a puppet-factory. One day a new employee is introduces, Rose, a single, divorced mother. When she is found dead one morning in her home the policeman concludes that the murderer must be someone who knew Rose, because there is no sign of burglary.

I call this a 'minimal' movie; there is no time wasted, no elaboration.

[jpanimation]

Don't think you saw the same movie that I saw in Iron Man 2.

I guess you didn't see the same movie PixarFan2006 and me saw, as I agree with him.

Also, call me old fashioned but I still judge movies at face value. I don't believe you should have to read the book (or whatever the source material is), or watch some documentary/supplemental material to enjoy the movie. If the filmmaker is doing their job, you should get everything you need on screen, and be able to make a fair critique.