Blow 9/10

Probably seen it a dozen times over the years. Awesome movie. If you haven't seen it, you really should.

Once 8/10
I wasn't expecting to like the film. I expected it to be a downbeat romance, but I really enjoyed it. A simple, short story with good music.

Hulk (2008) - 8/10

Wow, I was totally blown away by this one. I was expecting it to be pretty bad, and horribly cartoony. But it was actually a really good time. Sure it was cheesy as hell, but man was it ever enjoyable!

Our movie theater, which is usually the best in the city (biggest screen, most leg room, reclining seats), put us in the SMALLEST screen that they normally reserve for the older movies... on opening night!! I was pissed!! Stand in line for an hour, packed theater, opening night, and we have the shittiest screen in the place.

Jumper - 4/10

Pretty bad all around. I suppose its an okay actionish film if you don't mind turning your brain off... and are not too disappointed by the lack of lightsaber battles.

Overall i don't really recommend this one to anyone, but if you can watch it without having to pay for it then go for it

The Incredible Hulk 8/10

I really liked it. There were a couple of draggy moments or scenes, but it was overall very entertaining. The references were all over the place which I loved. Lots of homage... almost no fromage...

Apocalypse Now Redux

The rating is: not as good as the original theatrical release.

The stuff that got cut tended to be brighter moments, PBR streetgang horsing around, stealing Kilgore's surfboard, meeting up with the bunnies again, Brando ranting, but in the sunlight... Even the legendary French Plantation bit is a lighter, especially Sheen making it with Aurore Clement. It seems that they were working on contrasts here -- she's in white, talks about life, prefers sex over violence, but the film works better without it. I also liked the original's credits much better.

I liked the darkness of the original release -- it is an adaptation of the Conrad novel after all. The French Plantation ties the film's themes into the history of colonialism and is therefore a good idea, but it just doesn't come off right. Too much talking, i think, and Aurore Clement was a wierd bit of casting. She's too sweet for this movie.

One problem with these director's cuts and other such projects is that the cut out bits aren't as polished as the rest of the film. For example, the music in the French Plantation section is pretty annoying.

Devil Girl from Mars- 7/10

Devil Girl from Mars is an old black and white movie from 1954. As most know, some movies from that era were quite inaccurate when it came to the basic facts that most of us know today (like, a devil woman from mars for example!). Thats why i usually enjoy movies like this. simple, fun, and i guess nostalgic if i were old, like some of you.

Cloverfield- 7.5/10

Meh. i believe this movie was over rated in the box office and under rated by many who viewed it. It's a decent rental.

The Cell - 8/10

Insanely underrated film. I heart Tarsem Singh after seeing this, he's a visual mastermind. J-Lo didn't do too badly, she can act but she just picks a lot of bad movies, this one not included. Vincent D'Onofrio, of course, really catapulted this from visual treat to near masterpiece with his very--how to put this.... fucked up performance.

Also, the last horror film I saw was The Ring... why do filmmakers hate horses so much?

The Strangers - 4/10

Mediocre, horrible and not even scary. Don't waste your money. Or borrow your friend's DVD when it comes out next month and watch it while making out.

I only see the trailer on tv and whatnot and I already think it was a bad movie. I lost a bit of respect for Liv Tyler for starring in a horror movie. Thanks for the confirmation. I'll steer clear from this movie unless it helps me get laid.

Escape from L.A. - 6/10

I actually like this movie a lot more than the rating would suggest. While it totally disowns its predecessor's serious tone, the completely ridiculously and sometimes unfortunately poorly rendered FX and action set pieces make it a classic B movie. Also, Snake Plissken kicks ass.

Isn't she an R. Crumb character?

I should check and see if Devil Girl was inspired by DG from Mars. Really important research. Maybe i can get a grant or something.

No Country for Old Men 8/10

This is a fantastic flick. Some of the script is superfluous, but most bits are very well written. (The part of Tommy Lee Jones could have been removed entirely without a lot of effort, he was an interesting side character though)

The real enjoyment in this movie comes from the acting quality. The scenes are well done and give the movie a feel of an action movie that has been edited by suspense writer.

I recommend it.

Well, if you remove Tommy Lee Jones' character from the movie then you remove the entire purpose of the movie and it becomes an action film...or something. His character makes the story more meaningful than just the story of a psycho and a bad drug deal.

At least, that's my very opinionated opinion.

On one level, it's just a Coen Bros. caper movie. They're all fairly similar: Very male, vaguely nostalgic, vaguely satirical, and violent. Some of them are obviously better than others. I did like the Big Lebowski quite a bit. I have a weakness for Jeff Bridges, and the plot doesn't get in the way too much.

It's getting to where it'll be impossible to catch up here. So let me rate the two movies I saw within the last 24 hours:

Closer - 1/10
I want my fucking two hours back. And I rarely say something like that. There are movies I don't like for various reasons, but very few that offend me on a spiritual level. Why are movies full of unwatchable assholes so popular these days? Stiff, fake performances by the four lead performers who are all capable of better is the key signifier. Did I mention that I really disliked this film?

El Orfanata (supposed to be The Orphanage, but I ended up with the Spanish language version which was fine for me...it had a subtitles option).
8/10
This film started out on a very promising note and pretty much held that promise until the somewhat awkward ending. The classic ghost movie with a troubled female lead. Is it real or is she experiencing a mental breakdown? Well acted, beautifully filmed. I didn't feel let down, but felt that much of the ending was overly sentimental. It is rated R, but I've no doubt if it were not for one scene with some pretty novel gore, this film would have made a PG rating. Don't rent it if you're looking for a scare-a-minute horror film. This is psychological horror in the vein of The Turn of the Screw. I enjoyed it for the most part.

i have no idea. if you find out, let me know.

Waking Life: A Ba-Fucking-Jillion/10

I thought this movie was EXCELLENT with an exponent of awesome. The animation was visually stimulating and the stories, point of views, and theories thrown through the plot were very interesting.

the plot is so very awkward, i wont even begin to explain it. Wiki does a much better job than i

Get Smart 7/10

I was surprised that I enjoyed this so much. I vaguely remember the show from when I was a child, so this was all pretty new to me. Steve was great, as usual. I wasn't so impressed with Hathaway. Visually, she didn't fit the part for me.

Lars and the Real Girl - 10/10
This movie was seriously out of this world. I was laughing and cringing the entire time. Very high brow, very fairy tale, but also very effective. I loved it, if only to see everyone's awkward facial expressions and the bear resuscitation scene. Wow.

Get Smart - 6/10

Good movie, but nothing spectacular as I had hoped. It was funny without being comedic gold and had enough action without knocking me on my ass, making it relatively average but still a fun watch.

Last week I saw Return of the Jedi. I have seen it many times in the past, but not recently. I thought it was dull. Boring dialogue and they cut out the Ewok song at the end. I felt robbed.

The Happening - 6/10

Talk about a B-movie! Do not go see this if you want to see a serious movie, it is horribly cheesy. In fact, try not to pay for this. But if you see it, watch it with lots of people with an awesome sense of humor.

Marky mark is who made this awesome, everyone else was pretty terrible. And the plot!!! Worst plot ever!

But it does have its moments, if you watch this by yourself its going to suck, but watch it with some funny friends and it can be a hoot! So if I were to rate this on its own, it would get a 3/10, but with some good friends, 6/10 or maybe higher.

I HATED that movie. HATED IT. I wanted to walk out, but I stayed in my seat till the end. I don't even remember much about it other than how much I disliked it. If I recall correctly, the animation was interesting, but the stories, theories, and tone of the film annoyed the crap out of me.

sapiens, marijuana helps.

Starship Troopers - 1000/10

This has to be one of the greatest movies ever made. I am talking the original, no the gay sequel, cause that one was lame.

BEST MOVIE EVER!!!

That one was a lot of fun!

I re-watched eps I and II of Star Wars. I had vaguely thought they weren't that great, but they seem to have stood up to the passage of time. Even Jar-Jar didn't bother me this time.
I thought they had the human actors interacting better with the CGI's better in ep II.
8/10 for each.

Caught a couple flicks recently...

The Hulk- 7/10

This isn't my type of film and I wasn't expecting much. The plot was more involved than I expected and I liked all the cameos. I've talked with a few people, including my son-in-law who hated the heavy use of CGI stuff. I don't know- it's based on a cartoon, what do you want? Stunts and guys in big costumes stomping around on miniature sets? The Mexican audience I saw the movie with obviously loved it. Over all better then I expected, hoping they do a Hulk Iron Man follow up.

Also caught...

No Country for Old Men 7/10

This is a movie I couldn't wait to see and must say I was a little let down. It was good, very good. My problem is whenever I end up seeing a movie after being told how prefect it is, it's near impossible for it to ever live up to my expectations. I'll probably end up buying or renting this again. My guess is I'll enjoy it more the second time around.

The Outlaw Jose Wales 10/10

Simply one of my all time favorite movies. The rain canceled my Sat. reception one evening and I watched a couple in my collection. "Dying ain't much of a living boy" and "Don't piss down the back of my neck and try to tell me it's raining"- classic.

Finally...

Full Metal Jacket 10/10

Another of my all time fav's. R. Lee Ermey plays the DI to such perfection I can't watch it and not be transported back to boot. "What have we got here, a fucking comedian? Private, Joker! I admire your honesty. Hell, I like you, you can come over to my house and fuck my sister!" Moments later- "You little scumbag! I got your name, I got your ass! You will not laugh, you will not cry, you will learn by the numbers, I will teach you! Now get up! Get on your feet! You had best unfuck yourself or I will unscrew your head and shit down your neck!"

Good times, good times.

Love Guru - 6.5/10

Not much to say here. Had its moments, but for the most part, lame.


You Don't Mess With the Zohan - 7.5/10

So/so funny, but plenty of repetition in the jokes. The mother/son combination made for some real laughs, as did some of the salon scenes with the elderly women.

The Happening- I refuse to even give this a numerical rating.

This plot was so fucking stupid and so fucking lame I can't believe Mark Wahlberg and John Leguizamo signed on to this film. I hope they were paid a ton for doing this film. I like both actors but this film will give me pause before watching anything else they're in. And I will NEVER watch another M. Night Shyamalan film again- ever.

I was trying to think of something nice to say and that's the best I could come up with.

You Don't Mess with the Zohan - 7/10

I just got back from seeing this with the very uncomfortable Mormon and what can I say? I love gross humor. Billy Madison is a phenomenal example, and this bad boy takes that same style and throws in a couple million dollars. Some of the effects were lame even when they were meant to be, but even that couldn't stop me from loving it. Oh, and George Takei showed up near the end, and that just summed the movie up for. GEORGE FUCKING TAKEI!!

(Oh, and Bear Cub, you may want to edit your post.)

The Leafs being in the Stanley Cup final is just requires me to suspend my disbelief way to much to see this movie. :lol:

Seriously though it just looks dumb to me. It looks like it's either gags he used in Austin Powers recycled again, or ones that he cut out of Austin because they were to dumb.

Spin Kick, a Korean "teen" movie. 6/10

Basically some high school thugs got in trouble by beating up their high school's Taekwondo team and go to jail. The only way to redeem themselves and get out of jail is to join the school's Taekwondo club because those Taekwondo kids are hospitalized. They did, hilarity ensues. They compete and wins first place. Nothing spectacular about this movie. It has some good moments and the girls are cute. That's about it.

There's Something About Mary - 10/10
I caught this on Cinemax. Loved it just as much as I did the first time.

Wall-e - 10/10

Another awesome pixar story. You'd never think robots could be so cute!

No Country For Old Men - 9/10

Finally. I was a little leery as I'm not big on gore, but since it was a Coen Bros. it got the benefit of the doubt. Excellent film. But then again, both Coens are full of pure genius. Javier and Tommy were outstanding as well.

Wanted-8/10

If you want to see a movie about assassins killing people in an outrageous and stylish fashion, then you should definitely check this film out. The dialogue can be a bit weak at times, but the story is decent and the weapons are amazing. Don’t think about how it may not be possible to curve a bullet because this film relies heavily on that technique.

Waitress-8/10

This film is depressing just because Keri Russell’s character is married to an asshole and treats her like shit for most of the film. Overall, a decent story about a waitress who can make excellent pies, but is in a difficult situation regarding her personal life.

Plaga Zombie: Mutant Zone - 9/10

Best splatter flick since Braindead, and at about a twentieth of the budget. See this movie now.

Persepolis -- 9/10

A true example that animated media can tell a story just as powerful as real-life cinema. This movie is about Marjane, an Iranian girl that grows up in Europe and Iran and has to come with terms about how her country has changed throughout her life. I really like how this movie can evoke emotion (suspense, dread, laughter, pride) in Marjane and her family even though the animation style is so different than the cartoony, 3D style of animated movies these days.

We had a triple slaughterfest the other night with the following movies:

my pick = The Back Woods - 1/20,000: No way should anyone ever see this movie. Low budget is low budget, but this borders on criminality.

spectre's picke = Die You Zombie Bastards! - 0.5/10,000: What the fuck was this about? There was a very large penis being hammered on. Thanks, spec.

shesus' pick = Slaughterhouse of the Rising Sun - zzzzzzzzzz. I feel asleep within the first 20 minutes but I can only assume it sucked ass since the other two did.

Wall-E - 4.5 / 5 - another brilliant Pixar movie. Seriously these guys are incredible to continually put out top notch movies.

Labyrinth - 4/5 - Picked up the DVD and somehow both my gf's brother and his girlfriend had never seen this. We were up at the cottage and it was raining so we popped it in.

Next time I am in Chicago I should watch some movies with you guys! haha, sounds like a fun time.

"Be Kind, Rewind"
another boring movie that looked good. It wasn't the worst movie and it did have it's good part but a good section in the movie, it was pretty bad.

and Mosdef is retarded. He can never play a role where he speaks like a normal person?! wtf.

anyways, the main plot in the movie is that jack Blacks' character gets electrocuted meaning he's magnetized. He then ruins all the tape in his friends' store. they then have to redo all the movies themselves for the growing crowd of customers who want more.

The ending is surprisingly boring. so don't expect a great movie...

I give it a very low 5 out of 10. Barely enjoyable.

Let us know when you're around. We love having people over.

Dragon Wars aka D-War - 1/10

Cheap CGI, insulting plot, and lame acting.

Wanted - 9/10

Best movie of the year thus far, meaning that is has 17 days on its throne until The Dark Knight comes out. This movie had me by the balls and never let go until the end, wherein it gave a very tight squeeze before letting me go. As far as I'm concerned, I already own this bad boy on Blu-Ray.

Jumper (2008)

Good overall movie about a guy who can teleport at wish. as he gets old(12 at starting to 25ish,) he becomes attacked by this group of dudes with electric sticks.

It's a good movie for the story and action but horrible for acting! wow was it bad for main character and random girl. I must point out that random girl is the most annoying character in the movie. I hated her.

So if you're looking for a "turn off brain" kind of movie, then this is it.

I give it a rating of 6 out of 10 for action and the overall.

It would have been higher if they didn't have the last scene and the stupid girl.

Hancock. Action/comedy/drama

Saw it on the 1st with my girly. (It was supposed to be released on the 2nd.!?)

10/10.

I hate to be that guy which rates something perfectly, but this flick had it all. Action, comedy, plot, acting, script, it was perfect. No slow scenes, you grow attached to the characters, grow involved into the drama of the movie. I paid $30 for both of us (food included - damn it's expensive) and it was well worth $15 apiece for the movie itself. It's rare I find myself sctually hopeing and cheering for the main character, but in this movie I did.

Good date movie, good single movie, good friend movie.

Get Smart - 6.5/10

The movie had some pretty funny moments, and the girl in it made some facial expressions that made me just think to myself "wow, thats fucking hot", but other times "man she looks weird".

Incredibly stupid comedy, but not so dumb as Will Ferrels crap. If you enjoy mindless slapstick comedy then this is for you. Even if you don't so much (I don't really) its still a fun movie at times.

I recommend this one as a renter for sure, but not a real theater movie.

Hancock - 5/10

Part of why I give this a 5 specifically is because half the movie is fun. However, after Hancock puts on the costume, all things go down hill in a needlessly convoluted, melodramatic mess. If they had stuck with the atmosphere and humor of the first half, it would be great, but the latter half, coupled with the feeling that about an hour of the film is missing, totally destroys what could have been a well-paced rollicking good time.

La Guerre du Feu (english title: Quest for Fire) (1981)

This is THE caveman movie of all time. it was made 25years ago and it still stands as a great story with great effects, NO CGI, and no script.

The storyline is simple enough: a tribe of cavemen has fire. Other cavemen(more primitive) also want fire so they attack leaving the 1st tribe without a way to cook, warm and protect themselves. So the leader(elder) sends 3 of the best to find fire and bring it back to the tribe.

The rest of the story is an epic story over great landscapes that reminds me of LOTR when they`re travelling the land. but this was all filmed in Kenya or Canada.

Once again, if you want to see a great movie that will make you think, have great acting, great storyline and some pretty good effects, then check this out!!

My rating for this movie as it stands today: 9 out of 10

just a reminder: it is rated R but shouldn`t be a problem for anyone 10 and older. I saw it many times when I was from 5 and up.

Wanted (2008)

I just got back from seeing this movie and it was really Great!
this reminds me of the action style of Sin city, Shoot'Em'Up and similar movies.
It's great in every sense. I wont waste my time explaining the story. just check out the trailer.
I enjoyed watching the story up to the middle/end where it got a bit more serious. It was still good but lost some of the fun of the start.

If you enjoy good action, definitely check it out!!

As far as my rating goes, it's hard to say. As a 1st viewing, I give it a solid 8.5 out of 10.

It would be higher but I feel like it wont stand up as a multiple viewing type of movie.

PS: aparently, this is based on a comic book series. I will have to check that out! has anyone read/seen it? post your comments!

Get Smart - 7/10

Wasn't as funny as I was hoping, but did have more action that was pretty well done which was more then I was expecting.

Hancock - 7/10

It was a fun movie with good laughs and action, but the plot kept going in the wrong places and never got back on track. The CGI in some parts were just terrible also.

You don't mess with the Zohan - 8.5/10

I know most of you guys have been giving this a 7 or lower, but I really enjoyed this film. It could be because I have extremely low expectations, and was practically forced to watch this with my best friends, but I ended up liking it a lot. A lot of funny stuff, and unlike Sandler's recent films, it didn't feel too serious and have a stupid moral to the story.

The Incredible Hulk:

I went in with low expectations, but I had a good time and was tickled by the ending. Good summertime popcorn flick with a good cast. 8/10

Cafe Lumiere

This movie was made as an homage to Ozu. I thought the technical homages like the low camera, the framed shots, etc. were too obvious. I didn't think they were necessary, and in a film as quiet as this one, they almost shouted "Hey Ozu homage. Here!!!". I also thought the train shots were overdone, although the narrative sort of demanded them.

To me, the film came off as a sort of love letter to Japan from Taiwan, which is very interesting politically. Older Taiwanese grew up with lots and lots of Japanese culture, but not out of choice. What one sees of Tokyo here comes through a Taiwanese lens. It's much better than Wim Wenders' Tokyo-ga, which deals with Ozu in a typically Western way. (Werner Herzog is just ridiculous in that one.)

Like Ozu's movies, this one was full of nostalgia for a lost Japan. The characters in the film hang out in classic Tokyo cafes, the kind of place that has been done in by chain coffee shops. They read books and hang out in used-book stores. I loved this element of the film -- one of the locations was even a bookstore i used to frequent in Koenji. But Japanese publishing has been on a slide since the bubble burst. They ride the Arakawa-sen, the last surviving trolley line in Tokyo. The nostalgia element was greater here than in any of Ozu's films because there was a nostalgia for a certain sort of film-making & film-viewing that is not present at all in Ozu's movies because Ozu made most of his films during the golden years of Japanese cinema, before TV became popular. The heavy dose of nostalgia didn't really bother me because it was a nostalgia for a Japan that i really like, too.

Despite not liking him as a muscian or pop-cult figure, i really liked Asano Tadanobu in this one. He's under control here. I especially liked his voice.

Strange Wilderness.

This stoner flick had damn near had me on the floor in laughter. Is basically about this guy who tried to take over his dads wilderness show after his death. He is a total stoner, as well as the rest of the crew, and they are all horrible at what they do.

In this movie i noticed a few recognizable characters: Farva from super troopers, some of the cast of grandmas boy, The kid from ...waiting and the mac commercials, the fat kid from Super Bad and the guy who played t-1000 in terminator 2.

i give it a 9/10..but then again, i like stoner movies.

School of Rock - 5/10

American Gangster - 7/10

Smokin' Aces - 8/10

Shoot 'Em Up - 8/10

Strange Wilderness (2008)

I had never heard of this movie before SSJTWIZTA's post and I know why. It reminds me of every other stoner movies but without the comedy. Sure there was some jokes but being just "look at me smoking" jokes didn't have enough to support the movie. The script and interaction with the characters just failed.

I give this movie a 3 out of 10. really bad movie.

...

and for something better,

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Just like Halx, I really enjoyed this movie. Simple story but great acting and overall a fun movie! And the main character is seriously fucked up.

This is hard for me to review because i had to watch it in multiple sittings(while doing work). But i think this is one i will rewatch later on. Good movie!

My rating for this movie is 7 out of 10. It's fun but I don't see multiple viewings out of this one.

Super High Me (2008)

Comedian Doug Benson's take on Super Size Me but with Pot instead of McDonalds.

30 days sober vs 30 days high all day everyday.

Tests are run for both periods. Results vary.

It had its moments but wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. If you have nothing to do and it comes on tv, watch it. But don't get excited to see it because it will be a let down if you do.

6.5 out of 10

Hairspray
I love this movie!!! I had to see it twice, partly because I missed the middle 20 minutes but also because it's a conscious effort to get past Travolta playing Edna, but he is fantastic and dances in heels AND a fat suit.
The sweet number, Timeless to Me, is an homage to Fred and Ginger in a way, with Christopher Walken the perfect Fred to Travolta's understated "Ginger".
Michelle Pfieffer is a bit over-acting in her role as Velma as is the girl who plays her daughter (so maybe they were directed that way?). Queen Latifah-that woman could show up in a paper sack and steal every scene. I love her!
Get past Travolta in drag and this is really good-I'm just sorry I didn't see it in the theatre.

Persepolis (2007)


just a quick note: I saw the french version which I believe is the original.
This is a classical animation movie about a young girl growing up and living in IRAN through revolution, war, etc... It's a great movie not just for the story or animation but the sound effect and voice over were really well done.

I enjoyed the story quite a lot and I'm glad they didn't go with the usual 3d like most recent flops. The animation is mostly black and white but it really works!

I don't know if this movie is for everyone as it's like a history lesson.
I give it a solid 8 out of 10. Recommended!

...
...
...

and on the opposite end of the movie rating,
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007)

because I was unable to finish it, I give it one of my lowest rating! Such bad acting and story and acting and effects and acting. did I mention the acting sucked?!? don't waste a minute on this!

I give a 2 out of 10 to this crap.

I have not read the comics myself, but from what I've figured out through the great wikipedia and assorted message boards, I'm told that they're only very marginally related. I think the phrase "inspired by" would be more appropriate than "based on."

I saw "In The Name of the King" lately, and I actually really liked it and would give it an 8 out of 10. I thought the roles were well cast for the part they played-- while everything WAS rather overdone, the movie felt like that was what they were going for- it felt almost like watching something from D&D play out. Sure there were some parts that required some supension of disbelief, but come on-- we can accept that the armys have monster-warriors and wizards, but not ninjas? At the same time characters had some minor touches such as a lack of conventional weapons (only one of the heroes had a sword, even Jason Statham's main character was using a machete from his I found interesting.
The characters being portrayed as archetypes as heavily as they were created a few moments that were just kindof silly, such as the main character being named Farmer (or the fact that he didn't refer to his son by name until after he died) but the villians were still interesting enough to keep my attention until the end.
Yes, it was directed by Uwe Boll. I was actually surprised to find that out. Even considering this though, I still found it to be a fun movie that was worth watching. I would definitely recommend it but I recommend watching it with an open mind-- this isn't Robin Hood, or King Arthur, this is a much more "weekend D&D" style of story but I don't think that's such a bad thing. ^_^

Charlie Bartlett

I really enjoyed this movie. Kat Dennings is beautiful and reminds me of a young Liv Tyler (who I was in love with when Stealing Beauty came out :love: )

8/10

Diary of the Dead. 4/5

Finally a good new Romero zombie movie. After the shit that was Land I was worried that he'd just lost it. Well if he did he got it back. Is it as good as Dawn of the Dead? No but really that to me is pretty much the perfect zombie movie and I doubt anything will top it. Diary is damn good though.

A quick rundown of movies I have watched lately:

Keep the River on Your Right: A Modern Cannibal Tale 6.5/10
A documentary about a man who lived with a tribe of cannibals in Peru in the late '60s. A not-very-well-made documentary that could have been better.

I Am Legend 2/10
You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Charlie Wilson's War 7/10
An engaging portrayal of an interesting story that plays big on the 'American ingenuity' card and little on the 'harrowing implications' card. I can't really slight Mike Nichols for making this film, it was a good film, but I won't pat him on the back and say he topped The Graduate, either.

Lars and the Real Girl 10/10
I loved this film. And I can't remember another movie in which people so consistently did the right thing in a believable, non-saccharine way. Kudos to Ryan Gosling.

All the King's Men 7/10
I never thought I'd say this, but, Sean Penn overdid it in this one. Hopefully he just saw the role as a challenge and not as an attempt to outdo Daniel Day Lewis as a...Thespian. I much prefer him in quieter, less bombastic roles. Not to say that he was bad...I just don't think he's well-suited to this kind of character.
This movie, as well, contributes to my growing theory that I cannot love a film with Jude Law in it. Although, later on here, you will see there is one exception.
I much preferred the first movie version with Broderick Crawford...I've not read the book.

Closer 2/10
I may have rated this one already. But I hated it.
No, despised it.

The Orphanage...pretty sure I already posted this one. It was very good.

Gia 4/10
A movie of the week with a soft core scene thrown in. Angelina Jolie is very good, but that's about it. Very sad story, though.
Oh, and if you ever thought you might want to see Juliet from Lost all nekkid and rubbing up on Angelina, this is your movie.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley 10/10
Excellent Ken Loach film about Irish resistance to British oppression in the 1920's and the subsequent political turnabout that pits brother against brother as only politics can do. Heartbreaking and beautiful film. I recommend it highly.

Casa de los Babys 2/10
Totally forgettable John Sayles movie. So forgettable I forgot to finish watching it. I hate it when movie heroes lose their touch...

Sweeney Todd 6.5/10
Did I review this once before? Can't remember. It was exquisitely alright, lol. Loved the look of it. Pretty good performances. But kind of clumsy. And I don't think it had to be that bloody for chrissakes. Anybody else think that Johnny Depp was doing a Bowie impression this time?

Welcome to the Dollhouse 10/10
I love this movie. Re-watched it with Phillip because I wanted him to see it. If you haven't seen it, just get it. Precious.

Once Upon a Time in America 10/10
I've seen this one a million times, but I got a nice dvd edition of it from my swapping club so I watched it with Phillip last weekend. He'd never seen it. Excellent film, even if some elements are dated. The epic story of a group of young hoodlums growing up in the Jewish ghetto of NYC who become gangsters during the Prohibition era.

The Road to Perdition 10/10
After watching the movie above, Phillip suggested we watch this one because I had not seen it. I LOVED it. Gorgeous film. And proves to be the exception to my Jude Law law, lol.

Well, there are others, but I can't think of them right now...and it's getting late. I suppose that's enough for now...

Hellboy II: The Golden Army - 9/10

I'll be honest, I did the unthinkable: I doubted Guillermo del Toro. Yep, I said it, and I regret it. The trailers for this film made me think he had made his firm average film, and I was proven very, very, VERY wrong. Great on all front, with a memorable performance by Seth Macfarlane as Johann Krauss and some amazing fight scenes. Hellboy and Abe Sapien getting drunk and singing along to Barry Manilow made the film.

Holy crap thats a ton of movies MM

An Inconvenient Truth - 5/10

meh, this was alright. I was expecting much more from it. It was very sensationalistic and draggy at times. The whole sob story about losing the election, and almost losing his son, and losing his big sister, who fucking cares. Yea bad shit happens, but what the hell does it have to do with global warming.

And the little bit about Katrina kind of made me mad, it was a class 3 storm! The reason it was so bad is due to the Mississippi river being walled off and sediment no longer flowing to the ocean, there is a reason they say New Orleans is Sinking (and I don't want to swim).

Don't expect much out of this film. It has lots of graphs that don't mean anything as they have no scale and are not based on anything. For all I know he could have been comparing the number of puppies born per year, starting with 10,000 at the bottom of the graph and having 10,005 at the top of the graph... Doesn't mean a whole lot.

It was everything I ever wanted in a movie. Wonderfully imaginative and realized, with an acceptably firm plot for a comic-book, fantasy action movie. I've heard some criticisms that the bad guys weren't, well, bad enough, but I thought the running ambiguity was delightful.

My only regret is that the elemental god lasted such a short time, because he was awesome. I guess the flip side is that his demise left something really beautiful in its wake.

I've been stuck on 'The Departed' and 'American Gangster.'



Both movies that make me wanna kick ass. Take charge. And never take 'no' for answer. Exactly what I need right now.

I liked the cats. 6/10


.

La Flor de Mi Secreto (The Flower of My Secret) - 7/10

Story of a female writer's failing marriage and its impact on her writing. Despite being very melodramatic, still an interesting emotional ride with some great dialogue.

Hellboy: Golden Army. 8.5/10

Very entertaining and I also liked the part where the Elemental God died but left something very beautiful in his death. Spoiler: Also, the scene where he fell out of the window and landed on a police car in the middle of a crowd of reporters while Manning was trying to bullshit them was priceless. What I don't like was the choice to not cast David Hyde Pierce to do Abe Sapien's voice. I thought his performance was better than Doug Jone's and it would be much funnier in the buddy scene with Hellboy. But overall, it's still a very solid movie. I'm very happy with it. Can't wait to see what the Hobbit and the prequel to the LOTR turns out!!

Spoilers KellyC Spoilers!!!! I don't need to know that stuff!

Whoops, sorry!!

Fixed.

Somehow i missed The Wind that shakes the barley. It seems like only yesterday that Land and freedom came out. I still remember the creepy American quite vividly. I tend to get it mixed it up with my memories of Orwell's book on Spain, so maybe my memories are not quite as fresh as i think they are.

Once upon a time in america is one of my favourites. I really liked James Woods, and DeNiro is still good.

As for Jude Law, he can be good, but he always comes off a bit like Eddie Haskell. Maybe it's because he looks like Eddie Haskell.

Yup that pretty much says what I had to say except that I never doubted del Toro.

10,000 BC - 5/10

It wasn't super bad, but I was kinda bored and it just was bleh.

Into the Wild - 8.5/10
A little on the long side, but well acted and kept me involved

Wall-E 9/10

Really cute, but that's just the sugary coating. This film stays with you--and it might be the first Pixar joint I've been willing to call a "film". Haunting, scary, charming, sweet, funny, epic, and beautiful.

Truly outstanding soundtrack by Thomas Newman (best known, I guess, for his work on American Beauty and Scent of a Woman). Exit Song (For a Film) by Newman and Peter Gabriel, "Down to Earth", had better damn well get at least a nomination for the Emmy if there's any justice in the universe. AMAZING song.

I reserve 10/10 for really special movies, and this one tempted me. I'm most likely saving it for Dark Knight.

lol, god, you're right...he does look like Eddie Haskell

Iron Man and Incredible Hulk didn't do it for ya?? :confused:

I did enjoy that song...I'd like to hear that one again...

You know, I just dug Hellboy II. I don't feel like dissecting it or picking out what I liked and didn't like. It was just truly entertaining and I appreciate that. however I will say that del Toro has an amazing imagination and I hope he never enters my nightmares, 'cause I'll be screwed. I just really liked it. I'll stop typing "just" so I don't end up in Shesus' thread about annoying things people say and give it an 8.5/10.

:)

Wanted 8/10 - Over the top action scenes like the movie "shoot em up" but with a real story :). Ending was disappointing. But otherwise a good time at the movies.

Fido - 6/10
Funny concept and purposely cheesy and lame. It must be good cause my wife said "What is the world is this?!" like 14 times.

And they did the, "What is it, boy? Is Timmy in trouble?" scene! Brilliant!

haha, yes, yes they did. utterly fantastic

The following is WAY a copyright violation, but YouTube hasn't done anything about it yet.



Didn't see 'em. I usually don't bother with comic book movies when I'm not already a fan of the book/character.

However, I'll give any film based on a Miller comic a shot sight unseen. So I'm very interested in The Spirit, even though I've never read it.

Oh, also, "Presto", the short that precedes Wall-E is ADORABLE and funny. A total throwback to old-school Loony Toons bunny caper shorts, but with Pixar's unmistakably artful eye.

野獣の青春 Youth of the Beast

This is a 1963 Nikkatsu yakuza movie, dir. by Suzuki Seijun. I've watched tons of Japanese melodramas for work, and lately i've been going through Ozu films, so this was a breath of fresh air. Instead of people hemmed in by social relations, here you have the lone wolf generating chaos in the Tokyo underworld. This was a big 1960s theme. Generally crappy acting and pro-wrestling type choreographed "violence", but visually inventive, especially with colour. A real pleasure to watch.

An acquaintance from my diss research days was on the DVD doing the interview with Suzuki.

you've watched tons of Japanese melodramas for work?

I suspect you have a very good job.

*****************

that's the one! thanks, ratbastid!

Translation can be interesting.

aha! I'm sure you have some interesting stories to tell...

empire records....greatest movie ever!!!!


ok...probably not, but i love this shit!

The Dark Knight - 10/10

I just got back from the midnight showing and I have to say it: this film is in the top 5, if not sitting high atop at #1, greatest movies ever made. Now, I'm sure some will disagree, but this is my opinion so I'm keeping it.

Never have I seen a comic book movie that seemed so visceral and so real, that kept me guessing while keeping me emotionally attached, that made my heart race every chance it got, quite like this film. Nolan--both of 'em--should be proud to call this their film. And while there were cons to the film that I will mention in a bit, they are far too outweighed by the pros to give this any less than a 10/10 because, frankly, there is no such thing as a perfect film, and this one came about as close as they come.

Firstly, the cons: the film is full, FULL of material. Now, this is double-bladed. The material is all fresh and well-done, but the overwhelming nature of having all of this thrust at you at a scant (yep, I'm using that word correctly) 2 1/2 hours is almost too much. Almost. Beyond that very minor gripe, I could have used a little more added to some scenes and one character's final bit of screen time could have been handled better, but I can let that all pass because, frankly, wanting something and needing it are two very different thing. Bat sonar was kinda stupid as well, but I'll let that pass. Oh, and there were some predictable moments... about two, actually.... they could have been more well done, but they didn't hurt anything, and some people seemed genuinely surprised.

On to the ample pros... The film is long. Big pro here. The time zips by thanks to the previously mentioned material that keeps the viewer busy the entire time. The mostly pitch-perfect performances (aided by a very deep, well-written script thanks to the Nolan Bros.) help with the material, by making it engaging every step of the way. Big props to Gary Oldman and Aaron Eckhart, who do extraordinary work by adding seemingly all the emotion they can muster into making this a physical and emotional roller coaster.

Of course, everyone knows Bale does wonderfully, so I'll skip over him, suffice it to say he nailed it again, even though he could do better with the Batman voice, that's another one of those want it, don't need it things. Ledger is who everyone wants to talk about and talk about him I will. Perfection is the word that comes to mind when mulling over his performance. Not only is his delivery right on the mark (when he makes the pencil disappear is my favorite part of the whole damn movie), but the way he generally acts with a combination of bodily movement and the fine script given to him creates an atmosphere that really sets everything up as it should be in the Batman universe. It's really hard to describe without spoiling anything, but suffice it to say that if Nolan wishes to continue with the character, somebody has some mighty big clown shoes to fill.

I'm tired. It's 3:35 AM. So I'm going to cut this short with a few little things: the Two-Face FX (no spoiler unless you're a hermit) are astounding and gruesome and really pull of the Long Halloween look, the direction was fantastic and even the fight scenes have been handled with a more expertly hand than in Begins, and the plot is pure DC comics meets Heat.

See this fucking movie. Now.

Having the summer off is making room for a lot of movie watching. Here are a few...

Time 7/10

This movie's premise is about an insecure woman who thinks if she has plastic surgery to completely change her look she can woo her boyfriend again. The filming sites for this movie was interesting, the spent a lot of time at a sculpture garden. The acting was overly dramatic, a lot of shouting and broken objects. Not great, not horrible.

Stay 5/10

As with most, great premise, not-so-great delivery. Naomi Watts is awesome as usual. The filming style makes the viewer just as confused as the characters. Not much to say about this one.

Funny Games 8/10

I enjoyed this movie. People being terrorized and being beaten by Ivy League brats is always a good time. To be able to fully enjoy it, I think you have to put yourself on the side of the bad guys. Plus, Naomi Watts is in it running around in her bra most of the movie. (I have a crush if it isn't obvious enough) :lol:

Pan's Labyrinth 9.5/10

I think I rated this already, but it's that great. An adult fairy tale with awesome graphics and a great almost dual storyline. I get lost in this movie ever time.

Freedom Writers 9.5/10

I'm typically not a fan of teacher movies because I find most of them to be unrealistic. However, this movie is perfect. Of course, it's based on a true story. I generally don't like female Matt Damon (Hillary Swank), but she is perfect for this role. What an inspirational move. One of the few movies that make me cry.

Grindhouse Double Feature 7/10

I like Death Proof better than Planet Terror, but it is hard top Rose McGowan with a leg gun. If I ever lose my leg, I want one of those. :lol: Not much to say about these movies. Just great fun in the Taratino/Rodriguez style. The double feature version has more missing reels that when you view them separately though. For example, the lap dance scene in Death Proof was missing, which is a shame imo.

The Queen - 4/5

I don't feel like reviewing in words now.

The Dark Knight - 9/10

It has it all, I found it absolutely wonderful. Heath Ledger stole the movie and my heart. I miss him already.

mamma mia - 7/10

yes, i know...it's a gay movie about the songs of freakin abba, but i'll be seeing the musical in vegas next week so i wanted to go check it out with my wife. the songs were great, but i really like abba! sadly, i'll probably buy the movie when it comes out...

Why sadly? If you like it you like it. Back when Aladdin came out my daughter put the CD soundtrack in my truck. I found myself listening to it for about a week. Ended up watching the movie several times. I liked it, no sad about.

Just saw this, definatly an awesome film, wasn't expecting much to begin with but i kept coming back for more.

cause it's a stinking chic musical and i'm a dude that's supposed to like guns and blowing shit up!!! hahahahah....i just throw that sadly stuff in there for the heck of it! it's all good dude...now for aladdin... :thumbsup: