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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 8, 2009 9:52:09 GMT -5
THE THIN MAN (1934)
AFTER THE THIN MAN (1936)
William Powell and Myrna Loy play Nick and Nora Charles in the first two of the long-running series. There were a total of six THIN MAN movies starring Powell and Loy.
They're a fun-loving couple who love to trade witty quips while drinking large amounts of liquor. Nick is a retired detective, they live on Nora's huge inheritance, but somehow he always ends up trying to solve a mystery, all the while not slowing down one bit in their drinking or socializing.
I'm not separating or going into the plots of the two films because that doesn't even matter. The fun in these movies is watching the witty back and forth banter between the two leads. They were just a great screen couple with some amazing chemistry and great comedic timing. Of course nowadays, a couple who drink this much, with no repercussions, and are the leads in a film series, would be considered totally politically incorrect, but taken in the context of when these were made, it's all in good fun.
The first one is a little better. The second one was a little too long, but it featured a young Jimmy Stewart in a supporting role.
Both = 7.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 9, 2009 10:12:38 GMT -5
Revenge of the Nerds-1984
I frankly don't know all that much about these films, as this was my introduction to them. I've never really seen the appeal of these, as watching nerds trying to act like horny college students didn't sound all that funny to me, and, at best, I expected an "Animal House" rip-off. While this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, as most of the jokes were groan-inducing at times, the film's look just screams '80s' and most of the physical stunts didn't provoke more than a chuckle at times, the fact that this was actually built around a story of revenge (I know, I should've expected it from the title) that actually made sense and had the comedy drapped off it, which at least didn't keep me bored even though I spent most of the time smiling at it instead of laughing. Not as bad as I figured, and certainly enough to get me intrigued about the others.
6.75/10
Dr. No-1962
What's this, a comedy beating out an action film? Shudder to think, but it's true. Maybe it's because I just don't understand the appeal of Connery as Bond (so he was the first one, big whoop) maybe it's the dated and stiff action scenes or the general tameness of the character (frankly, Bond is one of the few people in cinema that really needs no restrictions, as once the series got past the censors is where it really started getting good) or I've just never found Dr. No as an intimidating villain, but whatever the case, I've never really found this one all that good. Frankly, the high-point is the two-second sequence where Ursula Andress is nude when she gets out of the decontaminating shower before the towel is wrapped around her, and the ending does have something blown up nicely, otherwise this one is just criminally dull for me.
4/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 10, 2009 8:07:17 GMT -5
I don't think it's only because Connery was the first to play Bond, I think it's got more to do with the way he played him. He was able to make Bond deadly serious when he needed to be, but he also handled the humorous parts well, without going overboard. Roger Moore tended to play the character too light and his movies, especially the later ones, got way too campy. And was really too old to handle the action scenes convincingly. And Timothy Dalton's performance and movies, took it all way too seriously. That's probably why Brosnan was probably the most-liked Bond since Connery. He came the closest to capturing Connery's take on the character.
I think the jury's still out on Craig. A lot of people don't seem to have enjoyed his last flick as much as his first, CASINO ROYALE.
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 10, 2009 10:14:15 GMT -5
I never found Connery all that humourous, to be honest. Deadly serious, fine, but that was the problem with his films: they weren't all that fun. From Russia, With Love, yes, that's easily the only one from Connery I look at with any kind of fondness, but that's due to the film being so explosion-happy mixed with the Italian lead, who looked really hot. I found Connery's Bond films too dull to really be called action films, which is what they're marketed as. I know the 'he came first' argument is lame, that's just what I've seen a lot of people say on the internet in comparing them, that he came first so he set the bar. I don't really believe it, though.
I love Moore for exactly those reasons, he was light and campy and made them fun, he had the best sense of humor and his quips are a lot better. The age doesn't bother me, that's looking too deeply for me than what I'm used to.
I've always thought that the thing with Dalton was that he made Bond more into an everyman, with his constantly losing in brawls and fist-fights, plus the fact that he always ended up with torn clothing and scuffed hair took away from the fact that Bond was supposed to be above that and wasn't able to be taken out that easily. But, the films were a lot more fun than anything Connery ever did.
And Brosnan just blew a bunch of shit up, so I've always looked fondly on his films for that reason.
And I, too, am still out on Craig. Casino was explosion-happy, which I like, but I just can't buy into him being a younger version of Moore or Brosnan. There's just something about him holding me back from enjoying his two films, though I'm probably in need of giving Solace another look.
But in the end, it's all good I suppose.
The Mummy-1999
Now, this is how you remake a film, as I've always thought this was the best entry of the three films based on the same story, eons better than the dullness of the Karloff original and slightly more energetic than Hammer's, just beating that one slightly. Tons of special effects that actually serve a point in the story, almost more suspenseful than most horror films, a menacing and imposing villian, tons of deaths, loads of fun from the action scenes, a great story, and pretty much every area to this one works well. I really can't find any flaws to this one, though I probably would've liked some of the deaths to be more on-screen, if that's a complaint.
10/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 15, 2009 10:12:46 GMT -5
Rocky III-1982
Quite possibly my favorite of the series (though I'm missing an uncensored viewing of Part 2) which is mainly due to the fact that there's hardly any rest in this one. It's quite fast and doesn't really slow down at all, providing plenty of fighting all the way through and not slowing down at all to let those pesky things like plot or story get in the way. From the wild brawl with Hulk Hogan (probably the only time he's ever been entertaining, which is because he was in his prime and not the sad relic he is now) to the two main fights that are fun and entertaining, there's not a lot here that doesn't work. Sure, it's cheesy and drips of the 80s, but I don't mind that stuff.
9/10
Spider-Man-2001
The second time I've seen this one, and while it's not at all that bad, I'm just not that interested in the film as a whole. It could be because I'm not a fan of superhero movies, maybe because I have no knowledge of the comic book or whatever, but I just can't seem to get fully invested in this one. I can follow the storyline quite easily, that's not a probably, and I'm not really bored due to the multitude of fights throughout which are quite fun and some blow stuff up quite nicely, but I can't seem to really get behind it for some reason. Maybe a third re-watch, only with my sister who actually knows this (I can't believe I'm asking my sister to help me with a comic book movie) would help me out a lot as I can recognize it is a good film.
7.5/10
Army of Darkness-1992
Quite possibly the best horror comedy ever, even though the horror elements aren't there but man is the comedy there. From sarcastic quips that are as quotable as any in cinema to slapstick gags that are just stomach-burning funny and more, this one just makes me laugh like there's no tomorrow. There's also a lot of action, providing by two big confrontations, that are a lot of fun and really enjoyable. Not a whole lot to say, it's just that much fun.
9.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 16, 2009 7:40:10 GMT -5
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (2007)
Matt Damon returns as Jason Bourne in the third entry in the series about the super assassin with amnesia. And once again, as he's trying to figure out his mysterious past, he must dispatch several agents sent after him by the company that trained him. Like the previous films, there are lots of car chases and plenty of bone-crunching fights in-between scenes of high-tech espionage stuff, ie; people looking at computer screens or listening in on conversations. Very fast-paced, only slowing down once in a while for a little exposition.
Pretty satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, though I hear a fourth film is a strong possibility, so here are a few title suggestions:
BOURNE AGAIN, BOURNE FREE, STILL BOURNE (Tasteless, I know.) and BOURNE TO BE WILD. ;D
7.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 17, 2009 10:04:33 GMT -5
The Transporter-2002
I've long been high on this one, being one of my favorite action films from the new millennium and it rarely disappoints on repeat viewings. Tons of explosions with plenty of things being shot to pieces or destroyed through car chases, shootouts, stunts or more, which is enough for me. The martial arts are nothing to sneeze at either, with their being a slew of them spread throughout that are quite fun and definitely innovative even though they could've been a little longer at times. The finale is a little underwhelming, as it misses that satisfactory ending that really should've been utilized, but it's not that detrimental.
9.25/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 17, 2009 17:17:02 GMT -5
Re: The JAWS franchise. I'm a huge fan of the original, in fact, it's one of my top 3 favorite movies of all time. Had only seen Part 2 once, in the early Eighties, and had never seen 3 and 4, though I know of their dubious reputations. Since HBO has been playing the entire series repeatedly lately, and it fitting into this month's genre, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to catch up. I should have known better.  JAWS 2 (1978) Roy Scheider is back as Chief Brody, but with no Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss or Steven Spielberg to back him up, it's all kind of pointless and definitely feels like a rehash or a cash-grab. Last time the shark was able to sink a boat, this time it's pulling choppers underwater.  5/10 JAWS 3 (1983) This time, Chief Brody's grown up sons have to deal with a Great White that has made its way into Sea World. Ridiculous, campy, and loaded with lousy special effects. Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett Jr should be embarrassed. 2/10 JAWS: THE REVENGE (1987) After yet another shark invades Amity Island and kills Brody's youngest son, Mrs. Brody is convinced that this shark is somehow seeking revenge and stalking the Brody family. WTF??? But then, with the way the shark seems to lie in wait for certain characters, you start to believe her. I'm losing brain cells just typing that. This time, Michael Caine should be embarrassed. Boring and stupid, but a notch better than part 3. Which does not mean I'm recommending it or anything like that, just that the effects this time are better than in Part 3. 3/10 All in all, a series that definitely should have stopped after the first classic movie. |
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 20, 2009 10:14:03 GMT -5
Scary Movie 3-2003
Probably number two behind Eurotrip as my favorite comedy of the new millennium, there's just a lot to really love in this one. The dead-pan humor reminds so much of the Naked Gun series, with the nonsensical one-liners that are thrown so fast and furious it's a wonder they kept a straight face during most of the scenes, the gags are just glorious (the kid constantly getting drilled in the head is a classic) the rip-offs of the horror films are just perfectly done and still in spirit with the originals, and then there's the funeral, which just might be the single funniest sequence I've ever seen in my life, it hurt so much laughing at that scene. Totally, utterly classic, and it never gets old.
9.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 22, 2009 7:57:56 GMT -5
NAKED GUN 2 1/2: THE SMELL OF FEAR (1991)
Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen), the most unaware and klutziest member of Police Squad, is back for more hijinks. This time he has to stop a plot to destroy the environment, led by the evil Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet).
Priscilla Presley is back as Jane, Drebin's love interest, who is again involved with the film's villain, and George Kennedy returns as Captain Ed Hocken.
There are some decent laughs here, with Nielsen perfectly deadpan as the guy who almost never realizes that the chaos all around him is usually caused by his own clumsiness. And of course, it's always funny to see O.J. Simpson, as Nordberg, the unluckiest cop, go from one life-threatening situation to another.
Not as funny as the original, but still pretty funny.
7/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 23, 2009 7:53:43 GMT -5
SHREK (2001)
A giant ogre named Shrek (Mike Myers) and his annoying friend Donkey (Eddie Murphy) are sent on a quest by the scheming Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) who is being held prisoner in a castle where she is guarded by a dragon. Great spoof of fairy tales and Disney's animated movies and theme parks in particular with lots of puns and site-gags.
Though some of the pop-culture references were already outdated by the time the film was released, ie: THE MATRIX "Bullet Time" fight scene, the film is still pretty funny and does feature top-notch computer animation and a great voice cast that make this one a modern animated classic.
8/10
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION (1983)
Comedy that follows the Griswold family on a cross-country drive from Chicago to a Disney-like amusement park named Walley World in California. The father, Clark (Chevy Chase), has planned the trip to the last detail, but pretty much everything goes wrong, from getting the wrong car at the dealership to driving through seedy neighborhoods, to being joined mid-trip by grouchy, elderly Aunt Edna.
Randy Quaid is a scene stealer as Eddie, the money-borrowing, Hamburger Helper-eating, "White Trash" cousin.
Clark's obsession with providing a fun-filled vacation for his family, even if it kills them, combined with his constant bumbling, is still funny 26 years later. The rest of the series was hit-or-miss with only CHRISTMAS VACATION being worthwhile. The other two, EUROPEAN and VEGAS were pretty awful.
7.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 24, 2009 10:16:53 GMT -5
Lethal Weapon 2-1989
Firstly, a movie this fun originally shouldn't be seen cut up and censored with commercials (or on a family-oriented channel to begin with) but due to familiarity with it, it still comes out as rather fun. The beginning of the comedy being injected into the series (I don't really recall laughing at the original all that much) and some of the stuff is side-splitting when seen uncut, though not even close to the depths of which part 4 gets away with. some fantastic action stuff is found, including the spectacular destruction of the house and the shootout on the boat at the end, and while it's not as impacting as the original, I find it a better film.
9/10
The Fast and the Furious-2001
I have to confess to going into this one with a severe handicap: I know almost nothing about cars. I know an engine makes them move and that gasoline is what propells them, but other than that, I'm at a loss as to the inner workings of them. That handicap is what really made this one a chore to get through, since most of the time was spent talking about souping up the engine or getting a better performance or whatever, I started zoning out about halfway through this as there wasn't much of any action happening. The few action scenes we got weren't that good either, and mixed with it's constant focus on a scene I have no interest or knowledge in coupled with no action and talk of a subject I know nothing about, this is an over-hyped and barely worthwhile film.
1/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 28, 2009 8:19:09 GMT -5
THE GODFATHER (1972)
Marlon Brando stars as "Don" Vito Corleone, the head of a New York Mafia "family" and one of the most iconic film characters of all time. Even if you've never seen the movie, everybody knows the line, "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
The perfect cast also includes Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, John Cazale, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire.
What can I say about a movie that has been discussed and reviewed thousands of times? If you haven't seen it and you're visiting a movie message board, run to your local Blockbuster Video or put it in your Netflix Queue today.
10/10
THE GODFATHER: PART II (1974)
Two years after the original classic, Director Francis Ford Coppola treated us to a second, equally satisfying, some would argue even better, serving of the Corleone family.
This time we get two movies for the price of one. The first deals with Michael (Al Pacino) now completely in charge of the families dealings, the second, told in flashbacks, is a prequel, telling the story of the young Vito Corleone (Brando's character from the first film), now played by Robert De Niro. Starting with why he fled Sicily as a child to come to America, and showing his early rise to power.
Just an excellent film in every way.
10/10
THE GODFATHER: PART III (1990)
Set in 1979, the aging Don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), in failing health and remorseful over the murder of his brother Fredo, tries to go legit, but the actions of family members and other gangsters keep "pulling him back", as he puts it.
A subplot deals with Michael's now grown-up daughter Mary (Sophia Coppola) and her love affair with her cousin Vincent (Andy Garcia), the illegitimate son of Michael's brother Sonny (played by James Caan in the first film).
THE GODFATHER Parts I and II are impossibly tough acts to follow and while Part III doesn't measure up, it's also not the total train-wreck that it's reputation seems to claim. Sofia Coppola is miscast and does have a wooden delivery, but Andy Garcia on the other hand, steals pretty much every scene he's in and is a welcome addition to the story, as is Joe Mantegna as a colorful up-and-coming hood named Joey Zasa. Talia Shire, as Michael's sister Connie, gets some good scenes, proving her character can be even more ruthless than the men in the family, and Pacino is of course great, returning to the role that made him famous. There's a little too much down time and too many scenes dealing with the church, but there are also some great "hits" in this one, including a fantastic helicopter attack at a meeting of all the heads of the families.
While lightning did not strike a third time, this a decent wrap-up to the Corleone Family story. As far as sequels that came long after the heyday of the original movies, this is more satisfying than either THE PHANTOM MENACE or INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL.
7.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jul 29, 2009 7:42:45 GMT -5
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009)
During the 6th year at Hogwarts, retired Horace Slughorn is hired as the new potions teacher, Harry finds an old book which reads, "Property of the Half-blood Prince", we, along with Harry, learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past, the Death Eaters are becoming more threatening, Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape are up to... something, and a love triangle develops between Ron, Hermione and Lavender Brown.
One of the better entries in the series, but I can't help a feeling of sameness in all these movies and that they always feel a little long. But then, I'm not the biggest Harry Potter fan, so this one was pretty good.
7.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jul 29, 2009 10:18:21 GMT -5
Just a word of warning, Heiney, these two are fudging it a little bit with the rules, but they should still count as I'll explain in the descriptions.
Ghoulies II-1988
I really didn't know there was a trilogy to these (in total, there's four) as I discovered when I went to IMDb to make the review page for it and found four Ghoulies films, and the first two went to theaters as far as I know, so this one does count.
As for the film, it's a typically 80s cheesefest, complete with some of the fakest-looking puppet creations in existence, a plot that can only exist in an 80s film (demons from Hell are responsible for a staggnating carnival's recent success) though no one knows anything about them nor decides to investigate when the success from the word-of-mouth of the people is credited to the gigantic rats they have on display, and other examples of 80s cheese. Despite that, there's a lot of action and a rather fun finale where they run rampant through the carnival attractions to provide the good parts here.
8.5/10
Wishing Stairs-2003
Apparently, this is part of the Whispering Corridors series in Korea, and even though the films' only real connections appear to be that the films are set in a similar scenario, the fact that the film's in the series' titles in Korea indicates that they're made for the same series should count.
As for the film, it's an incredibly dull account of two ballerinas at a boarding school who try to mix their psudeo-lesbian tendencies toward each other along with the school's participation in a scholarship program among the attendees, and that really gets complicated when something starts attacking the other dancers at the school. This should've been much creepier than it is, as there's a couple good scare tactics here and there (including a fantastic finale) but too much time is taken up with the lame relationship between them that it actually makes the premise (about a group of stairs, which inspires the title, that according to legend has 29 steps instead of 28, and when the 29 appears, it will grant a wish) take a back-seat to the rest of the story. This should've been much better, and would've been prime fodder for the Asian remake craze two or three years ago.
5.5/10
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