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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 15, 2008 8:51:45 GMT -5
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (1992)
Since I've finally been watching the tv series, I thought I'd give the original movie version another look. I don't think I'd seen it since it was first in theaters.
Buffy (Kristy Swanson) is a typical California teenage girl, ie: dating, cheerleading, shopping, etc., who finds out that that her true calling is to defend the world from vampires.
Cute idea, but it's executed pretty badly. Slow paced and most of the jokes fall flat. No wonder creator/writer Joss Whedon stopped coming to the set during filming as his script was being rewritten during filming.
Paul (Pee Wee Herman) Reubens is pretty good as the main villain's right-hand vampire, but Rutger Hauer is pretty wooden as the main bad guy.
The tv series is much better. The acting is better and the dialogue is much sharper and funnier.
4/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 16, 2008 1:00:54 GMT -5
I'd only seen the first CHILD'S PLAY, way back in 1988, and none of the sequels, but as luck would have it, the first two sequels recently played back-to-back on HBO, so I thought, why not? Because sometimes I just can't leave well enough alone.
Brainless, but harmless and really not scary at all. These are supposed to be horror movies, right? At least they're fast paced and only about 90 minutes long each, so you don't have much time to stop and think about all the plotholes, inconsistencies and general goofiness of it all.
I'm glad Brad Dourif has these to fall back on every couple of years so he can collect a nice paycheck for voicing Chucky. He really is a good actor.
CHILD'S PLAY 2 (1990)
4/10
CHILD'S PLAY 3 (1991)
3.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 17, 2008 9:08:58 GMT -5
THE IN-LAWS (1979)
Screwball comedy starring Alan Arkin and Peter Falk as two men whose daughter and son are about to be married. Falk is a loose cannon government agent who drags Arkin's character into an international plot. The chemistry between the two leads is great and the main reason to see this movie. Arkin especially, is hilarious as a mild-mannered dentist who's way in over his head.
7/10
TSOTSI (2005)
A small time street criminal in Johannesburg steals a car and accidentally kidnaps a baby who was in a carseat in the back. He decides to keep the child and it begins to affect, for the better, his personality and even his attitude towards humanity.
Not on the same level as CITY OF GOD, but pretty good. Some scenes are powerful, but it drags a little bit here and there. Oscar winner for 2005 Best Foreign Language Film.
7.5/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jan 17, 2008 11:15:04 GMT -5
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension-See thoughts in Movie Genre thread.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 18, 2008 9:44:06 GMT -5
COCOON (1985)
My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Jan 19, 2008 2:46:35 GMT -5
Cloverfield (2008, Matt Reeves)
In my opinion, it lives up to its clever marketting campaign and is the first great film of 2008. The Blair Witch style actually works in the film's favor. Once the tension builds, it never lets up. Might not be to everyone's taste (I expect the camera work is gonna be a love-it-or-hate-it ordeal), but it certainly was to mine. 8/10
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Post by frankenjohn on Jan 19, 2008 22:56:11 GMT -5
Cloverfield- So the movie event I've been waiting for since July came and went, and I had a good time watching it. It started off and bored sucessfully for the first 20 or so minutes, but once it got going, I was so hooked. The monster looks great, as do pretty much all of the effects. On the camera work, I was not bothered. I don't get motion sickness, so I can handle that. A couple of scenes with the camera were extemely effective (the subway and the close up of the monster) and others were just annoying (the fact that they film away from the action a lot). But what was most annoying were the characters: really didn't give much about them, despite a lot of backstory in the movie and viral campaign. Speaking of the viral campaign, I hope they can tie up all the loose ends through the websites. In typical J.J. Abrams style, more questions are introduced than answered. Also: loved Michael Giachinno's music suite "Roar!" during the credits. Great stuff. Great movie. B+.
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Post by ZapRowsdower on Jan 20, 2008 3:14:26 GMT -5
One other note about Cloverfield (touched upon by frankenjohn) -
Cleaning up after the movie is... interesting to say the least. I just learned people can get motion sickness from camera movements. So if you get motion sickness, I suggest you either avoid this film or bring a paper bag.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 20, 2008 15:06:44 GMT -5
CLOVERFIELD (2008)
A genre as overdone as the giant monster movie gets a brand new spin on it with this flick.
Very well done and I pretty much agree with everything Zap and Frankenjohn said about it. Nice humdrum setup with the party and getting to know everyone, but it's a nice little tight movie at only 90 minutes or so, so once it gets going it's pretty much non-stop. And the video camera device really works at putting you in the shoes of someone going through that ordeal.
8.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 21, 2008 10:34:27 GMT -5
Watched on Sunday:
SKY HIGH (2005)
Cute family film about a teen who is the son of superheroes (Kurt Russell & Kelly Preston) and attends a high school that trains superheroes and sidekicks.
Former tv Wonder Woman, Linda Carter plays the principal of the school, Bruce Campbell & Dave Foley play two of the instructors.
6.5/10
NIGHT OF THE COMET (1984)
My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread.
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Post by slayrrr666 on Jan 21, 2008 11:12:06 GMT -5
Turistas-A couple good moments here and there, but too boring and way too unimpressive to mean anything. imdb.com/title/tt0454970/usercomments-186Slumber Party Massacre 2-Not all that bad, but just burdened down by all the cheese on display. imdb.com/title/tt0093996/usercomments-74Slumber Party Massacre 3-Not nearly as cheesy, but about as enjoyable as the other entries in the series. imdb.com/title/tt0100639/usercomments-43Sorority House Massacre-Fine for what it is, as a cheesy 80s slasher, but doesn't do a whole lot else. imdb.com/title/tt0091990/usercomments-41Sorority House Massacre 2-Precisly the kind of cheesy, T&A fests that appeal to me big time. imdb.com/title/tt0100663/usercomments-40Midnight-Truthfully have seen much better at whatever it was, but it did have something interesting here and there. imdb.com/title/tt0082744/usercomments-34The Mutilator-Wow, was this an impressive, gory slasher, one that gets a lot right and very few flaws. imdb.com/title/tt0124014/usercomments-46Intruder-Pretty much the same can be said regarding The Mutilator, only this one is slightly better. imdb.com/title/tt0095379/usercomments-54 |
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Post by LivingDeadGirl on Jan 21, 2008 17:02:21 GMT -5
This weekend catching up on unwatched dvds...
Superman Returns
The Karate Kid
and for the Movie Genre Club...
The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 22, 2008 8:38:35 GMT -5
BROKEN FLOWERS (2005)
A succesful middle-aged businessman and bachelor (Bill Murray) receives an anonymous letter in the mail informing him that he fathered a son 19 years ago. His friend convinces him to take a trip to visit four former flames in search of clues to the mystery. Of course, this being a Jim Jarmusch film, this isn't just a literal trip, but also a journey of self-discovery. Not to mention that it's populated by quirky characters.
Bill Murray plays melancholy better than almost anyone and the supporting cast are pretty wonderful, especially Jeffrey Wright as his best friend and Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange as two of the former lovers.
The ending however is one of those, "We're not going to tie it up in a neat bow for you, what do you think happened next?" kind of endings. Honestly, I'm getting a little bored with these "Isn't this artsy?" non-endings to movies. I don't mind an unhappy ending at all, that's life. But after sitting through a relatively entertaining movie for almost two hours that ending kind of felt like a cop-out.
6.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 23, 2008 1:03:29 GMT -5
BICENTENNIAL MAN (1999)
In the near future, a family purchases an android (Robin Williams) to perform menial tasks. Andrew the robot soon starts to exhibit emotions and creativity though. Over the next two centuries Andrew learns about humanity and with various upgrades slowly becomes more and more human himself. Touchy-feely and very sentimental, but Williams gives a fairly restrained performance, going into "Robin Williams Land" only once, when the robot is learning about humor.
6/10
And for a completely different change of pace:
ALPHA DOG (2006)
Actual events inspired this story about a California gang of drug dealers who, on a whim, kidnapped a teen because his older brother owed them money. As you can imagine, things just go from bad to worse.
Pretty good all around, but a little long.
7.5/10
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Jan 24, 2008 11:04:59 GMT -5
*BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED (1987)
My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread.
ALL OF ME (1984)
A dying millionairess (Lily Tomlin) arranges for her soul to be transferred into the body of a healthy younger woman, but something goes wrong and her soul ends up in the body of her lawyer (Steve Martin) instead. Screwball comedy whose biggest laughs are physical as Tomlin and Martin wrestle for control of his body. Not the greatest comedy, but entertaining and Martin especially is very funny trying to gain control over his body.
7/10
DIRTY MARY CRAZY LARRY (1974)
Peter Fonda stars in this cult classic 70's B-movie about a trio who rob a grocery store and then get chased by cops who even end up using a helicopter to try to apprehend them. The whole thing ends in one of the most famous climaxes on film.
7/10
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