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Post by slayrrr666 on Feb 25, 2008 11:07:35 GMT -5
I have to agree with LDG on HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. You know it's based on a true story, right Slayrrr? I missed the opening credits, I thought it was five minutes later than it actually was, so if it said that before, I would've missed it. I'll add it then. And not liking it is based on personal preference. I don't want to know the killer like we do in the film. Keep them mysterious, I find more fear that way. Anyways, short week as nothing got through: The Slayer-Really entertaining slasher, mixing in some nice atmosphere and a really great set-up with a few small flaws. imdb.com/title/tt0084694/usercomments-25The Brain-Good, cheesy 80s fun, with a few problems derived from that keeping this down. imdb.com/title/tt0094794/usercomments-22Shock 'Em Dead-More 80s cheese, only this time it actually works with it rather than against it like the others do. imdb.com/title/tt0102910/usercomments-16 |
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Feb 25, 2008 23:13:53 GMT -5
I have to agree with LDG on HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER. You know it's based on a true story, right Slayrrr? And not liking it is based on personal preference. I don't want to know the killer like we do in the film. Keep them mysterious, I find more fear that way. I understand that, I just meant that it's a true story about Henry, not really about his victims. It can't really have the same structure that most fictional films of this type have where the killer's identity, personality, etc are kept mostly hidden from us. Anyway, just watched another true story where the focus is on the killers and the victims are only a small part of the film. IN COLD BLOOD (1967) My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread. |
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Post by Pulpmariachi on Feb 26, 2008 16:59:32 GMT -5
The Merchant of Venice (Michael Radford) -- Such a sad telling of this quite complicated play, putting a, I think deservedly, sympathetic view upon Shylock who really was one of The Bard's first tragic heroes. One of Pacino's finest moments as well. A-.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Feb 28, 2008 10:12:35 GMT -5
HOWARD STERN'S PRIVATE PARTS (1997)
My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread.
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Post by LivingDeadGirl on Feb 28, 2008 13:51:33 GMT -5
The Pursuit of Happyness 6/10
The Last King of Scotland 6/10
Comments in MGOTM
Apocalypto 7/10- Not quite the story I was expecting, I thought it was about the civilization as a whole, but really enjoyed it nonetheless. Great cinematography, good pacing that kept me interested for 2+ hours.
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Post by Pulpmariachi on Mar 1, 2008 23:39:33 GMT -5
The Triplets of Belleville (Sylvain Chromet) -- one of the most surreal but highly entertaining and satirical animated films ever produced. At least of this modern era. A.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Mar 2, 2008 10:21:17 GMT -5
NOTES ON A SCANDAL (2006)
Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett both give great performances in this film about a high school art teacher (Blanchett) who starts having an affair with a 15-year old student and how another teacher (Dench) uses this knowledge for her own gains.
Not the kind of film I'd probably rush out to see in a theater, but thought this one was really good. Dench, especially, is brilliant.
8/10
DISTURBIA (2007)
Shia LaBeouf is pretty good as a teen under house arrest whose neighbor (the creepy David Morse) may or may not be a serial killer, in this kind of REAR WINDOW for the X-Box and iTunes crowd.
Drags at times, but not too bad.
6.5/10
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Post by Pulpmariachi on Mar 2, 2008 14:36:03 GMT -5
Beauty and the Beast (Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise) -- the first of Disney's early 90s onetwothree punch (with "Aladdin" and "The Lion King") where Disney was at its absolute best. It's such a good movie; I don't think there's really much else to add. A.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Mar 3, 2008 10:29:13 GMT -5
BROTHER BEAR (2003) CHICKEN LITTLE (2005) My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread. JUNO (2007) A Marvel Comics film reunion. Kitty Pride gets pregnant, her father J. Jonah Jameson is very understanding, and Elektra wants to adopt the baby.  Cute, if a bit overhyped. Cons: Just about every character is quirky and speaks in that independent film style where everyone is so clever & witty and has a quip or a hipster comment at the ready. The opening scene where Juno (Ellen Page) and the cashier (Rainn Wilson) are bantering is especially guilty of this, and all I could think was, "I hope I'm not in for 90 minutes of characters speaking like this.". I wasn't, but it was close. The character of Juno comes close to unlikeability a few times because of that "cool" dialogue. Just one of those "wise beyond their years" teens, see "GHOST WORLD", which was a better film overall and didn't get nearly the accolades or box office. I thought the film as a whole would be a lot funnier. It had its moments, but I think I was expecting something hilarious. Pros: Jennifer Garner as the prospective adoptive mother and J.K. Simmons as Juno's dad are both really good and probably the most believable characters in the film. The dad is funny without it seeming forced and Garner was probably at her best in this role. Overall, I think AMERICAN GANGSTER should've been nominated for Best Picture in JUNO's place. Just a more satisfying film to me. 6.5/10 BULLY (2001) A group of fucked up unlikeable teenagers plot to kill another fucked up unlikeable teen. Who do you root for? I was actually hoping they'd all blow themselves up. I haven't hated a bunch of teens without redeeming social values like this, since, well, since Larry Clark's other movie, KIDS. Depressing and unfortunately, based on a true story. A guy my age sees movies like this and KIDS and ALPHA DOG, and you really do start to feel like a lot of America's youth is just lost in a cesspool. I blame rap music and violent video games.  R.I.P. Brad Renfro 6/10
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Post by slayrrr666 on Mar 3, 2008 11:10:43 GMT -5
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Mar 4, 2008 12:23:06 GMT -5
THRONE OF BLOOD (1957)
Akira Kurosawa does Shakespeare's MACBETH, but transplants it to medieval Japan because, well, because it's Kurosawa. I know this is considered one of his best, but I was more than a little underwhelmed.
What can I say? Except for the last 15 minutes or so, I was pretty bored. Maybe I have to be in the mood for it, but I preferred SEVEN SAMURAI, YOJIMBO and SANJURO much more.
4/10
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2007)
My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Mar 5, 2008 10:03:44 GMT -5
MY LIFE AS A DOG (1985)
Lasse Hallström film about two boys who are separated from their ill mother, and each other, so that she can get some rest. Good, but not great. I prefer Hallström's later films GILBERT GRAPE, CIDER HOUSE RULES & CHOCOLAT.
6/10
12 ANGRY MEN (1957)
Courtroom drama about a jury who are on what seems to be, an open and shut murder case. That is until one lone juror (Henry Fonda) votes "not guilty" and then has to slowly convince the other jurors that the case is not as clear cut as it first seemed.
This is a riveting film, a simple plot and setting, but very complex emotionally. Fonda, who is in top form here, is supported by a who's who of great character actors including, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, E.G. Marshall and Jack Klugman.
Gets better with each viewing.
8.5/10
THE SIMPSONS MOVIE (2007)
My comments in the "Movie Genre of the Month" thread.
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Mar 6, 2008 8:14:54 GMT -5
Double feature of films based on famous plays. Neither of which I'd seen before.
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (1958)
Tennessee Williams' play about a wealthy Mississippi plantation owner (Burl Ives) who is dying of cancer and his dysfunctional family, including his ex-football player alcoholic son (Paul Newman) and his son's beautiful wife (Elizabeth Taylor).
Okay, but a little too melodramatic for my tastes. Almost felt like a soap opera.
5.5/10
ROMEO & JULIET (1968)
Shakespeare's play about the young, doomed lovers gets adapted by Franco Zeffirelli and it's a really well done and faithful version. Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey are both great in the lead roles and it was definitely a smart move to cast actors who are closer in age to the characters in the play, something that hadn't been done before. Beautiful looking movie in every respect.
8/10
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Post by frankenjohn on Mar 6, 2008 22:25:07 GMT -5
Hey slayrr, where did you come across Four Flies on Grey Velvet? That's a rare one!
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Post by Heineken Skywalker on Mar 6, 2008 23:43:48 GMT -5
AFTER HOURS (1985)
Martin Scorsese's dark comedy about an average Joe (Griffin Dunne) who has one mishap after another during a very surreal night.
Kind of funny, but I think they could've pushed the envelope even further with that setup. Guess Scorsese didn't want to push the situations too close too farce.
Dunne is very good and he's supported by a good cast of everyone from Rosanna Arquette and Teri Garr to Cheech & Chong.
6/10
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