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Neil Jordan gets back on track after The Brave One Yikes I thought The Brave One was both Jordan's and Foster's best film. I normally can't stand Foster (the only other film (and role) of hers that I liked was Contact). I wonder if anyone else liked it...?
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A Perfect Getaway 7/10- A surprisingly effective thriller... until the last 10 minutes. Then it becomes unbelievably stupid. The funny part is, it's not the big reveal that's bad. I loved the revelation as to the identity of the killer/killers. It was what should have been the cut and dry chase to the end that was horrible. Every cliche in the book is used and all the characters that were pretty smart up to this point turn incredibly dumb. I still would recommend it though. Glad you liked it Storyteller! I always recommend people that enjoy it watch it a second time for a unique second viewing experience -- discovering all of the many clues as to the killer(s)' identity(ies) and for me, after a second viewing, I realized how intelligent the script really was. I thought the end was pretty decent but I didn't like the fact that Milla Jovovich's character got off scott-free and rode off in a chopper into the sunset...she wasn't as evil as Steve Zahn but she still should've been accountable for her part...but then again it doesn't bother me too much, not all movies will end the way you think they will (or the way you want them to).
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Posted: |
Oct 2, 2010 - 4:29 PM
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By: |
BobJ
(Member)
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A Perfect Getaway 7/10- A surprisingly effective thriller... until the last 10 minutes. Then it becomes unbelievably stupid. The funny part is, it's not the big reveal that's bad. I loved the revelation as to the identity of the killer/killers. It was what should have been the cut and dry chase to the end that was horrible. Every cliche in the book is used and all the characters that were pretty smart up to this point turn incredibly dumb. I still would recommend it though. Glad you liked it Storyteller! I always recommend people that enjoy it watch it a second time for a unique second viewing experience -- discovering all of the many clues as to the killer(s)' identity(ies) and for me, after a second viewing, I realized how intelligent the script really was. I thought the end was pretty decent but I didn't like the fact that Milla Jovovich's character got off scott-free and rode off in a chopper into the sunset...she wasn't as evil as Steve Zahn but she still should've been accountable for her part...but then again it doesn't bother me too much, not all movies will end the way you think they will (or the way you want them to). Yeah, it was a pretty good movie. Far better than what the trailer indicated. I didn't look at it as Jovovich getting away at the end as they never actually say that she did or didn't. She just says the line, "that's the one I let ruin my life". Which kind-of let's us know that she confessed. At least, that's how I took it. The stuff I didn't like were the moments like the girl running into those male hikers who for some reason just ignore what she is telling them as well as the bullet and knife wounds on her blood soaked body. That was seriously dumb, made even dumber by the fact that one of them is supposedly a med student. Also, why she didn't knock Steve Zahn down the cliff after she stabbed him was another "gimmie a break" moment. But the stuff leading to the reveal as well as the reveal itself was quite good.
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Posted: |
Oct 2, 2010 - 5:19 PM
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By: |
TominAtl
(Member)
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LET ME IN One of the best horror films this year happens to be a remake of the Swedish film "Let the Right One In". I saw the original first of course and liked it but I really got more emotionally involved in LET ME IN, which then makes it a better film to me in my book. They do virtually everything right in this film: mood, set up, execution, and payoff. The acting is excellent and I actually wished I had not of seen the original as this film would have given me even more of a wallop than it did today. While some may complain its only a 'shot for shot' remake, it really is more than that. The director got the perfect cast and only slightly Americanized it(the violence is more graphic and there are CGI effects which really don't look all that well). But the tone and pacing is all there from the original and it works wonderfully. I am so glad they didn't do a "Vanishing" on this film or a pale in comparison shot for shot "Psycho" remake. This is a really well done film that is very keen in giving us characters to care about, a plot to revel in, and child actors that can really act. As far as the score is concerned, Michael Giachinnos first foray into horror is excellent. He writes a very nice love them that pays a slight homage to Nino Rota's "Romeo and Juliet", in fact which both the play and the story is alluded to a couple of times in the film, and his suspense pieces are great. **** out of 5 for both film and score. Highly recommended, even to those who have seen the original.
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It's very slow at work, and i get to watch a lot of films. So here goes : Death Race : Joan Allen constantly asking herself why she signed up for this 4/10 Surrogates : Bland, and some dodgy CGI 4/10 Public Enemies : A poor Michael Mann film, with un-interesting characters 5/10 Prince Of Persia, Never Trust A Bold Guy With Mascara, wasn't that bad 6.5/10 Crimes And Misdemeanors : excellent Woody ! ! 9/10 Transporter 3 : Euuh, never mind 2/10 Appaloosa : always had a soft spot for Ed Harris, and this is excellent ! 8/10 Dawn Of The Dead (2004) : Now, this was Fun ! ! ! 7.5/10 Righteous Kill : After 88 Minutes, one would think Al Pacino would've known better 4/10
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I didn't look at it as Jovovich getting away at the end as they never actually say that she did or didn't. She just says the line, "that's the one I let ruin my life". Which kind-of let's us know that she confessed. At least, that's how I took it. The stuff I didn't like were the moments like the girl running into those male hikers who for some reason just ignore what she is telling them as well as the bullet and knife wounds on her blood soaked body. That was seriously dumb, made even dumber by the fact that one of them is supposedly a med student. Also, why she didn't knock Steve Zahn down the cliff after she stabbed him was another "gimmie a break" moment. But the stuff leading to the reveal as well as the reveal itself was quite good. I see what you are saying. When you look at it that way, with Jovovich's last line, it actually is a much more satisfying ending. Open to interpretation I suppose, but your theory is the one I will be going with. I agree that the stuff leading to the reveal was great...I thought the scene where Kiele Sanchez is looking at the video camera footage, discovering the identity of the killers, was just incredible. I like to rewind and watch her facial expression as her emotion turns from amused and calm to surprise and terror. Really, really great acting, to carry the big twist of the movie with very subtle facial expression changes. I also love Boris Elkis' score for that scene, how it starts out really calm but becomes more nightmarish as Sanchez makes her discovery. I actually thought Elkis was the breakout composer of '09 with this score -- his music towards the beginning when Zahn and Jovovich set out on the trail is so much fun and very exciting. I use that score when I go hiking, sometimes it makes me haul ass! And of course Olyphant is just the coolest guy on the planet, as I've mentioned countless times on this thread. His impression of Nic Cage was hilarious, as is his general bemused outlook and questionable war stories. I'd follow this guy to any film or television show (can't wait for the return of Justified!)
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Surrogates : Bland, and some dodgy CGI 4/10 Public Enemies : A poor Michael Mann film, with un-interesting characters 5/10 Appaloosa : always had a soft spot for Ed Harris, and this is excellent ! 8/10 Dawn Of The Dead (2004) : Now, this was Fun ! ! ! 7.5/10 Righteous Kill : After 88 Minutes, one would think Al Pacino would've known better 4/10 Groovemeister, interesting lineup! My reaction to your reviews: Surrogates: I actually thought this was a great sci-fi movie, and perfect for Bruce Willis. Someone needed to make a movie about how dependant we are on technology, as obvious as that statement may be. (7.5/10) Public Enemies: Yes now I just really think this film sucked. Except for the final 5 minutes (sidewalk shooting onward), which were actually kind of riveting, but makes you wish Mann had put some of this creative energy and skill into the other 2+ hours... (4/10) Dawn of the Dead (2004) Hell yeah man I loved this one. Ving Rhames does nothing new than what he normally does, but he's alright. Fun to see Sarah Polley in a horror/mainstream film, kicking ass. This movie introduced me to the wonder that is Ty Burrell, and for that alone I'm extremely grateful. I thought Mekhi Phifer did a great job also. The opening of the film (before Polley crashes her car) is brilliant in its tension and terror.(8/10) Righteous Kill: Average. I'm probably the only one on Earth to say this, but I really thought 88 Minutes was guilty-pleasure fun. Righteous Kill should have been so much better considering its awesome cast. I'll tell ya what really f***ing pisses me off, though: YOU DO NOT PUT 50 CENT IN A FILM OPPOSITE ROBERT DENIRO AND AL PACINO. Stupid, stupid, stupid, and insulting. (6/10)
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Two Ices and two Bills starring in a movie? Unbelievable. Well with all the Ices around Hollywood it was only a matter of time before two of them paired up wouldn't you say? Too bad the film didn't pair Bill Paxton and Bill Pullman, maybe then people would stop confusing them (or it could make things worse). Just watched that Miami Vice episode with Bill Paxton. It was fun to watch Paxton who is great as usual, but MAN DID THAT SHOW FRICKIN' SUCK. Terrible acting. Terrible directing. Terrible writing. Cheesy and lame. I don't mind style without substance or substance without style, but this show had no substance and laughable style so this dude just couldn't abide. The episode also featured Wesley Snipes as a pimp/drug dealer and even he couldn't help ol' Paxton save the day.
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Posted: |
Oct 3, 2010 - 11:31 AM
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By: |
mrscott
(Member)
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Secretariat / Rated PG for a couple of bad words and funny looking hats. Secretariat, the horse, is considered the greatest race horse of all time. He ran really, really fast. He lived from 1970 to 1989 and lives again in a new movie named in his honor. I love horsey movies. I hate spoilers in reviews. In case you don’t know it I have to tell you something. Not exactly a secret. But, if you don’t want to know then look away count to ten then continue reading. Secretariat won the Triple Crown. Okay that’s it. It’s safe to continue reading. Knowing this, there is not much suspense that can be portrayed as the Big Guy is foaled then begins to run. Really, really fast. The movie tells the story of Secretariat and his owner. The owner was Penny Chenery Tweedy and family. Diane Ladd plays the strong willed woman out to save her family finances and root the Big Guy to victory. She is excellent in the role. Along for the ride, so to speak, are John Malkovich as the trainer and funny hat wearer, and a group of fine character actors which include Scott Glenn, Fred Thompson and James Cromwell. Margo Martindale provides laughs and inspiration as the wise family secretary and horse namer. Secretariat was directed by Randall Wallace. He also helmed two fine films including “We Were Soldiers” (2002) and the first film I ever reviewed, the most excellent “Man in the Iron Mask” (1998). Nick Glennie-Smith provides a beautiful and evocative score. The horse race scenes are exciting and well filmed even if, for the most part, we know the results. Especially in the Triple Crown contests. In the Kentucky Derby he ran every quarter mile faster than the one preceding it and he was still accelerating when he crossed the finish line. Did I mention he ran really fast? The last of the three races, The Belmont Stakes, is an especially long and grueling contest which spells the end for most Triple Crown contenders. I remember watching this race live in 1973. Secretariat almost looked like he might lap the 4 other horses in the contest. That’s how commanding his lead was. Disney has offered up good family fare. The personal financial issues sometimes get in the way of seeing the Big Guy run which is the core of the story. A story everyone, not just horsey film lovers, like me should see. A great story of a superior athlete. And he knew it. Watch and see. Rated 3.5 out of 4.0 lengths. Secretariat won by 31 lengths. Seabiscuit beware. Bamboo Harvester, who died in 1970, would have been proud if he had lived to see Secretariat run. And he would have spoke up about it. If you want to know how…..Google his name.
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Posted: |
Oct 5, 2010 - 9:01 PM
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By: |
TominAtl
(Member)
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I surprised that no one here has mentioned that they went and saw one of the best movies of the year: The Social Network. What a movie! From the get go, you know you are in for a ride. And you can really thank writer Aaron Sorkin. Boy can this man write dialogue. The opening 10 mins comes out like bullet and it really doesn't stop until the end. All of the actors tackle the script with aplomb but its the 2 main leads, Jessie Eisenberg as Facebook co-founder and socially inept Mark Zuckerberg and his only friend and co-founder Eduardo Saverin, played by Andrew Garfield(the next Spiderman) who not only carry this movie, but run with it. The supporting cast is all good, including Justine Timerlake as Napster founder and smooth cad Sean Parker. David Fincher paced this film perfectly, with enough gusto that nary a single moment is wasted or superfluous but also knows when to reign in the machine gun dialogue that almost ignites the screen on fire. Sorkins script is so intense that it forces you to stop and pay attention to every single line uttered by every single character out fear that if you didn't, you might miss something. And indeed,you will. This is smart movie, razor shop in its focus, and one that discusses issues such as true friendship, what is true genius, and who's idea really was it that created what 500 million people and growing are using now to interact with their fellow man? And truth be told, Zuckerberg, for all his genius, is not the hero here. No one is really. Zuckerberg in the film is one that basically is incapable of shutting his mouth, even if one had a gun to it. He cannot admit wrong and doesn't realize that there are somethings that you can say that you cannot take back, no matter how many times you may say, "I'm sorry". So yourselves a favor and check this movie out. You will feel exhausted by the end, kind of like what Zuckerbergs ex-girlfriend says while breaking up with him in the first 10 mins of the movie something to the effect of, "Dating you is like riding a StairMaster: its exhausting". But boy do you feel good later after doing it! **** 1/2 out of 5
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