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R.I.P.D. (1/10) Crap of the highest order. Not even worth a curiosity view. Avoid like the plague.
I object. Just the latest example of bad buzz tricking people into thinking a movie is worthless.
To get it out of the way, yes, this is Men in Black with dead people instead of aliens, but it is still quite enjoyable. Some neat touches (like how the agents are able to sniff out the 'deados') and a hysterical performance from Jeff Bridges.
It's at least a 6.5.
R.I.P.D. 7/10
I can see how some people disliked it but I agree that it was a solid 6.5 or a 7 and I personally dug the hell out of R.I.P.D.
Fun, fast, clever and mind you, I hated the MEN IN BLACK films. If the concept or the trailer made it seem like fun then you definitely won't feel it to be disappointing.
Jeff Bridges really does go ball out funny in this thankfully Ryan Reynolds is actually toned down and playing the straight man for most of it.
The gag with their human selves actually played a hell of alot funnier then I thought it would.
2 GUNS 4/5/10
This one suffers the same fate as RIDDICK in that the story doesn't exactly suck but its been done to death; two guys rob a bank and then double cross each other only to realize they are both undercover agents and then wouldn't you know it the money they steal isn't at all what their handlers said it would be and then both guys must team up and out run three different set of bad guys trying to kill them and with no where to turn after trying their best to get a grasp on the situation it comes as no surprise when the finale has all three groups meeting in the same spot and all hell breaking loose.
Action wise it isn't bad but honestly doesn't reach above the levels of a made for TV film but it is refreshing well directed without being quick cut to death. Story as I said is tired and the film SOLELY exists as a show case for Denzel and Walhberg and much to my surprise these two have a great energy that carries the whole damn picture and the constant bickering is actually very funny.
Its short, humorous, and has some really good performances from Edward James Olmos and a wonderful Bill Paxton being a HUGE asshole and obviously having fun.
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Posted: |
Sep 7, 2013 - 6:25 AM
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By: |
mastadge
(Member)
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Antiviral (2012) dir. Brandon Cronenberg -- Liked this one more than I expected to. The Cronenberg apple hasn't fallen too far from the tree. Caleb Landry Jones is much better than he was in X-Men. There's a bit of silliness, but the film is confidently and antiseptically shot and carries itself well enough to overcome that. If you're not a fan of body horror or are easily grossed out, this is not for you, but it bodes well for young Cronenberg's future as a filmmaker. (7/10)
Now You See Me (2013) dir. Louis Leterrier -- Overstuffed, overplotted, overproduced, but moderately enjoyable. Gets off to a decent start as it introduces the magicians, but then unwisely shifts focus to those trying to get ahead of them. A better balance there and a script that played more to the characters would have helped a lot. Also, the ultimate goal is basically a giant MacGuffin that is insufficiently explained to make me interested in their pursuit thereof, and their credibility as masterminds is undermined by the fact that they're basically following a script the whole time. And there should have been no big CG flourishes on the stage: if you're doing a movie about magicians, it's a distracting cheat to show anything that can't be accomplished by sleight of hand and practical effects. In the movie's favor are a strong ensemble cast, many of whom unfortunately don't have much chance to shine, and one of Tyler's better scores. (5/10)
Thief (1981) dir. Michael Mann -- Early crime drama from Mann. Maybe the highlight of James Caan's career. Certainly one of Mann's best films. Where's the BD? Because this non-anamorphic DVD transfer leaves a lot to be desired! (8/10)
The Lords of Salem (2012) dir. Rob Zombie -- Almost a great horror movie. It looks great, it's weird and unnerving, the cast is surprisingly good, there's so much to like about it, but the ending leaves a lot to be desired and I feel like a good co-writer who could match Zombie's vision with some real weight would do the guy wonders. (7/10)
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The Grandmaster china cut 9/10 ****
The Grandmaster US cut 7/10 ***
The original cut had motivation and backstory for Zhang Ziyi's character, taking the difficult path despite the calls for moderation by her father and his pals. She sticks to her blades and though vengeance is still ignoble, the problems come to her anyway so she is proved correct, and also she pays for taking back the family legacy with her health and finally her life. The movie had a fascinating study of character and extremes. The old man talks about the snake soup and how it is a decades long dish and taking it from the fire too soon makes it weak and leaving it too long will burn it. The wushu masters teach the middle way yet life pushes ppl into extremes, so the obstacles come on their own and you have to master your own choices. Ip Man makes his way with strength and wisdom yet lives on the underbelly of society, as does Gong Er as she takes the non-harmonious life paths. Mastering martial arts is about tempering the inner fire yet the situations one has to contend with test you continually. The movie is really about this dilemma and the existential longing and regrets make it worth living for. Interestingly the US version makes a bigger deal out of Bruce Lee, yet his master always hangs out in brothels and shady parts of the world. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree? Eh, WKW? Is that what you are implying for the handful of people who will pick up on it?
Compared to IP Man, I find this version of the tale is more impressionistic in style being a Wong Kar Wai film, yet truer to reality, whereas Ip Man is more naturalistic in form yet idealized.
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If people start to like films like this, then there is no hope for better movie making in the future. No hope at all.
If people all start to like the same movies as each other and dislike the same movies as each other, then there is no hope for opinions or differing perspectives in the future. No hope at all.
Your opinions are wrong SBD and Real BJBien, WRONG! 
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If I want to say people's taste is in the toilet, I will. They sit around and complain all day "why are movies so bad these days?" then head out to the cinema to pay homage to the great Hollywood toilet. As long as people keep enjoying crap we will only get crap from Hollywood.
I will speak out until a new generation rises up that asks why we don't make good movies any more and doesn't give money to films like Star Crap Into Darkness, and R.I.P.Hollywood.
Hey man, I enjoy a ton of Hollywood movies these days, and I always have. There's always something to like. I'm sorry you're having trouble with this. Good luck to ya!
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Posted: |
Sep 9, 2013 - 8:50 PM
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By: |
Solium
(Member)
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If I want to say people's taste is in the toilet, I will. They sit around and complain all day "why are movies so bad these days?" then head out to the cinema to pay homage to the great Hollywood toilet. As long as people keep enjoying crap we will only get crap from Hollywood.
I will speak out until a new generation rises up that asks why we don't make good movies any more and doesn't give money to films like Star Crap Into Darkness, and R.I.P.Hollywood.
Hey man, I enjoy a ton of Hollywood movies these days, and I always have. There's always something to like. I'm sorry you're having trouble with this. Good luck to ya!
The OP is correct. To many support these sloppily conceived, mindless, overly commercialized films so it will never change. Sure a lot of ppl love Star Trek and Transformers, but many say they were disappointed, or it was a far cry from what it should have been. But they keep purchasing those tickets anyway. Past experience should tell ppl what to avoid. But they willingly put out the dough for the next horribly produced summer blockbuster film and the process continues. Ive given up on Hollywood's summer films. Iron Man, Star Trek, I knew better than to spend my cash on those. People are not voting with their dollars. But with the world market it's really out of our control now. Places like China and Russia are seeing films they could never imagined, so I can understand their fascination with the "big budget" spectacle. Thus over seas sales usually top domestic grosses.
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Posted: |
Sep 9, 2013 - 9:03 PM
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By: |
mastadge
(Member)
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The OP is correct. To many support these sloppily conceived, mindless, overly commercialized films so it will never change. Sure a lot of ppl love Star Trek and Transformers, but many say they were disappointed, or it was a far cry from what it should have been. But they keep purchasing those tickets anyway. Past experience should tell ppl what to avoid.
I think as in so many things perception is skewed by the echoing chamber of the internet. Yes, there are plenty of people who were disappointed by those movies -- but there are millions and millions who weren't. They don't keep going to them because they haven't learned their lesson -- they keep going because they enjoy them. I heard so much complaining online about Into Darkness, but nearly everyone I know in person who saw it had a blast. It's great to make fun how stupid or insulting the Transformers movies are, but people really enjoy the special effects spectacle.
And then there are people like me: those of us who are frequently disappointed because we do enjoy well-made spectacle as well as great cinema, and keep going to summer blockbusters hoping not to be disappointed. We're the few who aren't learning, but I usually know what I'm getting into. Until The Avengers and Iron Man 3, the avengers-verse films were thoroughly entertaining. I know exactly what trade-off I'm getting between visuals and plot and pacing when I go see a Verbinski or del Toro spectacle -- and I go knowing that it's worth it to me to get the spectacle on the big screen, even if I am ultimately disappointed with the final product. And while I would love to support better movies, I refuse to pay to see cut versions, so I can't even vote with my dollars for stuff like Snowpiercer or The Grandmaster because there is no option to see the unexpurgated edition in theaters at all.  I'm going to stop with this large block of text now. Good night!
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