Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (7 Viewers)

[KarmaPolice]

Whoever suggested Equilibrium gets a wholehearted "SECONDED" from me.

Not sure if it was brought up here or in the "unknown" movie thread. Seems to be one of those movies that slip through the cracks and not many people have seen. Bale's popularity in through the roof now with the Batman movies, but up to this point people might have missed action movies like Equilibrium, Harsh Times, or Reign of Fire. Also movies that aren't in the genre like Laurel Canyon and The Machinist.

I just realized this week that I don't think I've even seen Reign of Fire (looked cheesy and I hate McConaughey). Probably pop that in soon. Also have The New World sitting at home to be watched too.

Despite some gay secks, I can't say enough good things about Velvet Goldmine. A perfect example of Bale's range.

You had me at gay secks.

 

[El Floppo]

I just realized this week that I don't think I've even seen Reign of Fire (looked cheesy and I hate McConaughey). Probably pop that in soon. Also have The New World sitting at home to be watched too.

you have to be a hardcore malick fan to enjoy "The New World", i think. i'm maybe as big a fan of his work as you'll find around here and i found that film a little tedious. i'd recommend "days of heaven", "thin red line" and "badlands" before it. "days..." is in my top 5 of all time. it is just a glorious, wonderful film...

Totally agree with SF on this. Days of Heaven is probably the most beautifully filmed movie ever made- almost entirely shot at the "magic hour" right at sunrise and sunset. TRL and Badlands are also borderline incredible. New World... I've been pimping it, but it's a tough watch (lots of interior monologue and long, long shots of birds in flight, and rivers during twilight. I sitll think it's better than 99% of what's out there, but I'm willing to watch birds in flight for two hours if they're shot well.

 

[El Floppo]

Whoever suggested Equilibrium gets a wholehearted "SECONDED" from me.

Not sure if it was brought up here or in the "unknown" movie thread. Seems to be one of those movies that slip through the cracks and not many people have seen. Bale's popularity in through the roof now with the Batman movies, but up to this point people might have missed action movies like Equilibrium, Harsh Times, or Reign of Fire. Also movies that aren't in the genre like Laurel Canyon and The Machinist.

I just realized this week that I don't think I've even seen Reign of Fire (looked cheesy and I hate McConaughey). Probably pop that in soon. Also have The New World sitting at home to be watched too.

Despite some gay secks, I can't say enough good things about Velvet Goldmine. A perfect example of Bale's range.

I always get Velvet and Hedwig mixed up.... but both are worthwhile.You had me at gay secks.

 

[jamny]

Will watch Hellboy II tomorrow.

What say ye?

?

?

 

[El Floppo]

ALMOST went to see the new Mike Leigh movie in the theater (!!!) on a real, live date-night. Maybe next time... looks good though.

 

[jamny]

I also have The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (thanks to this thread)but that seems more like Sunday night fare.

 

[Anonymous Internet User]

Casino Royale (6/10) - Loved the new Bond. Solid action sequences. Plot was a little too contrived and had too many holes.

Genghis Khan: To the ends of the earth - 3/10 - I really wanted to enjoy this movie, but I didn't. I know almost nothing about Genghs Khan, but the portrayal hardly seemed realistic.

City of God - 8.5/10 - Loved this portrayal of gang life in Rio de Janeiro.

You loved Casino Royale, but only a 6 ?If you want to check out a Genghis Khan flick, Id watch that new one "Mongol". I have yet to see it, but everything Ive heard about it has been positive

Yep. City of God is truly brilliant.

I would have enjoyed Casino Royale more if it wasn't a "Bond" movie because they took the character in a whole other direction, I have the feeling that Quantam of Solace is going to take it further in that direction.Indiana Jones, absolutely terrible, Lucas has gone so far off the deep end in the last 15 years it is ridiculous if he thinks anyone is still buying his shtick, he is making hundreds of millions on nostalgia alone.

Mongol can best be compared to a less violent and intense Braveheart, I enjoyed it, but nothing truely spectacular, its the first in a trilogy they are going to make about Khan I guess.

City of God, brilliant, enough said.

The sequel, Mongoloid, hasn't been getting good reviews.

 

[jdoggydogg]

ALMOST went to see the new Mike Leigh movie in the theater (!!!) on a real, live date-night. Maybe next time... looks good though.

I like Mike Leigh, but I want to murder the woman in his new movie.

 

[jamny]

Casino Royale (6/10) - Loved the new Bond. Solid action sequences. Plot was a little too contrived and had too many holes.

Genghis Khan: To the ends of the earth - 3/10 - I really wanted to enjoy this movie, but I didn't. I know almost nothing about Genghs Khan, but the portrayal hardly seemed realistic.

City of God - 8.5/10 - Loved this portrayal of gang life in Rio de Janeiro.

You loved Casino Royale, but only a 6 ?If you want to check out a Genghis Khan flick, Id watch that new one "Mongol". I have yet to see it, but everything Ive heard about it has been positive

Yep. City of God is truly brilliant.

I would have enjoyed Casino Royale more if it wasn't a "Bond" movie because they took the character in a whole other direction, I have the feeling that Quantam of Solace is going to take it further in that direction.Indiana Jones, absolutely terrible, Lucas has gone so far off the deep end in the last 15 years it is ridiculous if he thinks anyone is still buying his shtick, he is making hundreds of millions on nostalgia alone.

Mongol can best be compared to a less violent and intense Braveheart, I enjoyed it, but nothing truely spectacular, its the first in a trilogy they are going to make about Khan I guess.

City of God, brilliant, enough said.

The sequel, Mongoloid, hasn't been getting good reviews.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Will watch Hellboy II tomorrow.What say ye? ? ?

More fun than the first. And I liked the first except for the ending.

 

[acapella]

City of God - 8.5/10

Superhero Movie - 8/10

I would like to point out there is something ####ed up about your rating system.

A fair point. And one I considered when making that post. Two completely dfferent movies that I enjoyed a great deal, for completely different reasons.

 

[acapella]

Casino Royale (6/10) - Loved the new Bond. Solid action sequences. Plot was a little too contrived and had too many holes.

Genghis Khan: To the ends of the earth - 3/10 - I really wanted to enjoy this movie, but I didn't. I know almost nothing about Genghs Khan, but the portrayal hardly seemed realistic.

City of God - 8.5/10 - Loved this portrayal of gang life in Rio de Janeiro.

You loved Casino Royale, but only a 6 ?

I like Daniel Craig's portrayal of the new Bond. I like the changes they have made to the character. But the movie itself had some pretty noticeable flaws.

 

[Regular Crust Pizza]

Whoever suggested Equilibrium gets a wholehearted "SECONDED" from me.

Not sure if it was brought up here or in the "unknown" movie thread. Seems to be one of those movies that slip through the cracks and not many people have seen. Bale's popularity in through the roof now with the Batman movies, but up to this point people might have missed action movies like Equilibrium, Harsh Times, or Reign of Fire. Also movies that aren't in the genre like Laurel Canyon and The Machinist.

I just realized this week that I don't think I've even seen Reign of Fire (looked cheesy and I hate McConaughey). Probably pop that in soon. Also have The New World sitting at home to be watched too.

I don't know how Equilibrium didn't get more love from the general public. Great movie.

 

[El Floppo]

ALMOST went to see the new Mike Leigh movie in the theater (!!!) on a real, live date-night. Maybe next time... looks good though.

I like Mike Leigh, but I want to murder the woman in his new movie.

From what I understand, that's the point... at least for us debbie-downers.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

It seems to me that way back there in this thread, Waitress got panned, but I finally got around to watching it this weekend, and me and the gf really liked it. I laughed out loud on several occasions during this movie. Especially whenever the 5 minute dater who made up spontaneous love poems was on. Hilarious. Really sad that the writer/director/Dawn was murdered right before the release of this. She was really talented and funny. Anywho, if you're going to watch a movie with your woman, and she wants a chick flick, you can do far worse than this one. (4/5)

Earl: "Say something dirty, baby."

Jenna: "What do you want me to say?"

Earl: "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. That was great, baby."

 

[saintfool]

Seraphim Falls --- a modern western with Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan

I like both these actors so I figured I would enjoy this. Unfortunately the entire movie is really nothing more than posse chasing wanted man through the wilderness. The ending was weak too imo.

It had a few good moments. If you're a huge fan of westerns you might want to check it out.

Caught this over the weekend. Pretty much a spot on assessment there. It was filled with beautiful locations. The actors weren't given much to work with in terms of plot or script. The ending was laughably bad.

 

[jdoggydogg]

ALMOST went to see the new Mike Leigh movie in the theater (!!!) on a real, live date-night. Maybe next time... looks good though.

I like Mike Leigh, but I want to murder the woman in his new movie.

From what I understand, that's the point... at least for us debbie-downers.

I couldn't stand one minute of her in a trailer. I don't know how I could take 2 hours of that.

 

[Sweet J]

Saw "Princess Mononoke" this weekend. Japanamation, very well written, well edited, some beautiful scenes. A little too long, though, and the actions of the main protagonist didn't make sense to me. Why was he helping the humans at the Iron City, when they were clearly chowderheads and destroying the forest?

overall, maybe a 7.5/10. It gets knocked down a peg because it was a little long, and I couldn't understand the main character's motivations.

 

[krista4]

It seems to me that way back there in this thread, Waitress got panned, but I finally got around to watching it this weekend, and me and the gf really liked it. I laughed out loud on several occasions during this movie. Especially whenever the 5 minute dater who made up spontaneous love poems was on. Hilarious. Really sad that the writer/director/Dawn was murdered right before the release of this. She was really talented and funny. Anywho, if you're going to watch a movie with your woman, and she wants a chick flick, you can do far worse than this one. (4/5)

Earl: "Say something dirty, baby."

Jenna: "What do you want me to say?"

Earl: "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. That was great, baby."

I was one of the people who absolutely hated this movie. Trite, boring, and the lead actress had a Costner-esque fake accent. From my weekend:



Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

Forty Shades of Blue: Proved false my boyfriend's claim that "anything with Rip Torn in it must be good". Horribly dull. 1.5/5

Come Early Morning: Decent Ashley Judd drama in which she's an alcoholic with daddy/relationship issues. She's an awfully good actress and very believable in this role. Just not much of substance here that would give it a great recommendation, but interesting enough. Losing half a point because I realized partway through it had been on the Lifetime Movie Channel, 2.5/5.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

GBG is one of my favorites of the last couple years. The wife and I watched it this weekend too (2nd time for me). Agree with your spoiler, but definately not an easy answer to the movie (esp. with the closing scene). I've been reading some of Lehane's other books (have liked them all), one thing struck me as a big miscast was Patrick's friend Bubba. Not even close to what he is in the book, but it's a minor complaint and doesn't take away from the movie.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

 

[krista4]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

No doubt. Given the preformances, this is a movie that could have been great in the hands of a better director.

 

[jaybebo]

Kung Fu Panda - 7/10 - Even for an animated feature film, this is a very good movie that has some very good one-liners and a nice lesson at the end of the film. Great for kids over the age of 8/9.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

I was one of the people who absolutely hated this movie.

Gonna lower our Netflix compatibility percentage.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

Probably knew, but both are movies by the same author. I'll admit that I don't know much about directing and honestly don't pay a lot of thought to it while I watched the movie. Wondering what you are talking about that got handled incorrectly. What do you think was "too obvious" for example?

 

[yinzer]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

No doubt. Given the preformances, this is a movie that could have been great in the hands of a better director.

I dont think you can knock the direction too much, and like KP said, it was Afflecks 1st time.Michelle Monaghan is decent in some movies (kiss kiss bang bang comes to mind), but yeah, nothing much here.

The supporting, supporting cast was great, as was Ed Harris

I think Amy Ryan and Casey Affleck def carried it though. I still dont know how Affleck got nominated for Jesse James and not this. I thought Pitt overshadowed him in JJ and like I said, he carried GBG and IMO had a better performance.

 

[yinzer]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

I thought that movie was fantastic, even if you thought it might be a little flawed, I still dont see how you wouldnt at least recommend it to most

You be 1 tough critic :(

 

[yinzer]

The Strangers

I know numerous ppl have talked about this. Thought it was okay for the most part - but I think they took too long to have the couple captured and any tension that was there was gone by 45 minutes in (though I did love the scene with Glenn Howerton from Always Sunny in Philly ).

For as okay as the first 70 minutes was, the ending totally blew

mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("

Im assuming this case is unsolved, but how do they not at least say that or elaborate on the murders a little? Did Liv Tyler's character actually survive in real life, or was that added for the movie (my guess)?

I thought when the 1st masked person revealed themselves, Liv said a name and acted like she recognized this person, and shortly after the guy as well. Did I imagine this?*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();

 

[Killerclown]

The Strangers was not based on real life at all, the only event was the director once had someone knock on the door as a kid and ended up they were robbers and broke into another house in the neighbourhood were no one was home.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

House Of Sand & Fog

One of the more sorrowful movies I have seen. It was steeped in grief. I can't say enough about Jennifer Connelly, she absorbed this role. Her sadness seemed to come from within; there was nothing superficial about her performance.

I don't know anything about her personal life other than she is married to the tall blond dude she starred with in "A Beautiful Mind", but in looking over her imdb page she seems to mostly take roles that involve a lot of sadness.

Little Children

Requiem For A Dream

Waking The Dead

Mulholland Falls

Higher Learning

I wonder if there is a connection.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

Probably knew, but both are movies by the same author. I'll admit that I don't know much about directing and honestly don't pay a lot of thought to it while I watched the movie. Wondering what you are talking about that got handled incorrectly. What do you think was "too obvious" for example?

I haven't watched Gone Baby Gone in a long time, so specifics might be tough. To reiterate, I like the first 2/3 of the movie. I just recall an overall feeling that when Affleck could have made something subtle in the final 1/3, he went for obvious.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

No doubt. Given the preformances, this is a movie that could have been great in the hands of a better director.

I dont think you can knock the direction too much, and like KP said, it was Afflecks 1st time.Michelle Monaghan is decent in some movies (kiss kiss bang bang comes to mind), but yeah, nothing much here.

The supporting, supporting cast was great, as was Ed Harris

I think Amy Ryan and Casey Affleck def carried it though. I still dont know how Affleck got nominated for Jesse James and not this. I thought Pitt overshadowed him in JJ and like I said, he carried GBG and IMO had a better performance.

Casey was outstanding in Gone Baby Gone - but I'd make the same argument for his work in Jesse James. I think with those two movies, Casey's already proven he's a better actor than Ben.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

I thought that movie was fantastic, even if you thought it might be a little flawed, I still dont see how you wouldnt at least recommend it to most

You be 1 tough critic

I don't think I said the movie was bad. I just think the last 1/3 could have been better. Gone Baby Gone has enough outstanding performances to automatically elevate the movie above 80% of most Hollywood pablum.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I can't say enough about Jennifer Connelly, she absorbed this role. Her sadness seemed to come from within; there was nothing superficial about her performance. I don't know anything about her personal life other than she is married to the tall blond dude she starred with in "A Beautiful Mind", but in looking over her imdb page she seems to mostly take roles that involve a lot of sadness.

Little Children

Requiem For A Dream

Two of the best movies I've seen in the past few years.

 

[Sabertooth]

Rented Transsiberian over the weekend. Pretty solid but the ending was way off for me. Seemed really forced.

 

[hooter311]

The Lazarus Project

For some reason this appealed to me when I read the synopsis. Basically, a man is sentenced to lethal injection in Texas and instead wakes up as a groundsman at a mental institution in the middle of Oregon. Is he dead? Is he alive? Is he in purgatory? Limbo? The answer is more uninteresting then anything your imagination could make up. I know Paul Walker's acting can single handedly destroy a movie, but the plot takes more of the blame than him and his contrived "acting" abilities. Avoid at all costs.

I really enjoyed Running Scared, one of the best action films of recent memory, which is why I thought this at least might be something I could enjoy, I was very wrong.

1/5

 

[belljr]

National Treasure 2 - whatever it's called . Now that was a popcorn flick but I enjoyed it. Was the chick hotter in this one?

 

[SKribbles]

National Treasure 2 - whatever it's called . Now that was a popcorn flick but I enjoyed it. Was the chick hotter in this one?

Have you seen the first one? I was pretty disappointed with the 2nd compared to the 1st. I didn't have high expectations but it still came up short. But yes, this chick was far hotter.

 

[yinzer]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

No doubt. Given the preformances, this is a movie that could have been great in the hands of a better director.

I dont think you can knock the direction too much, and like KP said, it was Afflecks 1st time.Michelle Monaghan is decent in some movies (kiss kiss bang bang comes to mind), but yeah, nothing much here.

The supporting, supporting cast was great, as was Ed Harris

I think Amy Ryan and Casey Affleck def carried it though. I still dont know how Affleck got nominated for Jesse James and not this. I thought Pitt overshadowed him in JJ and like I said, he carried GBG and IMO had a better performance.

Casey was outstanding in Gone Baby Gone - but I'd make the same argument for his work in Jesse James. I think with those two movies, Casey's already proven he's a better actor than Ben.

I thought he was very good in JJ as well, just better in GBG and he was the standout in that (and probably still considered a supporting actor, but maybe not), whereas with as good as he was in JJ, I thought Pitt almost stole the show

 

[yinzer]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

I thought that movie was fantastic, even if you thought it might be a little flawed, I still dont see how you wouldnt at least recommend it to most

You be 1 tough critic

I don't think I said the movie was bad. I just think the last 1/3 could have been better. Gone Baby Gone has enough outstanding performances to automatically elevate the movie above 80% of most Hollywood pablum.

I was talking about Mystic River here

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

I thought that movie was fantastic, even if you thought it might be a little flawed, I still dont see how you wouldnt at least recommend it to most

You be 1 tough critic

I don't think I said the movie was bad. I just think the last 1/3 could have been better. Gone Baby Gone has enough outstanding performances to automatically elevate the movie above 80% of most Hollywood pablum.

I was talking about Mystic River here

As with Gone, Baby, Gone, I haven't seen Mystic River in a long time. So quantifying my objections won't be easy. I don't know if you watch a lot of movies. But as a 41 year old that has seen a lot of films, I just tire of these cliches fairly quickly.

 

[piratemike]

Gone Baby Gone: Lots of people have reviewed this one, so I won't say much. Very different than I expected, but a pleasant surprise. Kept wondering how/where they found all the actors playing all those lowlifes--geez, the casting was brilliant. Casey Affleck continues to impress. 4/5

I liked the wierdo casting. The mom was incredible. Casey Affleck was outstanding, but this movie didn't work for me. I didn't care about his girlfriend or her pretty face. The direction was sophomoric.

The girlfriend was the one character that didn't work for me. She seemed like a throw-in. I wonder if her character is better developed in the book (KP can weigh in on this?).

Haven't read Gone Baby Gone, but there are 5 books in the series that feature those characters. In the couple other books she does seem to have more of a role and is a little better developed in the books. Have to read the first couple, though. The book I just got done with is the one right after GBG and b/c of the events in that book/movie she wasn't around much at the beginning. Come on, JDogg - give Ben a break. It was his first go as a director, and you have to admit his directing is still about 50x better than his acting.

Well, to analyze Affleck's direction: there was a feel to the movie early on that reminded me of another flawd movie - Mystic River. I say that as a complement, becuase while I don't recommend Mystic River, Clint Eastwood's direction was solid. So I think for the first half or so, you have a nicely-photographed film with a good, somber feel. But in the last 1/3 or so, I just don't like how a lot of that material was handled. When Ben Affleck could have gone for subtle, he went for the obvious.I think Ben's a decent actor, not great. He was good in Hollywoodland.

I thought that movie was fantastic, even if you thought it might be a little flawed, I still dont see how you wouldnt at least recommend it to most

You be 1 tough critic

I don't think I said the movie was bad. I just think the last 1/3 could have been better. Gone Baby Gone has enough outstanding performances to automatically elevate the movie above 80% of most Hollywood pablum.

I was talking about Mystic River here

As with Gone, Baby, Gone, I haven't seen Mystic River in a long time. So quantifying my objections won't be easy. I don't know if you watch a lot of movies. But as a 41 year old that has seen a lot of films, I just tire of these cliches fairly quickly.

I couldn't agree more re: MR. I remember really enjoying the movie and then totally hating the last third. Ruined it for me.

 

[jaybebo]

WALL-E - 8/10

Good animation...nice story line...even had a simple message that kids can understand...

 

[jdoggydogg]

WALL-E - 8/10

Good animation...nice story line...even had a simple message that kids can understand...

I liked it

 

[bigbottom]

I guess I'm on an Emily Mortimer kick, as I've seen both Transsiberian and Redbelt in the past week. Enjoyed both a great deal. Up next is Mongol. I don't think she's in that one.

Oh, I also caught Sukiyaki Western Django, an English-language Japanese spaghetti western. Don't waste your time. It's pretty horrible.

 

[tdoss]

I guess I'm on an Emily Mortimer kick, as I've seen both Transsiberian and Redbelt in the past week. Enjoyed both a great deal. Up next is Mongol. I don't think she's in that one.Oh, I also caught Sukiyaki Western Django, an English-language Japanese spaghetti western. Don't waste your time. It's pretty horrible.

That bums me out about Django...it looked great from the previews.

 

[bigbottom]

I guess I'm on an Emily Mortimer kick, as I've seen both Transsiberian and Redbelt in the past week. Enjoyed both a great deal. Up next is Mongol. I don't think she's in that one.Oh, I also caught Sukiyaki Western Django, an English-language Japanese spaghetti western. Don't waste your time. It's pretty horrible.

That bums me out about Django...it looked great from the previews.

Yeah, the trailer was awesome, but the flick was brutal.