Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (9 Viewers)

[Kenny Powers]

Caught The Believer with Ryan Gosling playing a jewish skinhead/anti-semite. Amazing performance by him, but a pretty silly movie otherwise. Billy Zane fer chrissakes.

Well, being jewish and a skinhead doesnt make a lot of sense, but I thought Gosling pulled it off and was great. Liked the movie a lot.Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

He was really good in Half Nelson.

....and Lars and the Real Girl, United States of Leland, and FractureHighly recommend United States of Leland to anyone who hasnt seen it

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Bronson - Tom Hardy was fantastic. I think he will emerge as one of the greats down the road. This movie didn't get much play and I can understand why. Reminded me a little of a stripped down version of A Clockwork Orange without offering the rhyme or reason behind the mood swings and violence of Charlie Bronson. Very crazy movie to say the least. Well worth at least one viewing as long as you can handle some male nudity.

Five Easy Pieces - Jack Nicholson is just fantastic. This movie started out slow and I didn't know where it was heading but by the time he reunites with his past we are finally given the true rebel in the main character Bobby. Great movie.

Bronson looks really cool based on the trailer. I know Five Easy Pieces is a classic. But as well made as it is, I am not a fan.

This is the first time your movie taste has disappointed me. My favorite Nicholson movie of all-time.

The more I talk film with people the more surprised I am at how these great movies still divide people. When you love a film, it's almost inconceivable that everyone doesn't love it. One of my favorite critics is Mick Lasalle. He writes for the San Francisco Chronicle. He's a good writer, but the funny thing is I almost never agree with him.

Very true. My college roommate and I share very similar movie tastes.....except he loves Forest Gump (I dislike it) and I love Deer Hunter (he dislikes it). We're both :shuked: at these differences....but it happens.Take it as a compliment jdogg - your movie recs haven't generally steered me wrong so far.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Highly recommend United States of Leland to anyone who hasnt seen it

Very good movie. Ditto on the rec.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Caught The Believer with Ryan Gosling playing a jewish skinhead/anti-semite. Amazing performance by him, but a pretty silly movie otherwise. Billy Zane fer chrissakes.

Well, being jewish and a skinhead doesnt make a lot of sense, but I thought Gosling pulled it off and was great. Liked the movie a lot.Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

He was really good in Half Nelson.

....and Lars and the Real Girl, United States of Leland, and FractureHighly recommend United States of Leland to anyone who hasnt seen it

Sweet. I added it to the queue.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Bronson - Tom Hardy was fantastic. I think he will emerge as one of the greats down the road. This movie didn't get much play and I can understand why. Reminded me a little of a stripped down version of A Clockwork Orange without offering the rhyme or reason behind the mood swings and violence of Charlie Bronson. Very crazy movie to say the least. Well worth at least one viewing as long as you can handle some male nudity.

Five Easy Pieces - Jack Nicholson is just fantastic. This movie started out slow and I didn't know where it was heading but by the time he reunites with his past we are finally given the true rebel in the main character Bobby. Great movie.

Bronson looks really cool based on the trailer. I know Five Easy Pieces is a classic. But as well made as it is, I am not a fan.

This is the first time your movie taste has disappointed me. My favorite Nicholson movie of all-time.

The more I talk film with people the more surprised I am at how these great movies still divide people. When you love a film, it's almost inconceivable that everyone doesn't love it. One of my favorite critics is Mick Lasalle. He writes for the San Francisco Chronicle. He's a good writer, but the funny thing is I almost never agree with him.

Very true. My college roommate and I share very similar movie tastes.....except he loves Forest Gump (I dislike it) and I love Deer Hunter (he dislikes it). We're both :shuked: at these differences....but it happens.Take it as a compliment jdogg - your movie recs haven't generally steered me wrong so far.

You're right about Forrest Gump The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

 

[El Floppo]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

 

[whoknew]

Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Wooh-wooh-wooh. You can't just throw that out there so casually.Jason Schwartzman and that Third Rock from the Sun Dude (Gordon Levitt or whatever) are just as good as Gosling.

 

[whoknew]

You're right about Forrest Gump The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

Its become cool to say Forrest Gump sucks. But it doesn't. Its awesome.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

I had a similar experience with Platoon. Platoon was a landmark film - in that it was one of the first (if not the first) smash hit American film that showed Vietnam in a negative manner. I was much younger when I saw Platoon, and as is the case with many Oliver Stone movies, the dramatic material and the acting was excellent. But once I saw Apocalypse and Jacket, my estimation of Platoon was knocked down quite a few pegs. Platoon has very important and relevant themes. And yet, Platoon doesn't come close to the true art that is Apocalypse and Jacket.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Wooh-wooh-wooh. You can't just throw that out there so casually.Jason Schwartzman and that Third Rock from the Sun Dude (Gordon Levitt or whatever) are just as good as Gosling.

I like Schwartzman. I know that Levitt is a trendy pick for "best actor of his generation." However, I've yet to see Levitt come close to what Gosling did in Half Nelson.

 

[jdoggydogg]

You're right about Forrest Gump The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

Its become cool to say Forrest Gump sucks. But it doesn't. Its awesome.

I don't say it because I think it's cool. I say it because I think Gump is a bunch of feel-good, populist dreck. I consider myself a Tom Hanks fan. He's excellent in almost every movie he's appeared in. I understand the appeal of Gump. But ultimately, Forrest Gump is a pointless, ephemeral experience.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Wooh-wooh-wooh. You can't just throw that out there so casually.Jason Schwartzman and that Third Rock from the Sun Dude (Gordon Levitt or whatever) are just as good as Gosling.

Wasnt being casual about that at all. I think Gosling is that good and his performances can back it up.Schwartzman feels like a one trick pony to me for the most part. He's good, but I never would consider him great and there would be a bunch of actors Id put ahead of him.Joseph Gordon Levitt I think is great, and is actually one of the few that could give Gosling a run for his money as best actor under 30. Besides JGL, Emile Hirsch and Jake Gyllenhaal are probably the only other actors Id strongly consider. A few others like Ben Foster, Paul Dano, Jamie Bell have potential. Only women that I can think of that are close would be Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams, maybe Anna Paquin.Heath Ledger would be 30 now I think, and if he was still around, he be the only actor Id personally say is better than Gosling as of now.

 

[Kenny Powers]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

I had a similar experience with Platoon. Platoon was a landmark film - in that it was one of the first (if not the first) smash hit American film that showed Vietnam in a negative manner. I was much younger when I saw Platoon, and as is the case with many Oliver Stone movies, the dramatic material and the acting was excellent. But once I saw Apocalypse and Jacket, my estimation of Platoon was knocked down quite a few pegs. Platoon has very important and relevant themes. And yet, Platoon doesn't come close to the true art that is Apocalypse and Jacket.

I definitely like Platoon more than FMJacket. The first half of FMJ is great, but the 2nd half takes it out of any best war movie talk or anything for me. Battle scenes are the worst I can think of for a movie that is widely considered very good.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Wooh-wooh-wooh. You can't just throw that out there so casually.Jason Schwartzman and that Third Rock from the Sun Dude (Gordon Levitt or whatever) are just as good as Gosling.

Wasnt being casual about that at all. I think Gosling is that good and his performances can back it up.Schwartzman feels like a one trick pony to me for the most part. He's good, but I never would consider him great and there would be a bunch of actors Id put ahead of him.Joseph Gordon Levitt I think is great, and is actually one of the few that could give Gosling a run for his money as best actor under 30. Besides JGL, Emile Hirsch and Jake Gyllenhaal are probably the only other actors Id strongly consider. A few others like Ben Foster, Paul Dano, Jamie Bell have potential. Only women that I can think of that are close would be Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams, maybe Anna Paquin.Heath Ledger would be 30 now I think, and if he was still around, he be the only actor Id personally say is better than Gosling as of now.

I think most actors under 30 stink, so it's not that easy to come up with a long list. Seems like many great actors do their best work as they get older. I was trying to brainstorm some great young actors, and the only one that immediately came to mind was Cillian Murphy. He was 28 when "28 Days Later" came out.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Wooh-wooh-wooh. You can't just throw that out there so casually.Jason Schwartzman and that Third Rock from the Sun Dude (Gordon Levitt or whatever) are just as good as Gosling.

Wasnt being casual about that at all. I think Gosling is that good and his performances can back it up.Schwartzman feels like a one trick pony to me for the most part. He's good, but I never would consider him great and there would be a bunch of actors Id put ahead of him.Joseph Gordon Levitt I think is great, and is actually one of the few that could give Gosling a run for his money as best actor under 30. Besides JGL, Emile Hirsch and Jake Gyllenhaal are probably the only other actors Id strongly consider. A few others like Ben Foster, Paul Dano, Jamie Bell have potential. Only women that I can think of that are close would be Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams, maybe Anna Paquin.Heath Ledger would be 30 now I think, and if he was still around, he be the only actor Id personally say is better than Gosling as of now.

I think most actors under 30 stink, so it's not that easy to come up with a long list. Seems like many great actors do their best work as they get older. I was trying to brainstorm some great young actors, and the only one that immediately came to mind was Cillian Murphy. He was 28 when "28 Days Later" came out.

Agreed that most under 30 arent very good or anywhere near best actor around, but disagree with anyone I listed?I'd be hard pressed to think of anyone Id consider to be very good that I didnt throw out there

 

[dude]

Finally saw The Warriors. Fun flick, reminded me of Escape from New York.

Be sure to check out Streets of Fire and the Wanderers. You haven't lived till you've seen a good sledge hammer fight.

The Wanderers is one of my all-time favorites.

dont #### with the Wongs...

 

[Kenny Powers]

These all have potential:Love RanchThe Last Airbender

Love Ranch looks interesting, good cast too. I was hoping Pesci was going to play the guy who owns the Bunny Ranch, Dennis Hof, but apparently there was some other brothel in Nevada or they changed the names for the movie (which wouldnt exactly make sense since that place is so famous).Last Airbender has no potential whatsoever because it is directed by M. Night Shalamalamalan

 

[Gr00vus]

Caught Rocky on TCM last night. Hadn't seen it in forever. Holy cow is the production quality bad. It was like a slightly higher budget White Shadow episode. To make it look even worse they played The Natural right after it. Amazing what 8 years and I guess a lot more money can do.

 

[curta269]

Big thumbs down to The Wolfman. I don't mind the $5.00 I blew, but I'm mad about the 2 hours I spent watching it.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Wooh-wooh-wooh. You can't just throw that out there so casually.Jason Schwartzman and that Third Rock from the Sun Dude (Gordon Levitt or whatever) are just as good as Gosling.

Wasnt being casual about that at all. I think Gosling is that good and his performances can back it up.Schwartzman feels like a one trick pony to me for the most part. He's good, but I never would consider him great and there would be a bunch of actors Id put ahead of him.Joseph Gordon Levitt I think is great, and is actually one of the few that could give Gosling a run for his money as best actor under 30. Besides JGL, Emile Hirsch and Jake Gyllenhaal are probably the only other actors Id strongly consider. A few others like Ben Foster, Paul Dano, Jamie Bell have potential. Only women that I can think of that are close would be Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams, maybe Anna Paquin.Heath Ledger would be 30 now I think, and if he was still around, he be the only actor Id personally say is better than Gosling as of now.

I think most actors under 30 stink, so it's not that easy to come up with a long list. Seems like many great actors do their best work as they get older. I was trying to brainstorm some great young actors, and the only one that immediately came to mind was Cillian Murphy. He was 28 when "28 Days Later" came out.

Agreed that most under 30 arent very good or anywhere near best actor around, but disagree with anyone I listed?I'd be hard pressed to think of anyone Id consider to be very good that I didnt throw out there

I don't disagree with your list! I was just commenting on the fact that it was hard to come up with several good, young actors.Ben Foster was outstanding in 3:10 To Yuma. I like Natalie Portman - especially in The Professional. Not sure about Paul Dano. We're assuming he is playing a character in There Will Be Blood. But he was such a tool in an interview I heard with him on NPR, I am not convinced that was acting. Jamie Bell was really good in The Chumscrubber. Jamie Bell's going to play Tintin in the Tintin movie, by the way.

 

[jdoggydogg]

These all have potential:Love RanchThe Last Airbender

Love Ranch looks interesting, good cast too. I was hoping Pesci was going to play the guy who owns the Bunny Ranch, Dennis Hof, but apparently there was some other brothel in Nevada or they changed the names for the movie (which wouldnt exactly make sense since that place is so famous).Last Airbender has no potential whatsoever because it is directed by M. Night Shalamalamalan

To drop a name, my ILM buddy worked on The Last Airbender. While she says the movie has some problems, she said M Night Shamalamadingdong is much more humble than he used to be. She said he used to be such a tool that she refused to work with him. Airbender could suck, but you wouldn't know it from the trailer I saw at Iron Man 2. Looks pretty awesome.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Big thumbs down to The Wolfman. I don't mind the $5.00 I blew, but I'm mad about the 2 hours I spent watching it.

Dammit! I really wanted to see that one.

 

[Chaka]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

I had a similar experience with Platoon. Platoon was a landmark film - in that it was one of the first (if not the first) smash hit American film that showed Vietnam in a negative manner. I was much younger when I saw Platoon, and as is the case with many Oliver Stone movies, the dramatic material and the acting was excellent. But once I saw Apocalypse and Jacket, my estimation of Platoon was knocked down quite a few pegs. Platoon has very important and relevant themes. And yet, Platoon doesn't come close to the true art that is Apocalypse and Jacket.

Solid movies but all of them pale in comparison to Uncommon Valor, the greatest Vietnam movie of all time.

 

[Kenny Powers]

These all have potential:Love RanchThe Last Airbender

Love Ranch looks interesting, good cast too. I was hoping Pesci was going to play the guy who owns the Bunny Ranch, Dennis Hof, but apparently there was some other brothel in Nevada or they changed the names for the movie (which wouldnt exactly make sense since that place is so famous).Last Airbender has no potential whatsoever because it is directed by M. Night Shalamalamalan

To drop a name, my ILM buddy worked on The Last Airbender. While she says the movie has some problems, she said M Night Shamalamadingdong is much more humble than he used to be. She said he used to be such a tool that she refused to work with him. Airbender could suck, but you wouldn't know it from the trailer I saw at Iron Man 2. Looks pretty awesome.

Maybe, but the ending will still suck at least

 

[Kenny Powers]

I don't disagree with your list! I was just commenting on the fact that it was hard to come up with several good, young actors.Ben Foster was outstanding in 3:10 To Yuma. I like Natalie Portman - especially in The Professional. Not sure about Paul Dano. We're assuming he is playing a character in There Will Be Blood. But he was such a tool in an interview I heard with him on NPR, I am not convinced that was acting. Jamie Bell was really good in The Chumscrubber. Jamie Bell's going to play Tintin in the Tintin movie, by the way.

Yeah, Dano Im less sure about and dont like him as much as the rest of them personally, but it looks like he has talent.Other solid movies with those actors: Liberty Heights, Bang Bang Youre Dead, Hostage, Alpha Dog (his performance at least) for Ben Foster.....Undertow and Defiance for Jamie Bell.....L.I.E., Ballad of Jack and Rose, The Girl Next Door, Little Miss Sunshine (obviously) for Paul DanoJGL, Gyllenhaal, Hirsch, Portman, and Williams' best performances have all been well documented and in bigger movies for the most part. Only under the radar movies I could think of would be Gyllenhaal in The Good Girl, and a personal favorite but not for everyone, Highway. And JGL for The Lookout.

 

[Bojang0301]

Caught The Believer with Ryan Gosling playing a jewish skinhead/anti-semite. Amazing performance by him, but a pretty silly movie otherwise. Billy Zane fer chrissakes.

Well, being jewish and a skinhead doesnt make a lot of sense, but I thought Gosling pulled it off and was great. Liked the movie a lot.Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Ben Foster and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are pretty good as well.Edit to add: Blue Valentine clip - This looks like it will be pretty fantastic. Gosling is pretty damn good.

 

[Bojang0301]

Finally recieved and watched The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. A beautiful and fantastic movie. I think they held onto the first person a bit too much but it was incredibly affective. Very emotional film that gives meaning to the value of life in whatever form it comes in.

 

[D_House]

Roger & Me - Ive previously seen Bowling for Columbine, which I disliked, but have read that Roger & Me is Moore's best. Obviously it's flawed, one-sided, and shrill. And this viewing didn't change my opinion on Moore's style, which I find to vary between being exploitative and condescending of his subjects. However the documentation of a city in collapse coupled with some truly farcical moments that border on the sublime make this worth the watch.

 

[Chaka]

Finally recieved and watched The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. A beautiful and fantastic movie. I think they held onto the first person a bit too much but it was incredibly affective. Very emotional film that gives meaning to the value of life in whatever form it comes in.

Powerful movie.If I am ever in a similar situation please kill me.

 

[Statorama]

Undisputed III was better than your average DTV release. Good action, nice pacing, and an easily digestable plot. International fighting competition between prisoners from around the world, with the winner gaining his freedom. Seeing Undisputed II would help, but doesn't kill the enjoyment of this one.

Not as gory, but similar vibe to movies like Ninja Assassin. Just mindless fun.

Prince of Persia was the kind of movie they used to make. Swashbuckling action, an unbelievably beautiful damsel in distress, a dastardly villain with a dark secret, a band of rogues that joins the hero in his quest regarding an ancient secret....old school Disney stuff. I liked it better than Iron Man 2, thats for sure.

 

[Chaka]

Prince of Persia was the kind of movie they used to make. Swashbuckling action, an unbelievably beautiful damsel in distress, a dastardly villain with a dark secret, a band of rogues that joins the hero in his quest regarding an ancient secret....old school Disney stuff. I liked it better than Iron Man 2, thats for sure.

That kind of sounds like every movie ever made.

 

[Statorama]

Prince of Persia was the kind of movie they used to make. Swashbuckling action, an unbelievably beautiful damsel in distress, a dastardly villain with a dark secret, a band of rogues that joins the hero in his quest regarding an ancient secret....old school Disney stuff. I liked it better than Iron Man 2, thats for sure.

That kind of sounds like every movie ever made.

Eh, it's summer blockbuster time.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Caught The Believer with Ryan Gosling playing a jewish skinhead/anti-semite. Amazing performance by him, but a pretty silly movie otherwise. Billy Zane fer chrissakes.

Well, being jewish and a skinhead doesnt make a lot of sense, but I thought Gosling pulled it off and was great. Liked the movie a lot.Gosling is probably the best actor under 30 IMO

Ben Foster and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are pretty good as well.Edit to add: Blue Valentine clip - This looks like it will be pretty fantastic. Gosling is pretty damn good.

That does look good. Doesnt look like theres an actual trailer for it yet but just a few random scenes around the interweb.Yeah, mentioned Foster and JGL as a couple in a handful of actors who could challenge Gosling as best actor a few posts back

 

[Kenny Powers]

Prince of Persia was the kind of movie they used to make. Swashbuckling action, an unbelievably beautiful damsel in distress, a dastardly villain with a dark secret, a band of rogues that joins the hero in his quest regarding an ancient secret....old school Disney stuff. I liked it better than Iron Man 2, thats for sure.

That kind of sounds like every movie ever made.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

I had a similar experience with Platoon. Platoon was a landmark film - in that it was one of the first (if not the first) smash hit American film that showed Vietnam in a negative manner. I was much younger when I saw Platoon, and as is the case with many Oliver Stone movies, the dramatic material and the acting was excellent. But once I saw Apocalypse and Jacket, my estimation of Platoon was knocked down quite a few pegs. Platoon has very important and relevant themes. And yet, Platoon doesn't come close to the true art that is Apocalypse and Jacket.

Solid movies but all of them pale in comparison to Uncommon Valor, the greatest Vietnam movie of all time.

I think I saw that in the early 80s but I'm having a hard time remembering it.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I don't disagree with your list! I was just commenting on the fact that it was hard to come up with several good, young actors.Ben Foster was outstanding in 3:10 To Yuma. I like Natalie Portman - especially in The Professional. Not sure about Paul Dano. We're assuming he is playing a character in There Will Be Blood. But he was such a tool in an interview I heard with him on NPR, I am not convinced that was acting. Jamie Bell was really good in The Chumscrubber. Jamie Bell's going to play Tintin in the Tintin movie, by the way.

Yeah, Dano Im less sure about and dont like him as much as the rest of them personally, but it looks like he has talent.Other solid movies with those actors: Liberty Heights, Bang Bang Youre Dead, Hostage, Alpha Dog (his performance at least) for Ben Foster.....Undertow and Defiance for Jamie Bell.....L.I.E., Ballad of Jack and Rose, The Girl Next Door, Little Miss Sunshine (obviously) for Paul DanoJGL, Gyllenhaal, Hirsch, Portman, and Williams' best performances have all been well documented and in bigger movies for the most part. Only under the radar movies I could think of would be Gyllenhaal in The Good Girl, and a personal favorite but not for everyone, Highway. And JGL for The Lookout.

I can see the talent in these young actors. But given the movies we've been discussing, Ben Foster in 3:10 To Yuma is one of the only transcendental performances I can think of. A character where the actor's young age is irrelevant because the character is so well played.I thought Camilla Belle showed a lot of promise in Chumscrubber. (Plus, she's stunning and I want to have her baby).

 

[Iraqi Information Minister]

I'm beginning to really DISlike Jake Gyllenhaal. I liked him in Donnie Darko but not much since.

And couldn't they find a Persian to play the Prince of Persia?

The girl in that movie is the one from Quantum of Solace.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Finally recieved and watched The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. A beautiful and fantastic movie. I think they held onto the first person a bit too much but it was incredibly affective. Very emotional film that gives meaning to the value of life in whatever form it comes in.

I love this movie. And while I love it for several reasons, these are probably the reasons it'll stick with me:#1) The film work is just beautiful. The way the cinematographer used light and lenses was stunning.

#2) So many movies tend to manipulate the audience. And more specifically, it feels like movies that show people suffering with these devastating injuries want you to feel sorry for the victims. Diving Bell doesn't do that at all. This guy is a sarcastic, egotistical guy and I rooted for him despite his flaws. I get the impression that physically challenged people want to be treated with respect, and this movie does just that.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Roger & Me - Ive previously seen Bowling for Columbine, which I disliked, but have read that Roger & Me is Moore's best. Obviously it's flawed, one-sided, and shrill. And this viewing didn't change my opinion on Moore's style, which I find to vary between being exploitative and condescending of his subjects. However the documentation of a city in collapse coupled with some truly farcical moments that border on the sublime make this worth the watch.

I really like Moore because he's a #### disturber. The world needs #### disturbers. However, I think his commentaries often hurt the content of his movies. For example, Fahrenheit 9/11 could have featured an impartial narration. Had the narration simply been done in a PBS Frontline style, the facts therein would have been much harder to argue. But when Moore uses his dramatic, biased narration, it's much easier for people to write the content off as biased subjectivity.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I'm beginning to really DISlike Jake Gyllenhaal. I liked him in Donnie Darko but not much since.

I don't think he's a versatile actor. In Darko and Jarhead, Gyllenhaal is perfect because he isn't some chameleon that can get lost in a role. But then you have Brokeback Mountain. I am not a fan of that movie, but Heath Ledger was excellent because I believed his character when he aged through the movie. Seeing Gyllenhaal in that fake mustache I thought, "Here's a young man trying to look old."

 

[Chaka]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

I had a similar experience with Platoon. Platoon was a landmark film - in that it was one of the first (if not the first) smash hit American film that showed Vietnam in a negative manner. I was much younger when I saw Platoon, and as is the case with many Oliver Stone movies, the dramatic material and the acting was excellent. But once I saw Apocalypse and Jacket, my estimation of Platoon was knocked down quite a few pegs. Platoon has very important and relevant themes. And yet, Platoon doesn't come close to the true art that is Apocalypse and Jacket.

Solid movies but all of them pale in comparison to Uncommon Valor, the greatest Vietnam movie of all time.

I think I saw that in the early 80s but I'm having a hard time remembering it.

" Boy, you just bought the whole can of WHOOP-###!!!"Best movie ever.

 

[Chaka]

Ong Bak - Who cares if it's a good movie, Tony Jaa can flippin' fly! Good Lord! One of the best athletic displays I have seen in films, I am having trouble thinking of an equivalent. I'm so impressed my vocabulary is reverting to early 20s level.

Ong Bak delivers what you want from this type of movie in spades. Jaa is wicked good.

 

[RJS113]

Ong Bak - Who cares if it's a good movie, Tony Jaa can flippin' fly! Good Lord! One of the best athletic displays I have seen in films, I am having trouble thinking of an equivalent. I'm so impressed my vocabulary is reverting to early 20s level. Ong Bak delivers what you want from this type of movie in spades. Jaa is wicked good.

 

[Iraqi Information Minister]

Raging Bull

Yeah. Just another overrated "classic". Dull story about a total loser.

And Scorsese might be a great director but the stories he chooses to direct are nearly universally lousy, IMHO.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

The Deer Hunter was one of the first Vietnam movies I ever saw, and it had a big impact on me. After having seen the other two big time Vietnam movies (Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket), I think Deer Hunter is a step down from those films. But obviously Deer Hunter is an important film.

This is this. This. Is. This.

I had a similar experience with Platoon. Platoon was a landmark film - in that it was one of the first (if not the first) smash hit American film that showed Vietnam in a negative manner. I was much younger when I saw Platoon, and as is the case with many Oliver Stone movies, the dramatic material and the acting was excellent. But once I saw Apocalypse and Jacket, my estimation of Platoon was knocked down quite a few pegs. Platoon has very important and relevant themes. And yet, Platoon doesn't come close to the true art that is Apocalypse and Jacket.

Solid movies but all of them pale in comparison to Uncommon Valor, the greatest Vietnam movie of all time.

Uncommon Valor - same plot done 10 times but still manages to be great.The cast was amazing. Hackman gives one of his best performances.

 

[Iraqi Information Minister]

Oh yeah, also saw The Man Who Wasn't There, another Cohen Brothers movie.

Worth a watch. The movie moves at the same pace as the main character which means slow. But it looks pretty cool.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Raging Bull

Yeah. Just another overrated "classic". Dull story about a total loser.

And Scorsese might be a great director but the stories he chooses to direct are nearly universally lousy, IMHO.

I agree with Raging Bull being terribly overrated, but I definitely wouldnt say the stories he directs are lousy

 

[Kenny Powers]

Monster's Ball...Saw this around when it came out, but didnt remember much outside of Halle Berry getting the business. Liked it more than I remembered, although a couple things distract me from really liking it. First, the movie feels like it is based in circa 1980 or so, but certain hints (cars made in the 90s, for one) show it was supposed to be taking place around when it was made, 2000. Also, I cant get around how Billy Bob's character goes from being a black-hating racist, to Halle Berry's lover. Now, the argument could be made that because of the similar tragedies both he and Halle went through brings them together, but Billy Bob overall personality/beliefs go through a drastic change in a short period outside of that relationship as well. Its more believable than people in Crash all of a sudden understanding racism, or Clint in Gran Torino all of a sudden wanting to help an Asian boy, but I still couldnt totally believe the transformation of the character despite him undergoing a reawakening of sorts. Outside of those 2 things, the movie is shot beautifully and has great performances all around. Peter Boyle and Heath Ledger steal every scene they are in, and its not surprising this was the role that really put Ledger on the map as a legit actor......7/10

American Me....Early 90's gang movie starring and directed by Edward James Olmos. Solid, but unspectacular. Lacks the dialogue of great gangster movies. Olmos was around 45 when this was made (and looked even older), yet in parts of the movie was playing a 20 something yr old version of his character, so you could argue he was miscast, although he has a strong performance in AM. Best part of the movie are the scenes from prison, some of which are fairly graphic yet realistic. Despite only going on 2 dates with EJO, the movie attempts to make you believe she fell in love with him, which felt quite far fetched. William Forsythe was good in a supporting role as EJO's #1 man in the gang, and something you dont see him typically take on so that was cool. Overall decent, but cant say anything better than an average gang movie....6.4/10

 

[Chaka]

American Me....Early 90's gang movie starring and directed by Edward James Olmos. Solid, but unspectacular. Lacks the dialogue of great gangster movies. Olmos was around 45 when this was made (and looked even older), yet in parts of the movie was playing a 20 something yr old version of his character, so you could argue he was miscast, although he has a strong performance in AM. Best part of the movie are the scenes from prison, some of which are fairly graphic yet realistic. Despite only going on 2 dates with EJO, the movie attempts to make you believe she fell in love with him, which felt quite far fetched. William Forsythe was good in a supporting role as EJO's #1 man in the gang, and something you dont see him typically take on so that was cool. Overall decent, but cant say anything better than an average gang movie....6.4/10

Well it did have more butt sex than almost any other Hollywood movie.On a side note several consultants on the movie were believed to be killed by Mexican mafiosa and EJO received multiple death threats (he was even granted a conceal carry permit because of this film).

Personally I remember it being a fascinating movie...even with all the butt sex.

 

[Chaka]

Raging Bull

Yeah. Just another overrated "classic". Dull story about a total loser.

And Scorsese might be a great director but the stories he chooses to direct are nearly universally lousy, IMHO.

Yeah. Pretty much the worst movie ever.