Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (7 Viewers)

[Aerial Assault]

Just coming in to report that Homeland is every bit as good as advertised. I am a couple shows from being done with Season 1 and have really enjoyed it. Comes out on dvd Tuesday and would recommend everybody check it out if they haven't yet.

Nice. This is up next in my queue.

I enjoyed it, but can't remember what about it kept it a notch below great for me. Still looking forward to the new season.

I think it tailed off a little at the end, but still liked the last episode. If anything, I would say the lack of introducing enough new characters held it back a tad. Love the acting, but I was spent by the end spending that much time with Claire Danes.

It was very well-acted. The writing, however, was intermittently brilliant and crap. Other problems include that the CIA has three people who talk, Charlotte looks nothing like Washington, and Patinkin is colossally annoying quite often.

From the shallow end, Claire Danes, who used to be so damn cute, is now almost hard to look at. Add in the fact that I find Baccarin revolting and the show lacks the needed eye candy to lighten the tone. (The actress playing Carrie's sister looked gorgeous, but wasn't around enough.)

Needs some retooling for S2.

 

[saintfool]

DoomWhat a crap movie. Nothing more to be said about this film.

You mean the very same "doom" that featured Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson? The movie based on the PC game? What's not to like about a movie that switched to first-person "chainsaw mode"? The director has done some noteworthy films with DMX, Steven Segal, and Chris Klein. This movie was the springboard for his follow-up "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li".

 

[saintfool]

so i have taken a break from films on netflix in favor of serial shows. recent find is the BBC's "first among equals", which is a 10 episode serial from the mid-80s about 4 MPs entering Parliament in the 60s. it charts their careers from those days through the 80s. it's a bit soapy, to be sure, but its kind of interesting if you like politics. think of it as an alternative to "downton abbey" maybe. i am almost done with it and find myself enjoying it. the only "star" you might recognize from it is a mid-career tom wilkinson as one of the MPs. i have always liked him, especially since "in the bedroom" proved to be a revelation. i can understand why some might be put off by it - it is dated, soapy and the acting hammy at times - but it's interesting to watch nonetheless.

 

[jamny]

I recommend The Dictator to any fans of Sacha Baron Cohen. Not as good as Borat but funnier than most movies they've put out the past couple of years. Plus, I've always been a sucker for "fish out of water" stories. 3.5/5

 

[cosjobs]

The Impostor

Documentary about that kid from San Antonio who went missing and a year later some impostor in Spain claims to be him. Weird circumstances and unraveling of the mysteries surrounding the events.Wait for video, imo, no real reason to spend $10 in a theatre, but still worth a watch.

3/5 stars

Killer Joe

McConaghey (sp?) as a vile villian was fun, but the movie suffered from too much dialogue and not enough action imo. Good drama, but should've been better

3/5 stars

 

[jdoggydogg]

I recommend The Dictator to any fans of Sacha Baron Cohen. Not as good as Borat but funnier than most movies they've put out the past couple of years. Plus, I've always been a sucker for "fish out of water" stories. 3.5/5

There are some dumb parts to this movie, but I liked it a lot.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Change Up

Blah, blah, blah Ryan Reynolds. Blah blah Jason Bateman. Blah, blah, blah, baby crap jokes. Blah, blah, other fecal-related jokes.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Deliverance was on Sundance the other night. The Longest Yard was on last month.

I was just wondering if any actor ruined their career with worse choices than Burt Reynolds?

He was fantastic in both of those flicks. He was the gravity.

He is of the same era as Redford, Hoffman, Nicholson and Beatty. He had the chance to rank right up there with them, but...I winced when I looked at some of the titles of his subsequent movies.

Was it him? His agent?

I'm probably wrong, but I always got the feeling he was in it just for fun (& money, of course) and didn't really give a crap about being a serious actor. He kind of just played himself (or at least, his public persona) in every role, IMO.

Yup - when he made stuntman extraodinaire Hal Needham into his personal director, he saw a way to make tons of dough, call the shots, never leave home, have a ball & work with his friends and people who made him laugh. What's not to like?!

 

[El Floppo]

Deliverance was on Sundance the other night. The Longest Yard was on last month.

I was just wondering if any actor ruined their career with worse choices than Burt Reynolds?

He was fantastic in both of those flicks. He was the gravity.

He is of the same era as Redford, Hoffman, Nicholson and Beatty. He had the chance to rank right up there with them, but...I winced when I looked at some of the titles of his subsequent movies.

Was it him? His agent?

I'm probably wrong, but I always got the feeling he was in it just for fun (& money, of course) and didn't really give a crap about being a serious actor. He kind of just played himself (or at least, his public persona) in every role, IMO.

Yup - when he made stuntman extraodinaire Hal Needham into his personal director, he saw a way to make tons of dough, call the shots, never leave home, have a ball & work with his friends and people who made him laugh. What's not to like?!

His movies?

 

[El Floppo]

Speaking of Stuntmen... I remember loving the movie The Stuntman (w/ Peter O'Toole as the ruthless dictator/movie director) when it came out. Somehow, I have a feeling it hasn't held up well. Anybody seen it recently?

 

[jdoggydogg]

Speaking of Stuntmen... I remember loving the movie The Stuntman (w/ Peter O'Toole as the ruthless dictator/movie director) when it came out. Somehow, I have a feeling it hasn't held up well. Anybody seen it recently?

I've always wanted to give that a shot, but never got around to it.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Does anyone watch Hell on Wheels on AMC? How is it?

 

[El Floppo]

Speaking of Stuntmen... I remember loving the movie The Stuntman (w/ Peter O'Toole as the ruthless dictator/movie director) when it came out. Somehow, I have a feeling it hasn't held up well. Anybody seen it recently?

I've always wanted to give that a shot, but never got around to it.

I'd wait on somebody else chiming in- I saw this as a kid, and bought into some of the twists and turns more easily than I would now. Also, this was an early 80s film and IIRC really looked like an early 80s film (TVish in quality of lighting, editing, camerawork, etc).

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Does anyone watch Hell on Wheels on AMC? How is it?

Watched it for like 3 episodes and then lost interest.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Does anyone watch Hell on Wheels on AMC? How is it?

Haven't watched it myself, but I've heard good things and AMC hasn't missed much lately.

 

[saintfool]

Does anyone watch Hell on Wheels on AMC? How is it?

Did not really care for it. I gave the pilot a chance and wasn't impressed. Everything seemed pretty well telegraphed and entirely too obvious for my liking.

 

[saintfool]

The Impostor

Documentary about that kid from San Antonio who went missing and a year later some impostor in Spain claims to be him. Weird circumstances and unraveling of the mysteries surrounding the events.Wait for video, imo, no real reason to spend $10 in a theatre, but still worth a watch.

3/5 stars

sounds like the french film "olivier, olivier" (which was pretty good) might have been based on this.

 

[saintfool]

Speaking of Stuntmen... I remember loving the movie The Stuntman (w/ Peter O'Toole as the ruthless dictator/movie director) when it came out. Somehow, I have a feeling it hasn't held up well. Anybody seen it recently?

is it on dvd these days? i haven't seen it available since maybe the vhs days. i ddin't catch it in the theater but on HBO back in the day.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Speaking of Stuntmen... I remember loving the movie The Stuntman (w/ Peter O'Toole as the ruthless dictator/movie director) when it came out. Somehow, I have a feeling it hasn't held up well. Anybody seen it recently?

is it on dvd these days? i haven't seen it available since maybe the vhs days. i ddin't catch it in the theater but on HBO back in the day.

Netflix has it.http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-St...ackid=17987aa033680249_0_srl&trkid=222336

http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-St...ackid=17987aa033680249_0_srl&trkid=222336

 

[jamny]

Does anyone watch Hell on Wheels on AMC? How is it?

I like it. Season 2 is really starting to come together. It's no Deadwood yet but I thinks it's worth checking out.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Does anyone watch Hell on Wheels on AMC? How is it?

I like it. Season 2 is really starting to come together. It's no Deadwood yet but I thinks it's worth checking out.

 

[Rick James]

Bernie - Jack Black as an effeminate funeral director befriends an unfriendly, aging widow. This was really good.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Savages

Oliver Stone drug action movie. I liked it, liked the casting, and the story is brisk. But really, can we abandon the torture cliche now? So dull.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Saw Casablanca last night. First time watching it and must say it easily lives up to its billing. Tremendous movie.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

2005 Alert!

FINALLY saw "Million Dollar Baby". Though about 20 minutes too long, what a powerful movie. I could watch Eastwood & Freeman describe a chess match their chemistry is so good, but Swank is what really makes the movie. After watching, I read some of the reviews on rottentomatoes and was surpised to find the word "depressing" used so much. Sure, Clint's films don't have neat-and-tidy "happy" endings. But most all of them since at least "Unforgiven" offer at least a chance for redemption for his characters - no matter how broken they are and no matter whether they take the chance or not (or #### it up if they do). I also think this is the best acting Clint's ever done.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Million Dollar Baby is so fake. So she's on the undercard of a title bout in the first scene. Which means she is a known fighter. However she doesn't know anything about the basics of boxing at all. Can't even hit a speed bag. And then women's boxing is somehow something that people care about? I'm sorry, the ending sequences are a joke too. That whole fight was dumb as was its stool conclusion.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Million Dollar Baby is so fake. So she's on the undercard of a title bout in the first scene. Which means she is a known fighter. However she doesn't know anything about the basics of boxing at all. Can't even hit a speed bag. And then women's boxing is somehow something that people care about? I'm sorry, the ending sequences are a joke too. That whole fight was dumb as was its stool conclusion.

Huh? Maybe I missed that she was on the undercard - I assumed she was just in the arena. Agree that I don't give a #### about women boxing, but some people do.

 

[Daywalker]

Lawless.

Was hoping this would be good and was suprised it was actually better then I expected.

Great performances across the board. Tom Hardy steals every scene. Just a soon-to-be star bringing it. Movie would have been better served if it focused more on him and jettisoned much of the Labouf storyline. Hardy does get a lot of screen time but you wouldn't know it by the previews.

Guy Pearce delivered a great villain performance. The guy from Brotherhood was good too. Gary Oldman had a few scenes which were good but not sure why he agreed to such a bit part.

Chastain and Wasikoswki looked amazing.

Movie is not perfect. Labouf is a bit weak and some of the scenes were clunky. But some top-notch performances, great music and cinematography. This director did The Proposition which was a good one.

3 out of 4 stars. Solid flick and odd that with such a cast it seemingly got dumped this weekend.

 

[FootballDummy]

I'm drunk and considering renting Battleship on PPV. Please talk me out of it.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Saw Casablanca last night. First time watching it and must say it easily lives up to its billing. Tremendous movie.

I had the same experience about a year a go.It lives up to, and goes beyond all its hype.

 

[cstu]

Bernie - Jack Black as an effeminate funeral director befriends an unfriendly, aging widow. This was really good.

I'm a big fan of his but even I was surprised by how well he acted in the movie. It was the first time I felt I was watching his character rather than Jack Black.

 

[cstu]

13 - Came across this on demand one night by accident. What a cast: Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Ray Winstone, Michael Shannon, Sam Riley...It's an entertaining B Movie about Sam Riley getting himself in over his head with a shadowy underground organization that holds brutal competitions...Also has a laundry list f "that guy" character actors in it...6/10

I was bummed that I watched this before realizing it was a remake of the highly rated '13 Tzameti' (or '13 13' in Georgian) that I never got around to watching.

 

[cstu]

"But not food for the poor"

 

[cstu]

Los Angeles - Samuel L Jackson is set to star in the remake of Oldboy.The Avengers actor is to portray a character who is horrifically tortured by Josh Brolin's alter-ego Joe Douchett - who finds himself imprisoned for 15 years by a sadistic billionaire without any explanation - in the movie, which was first adapted for the big screen in 2003 by Korean director, Chan-Wook Park.A source told the Los Angeles Times that Samuel's role is a "small but critical part" in the forthcoming motion picture, which will be directed by Spike Lee.Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley have also joined the cast of the movie, which is due to start shooting this autumn in Louisiana and New York, with the latter set to play a villain.

What a ####ing joke. I rewatched Oldboy last month and it was more incredible than I remember it being the first time.

 

[Daywalker]

Los Angeles - Samuel L Jackson is set to star in the remake of Oldboy.The Avengers actor is to portray a character who is horrifically tortured by Josh Brolin's alter-ego Joe Douchett - who finds himself imprisoned for 15 years by a sadistic billionaire without any explanation - in the movie, which was first adapted for the big screen in 2003 by Korean director, Chan-Wook Park.A source told the Los Angeles Times that Samuel's role is a "small but critical part" in the forthcoming motion picture, which will be directed by Spike Lee.Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley have also joined the cast of the movie, which is due to start shooting this autumn in Louisiana and New York, with the latter set to play a villain.

What a ####ing joke. I rewatched Oldboy last month and it was more incredible than I remember it being the first time.

Remaking the Tobey Maguire Spiderman is a bit of a commercial cash grab but Oldboy? I saw it and it was terrific but outside of the net I don't think I've ever talked anyone who has seen it. It's exactly the type of movie you remake.You liked The Departed right?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Godfather and Godfather 2:

Although not usually my thing, these movies deserve all the praise they get - yes it was my first time watching these. Might have been that I watched them on back to back days, but I ended up liking the first one better. I think 2 was better shot, and probably better acted, but I didn't really care about Vito's back story and was a little distracted by watching DeNiro do a Brando impression. Great movies, and no surprise with the ratings: Part 1 9/10, Part 2 8/10.

Jaws:

Revisited this one last night - still damn near a perfect movie in my book. Love it more and more with each viewing. 10/10

Piranha DD:

I loved the first one (the remake that came out a few years ago) for what it was. This one was still a blast to watch from a "so bad it's good" viewpoint. I am really hoping the 3D thing fades out again, although I doubt it. Anyway - you know what you are in for with the title and especially if you saw the last one - you get killer piranhas in a waterpark that features strippers for lifeguards, an 'adult' pool, and a "cootch cam".



The Five Year Engagement:

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. Was a little dragged out and depressing at times, but you can do a lot worse if you are looking for a funny rom/com. A lot of great cameos and side characters. 6/10

Crazy, Stupid, Love:

Watched this one again, and still really like it - although maybe not quite as much as the first viewing. I think it tries a little too hard with the merging story lines at the end, and the teenage son bothers the piss out of me. Still think Gosling and Carrell nail these parts.

 

[cstu]

Los Angeles - Samuel L Jackson is set to star in the remake of Oldboy.The Avengers actor is to portray a character who is horrifically tortured by Josh Brolin's alter-ego Joe Douchett - who finds himself imprisoned for 15 years by a sadistic billionaire without any explanation - in the movie, which was first adapted for the big screen in 2003 by Korean director, Chan-Wook Park.A source told the Los Angeles Times that Samuel's role is a "small but critical part" in the forthcoming motion picture, which will be directed by Spike Lee.Elizabeth Olsen and Sharlto Copley have also joined the cast of the movie, which is due to start shooting this autumn in Louisiana and New York, with the latter set to play a villain.

What a ####ing joke. I rewatched Oldboy last month and it was more incredible than I remember it being the first time.

Remaking the Tobey Maguire Spiderman is a bit of a commercial cash grab but Oldboy? I saw it and it was terrific but outside of the net I don't think I've ever talked anyone who has seen it. It's exactly the type of movie you remake.You liked The Departed right?

The Departed was well-done, sure, but IMO there was no reason to remake it other than money. Infernal Affairs was a great movie in its own right and came out just several years earlier. Sometimes remakes turn out ok when it's been decades since the original so I'm not entirely opposed to them. My biggest gripe with remaking Oldboy is that I consider it a classic movie and it's not some 50 year old movie that's dated.

 

[sports_fan]

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring

It's about a monk and his young apprentice living in seclusion on a floating hut in the middle of a lake. The movie takes place entirely on and around lake. There's very little dialog. It's simple on the surface but seemingly complex if you dig deeper. It covers a variety of things (love, revenge, regret, etc.) and seems to be filled with clever, little details filled with deeper meaning (a door within the hut without surrounding walls).

Recommended if you're into this type of movie. A solid 4/5 for me.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Speaking of Stuntmen... I remember loving the movie The Stuntman (w/ Peter O'Toole as the ruthless dictator/movie director) when it came out. Somehow, I have a feeling it hasn't held up well. Anybody seen it recently?

I've always wanted to give that a shot, but never got around to it.

I'd wait on somebody else chiming in- I saw this as a kid, and bought into some of the twists and turns more easily than I would now. Also, this was an early 80s film and IIRC really looked like an early 80s film (TVish in quality of lighting, editing, camerawork, etc).

awful, in all the ways you think it might be. and i looooved it back then. better to keep it in your head the way it is.

 

[Apple Jack]

Lawless.

Was hoping this would be good and was suprised it was actually better then I expected.

Great performances across the board. Tom Hardy steals every scene. Just a soon-to-be star bringing it. Movie would have been better served if it focused more on him and jettisoned much of the Labouf storyline. Hardy does get a lot of screen time but you wouldn't know it by the previews.

Guy Pearce delivered a great villain performance. The guy from Brotherhood was good too. Gary Oldman had a few scenes which were good but not sure why he agreed to such a bit part.

Chastain and Wasikoswki looked amazing.

Movie is not perfect. Labouf is a bit weak and some of the scenes were clunky. But some top-notch performances, great music and cinematography. This director did The Proposition which was a good one.

3 out of 4 stars. Solid flick and odd that with such a cast it seemingly got dumped this weekend.

Screenplay written by Nick Cave, btw.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Chronicle - 7.5/10

A well made movie. I think the main character could have been fleshed out a bit more and it would have been even better but still...good flick.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Bernie - Jack Black as an effeminate funeral director befriends an unfriendly, aging widow. This was really good.

Based on a true story. He did very well. 4/5

 

[Native]

Lawless.

Was hoping this would be good and was suprised it was actually better then I expected.

Great performances across the board. Tom Hardy steals every scene. Just a soon-to-be star bringing it. Movie would have been better served if it focused more on him and jettisoned much of the Labouf storyline. Hardy does get a lot of screen time but you wouldn't know it by the previews.

Guy Pearce delivered a great villain performance. The guy from Brotherhood was good too. Gary Oldman had a few scenes which were good but not sure why he agreed to such a bit part.

Chastain and Wasikoswki looked amazing.

Movie is not perfect. Labouf is a bit weak and some of the scenes were clunky. But some top-notch performances, great music and cinematography. This director did The Proposition which was a good one.

3 out of 4 stars. Solid flick and odd that with such a cast it seemingly got dumped this weekend.

Screenplay written by Nick Cave, btw.

Guy Pearce's character was one of the more sadistic on-screen portrayals in recent memory. He was outstanding - absolutely frightening in every scene he was in. I loved the way they captured Prohibition-era rural Virginia in the 1930's. Its only 80 years ago but it felt like it was 200 the way they lived - wood houses, basic amenities and the cross-section of society living side by side (devout Christians and renegade bootleggers living shoulder to shoulder)

Also, another shout out to the soundtrack. Appalachian foothill blues and country ballads that perfectly intermingle with a solemn, gritty storyline. Also agree that we couldve done with more Tom Hardy and less Shia Lebouf but it doesnt take away from an above average flick.

7.5 or 8 out of 10.

 

[JZilla]

The Day After

I hadn't seen this movie since I was 11 years old and proceeded to miss about two years of sleep. It starts out very 80's, somewhat cheeseball character development, but once the #### hits the fan it is still incredibly impactful. Take a trip back to the Cold War and enjoy this gem.

 

[jdoggydogg]

American Splendor

Haven't watched this movie in a long time, and it really held up. Love it.

 

[saintfool]

American Splendor

Haven't watched this movie in a long time, and it really held up. Love it.

As good as Giamatti is in it, Hope Davis is every bit as good in this. I've been kind of in love with her since "The Daytrippers".

 

[jdoggydogg]

American Splendor

Haven't watched this movie in a long time, and it really held up. Love it.

As good as Giamatti is in it, Hope Davis is every bit as good in this. I've been kind of in love with her since "The Daytrippers".

Hope Davis is my favorite part.

 

[El Floppo]

American Splendor

Haven't watched this movie in a long time, and it really held up. Love it.

As good as Giamatti is in it, Hope Davis is every bit as good in this. I've been kind of in love with her since "The Daytrippers".

Oh wow- The Daytrippers. I remember not caring for that one too much. Is Parker Posey in that too? IIRC, that came out at a time when it was mandated that every indie-film had to have her in at least a bit role.

 

[El Floppo]

The Day After

I hadn't seen this movie since I was 11 years old and proceeded to miss about two years of sleep. It starts out very 80's, somewhat cheeseball character development, but once the #### hits the fan it is still incredibly impactful. Take a trip back to the Cold War and enjoy this gem.

Holy hell- that movie scared/depressed the crap out of me when they showed it originally... on TV, right?Funny the cultural/psychological differences between being in the Cold vs Terror war.

 

[jdoggydogg]

American Splendor

Haven't watched this movie in a long time, and it really held up. Love it.

As good as Giamatti is in it, Hope Davis is every bit as good in this. I've been kind of in love with her since "The Daytrippers".

Oh wow- The Daytrippers. I remember not caring for that one too much. Is Parker Posey in that too? IIRC, that came out at a time when it was mandated that every indie-film had to have her in at least a bit role.

I couldn't finish that movie.