saintfool
Dead sexy
"Aliens" is better than T2. Less a technical marvel but it's still more a thrill for me.
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Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Sigmund
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jamny
Footballguy
Plus, my go-to movie when testing home theater equipment.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
A worthy submission, as is Die Hard, but I'm still a T2 guy. I like the look of T2 better than Aliens, although the latter definitely has the better one liners.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I think these are all in the conversation for best action flick:Terminator 2'saintfool said:
Aliens
Predator
Die Hard
NCCommish
Footballguy
I think Raiders of the Lost Ark should be in the conversation as well The Professional and Lethal Weapon.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
I split hairs and put Raiders into the "adventure" category.The Professional is drama and Lethal Weapon leans so.
Time Kibitzer
Footballguy
I really don't understand the love for The Professional; it's incredibly cheesy and every character is an imbecile. Natalie Portman put forth an excellent child acting performance and Gary Oldman was great as usual, but that's about the only kind things I can say about the movie. Frankly, I don't see how it differentiates itself from any crime/action film that comes out on a weekly basis.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
I don't know about top 5 all time. I still vote for Die Hard as the best action movie ever. T2 might be near my overall top 10 though if I thought about it. I wonder though if I need to categorize T2 as sci fi, because if I do it would never rank higher than Wrath of Khan which is not only best sci fi movie ever made, but it is one of the top 10 best movies ever made.
NCCommish
Footballguy
I think Raiders is certainly top 5. I would even throw in the first Matrix film as a top 5er. Lethal Weapon and the Professional are definitely top ten minimum IMO.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
You say cheesy, I say archetypal. Love this movie.
saintfool
Dead sexy
So you're saying it's profoundly influential? I would agree with that.Kidding aside, I think it is more or less driven by those three very distinct performances. Luc Besson has a visual panache but is only a meh storytelling.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Le fromage stinky.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
Yeah, Raiders is up there to.Hmmm....
Godfather
Godfather II
Die Hard
Wrath of Khan
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Empire Strikes Back
Good Will Hunting
I know these are in my top 10 all time. I have 3 left...... T2 can be there. I'm not a Matrix lover, but I get the goodness of the first one. Leathal Weapon always more like a guilty pleasure to me than a great movie, but I did like all of them a lot.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Action movies. Not.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
I thought NC and I had moved to all time. Sorry.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
My top 5 will probably never change:
Miller's Crossing
T2
Raiders
E.T.
ST: WoK
Miller's Crossing
T2
Raiders
E.T.
ST: WoK
NCCommish
Footballguy
Pretty good top ten. Good Will never worked for me but the rest do.
Never understood the love for this movie. It's a bit pervy too.
Time Kibitzer
Footballguy
If it's archetypal, it's archetypal of mediocre/dumb action films; not something I celebrate personally.
I've only seen 2 Besson films (The Professional and The Fifth Element), and based on those alone I'd probably say he's my least favourite director of all-time. I really dislike how it's as if all his characters are set in the future Idiocracy world where the stupid immensely outnumber the intelligent. Makes for eye-roll moments galore.
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jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Personally, I've seen so many action films, they rarely interest me anymore. But I think The Professional is unique, and I love the relationship between Reno and Portman.I'm with you on The Fifth Element. That was a mess.
saintfool
Dead sexy
i like "the professional" for the reasons i mentioned before. i don't think there is another movie of his that i do like, aside from "the big blue". jean reno kind of steals the show there with the character of "Enzo". besson has a nice visual style but then he never seemed to mature. he reminds me of robert rodriguez and tarantino in that regard. it's not a dig at the guy but it just gets a little boring.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
It's possible that lesser actors would have made The Professional a rote action movie. But I think Reno, Portman, and Oldman are all fantastic.
NCCommish
Footballguy
I agree. This one of those movies where the actors take what could easily have been cliche to the next level. I thought Oldman was on fire and this is the role that really put him on my radar as an actor.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I think that Oldman's antagonist in this movie has been ripped off so many times, it's harder to see it in the context we would have seen it in 1994.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
bravo - a FFApper finally arguing context.
NCCommish
Footballguy
I think that's a good point.
Cliff Clavin
Footballguy
Firefly (Series): Liked the concept and most everything the show did but it was too much like CSI or House and not enough like Battlestar, Lost, The Wire, etc... Each episode had a new plot and there was just few ongoing story lines outside of River and Mal/Inara.
Serenity: Great way to wrap everything up. I'd love it if more shows that got chopped early would do this. Nice that they gave a little more background on why they left earth, River and Reevers. Some good actions and laughs... one of the better action movies I've seen lately. 4/5
Serenity: Great way to wrap everything up. I'd love it if more shows that got chopped early would do this. Nice that they gave a little more background on why they left earth, River and Reevers. Some good actions and laughs... one of the better action movies I've seen lately. 4/5
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
Sorry, but this opinion is invalid. Die Hard is already the best christmas movie ever and you can't win multiple categories.
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
Firefly was one of the few episodic shows that really worked for me (I generally prefer serial shows like the ones you mentioned). I also think it would have made the transition to more serial focused as the show went on if it had been able to complete its run. Whedon's shows (Dollhouse, Buffy, etc) have generally followed that path of an episodic season 1 with serial background elements that becomes more focused on the serial aspect of it as the show goes on. Whedon also said that the story in Serenity would have been the arc for season 2 of the show so it's likely that Firefly was following the same path.It's funny that you mentioned Lost because it really followed the same path as well. If you think back to that show after the pilot, which focused on setting up the serial plot (like Firefly's pilot), it was really an episodic character-centric show for most of season 1 as well, with serial bits thrown in.
Sweet J
Footballguy
I am so, so, sick of the serial TV shows like Lost. It is just too easy to botch it. Yes, the Wire nailed it. But that was a pretty special show. I think Firefly hit the perfect pitch of new plot every week with an underplay of running story.
Cliff Clavin
Footballguy
I guess I don't remember Lost that clearly but I don't remember it being episodic. Yes, it would take an entire episode to build a character in the 1st season but that isn't episodic IMO. Everything in those episodes was built upon in future episodes where as the vast majority of Firefly episodes were one and done with the main plot. I haven't seen any other of Whedon's shows. It would have been nice to see him be able to give it some more seasons. While I liked it, the style reminded me too much of Chuck (probably cause of Baldwin) and kept it from getting into the top tier of shows like The Wire, Battlestar, Deadwood, Mad Men, etc... IMO.
Cliff Clavin
Footballguy
To each their own I guess. I just do not like the formulatic type shows. Same thing every time. Problem, hero(s) get in trouble, miraculous victory and everyone is okay, rinse, repeat. How many times can someone watch House? Same bloody thing every show. Mystery illness, witty comments, House almost gets fired, miraculous cure, the end. CSI... someone dead, bring in the obvious suspect that must have done it, new evidence, least likely person was killer, the end. Boring!
saintfool
Dead sexy
I really loved that about the older sci-fi show, "Farscape". that was a show that was really on point for a number of seasons before losing steam.
Yankee23Fan
Fair Tax!
Babylon 5 was the best by far. Don't think it ever lost steam.
FreeBaGeL
Footballguy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(season_1)Start at episode 4 or so and skim through some of the recaps. Imagine the show had been canceled somewhere around episode 12 (or even beyond up until near the end of the season).
For the most part they're self contained stories (Charlie wants his heroine one episode, Kate searches for her briefcase and her toy plane the next, etc) with a few small things that advance the plot scattered throughout the episodes and the occasional story advancing episode (like Ariel in Firefly).
Season 1 was actually (by far) my favorite in Lost. I prefer serial to episodic by a mile but I think some shows are at their best doing it in this kind of hybrid way. Heroes and Once Upon a Time (though it's early in season 2, it's heading that way already) are also examples of this. Great when they had shifting, smaller focuses per episode and a larger arc that was advanced slowly, but then things really fell apart in later seasons when every episode was uber plot heavy. Firefly's light hearted overtones I think made it fit that hybrid model much better, and I don't think it would have worked as well as a show like GoT, BB, The Wire, etc where every episode has to advance the plot 10 paces.
Cliff Clavin
Footballguy
I see those episodes of Lost as introducing the characters which is necessary when there is such a big cast. Firefly had a small cast and gave very little back story on the characters. What was Jayne before he was a criminal? Where was Wash before he was the pilot? Nothing at all on Kaylee (
) other than getting railed by the 1st mechanic. With Lost, you knew the entire backstory of each character which added to the overall plot. Maybe the biggest difference for me was that Lost was a different story every episode and not a formulatic one. Firefly was the same thing virtually every time. Get a job, get in trouble, pull it off.I agree that the 1st season of Lost was the best. Every season after that was a deeper decent into idiocy.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Hugo
Wow. What a beautiful movie. Could make a perfect double feature with The Illusionist - another movie I love.
Hugo was fantastic.
Wow. What a beautiful movie. Could make a perfect double feature with The Illusionist - another movie I love.
Hugo was fantastic.
cosjobs
Footballguy
Argo
With all the commercials I saw, I had a really bad feeling about it. The commercials made it look really good, but usually a studio on spends that much on advertising when they are trying to sell a dog. No worries here. Affleck hits the trifecta with his third solid effort, making it his best directed yet. His acting was the weak point, but the story and everything else was so strong, it did not jeopardize the whole. I doubt this is particularly accurate from an historical perspective, but its a ripping yarn with lots of action, suspense, and fun.
4/5 stars
With all the commercials I saw, I had a really bad feeling about it. The commercials made it look really good, but usually a studio on spends that much on advertising when they are trying to sell a dog. No worries here. Affleck hits the trifecta with his third solid effort, making it his best directed yet. His acting was the weak point, but the story and everything else was so strong, it did not jeopardize the whole. I doubt this is particularly accurate from an historical perspective, but its a ripping yarn with lots of action, suspense, and fun.
4/5 stars
Time Kibitzer
Footballguy
Unforgiven
Finally got around to seeing this movie, and I gotta say I'm kinda surprised at how critically lauded it was and all the Oscars it won. I still liked it and thought it was a good, but I liked it more in a 'Clint Eastwood is a badass' and 'Gene Hackman is awesome' way than in a "Oscar for Best Picture" way. For a film that clearly made an attempt to avoid certain Western cliches, it made the 'bad guys can't shoot the broad side of a barn' cliche stick out a great deal.
Finally got around to seeing this movie, and I gotta say I'm kinda surprised at how critically lauded it was and all the Oscars it won. I still liked it and thought it was a good, but I liked it more in a 'Clint Eastwood is a badass' and 'Gene Hackman is awesome' way than in a "Oscar for Best Picture" way. For a film that clearly made an attempt to avoid certain Western cliches, it made the 'bad guys can't shoot the broad side of a barn' cliche stick out a great deal.
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
Looper
I know this is well-received by critics. I'd say temper your expectations. The movie has strong components, but I'm not sure this is a good movie. Worth seeing, but not everything works.
I know this is well-received by critics. I'd say temper your expectations. The movie has strong components, but I'm not sure this is a good movie. Worth seeing, but not everything works.
Sweet J
Footballguy
Saw it last night. Incredible flick. Not sure I loved it, but incredible nonetheless.
Andy Dufresne
Footballguy
Argo is terrific.
cosjobs
Footballguy
Pitch Perfect
Saw this with the wife last night. Its hard finding a movie she wants to go see, but I got her to watch some previews to this and she relented. I'm a sucker for this type movie and this one exceeded my expectations. Clever and funny with some phenomenal singing was a winning formula for both of us. Definitely has its flaws as a drama or serious movie, but I do not think the film makers were striving for anything more than it is, a fun romp with good a capella. I aca reccommend it.
4.03/5 stars
Saw this with the wife last night. Its hard finding a movie she wants to go see, but I got her to watch some previews to this and she relented. I'm a sucker for this type movie and this one exceeded my expectations. Clever and funny with some phenomenal singing was a winning formula for both of us. Definitely has its flaws as a drama or serious movie, but I do not think the film makers were striving for anything more than it is, a fun romp with good a capella. I aca reccommend it.
4.03/5 stars
NCCommish
Footballguy
So I hit up Redbox for 3 rentals this weekend. Battleship, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Dark Shadows.
As far as Dark Shadows goes I didn't watch it, wasn't interested. That was purely for the wife. She thought it was "cute". That's her way of saying it sucked but she likes Johnny Depp. I remember watching the original show and I refuse to participate in ruining it.
Battleship was mediocre. There were some interesting effects but by and large it was nothing new. Never bought Rhianna in the role, even once. I will say I liked them busting out the Missouri those old boats could dish it out and take it.
Snow White and the Huntsman. I really don't get what Hollywood sees in Kristen Stewart. I like the idea to darken it up a bit. But all in all disappointing. Stewart isn't very good IMO. Hemsworth is OK but another hero with anger management issues? Seems repetitive. Charlize wasn't bad but to cover for everyone else you really need a scenery chewer and she wasn't quite up to it.
As far as Dark Shadows goes I didn't watch it, wasn't interested. That was purely for the wife. She thought it was "cute". That's her way of saying it sucked but she likes Johnny Depp. I remember watching the original show and I refuse to participate in ruining it.
Battleship was mediocre. There were some interesting effects but by and large it was nothing new. Never bought Rhianna in the role, even once. I will say I liked them busting out the Missouri those old boats could dish it out and take it.
Snow White and the Huntsman. I really don't get what Hollywood sees in Kristen Stewart. I like the idea to darken it up a bit. But all in all disappointing. Stewart isn't very good IMO. Hemsworth is OK but another hero with anger management issues? Seems repetitive. Charlize wasn't bad but to cover for everyone else you really need a scenery chewer and she wasn't quite up to it.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
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belljr
Footballguy
The Descendants - good flick, not as good as I thought it would be with all "the hype" but I really enjoyed it. Clooney was great in it, playing the guy struggling with it all. The scene at the guys rental confronting him was well done, really uncomfortable. One question - why did they only have 7 years left with the land? I missed that tidbit somehow
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Tremendous Upside
Footballguy
The land was held in trust, and there's a law called the rule against perpetuities which, essentially, provides an expiration date for land held in trusts that vest to individuals...the purpose of the rule is to prevent the tying up of property for multiple centuries
jdoggydogg
Footballguy
I think it's worth seeing.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Saw The Avengers. Meh. Not getting the hype, but I am admittedly not the biggest comics nerd out there and I Also saw it at home, so I can understand the "big screen" thing helping here. I had two main problems: 1- any tension over the well-being of the heroes is null, so throwing them into danger was meaningless; 2- aside from Loki the bad guys were essentially expendable targets, so with issue # 1, there was very little drama in any of the action for me. More like waiting around to see how the explosions and such would play out so the heroes could move onto whatever was next. Also found it lazy storytelling for the heroes to occasionally seem interested in rescuing/protecting the NYers during the big battle, but mostly not.
