Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (9 Viewers)

[hooter311]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

 

[El Floppo]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I think I kept tuning in when it was supposed to be on figuring something- ANYTHING- might wrap up the series, even if it was reruns of Sex in the City.

Rome got the whack too, IIRC. Speaking of shows that cost a lot of money.

 

[hooter311]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I think I kept tuning in when it was supposed to be on figuring something- ANYTHING- might wrap up the series, even if it was reruns of Sex in the City.

Rome got the whack too, IIRC. Speaking of shows that cost a lot of money.

Yeah, the last 3 or 4 episodes of Season 2 of Rome completely lost me when they incorporate the whole Cleopatra storyline and going to Egypt. Too much time passed in not enough screen time.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Angels in America - Just finished watching it for the first time since it was originally on. Quite simply, a miracle - perhaps the greatest one in the history of television. Keeps one suspended in ambivalance, the way a great painting does, for over five hours. The pathetic immediacy has lost some of its urgency since the plague was in full swing, but life is still your fault and, yet, you can be saved. A miracle. 4.985/5

The immediacy was largely gone by the time HBO created the televised version approx. 10 years ago; less so when Kushner's play was making its way across the country in the late 90's.

Yeah- that immediacy/overwhelming-doom/specter of AIDS lost some punch by the time the HBO mini came out... the only and slightest detraction from what was jaw-droppingly good TV.I got to see the plays on Broadway with the original cast and am still blown away by it. Can't think of anything else that's come close (although I'm looking forward to hearing Wikkid or somebody else remind me of some good ones).

I HATE American drama, so i'm not the one to ask about its equivalent. The show made me tremendously sorry i didnt listen to friends and make the trip out for each of them as they urged me to do, though. Cant imagine a play more inextricably woven into the time & place of its performance, though.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Lost in Translation - Kinda racist, huh?

It's also kinda slow and kinda boring.

However 1) For me this is Scarlett Johansson's high water mark for hotness. She is hot and will always be hot but this is the film that really does it for me.

2) The chemistry between Scarlett & Murray is really eye popping. They both just nail it and create boat loads of subtext with the way in which they interact. They create a very authentic feeling of a relationship that mighta/coulda been but both know it can't so they don't try. I really appreciated the honesty in their performances. And since the movie is really about the dynamic between Scarlett & Murray I have to say that despite being kinda slow & kinda boring (& kinda racist) I kinda like this film.

Good soundtrack too.

Great soundtrack, beautiful photography, but a pretty dull movie. Scarlett is a mediocre actor.Why was it racist? Remind me.

It wasn't terrible but they hit every Japanese stereotype in the book.

Scarlett isn't great but she didn't have to do much and was really good with Murray.

Funny. I normally have a good radar for those things, but I don't remember the movie being offensive. One particularly racist stereotype that I'll always remember was the cheap, dishonest Jew in Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues.

I don't think it was a dishonest portrayal but stereotyping can be a touchy subject. Coppola continually went back to the "Engrish" well. Yeah I get it, Japanese people have trouble with Rs and Ls when speaking English, feel free to move on any time Sofia.

I suppose it's all about intentions. I remember the silly accusations that were hurled against George Lucas for the new Star Wars movies. Something about Jar Jar being racist? Do people really think Lucas is a racist? I don't know what's in Coppola's heart, but I suspect it's not racism at play in Lost.

I don't think it was intentional racism, but racism is often unintentional. And ultimately it doesn't matter what the intent was it matters what the reception is.In my comment about Dowton Abbey above I refrained from asking a question about one of the themes because I thought it would be poorly received regardless of my intent.

LiT isn't bad, I am not at all outraged, but it just had me thinking why it was okay to run with so many Japanese stereotypes.

Downton Abbey: I don't expect everyone to love the show the way I do, although I'm vexed when they don't.Lost in Translation: I work with a lot of international students here at the college (Brazil, Japan, the Congo, Hong Kong, Tibet, etc.), so I get exposed to many forms of non-native English. I hear a multitude of skill sets - from English that is quite difficult to understand to English that is near perfect. And naturally, these pronunciations will sometimes fall into what could be heard as stereotypes. For Lost, the mechanics and motives of the film's production are everything to me. If casting hired a lot of Japanese actors with the sole criteria of their acting ability, then obviously we can't question their motives. If Coppola hired one actor over another because his accent was thicker, well that's just odd. But that's so absurd, my brain has a tough time imagining something so tacky.

What if Coppola hired a bunch of good Japanese actors and directed them to play up the stereotypical Japanese "Engrish"? The script required that at some points.

Yeah, that would be weird. If this were a comedy that mocked racism - like Hollywood Shuffle - that'd be ok.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Lost in Translation - Kinda racist, huh?

It's also kinda slow and kinda boring.

However 1) For me this is Scarlett Johansson's high water mark for hotness. She is hot and will always be hot but this is the film that really does it for me.

2) The chemistry between Scarlett & Murray is really eye popping. They both just nail it and create boat loads of subtext with the way in which they interact. They create a very authentic feeling of a relationship that mighta/coulda been but both know it can't so they don't try. I really appreciated the honesty in their performances. And since the movie is really about the dynamic between Scarlett & Murray I have to say that despite being kinda slow & kinda boring (& kinda racist) I kinda like this film.

Good soundtrack too.

Great soundtrack, beautiful photography, but a pretty dull movie. Scarlett is a mediocre actor.Why was it racist? Remind me.

It wasn't terrible but they hit every Japanese stereotype in the book.

Scarlett isn't great but she didn't have to do much and was really good with Murray.

Funny. I normally have a good radar for those things, but I don't remember the movie being offensive. One particularly racist stereotype that I'll always remember was the cheap, dishonest Jew in Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues.

I don't think it was a dishonest portrayal but stereotyping can be a touchy subject. Coppola continually went back to the "Engrish" well. Yeah I get it, Japanese people have trouble with Rs and Ls when speaking English, feel free to move on any time Sofia.

I suppose it's all about intentions. I remember the silly accusations that were hurled against George Lucas for the new Star Wars movies. Something about Jar Jar being racist? Do people really think Lucas is a racist? I don't know what's in Coppola's heart, but I suspect it's not racism at play in Lost.

Jar-Jar, the dumb Jamaican. The Trade Empire (or whatever), sinister asians. Anakin's blue slave owner, money-grubbing Jew. That series was rife with overt (even to a really, really stoned guy) and painfully obvious racial/ist stereotypes. And that's not to mention the Polish Ewoks.

Dude, so you picture Lucas writing these stupid characters and saying to himself, "Watto needs to be more Jew-y."

 

[jdoggydogg]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

I'd argue the last episode was kind of a cliffhanger. One that sadly never got resolved.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I always thought that season one of Carnivale was better than season 2, but I get what you mean. Man, that show was so incredible, I couldn't believe that HBO had the guts to put it on the air. Pure art.

 

[Chaka]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I always thought that season one of Carnivale was better than season 2, but I get what you mean. Man, that show was so incredible, I couldn't believe that HBO had the guts to put it on the air. Pure art.

Loved Carnivale. I didn't really have a problem with the premature finale either. Take out the last scene in the corn field and the story is resolved.

 

[hooter311]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I always thought that season one of Carnivale was better than season 2, but I get what you mean. Man, that show was so incredible, I couldn't believe that HBO had the guts to put it on the air. Pure art.

I can't remember which season or episode it was, but the one with the ghost town or saloon or whatever it was gave me goosebumps like none other. I need to watch it through again, heck, I had almost forgot how awesome of a character Samson was.

 

[Chaka]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I think I kept tuning in when it was supposed to be on figuring something- ANYTHING- might wrap up the series, even if it was reruns of Sex in the City.

Rome got the whack too, IIRC. Speaking of shows that cost a lot of money.

Yeah, the last 3 or 4 episodes of Season 2 of Rome completely lost me when they incorporate the whole Cleopatra storyline and going to Egypt. Too much time passed in not enough screen time.

Augustus v Mark Anthony had to happen and was a reasonable point at which to conclude (although I certainly wanted more). I am glad they addressed it. I don't recall an inordinate amount of screen time passing.BTW if you enjoyed Rome I recommend picking up the 1970s BBC miniseries I, Claudius. It picks up towards the end of the reign of Augustus and carries on through Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. Despite limited 1970s BBC production values is one of the most intense and well done historical dramas I have had the pleasure of watching. Wonderful acting across the board too. And the ending of Rome actually works as a nice prequel to it.

 

[cstu]

The first season of Carnivale was great, but I quit watching early in season 2 when I found out it was canceled.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Just finished up Deadwood. Has there even been a more anti-climactic finish to a series?

As you know, they series ended prematurely. One thing HBO cited was that Deadwood was very expensive to make. That argument is laughable when you consider that Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones are probably even more expensive to make.I don't have any insider knowledge of HBO, but it's fairly clear the network was mismanaged for a period. Look at the evidence: Deadwood gets canceled, and the network proceeds to make a lot of equally terrible decisions. Mediocre shows like John From Cincinnati, Treme, and True Blood populate the network while AMC steps up with the brilliant Mad Men and Breaking Bad. There's no doubt that HBO is back big time. But Deadwood was a microcosm for HBO's poor management.

Did not know it was cancelled prematurely. Even so, they had great build up during the 3rd season only to have basically nothing happen in the finale.

If you think that is bad, don't jump into Carnivale, I still daydream sometimes about what happened next there. I guess that's better than beating a dead horse like in the case of Twin Peaks.

I always thought that season one of Carnivale was better than season 2, but I get what you mean. Man, that show was so incredible, I couldn't believe that HBO had the guts to put it on the air. Pure art.

I can't remember which season or episode it was, but the one with the ghost town or saloon or whatever it was gave me goosebumps like none other. I need to watch it through again, heck, I had almost forgot how awesome of a character Samson was.

The wife doesn't like horror films. The closest we ever got to that genre was with Carnivale and Twin Peaks. Scared the heck out of her.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The first season of Carnivale was great, but I quit watching early in season 2 when I found out it was canceled.

I know that people like their story arcs resolved. My theory is that great TV shows come around so seldom, I'll take anything I can get.

 

[Chaka]

The first season of Carnivale was great, but I quit watching early in season 2 when I found out it was canceled.

I know that people like their story arcs resolved. My theory is that great TV shows come around so seldom, I'll take anything I can get.

Didn't we get resolution with Carnivale?

 

[saintfool]

BTW if you enjoyed Rome I recommend picking up the 1970s BBC miniseries I, Claudius. It picks up towards the end of the reign of Augustus and carries on through Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. Despite limited 1970s BBC production values is one of the most intense and well done historical dramas I have had the pleasure of watching. Wonderful acting across the board too. And the ending of Rome actually works as a nice prequel to it.

i tried this not too long ago. it's really kind of a distraction. i think i've seen too many BBC shows - comedies namely - of this era to look at this series and not groan. i kept waiting for The Doctor, a Dalek, Manuel and Basil, or better yet
.

 

[Chaka]

BTW if you enjoyed Rome I recommend picking up the 1970s BBC miniseries I, Claudius. It picks up towards the end of the reign of Augustus and carries on through Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius. Despite limited 1970s BBC production values is one of the most intense and well done historical dramas I have had the pleasure of watching. Wonderful acting across the board too. And the ending of Rome actually works as a nice prequel to it.

i tried this not too long ago. it's really kind of a distraction. i think i've seen too many BBC shows - comedies namely - of this era to look at this series and not groan. i kept waiting for The Doctor, a Dalek, Manuel and Basil, or better yet

I completely understand that perspective. For me that distraction went away pretty quickly when I realized how good the story was.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Sounds like this would be a good place to ask this. I just picked up HBO and wanted to watch some of their series on HBO Go. i love good tv but I hate not having an ending. So from what I'm gathering, Deadwood and Carnivale end on a cliffhanger. What about Rome? I couldn't tell from the last post if it just got confusing at the end or if it didn't have a real ending. I'm assuming the Wire wraps everything up at the end, right?

 

[Chaka]

Sounds like this would be a good place to ask this. I just picked up HBO and wanted to watch some of their series on HBO Go. i love good tv but I hate not having an ending. So from what I'm gathering, Deadwood and Carnivale end on a cliffhanger. What about Rome? I couldn't tell from the last post if it just got confusing at the end or if it didn't have a real ending. I'm assuming the Wire wraps everything up at the end, right?

Wire, Sopranos, Six Feet Under all run through to completion. I am sure there are others I am forgetting but these three are just great shows.Rome has a valid conclusion, but you could always go further with the Roman Empire.Carnival does have a resolution but there is a cliffhanger element to it as well. I did not find it a big deal.Deadwood ends abruptly. I guess there is resolution to some things but more than the others it leaves you feeling like there is unfinished business.FTR While The Sopranos runs to conclusion it is one of the more hotly contested series endings. Many people feel that they just got it wrong.

 

[hooter311]

Sounds like this would be a good place to ask this. I just picked up HBO and wanted to watch some of their series on HBO Go. i love good tv but I hate not having an ending. So from what I'm gathering, Deadwood and Carnivale end on a cliffhanger. What about Rome? I couldn't tell from the last post if it just got confusing at the end or if it didn't have a real ending. I'm assuming the Wire wraps everything up at the end, right?

OZ is good if not over the top and pretty cheesy. The last season is especially completely ridiculous. But it has some of the all time best characters from a series and Beacher's story arch is absolutely superb.Rome knew it was ending, I just didn't care for the last few episodes. If you liked Gladiator this has a lot of the same elements and is pretty freaking awesome.

 

[belljr]

Halfway through FAST FIVE - Awesome!!! Can't wait for the end....

When these first came out I thought what a lame movie/premise. Now my guilty pleasure is putting these on , cranking the surround sound and

 

[jdoggydogg]

The first season of Carnivale was great, but I quit watching early in season 2 when I found out it was canceled.

I know that people like their story arcs resolved. My theory is that great TV shows come around so seldom, I'll take anything I can get.

Didn't we get resolution with Carnivale?

Yes...with a cliffhanger.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Sounds like this would be a good place to ask this. I just picked up HBO and wanted to watch some of their series on HBO Go. i love good tv but I hate not having an ending. So from what I'm gathering, Deadwood and Carnivale end on a cliffhanger. What about Rome? I couldn't tell from the last post if it just got confusing at the end or if it didn't have a real ending. I'm assuming the Wire wraps everything up at the end, right?

If you like dark and wild, Carnivale is a must-see. There's a cliffhanger in the last scene, but it's resolved in every other manner.

 

[Chaka]

Sounds like this would be a good place to ask this. I just picked up HBO and wanted to watch some of their series on HBO Go. i love good tv but I hate not having an ending. So from what I'm gathering, Deadwood and Carnivale end on a cliffhanger. What about Rome? I couldn't tell from the last post if it just got confusing at the end or if it didn't have a real ending. I'm assuming the Wire wraps everything up at the end, right?

If you like dark and wild, Carnivale is a must-see. There's a cliffhanger in the last scene, but it's resolved in every other manner.

Pretty easy to ignore that scene if you know it's the last episode.

 

[Jutz]

Halfway through FAST FIVE - Awesome!!! Can't wait for the end....When these first came out I thought what a lame movie/premise. Now my guilty pleasure is putting these on , cranking the surround sound and

 

[Kenny Powers]

Hey other KP - I FINALLY started on The Wire. Of course I get through about 5mins of the 2nd episode and the damn thing is tweaking out and skipping. Gotta grab a copy from the library now.

Bummer on the disc skipping. Find a good copy ASAP.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Lost in Translation - Kinda racist, huh?

It's also kinda slow and kinda boring.

However 1) For me this is Scarlett Johansson's high water mark for hotness. She is hot and will always be hot but this is the film that really does it for me.

2) The chemistry between Scarlett & Murray is really eye popping. They both just nail it and create boat loads of subtext with the way in which they interact. They create a very authentic feeling of a relationship that mighta/coulda been but both know it can't so they don't try. I really appreciated the honesty in their performances. And since the movie is really about the dynamic between Scarlett & Murray I have to say that despite being kinda slow & kinda boring (& kinda racist) I kinda like this film.

Good soundtrack too.

Great soundtrack, beautiful photography, but a pretty dull movie. Scarlett is a mediocre actor.Why was it racist? Remind me.

It wasn't terrible but they hit every Japanese stereotype in the book.

Scarlett isn't great but she didn't have to do much and was really good with Murray.

Funny. I normally have a good radar for those things, but I don't remember the movie being offensive. One particularly racist stereotype that I'll always remember was the cheap, dishonest Jew in Spike Lee's Mo' Better Blues.

I don't think it was a dishonest portrayal but stereotyping can be a touchy subject. Coppola continually went back to the "Engrish" well. Yeah I get it, Japanese people have trouble with Rs and Ls when speaking English, feel free to move on any time Sofia.

I suppose it's all about intentions. I remember the silly accusations that were hurled against George Lucas for the new Star Wars movies. Something about Jar Jar being racist? Do people really think Lucas is a racist? I don't know what's in Coppola's heart, but I suspect it's not racism at play in Lost.

Jar-Jar, the dumb Jamaican. The Trade Empire (or whatever), sinister asians. Anakin's blue slave owner, money-grubbing Jew. That series was rife with overt (even to a really, really stoned guy) and painfully obvious racial/ist stereotypes. And that's not to mention the Polish Ewoks.

 

[Kenny Powers]

As for that discussion we had not long ago about movies you have no interest in seeing again, chalk up Lost In Translation for that category.

Another one that fits that I thought of a week or 2 ago is The King's Speech. Great acting all around and I appreciated how well made it was but no thanks.

 

[Chaka]

As for that discussion we had not long ago about movies you have no interest in seeing again, chalk up Lost In Translation for that category.Another one that fits that I thought of a week or 2 ago is The King's Speech. Great acting all around and I appreciated how well made it was but no thanks.

I can see that but I have to say that enjoyed LiT a lot more without all the hype surrounding it. I was similarly disappointed with The King's Speech mostly because of expectations. Perhaps if I revisit it again in 7-10 years I will appreciate it more.

 

[Daywalker]

5-Year-Engagement.

Big fan of Segel and I could watch Blunt recite the phonebook. So not the most partial reviewer. Thought this was one of the better Rom-Com's I've seen in a while.

Brian Posehn and Chris Pratt both had some good moments.

Nothing extraordinary but I laughed throughout and the story didn't make me roll my eyes. If you like the stars you'll enjoy this.

3 out 4 stars.

 

[jdoggydogg]

As for that discussion we had not long ago about movies you have no interest in seeing again, chalk up Lost In Translation for that category.Another one that fits that I thought of a week or 2 ago is The King's Speech. Great acting all around and I appreciated how well made it was but no thanks.

Loved The King's Speech - don't ever need to see it again.

 

[cosjobs]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

 

[wikkidpissah]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

dont know which i find more disheartening - my failure to spur allyall's interest last yr when i started an Abbey thread so i'd have folks to dish with on what i then called the best original TV script since "Marty", or that so many who came late to the DA party are so much more forgiving of the series' resumption than i. i groaned more often @ Season 2's disappointments than i do during Shia LaBoeuf action movies.

 

[cosjobs]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

dont know which i find more disheartening - my failure to spur allyall's interest last yr when i started an Abbey thread so i'd have folks to dish with on what i then called the best original TV script since "Marty", or that so many who came late to the DA party are so much more forgiving of the series' resumption than i. i groaned more often @ Season 2's disappointments than i do during Shia LaBoeuf action movies.

I do not know how I missed your previous thread. I concur wholeheartedly with any praise bestowed upon this gem. All the bad talk about season two is depressing me tho, since I am already on ep 5 of the first season and want as much more as possible.

 

[Chaka]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

dont know which i find more disheartening - my failure to spur allyall's interest last yr when i started an Abbey thread so i'd have folks to dish with on what i then called the best original TV script since "Marty", or that so many who came late to the DA party are so much more forgiving of the series' resumption than i. i groaned more often @ Season 2's disappointments than i do during Shia LaBoeuf action movies.

I do not know how I missed your previous thread. I concur wholeheartedly with any praise bestowed upon this gem. All the bad talk about season two is depressing me tho, since I am already on ep 5 of the first season and want as much more as possible.

I know everyone loves it and I still have high expectations I just didn't find the first episode terribly compelling.It seemed to have some very interesting themes as it relates to the rights and roles of women and those trying to break that paradigm (like the Queen of Gryffindor). But IDK I thought the first episode was only okay. I will still watch more because of how highly regarded it is around these parts.

 

[Daywalker]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

dont know which i find more disheartening - my failure to spur allyall's interest last yr when i started an Abbey thread so i'd have folks to dish with on what i then called the best original TV script since "Marty", or that so many who came late to the DA party are so much more forgiving of the series' resumption than i. i groaned more often @ Season 2's disappointments than i do during Shia LaBoeuf action movies.

Really think viewing habits can change the way you view a series. I recently watched the first two seasons of DA in about 10 days. The buzz of watching a great new show probably made it easier to digest a subpar second season. If I was waiting a week between each episode in season two perhaps I'd have a harsher review.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

Without a doubt.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Downton Abbey

I feel like a man who's been lost at sea for weeks, and I've grabbed onto a plank of wood that's saving me. Where have you been all my life, Downton Abbey? This show is so beautiful, so brilliant.

Awhile back, Krista commented in this thread that the TV talk is making her lose interest in this thread. Well, I'm here to say the reason for that is modern television is sometimes so well done, it's often better than most films. We can go on and stick to movies, but that seems archaic at this point. Between the BBC, HBO, Showtime, and AMC, cable TV is setting the bar so high, films often pale in comparison.

I watched the first episode and...meh.I will watch a few more because one episode never tells the story but I am not sure what the hype is all about yet.

I watched the first episode and I was instantly hooked. So...

Same here. I've seen five eps now and I qualify it as brilliant

dont know which i find more disheartening - my failure to spur allyall's interest last yr when i started an Abbey thread so i'd have folks to dish with on what i then called the best original TV script since "Marty", or that so many who came late to the DA party are so much more forgiving of the series' resumption than i. i groaned more often @ Season 2's disappointments than i do during Shia LaBoeuf action movies.

I never saw your Downton thread, otherwise I wouldn't have been so late to the party.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Drive - 7.5/10

There are a lot of things to like. The drawn out periods of calm punctuated by extreme violence is rather Hitchcockian/Tarantinoish. The lighting effects are really cool. And Carey Mulligan just does it for me.

The thing I like best is that you don't need The Driver's backstory. Knowing that he moved to L.A. and took the jobs he did sort of signals that he ran away from something. And with the violence he's capable of, you know it was something bad.

It's not an action movie. I like how it remains calm and understated until it whacks you.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Drive - 7.5/10

 

[krista4]

Killing Zoe....Been awhile since Ive seen this under the radar heist movie, but loved it as much as I remember, if not more. Dont recall thinking this specifically before, but I loved how this film is set up around Eric Stoltz's character, who somehow is almost a moral compass. Its really a 3 act downward spiral for him going from a euphoric night with call girl Zoe, to a whirlwind drug binge in the slums of Paris, to a hastily attempted bank robbery on Bastille Day that transpires over the last half of the film. Paralleling Stoltz's character story arc is his childhood friend and leader of the group, played by Jean-Hugues Anglade, whose conflicted character slowly descends into madness, willing to do whatever it takes to leave the bank rich. Its a great performance from him that really carries the film. Gritty, uncompromising, and disturbingly fun with a subtle ending that is more open to conversation and tragic than the viewer might realize at first....4.5/5

It's been a while since I've seen this movie, but it has always stuck with me I think because it gave me a different view of Paris(true or not)not always portrayed in movies.

Plus I like Julie Delpy naked.

I don't know how I've missed this one.

 

[krista4]

Wasteland:

Another fantastic documentary. I would say one of the best and most moving ones I have seen lately. Reminded me a bit of Born Into Brothels. I dare you to watch it and not take something away from it.

I recommended this one about six months ago(?) and it still sticks with me. Two of the best documentaries I've seen in recent years, and that I want to recommend highly again, are this and Buck.

 

[krista4]

The Killing Fields A powerful, touching account of one man's stuggle to survive the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. 4/5

Been meaning to see this for years.

Dude.

 

[krista4]

The Barbarian Invasions - Excellent French Canadian film that won best foreign language film in 2004 (while I loved The Twilight Samurai I can't argue with TBI winning the Oscar). Story of a terminally ill father whose diverse group of family and friends rally to be with him in his final weeks. While it is without question a witty (very funny at times) and thoughtful portrayal of a deeply flawed man questioning the meaning of his life during his final days it is also a pretty strong indictment of the Canadian health care system including the notion of euthanasia.

Good film, worth watching.

Don't get me started. Probably one of my top ten favorites of all time.

 

[krista4]

Angels in America - Just finished watching it for the first time since it was originally on. Quite simply, a miracle - perhaps the greatest one in the history of television. Keeps one suspended in ambivalance, the way a great painting does, for over five hours. The pathetic immediacy has lost some of its urgency since the plague was in full swing, but life is still your fault and, yet, you can be saved. A miracle. 4.985/5

 

[krista4]

Chaka mentioned that Kenny Powers was starting to look cute in this thread so I'd better make my way back.

Was on a few long flights last week, so LET IT RAIN!*

*With movies all of you reviewed ages ago.



The Muppets: I'm starting with this one because I love the Muppets. I love them. So I'm totally not unbiased in my appraisal of this movie, which if viewed through a non-Muppet-lover lens is likely not that good. But because I am probably the only person ever to cry watching The Muppets on a flight from Singapore to Tokyo (I mean, they were singing The Rainbow Connection--what was I to do?), I'll give it 4/5. Non-Muppet-fan 2.5/5.

Drive: Wasn't sure as I watched whether this was anything. I agree that the lighting was well done. Carey Mulligan definitely has a quality about her that makes her entrancing. And I have to give extra points for Albert Brooks and the job he did with his character. It's kind of a movie that amounts to nothing, but I remained intrigued. Good characters throughout. 3.5/5



The Descendants: This is the one I can't figure out. Just when I was about to give up and say it was awful, it would come through with a genuine and poignant scene that drew me heavily back in. But there was just too much superfluous going on here--could have dropped the "will they sell the property" angle altogether to make a better movie, though that would mean we'd lose Beau Bridges who was one of the high points. Don't get the love for Clooney's performance as I found it very one-note. I don't know...meh...2.5/5.

The Artist: Probably my favorite of the group I watched, it really did it for me. I actually enjoyed the story, not just the visuals and acting (both of which were stunning). Only downside for me was the perkiness of the lead actress, though I know that was part of the story. Found it annoying, though. 4.5/5

Hugo: Just not my cup of tea. I'm not going to rate it because it was not something I could get into, but was probably a good movie.



The Help: At some time on my first 14-hour flight I was getting desperate. What can I say, I would not normally watch a movie that my sister-in-law loved. This was better than expected, though, carried but insanely good supporting performances and not nearly as much schmaltz as I expected. 3.5/5

My Week with Marilyn: Absolutely stunning performance by Michelle Williams. I can't get it out of my head. And for the first half-hour or so I just didn't understand why she'd received the hype, as she wasn't given much to do in the early scenes. The movie itself was interesting but a bit too pat. 3.5/5

Inglorious Basterds: Yeah, I'm way late on this one. I would find this almost a perfect movie were it not for Brad Pitt's role, or Brad Pitt's performance perhaps. Worst attempt at a Southern accent since Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind, and the steel-jawed presence he tried to hit at every turn was so distracting that I could barely stand to watch him. A different actor could have helped, but somehow I think the character was just written very poorly. There really was no backstory as to who this guy was or why he acted the way he did. Christoph Waltz was phenomenal. Without Brad Pitt, 5/5. As it was, 4/5.



Marcy May Mary Marlene (or whatever order they go in): I wasn't as blown away as most seem to be, and this seems right up my alley. I can't really explain why. Great performance by lead actress. It just never hooked me in to where I was terribly interested in her, or especially her family. Overall it seemed a trifle. 3/5

I feel like I'm forgetting some...

 

[wazoo11]

Take Shelter - Taut psychological drama. It's very well done but the pacing is somewhat slow and there is one scene where the tension feels contrived (but it leads to a great rant by Michael Shannon). Michael Shannon seems to have legitimate acting chops, though I wonder if he could pull off a non-dramatic role. Ultimately I enjoyed it because it is very well acted and keeps you guessing whether Shannon is having true premonitions or slowly losing his mind.

Loved Jessica Chastain's acting in this movie.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Killing Zoe....Been awhile since Ive seen this under the radar heist movie, but loved it as much as I remember, if not more. Dont recall thinking this specifically before, but I loved how this film is set up around Eric Stoltz's character, who somehow is almost a moral compass. Its really a 3 act downward spiral for him going from a euphoric night with call girl Zoe, to a whirlwind drug binge in the slums of Paris, to a hastily attempted bank robbery on Bastille Day that transpires over the last half of the film. Paralleling Stoltz's character story arc is his childhood friend and leader of the group, played by Jean-Hugues Anglade, whose conflicted character slowly descends into madness, willing to do whatever it takes to leave the bank rich. Its a great performance from him that really carries the film. Gritty, uncompromising, and disturbingly fun with a subtle ending that is more open to conversation and tragic than the viewer might realize at first....4.5/5

It's been a while since I've seen this movie, but it has always stuck with me I think because it gave me a different view of Paris(true or not)not always portrayed in movies.

Plus I like Julie Delpy naked.

I don't know how I've missed this one.

Its around 15 yrs old, so that might be why you missed it, but I agree with Bootleg, and I think Floppo and Saintfool said the same thing, that this is a film that just sticks with you..For me, I think it was the Paris drug binge, seeing musical notes from nowhere, random conversations about vikings and jazz music, etc, and then the heist.Yet, this film has so much more going on than I just said.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Killing Fields A powerful, touching account of one man's stuggle to survive the horrors of the Khmer Rouge. 4/5

Been meaning to see this for years.

Dude.

I know

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Muppets: I'm starting with this one because I love the Muppets. I love them. So I'm totally not unbiased in my appraisal of this movie, which if viewed through a non-Muppet-lover lens is likely not that good. But because I am probably the only person ever to cry watching The Muppets on a flight from Singapore to Tokyo (I mean, they were singing The Rainbow Connection--what was I to do?), I'll give it 4/5. Non-Muppet-fan 2.5/5.

Inglorious Basterds: Yeah, I'm way late on this one. I would find this almost a perfect movie were it not for Brad Pitt's role, or Brad Pitt's performance perhaps. Worst attempt at a Southern accent since Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind, and the steel-jawed presence he tried to hit at every turn was so distracting that I could barely stand to watch him. A different actor could have helped, but somehow I think the character was just written very poorly. There really was no backstory as to who this guy was or why he acted the way he did. Christoph Waltz was phenomenal. Without Brad Pitt, 5/5. As it was, 4/5.

Going to watch The Muppets with my son this weekend I think Pitt's character is an homage to old WWII movies and is meant to sound corny. I can't argue with your logic, but I found it to be hilarious.