Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (7 Viewers)

[Sarnoff]

Zero Effect

I you, you know.

 

[jdoggydogg]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

I hate to say it, but one episode was enough for me. Pretty corny.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Need a movie for a double-feature date night. Second movie is the Pierce Brosnan "Thomas Crown Affair". What should precede it? We've previously watched "Quick Change", so that's out, but I'm thinking another comedy caper might work. Also just watched "Clue". Bummed I worked through the best ones so fast. Dave Foley's "The Wrong Guy" is a possibility but hoping for other suggestions. TIA.

"Out of Sight", perhaps? "Return of the Pink Panther" was a bedroller for me & the Mrs backinady.

A good date movie if you like a tearjerker is Dear Frankie. Gerard Butler and Emily Mortimer are excellent.

 

[cstu]

John Dies At The EndI knew nothing about this going in so I didn't know what to expect. After watching it I don't that even if I knew what to expect that it would have been what I expected. Throw any adjective you want at it - weird, odd, bizarre, random - and I don't think it does it justice. I'm not even sure how to rate it except WTF/10 (in a good way). Found out later that it's based on a book by Cracked.com's David Woo. All I can say is if you like campy sci-fi/horror films and aren't easily disgusted you should watch it.

 

[Chaka]

Need a movie for a double-feature date night. Second movie is the Pierce Brosnan "Thomas Crown Affair". What should precede it? We've previously watched "Quick Change", so that's out, but I'm thinking another comedy caper might work. Also just watched "Clue". Bummed I worked through the best ones so fast. Dave Foley's "The Wrong Guy" is a possibility but hoping for other suggestions. TIA.

Murder By Death You'll thank me later.

 

[Chaka]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

I hate to say it, but one episode was enough for me. Pretty corny.

I started watching after it cleaned house at the Primetime Emmy's last year and while I enjoy Homeland I don't think it's nearly as good as all the accolades. For a show that seems to try to create the perception of plausibility they do outrageous and ridiculous things far too often. There have been multiple times during a mere 24 episode run that I wondered aloud that it had jumped the shark.If they were smart they would have wrapped it up during season 2, now I get the feeling they will try to get 6-7 years out of it when they likely have only enough good material with these storylines for maybe (MAYBE) one more season.

 

[jdoggydogg]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

I hate to say it, but one episode was enough for me. Pretty corny.

I started watching after it cleaned house at the Primetime Emmy's last year and while I enjoy Homeland I don't think it's nearly as good as all the accolades. For a show that seems to try to create the perception of plausibility they do outrageous and ridiculous things far too often. There have been multiple times during a mere 24 episode run that I wondered aloud that it had jumped the shark.If they were smart they would have wrapped it up during season 2, now I get the feeling they will try to get 6-7 years out of it when they likely have only enough good material with these storylines for maybe (MAYBE) one more season.

I get the feeling that the show is so well-written and produced that any flaws go by the wayside - and I totally understand. I haven't seen much of Claire Danes' acting, but here she doesn't seem very good.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

John Dies At The End

I knew nothing about this going in so I didn't know what to expect. After watching it I don't that even if I knew what to expect that it would have been what I expected. Throw any adjective you want at it - weird, odd, bizarre, random - and I don't think it does it justice. I'm not even sure how to rate it except WTF/10 (in a good way). Found out later that it's based on a book by Cracked.com's David Woo. All I can say is if you like campy sci-fi/horror films and aren't easily disgusted you should watch it.

I would have expected John to die at the end of the film.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Total Recall...Actually rented this monday, watched it monday night and tuesday night, but apparently was too drunk to remember the 2nd half and if I liked it or not. Made sure I paced myself last night, and for a sci-fi blockbuster, I really liked it. They certainly take a lot of elements from the first one - which should be expected - but they change some things up as well. The visuals are about as great as any movie Ive ever seen, and the action was solid and frequent. What I also liked that was definitely different from the original is even by the end of the movie, you never really know for sure if he actually was a secret agent or if it was all just a Recall memory...3/5

 

[bonesman]

John Dies At The EndI knew nothing about this going in so I didn't know what to expect. After watching it I don't that even if I knew what to expect that it would have been what I expected. Throw any adjective you want at it - weird, odd, bizarre, random - and I don't think it does it justice. I'm not even sure how to rate it except WTF/10 (in a good way). Found out later that it's based on a book by Cracked.com's David Woo. All I can say is if you like campy sci-fi/horror films and aren't easily disgusted you should watch it.

Nice... gotta check this one out. THanks.

 

[biggamer3]

Need a movie for a double-feature date night. Second movie is the Pierce Brosnan "Thomas Crown Affair". What should precede it? We've previously watched "Quick Change", so that's out, but I'm thinking another comedy caper might work. Also just watched "Clue". Bummed I worked through the best ones so fast. Dave Foley's "The Wrong Guy" is a possibility but hoping for other suggestions. TIA.

Watch Dear Zachary, that will really set the tone perfectly for Thomas Crown (Crown is a great remake IMO, one of the best ones)

 

[bosoxs45]

The Boys From Brazil - 7/10

"A Nazi hunter in Paraguay discovers a sinister and bizarre plot headed by Dr. Josef Mengele to rekindle the Third Reich."

I liked the performances by both Peck and Olivier.

I really enjoyed this.

 

[JoeSteeler]

John Dies At The EndI knew nothing about this going in so I didn't know what to expect. After watching it I don't that even if I knew what to expect that it would have been what I expected. Throw any adjective you want at it - weird, odd, bizarre, random - and I don't think it does it justice. I'm not even sure how to rate it except WTF/10 (in a good way). Found out later that it's based on a book by Cracked.com's David Woo. All I can say is if you like campy sci-fi/horror films and aren't easily disgusted you should watch it.

Nice... gotta check this one out. THanks.

Just watched the trailer and it looks great.

 

[Chaka]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

I hate to say it, but one episode was enough for me. Pretty corny.

I started watching after it cleaned house at the Primetime Emmy's last year and while I enjoy Homeland I don't think it's nearly as good as all the accolades. For a show that seems to try to create the perception of plausibility they do outrageous and ridiculous things far too often. There have been multiple times during a mere 24 episode run that I wondered aloud that it had jumped the shark.If they were smart they would have wrapped it up during season 2, now I get the feeling they will try to get 6-7 years out of it when they likely have only enough good material with these storylines for maybe (MAYBE) one more season.

I get the feeling that the show is so well-written and produced that any flaws go by the wayside - and I totally understand. I haven't seen much of Claire Danes' acting, but here she doesn't seem very good.

Actually Danes is tremendous. She consistently brings it and, along with Mandy Patinkin and Damian Lewis are the main reasons I watch the show. I think their acting is what brings the show to life despite, sometimes serious, flaws with plot development.If you want to see Danes at her finest I strongly recommend watching Temple Grandin. She is stunning and brings some elements of Grandin to her role in Homeland.

 

[Papa Georgio]

John Dies At The EndI knew nothing about this going in so I didn't know what to expect. After watching it I don't that even if I knew what to expect that it would have been what I expected. Throw any adjective you want at it - weird, odd, bizarre, random - and I don't think it does it justice. I'm not even sure how to rate it except WTF/10 (in a good way). Found out later that it's based on a book by Cracked.com's David Woo. All I can say is if you like campy sci-fi/horror films and aren't easily disgusted you should watch it.

Pretty much what I thought too. Went in blind and was not sure what I had gotten myself into.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Boys From Brazil - 7/10

"A Nazi hunter in Paraguay discovers a sinister and bizarre plot headed by Dr. Josef Mengele to rekindle the Third Reich."

I liked the performances by both Peck and Olivier.

I really enjoyed this.

Saw it once 30 years ago and it's still burned in my brain.

 

[jdoggydogg]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

I hate to say it, but one episode was enough for me. Pretty corny.

I started watching after it cleaned house at the Primetime Emmy's last year and while I enjoy Homeland I don't think it's nearly as good as all the accolades. For a show that seems to try to create the perception of plausibility they do outrageous and ridiculous things far too often. There have been multiple times during a mere 24 episode run that I wondered aloud that it had jumped the shark.If they were smart they would have wrapped it up during season 2, now I get the feeling they will try to get 6-7 years out of it when they likely have only enough good material with these storylines for maybe (MAYBE) one more season.

I get the feeling that the show is so well-written and produced that any flaws go by the wayside - and I totally understand. I haven't seen much of Claire Danes' acting, but here she doesn't seem very good.

Actually Danes is tremendous. She consistently brings it and, along with Mandy Patinkin and Damian Lewis are the main reasons I watch the show. I think their acting is what brings the show to life despite, sometimes serious, flaws with plot development.If you want to see Danes at her finest I strongly recommend watching Temple Grandin. She is stunning and brings some elements of Grandin to her role in Homeland.

I guess it's a matter of personal taste. I hear her delivering those lines and I don't believe a word of it

 

[KarmaPolice]

Liberal Arts:

Since seeing Martha Marcy May Marlene, I have been keeping my eyes peeled for anything that Elizabeth Olsen is in. This one is a rom/com about a 30 something who goes back for an old prof's retirement and ends up meeting and falling for a 19 year old. This one was slightly above average. I felt as though they shied away too much on the actual relationship, and spent too much time with lame secondary characters - namely Zac Efron as the "kooky" guy with the funny hat, and his old English Lit professor. Still you could do a lot worse for the genre and anything with Richard Jenkins in it is worth a viewing.

The Ice Storm:

I have seen this a few times now, and the more I watch it the more I love it. Climbs up in the ranks of what I think are the best movies of the 90s. It is from what might be my favorite year of movies since I started giving a crap about film. Hard to argue with a year that had this, The Sweet Hereafter, Boogie Nights and Jackie Brown released. All 4 would be in my top 10 of the 90s list.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Revisited an old favorite. Still holds up well. The movie has, kind of, a Five Easy Pieces vibe.

 

[jdoggydogg]

The Ice Storm:

I have seen this a few times now, and the more I watch it the more I love it. Climbs up in the ranks of what I think are the best movies of the 90s. It is from what might be my favorite year of movies since I started giving a crap about film. Hard to argue with a year that had this, The Sweet Hereafter, Boogie Nights and Jackie Brown released. All 4 would be in my top 10 of the 90s list.

 

[FootballDummy]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

I hate to say it, but one episode was enough for me. Pretty corny.

I started watching after it cleaned house at the Primetime Emmy's last year and while I enjoy Homeland I don't think it's nearly as good as all the accolades. For a show that seems to try to create the perception of plausibility they do outrageous and ridiculous things far too often. There have been multiple times during a mere 24 episode run that I wondered aloud that it had jumped the shark.If they were smart they would have wrapped it up during season 2, now I get the feeling they will try to get 6-7 years out of it when they likely have only enough good material with these storylines for maybe (MAYBE) one more season.

I get the feeling that the show is so well-written and produced that any flaws go by the wayside - and I totally understand. I haven't seen much of Claire Danes' acting, but here she doesn't seem very good.

Actually Danes is tremendous. She consistently brings it and, along with Mandy Patinkin and Damian Lewis are the main reasons I watch the show. I think their acting is what brings the show to life despite, sometimes serious, flaws with plot development.If you want to see Danes at her finest I strongly recommend watching Temple Grandin. She is stunning and brings some elements of Grandin to her role in Homeland.

I guess it's a matter of personal taste. I hear her delivering those lines and I don't believe a word of it

I watched about half of the first season and lost interest. There was an SNL skit where they spoofed the show.

Spoiler

The Danes character was exposed to a new terrorist suspect, who she immediately had sex with. Yeah, that kind of sums up the show.

 

[Arizona Ron]

Seven Psychopaths: Had no idea what to expect going in. Loved the cast. Movie was different and entertaining. 4/5

Finally got a chance to see this last night. I really enjoyed it.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Dirty, Pretty Things - 7/10

The story was a bit dull for the first 2/3 but the characters were easy to sympathize with. The last 1/3 was pretty good and it had a very satisfying ending.

Audrey Tatou is pretty but when the camera lingers on her too long she has some googly eyes going on.

 

[El Floppo]

just finished the first disc of "homeland" and don't see what the fuss is about. writing is not very good. the cast is all over the place. chemistry - really the lack there of - is distracting. does it come together here and improve?

We just finished the first season. I found it to be very good, not great. I've heard the second season really ramps it up. It doesn't come near the greatness of Breaking Bad or The Wire but it's a fun watch and I'm looking forward to watching season two.I didn't think much of it after the first disc either, although not for the same reasons as you. For me it was just too slow to develop at first but I'm glad I stuck with it. You have different problems with the show and I'm not sure you'll find that they improve on your complaints. At least not in the first season. I still think you should stick it out though.

I've been following along with the Official FFA thread too. We're hoping to catch up with Homeland and Dexter (almost done with Season 6) so we can get Showtime to watch the new seasons when they come out in the fall.

for the most part, i don't find any of the Showtime series to work for me. "Dexter", "Tudors", "Californication", and others have all failed to deliver.

fool... The Showtime shows are pretty much all the same. A goofy premise with some fun moments, but overall lacking anything to make them great. Homeland quickly degenerates in the second season into some really lazy and goofy writing and silly scenarios. But it's still a decent enough ride if you can ignore all of that. For your sake I think just pull the cord and bail out now..

 

[Cliff Clavin]

What is everyone's thoughts on Justified? 4 episodes in and I don't think I like it. Does it get better? Does is stay very episodic or does a good story line come into play?

 

[jamny]

What is everyone's thoughts on Justified? 4 episodes in and I don't think I like it. Does it get better? Does is stay very episodic or does a good story line come into play?

That's about as far as I made it through the show. Judging by some comments it seems that it has gotten better.

 

[saintfool]

Dirty, Pretty Things - 7/10

The story was a bit dull for the first 2/3 but the characters were easy to sympathize with. The last 1/3 was pretty good and it had a very satisfying ending.

Audrey Tatou is pretty but when the camera lingers on her too long she has some googly eyes going on.

i remember liking this a lot for what it is.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Dredd

I enjoy mindless action flicks, but this thing sucked. Boring premise (what's the point in this cool dystopian future if the story is just going to boil down to "kill your way out of the building"), bad effects, eye-rolling sequences everywhere, goofy dialogue, and horrible acting even out of actors I normally like (Urban, Headey). 2/10

 

[saintfool]

fool... The Showtime shows are pretty much all the same. A goofy premise with some fun moments, but overall lacking anything to make them great. Homeland quickly degenerates in the second season into some really lazy and goofy writing and silly scenarios. But it's still a decent enough ride if you can ignore all of that. For your sake I think just pull the cord and bail out now..

:updatesnotebookn a related note, the netflix series "house of cards" is a very pleasant surprise about two episodes in. most would think that kevin spacey is the reason but, imo, i credit David Fincher here mostly. his fingerprints are all over this series. in other news, robin wright is a incredibly good (and hot at 46) in the show too.

 

[ShutdownStranger80]

What is everyone's thoughts on Justified? 4 episodes in and I don't think I like it. Does it get better? Does is stay very episodic or does a good story line come into play?

Thats funny, I thought I was the only one that didn't like Justified, I tried bought the whole 1st season but have given up on it so far, I moved to the Shield.. now thats a great freaking show.. about to start season 5

 

[jamny]

What is everyone's thoughts on Justified? 4 episodes in and I don't think I like it. Does it get better? Does is stay very episodic or does a good story line come into play?

Thats funny, I thought I was the only one that didn't like Justified, I tried bought the whole 1st season but have given up on it so far, I moved to the Shield.. now thats a great freaking show.. about to start season 5

There aren't too many shows better than The Shield.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Dredd

I enjoy mindless action flicks, but this thing sucked. Boring premise (what's the point in this cool dystopian future if the story is just going to boil down to "kill your way out of the building"), bad effects, eye-rolling sequences everywhere, goofy dialogue, and horrible acting even out of actors I normally like (Urban, Headey). 2/10

I think the movie's biggest failing is that it's humorless.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Revisited an old favorite. Still holds up well. The movie has, kind of, a Five Easy Pieces vibe.

launched my mid-life crisis. i so craved to feel differently than i felt after watching it, even tho i was enjoying my life tremendously. wish i could revisit it, but fear doing so.

 

[bonesman]

John Dies At The EndI knew nothing about this going in so I didn't know what to expect. After watching it I don't that even if I knew what to expect that it would have been what I expected. Throw any adjective you want at it - weird, odd, bizarre, random - and I don't think it does it justice. I'm not even sure how to rate it except WTF/10 (in a good way). Found out later that it's based on a book by Cracked.com's David Woo. All I can say is if you like campy sci-fi/horror films and aren't easily disgusted you should watch it.

Nice... gotta check this one out. THanks.

Just watched the trailer and it looks great.

Watched it last night. Pretty good. Not really as weird as I expected/hoped, but good stuff.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Revisited an old favorite. Still holds up well. The movie has, kind of, a Five Easy Pieces vibe.

launched my mid-life crisis. i so craved to feel differently than i felt after watching it, even tho i was enjoying my life tremendously. wish i could revisit it, but fear doing so.

Interesting. So it made you feel things you didn't want to feel?

 

[cstu]

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Revisited an old favorite. Still holds up well. The movie has, kind of, a Five Easy Pieces vibe.

launched my mid-life crisis. i so craved to feel differently than i felt after watching it, even tho i was enjoying my life tremendously. wish i could revisit it, but fear doing so.

Interesting. So it made you feel things you didn't want to feel?

Kind of like The Crying Game?

 

[Daywalker]

What is everyone's thoughts on Justified? 4 episodes in and I don't think I like it. Does it get better? Does is stay very episodic or does a good story line come into play?

Thats funny, I thought I was the only one that didn't like Justified, I tried bought the whole 1st season but have given up on it so far, I moved to the Shield.. now thats a great freaking show.. about to start season 5

There aren't too many shows better than The Shield.

I watch Justified but mainly out of boredom. It's closer to Walker Texas Ranger then The Shield. Olyphant is really good but the show doesn't take itself that serious. More like something you'd see on TNT/TBS.

 

[belljr]

So I know I will totally get ripped for this, saw That's my boy... Yes the awful Sandler movie....I really liked it...

 

[KarmaPolice]

Watched Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God documentary last night. Tough subject for sure but very well done and telling.

Watched this one as well. Thought it was well done, but it is a hard watch. On the lines of Deliver Us From Evil, but I found this one to be a little bit more informative about how high up the cover up goes.

 

[Socrates11]

So I know I will totally get ripped for this, saw That's my boy... Yes the awful Sandler movie....I really liked it...

I thought it had several laugh out loud moments, enough to make it decent.It's like every 3rd Sandler movie is pretty funny. We have two more to go until the next one.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Bully:

As a father of a 6 year old, this one made me cry for about 90mins straight. Follows 6-7 stories of kids getting bullied. Mostly focuses on Alex (i think that was his name) a kid that is constantly picked on. I know kids are #######s, and being a poor scrawny kid in Middle School I was picked on as well. I think the level that was depicted was a surprise to me, as was the crappy adults (mainly the principal of Alex's school) who are too quick to dismiss the pain that is being inflicted on kids. I would say it is worth a watch for everybody.

The Sessions:

Thought this one was very good. John Hawkes is great as usual. Wasn't quite sure about Macy's role as the priest in the film, but since it was based on a true story, maybe that character was somebody he knew in real life too. The movie was able to take a topic that would make a lot of people uncomfortable and present it in a heartfelt and genuine way. Had some laughs and had some heartbreak. Well worth a watch, but don't think it would show up on my "best of the year" list.

The Rock:

Watched the Criterion treatment and some of the bonus features were well worth it. I think my memory was clouded a little bit, but as silly as the movie is, there are some damn good action sequences in this one. Has to be right up there with the best of the popcorn action blockbuster movies. Would have enjoyed it a lot more if not for Mr. Cage. Heard something on a podcast that made a lot of sense and I hadn't thought about it much - Mr. Bay can direct a good big action movie, but he needs guidance. He started going downhill once his name was the big attraction, he didn't have producers reigning him in, and you get the overbloated stupid movie that we have come to know him for.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower:

Thought this one was OK. Follows a HS freshman after some trouble in his past trying to fit in at high school. Meets the 'outcast' group, starts fit in, falls in love, etc, etc.. I think the problem with this one was that it was too mainstream and the pg-13 rating killed it. A lot of these kids are dealing with some serious ####, but instead of exploring some of that it seemed like the filmmakers were happy enough to just hang out with the kids and show how cool they are because they read some good books and have discovered The Smiths and Sonic Youth. By the end of the movie I thought they left some of the emotion on the table and I thought it killed what I think was supposed to be a more powerful ending than what it was. Still a couple of good performances here - namely his friend Patrick. Emma Watson was alright as well, but the whole movie I couldn't get Allison Reynolds from The Breakfast Club out of my head. This one will definitely play better for the "younger than me" crowd.

 

[KarmaPolice]

So I know I will totally get ripped for this, saw That's my boy... Yes the awful Sandler movie....I really liked it...

I thought it had several laugh out loud moments, enough to make it decent.It's like every 3rd Sandler movie is pretty funny. We have two more to go until the next one.

I am just so done with his Billy Madison voice. I watch the trailer for this one and just cringe.

 

[bosoxs45]

So I know I will totally get ripped for this, saw That's my boy... Yes the awful Sandler movie....I really liked it...

I thought it had several laugh out loud moments, enough to make it decent.It's like every 3rd Sandler movie is pretty funny. We have two more to go until the next one.

I am just so done with his Billy Madison voice. I watch the trailer for this one and just cringe.

How does Dan Patrick keep getting roles in his movies?

 

[17seconds]

Pleasantly surprised by Hotel Transylvania. One of the funnier kid flicks I've seen in a while.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Paranorman - 9/10

I'm tempted to give this movie a perfect 10 but I'll have to see it again before I do.

I thought it was terrific all around. It looked great. I laughed all the way through. It had a good message. The final conflict betweent the antagonist/protagonist was great.

I think it's a crime that this didn't do better. The "gay" joke at the end is about as benign as it gets.

See this movie soon.

 

[jamny]

Couldn't make it through The Bourne Legacy. After the first one, I never really followed the storyline but it was usually fine to just enjoy the action and cinematography. There just wasn't enough action to keep me interested. Also, thanks to whoever made the Jason Bateman comparison. I couldn't get that out of my mind as I watched Renner. 1.5/5 Not much to recommend about it.

 

[saintfool]

"King's Speech" the other night. It is just fine. Nothing remarkable about it. It's one of those UK movies that you can trust to hold up its end of the bargain. Good acting, decent writing and capable direction. They churn out these little films all the time. I watched this almost on auto-pilot.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Just bought Shooter on DVD for $3.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Just bought Shooter on DVD for $3.

You paid too much.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Looper/Dredd - 7/10

I guess I found both of them just all right - which I expected from Dredd but not Looper.

Regarding Dredd - isn't this the same movie as The Raid: Redemption?