Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (2 Viewers)

[Drifter]

Saw There Will be Blood. I agree that the story wasn't that great, but I can't agree that DDL's acting was overrated. He was pretty fantastic in the movie. The movie was also brilliantly shot. Unfortunately, it was basically just a character portrait and really didn't have that much going for it in terms of story and plot.

I just don't think that mimicking old speech patterns constitutes great acting.

DDL is the opposite of subtle, which I usually go for, but I think he's great. Hammy, emotive, maybe even an overactor, but brilliant.

He didn't used to be that way. Watch something like The Boxer or The Age of Innocence or even My Beautiful Laundrette.DDL didn't used to have constantly chew the scenery to disappear into a role. I've said it before. I fear that all the acclaim for his ridiculous, over the top turn in Gangs of New York was a bad omen.

To be fair, a lot of that has to fall on the director's shoulders. I would that that any decent director would reign him in a little if that wasn't what they were going for in the movie/character. Judging by his other movies, I would say that PTA tends to toe the line of overboard for some of the characters in his movies. I guess we'll see in about 5 years when DDL pokes his head out and does another movie.

I think PT Anderson is a fine director, but I wouldn't credit or blame him for Lewis' performance. I don't picture guys like Anderson and Scorsese giving Lewis a lot of direction regarding the tone of his performance. I think Lewis is the final decider for his own intensity.

Speaking of PT -- I know this has been discussed before but did y'all really like the TWBB score? I thought it was distracting.

I understand what they were doing with it, but I agree, I didn't like it much either.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

Watched Beowulf last night. Not the greatest movie ever made, but better than I thought it would be. As most Hollywood movies do, it deviated from the actual story when dealing with Grendel's mother. Overall I enjoyed it, I think primarily because of the way it was filmed.

 

[JerseyToughGuys]

Sweeney Todd =

 

[Statorama]

Saw The Mist last night. Slightly above-average horror flick that jumped up to a well-above average horror flick thanks to a good ending. I saw it coming, but not so far ahead that it ruined it for me.

Based on this recommendation, I'll check it out this weekend.Thanks Bail!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Saw There Will be Blood. I agree that the story wasn't that great, but I can't agree that DDL's acting was overrated. He was pretty fantastic in the movie. The movie was also brilliantly shot. Unfortunately, it was basically just a character portrait and really didn't have that much going for it in terms of story and plot.

I just don't think that mimicking old speech patterns constitutes great acting.

DDL is the opposite of subtle, which I usually go for, but I think he's great. Hammy, emotive, maybe even an overactor, but brilliant.

He didn't used to be that way. Watch something like The Boxer or The Age of Innocence or even My Beautiful Laundrette.DDL didn't used to have constantly chew the scenery to disappear into a role. I've said it before. I fear that all the acclaim for his ridiculous, over the top turn in Gangs of New York was a bad omen.

To be fair, a lot of that has to fall on the director's shoulders. I would that that any decent director would reign him in a little if that wasn't what they were going for in the movie/character. Judging by his other movies, I would say that PTA tends to toe the line of overboard for some of the characters in his movies. I guess we'll see in about 5 years when DDL pokes his head out and does another movie.

I think PT Anderson is a fine director, but I wouldn't credit or blame him for Lewis' performance. I don't picture guys like Anderson and Scorsese giving Lewis a lot of direction regarding the tone of his performance. I think Lewis is the final decider for his own intensity.

Not talking about a lot of direction or his interpretation of the character. Just thought if they were thinking it was too much for the film they would tell him to tone down a little. Honestly, I don't know. I just thought some blame gets shifted to the director for what they get and don't get out of the actors.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Sweeney Todd =

I don't believe you.

 

[The Juggernaut]

In the Valley of Elah

Liked this movie quite a bit. Some people might be annoyed with the director's "message" not being very subtle, but still worth a watch. I did feel that the ending lacked the punch that the rest of the movie was building up to - seemed to fizzle a little bit at the end.

On kind of a tangent here, but this is another example for me of when I look at acting nominations for the AWs. I am pretty sure that Tommy Lee Jones is up for best actor, but he was exactly the same throughout the whole movie. Sure his character had a presence and you did feel for him, but there really wasn't much to him, IMO. Don't know why acting exactly the same throughout all the scenes warrants a best actor nod.

I think Jones is a fantastic actor, but certainly that's an understated role for him. If you put a mediocre actor in that spot, Jones' gifts do seem obvious. He seems to have a lot of subtext in his acting.

I thought he was terrific in the movie. He didn't even need to speak.

mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("I don't know if this is really a spoiler, but just to be safe...

So the Valley of Elah is in Israel, and in the Bible is the valley in which David fought Goliath. Is the title simply symbolic of Jones' (the little guy) struggle to wrest truth from the big guy (government, military, whatever)? Or is there more meaning behind the title than that?

I haven't seen the movie, but I noticed "Elah" in my Bible and became curious.*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***

");document.close();

Certainly. Here's another take:mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("

Jones' son seems to succumb to the horrors of war, and does not triumph over evil. Which is a contrast to the story of David - where a young man defeats evil successfully.

*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();

I thought it could be taken another way as well, especially considering the ending.mytagid = Math.floor( Math.random() * 100 );document.write("

The USA is Goliath and the Iraqi resistance/extremist/terrorist are David. Outmanned and outgunned but still taking on the giant and causing casualties.

*** SPOILER ALERT! Click this link to display the potential spoiler text in this box. ***");document.close();

 

[jdoggydogg]

I finally got a chance to start watching There Will be Blood last night. Will finish tonight.

I've read that some critics don't like that Lewis mimicked John Huston in the movie. I have to say that seems very nitpicky to me. Any actor in a period film is almost certainly going to adopt an accent that is somewhat historically accurate. So what's the problem? John Huston had a great voice, and it's not like this has been done a million times.

Claiming that this accent doesn't equal great acting assumes that Lewis doesn't possess the other myriad skills of a great actor. He does possess all the skills of a great actor.

 

[Big_Russel]

Sweeney Todd =

I don't believe you.

Me either.

 

[Big_Russel]

I finally got a chance to start watching There Will be Blood last night. Will finish tonight.I've read that some critics don't like that Lewis mimicked John Huston in the movie. I have to say that seems very nitpicky to me. Any actor in a period film is almost certainly going to adopt an accent that is somewhat historically accurate. So what's the problem? John Huston had a great voice, and it's not like this has been done a million times. Claiming that this accent doesn't equal great acting assumes that Lewis doesn't possess the other myriad skills of a great actor. He does possess all the skills of a great actor.

It'll be interesting to hear your final take on the movie when you finish it. I watched it the same way (in two halves). I think this is one of the reasons I enjoyed it (seemingly) so much more than many people I know who have similar taste in movies.

 

[jdoggydogg]

I finally got a chance to start watching There Will be Blood last night. Will finish tonight.I've read that some critics don't like that Lewis mimicked John Huston in the movie. I have to say that seems very nitpicky to me. Any actor in a period film is almost certainly going to adopt an accent that is somewhat historically accurate. So what's the problem? John Huston had a great voice, and it's not like this has been done a million times. Claiming that this accent doesn't equal great acting assumes that Lewis doesn't possess the other myriad skills of a great actor. He does possess all the skills of a great actor.

It'll be interesting to hear your final take on the movie when you finish it. I watched it the same way (in two halves). I think this is one of the reasons I enjoyed it (seemingly) so much more than many people I know who have similar taste in movies.

Yeah, with a five year old, it's harder to watch a movie in one sitting now.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I finally got a chance to start watching There Will be Blood last night. Will finish tonight.I've read that some critics don't like that Lewis mimicked John Huston in the movie. I have to say that seems very nitpicky to me. Any actor in a period film is almost certainly going to adopt an accent that is somewhat historically accurate. So what's the problem? John Huston had a great voice, and it's not like this has been done a million times. Claiming that this accent doesn't equal great acting assumes that Lewis doesn't possess the other myriad skills of a great actor. He does possess all the skills of a great actor.

It'll be interesting to hear your final take on the movie when you finish it. I watched it the same way (in two halves). I think this is one of the reasons I enjoyed it (seemingly) so much more than many people I know who have similar taste in movies.

Yeah, with a five year old, it's harder to watch a movie in one sitting now.

Damn kids.

 

[Big_Russel]

Mine is two... Terrible, TERRIBLE two.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Mine is two... Terrible, TERRIBLE two.

Two was easy for me. But at three he was a total ####.

 

[FFTBrownsFan]

Saw The Mist last night. Slightly above-average horror flick that jumped up to a well-above average horror flick thanks to a good ending. I saw it coming, but not so far ahead that it ruined it for me.

Based on this recommendation, I'll check it out this weekend.Thanks Bail!

Don't get your hopes up. Maybe it's the fact that The Mist is my favorite Stephen King story, but I really hated the movie. I just didn't get taken in by its attempt to show how the people divided into factions...And I was really annoyed by the ending - the books' ending is sufficient.I'd skip it.

 

[fsufan]

alien vs predator 2

i was disappointed. why did they have one predator fight many aliens.

 

[jdoggydogg]

There Will Be Blood

Where to start...

Definitely a good movie. Maybe not great, but I liked almost everything about it. Lewis was fantastic, as usual. PT Anderson continues to prove he's an important director. I do have some issues with the soundtrack. For the most part, I liked the soundtrack. But there are scenes where it seems like the music was totally inappropriate for the content.

 

[KarmaPolice]

alien vs predator 2i was disappointed. why did they have one predator fight many aliens.

Being disappointed means that you had some sort of hopes/expectations for this movie. That does not compute. Isn't that similar to saying you were disappointed in the Dukes of Hazzard remake?

 

[fsufan]

alien vs predator 2i was disappointed. why did they have one predator fight many aliens.

Being disappointed means that you had some sort of hopes/expectations for this movie. That does not compute. Isn't that similar to saying you were disappointed in the Dukes of Hazzard remake?

disappointed means i excepted some predator and alien fighting action(like the first one) not the aliens killing the whole town. never say dukes movie.

 

[Big_Russel]

alien vs predator 2

i was disappointed. why did they have one predator fight many aliens.

Being disappointed means that you had some sort of hopes/expectations for this movie. That does not compute. Isn't that similar to saying you were disappointed in the Dukes of Hazzard remake?

disappointed means i excepted some predator and alien fighting action(like the first one) not the aliens killing the whole town. never say dukes movie.

Damn. You ruined it!!

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Watched Hard Candy tonight...great friggin' flick.

Who woulda thunk Ellen Page could play a badass?

 

[jdoggydogg]

Watched Hard Candy tonight...great friggin' flick.Who woulda thunk Ellen Page could play a badass?

Definitely a solid, inventive movie.

 

[Fallerjw]

Put Carnivale in my netflix que based on recommendations here. So far my only regret is that I only had the first 2 discs. I finished them and am looking forward to the rest of them showing up.I'm definitely waiting to find out how it all unravels, plus it's nice that they throw in a little toplessness from time to time.

That older blonde buxom stripper was on an episode of Seinfeld. Guess which one.

She's who I thought of when that "Women You're Strangely Attracted To" thread was floating around. She's a brick ####house fo sho, but there was just something about her in Carnivale that gave me a tingling sensation in my loins.

Oh HELLS yeah. I'd totally do that broad.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Just saw The Last King Of Scotland.

Boy that was good! Better than No County For Old Men (which I liked, too). And it wasn''t nominated for best picture?

Great acting, story, believeable in all aspects (based on true events).

The intensity increased throughout the whole film to the final ending.

Whitaker won a well deserved oscar and McAvoy was good, too.

 

[krista4]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

The Heart of the Game: Terrific little documentary about a girls basketball team in Seattle. All the real emotion and drama that I expect from a good documentary. Highly recommended especially for people with daughters. 4/5

Across the Universe: I couldn't find a review of this one here and was surprised. WARNING: Only see if you like really great movies. Musical set in the 60s, with themes of the civil rights movement and Vietnam War, and all of it set to Beatles music. The actors are extraordinarily talented and appealing, and the movie is visually stunning. I was blown away by it, and I'm not usually a big fan of musicals. 672/5

Bukowski: Born Into This: I've recommended this one before but just watched it again. If you're a Bukowski fan or interested in him at all, it's fascinating. Guy is pretty abhorrent, but fascinating. 4/5

ETA: jdoggydogg, I moved Palookaville up in my queue.

 

[Boone22]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

To really get a good understanding of Alexander Supertramp you have to read the book. The movie glossed over his persona and didn't do a very good job of explaining him. The book, while obviously written after his death, by a third party, does appear to give a good account of his mental state and thought process. Having said that, who knows what he was really thinking since he was alone for 80%+ of his travels. His journal and the interviews can only give so much insight into his personality and ideals. He could have been just a rich kid who rebelled against his parents or he could have been (as the book portrays him) an idealist who really believed in trying to achieve a oneness with nature.

 

[Big_Russel]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

Pretty much my take exactly. I did watch the entire movie, but I had a hard time relating to or feeling sorry for him on any level. I was actually rooting for "The Wild" by the end.

 

[krista4]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

To really get a good understanding of Alexander Supertramp you have to read the book. The movie glossed over his persona and didn't do a very good job of explaining him. The book, while obviously written after his death, by a third party, does appear to give a good account of his mental state and thought process. Having said that, who knows what he was really thinking since he was alone for 80%+ of his travels. His journal and the interviews can only give so much insight into his personality and ideals. He could have been just a rich kid who rebelled against his parents or he could have been (as the book portrays him) an idealist who really believed in trying to achieve a oneness with nature.

Thanks for the explanation. I've read a couple other of Krakauer's books--maybe I should add this one to the list.

 

[YSR]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

To really get a good understanding of Alexander Supertramp you have to read the book. The movie glossed over his persona and didn't do a very good job of explaining him. The book, while obviously written after his death, by a third party, does appear to give a good account of his mental state and thought process. Having said that, who knows what he was really thinking since he was alone for 80%+ of his travels. His journal and the interviews can only give so much insight into his personality and ideals. He could have been just a rich kid who rebelled against his parents or he could have been (as the book portrays him) an idealist who really believed in trying to achieve a oneness with nature.

Thanks for the explanation. I've read a couple other of Krakauer's books--maybe I should add this one to the list.

While I certainly suggest reading the book, I'm not sure what it will do for your understanding of McCandless since you've already seen the movie. What the movie did for me, more so than the book, was bring to life the people that he interacted with along the way - the people who took him in and cared about him and tried to get him to return to his family.All in all, I thought the book was better than the movie, but I thought Sean Penn did as good a job as he could bringing it to film.

 

[FBGirl79]

Watched Death at a Funeral last night. It wasn't nearly as good as I expected but I didn't regret watching. I had a pounding headache all evening so that may have had something to do with my lack of interest. I'm interested in knowing if anyone else has seen it and what they thought.

Have Feast of Love, Jane Austin Book Club, and King of Kong sitting here to watch as soon as I get a chance.

 

[krista4]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

To really get a good understanding of Alexander Supertramp you have to read the book. The movie glossed over his persona and didn't do a very good job of explaining him. The book, while obviously written after his death, by a third party, does appear to give a good account of his mental state and thought process. Having said that, who knows what he was really thinking since he was alone for 80%+ of his travels. His journal and the interviews can only give so much insight into his personality and ideals. He could have been just a rich kid who rebelled against his parents or he could have been (as the book portrays him) an idealist who really believed in trying to achieve a oneness with nature.

Thanks for the explanation. I've read a couple other of Krakauer's books--maybe I should add this one to the list.

While I certainly suggest reading the book, I'm not sure what it will do for your understanding of McCandless since you've already seen the movie. What the movie did for me, more so than the book, was bring to life the people that he interacted with along the way - the people who took him in and cared about him and tried to get him to return to his family.All in all, I thought the book was better than the movie, but I thought Sean Penn did as good a job as he could bringing it to film.

Should have mentioned that I did think the movie was visually beautiful. And I was surprised that I disliked it so much, as it seems to be right up my alley in terms of what I would usually like.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

Pretty much my take exactly. I did watch the entire movie, but I had a hard time relating to or feeling sorry for him on any level. I was actually rooting for "The Wild" by the end.

Maybe the movie kinda reflects your views/beliefs. I didn't see that at all. IMO when I hear rebelling spoiled rich kid I think of the Hiltons or something - partying, drinking, not giving a crap what others think, etc.. Yes, that's annoying. I saw more of a kid that didn't really agree with being given everything and was just trying to find himself. Granted he took it to the extreme and I don't think a lot of us would have the balls to burn our IDs and money, but I still found the kid and the story relatable.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Watched Death at a Funeral last night. It wasn't nearly as good as I expected but I didn't regret watching. I had a pounding headache all evening so that may have had something to do with my lack of interest. I'm interested in knowing if anyone else has seen it and what they thought.

Have Feast of Love, Jane Austin Book Club, and King of Kong sitting here to watch as soon as I get a chance.

Run away.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

Really? I haven't seen the movie yet, but I would have thought you'd like that one.

ETA: jdoggydogg, I moved Palookaville up in my queue.

Ahhhhhhhh, so the stalking worked

 

[FBGirl79]

Watched Death at a Funeral last night. It wasn't nearly as good as I expected but I didn't regret watching. I had a pounding headache all evening so that may have had something to do with my lack of interest. I'm interested in knowing if anyone else has seen it and what they thought.

Have Feast of Love, Jane Austin Book Club, and King of Kong sitting here to watch as soon as I get a chance.

Run away.

Is it that bad? I put it in our queue but didn't realize it was at the top bc a lot of the others had waits so we got it anyways...its been sitting here for 2 weeks so I thought I might try to get through it this weekend.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

Pretty much my take exactly. I did watch the entire movie, but I had a hard time relating to or feeling sorry for him on any level. I was actually rooting for "The Wild" by the end.

That's kind of the point. He was a spoiled rich kid that thought he was so much more enlightened than everyone. But the moral hinges on him meeting the old guy in the desert. That guy lost his family too, albiet not by choice. I think the idea is that the kid realizes as he's dying in the wilderness, all alone, that it would have been better to have a disfunctional family than none at all.

The film doesn't glamorize his choice at all. It shows the pain that he caused not only to his family, but himself.

 

[YSR]

Sweeney Todd =

I don't believe you.

Me either.

You should.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

 

[jdoggydogg]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

KB2 is a very different movie. KB1 is pretty much an action flick - whereas KB2 has a lot more of Tarantino's signature dialogue.

 

[KarmaPolice]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

Bit more talking, less action than KB1. First time I watched them I liked part 2 more. I think on first viewing I wasn't prepared for the use of "every genre of movie he could throw at the viewer" technique with the western/anime/kung fu/etc all being in the movie. After a couple of views, I've learned to like KB1 a bit more and now probably like it better than 2. Let us know what you think...

 

[YSR]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

KB1>>>KB2 IMO, but both are pretty solid flicks.

 

[jdoggydogg]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

Bit more talking, less action than KB1. First time I watched them I liked part 2 more. I think on first viewing I wasn't prepared for the use of "every genre of movie he could throw at the viewer" technique with the western/anime/kung fu/etc all being in the movie. After a couple of views, I've learned to like KB1 a bit more and now probably like it better than 2. Let us know what you think...

I like KB1 more. But the training with Thurman and Pai Mei is awesome.

 

[El Floppo]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

To really get a good understanding of Alexander Supertramp you have to read the book. The movie glossed over his persona and didn't do a very good job of explaining him. The book, while obviously written after his death, by a third party, does appear to give a good account of his mental state and thought process. Having said that, who knows what he was really thinking since he was alone for 80%+ of his travels. His journal and the interviews can only give so much insight into his personality and ideals. He could have been just a rich kid who rebelled against his parents or he could have been (as the book portrays him) an idealist who really believed in trying to achieve a oneness with nature.

Thanks for the explanation. I've read a couple other of Krakauer's books--maybe I should add this one to the list.

If you've read two others, don't bother. I read it and still found him to be much as you described.

 

[El Floppo]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

The Heart of the Game: Terrific little documentary about a girls basketball team in Seattle. All the real emotion and drama that I expect from a good documentary. Highly recommended especially for people with daughters. 4/5

Across the Universe: I couldn't find a review of this one here and was surprised. WARNING: Only see if you like really great movies. Musical set in the 60s, with themes of the civil rights movement and Vietnam War, and all of it set to Beatles music. The actors are extraordinarily talented and appealing, and the movie is visually stunning. I was blown away by it, and I'm not usually a big fan of musicals. 672/5

Bukowski: Born Into This: I've recommended this one before but just watched it again. If you're a Bukowski fan or interested in him at all, it's fascinating. Guy is pretty abhorrent, but fascinating. 4/5

ETA: jdoggydogg, I moved Palookaville up in my queue.

I'll be back with Across the Universe... saw it a couple of weeks ago and thought I wrote it up... too busy I guess.And Bukowski- I'm happy letting Barfly tell me his story and calling it day. One of my favorite quotable movies and only Rourke movie I can stomache.

 

[Seymour Corn]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

Bit more talking, less action than KB1. First time I watched them I liked part 2 more. I think on first viewing I wasn't prepared for the use of "every genre of movie he could throw at the viewer" technique with the western/anime/kung fu/etc all being in the movie. After a couple of views, I've learned to like KB1 a bit more and now probably like it better than 2. Let us know what you think...

I like KB1 more. But the training with Thurman and Pai Mei is awesome.

Why are you separating the KBs? The only reason there are two is for length and marketing reasons.If you'd only seen 1, you'd be wondering what the hell happened. If you'd only seen 2, you'd be wondering what the hell was going on.



Is there anyone who has just seen 2?

 

[KarmaPolice]

So I finally got the stomach to watch Kill Bill: Vol 1.

I have to say, I really liked it - and I normally can't stand Tarantino's stuff. I think it was the limited use of the effenhiemer that helped me through. I have an f-bomb threshhold that ruins the movie for me if it is surpassed.

I'm interested to see how KB2 is.

Bit more talking, less action than KB1. First time I watched them I liked part 2 more. I think on first viewing I wasn't prepared for the use of "every genre of movie he could throw at the viewer" technique with the western/anime/kung fu/etc all being in the movie. After a couple of views, I've learned to like KB1 a bit more and now probably like it better than 2. Let us know what you think...

I like KB1 more. But the training with Thurman and Pai Mei is awesome.

Why are you separating the KBs? The only reason there are two is for length and marketing reasons.If you'd only seen 1, you'd be wondering what the hell happened. If you'd only seen 2, you'd be wondering what the hell was going on.



Is there anyone who has just seen 2?

I think I separate them because to me they just feel like different movies.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Into the Wild: I guess I'm the only one that didn't like this movie. In fact, I couldn't even make it through the whole thing. I know I've ranted here before about voiceover, but the constant voiceover, from two different people, drove me insane. I also didn't feel like I "got" the main character or understood why he was doing what he was doing. Seemed like a spoiled rich kid rebelling against his parents, which is just about the most annoying persona I can think of. No rating since I turned it off before the end.

The Heart of the Game: Terrific little documentary about a girls basketball team in Seattle. All the real emotion and drama that I expect from a good documentary. Highly recommended especially for people with daughters. 4/5

Across the Universe: I couldn't find a review of this one here and was surprised. WARNING: Only see if you like really great movies. Musical set in the 60s, with themes of the civil rights movement and Vietnam War, and all of it set to Beatles music. The actors are extraordinarily talented and appealing, and the movie is visually stunning. I was blown away by it, and I'm not usually a big fan of musicals. 672/5

Bukowski: Born Into This: I've recommended this one before but just watched it again. If you're a Bukowski fan or interested in him at all, it's fascinating. Guy is pretty abhorrent, but fascinating. 4/5

ETA: jdoggydogg, I moved Palookaville up in my queue.

I'll be back with Across the Universe... saw it a couple of weeks ago and thought I wrote it up... too busy I guess.And Bukowski- I'm happy letting Barfly tell me his story and calling it day. One of my favorite quotable movies and only Rourke movie I can stomache.

He's unbelieveable in his brief appearance in The Pledge.

 

[Bob Magaw]

i kind of liked rourke in body heat (cameo one of first roles?), diner, pope of greenwich village & angel heart... also sin city (in a comeback)...

the bloated, punchy roarke that became a charicature of himself circa harley davidson & the marlboro man... not so much... bar fly was a little over the top for my taste...

* i like the humor in tarantino films... like in jackie brown when (SPOILER WARNING - DON NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVENT SEEN) deniro shoots bridget fonda for heckling him, and samuel jackson later asks if she is dead... "pretty much"...

 

[El Floppo]

i kind of liked rourke in body heat (cameo one of first roles?), diner, pope of greenwich village & angel heart... also sin city (in a comeback)...

the bloated, punchy roarke that became a charicature of himself circa harley davidson & the marlboro man... not so much... bar fly was a little over the top for my taste...

* i like the humor in tarantino films... like in jackie brown when (SPOILER WARNING - DON NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVENT SEEN) deniro shoots bridget fonda for heckling him, and samuel jackson later asks if she is dead... "pretty much"...

Happy to stand corrected there. Really like Diner and Pope... Angel mostly for Lisa :Boner: The Pledge- Penn movie, right? Also a good one.

 

[Hammered Finz]

i kind of liked rourke in body heat (cameo one of first roles?), diner, pope of greenwich village & angel heart... also sin city (in a comeback)...

the bloated, punchy roarke that became a charicature of himself circa harley davidson & the marlboro man... not so much... bar fly was a little over the top for my taste...

* i like the humor in tarantino films... like in jackie brown when (SPOILER WARNING - DON NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVENT SEEN) deniro shoots bridget fonda for heckling him, and samuel jackson later asks if she is dead... "pretty much"...

Happy to stand corrected there. Really like Diner and Pope... Angel mostly for Lisa :Boner: The Pledge- Penn movie, right? Also a good one.

Angel Heart was a solid movie.. I liked him in 9 1/2weeks too..