off topic: recent movies [Archive] - Audio & Video Forums

ForeverAutumn

07-25-2005, 07:16 AM

You wouldn't want to post this thread to the Movie forum. You'ld get a lot more responces, and there's some pretty good reviewers in there that would give you some good insights.

Hey MC. Geoffcin is right. Check out the Favourite Films forum. There are a ton of recent DVD reviews there!!

The only recent flicks that I've seen are:

War of the Worlds - miss this and you won't miss much.
Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith - interesting story in that you find out how a lot of the things that become important in the original Star Wars flicks happen.
A Shark's Tale - I love animated films but this one bored me a bit.

Overall, not a lot of success in providing you with an interesting movie to view. :(

Note to Geoffcin: Thanks for not just automatically moving this thread. :)

Hyfi

07-25-2005, 07:23 AM

MC was asking a few of his friends who he knows post here and not there.

By the way, Be Cool has a good soundtrack and a chick that can sing well.

Hyfi

MC, I'm confused. How could we suggest DVDs of movies that are currently at Theaters? Would't that be Pirating? We don't do that here.

newtrix1

07-25-2005, 07:53 AM

Best movie I've seen recently was a baseball movie (on DVD) called Mickey. Stars Harry Connick Jr. (so there, it's music related too). Nothing to do with Mickey Mantle btw.
I thought I'd seen all the good baseball movies, but this 2003 released slipped me by back then. Great movie if you've got (or had) kids in little league.

Best recent theatre movie (if you still consider it recent), was Star Wars. War of the Worlds was so-so.

newtrix1

07-25-2005, 07:54 AM

You wouldn't want to post this thread to the Movie forum. You'ld get a lot more responces, and there's some pretty good reviewers in there that would give you some good insights.

Personally, I only visit the Rave-Recs forum, So I'm glad MC posted this here. I don't see a problem with an occasional "off-topic" discussion. Breaks the monotony ya know?

Ex Lion Tamer

07-25-2005, 07:55 AM

I haven't seen any of the new releases in theatres, but I did see a good movie called Antwone Fisher with Denzell Washington, (rarely do I not enjoy one of his movies). I did see the boxing movie with Russell Crowe, the name is escaping me now, which was good but didn't quite live up to the hype.

MasterCylinder

07-25-2005, 08:01 AM

hyfi......I got the pirating joke.....LOL.

Just to clarify, since I have not put any time into movies for the last few years, I was asking film advice regarding EITHER those currently in theaters - OR - those for rental on DVD (trying not to exclude anything).

Perhaps I could have worded it better.

newtrix1

07-25-2005, 08:09 AM

Aviator
Be Cool
Bridget Jones II
Harold and Kumar go to White Castle
National Treasure

I don't know why, but I'm having a real problem getting through Aviator. First off, it's really long, I watched a bit last week, then came back to it Saturday, but didn't finish it. It's starting to seem like a chore to go back and wrap it up. The portrayal of Kate Hepburn was a bright spot though.

Loved National Treasure, lot's of folks thought it was hokey, but I saw it the theatre when it came out and loved it, and then picked up the DVD the week it came out. I think one aspect that I liked about it was that the "good guy" Nichloas Cage's character, never used weapons or fought his way out of the many perilous situations. He always used his brain. As a parent, it's nice to see that for a change, kudos to Disney.

audiobill

07-25-2005, 08:14 AM

Hey, MC.

At the theatres.........

Batman Begins: 5/5 Dark and delicious -- don't miss this one!!

War of the Worlds: 3.8/5 I actually quite liked it, but the ending was too contrite.

DVDs

Kingdom of Heaven: 4/5 You need to understand some of the history to fully appreciate

Ong Bak: 5/5 If you like martial arts films, this one is it -- no guide wires, at all

Hitch: 4/5

The Merchant of Venice: 4/5 Al Pacino and breathtaking venetian scenery

The Machinist: 3.7 Creepy-ccol. Bale is anorexic, very un-Batmanlike

Constantine: fun popcorn movie..... 3.5/5

Boogeyman: 2/5 don't waste your time

Hope this helps you choose,

Bill aka audiobill

ForeverAutumn

07-25-2005, 09:05 AM

I did see the boxing movie with Russell Crowe, the name is escaping me now, which was good but didn't quite live up to the hype.

Cinderella Man. I didn't see, I just knew the name.

Mr MidFi

07-25-2005, 11:06 AM

I just saw Kinsey and Garden State this weekend. Both are very good. Liam Neeson is excellent as the famous sex researcher, and Zach Braff has done a marvelous job with his first writing/directing/starring effort. Of the two, I would recommend Garden State first.

Dave_G

07-25-2005, 11:23 AM

ALIEN

ALIENS

Turn off the lights and play it thru the stereo and it'll have ya jumpin.

Dave

richmon

07-25-2005, 12:32 PM

Some of the better one's recently viewed:
The Motorcycle diaries -great scenery
Crimes and Misdemeanors (Woody Allen)
Frailty - review=http://allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=1:259829
Weed (available if you have OnDemand digital cable)
Go West (great Marx Brothers that I found in the Classics section)

And the stinker of the week -Fantastic 4.
As a big consumer of Marvel comic books, had to see Fantastic 4 ... verdict? -only very mildly entertaining.

Mr MidFi

07-25-2005, 01:27 PM

ALIEN

ALIENS

Turn off the lights and play it thru the stereo and it'll have ya jumpin.

Dave

One of the first DVDs I ever bought was Alien. Great flick. You're right about turning off the light, especially during the freaky strobe effect when the ship is heading for self-destruction.

(The other two discs I bought on my first DVD shopping trip: Blade Runner and Amadeus.)

dean_martin

07-25-2005, 01:56 PM

Haven't been to the theaters in a while, but if you're a couple years behind on dvd rentals, this may help.

Napoleon Dynamite (released in Dec. '04) - off beat comedy with no objectionable language, situations, etc.
The Incredibles - animated, but with a fairly adult-oriented story.
My family and I liked the twinbill Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers
Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2 (significantly less family oriented)
The Life Aquatic
Lost in Translation
Garden State

Some older flicks I've returned to recently - High Fidelity, 12 Monkeys, Donnie Darko, Rushmore.

An older flick that I just discovered - Dog Soldiers, best werewolf movie I've ever seen.

Matt Damon surprised me in The Bourne Identity so much so that I also rented (and enjoyed) The Bourne Supremacy.

Swish

07-25-2005, 02:40 PM

Loved National Treasure, lot's of folks thought it was hokey, but I saw it the theatre when it came out and loved it, and then picked up the DVD the week it came out. I think one aspect that I liked about it was that the "good guy" Nichloas Cage's character, never used weapons or fought his way out of the many perilous situations. He always used his brain. As a parent, it's nice to see that for a change, kudos to Disney.

I really hated this movie. Some of the scenes were as proposterous as those in the Matrix seriies. I like my movies to be grounded in reality, at least to some degree. If you liked it, que sera, sera, but I don't know how I got thru it.

I would go for"Lost in Translation" as my favorite rental in recent months. Quality acting, unique story, well written and a fantastic vehicle for Bill Murray like you've never seen him.

Swish

Hyfi

07-25-2005, 03:49 PM

I don't know why, but I'm having a real problem getting through Aviator. First off, it's really long, I watched a bit last week, then came back to it Saturday, but didn't finish it. It's starting to seem like a chore to go back and wrap it up. The portrayal of Kate Hepburn was a bright spot though.

Loved National Treasure, lot's of folks thought it was hokey, but I saw it the theatre when it came out and loved it, and then picked up the DVD the week it came out. I think one aspect that I liked about it was that the "good guy" Nichloas Cage's character, never used weapons or fought his way out of the many perilous situations. He always used his brain. As a parent, it's nice to see that for a change, kudos to Disney.

Although someone more fitting the part than Leonardo could have been picked, I like the history that was never told in stores. The wonderful crafstmanship that went into his planes and now all planes. Yes Aviator was long but with the right attitude adjustment, it was enjoyable.

I liked National Treasure for the underlying story of the Nights of Templar. I have a book called Guardians of the Grail that tries to tie the Morovian blood line together with the Nights of Templer right down to the weird Meditation Room in the United Nations that is a monument to the All Seeing Eye. Although hokey to the point of stealing the Declaration, the historical value and insight into somewhat of a Taboo, Masons, I was glued to the screen for the duration.

Be Cool is real funny. Vince Vaughn it a riot while The Rock plays a convincing Gay actor bodyguard.

caniac

07-25-2005, 04:16 PM

Wedding Crashers -- one of the funniest movies I've seen in quite a while. Vince Vaughn is a BEAST!

Also, this is hardly recent, but just picked up "The Natural" on DVD for 10 bucks at Winn-Dixie -- along with a pack of ribeye and some fine Irish lager. I should be in bachelor heaven tomorrow afternoon.

:D

ForeverAutumn

07-25-2005, 06:13 PM

Also, this is hardly recent, but just picked up "The Natural" on DVD :D

This is one of my all-time favourite movies. I don't have it on DVD (yet) but I've seen it enough times that I've lost count. It's a great book too!

I can also give the thumbs up to Rushmore.

Another favourite (and also not new) is Arlington Road. Tim Robbins is (as always) outstanding. This one has one of the best movie endings ever.

While we're on the topic of Tim Robbins. Two more not to be missed films are The Hudsucker Proxy and The Shawshank Redemption.

Hyfi

07-26-2005, 02:48 AM

While we're on the topic of Tim Robbins. Two more not to be missed films are The Hudsucker Proxy and The Shawshank Redemption.

Wow, don't forget Jacobs Ladder.

Ex Lion Tamer

07-26-2005, 04:32 AM

Wow, don't forget Jacobs Ladder.

Also The Player, and Bob Roberts

Stone

07-26-2005, 04:40 AM

Napoleon Dynamite (released in Dec. '04) - off beat comedy with no objectionable language, situations, etc.
.

One of my favorites of the past couple years. Definitely kid safe too.

Another one that isn't really new, but that I recommend, is Run, Lola, Run.

Finch Platte

07-26-2005, 06:08 AM

Wow, don't forget Jacobs Ladder.

I haven't seen this in a while- must see again. Soon. Thanks.

fp

Finch Platte

07-26-2005, 06:10 AM

Dave_G

07-26-2005, 06:11 AM

I bought The Ring on VHS the other day and have not watched it but I hear it's a real creppy film.

Also real good is Blazing Saddles and Spaceballs, they tear me up.

Dave

Finch Platte

07-26-2005, 06:13 AM

ALIEN

ALIENS

Turn off the lights and play it thru the stereo and it'll have ya jumpin.

Dave

Woah! Playing movies through the stereo!!??!! Whoda thunk????

Thanks for the tip, Geezer. :rolleyes:

fp

Dave_G

07-26-2005, 06:16 AM

Gary Glitter,

Where did you come up with that "NO" insignia?

It's pretty cool.

What could you do for a reversal of Kansas?

Dave

Mike

07-26-2005, 07:31 AM

Some DVDs old and new I’ve seen recently

The Incredibles – Just a great film for kids and adults, love all that 60s references and a great Bond homage soundtrack

Layer Cake – Great British gangster movie with some fine acting

Hostage – Had high hopes for this but ultimately disappointing IMO

Constantine – Pretty much what I expected ie not much but it was ok overall

I Robot – I really enjoyed this, pretty slick and stylish

Memento – Never caught this first time around but this is one to definitely see, original story, great acting the sort of film you could watch again and again

Kill Bill vols 1 and 2 - This would have made one great movie

Bubba Ho Tep – Elvis, JFK and cowboy zombie in a rest home, need I say more

Oceans 12 – Liked the first which I thought was a well made re-make heist film but this kind of lost the plot not helped by too many big names

Seabiscuit and Racing Stripes – A couple of solid family films

Field Of Dreams – One of my favourites back in the days when Costner made some good films

Plus some music DVDs

Stevie Ray Vaughan – Live In Austin Texas, the phrase master of the guitar is often over used but in his case there is no doubt. Two live shows plus a bonus video of one of my favourite tracks Little Wing with a montage of classic blues artists and shots of the Fender factory.

The Band – Last Waltz, nuff said

Peter Gabriel – Growing Up, a little too much chat in between songs for my liking but still good music

Talking Heads – Stop Making Sense, hard to believe the sound has not been tinkered with it must be one of the best sounding DVDs around

Cheers
Mike

audiobill

07-26-2005, 07:51 AM

I would go for"Lost in Translation" as my favorite rental in recent months. Quality acting, unique story, well written and a fantastic vehicle for Bill Murray like you've never seen him.

Swish

Hey, Swish.

Just recently saw "Life Aquatic...". Bill Murray is on a career high imho with "Lost in..." and he simply continues the high playing a mock-up of Jacques Cousteau, in "Life Aquatic".

As a kid, Jacques Cousteau was the bomb for capturing my imagination and life-long interest in the sea.

I think you'll like this one.

Cheers,
Bill

Troy

07-26-2005, 07:55 AM

I watched these recently:

Cool Hand Luke- a true classic****
Serpico- Pretty good, Pacino carried an otherwise pedestrian story.***
Million $ Baby- incredibly depressing and un-fun. Best picture of the year my shiny, pimple covered can.*** That goes to:
The Incredibles- Best animated move, ever.*****
Gunner Palace- Iraq war doc. The guitar guy was a riot. Excellent unbiased overview of Joe grunt in the field.****
The Bank Dick- Hilariously un PC, but dated.***
The Driver- late 70s TV movie quality cheese.*
National treasure- One of the worst, most stupid movies I've seen in YEARS! *
Beyond the Sea- Bobby Darin bio-pic. glossy and smarmy**
Bill Hicks- stand up comedy. Parts of this were really great.***
Primer- Lo budget time travel movie- Utterly incomprehensible twaddle.**
Boogie Nights- The Goodfellas of the porn industry.*****
Life Aquatic- Sometimes truly brilliant, sometimes awkward and obvious.***
Say Anything- One of John Cusak's best roles. Amusingly dated.***
Star Trek IV- the Whale one. "Double Dumba$$ on YOU!" Just dated.***
Hotel Rwanda- Harrowing.****
Bad Santa- Best Christmas movie EVER.*****
The first 3 seasons of The Sopranos- highly entertaining, if a bit soap-y.****

Music:
Marillion- Marbles inthe Road- REALLY boring! I recongnized NO songs, and am a fan of the band. *
Flaming Lips: Fearless Freaks- fascinating doc about a weird band. They ARE like a punk Yes. ****

MasterCylinder

07-27-2005, 04:48 AM

Thank you everyone for your help.

Many of the older titles you mention (Shawshank, Boogie Nights, Cool Hand Luke, Alien, and even Lost in Translation, etc.) I have seen -- some more than once.

The last two nights I watched these........

Monday = Million $ Baby (very good; gotta love anything Eastwood does)

Tuesday = Garden State (merely good)

Tonight = Being Julia

P.S. Anybody seen MAZE ? Could not believe the photos I saw of Laura Linney !
Hint = I did not realize she was a natural redhead............woohoo.

ForeverAutumn

07-27-2005, 05:39 AM

:rolleyes: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/22/DDG9JDR20I1.DTL&hw=zombie&sn=001&sc=1000

"...it's unlikely that there will be a more violent film in the multiplexes this year." :eek:

fp

Some dude in front of me brought what looked like a 3-year-old boy to the critics screening, and the $30 he saved on a baby sitter will one day cost $30,000 in therapy bills.

Great line. :D

BarryL

07-27-2005, 09:13 AM

Hey, Swish.

Just recently saw "Life Aquatic...". Bill Murray is on a career high imho with "Lost in..." and he simply continues the high playing a mock-up of Jacques Cousteau, in "Life Aquatic".

As a kid, Jacques Cousteau was the bomb for capturing my imagination and life-long interest in the sea.

I think you'll like this one.

Cheers,
Bill

This gets my vote for worst movie I've ever seen. There was no reason to make this movie. There was no plot. There was no suspense. The humour was by accident. Good acting doesn't make a good movie. By definition, it's just good acting. And this movie didn't even have that. It could have ended 30 minutes sooner or 30 minutes later, and it wouldn't have made any difference to the story. It looked like the whole thing was improvised. I guess that's why it lasted barely a week in the theatres.

Dismal.

Swish

07-27-2005, 09:33 AM

This gets my vote for worst movie I've ever seen. There was no reason to make this movie. There was no plot. There was no suspense. The humour was by accident. Good acting doesn't make a good movie. By definition, it's just good acting. And this movie didn't even have that. It could have ended 30 minutes sooner or 30 minutes later, and it wouldn't have made any difference to the story. It looked like the whole thing was improvised. I guess that's why it lasted barely a week in the theatres.

Dismal.

What to do, what to do. Now wait a sec. Barry, you're a prog fan, aren't you? I think I'll have to side with AudioBill on this one. ;)

Swish Baby

BarryL

07-29-2005, 10:34 AM

What to do, what to do. Now wait a sec. Barry, you're a prog fan, aren't you? I think I'll have to side with AudioBill on this one. ;)

Swish Baby

Swishy:

Okay, so maybe it was the second worst movie I've ever seen after Decline and Fall of the American Empire.

Please rent it this weekend and watch it (if you're able to get through it in just one weekend). And then, you'll have to learn to enjoy prog to make up for choosing Audio Bill over BarryL!

Just remember, there's no accounting for my tastes (and Audio Bill's, apparently). ;)

audiobill

07-29-2005, 07:35 PM

Swishy:
Just remember, there's no accounting for my tastes (and Audio Bill's, apparently). ;)

Hey Bar:

Do you mean to tell me that you dion't dig David Bowie tunes from the Ziggy stardust era performed, in Portuguese, by the Brazilian recording artist Seu Jorge? or the respect shown to interns everywhere with such lines as, "Don't point that gun at him -- he's just an intern?

He, he, he, he,

Unhollyworldly yours,
Bill

BarryL

07-30-2005, 05:18 AM

Hey Bar:

Do you mean to tell me that you dion't dig David Bowie tunes from the Ziggy stardust era performed, in Portuguese, by the Brazilian recording artist Seu Jorge? or the respect shown to interns everywhere with such lines as, "Don't point that gun at him -- he's just an intern?

He, he, he, he,

Unhollyworldly yours,
Bill

Trying to quickly figure out the Bowie tune was the only fun part of the movie, and that had nothing to do with the movie.

There's a new Bill Murray movie out that has gotten good reviews. I'll have to wait and see after getting burned the last time with the overzealous reviews. I've now figured out that when there is overly strong praise for the acting, and no mention of the the great stroy, that the movie probably sucks.

Another poor movie was the one about the two alcholics the name of which I forget. He was a washed up baseball player who had a talk show, and she thought her husband had left her for his secretary. That movie was a lot funnier than Life Acquatic, but it still went nowhere with great acting by characters you could have no empathy for. More hollywood crap. Therse guys are as bad as the music industry, and then they wonder why people don't go to movies anymore. It's because they make crappy movies. Good movies kill at the boxoffice.

Troy

07-30-2005, 10:39 AM

Oh Barry . . .

No plot? Don't you think you're being a bit hard on the beaver?

Life Aquatic had a plot. It's about a hack Jaques Cousteau style has-been at the end of his career who's partner getds eaten by a giant mythical shark. He sets out to make his last great film, the search for the giant shark that killed his associate. Along the way he has run ins with the competing undersea documentary maker, the hilarious Jeff Goldblum and he takes what may be his illegitiamate son (Owen WIlson) under his wing (clearly this film maker has major father issues becuase it seems to be the subject of ALL his films).

Enough plot for ya?

I loved the way no one knew what they were doing at any given time. Especially the scenes of them filming. What a pack of morons. Willem Dafoe's most hilarious role. I wish he'd do more comedy. He's funny in the same creepy way as Christopher Walken.

The shootout at the abandoned resort sequence was one of the most conceptually surreal things I've ever seen in a movie. Was it real or staged? At what level was it real or staged. It was just so dman wierd. And that location WOW, I want to spend my vacation THERE!

caniac

07-30-2005, 03:43 PM

I saw "Hustle and Flow" at the theater Friday night and it was fantastic. I wasn't expecting to like it at all but it's probably the best film I've seen this year, including "Cinderella Man" and "Batman Begins".

BarryL

07-30-2005, 05:21 PM

Oh Barry . . .

No plot?

Life Aquatic had a plot. It's about a hack Jaques Cousteau style has-been at the end of his career who's partner getds eaten by a giant mythical shark. He sets out to make his last great film, the search for the giant shark that killed his associate. Along the way he has run ins with the competing undersea documentary maker, the hilarious Jeff Goldblum and he takes what may be his illegitiamate son (Owen WIlson) under his wing (clearly this film maker has major father issues becuase it seems to be the subject of ALL his films).

Enough plot for ya?

Big Yawn.