What is the last film you watched?

[Morlock 11]

The Matrix holds up visually, IMO.

I just saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I didn't like it nearly as much as Knocked Up, but I liked it much more than Superbad. I cared about Segal and Kunis. I liked Russell Brand's character. But with this film, I see the whole question of females in the Apatow universe. The ending totally degraded the Kunis character in my eyes, and significantly weakened the film. Kristen Bell was just extremely annoying and doesn't look all that great, IMO. I loved Segal's description of the scores he writes.

A decent flick, with a sucky ending.

[Morlock 11]

My Beautiful Laundrette: After watching The Queen again, I decided to catch up on my Stephen Frears. I didn't care for this one. Mainly because of my expectations. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a far darker film in tone (I probably got it confused with what I'd heard about Frears' Prick up your Ears), so the entire film, I was expecting the other shoe to drop. So the tone always seemed off...only towards the end did I realize that the film I was seeing was totally different than the film I thought I was seeing. Thus, I'm not in a great position to form an opinion of the film. I did like some of the performances, but, in general, I'm gonna have to give it another try some day.

Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park. Strange- here is another film that turned out to be very different than my expectations, but I liked this one a lot. First of all, I rented it with terpidation, as I was expecting a neo-realist film, and neo-realist is not a form that I like in film (although Van Sant's Elephant is an exception- I was totally drawn into that one. I think I'll rent it again). And the title sounded like an artsy title that refered to a location as well as a state of mind. It kinda does, but in a far mroe relatable way than I was expecting.

Jumbled chronology can be quite annoying when done without purpose. And, in the begining, this one bugged me for just that reason. But as the film progressed, the chronology felt more and more correct, and was absolutely right for the film, especially once the specific reason for this chronology became crystalized. Van Sant's portrait of a male teenager really struck me here. It did also in Elephant, but over here, it is more central, and more gentle (well, obviously). I related to a great deal in the main character. I liked the treatment of the cataclysmic event in the movie, and it's reprecussions.

The metaphor of 'Paradise Park', the skaters' arena in the movie, did not quite work for me, and I didn't connect to the many montages of it (though they were fascinating in their own rite, due to the beautiful, restrained camera work by Christopher Doyle). Yet even though they take up a decent amount of time of this brief film (83 minutes with credits), they did not really from the experience. A quietly mesmerising film, which I like more and more upon reflection.

Nino Rota is used extensively on the soundtrack, and while I didn't quite get the use, it felt right.

I also saw a local film, Waltz With Bashir. The film was in the main competition in Cannes. It did not win anything, but was greeted with quite favorable reviews.

It is has been called an animated documentry. It resembles the look of A Scanner Darkly and Waking Life in many ways, but it was animated based on filmed footage, it is not traced. Well, only parts of it were based on filmed footage....a lot of it is based on the memories of the people involved. It is quite a fascinating mix of documentry, with many of the images based on recollections or hallucinations of the characters. I personally found the animation to be beautiful and extremely involving, an inspired way to tell this story. Perhaps too inspired- I couldn't halp but think throughout that the dazzling presentation is greatly improving on an otherwise not especially remarkable documentry. On the other hand, a great deal of the film couldn't be presented if not for the animation, and perhaps visually breathing life into an earnest yet common story is an end in and of itself in film.....I'm not quite sure, but the film is quite an immersive experience, and I found it very powerful.

I will refrain from digging too deeply into the themes of the film, as they certainly can be seen a political in nature...but I will offer a brief synopsis. The narrative of the film is this: An Israeli veteran of the first Lebanon war has a chat with a fellow veteran one night. This chat sparks a memory in our protagonist of his time in the war. The rest of the film is our protagonist's effort to piece together the rest of his experience, through talking to other veterans.

I am extremely biased when it comes to this film, of course, but if any of the above intrigues you at all, I would strongly recommend checking out some less biased reviews or the trailer (

).

[Ollie 1,059]

Does anybody watch The Matrix anymore? Or they stopped, somewhere in the November of 2003?

Karol

No.

There's no excuse for the Mummy Return's sloppy work, especially coming from ILM. But they've had their share of poor SPX. They're not above criticism.

Recently watched M*A*S*H*, which is still a very good and extremely funny film and 1977 gem from TOEI studios, Legend Of Dinosaurs And Monster Birds, which could qualify as a candidate for worst movie ever made.

[John Crichton 4]

Thirteen Days

Very good historical docudrama/political thriller, despite Kevin Costner's awful accent. Probably a tad too long, though (almost 2 1/2 hours). Nice score, too.

[Charlie Brigden 7]

M*A*S*H is brilliant.

I never did like THE MATRIX though.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

all this Mash talk makes we want to see another movie Catch 22.

[indy4 155]

Does anybody watch The Matrix anymore? Or they stopped, somewhere in the November of 2003?

Karol

I tried to watch the first one once, but it was so bad I couldn't finish. I don't know why they were so popular.

I still think the first one looks incredibly impressive, adn that's going on 10 years old now.

Although, my impression may be warped by how revolutionary and important the new effects were, rather than how convincing they are when compared to films today. I still do the same with Jurassic Park.

JP still looks completely real to me today.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

My Beautiful Laundrette: After watching The Queen again, I decided to catch up on my Stephen Frears. I didn't care for this one. Mainly because of my expectations. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a far darker film in tone (I probably got it confused with what I'd heard about Frears' Prick up your Ears), so the entire film, I was expecting the other shoe to drop. So the tone always seemed off...only towards the end did I realize that the film I was seeing was totally different than the film I thought I was seeing. Thus, I'm not in a great position to form an opinion of the film. I did like some of the performances, but, in general, I'm gonna have to give it another try some day.

Hansy's first score!

As for the other stuff, CG does date quickly, which is why I said The Mummy Returns is an old movie.

As for The Matrix, the first is a really good movie with spectacular effects. Reloaded was great, but the acting and dialogue underwent a huge downgrade. Revolutions is just plain bad. IMO, the sequels should not have been made. I guess they are useful to resolve the whole Zion vs. Machines war and explain what the matrix is, but the first had a really good ending that didn't bring in those other stories. Neo is THE one. And the phone call conversation at the end was pretty good. I still don't know who he was talking to.

[Morlock 11]

My Beautiful Laundrette: After watching The Queen again, I decided to catch up on my Stephen Frears. I didn't care for this one. Mainly because of my expectations. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a far darker film in tone (I probably got it confused with what I'd heard about Frears' Prick up your Ears), so the entire film, I was expecting the other shoe to drop. So the tone always seemed off...only towards the end did I realize that the film I was seeing was totally different than the film I thought I was seeing. Thus, I'm not in a great position to form an opinion of the film. I did like some of the performances, but, in general, I'm gonna have to give it another try some day.

Hansy's first score!

I thought it was too...but why is another composer credited? (Zimmer and Stanley Meyers are credited as score producers)

Oh, and the score sucked. Terrible 80's electronics, the ideas in it were quite lame.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

CG doesn't date that quickly Koray!

based on your comments then the Mummy Returns which was released on May 4, 2001 it was 40 or 50 years old on May 5th, cause they effects looked terrible from the get go, they were so sloppy.

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Does anybody watch The Matrix anymore? Or they stopped, somewhere in the November of 2003?

Karol

I tried to watch the first one once, but it was so bad I couldn't finish. I don't know why they were so popular.

Because the first one is very good.

(And the second one, too, by the way)

[Bryant Burnette 654]

The Matrix is not only one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, it's one of the best action movies ever made. The entire industry paid attention to that film, and rightfully so. It's a classic.

When it comes to the sequels, they're a big step down, but a big step down frmo drop-dead awesome can still be pretty good, and both Reloaded and Revolutions qualify. I also liked The Animatrix; I liked it more than the two "real" sequels, in fact.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

My Beautiful Laundrette: After watching The Queen again, I decided to catch up on my Stephen Frears. I didn't care for this one. Mainly because of my expectations. I'm not sure why, but I was expecting a far darker film in tone (I probably got it confused with what I'd heard about Frears' Prick up your Ears), so the entire film, I was expecting the other shoe to drop. So the tone always seemed off...only towards the end did I realize that the film I was seeing was totally different than the film I thought I was seeing. Thus, I'm not in a great position to form an opinion of the film. I did like some of the performances, but, in general, I'm gonna have to give it another try some day.

Hansy's first score!

I thought it was too...but why is another composer credited? (Zimmer and Stanley Meyers are credited as score producers)

Oh, and the score sucked. Terrible 80's electronics, the ideas in it were quite lame.

Stanley Meyers was Hans Zimmer's mentor. That's why he believes in collaboration. I thought that was known around here. As for the score, I'm sure Daddy-O is just as bad, give the guy a break.

[indy4 155]

I don't know, somebody posted the main titles to Daddy-o on YouTube once, and it had this really catchy jazz tune.

[A24 4,333]

The Matrix is not only one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, it's one of the best action movies ever made. The entire industry paid attention to that film, and rightfully so. It's a classic.

It is but I wouldn't call it one of the best, the story is too familiar, its focus too action-orientated, but it's certainly excells as an action/sci-fi flick.

I was surprised about how rewatchable this movie is ... or was (it's been years since my last visit).

Alex

[Morlock 11]

Stanley Meyers was Hans Zimmer's mentor. That's why he believes in collaboration. I thought that was known around here.

I said they were both credited as score PRODUCERS. Someone else was credited as composer. I was expecting Meyers to be credited.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

As far as I know, Hans Zimmer composed the music, maybe alongside Meyers. A 17 minute suite came on his British Years CD.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Casino Royale, I liked parts of it, thought it overly violent, as if it was trying to out punch Jason Borne

in the end it felt like a Timothy Dalton Bond film.

It was best when M and Bond were on screen together. The score was strange parts of it I liked, when it mimiced J.B., and other times it was ugh.

Daniel Craig fills the role of James Bond well, I like him as an actor, and I can accept him.

Once again the stunts became utterly rediculous and the plot got convoluted at the end.

Still a good movie, 2 and 1/2 maybe even 3 stars out of 4.

[A24 4,333]

Casino Royale, I liked parts of it, thought it overly violent, as if it was trying to out punch Jason Borne

Not only did they want to punch out Bourne, they copied the style and tone too. And that's cool because I didn't like the Bond films (save for Goldfinger).

Trois Couleurs: Blanc: The lightest of the trilogy and the one I enjoyed the most.

Trois Couleurs: Rouge: Just as with Bleu, the style of Kieslowski's drama doesn't work for me.

Alex

[Bryant Burnette 654]

WALL*E: I'm a huge Pixar fan, so it comes as no surprise to me that I loved this movie. The animation is so good that it's almost hard to believe. Even more impressive, the movie makes you care about characters that basically have no dialogue. However, there is a very anti-big-business subtext at work, which is kinda strange coming from a company owned by Disney. But I'm going to choose to ignore that somewhat hypocritical aspect of it. GREAT movie.

Wanted: Oh, what garbage. This is an awful, awful movie. It has almost no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I've never been a big Angelina Jolie fan, but she's pretty good, and incredibly sexy, though her innate sexiness isn't utilized very well. On the other hand, I have been a big James MacAvoy fan ever since Children of Dune, but he's terrible in this role; he was badly miscast, so the fault isn't entirely his own, but he's pretty lousy (and has an especially lousy voice-over narrative at a few points). The movie's plot makes almost no sense at all, and the action scenes aren't particularly cool, and the film's morals are really rather reprehenisble. It's a bit like The Matrix if the Matrix itself made no sense, if the action scenes looked fairly cheap and used too many editing tricks as opposed to stuntwork to sell them, and if the only reason Neo had for wanting to leave the "real" world was the fact that he didn't like his job. Seriously, MacAvoy's character has a supposedly terrible job, and we're expected to sympathize with him because his boss is kinda shrill and keeps demanding that he turn in a piece of paperwork to her. All I could think was that if the guy had simply done his paperwork in the first place and turned it in, maybe things wouldn't have been so bad. Elfman's music was okay, but the movie as a whole is a stinker. And I'm already a little depressed, because it's a stinker I know is going to be well-liked by the general public.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

And that's cool because I didn't like the Bond films (save for Goldfinger).

You don't like From Russia With Love?

[Neimoidian 14]

Trois Couleurs: Blanc: The lightest of the trilogy and the one I enjoyed the most.

Trois Couleurs: Rouge: Just as with Bleu, the style of Kieslowski's drama doesn't work for me.

Alex

Strange, given that Kieślowski was actually widely acknowledged for his dramas.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Wanted: Oh, what garbage. This is an awful, awful movie. It has almost no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I've never been a big Angelina Jolie fan, but she's pretty good, and incredibly sexy, though her innate sexiness isn't utilized very well. On the other hand, I have been a big James MacAvoy fan ever since Children of Dune, but he's terrible in this role; he was badly miscast, so the fault isn't entirely his own, but he's pretty lousy (and has an especially lousy voice-over narrative at a few points). The movie's plot makes almost no sense at all, and the action scenes aren't particularly cool, and the film's morals are really rather reprehenisble. It's a bit like The Matrix if the Matrix itself made no sense, if the action scenes looked fairly cheap and used too many editing tricks as opposed to stuntwork to sell them, and if the only reason Neo had for wanting to leave the "real" world was the fact that he didn't like his job. Seriously, MacAvoy's character has a supposedly terrible job, and we're expected to sympathize with him because his boss is kinda shrill and keeps demanding that he turn in a piece of paperwork to her. All I could think was that if the guy had simply done his paperwork in the first place and turned it in, maybe things wouldn't have been so bad. Elfman's music was okay, but the movie as a whole is a stinker. And I'm already a little depressed, because it's a stinker I know is going to be well-liked by the general public.

It's pretty fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. I'm going in with a "Shoot 'Em Up" state of mind.

[Morlock 11]

Casino Royale, I liked parts of it, thought it overly violent, as if it was trying to out punch Jason Borne

Not only did they want to punch out Bourne, they copied the style and tone too. And that's cool because I didn't like the Bond films (save for Goldfinger).

The first chase scene is nothing like Bourne in construction. It is a logic vs. agility. Bourne is just fighting, edited beyond all geographical and logical comprehension. It is one the finest chase scenes I've ever seen. The later ones are rather ho-hum, though.

[Ollie 1,059]

Wanted: Oh, what garbage. This is an awful, awful movie. It has almost no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I've never been a big Angelina Jolie fan, but she's pretty good, and incredibly sexy, though her innate sexiness isn't utilized very well. On the other hand, I have been a big James MacAvoy fan ever since Children of Dune, but he's terrible in this role; he was badly miscast, so the fault isn't entirely his own, but he's pretty lousy (and has an especially lousy voice-over narrative at a few points). The movie's plot makes almost no sense at all, and the action scenes aren't particularly cool, and the film's morals are really rather reprehenisble. It's a bit like The Matrix if the Matrix itself made no sense, if the action scenes looked fairly cheap and used too many editing tricks as opposed to stuntwork to sell them, and if the only reason Neo had for wanting to leave the "real" world was the fact that he didn't like his job. Seriously, MacAvoy's character has a supposedly terrible job, and we're expected to sympathize with him because his boss is kinda shrill and keeps demanding that he turn in a piece of paperwork to her. All I could think was that if the guy had simply done his paperwork in the first place and turned it in, maybe things wouldn't have been so bad. Elfman's music was okay, but the movie as a whole is a stinker. And I'm already a little depressed, because it's a stinker I know is going to be well-liked by the general public.

Actually the previews have STAY AWAY THIS FILM IS AWFUL written all over it.

I'm suprised Morgan Freeman is in this film.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Wanted: Oh, what garbage. This is an awful, awful movie. It has almost no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I've never been a big Angelina Jolie fan, but she's pretty good, and incredibly sexy, though her innate sexiness isn't utilized very well. On the other hand, I have been a big James MacAvoy fan ever since Children of Dune, but he's terrible in this role; he was badly miscast, so the fault isn't entirely his own, but he's pretty lousy (and has an especially lousy voice-over narrative at a few points). The movie's plot makes almost no sense at all, and the action scenes aren't particularly cool, and the film's morals are really rather reprehenisble. It's a bit like The Matrix if the Matrix itself made no sense, if the action scenes looked fairly cheap and used too many editing tricks as opposed to stuntwork to sell them, and if the only reason Neo had for wanting to leave the "real" world was the fact that he didn't like his job. Seriously, MacAvoy's character has a supposedly terrible job, and we're expected to sympathize with him because his boss is kinda shrill and keeps demanding that he turn in a piece of paperwork to her. All I could think was that if the guy had simply done his paperwork in the first place and turned it in, maybe things wouldn't have been so bad. Elfman's music was okay, but the movie as a whole is a stinker. And I'm already a little depressed, because it's a stinker I know is going to be well-liked by the general public.

Actually the previews have STAY AWAY THIS FILM IS AWFUL written all over it.

I'm suprised Morgan Freeman is in this film.

I gave up on Morgan Freeman awhile ago. I used to be surprised, but then I realized he does a TON of crappy movies. He's not that great of an actor.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

you know Koray got to be the most stupid thing you've said, and you've said a boatload of stupid thing.

Morgan Freeman is a great actor, he just tends to want to work, and isn't picky that each movie is that great.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Just like Christopher walken.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

I like Christopher Walken but he's more of a parody these days.

[Red 75]

Or a caricature.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

you know Koray got to be the most stupid thing you've said, and you've said a boatload of stupid thing.

Morgan Freeman is a great actor, he just tends to want to work, and isn't picky that each movie is that great.

What's so special about him? A decent actor, but nothing extraordinary. He does a lot of crappy films in which his acting is usually the same.

"Ever since I was a child, people have always loved the sound of my voice..."

[John Crichton 4]

Morgan Freeman was just fine in Batman Begins, and I expect him to be again in The Dark Knight.

[indy4 155]

I saw a couple crucial parts of Temple of Doom again. Needless to say, 5/5 stars. But the thing I really noticed this time is how Williams wrote a small cameo of the melody from "The Basket Chase" when the film parodies it (with the two swordsmen, but this time Indy doesn't have a gun). That was nice.

And as always, every time I watch this film I realize more and more how much we NEED an expanded ToD score. *sigh*

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

What are the "crucial" parts of TOD?

Why not watch o whole film?

[JoeinAR 1,949]

the magic of dvd is the scene selection, I often just watch "crucial parts".

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

I consider it crucial to watch a film as a whole. If it's a good film at least.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

There are times where you just feel like watching certain parts to pass the time. I see no harm in it.

[indy4 155]

What are the "crucial" parts of TOD?

Why not watch o whole film?

I was just testing out the screen on a new computer, I wasn't even planning on watching more than the opening dance number. But I got sucked in (as always), and I watched the escape from Shanghai, the sacrifice, the bug tunnel/death trap, the mine car chase, and the bridge scene.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

If I watch a movie, it's from beginning to end. I'll only watch certain scenes to test picture or sound quality when I'm changing something.

Live Free Or Die Hard (**1/2 out of ****)

on Blu-Ray

Not as good as I remember. It has some excellent action, but like some people have said, it doesn't feel like a Die Hard movie. Bruce Willis is always fun to watch, and this just felt like a great action movie, but not John McClane.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

why do you always mention its on Blu ray? so what, are we to be impressed that you got one, WOW, there does that satisfy your ego. Oh and you gave it 1 to 1-1/2 stars too many.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Picture and sound quality make a big difference. I don't say it to "show-off". I say it because it goes into my rating, because it adds to the overall level of enjoyment. If I watched it in full screen with stereo sound, I would probably hate it more.

[Bryant Burnette 654]

You know, the injustice of my not having Blu-Ray is really starting to sink in.

Damn my financial incompetence!

By the way, Koray, if you don't have Close Encounters on Blu-Ray, you are hereby ordered to slap yourself. Then, slap someone else -- it takes the sting off.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Im not buying blu ray, he'll soon well have flash media films

[Koray Savas 2,251]

You know, the injustice of my not having Blu-Ray is really starting to sink in.

Damn my financial incompetence!

By the way, Koray, if you don't have Close Encounters on Blu-Ray, you are hereby ordered to slap yourself. Then, slap someone else -- it takes the sting off.

No slapping necessary, I got it for $20 from Amazon.

[Morlock 11]

A friend wanted to see Children of Dune, I went along, mainly for the score. And I'm very sorry I did. It is quite bad. And the score is not very good in it.

[Ollie 1,059]

Wall-E.

[John Crichton 4]

Futurama: Beast With A Billion Backs

The first movie, as much as I liked it, always felt a little off, like the crew was getting back into the Futurama mode. They got there. This is classic Futurama, like it was made when the regular show was still in production. The plot is much simpler this time, no temporal physics to follow. And surprisingly emotional, too.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Electric Dreams

on Betamax.

[QMM 4]

First movie I've seen in New Zealand

In Bruges

A taut thriller(?) with great dialogue and humor that isn't forced or out of place. Trifecta of Farrell (who is actually hilarious in this), Gleeson, and Fiennes blend very nicely with each other. I liked Burwell's score as well.

[Morlock 11]

My favorite movie of the year so far. Terrific acting, writing, setting, cinematography, music.