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You've got good points, Alex, and you're no doubt a fan of great cinema. Me, I just like watching good movies, so when I finally buy Star Trek, I have no plans to ever forget that it's on my shelf. To hell with what the masses do. I don't subscribe to the mentality of sheep.

Watching Star Trek is exactly what the masses are doing, sheep Wojo. However, a classical status isn't decided by either box office success or critical acclaim. I maintain, Star Trek is a 'here today, gone tomorrow' kinda film, even if it sets the new standard for how Star Trek movies will be made in the future. Star Trek is like Christian rock music, it's irrelevant in the real world. :lol:

Alex

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I think he meant to hell with what the masses will do in the future, whether they'll forget it or not.

The masses, you say? They just go to the next box-office 3D movie starring Jeremiah Constance Smith (future son of Will).

We remember the gladiators but we no longer know their names. In the future, people will remember Star Trek (the concept) but The Search For Spock will have no cinematical meaning.

Alex

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I wouldn't even say FIRST BLOOD is a classic.

I would. I would say that "First Blood" is one of the best films of the 80s.

The trouble with "Star Trek" is that it is just another in a long line of "event" films that come out seemingly every week, and that make 200 bazillion dollars in its first week, and promptly gets forgotten about. These films simply do not have staying power. Paradoxically, what makes a "classic" film, these days, is a film that failed at the box office ("Master And Commander", for example). What are the "classic" films of this decade, I do not know. I only know what I like, and what I do not like. I do know that "Star Trek", try as it might, and as good a film that it is, will, inevitibly, be on d.v.d. by now, and on telly in 18 months, and on the sci-fi channel for ever more. This film has had its reward - in dollars. Let's leave it at that.

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Classic films of this decade? That would be incredibly tough to predict. I nominate There Will Be Blood, The Bourne Identity, TDK, 28 Days Later, American Psycho, Dogville, Donnie darko, Sideways and No Country For Old Men.

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Classic films of this decade? That would be incredibly tough to predict.

I'll start the ball rolling by nominating

"Traffic",

"Solaris",

"The Lord Of The Rings" (I regard this as one film split into three parts),

"Master And Commander",

"Reloaded"/"Revolutions",

"The Prisoner Of Azkaban",

"Minority Report",

"Munich",

"The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus" (I realise that a lot of people have not seen this yet, but it really moved me).

I also predict acolades for "A Serious Man", and "Shutter Island", and (a cheeky one, here, I admit) as it is re-released next month, "The Red Shoes". Frak me, but that is an EXCEPTIONAL film!

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Classic films of this decade? That would be incredibly tough to predict. I nominate There Will Be Blood, The Bourne Identity, TDK, 28 Days Later, American Psycho, Dogville, Donnie darko, Sideways and No Country For Old Men.

Out of those, I have only seen TDK and No Country for Old Men, once each with no interest in owning either. I have decided that I do not want to watch the others, though I did buy There Will Be Blood for $3 so consider that an exception. And I know plenty who selectively chose not to see Star Trek, content with their sad little belief that the franchise died in 1991. I watched Star Trek because I am a fan of the franchise and because it's big screen high-octane adrenaline fun that inspires more cognitive reflex than a Michael Bay or Roland Emmerich film of similar vein.

Sheep, my ass.

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Rather than pick out movies from this decade we think will become classics, we should argue about what movies from the 90s have become classics (other than Rocky V, because Alex said so). Because 80s nostalgia is so rampant that damn near every movie from that decade is a classic, so that's already decided.

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The Matrix and Toy Story were groundbreaking, and definitely inspired copycats, I mean, artists.

The Shawshank Redemption. The 90s had a lot of big budget blockbusters, but I'm not sure how many will become classics. Braveheart is sweeping and grand, but historically inaccurate and rather crude. It's not the Lawrence of Arabia that its DVD box art touts it as.

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The story features a lot of heart and character drama, to drive the motivations of Kirk and Khan. Sure, TWOK has action -- two big space battles and some phaser zappings -- but its emotional poignancy is not really found in TMP, though it does factor into TUC, the big goodbye to the old cast.

No, you don't understand. I didn't say TWOK is all action. I said it is more standard movie than the other two I mentioned. In a sense that the basic plot involves one guy simply trying to kill (or whatever) the other guy. I enjoy it very much, but not as much as the other two.

And I don't agree on TMP not having heart. It's static and probably and, yes, wooden, but the idea for the film was a real winner for me. I found this child-like version of 2001 very touching, actually. There is a sense of wonder of discovery in that one. Which is what I like about Star Trek and what separates it from anything else.

Karol

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Add "There Will Be Blood", and "The Assination Of Jessie James By The Coward Robert Ford" to that list.

I decided not to nominate The Assination Of Jessie James By The Coward Robert Ford because even though it's a great movie and one of my personal favorites, it actually brings nothing new to the table. A 'classic' sets a standard for future movies. Jesse James is a continuation of the revisionist western of the '70s.

Alex - who prefers to nominate classics of the 2000s and who says "away with cheep Wojo"!

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Rather than pick out movies from this decade we think will become classics, we should argue about what movies from the 90s have become classics (other than Rocky V, because Alex said so).

Forrest Gump

Fight Club

Titanic

To name a few.

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Seven Pounds, which I'd been putting of for ages and with good reason - it's just as depressing as I expected it to be. Ultimately though, the film rewards the viewer for sticking with it and I was even quite moved, come the poignant end. I almost feel bad for criticising the few flaws when the film's powerful message is executed as effectively as it is, so I shall not. An original and very good 4 out of 5 star picture, kudos to Smith for taking it on.

Oh and I've decided that Rosario Dawson is absolutely gorgeous, again. I need to rewatch Clerks 2 soon.

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*NOTE: This article of my own contains explicit language... if the automatic board sensors don't pick up the bad words, mods, please feel free to edit post. But please don't delete it!*

TWILIGHT: New Moon Is Female/Gay Porn For The Ages!

Okay... here's the deal. I get the appeal of the series. I do. It's the whole "forbidden love" story that we have seen a billion times now, but just a different take on it. Hell, there is a whole part in the movie where they showcase Romeo And Juliet! That's fine, I get it. But after watching almost 2 and a half hours of the newest movie last night... I simply do NOT get it. If you are a diehard fan of the series, just stop reading this blog now. It'll probably just anger you, and there is nothing I am going to say that will change your mind on what you think of the series. As for everyone else... oh my god...

First: my stance on the series. I have NOT read any of the books, for starters. But from what I hear, they are more ridiculously sappy and "romantic" than the movies try to be. And for that, I say "no thanks" to ever reading them. Never have I been even tempted to read a romance novel. Which is all they are... romance novels with teeth. Ugh, you know what else has teeth?.... oh nevermind. Anyway, so I have not read the novels, but I have been told a thing or two about what happens later on with the series (which seems to actually get a bit more exciting and graphic). I have seen the first movie, Twilight, and on initial viewing thought it was pretty horrible. I recently watched it again before seeing the new movie, and actually thought it wasn't quite as bad as whole as I once deducted, but still thought there were loooong periods of the film that were so unintentionally bad that I found entertainment value within those scenes. From long akward pauses to the "glittery vampire" scene (which, I am sorry to offend anyone's likeness of the series, is the most hilariously retarded concept for a vampire story I have ever heard).

Fast forward to New Moon. What is my basic deduction of this film? Better? Worse? In some ways the new film is stylistically better and more interesting, but in terms of being worse... it goes in some new directions altogether. With some hilarious results.

*Evidence 1: Bella And Edward Only Have Puppy Love

--I saw this coming a mile away! When Edward breaks up with Bella in the forest, I literally had flashbacks of movies where a poor little boy has to get rid of his dog for killing the neighbor's chicken coop, even though he doesn't want to. It comes complete with a line similar to that of, "I don't want you anymore! Go!". LOL. And considering the fact that these two are so DEEPLY in love, and yet can barely even kiss, I guess "puppy love" is a pretty accurate description of the reality of their love.

*Evidence 2: Bella Has Got Issues

--It was bad enough she wanted to get with a vampire in the first place. But I see the gothy appeal. However, she starts having nightmares about growing old before Edward does. Okay, that does suck. Just a mere accidental drop of blood causes Edward's entire family to go after her. Okay... that sucks to. In fact, just being AROUND any vampire makes them go crazy for her since she apparently reeks of blood potpourri. Sucky. So... Edward breaks up with her. I understand the inital pain and unbearable sadness. I've been there, recently I might add. However... her decisions afterward are pretty puzzling.

Enter Jacob, perhaps the hottest most underage thing I have seen to grace the screen in a long, long time. He has a much better personality than the depressing Edward ever did, and as a bonus, has cared about Bella all along. Oh, and he is supremely hot, did I mention that? Because he really, really is. You know... for a kid... uhm... anyway...

Well, it's been some many months now since she has even heard from Edward, and yet she still can't grasp that he has left her and it's fucking OVER. She killed his neighbor's chicken coop, pushed her out into the forest, and screamed "I don't want you anymore! Go!" remember? And yet when this hot-as-hell and nice-as-hell guy tries to merely grab her hand she freaks out! And then she goes on to explain "I will always be broken". Woooooaaaaaaahhhhh.... Over puppy love? My goodness.

In fact, she is so broken, throughout the movie she attempts to counter her depression of Edward by becoming an adrenaline junkie. This comes complete with wreckless driving, going off with a potentional rapist, and even jumping off a insanely high cliff "just for sport", but of course almost dieing in the process.

Wow.

If that weren't bad enough, this girl later discovers... "Jacob, yousa werewilf". Okay, she doesn't say it like that (and for those who know me well will know why I said it that way, hahaha), but you get the idea. This girl is just a MAGNET for freaks. I thought I was bad! (Okay, not ALL of them have been freaks).

However... this I don't understand. Here it goes. She basically has a choice to either be with the depressing Edward, who she will only be happy with if she destroys her soul to become a vampire.... OR.... to be with the much hotter, much nicer, and much more interesting Jacob (who has also known her much longer), whom she doesn't (and I guess can't anyway, as far as the lore for this movie goes) have to become a werewolf to be with him, and instead of dealing with his "problem" on a 24/7 basis, only needs to if he gets angry at her or I guess if the moon is full. I don't know about the rest of you, but the decision in my opinion seems very clear. Sure, she was with Edward first, but hell, he pushed her into the forest, remember? That means the end. So... Jacob all the way.

But what does she do? Well, I guess the idea of sucking blood with her boyfriend turns her on. Clearly, she has issues.

*Evidence 3: Jacob Clinically Can't Help But Drop It Like It's Hot

--Okay... guilty pleasure time... this Jacob kid IS one hot beast. No joke. When the shirt comes off the first time, it was the one moment my eyes were invested in the screen. However, I was also laughing, at least in my head, painfully hard.

Imagine this scene: "Oh... your head is bleeding... here... let me rip off my shirt real quick to patch you up..."

No joke. That is exactly what happens. I swear, they used his body as some kind of product placement for the essence of sex. Because from that moment on, the "no shirt, plenty of service" idea never stops... his shirt I think only appears on him one more time in the whole film. Which, as I am making it clear, isn't a bad thing, but for some reason it just comes off as unintentionally hilarious. And in just about every scene that this is the case, Bella can't help but make SOME kind of comment about it or just place her hands on his abs as they are in the heat of a tense moment.

But as hot as this kid is, Bella barely kisses him too! What the fuck?! Oh wait, this should be part of the previous evidence. Oh well!

And sure, this guy has a couple of mood swings. Who doesn't, right? But when he does transform into a werewolf, and chases off another into the woods... then meets up with Bella and the others... where did he suddenly find another pair of shorts along the way? He should have been totally naked! Which would have been amazing, I am sure, but wow...

However, the most hilarious part of all this is after him and his werewolf buddies have revealed themselves, and Bella confronts him about it, his plea is:

"This is how I was born! This is my lifestyle!"

WHAT?! That's what I say all the time about being gay! Is this some kind of allegory or something? Or are werewolves also gay, and this whole "I'm into you, Bella" is just a red herring? Whoa.

*Evidence 4: If It Works, Do The Exact Same Setup Over Again!

--In a lot of ways, this movie is exactly the same as the first one. I know sequels sometimes do that, but really, this one does to a T at times.

After the whole Edward breakup scene, she is basically in the same position she was at the beginning of the first movie. Just more depressed. Nerdy guy still wants to be with her. Her same nerdy friends (and that horribly annoying asian kid) try to... be friends. Which to her is a HORRIBLE thing, apparently. Dude, why hang out with them at all then, if you feel that way?

Enter Jacob... boy she actually does know, but however doesn't see much. They start to hang out. She feels good. Good. And she even repeats the line she says to Edward: "you're beautiful". Except when she says it this time, it is reacting to his ripped abs and not glitter. Anyway, she discovers he has a problem. A supernatural one. Then, eventually, he shooes her away for her own good.

Woah! We went in a fucking circle here! The difference now is by the end she has a choice between Guy With Issues 1 or Guy With Issues 2. She makes the choice, and the movie ends.

Wow.

*Evidence 5: Make Something Interesting Happen, But Only For 10 Minutes Or Less

--Near the end of the movie, there is a fun subplot of Bella having to travel far away to try to stop Edward from basically committing suicide and mass murder. In the process she ends up in a fairly interesting setting with some fairly interesting, and actually creepy, vampires. They even "play with her" a little bit, with some interesting results (she is ammune to their powers?! woah!!!!).

That lasts for a good ten minutes. Ten minutes where I actually was interested in what was going on and felt engaged. But... then the movie goes back to where it was. And ends. Too little, too late.

So there you have it. New Moon. As you can see, for the average filmgoer, this movie will either A) Drive You Insane, B) Make You Laugh Your Ass Off, C) Be The Best Eye Candy Of The Year, or D) ALL Of The Above. Of course, the fans (you have to love them) are eating this all up, and may be taking it far more serious than they should. But I understand, I'm a Harry Potter fan. I probably take that more seriously than I should. But there is one big difference.

The vampires in Harry Potter don't fucking sparkle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFSn5rs70Rc

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I feel like this will get lost in some Twilight discussion, but oh well. I think Morlock is the only other person here that has seen this so far.

*Mild spoilers below*

The Bad Lieutenant - Port Of Call: New Orleans

This film is so over-the-top and ridiculous that you just can't help but laugh. I feel though that Herzog knew he was doing this, and so did Nicolas Cage (although he is just as crazy as usual). The highlight of the whole film, to me, was Mark Isham's score. I think it's the closest anyone has ever gotten to emulating Thomas Newman's style. Very good and fitting, with some nice appropriate jazz influences. There were some really fantastic moments, like Cage hiding behind a door shaving in the most bizarre yet hilarious way, and others that just made you go "What the fuck?" Like the iguana scene, where we get 5 minutes of close-ups of iguanas for no particular reason. My main problem was Cage changing his voice/accent for the middle third of the film. He started to sound like he had a stroke, and it was distracting.

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Wow, Scallenger, for a movie that you don't like, you sure do have a lot to say about it.

Well of course! :) Movies like this, that are so popular, yet so horrible, deserve to have a full analysis of why. ;) And writing bad reviews are way more fun than positive ones.

Oh, and I really want to see The Bad Lieutenant - Port To Call: New Orleans as well! I have a feeling it will be entertaining in some similar ways with the acting and such, haha. Though I am sure it will still be a much better film than New Moon ever will be, no matter what the box office says.

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Oh, my goodness... one last point I forgot to make about Twilight: New Moon:

ADDENDUM: *Evidence 6: Twilight Fans Have No Concept Of The Seasons!

--I had to add this detail. Near the beginning, after Edward makes his puppy Bella leave him alone because he doesn't want her anymore, Bella is depressed. I get it. Okay. But apparently this girl does nothing but stare out her window for months. How do we know this? Through a nice camera shot that goes around her, that's how. But the director apparently thinks Twilight fans have no concept of the seasons. The shot would have been effective and self-explanatory quite enough just seeing the different seasons that are shown outside her window (raking leaves to moving snow). But NO... not only do we get the obvious visuals... but the director has to TELL US in the form of subtitles that it's "October", "November", "December"... lol. Does he think the fans are really that thick to not understand the seasons, and that months are passing? Hell!

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Kenji Mizoguchi's New Tales of The Taira Clan (1955). First film I've seen Mizoguchi (who's considered to be one of the three Japanese masters), and it was excellent. His second to last film, it's a big Samurai movie. I'm amazed that this is only one of two films he made in color, as this is wonderful in its use of color. The print I saw was a bit iffy, but I still got the vibrance and tremendous placement of color. The film's got an interesting statement about post-WWII Japan, and has got a really good score. Great storytelling, good performances, thrilling cinematography (long, epic shots. Truely epic- not that Zhang Yimou fakery).

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Have you watched any Ozu?

Only Tokyo Story to date. I was actually really surprised by Mizoguchi, because for some illogical reason, I was expecting something similar in tone. Where Ozu never moved his camera, Mizoguchi has a big camera move in every scene, with some really choreographed stuff. Really thrilling (Ozu was too, but in a very different way).

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Thats the problem right there. Something is wrong when you ain't doing the time warp, at least partially intoxicated with a bunch of intoxicated friends. :)

The only way I ever watched it was at home alone and sober. One of these days, I plan on doing the full routine. Plus I've never seen Little Shop of Horrors, so I might just make it a Science Fiction Double Feature...

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Mongol: A big disappointment after a good start. The filmmakers must have thought, "Let's take a bit of Lords Of The Ring and mix it with some graphic fights a la 300. Success guaranteed!"

Not!

In fact, this movie made me realize how genius Zack Snyder is at what he does.

Alex

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I always thought Mark Isham was a pretty underrated composer.

He is, and I am surprised that his music is not discussed more on this site. His score for "Nell" is very nice, as is a jazz c.d. of his called "Blue Sun". Also, check out his trumpet playing (or "heavenly honking") on X.T.C.'s "Oranges And Lemons".

Watched THIS IS SPINAL TAP. If I was a crap movie critic, I'd say "it still goes to eleven."

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