Identity

[ocelot 445]

No not as in crisis, I don't have one of those, but the film IDENTITY was pretty good. It's not just your run of the mill horror, it's very well put together, although if you do pay attention to the story and not to "oh oh, when are they going to make me jump..." you can start piecing it together. I'm sure some people are going to hate it, but for once, I was happy (and yes, it does have some cliches in it, but that's also the fun of it)

I'd like to hear your thoughts about it if you go and see it.

[tpigeon 3]

I also really liked it, ocelot. I don't usually don't like movies which have big surprise endings, like the Usual Suspects and such. Movies like that exist solely to fool the audience I think. But Identity isn't manipulative at all, and it was very well done. A little too intricate, but a pretty good movie nonetheless.

Ted

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Hmmm, i usually love those kinda film, were the audience is expected to actually use their brain and try to follow the plot.

It has to be done in a honest and logical way, though.

Stefancos- who love The Others

[tpigeon 3]

Hmmm, i usually love those kinda film, were the audience is expected to actually use their brain and try to follow the plot.

It has to be done in a honest and logical way, though.

Stefancos- who love The Others

You'd probably like it a lot then.

Ted

[Ren 75]

same here, i love trying to figure out the endings.

[Lurker 5]

The Others didn't work for me. I was really bored by it and by the time we got to the ending, I didn't care anymore.

Neil

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Neil, sometimes I think you just don't know how to appriciate a good film.

Stefancos- who's puzzled by Neil's opinion on the LOTR films.

[Duke6885 0]

I'm not sure if i'll see Identity, didn't care for the Others that much. What I did see Saturday night was Confidence, and that was pretty good. Not the best of that genre, but i'd give it a solid B.

[Morn 7]

I loved The Others. Mainly for the good script. Rather than plot, which was still essential.

[Trumpeteer 243]

Wael, I loved Identity! I knew there was a surprise at the end, and I spent a good deal of the movie trying to figure it out (while still being scared sh*tless).

And I didn't see the ending coming. That's what made it so fun. And it was very original. I was expecting something pretty cliche. The best new movie of 2003.

Jeff -- who hopes that title goes to "The Matrix Reloaded" in two weeks

[Lurker 5]

Neil, sometimes I think you just don't know how to appriciate a good film.

Stefancos- who's puzzled by Neil's opinion on the LOTR films.

Aren't opinions great? I just can't get excited by most films anymore I think. We live in a society where mediocrity is king, and I can't accept that. Maybe I have impossibly high standards. That being said, I think some good movies are still being made, it's just that most of the stuff coming out anymore is pure crap designed to attract teenagers.

Neil

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Ummm...dude, that's how it's always been.

You were just to young to realize it.

MOST of the films made in the 1980's were forgettable products designed to make money, same for the 90's, same for this decade (whatever it's called)

It's just that we tend to forget those films, and remember the ones that ment something to us.

Stefancos- who does not believe that "things were better in the old days."

[Lurker 5]

I know that. I've just gotten to the point where I've finally realized that the best movies do not come out in the summer. I'm not the movie-goer I was 10 years ago.

And I thought that The Others was just a merely average flick. I went in with no expectations and the movie never once did anything for me.

SPOILERS

It was The Sixth Sense only in reverse. Big deal. It was an imitator that deserves to be forgotten.

Neil

[Justin 2]

How's the score???

Justin -Who loves Silvestri and can't believe he hasn't picked up Identity.

[Trumpeteer 243]

There were some decent score moments, one including an electric guitar I believe. Very un-Silvestri.

But to me, all the music does is build up the tension leading to the big death scenes. Not much depth to it, which I wasn't expecting anyway.

Jeff -- who thinks this film will become vastly underrated

[ocelot 445]

I liked The Others... I was surprised, I thought it wasn't going to be that good.

[scissorhands 16]

The Others score is very good too. Alejandro Amenabar himself composed the music (he recorded some parts of it before the film was shot, so as to scare both children in the most terrifying scenes).

Alejandro Amenabar has scored 4 films, i think: his 3 films as director plus Butterfly Tongues.

A talented young director, I'm sure he will be one of the standards in the future of film industry.

As curiosity, The Others is the most grossing Spanish film ever.

The film's script was writen before S**** S****'s release, so those who criticized the film for plagiarism should be ashamed.

[Lurker 5]

The film's script was writen before S**** S****'s release, so those who criticized the film for plagiarism should be ashamed.

That is entirely posible and if the script was written before The Sixth Sense than that says to me somebody immediately put that old script into production when The Sixth Sense started grossing tons of money.

Neil

[scissorhands 16]

I don't think so Neil.

Alejandro Amenabar had already decided which his next project would be (after his great Thesis and Abre los ojos). Tom Cruise loved Abre los Ojos, and said he would make a remake and produce Amenabar's next movie (which, at first, was going to be titled La Casa, "The House", hehe).

And Amenabar needs much time to prepair his films.

Amenabar is an independent creator. José Luis Cuerda produces his films. They make movies with their own money (unless it's a really big, international project, such as The Others, where they had Cruise's help).

However, maybe Sixth Sense's success would have make things go faster in the pre-production (don't think so though), but The Others was going to be Amenabar's 3rd film.

And I can't wait for his fourth!!!

[Morlock 9]

double post

[Morlock 9]

First @The Others. I havn't seen it, so I can't comment on the plot, but it is very possible that it was to into production after Sixth Sense was such a huge hit.

2 years is plenty of time to make a movie once you have a script, even more so, since as far as I can see, the film seems to be set in one location.

The exact same thing happened with EDTV, because of The Truman Show.

I generaly don't like those 'Keyser Soze' endings, except for it's namesake and one exception.

The Usual Suspects is one of my favorite movies of all times. It has a brilliant screenplay (which has won many awards, including the oscar), is brilliantly acted and it ends brilliantly.

First of all, I think all the recogniton the film has gotten - 2 oscars, tied for best film at the BAFTA's, among the more notable ones - shows that this is no run-of-the-mill movie. It started the whole wave of endings, and even named the type of ending (Keyser Soze).

Sixth Sense was junk. It was one of the most overrated movies of all times. It only has two things in it- horror and the ending. I wasn't scared at all, and the ending was just trying to copy US, and while it did it well, the backbone of a movie should never be on the surprise ending, since then it's only good for two showings.

(Spoiler ahead)

Fight Club was great, despite the ending. The entire movie was so obviously about two sides of the same man, that showing us IMO is assuming that everybody in the audience is an idiot, can't understand a simple allegory, can't follow the clues, and only wants cheap thrills and a bang to end a movie.

The movie had great ideas, was done perfectly, and although brought down some by it's ending, is still a very good movie.

The only other movie that the 'KS' ending worked for me was Unbreakable. The ending was great, a real surprise, and couldn't have worked to the same extent in any other movie. And it ties in to the whole comic book theme, so it fits perfectly.

I'm sorry that Shyamalan disowned the movie, trying to submit to public dislike of it, just like Spielberg did with Temple of Doom, a great movie. Although in ToD's case, Lucas, to his (rare) credit defended the movie to death.

Either way I'm glad Shyamalan abandond the ending thing, because Signs was a masterpiece, the work of a true filmmaker, and all those idiots who complain about the water thing as if it is the center of the movie are just people who either have to find fault in everything or think that all movies are literal.

I really want to see Identity. Murder mysteries (Even horror ones) are supposed to have a surprise ending, and I admire ones that could pull that off well.

It sounds like a very good movie to me.

[Lurker 5]

and all those idiots who complain about the water thing as if it is the center of the movie are just people who either have to find fault in everything or think that all movies are literal.

You may have had a convincing argument had you not insulted those that happen to disagree with you.

Neil - presumably an "idiot"

[Morlock 9]

and all those idiots who complain about the water thing as if it is the center of the movie are just people who either have to find fault in everything or think that all movies are literal.

You may have had a convincing argument had you not insulted those that happen to disagree with you.

Neil - presumably an "idiot"

I should have chosen my words better, but it does infuriate me that people judge and bad mouth the movie because of a detail like that. In an alien movie that would matter, but Signs is not an alien movie.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

First @The Others. I havn't seen it, so I can't comment on the plot, but it is very possible that it was to into production after Sixth Sense was such a huge hit.

 2 years is plenty of time to make a movie once you have a script, even more so, since as far as I can see, the film seems to be set in one location.

 The exact same thing happened with EDTV, because of The Truman Show.

2 years isn't that much time when you are making a Spanish movie that is suddenly transferred to the U.S. and have to move all pre-production stages to another continent. Besides, the director, or so I've heard, really likes to milimetrically prepare his movies.

Sixth Sense was junk. It was one of the most overrated movies of all times. It only has two things in it- horror and the ending. I wasn't scared at all, and the ending was just trying to copy US, and while it did it well, the backbone of a movie should never be on the surprise ending, since then it's only good for two showings.

The Sixth Sense was a great movie due to its character development, use of camera movement, the score (or at least some sections of it), the cinematography -- what's best is the treatment image gets in this movie. Usually directors just ignore the power a shot can have, and use them merely to show us a character with different degress to nearness to the camera. But there's so much more to image. Correct layout of elements in a shot can really enhance it in people's minds. Orson Welles was the first to realise this. And Shyamalan is one of the best persons alive to master it.

The only weakness in Sixth Sense, I think is that it became too much of a craze and it grew old too fast. Also, because of the craze, was very, and I mean VERY overrated. Time will place it where it belongs, I should hope.

 The only other movie that the 'KS' ending worked for me was Unbreakable. The ending was great, a real surprise, and couldn't have worked to the same extent in any other movie. And it ties in to the whole comic book theme, so it fits perfectly.

 I'm sorry that Shyamalan disowned the movie, trying to submit to public dislike of it, just like Spielberg did with Temple of Doom, a great movie. Although in ToD's case, Lucas, to his (rare) credit defended the movie to death.

 Either way I'm glad Shyamalan abandond the ending thing, because Signs was a masterpiece, the work of a true filmmaker, and all those idiots who complain about the water thing as if it is the center of the movie are just people who either have to find fault in everything or think that all movies are literal.

Signs didn't do much for me. I might see it again, since one viewing is hardly enough to judge a film like this, but still -- there's something missing in that movie. Something that there ran galore in Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, and is really missing in here. Could be just me.

The water thing didn't annoy me that much, since I'm a blatant hydrophobic, and quite understand Shyamalan's obsession with it (both in Unbreakable and Signs).

[Morn 7]

Signs works because of the mixture of various aspects in it. It lightly touched philosphical matters, has good suspense and was very good as an alien invasion sci fi flick(even with the iffy war of worlds ending rip off/homage). I do not think it did a good enough job on the philosphical matters to brand it as a movie about faith. It barely touched anything that inspires faith, it was merely well it feels good. Which is why I didn't really believe he had turned christian at the end, but he just decided to live like one.

Fight Club was great, despite the ending. The entire movie was so obviously about two sides of the same man, that showing us IMO is assuming that everybody in the audience is an idiot, can't understand a simple allegory, can't follow the clues, and only wants cheap thrills and a bang to end a movie.  

Ohh I noticed clues, but didn't work out what they meant. So I didn't find the ending that bad.

[Ricard 1,821]

Neil, sometimes I think you just don't know how to appriciate a good film.

Stefancos- who's puzzled by Neil's opinion on the LOTR films.

Then I don't know how to appreciate "a good film" either, since I too dislike The Others and LOTR 8O

Needless to say, I didn't see TTT.

[Ricard 1,821]

 (Spoiler ahead)

 Fight Club was great, despite the ending. The entire movie was so obviously about two sides of the same man, that showing us IMO is assuming that everybody in the audience is an idiot, can't understand a simple allegory, can't follow the clues, and only wants cheap thrills and a bang to end a movie.

Then I must be an idiot, since I didn't realize they both were the same person until the end.

Ricard - An idiot who can't appreciate good films.

[Ricard 1,821]

MOST of the films made in the 1980's were forgettable products designed to make money, same for the 90's, same for this decade (whatever it's called)

The same can be said of the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

Stefancos- who does not believe that "things were better in the old days."

That depends on which things and which "old days". Some things were definitely better in their "old days".

[Lurker 5]

Ricard - An idiot who can't appreciate good films.

Join the club, Ricard! There's plenty of room. So far it's just you and me.

Neil

[Morlock 9]

OK, just to make sure this doesn't escalate- I am very sorry for implying some of you are idiots!

I assure you I didn't mean it in that way, and my choice of words was unwise.

I'm trying not to sound pretentious with the next sentences, so please accept them in the spirit with which they were offered.

I expressed what I thought to be a given, but I guess I was wrong.

I concider myself a film expert and critic, so often I express my own opinions rather harshly or extremely.

What I meant to say, is that to me, The Sixth Sense seemed idiotic and Fight Club's finale seemed a foregone conclusion (or at least some variant of it). I should've attributed the 'idiot' to the the films, and I am very sorry ir I offended people.

Morlock- Who generaly does agree with Ricard and Indysolo (Stefan is another matter )

Deep Blue Sea by Trevor Rabin

[Lurker 5]

I should've attributed the 'idiot' to the the films, and I am very sorry ir I offended people.

I accept your apology.

Neil

[AC1 3,565]

Indysolo wrote:

I think some good movies are still being made, it's just that most of the stuff coming out anymore is pure crap designed to attract teenagers.

Stefancos wrote:

Ummm...dude, that's how it's always been.

You were just to young to realize it.

MOST of the films made in the 1980's were forgettable products designed to make money, same for the 90's, same for this decade (whatever it's called)

It's just that we tend to forget those films, and remember the ones that ment something to us.

Stefancos- who does not believe that "things were better in the old days."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

They were, Stefan, they really were.

Before and in the seventies producers and film studios weren't aware that their largest potential audience were teenagers. So the market wasn't as targeted then as it is today. I've seen a very interesting docu on this subject. It mainly spoke of the 3 big corporations that are controlling the entertainment world. (spooky sh*t, i tell you)

Today, artistic risks and directors' freedom are the biggest deseases studios fear. A movie like THX 1138 with a pessimistic concept and made by a nobody wont see the light of day now. Who wanna see that? It failed big time too but I'm glad they did make it.

It is also striking that alot of the classics and wonders, film or music, were born between the mid- sixties and the mid-seventies. When in doubt look in every film or pop encyclopedia. The list is endless.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[JoeinAR 1,759]

I personally think that anyone who thought Fight Club was a good film is an idiot.

But I do think it is a piece of shit.

I am in the same boat as Neil and Ricard, because I think LOTR is a nice boring film, that doesn't deserve the praise it received. I will spened .50 cents to see TTT just to see it on the big screen.

I really liked Sign's and I appreciated the religious aspects of the story. It was slow, but it was engaging as well.

Funny but I still feel that movies as a whole are not as good today as they were in the "old days" because of the MTV generation making them. The filmmakers of this age so badly want to impress you that they go for style and forget about technique.

Joe, very impressed by the Hulk trailer,

did anyone buy that last line?

[ocelot 445]

Now that looks like an idiotic film!!!!!!!

The Hulk looks like he's been on Testosterone and Steroids for a juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust a tad too long...... 'Roid Rage... Look Out! I mean, Honestly, with that much Testosterone and Steroids, how much is the shrinkage in his genitals??????????? Hellooooooooo.... Is anything there??????????????