Movies I've seen lately

Ned Flanders · Post by **Ned Flanders** » Thu May 30, 2002 2:19 pm

I was treated to thirteen ghosts on DVD last night. Purely stupid, although I knew this going in. Poor acting, poor characters, a fairly intriguing concept into the realm of the supernatural but they screw it all up.

This movie is awful, I mean, it's really bad and I'm a gentle critic. Has there been a good horror movie since The Exorcist/Salem's Lot/the omen. It seems like they really had the vibe for horror in the 1970's.

Thirteen ghosts did have some fairly entertaining effects and animation. If you do see this one, make sure it is at someone else's house and you bring a bucket of rotten tomatoes.

imdb.com is almost as addictive as this sight sleepy

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu May 30, 2002 2:34 pm

Originally posted by Ned Flanders
imdb.com is almost as addictive as this sight sleepy

I know what you mean.

I was going to review Death in Venice, unfortunately Buffy and Angel were on so i watched those instead

What i will review is the opening scene, it is one of the most magnificent scenes in cinema history. The whole scene is moving and a perfect prologue to what i have seen of the rest. It is very sober viewing though

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Thu May 30, 2002 3:08 pm

Sleepy Hollow- I saw this in the movie theater 2 years ago and not since.
But lately I've cought on to a Star Wars wave, and found out that Christopher Lee and Ian McDiarmid, among many other great actors were in, so I decided to see it again.

I thought it was good, but more for acting than for design or script.

Johnny Depp gave a great preformace, and I say this despite having a natural dislike for him.

Christina Ricci was ok, but not more than that. I'll always remember her a sWednsday from 'The Addams Family'.

Christopher Walken gave a very weird cameo in his protrayal of the headless horesman before he became headless, but as Roger Ebert said: "No power on earth could drag from me the identity of the unbilled actor who plays the Horseman when he has a head. But you will agree he is the only logical choice."

IMO the best acting in the movie was done by the 4 elders plus Van Tassel. Although it's a weird word to use,Richard Griffiths, Ian McDiarmid, Michael Gough, Jeffery Jones, and Michael Gambon, have a great chemistry between them.

The first place I've ever seen Griffiths was in 'Naked Gun 2 1/2' so he'll always be associated with the stupidity of the movie.

It's the only place other than Star Wars in which I've seen McDiarmid, and it seems to me like they wanted him to speak less, and when he did to change his voice, to eliminate the association with the emperer.

I knew I recognized Micheal Gough from somewhere, then I saw that it was as Albert in 'Batman', another Tim Burton movie.

Jeffery Jones I never really liked. Mainly because the places I've seen him in he was a creep- 'Ferris Bueler's day off', 'Who's Harry Crumb' and 'Beetlejuice'. I saw him in Amadeus, but his part wasn't big enough to impact my thought on him.

Until I saw 'Gosford Park' (Great movie by the way

) I always thought Micheal Gambon was an American. That's because the only places I saw him were in 'Mobsters' and 'The Insider'. He played an Italian Mobster in one and a Texan cigarette company Exec. in the other.

I don't especialy like Burton's directing style, and out of the six movies of his that I saw- 'Beetlejuice', 'Batman', 'Batman Returns', 'Mars attacks', 'Sleepy Hollow' and 'Planet of the apes', I liked 'Batman Returns' and 'Sleepy Hollow' to a certain extent. I think it's scary to think that out of those 'Sleepy Hollow' may be the most normal one.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Thu May 30, 2002 3:20 pm

@CE sorry, I did have a look on IMDb with those details you posted, but nothing... I'm afraid I'm not familiar with many short films. You can search quotes on IMDb, but I doubt they would have any for such a small film, if it's on there at all.

Tim Burton's movies do seem to be rather hit and miss... I liked Sleepy Hollow though. I love it when Depp does a postmortem on a long-dead body, and comes out of the house absolutely covered in blood... LOL

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Thu May 30, 2002 3:33 pm

Behind Enemy Lines- I was in the middle of this abomination when, thankfully, I got a phone call. I have not yet mustered up the courage to continue it.

It was really that bad.

From what I saw- it is attempting to use up every single cliche` that ever exsited.

It had no script- which reminded me of what Jay Leno said in his interview with Dennis Miller: "Like in Speed 2, they spent 30 million dollars on one scene. If they would have spent half of that on a screenwriter they would have had a script."
Another thing he said whih I think has relevence: "They're starting to make silent movies again, just silent movies with sound. every second is another explosion, chase or gunshot- but no dialogue."

The acting was terrible. Owen Wilson was ok in 'Armagedon' and 'Meet the parents' for a bit of comic relief, but was terrible here. Hackman is merley recycling a role that he, and many others have played many times.

I don't think I will continue it, but my advice is still never to see this movie.

Now, for a change of pace, one of my favorite movies ever- The Usual Suspects. This movie has the best ending ever, in any movie, at any time in the history of humanity.

The movie, which one two well deserved oscars- for Best supporting actor (Kevin Spacy) and for best screenplay, gets my heart beating every time I reach the last two minutes.

It's about a man, played by Spacy, who is one of the only survivers of a big shootout and explosion in the docks. He is interogated by a costums agent (Chaz Palminteri) about what happened. The story starts six weeks earlier, when five criminals- Gabriel Byrne, Benicio Del Torro, Kevin Pollock, Stephen Baldwin and Spacy himself are brought to a line up, where they join forces and go out on a couple of jobs together. It becomes more complicated as a master drug dealer/killer enters the picture.
To say more is to ruin the movie. Just remember- without the last two minutes- the movie is pointless. Save all your questions to the end, as everything becomes clearer as you progress.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Thu May 30, 2002 3:42 pm

@Georgi: You did? Thanks a lot

I searched IMDB previously, but I don't think the film is in there. I'm currently trying to find out what TV channel I saw it on, so I could contact them or find a tableu for the last month.

Since it's impossible to find this movie, I might as well tell the rest of the story:

The guy with the imaginary girlfriend, has a serious conflict with her when she tells him she's pregnant(!) and he doesn't act supportive enough. That's when he starts dating this other girl, the real one. However, one of his friends is jealous of him because he wants the imaginary girl to be his girlfriend, so he tells the real girl that the main role guy is cheating on her. She storms to his house to confront him - only to find him in bed with the imaginary girl. But the expected catastrophy doesn't occur - instead, the real girlfriend also takes a liking in the imaginary girl. At first, the have a sort on three-some relationship and the main role guy is in heaven. But one day, he finds a note at his bed, where the two girls explain the love each other and have run away

So the main guy is alone and miserable - until it turns out that his friend, who told the real girl about the imaginary girl, actually did this because he fancied the main role guy, so instead they become a couple! (The film ends with them lying in bed drinking bear and watching TV)

What I liked so much with this weird film, is that all the surprising turns and events were presented as totally normal and trivial. The imaginary girlfriend, everyone's bisexuality, the absurdity - very nice

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Fri May 31, 2002 5:40 am

Originally posted by Morlock
Johnny Depp gave a great preformace, and I say this despite having a natural dislike for him

Really? Your the first person i have ever spoken to that doesn't like him, he does have a certain amount of tosh in his back catalogue but everyone rates him pretty highly.

I will admit he is about the only man i can think of that i actually think is sexy, don't ask me why, i am not the only person either, i know quite a few people who feel the same (all straight BTW

)

@Owen Wilson, i watched him in a serial killer pictures with Janneane Gorofalo (sp?) and he was the same easy going texan he always is. He doesn't seem to have much range as an actor.

BTW Morlock, i think you would really appreciate Death in Venice , it has Dirk Bogarde in it and is about a music teacher who falls in love with one of his students, a lot of it is filmed in silence but the classical works in it are excellent

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri May 31, 2002 7:20 pm

Johnny Depp has made some appalling movies, but IMO he is always good in them

Owen Wilson is a great comedy actor (see Shanghai Noon and The Royal Tenenbaums), I don't think I've seen him in much else... but he doesn't really strike me as the action-guy type.

@CE the only one I've found is this one and it doesn't sound like the one you're describing...

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:28 pm

@Georgi: Thanks for looking

It was however not that one. Instead, I eventually managed to find the movie at another site, you can watch it, it's only 10 minutes long. It is called "Sweet" and it is actually in the IMDB, it's just that the synopsis is totally wrong, the person who wrote it clearly confused it with some other film.

Pity I spoiled the story now when I found the movie, since the surprise elements are part of what I liked with this move. Anyway, here goes:

http://www.mymovies.net/face/films/sweet.asp

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri May 31, 2002 8:41 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans
it is actually in the IMDB, it's just that the synopsis is totally wrong, the person who wrote it clearly confused it with some other film.

You should submit a correct synopsis for IMDb

Thanks for the link, I will check it out

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri May 31, 2002 9:04 pm

@CE just watched it, it was funny and sweet

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Fri May 31, 2002 9:34 pm

Originally posted by Georgi
@CE just watched it, it was funny and sweet

Very sweet indeed

I and some friends have just changed our literature club to a film club, and the following titles are suggestions for what we should see at out first meeting next Saturday. Some advice, please?

O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Don't say a word
The Others
Spy Game

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Fri May 31, 2002 9:45 pm

Originally posted by C Elegans
I and some friends have just changed our literature club to a film club, and the following titles are suggestions for what we should see at out first meeting next Saturday. Some advice, please?

O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Don't say a word
The Others
Spy Game

I would say Oh Brother, Where Art Thou... a lot to talk about

CT:HD isn't bad, but I wasn't particularly enthused about it...
Don't Say A Word - haven't seen it, but from what I've heard it isn't that great, ditto Spy Game.
The Others - well, I am probably not the best person to ask, since I am the only person in the world who didn't like it

but it did get a lot of critical acclaim... there isn't much to it though.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 2:45 am

@ Georgi. How could you not like The Others

Its a good movie, however Oh Brother is just so damn cool

Robnark · Post by **Robnark** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 10:19 am

O brother... is one of the best films i've seen, and is very good even compared to the rest of the coen brothers' work.
Crouching tiger was okay, but a bit overrated by the media on its release. it's not a film i want to really see again.
don't know about the other films though, but i reccomend O Brother

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 11:38 am

Originally posted by C Elegans

Very sweet indeed

I and some friends have just changed our literature club to a film club, and the following titles are suggestions for what we should see at out first meeting next Saturday. Some advice, please?

O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Don't say a word
The Others
Spy Game

Well, I, for some reason stayed away from The Others. I think a big part of it was the 'Don't let anyone tell you the end' sticker- which was too reminicent of The sixth sense for me. I remeber all the hype about it, and I really didn't like it. It had no effect on me what so ever. It couldn't scare me, and without that, it's pointless. To this day, Psyco and Silence of the Lambs are two of my favorite movies, since they're the only ones that ever scared me.

I also didn't like CT,HD.

Spy Game was ok, but mostly just pointed out how Redford is getting old.

If don't say a word is what I think it is, I stayed away from it because of Cate Blanchete.

So- go with O Brother where art thou. A very entertaining movie, with a great soundtrack.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:39 pm

Originally posted by Morlock
Well, I, for some reason stayed away from The Others. I think a big part of it was the 'Don't let anyone tell you the end' sticker- which was too reminicent of The sixth sense for me. I remeber all the hype about it, and I really didn't like it. It had no effect on me what so ever. It couldn't scare me, and without that, it's pointless. To this day, Psyco and Silence of the Lambs are two of my favorite movies, since they're the only ones that ever scared me.

I agree... the whole point of the movie was an exercise in suspense-building, and I didn't find it scary at all. Plus it was soooo obvious what the ending was going to be...

@Tammy watch me

If don't say a word is what I think it is, I stayed away from it because of Cate Blanchete.

No, it stars Michael Douglas as a psychologist who has to try and get a girl in a mental asylum (Brittany Murphy) to tell him some number because some criminals have kidnapped his daughter... or something.

@Robnark CTHD was definitely overhyped. It was ok, but not that spectacular.

@CE we actually seem to have a consensus!

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 6:21 am

Originally posted by Georgi
@Tammy watch me

Ummm, ok......?

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 3:43 pm

I've today finished two classics. Both were great, though in very different ways.

Dr. No- I have missed this movies every single time it was on TV, until last night.
It was the only James Bond that I didn't see.

It was primitive, but since it was the begining of the series it didn't have time to sell out for anything, so it was better than many of the later ones.
The begining was weird. I mean obviously the theme wasn't, especialy since it's the only time it was played fully and unaltered. First of all, it didn't have the outlines of several naked women.

Next, it turned into colorful outlines of some dancing people, than changed to a Jamaican song about The 'Three Blind Mice', which fit, but was too comical for me.

Their were alot of cuts inthe middle of scenes, so people often were 'transported' suddenly an inch to the right, but when you remeber it was a low budget movie 40 years ago
, it's certainly excusable.

It was very odd to see that James Bond actualy went home, as there was never any other reference, much less sighting, of his house.

It was great to hear the 'It's a Smith and Wesson, and you've had your six' line finaly, despite the fact that it is inacurate, as S&W have seven bullets, not six.

It had a very good bad guy, although he has less screen time than his successors.

A very good movie, a great begining.
Next week they're showing 'Moonraker', which, IIRC was one of the worst ones.

I started it a few times before, but I couldn't get past the Uma Turman scenes, since I think she is an eyesore. But I finaly bit the bullet and saw Pulp Fiction, and I must say, I feel like the worlds biggest idiot. I've had this treasure for 3 years in a drawer.

My impression is that everyone in the world loved it, so please forgive me as I put down my own humble opinion.

The only thing (except fpr Thurman) that I do not entirly like- is the fact that the movie is composed of very long cuts/scenes, which is great for the great scenes, but is very annoying for the ones I don't really like.

I was actualy compelled to watch the movie because of the great soundtrack, specificaly because of Jackson and Travolta'sonversations.

The sequence I liked most was when Bruce Willis comes home to find Travolta in the bathroom, shoots him with the really cool silenced submachine gun, then goes outside to find Ving Rhames crossing the street, when you expect it to be Jackson.

I loved the scene where the guy comes out of the bathroom shoots, and misses all times. I love because of thegreat expression on Jackson's and Travolta's faces, after which they both shoot the guy.

Harvey Keitel was great, especialy because of his bussiness man style of doing things. He never loses his calm. One of the funniest things are his notes- Jules (Black) Vincent (White).

Or his line- "That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten." then the 'nine minutes and thirtey seven seconds later'

Wolf:"You guys look like.... what do they look like Jimmy?"
Jimmy:"Dorks. They look like dorks"
Jules:" Ha, Ha, Ha They're your cloths MF"

Again, I hate sounding all newbie about it, but that's what I am.
A great movie, one of the best I've seen, with an amazing, oscar winning script.
10/10

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Sun Jun 02, 2002 3:47 pm

Originally posted by Morlock

I started it a few times before, but I couldn't get past the Uma Turman scenes, since I think she is an eyesore. But I finaly bit the bullet and saw Pulp Fiction, and I must say, I feel like the worlds biggest idiot. I've had this treasure for 3 years in a drawer.

My impression is that everyone in the world loved it, so please forgive me as I put down my own humble opinion.

The only thing (except fpr Thurman) that I do not entirly like- is the fact that the movie is composed of very long cuts/scenes, which is great for the great scenes, but is very annoying for the ones I don't really like.

I was actualy compelled to watch the movie because of the great soundtrack, specificaly because of Jackson and Travolta'sonversations.

The sequence I liked most was when Bruce Willis comes home to find Travolta in the bathroom, shoots him with the really cool silenced submachine gun, then goes outside to find Ving Rhames crossing the street, when you expect it to be Jackson.

I loved the scene where the guy comes out of the bathroom shoots, and misses all times. I love because of thegreat expression on Jackson's and Travolta's faces, after which they both shoot the guy.

Harvey Keitel was great, especialy because of his bussiness man style of doing things. He never loses his calm. One of the funniest things are his notes- Jules (Black) Vincent (White).
Or his line- "That's thirty minutes away. I'll be there in ten." then the 'nine minutes and thirtey seven seconds later'

Wolf:"You guys look like.... what do they look like Jimmy?"
Jimmy:"Dorks. They look like dorks"
Jules:" Ha, Ha, Ha They're your cloths MF"

Again, I hate sounding all newbie about it, but that's what I am.
A great movie, one of the best I've seen, with an amazing, oscar winning script.
10/10

Pulp fiction realy is one of the greateds movies ever made,
it has everything in it to make you keep watching it.

if you want to read some more quotes from it check you´re own thread