Movies I've seen lately

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 6:03 pm

I just came back from seeing Road to Perdition.

Only minor spoilers ahead, nothing plot related.
I might mention a certain specific scene, but I'll leave out any names.
It was a really great movie.

Before I mention anything else, I have to mention the best thing about the movie: The cinematography by Conrad L. Hall.
It is probably the best cinematography I've ever seen- The lighting is perfect, yet is set up as if it's all by chance.
He uses reflections amazingly well- when you see a guy being shot in the bath, you just see someone shooting him, as the door blocks the view, but then the door starts closing. and you see the dead guy in the mirror on the door.
Also when, at the end, Hanks is looking out the window, you're looking at him frm the outside through the window, so you also see him and the reflection of the beach with the kid playing with the dog.

The violence in the movie is also some of the best done violence I've ever seen.
It's like the 'Godfather' in that way- every murder is unique and memorible, not just another bloody scene.
Again, a lot of that is because of Hall's cinematography.
I love the scene when you see a group of guys being shot at by a guy in the shadows. It's all in slow motion, you see him take them down one by one, they can't get him because he's in the shadows.
Or the first murder, where you see a guy's feet. while he's shooting with a tommy gun, so you see a couple of guys fall down, the bullets fall to the ground, but you never see anything more than the shooter's feet through a crack in the door.

A great movie with amazing cinematography.
Movie rating: 9/10
Cinematgraphy rating: 11/10

I also bought 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade', 'The great train robbery' and 'Silence of the Lambs' on VHS and 'Gosford Park' on DVD. I don't have a DVD where I'm staying, so I'll have to wait three weeks with it.

@Tybaltus: I always go to Ebert's site, which has recods up to 1985!

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 6:07 pm

@Morlock was Tom Hanks good? I saw the trailer, and it looked like Hanks playing a ganster... not especially convincingly. (I'm not a very big fan of his anyway.) Also looks like the same old cheesily sentimental movie that Hanks usually makes...

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 6:16 pm

Originally posted by Georgi
@Morlock was Tom Hanks good? I saw the trailer, and it looked like Hanks playing a ganster... not especially convincingly. (I'm not a very big fan of his anyway.) Also looks like the same old cheesily sentimental movie that Hanks usually makes...

The trailer was misleading, I was expecting something else- Hanks was as good as usual, nothing special. At the start it's hard to buy Mr. Nice guy as a murderer, but it grows on you quickly.

It has it's touchy moments, but much less than the trailer makes you think. At it's core, and what you will be left with, is the violence and scenery, not the touchy moments. That's the way it was for me, anyway, though I am less open to centimental BS.

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 6:31 pm

I was really surprised that Road to Perdition didnt beat out MIB II for that week, though Ive heard MIB II is very good.

Is anyone looking forward to Austin Powers 3? I know a lot of my friends are looking forward to it, as am I.

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 7:11 pm

Originally posted by Tybaltus
Is anyone looking forward to Austin Powers 3? I know a lot of my friends are looking forward to it, as am I.

I normally wouldn't, but I've heard a lot of good things about it.
Plus there are ton of chameos, including Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Kevin Spacey, Ozzy Osbourne and many more.

I've heard very mixed reviews of MIIB- from Great to worst sequel ever.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 7:40 pm

Originally posted by Tybaltus
I was really surprised that Road to Perdition didnt beat out MIB II for that week, though Ive heard MIB II is very good.

What you've heard was in error. It's not very bad, mind you, but Men in Black II is not very good either. What made the original so fun was its original tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek premise and the chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The sequel is the same basic jokes recycled in a not very well disguised attempt to make some more money. Smith and Jones are up to their same antics, but both ultimately looked like they were phoning it in. There are some very good moments, but by and large, it's not a movie to pay full price for; if you have to see it now, go for the matinee, otherwise, wait for it to come to the dollar theater.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 7:44 pm

I've also heard MIB2 was very, very, very short....is that true?

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 7:50 pm

Originally posted by The Z
I've also heard MIB2 was very, very, very short....is that true?

82 minutes from start to finish, so yes, it's a lot shorter than it was probably healthy. The problem is that many of the things in the movie (like plot holes) could have been fixed fairly easily without a lot of fancy special effects. For instance, the interaction between Jay and Kay is fairly stilted and could have been better addressed by taking that damned talking dog out of the picture and giving Smith and Jones more screen time. Zed and the other MiBs looked positively incompetent and the worm guys were way too prominent. I think they tried to be too cute and wound up turning out a product soaked with mediocrity instead of what could have been very funny, very entertaining and ultimately very good.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Tue Jul 23, 2002 8:19 pm

Originally posted by Tybaltus
Is anyone looking forward to Austin Powers 3? I know a lot of my friends are looking forward to it, as am I.

Definitely

I've booked my tickets for Thursday...

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 9:37 am

@Georgi: Groovy Baby......
@HLD: I'll have to rethink going to watch MIB2 then....AOTC might be a better choice....

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 9:49 am

@HLD-really? The only people who have said MIB II was bad were the critics. But I, also, will have to rethink watching it, thanks for the heads up. I only go to the movie theater for movies I know Ill enjoy. I think I will go to see the Austin Powers 3, though. Im pretty sure I will enjoy it.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 10:03 am

@Tybaltus & The Z:
If you have friends who have enjoyed MIB2, and they generally like the same kinds of movies you like, then you'll probably have a good time.

As I said before, it's entertaining and not bad, but I wouldn't pay to see it again. I did enjoy AOTC much more than the critics (but I have a little bit of the fanboy thing going with Star Wars movies), so I wouldn't take Ebert's word at face value, either. The bottom line is this: If you were looking forward to Men in Black II when you heard it was coming out, you should go see it. There are certainly worse ways to spend $4.50 on a Saturday afternoon, but for me it was a disappointment.

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 10:09 am

@HLD $4.50??!!! Geez thats cheap. Over here, the nearest theater charges 8-10 dollars. It is pretty bad, thats why I am selective on which movies I go and see.

HighLordDave · Post by **HighLordDave** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 10:15 am

Then move out of the city and over to Appalachia. The going full price rate I think is $6.50, and the matinee price at most theaters is $4.50 or $4.75. Your other option is to wait for the movie to hit the dollar theaters and see it there.

Tybaltus · Post by **Tybaltus** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 10:22 am

Well, I wont be moving for another 4 years, so those prices are not going to be within sight for a little while. The reason I wont be moving is because Ill be heading out to college in a very local area, and its not really in a city, so Ill commute, and to move would be too much of a problem. Regardless, methinks weve strayed away from the original topic

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Wed Jul 24, 2002 2:47 pm

Silent Running:

I finally got around to watching it all i can say is what a truly wonderful movie....okay i have more words on the subject. The setting is dark and mysterious, the opening scenes sum up pretty much exactly what is going to happen, maybe not at the time but when one has watched enough films you get to know these things

There is no CG tomfoolery, it is all done with models, which personally i have always preferred anyway.

The movie would seem quite boring to many but i think it is fantastic. Definately a movie to watch alone in a dark room. It makes you think and it makes you feel. I can't really explain it but i cared for Duey, i really did and i felt sorry for him...very weird.

Watch it

<edit>I might want to quantify my feeling a little about this film, i am not entirely clear in this "review" on why i like it so much. The acting is pretty standard there is nothing magnificent about it, the score is very symbolic of the time it was made, very "flower power" music.

I think it is the setting and the importance of the message that are the key points to this film, one pretty much knows what is going to occur, however the inner struggle is well handled.

The sound in the movie is also very well handled, the feel of desolation is particularly effective. Like i said previously, this film wont be everyones cup of tea, but i really like it.

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Fri Jul 26, 2002 2:09 pm

Austin Powers In Goldmember

I don't have much time, so I'll be brief.

It has the funniest begining I've ever seen. Just the amount of cameos in one minute blew me away.

I especialy loved Dr. Evil and, of course, the director

.

The movie did revert an awful lot to the previous filmd, but usualy spoofing them.

I found the reference to Silence of the Lambs hillarious.

The plot was, as expected, non existant.

I still find it sad to see Ozzy with his brains fried, although it makes for great comedy.

Gotta run, but I'll try and expand on this later.

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Mon Aug 05, 2002 4:37 pm

Last week I finaly saw Minority Report.

I think it was amazing, best Sci Fi in years.

I was too into the movie to notice the most obvious suspect- I only realised it when the scene in which he was revealed began.

Collin Farrel was great. His accent was flawless, as was his delivery.

The movie has many cliches, but just the fact that they end a little differently than usual makes them interesting. The only complaint I have is with Sydow's slip (drowned) .

I loved the Spyder scene, both idea and realisation. The music in that scene was fantastic.

I liked the scene where they go around the mall and she tells him what to do accoarding to her visions.

I think the last sequence was built perfectly.

One small but great shot: when Cruise is arrested and is told Farrel and his eyes pop open, right before he is placed under arrest.

I especialy loved the vision of the future, because it wasn't saying 'Wouldn't it be cool if', but 'Here's how it could be'- it made it futuristic, not plain sci fi.

I have what to say about the ending- but it'll have to wait.

9/10

I also saw Signs- I'll post my thoughts later.

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 4:45 am

I can't recall if i gave my review of Minority Report...i will check back.

My review for today, Austin Powers 3:Goldmember

Why exactly i went to watch this film is quite confusing, i actually actively went to watch something i knew would be base and ridiculous, having previously enjoyed Austin Powers 1 and 2 i assumed it would be much of the same but equally as amusing, sadly this is not the case.

There are the same jokes played out over and over again, where they were funny the last two efforts they just didn't quite cut it in this sequel.

They even take off the fact that they are resorting to the same jokes but that isn't particularly amusing, the best part of the whole film for me was Kevin Spacey's cameo at the start; priceless

There are a few redeeming features, the women in this film are gorgeous, there are some amazingly provocative scenes, especially for a rated twelve film...there is also the amusing scene involving subtitles, that is quite funny

I would say that if you haven't previously seen an Austin Powers movie then go watch it, but if you are well versed with the humour then don't bother, except of course if you want to see some gorgeous women, although it is slightly disconcerting when one is surrounded by people half one's age....and i am only twenty

If you don't like the base and demeaning humour then also avoid.

On the subject of actors, Myers is pretty much the same although i am impressed by his dancing skills, i know this sounds stupid but they are actually quite good. Caine is excellent, really amusing, who knew he had comedy timing?

Beyonce is also surprisingly good, although her comedy timing is not great and she doesn't quite know where to look, but that is as much the directors fault.

Morlock · Post by **Morlock** » Thu Aug 08, 2002 6:24 pm

I really liked AP3, and this is after hating 1&2.

I, again, thought the firstfive minutes were hillarious. I loved in the theater how the laugh just got bigger and bigger with every face. Just the theory of the Minnie me actor brought laughs to eveyone I descricbed it to.

I really liked some of Dr. Evil's lines and expresion- 'How 'bout no you sick Dutch Bastard!'

Michael Caine was great, but Connery would have been better. What's better than James Bond, in a movie Spoofing James Bond, making fun of James Bond!

Signs:
Let me start by saying that this is a great movie. A billion times better than the laugh inspiring Sixth Sense.

What makes this movie so good, is that, unlike the Sixth Sense, the end resolves the story, as opposed to reversing it.

The thing that struck me most was the amazing Cinematography. In two weeks I'm hit with the two best cinematography jobs in recent years, possibly ever. It is really involving, especialy the hand held scenes.
It has a lot of great head shots.
My favorite effect is when your looking at someone, and in the same shot, the camera turns to reveal someone else.
The use of shadows, especialy with the flashlights, is great.

One thing I noticed early on is that you can hear every single sound, even the smallest ones, something which increases the tension.

It really doesn't fit to hear Gibson say 'Ass Whoopin'''

I was surprised that Syamalan (The director) gave himself such a big part in the movie (as Ray).

I liked Rory Culkin's (Macully's brother) line 'The history of theworlds future'

Pheonix and Gibson really don't fit as brothers- they'd be better off as father and son.

Spoiler in the black section ahead:
I was surprised that there actualy were aliens in the movie. I was even more surprised that it managed not to be an alien movie- the movie isn't about aliens- it's about faith, and it is refreshing to see aliens as symbolic, more than a sheap gimick.

All in all, a really great movie- don't matter if you liked Shyamalan before.