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13 Going on 30.  Yeah, it's a chick flick, but I like it.  A little disappointing with the sexual humor (yes, I'm a prude that way), but generally didn't advocate for immoral sexual behavior, and otherwise a cute and sweet movie.

John Carter.  I like watching movies with subtitles, especially films in a new world and therefore with several new words to define races, nations, planets, etc.  Our remote is lost, so I watched this without subs, which made it hard for me to follow a couple of times.  This was compounded by having the volume down 'cause the kids were sleeping.  Nevertheless, I got some enjoyment out of it, and I found the ending to be very thorough at tying it all together.

Willow.  This may be the first film I remember seeing in the theater.  I was 6 at the time, and remember being surprised that Skeletor made an appearance.  Even now I still love this movie, and it's surprising how it's not rated higher on IMDB.  Sure, it rips off Star Wars with parallels for Luke, Han, the Emperor, Vader, the Force, the Empire, the Rebels, theme, etc.  Nevertheless, it still is very enjoyable to me, and George Lucas came up with the story, so I'm not surprised that he reused his own ideas.  Plus, while I enjoy James Horner's compositions, this may be my favorite of his soundtracks.

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captainsolo said:

Notorious

The Criterion DVD is the best way to see the film, as it was struck from the nitrate OCN, IP and a fine grain master. It has more fine detail than the MGM disc or Blu-ray with great 1.0 mono. My favorite classic era DVD mastering period.

Really? I was about to order the BD for this, but I stopped once I read this. Judging by your comments, I'm better off getting the Criterion DVD. So, the BD was taken from an inferior source? It really strikes me as awful whenever a BD has less detail than a DVD release. Out of curiosity, have you compared both directly?

In any case, I decided to go on a Danny Boyle Triple Feature:

28 Days Later

The movie still honestly holds up to me. I enjoyed it. It's certainly a stark contrast to Romero's films. The fast moving "zombies" are menacing without being over the top. The scenes in a deserted London are especially frightening. You really get a good sense of isolation and desperation. All the actors did admirable jobs in their respective roles, in my opinion. Unlike others, I have absolutely no problem with the social commentary once they reached the military base; it simply enriches the movie.

Truly, a pinnacle in horror. The visual style is intriguing and unfortunate at the same time. This is a movie that barely benefitted from the BD.

9 out of 10 balls.

Trainspotting

This was the first time I'd seen the movie. It was fantastic to be honest. I got a very A Clockwork Orange-vibe from it; I suppose that was intentional, considering the visual references at the club. Ewan McGregor's performance was excellent: just the right amount of repulsiveness and sympatheticness. All the supporting actors were excellent too. The mix of comedy and tragedy is really effective here; the dark humor was razor sharp. To be absolutely honest though, I failed to truly empathize with any of the characters, even Renton. It was interesting watching their story, but, in no way, did it reach to me emotionally. For a director's second film, it certainly is astounding. I'd be interested in them adapting the sequel; if capably made, it could be great.

The Japanese BD is the best, as it's uncut.

9.5 out of 10 balls.

Shallow Grave

This one caught me by surprise. I never saw it before and never heard anything about it. Out of the three movies I watched, this is my favorite. It explores the classic theme of money's corrupting effect, yet it manages to feel undeniably fresh and at times shocking. The movie is stylistic and active but never to a point of being obnoxious. There were few characters, a fact that I relished since I could really have the time to understand each one of them. All of them had devilishly dark sides, yet were completely believable. The dark humor here worked better, for me, than the humor in Trainspotting. This is the most spectacular directorial debut I can remember since Citizen Kane. After the film ended, I had Andy Williams stuck in my head for days. If you've got the chance watch this movie.

The Criterion BD's picture looks great: vivid with good contrast. I understand this was shot under relatively low budget circumstances, so it doesn't look quite as professional as contemporary big budget productions.

10 out of 10 balls.

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Madagascar 3

It was certainly the funniest thrill ride of the three, but, while Gloria the hippo has always been nothing more than a token female, here, none of the main four but Alex has anything to do.  The other three are just there to occasionally engage in random hijinks or play off their already established foibles (although Melman doesn't even get that) while watching Alex move the plot along.  And although this got me a lot of weird looks from my girlfriend, I actually found the French policewoman villain to be strangely sexy.

"What?  Power is sexy."

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

Wow! The Amazing Spider-Man is amazing! This one almost slipped by me. I was caught off guard when my friend asked if I was going to the midnight premiere on Monday. Amazingly there were still a lot of seats left for the midnight premiere at IMAX. I had some misgivings about this film. I didn't know how well Andrew Garfield would be as Spider-Man and I've always lamented the fact that they have yet to hire someone with a dynamic voice to play the character. He was good. I also didn't like how they gave the lizard a flat face or how he's naked all the time instead of wearing his trademark lab coat. The film does start to fall apart a little toward the end but it recovers and overall was fantastic. I look forward to sequels.

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darth_ender said:

13 Going on 30.  Yeah, it's a chick flick, but I like it.  A little disappointing with the sexual humor (yes, I'm a prude that way), but generally didn't advocate for immoral sexual behavior, and otherwise a cute and sweet movie.

I was forced to endure this film when my niece came to stay with her then teen best friend a few moons ago.

I was really surprised how much I enjoyed it but I remembered suggesting some possible improvements after watching it and I was told to 'stop thinking about it too much' as it 'was only a movie'.

The advice stuck and I hadn't given the film a second thought since I read you mentioning it.

In fact I had to look it up to determine which bits were in this film and which bits were in The Devil Wears Prada (2006).

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Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

I had very low expectations for this film, based on the title, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. It's not a perfect movie by any means, but it is a fun ride. It has a lot of goofy moments and it does feel overly long, and the 3D isn't all that great.

I did like that the film took itself seriously instead of a goofy tongue-in cheek lame-o movie. It does get rather schlocky in parts, but overall it's rather solid.

 

4 out of 10 silver balls

<span style=“font-weight: bold;”>The Most Handsomest Guy on OT.com</span>

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 (Edited)

I did a Marc Webb double header-

(500) Days of Summer 9/10

The Amazing Spiderman 9/10

Saw this, loved it. I mean like I really, really loved it. This is from someone who also really, really loved the Raimi films. This one is just really good. It's really a shame that most people will look at this movie with been there, done that glasses on (speaking of glasses, the 3-D was pretty cool, but not amazing). Which is unfortunate because, I was able to put that aside and take it for what it was, and this is really a spectacular piece.

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Also loved The Amazing Spider-Man.  Andrew Garfield is perfect as Peter Parker, and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy is infinitely more interesting (and capable - she actually gets out of a potentially deadly situation on her own!  Gasp!) than Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane.  Garfield and Stone have great chemistry together, too, which really sells the love story.

I didn't mind the Lizard's flat face - that was what he looked like in his original appearance anyway, if I remember correctly.

I did think the whole "mystery" behind Peter's parents was a pretty lame way to try to make this iteration of Spider-Man different from the last, which was unnecessary as it was already different enough to begin with.  Gone is the cheese of the Raimi films (minus the thing with the cranes at the end, that was a little much), and the cardboard characters that came along with it.  (Though Aunt May is criminally underused this go-round.)

I also loved Spidey's fights and web-slinging.  Much more believable and, in my opinion, Spider-Man-like than previous attempts.

And the best part?  This Spider-Man could easily be rolled into the current Marvel cinematic universe, assuming Sony, Marvel, and Disney can make some sort of deal.

8.5/10, easy.  (For comparison, the only one of the first trilogy that comes close is the second one, which I'd give a 7/10).

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Drive - 9/10

Since they're like poetry, what with the rhyming and all, I find that I only need to watch three out of the six films.

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ChainsawAsh said:

Also loved The Amazing Spider-Man.  Andrew Garfield is perfect as Peter Parker, and Emma Stone's Gwen Stacy is infinitely more interesting (and capable - she actually gets out of a potentially deadly situation on her own!  Gasp!) than Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane.  Garfield and Stone have great chemistry together, too, which really sells the love story.

I didn't mind the Lizard's flat face - that was what he looked like in his original appearance anyway, if I remember correctly.

I did think the whole "mystery" behind Peter's parents was a pretty lame way to try to make this iteration of Spider-Man different from the last, which was unnecessary as it was already different enough to begin with.  Gone is the cheese of the Raimi films (minus the thing with the cranes at the end, that was a little much), and the cardboard characters that came along with it.  (Though Aunt May is criminally underused this go-round.)

I also loved Spidey's fights and web-slinging.  Much more believable and, in my opinion, Spider-Man-like than previous attempts.

And the best part?  This Spider-Man could easily be rolled into the current Marvel cinematic universe, assuming Sony, Marvel, and Disney can make some sort of deal.

8.5/10, easy.  (For comparison, the only one of the first trilogy that comes close is the second one, which I'd give a 7/10).

Totally agree on all points.

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Safe House (2012)

What is this garbage? Crap movie, crappily made.

no craps given.

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"Jaws"

“First feel fear, then get angry. Then go with your life into the fight.” - Bill Mollison

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At the Earth's Core (1976)

Wow what a tripped out movie! Fantastic stuff, I loved it all. Great sets, great monsters and AMAZING rear projection work. I was very impressed. Oh Doug McClure what amazing films you brought us with Amicus Productions.

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Amazing Spider-man

I thought Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone were perfect. The story was kinda meh. The origin story took way too long and wasn't even as good as the original one. He never even caught uncle Ben's killer. The revelation to use his powers for good was downplayed and never were the words "With great power comes great responsibility" uttered. The lizard was kind of cool and all, the web slinging and action I think was the best of all of the movies. I wish they just threw us into Peter's life as spider-man. I mean we all already know the origin.

But if I look at the film as a whole without my fandom clouding my judgement it is a pretty good movie. I'd say it deserves 7/10.

(But if given the choice I'd watch Sam Raimi's Spider-man.)

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 (Edited)


ChainsawAsh said:

(minus the thing with the cranes at the end, that was a little much)


Really? I think it's moments like that that separate Spidey from most superheroes. It really showcases his vulnerability, compared to many other superheroes - neither Marvel nor DC have many characters like that with mainstream fame that I'm aware of. It's not the high-school stuff that separates him, it's the fact that the every man - not just the supporting cast of MJ, Gwen, or Aunt May - might need to step in and help him every so often.

I have to say that as a character Spider-Man is actually kind of weak. Think about how many times he's wanted to give up the costume compared to most other heroes. What makes him different? Someone else always comes in to be the voice of reason or give him that epiphany he needs. It's a weakness that makes him more... human, something I've always liked about Spider-Man.

I enjoyed the movie except for the music choices in the high school scenes, which is extreme nitpicking. 8/10. You might even say it was... Amazing. *rimshot*

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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 (Edited)

bkev said:

 

ChainsawAsh said:



(minus the thing with the cranes at the end, that was a little much)


Really? I think it's moments like that that separate Spidey from most superheroes. It really showcases his vulnerability, compared to many other superheroes - both Marvel and DC don't have too many characters like that with mainstream fame that I'm aware of. It's not the high-school stuff that separates him, it's the fact that the every man - not just the supporting cast - might need to step in and help him every so often.

I have to say that as a character Spider-Man is actually kind of weak. Think about how many times he's wanted to give up the costume compared to most other heroes. What makes him different? Someone else always comes in to be the voice of reason or give him that epiphany he needs. It's a weakness that makes him more... human, something I've always liked about Spider-Man.

I enjoyed the movie except for the music choices in the high school scenes, which is extreme nitpicking. 8/10. You might even say it was... Amazing. *rimshot*

 

Oh boy that was the only scene in which I really felt insulted. I agree that the dynamic of the people helping is great but it could have been applied so much better. It just felt sooo forced to me.

Oh, and I agree with you on the music thing.

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 (Edited)

Yeah. I think Raimi pulled it off much better in Spider-Man 2 on the train, but I didn't mind the crane scene the way you guys did.

edit: Oh, and lastly, some serious nitpicking. The new costume isn't bad but the one from the Raimiverse just appeals to me more. Perhaps it's the traditionalist in me, but the new one looks too flashy... and I'm really not a fan of that material they use on superhero costumes these days. Superman Returns had the same look that made it look more like it was sewn rather than spandex. The most egregious of these is the all-CG GL costume though. So that was a detractor but in no way was it significant.

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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ChainsawAsh said:


Gone is the cheese of the Raimi films (minus the thing with the Cranes at the end, that was a little much)
I think that sounds delightful.

http://cdn2.mamapop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Niles-and-Frasier.jpg

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Oh, that joke is so much funnier now that I've watched a significant amount of Cheers...

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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Niles Crane isn't in Cheers, so that can't make any sense to you whatsoever. 

 

Poser...

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

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I tried watching Possession (1981) last night, but one of my sister's drunken rages put an end to that prospect ...

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Gaffer Tape said:


Niles Crane isn't in Cheers, so that can't make any sense to you whatsoever. 

 

Poser...

Well yes, but if he's anything like his brother then I don't see why the joke would not be affective.

A Goon in a Gaggle of 'em

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GODDAMMIT NILES!-One of my favorite quotes that was never actually said.

Rope

One of The Master's finest and most overlooked. Still genuinely interesting and gripping after 40 odd views and with a haunting use of 40's Technicolor. 8 ten minute takes combined to make a seamless observation all with Hitch's insatiable prowling camera eye. Except we are now the eye for the entire film. Topped off by a great sly performance from John Dall (a great underrated American actor) and one of Jimmy Stewart's finest roles as the sharp witted Rupert Cadell. (That end speech still gives me goosebumps-compare that up to anything in screen acting from the past 30 years.) A great movie that deserves wider recognition as one of the great Hitchcock masterpieces.

4 balls out of 4 men who live alone together in the 40's and have such odd remarks to one another. ;)

Rear Window

Slick, smart, sly, technically brilliant, witty, human, a cranky Jimmy Stewart, Thelma Ritter, and the single greatest entrance of any woman in cinema. (The film should be subtitled what we mentally scream for the movie: Wake up Jimmy! Are you an idiot or something!) The jazzy score that plays over the opening titles is exactly the tone of the film. A shame that the restoration is never presented well on disc, can't wait for the Blu-ray to hopefully improve. Who here hasn't quoted Jeff in their best bad Jimmy voice when sitting in a dark room in front of a window? "Look ovah therrr, ya see? It's the onla windaa with tha lights ouuutt. Thorwaalld's gotta bee in therrrrr, and onla he wouldn't carr about the dooogg."

4 balls out of 4 wedding rings and flash bulbs.

The Trouble with Harry

A great simple movie that attempts to prove Americans are not stupid. It's a British dark comedy set amongst the beautiful autumn locale of Vermont, shot in stunning VistaVision (and one of the great onscreen landscapes) and a nice place where a young boy can walk amongst such beauty and find a corpse. Touching film that has characters who are more real than is usual which makes it a very fond memory. A title that begs for high definition, as the DVD can't hold a candle to the print I saw. The first Hitch-Barnard Herrmann collaboration.

4 balls out of 4 funerals.

To Catch a Thief

It's not the greatest story, not very complicated or dramatic, but it isn't meant to be. What it is is a celebration of all the finer things in life, a slice of decedent cake that only The Master could conceive of. Cary Grant+Grace Kelly+The French Rivera+VistaVision=sumptuous heaven. A visual feast in VistaVision, though the great Blu-ray is merely from the DVD master. I still have my older disc with pumped up color that I can't help but like.

A lightweight 4 balls out of 4 cat burglars.

 

You can't tell that I've always had a thing for VistaVision, can you?

VADER!? WHERE THE HELL IS MY MOCHA LATTE? -Palpy on a very bad day.
“George didn’t think there was any future in dead Han toys.”-Harrison Ford
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