Netflix? Guess that's the US equivalent of lovefilm. Hey HB, that might explain why you've had the occassional run of bad films. Going back over my rented movies, I was surprised at how few I've rated 4 stars or more. I tend to get lured into renting curiosities.
Lovefilm? Netflix is an Internet service that sends you DVDs. You pay a monthly fee and make a list of films you want to see and they send you (in my case) three at a time. When you finish watching one you send it back and Netflix sends you another from your queue. Sound like Lovefilm?
Anyway, the Netflick I watched last night was Jumper. Actually a bit better than I thought it would be, based on the reviews; but still a movie where the premise is better than the execution.
Vox clamantis in deserto
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
My latest Netflix offering, for my sons, was
"Superhero Movie"
Really dumb...but funny. I laughed quite a bit. Drake Bell plays a kid bitten by a radioactive dragonfly ) Leslie Nielsen and Marion Ross are his doting grandparents. They skewer just about everything in this one...
Recommended, as long as you don't expect too much from it. You will laugh...and roll your eyes...
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited August 2008
BLADE II
First of all, to anyone who thinks that this Marvel character didn't start the awesome movie craze the company has currently been on is plain crazy (No, it didn't start with Singer's X-Men like some people want to believe! X-( ) . Especially since just four years previously to Blade's first film we got the eyesore named Fantastic Four in '94 complete with Ninja Turtle Thing.
This is the BEST of the trilogy and really worth repeated viewings. It has a great story, awesome villians, a hot, hot babe and one of the coolest final boss battles ever in a comic book movie. I even had a bit of sympathy for Luke Goss' Nomak in the end.
Del Toro should've done the 3rd one to at least give it respectability and not have left it in the hands of Goyer who is more or less a hit or miss writer/director. Blade Trinity is barely tolerable at times.
It's a shame that II didn't make a 100 million dollars domestically (even being rated R) because it deserved that at least. A solid three stars. B-)
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Netflix? Guess that's the US equivalent of lovefilm. Hey HB, that might explain why you've had the occassional run of bad films.
Lovefilm? Netflix is an Internet service that sends you DVDs. You pay a monthly fee and make a list of films you want to see and they send you (in my case) three at a time. When you finish watching one you send it back and Netflix sends you another from your queue. Sound like Lovefilm?
Anyway, the Netflick I watched last night was Jumper. Actually a bit better than I thought it would be, based on the reviews; but still a movie where the premise is better than the execution.
Yeah, that's much the same as lovefilm.com. I go for three at a time also, means you've always got a film on the go. There's an odd, melancholy excitement in waiting to see which on my list of 50+ films backed up they're gonna dispatch next. (I'm now told to look out for Road to Hong Kong, the last, belated Hope/Crosby flick which I'm keen on seeing in a morbid kind of way, like Laurel and Hardy's Utopia ) heh heh your latest, Jumper, sort of backs up what I was saying. These films are okay free rather than paid for, but then quality control can take a dive. Also they do recommendations based on your reviews, I gave The Searchers 4 stars a way back and still get recommendations for stuff like Rio Bravo; I'm not really a Westerns guy.
Michael Haneke's US remake of his German movie. I got the point the first time around, and Haneke is a tiresome bore.
Ah, JD, I wish you'd written more. Maybe you would have inspired me to take that movie out of my Netflix queue and thus I'd have been saved the pain of watching it last night.
Sorry I couldn't put you off that one Hardy. May I heartily recommend that you avoid Mamma Mia. Oh my word, this is the most excrutiating film. It is the cinematic equivalent of being abducted by a bunch of women from the more mature end of the market and being forced to take part in a hen night. It is a menopausal tidle wave of forced joviality, bad singing and cringeworthy dance moves. And I like Abba. I liked Muriel's Wedding, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert but they were written by gay men, not Benny and wotsit and some middle-class English women who should have their right to vote taken away from them. As for Brosnan, well he's always been the cheesiest actor to play James Bond, but the man reaches new levels of naffness here. So if it's in your Netflix order, I would reconsider. Unless you want to see an ex-007 do the most embarassing thing an ex-007 has ever done.
You're a real gent, Mr. Drake, but on this one you don't have to worry. One good thing about being single at the moment is that I didn't have anyone drag me to see Mamma Mia! or Sex in the City. Nope, it's been a summer of superheroes and action flicks all the way!
May I heartily recommend that you avoid Mamma Mia. Oh my word, this is the most excrutiating film.
HB, ignore JD! He's just a grump (perhaps because of a PM I sent him :v) when the truth is that Mamma Mia is a really fun film. Is it a good film? Not particularly. It's badly directed, doesn't make much sense in terms of the time period the film is set in, and many of the actors and actresses are not particularly great singers. (Meryl Streep is even a little creepy towards the start.)
But it has terrific music, it's cheerful, it's even funny on occasion, and it is fun. It is simply a harmless, entertaining film in which the actors have fun and so does the audience (apart from grumps like JD.)
Plus, Brosnan (who was a fantastic Bond :v), whilst he may not deliver an Oscar-worthy performance, is simply, for a lack of a better word, fun. ) Colin Firth was IMO better, but Brosnan still did alright. He had fun, was entertaining, and that is all that one can ask for. So ignore JD! :v
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
You're a real gent, Mr. Drake, but on this one you don't have to worry. One good thing about being single at the moment is that I didn't have anyone drag me to see Mamma Mia! or Sex in the City. Nope, it's been a summer of superheroes and action flicks all the way!
Don't generalize all of the married guys, H.B., nor all women for that matter.
My wife thought that Mamma Mia looked stupid and had no desire to see it. Not all women flock to this sort of thing while dragging their husbands along. And I wasn't going to see it even if she wanted to.
My wife loves Pierce Brosnan's James Bond but according to her, he just went down a testicle being in this one. The man was Bond for crying out loud...that's an image that should perpetually remain intact.
That stupid little dance he does in the trailers...
You'll never catch my boy Sean Connery in a musical like this. B-)
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
You are not Dan Same. What have you done with him?
He's in the boot of my car. :v Seriously, is it really that hard to believe that I would enjoy Mamma Mia? )
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
That stupid little dance he does in the trailers...
You'll never catch my boy Sean Connery in a musical like this. B-)
One word: Zardoz! )
That's not a musical...that was merely red taint...and uh, stripper boots. )
And a naked Charlotte Rampling, which definitely scores points in my book.
Zardoz is actually a pretty intriguing sci-fi story dragged down by some shoddy production values and an uneven script. Interesting concept; flawed execution.
As for my last movie...
Red Dragon
Retired FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) tries to track down a serial killer dubbed "The Tooth Fairy" (Ralph Fiennes) with the aid of criminal genius Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).
I've never been much of a Hannibal Lecter fan (given my odd sensibilities I usually find all the "scary" scenes to be funny) but I've always found Red Dragon to be a very entertaining movie with some solid performances and pretty memorable scenes. Fiennes makes for an imposing and even somewhat tragic villain and the scenes between Norton and Hopkins (especially their little prologue that shows how Graham captured Lecter) work really well. It held my attention from start to finish and once again shows that Brett Rattner has a workmanlike talent for taking material developed by other filmmakers and turning out a well-paced, engaging and entertaining movie.
You are not Dan Same. What have you done with him?
He's in the boot of my car. :v Seriously, is it really that hard to believe that I would enjoy Mamma Mia? )
For some reason, I am not surprised at all. :v
Why, because I appreciate the human drama of Spider-Man 2? :v )
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Actually, if the finale line-up of Mamma Mia! included Spidey in his tights, Batman camping up his cape and Wonder Woman with her spinning transformation and lasoo, all boogeying along to Dancing Queen, I'd buy a ticket... )
He's in the boot of my car. :v Seriously, is it really that hard to believe that I would enjoy Mamma Mia? )
For some reason, I am not surprised at all. :v
Why, because I appreciate the human drama of Spider-Man 2? :v )
For those who came in late, a quick summary of Spiderman 2, Dan's favorite movie:
The pizza is delivered late.
Peter Parker cries.
The eviction notice arrives.
Aunt May cries.
Mrs. Octopus dies.
Dr. Octopus cries.
Peter eats milk and cookies.
Mary Jane cries.
Spiderman loses his suit.
Harry Osborne cries.
Doc Ock dies.
The End. :v
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
Why, because I appreciate the human drama of Spider-Man 2? :v )
For those who came in late, a quick summary of Spiderman 2, Dan's favorite movie:
The pizza is delivered late.
Peter Parker cries.
The eviction notice arrives.
Aunt May cries.
Mrs. Octopus dies.
Dr. Octopus cries.
Peter eats milk and cookies.
Mary Jane cries.
Spiderman loses his suit.
Harry Osborne cries.
Doc Ock dies.
The End. :v
You forgot one: Peter talks with Uncle Ben who apparently is an old,kind zombie. )
) ) ) ) ) )
There should have been a promotional tie-in with Sony & Kleenex with all of that crying you've listed. ) ) )
Can you imagine Dan sobbing noticably & blowing his nose hard into an old handkerchief in the theatre while someone seated behind him tells him to shut up so that they can enjoy the movie? ) )
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
FelixLeiter ♀Staffordshire or a pubPosts: 1,286MI6 Agent
Blood Diamond
An absolutely amazing film. Nothing like I expected yet still great. Hard to sum up, but I definitely recommend it!
Ten years after Road to Bali, Hope and Crosby made a belated farewell with this movie, much like Indy returning in Crystal Skulls I suppose.
I ordered this out of perverse curiosity. It starts off badly, with the pair caught up in some space rocket over the moon escapade which makes them men out of their time, a bit like Indy in the last one really. It signifies it's the end of an era. Crosby looks old, he has the irascible, slightly scary look he took on in later years - his nonchalent, butter wouldn't melt expression is long gone so when he stitches up Hope it seems a bit sinister. Hope is older too and looks like a right-wing Republican of the Tricky Dicky era. Both could appear in more serious, credible movies (China Syndrome type stuff) as villainous types, you feel. Joan Collins shows up early on to offer up a flashback with her harpy narration.
It does get better, however, and for a 1962 film there are plenty of Bond connections. I enjoyed the zany credits and found they were done by one Maurice Binder. Walter Gotell turns up as an evil scientist, one year before his turn as Morzeny. Casino Royale's Peter Sellers and David Niven make cameos - Niven's is 10 seconds long, Sellers reprises his Indian doctor to not very humorous effect, save some goonish fun with a snake in a basket
When Hope and Crosby leave, Sellers picks up the flute and says to the snake 'Let's play jazz!' and we see the lid of the basket bob up and down to the beat!
The same year as Dr No we see the villain (played by Robert Morley) has an underwater lair with windows looking out onto sharks, which makes Hope gulp and grab his partner's lapels. Morley ends up with some Drax like plan to exterminate 'the unemployed, the great unwashed' from space, a venture one can't help thinking the older, crankier comedians might have some secret sympathy with.
The finale is quite mad and risque, with the pair winding up on a fictional planet with Joan Collins, whom they agree to share carnally in a way that bizarrely anticipates her later roles in The Stud and its sequel, some 10 years later, until the cringeyness is broken by another pair of welcome star cameos. "The Italians have landed!"
Not the best Road to... film but not really that bad either.
You forgot one: Peter talks with Uncle Ben who apparently is an old,kind zombie. )
Yeah, what was up with that scene? It seemed really bizarre and out of place. Was that Uncle Ben's Force ghost or something? "Take my hand Peter." ) Likewise the scene where Harry talks to his dead father later in the flick is equally odd.
There should have been a promotional tie-in with Sony & Kleenex with all of that crying you've listed. ) ) )
Looks like somebody is quickly falling out of love with that franchise. Hopefully you won't relapse once Dark Knight finishes its theatrical run. :v
I saw Bull Durham on EncoreHD last night. A very funny baseball movie with Kevin Costner as career minor leaguer "Crash" Davis, brought in to help out promising but unfocused pitcher Ebby Calvin LaLoosh (a very young Tim Robbins). Susan Sarandon plays a hardcore baseball groupie who interjects herself into their lives. Lots of really good humor in this one (some of the conversations on the pitcher's mound were priceless) and while the love story sometimes got in the way of the laughs, it was overall a surprisingly engaging story.
I watched this, as I am (today) off to see TDK and a few of the boys on here (well actually Loeff) suggested I watch it. I wasn't intending on doing this, however, luck would have it that Film Flex movies (like Sky movies) had it, and so at 10.30pm I decided to play it. I had read the plot summary in Wikepedia first, so I'm not sure if that helped me in my enjoyment of the film, but enjoy it I did.
In fact I thought it was Fantastic. Probably the best movie I have seen this year. (and don't forget I have watched Daniel Craig in "Flashbacks of a fool" this year, albeit it not very good, however it was still an hour plus of Daniel...anyway I digress!)It was well acted, a good strong cast and I thought Bale portrayed the tourted soul extremly well. His relationship with Caine was believable and they obviously liked working with each other (as well as Morgan Freeman) and the action vs story was well balanced. In fact, I might even buy this movie as it's one you could watch again and again.
What I also loved was the delicate thread spun through the whole movie "why you get knocked down, is so that you can learn to pick yourself back up". Eloquent and beautifully played.
It gets 5 stars from me, ...(and how hot does Bale look in that batman suit)...yum!
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
For those who came in late, a quick summary of Spiderman 2, Dan's favorite movie:
The pizza is delivered late.
Peter Parker cries.
The eviction notice arrives.
Aunt May cries.
Mrs. Octopus dies.
Dr. Octopus cries.
Peter eats milk and cookies.
Mary Jane cries.
Spiderman loses his suit.
Harry Osborne cries.
Doc Ock dies.
The End. :v
I don't believe that Peter cried when the pixxa was delivered late. But, you know, you have just described a perfectly normal life for a young man (who just happens to be Spider-Man. ) Unlike Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark who are too good to be true (wealthy, good looking 'superheroes' :v), Peter has reallife problems, whom the audience can identify with. I too have had girl problems, have dealt with bullies and have dealt with the pressures of everyday life. This is why Peter is such a believable character, and add to it that he is one of the greatest of all superheroes, and I think he's absolutely extraordianry.
You forgot one: Peter talks with Uncle Ben who apparently is an old,kind zombie. )
Yeah, what was up with that scene? It seemed really bizarre and out of place. Was that Uncle Ben's Force ghost or something? "Take my hand Peter." ) Likewise the scene where Harry talks to his dead father later in the flick is equally odd.
Neither scene were out of place. Uncle Ben's role (and he was more like a dream or a spirit) was there to essentially give Peter advice; similarly to Star Wars, except the idea isn't unique to Star Wars, and in fact plays a big role in spirituality and religion (such as eastern religions.) As for the scene with Harry; that was the power of the mask, calling him to get revenge for what happend to his father.
Can you imagine Dan sobbing noticably & blowing his nose hard into an old handkerchief in the theatre while someone seated behind him tells him to shut up so that they can enjoy the movie? ) )
It's just so sad and so incredibly beautiful. Can I help it if I'm more emotially mature than you and Tony? :v )
EDIT: As HB is perfectly right about this not being a Bats versus Spidey thread, I'm editing this post, rather than launching another post.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Gadzooks, Tony and Dan. . .you're turning this thread into another Bats-vs.-Spidey debate! I hate to play the Mod card on you, but could you keep it to one forum, please?
Firstly Irish singing sensation and renowned dad-dancer Pierce Brosnan narrates Married Life which looks like TV's Mad Men, but has none of that show's intelligence or wit. Brosnan looks suave in some classy outfits, but the film's all style, and little else. Still, at least he doesn't sing.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
Watchable period drama with Frances MacDormand as a hapless governess getting a life, with the help of a flighty American actress (Amy Adams :x ). Mark Strong is impressive in a role that is reminiscent of his brilliant turn as Harry Stark in The Long Firm. The director was Bharat Nalluri whose last film was the cruelly underrated The Crow 3: Salvation. Quite a leap from one to the other.
And finally Miike Takashi's spaghetti western homage.
Sukiyaki Western Django. Reworking of Sergio Corbucci's Django with Japanese actors in a hellish-like Old West. Django returns to his hometown, although so many years have now passed that he is a stranger to the locals. Not quite as much as fun as it sounds, but dazzling in places. It's too long, as are most Miike films these days, all of which seem to clear two hours. There's a cameo from Quentin Tarantino proving that the guy cannot even begin to act. It's a crucial role, and would have been wonderful if had been a Walken, or even Billy Drago, but you just want the guy to get off the screen. The final fight between the hero and villain is dazzling, with one using pistols and the other a samurai sword.
Once again, writing team Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg prove to be the freshest and funniest writers in Hollywood right now. Pineapple Express, which IMO plays out like a really goofy, stoned cousin of a Quentin Tarantino film, is one hilarious helluva ride, and a must see if for nothing else than for James Franco's performance as stoner Saul Silver.
Don't expect it to be the same kinda schtick as Knocked Up and Superbad. Its very different. It has the same type of hilarious dialogue, but is also more along the lines of action-buddy comdedies like Beverly Hills Cop and Running Scared. In short, a great summer movie!
RogueAgentSpeeding in the Tumbler...Posts: 3,676MI6 Agent
edited August 2008
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Well with a little luck, I found one of just three theatres still showing this movie within the metropolitan area, bought tickets after work and scooped up my kid to go check it out.
Del Toro never fails to bring visual eye candy to the big screen. hit or miss...unfortunately, this film leans more towards miss.
I don't blame the returning cast; they were great but the plot or pacing was weak. Great action scenes I will admit (I love the Troll part and the animosity between Hellboy & Johann Krauss ) ) but the slapstick feel of it all was a just little too much.
Btw, my son didn't say a word the entire two hours perhaps out of respect to me for treating him to an afternoon out but in the car exploded on how bad he hated this using words like "Overly Mushy" and "Unnecessary" to describe his misgivings. I'm more kind to it, he wasn't/isn't.
We both agreed that in no way shape or form is this better than the first one and the first one had less action & more story.
I honestly believe that HB2 could've come out a whole month before The Dark Knight and got a headstart on the b.o. but maybe the reason it's slowly disappearing from so many screens is because it's just not very good. Not because TDK killed its chances.
My son didn't squirm the entire time he watched Iron Man, TDK nor The Incredible Hulk...he couldn't stop wiggling in his seat watching HB2 which is a sure sign that it didn't hold his interest very long. I know I felt as if I had gotten my money's worth from those three.
It would've helped if they had just concentrated on the Abe personal level aspect of the film and not that other ...stuff...
Of all of the summer blockbusters that I've seen thus far, this is one movie I might be more than a little hesistant to purchase on DVD when the time comes.
Maybe Del Toro is trying to set up something big for the third but at this point, it's just wishful thinking on my part. Oh, the Barry Manilow thing was lame.
I gave it 2 out of four stars. The kid gave it the same.
Mrs. Man Face: "You wouldn't hit a lady? Would you?"
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice isUNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
After the first, I won't be seeing this one unless they pay me the admission price.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Firstly, let me just say...I think I judged my love for the Bat on what was essentially a first date (watching BB) however, having watched TDK, I'm now renouncing my love for the Bat, and thinking that I made a big mistake....Spidey, I do love you! (Dan, ;% if I beg for your forgiveness, will you take me back? )
However, what I will give credit to, is the superb portrayal of the Joker. Heath Ledger was stunning, and if the Oscar goes to him, I would be really happy.
But that is where my appreciation for the movie ends. I went into the cinema, excited and genuinely looking forward to the movie. I felt a sort of Kindred spirit, to those who love the Bat, and I was feeling quite proud of myself for getting it....then, half way through the movie, I felt as though I had missed big chunks of conversation, and had a really hard time keeping up. (..and I'm not naive enough not to get darker plots...I got Fight Club, and I enjoyed Seven) but this was like a ride in a rollercoaster and I had no idea where I was going.
It's not until now, the morning after, having talked it over with my husband this morning (he didn't come with me...but he is a fan of the BM) that he was able to fill in for me, what I felt I desperately needed to know, before I watched the movie.
There were also 2 major things in it that really bugged me:
1. Why the hell did they let the Joker go, after capturing him. That was like letting Hannibal Lector go free from his straight jacket and mask, and in doing so, the Joker got free and went on to kill more people?
2. I can't believe they didn't refer to Rachel's death in more detail, i.e. how BM was affected by his one true love dying. This IMO really let the film down. At least Spidey had the courage to do some crying!!
So, all in all, I was disappointed and left feeling rather cheated. However, to die hard fans, I would imagine it would tick all the boxes. I wish I had done some more homework before I went to see it. Will I see it again? Not sure.
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
Comments
Lovefilm? Netflix is an Internet service that sends you DVDs. You pay a monthly fee and make a list of films you want to see and they send you (in my case) three at a time. When you finish watching one you send it back and Netflix sends you another from your queue. Sound like Lovefilm?
Anyway, the Netflick I watched last night was Jumper. Actually a bit better than I thought it would be, based on the reviews; but still a movie where the premise is better than the execution.
"Superhero Movie"
Really dumb...but funny. I laughed quite a bit. Drake Bell plays a kid bitten by a radioactive dragonfly
Recommended, as long as you don't expect too much from it. You will laugh...and roll your eyes...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
First of all, to anyone who thinks that this Marvel character didn't start the awesome movie craze the company has currently been on is plain crazy (No, it didn't start with Singer's X-Men like some people want to believe! X-( ) . Especially since just four years previously to Blade's first film we got the eyesore named Fantastic Four in '94 complete with Ninja Turtle Thing.
This is the BEST of the trilogy and really worth repeated viewings. It has a great story, awesome villians, a hot, hot babe and one of the coolest final boss battles ever in a comic book movie. I even had a bit of sympathy for Luke Goss' Nomak in the end.
Del Toro should've done the 3rd one to at least give it respectability and not have left it in the hands of Goyer who is more or less a hit or miss writer/director. Blade Trinity is barely tolerable at times.
It's a shame that II didn't make a 100 million dollars domestically (even being rated R) because it deserved that at least. A solid three stars. B-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Yeah, that's much the same as lovefilm.com. I go for three at a time also, means you've always got a film on the go. There's an odd, melancholy excitement in waiting to see which on my list of 50+ films backed up they're gonna dispatch next. (I'm now told to look out for Road to Hong Kong, the last, belated Hope/Crosby flick which I'm keen on seeing in a morbid kind of way, like Laurel and Hardy's Utopia
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Sorry I couldn't put you off that one Hardy. May I heartily recommend that you avoid Mamma Mia. Oh my word, this is the most excrutiating film. It is the cinematic equivalent of being abducted by a bunch of women from the more mature end of the market and being forced to take part in a hen night. It is a menopausal tidle wave of forced joviality, bad singing and cringeworthy dance moves. And I like Abba. I liked Muriel's Wedding, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert but they were written by gay men, not Benny and wotsit and some middle-class English women who should have their right to vote taken away from them. As for Brosnan, well he's always been the cheesiest actor to play James Bond, but the man reaches new levels of naffness here. So if it's in your Netflix order, I would reconsider. Unless you want to see an ex-007 do the most embarassing thing an ex-007 has ever done.
But it has terrific music, it's cheerful, it's even funny on occasion, and it is fun.
Plus, Brosnan (who was a fantastic Bond :v), whilst he may not deliver an Oscar-worthy performance, is simply, for a lack of a better word, fun.
Don't generalize all of the married guys, H.B., nor all women for that matter.
My wife thought that Mamma Mia looked stupid and had no desire to see it. Not all women flock to this sort of thing while dragging their husbands along. And I wasn't going to see it even if she wanted to.
My wife loves Pierce Brosnan's James Bond but according to her, he just went down a testicle being in this one. The man was Bond for crying out loud...that's an image that should perpetually remain intact.
That stupid little dance he does in the trailers...
You'll never catch my boy Sean Connery in a musical like this. B-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
Roger Moore 1927-2017
One word: Zardoz!
Roger Moore 1927-2017
That's not a musical...that was merely red taint...and uh, stripper boots.
For some reason, I am not surprised at all. :v
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
And a naked Charlotte Rampling, which definitely scores points in my book.
Zardoz is actually a pretty intriguing sci-fi story dragged down by some shoddy production values and an uneven script. Interesting concept; flawed execution.
As for my last movie...
Red Dragon
Retired FBI agent Will Graham (Edward Norton) tries to track down a serial killer dubbed "The Tooth Fairy" (Ralph Fiennes) with the aid of criminal genius Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).
I've never been much of a Hannibal Lecter fan (given my odd sensibilities I usually find all the "scary" scenes to be funny) but I've always found Red Dragon to be a very entertaining movie with some solid performances and pretty memorable scenes. Fiennes makes for an imposing and even somewhat tragic villain and the scenes between Norton and Hopkins (especially their little prologue that shows how Graham captured Lecter) work really well. It held my attention from start to finish and once again shows that Brett Rattner has a workmanlike talent for taking material developed by other filmmakers and turning out a well-paced, engaging and entertaining movie.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
For those who came in late, a quick summary of Spiderman 2, Dan's favorite movie:
The pizza is delivered late.
Peter Parker cries.
The eviction notice arrives.
Aunt May cries.
Mrs. Octopus dies.
Dr. Octopus cries.
Peter eats milk and cookies.
Mary Jane cries.
Spiderman loses his suit.
Harry Osborne cries.
Doc Ock dies.
The End. :v
You forgot one: Peter talks with Uncle Ben who apparently is an old,kind zombie.
There should have been a promotional tie-in with Sony & Kleenex with all of that crying you've listed.
Can you imagine Dan sobbing noticably & blowing his nose hard into an old handkerchief in the theatre while someone seated behind him tells him to shut up so that they can enjoy the movie?
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
An absolutely amazing film. Nothing like I expected yet still great. Hard to sum up, but I definitely recommend it!
Ten years after Road to Bali, Hope and Crosby made a belated farewell with this movie, much like Indy returning in Crystal Skulls I suppose.
I ordered this out of perverse curiosity. It starts off badly, with the pair caught up in some space rocket over the moon escapade which makes them men out of their time, a bit like Indy in the last one really. It signifies it's the end of an era. Crosby looks old, he has the irascible, slightly scary look he took on in later years - his nonchalent, butter wouldn't melt expression is long gone so when he stitches up Hope it seems a bit sinister. Hope is older too and looks like a right-wing Republican of the Tricky Dicky era. Both could appear in more serious, credible movies (China Syndrome type stuff) as villainous types, you feel. Joan Collins shows up early on to offer up a flashback with her harpy narration.
It does get better, however, and for a 1962 film there are plenty of Bond connections. I enjoyed the zany credits and found they were done by one Maurice Binder. Walter Gotell turns up as an evil scientist, one year before his turn as Morzeny. Casino Royale's Peter Sellers and David Niven make cameos - Niven's is 10 seconds long, Sellers reprises his Indian doctor to not very humorous effect, save some goonish fun with a snake in a basket
The finale is quite mad and risque, with the pair winding up on a fictional planet with Joan Collins, whom they agree to share carnally in a way that bizarrely anticipates her later roles in The Stud and its sequel, some 10 years later, until the cringeyness is broken by another pair of welcome star cameos. "The Italians have landed!"
Not the best Road to... film but not really that bad either.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Yeah, what was up with that scene? It seemed really bizarre and out of place. Was that Uncle Ben's Force ghost or something? "Take my hand Peter."
Looks like somebody is quickly falling out of love with that franchise. Hopefully you won't relapse once Dark Knight finishes its theatrical run. :v
I saw Bull Durham on EncoreHD last night. A very funny baseball movie with Kevin Costner as career minor leaguer "Crash" Davis, brought in to help out promising but unfocused pitcher Ebby Calvin LaLoosh (a very young Tim Robbins). Susan Sarandon plays a hardcore baseball groupie who interjects herself into their lives. Lots of really good humor in this one (some of the conversations on the pitcher's mound were priceless) and while the love story sometimes got in the way of the laughs, it was overall a surprisingly engaging story.
I watched this, as I am (today) off to see TDK and a few of the boys on here (well actually Loeff) suggested I watch it. I wasn't intending on doing this, however, luck would have it that Film Flex movies (like Sky movies) had it, and so at 10.30pm I decided to play it. I had read the plot summary in Wikepedia first, so I'm not sure if that helped me in my enjoyment of the film, but enjoy it I did.
In fact I thought it was Fantastic. Probably the best movie I have seen this year. (and don't forget I have watched Daniel Craig in "Flashbacks of a fool" this year, albeit it not very good, however it was still an hour plus of Daniel...anyway I digress!)It was well acted, a good strong cast and I thought Bale portrayed the tourted soul extremly well. His relationship with Caine was believable and they obviously liked working with each other (as well as Morgan Freeman) and the action vs story was well balanced. In fact, I might even buy this movie as it's one you could watch again and again.
What I also loved was the delicate thread spun through the whole movie "why you get knocked down, is so that you can learn to pick yourself back up". Eloquent and beautifully played.
It gets 5 stars from me, ...(and how hot does Bale look in that batman suit)...yum!
Neither scene were out of place. Uncle Ben's role (and he was more like a dream or a spirit) was there to essentially give Peter advice; similarly to Star Wars, except the idea isn't unique to Star Wars, and in fact plays a big role in spirituality and religion (such as eastern religions.) As for the scene with Harry; that was the power of the mask, calling him to get revenge for what happend to his father.
EDIT: As HB is perfectly right about this not being a Bats versus Spidey thread, I'm editing this post, rather than launching another post.
Edit: HB's post made my pun obscure, it refers to DS' similarity with Spiderman. Oh please yourself.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Firstly Irish singing sensation and renowned dad-dancer Pierce Brosnan narrates Married Life which looks like TV's Mad Men, but has none of that show's intelligence or wit. Brosnan looks suave in some classy outfits, but the film's all style, and little else. Still, at least he doesn't sing.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day
Watchable period drama with Frances MacDormand as a hapless governess getting a life, with the help of a flighty American actress (Amy Adams :x ). Mark Strong is impressive in a role that is reminiscent of his brilliant turn as Harry Stark in The Long Firm. The director was Bharat Nalluri whose last film was the cruelly underrated The Crow 3: Salvation. Quite a leap from one to the other.
And finally Miike Takashi's spaghetti western homage.
Sukiyaki Western Django. Reworking of Sergio Corbucci's Django with Japanese actors in a hellish-like Old West. Django returns to his hometown, although so many years have now passed that he is a stranger to the locals. Not quite as much as fun as it sounds, but dazzling in places. It's too long, as are most Miike films these days, all of which seem to clear two hours. There's a cameo from Quentin Tarantino proving that the guy cannot even begin to act. It's a crucial role, and would have been wonderful if had been a Walken, or even Billy Drago, but you just want the guy to get off the screen. The final fight between the hero and villain is dazzling, with one using pistols and the other a samurai sword.
Once again, writing team Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg prove to be the freshest and funniest writers in Hollywood right now. Pineapple Express, which IMO plays out like a really goofy, stoned cousin of a Quentin Tarantino film, is one hilarious helluva ride, and a must see if for nothing else than for James Franco's performance as stoner Saul Silver.
Don't expect it to be the same kinda schtick as Knocked Up and Superbad. Its very different. It has the same type of hilarious dialogue, but is also more along the lines of action-buddy comdedies like Beverly Hills Cop and Running Scared. In short, a great summer movie!
Well with a little luck, I found one of just three theatres still showing this movie within the metropolitan area, bought tickets after work and scooped up my kid to go check it out.
Del Toro never fails to bring visual eye candy to the big screen. hit or miss...unfortunately, this film leans more towards miss.
I don't blame the returning cast; they were great but the plot or pacing was weak. Great action scenes I will admit (I love the Troll part and the animosity between Hellboy & Johann Krauss
Btw, my son didn't say a word the entire two hours perhaps out of respect to me for treating him to an afternoon out but in the car exploded on how bad he hated this using words like "Overly Mushy" and "Unnecessary" to describe his misgivings. I'm more kind to it, he wasn't/isn't.
We both agreed that in no way shape or form is this better than the first one and the first one had less action & more story.
I honestly believe that HB2 could've come out a whole month before The Dark Knight and got a headstart on the b.o. but maybe the reason it's slowly disappearing from so many screens is because it's just not very good. Not because TDK killed its chances.
My son didn't squirm the entire time he watched Iron Man, TDK nor The Incredible Hulk...he couldn't stop wiggling in his seat watching HB2 which is a sure sign that it didn't hold his interest very long. I know I felt as if I had gotten my money's worth from those three.
It would've helped if they had just concentrated on the Abe personal level aspect of the film and not that other ...stuff...
Of all of the summer blockbusters that I've seen thus far, this is one movie I might be more than a little hesistant to purchase on DVD when the time comes.
Maybe Del Toro is trying to set up something big for the third but at this point, it's just wishful thinking on my part. Oh, the Barry Manilow thing was lame.
I gave it 2 out of four stars. The kid gave it the same.
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
I shudder to think.
After the first, I won't be seeing this one unless they pay me the admission price.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Firstly, let me just say...I think I judged my love for the Bat on what was essentially a first date (watching BB) however, having watched TDK, I'm now renouncing my love for the Bat, and thinking that I made a big mistake....Spidey, I do love you! (Dan, ;% if I beg for your forgiveness, will you take me back? )
However, what I will give credit to, is the superb portrayal of the Joker. Heath Ledger was stunning, and if the Oscar goes to him, I would be really happy.
But that is where my appreciation for the movie ends. I went into the cinema, excited and genuinely looking forward to the movie. I felt a sort of Kindred spirit, to those who love the Bat, and I was feeling quite proud of myself for getting it....then, half way through the movie, I felt as though I had missed big chunks of conversation, and had a really hard time keeping up. (..and I'm not naive enough not to get darker plots...I got Fight Club, and I enjoyed Seven) but this was like a ride in a rollercoaster and I had no idea where I was going.
It's not until now, the morning after, having talked it over with my husband this morning (he didn't come with me...but he is a fan of the BM) that he was able to fill in for me, what I felt I desperately needed to know, before I watched the movie.
There were also 2 major things in it that really bugged me:
2. I can't believe they didn't refer to Rachel's death in more detail, i.e. how BM was affected by his one true love dying. This IMO really let the film down. At least Spidey had the courage to do some crying!!
So, all in all, I was disappointed and left feeling rather cheated. However, to die hard fans, I would imagine it would tick all the boxes. I wish I had done some more homework before I went to see it. Will I see it again? Not sure.