What's spinning in your DVD PLAYER? eh? eh? General Movie Discussion

[Kirobaito]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

Dark Knight is in the DVD. I was hoping to get more special features...perhaps some tribute to Heath would've been cool.

Also watched "Wanted" - that was a waste of time!!!

Now I need to sort through movies at the theatre...we like to catch a movie on Christmas day, there is usually nobody in the theatre and it makes for a great escape after dealing with other family members...this is a tradition that my wife started and now we make it a yearly escape.

Any recommendations?

I know that the Tom-Cruise-playing-Claus-Von-Stauffenberg movie comes out on Christmas... the thought of Tom Cruise in it kinda ruins the point for me, but I'll probably see it anyway. If your wife is into Hitler assassination plot movies...

But I will definitely be seeing Frost/Nixon on Christmas, regardless of whether I find anyone to see it with me.

[Usually Lurkin]

The Dirty Dozen.

Every guy should watch it at least once a decade. To learn what you should be like.

[Murphy3]

I'm a fan of The Dirty Dozen... And yeah, the Cruise movie..don't know if I can handle it with Cruise.

[fluid.forty.one]

I finally watched Iron Man and Tropic Thunder. I thought they both were really good.

[Usually Lurkin]

I just want to say that "Klaus von Stuffenberg" sounds like a cartoon mascot for some kind of breakfast pastries.

[Big Boy Laroux]

This trailer makes the new wolverine movie look pretty good. Looks like a good ass-kicking fest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX6H7t1wXZI

[92bDad]

1) The latest Indiana Jones
2) The latest Hulk
3) Kung Fu Panda
4) Old Sherlock Holms compilation disc 1 of 8
5) Old Sherlock Holms compliation disc 2 of 8

I am sure I'll have a few changes over the Christmas break...

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by 92bDad

1) The latest Indiana Jones
2) The latest Hulk
3) Kung Fu Panda
4) Old Sherlock Holms compilation disc 1 of 8
5) Old Sherlock Holms compliation disc 2 of 8

I am sure I'll have a few changes over the Christmas break...

which old sherlock holmes?? Basil Rathbone or the Jeremy Brett series(my fav)?

By the way netflix has many of the old Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes available via free streaming. About 4 it appears.

[Nash13]

don't know if ya'll know, but they're coming out with a new Sherlock Holmes movie next year starring Robert Downey. Good choice.

[Usually Lurkin]

Originally Posted by Nash13

don't know if ya'll know, but they're coming out with a new Sherlock Holmes movie next year starring Robert Downey. Good choice.

Sherlock Holmes is Iron Man. That's a good idea. He can solve crimes through deduction and lasers.

[Ninkobei]

Zach and Miri, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

[bernardos70]

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Not great, but very good. I read a review that summed up what I thought. It lets the story get inside your head, but it never lets you get inside Benjamin's mind. Oh well, I still recommend it. On queue for tonight:

Gran Torino
Revolutionary Road
Frost/Nixon

As far as Valkyrie is concerned, please Hollywood, at least give him an accent. Ideally make him speak German. I know a lot of people who mind reading subtitles, and that's probably why this was released in English. I generally have a problem with this type of film.

Schindler's List is an exception, and is a top 10 movie in my list. They spoke english, but at the very least they had accents. One of the reasons I liked the Passion was the effort it took in them speaking Aramic (it helped that I thought it was a pretty good movie outside of that). But to make a mediocre film like I've been hearing Valkyrie is and have Cruise speak impeccable English is just terrible.

[Flacolaco]

I've never been so underwhelmed by the selection on Xmas weekend. We got some AMC gift cards and I don't intend on using any of them any time soon.

Owen Wilson? Really America?

[Nash13]

Ok, i will agree with Flaco to an extent. I just want to say that the power of the indy movies has gotten completely out of hand. I mean, if you look back to the 80s and 90s, the more popular movies aren't critically acclaimed movies. They were meant to be fun, and have 2hrs of escape. That's how guys like Will Smith and Jim Carrey are as popular as they are now. Now within the past 3 yrs, it seems like if a movie isn't oscar/golden globe warning, or critically acclaimed, it's no good.


With that being said:

The Spirit.

I tried to like this movie, and i don't like calling movies bad. But this wasn't good. I know comic book movies have pretty much dominated the Box office for the past 4yrs, but that doesn't mean every comic book should be brought to the screen. The writing was just cheesy and terrible. All of the acting was over-the-top. And the action scenes were pointless. It was like watching the 1st 2 seasons of Heroes. Nobody dies in this movie, except people that don't contribute to the story. The best thing(s) about this movie was how good Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes look. I don't believe Frank Miller thought it was a good idea to do this movie.


Seven Pounds.

This is what got my indy/critic rant started. This movie got so many bad reviews. It really wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. If you look at Will Smith's resume, you're going to be entertained, but you're not going to get a great story. That pretty much sums up the movie. I thought he did a great job acting wise, as did the rest of the cast. It was a decent movie. Nothing stellar. He really needs to work on his role selections. Most of his movies are really all about his character, and most of them don't have a plot.

Yes Man.

This movie surprised me the most. I didn't really want to go see it. I haven't looked forward to a Jim Carrey movie in a very long time. And as much as i love the guy as an actor, i thought the times were unkind for him. Comedy movies for the past few years have gone more R-rated, more towards the Apatow/Kevin Smith/Seth Rogen directions. Which isn't bad, because Knocked Up, Superbad, 40 yr old virgin, Zack and Miri, etc were all quite funny. But Hollywood has gone away from the Jim Carrey/Adam Sandler movies were they have the outrageous, tongue-in-cheek plots.

I digress. This movie was actually pretty good. It wasn't anything laugh out loud funny, but good. Carrey went back to his roots with the over-the-top acting. This was the best movie out of the 3. It's not better than any movie he's done in the 90s.

[Big Boy Laroux]

Originally Posted by Nash13

The Spirit.

I tried to like this movie, and i don't like calling movies bad. But this wasn't good. I know comic book movies have pretty much dominated the Box office for the past 4yrs, but that doesn't mean every comic book should be brought to the screen. The writing was just cheesy and terrible. All of the acting was over-the-top. And the action scenes were pointless. It was like watching the 1st 2 seasons of Heroes. Nobody dies in this movie, except people that don't contribute to the story. The best thing(s) about this movie was how good Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes look. I don't believe Frank Miller thought it was a good idea to do this movie.

I just don't understand why he tried to make it look so much like Sin City (which I loved). I know it's Miller, but the Spirit comics look NOTHING like Sin City. NOTHING at all. They're very classic.

Originally Posted by Nash13

I haven't looked forward to a Jim Carrey movie in a very long time. And as much as i love the guy as an actor, i thought the times were unkind for him. Comedy movies for the past few years have gone more R-rated, more towards the Apatow/

Carrey has the distinction of being in one of my favorite movies ever - Eternal Sunshine.


Thanks for the mini reviews. I was actually wondering about those movies. I was interested to see what seven pounds was about.

[mnmpeanut]

saw "marley & me" with my 10 year old on xmas night (it was either that or "bedtime stories" since they pulled "bolt" for all the new xmas movies in the theatres around me). it had funny moments, but wasn't a laugh out loud kinda movie. from the trailers, some of the parts that you think have the potential to be hilarious are glossed over. it was touching, as most non-serial pet stories are. not great, not bad. kinda vanilla. renter.

[92bDad]

watched "No Country for Old Men"

It slowly pulled me in...then died with a poor ending.

I need closure and this one missed the boat by a mile!!!

As for the Sherlock Holms - it's the Basel ones. I picked up an 8 DVD set from Half Priced Books for $12...something like 37 episodes...I've watched the first 3 of Disc 1. Pretty fun and entertaining...

I can see where the modern crime detective shows get their formula from.

[Murphy3]

I agree with BBL. Eternal Sunshine is a brilliant movie. I for one have no problem getting excited about Jim Carrey movies.

[ty]

Originally Posted by bernardos70

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Not great, but very good. I read a review that summed up what I thought. It lets the story get inside your head, but it never lets you get inside Benjamin's mind.

I agree... Good movie. Honestly, I felt it was too long. Would have been a great movie if it was 2-2.5 hours. Just too much story to tell I guess...

Originally Posted by bernardos70

As far as Valkyrie is concerned, please Hollywood, at least give him an accent. Ideally make him speak German.

YES. Did you notice one of the cast used a BRITISH accent?? Ridiculous.

Originally Posted by 92bDad

watched "No Country for Old Men"

It slowly pulled me in...then died with a poor ending.

I need closure and this one missed the boat by a mile!!!

The ending is what made the movie an Academy award winner. It's also why they named the movie the way they did.

If the movie ended with TLJ blowing the brains out of Javier Bardem, it would have only been a little better than your typical action/thriller.

[alby]

^ dang you watched Valkyrie too?

[Flacolaco]

Stop giving Tom Cruise and Owen Wilson your money, people.

Two more despicable, idiotic, and annoying humans I cannot think of.

[Murphy3]

I like Owen Wilson. So, I won't give my money to you or to Tom Cruise. Does that work?

[ty]

Originally Posted by alby

^ dang you watched Valkyrie too?

Christmas Day.

[jthig32]

Owen Wilson is dang funny in Wedding Crashers.

"I'm reading don't kill myself books".

[Big Boy Laroux]

Owen Wilson is also great in "bottle rockets" and "the royal tenenbaums".

[Big Boy Laroux]

And I can't believe no one has commented on the wolverine trailer I posted. Aren't we all nerds here?

[Flacolaco]

Originally Posted by Big Boy Laroux

Owen Wilson is also great in "bottle rockets" and "the royal tenenbaums".

OK, I'll give you the royal tenenbaums.

I don't know why, I just can't stand him the vast, vast majority of the time. I hate the way he talks. I hope he and matthew mcconaughey crash their cars into each other and are never heard from again. (or something less deadly, I guess)

[Big Boy Laroux]

ok, mcconaughey i completely agree with. Can't think of one movie of his that i really liked (some are neither good nor bad, but i've never really liked one).

going back to wilson - I agree with thig - wedding crashers is great, too.

[Nash13]

Originally Posted by Big Boy Laroux

And I can't believe no one has commented on the wolverine trailer I posted. Aren't we all nerds here?

i'm not going to get my hopes up. If there's one thing you can count on when it comes to fox, they'll disappoint you one way or another. i've already read reports about fox bosses changing the sets behind the director's back to make the movie look more kid-friendly.

[alby]

Owen owns

[ty]

Owen was also in Starsky and Hutch.

Owen was also in the Shanghai Knights/Noon movies with Jackie.

Owen was also Lightning McQueen.

Owen also played a minor role in my favorite comedy of all time--Meet the Parents.

Are you entertained??? (<-- Gladiator reference (Owen wasn't in Gladiator))

[Murphy3]

Owen Wilson was also in Behind Enemy Lines.. not great, but somewhat entertaining.
He was in The Minus Man. I thoroughly enjoyed his role in that movie.
He was in The Cable Guy... loved that movie.

[Murphy3]

Let's not bad mouth Matthew McConaughey or however the hell you spell it without pointing out some of his good points....
Dazed and Confused... enough said. That's enough to give the guy a free pass for the rest of his life.
Lone Star... a very, very good movie. He was great in this.
A Time To Kill... maybe not the smartest movie in the world, but very enjoyable.
Contact... solid
Amistad... pretty good
EdTV... enjoyable
U-571...very underrated movie. definitely enjoyed this.
Frailty... one of the freakiest movies made in the past decade
Reign of Fire... a dumb action movie that's enjoyable.
We Are Marshall... somewhat enjoyable if you like plane crashes that kill many people.

Yeah, so what..he's decided to endear himself recently to women. Hey, who could blame him? He's making his millions and women love him. What's the downside for him? No, I don't like him as much as I did in his earlier part of his career, but he's still a somewhat likable goof.

[jthig32]

Amistand and A Time to Kill are both quality movies. Defintely agree.

[jthig32]

I can't get my hopes up for the Wolverine movie because X3 was awful.

[Murphy3]

Originally Posted by jthig32

Amistand and A Time to Kill are both quality movies. Defintely agree.

...see Frailty and Lonestar?

[jthig32]

I've seen Lonestar but it's been a long time. I remember liking it.

Never heard of Frailty.

[Murphy3]

Ahh... check it out... It's a little disturbing.

[ShaggyDirk]

Saying Owen Wilson is annoying is annoying is annoying

[Big Boy Laroux]

Ok - totally forgot about Frailty (really liked that). I also liked reign of fire and dazed and confused, although he wasn't the lead. But his last 5 years or so of movies have been pretty bad.


And Wilson - I loved him in the Shanghai Noon movies (great chemistry with Chan), and his character in meet the parents was
classic.

As for wolverine - I too have low expectations because X3 was awful. But you have to admit that trailer looks pretty sweet. And it's got some good acting talent.


How about another comic movie - watchmen? Anyone seen that preview? And yes, I know the ending is being changed, which may not be a bad thing.