The Redcafe Movie review thread

cinc · 6th May 2007, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedNome

Yeah OK then, if you like.

Your loss.

You win some, you lose some I guess. I'd never question Tarantino's talent, that would be stupid, but his films have never worked for me. Except for Reservoir Dogs.

Wibble · 7th May 2007, 06:52

Catch A Fire A story based largely on the reality of Aparteit South Africa and all the better for it. Tim Robbins manages to be a monster who you don't quite hate because he seems human and you can at least know his motivations. One of his best. Many criticise the ending but I for one thought it made a good film better. 8.5/10

Wibble · 7th May 2007, 06:55

The Holiday If you like romantic comedies then you will enjoy this one. Not as good as Notting Hill and the like but still highly watchable if that is your thing. If you need a DVD to watch with the missus you could do worse. Action junkie had better get something else. 6/10

Wibble · 7th May 2007, 06:57

Collateral Oh dear. Don't waste 1.5 hours of your life. What could have been a half decent thriller was spoiled by a ludicrous and lazy plot. Silly 2.5/10

cinc · 7th May 2007, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

Collateral Oh dear. Don't waste 1.5 hours of your life. What could have been a half decent thriller was spoiled by a ludicrous and lazy plot. Silly 2.5/10

I love that film, it is, IMO, Michael Mann's best. 9/10.

Wibble · 7th May 2007, 10:24

I found the plot ludicrous especially the last third. Hard to say why without posting spoilers.

Apart from the truly dreadful Miami Vice (1/10 at most) I think it is far and away his worst film. Even his cheap early version of Red Dragon (Manhunter) was good.

cinc · 7th May 2007, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

I found the plot ludicrous especially the last third. Hard to say why without posting spoilers.

Apart from the truly dreadful Miami Vice (1/10 at most) I think it is far and away his worst film. Even his cheap early version of Red Dragon (Manhunter) was good.

I didn't found it unbelievable (within the genre, I mean.) But there’s no disputing about taste, I guess.

By the way, back in my late teens I had a somewhat similar experience. I was heading home after a Ferencvaros(Hungarian football) game, when, for some reason, an utterly insane man, who was convinced that I was staring at him, forced me to go with him to have a drink with a gun he had in his pocket. At the bar I managed to run away, asking the staff on my way out to call the police.

Some 12 years later I still don't know what had happened with that maniac. It was the scariest experience I've ever had.

I guess this experience might have added something to the film for me.

RedNome · 7th May 2007, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

I found the plot ludicrous especially the last third. Hard to say why without posting spoilers.

Apart from the truly dreadful Miami Vice (1/10 at most) I think it is far and away his worst film. Even his cheap early version of Red Dragon (Manhunter) was good.

Yet again Wibble I have to dissagree completely with you on a movie review. I thought this was one of Manns and Cruises best outings to date. A great film, believable enough within this genre with some great performances. It was well shot creating a great mood for the film along with it's moody soundtrack.

All in all I would give this film an 8.5/9 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone.

cinc · 7th May 2007, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedNome

Yet again Wibble I have to dissagree completely with you on a movie review. I thought this was one of Manns and Cruises best outings to date. A great film, believable enough within this genre with some great performances. It was well shot creating a great mood for the film along with it's moody soundtrack.

All in all I would give this film an 8.5/9 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone.

Cruise's best was undoubtedly 'Eyes Wide Shut', but this one is a close second.

Wibble · 7th May 2007, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinc

I didn't found it unbelievable (within the genre, I mean.) But there’s no disputing about taste, I guess.

By the way, back in my late teens I had a somewhat similar experience. I was heading home after a Ferencvaros(Hungarian football) game, when, for some reason, an utterly insane man, who was convinced that I was staring at him, forced me to go with him to have a drink with a gun he had in his pocket. At the bar I managed to run away, asking the staff on my way out to call the police.

Some 12 years later I still don't know what had happened with that maniac. It was the scariest experience I've ever had.

I guess this experience might have added something to the film for me.

I could just about live with the main plot line (it was close - why not just kill them) but the coincidence relating to the first customer (I don't want to be more specific in case anyone wants to watch it) was just plain silly. If Cruise was meant to have picked him because of his previous customer then this makes even less sense. Why pick such a convoluted way to kill people when it was utterly obvious their connection and thus why they would be killed and by who.

As you say we are obviously not going to agree because I though Cruise was dire in Eyes Wide Shut and that it was one of the worst films ever made. Even sillier than Collateral.

Spammy · 7th May 2007, 12:43

Collateral is excellent.

Hope this helps.

cinc · 7th May 2007, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

I could just about live with the main plot line (it was close - why not just kill them) but the coincidence relating to the first customer (I don't want to be more specific in case anyone wants to watch it) was just plain silly. If Cruise was meant to have picked him because of his previous customer then this makes even less sense. Why pick such a convoluted way to kill people when it was utterly obvious their connection and thus why they would be killed and by who.

As you say we are obviously not going to agree because I though Cruise was dire in Eyes Wide Shut and that it was one of the worst films ever made. Even sillier than Collateral.

I have no problems with 'coincidences' like that, that what "suspension of disbelief" is for

I'm a Kubrick fanatic, and I loved the movie - and the reason why Cruise was so good in it, is because it was tailored for him. He was a pretentious, senseless idiot in the movie, just how he is in real life.

But don't start argue over this, i say

Donado · 7th May 2007, 13:05

Collateral was pretty good.

Wibble · 7th May 2007, 14:12

You should hear what my missus thought of it. My review was positively glowing in comparison.

golden_blunder · 7th May 2007, 15:05

i didnt like Collateral either

golden_blunder · 7th May 2007, 19:03

Spiderman3

im not even going to rate it. it was fucking awful

narnar · 7th May 2007, 19:08

Apocalypto

Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.

Haven't got it yet, nearly do. Would appreciate if anyone else who has seen it would let me know what it was like.

Spoonatov · 7th May 2007, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by narnar1369

Apocalypto

Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life.

Haven't got it yet, nearly do. Would appreciate if anyone else who has seen it would let me know what it was like.

It was good until the eclipse part then it went a bit crappy. Also, the cinematography was quality, but it felt like dressed up American drama. I mean the jokes and interaction just didn't feel authentic at all.

olesmyhero · 7th May 2007, 22:51

Karate Bear Fighter....Sonny Chiba kills a bear with his own hands. The movie makes very little sense, but fuck, he kills a bear with his own hands.

sidsutton · 7th May 2007, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wibble

The Holiday If you like romantic comedies then you will enjoy this one. Not as good as Notting Hill and the like but still highly watchable if that is your thing. If you need a DVD to watch with the missus you could do worse. Action junkie had better get something else. 6/10

I liked it.

Moreso the Jack Black/Kate Winslet storyline. The other two(Diaz/Law) annoy me but not as much in this movie as the normally do.

Saw The Prestige yesterday and really liked it. As you could guess from two magicians, there was a lot of bluff and double bluff!

FreakyJim · 8th May 2007, 00:11

Inland Empire

The latest David Lynch...

the most bizarre, surreal, crazy, mindless, mindblowing, annoying, slow, creepy, wonderful, ugly, dreamy piece of cinema EVER

This film is pure David Lynch, no boundaries. Total Annihilation. In comparison "Mulholland Drive" looks like a mainstream popcorn movie.

It's surely unwatchable for most of the people. I don't recommend it, but if you like Lynch, you have to see this.

btw Laura Dern is fantastic.

omg

cinc · 8th May 2007, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreakyJim

Inland Empire

The latest David Lynch...

the most bizarre, surreal, crazy, mindless, mindblowing, annoying, slow, creepy, wonderful, ugly, dreamy piece of cinema EVER

This film is pure David Lynch, no boundaries. Total Annihilation. In comparison "Mulholland Drive" looks like a mainstream popcorn movie.

It's surely unwatchable for most of the people. I don't recommend it, but if you like Lynch, you have to see this.

btw Laura Dern is fantastic.

omg

You lucky bastard

I'm so anxious to watch this movie, but still has no release date over here in Hungary....

Spammy · 8th May 2007, 10:53

The Fountain

Dir. Darren Aronofsky
2006

I watched this yesterday, and read some reviews of it today. It seems to have completely split film critics down the middle, some love it and some hate it.

First off, I liked it. It does have flaws, and seems a lot longer than 90 minutes. But it's stunningly beautiful, at times it's very gripping, intensely so. It will frustrate some people because of it's sheer courage, it focus on three conciousnesses of the main character Tommy, all slightly meandering and slow moving, though just when you seem to be getting somwhere it flips around again. Although it is apparant what is going to happen in the film, it's not on a concious level, there are no twists or revolutionary plot turns. The lack of focus and tendency to sometimes repeat itself will probably not go down well with most cafites, and some will find it pretentious, though I didn't.
The music and visuals are incredible, I can't stress that enough.

A fantastically brave film, that is a bit like marmite.

Wibble · 8th May 2007, 11:01

Any large masked turtles?

Spammy · 8th May 2007, 11:21

No, but there was a talking rat.

Wibble · 8th May 2007, 12:08

I'm in.

crappycraperson · 8th May 2007, 12:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plechazunga

The Lives of Others

This has little to do with the film, but I want you to go and see it

German film about a Stasi secret policeman charged with eavesdropping on a potentially dissident writer and his famous actress girlfriend. I'm not going to tell you much more, go and see it while it's in the cinema, it is superb.

Great acting, flawless direction, best screenplay for years - watch out for the scene in the lift, a masterclass in screenwriting, about 4 sentences of beautiful naturalistic dialogue and the story is turned on its head. Masterful.

Only one moan, there's a resolution scene after the main story, about 10 minutes, it's not bad but it's more sentimental than the rest of the film, and totally unnecessary. You can walk out after the main climax - you'll know when that is - and will have lost nothing.

Also, the title's shit. Maybe it has nuances in German I can't access. It should obviously have been called "Symphony for a Good Man." Maybe they thought that was too pretentious, but it was the right choice. "The Lives of Others" - fuck off, that could safely and blandly describe any film ever made.

Still, fuck it! Who cares about the cocking title!

9/10

Good movie indeed and yes they stretched it unnecessarily for last 15 mins.

8.5/10 for me

Wibble · 8th May 2007, 14:47

Happy Feet Not so much a film as an excuse for animated penguins to engage in as many song and dance numbers as possible. The rather feeble "ecological" message was a waste of space. They should have cut the film in half leaving only the song and dance numbers and the Robin Williams bits, which were excellent. Great fun at times but deeply flawed. 6/10

FreakyJim · 8th May 2007, 15:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spammy

The Fountain

Dir. Darren Aronofsky
2006

I watched this yesterday, and read some reviews of it today. It seems to have completely split film critics down the middle, some love it and some hate it.

First off, I liked it. It does have flaws, and seems a lot longer than 90 minutes. But it's stunningly beautiful, at times it's very gripping, intensely so. It will frustrate some people because of it's sheer courage, it focus on three conciousnesses of the main character Tommy, all slightly meandering and slow moving, though just when you seem to be getting somwhere it flips around again. Although it is apparant what is going to happen in the film, it's not on a concious level, there are no twists or revolutionary plot turns. The lack of focus and tendency to sometimes repeat itself will probably not go down well with most cafites, and some will find it pretentious, though I didn't.
The music and visuals are incredible, I can't stress that enough.

A fantastically brave film, that is a bit like marmite.

It has a very nice music to it but I found it a bit shallow. It promises deeper meaning, delivers simple metaphors.
I don't know, It's just too obvious, everything is right there to see, little to interpret. Maybe it's meant to be that way.

Liked it in the end but for me it's just poor man's "Solaris"

7th May 2007, 06:52	#762 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	Catch A Fire A story based largely on the reality of Aparteit South Africa and all the better for it. Tim Robbins manages to be a monster who you don't quite hate because he seems human and you can at least know his motivations. One of his best. Many criticise the ending but I for one thought it made a good film better. 8.5/10

7th May 2007, 06:55	#763 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	The Holiday If you like romantic comedies then you will enjoy this one. Not as good as Notting Hill and the like but still highly watchable if that is your thing. If you need a DVD to watch with the missus you could do worse. Action junkie had better get something else. 6/10

7th May 2007, 06:57	#764 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	Collateral Oh dear. Don't waste 1.5 hours of your life. What could have been a half decent thriller was spoiled by a ludicrous and lazy plot. Silly 2.5/10

7th May 2007, 10:24	#766 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	I found the plot ludicrous especially the last third. Hard to say why without posting spoilers. Apart from the truly dreadful Miami Vice (1/10 at most) I think it is far and away his worst film. Even his cheap early version of Red Dragon (Manhunter) was good.

7th May 2007, 12:43	#771 (permalink)
Spammy IQ of 18.5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: I'm going to make this pencil...disappear... Posts: 12,690	Collateral is excellent. Hope this helps.

7th May 2007, 13:05	#773 (permalink)
Donado Caf Vigilante Join Date: May 2003 Location: Goes it so. Posts: 11,219	Collateral was pretty good.

7th May 2007, 14:12	#774 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	You should hear what my missus thought of it. My review was positively glowing in comparison.

7th May 2007, 15:05	#775 (permalink)
golden_blunder Manager Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: In the shadows fighting e-crime Posts: 45,704	i didnt like Collateral either

7th May 2007, 19:03	#776 (permalink)
golden_blunder Manager Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: In the shadows fighting e-crime Posts: 45,704	Spiderman3 im not even going to rate it. it was fucking awful

7th May 2007, 19:08	#777 (permalink)
narnar Needs Help Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: northern ireland Posts: 5,566	Apocalypto Set in the Mayan civilization, when a man's idyllic presence is brutally disrupted by a violent invading force, he is taken on a perilous journey to a world ruled by fear and oppression where a harrowing end awaits him. Through a twist of fate and spurred by the power of his love for his woman and his family he will make a desperate break to return home and to ultimately save his way of life. Haven't got it yet, nearly do. Would appreciate if anyone else who has seen it would let me know what it was like.

7th May 2007, 22:51	#779 (permalink)
olesmyhero has a lazy eye...japs eye Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 4000+ miles west of old trafford Posts: 12,271	Karate Bear Fighter....Sonny Chiba kills a bear with his own hands. The movie makes very little sense, but fuck, he kills a bear with his own hands.

8th May 2007, 00:11	#781 (permalink)
FreakyJim Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SolarX Posts: 1,706	Inland Empire The latest David Lynch... the most bizarre, surreal, crazy, mindless, mindblowing, annoying, slow, creepy, wonderful, ugly, dreamy piece of cinema EVER This film is pure David Lynch, no boundaries. Total Annihilation. In comparison "Mulholland Drive" looks like a mainstream popcorn movie. It's surely unwatchable for most of the people. I don't recommend it, but if you like Lynch, you have to see this. btw Laura Dern is fantastic. omg

8th May 2007, 10:53	#783 (permalink)
Spammy IQ of 18.5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: I'm going to make this pencil...disappear... Posts: 12,690	The Fountain Dir. Darren Aronofsky 2006 I watched this yesterday, and read some reviews of it today. It seems to have completely split film critics down the middle, some love it and some hate it. First off, I liked it. It does have flaws, and seems a lot longer than 90 minutes. But it's stunningly beautiful, at times it's very gripping, intensely so. It will frustrate some people because of it's sheer courage, it focus on three conciousnesses of the main character Tommy, all slightly meandering and slow moving, though just when you seem to be getting somwhere it flips around again. Although it is apparant what is going to happen in the film, it's not on a concious level, there are no twists or revolutionary plot turns. The lack of focus and tendency to sometimes repeat itself will probably not go down well with most cafites, and some will find it pretentious, though I didn't. The music and visuals are incredible, I can't stress that enough. A fantastically brave film, that is a bit like marmite.

8th May 2007, 11:01	#784 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	Any large masked turtles?

8th May 2007, 11:21	#785 (permalink)
Spammy IQ of 18.5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: I'm going to make this pencil...disappear... Posts: 12,690	No, but there was a talking rat.

8th May 2007, 12:08	#786 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	I'm in.

8th May 2007, 14:47	#788 (permalink)
Wibble Teeth like a reindeer. Hung like a horse. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Ingadus Speramus Posts: 35,664	Happy Feet Not so much a film as an excuse for animated penguins to engage in as many song and dance numbers as possible. The rather feeble "ecological" message was a waste of space. They should have cut the film in half leaving only the song and dance numbers and the Robin Williams bits, which were excellent. Great fun at times but deeply flawed. 6/10