Mini Movie Reviews 2 - The Reviewening

[Condottiere]

2012

I was warned it was bad, but since I was running out of movies, I went anyway (the other option was Astro Boy). It was an interesting roller coaster ride, and the special effects were spectacular.

However, the last half hour was so corny, that I wanted to get up and leave the theatre.

Besides, all the really interesting characters died. I really liked Sascha. Amanda Peet is very MILFy.

[Easy E]

Easy E, your comments on Red Sonja and Krull have saddened me

Oh. I'm curious as to how? I love getting other people's perspectives.

[Kiro]

Okay I retract my statement about Krull: all I remember is the giant spider.

Red Sonja on the other hand....classic cheese

[Patriarch]

The Baader Meinhof Complex

Dramatisation of the true story of the Baader Meinhof gang, a group of young revolutionaries who terrorised West Germany in the 1970's.

The film is in German, so I watched the subtitled version on Sky.

It's really absorbing, the action scenes are well done and quite gritty. The film has done a very good job of telling the story almost entirely from the terrorist's point of view, without actually making any of them sympathetic. For example, some of them effectively abandon their children, but sone seems terribly concerned. They try to avoid civilian casualties but this appears to stem from trying to avoid negative public opinion rather than human concerns. The BMs come across as earnest, humourless types; the senior police officer trying to catch them is probably the most human.

At 2 1/2 hours you get a lot of film. To its credit the film suffers as entertainment because it is being honest - we don't identify with the main characters because they haven't been made sympathetic, and the story doesn't follow the traditional thriller arc of building to a crescendo.

Definately worth a watch. Only problem is that I couldn't paint whilst it was on!

[Easy E]

Okay I retract my statement about Krull: all I remember is the giant spider.

Red Sonja on the other hand....classic cheese

I couldn't agree more.

Also, the Giant Spider in Krull was one of my favorite parts.

[Lord Malorne]

I liked the ice room .

Lord Malorney E

[Alathir]

-Zombieland was freaking awesome. One of the best movies of the year. Haven't laughed like that in a cinema for some time.
Verdict: See it. Buy it.

-2012 was so so bad it was so so good.
Verdict: Only see this if you want to laugh for all the wrong reasons.

[Lord Malorne]

Yeah some of the stuff in 2012 was bizarre, let alone the perfect timing for everything they did, being chased by a global disaster .

Lord Malornethir

[Condottiere]

It made sense if you switched your brain on autopilot, but the last half hour still sucks, regardless how you view it.

[Aurellis]

I watched The Holiday the other day with my fiancee and I found it to be really enjoyable. If anyone wants to see a christmas movie this year with their partner i'd reccommend this.

At christmas time i'd say Rent This.

[TheBigBadWolf]

First up Tales From Earth Sea

This was the first Ghibli film that has made me go meh. It was nicely animated but the story just didnt grip me and the characters not memorable, it may improve on a 2nd watch but for now it was just meh.

Verdict Pass

Next JCVD

I found this film really enjoyable, JCVD's acting was superb especially

the bit where he floats up through the celling to give you his recolection of his career and his thoughts at that point of the seige, it was just excellent!

I have to echo some other pro reviewers who said it was an oscar worthy performance.
My only problem was the ending, Im still a tad bit miffed by it, but overall it was an excellent film.

Verdict Buy it

I have still to watch Grave Of The Fireflies, I intend on watching it tomorrow so review to follow

[The Dude]

Tales From Earth Sea

it may improve on a 2nd watch

It doesn't.

Yay for 20mins of Ploughing 101!

[Kordos]

Tales from earthsea was done by Miyazaki's son and yeah it definitely isn't as good as the other Ghibli works

Grave of the Fireflies is the worst movie I have ever watched - not because it is a bad movie but so many horrible things happen to the little girl and boy that I could not watch it for more than half and hour

[Hellebore]

Avatar

If you liked Dances with Wolves (which I did, but then I like the message no matter how cliched it might be these days) and scifi then you'll like this. I also appreciate the biology created for the setting.

Basically it's not a very original story concept, but imo it's told very well. Spectacular.

Hellebore

[Patriarch]

Avatar

James Cameron's cgi-heavy tale of humans trying to exploit a moon already occupied by an alien tribal species. The hero is a human marine occupying an alien-like body ("avatar") to interact better with the aliens. As he learns more about them he starts to question his loyalties.

One of my favourite films this year, best seen in at the pictures (not TV) in 3D. Bring a packed lunch cos its a long one.

Verdict: definately Watch it in 3D. Quick, while its still on!


Law Abiding Citizen

A revenge thriller starring Gerald Butler (300, Gamer) and Jamie Foxx.

Butler is an electronics whizz who's family is horribly murdered (the nastiest part of the film - not nice viewing for parents). He is heartbroken when the prosecuting attourney (Foxx) does a deal with one of the killers to guarantee his successful prosecution rate. 10 years on, horrible retribution follows as Butler decides to teach everyone a lesson.

Enjoyable if daft thriller, pretty good for this type of film.

If the hero was sent to a different prison, he'd have been stuffed. Same problem with Prison Break - so much for Schofield's brilliant plan when he serves remand upstate.
I'm pretty sure District Attourneys don't actually investigate crimes, especially when his own colleagues are being bumped off.
What - no cameras on the guy you know is carrying out the murders?
Pretty good use of red herrings.

Odd thing is the shift in tone - the film can't decide whether it agrees with Butler (most of the time) or not

(when he kills his roommate, and the last few minutes of the film

Verdict: Watch it if you don't mind leaving your brain at home.

[Kiro]

Patriarch, pretty much shared your sentiments about LAC!

[Lord Malorne]

Would have been great if the 'guy you feel for' remained the same person for the whole thing.

Lord Malornero

[Corax]

Avatar
Every bit as stunning to look at as the hype would have you believe. The depth of detail in the design and realisation of the planet Pandora is truly remarkable to behold. Although the film runs near to three hours, I couldn't tear my eyes off the screen for a moment. The plot of the film is a parable about environmentalism that (as Hellbore noted) borrows heavily from Dances with Wolves, but adds the juxtaposition of the tribal communal way of life of the natives to the rapacious greed and aggression of the human invaders. Interesting to have humans as the villains in scifi for a change.

It is cliched at times, and there is some rather wooden dialogue, which leads me to think that James Cameron would benefit from working with a screenwriter, rather than follow the George "Anakin, you're breaking my heart!" Lucas route. Clearly Cameron's strength is his command of technology and action, and this is where the film shines. When it relies on dialogue and characterisation, it becomes a little laboured at times, but not so much that it detracts from the overall experience. This is a must-see for anyone who is a gamer or scifi fan.

[Condottiere]

On His Majesty's Secret Service

A nonsense period Chinese comedy, about a clueless Emperor, a scheming Empress, a treacherous Eunuch and the Secret Royal Guard. Royal Dog isn't a great Kung Fu fighter, but he does have a wide range of gadgets and contraptions. His fiancée is anxious for the wedding, her supposedly mighty fighter parents are not.

A lot of sexual innuendo, misunderstandings (how can you not recognize that it is a girl) and farce, though the first fifteen minutes are forgetful. Importantly, the actors appear to be having a good time.

Very rentable.

[Chaos and Evil]

AVATAR

Story thinner than a monofillament piece of paper, but oh my is it impressive, immersive, and entertaining. The 3d is mind-blowing.


Anyone telling you the plot is just Dances with Wolves is dead wrong... AVATAR is the best adaptation of Dune ever put on film.


Verdict: SEE IT IN 3D!