Mini Movie Reviews 2 - The Reviewening

[Temozarela]

Have to say I liked Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, but with the cast and director, I was bound to. I like a slow film from time to time.

The Artist

Well if you haven't heard about it.. look it up =]

Saw it in what I belive is the oldest working cinema in Britain (Birmingham Electric Cinema), and it seemed a fitting enviorment to watch this (good setting, good audience, good overall enviorment). It's plot is hardly original, and it references a number of other films, but what really makes it special is not what it says for the past, but the present and future. The lead trio (Dujardin, Bejo and Uggie) are absolutely stunning. I've been a fan of Jean Dujardin since OSS 117 Cairo Nest of Spies (also directed by Hazanavicius, and featuring Bejo), such an amazingly expressive actor. Berenice Bejo is solid and I feel her equally expressive performance more than convinces me she belongs in the film (despite some saying she doesn't fit the period). Uggie the dog is brilliant and had the whole crowd cheering. Dujardin and Bejo had great on screen chemistry (as did Dujardin and Uggie), while the supporting cast was just as solid. What the film does best is not being a classic silent film, because it just isn't, it uses modern techniques with a composed and well synched soundtrack. As a film student I loved it, the shots, the techniques, etc. There's definitely more to it than seems, and what it does, it does really really well. I was surprised at how well it handled having no sound, and managed to be emotive and compelling despite the predictable plot. I'm just glad it's getting the attention it has, many films like this are all too easily swept aside by CGI abominations and teen dramas.

For me it's a watch at the cinema if you can, rent it if you can't, but definitely buy it if you are a fan of great performances.

[horizon]

Bitch Slap.
hahawhahoaaa

beer + watch
pulp to the max

[El_Machinae]

I have Canadian Netflix.

Altered is a movie that starts out very B-grade. A couple of dumb 'hicks' go out and capture one of the aliens that kidnapped them as children, and then they cannot figure out what to do with it. The beginning is very bad, but the middle and the end are actually pretty good. The movie is very low budget, but there's a lot of story crammed in. We get to see how people's lives have been ruined by being abducted (which actually explains the intelligence of the opening characters) and how terrifying the idea of being visited is.

I enjoyed it, because I like aliens movies. There's a bit "wtf" at the end, because the alien has psychic powers.
It inspired this thread, actually, about how being abducted would change your life.

4th Kind is about the notes of a psychiatrist that was investigating a community with recurring nightmares, and it turns out that there's something that's actually visiting/tormenting the townfolk that they cannot remember but only dream about. The movie is pretty cool, if you like movies like Paranormal Activity, but it plays too much with the fourth wall. You cannot immerse yourself in the story (which is actually pretty scary), because the director is trying to bring you into the story, and you can't help but notice. I don't really have an analogy, it would be like seeing the boom microphone dip into and out of the picture during a drama.

[Easy E]

Avatar: The Last Airbender

This is the M. Night version. I have only seen a couple of the first episodes of the series, so can't really compare it to that. I know this movie has been panned... a lot. However, I think a lot of the panning comes from comparisons with the source material. The moviesd clocks in at 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it less than a third of a single seasons length, which is the material this film tries to cover.

That being said, there are some terrible directing choices made in this film.
1. The pointless and repetetive narration of Zara.
2. The cast needed more from the director to bring out the characters, they all come across as very one dimensional.
3. The big battle feels less than epic do to scoping and pace.
4. The movie is jumpy and does not flow well.

That being said, I don't think this flick deserves some of the trashing it gets. It is just a mediocre film, not an abomination like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Pass

[horizon]

That being said, I don't think this flick deserves some of the trashing it gets. It is just a mediocre film, not an abomination like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

Funnily enough I rewatched some of the action scenes in Revenge of the Fallen last weekend (opening China, forest battle, end battle). And all of that is just very very good.
And the story still surpasses 98% of all Transformer cartoons.

[MOMUS]

Funnily enough I rewatched some of the action scenes in Revenge of the Fallen last weekend (opening China, forest battle, end battle). And all of that is just very very good.
And the story still surpasses 98% of all Transformer cartoons.

I think you have to think about context, why do people like to trash transformers cartoons? If i were to go back in time and to your younger self and tell him that you said that, his head would expload through sheer outrage. -somebody sig that

[ChromeZephyr]

Chronicle

Not as good as I was hoping for, but still a good flick. Just the right running time, only a few scenes where I was thinking "get on with it already". The last act reminded me very much of Akira. Probably won't buy it on DVD unless there are tons of good extra material.

Watch.

[Avian]

Hoping to catch Chronicle one of these days.

Funnily enough I rewatched some of the action scenes in Revenge of the Fallen last weekend (opening China, forest battle, end battle). And all of that is just very very good.

No, they're not. The second one is incomprehensible, being filmed from the height of a robot ankle and the other two are overly long, unconnected nonsense.

I don't mind a lack of story in a popcorn movie, but the action sequences have to be cool and the characters have to be cool. RotF has nothing. It's like filming Lord of the Rings featuring the cast from a Friedberg and Seltzer movie and shot exclusively from the POV of a hobbit. When you CAN figure out what is going on, you wish you couldn't.

[sigur]

...It is just a mediocre film, not an abomination like Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
...

I like your positive outlook on thing (which is clearly fuelled by the horrible experience of having sat through one of the Bay Transformers films. ).


Tremors (1990)

It's a horror comedy and loosely pays homage to the 1950s (and to a lesser extent 1970s) creature feature horror films starring Kevin Bacon and the dad from Family Ties. (Why doesn't that come on reruns any more?).

I just fully watched this film last night (before that I had just seen bits of it years ago) and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Of course it's a little dumb but... well, that's normal for the genre and those characters I'd say. What's notable though is that the characters are likable. There is one semi-annoying kid in there but in no way it's at the level of annoyance some characters operate at nowadays and apart from that, it's supposed to be the rather annoying kid which gets on the nerves of the other characters as well.

The build-up until we see the creatures fully is a bit slow but really well done and it doesn't drag at all because you're introduced to all the characters and premise in the meantime.

I really don't want to give away much of the plot but highly, highly recommend this film. If you're not into horror films that much I want to let you know that it's not very gruesome. It's much fun with characters you can't necessarily relate to but you understand them, they are likable and have great chemistry.

Watch it, maybe even buy it because I think that this is the kind of film you can watch over and over again.

[BigbyWolf]

Tremors (1990)

It's a horror comedy and loosely pays homage to the 1950s (and to a lesser extent 1970s) creature feature horror films starring Kevin Bacon and the dad from Family Ties. (Why doesn't that come on reruns any more?).

I just fully watched this film last night (before that I had just seen bits of it years ago) and I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Of course it's a little dumb but... well, that's normal for the genre and those characters I'd say. What's notable though is that the characters are likable. There is one semi-annoying kid in there but in no way it's at the level of annoyance some characters operate at nowadays and apart from that, it's supposed to be the rather annoying kid which gets on the nerves of the other characters as well.

The build-up until we see the creatures fully is a bit slow but really well done and it doesn't drag at all because you're introduced to all the characters and premise in the meantime.

I really don't want to give away much of the plot but highly, highly recommend this film. If you're not into horror films that much I want to let you know that it's not very gruesome. It's much fun with characters you can't necessarily relate to but you understand them, they are likable and have great chemistry.

Watch it, maybe even buy it because I think that this is the kind of film you can watch over and over again.

Tremors rules! Only the original though, as someone who's seen both sequels, the prequel AND the TV series, I can confirm that only the original is any good. It's also the only one with a production value higher than £50.

[horizon]

I think you have to think about context, why do people like to trash transformers cartoons? If i were to go back in time and to your younger self and tell him that you said that, his head would expload through sheer outrage. -somebody sig that

No it wouldn't. Check some TF fansites and most of them will acknowledge G1 cartoons are mostly liked for the sentiment.

I am a big '80 Transformers comic fan, keep that in mind as well.

No, they're not. The second one is incomprehensible, being filmed from the height of a robot ankle and the other two are overly long, unconnected nonsense.

Disagree. The first one had a good storyline with, for an action movie, no real plotholes or daft points. The action & CGI was excellent.

Third One was okay and had an attempt at a real good plot.

[AndrewGPaul]

I think you have to think about context, why do people like to trash transformers cartoons? If i were to go back in time and to your younger self and tell him that you said that, his head would expload through sheer outrage. -somebody sig that

The thing is, my younger self was, well, younger. Nothing wrong with loving the original Transformers cartoon when you're eight. It's when allegedly grown adults rave over it that I scoff. Even the concept is rather daft.

[horizon]

haha,
FIRST UP FOR THE PROLIFIC FILMMAKER IS “PAIN AND GAIN” STARRING MARK WAHLBERG AND DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON, FOLLOWED BY A NEW INSTALLMENT IN THE HUGELY POPULAR “TRANSFORMERS ” FRANCHISE, TO BE RELEASED ON JUNE 29TH, 2014

HOLLYWOOD, CA (February 13, 2012) – Paramount Pictures announced today that director Michael Bay has signed a two-picture deal with the studio, which will commence this spring with the filming of “Pain and Gain,” and will be followed by the next installment in the hit “Transformers” franchise.

Based on a true story, “Pain and Gain” follows a group of bodybuilders who engaged in a campaign of kidnapping, extortion and murder in Florida. First told in an article from the Miami New Times, “Pain and Gain,” will be directed by Bay and will star Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Expected to begin production in early spring, the movie’s producers include Bay, Donald De Line and Ian Bryce.

Following “Pain and Gain,” Bay will bring audiences a new take on the “Transformers” franchise as he begins production on the fourth installment in the hit series of movies based on the best-selling Hasbro toyline. The third, and most recent installment of the franchise, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” is the fourth highest global grossing film of all time with 1.24 billion dollars of worldwide box office success. Directed by Bay, the movie will re-unite the filmmaking team from the hit franchise, including producers Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto and Ian Bryce; and executive producers Steven Spielberg, Bay, Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian. Paramount Pictures will release the film on June 29th, 2014.

“Michael has been working on PAIN AND GAIN for a number of years but has patiently waited for the perfect casting to trigger a start," said Adam Goodman, President of Paramount’s Film Group. "Clearly his patience has paid off as we couldn't be more excited about this combo. His passion for this project is just awesome."



$$$$$

[Dargon]

Disagree. The first one had a good storyline with, for an action movie, no real plotholes or daft points. The action & CGI was excellent.

Avian was talking about the three action scenes from the 2nd Transformers movie he quoted, not the three Transformers movies themselves.

[El_Machinae]

I've learned that the trick to the Transformers action sequences is to watch them on a small screen. The big screen actually ruins them.

[AsleepByDay]

Chronicle (2012)

Found footage film about three teenagers that acquire telekinesis due to a glowing thing they find underground.

Other reviews (not here) seem to make much of the found footage element, I found it rather neat in places, they do cheat a lot, this is certainly no cloverfield.

Things progress rather slow in places, notably too long is spent setting up the characters given how little depth they have.

I feel that perhaps I was expecting too much of the protagonist (and by extension the rest of the film) his actions made much more sense once I realised he wasn't in fact, that bright. I'm going to blame my expectations there (movie bob claimed the film to be high minded, it isn't) rather than the film characterising him poorly, it doesn't.

On the whole I would say that viewed as an action film it's a solid and enjoyable and I would recommend it to action fans.
Watch if you like action

[Easy E]

Based on a true story, “Pain and Gain” follows a group of bodybuilders who engaged in a campaign of kidnapping, extortion and murder in Florida. First told in an article from the Miami New Times, “Pain and Gain,” will be directed by Bay and will star Mark Wahlberg and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Expected to begin production in early spring, the movie’s producers include Bay, Donald De Line and Ian Bryce.

“Michael has been working on PAIN AND GAIN for a number of years but has patiently waited for the perfect casting to trigger a start," said Adam Goodman, President of Paramount’s Film Group. "Clearly his patience has paid off as we couldn't be more excited about this combo. His passion for this project is just awesome."



$$$$$

So, the right cast ws The Rock and Markie Mark? Where have they been all these years?

I personally think this movie NEEDS Vin Diesel instead of Markie Mark.

Just my take.

[Ozorik]

So, the right cast ws The Rock and Markie Mark? Where have they been all these years?

I personally think this movie NEEDS Vin Diesel instead of Markie Mark.

Just my take.

I think what this film NEEDS is not to be made at all, it sounds utterly dreadful.

[Bombot]

So, the right cast ws The Rock and Markie Mark? Where have they been all these years?

I personally think this movie NEEDS Vin Diesel instead of Markie Mark.

Just my take.

Of all the things your criticising about this film, it's the inclusion of Mark Wahlberg?!

Well I guess vin Diesel would be more Michael Bay's level.

[Avian]

Neither Mark Wahlberg nor The Rock are bad actors. They're not great and they've been in some rubbish movies (the one about the evil trees in particular was vile), but they're all right.


And Tremors is cool.