Movie Critics Thread

[Doubledealer]

Requiem For a Dream (2000) http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/requiem_for_a_dream/

I've kind of been dreading watching this film. So far I've enjoyed two of Darren Aranovsky's films, Pi and Black Swan. The latter is, in my opinion, a masterpiece and easily his best work. I need to revisit The Fountain but I'll admit I didn't find it immediately inspiring.

I've been dreading watching RFaD because I get the impression that it's a depressing film that simply focuses on drug abuse, the downward spiral of its protagonists and offers no 'way out'.

And that's pretty much what this film delivered. It wasn't as effecting as I thought either, probably because I really didn't care about any of the characters. Well, maybe Jennifer Connelly. WHAT a babe. *ahem*

There's not a great deal more to say about this film other than it probably should be shown as part of drug education in high schools. Having said that, the cast, with the exception of Sara, is pretty good looking which in a way glorifies the whole thing whether intentional or not.

Overall it felt like an extremely long anti-drug advertisement so I'm not too sure how to score this. For educational purposes it's quite good, for entertainment purposes it missed the mark for me.

[Gutsman Heavy]

Chronicle

It is basically a contemporary Magneto Origins with a dose of Akira and a smidge of DBZ thrown in. You won't regret it.

****

[Paulbot]

Saw John Carter 3D this morning. I didn't expect much, not knowing the original story, and found myself pretty captivated by the story (which kept moving at a nice pace) and the effects. The Green Martians were some of the most believable CGI characters I've seen in a long time.

[Doubledealer]

Saw John Carter 3D this morning. I didn't expect much, not knowing the original story, and found myself pretty captivated by the story (which kept moving at a nice pace) and the effects. The Green Martians were some of the most believable CGI characters I've seen in a long time.

Sweet! I've been looking forward to seeing that one, glad to hear it's good. Is that fat little four legged creature his pet? I love that thing, haha.

I saw The Grey (2012) on Friday night and absolutely LOVED it. Best movie of 2012 so far for me. So many memorable set pieces, beautiful cinematography and many an introspective moment. Liam Neeson as the leading man is just amazing. Can't recommend this movie enough fellow bots. Definitely worth going to see on the big screen!

[gantz]

The Hunger Games

I thought it was an amazing movie. I had my gf with me who is obsessed with the books, and she loved the film just as much!

It was something new for me, compared to the usual movies I see

Stanley Tucci must have had an amazing time with his role and thought it was quite funny seeing Arnim Zola and Dr. Erskine as the Games' commentators

[5FDP]

^ One of the guys I work with just recommended it to me this morning. Might have to check it out.

[Gutsman Heavy]

Ghost Rider 2

Wow, so much worse than the first, but at least it has some amusing "nic cage" acting ala wicker-man.

No stars.

John Carter

Decent effort to make the next pirates ala Prince of Persia a few years back. Shame we won't see a sequel.

***

[i_amtrunks]

The Hunger Games

I thought it was an amazing movie. I had my gf with me who is obsessed with the books, and she loved the film just as much!

It was something new for me, compared to the usual movies I see

Stanley Tucci must have had an amazing time with his role and thought it was quite funny seeing Arnim Zola and Dr. Erskine as the Games' commentators

Saw it last night, and really enjoyed it. I have only just finished the first book, so I was a little thrown by the movie. It does follow the book fairly faithfully but misses alot of character build up and subplots that are naturally missing as they can't have the whole movie led by the main characters thoughts. They also couldnt make all the internal thoughts of hers into speech as the whole games are a political minefield (which is also more or less glossed over).

So a very good movie, from teenagers upwards, but the books are far more detailed. Some of the shaky handheld cam stuff looks terrible, but it emulates the main protagonists point of view well.

I'd love to see some extended directors cut, not for more gore/violence, but to see if the underlying political and social implications and personal dangers could be explored better.

Missus also loved it and she is now reading the book to see what she missed out on.

[1AZRAEL1]

Bad Boys For Life. Really good. Worth seeing on the big screen.

[1AZRAEL1]

So, Zack Snyder Justice League, the movie we needed but not the one we deserved. Damn sight better than what we got before. I wish we could get more. If the morons at WB had any sense, they'd let him finish the saga.