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Gifter of Bikes · 05-22-2016, 10:47 PM

Quote:Originally posted by Spangle@May 22 2016, 09:45 PM

Nah but the whole suburban oddity thing had been done ad nauseam by 1989. I really likes it but it felt pretty safe and never tried to be anything more than a fun decidedly 1980s suburban comedy.

I think it plays up the paranoia more than anything, and really captures that suburban fear cycle that builds when someone or something is perceived as different.

Spangle · 05-29-2016, 05:39 PM

7/10 - I really liked Gangster Squad, which surprised me given the poor reviews. Beautifully shot with fantastic cinematography, Gangster Squad is an impeccably stylish and well put together gangster flick. With good turns from its impressive cast, Gangster Squad matches its good actors with a compelling plot that keeps you hooked with its real life basis. The characters are hit-and-miss (Emma Stone's character in particular is a miss), but otherwise, I thought they were well crafted or at least satisfyingly so compared to other movies out there nowadays. The action is well shot and the violence is nowhere near as bad as some critics would have you think. While not as good as classic noirs or modern day takes on the genre, Gangster Squad is a flashy, lavishly shot gangster film that satisfies the eyes more than the mind, but that is okay in my book given its good pacing, compelling story, and again, its over-abundance of style.

8/10 - An at times funny, but thoroughly sincere and authentic film. Starring Will Ferrell in a career-best performance, Stranger Than Fiction also features good performances from a stellar cast that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, and Queen Latifah. Together, they help to bring to life a unique premise with a very non-unique core that explores the age old question, "What would you do if you knew you were about to die?" A very unique execution of this simple question, Stranger Than Fiction is an incredibly heartfelt film with a very human center that explores humanity and our greatest fear; death. With smart writing and good direction, Stranger Than Fiction quirkiness never gets out of hand and instead delivers on being a smart film that takes its characters seriously and though there is a certain lightness to the film, it can be incredibly dark as it explores death, fear, and the boundaries of our own world. Overall, Stranger Than Fiction is a clever film that showcases Will Ferrell's acting talent.

7/10 - In a World is a pretty good film that is incredibly quirky and funny throughout, which is right up my alley. Lake Bell does a great job here pulling triple duty as actor, writer, and director. The rest of the cast is also quite good and really bring good emotion and depth to their characters and the film as a whole. The characters here are anything but one-dimensional and the film does a great job diving into their lives in a 90 minute run time. The only complaint here is that the film can be a little slight and, at times, the quirky humor can fail and things just turn awkward. However, when the jokes hit, they really hit and the film can be a truly smart and witty satire on the film industry and voice overs. Overall, In a World is good blend of comedy and drama that provides good characters, good writing, and smart humor.

6/10 - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is alright. Funny, enchanting, and impeccably shot, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is an incredibly feel good film that hits some really good highs, but waters them down with major problems. First off, the writing is solid. Though the characters other than Walter Mitty suck, Mitty's arc is well done and since the film is about him, this fact makes sense. A journey of self-discovery, the film really makes you want to get up and go travel, which speaks to its impact it can have on a viewer. Additionally, the cinematography is very good and really soaks up the beauty of its idyllic shooting locations. However, on the flip side, the film can fall flat at times. In particular, it hits the brakes whenever Mitty has a dream sequence with those moments being outlandish, weird, and unnecessary. Overall, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a sweet ode to life itself and those who go unnoticed, but is not nearly as successful at its premise as it should have been.

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4/10 - The Black Dahlia is a decidedly mediocre film. Featuring impeccable cinematography and a lush and sexy style, The Black Dahlia is everything you can want from a neo-noir film set in 1940's Los Angeles from a visual standpoint. Beyond that, however, The Black Dahlia falls apart. Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, and Hilary Swank, all turn in mediocre performances. Aaron Eckhart is okay though. The story makes no sense and is poorly told. The end reveal of what happened throughout is scattershot at best and demonstrates just how little sense the preceding hour and a half made. Honestly, this film makes literally no sense from a plot standpoint and it seems as if Brian De Palma just took pieces of the novel, threw them at the screen, and hoped they would work. If the film was longer, maybe it would make sense. However, it is simply too overstuffed for the two hour runtime. Also featuring De Palma's trademark penchant for violence and sexism, the film is not good enough to justify the violence or the horrendous treatment of women in the film. While I would stop short of calling it an overall bad film due to the great visuals, the plot is meandering, nonsensical, and incoherent.

3/10 - Charlie St. Cloud is not a good film in any sense of the word. A compelling premise is ruined thoroughly from beginning to end with the film's insistence on being a teenage rom-com fantasy film. The acting is lackadaisical to say the least and the little brother is annoying and needs to go away to make this film better. Aside from the truly far fetched and overly sappy direction taken by the film, the initial premise and overall message is good: do not mourn forever because life will pass you by, the person you are mourning will want you to move on. Decent message, but instead it is drowned out by gratuitous shots of Zac Efron's abs and teenage rom-com tropes. Overall, Charlie St. Cloud is a bad movie.

7/10 - A fantastic look at male insecurity, immaturity, and our inability to commit, Beautiful Girls is a truly sentimental film. A great look at returning home to think things out while being confronted with your past and having to learn how to move on, the film can be a little too obvious and thinks itself more profound than it really is, but that said, it is a really engaging and compelling look at life, love, and finding that "perfect" person for you. An actor's showcase, Beautiful Girls presents fantastic performances from Natalie Portman, Timothy Hutton, Matt Dillon, Noah Emmerich, Michael Rapaport, Rosie O'Donnell, and Uma Thurman. Sweetly written, the sentimental nature of the film hits all the right notes and truly fills you up with nostalgia for the way things used to be and really uses this nostalgia as a good jumping off point to dive into its psychological musings. Overall, Beautiful Girls is a pretty good film overall that really is a pleasure to watch.

9/10 - Love & Friendship is a truly brilliant film from director Whit Stillman. As whitty, subtle, sharp, and smart, as ever, Stillman expertly brings Jane Austen's work to life in this fantastically funny film. Outlandish and truly hysterical, Love & Friendship touches on themes such as marriage, love, religion, and, as with all Stillman films, the bourgeoisie. This film really portrays the upper class as being incredibly uppity, insipid, and stupid, in the most hysterical ways possible. Incredibly well-written, this very large cast of characters are all handled very well during this short 90 minute film with all of their subplots being expertly handled by Stillman's sure hand. Featuring good cinematography and incredible production/costume design, Love & Friendship's look an feel is as lush, extravagant, and gorgeous, as required of a period piece. In terms of the acting, Kate Beckinsale is a comedic wonder in this film. Completely deadpan with great delivery and timing, Beckinsale sweeps you off your feet with fantastic delivery of Stillman's witty and subtly brilliant dialogue. Overall, Love & Friendship is a true wonder of a film that will go down as one of the funniest films of 2016.

8/10 - A compelling and, at times, terrifying true crime drama, Heavenly Creatures features starmaking turns from, at the time, new kids on the block, Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey. Devilishly evil, this duo combine together to help provide insight into a truly evil and devious plot to be together forever. As harrowing as a true crime film should be, the film truly shows the duo's descent into madness and actually is a very good portrayal of mental illness and how it can effect one's daily life. Winslet and Lynskey have fantastic chemistry with one another and really bring to life the trauma caused by these two girls and their friendship with one another. Heavenly Creatures also demonstrates Peter Jackson's fantastic skill in the director's chair and truly hinted at greater things to come for the New Zealander. Overall, Heavenly Creatures is a truly chilling true crime drama.

7/10 - Money Monster is a solid thriller/drama from director Jodie Foster that entertains and thrills, while also having surprising emotional depth. Featuring reliably solid performances from George Clooney and Julia Roberts, the real star here is Jack O'Connell. The next big thing in film, O'Connell continued his tour de force through the acting world with yet another truly powerful performance here in Money Monster. Unhinged, yet entirely emotionally vulnerable, O'Connell shows incredible range in this film that really allows you to feel incredibly sympathetic towards his character. As for the film as a whole, it is a well made and entertaining thriller/drama. It is never too preachy, but is quite conventional and your run-of-the-mill blend of thrills and emotion. That said, Money Monster's well-directed, well-acted, though capable of far more than it amounted to. As it stands, it is a conventional film that more than entertains, but never tries to be anything more than it would up being.

7/10 - Funny and poignant, The Meddler is a truly touching look at family, loss, and love. Featuring terrific performances from Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne, The Meddler may be a pretty typical comedy-drama, but this does not prevent the film from being a truly emotional, touching, and thoroughly enjoyable film. What really helps to elevate the film above its conventional structure is Sarandon's phenomenal performance, as she amounts to being a one woman powerhouse in this film. Even better, the film feels truly authentic and succeeds at wringing drama and comedy out of its poignant slice of life approach. Overall, The Meddler is a film with very well-written characters and good pacing that allows it to never bore you while also making you cry, laugh, and smile.

Spangle · 06-12-2016, 10:08 AM

8/10 - The Help is a truly fantastic film that displays every ounce of movie magic one would hope from a film. While not as challenging of its racial elements as it should be and built on the trope of an educated white person helping minorities, The Help rises above these conventions with a truly heartfelt and triumphant story. Even more, the acting lifts the film into a different stratosphere. Led by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone, and Jessica Chastain, The Help is a real showcase for its actors who all steal the show in their own ways. Additionally, the film is really well paced. For a film that is two and a half hours, it never slacked and had no filler. Instead, it is a well cut and well paced film that never really slowed down, instead providing entertainment for the entire runtime. Overall, The Help is a very good film about its stated subject and shedding light on the lives of these women who raised white children in the south for so long.

8/10 - I really liked Hereafter. Powerful, poignant, and at times, profound, Hereafter is a moving look at death and how it touches each and every one of us, as well as dealing with grief. Featuring strong acting performances from all involved and a well-executed and compelling premise, Hereafter really touched me in a special way that many films do not. It does have it faults and takes a bit to kick into gear in regards to one of its characters, as well as a few moments that left you scratching your head, so it most certainly is a flawed film. That said, however, it never slacks in terms of pace and really hit me. Overall, I can see why Hereafter is criticized by some, but I am more in line with Roger Ebert on this one. A moving, stirring, and thoroughly engaging film, Hereafter shows that Clint Eastwood's still got it.

7/10 - Crimson Tide is an entertaining action thriller featuring powerhouse performances from Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman. Well directed film Tony Scott, Crimson Tide has quite a few tense moments that really pack a thrilling and thoroughly edge of your seat moments. While it can be a pretty stereotypical war film at times, it really can be thoroughly thought provoking as to who is right and who is wrong, which is not what I expected. Crimson Tide really makes you think at times and wonder who is in the right. Additionally, Crimson Tide really has some good performances from Hackman and Washington who really bring the differences of their characters to the forefront and really play the roles perfectly. That said, some of the supporting cast felt a little awkward and left a bit to be desired. Viggo Mortensen and James Gandolfini, for example, were nowhere near as good as I had hoped. Overall, Crimson Tide is an interesting film with unexpected philosophical ponderings.

8/10 - I love coming of age films and Say Anything is certainly no exception. Featuring fantastic performances from John Cusack and Ione Skye, the film is the quintessential coming of age film. With iconic moment after iconic moment, Say Anything crafts a truly adorable romance that provides moments of adorableness and moments of pure comedy. Together, Cusack and Skye have incredible chemistry to help make this sweet high school dramedy come to life and feel fully authentic. Honestly, I wish Cameron Crowe still made films like this instead of, well, bad movies. Crowe really does a nice job writing and directing this one and crafts a truly nostalgic and sentimental look at the time between high school and college. Overall, Say Anything is one is the many quintessential 1980s high school films for good reasons: it's sweet, charming, and truly a riot.

8/10 - Cape Fear feels like a little different Martin Scorsese film in some respects, but still bears his trademark for compelling character-driven films and an incredibly noticeable religious influence on the film. Robert De Niro stars as the unhinged Max Cady and turns in a true iconic performance that lets him demonstrate his immense talent. In a career full of great performances, it is tough to say that one is better than the others, but this one has to be up there. De Niro is honestly phenomenal and creates chills like nobody else can. Nick Nolte is also quite good here and does a great job making the audience unsure on how to read his complicated character. We know he is not a good guy, but we undeniably side with him since he certainly made the right choice. That said, Scorsese is in full control here and shows his skill at creating atmospheric tension and pure suspense, more so than some horror directors out there. The only negative here is Juliette Lewis who turns in a mediocre performance among such a talented cast of actors. That said, Cape Fear is a truly chilling experience that will leave you closing the blinds and locking all the doors.

7/10 - Even as lesser fare when it comes to Jane Austen adaptations, Mansfield Park still provides moments of ravishing beauty and an expertly written film that wraps you up in its romantic endeavors. Frances O'Connor is good in the lead role in this blend of comedy and drama from director Patricia Rozema. The cinematography, costume design, production design, and makeup, however, are all the heroes of this film and help to create a rapturously beautiful film. That said, the pacing can be off at times and the film is nowhere near as endearing as other, better, Austen adaptations. Fortunately, the sheer beauty of the film can offset this for much of the film, even if it never achieves as much as one would have hoped.

9/10 - Only Lovers Left Alive is a truly unique and thoroughly odd entry to the vampire subgenre. Honestly, it is barely a vampire film and is far more of a drama, romance, and thriller. Compelling to the very last drop, Only Lovers Left Alive also serves as a compelling take on musicians, Detroit, the downturn in the economy, science, and famous writers. Together, Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton are phenomenal and have deliciously odd chemistry with one another. Director Jim Jarmusch does a typically great job at handling this odd vampire film that is very nicely paced and incredibly well crafted. Honestly, however, my favorite piece here is the look and style. Incredibly stylish, Only Lovers Left Alive has phenomenal cinematography (especially the lighting) is absolutely phenomenal. The music really accents this style perfectly with this deeply unsettling and laid back musical score for the film. Overall, Only Lovers Left Alive is a thoroughly odd film, but is a truly marvelous work that soars on the back of all its talented creators.

7/10 - Featuring a powerhouse performance from Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart may not be a direct adaptation of any single musician, but it does feel like it. Crazy Heart follows the music biopic formula from start to finish and never deviates, showcasing all the classic trademarks: classic songs, broken friendships, failed relationships, and alcoholism. Aside from Bridges, the acting is good, but Crazy Heart's narrative formula is tried and true. While conventional, it is a good take on the music "biopic" formula and is a thoroughly entertaining film, heartbreaking at times, plus it has great music. That said, Crazy Heart is most certainly not too original and is far too typical to be better than pretty good to good. Jeff Bridges' performance is what truly lifts this one up and over the competition.

8/10 - A sprawling, epic gangster flick like one from a bygone era, American Gangster is a fantastically crafted and thoroughly engaging film from director Ridley Scott. With terrific performances from Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, American Gangster feels more like a 1970s-early 1990s gangster flick, rather than one released in 2007. With strong writing, good characterization, and a steady pace, the length of American Gangster never becomes a problem and the film never feels like it has filler. While it does pale in comparison to better gangster films like The Godfather or Goodfellas, it is a great look at New York City crime and Frank Lucas in particular, while serving as yet another showcase for Denzel Washington. A truly sprawling and epic feeling biopic, American Gangster successfully covers its subject, while expertly handling interweaving subplots and having a surprising lack of confusion when it comes to following both its plot and large cast of characters. Overall, American Gangster is a very good crime film that feels heavily indebted to gangster films of old.

6/10 - The Man Who Wasn't There did not live up to my personal expectations, but it is a solid neo-noir film from the Coen Brothers. Billy Bob Thornton and Frances McDormand do very well here, especially Thornton who perfectly plays the role as the subtle and quiet barber. As is typical of all of their films, The Man Who Wasn't There bears many trademarks of the Coens, both narratively through their use of witty and quirky humor at times. The cinematography from Roger Deakins is phenomenal and truly a wonder to behold at times. That said, the film never rises to the level of the Coens' typical works. Too slow and too distant, The Man Who Wasn't There never entertains to the level expected even if it is a technically brilliant film from beginning to end. I wanted to love this one, but it just felt too subtle and too lacking in substance to be a truly great film.

8/10 - A truly marvelous and magical experience, Avatar is a feast for the eyes, plain and simple. While the story is a familiar one, it is expertly told and very well written. The acting is solid and works well in the film. The direction from James Cameron is inspired and matches the expansive and daring chances taken in the visual storytelling of the film. However, the true stars are the visual effects team who do a truly phenomenal job to bring this story to life. With breathtaking visual effects and fantastic cinematography, Avatar comes to life through the visuals and breathes new life into a familiar, yet incredibly engaging, storyline. Due to this visual plethora of eye candy, Avatar reaches new levels never seen before in film that really elevates the film as an overall piece. While many leave Avatar feeling underwhelmed due to the now familiar use of CGI, 3D, and the bland story, I was left awestruck. While the visuals have led to a new trend in film, of which Avatar was the first, its effects hold up and, honestly, may still be the best use of its effects to date. A wonderous achievement, Avatar is a truly phenomenal work.

8/10 - Signs is an incredibly tense and atmospheric film from M. Night Shyamalan that does not provide many answers, but certainly provides thrills, chills, and spills, along the way. With a strong performance from Mel Gibson in the lead role, Signs is an incredibly well crafted science fiction thriller that does provide many answers, to the chagrin of many viewers, but I loved it. Plus, the emotional drama and personal trauma were both well handled and given the appropriate weight in the film. Together with the suspense, they combined to make a well told and truly engaging film. Additionally, the direction from Shyamalan is very good. Not only is it tense, but it is well paced and well told. He knows how to create suspense and thrills and does it here with incredible ease. Nowadays, it is sad to look back on a great film like Signs and think of what could have been with Shyamalan, but nonetheless, it is a very good science fiction film that proved thoroughly chilling.

6/10 - Though incredibly interesting, A Scanner Darkly is never as good as I wished it was. Using really unique animation and an off-beat tone courtesy of director Richard Linklater, A Scanner Darkly is an interestingly put together film that just feels...off. Aside from the aforementioned tone, it feels somehow unsatisfactory like a meal that tastes pretty good, but is not filling. In addition, its plotting can be a little convoluted at times that creates problems when trying to follow the plot of the film. While far from perfect, A Scanner Darkly is too interestingly put together to ignore thanks to Linklater's typically stellar writing and direction, plus the unique approach to Philip K. Dick's source material. Overall, A Scanner Darkly is pretty good to ok and works well in terms of messages and themes, but is just too off-putting and average to really excel.

7/10 - A cute and charming romantic comedy, Serendipity may be typical, but is still a delightfully magical experience. John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale are well matched in this charming little romance film from director Peter Chelsom. Though a bit outlandish, it does pose interesting questions regarding fate/destiny vs free will. Plus, who cares when the romance itself is believable and so damn charming? Plus, they both turn in solid performances in the film as is typical for two talented actors. Now, the biggest problems here are its outlandishness and conventional approach, but those are not fatal flaws as the film is enjoyable, funny, and charming, in spite of its conventional approach. Plus, its arguments about fate/destiny and free will are quite interesting and engaging. Overall, Serendipity works.

8/10 - A powerful and truly emotionally harrowing drama, The Impossible is a stirring and inspirational film about the human spirit, survival, and love. Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and Tom Holland, are all incredible and emotionally powerful in this film about a true story set in the 2004 tsunami in Thailand. While it was criticized for being whitewashed, the film's story is simply too powerful to be constricted by race and instead it is a truly human story. Additionally, the cinematography and special effects are truly breathtaking. From beginning to end, I was struck by the beauty of this film and it really contributed to the overall inspiration and feel of the film. The direction from JA Bayona was very good and it reinforced my belief that he is a guy to watch and keep an eye on. Overall, The Impossible is a truly harrowing film that both breaks and warms your heart with ease thanks to its powerful premise and effective approach to its true material.

9/10 - A truly horrifying experience, The Witch is a film that makes you feel as though Satan himself is sitting there watching it with you. As a Christian, it left my soul shaken to my very core. This film scared the crap out of me. With a truly haunting score and an even more frightening atmosphere, The Witch is a truly phenomenal horror film that ranks up there with some of the better films of the genre. With strong acting, led by Anya Taylor-Joy, and terrific direction/writing from Robert Eggers, The Witch clicks on all cylinders and will live in my dreams forever. Additionally, The Witch has truly phenomenal cinematography and impressive period detail that really sets the scene perfectly for the film. Overall, The Witch is certainly a slow burn and is devoid of jump scares, so the fear it creates may be lost on those not willing to dedicate time to focus on the film. For those that are okay with slow burns, The Witch will be a rich, rewarding experience.

Read more: http://movieswithkevin27.tumblr.com/post/1...40425/the-witch

7/10 - I really enjoyed Dick Tracy. Though it sports a conventional plot and run-of-the-mill characters, it is undeniably enjoyable. With incredible visuals and strong comedic writing, Dick Tracy is a decidedly odd action comedy that features a strong performance from Warren Beatty. Also in the director's chair, Beatty does a good job keeping control of this outlandish comic strip film. That said, the treatment of Madonna's character as merely a being to have sex with is disheartening. She is fashioned as a femme fatale type character, but the film completely ignores this and never gives us any reason to believe she is a powerful character. Aside from this, however, Dick Tracy is a truly entertaining and thrilling action comedy that delivers satisfying action and comedic elements. Plus, with such incredible visuals, it is nearly impossible to take your eyes off of this one.

7/10 - Once more, Greta Gerwig finds herself as a lost, naive, and unsure 20 something living in New York City. As typical, Maggie's Plan is an interesting little indie dramedy in which Gerwig turns in a very good performance. Though her characters are becoming quite one note at this point, her ability to pull off the role is undeniable. Plus, she is well matched here by Ethan Hawke who plays a self-absorbed and unethical man that seemingly cannot control his sexual urges. Julianne Moore, however, steals the show as his foreign and experienced wife. Together, these actors help bring to life this charming, heartbreaking, and thoroughly relatable tale of love and marriage. Though quite the typical indie dramedy, writer/director Rebecca Miller breathes some new life into its conventions with this thoroughly odd and off-kilter story, plus conjuring great chemistry between her actors. The film is both family and touching, while also being thoroughly engaging. Overall, Maggie's Plan works, though typical in its blend of comedy with serious life occurrences.

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8/10 - Where the Wild Things Are, as a picture book, certainly allows for itself to be played with and altered quite a bit. Though director Spike Jonze obviously incorporates all elements from the book, he instills his own world view and experiences upon the book. The end result is a truly passionate and stirring look at childhood and a young boy dealing with many issues (abandonment, lack of empathy, etc) but through his interactions with these beasts, he learns how to improve himself. Impressively scripted and told, Where the Wild Things Are is a truly imaginative and inspired take on Maurice Sendak's famed children's book. That said, it is likely not a children's movie. A few sequences are quite scary and the amount of adult emotion and reflections on childhood will likely go over many children's heads. That said, I loved this one. The star here is Spike Jonze who really crafts a truly personal film here and this is quite apparent in his gentle handling of the film. Overall, though not a children's movie, Where the Wild Things Are is a very good realization of a staple of many's childhood.

wikiplaysgames · 06-12-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:Originally posted by Spangle@Jun 12 2016, 08:08 AM

9/10 - A truly horrifying experience, The Witch is a film that makes you feel as though Satan himself is sitting there watching it with you. As a Christian, it left my soul shaken to my very core. This film scared the crap out of me. With a truly haunting score and an even more frightening atmosphere, The Witch is a truly phenomenal horror film that ranks up there with some of the better films of the genre. With strong acting, led by Anya Taylor-Joy, and terrific direction/writing from Robert Eggers, The Witch clicks on all cylinders and will live in my dreams forever. Additionally, The Witch has truly phenomenal cinematography and impressive period detail that really sets the scene perfectly for the film. Overall, The Witch is certainly a slow burn and is devoid of jump scares, so the fear it creates may be lost on those not willing to dedicate time to focus on the film. For those that are okay with slow burns, The Witch will be a rich, rewarding experience.

I was super disappointed in The Witch. I thought the movie did not live up to the expectations I had after seeing the trailer. I feel like the scares were few mediocre compared to what the directors could have done with the movie. The only good thing I have to say about the Witch is that it was filmed in a spectacularly beautiful area, and was a very aesthetically pleasing movie to watch, right down to the special effects.

Overall I would not recommend tho.

Spangle · 06-12-2016, 10:33 AM

Quote:Originally posted by wikiplaysgames@Jun 12 2016, 10:29 AM

I was super disappointed in The Witch. I thought the movie did not live up to the expectations I had after seeing the trailer. I feel like the scares were few mediocre compared to what the directors could have done with the movie. The only good thing I have to say about the Witch is that it was filmed in a spectacularly beautiful area, and was a very aesthetically pleasing movie to watch, right down to the special effects.

Overall I would not recommend tho.

It's a slow burn horror movie devoid of jump scares. It frightens you with atmosphere more so than things that conventional horror films will do. It is not intended for general audiences who demand more jump scares from their horror films. It is more of an art house/indie horror film that rides on atmosphere and more subtle elements that will reward patient viewers.

Not a criticism of you, mind you. The film was divisive because half the audience was willing to go with the film and the rest expected something different.

Maxy · 06-12-2016, 12:24 PM

Thats one of the most positive reviews I've ever seen for Signs Tongue

A Scanner Darkly >>>>

The Witch bored the crap outta me i can appreciate a slow burn, i loved Babadook for instance but the Witch did nothing for me.

***WannabeFinn*** · 06-12-2016, 12:28 PM

J. Edgar. I liked it, but it was kinda odd? Whatever, love me some Leo

Harry · 06-12-2016, 12:30 PM

Signs was so good when it first came out. I remember I watched it all the time.

Spangle · 06-12-2016, 12:34 PM

Quote:Originally posted by Jon Snow@Jun 12 2016, 12:24 PM
Thats one of the most positive reviews I've ever seen for Signs

A Scanner Darkly >>>>

The Witch bored the crap outta me i can appreciate a slow burn, i loved Babadook for instance but the Witch did nothing for me.

74% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4/4 from Roger Ebert. Signs is dope.

Ya, The Witch is definitely very slow. I adored it and the pay off was incredible, but as I said, only the most patient of viewers will come away loving it. Plus those who appreciate visuals + technical elements more so than plot.

However, I do love all these recent indie/art house horror films such as The Babadook, It Follows, and The Witch.

Maxy · 06-15-2016, 11:04 PM

Just watched 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Loved it until the final 15 minutes

JPL · 06-15-2016, 11:16 PM

Watched Dazed and Confused again forgot how great that movie is

BasedMinkus · 06-17-2016, 02:56 AM

Finding Dory

cute af.

Spangle · 06-19-2016, 11:23 AM

7/10 - Small Time Crooks has some very high highs, but does drag at spots. Thus, it is not amongst Woody Allen's best works, though it does sport his classic wit, charm, and humor. The film's first half hour soars and is truly hysterical. With good supporting turns from Michael Rapaport, Tony Darrow, and Jon Lovitz, through this opening part, Small Time Crooks is a phenomenally funny comedy. After this, it begins to drag until its second act finally begins to hit its stride at which point it returns to being hysterical. However, due to this dragging portion immediately after the film skips ahead a year, Small Time Crooks is held back from being a better film. As it stands, however, it is a fun blend of crime and comedy while also being a good statement about staying true to yourself, marriage, and class structure. Overall, Woody Allen has better films, but Small Time Crooks' failures certainly do not derail the film and it remains a charming, funny, and entertaining film.

7/10 - Fair Game is a film that angered me so damn much. Incredibly passionate and well acted, Fair Game paints a bleak picture of the Bush administration and their irresponsible and downright despicable actions taken in the lead up to the War in Iraq. Naomi Watts is very good in the lead role while Sean Penn is perfectly cast as her ambassador husband. Together, they have great chemistry that adds an air of authenticity to this film about a very important topic. Additionally, the film can be a truly entertaining political thriller that never gets too complicated, which can be a problem encountered by many a political thriller. Instead, this one showcases director Doug Liman's trademarks (using TV footage prominently) and mastery of the spy/political genre. Overall, Fair Game may be a bit heavy on the politics even if I agree with the film. For that, it is held back and certainly requires further research before assuming everything it said is true. That said, it is very well made and incredibly entertaining.

6/10 - Chronicle is certainly an interesting film. With good acting from Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, and Michael B. Jordan, Chronicle certainly delivers in that arena. It is also very well directed and makes good use of its found footage approach, which is actually used quite uniquely with many different cameras and people behind the camera being utilized, which allowed us to get a variety of perspectives. The first hour of this film is very good and incredibly engaging as this group of friends begins to learn what they can and cannot do with their newly discovered superpowers. However, that last half hour was horrendous and nearly ruined the entire film. Everything really hits the fan here and the film veers violently off-course, which is really too bad as it was really good beforehand. The film, instead of being a fun superhero kind of film, instead becomes a journey into the mind of the mind of a truly broken kid. This really hurt the overall tone of the film and disappointed me since it was just poorly handled and over-the-top. Overall, Chronicle when from being good to being nothing more than slightly above average.

7/10 - Kill the Messenger is a passionate and truly tragic tale of how the media and the CIA murdered a man who exposed them for their egregious sins. A truly engaging and entertaining biopic, Kill the Messenger has a solid blend of drama and thrills through its story, even if it is a conventional biopic. Jeremy Renner turns in a very good performance here. Director Michael Cuesta does a good job balancing the facts and the entertainment and the end result is a largely tight film with just a few scenes that are more of the filler variety. Additionally, it is a really passionate film that will really make you mad if you let it. I watched it a day ago as of writing this and I am still fuming at the injustice of it all. Overall, Kill the Messenger is a solid film that follows the biopic narrative arc, but is a really good example of how to make real life compelling.

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8/10 - A heart wrenching display of how the economic downturn really proved detrimental for Americans from all areas of life, both blue and white collar. Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Chris Cooper, and Kevin Costner, all turn in thoroughly sympathetic performances as their lives are thrown into disarray with the economic turmoil around them. In addition to their general acting ability, director John Wells does a good job making us feel compassion for the three highly privileged characters and turns them into really tragic figures for a variety of reasons. Additionally, the story has been called mundane, but to me, it was very briskly paced and never really slacked. It did a good job generating drama and, honestly, thrills, as you waited to see what occurred in certain scenes. Essentially, The Company Men is a mildly uplifting, but largely moving display of how we need to shed the shackles placed on us by our jobs and find something that we are truly passionate about. Overall, The Company Men is a very good film from director John Wells.

8/10 - A film with a truly stunning use of color that it blends wonderfully with themes such as violence, sexuality, racial diversity, and change, all blended with religious symbolism through the garden of Eden, Pleasantville is a true joy. With strong lead performances from Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, as well as the rest of the cast. Really the true star here is the people who handled the color, which is just unreal. The blending of color and black and white....just wow. When it transitions in a scene so seamlessly, it is truly something to behold. Director Gary Ross does a good job blending the social commentary with sheer family values demonstrated by this stereotypical 50's television show that blends with the real world in this film. The pacing is good and the storytelling keeps everything clear even as things steadily get me complex. Overall, Pleasantville is decidedly pleasant, even if the characters begin to believe that things in their little bubble are becoming unpleasant.

Read More: http://movieswithkevin27.tumblr.com/post/1...0/pleasantville

5/10 - I appreciate the philosophical musings based on "Crime and Punishment", as well as the thoughts offered on luck, love, lust, and fidelity, but Match Point is simply dull. It occasionally hits the accelerator, but far too often Woody Allen's pacing of the film just fails to deliver anything of interest. Plus, the film is far too subtle. Obviously, I picked up on all the thematic elements and what not, but as it stands, the film's pacing is just off kilter. That said, Jonathan Rhys Meyers is very good here and Scarlett Johansson also does quite well here. However, the problems of the film all come back again to the lack of intrigue and dramatic entertainment. I appreciate slow burns and slower films, but even though this one has a solid pay-off, it just does not save the film and, even worse, the sequence immediately proceeding the ending makes no sense given the tone and approach of the film before this. It just does not fit, even if the very ending does do a good job tying up all the thematic elements. Overall, Match Point hits the net and bounces back onto your side.

8/10 - A great indie character study, Half Nelson paints a heartbreaking picture of two people from different worlds that find themselves in tough times. Together, they rely on one another with mutual respect and compassion. Without one another, who knows what would become of them. Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps turn in very good performances here in this really sad and moving film. Well-written and well-directed, Half Nelson does a great job creating multidimensional characters that help to bring their stories to life. With good pacing, it really keeps your attention as you watch these two fall down the rabbit hole into more and more trouble. Plus, I really like the ending. Will they change? Will they stay the same? It is up to you based on what you know of these characters and I enjoyed that ambiguity. Overall, Half Nelson is an engaging and realistic film of addiction in the inner city.

8/10 - Thrilling, moving, and all-around stunning, Apocalypto is a spell binding tale of survival set during the fall of the Mayan civilization and on the cusp of European discovery. A truly haunting and, at times, scary film Apocalypto thrills with ease thanks to the great direction from Mel Gibson. Though it can be historically inaccurate and disrespectful towards the Mayans at times, it does paint a sympathetic portrait of some factions of the civilization, including that which our hero belongs. The film really paints a mysterious picture of the current events plus those to follow, with there being a significant swell of unease amongst the people in the film as they are unsure of what their future will hold. Additionally, the film has incredible mise en scene with great use of lighting and, similar to Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, a film that can be told through the eyes and the visuals. The subtitles are needed, but not required in this relatable table of survival and fear. The costumes and make-up are fantastic, as is the camera work and production design. Gibson really ensures that the beauty of this scenic location is brought to life against this backdrop of sheer horror. Gibson does a great job keeping a hold of this film from going off the rails with the complex situations of the society and with the excessive violence. Overall, Apocalypto is a thrilling and exciting film that really does become moving at times with its portrayal of desperation, but above all, entertains and delivers artistically.

8/10 - While not quite as good as the original, Finding Dory is still yet another wonderful addition to Pixar's filmography. With fantastic voice performances yet again from Ellen Degeneres and Albert Brooks, as well as great turns here from Ed O'Neill, Idris Elba, and Dominic West, Finding Dory is a film packed to the brim with childlike wonder and emotion. A beautifully universal tale of the connection between family members and between you and your friends, Finding Dory is a heartfelt and moving animated tale of Dory trying to find her parents after having a memory of them. While the film can be kind of silly at times, it is obviously an animated film about fish talking, so I cannot really complain too much. That said, it is moving and really funny at times, especially when the sea lions are on the screen. Overall, Finding Dory is a fantastic film from the minds at Pixar and a worthy sequel to the nearly perfect original.

BasedMinkus · 06-19-2016, 11:29 AM

Spangs, what did you think of Piper?

Spangle · 06-19-2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:Originally posted by JayTee@Jun 19 2016, 11:29 AM
Spangs, what did you think of Piper?

The cutest short ever. So good. Really argument as to who's cuter: Piper or Baby Dory? Gotta go Piper, personally, but it's close. The look on their face and their hair after getting drilled by the water was just too much.

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