Recently watched movies!

[klen7]

"I'd buy that for a dollar"

Don't forget the satirical dark humor

[jellydonut25]

Watched Europa Report yesterday. It was...okay. It's more competently made than most movies of its budget, so hopefully director Sebastian Cordero starts getting bigger budgets and new movies...but there wasn't much in it that excited me. Some solid atmosphere at times though, and I appreciated seeing Sharlto Copley

[MekaGojira3k]

Watched Robocop 3 - What is this movie even trying to do? I mean, the basic story (the kicking of people out of their homes) makes sense, but...is it a kid's movie? Is it...Robocop?

Watched Big Trouble In Little China for the first time (despite wanting to for years...mostly on account of the poster), and that was a lot of fun. I half expected Lo Pan to come back at the very end.

[lhb412]

[jellydonut25]

[jellydonut25]

just watched Spider-Man (2002) - This movie's an odd beast as I watch it now. Up until recently, I would have said it's my favorite Spider-Man film. Now, I don't know...

The CGI is really god-awful, even for the times, and some of the cuts between scenes are really odd and/or hokey...there's one where like Green Goblin's mask jumps around between zoomed in and out for no reason...there's one were some CGI flames take us to the next scene, it's really bizarre stuff to see in an ostensibly serious major Hollywood production. The movie's also got a lot of odd little plot holes like: why would Oscorp make the suit into like a COSTUME? Why isn't it just the glider and super powers, why is there this suit too? And would it really be SUCH a secret project that NOBODY would recognize it as Oscorp tech? And how does Norman beat Peter back to Thanksgiving dinner after they have their fire fight?

But then, it still has solid performances all around, and though I don't like the Goblin suit, I really don't HATE it, and it's a very colorful film that really does feel unique in the super hero genre, with many of its significant action sequences taking place during the daytime. It's an interesting choice and really does give the film its own look, especially as more of these comic book films come out and they begin to look more and more homogenized.

but if this isn't my favorite Spidey film then I don't know what is...certainly not 2 or 3 as I hate those films....so Amazing Spider-Man? But that doesn't even feel like a complete film to me...it's like they had this idea for a movie and instead of finishing it, just broke off mid sent-

[Shin_Edda_Robo!!!!!]

I saw Battle Of Algiers for the first time, and it's about as brutal as I expected it to be.

[Hybrid Gojira]

I finally watched Gareth Edwards' Monsters. I really enjoyed the film and it's easy to see how Edwards can bring a character driven Godzilla film to life. There is evidence of the creatures all around for most of the movie and I grew to care about the characters. Overall, this movie shows why I think Edwards' stated approach to Godzilla will succeed...he knows how to tell a story and engross it in the world crawling with beasts. I found the SPFX pretty effective overall, and that is impressive considering his meager budget.

7/10.

[MekaGojira3k]

The Lego Movie was great. A really fun time, and so pretty to look at. I can't wait to own this on blu-ray so I can freeze frame and look at everything in it.

[lhb412]

Stalag 17

One of the best movies by one of the best directors, Billy Wilder. I love the way he combined comedy and drama, and that's so evident here in a film about American prisoners of war in WWII that is often very funny. I also like how, in a film full of likable characters, Wilder has the hero be a total jerk.

[klen7]

^ Love that one.


I just watched 'The Croods' and 'Captain Phillips'.

Croods was alright, not sure what i was expecting.. really there was something perverse/contrary about the creature design which pretty much was just mixing two animals into something new (rabbit + bat, owl + cat, etc)

Captain Phillips was pretty great, since i was familiar with the true story it was based on, i wasn't sure how they were going to maintain decent pacing without adding a bunch of fluff, but the final product was very taut and engaging, even when you knew exactly how it was going to end. I'd recommend it.

[KaijuZoo]

[Dr Kain]

John Carpenter's The Prince of Darkness: Uh... I have no idea what to really say about this movie as it was... weird. The music was as great as it always is, it fit the mood and atmosphere, the cinematography remained great, it is just that I had a hard time following what was going on and I'm not sure if it was due to the editing or what. The Priest was probably the most problematic character for me because I just didn't understand half of what he was talking about and what his justifications were (like how is proving Satan exists through science going to do anything???) and his position on the matter seemed to change every other scene. The rest of the cast were fine, but there was no one I can say I truly liked or anyone that stood out for me. Still, the movie was definitely a Carpenter movie as it had a lot going for it. It is definitely better than his later stuff like LA and Mars, but I think this is probably his weakest when compared to things like The Fog, Assault on Precinct 13, and They Live. I'll give it another viewing nonetheless in the future, but right now, I think I give the movie a 5 or 6/10 stars.

[jellydonut25]

[Koo-Vah Kanzuru]

[Dr Kain]

[Dr Kain]

In the Mouth of Madness: Being told that this movie was Carpenter's last good one means a lot of things as what I have seen of the man's work from beforehand has usually been fantastic while what came after has left a lot to be desired. As such, this was an interesting movie to watch. On one hand, it is a fantastic movie. It is suspenseful, it has a lot of homages to Lovecraft, and overall, it is by far probably the best movie that was inspired by Lovecraft's works. On the other hand, it really does not feel like a Carpenter film, especially in its opening. I'm used to these grandiose opening segments with a fantastic electronic score really setting the mood for the rest of the movie and that was not present. It also seemed there was something different about the way the movie was filmed as it seemed to lack a lot of Carpenter's great cinematography. Thankfully, the movie does not suffer for it as it is interesting, creepy, and still has a good soundtrack to go with it. Overall, I give it a 7/10 stars and is one I look forward to rewatching again in the future.

[jellydonut25]

I've only seen In the Mouth of Madness two or three times, but I seem to remember a fairly rockin' synth score to start the movie out, in typical Carpenter fashion. When the books are being printed off...

[Dr Kain]

[KJ Corp]

Saw the Lego movie, definetly doesn't deserve the praise it's getting(97% rotten tomatoes) but I did find it very enjoyable 6.9/10. Hate me if you must but... Robocop>Lego

[Dr Kain]

[MekaGojira3k]

I've been re-watching the Matrix films (I've watched the first and 2nd). I used to love these movies as a kid, now I can't really tolerate Reloaded.
I still genuinely like the first film, but it feels like the other one (gonna re-watch Revolutions today) I can only appreciate for its ideas.

[jellydonut25]

[XvGojira]

[Dr Kain]

I aboslutely love the first Matrix. I try to watch it once a year. The only things that are really good in Reloaded is the fight with the Smiths even though the CGI is freaking awful there and then the freeway sequence. Revolutions is utter crap and only the final battle with Smith is worthwhile.