I thought that this would be okay. I watch a lot of movies, but I don't post them all because they are not worth mentioning. I have seen a couple movies in the past weeks.

"AmityVille Horror"-Not a great movie, but Ryan Reynolds yet again proves how great of an actor that he is. Somewhat campy, but not very original.

"Guess Who?"-Terrible, Terrible, Terrible. There is nothing good about this movie. I walked out halfway through it and never looked back. Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher are pretty much the worst actors of today and combining them is like combining a root canal and jury duty.

Now, I can actually post something about every movie that I see without having to mention it in another thread. Hope nobody minds too much.

This is a good thread, Mike. Thanks. I just hope that it gets used by more than you and me. I was thinking of changing my sig to include movies with grades which I've seen recently.

I want this to be used for any movies recently seen by anyone, whether at the theatre or at home. Maybe you could list the film and write a mini-review or give it a grade/rating. If you know the director or year, you can add that. You can make your comments brief or stretch them into essay level. I hope I'm not stealing your thread, Mike? What do you think? Is that OK?

Don't worry Mark, I'll be using this thread plenty as well. In fact, I think I'll begin. I see a lot of movies, in theatres and at home. So many, that I'm to lazy to write a whole review for each, but I'll still mention the director and year and a grade. Okay, maybe I'll say a few words about each. So here are a few that I've seen in just the last few days:

Downfall (2004): Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel.
See this. A-

The Insider (1999): Directed by Michael Mann.
This guy has quickly become one of my favorite directors. While not as good as some of his other flicks, this is still a very interesting and intelligent drama worth picking up. B+

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003): Directed by Robert Rodriguez.
Even though it has a weak storyline and is at times kind of silly, this movie has great action, cool effects, and is just a fun time. B-

Hollow Man (2000): Directed by Paul Verhoeven.
Cool idea, terrible movie. C-

The Five Obstructions (2003): Directed by Jørgen Leth Lars von Trier.
Very unique and fascinating documentary certainly worth checking out. B+

Hotel Rwanda (Terry George, 2004, Grade: B+)

This is the harrowing true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu hotel manager who, in 1994, shelters 1268 Tutsis from the roving Hutu militia who eventually killed a million souls in Rwanda. For two non-stop hours, during a series of straightforward, yet suspenseful scenes, we watch a man thrust into an unwanted situation who rises to do the right thing at most every turn.

Don Cheadle gives a commanding performance as Paul and Sophie Okonedo matches him as his wife. Another conflict with Paul is that his wife is Tutsi and he's constantly threatened with the deaths of his wife and family if he doesn't go along with the bloodthirsty Hutu militia.

This film combines the best elements of Schindler's List, The Killing Fields, Black Hawk Down and The Color Purple to tell a story which is more accessible than any of those movies. This film should have received a Best Picture nomination last year since it's better than those films which were nominated. Do yourself a favor and watch it ASAP.

Devil's Nightmare - Not sure who directed it and a little too lazy at the moment to go over to imdb and check.

Anyway, I'd give it a solid C, maybe a C+/B- if you really, really like italian gothic horror movies. It concerns 7 people who are brought to a castle, each representing one of the seven deadly sins. A succubus then begins killing them off one by one. Erica Blanc plays the succubus, and is about as good as Erica Blanc usually is. Anyway, it's a fun movie and a decent way to spend a couple hours.

quote:

Originally posted by kraftdeluxe:


Hollow Man (2000): Directed by Paul Verhoeven.
Cool idea, terrible movie. C-

A really cool idea, but not a very original one. It's the Ring of Gyges from Plato's Republic turned into a Hollywood snooze fest.

Just watched the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake this weekend...I give it a high C+. I think if you like horror, you may be able to find a nice sense of dread in this flick.

also watched 8 Mile - entertaining and unmemorable - ok way to pass an hour and a half away....B-, I thought MM did a pretty good job of acting and the story was well told.

I caught "Envy" on HBO earlier today. I wasn't willing to spend money to rent it so I waited until I could see it on tv. It isn't great, but Jack Black is pretty funny in it. 4/10

Watched the first half of Bird last night. Will try to finish it tonight. So far I am not that impressed by anything but the music. I think this may be due to the fact that the copy I rented was a pretty old vhs that was really muddy. It was really hard to even make out what was going on on screen at several points.

Actually I just saw Envy on HBO too and I thought it was a decent movie. First half is kinda boring but 2nd half was funny. Walken did a good job on his part! I would give it a 7/10!

To tell you the truth kltrev, although Eastwood is obviously in love with his subject and the acting from Forrest Whitaker and Diane Venora is good, I found the movie Bird to be unremittingly depressing and boring. It's also played out like Charlie Parker wasn't even that influential to the music world. Go ahead, tell me I'm wrong.

I totally agree with you Mark. You don't really get a sense of how influential the guy was. He is kinda just a junkie who occasionally happens to pick up a horn. I honestly am not too sure I will finish it-especially after you confirming what I felt after the first half.

Ocean's 12 (Soderbergh, 2004, Grade: B-)

If you liked the earlier all-star remake of the Rat Pack's Ocean's 11, you should enjoy this sequel, even though there probably isn't a REAL CINEMATIC reason why it was made. The story is twisty but lightweight, all the actors are having too much fun, and director Steven Soderbergh jazzes everything up with hyper technique, a cool musical score, and several offbeat touches, so it still delivers some good entertaiment. I especially liked Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and the subplot about the "real" Julia Roberts. (Also what Don Cheadle tells George Clooney about his appearance from "the neck up".) All those are on the positive side. The debits include some deja vu and overlength (126 minutes is too long.) Still, if you wanna check your brain, and you like the cast, it's plenty enjoyable enough.

quote:

Originally posted by keylimetrev:
Watched the first half of Bird last night. Will try to finish it tonight. So far I am not that impressed by anything but the music. I think this may be due to the fact that the copy I rented was a pretty old vhs that was really muddy. It was really hard to even make out what was going on on screen at several points.

Bird was a terrible disappointment, klt. There is no question that the subject is near and dear to Eastwood's heart, jazz has figured prominently in his movies throughout his career. He has also established himself as a pretty fine director, but Bird is not one of his better moments.

Check out the film 'Round Midnight. It is, in my opinion, the single finest film ever made aboout jazz. Check out my rant and rave about it here.

Now Playing: "Out-Side" The Beta Band Heroes to Zeroes (Astralwerks)

"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"-One of the best movies I have seen in a long time. It is just extremely funny and kept me entertained the entire movie (After drinking a whole xtra large soda by myself I almost died trying to hold "it" in so that I wouldn't miss a thing). 900/1000

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was rather good, but I can't remember the book well enough to make any meaningful comparisons. It was quite well-scripted, and the casting wasn't at all bad (although I was a bit surprised to see a semi-obscure rapper cast as Ford Prefect). It just lacked a certain greatness.

I'd give it 1542/2570.

Edit: I just realised that I'd (inadvertently) included the number 42 in my score. Cool.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Biggles,

Se7en- Pretty good, it has an good plot. Tons of red herrings, though. My only complaint is the ending, but maybe I just didn't get it. Definite reccommend. A-

Saw- Very similar to Se7en in the idea that the victims aren't killed, but end up killing themselves and are killed for a reason. The acting is pretty atrocious, but again it's also good. Ending surprised me. B-

Alfie (remake)- I love Jude Law, but this movie wasn't that great. The whole Alfie being a ladie's man got old after awhile, and the storylines just weren't that interesting to me. Jude Law is very hot in it, though. B

Not to rain on anybody's parade, but I saw The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy today, and I give it a C+. I thought the beginning was cute and fun and the last part (with the point-of-view gun and Slartibartfast giving Arthur the tour) was even better. The long section in the middle, to me, was just boring, silly, repetitious and unfunny. I was almost ready to think that the film was a bomb until those later parts which I mentioned. There was a nice anecdote during the final credits which also made me think more of the film and raise my grade.

I think that the reason that I liked it so much is because I loved the book. It did an excellent job of translating the book laughs to on-screen laughs. So I have a certain degree of bias.

I really want to see Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but I love the books so much and am bound to be disappointed when it isn't as great as the amazing books. Anyways.. recent movies I've seen..

Sin City- This moving was AMAZING. It was like watching a comic book, and the cast is great. It was gory in places, but not that much. My favourite of the stories in it was Marv's. This movie had quite a few funny moments in it, and Elijah Wood's character was really creepy. A+!

Life or Something Like It- This movie sucked. The entire movie I couldn't stop staring at Angelina Jolie's hair. The ending was fairly predictable, and the only parts I liked were the ones with Prophet Jack. D