2010 Movie Discussion

[KC]

No, I haven't seen it. I might go, if it's still in the theaters a few weeks from now and I've got nothing better to do.

If you check this post, you'll find that ol' Tuco is indeed in Wall Street 2.

[AnecdotistOwl]

I saw Shutter Island about a week ago and I enjoyed it. Being a Martin Scorsese fan I made sure to read up on the book before I saw the movie. The book was (as it is in most cases) way better than the film - I think the film missed some of the great humour and also lacked the chemistry between Teddy Daniels and Chuck Aule and of course it skipped some parts.

Having that said I still enjoyed the film, it was beautifully shot - some sequences were magnificent. The location was top notch and I liked the music as well. Now I wouldn't consider Leo the perfect fit for the role as Teddy but I thought he managed to do the part great. As for the film and the plot I think Martin got it together pretty good and I definitely thought it was rock solid.

The most unforunate thing though, is that it felt kind of dependent on the ending twist and it felt abit tiring - especially for me who saw it coming having read the book. But I still think Martin did a great job visualizing a great book and the general dark feel of the book.

As for Avatar I don't like it. George Lucas once said that a special effect is nothing without a plot and/or story to it and that's how I felt when I saw Avatar - full of clichés and extreme stereotypes. When I see a movie I expect something that feels unique inside that films universe and Avatar is just another average film without a smart plot and a ton of CG. Long live practical special effects!

[D'Ambrosia]

Did someone already see "Crazy Heart" with Jeff Bridges ?

The trailer is very good, and it will be on French sceens on Wednesday the 3rd. I like this actor very much, and I'm pleased his own "cinema actu " is very important  this year 

I saw it the other night and I thought Jeff Bridges performance was excellent and he’s my pick for best actor at the Oscars.

Besides being very clichéd I enjoyed the movie as a whole and the supporting cast was great.  Always good to see old Robert Duvall pop up and bring a smile to your face.  Collin Farrell plays a spot on rising county star who owes his beginnings to Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal has a decent role as the love interest.  James Keane turns in a comedic performance as the weasely manager.

A little on the long side and drawn out at times but it has it share of scene grabbers.  It was decent but I won’t find my self rushing out and snatching the DVD upon it’s release or anything.

[Sylvie]

  Thank you for the info d'Ambrosia !
I will try to see it during next week-end, it is only in one movie theatre here,  but in original version, that's great !

[The Schofield Kid]

Has anyone seen the Travolta film From Paris With Love?

Any thoughts?

[Christopher]

I saw Alice in Wonderland today. I liked it. I have to admit (though I'm not sure why I'd admit to this...) I geeked out a bit hearing Depp recite part of "Jabberwocky." But, anyhow, the movie opens with Alice as a child, telling her father about a dream she has had about falling down a hole and some of the things she saw there. Skip ahead thirteen years, and Alice is 19 and has been having the same reoccurring dream. Her father has passed away and she finds out a boy is about to ask her to marry him, though she's not thrilled with the idea. She sees the rabbit with the timepiece and hurries along after it, falling down the rabbit hole. And then her new adventure begins.

I've read Alice in Wonderland but haven't read Through the Looking Glass yet, but was glad that I'd read the original work. I kept thinking that it probably helps to have some idea of the original story.

[The Schofield Kid]

Action fans who love a high body count, explosions, car chases etc will enjoy From Paris With Love.

John Travolta was only actor I recognized in this, but it wasn't too bad. At only 90 minutes it gets into the action quickly so it doesn't drag on.

The scene on the Paris freeway with Travolta hanging out the passenger side window of the car with a bazooka was a little comical but the pay off was worth it.

Leave your brain at the door and watch the bodies mount.

3/5.

[The Schofield Kid]

Green Zone

Or as I read in the paper this morning, Bourne In Baghdad.

Director Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon reteam for a cracking good actioner with a great plot set in Iraq in the early days of the war. I highly recommend this one.

Just a warning that if the steadycam gives you a headache when you watch a film, have the disprin handy.

4/5.

[Hemlock]

From Paris With Love and Green Zone are must see films for me.
I liked a lot Taken and if I´m not mistaken the same production team has made From Paris... and I loved Bourne-films so I´m very much looking forward to see Green Zone...hopefully already this weekend 

I saw Shutter Island last sunday.Good enough film but nothing special.The end`s twist was expected.Still it`s the second best Scorsese-DiCaprio film.

[Doug]

Saw Polanski's The Ghost Writer.  It's a solid movie, well made, with good acting.  It has a nice cameo by Eli Wallach in it.  I just don't think its payoff at the end was strong enough.  I understood it and I know it's a frightening thought but just not enough of one.  And really, why the need to ....?  I can't ask the question without revealing a spoiler, but anyway, I rate it a B/B+.  I'll have to see how it holds up on a second viewing.

 

[Gant]

Shutter Island

Definitely lesser Scorsese.

Martin Scorsese in pastiche mode, kinda like Cape Fear.
Lacked his usual energy and humor.

Must've counted at least 100 Hitchcock references.

5/10

[The Schofield Kid]

There's a sequel to Wall Street directed by Oliver Stone and starring Michael Douglas.

This was due for release next month, but has been put on the shelf for another five months!!!

[Hemlock]

Watched Green Zone and I Love You Phillip Morris back to back last sunday.I liked them both quite a bit.

Green Zone was very well made and acted and all that but for some reason I had the feeling that I´ve seen films like this before...but as said I liked it anyway.
I Love You Phillip Morris was something different.Parts of it was hilarious and times it was almost touching.Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor did a great job.

[Christopher]

Shutter Island

Definitely lesser Scorsese.

Martin Scorsese in pastiche mode, kinda like Cape Fear.
Lacked his usual energy and humor.

Must've counted at least 100 Hitchcock references.

5/10

Cape Fear? The horror!

[Sylvie]

"Oceans", film by Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud ... I've just came back from theatre, totally "under the spell " of that film !

Amazing, beautiful : nearly two hours inside the oceans and seas, with fantastic animals, sharks, dolphins, fishes and so on ... and unforgettable whales ... Magical !!!

10/10 !!!

[AnecdotistOwl]

The brand new and first trailer for Edgar Wrights new film (coming in august I think) has just launched. It's called "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" which is based on a graphic novel series titled Scott Pilgrim. This is my most anticipated film for 2010 and I've made sure to read the graphic novel prior to the movie, the graphic novel is hilarious and the trailer looks really good!

[Chessie]

My best friend and I saw "How to Train Your Dragon" in 3D last night.  It was wayyyyyy too cute for words.   Just so adorable. 

[KC]

A Chessie sighting!

[Christopher]

Yeah, nice seeing you around, Chessie!

Glad to hear you liked How to Train Your Dragon. I may see that this coming weekend.

[Sylvie]

"Alice in Wonderland" (Alice au Pays des Merveilles, French title), Tim Burton 3D version.

I liked it very much, and found it a very entertaining film !
I like the way it was filmed,  beautiful costumes, good and funny actresses/actors (especially Johnny Depp ! ) and family and I had a very good evening at theatre, one week ago !