Movies you've just watched

[lilmanjs]

The Wind Rises
I wasn't sure what to expect from this, and I was pleasantly surprised. A movie about an airplane designer that was much more than that. Sure it got sad towards the end, but I liked the dream sequences a lot, and the sound design was creative. I think only a couple of times in the movie were there actual airplane noises. Most stuff including the earthquake early in the morning sounds like it was done with voices instead of actually making sounds. Creative movie and I enjoyed it.

[Vexorg]

Pan: *1/2

We originally went to see The Martian (which I didn't really want to see to be honest,) but it sold out by the time we got there so we ended up seeing this instead. This film seems to be on trajectory for a box office bomb, and with good reason. A largely superfluous made-up origin tale for the character of Peter Pan goes from World War 2 England to bad covers of Nirvana and Ramones songs within about five minutes, and from there most of the movie is basically Hugh Jackman chewing the scenery as the villain until he gets brought down by an entirely predictable conclusion and a hail of bad special effects. We'll probably Redbox it at some point just to snark at it some more.

I've got to give some props to the theater though. They recently converted all 8 auditoriums to nice big recliner seats, which makes even bad movies a lot more tolerable. I have a limited attention span for a lot of movies, mostly because I find most theater seating really uncomfortable. This, on the other hand, I could get used to.

A View to a Kill:: **1/2

Another movie picked at random out of the big 007 box set. The last of the Roger Moore James Bond films and the lowest rated (on Rotten Tomatoes at least) of the Eon produced ones, the villian and plot are pretty ridiculous even by James Bond standards (basically, Christopher Walken wants to destroy Silicon Valley by causing a big earthquake to gain a monopoly on the computer chip market). There are a couple of campy action setpieces that are reasonably entertaining, but for the most part the movie drags on a bit, and runs about 20 minutes too long. Also, the intro is just about the most 80s thing ever.

[Leandro]

Just watched the Rurouni Kenshin live action movie.

Overall I liked a lot. Kenshin's actor surprised me, I think he embodied th character very well. Action was good, not overdone.
Only Kaoru irritated me on the final fight scene.

[Strider77]

Into The Grizzly Maze (2015) Trashier and far superior to Back Country, ditching all pretense of naturalistic horror in favour of straight-up JAWS WITH PAWS bearsploitation. This particular furry friend is one mean nasty fucker, sporting Freddy's ubiquity and Jason's unstoppable savagery. After a lukewarm start with some shit about bros 4 life, it settles into a predictable but perfectly entertaining rhythm of beary peril. Billy Bob Thornton absolutely excellent, Thomas Jane not bad either! Fun trash. AKA: RED MACHINE (fuuuck that's a badass title)

I watched this because of your post BIL... I knew what I was getting into and it was a free watch.

[BIL]

Hope you liked it, or at least didn't hate me for it.

Last Shift (2014) Rookie policewoman on the graveyard shift at newly-defunct station encounters horrifying occult shit! Oh hell naw.

Decent minor horror in the ghost house tradition. Emphasises fearful isolation and fading sanity quite well; the station is imbued with a thrumming malevolence, while some memorably intense shades of nightmare bleed into our plucky rookie's headspace. The plot is nothing special (amusing reference to "wannabe Manson family" from a co-star) and the denouement is positively fossilised, but it's all done with appropriately jarring, bloody verve. Not bad.

Working title was apparently the far more amusing "PAYMON, THE KING OF HELL."

[Vexorg]

Jurassic World: ***

How the heck did InGen ever get approval to do anything with Isla Nublar besides nuke it from orbit after what happened in the last three movies, much less build another giant theme park?

[boagman]

Jurassic World: ***

If you don't mind my asking, three stars out of how many?

[Vexorg]

Jurassic World: ***

If you don't mind my asking, three stars out of how many?

Out of five, although in practice very little gets beyond four stars in my grading system (but then again, I'm a bit jaded about a lot of this. I'm definitely not a movie person, but end up watching a lot of them because my wife and her sister are movie junkies.) 3 stars would be slightly above average.

[boagman]

Jurassic World: ***

If you don't mind my asking, three stars out of how many?

Out of five, although in practice very little gets beyond four stars in my grading system (but then again, I'm a bit jaded about a lot of this.) 3 stars would be slightly above average.

Thanks for clarifying.

[BIL]

Jurassic World: ***

How the heck did InGen ever get approval to do anything with Isla Nublar besides nuke it from orbit after what happened in the last three movies, much less build another giant theme park?

It's not the sort of movie I can muster disdain for* but I did find the blaring "WONDERFUL DINO THEME PARK" scenes a bit risible. Sweeping orchestra-backed scenes of teeming crowds, joyous families marveling at the park, and *record screeches to halt* this is a direct sequel with many nods to past disasters. So maybe cast a little of their shadow on proceedings? Contrast the wondrous facade with the amoral corporate core? Nope. It is BIG SURPRISE questionable practices are in place, again, eventually leading to tragedy! Again!

A bloodless, dickless tragedy at that. I kinda would like to see this basic plotline done with the same budget and less sentimentality. I mean a total balls-out dinosaur massacre and driving of the technology underground, possibly leading to apocalyptic funnin's down the road. A bit like Dr. Frankenstein was wary of causing by letting his creation sire his own species. I'm no gorehound but I will notice a total lack of blood and dick.

*As Xyga said, it's a children's movie. Like Terminator Salvation. \o_o/

[Xyga]

Had another run of Zodiac, many years later, because I didn't remember the movie very well, no great memories of it.

Why ?

Spoiler

I better understand why now; even though it's a well-done film, the focus is really on those guys who ruined their lives trying to identify the killer, the murder cases and the killer are only secondary and this is what makes it rather long~ish and boring.

[Ixmucane2]

Hotel Transylvania 2

Somewhat fun at times (particularly the satirical scenes at the vampire camp), but blighted by silly product placement, by Adam Sandler, and by horribly shallow characters in a dishonest plot.

[kaicooper]

Spritied Away 2001..Extreamly Overrated
The Martian..very good..could be better last act
Lady Vengeance..awesom korean crime movie
Termiantor Genesys..Worst movie ever made

[lilmanjs]

Spritied Away 2001..Extreamly Overrated
The Martian..very good..could be better last act
Lady Vengeance..awesom korean crime movie
Termiantor Genesys..Worst movie ever made

Ok, Lady Vengeance is a decent movie, but really, Spirited Away being Extremely overrated? How is that possible? I'd love to know why you think this.

[Skykid]

Terminator Genisys isn't the worst movie ever made. That's ridiculous.

[boagman]

Terminator Genisys isn't the worst movie ever made. That's ridiculous.

Yes, because of course there's Alien 3.

Say Skykid, in all seriousness, there have to be some movies that are a guilty pleasure for you, i.e. ones that you know are pretty lousy movies, but you can't help but like/love them anyways. I'd find a few of your guilty pleasure movies somewhat interesting, I think. I mean, who knows? Maybe you're the one who liked "Ghost Dad" or something. Seriously.

I'll start: I really like "Weekend At Bernie's". I doubt that requires much explanation.

[Skykid]

I love Weekend at Bernie's. If you're using that as a yardstick, then I must have guilty pleasures coming out of my ass - no homoeroticism intended - because isn't a 'guilty pleasure' a movie/product that's utterly dire that you enjoy precisely because of its awfulness? If so, Weekend at Bernie's can't possibly fit the mould because it's a great caper flick, with acting all on form (Andrew McCarthy still arguably the best thing to come out of the Brat Pack), is genuinely amusing, and for what it is, competently made.

A guilty pleasure would be something like Miami Connection.

Terminator Genisys isn't the worst movie ever made. That's ridiculous.

Yes, because of course there's Alien 3.

It doesn't make your critical rep look very good to keep repeating falsehoods, even in jest. Of course Alien 3 is superior to Genisys - it has artistic merit in many of its components - but I've seen Genisys and it was surprisingly no way near as shit as I expected. It was a no-brainer with a lousy ending and totally the wrong placement of schmaltz, but it turned out to be what I can only describe as a big budget fan edit/timeline intervention with a hopelessly confusing plot, yet just enough tribute and clever reworking of existing Terminator material to make the older generation crack a smile or two. That it sort of ruined the franchise didn't really matter because it just steamrollered through endless set-pieces with Grandad Arnie along for the ride.

I've definitely seen worse, and less faithful, in the reboot category, in spite of being complete nonsense I'd never watch again.

[Kaiser]

It doesn't make your critical rep look very good to keep repeating falsehoods, even in jest. Of course Alien 3 is superior to Genisys - it has artistic merit in many of its components - but I've seen Genisys and it was surprisingly no way near as shit as I expected. It was a no-brainer with a lousy ending and totally the wrong placement of schmaltz, but it turned out to be what I can only describe as a big budget fan edit/timeline intervention with a hopelessly confusing plot, yet just enough tribute and clever reworking of existing Terminator material to make the older generation crack a smile or two. That it sort of ruined the franchise didn't really matter because it just steamrollered through endless set-pieces with Grandad Arnie along for the ride.

I've definitely seen worse, and less faithful, in the reboot category, in spite of being complete nonsense I'd never watch again.

Incidentally I watched Genisys today and that's how EXACTLY I felt about it! It's not the worst thing ever, it does have SERIOUS problems primarly the plot, confusion is least of the plot problems, also massive plotholes and clearly high school level written dialogue. But overall I had fun, but I cannot say it was a good movie, it was a generic action flick mixed with time travel and Arnie's wisecrack antics slapped in. When it ended I was like "Thank fuck it's over we don't need anymore Terminator movies!"

[Some-Mist]

I'll start: I really like "Weekend At Bernie's". I doubt that requires much explanation.

wedding singer
take me home tonight
little nicky (I don't really like this one all that much... but the intro with jon lovitz is the absolute best)
adventureland

[boagman]

It doesn't make your critical rep look very good to keep repeating falsehoods, even in jest. Of course Alien 3 is superior to Genisys - it has artistic merit in many of its components - but I've seen Genisys and it was surprisingly no way near as shit as I expected. It was a no-brainer with a lousy ending and totally the wrong placement of schmaltz, but it turned out to be what I can only describe as a big budget fan edit/timeline intervention with a hopelessly confusing plot, yet just enough tribute and clever reworking of existing Terminator material to make the older generation crack a smile or two. That it sort of ruined the franchise didn't really matter because it just steamrollered through endless set-pieces with Grandad Arnie along for the ride.

I've definitely seen worse, and less faithful, in the reboot category, in spite of being complete nonsense I'd never watch again.

Dude, you're reading too much into it. Take the joke. Chuckle.

[boagman]

I'll start: I really like "Weekend At Bernie's". I doubt that requires much explanation.

wedding singer

Now, see? There's a good example, right there. Or "Waterboy". Terrible movie that still makes me laugh, so I enjoy it.

I will *not* allow anyone to classify "Happy Gilmore" in that category, though...that movie is just stinking brilliant, even with its flaws.

[kaicooper]

I've definitely seen worse, and less faithful, in the reboot category, in spite of being complete nonsense I'd never watch again.

Incidentally I watched Genisys today and that's how EXACTLY I felt about it! It's not the worst thing ever, it does have SERIOUS problems primarly the plot, confusion is least of the plot problems, also massive plotholes and clearly high school level written dialogue. But overall I had fun, but I cannot say it was a good movie, it was a generic action flick mixed with time travel and Arnie's wisecrack antics slapped in. When it ended I was like "Thank fuck it's over we don't need anymore Terminator movies!"

im happy Arnold got back to the rule but this movie just PURE SHIT
they r just using TV SHOWS popular actors to show off for CASH
pure shit

[Skykid]

im happy Arnold got back to the rule but this movie just PURE SHIT
they r just using TV SHOWS popular actors to show off for CASH
pure shit

I don't know what you're talking about. It was perfectly acceptable and occasionally pleasantly surprising trash.

[Xyga]

I haven't watched any of the original Romero zombie movies in bloody ages.
Yup, only vague kid memories of dirty VHS.

SO seeing how people are around me I though it's a good time to re-educate me brains, you know, before it really begins. *braaaaaanes*
And fucking google (I hate the internet sometimes) tells me there were like a hundred different cuts, edits, consorship and all whatever...of Dawn of the Dead.
I NEVER KNEW of course.
Good. Now I have to ask what seems to be a fundamental existentital question for the still-living movie amateur;

Romero-cut or Argento-cut !? Which is best ? Is it worth watching both or is there a risk that I'll inevitably find the second in line boring/stupid ? (no particular order)

Note I'm only asking about the 'two original' cuts, leaving aside the eventual censored/localized versions or so-called director's and international cuts.

[Acid King]

Romero-cut or Argento-cut !? Which is best ? Is it worth watching both or is there a risk that I'll inevitably find the second in line boring/stupid ? (no particular order)

Note I'm only asking about the 'two original' cuts, leaving aside the eventual censored/localized versions or so-called director's and international cuts.

It's worth watching both. I'd suggest watching Romero's version, then Argento's. Personally, I like the Euro cut more. It's shorter by about ten minutes and the pacing feels better. He cuts out some comedic elements and little moments with the characters so it's darker overall. Plus he uses more Goblin in the soundtrack, which is always a good thing.

[kaicooper]

im happy Arnold got back to the rule but this movie just PURE SHIT
they r just using TV SHOWS popular actors to show off for CASH
pure shit

I don't know what you're talking about. It was perfectly acceptable and occasionally pleasantly surprising trash.

they did good job with Arnold but the movie EPIC FAIL..worst ever

[kaicooper]

today i watched
The Machistek Man 2003..simply amazing
Nicolas Cage acting = super in this movie

[Xyga]

It's worth watching both. I'd suggest watching Romero's version, then Argento's. Personally, I like the Euro cut more. It's shorter by about ten minutes and the pacing feels better. He cuts out some comedic elements and little moments with the characters so it's darker overall. Plus he uses more Goblin in the soundtrack, which is always a good thing.

Thanks for the advice, I'll do that.

Still one choice to make regarding the 'Romero': I just spoke to my neighbor and he happens to have the 'extended cut' (139mn shown at Cannes festival and later released on LD as a director's cut apparently)

Is it a Good or bad idea to to watch it first in place of the 'normal' 127mn theatrical Romero-cut ?
From what I've read it's not just the lenght, both cuts have their own exclusive scenes.

[Acid King]

I don't know if I'd say it's good or bad, but for what it's worth, Romero prefers the original US theatrical cut to the directors cut and he edited both versions.

[Vexorg]

Tomorrowland: **1/2

Not sure what to make of this. It seems like people either loved this one or it just didn't register with them. On one hand, as a Disneyland junkie (Annual passholder since 2011) it was cool to see Its a Small World used (and transformed to look like it's 1962 World's Fair version) as a set piece in the movie. On the other hand, the actual Tomorrowland itself gets all of about 20 minutes of screen time in a 2 hour movie, and the rest is fairly generic filler drama. Add a vaguely defined but generically preachy moral on top of all that, and the end result just doesn't quite come together.