Movies you've just watched

[Ixmucane2]

You describe this fantastic satirical deconstruction of Batman, and I'm sure it is, but kids are starting out with just the satire and no exposure to the original story it's riffing on. It's like growing up on Animaniacs without seeing the original Looney Tunes.

In this case, the kids are going to:

• Ignore a lot of "strange" elements that are positively meant for grown-ups (homosexuality, work and lifestyle, social classes and politics...) or more innocently intended for, and expected by, experts of various sorts (references to literature, films and videogames, obscure characters and comic book trivia, etc.)
• Understand important parts of the parody and the details, likely wanting to learn more. For example, why the references to old age? Who are all those wacky villains? What's the link between becoming an orphan and becoming Batman?
• Appreciate aspects that adult audiences take a bit for granted, like spectacular and funny scenes, or are less interested in, like LEGO construction virtuosity and building or reenacting with actual bricks and minifigures what they see.

On the whole, children watching the LEGO Batman Movie are going to pick up entirely canonical ideas about Batman (at least, that Gotham is full of criminals and Batman and his friends beat the crap out of them), with parody hopefully introducing some large grain of salt in their taste for comics.
It is a much better situation than getting an inferior copy like Animaniacs instead of Looney Tunes, The Force Awakens instead of A New Hope, or Donald Trump instead of Ronald Reagan.

[boagman]

...an inferior copy like Animaniacs instead of Looney Tunes...

Blasphemy. I would think "Tiny Toons Adventures" might be a better comparison point if you want to talk about an inferior copy of Looney Tunes.

Animaniacs never tried to be a copy of LT, and it succeeded in being a truly great source of satire during its time.

[xxx1993]

Just saw John Wick: Chapter 2. Even better than the first, and I hope the third installment will be just as good or at least even better than the first two.

[kaicooper]

John Wick: Chapter 2

i never though this gonna Kickass at all..its soo bloody awesom
action flick (80's/early 90's style)..from start to finish nonstop action
and i mean great action not shitty..
cant wait for last chapter

[PC Engine Fan X!]

The first John Wick theatrical film release was meant to be a single entity unto itself but the creative team behind it decided that a proper sequel would be worth making with Keanu Reeves getting top billing as lead actor once again -- so thus we have the "John Wick 2: Chapter 2" film already out at the box office.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Frenetic]

Maybe it was the subject matter, but this really reminded me of Altman's Nashville. Sissy Spacek is amazing and a younger Tommy Lee Jones ain't no slouch, either.

[Skykid]

The first John Wick theatrical film release was meant to be a single entity unto itself but the creative team behind it decided that a proper sequel would be worth making with Keanu Reeves getting top billing as lead actor once again -- so thus we have the "John Wick 2: Chapter 2" film already out at the box office.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

Terrible news. If it's anything like the first then the world can enjoy yet another vapid, poorly executed, underwritten and irritatingly noisy load of drivel appended to the bloated film roster.

[EmperorIng]

Coal Miner's Daughter... now there's a great flick. I didn't think I'd get into a drama about a country singer. But Sissy Spacek's performance is quite emotionally intense!

===

Speaking of opposites, I went to the theater to see xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. My father had wanted a family outing to see something like Manchester by the Sea, but I suggested this movie as a joke. Much to my surprise it somehow snowballed into a family outing... to see a fucking Vin Diesel movie.

If you want to watch a movie to see how wonderfully stupid a movie can get, this is your film. I admit I love Vin Diesel. He can't act for shit. He can't say lines properly. He sits there with a dumb look on his face. But he's lovable nonetheless. Like a good-natured meathead.

This film is surprisingly good-natured as well. PG-13, lol. Only one f-bomb! It is stupid, one set of goofy stunts after another (skiing down a jungle mountain transitioning to some X-TREME skateboarding!). Characters introduced in a sloppy way (screen freeze for a dossier readout with dumb jokes like "CALL OF DUTY HANDLE: LADY_BONER"), and they all do not develop beyond there one-note personality: she's the lesbian that likes guns, he's the craaazy driver, he's the DJ that loves to party, etc. I think the pseudo-bad guys (among others, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa!!!) are supposed to be told apart by their hairstyles. At least Yen has more to do with this fucking script than Rogue One, l o l. "Act like a John Woo character" about sums it up. They all spend a little less than two hours chasing a literal MacGuffin before it ends with an action climax that's about 5-10 minutes a bit too long.

You know what, I hate to say this, but I was beside myself. I was sitting in a theater laughing at how mildly rebellious, how... PG-13 edgy, how stupidly pleasing it all was. I bet this is a similar feeling to watching one of the fun-yet-shitty Fast and Furious movies. It's a movie I was smiling and shaking my head to, as I congratulated myself for calling out plot points. This is a fun movie to go and laugh at with friends. It's so refreshingly... mild. Not dark, cynical, grimy, full of dead people, or edgy characters who hate the world. Xander and co. just want to look cool and party but the stiffs of the world try to put them down. So they fight back!

A funny note: this movie was co-produced by Vin Diesel, so my guess is that he felt the world needed another bout with Xander Cage and his universal message of "just be chill and party, and don't be an asshole." The other is that the movie's credits prominently point out at least two Chinese bankroll companies, so I bet you with Yen and Jaa, and the vague "USA military spy agency bad guys" this was particularly primed for an Asian audience. I suspect it will do well in China etc. It's certainly a more enjoyable film than any Transformer shit that float thanks to millions of Chinese eyes and ticket sales.

[boagman]

"John Wick: Chapter 2"

Enjoyed it all the way through. Better than the first in several ways. Skykid will hate it because, well...Skykid.

Lots o' phun.

[Skykid]

"John Wick: Chapter 2"

Enjoyed it all the way through. Better than the first in several ways. Skykid will hate it because, well...Skykid.

Surely the most overused pun on this forum by movie illiterate people. I'd hate it if it was shit, as the first was, I'd like it if it was good, which I doubt.

Either way I won't be finding out.

[kaicooper]

skykid dosnt like it..its fine his opinion

the best thing in John Wick..its like 80's neon action flick..amazing

[S_Fang]

I watched Religiolus, a very biased and not-quite-accurate documentary made by Bill Maher about how religions are a stupid people's matter.

Is nice as a comical movie about Maher shitting down of morons and scammers; but as a factual documentary about religions and their place in human civilization, is bad as those conspiration theories' videos form the internet.

[Satan]

What struck me about Maher's film is that it seemed to me at least to be a vehicle whose sole purpose was about attacking the outspoken orthodox Jew Rabbi Dovid Weiss regarding his anti-zionist/anti-Israel views, and an attempt at silencing him while poking fun at and diminishing Christian beliefs. There was a section about Judaism of course (for balance), but most Jews would agree with the ridiculousness of some its dumber aspects highlighted by Maher (no technology on Friday or Saturday and so on), so nothing hugely offensive to Jews. That aside, Bill Maher is a snide cunt and I hope he gets colon cancer.
Much like Sarah Silverman, he's a Zionist Jew masquerading as an Atheist, who only seems interested in diminishing the beliefs of non-Jews - the Goy.
On a personal note, I hate all religions equally and all religious people. Fuck the lot of them.
Climb in a volcano and go to god you irrational fucking spacker babies.
Your fear and stupidity has enslaved us all and you are holding us back.
Suck my fat uncircumcised Jesus cock, choke on it.

[boagman]

"John Wick: Chapter 2"

Enjoyed it all the way through. Better than the first in several ways. Skykid will hate it because, well...Skykid.

Surely the most overused pun on this forum by movie illiterate people. I'd hate it if it was shit, as the first was, I'd like it if it was good, which I doubt.

Either way I won't be finding out.

It's a legit statement. You hate/crap on 90% of (what seems like all, but we'll limit it to) Western releases, pretty much always. It seems to be a point of pride with you, and if you'd be willing to cop to it, that'd be fine. The statement is just sort of a tired response to your constant garbage-izing of things.

I'm hardly a person who is easily impressed, and I'm not calling JWC2 an Oscar-contender or anything, but it's a fun ride, and improves on its predecessor in several areas, especially (in my opinion) in terms of the music (and its heavy-handedness). Plus, I thought that the first one was good. Not great, but a solid, pretty fun ride.

Having said that, even when I'm not impressed, I can at least recognize that things can be...neutral, or moderate. I thought "Star Wars: Rogue One" wasn't anything *near* as good as what I'd heard about it, and that's probably not the movie's fault at all. When I was done, I walked out saying that "it was a movie" rather than "it was a load of crap", because I wasn't angry for having spent 2 hours of my life having watched it. It didn't do much for me, but it also didn't piss me off, either. I can differentiate and compartmentalize those things, whereas you appear to never do so. It's a bit of a skipping record with you, nearly always (there are are, admittedly, exceptions, but they are certainly few-and-far between).

[Zen]

"John Wick: Chapter 2"

Enjoyed it all the way through. Better than the first in several ways. Skykid will hate it because, well...Skykid.

Surely the most overused pun on this forum by movie illiterate people. I'd hate it if it was shit, as the first was, I'd like it if it was good, which I doubt.

Either way I won't be finding out.

It's a legit statement. You hate/crap on 90% of (what seems like all, but we'll limit it to) Western releases, pretty much always. It seems to be a point of pride with you, and if you'd be willing to cop to it, that'd be fine. The statement is just sort of a tired response to your constant garbage-izing of things.

I'm hardly a person who is easily impressed, and I'm not calling JWC2 an Oscar-contender or anything, but it's a fun ride, and improves on its predecessor in several areas, especially (in my opinion) in terms of the music (and its heavy-handedness). Plus, I thought that the first one was good. Not great, but a solid, pretty fun ride.

Having said that, even when I'm not impressed, I can at least recognize that things can be...neutral, or moderate. I thought "Star Wars: Rogue One" wasn't anything *near* as good as what I'd heard about it, and that's probably not the movie's fault at all. When I was done, I walked out saying that "it was a movie" rather than "it was a load of crap", because I wasn't angry for having spent 2 hours of my life having watched it. It didn't do much for me, but it also didn't piss me off, either. I can differentiate and compartmentalize those things, whereas you appear to never do so. It's a bit of a skipping record with you, nearly always (there are are, admittedly, exceptions, but they are certainly few-and-far between).

Hmm ...
Although I do see where your coming from, I think perhaps you take Skykid too literally. There are a number of posters here, that I believe I have sensed true venom from. Skykid is not one of them.
Sometimes the onslaught of movie dross can leave one so jaded that the only response is an almost involuntary snort or belch. It might not be pretty but it is understandable. Not meant as a defense, just an observation.
If guilty of anything, it is perhaps a charge of too much respect for cinema rather than too little.

p.s. I've just finished watching Doctor Strange (2016) . . . fucking hell! Don't even get me started

[neorichieb1971]

But Skykid is right most of the time. Its not his fault that a lot of you like drivel

But....

A few days ago I came across a review for John Wick 2 at bluray.com (http://www.blu-ray.com/John-Wick-Chapte ... 69/#Review) which threw me sideways. I generally respect the reviews of bluray.com and was surprised to see it get a very healthy 9/10 review score.

[Skykid]

In general most people seem to think John Wick 2 improves on the original, which to me doesn't sound like much of a feat at all. The original was touted as a throwback to a bygone era of action movies, an astute revenge thriller, a showcase of amazing gunfight choreography, and a smart storyline.

It had none of those. It was dumb as fuck, completely cliché while still managing to be surprisingly stupid, had zero tension outside the first 15 minutes, was hollow, weak, badly cast and had a paper thin storyline coupled with duff dialogue and a ton of ill-placed and overused metal muzac to try and make it all seem "edgy".

Nothing special. Why the rave reviews? Because people equal stupid. I'm not going to apologise for their errors, I simply feel justified in pointing them out.

Most people taken my film criticism the wrong way, either because they think I'm overdoing it on purpose or because I've hurt their feelings because they thought Man of Steel or Godzilla 2016 were "really fun and good".

There is a possibility that Wick 2 is a fun action movie and they've somehow managed to do something with the material and found a screenwriter/director to make it work. But I'm pessimistic and it's Hollywood's fault, because let's be honest folks, Hollywood today is the most egregious shitshow on the planet: they have almost completely lost the art of making a decent flick.

Also I never said Rogue One was "a load of crap" - thanks once again for demonstrating that you (the people?) don't read detailed criticism in forum post format but instead draw a summary of your own choosing and then use that as argument fodder. I suggest you go back and find out the reasons Rogue One failed in key areas.

[kaicooper]

u should never take John Wick movies serious at all
its just a great B action movie..thats all..a throwback to 80's/early 90's
just like THE GUEST did..

it did it right for Retro fans
and im sure u will watch Chapter 3 lol

======

Rouge One wasnt great at all
but it was much much better then shitty Prequals and Episode VI

[Xyga]

But Skykid is right most of the time. Its not his fault that a lot of you like drivel

True he's right most of the time, but what he shares with us is that he wastes too much of it watching poor movies.

Problem with movies critics is like games, books and lots of other material, if you learn how it's done you can become a decent scholar and tell people about the value of X or Y, but your taste and other people's are involved in any case and will hardly change.
Most movie critics on the internet are either dirty copycats, or people with decent skills but almost inevitably serving you their personal flavour of film appreciation.
Unfortunately that makes a lot of readers turn away and skip on movies. Ok we don't have all life to watch everything also.

[Skykid]

I don't think taste has a huge part to play in film recognition and appraisal. You might not like Hendrix, but if you think he can't play the guitar because it's not to your taste you qualify as human waste.

u should never take John Wick movies serious at all
its just a great B action movie..thats all..a throwback to 80's/early 90's

You're insulting the movies I grew up on there. How was John Wick at all a reasonable tribute to the action movies of the 80s. It was a sloppy, pale imitation at best. Quickly made for a quick buck, like most of everything else.

The only thing I take seriously is the quality of the filmmaking. It can be stupid as it likes, it just needs to be good.

it did it right for Retro fans

If retro fans are 00s kids who think that's what "retro" looks like. Similar to how Michael Bay did Transformers.

Rouge One wasnt great at all
but it was much much better then shitty Prequals and Episode IV

Jesus wept. You thought Rogue One was better than A New Hope?

Pretty impressive for a completely characterless movie.

[Xyga]

I don't think taste has a huge part to play in film recognition and appraisal. You might not like Hendrix, but if you think he can't play the guitar because it's not to your taste you qualify as human waste.

It does. Immensely. You can't fully appreciate and judge something you have no sensibility for, just as much as you can't be fully objective if you're passionate about it to begin. In the first case your review can be technically competent but that's as far as you'll go, missing huge chunks of what speaks to the others, in the second your love will create bias overlooking the flaws or making excuses for them.

[Skykid]

I don't think taste has a huge part to play in film recognition and appraisal. You might not like Hendrix, but if you think he can't play the guitar because it's not to your taste you qualify as human waste.

It does. Immensely. You can't fully appreciate and judge something you have no sensibility for, just as much as you can't be fully objective if you're passionate about it to begin. In the first case your review can be technically competent but that's as far as you'll go, missing huge chunks of what speaks to the others, in the second your love will create bias overlooking the flaws or making excuses for them.

Depends on the subject matter. I would never elect to review a turn based strategy game because they're genuinely not to my taste. Movies are a little different in that being well made, poorly made, or complex in where they went right or wrong is an overarching thing, regardless of genre. For example, movies about American Football are absolutely not to my taste, but I'd still be able to tell if it was a really good movie or not.

[Xyga]

That's the competence part you're taking about, I insist there is no 100% 'scientific' method to judge art whatever the category if you lack the required organs/senses the work is aimed at. Just as much as there's no 100% empirical method either.
Your football movie can be a total turd as a film, but a masterpiece for football lovers, and you wouldn't know about that. that doesn't make you immensely more competent than them to judge the movie.
The only thing that compensates is specialization, but it's a double-edged judgement sword because as much as it provides better quality reviews, it also creates niche hermeticism.

[Skykid]

That's the competence part you're taking about, I insist there is no 100% 'scientific' method to judge art whatever the category if you lack the required organs/senses the work is aimed at.

No, if it was scientific it wouldn't be artistic. But there are definitely components of movie making where you can assess how well they've been executed over a wide variety of styles and approaches.

Your football movie can be a total turd as a film, but a masterpiece for football lovers, and you wouldn't know about that.

See, this is where I disagree. It's a masterpiece for football lovers because they love football? Fair enough, but if the movie is a bag of shit it's still a bag of shit. It's only changed its spots based on the opinions of people who don't have a clue what they're looking at. Like Nicolas Cage fans, for example.

That doesn't make you immensely more competent than them to judge the movie.
The only thing that compensates is specialization, but it's a double-edged judgement sword because as much as it provides better quality reviews, it also creates niche hermeticism.

Being better informed about a thing definitely makes you more competent to judge a thing. Genre fans have a right to niche hermeticism, critics don't. Taste really only goes so far, and then the argument will come down to education.

[Xyga]

Well I think you're really, really wrong.

[kaicooper]

You're insulting the movies I grew up on there. How was John Wick at all a reasonable tribute to the action movies of the 80s. It was a sloppy, pale imitation at best. Quickly made for a quick buck, like most of everything else.

quick buck was the BIG reasons for lame B movies back in that time too..John Wick is a B movie and its great as it is
much better then shitty B movies this generation

If retro fans are 00s kids who think that's what "retro" looks like. Similar to how Michael Bay did Transformers.

so skykid talking about kids ..Transformers not a B movie btw..try harder SKYKID

Jesus wept. You thought Rogue One was better than A New Hope?

Pretty impressive for a completely characterless movie.

oh shit i ment VI not VI ..my mistake

[kaicooper]

just watched 2 movies

The Signal 2014

this movie..Pure Lesson for filmmakers "how to ruin a movie"
first ACT was great..it had potential to be great movie..
2nd ACT i was like ok lets c what will hppn and then judge later
3rd ACT is HOWLY SHIT..WTF is this ..such a lame..
and yea btw..good movie for Sonic fans

4.5/10

======

Clue 1986

hmm..a movie based on Board Game? lets forget the game
movie is Comedy/Mestrey/Crime..i'll be honest..first act had some funny
cheap lough lol..but they r trying hard to make you lough by doing silly stuff..it dosnt
work like that..its like they've been forced to act funny by any means but fails..
there's some good lough yea..i was gonna Stop the movie in the middle but then
it was getting better..last act was good ..i do like it but not that great..its not
helarious but fun..

6.9/10

[GaijinPunch]

You're insulting the movies I grew up on there. How was John Wick at all a reasonable tribute to the action movies of the 80s. It was a sloppy, pale imitation at best. Quickly made for a quick buck, like most of everything else.

Just to play devil's advocate: where is the evidence behind the "quickly made" comment? What's this in relation to? Zero horses in this race. Never saw either John Wick, and I'm probably on your side about half the time, the other side half the time.

[Zen]

Pet (2016) - Carles Torrens
Bit of a difficult one to rate. Most will see it as another in the "captive" genre, of horror film. As such it is perhaps above average. Solid performances by to two leads.
However, this would be altogether to miss the nasty, black heart of the tale. The key to this story is

Spoiler

Lexxi, the beautiful German Shepherd briefly featured at the beginning.

My guess would be that many those savvy enough to "get" it, will be very uncomfortable with what is being said about "love", "loneliness" and "being whole" and dismiss the film.
Kinda reminds me of the brain-fart that even the smart viewers of The Babadook (2014) - Jennifer Kent, suffered from.
Its not love that makes the world go around, my friends. It's denial.

[kaicooper]

guys

could u list me some awesome movies similar to TOTAL RECALL 1990
similar atmosphere/cheezy/fun on other planet Mars/etc