Movies you've just watched

[Mischief Maker]

Jaime Kennedy's documentary "Heckler"

It's actually 2 movies inexpertly grafted together. The first part is a clumsy documentary about people who interrupt live comedy shows and how good comedians handle them, or fail to.

The second half is basically "Best Worst Movie" if instead of hunky lovable dentist George Hardy learning about the cult following his crappy movie Troll 2 generated, then deciding to join in the fun making fun of his performance at Troll 2 conventions, you instead had scrawny whiny comedian Jaime Kennedy obsessively reading every single negative review "Son of the Mask" ever garnered on the internet, trying and failing to guilt trip random movie critics, commiserating with Paris Hilton over how persecuted they were, then trying to claim some kind of personal victory when Uwe Boll beats up Lowtax.

If you're an internet troll, this movie is a valentine from Heaven. It's on Netflix Instant at the moment.

[lilmanjs]

The City of Violence. hadn't watch it in months and still love it. good score and a story that can be believed. also, scene transitions work well. no fade to black save for the end credits

[Ed Oscuro]

It's also got a seriously great opening scene.

Except for the "OH MY GOD THIS TINY PIECE OF METAL IS BREAKING LET'S FOCUS ON IT REPEATEDLY" gimmick which was kind of silly, but probably unavoidable. If you watch the credits, you'll see this disclaimer:

"The Black Diamond harness used in this motion picture was altered in order to create the accident depicted."

A few other interesting things:

Much of the film was shot in Italy, and there's a "Local labor relations" credit.

One of the "best sport climbers in history," Wolfgang Güllich, doubled for Stallone on much of the climbing, but was uncredited. It's especially strange because he died in a car accident the year before the film's release, days after the completing of filming; Cliffhanger is dedicated to the memories of Wolfgang and Fadl Kassar (another actor).

Predecessor film ideas included the John Candy comedy Carolco Pictures originally signed Stallone to do (about feuding neighbors), and Gale Force, which would have been "Die Hard-in-a-hurricane" but rejected because of the visual effects required (sounds a bit similar to that Nick Cage film set in New Orleans, actually...). I think we dodged a couple bullets there.

"Carolco had been teetering on the brink of bankruptcy for years," and this is one of their last releases, two years before 1995's "Cutthroat Island" - also directed by Renny Harlin - bankrupted Carolco Pictures.

There's an Intrada two-disc soundtrack release with some unreleased tracks, from last year. The music is similar to Trevor Jones' score for The Last of the Mohicans.

"Now available:
Cliffhanger video games from Sony Imagesoft for all Nintendo and Sega Systems." How many had to die for the sake of the line "for all Nintendo and Sega systems?"

[Skykid]

"Carolco had been teetering on the brink of bankruptcy for years," and this is one of their last releases, two years before 1995's "Cutthroat Island" - also directed by Renny Harlin - bankrupted Carolco Pictures.

You know, that Cutthroat Island is hardly the worst film ever. Apparently Carolco was on the rocks anyway and much of its failure is attributable to the studio's non-existent marketing. It was on TV the other day and I caught 20 minutes and it looked like good, simple, no-brainer fun. High adventure and all that, something kids would enjoy.

Seemed to have more about it than Pirates of The Caribbean anyway, now that was a shit pirate movie.

[njiska]

So I just sat down to watch Starship Troopers for the first time in nearly a decade and boy was I surprised. I remembered it being a movie I thought was alright, but tonight I found a whole new level of appreciation for it. As a work of sci-fi it's alright, but as a social satire it's just fantastic, just as Verhoven's earlier Robocop was.

[CMoon]

Just watched the majority of season one of Legend of Korra on Nick.com (last two episodes aren't up yet.) OK, I know the rest of you need to posture about your serious movie going tastes, but I'm 40 in another week and don't give a shit anymore. Korra is a great follow-up to Avatar: The Last Airbender (which I loved, and if you have a different opinion, fuck you--oh yeah, not the shama-lamba live action bullshit) that leaves me both wanting some stuff from the old series, but in awe of all the great things they've done in the new series. The best thing here is by far their attention to character. By choosing to make Korra almost the opposite of Ang, we are left with a rash, head-strong, and sometimes almost dull-witted main character (at least, compared to Ang.) Easily baited into doing stupid shit, it takes some genuine violations of human decency to transform her from being an overpowered tom-boy into actually understanding the responsibility of being the avatar. In fact, I'm glad they're working with more than one season here because I feel it's taken a lot of work to put some sheen to her rough character. Still, anyone else would have jumped the shark here, but the writers/creators of Avatar seem to be at their best when it comes to crafting and working with characters.

That said, the story and animation are also top notch. The story in particular is rather different than its parent series, and may be pissing some fans off, but it is more mature in a lot of ways--understanding that the target audience of the original series is now older. They don't want talking owls, they want chicks with whips riding motorcycles. Korra delivers here.

Ultimately I'm not as captivated by the overall story as I was by Last Airbender, but Korra is not a finished work, and whether or not it reaches the heights of the original series is left to be seen.

[xbl0x180]

Just watched the majority of season one of Legend of Korra on Nick.com (last two episodes aren't up yet.) OK, I know the rest of you need to posture about your serious movie going tastes, but I'm 40 in another week and don't give a shit anymore. Korra is a great follow-up to Avatar: The Last Airbender (which I loved, and if you have a different opinion, fuck you--oh yeah, not the shama-lamba live action bullshit) that leaves me both wanting some stuff from the old series, but in awe of all the great things they've done in the new series. The best thing here is by far their attention to character. By choosing to make Korra almost the opposite of Ang, we are left with a rash, head-strong, and sometimes almost dull-witted main character (at least, compared to Ang.) Easily baited into doing stupid shit, it takes some genuine violations of human decency to transform her from being an overpowered tom-boy into actually understanding the responsibility of being the avatar. In fact, I'm glad they're working with more than one season here because I feel it's taken a lot of work to put some sheen to her rough character. Still, anyone else would have jumped the shark here, but the writers/creators of Avatar seem to be at their best when it comes to crafting and working with characters.

That said, the story and animation are also top notch. The story in particular is rather different than its parent series, and may be pissing some fans off, but it is more mature in a lot of ways--understanding that the target audience of the original series is now older. They don't want talking owls, they want chicks with whips riding motorcycles. Korra delivers here.

Ultimately I'm not as captivated by the overall story as I was by Last Airbender, but Korra is not a finished work, and whether or not it reaches the heights of the original series is left to be seen.

Korra is one of the best television shows out there

[Skykid]

WARNING

Do not watch Cosmopolis! >.<

I did something stupid and decided to catch a movie on the spur of the moment. Since it was Cronenberg I considered this a low risk pursuit. Wrong.

I left the theatre and got a voucher for another film. They're showing Total Recall (original) on the 10th July, so I'm down for that.

Cosmopolis is unbelievably awful. Unwatchable. I sat there giving it everything I had, but found myself stupefied by its vacuous, pretentious waffling. I couldn't even wait it out on the promise of some tits and ass.

Robert Pattinson is officially the poorest young actor of his generation. Worse than Orlando Bloom. Can't say a single line convincingly, he's cripplingly poor. He's not even an actor, shit, his name and the term are like oil and water. Offensively bad. Annoys me he's being paid.

I have no idea what Cronenberg was thinking. Don't watch this movie, you've been warned.

EDIT: Just found out the original lead was meant to be played by Colin Farrell. I can't begin to explain how much of an improvement that would have been, even if the film is a bit like drowning in an hour and a half of meaningless piffle.

[null1024]

Just watched the majority of season one of Legend of Korra on Nick.com (last two episodes aren't up yet.) OK, I know the rest of you need to posture about your serious movie going tastes, but I'm 40 in another week and don't give a shit anymore. Korra is a great follow-up to Avatar: The Last Airbender (which I loved, and if you have a different opinion, fuck you--oh yeah, not the shama-lamba live action bullshit) that leaves me both wanting some stuff from the old series, but in awe of all the great things they've done in the new series. The best thing here is by far their attention to character. By choosing to make Korra almost the opposite of Ang, we are left with a rash, head-strong, and sometimes almost dull-witted main character (at least, compared to Ang.) Easily baited into doing stupid shit, it takes some genuine violations of human decency to transform her from being an overpowered tom-boy into actually understanding the responsibility of being the avatar. In fact, I'm glad they're working with more than one season here because I feel it's taken a lot of work to put some sheen to her rough character. Still, anyone else would have jumped the shark here, but the writers/creators of Avatar seem to be at their best when it comes to crafting and working with characters.

That said, the story and animation are also top notch. The story in particular is rather different than its parent series, and may be pissing some fans off, but it is more mature in a lot of ways--understanding that the target audience of the original series is now older. They don't want talking owls, they want chicks with whips riding motorcycles. Korra delivers here.

Ultimately I'm not as captivated by the overall story as I was by Last Airbender, but Korra is not a finished work, and whether or not it reaches the heights of the original series is left to be seen.

Korra is one of the best television shows out there

Hands down. It's the only reason I've even looked at a TV for anything other than playing video games on in recent memory.

[Daigohji]

The Grey. Good movie, well shot, atmospheric, but damn am I pissed off at the marketing assholes who cut the trailers.

Spoiler

I hate it when trailers show material from the third act, but I've never seen one that literally shows the final shots of the movie. The action scene that the trailer sets up as its money shot never happens in the film; it cuts to the credits just before.

It's been marketed as a survival action adventure, but The Grey is ultimately a more sombre film about how different people face death. Prised free of its unforgivably misleading marketing bullshit and viewed in isolation, it's a strong movie and worth seeing, but those expecting to see Liam Neeson fighting wolves with a broken bottle knuckle-duster may come away seething.

[shmuppyLove]

Robert Pattinson is officially the poorest young actor of his generation.

He also stole Cho from Harry. But in the end, Voldemort unceremoniously offed him. Karma's a bitch.

[null1024]

The Grey. Good movie, well shot, atmospheric, but damn am I pissed off at the marketing assholes who cut the trailers.

Spoiler

I hate it when trailers show material from the third act, but I've never seen one that literally shows the final shots of the movie. The action scene that the trailer sets up as its money shot never happens in the film; it cuts to the credits just before.

It's been marketed as a survival action adventure, but The Grey is ultimately a more sombre film about how different people face death. Prised free of its unforgivably misleading marketing bullshit and viewed in isolation, it's a strong movie and worth seeing, but those expecting to see Liam Neeson fighting wolves with a broken bottle knuckle-duster may come away seething.

This this this this this. Just saw it too, was a very different movie than I expected. Still pretty good. Watched it with my dad, who was pretty disappointed that it didn't match what the trailer promised. And that cut-short ending, gaaaah.

Also, if I took a shot every time someone said fuck, I'd need a new liver.

[drauch]

Punisher: War Zone. So awesome. So brutal. So the punisher. I'm surprised they got away with a lot of the stuff, really.

[neorichieb1971]

Has anyone seen God Bless America yet?

[CMoon]

LOL, Troll Hunter.

[lilmanjs]

LOL, Troll Hunter.

that is one crazy movie! though I quite liked it as I got further into that movie.

[mesh control]

WHY THE FUCK HAVE I NEVER WATCHED FIRST BLOOD?!

[drauch]

You've never seen it! Blasphemy! No hard liquor until you marathon all 4 while curling dumbbells.

[mesh control]

I will curl glasses of scotch. my puny arms cannot handle this marathon.

[xbl0x180]

I remember back in the old country not being able to watch Rambo because it was rated for 15 and up, so when it premiered on the tellie, it was a big event in the neighborhood. Kids gathered around and watch the total awersomeness that was First Blood - and it did not disappoint. When we moved to the U.S., the first two movies we rented were Rambo III and Predator. MANLY movies

[mesh control]

Predator. MANLY movies

NEXT UP ON MY LIST UNLESS I PASS OUT FOLLOWED BY ALIEN

LOL RAMBO PREVIEW WITH DROWNING POOL. CAPSLOCK ALLNIGHT

I HAVE A BOTTLE OF SCOTCH TO DOWN

[chempop]

I enjoyed The Grey a whole lot. There is one last shot after the credits, but it doesn't really mean much.

Just saw The Artist, not realizing it was actualy going to be a silent film took me off guard a little, but I immediately got sucked in. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but it was one of the most entertaining movie I've seen in a while... For me anyway.

I want to see Marwencol. My aunt told me about it so I watched a preview, looks rediculously intense. Definitely not for the weak stomach, a documentary about a war vet who recreates his experience with ultra realistic toys as a therapeutic means to cope with his trauma. Mind boggling stuff right there.

[powersoul]

The Dictator. I dont care what others are saying, i thoroughly enjoyed that movie.

[spadgy]

Air hockey documentary The Way of the Puck. Not the greatest documentary (a bit lacking in drama, narrative and even much info), but an insight into a wonderful scene, and with some great characters; there's more than a touch of King of Kong about it!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Checked out the flick called "The Skin I Live In" not knowing what to expect from it, it lulls the audience into thinking the current situation that unfolds at hand is what it is but delving into the second half, it gets quite crazy with the secret of "the cat let out of the bag" as to how it all really began. WTF?! The ol' bait 'n' switch plot device is employed to great effect. This TSILI flick has an interesting slight sci-fi premise but it's more of a drama oriented film with a bone-jarring twist, especially towards the end that one can expect to see coming.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Skykid]

Has anyone seen God Bless America yet?

Watched it last night.

It's watchable but not great. He's good, the lead, she's not so good, the supporting.

Fantasy aside, It starts with some integrity, but loses its impact by the end. I agree with most of the stuff they pick at but the retribution just becomes sensationalist rather than topical. It's just one long monologue about irritating shit, a bit like the movie adaption of this thread.

Not as good as it could have been, but I enjoyed it though.

[Ed Oscuro]

"Carolco had been teetering on the brink of bankruptcy for years," and this is one of their last releases, two years before 1995's "Cutthroat Island" - also directed by Renny Harlin - bankrupted Carolco Pictures.

You know, that Cutthroat Island is hardly the worst film ever. Apparently Carolco was on the rocks anyway and much of its failure is attributable to the studio's non-existent marketing. It was on TV the other day and I caught 20 minutes and it looked like good, simple, no-brainer fun. High adventure and all that, something kids would enjoy.

Seemed to have more about it than Pirates of The Caribbean anyway, now that was a shit pirate movie.

I was watching the Cutthroat Island bonuses - great B-Roll footage in there, and reading other stuff. In one of the articles Renny Harlin defends himself against charges that the production was extravagant (somebody accused them of making the shoelaces by hand for accuracy, although Harlin disputes this level of detail as well) by mentioning that they had already funded before the bankruptcy proceedings and so they were obligated to go ahead. Maybe they budgeted too high, but once you've locked in your price, you don't say "oops, sorry everyone, we lied." As it was, some of the actors reportedly deferred parts of their payments in order to help keep things afloat (Stallone on Cliffhanger too, I think).

Anyway, only at the 10 minute mark here (picking it back up after weeks), LOL, Shaw got what was coming to him. Almost have to cheer when that goofy fellow smacks him upside the head for stealing all that jewelry.

And that is one smart monkey (he drops the bottle...this is great).

Epic soundtrack.

Haven't seen the first Pirates of the Caribbean - will be an interesting comparison to make.

Actually, I recently watched The Day of the Jackal. All told, a rather odd movie; you spend an awful lot of time watching this fellow (Edward Fox) who appears debonair and also completely, frighteningly ruthless, sometimes at the same time. The action sequences (and even some sequences which aren't, such as getting in a car inside a garage) use the old speed-up technique or other ill-advised techniques which are quite jarring (I don't think being shot with an MAT-49 will hurl you into a wall...), and it's also another appearance of the old "neck chop = dead" cliche (that's not the worst "easy death" in the movie, though). Great cast though (includes a very young Derek Jacobi!), and amazing scenery.

[Skykid]

Haven't seen the first Pirates of the Caribbean - will be an interesting comparison to make.

It's rubbish.

Oddly enough, everyone seems to hate the second one, even though it's clearly the most entertaining of the three. The third is akin to reading Egyptian hieroglyphics for three hours without knowing what anything means. Even the scriptwriters couldn't explain it, infamously making tits of themselves during an interview.

[GaijinPunch]

I watched the first one only. That was enough for me.

[Ed Oscuro]

Update: Only a little bit of slow-moitis disease in Cutthroat Island, but very satisfying otherwise. A ship firing into a town to attack the Governor's stolen carriage? Yes.

Not sure who the best character was, but this movie did very well to give the supporting actors time to shine in the climactic battles, setting some guys off against their equivalents - guy with the chain versus Glasspoole (Stan Shaw), bald mean guy versus Mr. Blair (i.e. awesome Viking tat guy), and setting up some pretty ingenious set-pieces for those battles too (the anchor and the ship's wheel). Not all the character stage exits were great - I thought it could've been done slightly better for Ainslee (jerkass Governor guy) and Reed, the guy who wanted to write a book about pirates, both definitely brushed aside near the end. Best of all was probably Mr. Trotter though. For being the butt of jokes throughout much of the film he does pretty well

They blew up an entire ship, too. Did PotC blow up an entire ship? Betting against it.

Having trouble thinking that the guy who plays Reed (Maury Chaykin) plays detective Nero Wolfe. I guess Wolfe is no Sam Spade, but that's still miles from the pathetic, startled character seen in this movie.

Speaking of your mindfuck coincidences: I've also been working on tracking down some less well-known series, TekWar amongst them. Surprise, in 1959, William Shatner played Archie in an aborted Nero Wolfe television series!