Eplaya Movie Review Thread...

aforceforgood · Post by **aforceforgood** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 12:26 pm

Saw "Hero" last night, it was awesome, in visuals, martial arts, and the love story.

Subtitled, but stunning nonetheless.

My wife and I both cried.

I'm trying not to put a spoiler in here- actually it really isn't a spoiler, but for people like myself who like to see a movie knowing as little about it as possible I'm putting a big gap so you can click past it without seeing even the oblique reference to follow;

I feel sorry for those who giggled during a certain part (you'll know it when you see it), because it reveals that they've never experienced true love, and therefore just don't understand.

Here's an idea; if one of those is sitting near you, make contact with them after the movie and hook them up with some love.

I highly recommend this movie. Another plus is that it was made in China, which means it isn't another Hollywood formula "Blockbuster". So it's not just another martial arts film (though it definitely delivers on that level). You will actually leave the movie contemplative and discussing the metaphors and subtexts.

Enjoy.

Force

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Sep 07, 2004 9:30 am

Looking forward to it actually. Saw "Raise the Red Lantern" oh so many years ago. Interesting.

Force · Post by **Force** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 3:26 am

Have to agree with the review I read of "Ghost in the Shell 2; Innocence"- it's beautiful but too... no, wait, not enough... well, it just doesn't quite light a fire.

And it's subtitled too. ugh. I frikkin hate that, it totally distracts from the flow of the thing, but I wanted to see something like this on the big screen instead of video for a change.

That being said, I'd go see it again, with the expectation of enjoying myself not in the spirit of watching a movie but rather one of wandering through an avant-garde museum.

Overall I'd recommend it only for hardcore anime fans.

Coming tomorrow- "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow!" Yeaaaaahbuddy!

Man I'm gonna be fuckin pissed if they screw it up.

Force · Post by **Force** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 12:17 am

Sky Captain and the world of Tomorrow is a nice adventure with cool special effects and paper-thin 2 dimensional characters. If you like old serials, you'll love it, because it's basically that using 2004 tech.

It's hard to say they screwed it up since (I think) they basically made exactly what they were trying to make.

I just wish the characters were more realistic/interesting/less stereotypical.

Force · Post by **Force** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 11:04 am

Oh, and if you haven't seen it, "Heaven and Earth" with Tommy Lee Jones is absolutely incredible.

It's old, I got it from the library.

SilkenTofu · Post by **SilkenTofu** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:30 am

Watched Bernardo Bertolucci's The Dreamers last night. It was more than just a sick 3 way, NC-17 rated movie. There were a few suprises in the movie and I thought that this one was visually beautiful. The subject matter was interesting as well. Didn't hate it. It was better than Soul Plane IMHO.

Still debating on if I want to try to struggle through The Passion of the Christ.

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 8:12 am

Force wrote:Sky Captain and the world of Tomorrow is a nice adventure with cool special effects and paper-thin 2 dimensional characters. If you like old serials, you'll love it, because it's basically that using 2004 tech.

You bet, Force. I took my 9 year old daughter and we liked it. It was whimsical enough for a month after the burn that I got a little decompression out of it. With your endorsement, I added Heaven and Earth to my Netflix que. What is it about pock marks on actor's faces that makes them great? I.e. Tommy Lee Jones, Morgan Freeman, James Woods. Maybe they just have to work harder all their lives to get noticed.

Force · Post by **Force** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:42 am

If you like martial arts, Iron Monkey is way cool!

Silly as hell, but man, the moves are fast, and as beautiful as a ballet.

The trailer for Zu Warriors looked even better, gonna have to track that sucker down too...

aforceforgood · Post by **aforceforgood** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:35 pm

Bicentennial Man is actually an incredible love story in a semi-science fiction context.

Don't worry that it's Robin Williams, he's not as hyper in this one. He actually does a damned fine job of acting.

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:08 pm

"Let's Dance" go see it! A+++

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Sun Oct 24, 2004 4:09 pm

or "Shall We Dance"? you know what I mean....

SilkenTofu · Post by **SilkenTofu** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:06 am

Sissy and I saw "The Grudge" last night and I would recommend this movie for a good scare (I jumped a few times), fairly good ghost story with minimal gore and non-sequential story line. And Bill Pullman. Gotta love the American versions of Japanese movies. A solid B in my opinion.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 5:36 am

Cindy and I went to see "Ray" yesterday... seamless... Everyone, yes, everyone should go see this movie, IMHO.

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Sun Nov 07, 2004 5:38 pm

"Sideways" see it. Just see it. I laughed just about every 15 minutes and so did the rest of the audience.

Rian Jackson · Post by **Rian Jackson** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:33 am

Last night i saw 'Fourth World War'.

It links peoples' struggles in S Africa, Palestine, Argentina, Chiapas, Quebec, and Korea.

(Fourth World War is a Marcos term, referring to the global struggle against a system of oppressive global capitalism where the nation state is no longer the 'enemy', but the system itself.)

Intelligent, moving, hard (if tank fire and seeing kids murdered is problematic for you), inspiring, hopeful...

fabulous film. See it if you get a chance. The director was telling me that this was the last stop on his tour, but i'll get the website for ya.

MoisturePup · Post by **MoisturePup** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 8:38 am

Please all, I'm begging that none of you see Alexander. It's is terrible.

QuasiPseudo · Post by **QuasiPseudo** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:34 am

I knew it was going to suck. Agreed to see it with my Dad on Turkey Day, as movies are the activity of choice when we hang out. It was the ONLY Dad-movie available, it wasnt my fault! How can you say no to your Dad?? Goddammit that movie sucked!

The evening prior I watched a very good documentary about Alexanders battle against the Persian Empire. It described in great detail along with computer graphics the tactics which allowed his greatly outnumbered army the winning edge. Unfortunately, these details were not given their true due in the movie version.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:43 am

QuasiPseudo wrote: Unfortunately, these details were not given their true due in the movie version.

Oh come on, all us queer folk wanna know is how his sexuality was portraid. (and why my brain can't spell)

gigglesnort · Post by **gigglesnort** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:46 am

really fishy, you are so damn cryptic. Are you married? Are you queer? Are you *really* a fish?????? I can't figure out what's going on here. And WTF is up with your spelling.

Oh---movie thread; um, Polar Express! My new favorite christmas cartoon.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 9:52 am

gigglesnort wrote:really fishy, you are so damn cryptic. Are you married? Are you queer? Are you *really* a fish?????? I can't figure out what's going on here. And WTF is up with your spelling.

Oh---movie thread; um, Polar Express! My new favorite christmas cartoon.

Anything's better than the people obsessed with Mr. Heat Meister.

QuasiPseudo · Post by **QuasiPseudo** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:43 pm

Alexander was portraid as bisexual in the movie. He had a male friend which he grew up with, and was the only person he really trusted. None of his men had a problem with it, as many of them were also bisexual. But when Alex marries outside his race to a woman without political influence, he loses much support from them. She catches him embracing his buddy and becomes angered, and Alex consoles her by telling her there are many ways to love, then proceeds to violently bed her. I hear the Greek community is in uproar over this flick, not only because of Alexander's portayal, but that of Greeks in general being shown as a stereotype. Personally, I wouldnt know. I never met Alexander or any of his men.

On a side note - ever notice that whenever a male gay scene appears in a mainstream movie, the audience gets very uncomfortable? You can actually hear them nervously squirming in the chairs. Anyone see 'Interview with A Vampire' in the theater? The scene where Pitt & Banderas get face to face had the same effect.

helitack · Post by **helitack** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 12:57 pm

I'm gonna watch the Wizard of Oz tonight and consider Frank Baum's agenda.

Force · Post by **Force** » Fri Dec 03, 2004 3:29 pm

National Treasure was very average.

It's so lukewarm that it will probably be on broadcast TV within 6 months, so even if you're a Nick Cage fan, save your $20.

It's basically a who-can-get-to-the-next-clue-the-quickest race type adventure that despite that theme moves pretty slowly.

cowboyangel · Post by **cowboyangel** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:21 pm

City of God ...intense, real, wonderfully acted and edited, disturbing, transportive, electric, sizzling, provoking, sad, human, unpretentious, magnificent..............
I will never visit a slum in Rio....never

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:24 pm

Station Agent

for the love of god

Station Agent

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 8:25 am

Thanks, Cowboy and Stuart. Reserved them both on Netflix and was not to find them over four stars there.

On the Psyche Theme:

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Donita · Post by **Donita** » Sun Jan 09, 2005 9:28 am

Just saw "Secret Window" last night. Stars Johnny Depp. Written by Stephen King.

Scary, but good.

aforceforgood · Post by **aforceforgood** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:55 am

Anything with Johnny Depp is good, even "Dead Man", though it's really ... hmmm... odd. Though beautiful.

"Have you heard my poetry?" Heh, love that.

Neverland was surprisingly touching, though I think that was for personal reasons so I'm not recommending it highly.

"The city of lost children" is visually stunning while not boasting a whole lot of plot, (it's French) but builds to the punchline at it's end. Good overall, I give it a three out of five.

SilkenTofu · Post by **SilkenTofu** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 12:06 pm

Mister Jellyfish Mister wrote:Thanks, Cowboy and Stuart. Reserved them both on Netflix and was not to find them over four stars there.

On the Psyche Theme:

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

I was kind of holding off on Eternal Sunshine, but I will bump it to the top of the queue.

more "Theme" movies Identity, Clostland (very good) and of course Psycho and Sybil.

SilkenTofu · Post by **SilkenTofu** » Wed Jan 12, 2005 12:08 pm

oops that should have read Closetland

Eplaya Movie Review Thread...

Ghost in the Shell 2; Innocence

RAY