Movie mini reviews

Post by **Roman Totale** » February 2nd, 2009, 21:56

Burn After Reading

A film by the Coen Brothers, so naturally it is somewhat of a black comedy. It is also, naturally, bloody brilliant.

In my opinion it seems a lot more accessible than some of their other films - there is blood and murder, but it is less visceral than their other films, but without being slapstick.

I can't be arsed going into the plot, but it revolves around CIA secrets, memoirs, sex, blackmail and plastic surgery. In essence it's all the things that make up a good Coen film - twists and turns and hubris by the spadeful.

Scenes to watch out for: George Clooney having a paranoid breakdown, and the scenes between two senior CIA agents which is deadpan at its finest.

Post by **deject** » February 3rd, 2009, 0:18

Clooney losing it was fucking hysterical. WHO ARE YOU??????

J.K. Simmons was hilarious as usual.

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 3rd, 2009, 16:04

Burn after reading is great. The brothers appear to have picked up the pace on their film making which is good. I think they're involved in 3 films scheduled for an 09 release.

Tangent - Just been into hmv for the seemingly permanent sales they have, noticed dead man's shoes going cheap.* I also got planet terror, sex lives of the potato men, no country for old men and once were warriors. I've seen them all before but I got them on dvd mainly so the mater and pater can watch them. Plus I can watch them too on the big sod off tv my dad has.

*meadows FTW.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 9th, 2009, 23:28

Max Payne

Finally got around to watching this (in shiny unrated HD.)

It's pretty decent, recognisable enough as Max Payne, but I'm not sure how the story matches the games, So I'd just watch it as action trash.

There's a few amusingly bad goofs (G36 ejecting full cartridges, snow made of bean-bag filler)

oh, and I'm not sure if it's really weird lighting, or poorly matched lighting and lots of CG, but it looks weird in places.

6/10, Nothing special, but watchable

Post by **deject** » February 9th, 2009, 23:40

Dr. kitteny berk wrote:6/10, Nothing special, but watchable

this

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 18th, 2009, 8:42

Pulling John

No, not a faaabulous porn movie, but a documentary about the world champion of armwrestling, John Brzenk, battling with age and his title against a massive Russian and a crazy redneck.
What makes it interesting is that all of the characters look like they're straight from a Rocky film, from the cold, tactical Russian to the title character questioning his strength all the time.
Also pay close attention to Travis Bagent, you'll notice he bears a striking resemblance with chickenz.

Really enjoyed this, highly recommended.

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2009, 23:09

Not sure if this film is reviewed here before, and if it is, just delete it.

Wolf Creek (2005)

Fun little film about three backpackers (all are Australian actors, but two portray British women) that end up in the clutches of a deranged Crocodile Dundee (which is mentioned a few times),
what follows is the usual horror movie japes, but all actors are playing pretty good, and what made it extra interesting for me is that the killer looked alot like this travelling farmer I met in Australia, down to the shirt he was wearing and everything.
Takes a while to get going though, and it's nothing new, but it does the job quite well.

Also:

Spoiler:

Post by **HereComesPete** » February 19th, 2009, 23:47

It is good. I saw it in the cinema, was a bit harrowing in super screen size. Very harsh and gritty and such. Doesn't try to shock in a saw/hostel way. Far more emotive than either imo. A good film but not one you'll re-watch in a hurry.

MORDETH LESTOK · Post by **MORDETH LESTOK** » February 20th, 2009, 4:01

Taken (2008) (8/10 at IMDb 45kvotage)

--A former spy (Liam Neeson) relies on his old skills to save his estranged daughter, who has been forced into the slave trade.--

Quite good...I swept it a month or two ago(dvdrip)...and it was just released at the theater 2 weeks ago? Anyways, Luc Besson had his hand in writing it and was a bit original. It moved quickly and was more believable than most movies like this.

Anyone who has a daughter would want to be Liam Neeson if needed...

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 20th, 2009, 7:31

HereComesPete wrote: It is good. I saw it in the cinema, was a bit harrowing in super screen size. Very harsh and gritty and such. Doesn't try to shock in a saw/hostel way. Far more emotive than either imo. A good film but not one you'll re-watch in a hurry.

Oh yes, forgot to mention this, it is quite grim indeed, but the two women played their emotions quite realistic, which added alot I think.
I also read that the actor playing Mick (the killer) used to host "Better Homes and Gardens" in Australia, which made me chuckle.

Post by **Roman Totale** » February 20th, 2009, 20:01

Saw a trailer for Taken and it looked good then. I always like the "retired spy/soldier/merc/assassin uses his skills to pwn people" story line.

Not seen Wolf Creek, but glad to hear it doesn't follow the path of Hostel et al. I really despise those type of films. Heard them accurately described as "torture porn" before which is all they really are - no suspense or story, just in your face gore and suffering.

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » February 20th, 2009, 22:35

Roman Totale wrote:Not seen Wolf Creek, but glad to hear it doesn't follow the path of Hostel et al.

I'd say Wolf Creek is something quite special in the genre recently. Nothing particularly new but proper, non-gimmicky horror. One of the best examples I've seen in recent years.

MORDETH LESTOK · Post by **MORDETH LESTOK** » February 23rd, 2009, 23:42

spoodie wrote:I'd say Wolf Creek is something quite special in the genre recently. Nothing particularly new but proper, non-gimmicky horror. One of the best examplesI've seen in recent years.

I watched this over the last few nights falling asleep to. It took quite awhile for something to happen which I had no problem with but, did they have to throw in the comedy. And if I was a serial killer...I'm sorry, but NO one would ever escape from me. Too many little things bothered me with this one.

I agree on how it wasn't a "Hostel" but has anyone seen Turistas (2006) ? It has a sucky rating on IMDb...but I rather enjoyed this one. Of course, 3 hot chicks in bikini's throughout the movie helped

It did however, convince me to wait for the next bus...

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » February 24th, 2009, 7:48

I watched Taken the other night, having never heard anything about it, but I've got to say I didn't think it was that great. It was a nice concept, but it was a very linear film with nothing in the way of a twist to keep it interesting. They tried to crowbar one in a bit, but it didn't quite work. I'm not disappointed to have watched it, but I'll not watch it again.

Sol · Post by **Sol** » March 2nd, 2009, 19:44

Futurama: Into the Wide Green Yonder

Pretty good, better than the last few feature lengths, definitely worth a sweep. I hope it's not the last of Futurama though

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » March 2nd, 2009, 19:46

ooh, I wasn't aware there was another futurama movie about

Sol · Post by **Sol** » March 2nd, 2009, 19:54

'Snot... Yet

Comes out this month.

Post by **Dog Pants** » March 2nd, 2009, 19:59

The first Futurama 'movie' wasn't great. I've got the second, but not seen it yet.

Sol · Post by **Sol** » March 2nd, 2009, 20:48

Yeah it was pretty mediocre. I liked the second, third I haven't seen and yeah, this one isn't too bad at all.

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » March 2nd, 2009, 22:07

I've seen all of the Futurama films and they're all about the same and definitely worth a look if you're a fan.