Movies205's Review and Discussion Thread: Vol. 4 - Kingdom of Debauchery and Hackery!

[Movies205]

It returns for its fourth year, yet I'm busier than ever with a job and four summer classes so it is going be up to the patrons of this thread to keep it alive this time around. So for all who simply enjoy in partaking in free-spirited movie discussion that can go anywhere then come and join in...

Class of 2008
Carmine Falcone
DACrowe
Dr. Watson
Hunter Rider
Matrixo
Movies205
Superhobo
War Party

Carmine Falcone
The Darjeeling Limited (2007) - 8/10

Episode 29
The Visitor (2008) - 9/10

Hunter Rider
The Naked Gun (1988) - 9/10

Matrixo
True Romance (1993) - 10/10

Movies205
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 6.5/10
Half Nelson (2006) - 8/10

Superhobo
Coach Carter (2005) - 4/10
Happy Feet (2006) - 10/10

War Party
Inside (2007) - 8/10
Ikiru (1952) - 10/10
Suicide Club (2002) - 5/10


​

 

[Movies205]

Volume 3:
Revenge of the Elitist Porcupines

Class of 2007
The Amazing Lee
Black Dust
Carmine Falcone
Gammy79
Hunter Rider
JollyJohnny
Kevin Roegele
Longshot
Movies205
Mr. Webs
War Party
The Amazing Lee
Run Lola Run (1998) - 8.5/10

Black Dust
28 Weeks Later (2007) -7/10
The Departed (2006) - 10/10
Idocracy (2006) - 7/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) - 9/10

Carmine Falcone
Casino (1995) - 9/10
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974) - 9/10

Cyrusbales
Deathwatch (2002) -
Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) - :
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) -
A Scanner Darkly (2006) - Thumbs down

DACrowe
Donnie Brasco (1997) - 8/10

Hippie Hunter
Ghost Rider (2007) - 5.5/10
Zodiac (2007) - 9/10

Hunter Rider
Lake Placid (1999) - 7.5/10
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) - 6/10

JollyJohnny
Pathfinder (2007) - 1/10
They Live (1988) - 8/10

Longshot
Blades of Glory (2007) -
Spider-Man 3 (2007) -

Kevin Roegele
Azumi (2003) - :

Movies205
All About My Mother (1999) - 9/10
The Bicycle Thief (1948) - 9/10
Catch and Release (2006) - 6.5/10
Daughters of Darkness (1971) - 7/10
Dressed to Kill (1980) - 6/10
Fantastic Four (2005) - 5/10
The Fly (1986) - 10/10
G-Men (1935) - 7.5/10
The General (1927) - 8/10
Guess Who's Coming Home to Dinner (1967) - 9/10
Night at the Opera (1935) - 8/10
Nights of Cabiria (1957) - 10/10
Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht (1979) - 7/10
Rashomon (1950) - 10/10
Seventh Seal (1957) - 8/10
Spider-Man 3 (2007) - 7/10
Transformers (2007) - 8/10
X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) - 6.5/10

Mr. Webs
16 Blocks (2006) - 6/10
28 Days Later... (2002) - 7/10
1408 (2007) - 7/10
Boondock Saints (1999) - 8/10
Gone with the Wind (1939) - 6.5/10
Hard Candy (2005) - 9/10
Keane (2004) - 9/10
Running Scared (2006) - 7/10

The Storm
300 (2007) - 9/10

WarParty
Closer (2004) - 8/10
Empire of the Sun (1987) - 10/10
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1999) - 10/10
Hackers (1995) - 3/10
Virgin Suicides (1999) - 8/10

Other User Reviews
Grindhouse (2007) - 10/10 ANTHONYNASTI
Spider-Man 3 (2007) - 8/10 Cmill216
Spider-Man 3(2007) - 7.6/10 IncredibleJeff
Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) - 10/10 Shingsy2003
Transformers (2007) - 7/10 - Golgo13: The Hitman​

 

[Movies205]

Volume 2:
Return of the Summer

Class of 2006
The Amazing Lee
Black Dust
D.A. Crowe
D.Rex
Golgo13: The Hitman
Hippie Hunter
Hunter Rider
JLBats
Movies205
Mr. Webs
Obsidean
The Question
Sandman138
UltimateFan
US War Machine
The Vile One

Guest Starring:
Eric Draven

The Amazing Lee
American Beauty (1999) - 10/10
Battle Royale (2000) - 8.5/10
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - 8/10
The Mask (1994) - Thumbs Up
Trainspotting (1996) - 10/10
Shaun of the Dead (2004) - Thumbs Up

Black Dust's Reviews
Big Momma's House 2 (2006) - 4/10
Date Movie (2006) - 3/10
Final Destination 3 (2006) 7/10
Firewall (2006) 8/10
The Fog (2006) - 5/10
The Hills Have Eyes (2006) 9/10
Lady Vengence (2005) - 7/10
Lucky Number Slevin (2006) - 8/10
Munich (2005) - 8/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) - 8/10
The Ringer (2005) - 8/10
Running Scared (2006) - 6/10
Superman Returns (2006) - 9/10
Underworld: Evolution (2006)- 7/10
X-Men 3: The Last Stand (2006) - :

Bloody Wolverine's Reviews
Click (2006) - 7/10
Pirates Of The Caribbean : Dead Mans Chest (2006) - 9.5/10

Carmine Falcone
The Hit (1984) - 9/10

DACrowe's Reviews
The Da Vinci Code (2006) - 7.5
Kingdom of Heaven Director's Cut (2005) - 9/10
A Prarie Home Companion (2006) - 9.5/10

Golgo13:The Hitman's Reviews
Blade Trinity (2004) - 3/10
Office Space (1999) - 9.5/10

Hippie Hunter's Reviews
Jason X (2001) - 2.5/5
Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal (1999) - 5/5
X-Men 3:The Last Stand (2006) - 2.5/5

Hunter Rider
Casualties of War (1989) - 8/10
The Descent (2005) - 8.5/10Hidalgo (2003) - 8/10
Notorious (1946) - 8/10
The Proposition (2005) - 6.5/10
V for Vendetta (2005) 9/10
Wrong Man (1956) - 4/10
XXX 2: State of the Union (2005) - 2/10


Movies205's Volume 2 Reviews
8½ (1963) - 8½/10
2001: Space Odyssey (1968) - 8/10
All About Eve (1950) - 10/10
All About Lilly Chou-Chou (2001) - 7/10
Amadeus (1984) - 9.5/10
Apartment, The (1960) - 10/10
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - 8/10
Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The (1920) - 8/10
Clerks 2 (2006) - 9/10
Crank (2006) - 8/10
Daredevil: The Director's Cut (2004) - 7.5/10
DaVinci Code (2006)- 6.5/10
Dead Alive (1992) - 8.5/10
Fast and the Furious 3 (2006) - 6.5/10
Frankenstein (1931) - 8/10
French Connection 2 - 8/10
Gone With the Wind (1939) - 8/10
Haunted Palace (1963) - 7/10
I'm a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932) - 10/10
La Dolce Vita (1960) - 8½/10
Lady in the Water (2006) - 6.5/10
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) - 10/10
Man Who Would Be King (1975) - 9/10
Master and Commander of the Far Side of the World (2003) - 9/10
Mean Streets (1973) 7.5/10
Miami Vice (2006) - 7/10
Mighty Joe Young (1949) - 8/10
Modern Times (1936) 8/10
Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) 7.5/10
Network (1976) 9/10
The Philadelphia Story (1940) - 7/10
A Prairie Home Companion- 8/10
Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal (1999) - 8.5/10
Scanner Darkly (2006) 6/10
Scoop (2006) 8/10
SLC Punk! (1998) - 7.5/10
Snakes on a Plane (2006) - 7/10
Starship Troopers (1997) - 7/10
Superman Returns (2006) - 6.5/10
Third Man (1949) - 10/10
World Trade Center (2006) - 8/10
X-Men 3: The Last Stand (2006) - 5.5/10

Mr. Webs' Reviews
A Bridge Too Far (1977) - 6.5/10
Boogeyman (2005) - 6.5/10
Chasing Liberty (2004) - 6/10
Click (2006) 7/10
Edward Scissorhands (1990) - 8/10
Failure to Launch (2006) - 6.5/10
Gremlins (1984) - 5.5/10
Grumpy Old Men (1993) 7.5/10
Hills Have Eyes (2006) 6.5/10
Jerry Maguire (1996) 9/10
Libertine (2004) - 6/10
Lock Up (1989) - 7/10
House of Wax (2005) - 2.5/10
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - 10/10
My Cousin Vinny (1992) - 7/10
The Philadelphia Story (1940) - 9/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) - 8/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) - 7/10
Rocky (1976) - 8.5/10
Rocky II (1979) - 7.5/10
Rocky III (1982) - 6.5/10
Rocky IV (1985) - 6/10
Rocky V (1990) - 7/10
Secret Window(2004) - 5.5/10
Serendipity (2001) - 7/10
Shall We Dance (2004) 7/10
Superman (1978) - 4.5/10
Underworld (2003) - 5.5/10
Walk the Line (2005) - 8.5/10

Obsidian's Reviews
Blade: Trinity (2004) - 3/10
Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut (2005) - 10/10
Monster House (2006) - 10/10
The Omen (2006) - 7/10
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest(2006) - 9/10
The Promise (2005) - 1/10
The Prophecy (1995) - 7/10
Water (2006) -

Sandman138's Reviews
2046 (2004) - 8.5/10
The Aristocrats (2005) 10/10
A History of Violence (2005) - 10/10
Mirror Mask (2005) - 10/10
Pirates of the Carribean 2: Deadman's Chest (2006) 6.5/10
Stay (2005) - 5/10Superman Returns (2006) - 9/10

Ultimatefan's Reviews
O Brother, Where Art Thou (2000) - Thumbs Up
Ice Age 2 (2006) 5.5/10
In Good Company (2005) -8.5/10
Superman Returns (2006) - 8/10
X-Men 3:The Last Stand (2006)-

Under the Rose's Reviews
Inside Man (2006) - 8/10
V for Vendetta (2006) - 6/10

TheVileOne's Reviews
The Break Up (2006) - 4.5/5
Cars (2006) 4/5
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) - 3/5
District B13 (2004)- 3.5/5
Kung Fu Hustle (2004) - Thumbs Up
Lady Vengeance (2005) - 4/5
Lake House (2006) - 1.5/10
Nacho Libre (2006) - 2/5

Warparty's Reviews
11:14 (2003) - 8/10
Audition (1999) - 9/10
Fight Club (1999) - 10/10
Layer Cake (2005) - 9/10
Lock, Stock, and Barrels (1999) - 8.5/10
The Machinist (2003) - 8.5/10
Memento (2000) - 10/10
Real Genius (1985) - 10/10
Rounders (1998) - 8/10
Slapshot (1977) - 8/10
Snatch (2000) - 9/10
Tae Guk Gi-The Brotherhood of War (2004) 10/10

Other User Reviews
Enter the Dragon(1973) -9/10 - D.Rex
Mission Impossible 3 (2006) - 2.5/5 - Spider-Bat
X-Men 3: The Last Stand (2006) - 8.2/10 - Matt
X-Men 3: The Last Stand (2006) - - The Question
X-Men 3:The Last Stand (2006)- 5.5/10 - Erzengel​

 

[Movies205]

Volume 1:
The Original


40 Year Old Virgin, The (2005) 7/10
Aristocrats, The (2005) 9.5/10
Bad Day at Black Rock (1955) 7/10
Beverly Hills Cop 2 (1987) 8/10
Bewitched (2005) 6.75/10
Beyond the Sea (2004) 5.5/10
Blow (2001) 7.5/10
Brothers Grimm, The (2005) 8/10
Buffalo '66 (1998) 7.5/10
Cape Fear (1991) 6.5/10
Cocoon (1985) 7/10
Devil's Rejects (2005) 5/10
Dog Day Afternoon (1975) 7.5/10
Dr. No (1962) 8/10
Dukes of Hazzard (2005) 6/10
Edward Scissorhands (1990) 9/10
Evolution (2001) 7/10
A Face in the Crowd (1957) 10/10
Fantastic Four (2005) 5/10
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) ?/10
Field of Dreams (1989) 7.5/10
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005) 5/10
Hotel Rwanda (2004) 10/10
Howl's Moving Castle (2004) 8/10
Independence Day (1996) 6/10
The Island (2005) 5/10
Kung-Fu Hustle (2005) 9/10
Labyrinth (1986) 6.5/10
Land of the Dead (2005) 4/10
M (1931) 6/10
The Machinist (2004) 7/10
The Magnificent Seven (1960) 7/10
March of the Penguins (2005) 7.5/10
Midnight Cowboy (1969) 8/10
Mission Impossible (1996) 6.5/10
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1993) 9/10
Must Love Dogs (2005) 7/10
Mystery Alaska (1999) 6.5/10
Oldboy (2003) 8.5/10
Overnight (2003) 6.5/10
Platoon (1986) 8/10
Red Eye (2005) 6.5/10
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) 8/10
Scent of a Woman (1992) 7/10
Sixteen Candles (1984) 6.5/10
Spy Who Loved Me, The (1977) 7.5/10
Strangers on a Train (1951) 9/10
Suspiria (1977) 8/10
True Romance (1993) 7.5/10
Taxi Driver (1976) 7/10
The Transporter (2002) 6.5/10
The Transporter 2 (2005) 8/10
Upside of Anger, The (2005) 8/10
Waterworld (1995) 6.5/10
War of the Worlds (2005) 6.5/10
Wedding Crashers (2005) 7.5/10
Wrong Man, The (1956) 7.5/10​

 

[Movies205]

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Directed by Stephen Spielberg
Rating: 7/10

The 80s revival still goes strong this summer with Indiana Jones and continues a rather sad trend, pandering to the fans. The 80s revival provides an interesting venue in the world of film-study outside of the rather cliché business side of things. On the one hand, Indiana Jones 4 was made because a studio thought it would make a good deal of money, yet the reason for that is because audiences have a thirst for older characters. Today’s audiences seem to have an ever pressing need to know what happens to a character after the screen goes black. No longer does the phrase, “And they lived happily ever after” seem to suffice anymore. It is out of this mentality that Indiana Jones 4 is born.

The first step the script-writers took in brining Indy back is to advance the time line. Indy is back but in a new decade and time, the late 50s. Spielberg is a master of his craft so he does a lovely job with capturing the 50s visual aesthetic but the script is far too hollow. The script seems to spend an inordinate time in the first act focusing on the 50s time period and then completely forgetting about it thereafter. Another problem is the fact that it relies too much on the audience’s knowledge of the time period. For example, the agents in the beginning accuse Indy of being a communist, it felt really text book. The film does nothing in the way of showing why people are fearful of communist, the audience is suppose to just accept it for just an ornate dressing of the setting. The second is the choice in villains, the Russians. The problem with this is the same as the communist, we’re just suppose to assume their evil and know all about them when in fact through the entire movie we see like 6 or 7 Russians in total. While in Raiders of the Lost Ark or Last Crusade we saw entire armies of Nazis. The entire first act is in a word, weak. Also the nuclear explosion is completely out of place as well as completely implausible.

After the first act and the introduction of Mutt the film begins to pick up. Shia does a decent job as Mutt and there’s a good chemistry between him and Harrison Ford. The second act is fundamentally better because it doesn’t get bog down with trying to show us the 50s and has Indy being Indy. My main problem with it is again the script in which Indy doesn’t even seem to be trying. The entire film felt too small and cheap looking back. In the old Indiana Jones movies, Indy was going all over the place and fighting a variety of foes. In this one he simply goes to Peru and fights a gang of cheesy Russians. Spielberg of course makes it all very entertaining with his lush sets and grandiose action set pieces. That he makes it flow nicely.

To go back to the first point of this little review, the pandering of the fans. This film seems to have a checklist in hand, much like Rocky Balboa, Die Hard 4, and Rambo. Go over Indy’s age, characters that are now gone, and have Indy settle down. Now I enjoy all of these things and the cast makes them heartfelt but it is for these reasons that Indy 4 is being received lukewarmly. While it is nice to see, Indiana Jones was always a pulp adventure hero, he’s immortal and his adventures are forever going. To have him settle down, etc seems to kind of betray the character. In the end, I enjoy the film for what it was and it was nice seeing closure brought to the character but the script really is pitifully weak and it shows.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

Count me in again! First review I might write is for the Darjeeling Limited which I saw yesterday.

I haven't seen Indiana Jones yet, and I haven't read a thing about it. Not really paying attention to the critics either. I'll probably check it out in some weeks.

 

[Movies205]

Count me in again! First review I might write is for the Darjeeling Limited which I saw yesterday.

I haven't seen Indiana Jones yet, and I haven't read a thing about it. Not really paying attention to the critics either. I'll probably check it out in some weeks.

That's what I did, I mean if you're a fan of Indy you have to see it. It's pretty much what Rocky Balboa was to the original Rocky, which is solid but nothing amazing.

I liked Darjeeling Limited but it was a tad too slow. I mean Wes Anderson usually moves at his own pace but this seem to just kind of float on by and the opening short was lame as ****.

 

[DACrowe]

Sorry I forgot about doing these, I'll try and drop some in here as the year drags on. BTW, I would have to just say that the first act setting the movie in the 1950s, while somewhat formulaic was really well done in Skull. It was the remaining acts that I think glossed over some of the details that made it's predecessors so good caused the problem. I still enjoyed it very much and consider it far better than Live Free or Die Hard and Rocky Balboa. I haven't seen Rambo, but I always thought the franchise was a joke (but if it ends with Rambo getting the 20-something chick in the trailer I'd laugh so hard).

 

[Movies205]

Sorry I forgot about doing these, I'll try and drop some in here as the year drags on. BTW, I would have to just say that the first act setting the movie in the 1950s, while somewhat formulaic was really well done in Skull. It was the remaining acts that I think glossed over some of the details that made it's predecessors so good caused the problem. I still enjoyed it very much and consider it far better than Live Free or Die Hard and Rocky Balboa. I haven't seen Rambo, but I always thought the franchise was a joke (but if it ends with Rambo getting the 20-something chick in the trailer I'd laugh so hard).

Like I said I love what Spielberg did visually with the 50s, I feel as if the script itself was a bit hollow. I mean I feel like the entire thing was written on a boring saturday with no real energy spent into it. I mean come on, what the hell was so good about Cate Blanchett's character outside of Cate Blanchett, she's just so bland

 

[Superhobo]

Count me in - why not?


Should be fun.

 

[Superhobo]

COACH CARTER - 4.0/10
Directed by Thomas Carter

I'd seen this film before, some while back. It's not very memorable, par for a couple of moments early on (it's rare to see films like these actually get gang colors correct, but I digress). Right now, it's on FX as one of those obnoxious "DVD-on-TV" features they'll do.
Much like "Freedom Writers" the same year and "Take The Lead" the year before, it's the same kind of "tough teacher/coach/ball-room dancer substitute takes on class of rejects/raucous basketball team, meets with initial alienation and resentment, which is overcome to the betterment of all involved," that gained popularity with "Dead Poet's Society." There isn't really anything new done here, so you can guess every plot turn and twist about an hour beforehand.
But, what makes this film somewhat enjoyable is the presence of Samuel L. Jackson, who just has as much fun with the role as he can muster. One of the aforementioned memorable moments comes about fourteen minutes in, where Jackson's character slams one of the basketball players up against the wall, and growls, "I'm not a teacher. I'm your new basketball coach."
One of the problems that plagues all three of the films I mentioned is that it feels like the writers tried to hard to make the students feel 'authentically ghetto,' and it comes off as forced, much like "Take The Lead." You'll have the incredibly safe freestyle scene, of course, to mark this.
Still, the cinematography is alright - nothing particularly special or creative, but it's done well enough - like a better lit episode of "Smallville" or "One Tree Hill," which is funny, given that the film's writer created the latter series. And, the actor portraying Carter's son, Robert Ri'chard, does a fine job.

All in all, just a very forgettable film.

 

[Movies205]

COACH CARTER - 4.0/10


I'd seen this film before, some while back. It's not very memorable, par for a couple of moments early on (it's rare to see films like these actually get gang colors correct, but I digress). Right now, it's on FX as one of those obnoxious "DVD-on-TV" features they'll do.
Much like "Freedom Writers" the same year and "Take The Lead" the year before, it's the same kind of "tough teacher/coach/ball-room dancer substitute takes on class of rejects/raucous basketball team, meets with initial alienation and resentment, which is overcome to the betterment of all involved," that gained popularity with "Dead Poet's Society." There isn't really anything new done here, so you can guess every plot turn and twist about an hour beforehand.
But, what makes this film somewhat enjoyable is the presence of Samuel L. Jackson, who just has as much fun with the role as he can muster. One of the aforementioned memorable moments comes about fourteen minutes in, where Jackson's character slams one of the basketball players up against the wall, and growls, "I'm not a teacher. I'm your new basketball coach."
It feels like the writers tried to hard to make the students feel 'authentically ghetto,' and it comes off as forced, much like "Take The Lead."
Still, the cinematography is alright - nothing particularly special, but it's done well enough.

All in all, just a very forgettable film.

I don't really disagree with the analysis but with the rating. The film is generic and is in the vein of most of the films in the genre of teacher touching disenfranchised youth but it does it well. There something about these films that simply are entertaining to see and while they are forgetable, they do serve an important purpose of updating classic archtypes/stories for our generation to easily consume on those nights we want to just shut the old noggin off. And to its credit there was nothing glaringly wrong with it from what I remember.

 

[Superhobo]

I don't really disagree with the analysis but with the rating. The film is generic and is in the vein of most of the films in the genre of teacher touching disenfranchised youth but it does it well. There something about these films that simply are entertaining to see and while they are forgetable, they do serve an important purpose of updating classic archtypes/stories for our generation to easily consume on those nights we want to just shut the old noggin off. And to its credit there was nothing glaringly wrong with it from what I remember.

True, but there are better and more entertaining versions to watch. This one, I felt just kind of went directly by-the-numbers, point-by-point. It's not that there was anything really wrong with it, just that there's not much there that you can't find anywhere else.

 

[Movies205]

True, but there are better and more entertaining versions to watch. This one, I felt just kind of went directly by-the-numbers, point-by-point. It's not that there was anything really wrong with it, just that there's not much there that you can't find anywhere else.

I felt Samuel L carried it though then again I'm a sucker for any type of sports film.

 

[Superhobo]

I felt Samuel L carried it though then again I'm a sucker for any type of sports film.

He was one of the highlights, I thought. I mean, a couple of reviews I've read have called it his strongest performance, but I wouldn't go that far. Still, he's fun to watch.

 

[War Party]

One of my favorite threads. I'm dedicating all my reviews to foreign films this summer.

 

[Movies205]

He was one of the highlights, I thought. I mean, a couple of reviews I've read have called it his strongest performance, but I wouldn't go that far. Still, he's fun to watch.

He plays the same damn role in every film he plays except as Mace Windu in which he's utterly bad ass

 

[Superhobo]

He plays the same damn role in every film he plays except as Mace Windu in which he's utterly bad ass

I agree - but, it suits him. Just as it does Robert Downey Jr., and a bunch of others.


And you forgot "1408," heh.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

The Darjeeling Limited

The Dutch cinema release for this flick earlier this year was so extremely limited (no pun intended) that I didn't get a chance to catch it. Luckily, my hometown has this somewhat-crappy, arthouse theatre with cheap-ass entrance tickets. So that I got a chance to catch it anyway months later....

And while I haven't seen all of Anderson's flicks (only Bottle Rocket is still on my wishlist..) I don't think he's made a bad movie yet. He does stay in his comfort zone though. But that is in no way a bad thing. The story is familiar; three estranged brothers try to regain contact after a year -- so that's family problems. There's the subtle humour which threads the line of sad and funny. And visually, it's expectedly fantastic. Vibrant colours and gorgeous sets.
One of the highlights is the fabulous opening scene. With a stressed out Bill Murray (look at those hilarious facial expressions) who desperately tries to get on the train thorugh crowded traffic in some Indian town. While running for the train, Adrien Brody passes him and he, unlike Murray, does catch the train. All of this is shot in beautiful slow-motion and accompanied by a great Kinks-song (must get that album Lola V.S. Powerman). Another one is the ''Play with Fire'' montage, in which we see all of the film's characters sitting in the train in one continious take, similair to the showing of the boat in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.

In others of Anderson's films the characters were introduced in an opening sequence (Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore), and what I liked about this one, is that the characters were very gradually revealed. They didn't just sit down and have these unnatural revealing conversation, nor was there a narrator needed who told who was who. I didn't find out they were filthy rich until halfway-trough the film. However, Anderson isn't too subtle on the symbolism, even though it makes for a triumphant scene (The dropping of 'the emotional luggage' near the end)

So all in all it's no new territory for Anderson. Frustrated families, unspoken grief, bright colours and a soundtrack with Britisch pop songs from the sixties. And honestly, if Anderson would make a gritty, low key drama with a minimalistic score, we'd all be ****ing dissapointed right?

* * * *

Jack: I love you too, but I'm gonna mace you in the face!

 

[Movies205]

The Darjeeling Limited

The Dutch cinema release for this flick earlier this year was so extremely limited (no pun intended) that I didn't get a chance to catch it. Luckily, my hometown has this somewhat-crappy, arthouse theatre with cheap-ass entrance tickets. So that I got a chance to catch it anyway months later....

And while I haven't seen all of Anderson's flicks (only Bottle Rocket is still on my wishlist..) I don't think he's made a bad movie yet. He does stay in his comfort zone though. But that is in no way a bad thing. The story is familiar; three estranged brothers try to regain contact after a year -- so that's family problems. There's the subtle humour which threads the line of sad and funny. And visually, it's expectedly fantastic. Vibrant colours and gorgeous sets.
One of the highlights is the fabulous opening scene. With a stressed out Bill Murray (look at those hilarious facial expressions) who desperately tries to get on the train thorugh crowded traffic in some Indian town. While running for the train, Adrien Brody passes him and he, unlike Murray, does catch the train. All of this is shot in beautiful slow-motion and accompanied by a great Kinks-song (must get that album Lola V.S. Powerman). Another one is the ''Play with Fire'' montage, in which we see all of the film's characters sitting in the train in one continious take, similair to the showing of the boat in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou.

In others of Anderson's films the characters were introduced in an opening sequence (Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore), and what I liked about this one, is that the characters were very gradually revealed. They didn't just sit down and have these unnatural revealing conversation, nor was there a narrator needed who told who was who. I didn't find out they were filthy rich until halfway-trough the film. However, Anderson isn't too subtle on the symbolism, even though it makes for a triumphant scene (The dropping of 'the emotional luggage' near the end)

So all in all it's no new territory for Anderson. Frustrated families, unspoken grief, bright colours and a soundtrack with Britisch pop songs from the sixties. And honestly, if Anderson would make a gritty, low key drama with a minimalistic score, we'd all be ****ing dissapointed right?

* * * *

Jack: I love you too, but I'm gonna mace you in the face!

Did they play the short film before it which is a short scene of Schwartzman and the girl he keeps talking about(played by Natalie Portman), its kind of lame if you ask me.

I haven't seen all of Anderson's films, I've seen Tenebaums and Aquatic. This seems to be departure in terms of narrative structure. Those two films were sprawling ensemble pieces centering on the actions of one character, in Tenebaums it is Hackman's character and in Aquatic it is on Murray's character. Darjeeling Limited seems to be much more focus on character development of three character in unison which is why it comes across as a lot slower than his other films since it doesn't rely on a host of different antics and different characters. Anderson's writing is masterful between the three characters, the subtle and not so subtle nuances of the brothers is hilarious and heartfelt.

 

[Watson]

What a fantastic thread. Count me in. I'll write up a review for Sex and the City after I see it this weekend.

 

[Movies205]

What a fantastic thread. Count me in. I'll write up a review for Sex and the City after I see it this weekend.

Welcome to the thread The rules are pretty simple, write two or more reviews and you get put on the list of Regulars and get your own review spot in the first post. Please come back and discuss movies as well as respond to other people's reviews

 

[Obsidian]

I guess I'll return and write some reviews over the summer

 

[Movies205]

I guess I'll return and write some reviews over the summer

We haven't seen you since the class of 06

 

[Watson]

Welcome to the thread The rules are pretty simple, write two or more reviews and you get put on the list of Regulars and get your own review spot in the first post. Please come back and discuss movies as well as respond to other people's reviews

Cool. Should be good fun