Movies205's Reviews and Discussion Thread, VOL 2.- THE SUMMER HAS RETURNED!

[Movies205]

Last summer I started a thread that basically I reviewed every movie I watched over the summer and then hopefully provoke discussions about them and other movies, it was for all intents and purposes a marginal success in my eyes. The point of the original thread was to hopefully form a group of people in which I could regularly discuss movies with, without having to deal with the bull**** of trolls, morons, and fanboys, and discuss movies not often spoken about. The old thread got some people but it quickly transformed into C4 Vol. 2 which has been long dead. But I did get to meet a couple of cool new faces like U.S. War Machine. So hopefully this time around it's able to attract some of the more opionated people like TheVileOne, Reggiebar, D.A. Crowe, Wilehm Scream, Kevin Roegelle, Jack Bauer, and there quite a few others who hopefully turn up in the thread. Here are my reviews from last summer... If any would like to discuss them...

(If you come back more than once you're put on the regulars list)

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

Guest Starring:
Eric Draven ​

RECOMMENDATIONS GREATLY APPRICIATED

After reading any review, it's encouraged to click the quote button at the bottom of the review and write a response, to keep the discussions flowing

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

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

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
A History of Violence (2005) - 10/10
2046 (2004) - 8.5/10

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
Real Genius (1985) 10/10
Rounders (1998) 8/10
Slapshot (1977) 8/10
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]

Last Summer's Reviews!
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​

 

[The Amazing Lee]

I shall definetely participate in this one.

I might try and write a review in a minute...if not tomorrow.

 

[Movies205]

I'm not quite sure what I should watch I kind of have a hanking for Daredevil DC but I'm not sure...

 

[The Amazing Lee]

Trainspotting

Ok, so this is my first try and reviewing a film. On a message board anyways. I may come over as biased in this view because this is my favourite film and I haven't got many negative things to say about it.

The movie follows the story of Mark Renton and his struggle to give up heroin and choose life. It is set in Scotland and stars Ewan Mcgregor as Mark Renton and is directed by Danny Boyle (28 days later, The Beach, Millions)

From beginning to end this film really plays with your emotions and really makes you care for these characters. They aren't hollywood actors playing drug addicts (Although Ewan Mcgregor is now a hollywood star) these are REAL people and you really do come to care for them.

There are many things that stick out in my mind, to why this film will always be an essential to have, in my own mind but I'll keep to a few points of discussion, as to not give away too much and also so I don't ramble on.

1. First Person Narrative.
I'm a fan of when the story is told using a narrator. (Non-diegetic sound)
It works amazingly well in this film because it is easier to connect to a character when he is literally speaking to you. In all fairness, you shouldn't care for the main character and you shouldn't care for the secondary characters/supporting cast because of who they are and what they do for society (which is nothing)

But because there is a bond between the audience and the narrator, we are able to understand what is going on alot more clearer than we would without one and also I feel that the narration carries this film. It helps to provide the humour but most importantly it helps to understand parts of the film which are less understandable without being told exactly what is going on.

The Soundtrack
This film has a fantastic soundtrack and it is definetely used to it's full pontential. From Iggy Pop at the beginning of the film, to Lou Reed's emotional ballad that really puts a depressive impact on the scene that it is used in. I can't express how much the music in the film works to it's advantage 100% all the time.

Last but in no-way least.

The direction
Danny Boyle is definetely not afraid to experiment and the direction within the film is nothing less than amazing. I cannot be bothered to go into detail to why it is so amazing but the way in which the film has been edited together, we are given some fantastic shots including when Renton jumps off a wall and it cuts to the next shot of him jumping into another location.
Shots and sequences that definetely stand out in this film are:
-The worst toilet in Scotland
-Renton's final hit
-The Atomic sex sequence
-shooting a dog up the arse
-the beginning sequence
-Spud and his little accident.

and many many more.

I would definetely give this movie a 10/10 because it thrives on pop culture and british humour as well as not forgetting that it has a heart and there is some deep meaning behind the characters and why they are who they are.

This is definetely not a mindless American black comedy, but it's easy to follow and it doesn't require a brain to watch. I reccommend all those who do not live in England to give other ethnicities a chance, start with some british films, like this classic.

::WARNING::
Strong scottish accents may confuse you.

 

[Mr.Webs]

I might contribute every once in a while. I mean, if that's okay, and I'm not intruding.

 

[Matt]

I'll do one...

X-Men III: The Last Stand
By Matt

A few words I can use to describe this movie are fun, energetic, exciting, and most importantly, full of potential that was never met. This film has scenes that easily rape Bryan Singer's wildest dreams and show just how lackluster his films are. On the other hand, this film has scenes that make you want to stand up and leave the theater. It is the most unbalanced movie I have seen in quite some time, full of plots that weren't explored, sequences that were rushed, and dialogue that could've used David Hayter to touch it up.

That being said, the movie is fun. The action is intense, the drama when it needs to be is there (Magneto's scenes), the dialogue is funny at times (people can ***** about it all they want, but if you can honestly say you didn't crack a smile for "I'M THE JUGGERNAUT *****" you are entirely void of humor). And the characters, with the major exception of Angel are as developed as they need to be to serve their purposes.

Not many people will, but I am giving Bret Ratner a hell of a lot of credit. I am also giving credit to Simon Kinberg and Zak Penn. They made something better than Singer, Dougherty and Harris ever dreamed of. They made a real X-men movie...the downside is, because of Fox, we never got to see it.

If you can just sit back, put the fanboy out of your mind, kick your feet up, and enjoy it as a MOVIE (not a comic, mind you)...it will be the most fun you've had at a theater since the original Pirates of the Carribean. 8.2 stars

 

[black_dust]

I`ll do some but only the films i see at the cinema cause im always renting :S so it would clog up the thread haha.

Ones to expect from me. X-men3, Superman Returns, Southland Tales, lady in the water. and many more

I`ll be seeing X-men3 sometime this week

 

[The Amazing Lee]

I hardly go to the cinema.

Last thing I went to see at the cinema was Zathura.

 

[black_dust]

Jesus i didn`t even bother with that, bloody jumanji ripoff

 

[The Amazing Lee]

Heh. up:

It was pretty cool though.

A little bit of fun.

 

[Matt]

Jesus i didn`t even bother with that, bloody jumanji ripoff

Zanthura was a sequel. Not a ripoff.

 

[The Amazing Lee]

It wasn't really a sequel it was using the same idea but creating a new setting and by the same creator.

 

[black_dust]

It's a separate movie, meaning it has new characters, setting, etc.

It's almost exactly the same story as Jumanji except the setting is in space rather than jungle. It's not a sequel to Jumanji in the normal sense.

The board game is different. And there's no wild animal stampedes. I won't spoil it for u, but there's just as much fun in this movie.

Anyway off the subject

 

[Movies205]

I dig the movie reviews quite a bit guys, keep it up... But remember the other half is a discussion thread because everywhere else discussions usually turn into insult threads

I'll do one...

X-Men III: The Last Stand
By Matt

A few words I can use to describe this movie are fun, energetic, exciting, and most importantly, full of potential that was never met. This film has scenes that easily rape Bryan Singer's wildest dreams and show just how lackluster his films are. On the other hand, this film has scenes that make you want to stand up and leave the theater. It is the most unbalanced movie I have seen in quite some time, full of plots that weren't explored, sequences that were rushed, and dialogue that could've used David Hayter to touch it up.

That being said, the movie is fun. The action is intense, the drama when it needs to be is there (Magneto's scenes), the dialogue is funny at times (people can ***** about it all they want, but if you can honestly say you didn't crack a smile for "I'M THE JUGGERNAUT *****" you are entirely void of humor). And the characters, with the major exception of Angel are as developed as they need to be to serve their purposes.

Not many people will, but I am giving Bret Ratner a hell of a lot of credit. I am also giving credit to Simon Kinberg and Zak Penn. They made something better than Singer, Dougherty and Harris ever dreamed of. They made a real X-men movie...the downside is, because of Fox, we never got to see it.

If you can just sit back, put the fanboy out of your mind, kick your feet up, and enjoy it as a MOVIE (not a comic, mind you)...it will be the most fun you've had at a theater since the original Pirates of the Carribean. 8.2 stars

I seriously disagree here, how can you say the characters were developed? All they did was make terrible one liners the entire movie, for example Storm. She could of been fleshed out a hell of al ot more, it's the third movie and we know nothing about her past or anything that drives her, the closest she gets to character development is 2 lines, "Who would want ot change" and "You're either with us or your not" The characters don't change, they bascialyl stay the same the enitre movie. Also what about the story it so incredibly fragmented, that it simply takes you out of the movie mood and you just sit there thinking, what terrible writing. For example the Pheonix the first half is spent trying to find her and then she just disappears for the movie, I mean magneto doesn't even use her. Terrible writing if you ask me... But I too love the Juggernaunt line...

 

[Movies205]

I`ll do some but only the films i see at the cinema cause im always renting :S so it would clog up the thread haha.

Ones to expect from me. X-men3, Superman Returns, Southland Tales, lady in the water. and many more

I`ll be seeing X-men3 sometime this week

Old movies are greatly appriciated for reviews because again, it's a place to discuss films not often brought up. So review films you rent as well You don't even need to review them, just a passing comment and we'll all just pick off that.

It's a separate movie, meaning it has new characters, setting, etc.

It's almost exactly the same story as Jumanji except the setting is in space rather than jungle. It's not a sequel to Jumanji in the normal sense.

The board game is different. And there's no wild animal stampedes. I won't spoil it for u, but there's just as much fun in this movie.

Anyway off the subject

Well I don't know if you know Zathura was the second book in I think a series of children's books. Also I haven't seen Jumanji since it came out when I was a kid so I can't comment on that. But I really dug Zathura but it left me wanting. I really wish it had a bigger budget because in all honesty the character development and story was all there but tehre wasn't enough action, you never really got to see what the space lizards could do and you never really got an awesome robot fight. But all in all I was satisfied 7/10, anyone else's got an opinion on this?

 

[The Amazing Lee]

Yeah I'll add some comments.

I admit, yeah the characterisation was there but at times it felt that there was alot to be desired. But the twist about who the spaceman really was, threw me back and that was quite amazing.

 

[Movies205]

Really? I felt it was somewhat cliche IMO, I mean Lost in Space did the same thing really by making the future guy his son and **** of that nature. Also the characterzation felt a little stale thinking back beacuse it was so predictable and same old but it was still there.

 

[The Amazing Lee]

True, but you've got to remember that this is still a kid's film and that for what it was, it exceeded at it.

I would definetely buy this film if I had children, because even though like you said, it has a fair few cliches, it's a fun film and when you are dealing with family entertainment/Children's films it is hard to NOT run into cliches.

 

[Movies205]

Yeah definately I agree... But I'd say Children fantasy sadly is the only place to get any good fantasy, the only good adult fantasy to date really is Lord of the Rings, and I really loveD Dragonheart when I was a kid, I don't know how it'd hold up now.

But there some hardcore children's fantasy out there

Dark Crystal
Return to Oz
Harry Potter Series
Chronicles of Narnia

There's probably some others but I'm forgetting, I think it has to do with adults losing the power of imagination as they get older as corny as it sounds

 

[The Amazing Lee]

I saw The Princess Bride....which I suppose could be called a Fantasy. I think I liked it but I'm not sure...it didn't seem as praiseworthy as some people were saying. But yeah I suppose The Princess Bride could also be considered a hardcore childen's fantasy.

 

[Movies205]

I've never seen it but I'm a fan of director Rob Reiner when he makes good movies. My friend said it's great, and how could you not like a movie that features the late great ANDRE THE GIANT!

 

[The Amazing Lee]

Yeah, he good in it and there was definetely some good parts to it.

I suppose it's just one of them films which I have grow to love the more I watch it.

 

[Movies205]

Could be a time period thing, like Easy Rider just didn't do it for me like it does for a lot of people, different time, different movies...

 

[The Amazing Lee]

I like alot of 90's films, probably because that's the era where I grew up in and I love films that reference pop culture.