- Jun 12, 2014
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Founding Member
Film Reviews - what have you seen lately, what did you think?
- Thread starter TLB
- Start date
- Nov 29, 2015
- 4,090
- 6,050
Tried to watch dragged across concrete with Mel Gibson.
made it about 20 minutes, it was slow and dark. By dark, I mean filmed so dark you couldn’t tell what was going on! Too many windows in my house to try and watch in the daytime. Elfing “cinematographers” A brief boob. Might try again to finish.
made it about 20 minutes, it was slow and dark. By dark, I mean filmed so dark you couldn’t tell what was going on! Too many windows in my house to try and watch in the daytime. Elfing “cinematographers” A brief boob. Might try again to finish.
- Jan 6, 2015
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I'll give that a look. Thanks.
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You Were Never Really There (2019)
J Phoenix as a middle aged veteran with PTSD who finds missing children for a living. He gets pulled into a job that goes wrong and he struggles to find the girl and save her from the pedo-ring that has her. Honestly, the best word I can use to describe it is 'Muddy'. The film isn't crisp with it's dialogue, plot, characters, or really much of what or why things happen. Perhaps that's meant to reflect his cloudy mind dealing with things. He's given to violence, when needed. His sleuthing skills run counter to his PTSD, but that's not addressed. Bottom line, I can't recommend any aspect of this. At best, a JP fan might watch all his films, but that is likely the only person who would/should. 2/10.
- Jan 6, 2015
- 14,225
- 26,665
Martyrs (2008)
French horror, I watched with English audio dub. The bad news is, I'd watched this before...I'd just forgotten (there's so many). Read the IMDB reviews after the fact, and found it a love/hate list of comments. Some loved it, some hated it. Those who loved it...I think they haven't seen many films. This wasn't good, IMO. Plotline follows two girls who grew up together, one found after she escaped from a torture facility. No explanation of how-why she was there, only that she continues to be mentally tormented growing up and her friend tries to help her. 15y later, she's hunting the people that did it to her - minimal explanation of identifying the family she crashes in on and kills as to them being the people or not, and following the melee her friend arrives to help her but she kills herself (oops, spoiler). Then, authorities show up, haul away all the bodies and set the friend into such a torture routine. Finally, we turn the corner on the 'why', as there appears to be a cult of some sort that believes incredible suffering will allow a person to transcend to heaven but they are keeping the person alive to come back and tell them if there is an afterlife and what it is like. Film provides some nudity, but it's not appealing. Some torture, but it's meh other than the final phase for the friend (and the one person they free prior to that which gives the friend an idea of what they may do to her). Ultimately, the film is kept on the list of ... well whatever horror lists it is on, by a few strong fans and their limited experience to compare it with. I can't even say it was 'good' for its era. 3/10.
French horror, I watched with English audio dub. The bad news is, I'd watched this before...I'd just forgotten (there's so many). Read the IMDB reviews after the fact, and found it a love/hate list of comments. Some loved it, some hated it. Those who loved it...I think they haven't seen many films. This wasn't good, IMO. Plotline follows two girls who grew up together, one found after she escaped from a torture facility. No explanation of how-why she was there, only that she continues to be mentally tormented growing up and her friend tries to help her. 15y later, she's hunting the people that did it to her - minimal explanation of identifying the family she crashes in on and kills as to them being the people or not, and following the melee her friend arrives to help her but she kills herself (oops, spoiler). Then, authorities show up, haul away all the bodies and set the friend into such a torture routine. Finally, we turn the corner on the 'why', as there appears to be a cult of some sort that believes incredible suffering will allow a person to transcend to heaven but they are keeping the person alive to come back and tell them if there is an afterlife and what it is like. Film provides some nudity, but it's not appealing. Some torture, but it's meh other than the final phase for the friend (and the one person they free prior to that which gives the friend an idea of what they may do to her). Ultimately, the film is kept on the list of ... well whatever horror lists it is on, by a few strong fans and their limited experience to compare it with. I can't even say it was 'good' for its era. 3/10.
- Jan 6, 2015
- 14,225
- 26,665
Old Boy (2013)
Seems Spike Lee remade the film with Josh Brolin as the lead. I found this version cleaner (crisper images, more American) and I didn't lose things in translation, but there were things lost in the remake. The few humorous lines in the original were abandoned here, along with some liberties taken with the story. Our villain is still a brother, but is was his dad rather than him that was caught to create the root of the situation, but the son is the survivor still scarred and runs our protagonist role. Brother has an English accent, and is fairly unremarkable other than being annoying in his role. I will say, switching the original cause off the brother and to the father DOES make the ending fit better. It feels like the hotel stay was thinner, less screen time or less of an impression on me, I can't say. Out with the hypnotizing, in with the tech tools available today. Spike leans on his buddy Samuel L Jackson as the the hotel manager - a smaller role in this film, but still ok. We kept the hallway fight at the hotel...just updated it a bit. Ending was a little different, but suits this version, I suppose.
For someone who hadn't seen the original, this would likely earn about a 6.5-7/10. Because I'd seen the original, it gets a 6/10. Extra credit given for a) casting Elizabeth Olsen, and b) nude scene with E. Olsen (I haz a crush). This is the ONLY nudity, full awesome boobage and ass cheeks.. May have to rewatch the scene again.
- Jul 23, 2014
- 11,916
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- Jan 6, 2015
- 14,225
- 26,665
Comedy of Terrors (1963)
I am old enough to appreciate Vincent Price movies. In this one, he is a scoundrel of a man who married a rather attractive woman only to take over her father's funeral business. Boris Karloff plays the father, in a rather limited role. The side-kick who makes coffins and then assists VP with his scoundrelous endeavors is played by Peter Lorre. The first five minutes are a joy compared to the crap I've been watching as of late, as the dialogue moves quickly with sniping and half-hidden remarks as VP has contempt for his voluptous wife and nearly everyone around him. Plotline follows that in their small village-town they've only had one customer in 9mo, and a debt collector is hounding VP for payments. So, VP decides he'll make his own victi...er, customers. The first effort doesn't go as planned, as he makes a widow of a buxom woman only to find she runs off with the inheritence the next day leaving his bill unpaid. So, he seeks out a bacheolor, and who better than his debt collector? Only, that one doesn't go so well either. I won't spoil the film, but if you are ok with 60's filmmaking, a bit of physical comedy and plenty of witty dialogue, this is for you. It's called a horror-comedy, which for the era it likely was, but by standards today there's no real horror to it. Around 75min runtime, neat and tidy with characters and story, and plenty of chuckles (not out right knee slapping, c'mon, it's the 60's). ThreatMatrix rating boosted by 60's standards in that we've got great....GREAT cleavage of two low cut outfits on both women in the smaller roles...but that's it. Solid 7/10
I am old enough to appreciate Vincent Price movies. In this one, he is a scoundrel of a man who married a rather attractive woman only to take over her father's funeral business. Boris Karloff plays the father, in a rather limited role. The side-kick who makes coffins and then assists VP with his scoundrelous endeavors is played by Peter Lorre. The first five minutes are a joy compared to the crap I've been watching as of late, as the dialogue moves quickly with sniping and half-hidden remarks as VP has contempt for his voluptous wife and nearly everyone around him. Plotline follows that in their small village-town they've only had one customer in 9mo, and a debt collector is hounding VP for payments. So, VP decides he'll make his own victi...er, customers. The first effort doesn't go as planned, as he makes a widow of a buxom woman only to find she runs off with the inheritence the next day leaving his bill unpaid. So, he seeks out a bacheolor, and who better than his debt collector? Only, that one doesn't go so well either. I won't spoil the film, but if you are ok with 60's filmmaking, a bit of physical comedy and plenty of witty dialogue, this is for you. It's called a horror-comedy, which for the era it likely was, but by standards today there's no real horror to it. Around 75min runtime, neat and tidy with characters and story, and plenty of chuckles (not out right knee slapping, c'mon, it's the 60's). ThreatMatrix rating boosted by 60's standards in that we've got great....GREAT cleavage of two low cut outfits on both women in the smaller roles...but that's it. Solid 7/10
- Jan 6, 2015
- 14,225
- 26,665
Boogie Nights (1997)
Been on my list for awhile, finally gave it a spin. Plotline for those that don't remember is young Markie-Mark Wahlburg is a late 70's teen who enters the world of adult films owing to his huge member. Plenty of stars in the film and nearly all do very well with their roles, seems pretty close to how I'd imagine that era, that lifestyle. At 2.5h long, we get hardly any skin...because, according to the director it wasn't about porn but about people trying to find themselves, a family, etc...in the porn industry. It's also constructed around the life and times of The John Holmes. Side note, until I looked him up today, I'd always assumed he was black, and I had no clue to the Wonderland killings (also mirrored in Dirk Digglers world to a degree). It doesn't drag, but you feel he entire 2.5h as we watch Dirk and his friends rise to fame, and fall. Can't say I'd recommend it, but I can cross it off the list now. 5/10.
ThreatMatrix data: Heather Graham plays a good role as "Roller Girl", given a few BJs and a decent frontal nudity scene as her and Dirk audition for Burt Reynolds. Also, Julianne Moore plays the 'already a star' who kinda leads Dirk into the industry. They have a scene or two, but I'm betting the boobs are a body double.
Been on my list for awhile, finally gave it a spin. Plotline for those that don't remember is young Markie-Mark Wahlburg is a late 70's teen who enters the world of adult films owing to his huge member. Plenty of stars in the film and nearly all do very well with their roles, seems pretty close to how I'd imagine that era, that lifestyle. At 2.5h long, we get hardly any skin...because, according to the director it wasn't about porn but about people trying to find themselves, a family, etc...in the porn industry. It's also constructed around the life and times of The John Holmes. Side note, until I looked him up today, I'd always assumed he was black, and I had no clue to the Wonderland killings (also mirrored in Dirk Digglers world to a degree). It doesn't drag, but you feel he entire 2.5h as we watch Dirk and his friends rise to fame, and fall. Can't say I'd recommend it, but I can cross it off the list now. 5/10.
ThreatMatrix data: Heather Graham plays a good role as "Roller Girl", given a few BJs and a decent frontal nudity scene as her and Dirk audition for Burt Reynolds. Also, Julianne Moore plays the 'already a star' who kinda leads Dirk into the industry. They have a scene or two, but I'm betting the boobs are a body double.
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- Aug 28, 2014
- 16,541
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I saw Boogie Nights in the theater when it came out. I liked it. Actually think it was Burt Reynolds best acting of his career. I liked it for the nostalgia - not of my time in the porn industry but of the 70's. The late Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays a closeted 'mo with a crush on Markie Mark. John C Reilly plays a rare serious character. William Macy as the cuckold husband of real porn star Nina Hartley, There are some outrageous party scenes. The botched house robbery scene with the crazy drug dealer/producer? It's a long movie with a lot of plot lines. And yes, full frontal from Heather Graham and not doubt Julianne Moore's actual tits. BTW the look on her face when Dirk penetrates her is priceless.
QueenCityGator
University of Florida Alumnus
- Aug 12, 2014
- 1,582
- 398
Watched Instant Family last night. Stars Mark Wahlberg. It’s about him and his wife trying to adopt 3 Hispanic kids (teen girl, 10yo boy, 8yo girl). Good movie, it had its funny moments and was uplifting.
- Jul 15, 2014
- 28,632
- 47,616
- Nov 7, 2015
- 2,479
- 6,698
I have a guilty pleasure for prison movies. I recommend Shot Caller (I think it’s on Netflix)
I’d give it a solid B, approaching B+ if you like prison movies.
very similar to cell block 99, but a bit more cerebral, and I think a little bit better
- Aug 28, 2014
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LOL. Yeah I did but I promise it was for brevity. Cheadle's character was great too.
- Jul 23, 2014
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My favorite Don Cheadle character... and speaking of John C Reilly as well as Cheadle, do yourself a favor and watch "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story". Especially if you're a music fan.
- Dec 31, 2018
- 14,985
- 28,380
It is sad to think there are people alive in this country who don't what the plot is in "Casablanca"
- Dec 31, 2018
- 14,985
- 28,380
We recently watched a couple of old Coen brothers movies: "Hail Caesar" and "Intolerable Cruelty." Both were pretty funny and George Clooney was surprisingly good at playing a goofball. Youngish Catherine Zeta-Jones in the second flick. Damn she was smokin' hot once upon a time.
- Jul 15, 2014
- 28,632
- 47,616
- Jun 12, 2014
- 16,336
- 14,798
Founding Member
- Dec 31, 2018
- 14,985
- 28,380
Concur; lately, tho, not so much.
