Movies thread

[Mr Bekkler]

I wanted to catch that one, but in the trailers it just comes off as a James Bond movie for some reason... "the name is Holmes, Sherlock Holmes" comes to mind.

But I still plan to watch it, eventually =P

Yeah, I feel similar...having read the series of short stories (& the novellas) and becoming a Sherlockian I can't help but think that the movie doesn't really follow the source material so much as the perception of the material (i.e.: "Elementary, my dear Watson!", which Holmes never says in the books)...Doyle didn't even like the source all that much to begin with, so I can only imagine what he'd think if he were alive today and there was a Hollywood version of it now while most of his other work (besides a rather consistently retooled Land of the Lost) continues to go mostly unnoticed (by me too)...>_>

I think you mean The Lost World. Land of the Lost was never a novel. Edit: it was the title of a 1945 children's novel, but the premise that we're all familiar with was developed by Sid and Marty Krofft, of H.R. Puffnstuff fame.

[Thought]

We watched "The Gamers: Dorkness Rising" on Saturday. Utterly hilarious and entertaining. Perhaps not suited for individuals who have never played a tabletop roleplaying game, but if you have any idea what a D20 is, you should be fully amused.

[ShoeMagus]

Just discovered this and had to share. As goes without saying, there are vampire myths throughout the world. The Chinese have their own addition which turned into some hilarious films.

Case in point, Mr. Vampire (1985). A Priest (Taoist, from the vague things I know about Chinese religion) discovers a vampire after digging up someone for a reburial. He, along with his rather dimwitted disciples, attempt to contain the vampire until something can be done, but of course it escapes.

The vampires in question don't walk, but hop. They drain lifeforce by way of their razor sharp claws. In similar movies (like Hello Dracula), they also are able to paralyze people by jumping and landing in their shadows. Sticky rice and strips of yellow paper stuck to the face of the vampire (written on in ink mixed with chicken's blood) are used to contain the vampires, while destruction is assured by way of impalement and/or cremation.

These are interesting because of the different take on vampires that they present. They are a weird fusion of horror, comedy, and kung fu. Probably not for everybody, but if you're into this sort of thing than it's definitely worth it.

[neo-fusion]

Please watch Revolver.

It is a Guy Ritchie film and it plays with your head. It's a great movie.

Let my get a synopsis real quick.

"After seven years in solitary, Jake Green is released from prison. In the next two years, he amasses a lot of money by gambling. He's ready to seek his revenge on Dorothy (Mr. D) Macha, a violence-prone casino owner who sent Jake to prison. He humiliates Macha in front of Macha's lieutenants, leaves, and keels over. Doctors tell him he has a rare disease and will die in three days; Macha also puts a hit out on him. Loan sharks, Zack and Avi, demand Jake's cash and complete fealty in return for protection. Jake complies, and through narration and flashbacks, we watch him through at least three days of schemes, danger, and redemption. Who is his greatest enemy?"

[GenesisOne]

Just watched Percy Jackson & The Olympians this weekend with my family.  From a technical and visual viewpoint, it was an amazing film, but in terms of story-telling, it left a lot to be desired.  Here’s what I mean:

Harry Potter Percy Jackson is your average teenager with less than stellar step-parents, except he has unusual powers that he’s unaware of.  As it turns out, he’s a wizard demigod who is being sought after by Voldemort Hades who wishes to possess the Sorcerer’s Stone Lightning Bolt.  In order to improve his abilities, Percy heads off to Hogwarts Camp Half-Blood where he makes new friends (Ron Grover and Hermoine Annabelle ) and plays Quidditch Capture the Flag.  As it turns out, Professor Quirril Luke, his Platonic quasi mentor, was working for Voldemort Hades all along.  He even had the Sorcerer’s Stone Lightning Bolt all along, but Percy and Professor Quirril Luke battle it out to the end in a spectacular climax.  Percy wins and returns the Sorcerer’s Stone Lightning Bolt to the rightful owner, Professor Dumbledore Zeus.  In the end, Percy gets to continue training at Hogwarts Camp Half-Blood and enjoy life as a wizard demigod.

Need I say more?

[Sajainta]

I always misread that movie title as Peter Jackson and the Olympians and got confused.

[Mr Bekkler]

Just watched Percy Jackson & The Olympians this weekend with my family.  From a technical and visual viewpoint, it was an amazing film, but in terms of story-telling, it left a lot to be desired.  Here’s what I mean:

Harry Potter Percy Jackson is your average teenager with less than stellar step-parents, except he has unusual powers that he’s unaware of.  As it turns out, he’s a wizard demigod who is being sought after by Voldemort Hades who wishes to possess the Sorcerer’s Stone Lightning Bolt.  In order to improve his abilities, Percy heads off to Hogwarts Camp Half-Blood where he makes new friends (Ron Grover and Hermoine Annabelle ) and plays Quidditch Capture the Flag.  As it turns out, Professor Quirril Luke, his Platonic quasi mentor, was working for Voldemort Hades all along.  He even had the Sorcerer’s Stone Lightning Bolt all along, but Percy and Professor Quirril Luke battle it out to the end in a spectacular climax.  Percy wins and returns the Sorcerer’s Stone Lightning Bolt to the rightful owner, Professor Dumbledore Zeus.  In the end, Percy gets to continue training at Hogwarts Camp Half-Blood and enjoy life as a wizard demigod.

Need I say more?

I figured it'd be a fairly cookie-cutter storyline, but it looks like the eye candy is the real draw. I'd really like to see the film, but I don't want to pay theater prices and I don't mind waiting. Hello, Netflix!

[Sajainta]

I'd really like to see the film, but I don't want to pay theater prices and I don't mind waiting. Hello, Netflix!

Story of my entire movie-watching life. 

Besides, it's rare to find a movie with a truly original storyline anyway.

[Radical_Dreamer]

I watched Once last night. If you enjoy acoustic music, you'll enjoy it. It felt like it was mainly there to showcase the music, but the music is good and the story was enough for the purposes of the film.

[V_Translanka]

I really enjoyed Once. If you put it off because it's basically a "musical" (certainly not in any traditional sense you may be thinking of) or because you thought it was some sappy romantic piece of trash, know that you are wrong and should really give it a chance. At first, I had wished that it hadn't been filmed with that handheld, documentary style, but then it just sucked me in and I didn't notice it. Great performances (especially since the leads aren't actors, but musicians), great tunes, great simple, sweet, & short story. If you know the Irish band The Frames then you will definitely enjoy the music...

[random404]

I saw Legally Blonde a couple of days ago. Reese Witherspoon's cute but it made me uncomfortable. At the start because I wouldn't get into Harvard in a million years, and later because the case and stuff felt kinda hackneyed. Then again I love the Rush Hour movies even though those movies aren't well made, so go figure.
 :?Anyone here into silent movies? I started watching some around last year. Most of it's dated, the visuals take a while to get used to,and the racism makes me cringe, but some are still...fun, at least for me.

[Sajainta]

The only silent movie I've ever seen is Nosferatu.  Fantastic film.

[V_Translanka]

Can't go wrong with comic legends Buster Keaton & Charlie Chaplin. Physical comedy is universal and works with or without color, sound or 3D technology!

[Samopoznanie]

The only silent movie I've ever seen is Nosferatu.  Fantastic film.

Try The Man With The Movie Camera - great artifact from the 1920s.

[FaustWolf]

The only silent movie I've ever seen is Nosferatu.  Fantastic film.

Did you see the version scored by Silent Orchestra? I've been waiting yeeeeears for them to release the soundtrack for purchase! They're finally about to do it, or so I hope.

The director of Nosferatu also did Faust, but unfortunately I can't say I recommend it all that highly. Probably because Silent Orchestra spoiled all other silent film experiences for me with their awesomeness in Nosferatu. I still need to check out Murnau's Sunrise. I think that might be the last one he did.

I recall enjoying an old Rudie Valentino flick called The Eagle. There's an instance of animal cruelty in it though, where I'm 99% sure one of the actors shot a live bear on camera as part of the story.

I thought Madchen in Uniform was silent for some reason, but now I remember it was an early German talkie. The 1958 remake is much preferable, but sadly it's disappeared from Youtube; way to go for art preservation. Comparing the original and the remake of this obscure German flick was really interesting while they were both up though. The 1931 version seemed kind of trashy and incoherent, but the later version had excellent characterization and treated an offbeat subject with greater panache IMO.