MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > What did you watch this week? (09/07-15/...

What did you watch this week? (09/07-15/07)

posted 8 years ago by StoneKeeper (28333)
82 replies | jump to latest

Bonjour tout le monde!
Hi everyone!

Don't forget to comment on my movies too guys.

Mine:

Stardust (2007 Bluray): It's the rating of 7.7 and the reviews that got me into buying this one. Well, I didn't like the first hour of the film. There was a little bit of everything but nothing really good. I found some scenes to be just plain stupid. The second half gradually got better ( as did the main character's haircut) and in the end, I found that the whole story wrapped up pretty well. The love story was too corny for me though. Also, the music was good but way too loud, the special effects were okay but not impressive and the casting was good but the acting was average. 5/10

Road to perdition (2000 DVD): Now that was a well-made movie. It's beautiful, everything run smoothly, the music is amazing, the ambiance from the 30's is great and Tom Hanks, to my great surprise, pulled off the role of a stone cold killer quite convincingly. Honourable mentions to Paul Newman, Daniel Craig and Jude Law who played three of the coolest bad guys I hadn't seen since a good while. 8/10

Get out (2017 DVD): This one became an instant favourite of mine. Can't believe I never heard of it before. I loved every second, I was glued to my seat so much it was gripping and yet, it was fun and even funny at times. This first time director did the work of a master, the acting was phenomenal and the story manage to surprise even if partially predictable. I think some of the horror clichéd scenes were not really necessary as was the sound effects for the jump scares. Otherwise I didn't mind the minor script related flaws so much it was an amazing movie. 9/10

Suicide Squad (2016 DVD): Finally decided to buy it even tough the critics destroyed it. The dialogue was mostly execrable and the ending is one of the worst ever. The character I was the most anxious to see was the worst of them all: The Joker (Jared Leto). Apart from that, I enjoyed it as a mindless action movie. The soundtrack was great, the special FX and the zingy settings were good and the characters were interesting (except for the Joker.) 5.5-6/10

The Punisher (2004 Netflix): First, the casting: I thought Thomas Jane was a perfect choice, Ben Foster and the other big guy were good additions but John Travolta was a bad call. Then, the story ( a very intricate and elaborated one): A undercover agent goes on a revenge killing spree after his parents, his wife and his son are killed by bad guys. Honestly, I never expected this movie to be of any real value but always wondered about it. It was actually better than I thought it would be. I especially liked the scenes with his complex neighbours. 7/10

The Playaz court (2000 DVD): This is one of my favourite low-budget movies. I would like to share parts of the two reviews on Imdb:
1."For an extremely low-budget flick this work has all the elements of a mini-masterpiece. With two different sub-plots working together we watch how a typical game of basketball evolves into a murder-mystery and life altering experience. At first dismissing as another typical straight to video "hood flick" I appreciated the direction it took with using the basketball court as a way to work out internal family and neighbourhood problems. Things build quickly, violence ensues and in "Clue" whodunit style fingers start flying all directions. Now the trick here is the basketball COURT ends up a makeshift justice COURT of peers. Justice will be served but the questions of who, what, where, when, and why must be answered under a tense barrage of Q & A."
2. "I too, usually take one look at a film's cover and decide there and then whether it's worth my time or not. Thankfully, I gave the cover of 'The Playaz Court' a second look, and discovered it's far from the 'rap star does movie' clone I presumed it would be.Gritty, Compelling, Fantastically performed..."The Playaz Court" is a refreshing surprise. And despite the fact some of the screenplay comes across a little hammy, it's nothing short of damn entertaining."
My rating: 6.5/10

Ojka (2017 Netflix): A unique film, although we can clearly feel the director's touch, with a unique story and a quirky vibe. I would say that it's somewhere between Babe and Schindler's list. I am not a fan of movies with a CGI'd main character but this is as good as it can get. 7/10

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

Suicide squas
And why not,something different...a cgi:resident evil vendetta😉

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Not sure I understand your post.

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

Sorry about that,i was focused on something else...

Suicide squad and resident evil:vendetta😉

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

So...we Both watched SQ this week. Don't be shy to share your thoughts this is what we're here for

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

I'm not shy...i just...i'm not good with the reviews,that's all😉

[–] SickSpazmoid (877) 8 years ago

Bitter Lake (2015) - documentary by Adam Curtis. I love his movies. He makes art out of archival footage and music, packed in lo-fi dystopian vision. He is searching for truth behind the fog of politics and media, and trying to explain how the modern world came to be. As usual, his movies are very intellectual and heavy to watch. And one should keep the mind that Curtis, as everybody else, is limited by his own knowledge, prejudices and convictions. Still, there so much in his movies to galvanize your brain - facts, images. Disturbing stuff. If you are new to his works, I would recommend "HyperNormalisation" or "Century of Self" as good places to start. Most of his movies can be watched for free at archive.org. 8/10

Zygote (2017) - the third short movie by Neil Blomkamp's Oats Studios. Far away outpost and ugly monster. I know, it is an overused theme in movies and games, but I can binge on endless variations of it. Neil really wants to avenge the old demented Ridley Scott for not giving him Alien. Great monster, some clever parts, Dakota Fanning, interesting back story (Earth hit by giant asteroid, corporation mining it for resources and there is something in it). It's free on Oats Studio YouTube channel. 8/10

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Cool, thanks. I'll Look it up for sure

[–] SickSpazmoid (877) 8 years ago

Yes, The Punisher is fun old school action movie, almost anachronistic. I have to rewatch it together with the older one.

[–] MinaVladimir (4086) 8 years ago

I've caught bits of Stardust on TV a few times. I never felt like sitting down and actually watching it. Same with The Punisher. I have seen Punisher: War Zone and that was a fun, over the top movie.

Get Out was good. It was a well executed film, with a fresh perspective.

As for Suicide Squad... A pointless collage of stuff. I had negative fun watching it. Also, I did like Jai Courtney in it, so it might have given me brain damage as well.

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
A high schooler lacking confidence finds himself through his black friend and a girl who has cancer. He also thinks the parody movies he makes with said black friend are terrible, even though they’re clearly quality productions. Visually it was a very interesting movie and I liked all the titles of the little movies the two friends made. Storywise? It’s the same thing we’ve been treated to ever since boys have been becoming men, and grabbing a camera (or a pen) to tell the story of other boys that become men. And it’s always the same mundane things that have been presented as something profound. Yep, friendships influence you, and people die, that’ll surely change a person. Still, it wasn’t a bad movie, just trying too hard and a little too stylized for me to fully immerse myself in the story.
https://moviechat.org/tt2582496/Me-and-Earl-and-the-Dying-Girl

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
A film about a father and his three daughters and how each finds their joy in life, among other things. This too, is a film that deals with changes in life. But it feels more earnest and sincere. I liked the characters and their dynamics. The story is engaging. It feels true to life, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always surprising. Just a wonderful film.
https://moviechat.org/tt0111797/Eat-Drink-Man-Woman

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Cheers girl!

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

I agree with you about Earl and Eat Drink Man Woman.
Eat Drink is Ang Lee's best work in my opinion. Every time I watch it I feel differently. Always good.
As you go through different periods in life you feel differently about movies. I have viewed this movie through different
eyes for over 20 years. Always stupendous.

The Wedding Banquet is also quite good.

[–] MinaVladimir (4086) 8 years ago

It was my first time watching it (courtesy of the ATM club /come drop a few lines :P/). It's been a while since I've have such an effortless viewing, packed with so much substance. Now I'm interested in checking out Ang Lee's earlier work, and already added The Wedding Banquet to my watchlist.

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

It's a beautifully made movie. I know I haven't kept up with ATM. I have no excuse. What's worse is your
watching some of favorite movies of all time.
Maybe I'll stop by if you stop by the song game. :P We can't get to 3000 without you.

[–] MinaVladimir (4086) 8 years ago

Done! Your turn :P

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

You're sneaky Mina, very sneaky.
Well played.

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

Done with my homework too. :)

[–] MinaVladimir (4086) 8 years ago

Good man!

There's a new (administrative) post, go take a look when you can :) /I'm not going to leave you alone on this one :P/

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

I'm sure what I wrote will change the face of movies as we know them for decades to come.

I know you're not going to let me off the hook.
I would expect nothing less from you Mina. :)

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

Finished Season 15 of Family Guy

https://moviechat.org/tt0182576/Family-Guy

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Love Simpsons and South Park but never dug that one.

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

I did finish a season of The Simpsons. It was last year though. before this site was made.

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

What do you mean? You Watched one season of the Simpsons ever or?

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

Yes, I had finished one season of The Simpson. It was not bad; however, Family Guy is my preference. I like to think of it as the 90s generation of The Simpsons

[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

I agree with you on Road to Perdition - Hanks was great. It was Newman'a swan song.
Suicide Squad was a joke - I lasted about 20 mins
Get Out - you give it a higher rating than most. I look forward to watching it.

[–] Barclays (960) 8 years ago

When you said that you've never heard of Get Out before, rated it higher than Road To Perdition, and then called Jordan Peele a master director, I KNEW you were trolling.

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

There seems to be a lot of confusion in that head of yours but sure, why not.

[–] db20db (17741) 8 years ago

He's constantly trying to create confusion, which is what trolls do, namely by employing the pot-calling-the-kettle- black strategy, which by now, is antiquated.

[–] Barclays (960) 8 years ago

No it's you. Get Out isn't better than Road To Perdition. Jordan Peele isn't a master director. I understand that you really enjoyed that stupid movie but claiming the movie is a 9/10 is an embarrassment.

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Wow, I won't waste any time arguing with you if it deserves a nine or not but just learn how to read properly because I said that this first time director did the job of a master. It's not because on one occasion you do the job of a master that you are one.

[–] Barclays (960) 8 years ago

Okay. Maybe there was something about the movie I missed. Which parts were supposed to be as you described as "griping" and when were you "amazed".

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Honestly it pretty much gripped me from start to finish. When he's tied up to the chair and the last part where he's untied. Both amazing. When he asked for the keys is also a strong moment dad had my heart racing

[–] Barclays (960) 8 years ago

Omg you're a light weight horror audience member. Lol
It should have been obvious that the girlfriend was part of the whole thing from when she didn't defend him from those racist comments her brother made at the dinner table.

The only moments I thought were creepy -never riveting- had to do with the housekeeper and the groundsman's behavior. I knew the best friend would save him in the end because everything lead up to that moment. I never am riveted if I can predict what happens next.

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Oh I knew about the girl, it was way obvious at this point. it did not take away from the intensity of the moment.

I am very difficult when it comes to
Horror and it's one of my least fav genre. Still, some of my best ones are Jacob's Ladder, The Manson family, The Thing, I saw the devil and the Saw franchise.
Now you can judge me

[–] Barclays (960) 8 years ago

No I won't say anything else. You've said enough.

I only watched one movie last week. I finally got around to seeing The Wolf of Wall Street. Now that is a film that completely had me engrossed from the beginning to the end. I never knew what the characters would do from one minute to the next. The plot was predictable enough though because Scorsese basically followed the same formula and scenarios from his popular organized crime films. Some scenarios were taken directly from Casino and Goodfella. I was like, wow. He actually copied his own films right down the line. It was shameful.

I also didn't care for the excessive profanity, gratuitous sex scenes. The horrible Italian accents that really weren't accurate for the characters. Some overacting as well especially Leo DiCaprio. I know that he was nominated for lead actor but still. He overreacted in several scenes. The pacing was good. The story interesting albeit redundant. The film is really a rollercoaster ride full of crazy moments with those outlandish characters.

It was a well made production by Martin Scorsese.
I can definitely understand its popularity. Its running time was a little long but the ending was satisfying. Oh! And Jonah Hill! Omg..I've really liked his previous work like 21 Jump Street and Mega Mind but his performance in this film was outstanding! Dude was just too cool. His deadpan humor really is a treat. I laughed out loud at everything he did from calling his boss to say he's quiting so that he can work for Jordan or when he confronts and then taunts Brad about not giving an apology. Or that part where he's so stoned off Qualuds, has that confrontation with Jordan and then backs away, grabs a chuck of sandwich meat off the table and stuffs his face and ends up choking on it. The wife walks into the room, sees him choking and is like wth happened? Same thing I was thinking. The timing was perfect! That whole scene seemed unscripted.

Still I rate The Wolf of Wall Street 6/10. Scorsese has done better.

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

I rate it a 9/10.

[–] Barclays (960) 8 years ago

You give 9s too easily. There's no possible way that Get Out and The Wolf of Wall Street are equal.

[–] StoneKeeper (28333) 8 years ago

Your right, WOWS is more of a 9.5

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

Barclays is Bennie. He came on my threads and wrote how stupid there were. Do not mind him.

[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

Eyewitness (2014) Season 1 - I watched the Norwegian original as the American remake was panned. A well done tight crime drama with only six episodes. 8.5/10

Between ( 2015) Season 2 - This is a Canadian produced drama/sci-fi. Basically everyone in a small town dies from a virus upon turning 22. Some of the acting and writing were lacking. I just wanted to see it through - only six episodes. 6/10

All The Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006) - sometimes you need a mindless slasher movie. This one was reasonably well done with a twist at the end. The only Amber Heard movie I ever watched - she looked great. 7/10.