JP's Movie Review Comments Thread

[derekisdman]

Since I want to discuss some of the movies JP reviews and Jar Jar is a punk and won't let me comment in the thread even though my comments are constructive, I made this thread.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

:) Thank you. I'm actually quite glad Jared went to the trouble to delete those posts and keep an eye on that thread for me. I didn't even have to ask him to. When I made it, I was hoping for a thread without much clutter, that'd be filled with reviews (you know, an easy place to go see what movie you want to rent or buy today, without having to sort through a bunch of stuff). Plus, it was a place where I could keep a list of what movies I'd watched in the past and how well I liked them. That's why I didn't respond to anybody's comments...I'm a bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to neatness and organization in anything I do on the computer. Heh.

-JP

[Jared]

Dont call me a punk, im just doing my job.

Now then, the thread is set up and ready to go. All comments are by you, the mod note is on the first page, and the review humpalot wrote was split into its own thread. I didnt feel right deleting it when I know he put alot of work into it.

As for the comments, let this be a place for them. But please, dont get mad at me, the thread as it is, is the way it needs to be.

[derekisdman]

Ballistics was frekin hilarious, really bad. It was so cheesy and lame. The thing is, I like cheesy and lame movies, when they are meant to be that way and are not taking themselves seriously - but I think Ballistics was actually making an honest attempt to be a "cool" and new age film, which is sad.

Its strange that Lucy Liu can go from crap like this to Kill Bill.

JP did you see this on one of the movie channels? That's where I saw it. Look around for Jack Frost 2: Attack of the Killer snowman, it so so awfully awesome and funny.

[nickbahh]

Has anybody seen tremors 4, apparently its a prequel set in the old west or something

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by Derek
Ballistics was frekin hilarious, really bad. It was so cheesy and lame. The thing is, I like cheesy and lame movies, when they are meant to be that way and are not taking themselves seriously - but I think Ballistics was actually making an honest attempt to be a "cool" and new age film, which is sad.

Its strange that Lucy Liu can go from crap like this to Kill Bill.

JP did you see this on one of the movie channels? That's where I saw it. Look around for Jack Frost 2: Attack of the Killer snowman, it so so awfully awesome and funny.

Haha, yep, caught it on HBO or something of the sort last night. It was so pitiful. It was by a first-time director, and it shows. I really didn't even get much of a laugh out of it. There were parts of action scenes here and there that I enjoyed, but I don't think there was even one complete action scene that I couldn't find glaring fault with...and if you can fuck up action scenes that badly, you're doing something terribly wrong.

-JP

[derekisdman]

JP, I'm wondering if you're watching these movies everyday or if you've seen them before and are reviewing films you've seen in the past. Seems like some days you watch 2 movies!

Hey have you seen the seventh seal?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

These are all movies I'm watching that day. Usually I'll watch one in the evening (over dinner) with my grandma, then I'll watch one or two late at night, assuming I don't have anything else planned.

And nope, I haven't seen The Seventh Seal. Should I? Also, have you seen Buffalo `66?

-JP

[derekisdman]

With your Grandma, really? Seems like every movie that I have any interest in seeing my mom hates and i'd rather be caught dead than watch one with her. All she does is complain because she doesn't appreciate film making in any way, she only likes crappy romantic comedy's; and I mean crappy too. I like romantic comedy's too if they're made well, like Woody Allens type, but she would hate those too. My grandma would probably be even worse!

I haven't seen Buffalo 66, and I haven't seen the seventh seal either, but i'm watching it tonight, it's on Turner Classic Movies like at 2 am est. if you get that channel and feel like watching it.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

My grandma doesn't much appreciate filmmaking (or excessive adult content), but she'll sit thorough movies with me. I typically watch more mainstream type films with her, though (of the ones I've graded, The Life of David Gale, Cradle 2 the Grave, Powder, and a couple of others have been with her). I watched The Piano with her tonight, and Memento with her night before last...and she actually liked both. By the way, review for The Piano coming soon.

-JP

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Eager to hear what you thought of The Seventh Seal.

I posted my review, if you want to check it out. Post, though, and let me know what you thought.

-JP

[eddwarddwooddwardd]

Firstly, a genuine gilt-edged, onna a silver salver "Nice One" (with a healthy side order of brit thumbs up) to JP for his very well written reviews, Thanks.

Secondly, why we should pay any attention to a man who claims to be a serious film buff but HAS NOT SEEN APOCALYPSE NOW, (APPARENTLY), is beyond me ;)

Seventh Seal, never managed to sit thru it, I rarely get symbolic imagry, especially the 'classical' sort, but this is probably a weakness of mine. Next time its on telly tho, I'll make the effort, coz i've decided to trust you.

Years ago I saw the 'Serpents Egg' by Bergman (starring David 'kungfu/killbill' Carradine). It produced a physical reaction in me that took me totally by surprise. Its pessimistic even by Bergmans standards & gets a bit of a kicking at imdb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076686/ ('http://"http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076686/"'). Possibly its 'hysterical pessimism' is why it worked for me.

Gotta hand it to you on Leon, very nice compact little movie. Gary Oldman doing his 'Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet' impersonation works for me, but is perhaps the 'weakest link' compared to Bresson & Natalie Portman. What bits are missing from the US version?

cheers
markp
ps edd says hello!

[derekisdman]

I don't think he's seen Taxi Driver either! ;)

As for the Seventh Seal, it was amazing to me; I agree with everything you said about it JP. I also really liked the humor thrown in here and there throughout the film. I really think that with a 2nd or 3rd viewing and a little time this could turn into one of my favorite movies of all time.

[Kevin]

Secondly, why we should pay any attention to a man who claims to be a serious film buff but HAS NOT SEEN APOCALYPSE NOW, (APPARENTLY), is beyond me ;)
i loved that movie. it was a nice and err..different change from the normal war movies

[derekisdman]

I love Apocalypse now too, I just really really wish that the Redux version wasn't released, I would prefer the original and then have an option to watch that footage as a DVD extra or something, 45+ minutes of footage that has no real impact on an already long movie is just too much for me sometimes.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by eddwarddwooddwardd+--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (eddwarddwooddwardd)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Secondly, why we should pay any attention to a man who claims to be a serious film buff but HAS NOT SEEN APOCALYPSE NOW, (APPARENTLY), is beyond me ;)[/b]


Originally posted by derekisdman@
I don't think he's seen Taxi Driver either! ;)

I know, I know. There are quite a few great movies that I haven't seen (pretty much all of which are 20+ years old [the names of which I'll keep quiet in an attempt to save myself inevitable criticism and WTF's]). I didn't really start getting into movies until I started collecting DVD's about a year and a month ago. Well, I typically only buy movies at pawn shops, and they usually have a short supply on older films. I've only got a handful of movies that I've bought new. Among them:

The Godfather Collection
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Planet of the Apes
Rocky I-V
Scarface

Since I so rarely buy DVD's new (pretty much 3 for the price of 1 this way), and since the selection isn't that stellar at pawn shops, I'm rather limited in my choices. I'm steadily picking up older movies, but it's taking some time...because I'm a cheap bastard.



<!--QuoteBegin-Mark
Gotta hand it to you on Leon, very nice compact little movie. Gary Oldman doing his 'Dennis Hopper in Blue Velvet' impersonation works for me, but is perhaps the 'weakest link' compared to Bresson & Natalie Portman. What bits are missing from the US version[/quote]

The US version cut the scenes where the two go out on contracts together, the scene where Portman tells him she wants to lose her virginity to him, and a handful of other scenes that show the two of them building their bond. Also, the scene where we see Stansfield getting the Italian guy in the restaurant to tip him off by putting a gun in the face of one of his sons. That's all I can remember right now...possibly more, though.

-JP

[Kevin]

Originally posted by derekisdman
I love Apocalypse now too, I just really really wish that the Redux version wasn't released, I would prefer the original and then have an option to watch that footage as a DVD extra or something, 45+ minutes of footage that has no real impact on an already long movie is just too much for me sometimes.heh yeah, like the part with the french, so long, and so pointless. (partly being i was watchjing it at 1 in the morning on a schoolnight)

[derekisdman]

American Splendor was one of my favorite movies from 2003, I liked it a lot. It really should have won the oscar for adapted screenplay instead of ROTK, it was a great screenplay. Also, Giamatti should have ATLEAST been nominated for best actor, that's pitiful.

[derekisdman]

A 10 for Amelie!? My goodness are you feeling ok? I think a 10 is being far too generous. I don't think I could give a movie a perfect score that I haven't seen multiple times, but that's just me. Don't get me wrong I like Amelie, quite a bit infact, it's one of my favorite romantic type films, but you're putting it on the same level as the Godfather. I really think this is an overrated film, because 25 on the IMDB list is outrageous, though I've learned to not take the list too seriously. I think since it is such a "feel good" movie it appeals to everyone which is why it never scores low. I give it an 8, 8.5 perhaps. From an originality stand point I prefer City Of Lost Children anyway.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Yeah, I really enjoyed the movie. That scene where Giamatti is giving the monologue about "the other Harvey Pekars" is a hell of a scene...one that will likely stand out in my memory as one of my all-time favorites.

Oh, and I totally agree that Giamatti should have, at the very least, gotten an Academy Award nomination for his role. I also think, even though he wasn't in many scenes at all, that Judah Friedlander should have gotten some supporting actor recognition (even if only recognition and no nominations). I think his only nomination for best supporting actor came at the Independent Spirit Awards. Damn shame, because he nailed Toby's voice, mannerisms, everything.

-JP

[0ctan3]

I totally agree with you on the Spiderman 2 review you made. Some scenes were like "oh, gosh" (rolleyes) type scenes. But if I were JP I would have atleast gave it a JP rating of 8/10. But yea I agree I went into the theatre expecting a whole lot more then what I saw. Good review.

[derekisdman]

This is a travesity! It's a sham! It's a traveshamochary! Goodfellas 9.5, Amelie 10!? Amelie better than Goodfellas!? JP has went overboard this time. >:o

I can't take it. Goodfellas was perfect.

[sleepybloom]

Well I can't comment about how good Goodfellas was because I haven't seen it yet, but Amelie was definitly a great movie worthy of a 10.....

[eddwarddwooddwardd]

Originally posted by sleepybloom
Well I can't comment about how good Goodfellas was because I haven't seen it yet, but Amelie was definitly a great movie worthy of a 10.....
wtf?, isnt it often on telly over there?
its masterfull told as jp says in his comments about the voiceover & as so often in scoresse movies music is used well, especially the track on the fatefull helicopter day scenes

jp, you've lapsed back into score inflation again, possibly. a perfect 10 is the theoretical upper limit (except of famed rockumentaries of course) & its coz you are prepared to give any film a ten that you give yourself problems in this totally unimportant area, possibly etc.

that very minor quibble aside, once again your reviews make me want to see various movies.

your pulp fiction review was totally correct but perhaps not as informative to the youth of mesquite as perhaps it could be, but that said i'm sure that your surely growing rep as 'the man who knows' could count for much.

i'm very much looking forward to your apocalyse now review. the film is flawed but .... Perhaps you could point out similaries to other movies.

right thats enuff backslapping, ppl will talk otherwise
cheers
markp uk

[derekisdman]

I'm looking for the Taxi Driver review.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by Derek
This is a travesity! It's a sham! It's a traveshamochary! Goodfellas 9.5, Amelie 10!? Amelie better than Goodfellas!? JP has went overboard this time. >:o

I can't take it. Goodfellas was perfect.

The first time I watched the movie, there were people over...everyone was talking, we had to pause it quite a few times, and I had to flip the disc over which totally chapped my ass (good thing they're coming out with a Special Edition soon). Anyway, point is...I just didn't really enjoy my viewing of the movie. When I was giving my rating, my thought was, "I can't think of anything wrong with the movie, but I just didn't enjoy watching it." So, I gave it a lower score.

Having watched it again last night, I'm going to change my score. Aside from a shitty first viewing...another reason it got a 9.5 instead of a 10 is because I didn't think it was as good as the Godfather. However, after watching it a second time, I've realized that Goodfellas and The Godfather really aren't even about the same thing. Sure, both are about the mafia, but The Godfather focuses on the top bosses, while Goodfellas focuses on the street-level thugs. Two totally different groups of individuals: two totally different movies.

I was wary of giving another mob movie the same perfect score that I gave The Godfather...but after a second viewing, I've realized that the two are really nothing alike. So, even though The Godfather is still a better movie in my eyes, Goodfellas earned a 10/10 with a second viewing.

On a side note, Amelie totally deserves its 10/10. It’s tops in it's genre. There were so many things that I adored...from the cinematography, to the acting, to the storyline. I really couldn't tell you which I liked more, Amelie or Goodfellas. Both were great, but the two were nothing alike. I'm not much for comparing apples and oranges.

Anyway, thanks for criticizing my score. Had you not, I probably wouldn't have watched the movie again for quite some time...and I would have been missing out on a damn good film.

-JP

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by eddwarddwooddwardd
jp, you've lapsed back into score inflation again, possibly. a perfect 10 is the theoretical upper limit (except of famed rockumentaries of course) & its coz you are prepared to give any film a ten that you give yourself problems in this totally unimportant area, possibly etc.

that very minor quibble aside, once again your reviews make me want to see various movies.

Haha, I have given quite a few 10's. My rankings are based on how much I enjoyed a movie...moreso than how the movie ranks against other films. This is why I have no qualms when giving Memento the same 10/10 that I give The Godfather. While I would hope it's obvious that I'm not saying Memento is as good of a movie as an epic like The Godfather...I still give it a 10/10 because it's a movie that consistantly holds it's spot among my list of favorites.

Anyway, point is: my ratings are more a system of recommendation than a ranking of where films lie in contrast to one another.

-JP

Edit: I'm redoing my thread. Some scores will change (based on how well I like the movie 2 or three weeks prior to viewing it). I think a key to a good movie is it's ability to stick with the viewer. I'm also lowering a few scores simply because, like Mark said, a handful of the scores were a bit inflated. When I see a movie that's going to be added to my list of favorites, it deserves a high score. Unfortunately, I got a little high score happy. I've been correcting it over the past few weeks (which is another reason Goodfellas got a 9.5), but I'm going to go back and correct the ones from the past also.

New thread should be quite a bit better than the old one. Keep an eye out.

[Kevin]

where is your thread JP?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I deleted it. I'm redoing it (same content with more information).

It should be back up sometime this evening.

(See the edit in my above response to Derek for details).

-JP

[derekisdman]

Woohoo a 10 for Goodfellas, all is right with the world ;p

I'm glad you rewatched and enjoyed it, and I can't frekin wait till the special edition is out on dvd, i've been counting down the days. The whole Scorsese collection is released on that day, I think i'm just gonna get that.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Actually, all isn't right. It still has a 9.5, but a handful of the other scores were also lowered...so it fits in properly with the newer ratings.

-JP

[derekisdman]

Ah ok well done, pictures are nice nice. As long as Pulp Fiction has a 10, all is still right.

[eddwarddwooddwardd]

JP, your going to re-do it, you like your life easy dontcha?
I can hardly wait, well almost hardly wait
Perhaps you could include a kwik summation of the extras on the dvds & whether they are any good
cheers
markp

[Jared]

WOW!!

The new thread looks GREAT!!

Thanks for adding to MMC!!! I think you should be rewarded, honestly..

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by eddwarddwooddwardd+--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (eddwarddwooddwardd)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>JP, your going to re-do it, you like your life easy dontcha?
I can hardly wait, well almost hardly wait
Perhaps you could include a kwik summation of the extras on the dvds & whether they are any good
cheers
markp[/b]

I just added a picture for each movie, the year in which it was produced, an awards and nominations category (before, I was just listing a handful of awards for some movies), and the IMDB.com ranking along with, if applicable, the movie's ranking on that site. I added the IMDB ranking so people could get more than one opinion of a movie...since mine can be kinda extreme one way or the other from time to time. That gives them an idea of what range hundreds of people are voting in. as opposed to just my score.

...two reasons I'm not doing the DVD extras suggestion. One, I usually don't browse through the extras on DVD's, unless there's something in particular I want to know/see. I'd prefer to watch another movie in the time it'd take me to go through all of the extra content. The main reason I'm not adding that to the reviews, though, is that I don't own the DVD's for all of these movies. Most, yes...but some I catch on TV. Some I see in theaters. Etc.

Oh yeah...and I added more content to the Pulp Fiction review. Just for you. :)



<!--QuoteBegin-Jared
WOW!!

The new thread looks GREAT!!

Thanks for adding to MMC!!! I think you should be rewarded, honestly..[/quote]

No need. I have fun doing it. I like having a place where I can keep track of every movie I've watched, what I thought, how well I liked it, and etc. The fact that other people might find it useful or entertaining is just an added little bonus.

Glad you like the new thread. I think it looks sharp with the photos (though, I worry how hard it will be on my little 56k if I have to go back to using that in Houston. Heh).

-JP

[derekisdman]

You need to review This Is Spinal Tap :P

[derekisdman]

I was just thinking it's not really necessary or anything, but it might be a nice little feature, would be pretty easy too. In the title that you have underlined of the movie, you could link it to its page on www.imdb.com (http://www.imdb.com), that way if someone is interested in the movie they can just click on it and find out more info or read other peoples comments.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Yeah, I could. But being obsessive compulsive and whatnot, I'd want all of my posts to be uniform...which means I'd have to go back and edit all of the posts I've already made...and I'm just too lazy to do that again. Heh.

Have you see Y Tu Mama Tambien?

-JP

[derekisdman]

yeah I probably wouldn't do it either, just a suggestion ;p

I haven't seen it yet, but I have really been getting into foreign cinema the last couple of weeks, mostly older stuff from Bergman and Fellini though. I watched 8 1/2 last week and I was like "wow! I can't believe it was made in 63!" They were so far ahead of their time it's amazing cause the stuff easily holds up to present day in originality and what not.

I'll have to give the movie a shot though.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Yeah, I've gotten more into the newer foreign films as of late. I still have a handful waiting to be watched...Das Boot being the main one. I just haven't found myself willing to sit through a 3+ hour epic as of late. That's why I haven't reviewed Godfather 2 and 3, Apocalypse Now, or any of the Lord of the Rings movies.

-JP

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by Brandon
Im posting here because im god, and you cant stop me, this thread sucks

wow brandon your liek totally cool and stuff cuz your the webmaster and creat0r of the best website evAr. maybe if your an ass for no reason people will liek you and think that your liek...even c00ler than they alredy think u r.

Here's an idea, try being funny without being an ass or going on a power-trip. Betcha ten bucks you can't do it.

-JP

[brandon-n]

fyi, i posted that bc jared told me too. he also told me to close the forum bc offtopic was bigger.

[derekisdman]

JP shall back down to no one evar

[Jared]

Trying to put this on me wont work.

Your free to make your own decisions, "jared told me too" is the lamest excuse of all time.

[brandon-n]

lol dude i copied and pasted what u said to go post in the thread, and then u even linked me to it.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by Brandon
fyi, i posted that bc jared told me too. he also told me to close the forum bc offtopic was bigger.

Looks like I won $10.

-JP

[brandon-n]

that was being funny while being an ass or on a power trip? right. ok.

i was about to delete that post until i read this.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by brandon
fyi, i posted that bc jared told me too. he also told me to close the forum bc offtopic was bigger.What
Would
Jared
Do

[NatrlBornThrllr]

You know why you posted it.

-JP

[flychick]

Jared's trumpet noise, "Womp womp womp, wooooomp... woooooooomp...."

[Clix]

JP to watch "The village" and review it.

[derekisdman]

Taxi Driver first

[eddwarddwooddwardd]

Right if we're queuing up to ask JP to write up our choices then I'm barging to the front (we know how to do this in Britain, trust me) and shouting a la Simpson kids 'Apocalypse Now!, Apocalypse Now' etc.

re: his maj & comogeezer04 (sorry i never forget a face but i'm crap at names)
I think perhaps his problem is that your reviews aren't vitriolic enough for his views of wot mmc should be (perhaps). I mean 'Mystic river 6/10. I didn't like it but don't let that stop you from seeing it', isn't exactly very contentious is it? & contentiousness seems to be his desire (cant think y though?),

With that in mind perhaps u & newbie could team up & do a good cop/bad cop style fing & do joint reviews, just a thought (perhaps that might please his maj for we should all attend to his wishes though right, ya bunch of facking 'do-rights').

Moving on
For the true 'true story' of Aileen Wuotnos check out the Nick Broomfield films
Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103634/)
&
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364930/)

I've seen one of them, where she gives him an interview shortly b4 she is executed & is clearly right round the bend

I used to have a lot of time for Nick Broomfield with his 'lets film ourselves making this documentary' gonzo style, but he recently did some ads plus he is starting to appear to be a drunk, but what do i know maybe he is just ill or summat.

Right keep up the good work & hurry up & get round to Apocalypse Now!

Cheers
markp UK

[derekisdman]

Mulholland Drive owned and I definitely agree with you about Naomi being screwed out of even an oscar nom. IMO this is the best work she's ever done, even better than 21 grams. This is also my favorite Lynch movie.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by Clix
JP to watch "The village" and review it.

I don't watch movies in the theater unless it's a film I've been dying to see. The Village certainly isn't a movie I've been dying to see (or even particularly care to go out of my way to see). I can give you a review without seeing the film, though: pretentious, moves slowly, tries to save itself with at least one "mind blowing omfg" twist. If you've seen one Shyamalan flic, you've seen them all.




Originally posted by derekisdman+--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (derekisdman)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>Taxi Driver first[/b]

Can't review it without seeing it, can't see it without buying it, can't buy it without money. Point of this post: give me money. Serious point of this post: I really do want to buy and watch this movie, but haven't any way of doing so right now.




Originally posted by eddwarddwooddwardd@
Right keep up the good work & hurry up & get round to Apocalypse Now!

Coming within the next few days. I'm running out of DVD's that I haven't watched, so I'm going to have to start sitting through three hour long epics (Apocalypse Now, Das Boot, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, to name a few). I'm scared, though, that you've built the movie up so highly that it'll never be able to live up to my now-inflated expectations.



<!--QuoteBegin-derekisdman
Mulholland Drive owned and I definitely agree with you about Naomi being screwed out of even an oscar nom. IMO this is the best work she's ever done, even better than 21 grams. This is also my favorite Lynch movie.[/quote]

I also really want to buy Lost Highway and Eraserhead. My DVD wantlist is just too damn long. Oh, and I agree in regard to Naomi's performance in Mulholland being superior to her performance in 21 Grams (which is saying a whole hell of a lot, because she blew me away in 21 Grams).

-JP

[derekisdman]

I still really want to see eraserhead, don't know how or where though.

Have you seen The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, or Wild At Heart?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Negative.

Can you not get Eraserhead through Netflix?

Also, go down IMDB.com's top 250 list (when you get a chance), and let me know how many of those you have on DVD. I'm just curious.

-JP

[asnchic]

Originally posted by NatrlBornThrllr


On a side note, Amelie totally deserves its 10/10. It’s tops in it's genre. There were so many things that I adored...from the cinematography, to the acting, to the storyline. I really couldn't tell you which I liked more, Amelie or Goodfellas. Both were great, but the two were nothing alike. I'm not much for comparing apples and oranges.

-JP

Finally, I've found a male who appreciates Amelie.

Rock on for JP.

[derekisdman]

Nope I can't find it ANYWHERE. For renting anyway. They have it for sale on Lynch's site but it's somewhat expensive, and I don't even know if i'll like it. When I find some time i'll do that top 250 thing.

And I will add ASNCHIC that I appreciate Amelie, I only argued about the perfect rating which IMO it doesn't deserve! It's a B+/A- in my book.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I'm surprised you haven't talked out against my Fight Club and Adaptation perfect scores. Both scores are the offspring or my own personal preference, as they're two of my favorite films. When I wrote those reviews, I half expected some sort of good-natured ribbing.

-JP

[sleepybloom]

Well I think Fight Club was great scoring, maybe a 9.0, but I can't say anything about Adaptation cause I haven't seen it yet....

[derekisdman]

I like both Fight Club and Adaptation a lot, both I would give an A/A- probably. I never like to mention Fight Club because everyone and their brother seem to mention it and I think that its popularity has actually taken away from its point & meaning because it's just a "cool" film to like. I wouldn't give either of them 10's but I would rate them higher than Amelie.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Yeah, no kidding. When I first saw Fight Club, I was like, "wow, that's a fucking great movie." Then everyone else saw Fight Club, and they were like, "wow, that's a fucking great movie." So now, if I say that Fight Club is one of my favorites, I can't help but think of myself as one of those people who put "hip and smart" mainstream movies on their favorites list (same goes for Donnie Darko, and a handful of others).

Great films become guilty pleasures.

:-/

-JP

[derekisdman]

A 10 for Taxi Driver - damned right! Frekin love that movie. Are you gonna do Raging Bull, Meant Streets, and Blue Velvet next?

[thealmightytama]

you know what sucks about Fight Club?

i haven't seen the last 10 minutes. i stopped RIGHT when he finds out.

[derekisdman]

I don't like the last 30 minutes or so anyway ;p

[eddwarddwooddwardd]

Originally posted by derekisdman
I like both Fight Club and Adaptation a lot, both I would give an A/A- probably. I never like to mention Fight Club because everyone and their brother seem to mention it and I think that its popularity has actually taken away from its point & meaning because it's just a "cool" film to like. I wouldn't give either of them 10's but I would rate them higher than Amelie.

ooohhh, Brian Hirst 'i saw it first' accusations abound on this thread.

as does the 'no film is worth a 10' arguement, which really isnt worth having but some pretence at contentiousness is required innit?

ereaserhead is just too wierd for its own good, like listening to am idiots account of dreams/trips. maybe i just dont 'get' the symbolism. gotta love the 'behind the radiator song' tho.

blue velvet: i reckon i do, for once, 'get' the symbolism, great movie, look forward to wot jp has to say bout it.

JP made some comments about the use of non-linear story telling post tarentino & 'donnie darko'. the important difference between donnie darko & the others is that the 'non-linearality' IS the story, not 'just' a narritive device.

cheers
markp

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Originally posted by eddwarddwooddwardd
JP made some comments about the use of non-linear story telling post tarentino & 'donnie darko'. the important difference between donnie darko & the others is that the 'non-linearality' IS the story, not 'just' a narritive device.

Memento does the best job of using a non-linear timeline for a purpose.

-JP

[derekisdman]

:/ I wish napolean dynamite was playing here, really does sound funny. How much are you tickets?

[sleepybloom]

Tickets here are about $6.50-Students, $8.50-Adults.....

I loved Napolean Dynamite, it was awsome, and yeah I might go see it once more in the $1 movies, before it comes out on DvD...

[NatrlBornThrllr]

We went at 7:45, so I paid $16 for the two of us.

People who run movie theaters are jews...money hoarding jews.

-JP

[sleepybloom]

Yes Yes they are.... :-)

[derekisdman]

A 1 for Twisted!? That's twisted! JP, don't you know it's a Snappy, sexy thriller? ;)

Good luck with godsend. And seriously, I think some of my most enjoyable movie watching experiences are with horrible films and having mystery science theater 3000 sessions with friends. Its a nonstop laughing riot for 90 minutes.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Yeah, but only one or two of us were participating in it, while the others were all, "shh," and, "oh...he's creepy, I bet he's the one doing it."

...and I don't think Twisted is the worst movie I've ever seen (or even the worst I've seen since I started reviewing films, that's probably Ecks vs. Sever). So, while it probably deserved a 3.0 or 4.0, I gave it a 1.0 because I was kind of pissed off by the fact that the filmmakers thought I was stupid enough to fall for the same obvious ploys over and over again.

-JP

[derekisdman]

I haven't seen twisted, but i'm sure there's worse movies. From Justin To Kelly comes to mind.

And JP giving godsend a 6, very suprising. I was predicting a 3-4, since I figured it was about the same level as "twisted" from the rotten tomatoes ratings. As far as De Niro go's, these are what we call his "sell out years". It's a shame, but I personally feel he's done enough early in his career to be considered the best actor of all time.

Have you watched Mean Streets yet by the way? Just curious cause he was fantastic in that and you didn't mention it in your little list of films De Niro carried, though I wouldn't really say he carried Mean Streets. I don't really think he carried goodfellas either though.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I didn't mean he carried the films, per-se...rather that he shouldered a heavy load playing the lead role in those now monumental films, and did it quite well. I haven't gotten around to seeing Mean Streets, yet. I own it now, out of the boxed set...but my roommate and his girlfriend are bringing home newer rentals nightly that I would likely never buy (and would certainly never rent or see in the theater), so I'm taking advantage of the free movies. I'll get around to Mean Streets (and Scorsese's other films) soon enough...as well as about two dozen others that I have waiting.

The relatively high rating for Godsend was based mostly on the premise, and the first two thirds of the movie. It wasn't by any means a good movie...but I don't think it's the worst movie of the year (like tons of people are saying). I think everyone's just turned off majorly by the last 1/3 of the film, and the ridiculously weak screenplay. I think Godsend played it's role well as a cheap thriller...and it's strong (albeit poorly done) premise earns it an extra point or so. Twisted's low rating has a lot of factors...one is that I was still kinda pissed that I'd seen two extremely shitty Hollywood movies in a row. Another is the fact that the entire viewing was kind of a joke for all of us. Yet another is that I just felt like being an asshole and giving it the lowest score ever. And yet another is the fact that I watched the entire movie having already figured out the ending...so all of the misleading plot devices and ploys (which are much more prevalent in Twisted than in Godsend) were exponentially magnified. Not to mention, Godsend is better simply because it offers more thrills than Twisted (which is all you can really expect out of a Hollywood thriller, right?)

Summarized: Twisted is actually a 3.5 or so, but it happened to catch my wrath on an off night.

-JP

[derekisdman]

Get the fuck out of JP's thread Ghetto biotch, post here

[Jared]

woah woah woah court..

Your post in JP's thread has been deleted.

Read the first post of that thread PLEASE. As you can see, noone esle has ever posted in there, and doing so is actually against the rules. Hence, the reason for this thread.

[Ghetto C]

well, shit, my bad........


what did you think of the first Punisher?


(is that even what i had asked?)

[Jared]

Yes, that was the original question.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I haven't seen it. Dolph Lundgren is a badass, though.

-JP

[Clix]

Hey JP, if you ever see it and its cheap pick up "Basic" tell me what you think bout it.

[derekisdman]

haha, he really is - but that movie is truly horrid. Haven't seen the new one though.

[derekisdman]

Originally posted by NatrlBornThrllr
I haven't seen it. Dolph Lundgren is a badass, though.

-JP
haha, he really is - but that movie is truly horrid. Haven't seen the new one though.

[derekisdman]

Originally posted by Clix
Hey JP, if you ever see it and its cheap pick up "Basic" tell me what you think bout it.

Basic was alright. Movies with lame turns like that kinda annoy me though

[Clix]

Originally posted by derekisdman
Basic was alright. Movies with lame turns like that kinda annoy me though



I liked it only cuase it was a differnt ending than the same old same old.

[derekisdman]

I honestly can't comment too much on it, i've only seen it once and that was a 5 months ago or so. I don't even remember exactly what happens.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I own it, and I've seen it...but it's been close to a year (bought and watched it when it first came out). I'll try to watch it again soon and make a review for you, but no promises, because I have close to three dozen movies that I've bought lately and haven't seen yet. As I recall, Basic was a 6-7/10, but like I said...I don't remember it that clearly. Nothing from the film stands out other than far-fetched twists (some of which, I will admit, caught me off guard). Even those are foggy, though. My roomie and his girlfriend like that type of movie, so I'll probably put it in on our next movie night.

-JP

[Clix]

Thx JP

[derekisdman]

Wild Strawberries = Total Ownage. Some people think that since this film deals with death & aging that only older people will enjoy it, but that's not that case. This film is great great great and anyone with an appreciation for cinema should see NOW!

[derekisdman]

Nice new reviews, I still haven't seen Eternal Sunshine yet :x

Hey JP have you seen ghost world by chance?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Negative on Ghost World.

-JP

[derekisdman]

Oh well you should check it out - saw it the other day and I liked it a lot

[derekisdman]

Read your review of Waterfont, I didn't like it quite as much as you did - but still loved it. It's my favorite film from the 50's. You mentioned de niros acting in the post and I was wondering if you got around to seeing raging bull yet.

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Raging Bull...with it being out of print and all, it's been difficult for me to find a copy to purchase (even at full retail). If I ever see a copy, I'll definitely buy it. I might end up buying a copy online, but I'm anticipating a special edition sometime in the near future, so I might wait that out. Oh, and on your recommendation, I bought Ghost World a week or two ago. I haven't watched it yet, though.

-JP

[NatrlBornThrllr]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...?v=glance&s=dvd (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00062IVL2/qid=1098438222/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/104-8637008-6546322?v=glance&s=dvd)

I was looking to see when the Raging Bull S.E. was set to be released when I ran across that. 4-film boxed set: The Last Waltz, Boxcar Bertha, a Raging Bull S.E, and a New York, New York S.E. I can't wait. Shame they haven't even announced a release date for it. Oh, also...have you seen New York Stories? I really want to check it out. 3-segment film, with one segment directed by Woody Allen, one by Scorsese, and one by Francis Ford Coppola...with a writing credit to Sofia Coppola. I've heard it's not as good as it could have been, but it should be interesting nonetheless. Seen it, or heard much about it?

-JP

[derekisdman]

Originally posted by NatrlBornThrllr
Raging Bull...with it being out of print and all, it's been difficult for me to find a copy to purchase (even at full retail). If I ever see a copy, I'll definitely buy it. I might end up buying a copy online, but I'm anticipating a special edition sometime in the near future, so I might wait that out. Oh, and on your recommendation, I bought Ghost World a week or two ago. I haven't watched it yet, though.

-JP

Yeah I had a difficult time finding it at first too. They have it at netflix though so I checked it out there, liked so much that I got a copy of it on dvd from ebay.

I ask just because you mentioned acting greatness and not Raging Bull, which I believe is superior to On The Waterfront.

This is the first i've heard about a special edition, good news though should be ownage. I'm also looking for a special edition of Casino and The King Of Comedy.

New York Story's is one of the few Scorsese films that I haven't seen. Sounds good though.

Ghost World = Excellent.

[derekisdman]

Oh, forgot to mention to check out Bad Lieutenant too JP. I believe it is in the top 10 films of the 90's. It's also Keitels best performance ever and I believe one of the best performances period.

[derekisdman]

JP I agree with your review of Ed Wood, but I've always been pissed at the film and at Martin Landau for stealing the oscar from Samuel Jackson. Granted, I love his performance, but I think Jackson was ROBBED (like the rest of the nominations for PF). What do you think about the subject?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

As you well know, Pulp Fiction is my favorite film. Samuel L. Jackson (along with John Travolta in his lead role, for that matter) turned in a standout performance. However, I think Martin Landau had them topped. I just think it's harder to nail a non-fictional character than it is to portray a fictional one. If you look at any archive footage of Lugosi, you'll see that it's striking...how well Landau played him. Jackson's character, on the other hand, could have been played a number of different ways and still been convincing. His role, in my opinion, was just easier to play than Landau's. It consisted mostly of voice fluctuation, a couple of facial gestures, and not much more. Landau's, on the other hand, consisted of an accent and vocal range that he nailed perfectly, all sorts of physical acting (from the drug scenes to the scenes where he's just convincingly playing an old man), and facial expressions mocking, indentically, those made by somebody who the world recognizes.

I do think that Pulp should have won the Best Picture and Best Director Oscars along with the Screenplay award (which, if it hadn't won, would have been the biggest oversight in the history of mankind). Acting, though, I was just more blown away by Landau's performance than by any other that year (including Hanks in Forrest Gump, Freeman in Shawshank, and everybody in Pulp).

-JP

[derekisdman]

I can definitely understand what you're saying here, and I agree with most of it as well; it was a year full of great performances and choosing one is difficult. And while I do think it may be a little more difficult to portray a real person, I think that inventing an original character and giving life to them as greatly as Jackson did would also be very difficult. It may be a matter of aging, and perhaps Pulp Fiction aged better giving the Jules character an Icon like status.

On the other hand, I believe that overall Sam Jackson is what makes Pulp Fiction. I think that for the most, it is Jules story, which is indicated by the last story and the final scenes in the restaurant. I would have really liked to see both Travolta and Jackson receive lead actor nominations, but oh well.

[derekisdman]

I can't believe you said that FTARH is better than almost famous :x

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I think Almost Famous is overrated. Just me.

-JP

[derekisdman]

I love the film. I'm a big fan of classic rock and of that whole scene at the time so that may have something to do with it too :P

[derekisdman]

JP has lost his film rating touch. 9.5 for whale rider and the usual suspects is far too gracious. In my personal opinion of course. I say both of them were slightly above average with a 7.5 rating!

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I adored both films. People seem to agree with me on The Usual Suspects (at least according to it's ranking on IMDB), and, to a lesser extent, with Whale Rider also. I offer my rankings based on how much I take from a given film. I walked away from those two (and a few others I've added reviews for today) with films that I would recommend to anybody, regardless of their taste in films. Hence the high ratings. I'm not saying they're the best films of all time. 10/10 doesn't mean the film is going to rival Citizen Kane. It does, however, mean that the film is among my very favorites. 9.5/10 means the film is near my group of favorites, but didn't quite make it...and so on and so forth.

They're not the greatest films ever, but they're getting high ratings from me because, well...because they rate highly with me.

-JP

[derekisdman]

Yes yes sir, just a difference of opinion. I'm curious, do you only watch films once then review, or do you wait till a few viewings? If after you've viewed a film a second or third time and its quality seems less than what you originally rated it as, do you ever change your rating?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I'll write a review after a first viewing. If the quality diminishes with multiple viewings (or vice versa), I'll alter my rating.

For the record, I've seen The Usual Suspects a number of times.

-JP

[derekisdman]

You've got me wanting to see ong-bak badly :P

Legend Of the Drunken Master is the best martial arts film i've seen, i'm curious how this matches up to that; cause many of the scenes in LOTDM were incredible to me. Have you seen LOTDM?

[NatrlBornThrllr]

Nope, can't say I have.

-JP

[derekisdman]

oh well you should check it out in that case cause it's super kick ass :)

[NatrlBornThrllr]

I went out and bought it tonight and gave it a look. It was good, but you definitely need to see Ong-bak. In the Jackie Chan flic, the use of special effects were obvious (wires a time or three, but most of all, playing scenes faster than they were filmed)...and even then it wasn't as entertaining to me as Ong-bak. Trust me, Tony Jaa is everything Jackie Chan and Jet Li could never become, and Ong-bak is the end-all when it comes to martial-arts cinema. Satisfaction guaranteed.

I'm tired, so I'm going to get some sleep. I'll write a review of "Legend of the Drunken Master" sometime tomorrow to let you know exactly what I did and didn't like about it.

-JP