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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 22, 2007 8:39:36 GMT -1
I've often thought that of BSD too - it's a good film, but I remember wondering on quite a few occasions if I'd fallen asleep and missed something, or if there just wasn't much happening around then. Having rewatched it several times (because it's strangely repeatable), I appreciate it a bit more (was quite young the first time), but I still don't think it's quite as amazing as many fans would have you believe.
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Post by Travis on Jan 22, 2007 10:56:53 GMT -1
A couple of titles I've revisited.
MARIA, FULL OF GRACE
Tells the story of Maria Alvarez (brilliantly played by an Oscar-nominated Catalina Sandino Moreno), a pregnant 17 year old, living in a small Colombian town. Living in cramped conditions, with a job she hates, and a boyfriend that she neither respects or loves, Maria sees an opportunity to escape her demeaning existence when a local youth befriends her and offers her a chance to earn big money, working as a drugs mule.
Starkly realistic, with an almost documentary-type feel to it, the film makes no concessions, exposing the grim truths of the drug smuggling trade. Gripping, tragic and though provoking in equal measure, the film's slightly redemptive ending is both fitting and welcome.
8/10
SWINGERS
Very much considered a 'guy movie' and one of the very best indie films of the 90's. Swingers tells the tale of Mike (John Favreau), a budding comedian and actor who moves to LA to seek his fortune. Still saddled with remorse, six months on from the break-up of a six year relationship, his best friend, Trent (a youthful, slender, Vince Vaughan) attempts to get him back into the social scene.
A very 'talky' movie, Swingers essentially is an examination of male bonding, and the different attitudes, and insecurities (or otherwise) these men have when it comes to meeting members of the opposite sex. Featuring the most infamous, excruciating telephone answering machine scene ever, the movie is a low budget classic.
9/10
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Post by The Lucky C on Jan 22, 2007 23:21:47 GMT -1
really impressed with maria full of grace, went to see it at a university screening a couple of years ago. small girl in over her head situation.
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Post by thales on Jan 23, 2007 11:13:12 GMT -1
watched lucky number slevin last night 8.5/10, well worth checking out!
and pump up the volume, not seen in ages 7/10, dated a bit, but still one of best soundtracks ever!!
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Post by Travis on Jan 23, 2007 11:56:54 GMT -1
ROCKY BALBOA
The character of Rocky Balboa, has increasingly with each new film, become a metaphor for the franchise; dumb and cliched, but full of heart with a streak of sentimentality. Unsurprisingly, the latest installment very much sticks to the formula.
As a story, it just doesn't stand up. Since when would a undisputed heavyweight champion look to answer accusations over his credibility by staging an exhibition bout with an ex-champion who's approaching 60? Would a boxing board of control approve a licence on the back of a tub thumping speech? Would this guy then last for more than a couple of minutes?
To anybody new to Rocky, the film must stink. However, this is not a film for them, it's for those who have grow up with Rocky (as acknowledged in the closing credits). Yes it was undoubtedly nonsense, but when the film started with the familiar fanfare, I couldn't help but smile broadly. I got a buzz when the inevitable training montage kicked in. The climatic fight brought the adrenaline rush, and as usual I was filling up at the final bell.
No, it isn't Raging Bull. But credibility went out of the window a long time ago. If you have a great fondness for the other films, then this nostalgia fest is well worthwhile, and it nicely bookends the series.
Rocky could've hardly bowed out with a street fight, now could he?
7/10
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Post by addicted2venos on Jan 23, 2007 11:59:53 GMT -1
I saw Rocky Balboa as well Trav ............... I summerise it as follows;
It wasn't the racid pile of shit I was expecting it to be. Cheesy ..... yes, cliched ........ yes, and a lot more enjoyable than it should be!! ;D 7/10
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Post by Travis on Jan 23, 2007 12:07:32 GMT -1
I'm assuming you're well versed in 'Rockylore' then pal.  As I said, I think if somebody who knew nothing of the other films saw it , they'd probably would think it was pretty terrible. But hell, it's not for them, it's for us!!  I saw Rocky Balboa as well Trav ............... I summerise it as follows; It wasn't the racid pile of shit I was expecting it to be. Cheesy ..... yes, cliched ........ yes, and a lot more enjoyable than it should be!! ;D 7/10 |
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Post by addicted2venos on Jan 23, 2007 12:33:40 GMT -1
Yep I've seen the lot .............. from the fantastic 1 & 2, to 3 which was good, 4 which was propaganda laiden but ok .......... and 5 which was so awful I don't like to talk about it!! I'm assuming you're well versed in 'Rockylore' then pal. As I said, I think if somebody who knew nothing of the other films saw it , they'd probably would think it was pretty terrible. But hell, it's not for them, it's for us!! I saw Rocky Balboa as well Trav ............... I summerise it as follows; It wasn't the racid pile of shit I was expecting it to be. Cheesy ..... yes, cliched ........ yes, and a lot more enjoyable than it should be!! ;D 7/10 |
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Post by Travis on Jan 23, 2007 18:29:20 GMT -1
Rocky V was a travesty!!  Yep I've seen the lot .............. from the fantastic 1 & 2, to 3 which was good, 4 which was propaganda laiden but ok .......... and 5 which was so awful I don't like to talk about it!! I'm assuming you're well versed in 'Rockylore' then pal. As I said, I think if somebody who knew nothing of the other films saw it , they'd probably would think it was pretty terrible. But hell, it's not for them, it's for us!! |
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Post by gw on Jan 24, 2007 21:30:53 GMT -1
Rocky Balboa - 6/10. Decent enough film, if not a bit slow at the begining. Ive not seen any of the other rocky films but from what I hear, its better than number 4 and 5
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 25, 2007 8:33:39 GMT -1
And Now For Something Completely DifferentBought it at the weekend and watched it last night. The first thing to emphasise is that it's moreso a feature-length rendition of the now-legendary 'Monty Python's Flying Circus' than a film, and has a similar lack of plot. The second thing to emphasise is that it really doesn't matter. In my opinion, it's far and away the funniest of the Python films, and contains many of the classic sketches most often referred to, such as the Dead Parrot, the World's Funniest Joke and the Lumberjack Song. Some horribly under-appreciated sketches such as the Mountaineering Expedition, the Killer Cars and How Not To Be Seen also feature, and it's home to some of Eric Idle's finest animation (again, in my opinion). It's Monty Python silliness at its finest, ranging from raucously funny to politically incorrect to outright, dumbfoundingly weird. The chances are that if Life of Brian's dafter moments ("I have a vewy gweat fweind in Wome called Biggus Dickus!" "I'm Brian and so's my wife!") or Quest For The Holy Grail's more famous scenes (the Black Knight or the French taunters, for instance) failed to amuse, this film will have you cringing and squirming in your seat, desperately wishing for it to end. If, however, you're one of the millions worldwide that have a suitably warped sense of humour and enjoy the silliness that ensues whenever John Cleese, Graham Chapman et al are on screen, this film is an absolute must-see. I haven't laughed so much in a long time, and that really is all this film aims to achieve. Forget top-drawer acting, breath-taking visual effects and intricate plots; 'And Now For Something Completely Different' is better than being slapped round the face with a wet kipper! ;D 8/10 [Edit: If you're interested, here's the first sketch: How Not To Be Seen]
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Post by Travis on Jan 25, 2007 11:07:44 GMT -1
It is a quality compilation Neko, albeit simply of restaged sketches. It was released, I believe because of the huge public demand to see the first two series again.
Have you seen all the original series?? 'How not to be seen' was on one of the very first shows. I can still remember the sound advice...... "don't choose an obvious piece of cover." ;D
I think it was the first time that I saw the 'Upper Class Twit of the Year' sketch though. ;D
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Post by Neko Bazu on Jan 25, 2007 11:10:04 GMT -1
Not seen all of the original series, no - I've seen some of them about a million times though; I swear they just repeat the same two or three episodes!  Compilation or not, it's still my favourite ;D |
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Post by Travis on Jan 25, 2007 12:09:32 GMT -1
THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND
A semi-fictionalised drama telling the story of the relationship between a Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy) and Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. The film is not a typical Hollywood production, instead choosing to blur the lines between good and evil, and herein lies its strength.
Forest Whitaker brilliantly portrays Amin, displaying the huge, overwhelming charisma of the man. The Amin we see during the opening 45 minutes is all charm, and almost impossible not to like, the audience is seduced in much the same way as the doctor. It is only in the middle third of the film that Amin's dark side begins to emerge, and by the time the horror of the situation dawns on Dr. Garrigan, he is in too deep to get out.
For the most part, the dictator's atrocities are somwewhat marginalised in the film, limited to photographs and dialogue references. Only in the final act does his savagery vividly and graphically come to the forefront.
McAvoy again shines in his role, but the film is Whitaker's. After watching it, you couldn't picture another actor in the role. He looks to be a shoe-in for the Best Actor Oscar next month.
8/10
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Post by weallloveleeds on Jan 27, 2007 10:55:34 GMT -1
Rocky Balboa 4/10 Piss poor opening 90mins that is eventless, and then 30mins of good action towards the end ...And it's left a bit too open ended for my liking! |
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Post by Imp on Jan 27, 2007 22:14:57 GMT -1
I say with some shame that I popped my 'Rocky' cheery today, and flippin' loved it! Just really good fun, liked/loved all the characters that I was meant to and was gripped by the fight. Now I feel I've missed out for all thes eyears and have a lot of catching up to do!
*Oh, and I liked the fact it wasn't a pretentious three-hour long piece of nonsense*
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Post by Joe on Jan 27, 2007 23:16:53 GMT -1
Blood Diamond: I reeally enjoyed this one, a really gripping storyline about the state that Africa is in. With lots of action and emotion. And also a fantastic performance from leo di caprio.
9/10
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Post by Lollipop on Jan 27, 2007 23:33:08 GMT -1
Coffee and Cigarettes
7/10.
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Post by The Lucky C on Jan 29, 2007 22:52:28 GMT -1
Severance
Described as Shaun of the Dead meets The Office, they're not far wrong. A team of office workers are sent to a retreat in rural Hungary in a team-building exercise. Completely unaware that there may or may not be something nasty in the woods...
Born out of one mans hatred for commuters, this is a nasty, gruesome, bloodthirsty, dark little film. It's also as funny as hell. Tim McInnery turns in a great performance as the boss who above all else, insists on team work and team spirit - think David Brent only even more unbearable. The rest of the cast aren't just fodder either - they are all characters that you'll recognise. The smug guy who think's he's bigger than the company. The cocky guy who couldn't care less about the team. The office weasel, sucking up to the boss despite the fact that he will never become management.
The film isn't so much laced with dark humour, it's more dripping in it. If you like films where you're laughing even though on every level you know you shouldn't be, this is the film for you.
8/10
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Post by Giar on Jan 30, 2007 8:47:59 GMT -1
Rocky Balboa 4/10 Piss poor opening 90mins that is eventless, and then 30mins of good action towards the end ...And it's left a bit too open ended for my liking! at last somebody with some taste   i grew up with the rocky films and i loved them, but with all films like these they should learn When to stop, here i think they have gone 2 films too far  |
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