NOW CLOSED ; List some movies you've watched recently. Theatre, rental, TV... and give a */10

[A Casual Fitz]

so, i watched Dunkirk - https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Human_Feces_(cropped).jpg

this must be one of the worst films i have ever watched. i'm not joking.

let's look at the why and how. the first, most common critique is that the film has no story. in cinematography, the dunkirk evacuation would be considered the backdrop of the story, *not* the story itself. if you want to do something like that, you put some voiceover on your film and you call it a documentary. Seeing a bunch of people pretending to drown does not make this a film, watching people sitting or standing on a boat is not interesting. I KNOW what a boat looks like, if i have to watch something without any explanation, i'd rather watch some weird animal i have never seen, than some mundane object with some nondescript people on it doing nothing.

the soundtrack. oh man. the soundtrack is by far the worst soundtrack i have ever heard, no hyperbole, i genuinely think dunkirk had the worst soundtrack ever added to a film. the constant pounding pulse, randomly accelerating as if to mean that something is about to happen, and then just dying down when nothing happens. was this supposed to make me feel uneasy? sure, listening to a constant, overly-loud, barely rhythmic bass made me think several times "what the fuck is this sound". in NO way this connected me to the action onscreen. it is way too loud, and it's desperately dull and boring.

there is no dialogue. dialogue is where two characters express the nature of their character, they diversity or similarities, the relationship between those two characters, in the dialogue. words like "has the ship arrived? not yet" do not constitute dialogue, unless you tell me why character A wants to know if the ship has arrived and what are the implications of the answer. We already know they are evacuating, we know in a way that they are allegedly in danger, even though the danger is never seen, if not in the very first seconds of the film.
Mind you, i know full well that dialogue does not have to be verbal, so i will take that the nod the yacht captain gives to his older son qualifies, and so does the last speech in the film (thank you Mr Churchill) but what about everything else? The other sections with words are when the french kid is found out, which just sums up to "we are angry with this kid" .. and that's it. Some minor stuff with the shellshocked soldier.

The production is big and expensive and just so poorly used. The one feeble attempt at filmmaking is when the messerschit falls conveniently on the oil patch to ignite it, which is obviously announced earlier "oh look a flammable oil slick that must somehow be lit on fire for dramatic effect". Nolan has somehow managed to make even dogfights boring; even Baa Baa Black Sheep has better air combat than this film.

Dunkirk is the worst film i have seen in many years. It fails completely in the very basic aspects of filmmaking, explaining characters, creating connection with the viewer, exposition, story, emotions, character arcs. In just not a film, and the horrid soundtrack makes sitting through it a pain rather than a pleasure. I was genuinely pissed off at the last scene "we shall fight them on the beeches" because they had to rip off Winston Churchill and otherwise could not come up with a decent original piece of writing - and this film's implication that we are somehow feeling a sense of victory together with the characters onscreen.

my vote: 4/10 - almost as bad as the prequels.

i also want to say something about Tom Hardy; was it really necessary to pay THIS actor to do NO acting in the whole film? Anyone else, i mean *anyone* could have played his part, professional actor or not, AND for some reason in his final scene, he runs out of fuel and lands on the dunkirk beach, MAYBE a mile down the road, but he is immediately captured by the germans? He couldn't run for 3 minutes, to the army who could have taken him home?
It makes sense to have the german army inside the town, where they can fight building to building, but not on a beach where there is nothing to prevent you from being shot by, you know, the three-hundred-thousand soldiers with guns waiting there.

I agree about Tom Hardy, but damn the music in this was incredible. It really elevated some of the scenes for me.

 

[Mayne]

My last movie was Dunkirk, and Tom Hardy made it worth watching.

 

[DigDog]

TOM HARDY?
THE GUY THAT SPENDS 99% OF THE FILM IN A MASK? THE GUY WHO DOES NOT HAVE *ANY* EMOTIONS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE SCRIPT?

 

[Mayne]

its called gravitas

 

[Zanovar]

you know, you can't just say "THIZ FILMZ TEN/TEN" and then not write anything else.

161. The Sixth Sense

good film, but, i can't really give an honest rating, as i didn't see it on release, and when i did see it i had the ending already spoiled for me.

no rating

162. Fargo

at one point, i held this film in really high esteem, due to the convulted plot, the absurd characters, the fantastic cinematography and casting, all in all a little masterpiece. But over the years, i've come to regard it as a "little" masterpiece.
It's still a film i would recommend to many, but if i have to go for a Cohen Brothers film, i have no doubt my first choice would be Oh Brother, and not Fargo.

my vote.. hmmm.. probably an 8/10


163. No Country For Old Men

i .. did not like this as much as other people have.
i thought the main character (the killer) to be a cool character, but Javier Bardem, the guy who plays him .. is just creepy. And not in a good way. Brolin is very good as always, i think this was the first film where he learned to tone it down.
But .. i mean, the film starts in the middle and ends in the middle. I couldn't tell you if there's a story.

To me it just that Cohen weirdness, which is ok to watch, but i wouldn't recommend it to people who don't do Cohen stuff otherwise.

eh .. 7/10


164. THE THING !!!!

let's just say, 9/10


165. Andrey Rublev

uh ?

no vote

Nvm

 

[DigDog]

i FINALLY watched The Princess Bride - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/reference

apparently, it's awesome, but i didn't really like it that much.
I thought the acting was horrendous. from everyone. everywhere.
the sets were seriously ugly, the music was bland, the story was ok, peter falk was terrible and so was the kid. Carey Elwes was decent as the handsome hero. My Name Is Inygo Montoya gets old after a while.
And while i do admit it has some charm, specially in the writing and dialogue in general, i wouldn't put it above, say, Die Hard.

7/10

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Regarding the 6th Sense, if you know the ending it is not worth seeing. If people here have no idea what the movie is about, see it now!!!

And everyone should watch the director's commentary! It's actually interesting and points out some things you may not have realized.

Spoiler

Like the use of the color red. I think they literally had someone full time on set making sure that certain scenes had the color red in it and others had absolutely no red objects in it. This is a movie spoiler if you don't know the ending: The color red is intentionally absent from most of the film, but it is used prominently in a few isolated shots for "anything in the real world that has been tainted by the other world

 

[soulcougher73]

Regarding the 6th Sense, if you know the ending it is not worth seeing. If people here have no idea what the movie is about, see it now!!!

And everyone should watch the director's commentary! It's actually interesting and points out some things you may not have realized.

Spoiler

Like the use of the color red. I think they literally had someone full time on set making sure that certain scenes had the color red in it and others had absolutely no red objects in it. This is a movie spoiler if you don't know the ending: The color red is intentionally absent from most of the film, but it is used prominently in a few isolated shots for "anything in the real world that has been tainted by the other world

Yeah i've never watched that movie past the original screening. Its one of those movies once you know the ending it has no rewatchability. But i did enjoy it the first and only time i watched it lol

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Yeah i've never watched that movie past the original screening. Its one of those movies once you know the ending it has no rewatchability. But i did enjoy it the first and only time i watched it lol

It's worth seeing a second time to appreciate all the hints that were dropped but misinterpreted by the viewer on the first pass.

Spoiler

Even how Bruce's character dies at the beginning. We assume he survived the shooting. But on rewatch, there is nothing that really tells you that. Along with the famous, I see dead people, sometimes they don't even know they are dead line .... which has a total different meaning when you know Bruce's character is dead vs alive. Initial viewing, people think the kid is talking about the many dead characters in the film but on second viewing, it is clear that he is talking about Bruce..

Point is, there is some interesting script and word play stuff going on. That's the whole reason that the film was so loved at the time.

 

[Perknose]

"Violence begets violence."

Finally saw Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 10/10 the weekend before last. I keep forgetting to review it (and other movies I've seen) here, possibly because my particular taste seems largely out of step with most of the other posters who contribute here.

This movie is exquisitely done, in all respects. Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell all knock it out of the park. Caleb Landry Jones takes a minor role and owns it. This movie never panders and always delivers. There are no one dimensional, cardboard cut-out good guys and bad guys. Even the ones you think at first are, on all sides, will surprise you at some point.

Three Billboards takes on multiple big issues, but never at the expense of the richly complex and finely drawn characters whose interactions bring them forth. Some movies are good at one (big issues) at the expense of the one note characters used in the delivery of them. Other movies have memorable characters but really go nowhere momentous. This movie does both, a rare feat far more difficult than it might seem.

This review says it all better than I ever could:

"So sharply written that it cuts, the third movie from award-winning playwright Martin McDonagh is a dramedy that starts with cleverness and wit, then opens up into something truthfully human. Aptly titled, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, features superb, lyrical dialogue so good that every single cast member, no matter how little screen time, gives a superb performance. McDormand in particular hasn't been this good since her Oscar-winning turn in Fargo. Yet Three Billboardsnever seems too clever for its own good. It's a stronger effort than McDonagh's In Bruges or Seven Psychopaths; beneath the sparkling verbiage are genuine, complex emotions.

There's hope here -- and love -- but also hate, rage, and grief, just like life. They're are all mixed up in a most bracing way. At the same time, the movie tackles things like murder, cancer, and racism, but never in a way that might seem obvious or pandering. It's not a movie about suspense or solutions; things are deliberately messy in this world, even if McDonagh presents them in a pin-neat manner. Blessed with pitch-perfect cinematography and production design, the movie offers many great scenes and no bad ones. But nothing quite prepares you for the final scene, a thoughtful, human moment that should resonate for some time."

 

[SMOGZINN]

"Violence begets violence."

Finally saw Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 10/10 the weekend before last. I keep forgetting to review it (and other movies I've seen) here, possibly because my particular taste seems largely out of step with most of the other posters who contribute here.

This movie is exquisitely done, in all respects. Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell all knock it out of the park. Caleb Landry Jones takes a minor role and owns it. This movie never panders and always delivers. There are no one dimensional, cardboard cut-out good guys and bad guys. Even the ones you think at first are, on all sides, will surprise you at some point.

I saw it a week or two ago and I fully agree. It is probably not a 10/10 by me, but might hit 9.5/10.

 

[DigDog]

triple treat:

Men In Black - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119654/reference

A good film, that manages to find a niche between Twilight Zone thriller and comedy spoof, while maintaining a certain seriousness. Will Smith's acting is rough and not at all good but his character is excellent, and Tommy Lee Jones is really funny. Pretty good plot and the film is all-round solid. The First part, where Agent J is introduced to the MiB, is better than the second part, that is just your typical "kill the bad guy" story. Linda Fiorentino stars as the slut doctor.

7/10

Men In Black II - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120912/reference

pretty horrid script, cookie-cutter villain, unfunny jokes, MiB 2 is a CGI action film that doesn't need action. Rosario Dawson has got to be one of the worst love interest i have ever seen. If MiB had a good first part and a necessary but mediocre second part, this is just more of the second part. You really can skip this one.

5/10

Men In Black III - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1409024/reference

Does not have the mystery revealed charm of the first film, it has however better characters and better dialogue, some tension unexpected of a comedy film, and some genuinely touching moments. Here the film starts with the "bad guy of the week" bit, but then develops into something more. Will Smith's acting has improved a lot, and Josh Brolin does a great Tommy Lee Jones impersonation. IMHO, better than the first, but not quite as unique.

7.5/10

 

[Ackmed]

Finished Dark from Netflix, 9.6/10. REALLY enjoyed it. I don't mind the lips not matching the sound of voices, or reading subs. Really made you think, following the characters and time. Liked the dark atmosphere and the intro is memorizing. I would highly suggest it to anyone who remotely likes Stranger Things, or similar shows. I almost liked it more than Stranger Things to be honest.

Finally watched Star Wars: The Last Jedi tonight. Was ok, was only 8/10 from me. Wife wasn't that impressed either. Didn't like several things about it, but overall was enjoyable. Probably better for older people who enjoy the nostalgia of it all with the older characters. Worth the trip, first movie we've gone to the theater in over a year to see.

 

[Ichinisan]

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was so "meh" for me, I haven't had ANY interest in seeing Rogue One or The Last Jedi.

Are either of these recommended for someone that actually didn't like TFA?

 

[soulcougher73]

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was so "meh" for me, I haven't had ANY interest in seeing Rogue One or The Last Jedi.

Are either of these recommended for someone that actually didn't like TFA?

Rogue One is really good since it plays into the original trilogy time line. I havent seen TLJ but 2 star wards nerd friends on FB didnt seem to care much for it. But i didnt read much as i didnt want to be spoiled.

 

[DigDog]

i felt a weird "uncanny valley" sensation watching TFA. Some bits were good, Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver's acting was good (despite the ridiculous scene on the interrogation chair), and Kylo Ren is one of the most interesting characters of the last few years.
The Han Solo scenes were mind-shattering bad. Pathetic. Atrocious.
Token Black Guy was very tokenish. Rey is a boring character, but not like Luke was boring, but more boring because it's the most predicatable and play it safe character Star Wars has ever had.
So, when watching the film, i had this sensation that i can only describe as "it feels wrong to like this".

The laser-bolt-stopped-midair scene was awesome, who are we kidding. Everything else was a bit crap, but much, much better than the prequels which are, i must remind you, the worst piece of film ever created by mankind. And through guilt by association, AND of its own, TFA was not a good film, despite having some good stuff in it.

 

[slayer202]

I've never seen a good star wars movie

 

[DigDog]

Looks like there has been some change since i last posted, because Andrey Rublev has falled to 167 and 165 is now home of

165. The Big Lebowsky
don't freak out now. I did not like this film originally, on release. this was due to personal reasons and something really irritated me about the main character and the way people raved about this film. this, because i felt that at the time i was more Lebowsky than Lebowsky himself, but somehow everyone thought i was a bum and Lebowsky was awesome.

On later consideration, this is a good film worth about 7.5/10. Some things in this film are really WEIRD.

166. Finding Nemo
i found this film to be exceptionally boring. While i do like some pixar works, well not just pixar, but all this new range of hightech cartoons, i thought Nemo was probably made for 5yo kids, as compared to, say, Wall-E or Lilo & Stich.
would not recommend, at all. I'd rather watch the reasonably funny Penguins Of Madagascar.

5.5/10

167 see above

168. Tokyo Story
without any disrespect for the cinematography here, i do not like watching films that deal exclusively with pain where there is no upside to them. Maybe that's because i live in constant psychological torture but i do not appreciate a product that makes me sad, or, rather, more sad that i was when i walked in.

n/a

169. The Bandit

did not watch

n/a

170. the enigmatically titled There Will Be Blood

i can compare this to the efforts of someone who has managed to break a wall using only their own head. Well done you, but, why ?
DDL's character is again a horrible person, but there's horrible people like Rick from rick & morty, and there's this guy, who i really do not care for. Should i feel bad for him that he loses his son, and then his mind? Should i care that he wins in his attempts to cheat poor people out of their money, or that he loses? Am i supposed to take a side? Because i think the answer is no, and that DDL performance exists simply because they wanted to see if it could be done, regardless of how bad of an idea it was in the first place.

7/10 because of reasons, but i probably would not recommend this to anyone who isn't a masochist.
OR to anyone who is a masochist. I just would not recommend this.

 

[CZroe]

170. the enigmatically titled There Will Be Blood

i can compare this to the efforts of someone who has managed to break a wall using only their own head. Well done you, but, why ?
DDL's character is again a horrible person, but there's horrible people like Rick from rick & morty, and there's this guy, who i really do not care for. Should i feel bad for him that he loses his son, and then his mind? Should i care that he wins in his attempts to cheat poor people out of their money, or that he loses? Am i supposed to take a side? Because i think the answer is no, and that DDL performance exists simply because they wanted to see if it could be done, regardless of how bad of an idea it was in the first place.

7/10 because of reasons, but i probably would not recommend this to anyone who isn't a masochist.
OR to anyone who is a masochist. I just would not recommend this.

The movie is actually about a power struggle between TWO horribly manipulative people at odds with each other. One uses wealth for power, the other, religion. Sounds like you focused way too much on DDL’s character. Most people do, since he is the lead. You can fault the movie makers for this but part of the point is that you aren’t supposed to realize that his foil is equally horrible at first. You are supposed to sympathize and then grow to realize how deplorable he is, much like Walter White in Breaking Bad. He’s no victim [deserving sympathy]. Bad things happen to DDL’s character, sure, but you aren’t supposed to feel sorry for the other guy either. It sounds like the switch never flipped for you.

 

[Ichinisan]

Here you go, DigDog:

 

[Mayne]

Watched the new reboot of Flatliners. It was entertaining.

 

[Mayne]

Apparently the last thread became too large, so this is a continuation of that thread.

The old thread can be found here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=211635

Please rate whatever you have watched and give a quick review.

Happy watching! :awe:

KT

do we talk abut Dunkirk? i liked mister mask man.

 

[zerocool84]

Rogue One is really good since it plays into the original trilogy time line. I havent seen TLJ but 2 star wards nerd friends on FB didnt seem to care much for it. But i didnt read much as i didnt want to be spoiled.

I did not like Rogue One at all, mainly because of bad character development. Nothing in the movie makes you care about the characters. Plus the fact that it actually messes up a lot if stuff that it tries to tie into A New Hope.

 

[Mayne]

I did not like Rogue One at all, mainly because of bad character development. Nothing in the movie makes you care about the characters. Plus the fact that it actually messes up a lot if stuff that it tries to tie into A New Hope.

I got the whole way thru the movie and realized...oh snap! everyone dies. I was pretty stoned though

 

[DigDog]

The movie is actually about a power struggle between TWO horribly manipulative people at odds with each other. One uses wealth for power, the other, religion. Sounds like you focused way too much on DDL’s character. Most people do, since he is the lead. You ca fault the movie makers for this but part of the point is that you aren’t supposed to realize that his foil is equally horrible at first. You are supposed to sympathize and then grow to realize how deplorable he is, much like Walker White in Breaking Bad. He’s no victim. Bad things happen to DDL’s character, sure, but you aren’t supposed to feel sorry for the other guy either. It sounds like the switch never flipped for you.

yours is a clever way of looking at this film, i might reconsider it. however, i think the preacher is too weak a villain to work the bad guy vs bad guy theme. Eli doesn't really ever enter into conflict with Daniel, he *thinks* he does, but Daniel is five moves ahead of him all the time.
i'll give it another shot sometime this week.