Ebert Gave This Movie Reviews Thread 3 of 4 Stars!

[Reply #400 on:]

Catch Me If You Can
Pretty formulaic conman chase movie, although Frank Abagnale Jr did pull off some crazy stuff for a youngster.
Light-hearted decent movie.

B-

[Reply #401 on:]

Kick-Ass

To be totally corny, it was a kickass movie. Action was great, characters great, story great, I loved it. Big Daddy and Hit Girl stole the show.

A

[Reply #402 on:]

Kick Ass

Oh my God. This may be the best movie I've seen in a long long time! I thought I was going to die from the Awesomeness that this movie spewed forth into my brain.

Something way higher than an A+

[Reply #403 on:]

I thought I was going to die from the Awesomeness that this movie spewed forth into my brain.

That should go on the poster

[Reply #404 on:]

The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
The movie opens with Nic Cage rescuing a prisoner trapped in a police station with the flood waters of Katrina rising around him, and getting some sort of back injury from it and a doctor telling him he'll have pain for the rest of his life, so that's why years later he's doing coke and heroin and weed to get rid of his pain, making him one cranky corrupt Bad Lieutenant (think House MD as a cop).

So the plot twists and turns around him trying to solve these five murders of a lowlife drug dealer and his family, and it plays out like a noir drug-tripping corrupt cop story, don't expect much action or shootouts, but it was entertaining in a crazy sort of way, and there are some great non-sequiturs and weird drug trip shots involving iguanas.
Val Kilmer, Xzibit (yo dawg) and Eva "Smokin Hawt" Mendes also star.

B

[Reply #405 on:]

Um... I hate to be a bastard (I actually love it), but... was everybody else who saw Kick-Ass watching the same movie that I was? What's with the hype and rave?

I mean... maybe I'm missing something because I never got around to reading the comicbook... but... huh? Why is this so popular? I can see what it's trying to do, but it doesn't do it very well. It wasn't particularly funny or ironic... the plot was nothing... and, no, the little ten-year-old girl slaughtering people was totally off-putting, and wildly unrealistic... plus watching her being brutally beaten by a grown man was not in any way okay with me. Further, I cannot see how annoying squeaky-voiced teens in gay outfits could be taken seriously by anybody... and Nick Cage was absolutely awful, especially when he was doing his Adam West impersonation. Again, I can see what they were going for, but they just tried way too hard.

Did not really enjoy it at all, sorry. Looking forward to Iron Man 2 later this week. A proper superhero movie, as opposed to... a rather mishandled attempt at ye olde superhero deconstruction.

[Reply #406 on:]

But Coldy, stupid parents who don't understand the ratings system took their small children to see it. Doesn't that count for anything? Am I the only one who thinks that's hilarious?!

[Reply #407 on:]

But Coldy, stupid parents who don't understand the ratings system took their small children to see it. Doesn't that count for anything? Am I the only one who thinks that's hilarious?!

It was funnier when it happened to Watchmen. I mean really, did that look at all like it was a movie for kids? I mean...BLUE PENIS!

And no Coldy, I hadn't heard of the comic until the movie and I haven't read it, you will just have to live with the fact that you're in the minority of people who didn't like Kick-Ass. Just as I am in the minority of people who really liked Terminator Salvation.

[Reply #408 on:]

I love how he says Hit Girl was unrealistic. When was the last time you saw a guy swinging through your street on a web slung from his wrist, Joel? Oh right, you can do that. Maybe you should wank less.

It was a fictional story. And it was something I hadn't seen before, also I don't take everything too seriously, hence: enjoyment gained. Hey, maybe there'd be a lot less child abuse if kids knew how to defend themselves? Aside from that, she was just a regular superhero-type. She kicked some butt and had her butt kicked. Welcome to the world of superheros, glad you could join us. Oh no, it's a little kid being fake beaten up by a character who just saw her kill all his men. Gee, how unjustified. I know I'd just let her kill me and not try to defend myself at all against a superhuman.

[Reply #409 on:]

I am in the minority of people who really liked Terminator Salvation.

I liked that.

I love how he says Hit Girl was unrealistic. When was the last time you saw a guy swinging through your street on a web slung from his wrist, Joel?

Hey now, "that guy" is an icon, and I won't have none of your trash-talking. Besides which, he has super-powers. As opposed to someone who doesn't have any, and is, in fact, a ten-year-old girl.

Ranty rant rant

I just didn't like it much, awright? It's not the worst movie I've ever seen (that's a tie between the Stephen King adaptation Dreamcatcher and the recent Australian 'horror' movie Prey), just that it wasn't as holyfuckamazing as everybody made it out to be.

[Reply #410 on:]

Of course it wasn't. I know I'm not going to enjoy a movie as much if I listen to hype beforehand. You're just stupid for listening to hype

Hey now, "that guy" is an icon, and I won't have none of your trash-talking. Besides which, he has super-powers. As opposed to someone who doesn't have any, and is, in fact, a ten-year-old girl.

But she was highly trained in fighting. Which I think is more impressive than some stupid superpower you got by accidentally getting bitten by a spider. How does that make him deserve that power? Psh. The fact that the girl was 10 means nothing. She was smart, tough and knew how to get things done. What's your problem? - Jealous? your dream of being a tough 10 year old girl realised by someone who isn't you

[Reply #411 on:]

You're just stupid for listening to hype

That's not why I'm stupid.

But she was highly trained in fighting.

Lacking the physical strength for it to really mean much. I mean, she was running up walls and slicing everybody to pieces. She cut off a guy's leg!
Tiny little kids do not work that way!

What's your problem?

I think I'm bipolar or something.

[Reply #412 on:]

Tiny little kids do not work that way!

I think you missed the part where it was a fictional film and weren't meant to take every little thing literally.

[Reply #413 on:]

Tiny little kids do not work that way!

Yeah, I'm quoting the same thing as Maz, What of it?

That's part of the hilarity!

For the record, Hit Girl is 11 (or was at the time of filming.) Do your research, people!

[Reply #414 on:]

Psh. 10, 11, 12. A big fat hen. The name; Bender.

She threw knives in an episode of My Name Is Earl. She would have only been 7 or 8 in that. With knives. Yeah.

[Reply #415 on:]

Tiny little kids do not work that way!

I think you missed the part where it was a fictional film and weren't meant to take every little thing literally.

Let me stress Mr Pinklett's comment about the Star Wars prequels:

Because [the audience] gotta project themselves into the scene.  We all understand the rules of physics in real life, and if you bend it too far, you sever the connection of the audience.

My argument is, even if fictional, it needs to be realistic.  Otherwise there is no tension.  Then there is no excitement, and then there is no drama.  And more importantly, than the laughter is not so much with the film but against the film.  Or indeed, might just be off putting to the audience.

And since, as you have already established, she doesn't have actually have an explanation for her superpowers (because she has none), it just comes off as weird.  The audience are willing to accept Spider-Man flying around, because it has been established that he can.  But even he is bound by the laws of physics.

[Reply #416 on:]

So..the girl was meant to be boring and simple and die? Yeah, I would have loved that version of the film so much more.

[Reply #417 on:]

So..the girl was meant to be boring and simple and die? Yeah, I would have loved that version of the film so much more.

Or not in the film at all?

[Reply #418 on:]

That's boring, You're boring Svip.

How To Train Your Dragon

Hmm, I thought the movie would have been more realistic (and therefore better, apparently) without the presence of dragons. Or vikings.

Anyway, on to the serious review.

Not as much death at the hands of a little girl as Kick Ass but much more Dragon training and Vikings than Kick Ass

In short: A+

[Reply #419 on:]

Date Night
Eh. It was entertaining enough. I think my expectations were too high. Blame Liz Lemon and Michael Scott for setting them there.
B-

[Reply #420 on:]

Avatar (on DVD)

It's just like Avatar (at the movies) only less 3-deey.

[Reply #421 on:]

Avatar - 3D = no story, no character depth, no great effects

man, that must suck big time

[Reply #422 on:]

So..the girl was meant to be boring and simple and die? Yeah, I would have loved that version of the film so much more.

I was actually far more annoyed by Mr. Cage for reasons I can't quite put my finger on.

I would have liked to have seen the titular character actually do more stuff in the movie. Seemed like he had about two fights, and spent the rest of the time just looking goofy. The tiny little girl-child was the only one who really did anything.

[Reply #423 on:]

Defendor
Different take on the vigilante superhero movie, Woody Harrelson plays a mentally challenged guy Arthur, but his alter ego Defendor goes out at night hunting Captain Industry, a notorious crime lord (in his mind), using various gadgets and tricks.
Kat Dennings and Elias Koteas (like this guy) also star.

Harrelson is great as the child-like Arthur by day and the Batman badass by night, spouting cheesy lines and using swarms of bees and marbles to hilarious effect against the bad guys.

B+

[Reply #424 on:]

The Men Who Stare at Goats

I enjoyed it, but wa expecting more, due to it's stellar cast

C+/B-

[Reply #425 on:]

Iron Man 2
Fine sequel for Marvel, RDJ and GP are great as usual, with Potts character slightly more nagging this time round but they still have a good scenes together, new cast additions ScarJo (lycra suit, no complaints ) and Don Cheadle are acceptable but don't have much to do until the end.
As for Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke, they deliver fine performances too.
Also Nick Fury and that SHEILD guy (Coulson) from the 1st one get a few more appearances which ain't bad.

The plot and action are engaging and entertaining enough to keep me interested, some cool science (bitches) stuff appealed to the nerd in me.

And I can confirm there is a scene post credits.

Kewl stuff if you liked the first one.
A-

[Reply #426 on:]

And I can confirm there is a scene post credits.

Shit, I forgot and walked out. What was it? Come on, whisper it to me... but not too close because your breath smells like shattered dreams and salami.

[Reply #427 on:]

Spoilered for spoilery spoiler reasons:

Show spoiler

You see a car driving across the desert, Agent Coulson steps out to observe a big crater with lots of scientists and agents gathered around studying it, he calls Fury (I think) and says "Sir, we've found it" or something, then the camera pans over to the crater and reveals the handle of what I assumed to be a large hammer with a tassle on the end stuck in the ground.

[Reply #428 on:]

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (on bluray)

Like seeing it at the movies... But smaller.

[Reply #429 on:]

unless... you have a home cinema

[Reply #430 on:]

Spoilered for spoilery spoiler reasons:

Show spoiler

You see a car driving across the desert, Agent Coulson steps out to observe a big crater with lots of scientists and agents gathered around studying it, he calls Fury (I think) and says "Sir, we've found it" or something, then the camera pans over to the crater and reveals the handle of what I assumed to be a large hammer with a tassle on the end stuck in the ground.

Show spoiler

Ah ha. I get it. Thanks.

[Reply #431 on:]

Iron Man 2

I felt they could have done better with the story.  It's rather disappointing not to have Terrence Howard part of the cast though. I thought he and Rober Downey Jr. had better chemistry.

B

[Reply #432 on:]

I hope they get Denzel for the next one (or Morgan Freeman, that would be awesome)

Daybreakers
Kewl if you like silly vampire movies, a good idea for a movie but not exactly executed very well by the Spierig brothers, whoever they are.
Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill are good though, and there's lots of bloody om-nom-nomming going on and vamp-splosions!

C+

[Reply #433 on:]

Kick Ass

Really enjoyed it, one of the handful of films I've liked Nic Cage in

B/B+

[Reply #434 on:]

Some of the last movies I've seen:


Jarinko Chie (Chie the Brat)
An episodic movie in which the parts are loosely based on one another. The movie's from 1981 an based on a manga series.
It has interesting and funny characters and the stories are good too.


2012
Your average catastrophe movie. Everything is falling apart but the coincidents are amazing :lol:
It's fun to watch if you don't want anything special in story characters or effects. Though the effects do look pretty awesome.


16 Blocks
Typical Bruce Willis cop movie. Run down cop saves the day.
The best thing about it was Mos Def, he rawks.


Saibogujiman Kwenchana (I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK)
Very cute and very different kind of romantic comedy. The style of Park Chan-wook makes it a different experience.
And how often do you see a movie about a love story in a mental asylum?


Flags of our Fathers
Pretty good movie showing how the soldiers (or 3 of them) had to deal with the battle on Iwo Jima and where celebrated heroes at home.
The only thing dragging this movie down is the superiority of Letters from Iwo Jima.


Letters from Iwo Jima
The battle of Iwo Jima from the view of the Japanese. Great actors and very interesting characters. Shows you the different mindset of the Japanese soldiers, especially when they kill themselves with grenades.
Loved the open ending of the movie, not showing what happened with the main character.


Cidade de Deus (City of Gods)
Great movie about a suburb of Rio and the drug/gang wars in there.
Nearly all the actors where actually all kids growing up in and around Rio which works pretty well for the movie.


Lost in Translation
I just love the movie. It shows perfectly that Bill Murray can also be funny and serious.
The plot is rather slowly developing, but fits the flow of the story perfectly.

[Reply #435 on:]

How to Train Your Dragon

really enjoyed it, great story, acting, and visual effects, the 3D was cool, but somewhat unnecessary

B+/A-

[Reply #436 on:]

I Love You Phillip Morris

not enough gay sex

8.5/10

[Reply #437 on:]

Lost in Translation
I just love the movie. It shows perfectly that Bill Murray can also be funny and serious.
The plot is rather slowly developing

What plot?
Seriously, what is that movie even about? Nothing happens!! Old guy meets young girl, they sing Karaoke, and he whispers something inaudible in her ear. That is literally the whole film.

[Reply #438 on:]

it's about finding a soul-mate and being lost in a foreign country.


if you go by that approach most movies have no story.
Dracula? some vampire bites people
Star Wars? Guy's aunt and uncle get killed, he joins the rebellion, destroys the Empire and find some friends
Toy Story? Kids favorite toy is confused when the kid gets a new favorite toy, but eventually notice that they both can be friends and the kid can like both
Metropolis? workers rebel against bourgeoisie, leader of the worker gets replaced by a robot, workers destroy machines
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? couple breaks up, both erase their memories, fall in love again
Wayne's World? 2 guys have a basement tv show, evil co-operation buys it and tries to change everything, the 2 guys fight back and win... tons of jokes

i could probably go on with every movie like this

[Reply #439 on:]

Yeah, except other things tend to happen in most movies. Action, dialogue... conflict, resolution. Aside from the things I mentioned in Lost in Translation, really all they did was sit around and look morose.

I didn't see anything about soul-mates - I saw a brief and rather illogical infatuation develop and then, just as inexplicably, end. They were in a foreign country. They were not lost. I don't know how it was "about" being in a foreign country when it was just like... yes, we're in a foreign country... let us look morose while we sit around. I do not get that movie. I don't see what the point of any of it was. Like... the exact same net effect could have been achieved by not making a movie at all.