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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93137
03/06/06 09:06 AM
03/06/06 09:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058 The Slippery Slope
plawrence
RIP StatMan
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RIP StatMan
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058
The Slippery Slope
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Originally posted by MistaMista Tom Hagen: I personally would say it would be kind of ridiculous to try to argue that critic's and other's opinions on films do not at all play a factor in determining one's choice of films to watch. It's not like you go to the movie theater or go to the video rental store and just choose something at random. I agree. There are movies I will see because of a particular actor, director, or its subject matter, regardless of the reviews. And there are some that I will avoid for the same reasons, regardless of what the critics may say. But we are all critics in one sense or another, and what we hear about films - from whatever the source, be it a "professional" review, or something that we read here on the BB, or whatever - very often plays some part in the selection process. I don't think any of us limit ourselves to films that only involve cast members or directors or that we like, or subject matter that interests us. If that were the case, we'd never expose ourselves to anything new. As MMTH says "It's not like you go to the movie theater or go to the video rental store and just choose something at random."
"Difficult....not impossible"
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93138
03/06/06 09:32 AM
03/06/06 09:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058 The Slippery Slope
plawrence
RIP StatMan
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RIP StatMan
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058
The Slippery Slope
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Just re-watched both Donnie Brasco (1997) and then, for comparison purposes, City Hall (1996).
Brasco, I think, was Pacino's last "great" picture (altho he was pretty good in The Insider).
You really feel that he absolutely is the character he portrays, unlike Johnny Depp who I always felt was mis-cast and not believable as an Italian FBI agent.
In City Hall, though, which, while predictable, isn't a bad movie - although I'll confess to enjoying anything that Pacino is in that involves NYC, the Mafia, police corruption, etc. - I felt like I was watching Pacino "act", and not very well.
He gives a Pacino-like over-the-top and not believable eulogy at a little boy's funeral, and seems pretty wooden and unemotional throughout the rest the film.
"Difficult....not impossible"
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93141
03/06/06 02:48 PM
03/06/06 02:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058 The Slippery Slope
plawrence
RIP StatMan
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RIP StatMan
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058
The Slippery Slope
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Originally posted by svsg: How about "Devil's Advocate? Good, but not a "great" performance, IMO. In watching Devil's Advocate I felt like I was watching Al Pacino acting, just as I felt when watching City Hall. Very similar style performances, I thought. Watching Donnie Brasco, I felt Pacino was Lefty Ruggiero. Actually, now that I think about it, there are very few Pacino performances that I would label as "great", although I've thoroughly enjoyed quite a number of his films.
"Difficult....not impossible"
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93145
03/06/06 06:38 PM
03/06/06 06:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,155 Some anonymous motel room.
Don Vercetti
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,155
Some anonymous motel room.
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eMule, although the size of the movies quickly slow your computer after a few of them. I have to get rid of a few. Mystery Train - (Jim Jarmusch;1989;USA/Japan) Three vignettes loosely connected through a motel in Memphis, Tennessee.Another great film from Jarmusch. Human interaction dominates the film, especially with more of Jarmusch's subtle humor here and there. All three vignettes worked wonderfully. The cast supported the film wonderfully, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins as the motel clerk was perfect for some of the comic relief. I also liked Nagase, Kudoh, and Buscemi's roles in the film, not to mention Tom Waits brief moments as the radio DJ. The music is great, like Jarmusch's other films.
Proud Member of the Gangster BB Bratpack - Fighting Elitism and Ignorance Since 2006
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93147
03/07/06 10:41 AM
03/07/06 10:41 AM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058 The Slippery Slope
plawrence
RIP StatMan
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RIP StatMan
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 15,058
The Slippery Slope
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Re: The Insider Originally posted by Don Vercetti: it was (Pacino's) best role from the 90's. Better than his role in Donnie Brasco? 
"Difficult....not impossible"
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93148
03/07/06 11:38 AM
03/07/06 11:38 AM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,543 Gateshead, UK
Capo de La Cosa Nostra
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,543
Gateshead, UK
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Before Sunrise  Richard Linklater 1995 US (2nd time) A young American and French student meet on a train in Budapest and decide to spend the night together, before she leaves for Paris. Conversation piece relying on contrasting philosophies from its two characters to drive it along; the acting had to be brilliant, and it is, with a kind of awkward sensibility which develops into a confident intimacy as it goes on.Before Sunset  Richard Linklater 2004 US (2nd time) Jesse and Celine meet nine years after their first meeting. The characters have developed into wiser, older adults, and the two actors embody them convincingly; but, as the script's self-reflection would have it, neither of them have really changed, and the narrative's swing into bittersweet nostalgia makes for an infuriatingly perfect final moment.Lost In Translation  Sofia Coppola 2003 US/Japan (Nth time) Two Americans in Japan, one an actor, the other a lonely wife over on her husband's business, meet up and enjoy each other's company. Underplayed, affecting tale of two people stuck in marital problems and finding unconsumated comfort in each other; it is a refreshingly minimalistic approach fuelled by excellent performances.Nil by Mouth  Gary Oldman 1997 UK/France (1st time) Domestic violence, drugs, alcoholism and unemployment within a working-class London family. That we're still watching this after two hours of vulgarity and outright seediness pays testament to the talent of Oldman and his cast; performances lift it above monotony, and the director, filming in hand-held close-ups with very few wide-shots, keeps us absorbed throughout. If we do not care for these characters, we are at least curious how their squalid lives will turn out.
...dot com bold typeface rhetoric. You go clickety click and get your head split. 'The hell you look like on a message board Discussing whether or not the Brother is hardcore?
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93149
03/07/06 03:21 PM
03/07/06 03:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,155 Some anonymous motel room.
Don Vercetti
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,155
Some anonymous motel room.
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Originally posted by plawrence: Re: The Insider [quote]Originally posted by Don Vercetti: [b] it was (Pacino's) best role from the 90's. Better than his role in Donnie Brasco?  [/b][/quote]Yes, by a little. To be fair, Donnie Brasco could use a rewatch.
Proud Member of the Gangster BB Bratpack - Fighting Elitism and Ignorance Since 2006
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93151
03/07/06 07:30 PM
03/07/06 07:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145 East Tennessee
ronnierocketAGO
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145
East Tennessee
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THE PINK PANTHER (2006) - ** I hate my family. Anyway, the film wasn't as awful as I thought(perhaps hoped?), but its still Febuary-released clunk to fill up the schedules for Hollywood....though hey, if you need to entertain your bastard brat kids for a few hours....its either this or CHUCKIE CHEESE. Though really, imagine Jean Reno...a Frenchman having to play along with Americans acting as Frenchies.....man, talk about the pains that one does to feed his harlem. If it's any consolation, this film was better than THE TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER and every other one since Sellers croaked....but that's damn faint praise, isn't it?
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93152
03/07/06 08:27 PM
03/07/06 08:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,155 Some anonymous motel room.
Don Vercetti
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,155
Some anonymous motel room.
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Forgot this, which was seen in school. The Life of David Gale - (Alan Parker;2003;USA/Germany) A capital punishment abolitionist is accused of murdering his colleague and is sent on death row, where he's interviewed by a reporter.A decent film that could've been good had it not suffered from some annoying things, like the flashes of various words like "rape, death, martyr" in between transitions. Otherwise the cast supports this film well, and it works to an extent. It could've been better with some more provoking scenes dialogue-wise, especially between Winslet and Spacey.
Proud Member of the Gangster BB Bratpack - Fighting Elitism and Ignorance Since 2006
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93154
03/08/06 12:54 PM
03/08/06 12:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,455 California
XDCX
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,455
California
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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Mike Newell 2005 U.S./U.K. (1st time)  1/2 A lot better than I thought it would be. I'm a big Harry Potter fan (more so the books than the films). There were a few parts in the book that I wish would have made it into the film, but overall I think they put in all the best things, and left out the unnecessary drivel. Best Potter film thus far.
"Growing up my dad was like 'You have a great last name, Galifianakis. Galifianakis...begins with a gal...and ends with a kiss...' I'm like that's great dad, can we get it changed to 'Galifianafuck' please?" -- Zach Galifianakis
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Re: Movies You Just Watched Discussion
#93156
03/08/06 05:32 PM
03/08/06 05:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145 East Tennessee
ronnierocketAGO
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,145
East Tennessee
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CLOCKERS (1995) - ***
A solid crime drama from the always-controversial Spike Lee, with superb acting(as always) from Harvey Keitel(with this may have been the last major studio film where he headlines the top billing. Think about it!), Turturo, Lindo, etc. Lee has seen better days directorial, but still worthy of a rental for the casual film buff and the Lee fan completist.
ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES (1978) - *1/2
You know, I love good "bad" movies as the next hopeless nerd on this planet, but this was a rotten vegetable(or was it fruit?) Instead of simply a humorous stupid "bad" movie that translates to goodness on my Trash Meter, this stinker instead is just plain stupid. Perhaps the filmmakers were trying too hard to mock the monster/alien invasion movies of the 50's, or they just beat a decent 30 minute joke into NINETY MINUTES. Urgh.
On the plus side though, loved the theme song. Followed by sequels and a cartoon series.
HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER (1989) - ***** - Masterpiece!
Oh fuck. I am a hard-skin fellow, but even this movie creeped me out in a disturbing way. Named by Entertainment Weekly as one of the 20 Scariest Horror Movies of All Timeand among Roger Ebert's "Great Movies", this flick does deserve its legendary infamous reputation.
A subdued abstract dramatic exercise about a serial killer, without the comic bookish superhero-gimmick status of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS or SE7EN. No, this feels like a real psychopath that stalks the highways of America, who kills for both as a hobby, and as a sick passion.
If anything, with the jump-scare condition of horror in Hollywood, to see a film with a chilling ending that is simply just a shot of a suitcase that was ditched on the side of the road.....ya, let's just say I had a hard time sleeping. I heavily recommend it to my cinema buff friends, especially Capo, DV, and everyone else!
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