Bah, you say that about everything. :p

Still, I need to watch it.

Bah, you say that about everything. :p [/b][/quote]:D

I have a hard time deciding between these 4:

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING! THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING! (1966) - ****

Soviet sailors run their sub aground on an New England island. Some men go ashore to find a new diesel engine, then the locals hear about them, and all hell breaks loose, including the humor.

Norman Jewison was always to me a director that was more known for quite overrated movies(IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, MOONSTRUCK) and never got real respect for his good pictures, from ROLLERBALL to this.

To think that for a 21 year old kid, born maybe in the last 5 years of the bloody Cold War, with now 40 years after this movie...and it still made me laugh, which must count for something.

I've always wanted to see Rollerball. James Caan is the man.

"Well, I gotta tell ya...I'd be very, very careful who I talked to about this. Because the person who wrote that...is dangerous. And this button-down, oxford cloth psycho, might just snap at any moment, stalking from office to office with an Armatile AR-10 Carbine-Gas powered semiautomatic weapon, pumping round after round into colleagues and co-workers. This might be someone you've known for years...someone very, very close to you."

That is awesome.

Hagen, don't you think its ironic that for a film that shits on people for following an ideology, cause, or charismatic leadership without second thinking nor without independent thinking, and for individuals to take responsibility, that people quote the movie, as well as display avatars from it, write their own fan fiction, try to join or start up their own "fight clubs", and so forth?

Not that I'm talking about you, since that quote was cool, and the movie is pretty damn great, but its just worth a thought.

P.S. - ROLLERBALL does kick ass, but only to me maybe because in the truest sense, and forgetting the silly 70's art deco, its good science fiction(you know, that genre before it became simply an excuse for action or whatever).

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Dekalog, siedem
1988/Kieslowski

One of the better segments so far. Kieslowski's camera work takes a drastic turn from the last part and returns to his nice, well-framed or gracefully moving shooting style. The story here provided oppurtunities for strong performances from all the main cast, although I felt as though Boguslaw Linda as Wojtek really shined.

Another great showcase of Kiesklowski's talent is his choice to take the commandment of "Thou Shalt Not Steal" and turn this episode into a metaphorical tale of a teenage girl's daughter being taken from her by her mother. And once again, Kieslowski opts for a dual main character style, which allows him to consistently demonstrate hypocrisies and differences among the different age and social classes in Poland. Overall, an excellent chapter in the series.

4/5 Stars

I do understand exactly what you're talking about. Fight Club presents an interesting double-faceted greatness to me because it is not only a film that has an incredibly relevant and thought-provoking message, but it is also an incredibly well-made film. I jump from one to the other when I'm complimenting the movie, and doing things like quoting it here is just me expressing my feelings about how fantastic the writing is.

Yes, it's true that in a sense, constantly watching Fight Club and/or any other movie is doing nothing but playing into the hands of the conformist, lazy, consumer-happy society that's been created for us. If we were to all take its message seriously, we'd probably watch it once, fully comprehend and understand its message, and then blow up our houses and go live in a dilapidated warehouse somewhere, in an effort to "hit bottom" as the film instructs us to do.

So yes, sometimes I feel like a bitch for continuing to live the conformist lifestyle while praising a film that condemns it, but hey, what're ya gonna do?

I am Jack's sense of suburban comfort.

Fight Club gets better with each viewing. I notice something new each time... I think it is incredibly relevant and meaningful. It's never failed to bring a smile to my face.

I'd write more if I wasn't tired, and had three functioning brain cells.

Transamerica (2005)
Director: Duncan Tucker
When she learns she fathers a son, a pre-operative transexual heads across the country on an adventure.
What you have here is your basic American story. Shemale knocks chick up. Shemale learns of illegitimate son. Shemale heads to Manhattan. Shemale brings illegitimate son to California to star in gay porno. Classic American tale.

12 Monkeys (1995)
Director: Terry Gilliam
A man travels back in time, to the 1990s, to save the human race from a biological act of terrorism that will kill half the population.
This could be my second favorite Gilliam film, behind Fear and Loathing. It's really giving Brazil (the film many people consider to be his masterpiece) a run for its money, on my standards. Brad Pitt's charater and performance make this movie for me. Great writing, great perfomances... Great overall insanity.

Annie Hall (1977)
Director: Woody Allen
A neurotic comedian falls in love with a ditsy tomboy.
This is quite possibly the funniest movie I've ever seen. Never have I ever related with a films humour more than I did this one. Why the hell have I pushed off Allen's work for so long? I've only seen two of his films at this point in my life, and I see him being a director I could really get into and adore. Good god. More Woody Allen films to come.

To date,I have not seen Nypolion Dynomyte.But I did see Aeon Flux,which I thought was terrible.And I saw Closer.With Natilie Portman.That had so much dirty talking,it's really not a good idea to talk about it here,just see it!

Just watched Dazed And Confused. While it wasn't very funny, I was still entertained. What was pretty funny was seeing very young Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey.

what, you thought DAZED & CONFUSED was like FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH or something? It was supposed to be a melodrama of the 70's, or as some people try to argue, the "AMERICAN GRAFFITI of the 1990s" or whatever.

Still, glad you liked it.

POTC 2: DEAD MAN'S CHEST (2006) - ***

The first film was flawed but decent, with Depp taking a generic film and making it watchable. Well, the same story goes for the $250 million sequel, except perhaps the sequel is actually more well-made than the first, or at least less bullshit than I remembered from before. Instead of Bloom being a useless crying melodramatic putz, he actually is a crafty, purposeful hero (perhaps a residue from KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?), though unfortunately, if the 3rd movie coming next summer is any indication, then Disney will go back to the melodramatic love bullshit of the first flick. Pity.

However, DEAD MAN'S CHEST suffers from the same problems of the first, including the fact that its simply way too damn long. Sure I can take long epic runtimes, but only if its quantity equates in quality. I mean, I squirmed in my theater seat three times during DEAD MAN'S CHEST, but I didn't a few weeks ago when I saw LAWRENCE OF ARABIA at a special screening on the big screen, and that fucker is almost 4 hours long!

Still, decent ending shot for a cliffhanger for the next movie, AT WORLD'S END.

THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE (1974) - ****1/2

Hey New Yorkers, ever wondered why the NYC subway train never leaves Pelham Bay Park at 1:23 PM? This movie, based on the explosive best-selling novel, is why.

Four hijackers, led by a "Mr. Blue" (Robert Shaw) take over a NYC subway train full of hostages, and demand $1 million in cash from the city within a hour, or people will get wasted. Matthau is the Transit cop that tries to keep the shit from hitting the fan.

Superb crime thriller that beats along with your heart, and dammit, I still forget how its a shame that both Robert Shaw isn't with us anymore, and that people mostly remember him for fucking JAWS. Hell, so far he's the ultimate hijacking baddie for movie in terms of smooth and being professional. Hell, his ending alone is something that most other actors would have camped up.

People have told me for years that this is a "lost" crime film classic of the 1970s...and you know what? They might be onto something. Recommendable for crime/thriller fans, along with you nutty insane Tarantino fans, who'll see another movie he "lovingly" ripped off.

The movie is stylized and fast paced but it can't stand up against the book.

I read the book before the movie came out and predicted it would make a good film story. (Likewise, a few months later I predicted the same for another new book - "Jaws").

Shaw was superb in this flick. It was, IMO, his second best film role (only behind his portrayal of Grant in "From Russia With Love"). Likewise, it was fun seeing Walter Matthau in a non-comedic role. A special shout-out to Hector Elizondo's portrayal of one of the hijackers - his character was noted in the book as getting him kicked out of the Mafia because he played too rough.

I think your 4½ stars is a little generous, though.

Well, I think my rating is a little generous. Hell, I initially gave the movie a rating like I gave Jewison's THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING! picture, a rating of ****.

But then I thought about how the movie itself was edited, so sleek and lean, without any fucking fat that hacks like Michael Bay would put in their pictures. Better yet, there is no contrived bullshit in the picture that I had to deal with. We never know exactly why our bad guys do what they do, and that's good. Who the fuck cares why, except of course for one major payday.

Besides, the ending itself is just so effortless...Matthau's face at the doorway, and bang, theme music.

Who knows, maybe in the future I'll knock the film's rating back to ****, since hell I slightly knocked down some movies I've reviewed in the past by half-a-star(for example, REDS which I originally gave the 5-star masterpiece rating, but I changed my mind and simply gave it ****1/2. Nevermind KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, which I gave **** for the Theatrical edit, but seeing the Director's Cut, it got promoted to ****1/2.)

The point is, its a good chance of happening possibly. What's your rating, SC?

Using your own scoreboard as a guide I'd give it four stars.

You're right - the editting is right on.... its a fast paced movie not slowed down by a lot of unneccessary side stories.

WEl, so far Iv seen all of teh Hrry Poter movies, their all fabulus. OH and thn I saw Open Watr, taht 1 was absoutely horrble. And house of Wax. I luved tht 1, I tink Paris Hiltn shoodl haf gotten an Award 4 it or sumthin. N I saw Shrek, taht 1 was s0o0o cute. I <3 Mike Myers!!!11 OH but not teh skary Mike Myers!!!1 lolol Halloween is waaaaay 2 scary 4 me!!!1

THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1979) - ***

Before JURASSIC PARK. Before fucking "ER", formulaic technothriller author Michael Crichton was actually a director. Based on his own novel, Crichton scripted and helmed this enjoyable Victorian-Era robbery caper. Speaking of which, what happened to Donald Sutherland anyway? Really, at this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if someone put his mug on a milk carton pretty soon.

TIMELINE (2003) - *1/2

Oh dear lord! Paul Walker can't act worth a damn! Oh wait, that isn't news. Opps, sorry!

Michael Crichton's "techno-thrillers" always to seem to have the same formula: Some very rich corporate scumbags discover a scientific-groundbreaking method, machine, or creature. They plan to exploit the hell out of it commercially. Outsiders brought into it, get entrapped as the shit hits the fan, and struggle to survive. Oh and they learn that playing God at {STATE CREATURE/METHOD/MACHINE} is very bad. Yes sir, very bad!

Well, TIMELINE the novel plays by these groundrules, but the premise actually could have been a promising property for a Hollywood movie. I mean, modern-day archaeologists get trapped in 14th century France, having to live out plagues, very sharp swords, Knights that say "Ni!", and so forth. Besides, Richard Donner is a capable director to have turned this sucker into maybe a pleasing popcorn-munching picture.

"Could have been" being the magic words here.

Instead, we get a very very mediocre effort where the "hero" in Paul Walker doesn't do jackshit, except look good and somehow defeat obstables that with the lack of intelligence and skills displayed by him....are almost divine. Really, he's the new Josh Lucas, as in being heroic because...well, because the movie says so, dammit!

Other than that, you have characters you don't give a damn about, a whole twist ending that revealed itself 50 minutes beforehand, and worse, one fucking thing that fellow historian-buff Double J will piss-laugh when he hears this: Billy Connolly recreates Greek Fire for the baddie Frenchies.

Ok, to those that had grades of "C" in your high school history courses, let's explain that fuck-up. Fact is, the actually process of how to create Greek Fire is like the Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse and Library of Alexandria...as in, lost to time. Hell, if we knew today how Greek Fire works, and apparently in TIMELINE, its casually known as well as for a cooky British professor, it would be a sweet weapon to have today. I mean, those crazy Palestinian terrorists would love to have it, same with the North Koreans and probably us as well.

I know some history and reality truths are allowed to be bended at times in motion pictures, but for God's sake. Really, people that allow for the dumbest of shit to get through are those that probably think Michael Bay is a good director.

Meanwhile, the actually subtle and quiet ending for the baddie in the book is instead replaced with...BLAH, which fits exactly for such a bland film. Hello, Brett Ratner's X3 there? Yes, tell it that it has a new roommate in hell.

2001: A Space Odyssey
1968/Kubrick

My first Kubrick rewatch. A truly stunning work of art. I love this film because it pushes the boundaries of what exactly can be done with a film. It takes the definition of what a film is and is supposed to be and just questions and expands on that. In my opinion, it can't really even be referred to as a film in the traditional sense, it's kind of more of an expierience, a journey if you will. It's tough to talk about it without sounding cliched.

No other film suceeds so well at simultaneously fascinating and terrifying me, enthralling and alienating me, inspiring and dissuading me. It really makes me question everything. Everything.

Kubrick's a genius. One of the greatest explorations and products of the medium of all time. A milestone and a masterpiece.

5/5 Stars

You, Me, and Dupree **
(First Viewing)

Yet another movie where most of the funny parts are in the previews! They tried to market on Owen Wilson being in The Wedding Crashers last summer (which was a hit) and unfortunately this was not. I was surprised to see Michael Douglas in the movie though because I never saw him in the previews that I saw.

Owen Wilson in yet another shitty comedy? Unbelievable! :p

I'm watching "Nick of Time" right now with Johnny Depp. Anyone else see it? Depp's daughter is kidnapped and will be killed unless Depp kills a famous political figure. Pretty suspensful.

TIS

Just for the heck of it on tv last night I watched Scary Movie 3. Now I had no expectations of this movie as I figured it was a mindless movie made for teenagers. I gotta tell you I literally almost busted a gut laughing so hard. It was for folks like me with a sick sense of humor. The Wake scene was hilarious. Anyone who's seen the movie knows what I'm talking about.

Last weekend I seen RV with Robin Williams. That was a funny movie.Reminds me of when me and my family go camping.

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981) - ***** - Masterpiece

The best movie co-starring a Nazi-saluting monkey!

Yes, I have seen it a long time ago. Christopher Walken too acts good.

I finally got to see Pirates of the Caribbean lastnight. (Albeit it was on tv though). It was a good movie. Funny, but a little more darker then I imagine. I can't picture young kids seeing this movie.

****SPOILER ALERT********

I'm confused with some of the plot. The curse was the pirates were ghosts, and Will's blood was to bring them back to life? Also, since it appears Jack became a "ghost", then wouldn't the same fate have fallen unto him as the other pirates when the curse was broken?