Snowpiercer. Goddamn, it's good. Dark as hell, though, don't go in expecting an uplifting experience.
[Movies] Talk about the last movie you saw 2: Electric Threadaloo
- Thread starter Dave
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Eh. Beneath is okay. Escape, I didn't care for until the third act. I remember liking Conquest, but I haven't seen it in almost 20 years. Battle I barely remember.
Saw Dawn of the Planet of the Apes tonight. Excellent. I'm not sure which I like better between this and Rise; both are great movies with strong characters and themes.
I will say that while Rise got me pumped, Dawn got me stressed. That's the sign of investment in characters though, and I certainly was. And there was some fantastic dialogue, especially in the finale, even though (or perhaps because) the apes speak in a simple, direct way.
And into spoiler territory (big time SPOILERS--DO NOT click if you're going to see this movie)
I liked that the movie mainly focused on the apes; their actions and decisions overall moved the story. And while much of the focus was on the breakdown of Caesar and Koba's relationship, I ended up paying a lot of attention to Rocket. He was the first ape to mistreat Caesar in the first movie, and yet here he's become a huge ally. Their sons are best friends. Rocket really gets shit on though, largely thanks to Koba.
Koba's arc is as great as it is scary. At first fearful, then paranoid, and his fear eventually melts into blind hate. I love that it's clear that despite other apes getting the smart-virus, Caesar's still the top mind. Koba is smart now, but not as smart as Caesar, and if Caesar would do the things Koba would do, he would've done them better. In their final confrontation, both in actions and words, Caesar is smarter. That's one of the things I loved seeing in the first movie--they don't just say he's smart, we see it. And we see it here too.
I feel the apes are in a worse place at the end of this movie than they are at the end of Rise, which makes me wonder if they've planned a trilogy and this is the dark, bottom of Act 2, Empire Strikes Back point in the story, which would end with the set-up status quo that was in the original movie. I'm also wondering if in some parts of the world, the virus mutated not to kill people, but to make them lose intelligence.
Koba's arc is as great as it is scary. At first fearful, then paranoid, and his fear eventually melts into blind hate. I love that it's clear that despite other apes getting the smart-virus, Caesar's still the top mind. Koba is smart now, but not as smart as Caesar, and if Caesar would do the things Koba would do, he would've done them better. In their final confrontation, both in actions and words, Caesar is smarter. That's one of the things I loved seeing in the first movie--they don't just say he's smart, we see it. And we see it here too.
I feel the apes are in a worse place at the end of this movie than they are at the end of Rise, which makes me wonder if they've planned a trilogy and this is the dark, bottom of Act 2, Empire Strikes Back point in the story, which would end with the set-up status quo that was in the original movie. I'm also wondering if in some parts of the world, the virus mutated not to kill people, but to make them lose intelligence.
I want to say this one doesn't have lame references to the original series, but it's been so long since I've seen Conquest and Battle that I can't say for certain. If there were, I didn't catch them.
I really had zero problems with this movie. Not one. I'm ... kind of shocked. I love Rise, but it still has its problems (thanks for the unnecessary quotes, Draco). This one; I got nothing. I adored it.
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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Really enjoyed it. In some ways, it's better than Rise. I agree with Zero Esc in that there's more focus on the apes this time around. In fact, it was surprisingly jarring when we actually had some human-on-human interaction.
There were a few - VERY few - instances where the CGI looked a little off. Like early in the film, where one human is surrounded by dozens or hundreds of apes. And the green screen effect of seeing the outline around him and the CGI characters was a little obvious. But that and very few other instances were brief.
Honestly, I'm even more excited to see what's in store for the next instalment than I was last time. I loved how this was a natural sequel continuing on from the last one.
Really enjoyed it. In some ways, it's better than Rise. I agree with Zero Esc in that there's more focus on the apes this time around. In fact, it was surprisingly jarring when we actually had some human-on-human interaction.
There were a few - VERY few - instances where the CGI looked a little off. Like early in the film, where one human is surrounded by dozens or hundreds of apes. And the green screen effect of seeing the outline around him and the CGI characters was a little obvious. But that and very few other instances were brief.
Honestly, I'm even more excited to see what's in store for the next instalment than I was last time. I loved how this was a natural sequel continuing on from the last one.
The opening was pretty unsettling going over what happened in the 10 years between films.
I'm also interested in the next one.
I'm also interested in the next one.
I wonder if they'll pick up from the end of this with the military coming, or do another jump.
I kinda hope they do another jump. But then again, I'm curious how Caeser and company deal with the military. So I'm torn.
I also wonder how much traction there is behind your idea of the humans becoming LESS intelligent. It would make sense going along the line of the original films, where humans had little intelligence in comparison to the apes.
I also wonder how much traction there is behind your idea of the humans becoming LESS intelligent. It would make sense going along the line of the original films, where humans had little intelligence in comparison to the apes.
Though the trailers for both Rise and Dawn paint them as action movies, each is really a big budget drama, and I very much appreciate that. Other people watching the movies seem to be fine with them that way as well.
Sequel speculation/Dawn ending spoilers:
Sequel speculation/Dawn ending spoilers:
The apes now have the ruins of a modern city as their stronghold, with electricity, weapons, and vehicles. I have a feeling the next movie is going to be about how they really can't have the perfect ape society they had between Rise and Dawn, and to win they're going to have to be more human. Koba's coup may have failed, but the damage he's done is going to see his ideals conquer in the long run. Unfortunately.
Watched Dallas Buyers Club last night... I normally don't care for "Oscar-fruit" movies nor does language usually phase me but I was bored. I'll have to admit, I cringed at how much gay hate the characters in the movie were spewing from their mouths. Also watching Leto go drag was somewhat off-putting to say the least. Something about men in drag makes me involuntarily cringe. No idea why.
All in all, it's a decent enough movie, it seriously made me think about how absolutely ignorant people fucking were back in the 80ies. Mind you, plenty of ignorance today but back then? Hooooooooleeeeeeey shit. Trailer park trash center. Also I'm happy "Fuck the FDA" was strong even back then. Gotta love how lobby-ism is a decease that has endured decades without issue. Bastards.
Gonna watch Rise of the Apes tonight.
The Butler and Gravity are also on the PVR. They will be watched soon enough.
All in all, it's a decent enough movie, it seriously made me think about how absolutely ignorant people fucking were back in the 80ies. Mind you, plenty of ignorance today but back then? Hooooooooleeeeeeey shit. Trailer park trash center. Also I'm happy "Fuck the FDA" was strong even back then. Gotta love how lobby-ism is a decease that has endured decades without issue. Bastards.
Gonna watch Rise of the Apes tonight.
The Butler and Gravity are also on the PVR. They will be watched soon enough.
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Better than the first, even though the first was still pretty amazing. I like to see that they have allowed the characters to evolve and grow even in the five years that have spansed since the events of the first film. They made very clever and intelligent decisions on how to advance the story.
Better than the first, even though the first was still pretty amazing. I like to see that they have allowed the characters to evolve and grow even in the five years that have spansed since the events of the first film. They made very clever and intelligent decisions on how to advance the story.
His reuniting with his mother, Stoic's reuniting with his wife, and even Stoic's death all were things that could be overly cliche and yet they were all done so very well. I especially loved Stoic's reaction to his wife. You would expect him to do something very Viking-like, and tell her that now that she is found that she HAS to return and be his wife again, and then she would reject him and he'd have to figure out what he did wrong before the movie ended. But no... he actually proposes to her again. After 20 years of not seeing her he admits he understands why she never returned and has no expectations for her. He just wants to make things right again.
Which of course makes his death later even more intense.
The theme for these movies seems to be a paralel between Hiccup and Toothless. Toothless loses a wing, Hiccup loses a foot. Hiccup becomes chief of his tribe, Toothless becomes the alpha dragon. I think that in continuation of that theme the third one is going to cover the rediscovery of new Night Fury's. Possible just one Night Fury. A female. I am guessing that by the third film Hiccup and Astrid will have already been marrried (maybe getting married in a 30 minute special between films) and are expecting a kid. This will parallel Toothless having kids himself with the female Night Fury.
Which of course makes his death later even more intense.
The theme for these movies seems to be a paralel between Hiccup and Toothless. Toothless loses a wing, Hiccup loses a foot. Hiccup becomes chief of his tribe, Toothless becomes the alpha dragon. I think that in continuation of that theme the third one is going to cover the rediscovery of new Night Fury's. Possible just one Night Fury. A female. I am guessing that by the third film Hiccup and Astrid will have already been marrried (maybe getting married in a 30 minute special between films) and are expecting a kid. This will parallel Toothless having kids himself with the female Night Fury.
Safety Not Guaranteed: This was way more interesting and charming than a movie whose premise comes from a crazy ad passed around the internet has any right to be. Fun little flick, I enjoyed it.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: This movie suffers from sounding like it would be terrible, especially since Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes had already ruined the franchise ten years previously. But after everyone here saying how good it was, I watched it. And they were right, it's good.
Dr. Strangelove, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb: I love Stanley Kubrick, and that alone was enough to get me to finally watch this. I wish I'd watched it a long time ago, a great piece of dark comedy.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: This movie suffers from sounding like it would be terrible, especially since Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes had already ruined the franchise ten years previously. But after everyone here saying how good it was, I watched it. And they were right, it's good.
Dr. Strangelove, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb: I love Stanley Kubrick, and that alone was enough to get me to finally watch this. I wish I'd watched it a long time ago, a great piece of dark comedy.
We can't allow for a mineshaft gap!"
Is the Wahlburg one really considered the Batman & Robin of the Ape franchise? Because, I'll be honest. I liked it. A lot. Heck, I tend to re-watch it still enjoy it.
The originals were before my time but I've watched them and they have great lore, it's interesting but the acting isn't for me.
Rise was excellent. Franco was awesome as usual.
Watched Dawn last night, I liked it almost as much as Rise. Slightly less simply because the leads in Dawn weren't as good. The Apes were AMAZING. The CGI flawless. The story great.
Probably the 2nd best movie I've seen this year... after Edge of Tomorrow.
The plot takes a turn into the land of it's-3am-and-the-final-draft-is-due-by-8am-but-we've-been-drinking land.
In other words (in my opinion, of course*), the film starts strong, grows to fill the space it inhabits as it unfolds, then starts to build to some sort of epic finish...except that it just sputters out rather than swelling to some fat-n-juicy conclusion.
As I said, I didn't really find it "bad," just "disappointing."
--Patrick
*Which might differ slightly from @fade 's
In other words (in my opinion, of course*), the film starts strong, grows to fill the space it inhabits as it unfolds, then starts to build to some sort of epic finish...except that it just sputters out rather than swelling to some fat-n-juicy conclusion.
As I said, I didn't really find it "bad," just "disappointing."
--Patrick
*Which might differ slightly from @fade 's
Some movies can be good and then have a bad ending, but it doesn't ruin the movie. I haven't seen the Burton one since it was in theaters, but the nonsensical ending just felt like it pissed all over the movie. Overall, it's a well-made movie, and considering the original's sequels, it's probably not the worst movie in the franchise. Sometimes Tim Burton movies are better looked at as being their own series as opposed to whatever they're related to. I love Batman Returns, for example. It's a terrible Batman movie, but I love it as a Burton movie.
All that said, I prefer this new series of Rise and Dawn more than the remake or the old sequels; glad you enjoyed them.
I keep going over the finale to Dawn in my head. Soooo good.
"Caesar fight for humans! Koba fight for apes!"
"Koba fight for Koba. Koba belong in cage." (that was some cold shit to say, loved it)
"Ape not kill ape."
"You are not ape."
"Koba fight for Koba. Koba belong in cage." (that was some cold shit to say, loved it)
"Ape not kill ape."
"You are not ape."
Looking forward to seeing it again when I get the Blu Ray.
I really wanted to see that, but at this point it's gonna have to wait for rental.
I think it's the fact that everything else is a perfect replica of Earth that throws people off. Because it seriously makes no sense.
It's like getting into your car one day, driving to work, and then while you're getting out of the car you notice your steering wheel has become a live meerkat.
I don't know where I got Peter Berg. I guess I was just remembering that he was in it. That's why Collateral is so good, Berg didn't direct it. I am going to blame lack of sleep on that film faux pas 'cause I actually own all of Mann's movies on DVD; including Thief!
I think that Andy Samberg's SNL skit sums up Marky Mark quite well. I was really annoyed that he was in The Departed. Then, again, I didn't really care for Matt Damon either.
Saw Dawn (Rise) Dawn of the Planet of the Apes this afternoon. Enjoyed it greatly. Have to agree with QP about being stressed for the characters and how good of a sign it is about the talent of everyone involved.
And on a low brow note, Keri Russell (who was great in the movie) is foxier now that she's nearer middle age than she was when I was a youngin' watching her on Felicity.
And on a low brow note, Keri Russell (who was great in the movie) is foxier now that she's nearer middle age than she was when I was a youngin' watching her on Felicity.
ODD THOMAS
Never read the books, but the movie looked like fun so I figured what the hell (Hailey wasn't going to sleep anyway so I needed something to do while I stayed up with her). Overall I say I enjoyed it. I was surprised to see it was Stephen Sommers film. Usually he deals in bigger films and louder films, and this seemed more indie equivalent. I'm a bit of a Sommers fan. I know his movies aren't masterpieces, but they are definitely popcorn action flicks in my opinion. Deep Rising is one of his earlier works and one of my particularly favorite films. Even GIJOE: Rise of Cobra was good times.
There were definitely elements of a Sommers film in Odd Thomas. Those "Oh Shit" moments where the camera pulls back to show some just how dire the situation is for the heroes. Anton Yelchin is perfectly cast as Odd, and William Defoe is always a pleasure to see in any role.
Never read the books, but the movie looked like fun so I figured what the hell (Hailey wasn't going to sleep anyway so I needed something to do while I stayed up with her). Overall I say I enjoyed it. I was surprised to see it was Stephen Sommers film. Usually he deals in bigger films and louder films, and this seemed more indie equivalent. I'm a bit of a Sommers fan. I know his movies aren't masterpieces, but they are definitely popcorn action flicks in my opinion. Deep Rising is one of his earlier works and one of my particularly favorite films. Even GIJOE: Rise of Cobra was good times.
There were definitely elements of a Sommers film in Odd Thomas. Those "Oh Shit" moments where the camera pulls back to show some just how dire the situation is for the heroes. Anton Yelchin is perfectly cast as Odd, and William Defoe is always a pleasure to see in any role.
Rigor Mortis
I really enjoyed it. It's a darker, more maudlin, creepy take on the old Hong Kong hopping vampire movies from the 80s. It kind of has a feel of the old wire-fu ghost story/folklore movies infused with modern Asian horror elements from films such as Ringu, or Ju-On. The acting in the film is just amazing and I don't think the movie would have been half as good if the actors hadn't pulled it off as well as they did. There's some REALLY heavy cultural stuff that would probably seem really silly and/or weird to many western audiences, so your mileage may vary. The special effects are really well done for the most part, but the stuff that pushed it above and beyond other movies of it's type would go into spoiler territory. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed it. It's a darker, more maudlin, creepy take on the old Hong Kong hopping vampire movies from the 80s. It kind of has a feel of the old wire-fu ghost story/folklore movies infused with modern Asian horror elements from films such as Ringu, or Ju-On. The acting in the film is just amazing and I don't think the movie would have been half as good if the actors hadn't pulled it off as well as they did. There's some REALLY heavy cultural stuff that would probably seem really silly and/or weird to many western audiences, so your mileage may vary. The special effects are really well done for the most part, but the stuff that pushed it above and beyond other movies of it's type would go into spoiler territory. I highly recommend it.
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch The Americans.
I liked the God & Devil Show version the best.
"My abs! What happend to my rock-hard abs?!"
--Patrick
I thought this was really great. The old school hopping vampire movies were hilarious, but I always wondered what a more serious take on them with modern effects would look like. Well, this was it, and it was a fun ride all the way through.
