Movies You've Watched Recently

Tonight I"m going to watch The Hobbit, we're going to play a drinking game to it.

What is it, every scene without Bilbo you take a drink?

Well, the one we did with lord of the rings we had house rules and then individual rules. The house rules were something like:

Every time there's a closeup of the ring
Every time there's a helicopter shot
Every time the main theme plays

Individual rules (just a sampler): every time elvish is spoken, every time gandalf says something wise.

We're going to discuss the rules over dinner and then get going with it =p. Any suggestions?

Every time Gandalf smiles at Bilbo creepily. Hell, every time he smiles at anyone creepily. Maybe you shouldn't use that one. You'll be shitfaced halfway through.

Every time you feel like going on an adventure you drink.

Saw American Hustle. Despite a few good moments it was confusing, half the scenes dragged on, and it was too long. Also has Jennifer Lawrence make out with Amy Adams. What I'm trying to say is it was the best movie since Black Swan.

 

Right, so one of our rules was every time a character strokes their beard, drink. And you'd THINK in a 2 and a half hour movie with mostly bearded characters that would be a shoe in. NOT ONE BEARD WAS STROKED.

...and thus, my opinion of The Hobbit

I got The World's End for christmas and finally watched it today. It might be my favorite movie of the trilogy. It's also extremely easy to make a drinking game out of it. Not sure if any beards were stroked, though

I had a strange goal of getting through the entire Harry Potter collection while my wife is out of town. She's not a fan of them so I figured this week would be a good time to attempt it. I'm 3 1/2 movies from finishing and she gets back tomorrow night so I don't think I can do it.

I'm not a huge fan of the books or lore, but damn if these movies don't have some of the most impressive visuals I've ever seen. It's pretty cool that I see different little things with each viewing. And the stories aren't terrible so when I actually do pay attention to what's going on I'm entertained. For me, the fact that names are so comically simple it makes it all the much easier to tune in and out of what's going on. Also, how the hell they got all of those kids to act as well as they do is as impressive as the visuals.

Finally saw Pacific Rim now that I had the house to myself and could use the giant TV with surround built into the ceiling. So worth waiting so I could get that, everything looked and sounded larger than life. I'm with Spiddy, this movie was incredible.

Glad you got to enjoy it the way it should be enjoyed, Greenie.

I'm down to the last two Harry Potter movies. I've never seen them but I think I may be disappointed since this one I just finished had a whole dark theme where the colors were just muddy.

Pacific Rim plays very well on a decent HDTV. I still believe the best way is still in 3D in a theater so all the majesty of the kaijus, jeagers and the destruction can be seen in all their glory. That window closed long ago.

Watched The Wolverine with my mom. She loved everything but the more action-heavy 3rd act.

I plan to see Wolf of Wall Street later today. Reaction forthcoming.

Wolf of Wall Street reaction

I said to a guy, "Tell me, what is it about cocaine that makes it so wonderful," and he said, "Because it intensifies your personality." I said, "Yes, but what if you're an asshole?"
- Bill Cosby

Initially you think a scumbag like Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio) only cares about money. You come to realize that he cares about the con. This is a portrait of a man who lives his life to the extremes and while I have no doubt that the constant drug usage and sex are high priorities for him, the ability to dupe a person (upper or middle class) into giving him their money gives him a rush like no other. He excels at confidence games. His powers of persuasion are considerable. It wasn't enough that he screwed over so many clients; he inspired and mentored so many colleagues in his firm to do the same.

There's a moment in the film where he's in a position where he could and should walk away from the business he helped create. If he does, he'll avoid legal entanglements and he has more than enough stashed away at that point. And he decides not to. The thrill of the sale - false as it is - is what funds the orgies and the drugs and the mansion and the nice cars and the yachts; without the ability to make use of that skill, he's nothing.

Spending 3 hours in the mind and company of this slick sack-of-shit may not appear to be everyone's cup of tea but Martin Scorsese (in his early 70s, I think) created an American Dream epic that is as artful, energetic and angry as Goodfellas or Casino. A good alternative title for the film could be Embarrassment of Riches: in order to fully understand how much Belfort lives for sensation, the onslaught of drugs and sex is constant. For a period of time, Belfort lived as high on the hog as anyone can and clearly didn't waste a moment. He overcompensated but that's because he wanted it so badly.

DiCaprio will probably receive award noms and deservedly so, since I think its his strongest performance yet. He's pathetic is so many moments but his ability to inspire and rally his co-workers reveals a charisma that is undeniable. Jonah Hill is amazing as one of his co-workers; he disappears into a role that he's never done before and nails it. Matthew McConaughey isn't in the film for very long but he leaves a memorable, hilarious impression as a mentor of sorts for Belfort. Margot Robbie (who plays Belfort's wife) is a sensual knockout to be sure but she holds her own against DiCaprio in the latter stages in the film, when their relationship takes for some pretty dark turns. Kyle Chandler is awesome as always as the lead FBI agent in pursuit of Belfort and there's a great scene of acting and writing when they first meet; Belfort slyly attempts to bribe the federal agent and when the latter catches on, the way Belfort talks his way out of it made me smile.

Technically it's impressive as any Scorsese film. And its amazing reading some reviews that reject the film because they actually believe the film is endorsing the behavior and morals on display, which is just fucking stupid. Scorsese doesn't stand in judgement of his characters; he's just honest in how he depicts them. And these are some despicable people but that doesn't mean the filmmakers has to hold your hand or give you an easy way out. Sorry but the people existed. They swindled so many and for a time they got away with it. The damage is done. And then there's the haunting last shot. I won't give it away but when you see it, you'll get it. And its sad but its the truth. After all, you can't con someone who doesn't want to be conned.

I waited to wait to read your review of Wolf of Wallstreet until I'd seen it and I just did so I will respond, albeit much less elegantly.

I think everything you say about the film's strong points is true, and Scorsese does what he does best which is establish what a character does and then forget about that and delve into the character himself as opposed to what he does. But in this case I felt in particular the 2nd act of the film just dragged for me. THe first hour of the film is phenominally good, wonderfully paced, shot, written etc. The last act of the film is also really great, but the middle for me just dragged. I can't actually remember the middle of the film that well but VIVIDLY remember the beginning and the end.

The director, of course, is extremely competent, so it's an entertaining, well-made ride throughout but I wouldn't say it's Scorsese's best film. It is a fantastic performance for DiCaprio though, one that deserves praise.

I just wish the thing was paced a bit more briskly as I feel the point came across with 30 minutes to spare.

It's not the first 3-hour film Scorsese has made and I don't feel that there was any padding. I'm trying to think of scenes I would cut or something that didn't work for me and nothing comes to mind. I suppose I don't find the Swiss banker that interesting (the Jean Dujardin role) but the way his story plays out was. I can understand if some subplots in the 2nd act felt like padding but the way they are resolved makes them matter. The movie didn't feel like Michael Bay-style self-indulgence.

Maybe padding is the wrong word. I just felt the 2nd act just had a lot of repeated information for me. That said, none of it was BAD by any means. The gripes I have are small, and I still really enjoyed it. Definitely kept me thinking.

Saw Twelve Years A Slave. It is not a good movie save for the costume and set design. The filmmaker forced emotion and served it up in a way that pretty much undermined everything the story is supposed to be about. The whole film takes something deeply meaningful and prances around it with common tropes and terrible cliches. It pretty much takes a shit on one of the most important subjects of American history while patting itself on the back.

I guess I'm not old and white enough to appreciate crap like this or "The Help".

I prefer Django Unchained for movies about slavery.

Nothing promotes racial equality like a black dude shooting a white dude in the balls

pspiddy wrote:Saw Twelve Years A Slave. It is not a good movie save for the costume and set design. The filmmaker forced emotion and served it up in a way that pretty much undermined everything the story is supposed to be about. The whole film takes something deeply meaningful and prances around it with common tropes and terrible cliches. It pretty much takes a shit on one of the most important subjects of American history while patting itself on the back.

I guess I'm not old and white enough to appreciate crap like this or "The Help".

This is probably the first negative review I've seen for 12 Years A Slave. I should've seen this in theaters when I had the chance.

I've watched a shit load of movies this past week. Seemed like a good idea. The film geek in me thinks I should cram a lot of recent stuff so I can make a top 10 list that I can be satisfied with. The top 5 I posted on the Best-Of-2013 still stands but it feels like I keep searching for something to knock something off that list. The Wolf of Wall Street came damn close.

Drew: The Man Behind The Poster

If you grew up in the 80s or have seen/remember poster art for films during that time period, chances are that you've come across artwork by Drew Struzan. This guy is amazing: incredible technique, Norman Rockwell-ish attention to detail and unique layout designs for films. His artwork alone could make you want to see a film. Here's a website for his stuff:
http://www.drewstruzan.com/illustrated/portfolio/
The documentary is a good overview of his life so far: his struggles during college and supporting his family, his early breakout work on album covers and his rise during the 80s and how that tapered off in the late 90s and definitely in the 00s. Plenty of filmmakers pay tribute to him (e.g., Steven Spielberg, Michael J. Fox, Guillermo Del Toro, Frank Darabont).

For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism

I enjoy reading film criticism so this documentary seemed tailor made for me. The problem is that most of the ground that is covered here is stuff I'm familiar with. Good archival/recent footage of some of the greats, such as Pauline Kael, Andrew Sarris, Roger Ebert, Gene Siskel and Vincent Canby.

Frances Ha

Here's a recent film that I truly debated breaking into the top 5 but it'll do fine in the next five. Gonna have to add this is my list of "Pick-Me Up Movies", where it'll sit right next to "The Princess Bride", "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Floating Weeds", among others. Beautifully photographed, written, directed and acted.

Olympus Has Fallen

Yikes. Why did I even bother? Yes, I wanted to see how "bad" it was but did I really need to? What a waste. Bad CGI, gratuitous violence and unimaginative, by-the-motions execution of writing, acting and directing. This is just sad.

Don Jon

Remarkable, entertaining directorial debut from Joseph Gordon-Levitt. An interesting take on rom-coms, the alpha male mindset (or at least a portion of it) and the way relationships can shatter when couples are unable to accept each others flaws and ideals (when the latter conflicts with their own). Many loved Tony Danza but it feels like forever since I last saw Glenne Headly so that was a surprise for me. Scarlett Johansen impressed in a role that seemed empathetic at first but then turned gradually turned ugly; her last scene with Gordon-Levitt is just stunning. I loved Julianne Moore; at first I wasn't sure how she was going to figure in the plot but in the 2nd half the plot allows her to be warm and down-to-earth and more than just a pick-me-up for the main character.

It's a visually stunning film at times, with some creative editing touches. Bravo for Gordon-Levitt.

The Conjuring

I don't watch horror films as much as I used to but this is my kind of horror film. Strikingly shot, an effective ensemble cast, good period detail and a fascinating story, not just for the terror at hand but the character dynamics of The Warrens. Some great old school scares, too, and the apprehension and dread really got its hooks into me; I guess I'm just a wuss.

By the way, I've decided that "hide and clap" is the worst kids game ever.

Monsters University

This is first time since Cars or its sequel where Pixar is truly slumming it. I think it's a more thoughtful sequel than Cars 2 but it hits some too-familiar beats in the college-movie genre; it's not as imaginative as Monsters, Inc. There's a poignant take on the theme of failure, though, and the voicework and animation is great.

I caught it at a discount cinema so you may be able to still see it if you have one near you. It only had 2 showings (2pm, 8pm) so I guess it's getting phased out.

I'd love to see your thoughts on it. I felt incredibly patronized.

Yeah, it's been in everyone's "YOU MUST SEE THIS SHIT" lists. I'll probably check it out when it gets to DVD.

Watched Mud today. I'm usually not into the "small human stories in a southern town" type movies but this one absolutely sucked me in. Everyone talks about Matthew Mc..han...however you spell his name's performance (which was good) but damn, the child actor leads in this film KILLED it. Really great movie, didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did.

No discount cinemas in my area. All multiplexes. There's a drive-thru somewhere but who gives a shit in this weather?

Yeah, fuck this weather.

Timecop is on Amazon Prime. It's the emotionally driven tale of Van Damme split-kicking his way through serious plotholes. In other words it's perfect cinema. Highly recommened for those who missed it on VHS in the 90s. (Or probably basic cable sometime this year)

It was on heavy rotation on HBO/Cinemax during the 90s, which means that I saw it more times than necessary for the average human being.

Fun to watch Ron Silver play, well, himself.

Yesterday I watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The first 4 HP movies were great before that one guy got his hands on the series (his name alludes me, almost thinking it is something like Yates). I bought my girlfriend the 8 disc blu-ray set like 2 years ago but we've never watched it. I have far too many movies that I've bought that I haven't watched, and I'm going to try and do a better job of finally watching them. Seriously, I have probably like 70 movies that I haven't watched that I've bought.

Three movies I watched on the plane:

1. Man of Steel - not THE piece of shit that spiddy said it was, but that said, it was an awful piece of shit. Horrible horrible pacing, the script was practically non-existent, the action was just...destruction porn and Superman barely did anything of value in the whole story. Awful film

2. Prisoners - This movie was AWESOME. Except for the pretty happy ending (it is American after all) it was the closest thing America's come to Memories of Murder, and that's of course a good thing.

3. Enough Said - Gandolfini's last film. It's not bad...very...modern family drama where all the families are hip and rich and white. Good performances all around, but nothing to write home about.

I chuckled often at Enough Said. The two leads were great, I thought. But, yeah, nothing to go out of your way to see. Unlike Man of Steel which is so fantastic I wanted to punch my nuts everytime a credible actor acted like they were on a green screen. The film needs to apologize to my nuts.

Side note- Glad you had a safe arrival, T-wolf!