Re: Last movie you watched

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b8/Troy2004Poster.jpg

I watched this again today. It's a rather straightforward story that's moderately entertaining, but not very imaginative. After all, it's an ancient tale, so maybe we shouldn't expect it to resemble a Chris Nolan film... but I kept thinking that the plot is a little too simplistic. Troy seems to have taken the path of least resistance more often than not. The Olympic gods don't even appear. And what's the deal with Achilles and Patroclus being cousins? IIRC, their relationship was usually portrayed... quite differently wink

Not an awful movie, but nothing to write home about either.

Is the Director's Cut any better? Has anyone seen it?

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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Re: Last movie you watched

The director's cut does add some interesting new and extended scenes, there's some great new Sean Bean stuff, but it doesn't change the overall tone (and your issues with the movie).

You're absolutely right in that it seems they chose the path of least resistance, it lacks punch I guess. But then... Clash of the Titans, its sequel and Immortals all seem to have gone too far in the other direction. That's not to say it's all bad though, there are a few elements I like. I think they chose poorly with their casting of Achilles. Brad Pitt might physically be apt for the role, but to my eyes he was always too 'modern'.

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. - Carl Sagan

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Re: Last movie you watched

Brad Pitt as Achilles didn't really bother me, but... perhaps someone like Viggo Mortensen would be better.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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429

Re: Last movie you watched

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/Dodsno.jpg/220px-Dodsno.jpg

What can I say about this... besides "OMG THAT WAS FUN!" It was Trope Filled Fun. Maybe a Norwegian Cabin in the Woods with Nazi Zoombies. I'm still giggling with glee.  big_smile

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Re: Last movie you watched

redxavier wrote:

The director's cut does add some interesting new and extended scenes, there's some great new Sean Bean stuff, but it doesn't change the overall tone (and your issues with the movie).

You're absolutely right in that it seems they chose the path of least resistance, it lacks punch I guess. But then... Clash of the Titans, its sequel and Immortals all seem to have gone too far in the other direction. That's not to say it's all bad though, there are a few elements I like. I think they chose poorly with their casting of Achilles. Brad Pitt might physically be apt for the role, but to my eyes he was always too 'modern'.

The Director's Cut is a huge improvement, but it's still a pretty forgettable movie. In terms of action though, the director's cut adds in a crap-ton of violence to the battle-scenes, to where you can now follow the action much better (since it isn't all cut to hell to keep the PG-13), and there's lots of cool minor details. Like the Trojan's have an awesome guy (Ajax?) with a giant warhammer who just destroys dudes. Sean Bean as Odysseus gets some really nice added moments too. The whole thing flows better.

I think the casting of Paris and Helen is a huge problem, as you don't buy their romance at all, which really hurts things as it's the central motivation for the whole story. Orlando Bloom is so shitty in this, that it makes it really hard when the movie wants you to root for him to survive. The lack of gods in the story isn't a dealbreaker necessarily, but it does leave you with a kinda dull war film. It's just never as epic and tragic as it feels like it should be.

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431

Re: Last movie you watched

bullet3 wrote:

In terms of action though, the director's cut adds in a crap-ton of violence to the battle-scenes, to where you can now follow the action much better (since it isn't all cut to hell to keep the PG-13),

Theatrical Cut is R.

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Re: Last movie you watched

Really? Didn't realize, my bad. Well the director's cut is way bloodier for what it's worth, a bit closer to a Neil Marshal movie. More nudity too. Movie-censorship has the breakdown if you're curious: http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=4410

Last edited by bullet3 (2013-09-20 00:55:49)

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433

Re: Last movie you watched

A BAND CALLED DEATH

I can't do the story justice, but the trailer just hints at where this film goes.  Fascinating stuff, if you're even vaguely into music history.  More than that, it's a lovely tale of families and legacies left behind.

Eddie Doty

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Re: Last movie you watched

Dorkman wrote:
Tomahawk wrote:

if it were me simulating that, there's no way I'd be able to stay limp

When you've been on set since dawn, barely had anything to eat, hardly know the person you're working with, under hot lights, with your dick in a sock, and a half-dozen people standing behind a camera shoved in your face, staring at you while you try to remain in character and give a performance, you realize the real question is how anyone manages to actually have sex in that situation.

Or so I've heard.


That makes sense, but this doesn't go for all shoots.

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Re: Last movie you watched

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Mission_to_mars.jpg

I decided to revisit it just to analyze its flaws. Here's the biggest one: the movie doesn't trust the audience. The evolution CGI sequence is explained by unnecessary dialogue instead of relying on visual storytelling. Basically, it's the Space Odyssey series for idiots. There are visual "homages" to both 2001 and 2010 and a direct quote from the latter film (although, to be fair, the "piece of cake" line might've been accidental). In the 1950s, Mission To Mars would've been very impressive (especially when compared to typical sci-fi flicks of the era), but now it just feels hokey, dated and derivative.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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Re: Last movie you watched

Marty J wrote:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c6/Mission_to_mars.jpg

I decided to revisit it just to analyze its flaws. Here's the biggest one: the movie doesn't trust the audience. The evolution CGI sequence is explained by unnecessary dialogue instead of relying on visual storytelling. Basically, it's the Space Odyssey series for idiots. There are visual "homages" to both 2001 and 2010 and a direct quote from the latter film (although, to be fair, the "piece of cake" line might've been accidental). In the 1950s, Mission To Mars would've been very impressive (especially when compared to typical sci-fi flicks of the era), but now it just feels hokey, dated and derivative.

If I recall correctly, this movie starts out ok, but then fizzles when they get to Mars.

Have you thought about watching/rewatching "Red Planet?"

God loves you!

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Re: Last movie you watched

fireproof78 wrote:

Have you thought about watching/rewatching "Red Planet?"

I saw Red Planet twice a few years ago. Not a good movie, but less annoying than Mission To Mars. Maybe I'll check it out again.

A year after Mission To Mars and Red Planet we got Ghosts Of Mars. Now that was a stinker... Probably John Carpenter's greatest misstep.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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Re: Last movie you watched

Mars does not play well with the teen demographics !

Extended Edition - 146 - The Rise Of Skywalker
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Re: Last movie you watched

I like both, but I can't really be trusted with these sorts of vaguely hard sci-fi movies. wink

Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere. - Carl Sagan

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Re: Last movie you watched

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/72/Redplanetmovieposter.jpg

Since I had nothing else to do, I watched Red Planet again. It's somewhat less pretentious than Mission To Mars and a little more entertaining, but still not a great movie. And it makes the same mistake - it assumes that the viewer doesn't remember what happened 15 minutes earlier. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see the similarities and differences between the two films.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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441

Re: Last movie you watched

Snail wrote:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/Dodsno.jpg/220px-Dodsno.jpg

What can I say about this... besides "OMG THAT WAS FUN!" It was Trope Filled Fun. Maybe a Norwegian Cabin in the Woods with Nazi Zoombies. I'm still giggling with glee.  big_smile

Is this the movie where the fat guy gets to bang a chick in an outhouse?...  Crazy fucking Europeans.

Last edited by Raven (2013-09-22 02:22:08)

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442

Re: Last movie you watched

Raven wrote:

Is this the movie where the fat guy gets to bang a chick in an outhouse?...  Crazy fucking Europeans.

That did happen,... atleast the geek got the girl.  big_smile

"Life is about movies; anything else is a bonus!"- Me   cool

Re: Last movie you watched

Snail wrote:
Raven wrote:

Is this the movie where the fat guy gets to bang a chick in an outhouse?...  Crazy fucking Europeans.

That did happen,... atleast the geek got the girl.  big_smile

"Too much dialogue not enough human killing."

"Yeah, it was a total chick flick."

God loves you!

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Re: Last movie you watched

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/02/The_Amazing_Spider-Man_theatrical_poster.jpeg

It's not the best comic book movie of all time. It's not even the best comic book movie of 2012... but it's a step in the right direction. The Amazing Spider-Man is entertaining enough to keep me awake and realistic enough to keep me interested. A definite improvement over the Sam Raimi trilogy.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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Re: Last movie you watched

https://s3.amazonaws.com/webassets.ticketmob.com/LS/images/ShowPosters/StarKidAFB215x156.jpg

Airport for Birds (and other great ideas).

A sketch comedy show by the incredible Starkid crew (A Very Potter Musical, Starship, Me and my Dick, Holy Musical B@tman, A Very Potter Sequel, A Very Potter Senior Year) put on at the UP Comedy Club (Second City) in chicago. Absolutely hilarious at every turn, just 80 minutes of pure glorious sketch comedy with a musical number every once and a while cause why the hell not by my favorite independent theater group. Seriously, go buy a copy and support Starkid, it's worth it.

For purchase here (DD or DVD): http://starkid.annarbortees.com/product … l-download

Last edited by BigDamnArtist (2013-09-23 05:36:51)

ZangrethorDigital.ca

Re: Last movie you watched

Marty J wrote:

A year after Mission To Mars and Red Planet we got Ghosts Of Mars. Now that was a stinker... Probably John Carpenter's greatest misstep.

I really don't get the outright hatred for Ghosts of Mars. For my money, it's a lot more entertaining than the previous two you mention. It embraces it's goofiness and has some fun action set-pieces in a breezy 90 min. I believe it was Jason Statham's first movie in the US too (Carpenter wanted him for the lead but the studio thought he wasn't a big enough name and made him use Ice Cube instead).

The thing I love about Carpenter is he never changed his filmmaking style with the times, it was always very old-fashioned. If you told me Ghosts of Mars was made in 1980, I would believe you.

Ya, it's far from his best, but to me it's in line with Escape From LA and Vampires as flawed but enjoyable B movies of his.

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Re: Last movie you watched

Raven wrote:

Is this the movie where the fat guy gets to bang a chick in an outhouse?...  Crazy fucking Europeans.

Yeah, it's also the film where one of our 'heroes' tries to suffocate his girlfriend with a cushion for fun then doesn't understand why she's angry after. Crazy fucking Europeans.

I thought the film had a couple of good kills but overall it was a bit shit, personally.

Last edited by Jimmy B (2013-09-23 09:46:34)

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Re: Last movie you watched

bullet3 wrote:

I really don't get the outright hatred for Ghosts of Mars. For my money, it's a lot more entertaining than the previous two you mention. It embraces it's goofiness and has some fun action set-pieces in a breezy 90 min. I believe it was Jason Statham's first movie in the US too (Carpenter wanted him for the lead but the studio thought he wasn't a big enough name and made him use Ice Cube instead).

The thing I love about Carpenter is he never changed his filmmaking style with the times, it was always very old-fashioned. If you told me Ghosts of Mars was made in 1980, I would believe you.

Ya, it's far from his best, but to me it's in line with Escape From LA and Vampires as flawed but enjoyable B movies of his.

John Carpenter was the guy who showed us that B-movies can be cheesy AND interesting at the same time. Movies like The Thing, In The Mouth Of Madness and They Live have some intriguing concepts behind them. I just didn't find Ghosts Of Mars interesting.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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449

Re: Last movie you watched

Just watched This Film is Not Yet Rated because it was mentioned in a couple of the commentaries.  Interesting documentary that was pretty much what I expected it to be.  If you're told the premise of the documentary you've pretty much seen it with a few exceptions.  Some of the side by side comparisons were interesting but when you look at who's in charge of the MPAA none of the rulings they came out with were surprising at all. 

The lone quote that made me rethink how we should look at movies was actually a statement by Kevin Smith.  The realistic violence that shows how horrible it is to get shot or blown up should be the PG13 and any movie with bullets flying around and nobody getting hurt should be the R.  The premise that guns aren't dangerous that movies portray is probably adding some to the problem of rampant firearms in our society.  Not the number one factor by any means but a possibility. 

Hopefully with the swaying of public opinion in regard to gay marriage, the NC17 ratings given to movies with homosexual content will tend to work themselves out moving forward because unfortunately I don't see the MPAA being replaced by a better entity any time soon.

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Re: Last movie you watched

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d3/Million_Dollar_Baby_poster.jpg

I haven't been able to avoid the spoilers for the ending (the film is 9 years old), but I was pleasantly surprised by Million Dollar Baby nonetheless. In some respects, the movie feels like typical Oscar bait (a few standard heart-wrenching tropes are used), but overall, it's a pretty solid drama with good performances. If you're tired of 'splody action movies, Million Dollar Baby will provide some welcome relief.

So honor the valiant who die 'neath your sword
But pity the warrior who slays all his foes...

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