Nothing in 2012 I can think of.

I don't remember going to a theater at all in 2011.

Toy Story 3 I guess....

I know it's controversial on this forum, but I'll throw out Looper.

Remember that the DIF definition of perfect movie is a movie that has a payoff for every setup and vice-versa. It's not just "I enjoyed it as much as I expected to."

I'd say WRECK-IT RALPH, and before that, DREDD.

I'll second Chronicle, I haven't seen it since theaters though, so I can't tell you if it drops any setup/story-threads (maybe the girlfriendish character? Although I think there's an extended cut that adds some stuff back in).

In the vein of Dredd, I'd maybe throw The Raid in there as well, though that's kind of cheating since there's intentionally so little character or story in there.

This particular example from Drive isn't so much a "setup/payoff" bit as it is a "save the cat" bit. He gives the kid a toothpick and the kid takes it. Now they have something in common and we understand they like each other. This moment tells us "Driver" is good with kids, or at least good with this kid.

However, if you really need it to be a setup/payoff moment, then here you go: "Driver" gives the kid a toothpick (something potentially dangerous for a kid to have) and it's now established that they are comfortable enough with each other to exchange things. Later, the kid gives "Driver" a bullet (also something potentially dangerous for a kid to have). In particular, "Driver" asks, "Do you want me to hang on to this for you?" and the kid agrees. There's trust between them. Setup, then payoff.

You know, I wish this had occurred to me during my Drive commentary with Dorkman and Ewing. You did just remind me how damn good that movie was, so thank you.

As for the question raised in this thread, I think asking for movies you specifically saw in a theater is a bit limiting. I'd just widen it to include the last perfect movie you saw, period. In the cinema, that would be The Avengers and before that, The Cabin In The Woods. If we're talking about at home, then my answer would be Lockout (it fit the criteria/definition, shut up) and before that, Premium Rush.

Oh, don't worry. I know just as well as you do that Lockout isn't a "good" movie, but that's not what we're talking about here. I think it's a "perfect" movie. For me, Guy Pearce's performance and much of what his character said and did were what carried me through. It's essentially Luc Besson doing John Carpenter's lost "Escape" sequel, "Escape From Earth" but in this instance, Snake Plissken is a lot more delightful to be around. Not so surly. At the end of the day, I was surprised at just how much damn fun I had watching the movie and I really appreciate how sincere and honest it is about what kind of movie it aspired to be.

As for Premium Rush, I'm doing a commentary for that soon, so I'll just answer your questions there.

Argh, that's not what it means.

Lockout is in no way shape or form a perfect movie, nor is it even an acceptable action movie. Completely squanders it's awesome premise, not a single memorable action beat, no violence, forgettable villains who don't even end up facing off with the hero, failure to use what should be an awesome location (a space prison is one of the potentially best action movie settings ever), Guy Pearce is fun as a wise-cracking hero but never gets to do anything cool enough to be the badass he clearly thinks he is.

Nothing wrong with enjoying it, but you're selling the concept short if you think it delivers on the premise.

Last edited by bullet3 (2012-12-29 08:27:06)

I thought it went further than that: I thought perfect also meant that no obvious part of the story's territory was left unexplored, so you're not left thinking: "it was good as far as it went, but they could have taken the idea of Chekov's Macguffin Factory sooo much further..."