Allow me to second this, it's one of a very select few DTV action movies that's actually better than most theatrical releases. Some really fun action sequences

In the continueing saga of movies BDA gets paid to watch*, I present:

Identity Thief:

A fairly typical example of modern comedies in most respects, good measures of crude humour, slapstick and pathos. Not really much else to report. Both Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy put in really solid performances. If you liked the Hangover you'll probably like this... It's not something I would personally seek out to watch, but it's not insufferable to sit through.

The Croods:

This is actually one I've been wanting to watch for a while now. Story wise it's your fairly typical family feature fare (Troubled family, problems, problems, raise stakes, cute and fluffy things, raise stakes, funny moment, family seperated, happy ending).  So not really much to report there. Although where this movie really stood out for me was in the concept and art design. If you don't know this about me, I am a HUGE sucker for cool, alien, weird worlds with awesome art design and cool concepts (Hence why I still love Avatar, depsite it's fairly stock story), and this one defitely delivers. Once they leave the cave (Not spoilers, that's literally the premise) and venture out, the art design, character design, everything, is firing on all cylinders. Everything is just so cool to look at, and in every corner of the frame is something awesome to see. The creature design especially had me giggling with every new animal.

However, speaking personally I will say I think the movie would have been better off if they lightened off the "caveman" jokes, by about the 16th one they were starting to feel pretty heavy handed, and that's just the first 10 minutes.

Also... Nick Cage should just NOT do voice acting, it's literally impossible to take him seriously. Like, just, nope, not happening. (That said, the movie did manage to pull even my strings by the end with his character, so kudos to them)

At the end of the day I'd say, if you like the whole alien worlds idea and the visual vistas of every frame and can let that pave over the weaker spots in the story I'd say definitely give this one a watch. If that's not your thing, you can pretty safely assume you know almost every beat in the story and move on.

*(While working for an outdoor movie company)

Last edited by BigDamnArtist (2013-08-11 10:28:02)

Inland Empire is David Lynch at his Lynchiest, so don't expect any coherent structure (it was filmed without a complete screenplay). Since it was shot on SD digital video, the picture quality leaves much to be desired. David may think that it makes the movie better. I disagree - it just makes it feel more like a documentary (albeit one made on drugs).

Much of the movie was shot in my country (with some of our stars). Unlike many other projects shot in Poland, it didn't receive any public funding (as far as I know). I can only imagine the outrage if our tax money were spent on something like this

While I like some of Lynch's stuff (Blue Velvet, the hypnotizing Eraserhead and the intriguing Twin Peaks), Inland Empire is simply too much for me. Three hours of this mindfuckery is exhausting. Supposedly, the American distributor demanded a version shorter by 20 minutes and David Lynch responded by sending them a cut longer by 20 minutes.

A lavish and visually impressive fantasy, a cross between Alice In Wonderland and Kill Bill. The only thing that's missing here is an interesting plot. It's just too much style with almost no substance.

I'd love to hear what FIYH had to say about it, but the commentary is still missing (I'm sure the guys will put it up again as soon as they can).

Thighs...

A grim thriller written by William Goldman (any FIYH listener will know who that is). The dark, cynical tone just screams "1970s". The plot is somewhat far-fetched, but still fairly terrifying.

I have to admit that, until now, I didn't know where the famous "Is it safe?" quote originally came from.

Surely THAT mashup is on YouTube somewhere....

Eragon is literally the exact same plot as Star Wars with the names swapped out. No exaggeration. It is beat for beat the same movie. I'd love to see a commentary on why Star Wars works and Eragon fails.

If Eragon had come out last year, a sequel would probably be in production. This was before studios were desperate for the next big teenage fantasy franchise. Now every damn book series is getting adapted. What the fuck is "The Mortal Instruments" or "Divergent"? No one knows, but they have empowered young girls fighting the forces of darkness with sexy, roguish young men, and as we all know, that's the only thing that teenage girls are looking for in a movie.

Last edited by Doctor Submarine (2013-08-16 19:54:24)

"Seven" is a perfectly good title for the movie "Seven."

I always make sure to say it that way, haha.

No idea, but totally on board just because it sounds like a TS Eliot poem.

Skimming the wiki page just now, saw the phrase, "High Warlock of Brooklyn". Which I find delightful.

Last edited by paulou (2013-08-16 21:41:59)