Leaving the theater, I really only had one question: Considering the hundreds of X-Men characters to pick from, why do they always end up returning to the painfully irritating figure of Jean Grey? Mystery of the universe, right there.
Great intro. However, if you have any knowledge/history of the history of cinema, especially cinematography, it will be entirely review. I mean, I can't even tell if I've seen this before or not. I just know I already knew everything it told me.
Hoyte van Hoytma's cinematography is gorgeous. Of course, with the combination of him as D.P. and Lee Smith as editor, there were some definite moments of "this looks like a Christopher Nolan movie", but that's hardly a bad thing.
The final scene is like a kick in the gut. This film sneaks up on you, or at least it did to me. The more time that passes, the more I think of this film. And if that's not a filmmaking success, I don't know what is.
I can count the movies that have made me cry on one hand. Inside Out is the first animated one.
It's about an eleven-year-old girl named Riley and the pains of growing up, but it's also about so much more. It's about connecting with others and understanding yourself. It's about remembering what's important and, most impactful for me, forgetting and being forgotten. And while it may be about Riley, she's not really the one you're supposed to connect with. For some, especially young children I would imagine, it's Joy, brilliantly brought to life by Amy Poehler. But for me, at least, it's Phyllis Smith's sadness that is the most relatable.
The only way I can think to describe it is what a Western directed by Wes Anderson might look like. Which, of course, sounds a bit oxymoronic, and is probably the root of the film's problems. At the same time, though, it's also what makes the film interesting. To be honest, I can't quite make up my mind about much regarding this film, including whether I even liked it or not. But it's something different and the run time is painless, so I would consider it worth a shot if you have even the slightest interest.
The trailers didn't entice me. The premise made me pause. It was only the phenomenal reviews I read that convinced me to go. And all I can say is this: wow. Just wow. Best action movie I've seen in years. Awesome stunts, impressive action, and surprisingly well-developed and varied characters. The world of Mad Max is surprisingly intricate and layered, with enough nuance and detail on which to build several conversations.
Just really, really great entertainment. Best of all, it has a heart and a brain, making it pleasure of the non-guilty variety. Two thumbs up.
Visually stunning, if otherwise sloppy in places. The final scene, however, both astounded and terrified me. Well worth watching, I would argue, if only for that. Might it be "over the top" in some regards? Yes. But Clint Mansell's score requires a little "over the top", that's what makes it so powerful.
This film features a minor subplot centered around editing and cutting unnecessary content, which is incredibly ironic considering the truly terrible ending tacked on to what was otherwise a strong finale.
A smart and entertaining modern Mayor of Casterbridge done in a Woody Allen lite style... until the last five minutes, which are pure Hollywood crap.
It's like a top calibre molten bittersweet chocolate cake with sparkly cotton candy marshmallow fluff hidden in the center.
Honestly, if it weren't for the last five minutes, this film would probably be going on my favorites list. But now I'm almost tempted to give it a thumbs down. There is little more frustrating in the world than a truly good movie ruined by a sour (or more accurately, overly sweet) end note, particularly when there's a perfectly decent ending ALREADY THERE.
So yes, I would recommend this film, but I would also highly recommend leaving five minutes early.
Loads of fun. Joseph Campbell's hero's journey applied to a snarky youth in a James Bond-ish setting. Stylish and cool, there's more than enough innovations to keep it entertaining the whole way through while still making sure to pay its respects to the classics. Plenty of references and homages to be found by those who seek them. The cast is superbly put together, featuring polished performances by celebrated veterans and fresh-faced newcomers alike. Haven't had this much fun watching a movie in years. Deliciously enjoyable.
A great movie about the difficulties of growing up a white boy in small town USA.
Being neither white nor male, there were several plot points that only prompted me to think "so what?" or "why should I care?" instead of eliciting a genuine emotional response.
Regardless, a well put-together and well paced film well worth a watch, especially considering its extremely reasonable runtime.
Brilliant film. Contrary to many others, I thought the science was impressive--easily some of the best I've seen in a sci-fi movie in a long time. It deals with a lot of theoretical stuff, yeah, but that's the whole "fiction" part of science fiction.
Absolutely astounding visuals, including several things I've never seen before.
Long story short, Christopher Nolan does it again. :)
Extremely sweet yet not at all contrived. Being a fresh high school graduate, I have long been irritated at the absence of portrayals of a genuine "geeky" high school experience. This film is the first I've seen that has come anywhere close, where I could relate my own experience to the characters'.
All in all, a fresh take on a stale genre that's well worth it's 90-minute run time.
Comments 1 - 25 of 30
Movie comment on Doctor Strange
dorkusmalorkus
Marvel's visual ode to Christopher Nolan starring Yankee Sherlock with a Petyr Baelish aesthetic.Great cinema? Probs not. Good fun? Absolutely.
Movie comment on X-Men: Apocalypse
dorkusmalorkus
Leaving the theater, I really only had one question: Considering the hundreds of X-Men characters to pick from, why do they always end up returning to the painfully irritating figure of Jean Grey? Mystery of the universe, right there.Movie comment on In the Loop
dorkusmalorkus
If for no other reason, watch it for Peter Capaldi. He's absolutely brilliant.Movie comment on Visions of Light
dorkusmalorkus
Great intro. However, if you have any knowledge/history of the history of cinema, especially cinematography, it will be entirely review. I mean, I can't even tell if I've seen this before or not. I just know I already knew everything it told me.Movie comment on The Hateful Eight
dorkusmalorkus
70 MM roadshow is the way to go!Movie comment on Spectre
dorkusmalorkus
Hoyte van Hoytma's cinematography is gorgeous. Of course, with the combination of him as D.P. and Lee Smith as editor, there were some definite moments of "this looks like a Christopher Nolan movie", but that's hardly a bad thing.Movie comment on Fa yeung nin wah
dorkusmalorkus
The final scene is like a kick in the gut. This film sneaks up on you, or at least it did to me. The more time that passes, the more I think of this film. And if that's not a filmmaking success, I don't know what is.Movie comment on Performance
dorkusmalorkus
Sex and drugs and literature references and innovative editing don't automatically make a masterpiece, just a semi-intelligent mess.Movie comment on Inside Out
dorkusmalorkus
I can count the movies that have made me cry on one hand. Inside Out is the first animated one.It's about an eleven-year-old girl named Riley and the pains of growing up, but it's also about so much more. It's about connecting with others and understanding yourself. It's about remembering what's important and, most impactful for me, forgetting and being forgotten. And while it may be about Riley, she's not really the one you're supposed to connect with. For some, especially young children I would imagine, it's Joy, brilliantly brought to life by Amy Poehler. But for me, at least, it's Phyllis Smith's sadness that is the most relatable.
Brilliant idea, brilliant film.
Movie comment on Slow West
dorkusmalorkus
The only way I can think to describe it is what a Western directed by Wes Anderson might look like. Which, of course, sounds a bit oxymoronic, and is probably the root of the film's problems. At the same time, though, it's also what makes the film interesting. To be honest, I can't quite make up my mind about much regarding this film, including whether I even liked it or not. But it's something different and the run time is painless, so I would consider it worth a shot if you have even the slightest interest.Movie comment on Mad Max: Fury Road
dorkusmalorkus
The trailers didn't entice me. The premise made me pause. It was only the phenomenal reviews I read that convinced me to go. And all I can say is this: wow. Just wow. Best action movie I've seen in years. Awesome stunts, impressive action, and surprisingly well-developed and varied characters. The world of Mad Max is surprisingly intricate and layered, with enough nuance and detail on which to build several conversations.Just really, really great entertainment. Best of all, it has a heart and a brain, making it pleasure of the non-guilty variety. Two thumbs up.
It even passes the Bechdel test.
Movie comment on The Fountain
dorkusmalorkus
Visually stunning, if otherwise sloppy in places. The final scene, however, both astounded and terrified me. Well worth watching, I would argue, if only for that. Might it be "over the top" in some regards? Yes. But Clint Mansell's score requires a little "over the top", that's what makes it so powerful.Movie comment on While We're Young
dorkusmalorkus
This film features a minor subplot centered around editing and cutting unnecessary content, which is incredibly ironic considering the truly terrible ending tacked on to what was otherwise a strong finale.A smart and entertaining modern Mayor of Casterbridge done in a Woody Allen lite style... until the last five minutes, which are pure Hollywood crap.
It's like a top calibre molten bittersweet chocolate cake with sparkly cotton candy marshmallow fluff hidden in the center.
Honestly, if it weren't for the last five minutes, this film would probably be going on my favorites list. But now I'm almost tempted to give it a thumbs down. There is little more frustrating in the world than a truly good movie ruined by a sour (or more accurately, overly sweet) end note, particularly when there's a perfectly decent ending ALREADY THERE.
So yes, I would recommend this film, but I would also highly recommend leaving five minutes early.
Seriously, though.
Movie comment on Kingsman: The Secret Service
dorkusmalorkus
Loads of fun. Joseph Campbell's hero's journey applied to a snarky youth in a James Bond-ish setting. Stylish and cool, there's more than enough innovations to keep it entertaining the whole way through while still making sure to pay its respects to the classics. Plenty of references and homages to be found by those who seek them. The cast is superbly put together, featuring polished performances by celebrated veterans and fresh-faced newcomers alike. Haven't had this much fun watching a movie in years. Deliciously enjoyable.Movie comment on Armageddon
dorkusmalorkus
Plenty of signature Michael Bay cringe moments, but, unlike just about all his other films, this one does have some redeeming qualities.Movie comment on The Imitation Game
dorkusmalorkus
A fascinating story with wonderful performances all around.Movie comment on Nowhere Boy
dorkusmalorkus
As a non-Beatles fan (don't shoot me), this movie was okay. Not great, but not painful, largely due to the reasonable run time.Movie comment on Big Eyes
dorkusmalorkus
Tim Burton's best since Sweeney Todd.Movie comment on The Amazing Spider-Man 2
dorkusmalorkus
As my little sister would say, cheesy A.F.Movie comment on Stand by Me
dorkusmalorkus
A great movie about the difficulties of growing up a white boy in small town USA.Being neither white nor male, there were several plot points that only prompted me to think "so what?" or "why should I care?" instead of eliciting a genuine emotional response.
Regardless, a well put-together and well paced film well worth a watch, especially considering its extremely reasonable runtime.
Movie comment on Interstellar
dorkusmalorkus
Brilliant film. Contrary to many others, I thought the science was impressive--easily some of the best I've seen in a sci-fi movie in a long time. It deals with a lot of theoretical stuff, yeah, but that's the whole "fiction" part of science fiction.Absolutely astounding visuals, including several things I've never seen before.
Long story short, Christopher Nolan does it again. :)
Movie comment on Thelma & Louise
dorkusmalorkus
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with women. Different themes, but the tone and styles are identical.Movie comment on In a World...
dorkusmalorkus
Interesting, likable characters and a unique story. Really enjoyable and well worth your time.Movie comment on The Great Gatsby
dorkusmalorkus
The Great Gatsby as directed by Jay Gatsby.Movie comment on A Birder's Guide to Everything
dorkusmalorkus
Extremely sweet yet not at all contrived. Being a fresh high school graduate, I have long been irritated at the absence of portrayals of a genuine "geeky" high school experience. This film is the first I've seen that has come anywhere close, where I could relate my own experience to the characters'.All in all, a fresh take on a stale genre that's well worth it's 90-minute run time.
Showing items 1 – 25 of 30