20100630:
The NeverEnding Story reminded me a little of the 80's movie Labyrinth (1986). Like Labyrinth, this movie presented me, the viewer, with a new and mysterious fantasy world.
While the world didn't look and feel as real as more recent world-immersing movies, it carries it's own 80's charm.
Good movie. If you liked Labyrinth, give this a watch when you have time to spare.
Discussing of the Ending:
The ending was weird. Although I accepted that imagination and reality were intertwined, I also thought a well-defined boundary would remain between them. Instead, the movie's ending depicts them as being the same, which was both terrifying and confusing.
Upon reading the plot summary for the book (on Wikipedia), I would have ended the movie with Bastian's restoration of Fantasia and flying over it on Falkor. I would also have omitted the entire plot about the bullies, both in the ending and the beginning.
[20100702][20171112 Edit]
2017071X:*
Today while relaxing in a hotel room in Utah, The NeverEnding Story was on the television and I decided to watch it. I noted that I started watching from the rock monster to the end. On 20171112, I estimated this was around 17 to 18 minutes into the movie.
*Either 14/15/16.
[20171112]
20171112:
Today I tried to pinpoint where I started watching the movie back in July. Combined with what I saw in July, this formed a full viewing.
Instant Comments:
1: The dragon's flying looks a little silly.
1: This ending is weird. [I read on a trivia page that this movie ends somewhere in the middle of the book.]
1=20100630, 2a=2017071X, 2b=20171112
Watched 20100630 (Netflix, Instant)
Watched the last 84 minutes on 2017071X (television), the first 18 minutes on 20171112.
The NeverEnding Story (1984) Wolfgang Petersen. 102 min [botnotsn (1979) by Michael Ende]
Relevant Links:
The NeverEnding Story (IMDb.com)
The NeverEnding Story (RottenTomatoes.com)
The NeverEnding Story (film) (Wikipedia.org)
The Neverending Story (Wikipedia.org)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
20100629:
I'm not sure if the book was only set in the past or if like the movie, switched between the past and present, but I did read that the movie made the relationship between Idgie and Ruth less explicit and that it changed the ending.
The majority of what made the movie good was set in the past, but there were some good laughs from the present.
Character development happened too quickly for me at the beginning. As such, I watched the first 10 minutes over after I completed the movie.
On a different note, the theme of feminine power was strong and well-displayed.
Personally, the only tear-jerking scene in this movie was when Idgie and Ruth were throwing the cans of food out of the train.
Overall, I enjoyed watching Fried Green Tomatoes.
[20100630][20151008 Edit]
Instant Comment:
1: 1:21:00 How many of them hormones you taking honey?
Credits:
1: The credits end with the music fading out, and you hear the train whistle.
1=20100629
Watched 20100629 (Netflix, Instant)
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) Jon Avnet. 130 min. [botn Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (1987) by Fannie Flagg]
Relevant Links:
Fried Green Tomatoes (IMDb.com)
Fried Green Tomatoes (RottenTomatoes.com)
Fried Green Tomatoes (Wikipedia.org)
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (Wikipedia.org)
I'm not sure if the book was only set in the past or if like the movie, switched between the past and present, but I did read that the movie made the relationship between Idgie and Ruth less explicit and that it changed the ending.
The majority of what made the movie good was set in the past, but there were some good laughs from the present.
Character development happened too quickly for me at the beginning. As such, I watched the first 10 minutes over after I completed the movie.
On a different note, the theme of feminine power was strong and well-displayed.
Personally, the only tear-jerking scene in this movie was when Idgie and Ruth were throwing the cans of food out of the train.
Overall, I enjoyed watching Fried Green Tomatoes.
[20100630][20151008 Edit]
Instant Comment:
1: 1:21:00 How many of them hormones you taking honey?
Credits:
1: The credits end with the music fading out, and you hear the train whistle.
1=20100629
Watched 20100629 (Netflix, Instant)
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) Jon Avnet. 130 min. [botn Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (1987) by Fannie Flagg]
Relevant Links:
Fried Green Tomatoes (IMDb.com)
Fried Green Tomatoes (RottenTomatoes.com)
Fried Green Tomatoes (Wikipedia.org)
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (Wikipedia.org)
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Donnie Brasco (1997)
20100627:
Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.
Overall, this was a great movie, but I will also try to compare it with The Departed (2006).
Intuitively, I like The Departed more. Going past the intuition, it has more action, more climatic events, bigger brawls, and a strong finish. In addition, Donnie Brasco was less about fitting in and more about fitting in too well. As a result, there was generally less tension in the movie.
From my point of view, the cast in The Departed was also bigger (by popularity) than the cast in Donnie Brasco. Sure you have Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in Donnie Brasco, but with The Departed you have Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson.
Finally, while The Departed was a remake of the Hong Kong film Internal Affairs (1990), Donnie Brasco is based on real-life events as depicted in Joseph D. Pistone's book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia. Perhaps this restricted the plot of the movie and kept it grounded.
Note: Anne Heche, Maggie Pistone in Donnie Brasco, played the female lead in Six Days Seven Nights (1998).
[20100627][20150319 Edit]
20150319:
Today I watched Donnie Brasco again and I think I enjoyed it more than the first time I watched it. While watching it, I thought the story would heavily involve cocaine, but I probably just confused the plot of Donnie Brasco with that of American Gangster (2007) (which apparently involves heroin, not cocaine).
In any case, the movie is character driven and as you watch, there is no mistake that Donnie (Johnny Depp), despite being undercover, cares for Lefty (Al Pacino). While I generally enjoy story-driven movies more than character-driven ones, the relationship built here was coupled with a lingering danger.
Instant Comments:
2: Michael Madsen from Reservoir Dogs (1992)
2: "Forget about it."
2: The lion.
2: "I'm not becoming like them Maggie, I am them."
2: Earlier Lefty says that you put the hundred dollar bills on the outside of your money. His final possessions reveal that the bills on him are perhaps just fives and ones (because the five is on the outside).
2=20150319
Watched 20100627 (Netflix, Instant)
Watched 20150319 (Netflix, Instant)
Donnie Brasco (1997) Mike Newell. 127 min [based on the autobiography Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia (1988) by Joseph D. Pistone]
Relevant Links:
Donnie Brasco (IMDb.com)
Donnie Brasco (RottenTomatoes.com)
Donnie Brasco (film) (Wikipedia.org)
Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.
 |
| Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) |
Overall, this was a great movie, but I will also try to compare it with The Departed (2006).
"Forget about it."
Intuitively, I like The Departed more. Going past the intuition, it has more action, more climatic events, bigger brawls, and a strong finish. In addition, Donnie Brasco was less about fitting in and more about fitting in too well. As a result, there was generally less tension in the movie.
 |
| Benjamin 'Lefty' Ruggiero (Al Pacino) |
From my point of view, the cast in The Departed was also bigger (by popularity) than the cast in Donnie Brasco. Sure you have Al Pacino and Johnny Depp in Donnie Brasco, but with The Departed you have Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson.
Finally, while The Departed was a remake of the Hong Kong film Internal Affairs (1990), Donnie Brasco is based on real-life events as depicted in Joseph D. Pistone's book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia. Perhaps this restricted the plot of the movie and kept it grounded.
 |
| Maggie Pistone (Anne Heche) |
Note: Anne Heche, Maggie Pistone in Donnie Brasco, played the female lead in Six Days Seven Nights (1998).
[20100627][20150319 Edit]
20150319:
Today I watched Donnie Brasco again and I think I enjoyed it more than the first time I watched it. While watching it, I thought the story would heavily involve cocaine, but I probably just confused the plot of Donnie Brasco with that of American Gangster (2007) (which apparently involves heroin, not cocaine).
 |
| Donnie spends Christmas at Left's home. |
In any case, the movie is character driven and as you watch, there is no mistake that Donnie (Johnny Depp), despite being undercover, cares for Lefty (Al Pacino). While I generally enjoy story-driven movies more than character-driven ones, the relationship built here was coupled with a lingering danger.
Instant Comments:
2: Michael Madsen from Reservoir Dogs (1992)
2: "Forget about it."
2: The lion.
 |
| Sonny Black (Michael Madsen) |
2: "I'm not becoming like them Maggie, I am them."
2: Earlier Lefty says that you put the hundred dollar bills on the outside of your money. His final possessions reveal that the bills on him are perhaps just fives and ones (because the five is on the outside).
2=20150319
Watched 20100627 (Netflix, Instant)
Watched 20150319 (Netflix, Instant)
Donnie Brasco (1997) Mike Newell. 127 min [based on the autobiography Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia (1988) by Joseph D. Pistone]
Relevant Links:
Donnie Brasco (IMDb.com)
Donnie Brasco (RottenTomatoes.com)
Donnie Brasco (film) (Wikipedia.org)
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Cat Ballou (1965)
20100626:
Why can't all movies be like this one? I love it. Simple as that.
I will elaborate. This movie is witty, charming, and has great music. The cast was also great.
Both Cool Hand Luke (1967) and this movie had banjo music, and that makes me want a banjo!
Perhaps part of the reason I like this movie so much, is that I don't think I've watched any Westerns all the way through, at least none that I can remember. The only name that comes to mind is The Magnificent Seven, and I can't remember watching all of that movie. As such, I'll say this is the first Western I've watched, and it was great. [20110515: On 20110112, I discovered I had seen many movies which are considered Westerns prior to having seen Cat Ballou. Though in spirit, it can remain my first Western. See the List of Westerns I've Seen (chronological).
Credits show up one by one at the opening, and then come up all at once at the end on one screen.
Note: Jane Fonda, who plays Cat Ballou, is Henry Fonda's daughter. Henry Fonda played the "lone dissenter" in 12 Angry Men (1957).
What a bad-ass, his own brother.
Watched 20100626 (Netflix, Instant)
Cat Ballou (1965) Elliot Silverstein. 97 min.
Relevant Links:
Cat Ballou (IMDb.com)
Cat Ballou (RottenTomatoes.com)
Why can't all movies be like this one? I love it. Simple as that.
I will elaborate. This movie is witty, charming, and has great music. The cast was also great.
Both Cool Hand Luke (1967) and this movie had banjo music, and that makes me want a banjo!
Perhaps part of the reason I like this movie so much, is that I don't think I've watched any Westerns all the way through, at least none that I can remember. The only name that comes to mind is The Magnificent Seven, and I can't remember watching all of that movie. As such, I'll say this is the first Western I've watched, and it was great. [20110515: On 20110112, I discovered I had seen many movies which are considered Westerns prior to having seen Cat Ballou. Though in spirit, it can remain my first Western. See the List of Westerns I've Seen (chronological).
Credits show up one by one at the opening, and then come up all at once at the end on one screen.
Note: Jane Fonda, who plays Cat Ballou, is Henry Fonda's daughter. Henry Fonda played the "lone dissenter" in 12 Angry Men (1957).
What a bad-ass, his own brother.
Watched 20100626 (Netflix, Instant)
Cat Ballou (1965) Elliot Silverstein. 97 min.
Relevant Links:
Cat Ballou (IMDb.com)
Cat Ballou (RottenTomatoes.com)
The Firm (1993)
20100626:
Overall, the movie was good. I suppose having the movie based on a John Grisham novel helps.
In terms of acting, Tom Cruise did a great job and Gene Hackman did alright. While those two actors were good to have, some of the characters didn't seem to fit together and I had trouble separating the good guys from the bad guys.
With that being said, most scenes were well executed and some were left with room for improvement.
If you enjoy thrillers and/or John Grisham novels, then I would certainly recommend this movie for you.
While I can't make any guarantees about the first half of the movie, I would note that the movie should keep you on your toes from about halfway into the story up until the near end.
I'll try to remember to make the time to read the book.
Other Comments:
The scene at 40 minutes was particularly sexual. What made it so? The fact that it wasn't his wife? No, that just makes it bad; I thought he would have been able to resist. The music? A little bit. So what then? Well... it could have been 1) the pace, 2) the kissing of the fingers, 3) how she took his hand to cup her breast, and 4) the unbuttoning of the shirt.
At 1:51:18, a fax comes in reading:
The plot suggests that a simple life with your loved ones should be valued over making money just to make them happy.
[20100626]
20150814:
For whatever reason, I think I enjoyed the movie today more than the last time I watched it. Perhaps I took it less seriously.
In any case, on this viewing I did not have any trouble distinguishing the "good" guys from the "bad" guys and liked Gene Hackman's acting as much as Tom Cruise's acting.
Instant Comments:
2: "No associate has ever failed the bar exam."
2: Red Stripe!
2: What... he crushed that too glass so easily.
2: She's going crazy, haha.
2: "His name was... Julio Inglesias."
2: Oh, the fax was suppose to be a tip from the prison guard to the Firm's investigator, but thankfully it fell and rolled under the machine. Had it been seen earlier, things might not have worked out as planned.
Credits:
1: The scene pans out to a view of the city while the credits roll.
1=20100626, 2=20150814
Watched 20100626 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100701)
Watched 20150814 (Netflix, Instant)
The Firm (1993) Sydney Pollack. 154 min [botnotsn (1991) by John Grisham]
Relevant Links:
The Firm (IMDb.com)
The Firm (RottenTomatoes.com)
The Firm (1993 film) (Wikipedia.org)
Overall, the movie was good. I suppose having the movie based on a John Grisham novel helps.
 |
| Mitch McDeere (Tom Cruise) |
In terms of acting, Tom Cruise did a great job and Gene Hackman did alright. While those two actors were good to have, some of the characters didn't seem to fit together and I had trouble separating the good guys from the bad guys.
 |
| Abigail "Abby" McDeere (Jeanne Tripplehorn) |
With that being said, most scenes were well executed and some were left with room for improvement.
If you enjoy thrillers and/or John Grisham novels, then I would certainly recommend this movie for you.
 |
| Avery Tolar (Gene Hackman) |
While I can't make any guarantees about the first half of the movie, I would note that the movie should keep you on your toes from about halfway into the story up until the near end.
I'll try to remember to make the time to read the book.
 |
| Ray McDeere (David Strathairn) |
Other Comments:
The scene at 40 minutes was particularly sexual. What made it so? The fact that it wasn't his wife? No, that just makes it bad; I thought he would have been able to resist. The music? A little bit. So what then? Well... it could have been 1) the pace, 2) the kissing of the fingers, 3) how she took his hand to cup her breast, and 4) the unbuttoning of the shirt.
 |
| Agent Wayne Tarrance (Ed Harris) |
At 1:51:18, a fax comes in reading:
FYI - RAY McDEEREIt wasn't clear who the letter was sent to, because it seemed pertinent the letter rolled under the machine. At about 1:57:00, the movie showed that it went to the fat "security" dude. At least I think. I'm still not 100% positive.
WALKED UNDER FEDERAL
SUBPOENA AT 14:17 HRS.
NO CUFFS.
NO DESTINATION.
NO RTN DATE.
The plot suggests that a simple life with your loved ones should be valued over making money just to make them happy.
[20100626]
20150814:
For whatever reason, I think I enjoyed the movie today more than the last time I watched it. Perhaps I took it less seriously.
 |
| The Nordic Man (Tobin Bell) |
In any case, on this viewing I did not have any trouble distinguishing the "good" guys from the "bad" guys and liked Gene Hackman's acting as much as Tom Cruise's acting.
Instant Comments:
2: "No associate has ever failed the bar exam."
2: Red Stripe!
2: What... he crushed that too glass so easily.
2: She's going crazy, haha.
 |
| Tammy Hemphill (Holly Hunter) |
2: "His name was... Julio Inglesias."
2: Oh, the fax was suppose to be a tip from the prison guard to the Firm's investigator, but thankfully it fell and rolled under the machine. Had it been seen earlier, things might not have worked out as planned.
Credits:
1: The scene pans out to a view of the city while the credits roll.
1=20100626, 2=20150814
Watched 20100626 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100701)
Watched 20150814 (Netflix, Instant)
The Firm (1993) Sydney Pollack. 154 min [botnotsn (1991) by John Grisham]
Relevant Links:
The Firm (IMDb.com)
The Firm (RottenTomatoes.com)
The Firm (1993 film) (Wikipedia.org)
Friday, June 25, 2010
K-PAX (2001)
20100625:
A little into the movie, I pinned this one to being close in plot to Don Juan DeMarco. The difference in the two is that K-PAX takes a more serious tone whereas Don Juan DeMarco's takes a lighter, comedic tone. Nevertheless, K-PAX has its light moments and Don Juan has its serious moments.
Continuing to compare the two, I find that K-PAX had me believing the patient for the majority of the movie, while Don Juan had me on the fence for the majority of the movie.
Being a more serious movie, K-PAX is able to stir up questions regarding the way humans live. Thus, despite being similar in story to Don Juan, as a whole, it is a deeper, and thus overall a better movie than Don Juan. UPDATE: I take this back... I liked how Don Juan kept me on the fence about the patient. I also liked the ending of Don Juan a lot, whereas I didn't know what to make of the ending to K-PAX. As such, I would pair the movies together, with Don Juan just being a little better.
Remark: I haven't said this before, but it is important for the reader to distinguish between objective and subjective comments. It isn't black and white, but it helps in communicating ideas. Commenting on the tone of a movie is ideally objective. Saying one movie is better than another movie is definitely subjective.
At the end of the credits, Dr. Mark Powell is shown looking up at the sky and then walking away.
I took a look at various special features, I'll comment on them at another time. Some deleted scenes were just ridiculously non-informational, one would have swayed the movie too quickly. Some were ridiculously short, and some were long. The alternate ending was more or less the same as the ending put in the movie. Watching it made me realize something about the ending that I wouldn't have figured, it's minor, but I'll leave it out of the post.
As mentioned in one of the special features, this movie does have a little of everything, so it's a good movie to watch if you haven't seen it.
[20100626]
Watched 20100625 (DVD)
K-PAX (2001)
Relevant Links:
Check out the K-PAX page at IMDb.com.
Check out the K-PAX page at RottenTomatoes.com.
A little into the movie, I pinned this one to being close in plot to Don Juan DeMarco. The difference in the two is that K-PAX takes a more serious tone whereas Don Juan DeMarco's takes a lighter, comedic tone. Nevertheless, K-PAX has its light moments and Don Juan has its serious moments.
Continuing to compare the two, I find that K-PAX had me believing the patient for the majority of the movie, while Don Juan had me on the fence for the majority of the movie.
Being a more serious movie, K-PAX is able to stir up questions regarding the way humans live. Thus, despite being similar in story to Don Juan, as a whole, it is a deeper, and thus overall a better movie than Don Juan. UPDATE: I take this back... I liked how Don Juan kept me on the fence about the patient. I also liked the ending of Don Juan a lot, whereas I didn't know what to make of the ending to K-PAX. As such, I would pair the movies together, with Don Juan just being a little better.
Remark: I haven't said this before, but it is important for the reader to distinguish between objective and subjective comments. It isn't black and white, but it helps in communicating ideas. Commenting on the tone of a movie is ideally objective. Saying one movie is better than another movie is definitely subjective.
At the end of the credits, Dr. Mark Powell is shown looking up at the sky and then walking away.
I took a look at various special features, I'll comment on them at another time. Some deleted scenes were just ridiculously non-informational, one would have swayed the movie too quickly. Some were ridiculously short, and some were long. The alternate ending was more or less the same as the ending put in the movie. Watching it made me realize something about the ending that I wouldn't have figured, it's minor, but I'll leave it out of the post.
As mentioned in one of the special features, this movie does have a little of everything, so it's a good movie to watch if you haven't seen it.
[20100626]
Watched 20100625 (DVD)
K-PAX (2001)
Relevant Links:
Check out the K-PAX page at IMDb.com.
Check out the K-PAX page at RottenTomatoes.com.
Sin City (2005)
Overview: A film adaptation of some stories from Frank Miller's Sin City, a neo-noir comic series.
20100625:
I had read one of the stories in Frank Miller's Sin City, but the one I read didn't show up in the movie. In any case, I felt the movie captured the essence of the graphic novel it was based on - of course it probably helped that Miller was one of the directors.
The action and killing was purposely over-the-top, and this was awesome. In particular, the over-the-top style was fitting to the source material.
For those who are worried about blood and gore, I observed that anything overly graphic would be shot in black-and-white or reduced to blood splatter with the graphic image left implied and off-camera.
So if you haven't seen this movie and enjoy action and/or copious amounts of fake blood splatter, then this movie is a must watch. If you just like action movies, then you might find some enjoyment here, but perhaps not. Personally, I would recommend you give the movie a try.
And last, but not least, this movie probably leans towards being a guy movie, but I'm not one to define barriers (if I, as a man, occasionally enjoy musicals and romances, there will be women who will enjoy Sin City).
[20100626][20160217 Edit]
20140809:
I watched this with my friends today, but it appears I didn't take any notes.
[20160216]
20160216:
While exaggerated actions and motions can often distract me from the movie experience, I enjoyed their usage in Sin City. For example, there's a seen where a character Dwight needs to fit some bodies in the trunk.
He tells another character named Miho to help. Then he brings his hands up and brings them down in an exaggerated motion, picking up a body so she can slice it down. Something about that exaggeration just feels right in context of this movie.
Instant Comments:
3: "Hell of a way to end a partnership."
3: Damn, disgusting.
3: "Here's a sign."
3: "Kill him for me, Marv. Kill him good."
3: "Is that the best you can do you pansies?"
3: "Shut up and keep your hands to yourself or I'll cut your little pecker off."
3: The pact makes sense when they first explain it, but it still doesn't make sense why Rafferty wasn't somehow breaking any rules by holding a gun to the girl. [In hindsight, it's unclear how much of the whole situation was fabricated]
Opening Credits:
1: During the opening titles, the names of the actors and actresses appear in front of their corresponding graphic-novel-depicted characters.
Special Features:
1: I watched several of the special features. I'll have to go back and see which ones.
1=20100625
Watched 20100625 (DVD)
Watched 20140809
Watched 20160216 (Netflix, Instant)
Sin City (2005) Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez. 124 min [bot graphic novels by Frank Miller]
Relevant Links:
Sin City (IMDb.com)
Sin City (RottenTomatoes.com)
20100625:
I had read one of the stories in Frank Miller's Sin City, but the one I read didn't show up in the movie. In any case, I felt the movie captured the essence of the graphic novel it was based on - of course it probably helped that Miller was one of the directors.
 |
| Hartigan (Bruce Willis) |
The action and killing was purposely over-the-top, and this was awesome. In particular, the over-the-top style was fitting to the source material.
For those who are worried about blood and gore, I observed that anything overly graphic would be shot in black-and-white or reduced to blood splatter with the graphic image left implied and off-camera.
 |
| Shellie (Brittany Murphy) |
So if you haven't seen this movie and enjoy action and/or copious amounts of fake blood splatter, then this movie is a must watch. If you just like action movies, then you might find some enjoyment here, but perhaps not. Personally, I would recommend you give the movie a try.
And last, but not least, this movie probably leans towards being a guy movie, but I'm not one to define barriers (if I, as a man, occasionally enjoy musicals and romances, there will be women who will enjoy Sin City).
 |
| Marv (Mickey Rourke) and Kevin (Elijah Wood) |
[20100626][20160217 Edit]
 |
| Miho (Devon Aoki) |
20140809:
I watched this with my friends today, but it appears I didn't take any notes.
[20160216]
20160216:
While exaggerated actions and motions can often distract me from the movie experience, I enjoyed their usage in Sin City. For example, there's a seen where a character Dwight needs to fit some bodies in the trunk.
 |
| Lucille (Carla Gugino) and Dwight (Clive Owen) |
He tells another character named Miho to help. Then he brings his hands up and brings them down in an exaggerated motion, picking up a body so she can slice it down. Something about that exaggeration just feels right in context of this movie.
Instant Comments:
3: "Hell of a way to end a partnership."
3: Damn, disgusting.
3: "Here's a sign."
 |
| Nancy Callahan (Jessica Alba) |
3: "Kill him for me, Marv. Kill him good."
3: "Is that the best you can do you pansies?"
3: "Shut up and keep your hands to yourself or I'll cut your little pecker off."
3: The pact makes sense when they first explain it, but it still doesn't make sense why Rafferty wasn't somehow breaking any rules by holding a gun to the girl. [In hindsight, it's unclear how much of the whole situation was fabricated]
Opening Credits:
1: During the opening titles, the names of the actors and actresses appear in front of their corresponding graphic-novel-depicted characters.
Special Features:
1: I watched several of the special features. I'll have to go back and see which ones.
1=20100625
Watched 20100625 (DVD)
Watched 20140809
Watched 20160216 (Netflix, Instant)
Sin City (2005) Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez. 124 min [bot graphic novels by Frank Miller]
Relevant Links:
Sin City (IMDb.com)
Sin City (RottenTomatoes.com)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
20100625:
I love the humor. Example: Italian? Yes. No. Yes. I love Italian, and so do you. Yes.
I love the playful direction of this movie compared to Star Trek III (1984).
The hospital scene was funny. In fact, the music playing during that scene sets the mood.
Don't the whales have to swim around?
Makes me excited to watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Star Trek II (1982), despite possibly those being lower rated movies. We'll see.
[20100625]
20110607 Comment:
Catherine Hicks from 7th Heaven is in this movie. Interestingly, her costar on 7th Heaven, Stephen Collins, starred in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).
Instant Comments:
Credits:
The credits roll on top of still pictures of the main cast. Followed by rolling on top of a montage of clips of the movie. Music is playing and the audio of the video clips are muted.
Watched 20100625 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100701)
Started about 2:00 PM. Paused about 3:19 PM.
Resumed about 11:37 PM. Finished about 12:21 AM.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) Leonard Nimoy. 119 min.
Relevant Links:
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (IMDb.com)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (RottenTomatoes.com)
I love the humor. Example: Italian? Yes. No. Yes. I love Italian, and so do you. Yes.
I love the playful direction of this movie compared to Star Trek III (1984).
The hospital scene was funny. In fact, the music playing during that scene sets the mood.
Don't the whales have to swim around?
Makes me excited to watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) and Star Trek II (1982), despite possibly those being lower rated movies. We'll see.
[20100625]
20110607 Comment:
Catherine Hicks from 7th Heaven is in this movie. Interestingly, her costar on 7th Heaven, Stephen Collins, starred in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).
Instant Comments:
Credits:
The credits roll on top of still pictures of the main cast. Followed by rolling on top of a montage of clips of the movie. Music is playing and the audio of the video clips are muted.
Watched 20100625 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100701)
Started about 2:00 PM. Paused about 3:19 PM.
Resumed about 11:37 PM. Finished about 12:21 AM.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) Leonard Nimoy. 119 min.
Relevant Links:
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (IMDb.com)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (RottenTomatoes.com)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
 |
| Kirk and Bones. |
20100625:
I didn't like this as much as Star Trek (2009). Mainly, because it starts off unfamiliar, as I haven't seen the television show. Whereas with Star Trek, it assumes the viewer knows nothing. But Star Trek III was still a good movie. I'd say somewhere between Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Star Trek III had a good cast. I wasn't fond of the official uniforms. I did like their street clothing. Also, the Vulcan costumes were cool.
 |
| Sulu, Bones, Scotty, and Chekov. |
While I would have watched Star Trek II first (since it was also available on Netflix Instant), III and IV were higher rated (on Netflix) and expire 20100701. So I decided to jump in there. Story-wise, I might have made a mistake. Oh well. Starting IV, it leaves off where III ended. I'm pretty sure III left off where II ended, but I won't know yet.
 |
| Kruge (left, Christopher Lloyd) |
20130128 Comment:
Today (20130127) I watched Star Trek II and proceeded to skim through Star Trek III and take screenshots. In doing so, I noticed that Saavik is no longer played by Kirstie Alley. I also noticed that footage from Star Trek II is used throughout the movie.
 |
| Sulu, Bones, and Kirk getting beamed to the Enterprise. |
Credits:
I guess it finishes the opening credits by listing two names and then starring as Spock: Carl Steven, Vadia Potenza, Stephen Manley, Joe W. Davis, Leonard Nimoy. After various other credits roll, it lists the cast at 1:42:43.
Watched 20100625 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100701)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) Leonard Nimoy. 105 min.
 |
| USS Enterprise NCC-1701. |
Relevant Links:
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (IMDb.com)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (RottenTomatoes.com)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The King and I (1956)
20100624:
Just like in West Side Story, you have foreigners who don't properly sound foreign. Overlooking this fact, then you get as great a musical as West Side Story. Well, I liked West Side Story a little more.
Numbers in Parentheses are the order in which I liked the songs.
With (01) being my favorite. I don't count the Overture or Entr'acte.
The list comes from Wikipedia.com.
Act I
(XX) Overture - Orchestra
(05) I Whistle a Happy Tune - Anna and Louis
Hello, Young Lovers - Anna
The March of the Siamese Children - Orchestra
Scene Before Curtain (Home Sweet Home) - Priests and Children
(06) A Puzzlement - King
(01) Getting to Know You - Anna, Wives, and Children
(04) We Kiss in a Shadow - Tuptim and Lun Tha
(03) Something Wonderful - Lady Thiang
Finale, Act I - King, entire palace
Act II
(XX) Entr'acte - Orchestra
The Small House of Uncle Thomas (Ballet) - Tuptim and Wives
Song of the King - King
(02) Shall We Dance? - Anna and King
[20100624]
Instant Comments:
Scene Selection:
52 Scenes. In the scene selection, the scenes which are songs have the title name in all capital letters:
Main:
What? What? What?
Well? Well? Well?
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera.
Teach teach teach.
Come. We do it again.
Put it on... Put it on. Put it on.
DVD Features:
Theatrical Trailer - Deborah Kerr, "Getting to Know You," Yul Brynner, Rita Moreno and a tremendous cast, snippets of scenes
Movietone News Premier - interesting
Movietone News Oscar - highlights the winners of the Oscars in which The King and I received many awards.
Sing Along - Choose to listen to a song, but lyrics don't appear, and no video is played. Choose from I Whistle a Happy Tune; Hello, Young Lovers; Getting to Know You.
Trivia King - three questions
Cast & Crew - I skipped this
Production Notes - pg 1: based on a 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam, which was a true story. It became a film in 1946 starring Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison. pg 2: Lawrence turned the film into a musical with Rodgers and Hammerstein doing the music. 1951 starring Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner. pg 3: Adaptation to screen involved Jerome Robbins and Ernest Lehman. pg 4: $750,000 creating forty different sets. pg 5 (last): six Academy Awards - Best Actor (Yul Brynner), Best Art Direction (Color), Best Set Decoration (Color), Best Costume Design (Color), Best Sound Recording and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.
Watched 20100624 (DVD)
The King and I (1956)
Relevant Links:
Check out the The King and I page at IMDb.com.
Check out the The King and I page at Wikipedia.com.
Just like in West Side Story, you have foreigners who don't properly sound foreign. Overlooking this fact, then you get as great a musical as West Side Story. Well, I liked West Side Story a little more.
Numbers in Parentheses are the order in which I liked the songs.
With (01) being my favorite. I don't count the Overture or Entr'acte.
The list comes from Wikipedia.com.
Act I
(XX) Overture - Orchestra
(05) I Whistle a Happy Tune - Anna and Louis
Hello, Young Lovers - Anna
The March of the Siamese Children - Orchestra
Scene Before Curtain (Home Sweet Home) - Priests and Children
(06) A Puzzlement - King
(01) Getting to Know You - Anna, Wives, and Children
(04) We Kiss in a Shadow - Tuptim and Lun Tha
(03) Something Wonderful - Lady Thiang
Finale, Act I - King, entire palace
Act II
(XX) Entr'acte - Orchestra
The Small House of Uncle Thomas (Ballet) - Tuptim and Wives
Song of the King - King
(02) Shall We Dance? - Anna and King
[20100624]
Instant Comments:
Scene Selection:
52 Scenes. In the scene selection, the scenes which are songs have the title name in all capital letters:
1. OVERTURE | 2. Main Title | 4. HAPPY TUNE | 10. SIAMESE CHILDREN | 12. YOUNG LOVERS | 14. A PUZZLEMENT | 16. GETTING TO KNOW YOU | 24. SOMETHING WONDERFUL | 27. INTERMISSION MUSIC | 32. UNCLE THOMAS' HOUSE | 41. SONG OF THE KING | 42. SHALL WE DANCE? | 51. SOMETHING WONDERFUL | 52. EXIT MUSIC
Main:
What? What? What?
Well? Well? Well?
Etcetera Etcetera Etcetera.
Teach teach teach.
Come. We do it again.
Put it on... Put it on. Put it on.
DVD Features:
Theatrical Trailer - Deborah Kerr, "Getting to Know You," Yul Brynner, Rita Moreno and a tremendous cast, snippets of scenes
Movietone News Premier - interesting
Movietone News Oscar - highlights the winners of the Oscars in which The King and I received many awards.
Sing Along - Choose to listen to a song, but lyrics don't appear, and no video is played. Choose from I Whistle a Happy Tune; Hello, Young Lovers; Getting to Know You.
Trivia King - three questions
Cast & Crew - I skipped this
Production Notes - pg 1: based on a 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam, which was a true story. It became a film in 1946 starring Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison. pg 2: Lawrence turned the film into a musical with Rodgers and Hammerstein doing the music. 1951 starring Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner. pg 3: Adaptation to screen involved Jerome Robbins and Ernest Lehman. pg 4: $750,000 creating forty different sets. pg 5 (last): six Academy Awards - Best Actor (Yul Brynner), Best Art Direction (Color), Best Set Decoration (Color), Best Costume Design (Color), Best Sound Recording and Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.
Watched 20100624 (DVD)
The King and I (1956)
Relevant Links:
Check out the The King and I page at IMDb.com.
Check out the The King and I page at Wikipedia.com.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Interpreter (2005)
20100623:
Overall, I enjoyed this movie more than I enjoyed Law Abiding Citizen. This movie had a believable sequence of events. It was also good to watch a movie with Nicole Kidman; I've only seen her in The Others (2001) and Moulin Rouge! (2001)
RottenTomatoes.com consensus: "A polished and intelligent thriller, though marred by plot implausibilities." This is interesting as I didn't catch the implausibilities.
Instant Comments:
There's some capoeira in the movie!
@1 hr 5 min Jack Johnson's F-Stop Blues.
DVD Features:
Alternate Ending - Good
Deleted Scenes - Interesting
Sydney Pollack at Work: From Concept to Cutting Room
Interpreting Pan & Scan vs. Widescreen
Too tired to watch more Bonus features.
Watched 20100623 (DVD)
The Interpreter (2005)
Relevant Links:
The Interpreter (IMDb.com)
The Interpreter (RottenTomatoes.com)
Overall, I enjoyed this movie more than I enjoyed Law Abiding Citizen. This movie had a believable sequence of events. It was also good to watch a movie with Nicole Kidman; I've only seen her in The Others (2001) and Moulin Rouge! (2001)
RottenTomatoes.com consensus: "A polished and intelligent thriller, though marred by plot implausibilities." This is interesting as I didn't catch the implausibilities.
Instant Comments:
There's some capoeira in the movie!
@1 hr 5 min Jack Johnson's F-Stop Blues.
DVD Features:
Alternate Ending - Good
Deleted Scenes - Interesting
Sydney Pollack at Work: From Concept to Cutting Room
Interpreting Pan & Scan vs. Widescreen
Too tired to watch more Bonus features.
Watched 20100623 (DVD)
The Interpreter (2005)
Relevant Links:
The Interpreter (IMDb.com)
The Interpreter (RottenTomatoes.com)
Harold and Maude (1971)
20100623:
What a beautiful movie about living life. I love it. The ending is appropriate; I won't say more than that. The only scene I was a little confused about in the movie was his third date, because it seemed to accidentally go well. Overall, the movie is something of a tragic romance.
[20100623]
20140429:
This movie is charming. I would highly recommend it to everybody who's old enough (teenager and older) to watch it.
[20140604]
Instant Comments:
2: I love this opening scene.
2: "I go to funerals."
2: Smile: "That woman, she took my car!"
2: That smirk as his first date runs off.
2: Quote:
2: "Oh Harold... That's wonderful. Go love some more."
Credits:
1: Only the cast is listed. Nothing else.
Special Features:
1: Two theatrical trailers.
1: Theatrical trailer 1 mentions "Songs by Cat Stevens."
1: The first theatrical trailer is better than the second.
1: The first has the main song playing.
1=20100623, 2=20140429
Watched part of this movie junior year in high school.
Watched part of this movie some time after.
Watched 20100623 (DVD)
Watched 20140429 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Streaming until 20140501)
Harold and Maude (1971) Hal Ashby. 91 min.
Relevant Links:
Harold and Maude (IMDb.com)
Harold and Maude (RottenTomatoes.com)
Harold and Maude (Wikipedia.org)
What a beautiful movie about living life. I love it. The ending is appropriate; I won't say more than that. The only scene I was a little confused about in the movie was his third date, because it seemed to accidentally go well. Overall, the movie is something of a tragic romance.
 |
| Harold and Maude |
[20100623]
20140429:
This movie is charming. I would highly recommend it to everybody who's old enough (teenager and older) to watch it.
[20140604]
Instant Comments:
2: I love this opening scene.
2: "I go to funerals."
2: Smile: "That woman, she took my car!"
2: That smirk as his first date runs off.
2: Quote:
Oooh, but they're *not*. Look. See, some are smaller, some are fatter, some grow to the left, some to the right, some even have lost some petals. All *kinds* of observable differences. You see, Harold, I feel that much of the world's sorrow comes from people who are *this*, yet allow themselves be treated as *that*.2: "So I'll always know where it is."
2: "Oh Harold... That's wonderful. Go love some more."
Credits:
1: Only the cast is listed. Nothing else.
Special Features:
1: Two theatrical trailers.
1: Theatrical trailer 1 mentions "Songs by Cat Stevens."
1: The first theatrical trailer is better than the second.
 |
| Touch it. |
1: The first has the main song playing.
1=20100623, 2=20140429
Watched part of this movie junior year in high school.
Watched part of this movie some time after.
Watched 20100623 (DVD)
Watched 20140429 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Streaming until 20140501)
Harold and Maude (1971) Hal Ashby. 91 min.
 |
| Harold and his mother |
Relevant Links:
Harold and Maude (IMDb.com)
Harold and Maude (RottenTomatoes.com)
Harold and Maude (Wikipedia.org)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Gosford Park (2001)
20100622:
This was a strange movie and I managed to sit and watch about one and a half hours of conversations before something interesting took place. Perhaps if you're good at keeping track of characters and names then you'd be alright with the movie. Part of what kept my interest was not knowing what the movie was about.
Another reason the movie kept my interest, was the setting made it seem as if someone should die. I mainly got this feeling, because it's just a lot of talking for a while.
Then at one point, the character named Morris Weissman, the movie producer, talks about the movie he's working on and that's when events started to slowly build up. The resolution happens in about the last twenty to thirty minutes.
I have the patience and enjoy dramas. However, I have trouble keeping track of all the characters. This film has an abundance of character development, perhaps excessive. I suppose in this way, when the problem came along, I didn't know who to consider as the antagonist. If it were to be a straightforward movie, it would have lasted at most 45 minute, a third of the 137 minute runtime.
With that being said, I enjoyed just listening and watching the interplay between the two classes. It was a good movie.
[20100623]
Instant Comments:
1: started movie at 10:20 PM
1: fell asleep at about 12 midnight
1: woke at credits at 12:37 AM
1: resumed movie where I fell asleep at about 12:40 AM
1: finished the movie at 1:23 AM
Credits:
1: Apparently Ivor Novello was a real celebrity, but his portrayal in this movie is fictional.
There was a dialect coach. There was a piano tutor. There were tutors for other things too.
1=20100622
20130925:
While it seemed I enjoyed the movie the first time around, I'm sure I understood the plot more the second time around. I couldn't, however, have understood the movie without the help or reading various plot summaries while watching the movie.
Instant Comments:
2: There's actually a lot more going on than I seem to have given the film credit for after my first viewing. In particular, Ryan Phillipe's character Henry Denton asks a lot of questions and seems to be causing a good deal of trouble prior to the 45 minutes mark.
2: That's perhaps the second time the camera focused on the poison. (50 minute mark)
2: Huh, at 54 minutes, he's rubbing poison on the watch. I guess perhaps the bottles are just labeled poison, but have different purposes.
2: Confirmed affair at 1 hour 7 minute mark.
2: 1 hour 18 minute mark: muddy shoes.
2: "This house is a poisonous paradise." "We found this stuff in every room."
Watched 20100622 (DVD)
Watched 20130925 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Streaming until 20130929)
Gosford Park (2001) Robert Altman.
Relevant Links:
Gosford Park (IMDb.com)
Gosford Park (RottenTomatoes.com)
Gosford Park (Wikipedia.org) page at Wikipedia.com
This was a strange movie and I managed to sit and watch about one and a half hours of conversations before something interesting took place. Perhaps if you're good at keeping track of characters and names then you'd be alright with the movie. Part of what kept my interest was not knowing what the movie was about.
 |
| Mary MacEachran (Kelly Macdonald), Constance's maid. |
Another reason the movie kept my interest, was the setting made it seem as if someone should die. I mainly got this feeling, because it's just a lot of talking for a while.
Then at one point, the character named Morris Weissman, the movie producer, talks about the movie he's working on and that's when events started to slowly build up. The resolution happens in about the last twenty to thirty minutes.
 |
| Lady Sylvia McCordle (Kristin Scott Thomas) |
I have the patience and enjoy dramas. However, I have trouble keeping track of all the characters. This film has an abundance of character development, perhaps excessive. I suppose in this way, when the problem came along, I didn't know who to consider as the antagonist. If it were to be a straightforward movie, it would have lasted at most 45 minute, a third of the 137 minute runtime.
 |
| From left to right: Mrs. Croft (Eileen Atkins), Henry Denton (Ryan Phillippe), and Mrs. Wilson (Helen Mirren) |
With that being said, I enjoyed just listening and watching the interplay between the two classes. It was a good movie.
[20100623]
Instant Comments:
1: started movie at 10:20 PM
 |
| Sir William McCordle (Michael Gambon) |
1: fell asleep at about 12 midnight
1: woke at credits at 12:37 AM
1: resumed movie where I fell asleep at about 12:40 AM
1: finished the movie at 1:23 AM
Credits:
1: Apparently Ivor Novello was a real celebrity, but his portrayal in this movie is fictional.
There was a dialect coach. There was a piano tutor. There were tutors for other things too.
1=20100622
 |
| Constance Trentham (Maggie Smith) |
20130925:
While it seemed I enjoyed the movie the first time around, I'm sure I understood the plot more the second time around. I couldn't, however, have understood the movie without the help or reading various plot summaries while watching the movie.
Instant Comments:
2: There's actually a lot more going on than I seem to have given the film credit for after my first viewing. In particular, Ryan Phillipe's character Henry Denton asks a lot of questions and seems to be causing a good deal of trouble prior to the 45 minutes mark.
 |
| Robert Parks (Clive Owen) and Mary. |
2: That's perhaps the second time the camera focused on the poison. (50 minute mark)
2: Huh, at 54 minutes, he's rubbing poison on the watch. I guess perhaps the bottles are just labeled poison, but have different purposes.
2: Confirmed affair at 1 hour 7 minute mark.
2: 1 hour 18 minute mark: muddy shoes.
2: "This house is a poisonous paradise." "We found this stuff in every room."
 |
| Mary and Elsie (Emily Watson) |
Watched 20100622 (DVD)
Watched 20130925 (Netflix, Instant, HD) (Streaming until 20130929)
Gosford Park (2001) Robert Altman.
Relevant Links:
Gosford Park (IMDb.com)
Gosford Park (RottenTomatoes.com)
Gosford Park (Wikipedia.org) page at Wikipedia.com
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
20100622:
What a collection of actors. A good small laugh here and there. I like the spoofs of West Side Story. After reading the production notes, while it might reduce the humor and make a movie harder to film, a scripted take followed with improvised takes makes adds a different sort of style. Good enough comedy, especially if you're a fan of Will Ferrell.
previous movie (Cool Hand Luke):next movie (Gosford Park)
[20100623]
Main:
LOL: 60% of the time, it works every time.
20 scenes
Fell asleep soon after "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (end of 8).
Though my eyes were open and closed during the "yazz" flute (scene 9)
I woke up at Corningstone's sign off (part of 14).
Thus, I watched scenes 9 through 14 over after finishing the movie.
Credits:
Credits roll with scene takes. The scene takes end when the songs start rolling. Then at the end there's a scene that follows after the first encounter with the second best news team.
DVD Menu:
Note, each page in the DVD menu has a short line from one of the characters.
Special Features:
*Bloopers - most are okay, some good ones
*"Afternoon Delight" music video - haha
*A Conversation with Ron Burgundy - pretty good watch
*Ron Burgandy at the MTV Movie Awards -
"My first question for you is. You are electric."
Ron just interviews Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, which is a little funny.
*ESPN Audition - Ron Burgundy auditions for "Espin." Sort of funny.
*Deleted Scenes - most are alternate scenes. so many. the best one was "Secret Admirer." Second best was "Ron's Interview Style." Actually, "Doug or Glenn" might be second best. So many though...
*Cast just has information on the main cast. I only skimmed through Will Farrell.
Filmmakers is also just text.
*Production Notes - I read the majority. Started skimming at the end where they talked about the set and how they didn't feel the need to accurately portray everything in the 70's. But to get the feel.
Watched once before on DVD
Watched 20100622 (DVD)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) Adam McKay. 94 min.
Relevant Links:
Check out the Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy page at IMDb.com.
Check out the Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy page at RottenTomatoes.com.
What a collection of actors. A good small laugh here and there. I like the spoofs of West Side Story. After reading the production notes, while it might reduce the humor and make a movie harder to film, a scripted take followed with improvised takes makes adds a different sort of style. Good enough comedy, especially if you're a fan of Will Ferrell.
previous movie (Cool Hand Luke):next movie (Gosford Park)
[20100623]
Main:
LOL: 60% of the time, it works every time.
20 scenes
Fell asleep soon after "I'm Ron Burgundy?" (end of 8).
Though my eyes were open and closed during the "yazz" flute (scene 9)
I woke up at Corningstone's sign off (part of 14).
Thus, I watched scenes 9 through 14 over after finishing the movie.
Credits:
Credits roll with scene takes. The scene takes end when the songs start rolling. Then at the end there's a scene that follows after the first encounter with the second best news team.
DVD Menu:
Note, each page in the DVD menu has a short line from one of the characters.
Special Features:
*Bloopers - most are okay, some good ones
*"Afternoon Delight" music video - haha
*A Conversation with Ron Burgundy - pretty good watch
*Ron Burgandy at the MTV Movie Awards -
"My first question for you is. You are electric."
Ron just interviews Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, which is a little funny.
*ESPN Audition - Ron Burgundy auditions for "Espin." Sort of funny.
*Deleted Scenes - most are alternate scenes. so many. the best one was "Secret Admirer." Second best was "Ron's Interview Style." Actually, "Doug or Glenn" might be second best. So many though...
*Cast just has information on the main cast. I only skimmed through Will Farrell.
Filmmakers is also just text.
*Production Notes - I read the majority. Started skimming at the end where they talked about the set and how they didn't feel the need to accurately portray everything in the 70's. But to get the feel.
Watched once before on DVD
Watched 20100622 (DVD)
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) Adam McKay. 94 min.
Relevant Links:
Check out the Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy page at IMDb.com.
Check out the Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy page at RottenTomatoes.com.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Cool Hand Luke (1967)
20100621:
I really liked this movie. You don't know much about the protagonist's motives, but what you get is his attitude. He never made plans, he was one to live in the moment.
Most of the music was good. I felt some of the ominous or darker music was a little off. I especially liked the banjo, guitar, and harmonica songs.
There were some interesting shots in the film. Such as one shot of the prisoner playing the guitar that gets a close up on his lips. Then as singer licks his lips and raises his chin, the camera pans out to the group. The final shot with the green light turning to red light was also neat.
Though if I think about it, the plot is similar to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
[20100621]
Instant Comments: (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
1: OMG, is this where that comes from? So in Toy Story 3, there's a scene where someone, I think Buzz, reminds the captured toys of the rules. If the rules are disobeyed, then you are sent to the (sand) box. And then someone, I think Jesse, says we get it, the box. So you can imagine when that scene came in Cool Hand Luke, to learn of the reference. It was about 10 minutes in.
1: He gets his name at 37. Cool Hand Luke.
1: Watching the bet to eat 50 eggs in an hour was suspenseful. At the end of the scene, he's sprawled out with his hands open and his feet crossed, lying on the table. I found that interesting.
1: Watching prisoners one by one take a scoop of Luke's extra full plate of food, rice I guess, was oddly an extremely emotional scene. Perhaps its a result of watching Toy Story 3 and Karate Kid. This scene was about 1 hr 35 minutes in.
Credits:
About a minute long. Just lists actors on two screens.
Watched 20100621 (Netflix, Instant)
Cool Hand Luke (1967) Stuart Rosenberg. 126 min.
Relevant Links:
Check out the Cool Hand Luke page at IMDb.com.
Check out the Cool Hand Luke page at RottenTomatoes.com.
I really liked this movie. You don't know much about the protagonist's motives, but what you get is his attitude. He never made plans, he was one to live in the moment.
Most of the music was good. I felt some of the ominous or darker music was a little off. I especially liked the banjo, guitar, and harmonica songs.
There were some interesting shots in the film. Such as one shot of the prisoner playing the guitar that gets a close up on his lips. Then as singer licks his lips and raises his chin, the camera pans out to the group. The final shot with the green light turning to red light was also neat.
Though if I think about it, the plot is similar to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
[20100621]
Instant Comments: (POSSIBLE SPOILERS)
1: OMG, is this where that comes from? So in Toy Story 3, there's a scene where someone, I think Buzz, reminds the captured toys of the rules. If the rules are disobeyed, then you are sent to the (sand) box. And then someone, I think Jesse, says we get it, the box. So you can imagine when that scene came in Cool Hand Luke, to learn of the reference. It was about 10 minutes in.
1: He gets his name at 37. Cool Hand Luke.
1: Watching the bet to eat 50 eggs in an hour was suspenseful. At the end of the scene, he's sprawled out with his hands open and his feet crossed, lying on the table. I found that interesting.
1: Watching prisoners one by one take a scoop of Luke's extra full plate of food, rice I guess, was oddly an extremely emotional scene. Perhaps its a result of watching Toy Story 3 and Karate Kid. This scene was about 1 hr 35 minutes in.
Credits:
About a minute long. Just lists actors on two screens.
Watched 20100621 (Netflix, Instant)
Cool Hand Luke (1967) Stuart Rosenberg. 126 min.
Relevant Links:
Check out the Cool Hand Luke page at IMDb.com.
Check out the Cool Hand Luke page at RottenTomatoes.com.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)
20100621:
Michael Cera and Kat Dennings were a good mix. Part of why I like this movie is due to the overall genre. I loved Juno (2007), which might be the sort of movie the average person either loves or hates. Besides the fact that both movies star Cera, the female role is rather independent and down-to-Earth. This makes for good on-screen chemistry with Cera who plays the timid, nice guy role well. He plays this same character in Superbad (2007) and Juno.
I like the plot. I wonder how much the movie differs from the book. In any case, the protagonists end up together with minimal drama. On the other hand, there is enough drama to keep you wondering if they will make it. But only enough that the entire situation is believable. It was not quite "I saw you doing such and such dirty action with the antagonist, resulting in I'm gonna go cry until we somehow end up together again." It was more like "Awkward, we're sort of still in our old relationships, oh we realize it's not working out. Wow, we like each other."
If you love Juno, you probably should give this movie a watch. If you didn't love Juno, then there's still a chance you'll like this movie.
[20100621][20190920 Edit]
Instant Comments:
Credits:
Instrument coach to Michael Cera and Aaron Yoo
Devendra Banhart
New York
Watched 20100621 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100628)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) Peter Sollett. 90 min.
Relevant Links:
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (IMDb.com)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (RottenTomatoes.com)
Michael Cera and Kat Dennings were a good mix. Part of why I like this movie is due to the overall genre. I loved Juno (2007), which might be the sort of movie the average person either loves or hates. Besides the fact that both movies star Cera, the female role is rather independent and down-to-Earth. This makes for good on-screen chemistry with Cera who plays the timid, nice guy role well. He plays this same character in Superbad (2007) and Juno.
I like the plot. I wonder how much the movie differs from the book. In any case, the protagonists end up together with minimal drama. On the other hand, there is enough drama to keep you wondering if they will make it. But only enough that the entire situation is believable. It was not quite "I saw you doing such and such dirty action with the antagonist, resulting in I'm gonna go cry until we somehow end up together again." It was more like "Awkward, we're sort of still in our old relationships, oh we realize it's not working out. Wow, we like each other."
If you love Juno, you probably should give this movie a watch. If you didn't love Juno, then there's still a chance you'll like this movie.
[20100621][20190920 Edit]
Instant Comments:
Credits:
Instrument coach to Michael Cera and Aaron Yoo
Devendra Banhart
New York
Watched 20100621 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20100628)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008) Peter Sollett. 90 min.
Relevant Links:
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (IMDb.com)
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (RottenTomatoes.com)
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Karate Kid (2010)
20100619:
The most surprising thing about this movie is all the funny lines. I think there must have been around twenty funny lines in the movie. At the same time, the movie has one strong emotional scene somewhere in the middle of the movie. With two or three emotional scenes which aren't as strong.
The last fight scene took me by surprise and had be a little shocked. The reason being the counter-attack wasn't realistic. But it didn't ruin the movie.
Jaden Smith was great in Pursuit of Happyness (2006) and he did great in this movie. Can't wait to see what this kid brings in the future.
Note: There was a conversation in the group regarding the movie's title. While the storyline is the same as The Karate Kid (1984), the movie takes place in China where the main character Dre Parker learns Kung Fu. Technically speaking, the movie should be called The Kung Fu Kid. But for marketing purposes and being a remake, then the movie is suitably named The Karate Kid.
Remark: Not related to the movie, but AMC 30 at The Block is expensive. $11.50 for a ticket. The only good deal, which is for a limited time, would be the student discount on Thursdays.
Credits:
The majority of the credits roll with pictures of the cast and occasionally a picture of Will Smith or Jada Pinkett Smith. Both of who were producers.
The credits roll in English and Chinese, side-by-side.
[20100620]
Watched 20100619 Theaters. AMC 30 at The Block [KARATE KID] 9:40pm $11.50
The Karate Kid (2010) Harald Zwart. 140 min [remake otfotsn (1984)]
Relevant Links:
The Karate Kid (IMDb.com)
The Karate Kid (RottenTomatoes.com)
The Karate Kid (2010 film) (Wikipedia.org)
My The Karate Kid (1984) post.
The most surprising thing about this movie is all the funny lines. I think there must have been around twenty funny lines in the movie. At the same time, the movie has one strong emotional scene somewhere in the middle of the movie. With two or three emotional scenes which aren't as strong.
The last fight scene took me by surprise and had be a little shocked. The reason being the counter-attack wasn't realistic. But it didn't ruin the movie.
Jaden Smith was great in Pursuit of Happyness (2006) and he did great in this movie. Can't wait to see what this kid brings in the future.
Note: There was a conversation in the group regarding the movie's title. While the storyline is the same as The Karate Kid (1984), the movie takes place in China where the main character Dre Parker learns Kung Fu. Technically speaking, the movie should be called The Kung Fu Kid. But for marketing purposes and being a remake, then the movie is suitably named The Karate Kid.
Remark: Not related to the movie, but AMC 30 at The Block is expensive. $11.50 for a ticket. The only good deal, which is for a limited time, would be the student discount on Thursdays.
Credits:
The majority of the credits roll with pictures of the cast and occasionally a picture of Will Smith or Jada Pinkett Smith. Both of who were producers.
The credits roll in English and Chinese, side-by-side.
[20100620]
Watched 20100619 Theaters. AMC 30 at The Block [KARATE KID] 9:40pm $11.50
The Karate Kid (2010) Harald Zwart. 140 min [remake otfotsn (1984)]
Relevant Links:
The Karate Kid (IMDb.com)
The Karate Kid (RottenTomatoes.com)
The Karate Kid (2010 film) (Wikipedia.org)
My The Karate Kid (1984) post.
Edge of Darkness (2010)
20100618:
This movie has an enjoyable amount of action. But it's not purely an action movie.
I liked the character Jedburgh.
I watched the Deleted and Alternate Scenes.
The ending was good.
The idea/theme of darkness is sort of ambiguous, but I took it to represent death.
Overall, great movie.
[20100619 12:29 AM][20190920 Edit]
Watched 20100618 (DVD)
Edge of Darkness (2010)
Relevant Links:
Check out the Edge of Darkness page on IMDb.com.
Check out the Edge of Darkness page on RottenTomatoes.com.
This movie has an enjoyable amount of action. But it's not purely an action movie.
I liked the character Jedburgh.
I watched the Deleted and Alternate Scenes.
The ending was good.
The idea/theme of darkness is sort of ambiguous, but I took it to represent death.
Overall, great movie.
[20100619 12:29 AM][20190920 Edit]
Watched 20100618 (DVD)
Edge of Darkness (2010)
Relevant Links:
Check out the Edge of Darkness page on IMDb.com.
Check out the Edge of Darkness page on RottenTomatoes.com.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
20100617:
This is a hilarious and great movie.
Jonah Hill's role in this movie wasn't as great as his role in Superbad (2007). In Superbad, his character was obnoxious, but has a purpose. In this movie, his character isn't as obnoxious, and serves a minor part in the plot.
I enjoyed the film as a whole.
[20100619][20130830 Edited]
20180327:
I started watching this movie today as a screenshot viewing, but the next thing I knew I had seen half of the movie and I couldn't stop watching.
I'm not sure what compelled me to keep watching. In fact, after I had made it halfway, I went ahead and read the entire plot summary on Wikipedia. Despite knowing how the movie would end, I decided to continue watching anyways. I suppose the movie had a good vibe to it.
In any case, I enjoyed watching the movie.
Remark: I remembered nothing about the movie, not even the ending.
Netflix determined the movie for me as a 98% match. I decided to give the movie a thumbs up.
Instant Comments:
1: LOL: The way they cut to him with his penis, especially the first time the towel dropped; 2: It was unexpected the first time, because films don't ever show penises.
1: First person
1: Second person: caliente; 2: "I just came."
1: Third person: hi hi hi gag handcuffs; 2: "kind of now" hahaha.
1: Mila Kunis
1: "I came here to murder you." - LOLOL
1: "Looks like where he's going... he'll need to know how to masturbate." haha
2: Cries hysterically after hanging up. Hahaha.
1: Yoga scene was great. 2: No yoga scene.
1: Surf scene haha.
2: Darald Braden goes hysterical.
2: "I wonder if the carpet matches her pubes." Haha. (He butchers the quote.)
2: Haha. Genital herpes.
1: LOLOLOL: Fucking the chess pieces
1: LOL: Head up and down like oral plus pearls
2: Whoa. Snow insults Matthew.
1: LOL: Sex battle
1, 2: LOL: "Oh... I'm Aldous Snow... bullshit bullshit bullshit bullshit... No, no drinks for me thanks. Bullshit bullshit bullshit."
2: Hmm. When we watch him reject Sarah, he seems like the hero. But when he approaches Rachel to tell her what happened, it seemed much worse.
2: "He what? He refused a blow job from his ex-girlfriend mid blow job. Do you know what that's like for a man? It's called blue balls, Rachel. This guy's like Gandhi, but better; he likes puppets. I love puppets. I love Fraggle Rock. I love Lamb Chop. I love Elmo, Sesame Street, Burt and Ernie, Snuffleupagus? Fucks my shit UP."
1: LOLOL: Six Dracula's coming out of the woman
1: Haha: He's naked; 2: Ha. So I read "He's naked" in my instant notes, but didn't know when it would happen. I started to wonder more as the movie came closer and closer to ending. So when the scene came, I was surprised.
1: I got the feeling the movie ended and instead there's a commercial for "Animal Instinct". LOL: "Life's a bitch." "And where you're going, that's what you'll be."
Credits:
1: Credits start with main cast.
1: Then credits roll.
1: Jim Henson
1: Jason Segel wrote songs and movie
1: Filmed on location
Special Features:
1: Watched Gag Reel: "hello....( at his wood), LOL the fart sounds with the cereal was great, the whole gag reel altogether as good
1: Watched Line-o-rama: not as good as gag reel but still good.
1=20100617, 2=20180327
Watched 20100617 Unrated Version (DVD)
Watched 20170327 (Netflix, Instant)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Nicholas Stoller. 111 min.
Relevant Links:
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (IMDb.com)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (RottenTomatoes.com)
This is a hilarious and great movie.
 |
| Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) |
Jonah Hill's role in this movie wasn't as great as his role in Superbad (2007). In Superbad, his character was obnoxious, but has a purpose. In this movie, his character isn't as obnoxious, and serves a minor part in the plot.
I enjoyed the film as a whole.
 |
| Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis) |
[20100619][20130830 Edited]
20180327:
I started watching this movie today as a screenshot viewing, but the next thing I knew I had seen half of the movie and I couldn't stop watching.
I'm not sure what compelled me to keep watching. In fact, after I had made it halfway, I went ahead and read the entire plot summary on Wikipedia. Despite knowing how the movie would end, I decided to continue watching anyways. I suppose the movie had a good vibe to it.
In any case, I enjoyed watching the movie.
Remark: I remembered nothing about the movie, not even the ending.
Netflix determined the movie for me as a 98% match. I decided to give the movie a thumbs up.
Instant Comments:
1: LOL: The way they cut to him with his penis, especially the first time the towel dropped; 2: It was unexpected the first time, because films don't ever show penises.
 |
| Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) |
1: First person
1: Second person: caliente; 2: "I just came."
1: Third person: hi hi hi gag handcuffs; 2: "kind of now" hahaha.
1: Mila Kunis
1: "I came here to murder you." - LOLOL
 |
| Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) |
1: "Looks like where he's going... he'll need to know how to masturbate." haha
2: Cries hysterically after hanging up. Hahaha.
1: Yoga scene was great. 2: No yoga scene.
1: Surf scene haha.
2: Darald Braden goes hysterical.
 |
| Peter and Rachel |
2: "I wonder if the carpet matches her pubes." Haha. (He butchers the quote.)
2: Haha. Genital herpes.
1: LOLOLOL: Fucking the chess pieces
1: LOL: Head up and down like oral plus pearls
2: Whoa. Snow insults Matthew.
1: LOL: Sex battle
 |
| Brian Bretter (Bill Hader) |
1, 2: LOL: "Oh... I'm Aldous Snow... bullshit bullshit bullshit bullshit... No, no drinks for me thanks. Bullshit bullshit bullshit."
2: Hmm. When we watch him reject Sarah, he seems like the hero. But when he approaches Rachel to tell her what happened, it seemed much worse.
2: "He what? He refused a blow job from his ex-girlfriend mid blow job. Do you know what that's like for a man? It's called blue balls, Rachel. This guy's like Gandhi, but better; he likes puppets. I love puppets. I love Fraggle Rock. I love Lamb Chop. I love Elmo, Sesame Street, Burt and Ernie, Snuffleupagus? Fucks my shit UP."
1: LOLOL: Six Dracula's coming out of the woman
1: Haha: He's naked; 2: Ha. So I read "He's naked" in my instant notes, but didn't know when it would happen. I started to wonder more as the movie came closer and closer to ending. So when the scene came, I was surprised.
 |
| Matthew the Waiter (Jonah Hill) |
1: I got the feeling the movie ended and instead there's a commercial for "Animal Instinct". LOL: "Life's a bitch." "And where you're going, that's what you'll be."
Credits:
1: Credits start with main cast.
1: Then credits roll.
1: Jim Henson
1: Jason Segel wrote songs and movie
 |
| Aldous teaches Darald (Jack McBrayer) how to have sex. |
1: Filmed on location
Special Features:
1: Watched Gag Reel: "hello....( at his wood), LOL the fart sounds with the cereal was great, the whole gag reel altogether as good
1: Watched Line-o-rama: not as good as gag reel but still good.
1=20100617, 2=20180327
Watched 20100617 Unrated Version (DVD)
Watched 20170327 (Netflix, Instant)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) Nicholas Stoller. 111 min.
Relevant Links:
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (IMDb.com)
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (RottenTomatoes.com)