Review the last movie you viewed (NO LISTS) IV

[anitram]

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. 10/10

This is as close as it gets to a perfect movie for me. I have to say that a lot of it is the cinematography but I think what really drew me in is the way they told this story and how three-dimensional they made Bauby. He was such a real guy, both before and after his stroke, and it's a huge achievement that they didn't turn him into somebody overly philosophical and maudlin.

Also, what an amazing supporting cast! They all hit just the right notes and were characters in their own rights, not just reacting to the main character's story. Max von Sydow as the father was extraordinary, and I can't remember the name of the actress who played his non-wife, but she was just stunning in every scene she was in.

Really beyond fabulous as far as movies go.

 

[gvox]

Reservation Road. (DVD)

A pretty damn good movie, I must say. Deeply moving, and I thought the acting was pretty much perfect. It wasn't overblown, and the way the husband and wife's roles flipped as they went through their different stages of denial and grief was very realistic and not at all overblown. I never felt like there was an attempt to emotionally manipulate me, it all felt very real and true to life.

I wanted to wake my kids up and hug them after I watched it, but at 2 am figured it could wait....movies like this really make you want to slow life down to a crawl sometimes, and appreciate every single last second you have with those you love.

 

[gvox]

Iron Man.

Well.

That was just downright FUN.

I can't think of anything I didn't like about it. I even liked Gwyneth!

Oh, and if you haven't heard from multiple other sources yet, stay until the very, very end of the credits.

We saw it yesterday, but left before the end of the credits, what happened??

It was a great movie, for the genre, I must admit. There was only one 'as if' moment for me (basically, the part where the bad guy gets his prototype going and fully functional in less than 20 seconds )

That movie has sequel all over it, of course. It very deliberately only dealt with the beginnings. Cool movie!

 

[No spoken words]

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. 10/10

This is as close as it gets to a perfect movie for me. I have to say that a lot of it is the cinematography but I think what really drew me in is the way they told this story and how three-dimensional they made Bauby. He was such a real guy, both before and after his stroke, and it's a huge achievement that they didn't turn him into somebody overly philosophical and maudlin.

Also, what an amazing supporting cast! They all hit just the right notes and were characters in their own rights, not just reacting to the main character's story. Max von Sydow as the father was extraordinary, and I can't remember the name of the actress who played his non-wife, but she was just stunning in every scene she was in.

Really beyond fabulous as far as movies go.

Agreed agreed agreed! I could not shut up about this film when I saw it around XMas. Glad you saw it and enjoyed it.

Thank you for Smoking:

I am not sure what I was expecting, but, I liked this film a lot more than anticipated. Great cast, was definitely funnier than I expected. I know people like the lead character, people who can talk there way into or out of anything. They're hard not to like, despite whatever it is that they're selling. Charisma, wish I had me some.

Oh, and Laz, if you read this, the WKW-a-thon has begun.

 

[Lancemc]

I guess I'm the only person in the world who wasn't that thrilled with Diving Bell.

 

[No spoken words]

I guess I'm the only person in the world who wasn't that thrilled with Diving Bell.

You're a heartless thug. Go watch T2.

 

[Lancemc]

Diving Bell would have been awesome if the paralyzed Bauby had gotten a a robot suit made for his brain to control ala Robocop 2. Then he could have fought crime... or aliens... or other robots from the future.

 

[No spoken words]

Diving Bell would have been awesome if the paralyzed Bauby had gotten a a robot suit made for his brain to control ala Robocop 2. Then he could have fought crime... or aliens... or other robots from the future.

I'd love to see French and Hollywood film sensibilities merge in one movie. "He had a stroke....but that was just a stroke of bad luck for criminals everywhere."

Did you complete your Bond-a-thon? What were your Top 5, if yes?

 

[Lancemc]

I did. I was planning on doing some big recap thing with my friend I watched them all with, but that never materialized. Mostly due to end-of-the-year workload.

So here's my top 5.

1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - 9.0
2. From Russia With Love - 9.0
3. Casino Royale - 8.5
4. The Spy Who Loved Me - 8.0
5. For Your Eyes Only - 8.0

 

[No spoken words]

I did. I was planning on doing some big recap thing with my friend I watched them all with, but that never materialized. Mostly due to end-of-the-year workload.

So here's my top 5.

1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - 9.0
2. From Russia With Love - 9.0
3. Casino Royale - 8.5
4. The Spy Who Loved Me - 8.0
5. For Your Eyes Only - 8.0

That's my Top 5, as it turns out, but in a different order. From Russia is first for me, Spy Who Loved me is 2nd, OHMSS is 3rd, Royale is 4th.

 

[Lancemc]

Badass.

Hopefully Quantum of Solace will find an easy break into the top 3 this fall.

 

[No spoken words]

I know little about Quantum, but look forward to it, of course. Will there be a "Q" or are they still going to avoid that sort of thing?

 

[Lancemc]

Haven't heard anything about there being a Q branch still. Not to say for certain there won't be, but it hasn't been announced.

What has been announced it a remarkably large budget, as this one is going for more action than the last one. But if the script is still as good as CR and Marc Forster maintains the themes and dynamics of the last one, the human element shouldn't be drowned out either.

 

[No spoken words]

Haven't heard anything about there being a Q branch still. Not to say for certain there won't be, but it hasn't been announced.

What has been announced it a remarkably large budget, as this one is going for more action than the last one. But if the script is still as good as CR and Marc Forster maintains the themes and dynamics of the last one, the human element shouldn't be drowned out either.

I do not mind more action, if, as you say, it does not occur at the cost of the human element. How many action movies have the guts to work in a 45 minute card game??? Not that the card game = human element, but I still appreciated it.

 

[Lancemc]

I just view it as a return more to the classic Bond formula. Boat chases, car chases, countless exotic locales, top secret villain lair, etc...

I can't wait to see all the classic elements return in the new Bond manifesto.

 

[No spoken words]

I just view it as a return more to the classic Bond formula. Boat chases, car chases, countless exotic locales, top secret villain lair, etc...

I can't wait to see all the classic elements return in the new Bond manifesto.

Do you want more humor as well, or can you do without? I look forward to the classic elements as well, if done right.

 

[Lancemc]

I thought Casino Royale had the perfect kind and amount of humor for a movie like this. Keep it serious, but let the charisma and personality of 007 himself give the film its humor.

 

[No spoken words]

I thought Casino Royale had the perfect kind and amount of humor for a movie like this. Keep it serious, but let the charisma and personality of 007 himself give the film its humor.

I actually agree. Laz, I believe, disagrees. But he's a jack-ass so there's that.

 

[Lancemc]

Very true.

My friend still thinks I'm insane for liking Moore as the best Bond. Just found him to be the most charming, charismatic, humorous, and still the best actor of all of them. Craig comes damn close though, especially considering how well he handles the brutal physicality of the character, something Moore could never really do.

 

[No spoken words]

Very true.

My friend still thinks I'm insane for liking Moore as the best Bond. Just found him to be the most charming, charismatic, humorous, and still the best actor of all of them. Craig comes damn close though, especially considering how well he handles the brutal physicality of the character, something Moore could never really do.

On the whole, I like the Connery films best. I think I liked early Moore more than Connery, but, Moore had some truly crap films at the end of his run and his age was showing.

Craig needs to do it a few more times, but what a promising start. I liked Dalton (the actor, not the interference user), as I think I mentioned, so, that places me in a vast minority. Brosnan was fine, but mired in three pretty shitty films after Goldeneye.

 

[lazarus]

I am interrupting? Or did you guys want this thread all to yourselves?

I never said I wasn't a fan of Casino Royale. I just don't think it's as good as the best "classic" Bonds. I'm not sure that perfect balance of action, exoticism, and cheekiness can be struck again in this day and age. In other words, CR was a little too "real" for me, even if I found it a HUGE improvement over the generic Brosnan actioneers.

Lance, I didn't realize you had actually picked Moore as the best. You realize we're in a small minority that has a tough stance to defend, but I like it.

My Top 5:

1. The Spy Who Loved Me
2. From Russia With Love
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
4. Live and Let Die
5. You Only Live Twice (I know, I know)

If I saw Goldfinger again right now it probably would crack that 5.

 

[lazarus]

Oh yeah, I'm still hunting for a used copy of For Your Eyes Only. I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember it fondly, and even had the comic adaptation when I was a kid. That could wind up contending as well.

Also, somewhere among my packed-up belongings is also a matchbox-car sized toy of the Lotus from Spy Who Loved Me. NICE.

 

[No spoken words]

Oh yeah, I'm still hunting for a used copy of For Your Eyes Only. I haven't seen it in ages, but I remember it fondly, and even had the comic adaptation when I was a kid. That could wind up contending as well.

Also, somewhere among my packed-up belongings is also a matchbox-car sized toy of the Lotus from Spy Who Loved Me. NICE.

I had the Lotus, too, when I was a kid.

All three of us prefer Moore.

 

[lazarus]

Three against the world, yo!

Have you ever heard of this old British TV show called The Persuaders? It was only on for one season, and starred Moore and Tony Curtis(!) as playboys who become amateur detectives. I think this was early 70's, right before Moore became Bond. It's a hell of a lot of fun, even if it hits a lot of genre cliches. Curtis is HILARIOUS and Moore clearly modeled his posh version of Bond after this character.

It's available on torrents. Oh yeah, on DVD too.

 

[No spoken words]

I've never heard of it. Looks like fun.

I know we spoke about The Prisoner, but, did I ever ask you if you'd heard of the old BBC show called "The Sandbaggers"? Was kind of a LeCarresque look at British Secret Service during the Cold War. Gritty stuff.

 

[lazarus]

Well I'm a huge Le Carre fan and recently acquired the BBC adaptation of Tinker, Tailor... with Alec Guinness, which I've heard great things about.

Just looked up Sandbaggers, seems really cool.

Also, it really needs to be said that "sandbagging" sounds like something Lance's Mom would do for a few extra bucks--an after-dinner mint, if you will.

 

[angelordevil]

Iron Man.

Well.

That was just downright FUN.

I saw it this afternoon...easily one of the best superhero-type movies I've seen. Really enjoyable, as you mentioned. And funny!

 

[corianderstem]

I laughed a lot, too. Robert Downey Jr was perfectly cast - and he made that movie.

 

[No spoken words]

Well I'm a huge Le Carre fan and recently acquired the BBC adaptation of Tinker, Tailor... with Alec Guinness, which I've heard great things about.

Just looked up Sandbaggers, seems really cool.

Also, it really needs to be said that "sandbagging" sounds like something Lance's Mom would do for a few extra bucks--an after-dinner mint, if you will.

I own Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy....along with two other Le Carre/BBC productions: Smiley's People (also with Sir Alec) and The Perfect Spy. I enjoyed all three.

Sandbaggers is indeed really cool.

I just saw Iron Man tonight. I liked it a lot. I'm a big Downey Jr. fan so it would have been hard to dislike for me. I thought his scenes with Bridges were great; I bought that they had been colleagues for a long time.

 

[Carek1230]

I just saw Atonement and Lars and the Real Girl. Both were equally good but I thought Atonement was a tad bit too long.