Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (this morning at 12:30 AM...)

I liked it a lot, I watched Order of the Phoenix (for the first time) before watching this one so I was finally caught up. While leaving the theater two of my friends who love the books said they left a HUGE part at the end out though and would have been one of the best action sequences from any of the movies.

Bronson

The first 20 minutes or so the style was a bit annoying, just the naration was a bit overdone. Then when it settled more into the story it turned into a rather decent movie. There wasn't really much of a story in it to be honest, but still it was entertaining to a degree.

6/10

Hellboy 2

This was a rather fun movie, easy to watch and doesn't make you think to much with some cool effects and new characters.

7.5/10

I liked Hellboy 2 better than the first one.

Last two movies I've seen were Severance and Moscow Zero.
In some ways I liked Moscow Zero, but it also seemed like there could have been more to it?

Bruno (2009)

Hysterical, edgy, shocking, quick and satisfying. American audiences might find it easier to laugh at Cohen's previous big screen character, a naive foreigner, but Bruno has just as much to say about what we find acceptable and what we don't- and where the exceptions lie. Contrary to some, I actually quite enjoyed the lesser narrative storyline; this outing moves quickly, like an extended episode from Cohen's original TV series, and rapidly changing scenarios come at an enjoyably fast pace. There is a broad range of humor here, ranging from slapstick (go ahead and take that word literally) to embarrassing interviews, and while the jokes can come jarringly naked, they always have a timid side to them, begging us to reconsider their extremities and completely redefining farce and mockumentary. To say that it is no Borat is a cheap way out; Bruno is full of good ideas and dares to be the provocative stunner we rarely get to see.

Knowing. Pretty good with a shocking end.

The Third Man (1949)

A classic mystery, set in post-war Vienna.

Even though some have the twists are sadly diluted - let's face it, anyone watching this today already knows Harry Lime is still alive right from the start - it still tells an engrossing story with some real surprises and a phenomenal cast.

Not only that, but it's also a great technical achievement. I've rarely seen such brilliant use of light/shadow - to go into detail would be to further spoil things for anyone else that's yet to see it, but the infamous reveal has to be one of the most stunning shots of all time.

I was also pretty impressed with the score. It seems out of place at first - a jaunty, upbeat zither accompanying a dark and foreboding mystery? - but you soon realize that it carries an almost cynical bite to it, and ties in perfectly with some of the themes of the film.

Orson Welles - even though his part is really little more than a cameo - manages to create a wonderfully charismatic villain, and is just one of the many highlights of this spectacular film. In a true testament to his talent, he delivers one of the most famous lines in film history - a line that he came up with himself:

"Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce?

The cuckoo clock."

Indeed. One of the all-time greats.

The Exorcist (1973)

My first time watching this.

My Review

Fingerprints ~ for some reason, I really wanted to see this, and now I have no idea why. :p It was mostly annoying, the characters weren't likable or believable in the least (what the hell was up with the mother?).

You were disappointed and yet you gave it 23 out of 25 points?

That's.... quite generous. :rolleyes:


If it wasn't for your insane rating i would've agreed with your review. How do you feel about that? Bad, right? :cool:

Nope. I said it was a good movie. I was disappointed with the lack of scares, or scares of what I was expecting after all of the hype.

Your ignorance isn't paying off.

:rolleyes:

"Scares" are cheap. The Exorcist has real chills- the kind that stay with you longer than the three seconds they're on screen.

The Exorcist, has not stayed in my head. Yes, scares are "cheap". But when I can sleep at night, from no "chills", as you say, it does not have a mental impact. Has nothing to do with jump-out moments.

Dead Birds atmosphere, gave me "chills".

Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer, dug into my head mentally. As did Eraserhead.

The Exorcist, simply, did not show me anything, I haven't already seen. At no point in the film, did my skin go all tingly.

As I did say, I enjoyed the movie. It just did not have a lasting impact.

And another question for you two; Why are you trying to tell me, that my opinion, is wrong? My reviews, are simply my opinion. And my opinion, is that it's a really good movie, but not really a frightening one, like all the hype around it suggests.

:rolleyes:

If The Exorcist, frazzles you people to the marrow in your bones, then, by all means, be scared. If it is an awful movie to you, then please, don't watch it.

End.

:cool:

agree with Angra (god it pains me to say it) but 23/25=92/100 which is close to perfection

yet your review simply calls it good. I agree 100% that it is a 90+ film on a scale of 100, but that's because I really love it the film. You clearly don't love it - which it your perogative and I am not arguing with your taste - so your number system and review simply do not jive.

I'm going to explain this only once.

First thing, unless a film leaves me entirely stunned, I don't ever get over excited. I don't type, in this manner; "ZOMG!! THAT FILM ROCKED MY SOCKS!!! LOLOLOL!!!!". It isn't my style. When I say I "really enjoy a film" or "it's really good", that means that I thought it was fantastic. I'm just not a person that puts a lot of exclamation points after a sentence. I'm very to the point.

Also, I did "love" this film, as you could say. But you also have to understand, that when you build yourself up on hype, to view a movie for the first time, you are going to be disappointed, no matter how fantastic the movie really is. And the way everyone goes on about how horrifying this movie is, I was expecting to piss my pants (or the floor, as we are on The Exorcist), but it just didn't happen.

Now, I have just revised my review, and added a side note to it.

Maybe everyone will understand now?

:rolleyes:

Look for yourselves.

Shaft (1971)

Man...can you dig it?

This is a great flick...perfect example of that early 70's grit. Plus - and this goes without saying - Richard Roundtree in the title role is badass beyond definition.

Hey no need to get upset. Now you've explained yourself, opinions are opinion, so be it. I just didn't think "there weren't enough scares" was a good way to describe why you were let down by the film. What are "scares", really? That's all I wanted to know.

To each his own.

Scares being anything that is disturbing or create a mental freak-out. Jump out scares don't bother me.

I was let down by the hype, more than anything.

Have you read the book, VC?

Personally, I found it far scarier (not to mention generally more interesting) than the film version...if you can find a copy its worth a look. I'm in the same boat as you on the movie - very, very well done but doesn't match the hype at all - but I was still very impressed with Blatty's novel.

Nah, I haven't yet. Honestly, I wasn't aware that there was a novel.

Is this the one you're talking about?

Amazon Link

I'm going to order some stuff from Amazon soon, hopefully. I may add it to my cart as well.

That would be the one.

You'll find the plot is pretty much identical, but the characters and events are more fleshed out and the imagery is just stunning. One of the few books that genuinely disturbed my sleep.

That said...now I'm building it up for you, so you'll probably wind up in the same boat as you did with the movie...err, sorry about that :o

I just can't believe you hadn't seen it before. It's like this guy today asking me who sings that song that goes ... 8 days a week I love, love,love,love you...

I've liked The Exorcist more and more every time I've watched it over the years, and now its one of my very favorites. I think the key revelation for me was when I realized that this was less a cheap-shock horror movie and more an intense personal drama about a priest thrown into a world of unknown on a very normal street corner. The film is called The Exorcist, not "The Exorcism", "Reagan", "The Demon", etc.

I don't even look at it as a horror movie anymore. Instead, I see it as one of the most interesting blends of sincere dramatic realism and disturbing supernaturalism ever put to celluloid.

And Return, I still stand by my opnion that you should give the film another try. You liked The French Connection- absorb Friedkin's style in this one; the gritty nature of the cinematography, the quiet moments. The performances by Von Sydow and the rest of the bunch are enough to make the film something special.

I do agree that years of hyping could ruin the first viewing experience for someone- probably because the film has been hyped for all the wrong reasons.

Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)

Hysterical! Can't believe I waited so long to see this - a modern comedy classic for sure.

I wish it hadn't bothered so much with the narrative though...the "real" sequences were absolutely brilliant, but the scenes with just Borat and Azamat were mostly pretty inept. Still, it wasn't enough to detract from the film and I was in awe of how far Cohen went past the limits of good taste. A comedian with serious balls - I've always enjoyed the Ali G show, and now that I've finally watched this I'm pretty stoked to check out Brüno.

I've re-watched it a couple times since when we had our debates about it...found a new appreciation for it, definitely. There's no question that it's a great film - still, like VC, I don't find it "scary" in the least, and personally I think I'll always prefer the book.

But yeah...I've learned to love it since the times I used to bash it back in the day, heh. (But for the life of me I still can't convince myself to sit through Jaws again, as much as I want to like it ;))

Last Year at Marienbad (1961)

Seeing this on Criterion is like seeing it again for the first time.

It is a giant maze. A tangled web.
Haunting, surreal, and a timeless puzzle.

The new HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

Nice tone. Excellent comedy. Weak action. Terrible finale.

2nd best in the series behind PRISONER OF AZKABAN - but I'm still hoping for something "magical" from this franchise.

7/10

I'm going to sit down with my copy this weekend. :)

The Baron of Arizona

A classic b/w period drama from Sam Fuller starring Vincent Price as a swindler/con-man trying to claim the entire Arizona territory for himself through forgery & lies. Price is fantastic as a not-so-villianous crook and this slice of history is entertaining and enlightening, but the story-telling is a bit limp.

A fun film, not a great one but recommended for fans of Price.

6.5/10

I can't think of a franchise that has sustained the level of quality that Harry Potter has for six films...

Nah. With a book, your imagination, can make things much more sinister, and to what strikes fear into you personally. Same way with the movie, being mostly that of someone's personal vision of fear.

My parents never allowed it in the house. My dad hates horror films, and my mom said it scared her really bad, so I never got to see it.

How much better than Order Of The Phoenix, was it? OOTP, seemed a little too long and stretched out. I need to see it again, before seeing the new one.

Martyrs (2008)

Review Here

Franklyn (2008)

http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/images/s...008_poster.jpg

In modern day London, a confused young man hooks up with an old flame, a man searches for his sick son and a young female art student expresses her art in an extreme manner. Meanwhile, in the Gothic, sprawling metropolis of Meanwhile City, a vigilante by the name of Jonathan Preest makes plans to kill the cult leader "Individual" responsible for the death of a young girl.

Starts with four seemingly unconnected story threads. But they finally connects at the end. Not a bad effort but first half was kinda dull except the set up of the Meanwhile city was atmospheric & fairly made.

>>: B-

Hitch-Hike (1978)

http://shopping.yahoo.com/video/imag...80/1685980.jpg

Pretty entertaining road thriller with a nice touch of exploitation. Features three engaging performances from it's three main leads including 70's infamous on screen rapist David Hess!:cool:

>>: B

I agree. The first half started tense and nerve wracking, the second half was tedious.

The Haunting in Connecticut ~ not great by any means, very uneven, and some of the dialogue was pretty bad, but I actually enjoyed it overall.

It was too much of the same, over and over during the second half.

I think it's substantially little better than OOTP. The character interactions were great, Slughorn is hilarious, but the action falls flat and it also feels overlong.

I would rate the franchise like this:

1. Prisoner of Azkaban
2. The Half Blood Prince
3. Goblet of Fire
4. Order of the Pheonix
5. Sorcerer's Stone
6. Camber of Secrets

Excellent. Definitely post some thoughts (since it's not really a movie to actually review, I think).

Will do. I agree, I think that's why there isn't a commentary on the DVD, or any kind of analysis. It just isn't possible, and frankly would seem pompous. You just kind of let the film absorb you.

The Usual Suspects (1994)

Enjoyed it. Unfortunately I already knew the twist ending so that detracted a little bit, but there were lots of little surprises throughout that made it worthwhile, and it still has an excellent script and great cast.

Wish I could have been surprised at the end, but I was still impressed watching such a well crafted and complex plot tie itself together.