Movie Review Thread

[Kralizec]

Australia

I'm not a fan of sentimental movies in general, but I thought this one was good. 7/10

[PanzerJaeger]

As an avid Second World War enthusiast, I am obliged to see every film I can involving the subject – the good, the bad, and even the horribly, terribly ugly (Miracle at St. Anna, anyone?).

And so, as Tom… err.. Clause would say, action was inevitable, and I drug myself out of bed to see Valkyrie Christmas day.

… and it was entirely satisfactory.

Would it have been better if everyone was speaking German? Sure. Would it have been better if everyone had German sounding accents? Well yea. Should they at least have all had the same accents? Uh huh. However, it really didn’t bother me too much, and there was enough German-ness, swastikas, etc. in the movie to ensure that no one is confused as to what nationality is being portrayed. Singer’s intention was to make this movie mainstream, and as much as I loved Downfall, subtitles kill a movie’s broad appeal. Lazy Americans…..

Anyway… the acting. It was wholly respectable. Most of the supporting cast was comprised of British actors I’m not particularly familiar with, but they did a great job – very convincing. Also, expect to see a familiar face or two from Downfall, which is always nice. Hitler and his boys were all cast realistically, although none of them had much of a speaking role. I had some quibbles with how they were portrayed, especially Hitler’s apparent disinterest in the war, but Hollywood will be Hollywood.

I cannot believe I am actually saying this, but I am starting to feel a little bit sorry for Tommy. It seems as though the Hollywood establishment has turned against him due to his being bat shit crazy and all, regardless of his acting abilities. In Valkyrie, Cruise delivers a performance akin to those in his best movies, which is to say not Oscar-worthy, but completely solid. For those two hours, I had no problem separating all the negative publicity surrounding the man from his portrayal of Stauffenberg, which is a feat in itself. Despite this, Valkyrie will not be his comeback vehicle. Ah, the perils of being a supreme alien overlord… he’ll survive.

Now, to the story. I think Singer made the classic mistake most directors make when taking on these period pieces – he bit off more than he could chew. This leads to long movies which oddly seem too compacted, lacking character development and back story. There is a reason this story was made into a miniseries in Germany instead of a movie. Valkyrie is no different. However, within these confines, Singer made the best of it.

From the ($60 million) ad blitz, I was worried he would make Tommy into a super-anti-Nazi Nazi, running down Hitler in a panzer. Instead, he remained well within the realm of reality. Those lured into the theatre by the ads promising action or thrills will be wholly disappointed. It is a drama that attempts to be true to history, and if you go into it with that in mind, you shouldn’t be disappointed.

I’m not sure trying to turn this story into a suspense thriller was the best move, or even Singer’s original intention, but I have to give him props for the effort. Despite going into the movie fully knowing what the outcome will be, his direction and edits made for some fairly suspenseful moments.

I went into Valkyrie expecting to hate it from everything I had heard. Maybe Hollywood has unfairly turned on Tom Cruse, or maybe my expectations had just been sufficiently lowered, but I really have to say I was pleasantly surprised. As someone who does a lot of reading on the subject, I learned a long time ago that stringent historical accuracy has to be set aside in order to enjoy Hollywood offerings. Such an attitude allowed me to fully enjoy Saving Private Ryan despite some rather fundamental mistakes made in the portrayal of the German forces in that movie. In the same way, I can say that Valkyrie is a solid, if mainstream, Hollywood offering. If you go into it with the right mindset, it can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience -with only one cringe-worthy moment. (You'll know it when you see it...)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Armless "Sieg Heils" kinda lose their effect..

Valkyrie: B. Fairly well written, fairly well directed, fairly well acted, and entirely forgettable.

[Shieldmaiden]

Futurama: Bender's Game

Like a nerdy love letter to Dungeons & Dragons, Tolkien, and all fantasy cliches... lots of utterly brillant bits, though it lacked the heart of Bender's Big Score

My opinion? 7/10

[Puzz3D]

Death Note 1 & 2 (2006) are live action movies based on the Japanese 37 episode animated TV series. The films very well done, and deal with the social and moral implications of using the "Death Note" which is a notebook that allows the person possessing it to kill people simply by writing their names in the notebook. The book is used by an individual to rid society of criminals, and it is highly effective in reducing the crime rate. The police attempt to capture this person, and eventually break laws and even kill people themselves. Both sides feel that they are morally justified in their actions, and that they are doing what's best for society.

[Beefy187]

Death Note 1 & 2 (2006) are live action movies based on the Japanese 37 episode animated TV series. The films very well done, and deal with the social and moral implications of using the "Death Note" which is a notebook that allows the person possessing it to kill people simply by writing their names in the notebook. The book is used by an individual to rid society of criminals, and it is highly effective in reducing the crime rate. The police attempt to capture this person, and eventually break laws and even kill people themselves. Both sides feel that they are morally justified in their actions, and that they are doing what's best for society.

Have to say they lacked details which the Anime or the manga had. Nonetheless, powerful movie and a fantastic ending (better then Original)

Also there is a Spin Off movie called "L" for those who watched the deathnote movies.

[Puzz3D]

Have to say they lacked details which the Anime or the manga had. Nonetheless, powerful movie and a fantastic ending (better then Original)

Also there is a Spin Off movie called "L" for those who watched the deathnote movies.

After watching the first episode of the TV series, I put it aside and never got back to it. Then I recently watched the first Death Note movie, and that captured my interest perhaps because of the good acting especially by the actor who played Kira. So, I searched out the second movie, and now I'm interested in watching the whole TV series. Possibly it's better to watch the TV series first, but either way one is going to give away the story of the other. At least now I have enough motivation to get through the TV series, and the extra details in the series should be interesting.

[Fragony]

Mongol, this has to be the best made crappy movie ever. Where is the other half that makes the story connect with what we see onscreen, then he is all alone, BAM out of a sudden he is leading a horde. Nothing is ever explained things just happen. His wife is dirt-poor and has to offer herself to a rival, and suddenly she appears in silk and has the money to bribe guards to set the main character free. Out of nowhere is he the mongol that wanted to take on a neighbour. It does not make sense, but pretty it is.

[Hooahguy]

the day the earth stood still (2008)
to quote AO Scott: "were doomed!"
2/10

Revolutionary Road
if friends are taking you to see it, ask them to pay you first.
3/10

[Fragony]

In Brugges. WHO IS THAT GIRL??? She is beautiful. Good movie as well, was expecting another Lock&Stock clone with the usual white trash and snappy remarks, but it's a serious movie, and about time Brugge gets some love in a movie because that town is soooooooooo pretty way prettier then anything we have here and we want it back.

This is England, what a depressing movie, I really can't imagine such people. People who liked Naked or Trainspotting will like it but I can't stand the ugliness.

[Kralizec]

Miller's Crossing

Mafia movie by the Coen brothers, lovely cynical. 7/10

[Alexanderofmacedon]

In Brugges. WHO IS THAT GIRL??? She is beautiful. Good movie as well, was expecting another Lock&Stock clone with the usual white trash and snappy remarks, but it's a serious movie, and about time Brugge gets some love in a movie because that town is soooooooooo pretty way prettier then anything we have here and we want it back.

This is England, what a depressing movie, I really can't imagine such people. People who liked Naked or Trainspotting will like it but I can't stand the ugliness.

Clémence Poésy

I say "In the Name of the Father". Sad movie and even worse that it's a true story.

I really want to see In Brugges and Trainspotting

[Crazed Rabbit]

I just saw Indiana Jones 4:
It is as horrible as you've heard. More horrible, if you haven't heard people decry that true badness that is this movie.

A big part of this is because of the movies it is a sequel to; the Indiana Jones trilogy. Those were great movies.

If this movie hadn't used the Indy character, it would have just been a stupid movie with an outlandish plot frequented by things that defied all possibility and jerked you, every 10 minutes it seemed, out of suspension of disbelief. And then there were the repetitive, pointless chase scenes. The movie wasn't about exciting discoveries like the previous films; it was a stupid action flick. There wasn't a scene in that thing I couldn't make fun of.

But what makes this all worse is how thoroughly Lucas and Spielberg ruined Indiana Jones; throughout the movie they exploit nostalgia for the older, much much better movies. And they're setting up that mutt kid to star in even more Indiana Jones movies.

CR