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New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

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Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

I thought Bardem was the worst part actually. They could have cut out 90% of his lines and his character would have been way better. I get the purpose to his villain but the whole part on his island was just stupid. Put his scenes with Bond anywhere else in the world and I love it, but that part had me yawning. Once he was captured though and his plot really came to light THEN his character was way better.

I thought Fiennes, for the limited role he played, was perfect. I mean it was completely obvious he would be the new M but the slow burn learning about him and HOW he got to be M was pretty cool. Plus the end when he has 007 in his office he looked and sounded like the M's of old...I smiled at the whole scene...especially since I totally called Moneypenny :)
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

jen said:
For the first time in a few years, there's actually movies in the theater I want to see - Argo and Lincoln.

And, of course, 42 is coming out in April. Just read that Harrison Ford is playing Branch Rickey.

I have a Netflix question - maybe someone can help - I have a streaming account and a DVD account. When I add movies to my DVD queue, I would expect them to be added to my streaming queue if they are available. It looks like only the ones that were in my DVD queue when I added the streaming plan are there, and nothing that was added after that. Is there a "add to instant queue" thing I have to do? Do I need to log into my streaming device to update that queue (I have a Blu-ray player with wifi)? I can see in my DVD queue that they are available via streaming - but they don't show up in the streaming queue.
Click to expand...
If you go back to the movie description, you can still add it to your instant queue even if its on your dvd queue.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

The fact that there is a site called 'theonering.net' tells me all I need to know about the content of that article. :D

I'm looking forward to it, but I agree that splitting it into 3 movies and whipping up a bunch of backstory that JRRT just barely sketched out or never even wrote is an over the top cash grab. Not that it will stop me from seeing at least the first film.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

FadeToBlack&Gold said:
The fact that there is a site called 'theonering.net' tells me all I need to know about the content of that article. :D
Click to expand...


I hear ya, but the article isn't fanboy musings.

The author makes a well reasoned case based on things we already know. It's a good read.


As for the site, I'm a member. ;):p:D
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot



More geeky Hobbit stuff.

My concerns are turning to excitement.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. I haven't been this conflicted over a movie in a long time. There were many cases where I grew frustrated with Oskar, and while I often wondered where the movie was going I stuck with it. It finally turned for me in its favor after his mother consoled him and told him she knew what he had been doing the whole time. It was somewhat far-fetched but the message was still sent in the end. I approve.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

Tried to see Lincoln last night. Got there half an hour before showtime, told it was already sold out. Grrrr. Should've bought in advance.

Saw the new Bond instead. The usual bending of physics and human capability, cheesy dialogue, monologuing cartoon villainy, and predictable ending. Slightly different by working in a little backstory. Overall, classic Bond.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

Saw Skyfall and Argo in the last few weeks. Skyfall was the best bond movie I've seen in a long time and Argo...even though I knew the result of the movie, I've never been more nervous sitting in a theatre. After Affleck gets to Iran, I was on the edge of my seat until the end. Very good movie, extremely well done. The movie guys were great.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

In Darkness. True story about Leopold Sacha - a Polish sewer worker - that hid over a dozen jews in the sewers of Nazi-occupied Lvov. This was less about the war (although they depict the brutality of the occupation for Jews) and more about the real characters and it was very good. Not recommended if you don't like subtitles.

The Kids Are All Right. Annette Benning and Julianne Moore played a couple with adopted kids that decide they want to meet the sperm donor (Mark Ruffalo). There is some solid acting in this, but overall I thought it was a bit trite and tried too hard.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

Just watched <a href="http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Sugar/70084156?trkid=5966279">Sugar</a> - really liked it. Definitely makes you think about Latin American baseball players in a different light.

This review from Netflix made me LOL -

"This movie just doesnt seem very inspirational sports movie as many are for me. I for one am not a baseball fan but these films often have a good story. An example is Blind Side that I really loved. That movie had plenty of other stars to back it up like Sandra Bullock. This one had none. Also there were way too many subtitles that made it look like a foriegn film. Dub whenever possible. In the end the character has to find his way back to baseball. I thought that earlier in the movie there may have been a developing love interest but alas the chance was missed. Only for diehard fans of baseball but not particularly anybody else."

I can practically see the angry finger waving! no stars! you should dub (OMG SUBTITLES!?!?)! no romantic interest! boo hiss! get off my lawn!
maybe she should have watched Blind Side again instead. :p hey, I liked that movie too. but I don't need every other movie to be exactly like it.
and DUBBING? REALLY? people want that?!?!?
 
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Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

The Expendables 2

Cheesy dialogue. Completely unrealistic action sequences that defy any semblance of the laws of physics. Cliched "save the people" storyline.



It was awesome. And there's a certain cameo that is hilarious.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

So I'm watching Die Hard (yeah, yeah) and clearly it's been at least 2 years because I recognize McClean's wife but can't figure out how. Thanks to IMDb I realized she plays the matriarch on TV's Parenthood.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

Now that I'm seeing more promos for The Hobbit, I'm actually worried about it for a completely different reason than I originally was. There's enough of a wealth of information in Tolkien's work that can be used to help fill in more detail about the places the dwarf company visit, what Gandalf/Elrond/Galadriel/Saruman are all up to, etc.

What's concerning me is that I'm suddenly remembering what it was like to see the King Kong remake. While you couldn't accuse the Lord of the Rings movies of being free from goofy, campy CGI (see: every ridiculous thing Legolas does) or or goofy kids-movie slapstick (see: what Gimli eventually became as the series wore on), it was still mostly restrained. But by comparison, King Kong was **** near like watching a three hour version of the **** mine cart chase in Temple of Doom. Some of the stuff I've seen with the slap-sticky dwarves and the possibly over-the-top trolls is starting to worry me.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

I've noticed the CGI as well within the last week. If there's too much of that, this is gonna blow.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

The Hobbit movies are going to succeed or fail on character development and heart.

The givens are that the action sequences will be spectacular, Middle Earth will be brought to life through the detail work of WETA and the NZ countryside, the pacing will be good, the music will fit. It will all feel right.

What remains to be seen is whether there is chemistry amongst the characters and whether there are noteworthy performances.

We watched the expanded trilogy over Thanksgiving weekend (long planned as a primer - hadn't watched them in 3-4 years). What was brought back to me was how great some of the performances are. I hadn't forgotten this, but it's what I enjoy the most when I rewatch these films.

A few examples (certainly not everything)...

Boromir - council of Elrond & death scene among other vignettes... "One does not simply walk into Mordor." Boromir of the movie is far superior and deeper than Boromir of the book.

Theoden - ALL of it but after his son is buried, his talk with Gamling "Who am I?" "How did it come to this?" his speech outside of Minas Tirith & his death scene. Maybe the best character performance of the whole trilogy.

Denethor - super creepy portrayal, of note is when he is eating while he commands Pippin to sing a song while Faramir is riding to his death

Pippin - said song while the orcs notch their very ugly looking arrows (powerful setup imo)


In addition to the performances, the chemistry amongst the actors and sub groups of characters is what ultimately sold the story. Aragorn, Gimli & Legolas were great together and it was easy to believe that they were very tight. Merry & Pippin. Gandalf & Pippin. The 4 hobbits together. Many others.

This is what set these movies apart from other wooden action movies. You really cared what happened to these characters because they felt real and felt familiar. The was an awful lot of heart throughout the three films and they were ultimately about the characters, not the quest.


The first Star Wars trilogy had this to some degree also. That ensemble was great and very likable. The second trilogy failed miserably because the chemistry was not there and the individual performances were wooden and completely forgettable. Oh yeah, and Jar Jar Binks.


As long as the Hobbit has similar chemistry and heart as what was in the LOTR, any indulgences will most likely be forgivable.


Like I've said, I have my concerns, but I realize that these are movies and must perform as such and have appeal beyond nerds and dorks. I can forgive Gimli turning into a bit of a goofball and Legolas being a super acrobat in light of the other things that are SO right.

From what I've read and seen, the Hobbit will be a funnier trilogy than the LOTR, but funny as long as it's in context is not automatically a bad thing.

We'll see. I'm optimistic at this point.
 
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Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

The Boromir of the movie was AWESOME. I am a pretty big fan of Sean Bean, though.
 
Re: New/Rented Movies: Insert Random Retread Of A Plot

The Boromir character itself is great. He is tempted, but is denied. He then more than makes up for it by sacrificing himself. FRODO doesn't even show that strength.

And yes, Bean was incredible. He nailed it, and like you said, went above what the book asked of that role.
 
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