y66 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I just asked my wife at the breakfast table what she thought about Kill Bill: "I f**king hated it. I do not get the attraction of violence porn". And she's someone who believes in constructive revenge. I would definitely not recommend Kill Bill 1 and 2 for general audiences. But if you like the martial-arts genre or the spaghetti western genre or if you're just an Uma Thurman fan who's not put off by over-the-top, stylized violence, I'll bet you'll like these films. I did. Just watched The Big Lebowski on Netflix streaming video after reading Dwight Garner's recent inquiry into the requirements for cult classic status. Richard Gaughran who teaches English at James Madison University in Virginia asks his students "What is it that they see in the Dude that they find so desirable?" That would make a good thread. I love that guy and I feel fortunate to have friends who have some of his many fine qualities. Great movie, man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_U_Card Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Saw District 9 last night. Was rather disappointed. The special effects are good, but the plot is pretty awful. That's kinda what I'm expecting from Avatar. (Saw the South Park spoof of Avatar here.) I have seen both and Avatar was much superior and somehow managed not to be cloyingly mawkish... An alliterative analysis: Bullies bullets beat bodies but brains beat bullies.... (especially planet-sized ones :) ) The plot line never got in the way of the action but the visuals were worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwnn Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 well I love Pulp fiction a LOT. I loved Reservoir Dogs also. But I didn't like Inglorious Basterds. I just couldn't make up my mind who the good guys are. Brad Pitt was nice but his accent was bad and his character was dubious. All I liked was Diane Kruger who I like in all movies. :) BTW has anyone seen Joyeux Noel the ww 1 movie? Very touching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdonn Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Wow everyone is starting to make me feel almost guilty for liking Kill Bill! There are few enough places in life to enjoy some good old fashioned gratuitous violence that I'll take it where I can get it. Whatever happened to just being entertained by a movie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobowolf Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I didn't see any of the three Lobo mentions. Possibly I should gve him (Tarentino, not Lobo) another try. I found Kill Bill to be so immensely dumb that it has always seemed unlikely I would like anything by the same director. I liked, for example, The Unforgiven. And Taxi Driver. More recently we saw Public Enemies which I liked although it certainly is not in a league with Unforgiven or Taxi Driver. I liked Bridge over the River Kwai a lot. These movies had violence but they also had substance. I think I have seen one or two of the Charles Bronson movies and one or maybe one and a half of the Die Hard movies, it's not to my taste but I agree that there is something there. But they will survive without me. It's not only violence that brings this reaction. Some movies get weighed down with special effects and forget that there is supposed to be a story or some character development or some dialogue or something beyond large scale scenes of destruction. It's not particularly a moral point with me, I just get bored. On this basis I am not planning on seeing Avatar, but perhaps that's subject to reconsideration if enough people tell me that they liked it. All that being said, I liked True Lies. I can't explain that, although there seemed to be a sense of irony in the whole thing. I heard an interview with Jamie Lee Curtis. She said she was known in the trade as a really good screamer. And I think Arnold always has a good sense of the absurd, and not just when making movies. You should give me another try, too! If you do try another of the movies, I'd suggest Pulp Fiction. I think it has a good mix of the best elements of the other two; it's a nice blend of character, humor, and intensity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike777 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Just saw Up in the Air, it was decent on par with Holmes. Agree with Pulp Fiction a truly great movie. Kill Bill is very good but I am fan of Uma. Thought I.B. was about average on par with Public Enemies. For lovers of great old old movies....tonight TCM is running all of the "Thin Man' movies. I will be watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobowolf Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I have to see "Up in the Air" just for having Iggy Pop's "The Passenger" in the soundtrack. That song never gets old to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akhare Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Wow everyone is starting to make me feel almost guilty for liking Kill Bill! There are few enough places in life to enjoy some good old fashioned gratuitous violence that I'll take it where I can get it. Whatever happened to just being entertained by a movie? Not to worry -- I loved Kill Bill too :P. However, I do put a stop to "just being entertained by the movie" when it comes to the dredges like 2012, Independence Day and most of the thrash churned out by Hollywood... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sadie3 Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 I thought "UP in the Air" was mediocre at best. Sherlock Holmes (long movie) takes about half way through to get your attention. It starts out looking science fictiony...but I liked the Moriarity influence. I'm still waiting for the the movie of the year for me. We had to wait until a Tuesday evening to see "SHERLOCK" because it is being sold out every showing. I'll have to see AVATAR. Sounds like it has promise. Blind Side was quite good probably because I went to it not knowing anything about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobowolf Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Blind Side was a good book, too. As I've come to expect from Michael Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenberg Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Just saw Up in the Air, it was decent on par with Holmes. Agree with Pulp Fiction a truly great movie. Kill Bill is very good but I am fan of Uma. Thought I.B. was about average on par with Public Enemies. For lovers of great old old movies....tonight TCM is running all of the "Thin Man' movies. I will be watching. If we ever dump our wives and get married, we will each need our own tv. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike777 Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Blind Side was a good book, too. As I've come to expect from Michael Lewis. Yes I read the book long before the movie.....good movie...great book. I also have enjoyed Michael Lewis books. Again Pulp Fiction is not a recent movie per thread...but a truly great movie...see it over and over again. Seeing the new Streep movie friday. I dare any redblooded MAN to watch Myrna Loy and not fall in love....watching her now. Smart...Sassy and great looking. http://images.google.com/images?q=myrna+lo...ved=0CCUQsAQwAw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillybean Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 AVATAR http://www.avatarmovie.com/index.html I wasn’t over the moon when my husband suggested we go see the new Sci-Fi flick for New Years Eve but to keep the peace and for future leverage I went along. I laughed, I was shocked and touched and at the end I cried, this movie is fantastic. For 2hrs45mins I was entertained, as was my 9 year old daughter, the special effects and scenery is superb and there is enough action and violence to keep the guys awake. Get there early to get a decent seat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenberg Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 OK, Avatar it is. Jilly's comments were particularly convincing. I will also follow the advice of Lobo, Mike and others and try Pulp Fiction. This may have to wait for a bit. I'm OK with Myrna Loy but I lack Mike's enthusiasm for her or for the Thin Man series. For actresses of that era I particularly like Barbara Stanwyck. Some of her antics in The Lady Eve with Henry Fonda were a real kick, eg thanking the honorable Fonda as he straightens her skirt to cover her knees. As to falling in love with an actress, I think that would be Simone Signoret in Room at the Top when I was twenty or so. Rita Hayworth as Salome when I was thirteen or so wasn't so bad either, but I am pretty sure love had nothing to do with it. Rene Russo in the Thomas Crown Affair gets my vote among the current crop. But back to the present, Avatar it is. Maybe I'll take the ten year old. A male bonding experience. But I will not be trying vol 2 of KB to see if I was mistaken. Some things have to be considered settled, right or wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Is Avatar sci-fi or fantasy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y66 Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 OK, Avatar it is. Jilly's comments were particularly convincing. I will also follow the advice of Lobo, Mike and others and try Pulp Fiction. This may have to wait for a bit. I'm OK with Myrna Loy but I lack Mike's enthusiasm for her or for the Thin Man series. For actresses of that era I particularly like Barbara Stanwyck. Some of her antics in The Lady Eve with Henry Fonda were a real kick, eg thanking the honorable Fonda as he straightens her skirt to cover her knees. As to falling in love with an actress, I think that would be Simone Signoret in Room at the Top when I was twenty or so. Rita Hayworth as Salome when I was thirteen or so wasn't so bad either, but I am pretty sure love had nothing to do with it. Rene Russo in the Thomas Crown Affair gets my vote among the current crop. But back to the present, Avatar it is. Maybe I'll take the ten year old. A male bonding experience. But I will not be trying vol 2 of KB to see if I was mistaken. Some things have to be considered settled, right or wrong. The Lady Eve? Barbara Stanwyck was so good in that. I'll bet even Uma Thurman and the Dude have crushes on Barbara Stanwyck. I watched the first 2 years of The Big Valley after seeing her in that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillybean Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Is Avatar sci-fi or fantasy? Sci-fi Ken, take your 10 year old I'd be surprised if he didnt love it. It is rated 14A but I was happy with my 9 year old seeing it and you know what a prude I am. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenberg Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Is Avatar sci-fi or fantasy? Sci-fi Ken, take your 10 year old I'd be surprised if he didnt love it. It is rated 14A but I was happy with my 9 year old seeing it and you know what a prude I am. :) Right. but he's a grandkid. I will explain to his parents that a seemingly sane forumer took her 9 year old. All in all, I at least understand and I probably approve of caution since there really is a lot of trash out there. But I always worried more about the corrosive effects of too much Barney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke warm Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 But back to the present, Avatar it is. Maybe I'll take the ten year old. A male bonding experience. my wife and i took our 9 (and a half :)) grandson when we saw avatar, and we all enjoyed it... as for kbI and II, i loved them both, along w/ pulp fiction... has anyone seen 'ink'? i watched it today and need to think more on it before i can say if i loved it or merely liked it... very strange movie, it's hard to come up with a metaphor for it, so many might apply (some of which are contradictory) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonottawa Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Finally got around to watching the Cove (rented it a couple of days ago.) It's awesome. Even if you don't agree with the principle of not torturing dolphins to death, you have to admire the people who made this movie. I was left with the impression that if these folks put this much effort into finding Bin Laden, they would be successful. The South Park episode on the subject is absolutely hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenberg Posted January 1, 2010 Report Share Posted January 1, 2010 Well, my grandson (10 years) already saw Avatar and of course he loved it. As did the granddaughter (17). So the talk turned to movies. My son-in-law claims that Kill Bill is an artistic masterpiece. But he was not surprised to learn I didn't like it. Such things used to shock him, but he has learned. My daughter said Pulp Fiction is really good but it was sickening and she had to leave the room during some of it. I'm still working on interpreting that. Son-in-law wants to see Sherlock, wife asserts that she has never seen a portrayal of Sherlock that she has enjoyed. We didn't get around to Myrna Loy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbodell Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Kill Bill is an artistic master piece of homages to genres. Volume 1 is an homage to samurai/Hong Kong films and Volume 2 is more an homage to the Spaghetti Westerns. that stylized homage/borrowing is a huge part of Tarantino's style (combined with his pattern of dialogue, and focus on violent revenge). Pulp Fiction is likewise an homage to the noir films. That style of film is definitely not for everyone. If you don't like violence, don't see his movies. And if you are OK with violence, but not great with it, you should pick and choose or know that there will be scenes in his movies that you will not want to watch. 2009 in movies has been an interesting year in that there have been a reasonably large number of decent or good movies without really many stand out excellent movies. They are expanding to 10 movies the number of best picture nominees, but I'm not sure any of the movies I've seen in 2009 would really deserve a "top 5" slot in a typical year. Inglorious Bastards is one such movie, IMO. It was a good movie that I enjoyed but I wouldn't put it in a typical "best picture nominee" class. Likewise Avatar or Up In The Air or many others. Maybe Invictus would make it for me, but I think most years it would be honorable mention just outside the top 5. I haven't seen Precious or The Hurt Locker, so maybe they deserve it, but I'm not sure 2009 was a good "best picture" year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobowolf Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Just got back from Sherlock Holmes. The girlfriend and I both liked it a lot. Good role for Downey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y66 Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 My daughter said Pulp Fiction is really good but it was sickening and she had to leave the room during some of it. I'm still working on interpreting that. Yeah, that's a tough one. Seamus Heaney (poet) talked about the difficulty of reconciling the incredible beauty and murderousness of the world in his Nobel acceptance speech and how, eventually he was able to make a place for both in his reckoning. My wife hated Pulp Fiction initially but then she somehow got past her revulsion of the violence and was able to appreciate the incredible humor and human feeling in so many of those scenes, like the one at the end of Vince and Mia's incredible evening. Last year I got to use one of many favorite lines from that movie when our garlic press broke. My wife didn't recognize the new gizmo I brought home. "It's a chopper baby". Will check out Avatar, Sherlock Holmes and Up In The Air this month. We're bringing a pup home at the end of the month so we probably won't be going out to the movies much after that. Saw The Class last night on Netflix. Kind of a French version of Stand And Deliver for our time, with an edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike777 Posted January 2, 2010 Report Share Posted January 2, 2010 Just saw It's Complicated. A wonderful movie, easily my favorite of the Holiday Season. Very Cute, Very Funny, Great Music. As for Netflix last night I rewatched Sex, Lies and Videotape(adult themes) a movie from 1989. Very good. I agree the Class was a good movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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