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Subject: Nasty Goes To The Movies

Posted by: nasty_liar
Date: Nov 29 12

What it says up there

489 replies. On page 4 of 25 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

nasty_liar

Agreed!

I love to watch them and will take them mostly as they come. Even bad movies can be very entertaining and though we may pick them apart we can still have found enjoyment in many aspects of them. A great movie is an incredible thing to experience though.

Here is the long awaited Star Trek Into Darkness review...

Reply #61. May 28 13, 2:13 AM

nasty_liar

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

Stars
Chris Pine
Zachary Quinto
and Benedict Cumberbatch

Where do I start? Well perhaps I should mention that I'm a huge Star Trek fan that has watched the Original Series, Next Generation and Deep Space Nine episodes a multitude of times and the first eight movies so often I can almost recite them! So being well grounded in Star Trek lore maybe gives me a slightly different opinion to most of the reviews that I have read floating around the internet that are generally positive averaging about 4 stars.

To me, this movie is an epic fail, a huge disappointment, a calamity of enormous proportion... I could go on.

I don't want to spoil too much so I won't go into specifics too much. This is basically a fairly run of the mill action movie. The fact that the showing I went to was preceded by a long preview scene from Fast and Furious 6 says it all about the type of audience they are reaching toward with this new Star Trek. Fortunately I know that already and had modest expectations of this film.

Cumberbatch is great but ultimately wasted as they don't really flesh him out enough. Expect LONG boring action scenes that feel like they're never going to end with things flying here, there and everywhere on the screen and with J.J. Abrams shining that damned light over the camera every five seconds to create the 'lens flare' effect that he so loves.

Where Star Trek 2009 managed to be savvy this movie manages to be clumsy. Where 2009 managed to pay homage to all things Trek in a clever and sometimes subtle way this film butchers previous Trek in a way I was really surprised by.

Expect shocks, twists and thrills along the way but many of them almost seem to be done for the sake of it or to drive up the tension or emotion in a very ham-fisted, lazy way.

There are positives! Some of the visuals are absolutely stunning, great work on the look and feel of the film. Abrams is a very talented director or fast paced action scenes with lots of incredible angles, shots, lighting, cutting and so on. The film explores the relationship between Kirk and Spock, this is done quite nicely with some good scenes between the two and book ends the film really well. Robocop... ah sorry, I mean Peter Weller provides a very nice turn as Admiral Marcus.

In summary, when I groaned at one or two of the big twists and when I laugh out loud after hearing a line of dialogue that is supposed to cap one of the most dramatic scenes I find myself wondering... are they trying for parody on purpose? If they are then it must be the worst joke on Star Trek die hards that I've ever seen.

Is it expecting too much for them to actually write an original script without plundering the old movies?

Reply #62. May 28 13, 2:17 AM

Professer

Agree entirely regards star trek into the darkness nasty, have watched a movie i thought i would not enjoy, Escape from planet earth, animated movie that is entertaining, loved the tongue in cheek dig at Simon Cowell in this movie, and the baddie is voiced by none other then captain James tiberius kirk aka William Shatner. Have to say i did enjoy this very much.

Reply #63. Jun 02 13, 4:23 PM

nasty_liar

After Earth (2013)

A crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and his father Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help.

Starring
Jayden Smith
Will Smith

This is the latest outing by director M. Night Shyamalan who has become famous as a 'one hit wonder' director since he directed the excellent "The Sixth Sense". This movie does not buck the trend.

Bland sci-fi flick starring Will Smiths son is how I'd describe it. Everything about this movie comes across as so-so. The acting, the dialogue, the action... nothing sparks.

This film was dependent on the relationship between the two leads and could have done with a fantastic script carried off with two magnificent performances. What we get served is fairly mediocre.

The premise is interesting though, the score is nice (James Newton Howard) and there's a few interesting scenes. Avoid at all costs if you don't like sci-fi. If you're a sci-fi addict like me then you might sniff out the interesting parts and sit through the rest mildly entertained.

Reply #64. Jun 21 13, 11:09 AM

nasty_liar

Man Of Steel (2013)

A young itinerant worker is forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race.

Starring
Henry Cavill
Amy Adams
Russell Crowe

Well, what can I say! I was fairly impressed by this, although I will just mention that I am not a comic book fan and so I do not know all of the ins and outs of the source material and so cannot be offended or disppointed by anything this film does on that level.

This film seems intent on trying to create a less fancyful take on Superman. For starters there is not one single laugh in the whole movie. Does this matter? Well, when you're watching a well rounded film then you might expect something to break the tension every now and then.

Henry Cavill seems a natural fit for this role, certainly in this take on Superman, with his brooding but expressive good looks. He manages to convey the emotions and experiences well enough so that the viewer can easily see things from his point of view. Any film where I get to see the beautiful Amy Adams is a treat too, she also happens to be a fantastic actress although she doesn't have to do too much here.

The film builds up the back story nicely, linking them into the story as it too builds. This works magnificently until we're ready to get the pay off scenes towards the end of the movie. From about two thirds of the way into the film it then descends into a really generic action movie. I could have been watching Transformers, Avengers, X-men or any of the many generic actions romps I've seen over the past ten years of so. That might seem harsh but I can only watch things blow up and people hit each other so many times until I get bored.

So overall this is a success, but they could do with cutting a lot of the crap, boring action toward the end and do more of a personal battle between the protagonist and the villain with something tangible at stake to draw in the emotion of the viewer. That is sorely lacking from the later scenes in this film and somewhat wastes the great buildup. It has however set up this take on Superman really well and I look forward to the next outing far more than I looked forward to this (I was thinking, they're doing Superman again?).

Reply #65. Jun 23 13, 3:51 AM

nasty_liar

Django Unchained (2013)

With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.

Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Starring
Jamie Foxx
Christoph Waltz
Leonardo Di Caprio
Samuel L. Jackson

I missed this while it was on cinema release and now I'm rather annoyed that I did. Every time Tarantino makes a new movie I always think to myself, this time it's going to be a dud. Every time I'm wrong (although I'm not too keen on Kill Bill it's hardly a dud).

Five minutes into the film and I'm already totally gripped by the dialogue of a fairly simple scene and I know that after watching so much dross made by some of the modern filmmakers that I'm actually watching a movie that will demand my attention and get it too.

The actors are all perfect for their roles and perform superbly. If you haven't seen this already watch out for the appearance of Samuel L. Jackson late on as he then proceeds to steal every scene he is in.

This film feels upbeat despite some desperate subject matter and scenes. The interaction between Waltz and Foxx is fantastic and carries the film nicely. All the usual Tarantino boxes are ticked.

I highly recommend this film!

Reply #66. Jun 24 13, 4:25 PM

jabb5076

Although the take-off on spaghetti westerns was very clever, and Christoph Waltz was terrific, "Django Unchained" was far too violent for me (and my husband, too.) Of course, it's Quentin Tarantino, so I certainly shouldn't have been surprised.

Reply #67. Jun 24 13, 5:31 PM

nasty_liar

Indeed, all Tarantino movies are very violent but no scene in any of his subsequent movies makes me squirm more than the ear cutting scene in Reservoir Dogs.

In Django Unchained, much like Kill Bill, the violence is so over the top that it becomes almost comedic. Once you reach a certain saturation point you stop caring, much like with excessive profanity.

Another thing about watching an 18 certificate film (or 15 too I suppose) that I enjoy is that it categorically will not be pandering to kids. Therefore the potential is there to follow up on threat and menace with a violent scene instead of the modern day filmmakers holy grail in this country which seems to be a 12a certificate, where the film is made deliberately to eradicate all blood, bruising or evidence of violence but act it all out in a cartoonish world with no consequences to being punched in the face a dozen times, so that kids can go and the film make more money.

Reply #68. Jun 25 13, 11:14 AM

nasty_liar

The Iceman (2012)

The true story of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer and family man. When finally arrested in 1986, neither his wife nor daughters have any clue about his real profession.

Starring
Michael Shannon
Winona Ryder
Ray Liotta

I saw this at the cinema earlier today and I've been trying to think of a film to compare it to, it just struck me, Monster starring Charlize Theron.

This story takes you through the adult life of Richard Kuklinski starting from his first date with future wife. Kuklinski is played by Michael Shannon, who succeeds in portraying the sinister way that his character is able to switch from killer to family man continuously as he appears to do everything he does in the film for his family. Ryder plays his wife and does a great job in the role.

I'm not sure this film quite hits the heights that it appears to aspire to, presumably aiming itself at being a psychological thriller, since there isn't enough psychology. It does bring you into the world and attempt to bring the viewer to believe in Kuklinski's way of life.

Maybe too much time is spent fleshing out the details of lots of his 'hits', more time could have been spent giving Shannon more to get his teeth into. The sights and sounds of NY/NJ seem well done, the movie feels gritty and grainy as it passes through the 60's and 70's giving you a real sense for the timeframe.

By the end of the film I certainly felt invested into the character, but I think it could have done more. Good film, but probably won't watch it again.

Reply #69. Jun 25 13, 1:56 PM

Professer

Django Unchained a film i thoroughly enjoyed which is surprising as i do not normally like Tarantino's films, yes it was violent but are not all his films that way.

Man of steel is a film i am waiting to see although to be honest i ask myself is this one Superman movie to many?

Monsters University is the latest i have seen and enjoyed and as a film of animated films have to say this was a must see for me.

Good to read your reviews Nasty they are helpful.

Reply #70. Jun 26 13, 7:52 AM

nasty_liar

Professor, steer clear of Man Of Steel if you think you won't enjoy a grittier take on Superman. Otherwise enjoy a half decent action movie!

Reply #71. Jun 26 13, 10:49 AM

salami_swami

I agree with professer about Monsters University. That was far better than I imagined. I recommend it. :)

Reply #72. Jun 26 13, 10:58 AM

nasty_liar

I don't usually bother with that type of movie on the big screen, probably wait until it's on TV. I did enjoy Monsters Inc though so would probably enjoy it.

Reply #73. Jun 26 13, 1:23 PM

nasty_liar

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

In late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy, named Dickie Greenleaf. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures.

Starring
Matt Damon
Jude Law
Gwyneth Paltrow
with
Cate Blanchett and
Phillip Seymour Hoffman

I had always intended to watch this but had never gotten around to it until yesterday. This is really nicely done. Never too fast, always measured in pace with moments that shock. It ebbs and flows so well that the 2 hours 20 goes by pretty quickly without rushing through the plot building nicely to the conclusion.

Matt Damon is so incredibly creepy as Ripley that he almost makes your skin crawl. He plays it with such skill and nuance too, working off of Jude Law's extravagant performance to create an amazing on screen chemistry.

Whilst this may not reach my all time favourites and probably doesn't hit the heights, it is a solid movie and I would probably watch it again just to view Damon's performance again to appreciate some of the things I might have missed first time around.

Reply #74. Jun 29 13, 6:14 AM

Professer

Watched Man of Steel was better then i thought it would be even though the story seemed to have been changed a lot.

I followed that by watching the Lone Ranger Johnny Depp as Tonto to me is the only redeeming feature of the film good story the make up for Tonto as a old man was very good, is a film i need to watch again but will say is far better then i thought .

Reply #75. Jul 09 13, 9:09 AM

nasty_liar

The East (2013)

An operative for an elite private intelligence firm finds her priorities changing dramatically after she is tasked with infiltrating an anarchist group known for executing covert attacks upon major corporations.

Starring
Brit Marling
Alexander Skarsgard
Ellen Page

I can't decide whether I was impressed by this or not. It was preachy, but I guess it was always going to be. I guess the question is whether I ever got over the fact that this is a film starring Priviliged Hollywood actors pretending to be an anarchist cell and whether I ever lost sight of that fact. I didn't and I wasn't entirely convinced. Nice try though.

This movie hinges on the performance of Brit Marling as the undercover agent because, from my perspective, it is impossible to sympathise with the actual anarchists. Perhaps bigger hypocrits would but not me. Marling carries the burden so well that it becomes an absorbing tale and I was genuinely interested to see what was going to happen to her in the end and incidentally she provides a masterful performance.

Overall, pretty good couple of hours spent being entertained with an interesting premise but rather bland execution carried by an immense performance by the lead.

Reply #76. Jul 17 13, 10:55 AM

nasty_liar

World War Z (2013)

United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.

Starring
Brad Pitt

Is the phrase 'not as bad as I thought it was going to be' a compliment? I didn't hold high hopes for this disaster movie flick but it was one that I couldn't resist regardless. I was pleasantly surprised, it was ok...

Love the visuals, the music, the well judged pace of action against dialogue. Brad Pitt is not stretched here and comes across as quite genuine. The premise is interesting and obviously comes from its source material - a book (that I haven't read).

Still, don't expect too much from this but it delivers some good suspense and keeps the tension high throughout. Not a total dud!

Reply #77. Jul 17 13, 11:02 AM

nasty_liar

Now You See Me (2013)

An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

starring (would be quicker to list who isn't in this)
Jesse Eisenberg
Mark Ruffalo
Woody Harrelson
Isla Fisher
Morgan Freeman
Michael Caine

Oh boy, I had high hopes for this film. The teaser made it look a million dollars (no pun intended) but unfortunately it's more like a few quid.

This is horrendously bad and what's more very disappointing. It's true that it is Ocean's Eleven meets Jonathan Creek (sorry, brit reference only) but it doesn't have the panache of Ocean's and it doesn't have the cleverness of Jonathan Creek.

The dialogue is snappy, the action is quick paced, the interaction between some of the leads is good. Unfortunately, the plot is nonsensical, the twists are obvious, the movie cliched! I am not a fan of this directors use of camera sometimes. The quick switches during the action scenes and constant blurring and movement of the lens made me pretty dizzy at times... horrible.

There are good scenes and good moments (probably why the trailer looked so good) but don't be fooled!

Rubbish, woudn't recommend it to anyone. Go and rent 'The Prestige' for a something fairly similar but a thousand times more clever and engaging.

Reply #78. Jul 17 13, 11:10 AM

nasty_liar

The Wolverine (2013)

Wolverine, in the midst of a mid-life crisis, pays a visit to an old comrade in Japan and finds himself in the midst of a power struggle.

Starring
Hugh Jackman

I have been a very casual watcher of the X-men movies in that I've seen a couple but not really paid them my full attention. I wasn't a comic book kid and I do not know much about the history of the characters in print or the world they live in.

What I am trying to say with all of that introduction is that all I can do is watch this movie and judge it alone.

So recently I've been complaining in many reviews of action movies that I can't stand this modern love that both directors and movie-goers seem to have of filling the movie with breakneck, non-stop action flurries where the screen is both filled with CGI that one cannot keep up with combined with rapidly switching and moving camera angles. This movie represents the opposite, the action sequences are used judiciously and are not over the top visuals but action that fits the scene that it is part of. I think I would compare it to the recent Bond outing in this respect.

And guess what?

That made it instantly more engaging! The downtime between the action is always more important than the fights or chases themselves and I think that a lot of filmmakers have completely lost track of this fact.

Highlights: Jackman is very watchable and carries his lead role with ease, the fight scene on the Bullet train is spectacular and the plot builds up nicely to what (at least for me) is an interesting twist at the end.

Overall: not a top class film, but pretty solid. Worth a watch. But after seeing so many lacklustre action movies lately it seemed like a breath of fresh air.

Reply #79. Aug 12 13, 2:20 PM

nasty_liar

2 Guns (2013)

A DEA agent and a naval intelligence officer find themselves on the run after a botched attempt to infiltrate a drug cartel. While fleeing, they learn the secret of their shaky alliance: Neither knew that the other was an undercover agent.

Starring
Denzel Washington
Mark Wahlberg

Reasonable action flick that relies heavily on the presence of the two leads to make it interesting.

I don't rate Wahlberg too much as an actor but he always seems to be in decent films and Washington seems to like to throw in these movies where he kind of plays off a younger guy in an action role (recently with Chris Pine in Unstoppable, with Ryan Reynolds in Safe House).

The plot is preposterous and you have to forgive the film that to enjoy the action and banter between the leads. Both of them do a great job at holding interest throughout and that is why this film works despite itself. Don't even try to think about what is going on and enjoy the ride.

Reply #80. Aug 24 13, 4:23 AM

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