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Post by The Kevstaaa on May 2, 2019 21:21:11 GMT -5
#120 The Fault In Our Stars6/6/14 | Director: Josh Boone | Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | Runtime: 126 minutes | Platform: Blu-RayPremise: Two teenagers diagnosed with cancer fall in love. Strengths: When I first heard about this movie, I wrote it off as something that would be overly corny. Instead, it was sincerely played and tugged at my heartstrings. Part of the reason it works so well is the chemistry between the two leads. Shailene Woodley (Hazel Lancaster) has been great in everything I’ve seen her in and this might be her best work. That’s saying something. Ansel Elgort (Augustus Walker) is so good beside her. You believe every scene they’re in and it’s a romance you can buy into. When it’s the central part of the movie, you have to nail it and they do. Laura Dern (Frannie Lancaster) gives one hell of a supporting performance as the mother of a kid with cancer going through the grief that comes with that. I also dug the small work from Willem Dafoe (Peter Van Houten) as the bitter, crude author the characters were disappointed to meet. Though I haven’t read the book, it seems like it was adapted well for screen. The script flows well, care is given to the character moments, and the dialogue feels natural. Of course, the film is built on the emotion and this one really makes you feel. You expect one character to die and it goes in a different direction that brings even more tears. The soundtrack is also very strong. Weaknesses: It can get a bit too cheesy at points. I know to expect that from teen romances but it does get so corny at points that you’re taken a bit out of it. There’s a major issue with the pacing in the final act. Things just seem to drag on for much longer that it should. I didn’t need that second scene with Dafoe’s character and the reason for it is pretty lame. There were better ways to get to that final point. Overall: While it is a bit too long, there’s a ton to like about this. The performances are great, the music is fitting and catchy, the script is tight, and the story gets you emotionally invested. [****]
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Post by BlackoutCreature on May 3, 2019 20:23:01 GMT -5
48. Avengers: Endgame (2019) 49. D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) 50. Masters of the Universe (1987)
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Post by The Kevstaaa on May 3, 2019 21:30:53 GMT -5
#121 Someone Great4/19/19 | Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson | Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | Runtime: 92 minutes | Platform: NetflixPremise: An aspiring journalist must move across the country for her dream job, but it breaks up her lengthy relationship, so she and her friends go out for one final night together. Strengths: As always, one of the things that drives a romantic comedy is the relationship between the leads. Gina Rodriguez (Jenny Young) and Lakeith Stanfield (Nate Davis) have excellent chemistry. Though their story is mostly told through flashbacks, you appreciate their relationship. We get to see moments that feel very real and relatable. Though this is technically a romantic comedy, it’s more about Jenny’s relationship with her friends and how they grow. Brittany Snow (Blair Helms) and DeWanda Wise (Erin Kennedy) are both strong in their roles. It helps that they’re given real arcs and aren’t just comedic relief supporting characters. Blair grows into being comfortable with taking things in stride, while Erin allows love into her life. These are three-dimensional characters who matter. I loved the way the opening montage was done. We see how this relationship developed through social media and texts. It’s creative, fresh, and a great way to tell a story in an economical way. The soundtrack also deserves praise. There’s a lot of great music in this, from several different eras. It is used to hit on our nostalgia, but also to showcase what these characters mean to each other. There are a lot of funny moments in this thanks to some really witty banter. Weaknesses: I wish there was a bit more of a definitive end to Jenny’s story. She’s a good character throughout, but her journey kind of ends in weak fashion. It feels like she doesn’t fully come to terms with the breakup. Her friends get full arcs but hers kind of dies out. I think she could’ve used one final conversation with Nate to hammer home the ending. There are a few points where it feels like the characters are trying too hard to be edgy and it feels unauthentic. Overall: One of the better movies I’ve seen from 2019 so far. There are a few issues with the story, but the dialogue, charm, creativity and talented cast are more than enough to make this a really fun movie. [****]
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adamclark52
El Dandy
I'm one with the Force; the Force is with me
Posts: 8,139
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Post by adamclark52 on May 4, 2019 1:01:15 GMT -5
79. Texas Chainsaw. Have you ever watched one of those horror movies where you’re rooting for the bad guy to kill everyone? This is one of those movies. The cast are a bunch of insufferable, stupid as f*** young people who can’t act for a shit. f***, I hated this from the moment it started and only kept watching because I wanted to see them all get chopped to pieces. And they did get some nice, grisly deaths. But overall what a pile of shit. And it was really weird that the girl who played Malcolm’s geeky classmate Cynthia on Malcolm in the Middle was a hot piece of ass with her boobs hanging out the whole movie. 80. The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. This did nothing for me. I watched it because it’s a Dario Argento movie but it’s a crime thriller, not horror. Not my thing.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on May 4, 2019 21:19:58 GMT -5
#122 Green Book11/16/18 | Director: Peter Farrelly | Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | Runtime: 130 minutes | Platform: DVDPremise: An Italian bouncer serves as driver and bouncer for a black jazz pianist during the 60s. Strengths: One thing seems to carry this film above all else. The acting. Mahershala Ali (Don Shirley) and Viggo Mortensen (Frank Vallelonga) are both phenomenal. Their chemistry shines in each scene. There are times where they’re just talking and you’re captivated or caught smiling because of how well it all works. You like both guys. Their differences are very fun. Don is the one who is well read and has manners, yet he’s looked down upon because of his race and Frank is kind of in the opposite boat. I also enjoyed Linda Cardellini (Dolores Vallelonga) in her smaller supporting role. The writing is very well done, as the characters are given strong moments to let their personalities shine and the dialogue is natural and sharp. There’s a lot of charm to almost everything that happens. Weaknesses: There are some pacing issues here. Some scenes feel like they go on a bit long and others seem like they aren’t needed. This could’ve been cut down to about 110 minutes and probably been tighter. I’m not big on Peter Farrelly as a director. None of his work has ever impressed me and I don’t think he did anything to stand out in this one. It’s shot in such a generic fashion that it’s kind of just there. Overall: Should this have won Best Picture? No. Is it still a good movie? Absolutely. The writing is solid and I think the acting is fantastic, making for an enjoyable time. [***½]
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adamclark52
El Dandy
I'm one with the Force; the Force is with me
Posts: 8,139
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Post by adamclark52 on May 5, 2019 1:58:35 GMT -5
81. Street Trash (second time this year). I’ve ended up buying a lot of the movies I’ve watched lately on home video and this was one I had to have on blue ray. And I needed to watch it again. Funny thing is hi-def works against this movie. But I love it.
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Post by BlackoutCreature on May 5, 2019 11:43:00 GMT -5
48. Avengers: Endgame (2019) 49. D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994) 50. Masters of the Universe (1987) 51. D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) 52. The Mask (1994)
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Post by The Kevstaaa on May 5, 2019 17:24:32 GMT -5
#123 Time Lapse4/18/14 | Director: Bradley D. King | Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | Runtime: 104 minutes | Platform: PrimePremise: A trio of friends discover a machine that can take pictures 24 hours into the future. Strengths: Time travel movies can be tricky, but I like the way this one handled it. The characters never actually travel and instead base their lives on what the camera that takes pictures of their future show them. They still influence it, so they’re active characters and I appreciated that. The concept behind this is really cool, as it takes ideas we’re used to seeing but puts a twist on them. Danielle Panabaker (Callie) steals the show in this, with George Finn (Jasper) doing really solid work. They’re fleshed out characters who provide a lot of drama. The film used some intriguing storytelling techniques. For example, we see a passage of time through the 24 hours into the future photos. It showcases a lot of little character details and establishes the new normal for these characters in an economic way. There are some really great twists in the final act. At one point, we don’t get to see a key moment, but it is done to add to the suspense and bigger surprises come shortly after. I liked the way this utilized its budget. The violent moments that would probably cost the most to shoot are shot in a way that makes them look convincing without showing too much. Weaknesses: As much as I liked the twist at the end, there was a bit that didn’t make much sense. Without spoiling things, the plan of the character who did the twist doesn’t make sense with the rules of how the story was laid out. Matt O’Leary (Finn) dragged things down with a performance far below his two main co-stars. I also wasn’t big on Jason Spisak’s (Ivan) work. The characters made some really stupid decisions at various points, making it difficult to root for them. Overall: A little indie sci-fi film that delivers a really strong take on the concept of time travel and the consequences that come with it. There’s good acting, writing, and storytelling techniques that make this highly entertaining. [***½]
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Post by BlackoutCreature on May 5, 2019 19:09:32 GMT -5
50. Masters of the Universe (1987) 51. D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) 52. The Mask (1994) 53. Titan A.E. (2000)
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Post by Bang Bang Bart on May 5, 2019 22:15:25 GMT -5
1. Captain Marvel (2019) **** of ***** A very good introductory movie for one of my favorite characters in the comics.
2. Avengers: Endgame (2019) ***** of ***** One hell of a way to close out the "Infinity Saga" of MCU movies.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on May 6, 2019 21:12:21 GMT -5
#124 Star Wars5/25/77 | Director: George Lucas | Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | Runtime: 121 minutes | Platform: Blu-RayPremise: Helped by a cynical smuggler and a young Jedi in training, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the Empire’s Death Star. Strengths: The sheer spectacle of this is enough to make it a recommend. This movie was groundbreaking and did so much for the genre. It worked so well for a lot of reasons. On one hand, the movie caters to almost everyone. There are characters who resonate with everyone. Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) isn’t wowing anyone with his acting, but he does well enough. He plays the plucky good guy well enough that it lines up perfectly next to Harrison Ford (Han Solo). He debuts the iconic badass cool guy character. Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) is solid and Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) shines as the mentor. It may be the best performance of the movie. The script doesn’t try to be too much. It’s a simple story of good vs. evil and that’s when Star Wars usually works best. There are clearly defined roles and everyone plays their part well. Darth Vader is introduced as such a serious threat of an antagonist. His presence looms over the film in the best possible way. Obviously, John Williams delivers a fantastic score as he always does for this franchise. This movie benefits from some very good special effects. Some of the stuff looks better than movies I’ve seen in recent years. There is some great stuff in terms of cinematography, set design, makeup, and costume design, among others. Weaknesses: As noted, while the performances are adequate, most of the cast isn’t doing great work. George Lucas had great ideas here, but he’s not an acclaimed director. You can tell he wasn’t getting the best out of his actors. The Blu-Ray set that I watched this from is an updated one. That means it has instances where Lucas made changes and most are terrible. There’s a scene where a really cheap looking Jabba the Hutt talks to Han and it’s so bad, you’re taken out of the movie. Overall: A legendary movie that started a billion dollar franchise. It tells a simple story in the coolest of ways and introduces some iconic characters. A must-watch. [****½]
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Post by 'Foretold' Joker on May 7, 2019 3:57:43 GMT -5
20. Sherlock Holmes (2009) - Really fun romp with Robert Downey Jr playing the detective and Jude Law as Watson.
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adamclark52
El Dandy
I'm one with the Force; the Force is with me
Posts: 8,139
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Post by adamclark52 on May 7, 2019 4:36:00 GMT -5
82. The New York Ripper. This is a lot creepier than Fulci’s other movies due to the sexual content and the killers duck voice and noises. Unlike Zombi or the Beyond this is something that could actually happen in real life so it’s way harder to watch. The Kitty scene was really brutal. It has the usual gore and a lot of actors from some of his other movies. I really enjoyed this one but the ending kind of disappointed me.
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Post by burdette25159 on May 7, 2019 14:15:13 GMT -5
71: The Running Man (1987) ****
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agent817
Fry's dog Seymour
Doesn't Know Whose Ring It Is
Posts: 21,263
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Post by agent817 on May 7, 2019 16:24:02 GMT -5
46. Toy Story 3 - 4.5 stars.
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Post by BlackoutCreature on May 7, 2019 19:03:32 GMT -5
51. D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) 52. The Mask (1994) 53. Titan A.E. (2000) 54. Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword (2009)
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adamclark52
El Dandy
I'm one with the Force; the Force is with me
Posts: 8,139
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Post by adamclark52 on May 7, 2019 20:43:25 GMT -5
#124 Star Wars5/25/77 | Director: George Lucas | Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | Runtime: 121 minutes | Platform: Blu-RayPremise: Helped by a cynical smuggler and a young Jedi in training, the Rebel Alliance attempt to destroy the Empire’s Death Star. Strengths: The sheer spectacle of this is enough to make it a recommend. This movie was groundbreaking and did so much for the genre. It worked so well for a lot of reasons. On one hand, the movie caters to almost everyone. There are characters who resonate with everyone. Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) isn’t wowing anyone with his acting, but he does well enough. He plays the plucky good guy well enough that it lines up perfectly next to Harrison Ford (Han Solo). He debuts the iconic badass cool guy character. Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) is solid and Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) shines as the mentor. It may be the best performance of the movie. The script doesn’t try to be too much. It’s a simple story of good vs. evil and that’s when Star Wars usually works best. There are clearly defined roles and everyone plays their part well. Darth Vader is introduced as such a serious threat of an antagonist. His presence looms over the film in the best possible way. Obviously, John Williams delivers a fantastic score as he always does for this franchise. This movie benefits from some very good special effects. Some of the stuff looks better than movies I’ve seen in recent years. There is some great stuff in terms of cinematography, set design, makeup, and costume design, among others. Weaknesses: As noted, while the performances are adequate, most of the cast isn’t doing great work. George Lucas had great ideas here, but he’s not an acclaimed director. You can tell he wasn’t getting the best out of his actors. The Blu-Ray set that I watched this from is an updated one. That means it has instances where Lucas made changes and most are terrible. There’s a scene where a really cheap looking Jabba the Hutt talks to Han and it’s so bad, you’re taken out of the movie. Overall: A legendary movie that started a billion dollar franchise. It tells a simple story in the coolest of ways and introduces some iconic characters. A must-watch. [****½] Lucas’ monkeying around and adding all the new stuff totally takes me out of the movies. I can’t believe Disney hasn’t released the original versions on Blu-Ray yet. They’d make a killing
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adamclark52
El Dandy
I'm one with the Force; the Force is with me
Posts: 8,139
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Post by adamclark52 on May 8, 2019 4:27:17 GMT -5
84. The Omen. Genuinely scary compared to all the schlock I usually watch.
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Post by The Kevstaaa on May 8, 2019 8:04:39 GMT -5
#125 Batman Returns6/19/92 | Director: Tim Burton | Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | Runtime: 126 minutes | Platform: DVDThe Plot: The villainous Penguin teams with Catwoman to frame Batman. Strengths: As with the first Batman flick, Michael Keaton (Bruce Wayne/Batman) is a strong lead. He’s one of the best to portray the caped crusader, doing well as both the hero and the man behind it. Danny DeVito (Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin) was a bit of perfect casting. He not only looked the part, but was equal parts menacing and gross. I’m not holding back when I said it was perfect. Christopher Walken (Max Shreck) was also a highlight, snice he’s great in basically everything. Max comes across as the true villain, since Baman, Penguin, and Catwoman/Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) are all in the position they’re in because of Max or people like him. It’s something I enjoyed throughout. The dark tone fits Batman and the specific villains chosen this time around. That’s kind of Tim Burton’s bread and butter, so he was a good choice to remain at the helm of the sequel. Keaton and Pfeiffer have strong chemistry, especially when just playing Wayne and Kyle. Weaknesses: Effort was put into the origin stories of Penguin and Catwoman, but neither really shined through. Penguin’s was better, but Kyle’s stuff lacked. She was pathetic and survived attempted murder. All of a sudden, she puts on a suit and knows how to fight, be stealthy, etc. There’s not a big, layered plot. It’s basically just a plot to frame Batman and not much else. Though it’s kind of expected in a superhero flick from the late 80s/early 90s, a lot of the acting is cheesy. Pfeiffer especially gets some corny lines. Overall: While no performance quite matches up to Jack Nicholson’s in the original, the work of Keaton, DeVito, Pfeiffer, and Walken make for a strong cast. The dark tone works and the action scenes are solid. They took risks with the sequel and most paid off. [***½]
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2019 14:23:46 GMT -5
25. The Hitman's Bodyguard (2017) - 7/10
26. The Predator (2018) - 4/10
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