What is the best recent movie you’ve seen.
- Thread starter Doggywoggy
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Well, we all know that the 13th amendment was passed but the movie is really about the behind the scenes machinations which enabled the passage, a subject I did not know all that much about. Some of the movie engaged in speculation as to some of those events, such as the private conversation between Lincoln and Stevens in which he told Steven to dial back the rhetoric about 3 notches. What was most fascinating was the congressional debates. While the text of those debates are a matter of public record, I had not read them and was intrigued by the re-enactment.
On the other hand most of the drama in Argo seemed to me to be very artificially contrived, such as the scene in which the plane is chased on the runway by Iranian police or army.
When you see a film like Argo or Lincoln and you know the ending............aren't these called documentaries??Not really a film if it's based on true facts.
Hello all,
Well, how is this not true about Lincoln, even though I totally agree with you it was the best movie of the year. I thought Argo was almost just as exciting overall, more intense at times but perhaps because of the living memory of the real events. I thought Argo lacked cinema-graphic quality of Lincoln and other nominated movies. Also, the acting overall, including the strong supporting cast in Lincoln, was a greater challenge as well as being superior. Except for the Hollywood segments of Argo, I didn't find it as creative as Lincoln, and I wondered despite Affleck's changes how much of what was shown in the film was in effect self-written by the historical events and reports compared to the story line and dialogue of Lincoln where a lot of what was presented in the movie, like the backdoor deals, formal dance balls, political manipulation, and Lincoln with the troops, was impossible to know and required very creative writing. The dialogue creativity and challenge in Lincoln was far more difficult since everything but Congressional records had to be speculation, and overall far, far superior to Argo. Of course I haven't seen some movies, but between the two...Lincoln!!!
I did not see much of the awards, but I was shocked that right after Daniel Day Lewis won for Best Actor they chose Argo for Best Picture. Then I checked the winners list and found that the major awards were split among several movies, almost like Hollywood purposely decided to spread the wealth around this year. I'm not surprised Christophe Waltz won, though I thought his personality in Django was nearly the same as Inglourious Basterds.
Did you like Braveheart? I loved it. But it's history is PISS in many details, like Wallace making love and having a child with a princess who was actually 8 years-old at the time. The Falkirk battle details were also horrible among many. As a historian usually aware of the distortions it's a real pain in the butt to know the factual details when Hollywood's history is often atrocious.
Being from Connecticut, EB, you may have heard of the outrage of your representative who was livid about two Connecticut Representatives voting against the bill as portrayed in Lincoln. Historically, all four Connecticut men voted in favor.
pfffssst,
Merlot
Hunger Games
I recently had the chance to see "Hunger Games" on Netflix. I had not read the book. The only reason I rented the DVD is because Woody Harrelson is in it. I see all movies that have Woody Harrelson in them, as I feel he is one of the best, if not the best, character actors around. His recent performances in "No Country For Old Men", "Zombieland", and "7 Psychopaths" (a movie that still makes me laugh when I think of Harrelson's character, whose dog is stolen in the movie) establish Woody as perhaps the most underrated actor currently working in the film industry.
Hunger Games is a pretty well done move. The acting is surprisingly strong, with good performances not only from Harrelson but also Jennifer Lawrence, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, and an extremely pretty young black girl who plays the character Rue. Some have claimed that both the book and the movie are a major ripoff of Shirley Jackson's classic short story "The Lottery", and I can't quibble with the criticism that this is NOT an original idea for a book or a movie. However, many of the movies made these days are rehashes of the same or very similar plot formulas. Still, there was some imagination in some of the details of this movie.
The film is recommended for any Woody Harrelson fans and any science fiction genre fans as solid entertainment, although it's not quite as strong as Harrelson's work in the other 3 films I mentioned, which in my opinion feature exceptional performances by Harrelson.
I recently had the chance to see "Hunger Games" on Netflix. I had not read the book. The only reason I rented the DVD is because Woody Harrelson is in it. I see all movies that have Woody Harrelson in them, as I feel he is one of the best, if not the best, character actors around. His recent performances in "No Country For Old Men", "Zombieland", and "7 Psychopaths" (a movie that still makes me laugh when I think of Harrelson's character, whose dog is stolen in the movie) establish Woody as perhaps the most underrated actor currently working in the film industry.
Hunger Games is a pretty well done move. The acting is surprisingly strong, with good performances not only from Harrelson but also Jennifer Lawrence, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, and an extremely pretty young black girl who plays the character Rue. Some have claimed that both the book and the movie are a major ripoff of Shirley Jackson's classic short story "The Lottery", and I can't quibble with the criticism that this is NOT an original idea for a book or a movie. However, many of the movies made these days are rehashes of the same or very similar plot formulas. Still, there was some imagination in some of the details of this movie.
The film is recommended for any Woody Harrelson fans and any science fiction genre fans as solid entertainment, although it's not quite as strong as Harrelson's work in the other 3 films I mentioned, which in my opinion feature exceptional performances by Harrelson.
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Game Change
In keeping with my personal policy of seeing any movie that Woody Harrelson is in, I requested "Game Change" from Netflix. After watching "Game Change" tonight, about the 2008 US Presidential election, I think this might be the best performance of Woody's career. He plays John McCain's senior campaign strategist Steve Schmidt, one of multiple senior McCain campaign advisers who clash with Sarah Palin, who is portrayed in the film by Julianne Moore as moody, whimsical, unstable and completely incompetent in her knowledge of foreign affairs and policy. Harrelson is clearly the star of this movie (which also features Ed Harris as McCain, who is portrayed as a man of character, integrity and intelligence).
My favorite scene is the one in which Harrelson, while eating a grapefruit, winces and nearly chokes on his food as Palin answers a question about the Fed by pontificating about the federal government. Amazing performance by Woody.
In keeping with my personal policy of seeing any movie that Woody Harrelson is in, I requested "Game Change" from Netflix. After watching "Game Change" tonight, about the 2008 US Presidential election, I think this might be the best performance of Woody's career. He plays John McCain's senior campaign strategist Steve Schmidt, one of multiple senior McCain campaign advisers who clash with Sarah Palin, who is portrayed in the film by Julianne Moore as moody, whimsical, unstable and completely incompetent in her knowledge of foreign affairs and policy. Harrelson is clearly the star of this movie (which also features Ed Harris as McCain, who is portrayed as a man of character, integrity and intelligence).
My favorite scene is the one in which Harrelson, while eating a grapefruit, winces and nearly chokes on his food as Palin answers a question about the Fed by pontificating about the federal government. Amazing performance by Woody.
Re: Hunger Games
Very good review of this great movie, EB. I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. This was Jennifer Lawrence's breakthrough movie, even though she was previously nominated for 'Winter's Bone'. I can't wait for the sequel!
As for the best character-actor around today, i agree that Harrelson is among those at the top of the list. However, my vote for current #1 character-actor would go to Spaniard Javier Bardem, whom i first saw in 'No Country For Old Men', where he won the Oscar for best supporting actor in a movie. He was great in 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' and in 'Biutiful', and might have portrayed one of the most memorable Bond villains ever in "Skyfall".
Re: Game Change
Once again, a very good review by EB of one of my favorite tv movies in 2012. One of the persons portrayed in the movie, McCain aide Nicole Wallace, stated that this movie felt like an out-of-body experience for her in how true-to-the-script reality was. From all insider accounts, Julianne Moore absolutely nailed Sarah Palin's character as a total nitwit who was way over her head in the political game when picked by McCain totally right-out-of-the-blue to be his running mate. Will this movie define Sarah Palin's political career in years to come? On time will tell. John McCain has refused to comment on the accuracy of the movie, even though he did say once that he disagreed with his portrayal as someone who swore often. Strong performances throughout the board, from Moore, Harrelson, Harris, McNicol & Paulson. Highly recommended for any political junky!
p.s. It is shown regularly on HBO. My guess is that Sarah Palin must wince everytime she turns on the tv & sees this movie being played. She has criticized the movie, even though she has admitted to never watching it. Tell me something: if someone would make a movie about you, wouldn't you be tempted to at least watch it once? I mean, this is a movie about YOU.
Very good review of this great movie, EB. I agree with pretty much everything you wrote. This was Jennifer Lawrence's breakthrough movie, even though she was previously nominated for 'Winter's Bone'. I can't wait for the sequel!
As for the best character-actor around today, i agree that Harrelson is among those at the top of the list. However, my vote for current #1 character-actor would go to Spaniard Javier Bardem, whom i first saw in 'No Country For Old Men', where he won the Oscar for best supporting actor in a movie. He was great in 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' and in 'Biutiful', and might have portrayed one of the most memorable Bond villains ever in "Skyfall".
Re: Game Change
Once again, a very good review by EB of one of my favorite tv movies in 2012. One of the persons portrayed in the movie, McCain aide Nicole Wallace, stated that this movie felt like an out-of-body experience for her in how true-to-the-script reality was. From all insider accounts, Julianne Moore absolutely nailed Sarah Palin's character as a total nitwit who was way over her head in the political game when picked by McCain totally right-out-of-the-blue to be his running mate. Will this movie define Sarah Palin's political career in years to come? On time will tell. John McCain has refused to comment on the accuracy of the movie, even though he did say once that he disagreed with his portrayal as someone who swore often. Strong performances throughout the board, from Moore, Harrelson, Harris, McNicol & Paulson. Highly recommended for any political junky!
p.s. It is shown regularly on HBO. My guess is that Sarah Palin must wince everytime she turns on the tv & sees this movie being played. She has criticized the movie, even though she has admitted to never watching it. Tell me something: if someone would make a movie about you, wouldn't you be tempted to at least watch it once? I mean, this is a movie about YOU.
Lincoln hit Amazon and seems to be getting just over three stars with 30+ reviews. Seems as though my thoughts were shared by many: https://merb.cc/vbulletin/showthrea...-you%92ve-seen&p=664087&viewfull=1#post664087
The movie really could have been so much more........It`s not bad, but it`s just not "all that".
P.S. Saw Green Lantern........worth what I paid $3.99......wait a minute, I`m being a bit generous. Let`s say $1.99 and a candy bar.
The movie really could have been so much more........It`s not bad, but it`s just not "all that".
P.S. Saw Green Lantern........worth what I paid $3.99......wait a minute, I`m being a bit generous. Let`s say $1.99 and a candy bar.
A few quick reviews:
Iron Man 3D- Very good as always. I mean how can you go wrong with Robert Downey Jr & Gwyneth Paltrow? Story was a little more down to earth this time with more character development. Hint, so much for his Malibu Home....LOL
G.I. Joe: Retaliation: Boring, Gratuitous. Even the special effects are wimpy. The Rise of Cobra was better, but that's not saying much.
Django Unchained: Actually pretty good in a limited sort of way. Lots of gritty action and interesting blood scenes. Glad I waited until Amazon debut as I sure would have kicked myself for wasting a night out on it. Basically good entertainment.
Now to the good stuff:
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK: Great Screen Play. Brilliantly played by Jennifer Lawrence. Great chemistry between her and Brad Cooper. Great ensemble, including terrific support work by DeNiro. Well directed, but for some reason I felt the camerawork could have been better. Overall I'd say you can't loose with this movie. Really good and well worth your time and money.
The Impossible: Heart moving and inspiring. Outstanding special effects that place you at the scene and engulf you (almost literally). Naomi Watts is a favorite of mine and at first I questioned Ewan McGregor. But he proved well suited to the role. There's an undercurrent of humanism that runs the whole length of the movie giving you something to take with you.
Next up: Cloud Atlas......Anyone seen Schwarz's new flick?
Iron Man 3D- Very good as always. I mean how can you go wrong with Robert Downey Jr & Gwyneth Paltrow? Story was a little more down to earth this time with more character development. Hint, so much for his Malibu Home....LOL
G.I. Joe: Retaliation: Boring, Gratuitous. Even the special effects are wimpy. The Rise of Cobra was better, but that's not saying much.
Django Unchained: Actually pretty good in a limited sort of way. Lots of gritty action and interesting blood scenes. Glad I waited until Amazon debut as I sure would have kicked myself for wasting a night out on it. Basically good entertainment.
Now to the good stuff:
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK: Great Screen Play. Brilliantly played by Jennifer Lawrence. Great chemistry between her and Brad Cooper. Great ensemble, including terrific support work by DeNiro. Well directed, but for some reason I felt the camerawork could have been better. Overall I'd say you can't loose with this movie. Really good and well worth your time and money.
The Impossible: Heart moving and inspiring. Outstanding special effects that place you at the scene and engulf you (almost literally). Naomi Watts is a favorite of mine and at first I questioned Ewan McGregor. But he proved well suited to the role. There's an undercurrent of humanism that runs the whole length of the movie giving you something to take with you.
Next up: Cloud Atlas......Anyone seen Schwarz's new flick?
I saw Iron Man 3 and liked it. Although some of the action scenes were really over-the-top, even by the incessantly over-the-top standards for action scenes in Super Hero movies. The movie is ultimately sustained by great actors: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley and Don Cheadle. All were very good.
P.S. Catch "Blue", the series on YouTube. Wig produces this YouTube Series and it's in its second season. Brief story line: Single Mother of an exceptional child has to do the high class hooking thing to make ends meet. Well worth your time and should make a great IPAD opportunity as its episodes are only like 8 1/2 minutes long.
Iron Man 3
If you are fascinated simply by what can be done these days with the latest special effects this movie will give you a high, and there are a couple of impressive ideas. But you'll have to deal with a terribly disjointed script and over-the-top effects that seem to be there to cover the lack of a credible story line that even the word "fantasy" has a hard time excusing. The kid seems to be there only to slow things down enough to keep your head from melting down from the pace of the Tranformers-esque deluge of wanton destruction. Still, if hot women turn you on be ready for the hottest girlfriend in the history of anything. She'll melt your heart, and the rest of you, to a cinder...LITERALLY.
The cause of all this evil is a frivolous playboy tech giant genius didn't keep a flimsy promise for a backdoor meeting with a nobody bum with a cutesy anagram name on a business card. :lol: Okay, so the antagonist thought he was betrayed from getting his Big Break.
IMHO, the story line is a great big mess, not the least of which is a conspiracy within the Presidential-circle to betray the country to a FLAMING madman for love. But it's impressive to see the state of special effects are so refined nowadays they can produce and throw away Iron Man suits faster than cheap Walmart T-shirts.
I stayed, but jumped up and left as soon as the final credits appeared. It would help a lot to see this film in pot-legalized state, or get high before going and have a designated driver bring you. I was a little luke warm on Iron Man 2, but seeing it again helped a lot. I don't think 100 viewings would change my mind on Iron Man 3.
To think I made this choice based on the far better previous films and mostly because of the unlucky time showing of the new Star Trek film.
YUK,
Merlot
If you are fascinated simply by what can be done these days with the latest special effects this movie will give you a high, and there are a couple of impressive ideas. But you'll have to deal with a terribly disjointed script and over-the-top effects that seem to be there to cover the lack of a credible story line that even the word "fantasy" has a hard time excusing. The kid seems to be there only to slow things down enough to keep your head from melting down from the pace of the Tranformers-esque deluge of wanton destruction. Still, if hot women turn you on be ready for the hottest girlfriend in the history of anything. She'll melt your heart, and the rest of you, to a cinder...LITERALLY.
The cause of all this evil is a frivolous playboy tech giant genius didn't keep a flimsy promise for a backdoor meeting with a nobody bum with a cutesy anagram name on a business card. :lol: Okay, so the antagonist thought he was betrayed from getting his Big Break.
IMHO, the story line is a great big mess, not the least of which is a conspiracy within the Presidential-circle to betray the country to a FLAMING madman for love. But it's impressive to see the state of special effects are so refined nowadays they can produce and throw away Iron Man suits faster than cheap Walmart T-shirts.
I stayed, but jumped up and left as soon as the final credits appeared. It would help a lot to see this film in pot-legalized state, or get high before going and have a designated driver bring you. I was a little luke warm on Iron Man 2, but seeing it again helped a lot. I don't think 100 viewings would change my mind on Iron Man 3.
To think I made this choice based on the far better previous films and mostly because of the unlucky time showing of the new Star Trek film.
YUK,
Merlot
Star Trek: Into the Darkness.
Yes, it's a very exciting and well-written movie, not far from being as good as the first. There's still the same great tension between the characters, and I love all the actor/actress choices for the cast. The movie has plenty of twists and riveting surprises without lapsing into over-the-top nonsense or frivolous special effects; though one solution at the very end was just too easy and convenient. Plus, I enjoyed the tie-in to episodes in both the original tv series and the 2nd full movie with two characters who drastically affect Kirk's future. Oh yeah, the blonde has a very hot body shot.
I rate the first new Star Trek an A, this sequel a B to B+.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/7a87933d30050108f1741b6224c6e88b/tumblr_meppszPNcQ1qc8le9o1_500.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddKfJTS-EEM/UTyPhqmuSCI/AAAAAAAAA1A/JG3UIZWMUU8/s1600/Alice-Eve-1.jpg
Have fun,
Merlot
PS
The only original actor in the movie is Nimoy. There's no Shatner unless he's buried in a scene.
Yes, it's a very exciting and well-written movie, not far from being as good as the first. There's still the same great tension between the characters, and I love all the actor/actress choices for the cast. The movie has plenty of twists and riveting surprises without lapsing into over-the-top nonsense or frivolous special effects; though one solution at the very end was just too easy and convenient. Plus, I enjoyed the tie-in to episodes in both the original tv series and the 2nd full movie with two characters who drastically affect Kirk's future. Oh yeah, the blonde has a very hot body shot.
I rate the first new Star Trek an A, this sequel a B to B+.
http://25.media.tumblr.com/7a87933d30050108f1741b6224c6e88b/tumblr_meppszPNcQ1qc8le9o1_500.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddKfJTS-EEM/UTyPhqmuSCI/AAAAAAAAA1A/JG3UIZWMUU8/s1600/Alice-Eve-1.jpg
Have fun,
Merlot
PS
The only original actor in the movie is Nimoy. There's no Shatner unless he's buried in a scene.
I had heard that William Shatner was to appear in a cameo role as an old, retired Starfleet commander who now works as a supervisory consultant with Starfleet, but likes to ham it up and joke around with the younger commanders. Is this one of the plot twists?
** The Great Gatsby****Outstanding!!!
Just got back from seeing The Great Gatsby. I won't give some long review, but if you don't see this movie in 3D IMAX you've missed something totally Orgasmic. To quote an idiot broadcaster "It sends an absolute chill up your leg". This movie is literally in competition in my mind with the best films I've ever seen. I feel that it is in the same ballpark significant-wise as "Gone with the Wind" etc..etc.. This film puts to shame petty films like Lincoln. An absolute and unequivocally WORK OF ART!!! If you don't see it you're a fool.
Just got back from seeing The Great Gatsby. I won't give some long review, but if you don't see this movie in 3D IMAX you've missed something totally Orgasmic. To quote an idiot broadcaster "It sends an absolute chill up your leg". This movie is literally in competition in my mind with the best films I've ever seen. I feel that it is in the same ballpark significant-wise as "Gone with the Wind" etc..etc.. This film puts to shame petty films like Lincoln. An absolute and unequivocally WORK OF ART!!! If you don't see it you're a fool.
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