What's the Latest Thing You've Seen at the Cinema II

We are just back from the SW Force Awakens. We thoroughly enjoyed it. A shame the same sensitivities could not have been used on episodes 1-3.

I think we will see it again in 2D this time so that we can concentrate on the story and  not the " flashy" bits of 3D, I spent a lot of time re-focusing. 

My 2nd time plan is 2D Imax. Apparently the only UK cinema that uses 70mm is The London Planetarium!

M

Star Wars VII (warning: spoiler)

A relief - film was excellent. 

EJ

The Force Awakens

Family Views

Me: Enjoyable, amusing, action packed popcorn SciFi that ......spoilers

Mrs: OK, enjoyed it.

Elder Daughter: Disappointed ...spoilers

Younger Daughter: OK.

M

On Sunday night, we finally got round to seeing this. It's a decent Bond, not as good as Casino Royale or maybe even Skyfall; great opening sequence, some good chases and stunts, a nicely underplayed villain, but a rather sullen leading lady, and nowhere near enough screen time for Monica Belluci. And was it just me, did Daniel Craig not seem that committed?

I wonder if the series/franchise needs another reboot? The problem is, the stunts, gadgets and tech are again threatening to overwhelm everything (as they did in the late Moore/late Brosnan eras) and it's all in anger of getting overly camp (or just plain silly). Watching Dr No/FRWL/Goldfinger (for me still the best Bond films) on telly over Xmas, it struck me that the series could do with going back - both to basics and in time.

As "C" says in SPECTRE, Bond is an anachronism in today's age of surveillance and terrorism, so why not go back to the late 1950s/early 60s, as Anthony Horowitz did in his Bond novel Trigger Mortis?

I totally agree with you there Kevin. With the early Bond films there was believability, even with some of the 'high tech' gadgets, which is being stretched too far with the modern films. I recently introduced the grandkids to the older films and they thought they were terrific, especially Goldfinger, so I don't think they would necessarily lose the younger audience if they went back to a simpler format.

Hi Steve, great to hear from you. Hope you and the family had a good Xmas.

I think those early Bonds look better as well: their gloriously saturated '60s Technicolor completely blows the dun-coloured palette of the latterday movies out of the water.

There's also a glamour to them, as well as grit and a degree of realism. Just think - in the 1960s, places such as Jamaica (Dr No), Istanbul (FRWL), Bahamas (Thunderball) and Japan (YOLT) were completely beyond the reach of most moviegoers and they must have looked incredible. These days the locations are just there for some stunt sequence or chase - back in the day, they had starring parts.

Watched this on the plane. The story of Brian Wilson, the people who fed off his success and ultimately almost destroyed him, and the woman who saved him. Some superb acting, with Paul Giamatti a really nasty piece of work. Nice to see John Cusack, doing a great turn as an older, mentally tortured Brian; and of course a wonderful Beach Beach Boys soundtrack.

Highly recommended!

The Hateful Eight. If you're a fan of Tarantino films you won't be disappointed. If you're a fan of Westerns you should like it as well. The story would work well in any time or place. Tarantino choosing a western setting adds to the color of the eight characters.

joerand posted:

The Hateful Eight. If you're a fan of Tarantino films you won't be disappointed. If you're a fan of Westerns you should like it as well. The story would work well in any time or place. Tarantino choosing a western setting adds to the color of the eight characters.

Looking forward to this one Joe! QT can do no wrong in my book.

So had a movie night with two movies. The first one the force awakens. I liked it but have to say it was not thrilling as well. The 3D element did by the way add a level of experience in my opinion. What was dissapoint int that the dark side wasn't so convincing with the new dark lord...

So all in all enjoyable, but not monumental.

The 2nd one was the Revenant. Now this was something completely different. Great acting by Di Caprio, beautiful scenery, good screenplay. 

I already read in a review that somebody said that Leonardo deserved his Oscar finally. And after seeing this movie I would agree, he is in great form.

with the hateful eight upcoming an interesting movie year.

Off to see Star Wars tonight. Heard very little about it, so going in with an open mind and no 3D. Heard it was done in post anyway - why even bother?

Stars wars would be a very different film if you removed all of the things done in post. The 3D is great.

Star Wars episode VII. Epic in Imax, although fed up with 3D digital blurring.

Watched with my son on my birthday, I was surprised to find the large theatre at near capacity for a Friday 9:45 AM screening. Tough to put this one in perspective and it still has me thinking (a good thing). It has a western pace, a classic western injustice-followed-by-revenge plot, and all the components of an epic film; sweeping cinematography, vast landscapes, great attention to detail and period correctness, excellent make-up, engrossing special effects, meaningful dialog, and a 2-1/2 hour length. Well casted, each character holds interest. Many will rave about DiCaprio's acting, but I found villain Tom Hardy every bit as powerful. The plot demands attention and I found it the quietest, most involved audience I've been in in years. The movie is wholly intense from the start and several scenes are brutally realistic, but this is not just gore for its own sake, rather appropriate realism within the context of the story.  The film takes place in the deepest, darkest part of winter and there is a palpable sense of stark cold throughout, fortified by extensive use of natural lighting.

If these elements hold appeal for you I suspect you'll find "The Revenant" a powerful film and high quality production the likes of which are rarely made these days. If you're a theatre-goer that doesn't like to be taken from your comfort zone, then not advised.

joerand posted:

Watched with my son on my birthday, I was surprised to find the large theatre at near capacity for a Friday 9:45 AM screening. Tough to put this one in perspective and it still has me thinking (a good thing). It has a western pace, a classic western injustice-followed-by-revenge plot, and all the components of an epic film; sweeping cinematography, vast landscapes, great attention to detail and period correctness, excellent make-up, engrossing special effects, meaningful dialog, and a 2-1/2 hour length. Well casted, each character holds interest. Many will rave about DiCaprio's acting, but I found villain Tom Hardy every bit as powerful. The plot demands attention and I found it the quietest, most involved audience I've been in in years. The movie is wholly intense from the start and several scenes are brutally realistic, but this is not just gore for its own sake, rather appropriate realism within the context of the story.  The film takes place in the deepest, darkest part of winter and there is a palpable sense of stark cold throughout, fortified by extensive use of natural lighting.

If these elements hold appeal for you I suspect you'll find "The Revenant" a powerful film and high quality production the likes of which are rarely made these days. If you're a theatre-goer that doesn't like to be taken from your comfort zone, then not advised.

 

That's a great write up, thanks Joe.

The Peanuts Movie

This film is essentially a string of all the familiar gags, loosely bound by two equally familiar story arcs. It lacks plot development or narrative tension, but for what it is, a highly polished 90 minute homage to Charles Schulz's comics, this is excellent. The animation is very well done, and music and voices seem lifted straight out of the 80s cartoons (including the trombone for all adult voices). Most of the crew are here, including Frieda (with the naturally curly hair), and kite-eating tree; but no Rerun or Spike.

The boys enjoyed it; missus not so much. Highly recommended for all Peanuts fans. 

EJ

My mini Star Wars review - It was ok. 6/10

rackkit posted:

My mini Star Wars review - It was ok. 6/10

 

Concise. 

The Revenant - not sure about all the fuss, for me Jeremiah Johnson is still my go to Mountain Men movie. As ever, Tom Hardy mumbles but still manages to fill the screen. In what is essentially an American movie, I wonder why so many British And Irish thesps are in key roles. 

For a movie that captures the time and atmosphere, I found Bridge of Spies more enjoyable even if Tom Hanks was just being Tom Hanks. I thought Mark Rylance was superb. 

MDS posted:

rackkit posted:

My mini Star Wars review - It was ok. 6/10

 

Concise. 

Yep! 

Huwge posted:

The Revenant - not sure about all the fuss, for me Jeremiah Johnson is still my go to Mountain Men movie. As ever, Tom Hardy mumbles but still manages to fill the screen. In what is essentially an American movie, I wonder why so many British And Irish thesps are in key roles. 

For a movie that captures the time and atmosphere, I found Bridge of Spies more enjoyable even if Tom Hanks was just being Tom Hanks. I thought Mark Rylance was superb. 

Nothing wrong with that. Will wait for this on Blu-ray though. 

I watched Bridge of Spies on the plane, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I liked the fact that there were no real baddies (apart from some of the East German guards) and, as has been noted by others, Mark Rylance was brilliant. 

rackkit posted:

My mini Star Wars review - It was ok. 6/10

 

Hi Rackkit,

I can understand that rating, or others who might want to give it a higher score. I think what JJ Abrams gets right is character and relationships, and placing them in kinetic scenes. However, he does not allow science or logic to stand in the way of a yarn (good or otherwise). I know that this film, like the new Star Treks, will increasingly irritate me over time as my logical mind overcomes any positive emotionality I may feel towards the characters. However I finally assess the film it is a MILE better that the prequels, or 'Return of the Jedi' come to that.

M