As there seemed to be a fair bit of uncharacteristically civil discussion in our other movies threads , I thought it might be an idea to start one which could be more or less continuous, related to whatever films might happen to be on release at any given moment.

For example, there's already been some discussion of X2 and The Matrix Reloaded on the other threads. Anyone want to recommend them - or not? Any other films out at the moment worth catching - or missing?


One I'd like to which I'd like to draw attention at the moment would be Down with Love. Okay - this is not going to everybody's cup of tea by any means, but it's a reasonable alternative to the current action-laden blockbusters. If you remembers those Technicolor Rock Hudson/Doris Day vehicles from the sixties, you should find it a real hoot (I chuckled like a fool through the whole thing). A familiarity with campy romantic comedies full of double entendres and split-screen phone conversations is not prerequisite - it's very cute and pretty funny anyway - but it might help with some of the more "in" jokes. David Hyde Pierce is very good as the Tony Randall character (and Randall himself has a cameo role). For those not wishing to see such a film just because it's silly and fun and you feel good afterwards, you can always claim you're taking it in because of its incisive deconstruction of pre-feminist sexual politics in mainstream American cinema. Also, if you do go see this film, don't get up and leave as soon as the end credits start to roll (if you're one of those types), there's a fairly giddy coda to the whole thing...

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Feel free to add to this thread on an ongoing basis as new films get released.

I went and saw the Matrix Reloaded, and my first impression was disappointment, but the more time that I have to digest it, the more that I appreciate it for some of the intricacies of plot. It does have that middle child syndrome, and I do have a few issues, particularly with long, drawn out scenes that should have ended twenty minutes before they did

Still, I recommend seeing the film, but I don't want to go into much depth here, because I don't want to add any spoilers. If anyone else sees the film and wants to talk about it, we should start a new thread with a spoilers warning.

Personally I've lost faith in movies in general. Unless I have a specific interest in a film, such as Schindler's List I assume that any movie coming out will be poor. Quite simply the movie industry has been so heavily restructured in recent years that most movies are so "safe" in their profit potential that all creativity is abandoned. The only thing that can save a movie for me is:

• A really thrilling performance by a talented actor
  
• A truly innovative filmmaking approach
  
• A really interesting idea
  
• A movie where the love of the craft leaps up off the screen

Unfortunately these attributes are increasinly rare in films. I enjoyed the remake of Ocean's Eleven for the last reason; but now I've heard that they are making a sequel. It's just too much.

I saw X2 and will see The Matrix Reloaded sometime within the next week or so. However, even though I am a fan of comic books I'm getting a little tired of comic book movies.

Besides the two aforementioned flicks, still upcoming is Hulk and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The Charlie Angels, Lara Croft, Spy Kids and Terminator sequels aren't based on comic books, but they will be heavily using CGI (computer generated imaging) to recreate spectacular feats of derring-do.

I would very much enjoy seeing a movie with character development, a coherent narrative, smart dialogue, and real acting without computers and artsy-fartsy cameras whirling around.

I want to see a movie.

Try Ghost World... it's available for rent.

I just want to second Ultimatejoe's Ghost World recommendation. That was a very good movie.

You guys talking about this one?

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0162346

I read the review and description. It would not have been a movie I would have rented normally.... but if 2 outta 3 Americas Debaters recommend it..........

--cheers

Yep. That's the one. I really enjoyed it.

One that hasn't been mentioned here which I really liked was Phone Booth with Colin Farrell. It probably won't be nominated for any prestigious awards, but I think Farrell did an excellent job. There's something to said both for an actor and the movie when it can generage serious interest while maintaining the same scenery throughout the entire film.

As for The Matrix Reloaded I certainly agree with the "middle-child syndrome." Having seen it twice though I can say I did appreciate the movie more once I got my mind around it. Some of the conversations could have ended sooner as could a couple of the fight sequences. I still expect the third installment to blow the second away and hopefully equal or one up the first. On the other hand... I'm also dreading that they'll end it with some over used theme that he's either (a)just dreaming it all or (b)within a matrix in a matrix that's in a matrix (infinite)

While comic book movies aren't everybody's cup of tea, I have to say I think X2: X-Men United was actually an improvement upon the first. Those who haven't seen the first or are unfamiliar with the comic book series may dislike the lack of character development, but those appreciating the story and history of the comics will probably like it a lot. I greatly enjoyed the darker plot and increased action. Since the end all but screamed another sequel, I'm looking forward to the third venture.

With the coming of The Hulk I would advise a little caution. While both Spiderman and the X-Men movies have had huge success and been truly entertaining, the previews make me think Bruce Banner may go the way of the recent Daredevil flick, which I found to be horrible. We have a $1 movie place here that gets films for the time between box office eviction and Blockbuster rentals. If you have something similar and want to see Daredevil I would recommend seeing it there. I don't consider it worth even the $3 or $4 it would cost to rent it.

Down With Love is quirky, but I liked it. I could have done without the excessive speech given by Zellweger towards the end when Catcher learns all but whatever. The rest of the film was entertaining with the play on words, playful manner by both Zellweger and McGregor. It probably won't draw as big an audience as the traditional "summer blockbusters" but for those who like cute and silly films (see: Legally Blonde, Josie and the Pussycats), it probably won't disappoint.

A couple rental recommendations I might offer are Good Advice (Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, Jon Lovitz) and Love and Sex (Famke Jannsen and Jon Favreau). They'll either be new releases or probably under comedy, though Love and Sex could easily be construed a humorous drama. I don't think either made it to the box office but were rather straight-to-video. My best guess is that they simply weren't funded well enough to hit the big screen, because they certainly are not (IMO) flops in any way, shape or form.

*Famke Jannsen is "Jean Grey" from the X-Men series by the way. In case anybody wondered or thought the film had "nobody" in it...

Another semi-recent video release I'd recommend is Waking Life. Someone mentioned it in one of the other movie threads recently (I'm thinking it was either cyan or Abs) and it's definitely worth a look - but only if you have a passing interest in dialogue-heavy quasi-philosophical animations (think My Dinner with Andre as a photo-realist cartoon).

On the other hand, I was expecting a bit more from Ghost World and ended up being somewhat disappointed. I guess that makes me the one out of three America's Debaters...

I would almost second Abs' endorsement of Phone Booth except - not too much of a spoiler here, I hope - I thought Colin Farrell's "sin" or whatever was a bit slight as a motivation for the caller's obsession, considering the victims of the first coupla shootings. It just seemed a bit random (and maybe a bit like there was too much effort to make Farrell's character "sympathetic"). I'd agree with his assessment of the performance, though: I know Farrell slightly and am, therefore, constantly amazed by his ability to portray someone who is not a complete gurrier.

Finally saw X2 and thought it was way better than the first one. Way way better - it even had a plot!

I'm glad you liked it, Wertz!
I might buy that one, even though I was so disappointed with it...Hugh Jackman looks a LOT better, and I can pause it at home.

X2 and The Matrix Reloaded are the only ones on my current Must See list. Why? Because I loved the first ones, and because they're just my kind of films: my cinematic tastes are based purely on what is entertaining, and I have no concern for cinematic art whatsoever except as a means to that end. Sure, I like good acting, good directing and a good script, but I've enjoyed the heck out of movies that had none of those, and been bored to tears by some that had all of them but were slow paced, or had no characters I could relate to or just plain had a boring story line.

My two most recent viewings were Matrix Reloaded and A Mighty Wind. The former is AWESOME. I agree that some of the dialogue scenes were a bit long-winded, but when the fight scenes come in....my jaw was on the floor. It takes a lot for a film to impress me, but this one did it just fine. The latter is hilarious. If you've ever seen Waiting for Guffman and/or Best in Show, then you'll appreciate it. Its another Christopher Guest film with all the same actors and the same mockumentary style. I laughed thoroughly throughout.

I am a producer's worst nightmare. I haven't been to a movie theatre since 1997.

And John Favreau was the lead in Swingers and the brilliant Very Bad Things (as well as being a running character on "Friends" for several episodes).



Hugh Jackman doesn't really do it for me. Now, James Marsden (Cyclops) and Shawn Ashmore (Iceman) on the other hand...



I'mk glad to see a recommendation for A Mighty Wind. I enjoyed both Guffman and Best In Show (and, for that matter, This Is Spinal Tap which Guest also had a lot to do with), but had heard that Mighty Wind didn't quite live up the other films. I'll definitely have to check it out now.



Unless you never rent videos either, you're not quite the worst nightmare. In the unlikely event that you're feeling left out in this thread, current video releases (or cable premieres even) would probably fall within the realm of "recent" as well.

Well, I finally made it to The Matrix Reloaded - and thought it was hilarious! This movie gives a whole new, hitherto unimaginable meaning to the word "excessive". As a thoughtful sci-fi action adventure fulfilling the promise of the first part of the trilogy, it was a signal failure. But as an inadvertent satire of itself, it was brilliant. If the script hadn't been quite so tendentious, I would almost have thought it was intentional (and, even so, I kept scouring the final credits for mention of Mel Brooks as a technical consultant). I positively hooted with laughter throughout what has to be the most ridiculously over-the-top film in motion picture history. I look forward to the final installment - if it builds on Reloaded, it could well be one of the funniest movies of all time. Loved it!

Actually, we don't too often. However - last night we rented Barbershop.

Dialogue movies can either rock or be lame. This one was the former. Fantastic cast and writing. It was reminiscent of my other Ice Cube favorite, Friday. The writing on both (although different writers) captures the quintessential parts of city living.

I would recommend this one to any of you stay at home movie goers

I liked Mullholland Dr., it was crazy but after I thought about it, it all made sense.

I just saw the un-edited version of The Sweetest Thing (Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair) last night and I have to give it my recommendation. While it was goofy and bubbly throughout the entire film, it was indeed funny. Among my favorites was the song about where a penis will or won't fit, and a rather comical ####### mishap...

Also, out in theatres right now, I have to recommend The Italian Job as one of those great summer "escapist" movies. While it is predictable for most of the film, there were a couple quick twists that entertained, and I liked the dialogue and cast. While Wahlberg and Theron were the stars, Mos Def, Seth Green and even Jason Stathom nearly stole the show.

RancidUncle, Mullholland Dr. was great. I love David Lynch, and while it's not exactly current, I would recommend Blue Velvet, also.

I have not been in a movie theater since 1996, but once in a great while we watch a film on video. I would strongly suggest, for anyone with any interest in life on this planet, the French documentary Microcosmos, which shows the activities of the tiny creatures that inhabit a meadow with the most beautiful, crystal-clear photography I've ever seen. The video box tries to sell it as a "fun" film for kids, but it is much more than that, full of wonders that I had never imagined.

I just saw the man who wasn't there, it was a real feel good movie!

Just saw Pirates of the Caribbean this evening, which is a real hoot. Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, and Jonathan Pryce are very funny, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley are very pretty, the effects are quite good and not overused - and it's even got a fun, convoluted plot. Nicely staged and shot by Gore Verbinski (who gave us the hilarious Mouse Hunt and the reasonably chilling The Ring), as well.

Also, I finally saw Frida on DVD last night. It is brilliant - probably the best film I've seen in the past year. A compelling story, well told, beautifully photographed, with an excellent soundtrack and a solid ensemble of actors - plus lots of Frida Kahlo's artwork (though not quite enough of Diego Rivera's) and a few pretty steamy, if understated, lesbian sequences, if that'll get you to watch it.

I just saw Pirates of the Caribbean too. It's a keeper.

It's a great mix of fantasy/adventure/romance/camp.

Not sure what an "understated lesbian scene" is, but I can pass if that is all there is to it.
I must be entering my second childhood, as I seem to like Disney movies more than some of the recent fare that has to be over-hyped to get us in the door.
Pirates may get me there, though.

Bill55AZ, Frida was not over-hyped. It was an extremely well-done film about the life of the artist, Frida Kahlo, who led a very interesting and sometimes timultuous life.

If you have any interest, here is a brief biography of Frida Kahlo.

I recently saw two Billy Bob Thorton moives, The Man who Wasn't there and Sling Blade, which were both fantastic.

I rented Narc with Ray Liotta and Jason Patric and it had all the elements I was longing for in my previous post.

It's a tough, profane and VERY VIOLENT story about a couple of burnt-out cops trying to solve the murder of another officer. The story is pretty simple and you'll probably figure it out rather quickly, but if you want to get down n' dirty with the most hellish depiction of Detroit I've ever seen, Narc is well worth checking out.

But once again---it's rough stuff. No cartoony violence here. Executive produced by Tom Cruise, no less!

Bowling for Columbine was released on video and DVD yesterday and I took the opportunity of watching it again last night. I found it much better on second viewing. It helps a bit to be more aware of the Moore's conclusion while watching him examine the question of the nature of violence in our society - which is that we are so immersed in a culture of fear that, as Americans, our first reaction is to resort to violence and ask questions later - in the home, in our schools, within our society and with our global neighbors. The first time I saw the film, I found the process of reaching this conclusion a bit disjointed. The exploration was interesting, but it was difficult to see where the film was going. A second viewing was much more satisfying - whether one agrees with the conclusion or not.


I also recently saw Seabiscuit which is a great inspirational story (if you don't know it), but the screenplay is one big platitude-fest. Having characters mouth inspiring cliches every twenty seconds during the course of an inspiring story is a bit like like painting a dildo red. I didn't hate the film by any means - and the racing scenes themselves were quite well done - but Seabiscuit is not a lily which requires much gilding. This poor thing was like an ingot by the time they got done with it. Wait for the video release.


Oh - and thanks, nighttimer. On your recommendation, I rented Narc a few weeks ago and quite enjoyed it - if "enjoyed" isn't too inappropriate a word...

Please re-read my post and tell me where I said Frida was over hyped. I was speaking in general terms about current movies, not your particular movie.

I am far too old, nearing 60, to be attracted to a movie for the off chance of seeing something sexual that probably has absolutely nothing to do with the actual story. Likewise overstated violence, chase scenes, or stunts that defy the laws of physics. Humor, from silly to dark, will get me in the door, though. There must be some feel-good brain chemicals that are triggered by humor.

I am not criticizing the choices of others in entertainment, just stating that I like to leave the movie house feeling enlightened and/or encouraged about the human race.
A lot of current cinema aims at our more vulgar or common desires and interests while completely misrepresenting life as it is, except possibly in some extremely small corners of the world.

I know, Bill. I was just elaborating on the film, because of your comment about taking it or leaving it if it was only about the lesbian scenes, which it isn't. Just adding some dimension to the conversation. I didn't take it as criticism of my choice of entertainment at all, and I'm certainly not criticizing you for not wanting to see it. To each his own, as they say.

I would add, though, Bill, that if you do like to leave the cinema feeling enlightened and/or encouraged about the human race - especially if representing life as it is - you might very much enjoy Frida. The sexual content, while steamy, is fairly subtle, quite minimal, and entirely integral to the portrait of Frida Kalo - whose story is very compelling indeed.

I just got back from seeing American Splendor and it is the best movie I have ever seen. It won't win the Academy Award but it is the most physiological and interesting movie of the year. Paul Giamatti's performance as Harvey Piccar is amazing. This movie is unbelievable.

I thought American Splendor was great. I saw Lost in Translation, which is beautiful and wonderful. Its everything. Also, I saw Dirty Pretty Things, which was pretty good, and shows you the seedy underbelly of the British (finally!).

I wish I was going to be around for Party Monster, but alas, its just not going to happen.

"women on the verge of a nervous breakdown"

If you like offbeat, crazy indies, pablo almodovar AND antonio bandaras (he's in it), you'll love this film. it is hysterical. btw, it's subtitled so pay attention!


"requiem for a dream"

INTENSE! Soooo very intense...sombre. this movie haunted me for weeks. incredible direction and ellen burstyn IS the woman.

the theme song is yummy

PS. Frida

Just picked up Lord of the Rings, the Two Towers on DVD. There's something about the two films out so far, that have a great, epic feel to them. I can't wait for the last one to come out in December.

that makes two of us. I've been waiting since last year for the return of the king to come out!!! I saw both almost as soon as they came out. I actually walked several miles, some of it through snow (on the ground) just to see the first one (nearest theatre was on the southeast side of town where no buses go. my JNCO pant legs were frozen when I got home.)

I can't wait until november 5 for matrix: revolutions. that movie series is great.

The 'Return of the King' trailer is out. If you want to see it its here;

http://www.lordoftherings.net/trailer_rotk...iler_large.html

Thanks for the link, moif, it looks great!

Anyone know when the last star wars is coming out? I'm starting to hate all these sequels and such. I pay $9.00 to see a movie just so it could end with a "to be continued." I need closure, I stay up late pondering the end of the matrix. Thats probably why I avoided LOTR. I'm holding out, but everyone is always, OMG you haven't seen it, blah blah blah. I'm already hooked on Star Wars and The Matrix, and could care less about Harry the magician. Making 27.00 for one movie is ludicrous.

You could always read the book(well in the case of Lord of the Rings anyway). Plus I don't think anyone would sit through an 8 hour film.

The next Star Wars film is around spring 2005, which still seems an awful long way off as it seems eons ago that I went to see episode 2.

I know I'm probably behind all you guys in the States when it comes to movies, but I just went to see Once Upon a Time in Mexico last week, which wasn't as good as I had hoped. I am a fan of El Mariachi and Desperado which is why I was looking forward to it, and it sure was a fun movie. But somehow I felt there was just a little too much, and well maybe a bit all over the place for my liking. Great soundtrack tho

I tried reading the book, but I can't seem to keep motivated to do it. Don't get me wrong I love to read, but mostly for educational purposes rather than escapism and fantasy. Me and my old friends plan to have a Star Wars viewing party when the last one comes out. We all planned to skip this last one so we have atlest one new thing to watch.

For anyone who has not seen the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King trailer, WATCH IT NOW! I am such a big fan of the series, and I have been waiting forever for this trailer. It is AMAZING! If you haven't seen Fellowship of the Ring and/or The Two Towers, you should really watch those as well. I truly feel that the Lord of the Rings series is a towering achievement in film history and should be remembered as one of the greats.

Also, I loved The Matrix Reloaded, which is coming to DVD soon. If you haven't seen that, you should, and if you haven't seen "The Matrix", what planet are you from? The final (I assume) chapter of the Matrix saga, The Matrix Revolutions, is only a month away as well. It should be amazing.

In other news, I saw "The School of Rock" at the sneak preview this past weekend and it was also very good. It never felt so good to be a fan of REAL rock n' roll before (AC/DC, Rush, etc.). Highly recommended.

I loved the trailer too! Im a massive fantasy and Tolkien fan and the Fellowships release 2 days ago was easily the most anticipated moment for me in cinema history. And it did live up! Cant wait for the last movie, but for now Ill keep myself occupied by going to see Finding Nemo, Kill Bill and the Matrix

having read the book, I would actually suggest you read it (technically the trilogy is one book, with three parts) it took me a month to read the entire thing. while the movie is fairly faithful to the books, (and the movie was made so you could get the story without ever reading the books) there are some things that were left out of the movie (such as the old forest section) some things in the movie never happened in the book (example: when merry and pippen meet frodo and sam, to go with them, it is an accident in the movie, but in the book it was planned) there are also many references to chapters of the books (and a few from the hobbit, which you should read if you haven't) such as when they first meet, on says "its a shorcut" (or something like that) and another says "to what" then a third said "mushrooms!" (chapter from the part of the story is called a "shortcut to mushrooms") or when they're in moria, gandalf (the wizard) says "riddles in the dark" (which is the chapter of the hobbit where we meet gollum, and bilbo gets the ring.)



yeah, jack black rules. any movie he's in a staring role, (saving silver man, orange county, etc...) is worth seeing.

I'm with robin on kill bill. that movie looks sick!!! (that's slang fro cool) I like the preview where vivica A fox and uma thurman are knove fighting, and fox's daughter walks in: "hey baby, how was school today?!"

Books NEVER follow their movie counterparts and vice versa. Stephen King's book The Stand was way off from the movie. Same with Jurrasic Park and Andromeda Strain by Michael Crithon

Not that far behind, Robin - it was only released here a couple of weeks ago. I'd agree with your assessment - though I think you're putting it a bit mildly. I also quite enjoyed El Mariachi and Desperado - and thought Once Upon a Time... was way disappointing. I thought it was really all over the place (the parts that were comprehensible at all) - plus they put the best action sequence (the Salma Hayek thing) about twenty minutes into the film (and never topped it in terms of plot, characterization, or anything else), and totally wasted a perfectly good Depp. It was a mess. A mess with a decent soundtrack, true - but still a mess. Wait for the video release - and get someone else to rent it.

Very true goamerica, I was disappointed with the screen adaptation of the Stand among other King movies, but loved the books. I guess what you really look for is how faithful a movie/book is to its counterpart, then decide whether or not changes/differences improved or enhanced the story.

While Im not entirely happy that there were differences in the LOTR movies, it didnt mean I thought they were bad, as change is required for two very different mediums.

And Wertz youve helped me realise that it truly was rather miserable! Its the cinema experience that changes my perspective, as a movie requires a lot more intelligence, abilityin writing or direction etc to keep my attention on the small screen. An excellent soundtrack will usually win me over in the cinema however I didnt like the Fast and the Furious when i watched it on DVD that much, but got it cos Im into cars. Then I went to see the sequel and had great fun because of the SFX! Madness I guess.