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Post by Baph on Dec 31, 2016 15:29:20 GMT -5
When I say conventional war movies I'm just trying to make sure people don't get off into "Braveheart" and "Star Wars" type of . . . well, it IS a war movie.
And I wholly agree that there are serious flaws in several of these films, but maintain and stand by my list as being the best overall selection of conventional war films that I've seen. Terrance Malick is notorious for self-indulgent crap, but there are some truly spectacular moments in that film, one of which Cup pointed out already. Same for Apocalypse Now and FMJ. There are pieces in there that are just profound and spectacular story telling that far surpasses the pedestrian narratives of most war films like a Heartbreak Ridge or a Tears of the Sun. If I have to sit through 20 min over way-too-stoned screenwriting to get there, then so be it. Have not seen All Quite on the Western Front, but am a big fan of that era and genre, so will def check it out. Will be interesting to see a war film made prior to WW2. Loved Bridge on the River Kwai and Paths of Glory.
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Post by Angelo on Dec 31, 2016 15:42:12 GMT -5
Funny enough, Apocalypse Now wasn't written as a war movie.
Heartbreak Ridge was fun movie, as was Dirty Dozen.
Thoughts on Fury?
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Post by ToNoAvail on Dec 31, 2016 16:14:09 GMT -5
I thought Tigerland was great.
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Post by slaytan on Dec 31, 2016 19:18:16 GMT -5
don't know if it fits nicely into the "conventional war movie" category, but of more recent films, i thought lone survivor was awesome. was hard to watch in some parts as i don't like watching our boys get torn up, but was a great story with what i thought was generally good acting (marky mark goes overboard sometimes). I thought American Sniper was better, though it was not without some serious glaring weaknesses. Also was hard to watch a couple scenes of Americans getting fucked up in that one
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Post by Baph on Dec 31, 2016 20:23:10 GMT -5
Funny enough, Apocalypse Now wasn't written as a war movie. Heartbreak Ridge was fun movie, as was Dirty Dozen. Thoughts on Fury? I though Apocalypse Now as a loose interpretation of Heart of Darnkness (novel).
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Post by mmaphreak on Dec 31, 2016 20:53:48 GMT -5
don't know if it fits nicely into the "conventional war movie" category, but of more recent films, i thought lone survivor was awesome. was hard to watch in some parts as i don't like watching our boys get torn up, but was a great story with what i thought was generally good acting (marky mark goes overboard sometimes). I thought American Sniper was better, though it was not without some serious glaring weaknesses. Also was hard to watch a couple scenes of Americans getting fucked up in that one i thought American Sniper was needlessly drawn out in some parts. conversely, the ending felt abrupt to me. my memory may be fuzzy on that as i haven't watched the movie in a while, but from what i remember, they didn't really go too deep into kyle's life post-military. he had a number of different things going on other than taking vets to the range. perhaps it was just poetic license for the movie to imply that he was just getting his life back together through that program when he was then shot dead. by all accounts, he had mostly conquered his military demons and successfully re-integrated into society by the time he was killed. i also thought cooper's performance was, for the most part, overrated. Lone Survivor had that almost non-stop intensity that I like in war movies (just like Blackhawk Down). where you feel exhausted after watching it for the first time. American Sniper did not have that for me.
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Post by Angelo on Dec 31, 2016 21:18:17 GMT -5
Funny enough, Apocalypse Now wasn't written as a war movie. Heartbreak Ridge was fun movie, as was Dirty Dozen. Thoughts on Fury? I though Apocalypse Now as a loose interpretation of Heart of Darnkness (novel). Yep, though I wouldn't consider it a loose interpretation, the setting is the biggest change by far. It one of Jess's favorite books actually. It nearly the same symbolism and concept. She just told me that Conrad's first language was not English but the book was actually written in very good English, that surprises me.
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Post by nickcage on Jan 1, 2017 2:51:56 GMT -5
I was a little. Whims but I just watched The Night Of. It's an 8 part mini series about a guy who may or may not of murdered a girl he met. Very well acted. I enjoyed the first 5 episodes a lot than it as much once the trial came around.
7.5/10
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Post by PatSox on Jan 1, 2017 3:54:28 GMT -5
Manchester by the Sea
An uplifting tale of hope and love and caring and cheer and joy for all seasons........is what I could have seen, if I watched La La Land, or some ...fuckin....Pixar movie. But no, I went with this friggin pit of hopelessness and despair. Why? Why did go to a theater and pay good money, to see this? Well.......probably because it's an astonishingly great film Seriously, this movie was awesome. No it's not going to have you walking out smiling. No you won't get the ending you hoped for. No, not everything comes around and works out for the main character you so badly want to find peace and happiness. What happens instead is something.....real. I know we usually turn to movies to escape reality, but every once in a while there are ones like this you take in, once and only once and are glad you did Main reason, Casey Affleck. Holy shit is he good in this. I can't say exactly what they reveal happened to his character that makes him the emotionally shut down, depressed, social pariah that he is, but just trust me when I say that it is sufficient reason to be that way. My god, did I end up feeling for this guy. You think the sad part is about what the trailers and commercials spell out. The death of his brother, the nephew he has to be a guardian for and how they cope. But man, that's nothing compared to what they reveal about his past The film jumps back and forth between current and past events. And it does it deftly. Those past scenes, difficult as they are to watch, are the real standouts. So well edited, such perfect music cues, and such real performances. Affleck's most likely, Oscar winning performance is supported by plenty of other excellent turns from Kyle Chandler, Michelle Williams, the kid playing his nephew and others. And they all get the accent pretty close. Yes, this is another movie that takes place in Massachusetts, with our ridiculous accent Manchester-by-the-sea is a town I have been to. It's a small place on the shore(obviously), north of Boston, that....I'm not even sure if it's it's own town. I think it may be part of Gloucester (A Perfect Storm). Either way, it's obviously a big fishing area. So some parts of this movie take place on a boat. So if you have a fear of boats, don't see this movie. If you have a fear of dealing with your own emotions, also, don't see this movie. But if you can handle it and want to see something really great, see this at some point. Or don't. I don't give a fuck. Yah fahkin quee-yah But honestly, see it. I put it right up there with Hell or Highwater as the best of 2016 9.5 / 10
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Post by Baph on Jan 1, 2017 14:27:51 GMT -5
I am Not a Serial Killer - 7.25 of 10.
Sort of a teenage Dexter vs an actual serial killer in his town, maybe not even human, played by Doc from Back to the Future. Some solid acting. Netflix original. Fun concept. Didn't blow me away and they could have done a better job with the antagonist's . . . condition. But decent.
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Post by slaytan on Jan 2, 2017 5:17:44 GMT -5
I thought Tigerland was great. It was, but then there was some technical stupidity. Blanks fired next to your head would not hurt you. Secondly, to use blanks you have to use a blank adapter on the M-16, a big red thing that screws into the flash suppressor, so the whole ending of the movie was impossible and stupid. It was a great movie until it dashed on the rocks at the end
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Post by sooner2 on Jan 3, 2017 17:00:57 GMT -5
Rogue one
First time in about a year and a half that wife and I had a chance To get out and see a film. Rogue one was the choice.
Good movie. Liked seeing the development of the rebel forces and enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of the main female character.
Many cool little Easter eggs with tribute to past SW moments-- many shots reminding one of past scenes in part 4 and 5 especially.
I thought the ending was handled well and appropriately. A stand alone chapter for the most part. Enjoyed seeing the guy from the night of on hbo get a chance on the big screen in a BB type film. He is capable of much better acting than what his writing called for however.
Mads mickelsen kicked ass with his non verbals, as he often has done. I will again ask those that liked him in Valhalla to go back and see his formative films pusher and pusher II.
It was wierd for me ... the lead rebel lieutenant/ sniper/ intelligence officer character looked and sounded eerily exactly like one of my favorite cyclists , Swiss Fabian cancellara, who was the Olympic gold medalist in the time trial this summer.
Also cool how they made Vader look .... almost... younger. He was smaller and thinner, and his get up seemed to somehow reflect him being younger??? They showed more light in the reflections off his eye pieces of his mask?? Somehow I got the feeling he was younger... and not just because I was aware of the time line.
Overall, a good film experience.
Strong 3.5/5.
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Post by unknownvariable on Jan 6, 2017 18:46:47 GMT -5
Hail, Caesar! - 6/10
After this ended, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how or why I watched it all the way to the end. Nothing happened the whole movie. It was a bunch successful, talented actors putting on pretty good performances for absolutely no reason. The movie led nowhere. Disappointing, considering the actors involved. Picture Grand Budapest Hotel without the pace, action, drama, or purpose.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2017 23:14:58 GMT -5
The Prestige:
Jfc what a good movie this is. Can't believe it got by me this long. Especially since it is a Nolan flick...
4.75/5
There was only one little thing I didn't like about this movie, i don't want to say what it is because it's a pretty big spoiler.
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Post by Baph on Jan 8, 2017 0:40:47 GMT -5
Just re-watched Dreamcatcher, which I've always loved, has a stellar cast, some cool sci-fi gore, and I'm shocked to death . . . because it's fucking terrible. Like, cringe worthy bad. What a difference watching something in your 30s vs watching something in your 20s makes. Horrible, unbelievable characters and dialogue, profoundly cliche, even dopey at times, even Morgan Freeman couldn't save this turd.
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Post by Baph on Jan 8, 2017 1:26:17 GMT -5
Strongman: Eddie Hall - 7.75 of 10.
Solid documentary following the strongman circuit through the eyes of up-and-coming British strongman Eddie Hall. Interesting insights into the rigors of training, travel, and competing against the likes of The Mountain and Brian Shaw.
Fearless - 8.5 of 10.
Six part series following the PBR bull riding circuit for a year leading up to the finals in Las Vegas. Unbelievable violence in the rides. Grueling calendar. Was not aware how often they rode and how wildly injury riddled they become. Nor how dominated the sport is by Brazilians, which is one of the central focuses of this doc.
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Post by daywork on Jan 8, 2017 11:00:00 GMT -5
Strongman: Eddie Hall - 7.75 of 10. Solid documentary following the strongman circuit through the eyes of up-and-coming British strongman Eddie Hall. Interesting insights into the rigors of training, travel, and competing against the likes of The Mountain and Brian Shaw. Fearless - 8.5 of 10. Six part series following the PBR bull riding circuit for a year leading up to the finals in Las Vegas. Unbelievable violence in the rides. Grueling calendar. Was not aware how often they rode and how wildly injury riddled they become. Nor how dominated the sport is by Brazilians, which is one of the central focuses of this doc. I use to have a employee that did the PBR thing. He rode bulls and broncos was also a bull fighter. They call the rodeo clown a bull fighter, they get offended if you call it a rodeo clown LOL. Anyways, yeah they do a lot of events, like every weekend he was riding somewhere. And he was injured most of the time. Always came into work though on Monday. Broken ribs and nose is common place in the rodeo
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Post by slaytan on Jan 8, 2017 11:02:11 GMT -5
Don't forget All Quiet on the Western Front, Baph. I'm very interested in your review
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Post by Baph on Jan 8, 2017 12:29:45 GMT -5
I have The Pusher and All Quiet on my list.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2017 12:30:40 GMT -5
Jason Bourne...
I agree with Garth, it was hot garbage. I also wonder how getting shot in the back gives you amnesia...
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Post by PatSox on Jan 11, 2017 9:48:24 GMT -5
Jason Bourne... I agree with Garth, it was hot garbage. I also wonder how getting shot in the back gives you amnesia... I don't remember
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Post by Tapout on Jan 11, 2017 10:23:33 GMT -5
Creed
3/10.
Loved it, the first time they did it, when it was named, Rocky 1.
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Post by Baph on Jan 11, 2017 11:01:41 GMT -5
Sherlock (BBC) is back with season 4. The first two episodes are out and . . . yet again . . . the quality of this show is just overwhelming. Production value is off the charts. The 90 and 120 min episodes rival many of the better films I've seen recently. Clever writing, superb acting, great cinematography that creates an immersive atmosphere. It's dark, it's real, it's visceral, it's funny . . . just killing the game. This series is just OWNING the genre.
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Post by Baph on Jan 12, 2017 1:07:42 GMT -5
Netflix series "Travelers" is pretty solid so far. Two episodes in to season one and I'm liking what I'm seeing. Difficult to discuss without immediately revealing major plot points, but it's a sci fi thriller with some doomsday themes a bit like 12 Monkeys if you remember the way that went down.
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Post by ocmmafan on Jan 12, 2017 20:56:45 GMT -5
Netflix series "Travelers" is pretty solid so far. Two episodes in to season one and I'm liking what I'm seeing. Difficult to discuss without immediately revealing major plot points, but it's a sci fi thriller with some doomsday themes a bit like 12 Monkeys if you remember the way that went down. I just finished it. I was entertained and will go into more details once a few of these other clowns chime in. I'll give it a solid 8.
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Post by Angelo on Jan 12, 2017 21:00:49 GMT -5
I'm on I think episode 6 of Travelers. I like it, its weird though I feel like it isn't a good show but at the same time I do. Know what I mean?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2017 20:06:39 GMT -5
LIVE BY NIGHT. Rated 7.5/10.
Usually, January releases are a hit-or-miss proposition; studios often dump films they're not too nuts about into that market. I was pleasantly surprised by this one, directed by its lead actor Ben Affleck. No real twists or new innovations on the time-tested gangster genre here, but it's fast-moving, violently exciting and entertaining nonetheless. You could enjoy a look at this one, as I did.
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Post by Tapout on Jan 16, 2017 9:02:53 GMT -5
Finally got around to watching two films this weekend ive been wanting to watch for sometime.
Sicario - Solid flick. Thought they could have spent more time on Adams character development. Maybe some back story. They are doing a follow up called Soldado due out this year. Adams was written out of the sequel. Loved Del Toro's character. Talk about vengeance. 7.5/10
Straight out of Compton - This was a let down. Don't have much to say really. Ice Cubes son can not act. One bit. Clearly cast because he looks like his old man. 5/10
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2017 9:59:28 GMT -5
Started nocturnal animals last night. Has my attention.
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Post by Premier on Jan 16, 2017 16:01:52 GMT -5
Arrival.
Cool concept. At times slow. The ending was a bit predictable. But not many complaints. Good alien movie.
7/10.
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