Attack of the Killer B's

Aug 29, 2012 23:37

"I need to watch some better movies," I said last time. I...did not.

Cool Hand Luke: B/B+ )

making the grade, in conclusion, movies

Leave a comment

Comments 19

stephl August 30 2012, 14:30:52 UTC
I never saw Ang Lee's Hulk, and we only watched the Edward Norton iteration after seeing Avengers (in my case, after 3 viewings of Avengers, IIRC). So this version just couldn't hold up to Whedon's Hulk as portrayed by Ruffalo. Nope. And all Liv Tyler does is scream "Bruuuuuuuce!" It got a little old. (Also, the only valid use of the line "Hulk smash" is now from Avengers.) That said, I REALLY loved William Hurt's giant magnificent Tom of Finland mustache. And Tim Roth chewing the scenery was hilarious, although I don't think that was the intended response.

The Princess Diaries is pretty much why I was appalled at Anne Hathaway being cast as Selina Kyle. (Well, that, and some horrific bridezilla movie she was in that Tim and I took his nieces to, because they REALLY REALLY wanted to see it. [I have a much closer relationship with his OTHER niece who reads comics, saw the second Sherlock Holmes movie 4 times, and is double-majoring in physics and philosophy.]) Anyway, I thought Princess Diaries was cute, and dug Julie Andrews, and all ( ... )

Reply

spectralbovine August 30 2012, 14:39:05 UTC
And Tim Roth chewing the scenery was hilarious, although I don't think that was the intended response.
I have no idea what the intended response was.

all the excellent SF location shots (did they go to the Musee Mechanique?
YES! I was like, I've been there!

And my preconceived notions were wrong about Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, fortunately!
I wasn't worried about Anne Hathaway at all. You should see Rachel Getting Married. And she was in Brokeback Mountain! Everyone saw her acting in that! And her boobs!

Reply


beeker121 August 30 2012, 16:23:21 UTC
This is what I've been saying about "John Carter", not brilliant, but really not bad and perfectly worth a few hours of time. Wow, did the marketing of that movie get it epically wrong.

Your review makes me wonder about "Super", it's buried somewhere in my netflix queue at the moment, because James Gunn, but nothing I've heard about it otherwise sounds interesting.

I'm also thinking I should try doing movie reviews given that I watch enough of them, but then my viewing is so eclectic I might weird people out. Hrmmm...

Reply

spectralbovine August 30 2012, 16:56:26 UTC
This is what I've been saying about "John Carter", not brilliant, but really not bad and perfectly worth a few hours of time. Wow, did the marketing of that movie get it epically wrong.
The marketing completely left out the OTHER MARTIANS. It made it look like it was basically John Carter fighting alien beasties or something.

Your review makes me wonder about "Super", it's buried somewhere in my netflix queue at the moment, because James Gunn, but nothing I've heard about it otherwise sounds interesting.
Yeah, ugh. James Gunn, Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page, and just ugh. Also, three rape scenes, two of which are supposed to be funny!

I'm also thinking I should try doing movie reviews given that I watch enough of them, but then my viewing is so eclectic I might weird people out. Hrmmm...
Do it!

Reply


ethanvahlere August 30 2012, 17:37:56 UTC
As much as I hate saying things like this, Cool Hand Luke might be a generational thing. It's one of many anti-hero roles Newman played in the 60's, and although I think it's entertaining enough, I think The Hustler and Hud are better in that regard.

I haven't watched the Ang Lee Hulk in a long time (still haven't seen the Edward Norton one), but I still remember liking it because of the seriousness and the look (plus, Jennifer Connolly!), though it does get ridiculous at times, especially the CGI and the end.

To me, Sleepless in Seattle is two movies in one. The good one involves Tom Hanks getting over the death of his wife, his relationship with his son, and his son's relationship with his friend (I thought Gaby Hoffman stole the movie from everyone). The bad one was Meg Ryan acting like a flibbertigibbet (except when she's calling into the radio show). It's nowhere near as smart, or as romantic, as When Harry Met Sally.

I'm glad you liked The Descendants; it was one of my favorite movies of last year. Another great thing about ( ... )

Reply

ethanvahlere August 30 2012, 17:53:31 UTC
I HATED Submarine. Annoying, one-note characters, and an overly precious tone.

The Hunt for Red October was a little too slick for my taste when I first saw it, but it gets better upon repeat viewing. Although Harrison Ford's Jack Ryan movies were good, I always thought Alec Baldwin was better suited to the part, even bringing a nice comic spin on the role (like his imitations of Fred Dalton Thompson and Sean Connery - "'Ryan, some things in here don't react well to bullets.' Yeah, like me. I don't react well to bullets").

Never been a Tony Scott fan, unfortunately (except for True Romance, Enemy of the State, and Beat the Devil, the short he did for BMW; also, to a lesser extent, Spy Game), and the two films you reviewed are no exception. I agree completely about your review of The Hunger, while Crimson Tide, to me, was too slick, overblown and obvious, despite the good performances.

Reply

spectralbovine August 30 2012, 18:02:00 UTC
I HATED Submarine. Annoying, one-note characters, and an overly precious tone.
Ha, I can see that. I thought it managed to pull back from overly precious to just precious enough for me.

even bringing a nice comic spin on the role (like his imitations of Fred Dalton Thompson and Sean Connery - "'Ryan, some things in here don't react well to bullets.' Yeah, like me. I don't react well to bullets").
And his little Die Hard moment when crawling around through the vents! I did like the little comic moments, although they felt a little out of place too.

while Crimson Tide, to me, was too slick, overblown and obvious, despite the good performances.
I can see that. I don't mind slickness, though. It's usually a strength for me, I think, unless it works against the movie. Thrilling action movies about dudes in submarines should be slick!

Reply

ethanvahlere August 30 2012, 22:09:40 UTC
I guess when I say "slick" I'm not being precise; I also mean it seems like I can see the gears turning too much, and the film is so concerned with going through the motions (while, in this case, pretending we haven't really seen it all before) it feels like the film has no room to breathe, if that makes any sense. One of the reasons why I like those little comic moments in Red October is they help undercut the slickness.

Reply


(The comment has been removed)

spectralbovine August 30 2012, 18:04:02 UTC
Just looking at this list hurt me!
Ha ha ha, what, do you love all those movies dearly?

I don't even know what The Hairpin is! Are you saying that they couldn't find anything scandalous on Newman because he really was a super decent dude?

Reply

(The comment has been removed)

spectralbovine August 30 2012, 19:43:43 UTC
No! It was just chock full of boring/terrible nonsense.
Except for a few movies near the end! You should watch those!

He was just a super stand up dude who loved his wife a lot and made interesting art
And salad dressing and salsa!

Reply


wimbledonchampv August 30 2012, 21:18:08 UTC
I have been meaning to see Submarine because I liked the book. I actually laughed out loud a few times reading it. I'd recommend it since you enjoyed the movie.

Reply


Leave a comment

Up