Review thread

Undertoad · 03-22-2009, 09:23 PM

Your quicky reviews go here

I Love You, Man (theatre) - Really enjoyed it. Paul Rudd finds true bro-mance with Jason Segel. Many men have to answer this question, how to balance life with your best bud against time with your significant other. Segel does a remarkable job here, playing the man every 38-year-old wishes he could be, but with a precise level of restraint. Well done.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (on demand) - Basically, a high school fantasy flick: you wish your life was their life. That kid Michael Sera, who played an awkward teen in Superbad and an awkward teen in Juno, here plays an awkward teen. You separate his characters, I can't. The film is pretty formula, and I kept being taken out of it by realities. If you have the gear to play a club in Manhattan, you don't drive a Yugo and aren't Yugos just museum pieces by now? If you're an awkward teen how do you even drive into Manhattan at night, much less to play a club? Your friend is lost, drunk, in the city, and is your responsibility -- and you can still do light comedy? You found a parking place in the city??? I may be too old to enjoy this movie.

glatt · 03-23-2009, 09:03 AM

Hancock (DVD) - I knew from reviews that this was about a skid row bum who happens to have super powers and meets a PR guy who tries to get him cleaned up. And then there was supposed to be a crazy plot twist that critics weren't sure about. Well, I enjoyed this movie. The plot takes a path that is slightly different from the formulaic Hollywood movie I expected, and overall, it's a good one. As it's unfolding, I wasn't sure who/what to root for. You end up liking everyone in the movie, and enjoying the show. Charlize Theron looks different in just about every movie I've seen her in. She's a chameleon. Maybe I'm getting too old, but the special effects and stunts of the climactic battle scenes in movies are getting so elaborate and visually busy that they bore me now. The effects and stunts that lead up the the climax were good though. Speaking of climaxes, Hancock ejaculates with the force of a shotgun, which presents a unique challenge.

Beest · 05-12-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

Hancock (DVD) - I knew from reviews that this was about a skid row bum who happens to have super powers and meets a PR guy who tries to get him cleaned up. And then there was supposed to be a crazy plot twist that critics weren't sure about. Well, I enjoyed this movie. The plot takes a path that is slightly different from the formulaic Hollywood movie I expected, and overall, it's a good one. As it's unfolding, I wasn't sure who/what to root for. You end up liking everyone in the movie, and enjoying the show. Charlize Theron looks different in just about every movie I've seen her in. She's a chameleon. Maybe I'm getting too old, but the special effects and stunts of the climactic battle scenes in movies are getting so elaborate and visually busy that they bore me now. The effects and stunts that lead up the the climax were good though. Speaking of climaxes, Hancock ejaculates with the force of a shotgun, which presents a unique challenge.

Watched this last night, my inital response, 'it's a story with a beginning, middle and end, just not the beginning middle and end of the same story'

Interesting idea, not too Hollywood formula, which is always a plus, plot pacing and character developemnet were poor and could have made it so much better.

Sundae · 03-23-2009, 10:35 AM

Cheating a bit as it was ages ago:
No Heroics.

ITV (our third channel out of five) isn't known for its comedies.
When it makes a good one, the celebrations rock the island.
This didn't seem to happen with this one, and yet it was the funniest thing I had seen in years. And Dani had to tell me about it! To my shame.

Every single episode had a laugh-out-loud moment, and given that I rarely laugh out loud at the TV (I do in person, or at books, or the theatre, just not at the dead screen) that's a big selling point.

Great character development. Reminded me of the stories I told my sister as a teen. And then told myself.

A bit of man on man (always yummy).

Some wonderful set pieces, and mostly verbal comedy (usually over a pub table).
I could imagine it as a radio comedy actually.
And that's my favourite sort. Blackadder, The League of Gentlemen (which was on radio to be fair, though it started as stand-up), Black Books etc etc etc... All very British, but I'll add Frasier to the mix. Every character in it does not have to be seen to be believed (I hate Friends though, because although the same applies they are caricatures, not characters).

Look it up on YouTube. If you can, watch it. It's funny.

BTW, I'm a word pervert. Wervert.

Shawnee123 · 03-23-2009, 10:46 AM

I like this thread. It has a good beat and you can dance to it.

Ohhh..not review thread, review thread. :p

SteveDallas · 03-23-2009, 11:30 AM

It's kind of stiff to knit with and borderline scratchy as you unwind it, but it's soft and extremely durable after washing. Oh sorry, review thread.

SG, the one reason I recognize "ITV" is that their logo used to appear at the end of The Muppet Show!

DanaC · 03-23-2009, 07:42 PM

Dexter.

Ok, I read aboutthis and thought it sounded a bit of a reach. Mainly that's because I had only skim read and had completely missed the point. I thne further missed the point when i caught a random five minutes of what looked remarkably like any other cop show.

Then i saw Michael C Hall in an interview and remembered who he was (from six feet under) and that actually he's a bloody good actor who rarely does screen work, mainly does theatre, and is highly unlikely to be in a project that doesn't have some artistic merit.

So, ok, I gave it a go. Watched the first episode and was very pleasantly surprised. Watched the second and thrid and it's now my favourite tv drama. I have to (have to!) read the books it was based on now.

It's deep, multi-levelled, beautifully written and directed, and the acting is stunning. It's dark and funny and tragic, hopeful and witty, and it gets under your skin like a good book. It demands something of its audience. It asks you to take a leap and then rewards you for doing so. It's one of the most intelligent programmes I've seen in a very long time.

The characters are 3 dimensional and varied. Structurally it is more novelistic than a serial usually is. One of the things I misunderstood about the show was its structure. It isn't a new set of the same things every week. It's an ongoing story, much like The Wire is ongoing. Much more engaging and compelling than a weekly case structure.

I'm now halfway through series two (about ten days after starting watching it) and my one fear after watching series one (that the premise wouldnt sustain across multiple series without becoming formulaic. or repetitive) has been more than allayed.

Stunning. I highly recommend anybody who hasnt seen it, watch this show. But watch it from the start, don't dip in because it builds in power and the shape of Dexter's internal landscape is important to understanding the show.

Undertoad · 05-12-2009, 09:26 AM

Star Trek: as a fanboi, I was greatly pleased to see the renewal of these characters done so nicely; but especially Spock, possibly Roddenberry's greatest creation. The notion of a character that is 99% emotionless by nature of his race and culture is only permitted by the grace of science fiction, but has amazing implications for drama. The part of Spock that is emotional is the knife's edge inside the character, and they take full advantage of it in the film. Watching the actors "rebirth" the original characters is just fascinating, and the gritty action sequences are just a good enough canvas for it all to unfold. Couldn't be happier with the result, and bring on the next one soon please.

DanaC · 05-12-2009, 09:36 AM

I can't wait to see it. I am so impressed with the actor they cast for Spock. The clips of him look eerily familiar lol.

Pie · 05-12-2009, 10:17 AM

On the whole, I thought the new Trek was great.

That being said, I think the new Spock is a little too emotional. 'Specially with Uhura. No objection to Kirk being a little more wild; there is enough change to his backplot to explain it. Spock, however, shares the exact same history as his counterpart -- where is the rationale for such a recharacterization?

Can't really say more without spoilers, so I'll let it go at that.

DanaC · 05-12-2009, 10:35 AM

The way I read it (in an article about the film) Spock struggled in his youth with his human (emotional) side. By the time we see Spock in the tv series, he's reached his compact between the two sides of himself, temporarily as it then turned out.

This is set before he has reached that compact. When he is still struggling with his human side.

dar512 · 06-01-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC

The way I read it (in an article about the film) Spock struggled in his youth with his human (emotional) side. By the time we see Spock in the tv series, he's reached his compact between the two sides of himself, temporarily as it then turned out.

This is set before he has reached that compact. When he is still struggling with his human side.

That's the way I looked at it too, Dana.

lookout123 · 05-12-2009, 11:25 AM

I saw it yesterday and I thought it was amazing. The casting was spot on. They did a great job of playing the existing characters in recognizable fashion without simply doing impersonations. I thought Bones' speech patterns were perfect.

I'm already looking forward to the new one.

Beestie · 05-12-2009, 11:37 AM

Is Star Trek kid friendly for a 9yo who can handle a lot of action? I'd love to take li'l Beestie but don't want to spend half the movie holding a popcorn box in front of his eyes like I had to do in Beowolf. Boy, was that a mistake.

Pie · 05-12-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beestie

Is Star Trek kid friendly for a 9yo who can handle a lot of action? I'd love to take li'l Beestie but don't want to spend half the movie holding a popcorn box in front of his eyes like I had to do in Beowolf. Boy, was that a mistake.

Nah, it should be okay for a reasonable 9yo. There's one very brief sex scene, but it's nothing that isn't on tv every night anyway. Lotsa action, not much blood.

03-22-2009, 09:23 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Review thread Your quicky reviews go here I Love You, Man (theatre) - Really enjoyed it. Paul Rudd finds true bro-mance with Jason Segel. Many men have to answer this question, how to balance life with your best bud against time with your significant other. Segel does a remarkable job here, playing the man every 38-year-old wishes he could be, but with a precise level of restraint. Well done. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (on demand) - Basically, a high school fantasy flick: you wish your life was their life. That kid Michael Sera, who played an awkward teen in Superbad and an awkward teen in Juno, here plays an awkward teen. You separate his characters, I can't. The film is pretty formula, and I kept being taken out of it by realities. If you have the gear to play a club in Manhattan, you don't drive a Yugo and aren't Yugos just museum pieces by now? If you're an awkward teen how do you even drive into Manhattan at night, much less to play a club? Your friend is lost, drunk, in the city, and is your responsibility -- and you can still do light comedy? You found a parking place in the city??? I may be too old to enjoy this movie.

03-23-2009, 10:35 AM	#4
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Cheating a bit as it was ages ago: No Heroics. ITV (our third channel out of five) isn't known for its comedies. When it makes a good one, the celebrations rock the island. This didn't seem to happen with this one, and yet it was the funniest thing I had seen in years. And Dani had to tell me about it! To my shame. Every single episode had a laugh-out-loud moment, and given that I rarely laugh out loud at the TV (I do in person, or at books, or the theatre, just not at the dead screen) that's a big selling point. Great character development. Reminded me of the stories I told my sister as a teen. And then told myself. A bit of man on man (always yummy). Some wonderful set pieces, and mostly verbal comedy (usually over a pub table). I could imagine it as a radio comedy actually. And that's my favourite sort. Blackadder, The League of Gentlemen (which *was* on radio to be fair, though it started as stand-up), Black Books etc etc etc... All very British, but I'll add Frasier to the mix. Every character in it does not have to be seen to be believed (I hate Friends though, because although the same applies they are caricatures, not characters). Look it up on YouTube. If you can, watch it. It's funny. BTW, I'm a word pervert. Wervert. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac Last edited by Sundae; 03-23-2009 at 10:45 AM.

03-23-2009, 10:46 AM	#5
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	I like this thread. It has a good beat and you can dance to it. Ohhh..not review thread, review thread. :p __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

05-12-2009, 10:17 AM	#10
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	On the whole, I thought the new Trek was great. That being said, I think the new Spock is a little too emotional. 'Specially with Uhura. No objection to Kirk being a little more wild; there is enough change to his backplot to explain it. Spock, however, shares the exact same history as his counterpart -- where is the rationale for such a recharacterization? Can't really say more without spoilers, so I'll let it go at that. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

05-12-2009, 11:25 AM	#13
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	I saw it yesterday and I thought it was amazing. The casting was spot on. They did a great job of playing the existing characters in recognizable fashion without simply doing impersonations. I thought Bones' speech patterns were perfect. I'm already looking forward to the new one. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

03-23-2009, 09:03 AM	#2
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Hancock (DVD) - I knew from reviews that this was about a skid row bum who happens to have super powers and meets a PR guy who tries to get him cleaned up. And then there was supposed to be a crazy plot twist that critics weren't sure about. Well, I enjoyed this movie. The plot takes a path that is slightly different from the formulaic Hollywood movie I expected, and overall, it's a good one. As it's unfolding, I wasn't sure who/what to root for. You end up liking everyone in the movie, and enjoying the show. Charlize Theron looks different in just about every movie I've seen her in. She's a chameleon. Maybe I'm getting too old, but the special effects and stunts of the climactic battle scenes in movies are getting so elaborate and visually busy that they bore me now. The effects and stunts that lead up the the climax were good though. Speaking of climaxes, Hancock ejaculates with the force of a shotgun, which presents a unique challenge.

03-23-2009, 11:30 AM	#6
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	It's kind of stiff to knit with and borderline scratchy as you unwind it, but it's soft and extremely durable after washing. Oh sorry, review thread. SG, the one reason I recognize "ITV" is that their logo used to appear at the end of The Muppet Show!

03-23-2009, 07:42 PM	#7
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Dexter. Ok, I read aboutthis and thought it sounded a bit of a reach. Mainly that's because I had only skim read and had completely missed the point. I thne further missed the point when i caught a random five minutes of what looked remarkably like any other cop show. Then i saw Michael C Hall in an interview and remembered who he was (from six feet under) and that actually he's a bloody good actor who rarely does screen work, mainly does theatre, and is highly unlikely to be in a project that doesn't have some artistic merit. So, ok, I gave it a go. Watched the first episode and was very pleasantly surprised. Watched the second and thrid and it's now my favourite tv drama. I have to (have to!) read the books it was based on now. It's deep, multi-levelled, beautifully written and directed, and the acting is stunning. It's dark and funny and tragic, hopeful and witty, and it gets under your skin like a good book. It demands something of its audience. It asks you to take a leap and then rewards you for doing so. It's one of the most intelligent programmes I've seen in a very long time. The characters are 3 dimensional and varied. Structurally it is more novelistic than a serial usually is. One of the things I misunderstood about the show was its structure. It isn't a new set of the same things every week. It's an ongoing story, much like The Wire is ongoing. Much more engaging and compelling than a weekly case structure. I'm now halfway through series two (about ten days after starting watching it) and my one fear after watching series one (that the premise wouldnt sustain across multiple series without becoming formulaic. or repetitive) has been more than allayed. Stunning. I highly recommend anybody who hasnt seen it, watch this show. But watch it from the start, don't dip in because it builds in power and the shape of Dexter's internal landscape is important to understanding the show.

05-12-2009, 09:26 AM	#8
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Star Trek: as a fanboi, I was greatly pleased to see the renewal of these characters done so nicely; but especially Spock, possibly Roddenberry's greatest creation. The notion of a character that is 99% emotionless by nature of his race and culture is only permitted by the grace of science fiction, but has amazing implications for drama. The part of Spock that is emotional is the knife's edge inside the character, and they take full advantage of it in the film. Watching the actors "rebirth" the original characters is just fascinating, and the gritty action sequences are just a good enough canvas for it all to unfold. Couldn't be happier with the result, and bring on the next one soon please.

05-12-2009, 11:37 AM	#14
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Is Star Trek kid friendly for a 9yo who can handle a lot of action? I'd love to take li'l Beestie but don't want to spend half the movie holding a popcorn box in front of his eyes like I had to do in Beowolf. Boy, was that a mistake. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

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