"What's not to like about badass Catholic vigilantes who fly through the air to punch demons in the face?"
That they're Catholics, for starters. On the bright side, the church was largely presented as an oppressive evil regime built on lies and the denial of obvious facts, so that was nicely accurate.
Anyone that thought it was boring needs to pay more attention -- there's loads going on, but it's all very subtle, very calm, very under the surface. Dread to think how such poor people would cope with the miniseries: same story, three times as long (and arguably even more brilliant).
Interesting to see a lot of people criticising the ending -- I thought that was when it got good!
Most of the film's a bit dull and the realism claim is too high for the plot's implausibility, but when it goes all-out following that unforeseen twist (I don't believe anyone called that without a huge dose of luck -- it makes (enough) sense in retrospect, but there's nothing to suggest it), the tone of the entire film clicks better. No, it's not realistic or plausible, but not many action-thrillers are.
Not perfect by any means -- criticism of the dodgy dialogue, Jones' acting, etc, all still stand -- but I thought it was solid enough entertainment.
I like that comment, "too much blood and gore for no reason whatsoever", because in the middle ages they actually just knocked each other about a bit rather than violent hacking people apart or smashing their heads in or gruesomely punishing them.
Hadn't heard much good about this so was expecting it to be laughable, dull and dated, but actually really enjoyed it. Not as great as Alien or Blade Runner, but sits fairly comfortably in the same kind of tonal ballpark.
I don't think this is bad enough to actually hate it. It's passably entertaining; kind of like one of the weak Pirates sequels but with the humour removed.
Disagree entirely. Yes, it's slowly paced, but that's fine - not everything's an action/adventure/thriller. Same for the performances, which I didn't find at all wooden. A little Proper, maybe, but that's due to the era it's set in.
The mystery is involving -- it certainly interested me, anyway -- and it's welcome to have something that shows a different side to the beginning of the war. We weren't all gung-ho save-the-world about it, and it can pay to remember that.
I think there's more to this film than some people are prepared to see/accept. Having for various reasons encountered plenty of mentally ill people, there's a perhaps surprising degree of truth in some of things that the movie is, perhaps, presenting.
That said, I'm not even convinced Snyder's aware of how well he executed that element, and some of the action sequences are too overblown and drag on (the 'distant planet' one especially, I thought).
Mixed feelings on this one, then, but I do think some people write it off too readily. It's not necessarily as mindless as it looks.
Preferred this to Tangled myself. Unmemorable songs? I thought they were much more entertaining. Tangled's I'd forgotten by the time they reached their own reprise.
Not saying this is a great film, but "then he simply forgets that the police has a list of all his property" isn't the reason why it's not.
The police didn't have a list of his property -- he deliberately hid it, and it took them several days of fussing with diplomatic channels, getting lucky with a team member having a contact, plus man hours comparing a pair of lengthy lists, before they found his properties. And all only because Foxx's character had a bright idea in the first place. Not unreasonable to think the police/attorneys wouldn't've thought of that or wouldn't have gone to all that trouble.
Really don't see why people dislike this one so much when compared to the first. Maybe it's not quite as good - not as many memorable one-liners, bit slow in the middle, etc - but it's pretty close.
To be honest, I think a lot of people overrated the first - it took them by surprise, it was better than they were expecting. When the sequel was only as good, it fell below their over-heightened expectations.
As it represents "the first two Godfather films re-edited together in chronological order with additional footage added", just having seen the films (technically) doesn't cut it.
Definitely worth watching even if you've seen the film. It's almost three times as long, so there's a lot more to the story, plus the UK cast blow the US one out of the water -- much as I love Helen Mirren, Bill Nighy's version is superior; Jason Bateman wasn't even close to as good as Marc Warren; and James McAvoy's character isn't even in the remake!
Surely this could at least have "Henry V" as an aka? I've never seen a video or DVD or TV listing or anything sensible that uses its ridiculously long 'real' title.
Have to agree with aneic on this one: Scott was trying something worthwhile but failed to pull it off. Too much "Robin Hood Begins" and not enough "Robin Hood".
Plus, there's room for a more serious take alongside the Costner and Flynn versions, both of which I love - there's no reason one has to choose between a fun Robin Hood and a serious one when you can have both. It's just a shame Scott's attempt at the latter is a bit of a misfire.
Rather enjoyed this myself - it works surprisingly well as a standalone movie considering its roots (albeit a "standalone movie" in the same way something like Fellowship of the Ring is).
But I fail to see what's "too philosophical" about an ending that (merely) involves firing a sniper rifle-esque weapon, rescuing a colleague, and a who's-this-guy-and-what-does-he-know cliffhanger...?
Comments 251 - 275 of 277
Movie comment on Priest
badblokebob
"What's not to like about badass Catholic vigilantes who fly through the air to punch demons in the face?"That they're Catholics, for starters. On the bright side, the church was largely presented as an oppressive evil regime built on lies and the denial of obvious facts, so that was nicely accurate.
Movie comment on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
badblokebob
Anyone that thought it was boring needs to pay more attention -- there's loads going on, but it's all very subtle, very calm, very under the surface. Dread to think how such poor people would cope with the miniseries: same story, three times as long (and arguably even more brilliant).Movie comment on Unknown
badblokebob
Interesting to see a lot of people criticising the ending -- I thought that was when it got good!Most of the film's a bit dull and the realism claim is too high for the plot's implausibility, but when it goes all-out following that unforeseen twist (I don't believe anyone called that without a huge dose of luck -- it makes (enough) sense in retrospect, but there's nothing to suggest it), the tone of the entire film clicks better. No, it's not realistic or plausible, but not many action-thrillers are.
Not perfect by any means -- criticism of the dodgy dialogue, Jones' acting, etc, all still stand -- but I thought it was solid enough entertainment.
Movie comment on The Book of Eli
badblokebob
Really enjoyed this... for maybe 50 minutes, then it slowly degenerated until it reached a woeful Christianity circle jerk of an ending. Big shame.Movie comment on Ironclad
badblokebob
I like that comment, "too much blood and gore for no reason whatsoever", because in the middle ages they actually just knocked each other about a bit rather than violent hacking people apart or smashing their heads in or gruesomely punishing them.Movie comment on Outland
badblokebob
Hadn't heard much good about this so was expecting it to be laughable, dull and dated, but actually really enjoyed it. Not as great as Alien or Blade Runner, but sits fairly comfortably in the same kind of tonal ballpark.Movie comment on Kung Fu Panda 2
badblokebob
It was fine, but not a patch on the first one -- not as funny, not as exciting, not as beautiful. Oh well.Movie comment on Centurion
badblokebob
Almost double the number of dislikes than favs? I'm not saying everyone has to love this, but really? Personally, I thought it was pretty great.Movie comment on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
badblokebob
I don't think this is bad enough to actually hate it. It's passably entertaining; kind of like one of the weak Pirates sequels but with the humour removed.Movie comment on Glorious 39
badblokebob
Disagree entirely. Yes, it's slowly paced, but that's fine - not everything's an action/adventure/thriller. Same for the performances, which I didn't find at all wooden. A little Proper, maybe, but that's due to the era it's set in.The mystery is involving -- it certainly interested me, anyway -- and it's welcome to have something that shows a different side to the beginning of the war. We weren't all gung-ho save-the-world about it, and it can pay to remember that.
Movie comment on Sucker Punch
badblokebob
I think there's more to this film than some people are prepared to see/accept. Having for various reasons encountered plenty of mentally ill people, there's a perhaps surprising degree of truth in some of things that the movie is, perhaps, presenting.That said, I'm not even convinced Snyder's aware of how well he executed that element, and some of the action sequences are too overblown and drag on (the 'distant planet' one especially, I thought).
Mixed feelings on this one, then, but I do think some people write it off too readily. It's not necessarily as mindless as it looks.
Movie comment on The Princess and the Frog
badblokebob
Preferred this to Tangled myself. Unmemorable songs? I thought they were much more entertaining. Tangled's I'd forgotten by the time they reached their own reprise.Movie comment on Law Abiding Citizen
badblokebob
Not saying this is a great film, but "then he simply forgets that the police has a list of all his property" isn't the reason why it's not.The police didn't have a list of his property -- he deliberately hid it, and it took them several days of fussing with diplomatic channels, getting lucky with a team member having a contact, plus man hours comparing a pair of lengthy lists, before they found his properties. And all only because Foxx's character had a bright idea in the first place. Not unreasonable to think the police/attorneys wouldn't've thought of that or wouldn't have gone to all that trouble.
Movie comment on Iron Man 2
badblokebob
Really don't see why people dislike this one so much when compared to the first. Maybe it's not quite as good - not as many memorable one-liners, bit slow in the middle, etc - but it's pretty close.To be honest, I think a lot of people overrated the first - it took them by surprise, it was better than they were expecting. When the sequel was only as good, it fell below their over-heightened expectations.
Movie comment on Clash of the Titans
badblokebob
This is the original...Some people, eh?
Movie comment on The Godfather: A Novel for Television
badblokebob
As it represents "the first two Godfather films re-edited together in chronological order with additional footage added", just having seen the films (technically) doesn't cut it.Movie comment on State of Play
badblokebob
Definitely worth watching even if you've seen the film. It's almost three times as long, so there's a lot more to the story, plus the UK cast blow the US one out of the water -- much as I love Helen Mirren, Bill Nighy's version is superior; Jason Bateman wasn't even close to as good as Marc Warren; and James McAvoy's character isn't even in the remake!Movie comment on New York Stories
badblokebob
I agree Coppola's is unremittingly appalling, but personally I'd say Allen's is successful and Scorsese's is mediocre.Movie comment on The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fifth with His Battell Fought at Agincourt in France
badblokebob
Surely this could at least have "Henry V" as an aka? I've never seen a video or DVD or TV listing or anything sensible that uses its ridiculously long 'real' title.Movie comment on Se7en
badblokebob
Hold on -- did someone really assert that the cheap, dated, clichéd, underdeveloped, sequel-hungry Copycat was better than Se7en?I guess there really is something for everyone and everyone for something.
Toplist comment on BFI's Top 100 British Films
badblokebob
@stefanmago Votes for the list were taken in early 1999, so at the time of compilation the newest films were brand-new.Movie comment on Toy Story 3
badblokebob
Why was Ken's ambiguous sexuality inappropriate? It wasn't like he was sexualised, just camp.Movie comment on Robin Hood
badblokebob
Have to agree with aneic on this one: Scott was trying something worthwhile but failed to pull it off. Too much "Robin Hood Begins" and not enough "Robin Hood".Plus, there's room for a more serious take alongside the Costner and Flynn versions, both of which I love - there's no reason one has to choose between a fun Robin Hood and a serious one when you can have both. It's just a shame Scott's attempt at the latter is a bit of a misfire.
Movie comment on Terminator Salvation
badblokebob
I'm guessing MariusMariusMarius hasn't seen many movies. Salvation is certainly flawed, but worst movie of all time? Not even close.Movie comment on Evangelion Shin Gekijôban: Jo
badblokebob
Rather enjoyed this myself - it works surprisingly well as a standalone movie considering its roots (albeit a "standalone movie" in the same way something like Fellowship of the Ring is).But I fail to see what's "too philosophical" about an ending that (merely) involves firing a sniper rifle-esque weapon, rescuing a colleague, and a who's-this-guy-and-what-does-he-know cliffhanger...?
Showing items 251 – 275 of 277