The "I'm watching/just watched *movie title* thread....

[yumyumtree]

Stir of Echoes 1999

[Camazotz Automat]

This is a review for:

Blackhat (2015)

When I saw the marketing, it made me want to like this movie.

While I can't recommend it, I hope someone else here tells me if they had better luck.

Maybe I was expecting too much or something altogether different.

It's quite possible it sucked mouse trackballs.

There was an obligatory love scene with Thor and an Asian computer expert.

But after hearing the June 16, 2015 Spec Sheet, I was like, "Oh my God. Thor is making it with the Sweetie A.I."

Normally, I don't comment much about what I watch. Just post the name and year and maybe a brief comment.  If I think it's a bad movie, I won't even list it here.  But because of the subject matter indicated by the title, I'm posting.

It seemed filmed in a manner contaminated by episodic CSI-styled television mind think.

Lots of grimacing by Thor Hemsworth, who did not come across convincingly as a hacker, or as a prisoner, or as anything at all.  I've heard of actors phoning it in, but I think he was goshdurn texting it in.

Lots of shots of his somewhat elongated neck. Shots of phones and computer screens. Everyone types fast. I had a difficult time understanding them. Voice quality versus soundtrack production was way out of proportion. Maybe I need new speakers. No, that's not it. I heard every word on Hannibal last night, and that French cop was no walk in the park to understand.

Frankly, for my money, you'd enjoy the now dated Sneakers more than Blackhat. Roger Ebert didn't like Sneakers, but Rotten Tomatoes does by a large margin, so it could go either way for you. Roger Ebert was sometimes a big finicky Persian cat in a suit. We all know that.

At least Redford can majestically act and create a presence on film.

I kept stopping Blackhat to do other things.

Always a bad sign.

But I hope some of the computer techs and Gabblings in general will watch it (or try) and comment.

I feel somewhat conflicted, asking people to watch a film that I felt was a slice of cyber torture.

I did enjoy some of the micro effects of traveling through a computer, but it got old quickly.  Would rather watch scenes from Tron I or Tron II.

The software depicted in the film is similar to the Stuxnet virus (now "out in the wild") used by the U.S./Israel an unknown party to destroy centrifuges in Iran

At least I think that was what kind of virus the film was depicting. Difficult to say, what with all the grimacing and stoic posturing and running around and mumbling.

If I had paid to see this in a theater, I would have had to ask to speak to the manager for some kind of replacement ticket.

If you watched it and liked it, clue me in. I'm open-minded about everything but the grimacing and Sweetie scenes.

Two thumb drives down, because Cam Siskel agrees with me.

- Cam Ebert

[Mind Flayer Monk]

If you watched it and liked it, clue me in. I'm open-minded about everything but the grimacing and Sweetie scenes.

Two thumb drives down, because Cam Siskel agrees with me.

- Cam Ebert

I think Michael Mann needs more Tangerine Dream for his movies.

[Camazotz Automat]

I think Michael Mann needs more Tangerine Dream for his movies.

Tangerine Dream as in music or Tangerine Dream as in the vintage blotter acid to this day still secreted somewhere within the fossilized entrails of the Manson Bus?

[onan]

This is a review for:

Blackhat (2015)

...
Two thumb drives down, because Cam Siskel agrees with me.

- Cam Ebert

It wasn't anywhere near the worst movie I have seen in the last few when evers. But it wasn't anything I would suggest anyone go see.
Anytime, a movie uses the same style of camera used in a helicopter flyover to demonstrate data movement on a circuit board pretty much produces a gag reflex.
And soft porn has annoyed me since I got out of high school.

[Camazotz Automat]

It wasn't anywhere near the worst movie I have seen in the last few when evers. But it wasn't anything I would suggest anyone go see.
Anytime, a movie uses the same style of camera used in a helicopter flyover to demonstrate data movement on a circuit board pretty much produces a gag reflex.
And soft porn has annoyed me since I got out of high school.

A fair and concise opinion, with which I agree. Not the worst film in recent months, but not one I would recommend viewing.

Yet here I am, asking others to watch Blackhat, as if it will serve as some sort of salve upon my befuddled sensibilities.

I am, to some degree, manipulating others to at least consider watching this film of two hours and thirteen minutes.

(Two hours. Thirteen minutes. Mother of all that is holy.)

I'm like one of those two-headed coins that can be purchased from the Magic and Novelties supply store.

[Jackstar]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxvDCx-ILhk

[Camazotz Automat]

CHAPPiE (2015)

[b_dubb]

CHAPPiE (2015)

Thumbs up or down Mr Cam?

[Camazotz Automat]

Thumbs up or down Mr Cam?

I couldn't help but like it. I love AI theory. Robotics. The effects were so seamless I had no trouble believing. Some acting problems and script glossing leaps, but I am a crappy reviewer in that aspect as I will overlook things if the whole seems to be clicking.

It's been several months ago, but I seem to recall that the majority of critics did not like it. Which I understand on various points, but if anyone can watch the entire film and not feel something sort of uplifting, I'm afraid they may have that mutation that adversely affects the empathy-associated regions of the cingulate gyrus.

Droid thumbs up. CHAPPiE like chicken!

heh heh

[pate]

Meow I am laughing my ass off...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXPeLctgvQI

I do hate that movie for some reason...

[Paradox]

Just watched 200 Pounds Beauty.  Streams for free on Prime.  It was recommended by my phlebotomist.  I enjoyed it, but it wasn't earth shattering or anything.

Finally finished Moon Embracing The Sun series.  Now that was awesome! 

NetFlix seems to have an influx of all things Korean lately. 

Watched Evidence of Blood a few days ago.  Pretty good whodunit. 


Have Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon queued up next.

[UnscreenedCaller]

The Nun (2013) Updated version of a classic French novel. Excellent acting by the lead, Pauline Etienne.

[ksm32]

Sinister. 2012

Better than MOST horror movies of the last decade or so.  This movie has, HANDS DOWN the best opening (first minute or two) of ANY horror movie I have ever seen.. no blood, no words, just a film visual that hooks you.

[21st Century Man]

Well its been a while since I last posted and I've watched 3 films.  2 Fairbanks silent films and a Werner Herzog film.
 
   First The Mark of Zorro (1920).  I enjoyed it immensely.  The Tyrone Power Jr. version from 1940 is a fun film but I found Fairbanks to be a more definitive version of the character.  His Don Diego was such an effeminate fop and his Zorro was so charming and athletic.  It was great when his Don Diego starts coming out from behind the façade. The superhero film and comic book genre start here.  The athleticism of Fairbanks is amazing.  Climbing walls, jumping from roof to roof.  No CGI here and it is common knowledge among film buffs that Fairbanks did his own stunts.  Simply amazing.  The movie itself starts off a bit slowly but the pacing really picks up after the first 20 minutes. The chase sequence is one of the best ever captured on film. The lead actress, Marguerite De La Motte, was fine and Robert McKim was excellent as Zorro's foil.  Noah Beery was also amusing as comic relief. Fred Niblo directs the film with flair. Despite the slightly slow start, this film is magnificent and I cannot find myself giving it less than 5 stars.


   Now The Black Pirate (1926) a silent film that was shot entirely in early 2-strip Technicolor.  This movie moved very quickly (80 minutes) and featured almost every trope of the pirate genre.  Buried treasure, a mutiny, plank walking and the damsel in distress.  The only thing missing was a parrot.  Donald Crisp was practically unrecognizable under his bushy eyebrows as a crusty one-armed Scot.  It was nice to see Doug with a fuller head of hair in this one.  The stunts were amazing particularly in the scenes where Fairbanks single-handedly takes over a merchant vessel.  All of the actors did an excellent job and the directing was fine.  However,  I wish the movie ran for a bit longer and had a more substantial plot and not so many clichés.  I realize they weren't clichés then but it still bothered me.  It tries to be the definitive pirate movie and maybe it does succeed in some respects but I still prefer Captain Blood and The Sea Hawk (1940).  However, the movie never bores and Fairbanks is at his best. 4 out of 5 Stars.

  Now, Aguirre, Wrath Of God (1972) from director Wernor Herzog and actor Klaus Kinski.  I knew beforehand that this was not going to be a pleasant movie and the ending would be downbeat. The Characters deserve the downbeat ending though.  I really wanted to proclaim this movie a masterpiece before I sat down and watched it.  In some respects it is but in other respects, not so much.  The opening shots of the movie are breathtaking.  They were filmed in the Andes near Machu Picchu.  I found the tone of the film to be appropriate and Kinski delivers a nice performance playing a person who is very similar to himself.  However, I found the screenplay lacking and the directing could have been better.  I felt too many things happened off-screen that should have been on-screen. The man who escapes from the cage and simple things like the arrows suddenly shown protruding from the explorers with no phffft. The death of Ursua's appointed successor happened very suddenly and I missed what killed him but it was probably a poisoned arrow. Also when they hang Ursua. The way they hoist him up it seems like it would be a very slow death.    I found some of the dialogue particularly coming from the priest and Aguirre to be absurd.  All of that said, while I have a lot of criticism for Herzog's technique, he films many shots brilliantly.  The film is darkly comic at times.  The decapitated head finishing his sentence.  The boat at the top of the trees.  I guess I would have liked more exposition on the characters' descent into madness.  Kinski seems to be crazy from the very beginning and the characterizations of the other actors are very thin sketches.  The last shot is great with Kinski standing on the somewhat submerged raft, completely mad, fantasizing of ruling his kingdom with his now-dead daughter as his mate.  An autobiographical point to be sure as Kinski apparently pursued incestuous relationships with his daughters in reality.  I just feel there are too many flaws in the film to proclaim it a masterpiece but Herzog is definitely a rising talent at this point in his life and parts of the film are brilliant.  3 and a half out of 5 stars and I'm being generous.

[pate]

Just now starting:

"Renfrew of the Royal Mounted"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029475/

I expect good things...

[yumyumtree]

Boom Town 1940
The Wolfpack 2015


If you like documentaries, or "triumph of the human spirit" type movies, I recommend The Wolfpack.

[Evil Twin Of Zen]

The Brink
HBO Television series

sex, drugs, politics, international crisis, #1 in campy dialogue, terrorists, crazy leaders, nuclear weapons and a self-hysterical point of view. it's like the real world except it's made of silly putty rolled in cat litter.

i like it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofJPfqkgBcE


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrs49WfM6v4

[Unquenchable Angst]

just put myself through  "North-South" a a  mini series from the 1980's. Lots of cameo appearances by many great stars at the ends of their careers. A rather plodding plot that moves from 1840's to 1866  Seems to have been 3 seasons of it as it was based on 3 books.So that should not have did die like maybe they wanted more money so a quick death rewrite. . Somehow they got about every old star from the 40's-50's and 60's into it while they still breathed.me characters that should have died early did not some that died too soon. . Lot's of war scenes,Mexican War, Civil War. Seemed like some sub plots began and then sort off dangled into oblivion with out a finish. While some seem to plod on. Anyway, the whole damn thing can be found on You Tube. What the hell were women subjected to hoop skirts for.

[UnscreenedCaller]

1/2 of Interstellar. That's what I get for being on the up and  up and paying for it on iTunes. The other half didn't load up. Now I have to wait until tomorrow for Cooper to get through the wormhole.


I think I'll like the rest because I like the science behind the wormhole travel, but holy cow, the plot device to get Cooper to his destiny initially is really too too too much of a leap. In fact, I have a problem with more than a few of the concepts back on future earth, so I'm just going to relax and enjoy the wormhole ride if the rest of it ever loads up.

[Eddie Coyle]

   Whiplash, 2014.


    Shillinger gets paroled from OZ, becomes jazzbo.

    Excellent psychodrama, Simmons is terrific.

[zeebo]

1/2 of Interstellar. That's what I get for being on the up and  up and paying for it on iTunes. The other half didn't load up. Now I have to wait until tomorrow for Cooper to get through the wormhole.


I think I'll like the rest because I like the science behind the wormhole travel, but holy cow, the plot device to get Cooper to his destiny initially is really too too too much of a leap. In fact, I have a problem with more than a few of the concepts back on future earth, so I'm just going to relax and enjoy the wormhole ride if the rest of it ever loads up.

Write back after you finish.  I'm curious where you come out on the brilliant vs. wtf debate.   

[FightTheFuture]

Season 2;  Boardwalk Empire

[analog kid]

Write back after you finish.  I'm curious where you come out on the brilliant vs. wtf debate.   

People think it's brilliant?

[zeebo]

People think it's brilliant?

Believe it or not, yep, quite a few of them.  You can find them in imdb comments, sprinkled in amongst all the ones who hated it.  I personally found it a tortuous experience and would like to drop into a time-warp wormhole so I could go back and un-see it.

[Camazotz Automat]

The Terminator (1984)

[SciFiAuthor]

Believe it or not, yep, quite a few of them.  You can find them in imdb comments, sprinkled in amongst all the ones who hated it.  I personally found it a tortuous experience and would like to drop into a time-warp wormhole so I could go back and un-see it.

Now there's a movie that just plain pissed me off. They bring in Kip Thorne and attempt to make the most accurate representation of a wormhole and a black hole ever put to screen . . . yet give us a fucking impossible frozen cloud planet in the same movie. All of Hollywood's foolishness is on display in that movie from the screenwriting to the directing to the hands of the executives. What could have been a great movie, and started out in production to be one, but through the system was turned into a turd. Too many hands in that pie.

[onan]

Now there's a movie that just plain pissed me off. They bring in Kip Thorne and attempt to make the most accurate representation of a wormhole and a black hole ever put to screen . . . yet give us a fucking impossible frozen cloud planet in the same movie. All of Hollywood's foolishness is on display in that movie from the screenwriting to the directing to the hands of the executives. What could have been a great movie, and started out in production to be one, but through the system was turned into a turd. Too many hands in that pie.

Yeah the frozen cloud was more than bothersome. But overall, I liked the movie, remember it is a movie. If the representation of scientific theory in Interstellar is bothersome, most other sci-fi movies must make for thought of suicide.

[zeebo]

Yeah the frozen cloud was more than bothersome. But overall, I liked the movie, remember it is a movie. If the representation of scientific theory in Interstellar is bothersome, most other sci-fi movies must make for thought of suicide.

Yeah but that movie took itself so painfully seriously that the science flubs seem to stand out more.  Anyway I'm pretty good at suspending disbelief so that's not what bothered me, but I have ranted elsewhere about my gripes so will contain myself.  Glad some folks got some enjoyment from it.

[chefist]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJNZF3LR0VM

It's TV, but the first episode is pretty amazing!