Author Topic: Good recent movies?  (Read 26305 times)

Monkeyleg

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Good recent movies?
« on: December 12, 2009, 07:09:01 PM »
I'm constantly renting new movies, and frequently disappointed. I thought we might start a movie thread, so we could pick up on some releases we're not aware of.

Some of the latest:

"Public Enemies." It's okay, but it could be a lot better. The real Dillinger story is as thrilling as any made-for-the-screen gangster story, but director Michael Mann doesn't take it all the way. Good gun scenes, though, with the Thompson, BAR, 1911's, and other period guns.

"Taken." If you like action, you'll enjoy this. Use the first ten or fifteen minutes to get your pizza ready, though, as the schmaltzy part with his daughter is a bit too much.

"The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3." I thought it would be a disappointment because: a) it's a remake and; b) John Travolta is in it. It's very good, though, with a fast pace. Travolta is even good in his role.

"The Code." I think Morgan Freeman just needed some money. Terrible.

"The Line." Proof that Ray Liotta can't hold up a movie on his own. So bad I already forgot what it's about.

"State of Play." I really like Russell Crowe, and this is one of his best. Just when you think you know who the bad guy is, you're wrong. Interesting and somewhat realistic look at newspaper reporting, too.

"American Gangster" I know this is several months old, but it's a must-see for anyone who likes gangster movies.

"Body of Lies." Another one that's months old, but very good. Leonardo DeCaprio plays his usual anger-driven role, with the obligatory shirtless scene, but it's still a good flick. I didn't recognize Russell Crowe at first, who does a good job of playing a desk jockey.

So, what have you found?

jackdanson

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2009, 09:12:01 PM »
Up.  It's a kids movie, but it's probably one of the best movies I've seen this year.  Also District 9 should be coming out soon on DVD. D9 is very good too. Taken and Public Enemies were worth watching, but not great.  If you haven't seen it yet check out No Country for Old Men, one of my favorites.  

Balog

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2009, 09:35:13 PM »
Up is incredible. Taken was very good. Public Enemy was ok, although Depp's weedy little mustache (when he had it) annoyed me a lot for some reason. Really great sound effects in the hunting lodge gun fight scene.
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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2009, 09:37:29 PM »
I'm wondering if Public Enemy is on demand yet...  [popcorn]

We just saw Blind Side in the theatre last night.  Not bad.  Sandra Bullock is smokin hot in it.  Felt like the Mike character was underdeveloped, though, and the whole movie is suppossed to be about him. ???
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robear

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2009, 10:12:53 PM »
I really enjoyed Inglourious Basterds.

Balog

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2009, 10:21:01 PM »
I really enjoyed Inglourious Basterds.

I hate Tarantino with a passion, but I am tempted to see that. Is it typical of his other work?
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Declaration Day

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2009, 10:23:21 PM »
The new Star Trek movie is fantastic, and just recently came out on DVD / Blu Ray.  Easily the best chapter in the series.  So good in fact, that you need no previous exposure to Star Trek to enjoy it.  I am a Trekkie however, so consider that when taking my recommendation.  :lol:

Terminator Salvation is pretty good, too.  Not as good as Star Trek but worth watching.

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robear

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2009, 11:06:30 PM »
I hate Tarantino with a passion, but I am tempted to see that. Is it typical of his other work?

I didn't think so, but then again I AM a fan of Tarantino.   I thought it was a good story, with a satisfying ending.   Give it a try, I am interested to know what you think of it.

PTK

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #9 on: December 12, 2009, 11:12:49 PM »
District 9 was awful, in my opinion. FAR too gory.

Up was phenomenal, even for a kids' movie.
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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #10 on: December 12, 2009, 11:28:29 PM »
It's not really a recent film but you should watch Gran Torino if you haven't already seen it.  It is a superb movie.
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robear

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2009, 11:38:48 PM »
It's not really a recent film but you should watch Gran Torino if you haven't already seen it.  It is a superb movie.

Just watched Gran Torino again tonight.   Agree, superb.

I also enjoyed District 9.

Monkeyleg

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2009, 11:47:53 PM »
Clint Eastwood ended his acting career on top with Gran Torino.

"No Old Country for Old Men" was a classic the minute it was released.

I just watched "Man on Fire" with Denzell Washington tonight. If you like revenge movies and action, it's a good one.

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2009, 07:58:15 AM »
I saw Blind Side as well and really liked it - mainly because of Sandra Bullock.  She was fabulous in it.

Old Dogs wasn't that good - I guess it was watcheable, but just kind of boring.

Couples Retreat has it's funny moments so it's watcheable

Funny People (Adam Sandler's movie) was not funny at all.  Very long and although I can have a potty mouth at times, this movie beats even me, lol. 



So Avatar isn't that good??  I've been waiting for that one to come out and keep seeing the previews when I go to see other movies and thought it would be good.

I want to see UP too - keep hearing from everyone that it's really good despite being a kid's movie. 

Iain

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2009, 11:12:04 AM »
Saw Inglourious Basterds last night. It's two films stitched together in my opinion. One is a small unit guerrilla warfare fantasy, could have been moderately entertaining in it's own right, but without the rewriting history ending.

The other should never have been directed by Tarantino, and could have been a fascinating story about a girl who narrowly escaped a toned down Landa Jew hunter, and got her suicidal revenge in Paris several years later. The fact that Shosanna/Emmanuelle didn't get to kill Landa was rubbish. Best two scenes in the film were the first scene in the French farmhouse, and the scene between her and Landa talking over strudel.
« Last Edit: December 13, 2009, 11:15:08 AM by Iain »
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jackdanson

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #15 on: December 13, 2009, 11:17:37 AM »
Quote
Best two scenes in the film were the first scene in the French farmhouse, and the scene between her and Landa talking over strudel.

Yep, those scenes made the movie.  It was worth watching just for the couple of well done scenes.  That first scene is intense.  Overall I didn't think it was quite as good as it could have been.

Ben

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #16 on: December 13, 2009, 11:17:58 AM »
Watched Public Enemies a couple of days ago. It was okay. I really wanted to enjoy it more, but couldn't get into it. The stupid mustache bugged me too. Was he supposed to be a gangster or a 1970's porn star? I actually thought the old agent they brought up from Texas was the best character.

I really liked the new Star Trek movie a lot, but why why why why why did they have to use time travel to change the universe AGAIN! I hate it when they do that. Hopefully since they're on the right track now they'll stay in the current reality.

Just re-watched Gran Torino last night. Excellent, excellent movie.

I have Terminator Salvation in the Netflix queue with the words "very long wait" next to it.

I've actually been into watching movies from the 30's and 40's recently. They play some classics on TMC on the weekends.
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Dannyboy

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #17 on: December 13, 2009, 12:22:53 PM »
Star Trek was better than the originals, I thought.  But I still didn't like it too much.  I think it was funny that Kirk got his butt whooped in every fight.

I loved District 9.  It was a bit preachy but I thought it was a great movie.
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Sindawe

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #18 on: December 13, 2009, 12:28:52 PM »
Quote
The new Star Trek movie is fantastic...

Your aganizer please, Mr. Day.  >:D

I watched it last night.  The storyline was not bad, visually it was very pretty and I did enjoy Lord Vaco Eomer Carl Urban as Dr. McCoy, but some points just left me flat. Throwing canon out the window damaged the film in my view, such as [Minor spoiler] when the Enterprise reached Vulcan and came out of warp into a field of wreakage.  The first thought that came to mind as "They came out of lightspeed too close to the system.  They are as clumsy as they are stupid"

Quote
So Avatar isn't that good??  I've been waiting for that one to come out and keep seeing the previews when I go to see other movies and thought it would be good.

I'm looking foward to Avatar, being a fan of CGI films in general.  
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Monkeyleg

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #19 on: December 13, 2009, 01:44:12 PM »
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Was he supposed to be a gangster or a 1970's porn star?

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Declaration Day

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #20 on: December 13, 2009, 04:04:42 PM »
I really liked the new Star Trek movie a lot, but why why why why why did they have to use time travel to change the universe AGAIN! I hate it when they do that. Hopefully since they're on the right track now they'll stay in the current reality.

Yes, that is getting a bit old.  I'm guessing that JJ Abrams, when re-imagining Star Trek, wanted to start fresh with his own story line.


Gewehr98

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #21 on: December 14, 2009, 12:20:54 AM »
I received Up as a birthday DVD.

Definitely my favorite for 2009.   =D
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Perd Hapley

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #22 on: December 14, 2009, 12:42:48 AM »
The Nativity Story is three years old, which is recent to me.  I found it pretty disappointing.  

The look of the film was quite beautiful, and it was more or less faithful to the paucity of detail found in Scripture.  Sadly, it was just not very moving, and managed to squander the story's built-in poignancy.  

Then again, I did learn that angels' halos are really just moonlight filtered through a fro.   :laugh:
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HankB

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #23 on: December 14, 2009, 10:06:22 AM »
What do people think of the "Harry Potter" movies?

Now, making due allowance for the fact that they're aimed at a young audience, I found them generally "good," but, well, lacking whatever spark was needed to make them rise to "very good," let alone "great."

I've seen worse.

But the latest (Halfblood Prince, just out on DVD) was so bad it probably would have killed the movie part of the Harry Potter franchise if it had been made first.

Don't see it.

Really.
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mtnbkr

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Re: Good recent movies?
« Reply #24 on: December 14, 2009, 10:39:32 AM »
I received Up as a birthday DVD.

Definitely my favorite for 2009.   =D

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