The "I just saw a movie that doesn't warrant its own thread" (Version 2.0)

[RhodyYanksFan]

I think The Departed is one of Marty's weaker movies. It really only won because he was so overdue. American Gangster is a much better mobster movie.

[burtons]

I think The Departed is one of Marty's weaker movies. It really only won because he was so overdue. American Gangster is a much better mobster movie.

american gangster? i thought the movie was poor. denzel tried to much...

[RhodyYanksFan]

american gangster? i thought the movie was poor. denzel tried to much...

I liked the whole investigation angle they took. It was like The Wire in the 70s.

And Denzel trying too hard is him in Training Day.

[Melan-cynic]

I think The Departed is one of Marty's weaker movies. It really only won because he was so overdue. American Gangster is a much better mobster movie.

Are you out of your mind?

This is the point of NYYF - to debate - but it makes me laugh how diametrically opposed we are on nearly every film.

[Melan-cynic]

I liked the whole investigation angle they took. It was like The Wire in the 70s.

And Denzel trying too hard is him in Training Day.

WHAT!?

First, don't ever insult The Wire like that again. At no point did American Gangster remind me of the landmark HBO show. Second, IMO Washington was incredible in Training Day. He tried too hard in Gangster. Again, IMO.

[burtons]

I liked the whole investigation angle they took. It was like The Wire in the 70s.

And Denzel trying too hard is him in Training Day.

yeah, the whole investigation thing was for me the only good thing about the movie. still denzel was poor in this movie.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Are you out of your mind?

This is the point of NYYF - to debate - but it makes me laugh how diametrically opposed we are on nearly every film.

Sorry, if the Departed wasn't a Scorsese movie it wouldn't be up for any awards. The story was cool, but it's not an all time classic movie like Goodfellas or Raging Bull.

WHAT!?

First, don't ever insult The Wire like that again. At no point did American Gangster remind me of the landmark HBO show. Second, IMO Washington was incredible in Training Day. He tried too hard in Gangster. Again, IMO.

The Wire is in my top 3 TV shows all time. I know it's unequaled. I just meant the overall scope of their investigation - the boards and boards of photos, the boxes and boxes of files and the sheer amount of people involved in Denzel's organization made it seem like something out of the Wire.

[Melan-cynic]

Sorry, if the Departed wasn't a Scorsese movie it wouldn't be up for any awards. The story was cool, but it's not an all time classic movie like Goodfellas or Raging Bull.



The Wire is in my top 3 TV shows all time. I know it's unequaled. I just meant the overall scope of their investigation - the boards and boards of photos, the boxes and boxes of files and the sheer amount of people involved in Denzel's organization made it seem like something out of the Wire.

I gotcha. I totally agree The Departed was not worthy of Oscars and probably wouldn't have received a thing had Marty's name not been attached, but that's not what I was discussing. I think it's a very well made mafia thriller with exceptional casting, great dialogue and a very entertaining plot (thanks to Infernal). I personally believe it wizzes all over American Gangster but that's just me. And, to stipulate, I really wanted that film to be amazing and had been following its development since the rumors began that Washington/Crowe would star.

Unfortunately, it was slow, plodding, unexciting and not very accurate in many ways. Most egregiously, they marginalized Nicky Barnes into some H-addict clown whereas he was really the preeminent drug force in 1970s NYC, not Frank Lucas.

Finally, it takes more than a bulletin board with a bunch of syndicate photos and a some cardboard boxes to draw comparisons to The Wire for me, although I second Burtons that that was the most entertaining portion of the movie.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Unfortunately, it was slow, plodding, unexciting and not very accurate in many ways. Most egregiously, they marginalized Nicky Barnes into a H-addict clown whereas he was really the preeminent drug force in 1970s NYC, not Frank Lucas.

Finally, it takes more than a bulletin board with a bunch of syndicate photos and a some cardboard boxes to draw comparisons to The Wire.

Was that Cuba Gooding in the movie? I should probably read the book.

Again, the fact that almost 3/4 of the drug cops in NYC ended up being part of Lucas' sydicate and how deep into the City government it ran is what made me compare it to the Wire. Plus Josh Brolin was f'n awesome in AG.

[Melan-cynic]

Was that Cuba Gooding in the movie? I should probably read the book.

Again, the fact that almost 3/4 of the drug cops in NYC ended up being part of Lucas' sydicate and how deep into the City government it ran is what made me compare it to the Wire. Plus Josh Brolin was f'n awesome in AG.

Yea Cuba Gooding played Barnes. And yea Brolin was awesome in that role. Brolin tends to be very good in every role he plays of late.

I understand the correlation you're making with The Wire, I was basically just busting your chops b/c I hold the show in such high esteem. But now that I understand that you regard the show with the same reverence I will shut it.

[fredgmuggs]

If anybody sees The Taking of Pelham...1...2.. 3 this weekend, be sure to say what you thought of it.

[Hitman23]

Tarantino might be the example of a director whose films I generally try to avoid.

Really? Wow. With the exception of Death Proof I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of his movies. They all rank very high on my lists. I'm starting to really appreciate Kill Bill alot. The more I watch it the more it becomes one of my all time favorites.

[jlw1980]

Really? Wow. With the exception of Death Proof I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of his movies. They all rank very high on my lists. I'm starting to really appreciate Kill Bill alot. The more I watch it the more it becomes one of my all time favorites.

The Kill Bill movies are the only films of his that I like.

[Sam18]

Really? Wow. With the exception of Death Proof I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of his movies. They all rank very high on my lists. I'm starting to really appreciate Kill Bill alot. The more I watch it the more it becomes one of my all time favorites.

I liked KB 1, 2 was sh*t. Watching Death Proof was the absolute worst experience I've ever had in a theater, mostly because I had to take a sh*t and those girls just would not shut up.

[Soriambi]

Kevin, have you seen Bringing Out The Dead? Great movie. A very pleasant surprise.

Not yet, but I will soon enough.

From Scorsese I've seen:

The Departed, The Aviator, Gangs of New York, Casino, Cape Fear, Goodfellas, The Color of Money, The King of Comedy, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, and Boxcar Bertha. A little bit later this month Mean Streets and Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore will be playing on TCM, so I'll see those, too. Out of the ones I've seen I would probably say that The Color of Money was my least favorite, and I still thought that it was a really good movie.

[Soriambi]

@ Soriambi

as you said, you liked the departed. i think you know the movie is based on the infernal affairs, a hk crime thriller..., excellent movie, maybe you should try to watch it...

It's in my Netflix queue. Not near the top, so it might be a while before I get to it, but I will some day.

[Soriambi]

I think The Departed is one of Marty's weaker movies. It really only won because he was so overdue. American Gangster is a much better mobster movie.

I liked American Gangster but I don't think it was anywhere near as good as The Departed. I thought that Denzel's performance in AG was fine, for the record. I agree that The Departed wasn't as good as Goodfellas or Raging Bull or a few other Scorsese movies, but just because it wasn't as good as those top notch all-time classics doesn't mean that it wasn't a great, great movie in its own right. If you have a baseball player who hits 70 homers a season, while a 58 homer season might not be as good, it's kind of hard to call it bad or a disappointment and it's still significantly better than 99% of other seasons by other players throughout history.

[Soriambi]

If anybody sees The Taking of Pelham...1...2.. 3 this weekend, be sure to say what you thought of it.

I'm hoping to see it next week. FWIW, reviews are pretty much split right down the middle on it (52% on Rotten Tomatoes right now, 55% among top critics).

[Sam18]

Soriambi's never heard of multi-quote.

[Soriambi]

Soriambi's never heard of multi-quote.

Multi-quote is inconvenient.

[Sam18]

Your mom is inconvenient.

[Sam18]

Nah I'm kidding, she's actually very convenient.

[jlw1980]

I can't wait for Public Enemies.

http://www.publicenemies.net/

[burtons]

I can't wait for Public Enemies.

http://www.publicenemies.net/

jep..., going to be a great movie. before that i'm going to watch the french version of public enemies with vincent cassel..., looks like to be good movie.

[burtons]

It's in my Netflix queue. Not near the top, so it might be a while before I get to it, but I will some day.

ah, okay. you will not regret it...

[machphantom]

Saw Pelham tonight, overall I thought it was pretty good. You definitely got that Tony Scott, Man on Fire feel, and while the plot wasn't anything original, it's a nice action packed movie.

[jlw1980]

jep..., going to be a great movie. before taht i'm going to watch the french version of public enemies with vincent cassel..., looks like to be good movie.

Johnny Depp AND Christian Bale in the same movie might make my heart stop.

[Soriambi]

Saw Pelham tonight, overall I thought it was pretty good. You definitely got that Tony Scott, Man on Fire feel, and while the plot wasn't anything original, it's a nice action packed movie.

Well, I'd hope it's not very original at all since it's a re-make.

[Toaderly]

We watched Gran Torino last night. I thought it was, overall, a good movie. As the story went on, I was expecting somewhat different ending. The scene with Walt, the Barber, and Thao (Toad), damn near had me falling out of my chair.

[Sam18]

Johnny Depp AND Christian Bale in the same movie might make my heart stop.

I approve this post.

[BonusCantos]

Just got through watching Vantage Point. Not bad; it managed to hold my interest throughout (which not a lot of movies can do).

[jlw1980]

I approve this post.

They turn you on, too? Well, I know Bale does.

[BxBomber44]

I saw Pelham 123 yesterday afternoon ... and I liked it. It's got Tony Scott all over it, just like Man On Fire, Domino, and Deja Vu. He's a very unique action director and I think he succeeded with this one. I was interested right from the opening credits.

There were a few holes in the plot, but they modernized the original well and it still captivated me. Good flick.

[BxBomber44]

We watched Gran Torino last night. I thought it was, overall, a good movie. As the story went on, I was expecting somewhat different ending. The scene with Walt, the Barber, and Thao (Toad), damn near had me falling out of my chair.

The acting really bothered me towards the end of that movie. Could've been amazing, rather than good - imo.

[Soriambi]

I saw The Taking of Pelham 123 today. I liked it, but I preferred the original for these reasons:

1. The 2009 version is basically about Denzel Washington, John Travolta, and, to a lesser extent, John Turturro with a handful of other characters playing extremely minor roles. The original did a far better job establishing the other bad guys, their personalities, and their quirks, than this one did.

2. I liked John Travolta's character, but I think that Robert Shaw's character in the original was more interesting. The bad guys in general were more interesting in the original, as they had a nice creepy vibe going on and the guys other than Travolta were more or less background noise in this one.

3. The ending (and some of the lead-up to the ending) was more or less completely changed from the original, and in my view it's far less effective. I think that the closing shot of the original is one of the most memorable that I've seen in a movie (I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it), but this version had nothing that compared to that.

Those would be my three major "complaints," though, as I said, it was an entertaining film and I'd recommend it. Their use of modern technology was interesting and they did do a pretty good job of keeping most things fairly close to the original. I just feel that while it was a good thriller, it wasn't as nearly as interesting or distinctive as the original.

[Melan-cynic]

That movie looks horrendous. Plus it's Tony Scott who consistently makes garbage.

[BxBomber44]

That movie looks horrendous. Plus it's Tony Scott who consistently makes garbage.

Top Gun, Man on Fire, Deja Vu, Days of Thunder, Enemy of the State.

^ Constant garbage?

[Melan-cynic]

Top Gun, Man on Fire, Deja Vu, Days of Thunder, Enemy of the State.

^ Constant garbage?

lol. You think Top Gun was a good movie? Fun to make fun of? Sure. More than just a marketing campaign that got kids to buy Ray Bans and Bomber Jackets? No.

And Deja Vu might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

I was going to list Man On Fire (a remake) and Crimson Tide. The rest of those movies are terrible.

Even if I gave you those movies, look at how much crap he pours out per good movie. Domino, Agent Orange, The Fan. He's like the Nic Cage of directors.

[Hitman23]

Saw "Angels & Demons" today. Thought they kinda butchered the book. I'm usually pretty liberal with books made into movies but I wasn't happy with this. It was way too rushed. Howard did a much better job with "DaVinci Code". Which sucks because as a book A&D was light years better.

[Toaderly]

We watched two movies yesterday. The first was "The International." Great movie that literally had me on the edge of my seat. I was a little disappointed with the ending but overall, I feel it's one we'll be adding to our collection. The second was "Revolutionary Road." I've never been more depressed by a film in all of my life. While the acting may have been well done the storyline left me wanting to take a flying leap off of my roof.

[teknetic]

lol. You think Top Gun was a good movie? Fun to make fun of? Sure. More than just a marketing campaign that got kids to buy Ray Bans and Bomber Jackets? No.

And Deja Vu might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

I was going to list Man On Fire (a remake) and Crimson Tide. The rest of those movies are terrible.

Even if I gave you those movies, look at how much crap he pours out per good movie. Domino, Agent Orange, The Fan. He's like the Nic Cage of directors.

I thought people grew to accept other people's opinions on movies?

The Fan was good for its entertainment value, then again I don't go into every movie expecting Oscar caliber performances.

[JfromJersey]

Has anyone here seen A Scanner Darkly? I love PKD but that's the one film based on his book I haven't seen yet.

[Hitman23]

Has anyone here seen A Scanner Darkly? I love PKD but that's the one film based on his book I haven't seen yet.

Awesome. I know alot of people are down on Keanu Reeves but that movie is great.

[RhodyYanksFan]

Trailer for 2012 is up. Directed by Roland Emmerich so it's chock full of landmarks being destroyed. Could be a fun check-your-brain-at-the-door movie though.

Scroll to the bottom.

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/2012...-emmerich.html

[GiambiRocks]

I watched "Revolutionary Road" and "Basic Instinct" this weekend. I never saw "Basic Instinct" before. I liked it alot...."Revolutionary Road" not so much. "Far from Heaven" is a much better 50's domestic family life movie.

As far as "Basic Instinct" I loved Michael Douglas he reminded me of when he was in the "Streets of San Francisco". I loved that show! Lots of ice picks in that movie....do people really own ice picks these days?

[montrealer]

Johnny Depp AND Christian Bale in the same movie might make my heart stop.

me too...........If I ate from that side of the Buffet......yummm yummm......

[teknetic]

I just saw Dod Sno and it was surprisingly good. I usually detest zombie flicks, guess it was the Norwegian vibe to it.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1278340/

[philleotardo]

Finally got around to Eastern Promises....holy s, that was brutal....but really good.

Also saw Vicki Christina Barcelona....hated it.

And saw the original Mad Max...doesn't really stand the test of time.

[Soriambi]

And saw the original Mad Max...doesn't really stand the test of time.

Hated that movie. I was expecting a lot more, but I saw virtually no redeeming factors in it. I couldn't stand it.

[Melan-cynic]

I'm with you both on Mad Max. Disappointing all three times I've seen it. I thought maybe it would get better as I got older, but never turned out that way.

Eastern Promises was great, although not for the faint of heart.

Vicki Christina Barcelona was OK in my mind. Some parts were very good, some overlong, but overall I think I would have liked it a lot more had they cut out the incessant, unnecessary voiceover.