The Darkest Hour (3D 2011)

First thing first, just to get this out of the way this is NO Skyline.

The characters are well flesh out. Even the @$$holey character has his redeeming moment

Emily Hirsh is a good actor and what ever character he chooses to play you always relate to him

The story line although not the most original is presented to it best

Also interesting to see that the Russian aren't the baddies (Hollywood and it's stereotype). As a matter of fact they are darn good people!!



I watched this in 3D, I am NOT impress by the 3D work

The Flying Sword of Dragon Gate run rings around this (3D wise)

Pick a Wednesday when tickets are more cost effective, give this a view!!

My Two Sen

Darkest hour not a good movie.it is like a half baked alien movie.the storyline and the script are very amateur-ish.

Inception. Brilliant first hour that promises an epic second half. Absolutely unimaginative and rubbish second half. That snow fight has to be one of the most boring action sequences I've ever seen. In fact the movie is actually playing right now and I'm so disinterested that I'm typing this post instead. A wasted opportunity.

Kill List. Weird British horror movie that is rather episodic in nature. The ending does make you think for a bit, but I can't decide if the movie is good or just average. Has some some nasty violence in it.

This Is England. A knockout and surely one of the best British movies of the last 10 years.

Les Diaboliques. My first Henri-Georges Clouzot film and I can't say I really liked it. Apart from the last 5 mins which had a Psycho-esque suspense/horror factor to this, the rest lacked a sense of atmosphere and suspense. It was just moving along, not making me feel anything.

50/50. Ooh thought this was a great balance between humor and depressing drama. Seth Rogen is still Seth Rogen, he still can't act but here he's funny as a counterpoint to all the depressive stuff going on. And Anna Kendrick. She's just too cute.

Real Steel. An okay feel good crowd pleaser that has one seriously annoying kid.

Headhunters. Norwegian crime thriller that doesn't quite work. The thin is I'm usually unimpressed with European thrillers. They always cram in a huge script where a lot is happening but without the proper pacing to give it the necessary mood or 'feel'. It's one note pacing, a movie made up of scene after scene and never quite coming together. And then it ends. Not to mention a lot of the plot and events are just downright ridiculous, and not in a good way.

Happy to have caught Tsui Hark's Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. A good flick with a nice execution. Its just a little annoying that my cantonese is a little bad and reading the subtitles can be tough to enjoy the whole movie.

Not as awesome as Let the Bullets Fly though. That's fantastic as hell.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

I have never seen the BBC miniseries. I have the book but never read it. I was not exactly expecting something like this. The trailer made it look like a very tension-filled film, largely thanks to the editing and Elfman's score from The Wolfman, but it turns out it is very languidly paced, very slow indeed. There is a lot of dialogue, but there are equally a lot of pauses between dialogue, lots of stylish atmosphere and moody photography to take in. This film is filled with silences.

And the thing that strikes me most, the thing that feels utterly unique about it, is that the film almost always holds the viewer at arm's length. There is tension and suspense, but not the usual Bourne/Hitchcock kind. The tension is always simmering underneath, never ever coming to the surface. It never gives your heart the satisfaction for pumping blood and adrenaline at 120 beats a minute. I'm sure this is the aspect of the film that will most likely put off mainstream viewers. It is a cold film indeed, but it does have the humanism element in it, but again it is presented in a very arms-length, detached kind of manner.

The performances are great. Oldman, quiet yet brilliant. Firth, Hardy, Graham, Hurt, Toby Jones, all really good (although I did think Ciaran Hinds was wasted). This was the first time I saw Cumberbatch, he's very good although he has the kind of face that screams "punch me!" But the unsung hero of the film is Mark Strong, he has a very short screen time but he absolutely nails it, and his performance is what gives the final montage sequence the gravitas it needed.

Not the thriller most people will expect, certainly not one a lot of people will like, but it's a very unique, very classy film.



P/S: Thomas Alfredson's previous film Let The Right One In was also pretty cold and detached, despite the warm themes that permeates the film.

This post has been edited by QuickFire: Jan 18 2012, 12:14 PM

Finally I found someone who feels the same about Inception as I did. Great concept, but it slowly became a typical action movie with lots of boom bang shooting fighting once they entered dream world. And most importantly none of the characters were interesting or charismatic enough for the viewers to actually care about.

The Prestige is probably still Nolan's best film.

I find Hugh Jackman's character even more annoying than the whiny kid in Real Steel...

If you look hard enough you will find many who aren't swept away by the Inception tide. And that the movie is really all about convincing the son of some energy tycoon to dissolve his father's empire and yada yada yada... seriously who gives a shit? Talk about wasted potential.

I don't mind Hugh Jackman. I like him. He was an ******* at the beginning of the movie though. But he has nothing on that kid, who is a smartass, *******, and whiner all rolled into one small package. Btw Real Steel cemented Kevin Durand as the go-to guy to play assholes we love to hate.

Well I didn't really follow the Inception thread here when the movie was still on, so I didn't have any ideas of how many here liked or did not like it. Yet majority of my movie-loving friends lauded it as a great movie.

Hugh Jackman did a great job in Real Steel as his character is supposed to be annoying and he portrayed that well. The whole Real Steel movie is nothing more than a sports + dad-son bonding movie with a predictable ending.

Speaking of dad-son bonding movies, two HK movies came to mind...

One's a classic,


And the other one's quite light hearted and funny.


And I felt more emotionally engaged in both of them than Real Steel.

This post has been edited by StarGhazzer: Jan 20 2012, 04:45 AM

I dont mean here, but in other places on the net you will find many who dislike Inception. Everyone here loves it. Most of my friends love it.

Real Steel was just an above average mainstream crowd pleaser, dont expect to get emotionally engaged with it!

I watched The Rocketeer last night, one of my favourites when I was a kid but I had forgotten almost everything about it. So much fun! And an awesome score from James Horner. Simple, straight-forward, good-natured action movie. No one smiles an evil grin like Timothy Dalton!

You should read the book, possibly the best and definitely the most realistic spy novel out there, and I'd say ten times more complicated and detailed than the movie. As you already know, just don't expect gunfights, cool gadgets and car chase scenes.

I'd highly recommend the 1979 miniseries as well, as it has 6 hours to unfold the story, although still not quite to the extent the original novel describes.

For me, I'd say watch the 1979 miniseries for the plot (better exposition) and Sir Alec Guinness' brilliant performance, but watch the 2011 movie for its drama, excellent interactions amongst the characters (Oldman's Smiley and Cumberbatch's Guillam played exactly like what I had in mind while reading the book), and the perfect capture of the paranoia and bleak atmosphere of the Cold War.

I agree that most younger audience will not be able to relate to this film, though I myself am one of them, those that never lived through the Cold War.

Trivia: Ricki Tarr from the novel was born in Penang The whole Istanbul scene took place in Hong Kong and various South East Asian countries.

This post has been edited by tester: Jan 26 2012, 07:26 PM

I'll have to read the book someday. I'm just not a book person nowadays; I read very slowly, and spare time is becoming a luxury item.

The movie is still jam-packed with details, but unlike other films, it does not accentuate details that should be made known to the audience. In any other conventional thriller, the camera, dialogue, acting, tone of the scene, and/or music, etc will attempt to highlight a particular detail that is important in telling the story. TTSS doesn't do that at all. You could say it has very little respect for the conventional storytelling techniques, or hell, even basic storytelling technique, but I'm thinking it's by design and the result is oddly mesmerizing and captivating, in a very different manner. I can understand if people don't like it though.

Haven't watched many movies over the last week.... uhm, Hard Boiled I guess. Also known as The Movie Where Everyone Has Unlimited Ammo. The body count and time spent on shooting stuff is just ridiculous. I like it, but not enough to declare it a classic like many do.

you know what, I'm really glad to have found two people who share my opinion on inception. my biggest gripe with the movie was the suggestion at the end. is it still a dream, is it not? all of my buddies were like...WHOA MINDFCUK! I'm like, if it really is still a dream, then the whole 2.5 hours (I forget how long it was) was totally inconsequential! Doesn't make a difference if he was trying to convince a tycoon, an emperor or Darth Vader, because in the end, it was all a dream.

misteri jalan lama - couldn't get pass the monty python king arthur costume.

Rocketeer! Good action movie back then. Hilarious too.

Underworld 4: Awakening (2012)

Gosh, how to review this movie

In 2003, Underworld redefine the Vampire/Werewolf genre. It was lacking a better term, cool.

Fast forward to 2012 and three sequels later, I'm not so sure if that applies anymore...

Okay, let me put it this was

If you like to see Selena in long trench coat, jumping off buildings and coolly walk away, you are in luck, because she does that in spades here!!

That is the plus side

The Story line tries too hard to be too many things to too many people, in short it was Schizo...

They didn't even bother to bring Scott Speedman back, although his character exist so when ever they needed to show him they cut scenes of him from the first two movies and pasted those here, shoddy I know...

So bottom line, they wanted to squeeze out more from the franchise and decided to do it in a shocking (not in a good way) way... So me as a viewer at the end of the movie literally went, I really DON'T CARE.

Not a good sign I fear for 2012

My two Sen

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Added on February 1, 2012, 12:48 amJourney 2 Mysterious Island (2012)

Slap based on a book on a movie and chances are I go watch it...

What happened to Brandon Fraser. The last I heard he was the one pushing for this and then The Rock is in it instead. And what is even more weird, Michael Caine is also in it!!

Josh Hutcherson is probably more concern about the Hunger games reviews compared to this

Vanessa Hudgens really...

Premise silly, if you expect a direct from book to movie, you are going to be disappointed. They even mixed in the 20000 Leagues under the Sea.

CGI is actually well done. The is actually a Birds and a Bees (literally) sequence which was enjoyable

Overall a Saturday afternoon matinee feel to it

So if you find yourself having a Saturday afternoon free..s give this a go

My Two Sen

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Added on February 1, 2012, 9:25 amChronicle (2012)

Have you ever asked yourself, what if Superman were never raised by Pa and Ma Kent

What if Uncle Ben never taught Peter Parker With Great Power comes Great Responsibility

Well you are in luck, this movie does JUST that

Done with handheld camera but in a good way. Security cameras are used to fill in the blank

The Flight sequence is AMAZING. It looks like it was shot practically but THAT WOULD BE impossible CGI must be somehow involved, but it looks like practical shots!! (My head is spinning, in a good way)

Go watch it, it is GREAT

I don't want to spoil anything for you

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Feb 1 2012, 09:25 AM

Watched Woody Allen's Manhataan last night. I've only seen the newer Woody Allen movies (Vicky, Midnight, Whatever), none of the old ones. Loved this. 5/5

Great to have this kind of thread here. Found some similarities in movie taste based on individual forumer's selection. Save me alot of efforts to research good films that i missed or ever knew since it was made.

Hope you guys won't mind that i repeat some of them here due to its awesomeness.

Here a few movies which I watched in year 2011 and have re-watched value :
Let the Bullets Fly 2010 (China) -
Its directed by the Main Actor as well, Jiang Wen. It gave me the idea of Quentin Tarantino witty in this China movie. Yes, its true that you need to understand Mandarin to get its genuine meaning. By far, the most intelligent movie i came across from China Film Industry in recent year.


Reign of Assassins aka Jian Yu 2010 (China)
A movie which i will almost missed cause i couldn't believed John Woo is doing this. And found out is another director. This is a cool sword fight movie i ever enjoyed recently! And the twist in love and hate is extraordinary.

Confessions 2010 (Japan)
Easily become one of my favourite Japan thriller movie. The cinematography and the whole shocking truth about the murder.

Bandage 2010 (Japan)
A movie i slightly wanted to delete from my harddrive and found out its written by Shunji Iwai. The songs are so well-matched here. And finally, i found a second movie which gave me a "Stunt" like Love letter ending again! A beautiful movie to me like Hana and Alice, a bit close to that.

Airdoll 2009 (Japan)
Watched the trailer could auto-categorized yourself as a pervert to watch a film like this. haha. Its a romantic and depressive movie, beautiful mood.

Happy Together 1997(HongKong)
The opening kinda turned me off and put this movie aside for quite a long while. haha.. Finally, i plucked out my courage to watch this movie with a refresh mindset. A movie you shouldn't missed for Tony Leung and Wong Kar Wai Unique directing!. A more cheerful one than Brokeback mountain. Enjoyed the arguing scenes they always have. and the ending is truly sad. Ohh.. Frank Zappa music is here! Very match the scene!

Leaving Las Vegas (1995).
Now i know Nicholas Cage was a great performer nor entertainer.

Little Children (2006)
Didn't expected this movie is so well-made, depressig. About personal life crisis in the world without being cared what's they desired to. Get to see another brilliant acting from the 'Inkman' from 'Watchmen'.

Jack Arnold - The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Its a pretty entertaining visual effects in this one. Some scenes are pretty tight up my nerve. Only recommended to those prefer traditional visual effects.

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Watched again. It's real entertaining and adventurous and George Clooney.

Up in the Air (2009)
A movie which i will watch again for the third times.

Kickass (2010)
Everytimes the rescue father scene caught my eyes red. Its hardly i got this kind of emotional provoke in any Action heroes movie. Because of that scene, i revisited the movie a few times, of coz skipping those teenager scenes.

The School of Rock (2003)
Another movie which worth re-watched once a while. So, i did. Jack Black still best at its old days. Cause i am not happy with the Gulliver's Travel.

Chaplin (1992)
Now i finally know Chaplin's life achievement wasn't that fun like his movie anymore. A good inspired and motivated movie for peoples who always fight for their own goal, alone.

Ed Wood (1994)
A movie which knew by it exists long time ago yet got no mood to watched it. Made me watch "Plan 9 From Outer Space" for a reason too.

Good Will Hunting (1997)
This movie got lotsa replay on TV. But i never stood a chance to watch it completely. The scene Robbie Williams made Matt Damon burst into cry is the gold to make me cherish this movie so much.

The Devil's Backbone(2001).
Could easily an underrated ghost movie by Guillermo del Toro. The ghost kid design is one of the most memorable character to me besides Ju-On (haha...). I still don't get the hype of Pan's Labyrinth.

Good to watch movies list here-
Temple Grandin (2010)
Claire Danes at her best. Hardly imagine her beauty from Romeo & Juliet after this TV movie. A true story about a genius. It won best TV film of the year.

The Runaways ((2010)- i always like rock music stuff.
Apollo 13 - This is a real intense movie for those Space Fever fan only, i guess.

Pontypool (2008) - A thriller Horror movie that i finally get into the mood with subtitle. The most successful horror movie in low-budget i ever like with just the "voice acting".

The Tracey Fragments (2007).
Watched this cause i like Ellen Page. And the indie music and unique video editing hardwork. For people who like artistic film and Ellen Page only.

Next Three days (2010)
A Russell Crowe fever after "The Insider". I only recommended this due to the last escape scene. But you need to watch the whole movie still.

From Paris with Love(2010).
I really like this kind of breathtaking movie. But not too fast or too furious haha. But the Fast 5 is an exceptional.

Drive (2011).
The cinematography and the pop music somehow make this movie a lovely one to me. I kinda appreciate those killing scenes design especially inside the lift. It's powerful. And Ryan Gosling is the reason to watch. Else i can't find my interest in this. And i was in loved with her too. How Silly I am.

Splinter (2008).
Another movie hide inside my Harddisk for a long time. This one worth to watch if you enjoy weird and mystery creature like "The Ruins". Original enough to me.

Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
Because of the unique Director thought and "shocking" effects he created in a seems to be normal visual movie.

Red Planet (2000).
This is the first film and last film from the Director. Hey, its pretty good film to me. haha...Ok. i am a little space fever sometimes.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011).
Well, this could be the most memorable movie in Year 2011 for myself Fantastic Caesar's acting. It is so unreal, should have an award for the CGI character!

Bronson (2009)
Now i got another cool actor on my list - Tom Hardy. I first know him was from "Inception".

Elite Squad (2011)
A Brazillian action movie. A bit too long and dry. But it got its own brutality! Guess i need to watch the first one to grasp the whole movie deeply. I missed another movie like "City of God".

Reel Steel (2011)
Friends said they felt moved and even shed in tears for this.
The father separated with son scene got me moved. Not sure which scene actually touch the audience's heart. Overall its more entertaining than Giant Robot Transformer 3. A cinema screen can really make you blood-boiled to tears in this one.

Love Exposure 2008 (Japan)
The most bizzare and Cult Japanese movie and serious ending ever. A mixtured of everything crazies that you could imagine. Watch it alone is recommended. It recommended me a talented indie rock band too!
Need to get the original extra full length version.

Bedevilled 2010 (Korean)
A woman revenge movie that closer its standard up with 'I saw the Devil' of Male version in the same year 2010.

3 idiots 2009 (India)
Needless to talk about this one anymore. The first indian movie which got me respected so much. A good self-motivated movie again!.
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Movie which i hardly appreciated

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo(2009). Still got last half lost mood to watch. Don't have the level of intelligent to understand this movie, i guess.

Wrecked (2011).
Too dragging like the one trapped inside the coffin.

Super 8 (2011).
A bit let down from the JJ Abrams. But the train crashed and the transforming alienship concept is completely mind-blown!

Overheard 2011 (HongKong)
Abit over-rated. Still enjoyed Daniel Wu and Lau Ching Wan. Many classic HK TV series Villians are having a gathering here. Which worth a watch still!.

*~Sorry for the long writing~*

Jack and Jill (2011)

Gosh, Adam Sandler should be barred from even remotely associated with a movie after this. OH MY GOSH!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Dec 12 2017, 09:24 PM

The Thing (2011). Has some of the most inappropriate and obnoxious CGI ever put on film.

Thelma and Louise. Great.

The Wages of War. Clouzot's most known film alongside Les Miserables. This is much better and completely deserving of its classic status. A classic it is, and a real white knuckle thrill ride.

Election (1999, Alexander Payne). Great.

Hugo. Hard to believe Scorsese actually directed this. Touching, heartfelt, and simply a joy to watch.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Dark and intriguing. I actually prefer Fincher's version and Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander.

8.5/10