Planet Terror was pretty awesome fun.

Deathproof had terrible dialogue (especially coming from Tarantino), very unlikeable characters (I was rooting for Kurt Russell all along), and a plot that simply resets itself to zero halfway through. Both halves end with great sequences though - that car crash and that car chase. I saw the longer cut around 2 years ago and disliked it, but I saw the shorter theatrical cut a few weeks back and it was much better. Probably because some flabby dialgue has been cut. And that awful lap dance is out the window too.

Jackie Brown. By far Tarantino's most restrained effort, but its great. Although I think the climax didnt quite come together, or maybe I just didnt understand it completely.

SPOILERS

Jackie double-crosses Ordell and steals his $500,000 while telling the ATF agent that she only brought in 50,000 so that she can get away with the other load. And then she sets up a trap so that Ordell would come to her and the police will shoot him down.

Maybe I'm missing something but since the police assume Ordell has gotten all his money, why would they think he would come back for Jackie? They should have suspected something, that Jackie had stolen the money. And Ray isnt the kind of agent who would let someone get away the $500,000 evidence.

Plus I dont think they had enough evidence on him to spring a trap to arrest/shoot him.

This post has been edited by QuickFire: Jul 1 2009, 11:19 PM

I watched the Back to the Future trilogy over the past 2 weeks. First is great, second is a mess but still entertains, third is perhaps almost great. Overall a very enjoyable trilogy.

Also saw The Hurt Locker. It's basically a smarter, rawer, and more realistic version of The Kingdom. Not sure if it's deserving of all the lavish praise it's been getting, but it's very good.

Team America: World Police. Ever wanted to make action setpieces out of your LEGO toys when you were a kid? Well I think this fits the bill, although technically it's puppets. The satire is crude and offensive, but there are many hilarious moments. The "dicks, pussies, and assholes" line is one. Plus the songs are friggin hilarious too.

Primal Fear. Absorbing and entertaining, with great performances by a (perhaps overly) charming Gere and Norton. Norton seems to relish in roles which let him run wild. He should stick to roles like that than stuff like The Illusionist. Nice twist in the end too.

Got some other movies also... but lazy to write. lol

I was too... until I realized the dvd/blu-ray has been out ages ago.

Seeing as it's only in a limited release in the US, it probably wont make it here.

This post has been edited by QuickFire: Jul 12 2009, 11:21 PM

Gattaca.

Wow. Apart from a few moments when the plot gets a bit far-fetched, this was stunning. It isn't the kind of ambiguous sci-fi film which leaves questions unanswered and asks you to make up your own interpretations, but I dont think it is any lesser because of this. Amazing film and probably instantly one of my favourite films.

Both Ethan Hawke and Jude Law gave very strong performances in Gattaca. They felt genuine, and so did the film.

Duplicity
A better title would be 'Twists and Turns'. Quite a bit of fun, entertaining, and has a nice, similar tone to Soderbergh's Ocean's movies. I lapped up the final twist: it was unique for a movie like this I thought. But it does seem too convoluted at times. It's the kind of movie where you understand everything at the resolution, yet get the feeling that if you laid out all the plans and pieces in a clear, chronological form, some holes are bound to appear. Also, was a bit disappointed of not seeing more of Giammati and Wilkensen. The awesome main titles seemed to suggest a great battle between the two was at hand, but it didn't really go anywhere in the movie. Shame, that was a mouth-watering prospect.

Overall an entertaining and fun movie, but make sure you keep up. Torn between a 3.5 and a 4/5.

This post has been edited by QuickFire: Jul 15 2009, 05:53 PM

For a movie supposedly ingrained in film history it's funny how I've never heard of it. lol

Saw Fast & Furious halfway and decided it wasnt interesting enough for me to continue watching it at the expense of studying for my test tomorrow.

Got The Seventh Seal, Watchmen Director's Cut, and Boy A lined up for the next few days.

I Love You, Man

Pretty awesome.

Boy A, a haunting, riveting and stunning piece of morality drama. Amazing performance from the lead actor. 5/5

The Last House on the Left (remake)

Decent slasher. I like its structure of having two opposite halves. But then again I'm easily satisfied when it comes to gore and violence. There is one last act of revenge in the end which feels so blatantly tacked on that it ends up bringing the movie down a notch. 3.5/5

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Awesome movie! Stop trying to look for a real story here, because there isn't really one. Instead just sit back and enjoy the details and individual moments of hilarity and absurdity... that is, if you can get the humour. The love story is actually pretty good. It's not overbearing and doesnt impose itself, but in the end when they get together it feels genuine. Plus that dolphin song is awesome as hell! 4.5/5

(Btw, I've never read the book, but judging from the movie I think the book should be even better)

Adventureland

At first I thought this was an Apatow production, but I wasnt surprised to see that it wasnt because this is so much more grounded than any of the movies from the Apatow factory. It's decidedly more mature, and the comedic elements are mere side dishes and not found in abundance (though it is reminiscent of the Apatow comedies). I think its unfair to label this a comedy when I think it is more of a drama. While the pace and characters can (rarely) be a bit... languid, I very much liked it. Ending is a bit too convenient though. 4/5

Dogma

First half was wicked fun. Had the 'Good Omens' vibe going for it. But the second half, especially the climax, is a bit of an uninspired mess. The God in person in the movie is just so ineffective, and the characters suddenly seem a whole lot less interesting during the climax. Second half is still pretty good, but a letdown after the first half. Oh well... 4/5

lol, it's quite a popular book I think, but it isnt surprising that you dont know many who have read it because... you know how malaysians are.

Its my favourite Gaiman book. Ingenious and hilarious at every turn.

I've not read any of Pratchett's work, but I've read that Gaiman tried writing his segments in Pratchett's style, and Pratchett Gaiman's style. I cant discern between the two, but the more morbid inventions are probably Gaiman. In any case its such a terrific book. I've only read it once, but its the kind of book I want to read every half year or so. Only reasons I havent been able to are time constraints and the big pile of books in my shelf I've read to read.

Anyway, my next last movies watched (lol) would most probably be The Untouchables, Gomorra, and Good Will Hunting. Trying to put off watching any movies because I have a professional actuarial exam next tuesday.

1) Indeed. Alanis Morrisette was simply terrible. If they wanted God to be this innocent, sweet looking girl, then she simply didnt have the chops nor looks to pull it off.

2) The book is filled with so many wondrous characters and inventions, it's hard to think of anyone who doesn like it.

3) Sadly I've never read any of the Sandman comics.

4) Never read Stardust. I've only read American Gods, Good Omens, Neverwhere, and Anansi Boys. I liked American Gods upon finishing it, but I was left slightly underwhelmed. I think to really appreciate it one has to know the vast mythology and the american geography. The book has stuck with me though. I should read it again sometime. Anansi Boys shares a few characters with the serious American Gods, but thats where the similarities end because the tone is completely different. Thoroughly fun book. Neverwhere is just fantastic, my second favourite book after Good Omens.

5) It's been a long time since I saw The Untouchables, but I remember really liking it. I think De Palma's best is either Carlito's Way or Carrie.

6) Sadly this is one of those films I'm embarrassed to say I've not seen. I will... sooner or later. But why is Seven Samurai suddenly in the picture? lol

Btw kobe, you just didnt get Hitchhiker's Guide. Yes it's filled with holes... wormholes. One scene leads randomly to a very different next scene, and it doesnt need to make any sense whatsoever. That's the whole charm of the universe, like the awesome Infinite Improbability Drive.

Spirited Away

Still earth-shatteringly good. As far as animation films go, it is definitely up there with the best of Pixar and Disney.

The Untouchables

Very stylish and looks very nice, but there isnt much underneath. The script is deficient, with half-assed attempts at character development. Also, the the tone rubs me the wrong way. It is far too light for a film like this. The acting itself isnt that noteworthy. Sean Conney is pretty good, but his character is for me very inexplicable. Costner is serviceable, the script doesnt give him much and he doesnt push it either, but he gets better in the second half. It isnt just him, the whole second half of the movie is an improvement and makes for a very entertaining and satisfying last hour, mostly due to De Palma's deft work in setpieces, which is usual in his movies. The music by Morricone is really good, though at times I think there is too much music. Overall a good first half, and an immensely satisfying second half. 4/5

The staircase sequence was great. The setpieces are all great. And I like the movie.

Go

Pulp Fiction-esque, but replete with its own style. Furiously paced, this just jumps at you and screams 'GO!' all the way till the end. Pretty awesome! 4/5

Btw, Beyonce couldnt act for shit in Obsessed. I forgot about the movie right after I watched it.

This post has been edited by QuickFire: Aug 19 2009, 08:03 PM

That alone puts most non-Pixar animations to shame.

Btw, has anyone seen the trailer of Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs? The trailer was on before Up, and the visuals look a notch up from the usual non-Pixar fare, and it has a few doses of inventiveness from what I can see, and it actually looks like it could be fun! I cant remember the last time I thought the same with a non-pixar animation trailer. Which studio is it from?

This post has been edited by QuickFire: Aug 22 2009, 11:46 PM

Oh yes Kill Bill is awesome. Like every QT film, it gets better each time you watch it too.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Can be mindless fun on a lazy day, but just like so many summer movies, instantly forgettable. 3/5

The Island

Just what I expected a Bay sci-fi would be like. Highly enjoyable actioner, and by far the smartest material he has ever filmed, though that isnt saying much at all. If only TF2 had half the brains or fun of this... 4/5

State of Play

Simply isnt very good. Script is typical of Tony Gilroy, and it is fast becoming stale. Starts off intriguing and smart but ends up with a twist which is unnecessary, not shocking enough, and wrongfoots the whole movie, but not in a good way. 3/5

I think my friend might have spoiled the twist in Orphan.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

does the twist involve the realization of the little girl's real age?

Speed Racer

I like it even more now.

Where?

Its not underrated at all. If memory serve me right it got good reviews from critics, and audiences everywhere love it. It's a very entertaining flick, and Neeson is just badass.

Sunshine Cleaning - Only saw this because of Alan Arkin and Amy Adams. Turned out to be very good. Nicely paced and acted, its the kind of movie that doesnt break any new ground but leaves you with a nice smile and no regrets spedning the last 90 minutes watching it. 4/5

Brick - Didnt start off well for me, maybe because I wasnt used to the matching of noir to a high school setting, but about half an hour in everything begins to click and after that its an engrossing and a very different take on the crime/detective genre. Some of the dialogue is just rapid though, and I dont really understand everything in the end, but this doesnt hurt the movie really. A unique film. 4.5/5