Ddladner Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 An absolute favourite is kind of hard to pick off the top of my head...plus, there are still some films from this year I have yet to see: "American Sniper", "Big Eyes", "The Gambler", "Foxcatcher". But a quick Top 10 list of movies from this past year would look like this: "Only Lovers Left Alive", "Interstellar", "Fury", "Locke", "Under the Skin", "The Theory of Everything", "We Are the Best!", "Birdman", "Gone Girl", "Boyhood". "Wild", "Whiplash", "Nightcrawler", "The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies", and "Guardians of the Galaxy" are all bubbling under the top 10...and might have even made the list if I had made it another day. I have nothing against Johnny Depp, Debbie...he has been great in the past from "Edward Scissorhands" to "Benny & Joon" to "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" to "Ed Wood" to "Dead Man" to "Nick of Time" to "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" to "Finding Neverland". But starting with "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels he has shown a distressing trend of portraying the same Tim Burton-esque freaks. "Dark Shadows"..."Lone Ranger"...the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland". It is like he won't do a role if he can't put on make-up and wear a weird hat, and his performances are all full of the same tics and mannerisms so that one role bleeds into the other so it is like he is doing the same schtick over and over. Bring back the old Johnny Depp and I'll be happy to watch him. But sad to say, while he wasn't bad as The Wolf in "Into the Woods", it still was too much of the 'same old, same old' that he has been doing lately...the two Princes were far more interesting as characters and their songs were better. I would rather have had Rob Marshall restore the missing scenes involving the Princes that were in the original musical. Thanks for the movie tips, Strider, I still want to see Interstellar! I was half joking about Johnny Depp. I haven't seen all of his movies, but love What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Finding Neverland, and the first Pirates. I did enjoy his Captain Jack Sparrow quirky character, but I would not want to see that behavior in more than one character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggie29 Posted December 29, 2014 Share Posted December 29, 2014 There were a few loose ends in The Battle of the Five Armies that will likely be tied up when the extended version is released on DVD. Looking forward to seeing The Imitation Game and The Water Diviner with Russell Crowe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepscoda Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 We revived our Christmas Night movie going and saw Into the Woods. I loved it. I need to see it again because we were in the 3rd row and I had a massive headache by the time it was over. This was my first experience in a theatre with reserved seating and those comfy leather recliners. Good thing the seat reclined or I wouldn't have been able to see any of the film. But, it's a lovely, relatively faithful adaptation of the show. The cast was flawless. I can't wait to see it again, when I can actually see it. Took the girls this afternoon, they loved it. I enjoyed myself too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Saw "American Sniper" tonight. Hot damn, after the last couple of his movies were kind of dreary ("Jersey Boys" especially sucked), Clint Eastwood is back with a winner. Bradley Cooper is excellent as the real-life Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. I will say no more so as not to give away plot spoilers, but this movie has immediately jumped into my top 10 of the year. TypeO, zepscoda, and redrum, you guys need to see this movie NOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zepscoda Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 ^ I'll see if there is any Dallas advance showings, if so its on this weekends agenda no doubt. If not, it will be the week of the 16th. ...I sent my mother in law the book for Christmas, I'm happy to hear the movie is that good, I'm sure she will go see it after she's read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkyPhantom Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 OK, every so often, one of these movies comes along. I remember when I saw Avatar, and IIRC, I actually said something to this effect in this very thread back when I saw it. Which is, basically, that 3D and CGI had reached a point where it truly allows an incredible vision to be realized. This is the type of movie I was talking about. I regret not seeing this in 3D IMAX at the theater, but I am fortunate to have a good friend with an incredible home theater system - one of those new 4K UHD Curved screen TVs with 3D, and an incredible sound system. He also had some awesome Golden Goat medical bud, which put the whole viewing experience into hyperdrive, LOL. Honestly, this may be one of the best movies I have ever seen. The thought that kept popping into my head was, "I can't get over how well this is done." The CGI is so realistic that suspension of disbelief is effortless. You are swept up and taken on such an incredible journey, it was disappointing when it was over. Just when you think you can't possibly be wowed any more, it takes it to yet another whole new level. And it has everything. There are parts that will make you want to cry, parts that are literally hysterically funny, as well as intensely dark, creepy scenes and characters. It has awesomely jarring transitions that leave you reeling. And the whole thing is grounded with an absolutely incredible soundtrack that is integral to the entire story. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a movie this much. You don't have to like Science Fiction or Fantasy in order to thoroughly enjoy this movie. I cannot give any higher recommendation than I have for this movie. If you like an entertaining, exciting movie that will make you laugh, as well, you have to see this movie. It'll be the best $2 you ever spent at Redbox. Oh, and like a lot of movies these days, there are a couple extra scenes after the credits roll - keep watching all the way to the end (FF through if you want, LOL). Couldn't agree more, Type O. Well put Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagefan55 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Saw my #199 ("Inherent Vice") and #200 ("Into the Woods") movies of the year this past week. Going to see "American Sniper" tonight and "Big Eyes" and "The Interview" sometime this weekend or next week. You missed your calling Strider -- you should have been a movie critic. You've seen as many films as some critics, and you write far better than most of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Watched Gone Girl over the weekend. Not my kind of movie. Thought the story line was clever at first, but then it got weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Watched Gone Girl over the weekend. Not my kind of movie. Thought the story line was clever at first, but then it got weird. If you don't want to discuss this in public you can pm me instead, but I'm rather curious about your reaction. Had you read Gillian Flynn's book before seeing the movie? Or did you go into the movie cold, unaware of the story? ***SPOILER ALERT*** DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN "GONE GIRL". Was it the character of Amy and her machinations that weirded you out? To me that is what elevated the story above the typical missing person melodrama. I loved how proactive and clever Amy was in Nick's destruction...and yes, a little unhinged. Definitely not a first-date type of movie. Tonight I went to see another movie on the married-couple's hit parade: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". The movie has lost none of its scathing power all these years later.http://youtu.be/xWoAOohbr5M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 ^^^ I had not read the book and was not familiar with the story line at all. It is likely a great movie from the perspective of clever storyline and talented cast, just not the type of movie I enjoy, and while I did appreciate the cleverness and talent, I was weirded out by Amy's character. Btw, I heard there may be a sequel. After watching the Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards, I would like to see Boyhood and Birdman (unless you tell me they are creepy!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 ^^^ Not creepy at all Dd!!! "Boyhood" is a sweet movie about growing up. I raved about it to all my friends last year, urging them to go and take their kids (if they had any). It is a typical Richard Linklater movie (Dazed and Confused, Slackers, Before Sunrise) in that there isn't much in the way of plot or action...he simply establishes the characters and setting and it's like you are hanging around with them for a day. Or in the case of Boyhood, 12 years. As you might have heard by now Linklater used the same cast and filmed a few weeks a year for 12 years, so that you see the characters naturally age over that period of time, from the boy's first year at school to when he graduates from high school. Not the best movie I saw last year but the sweetest and one with a gentle soul...a rare quality in these course times. Birdman is another winner, and while it isn't creepy, it's a bit more intense and jittery than Boyhood...it has a New York energy. Which makes sense as it is set in the New York theatrical world. Michael Keaton, Ed Norton, Emma Stone, Amy Ryan, Zach Galifinaikis are all superb...it's as if Michael Keaton was waiting all his life to play this role. He bares his soul in this film. If you have enjoyed films such as "All About Eve" or Cassavettes' "Opening Night", you will definitely find "Birdman" rewarding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Strider, great summaries and critiques, thanks for the info...you are now my go-to source for movies! Will definitely watch both of those movies soon. Hopefully seeing American Sniper this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrycja Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 At TIFF 2014, one of the films I saw was "Ida" by Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski. Surprisingly, it has been nominated in the Foreign Language Film Oscar category. Surprising not because it got nominated, but because I thought it a shame that this understated, quietly moving film would most likely get overlooked among the glitzy giants that premiered in Toronto, yet here we are. Agata Trzebuchowska (Ida) balanced on a knife's edge the naiveté of a novitiate and the curiosity of a young woman, revealing the character's complex layers so deftly. All the more impressive considering it was her first acting role. http://oscar.go.com/nominees/foreign-language-film/ida I stumbled on this, and I'm not sure I love it, though I'm sure I'm supposed to. It's a short called "The Audition" and it will promote Asian casinos. It's not finished, so in the meantime we're getting a trailer . An ad for an ad, essentially, but it's got De Niro, and DiCaprio, and Scorsese (he's really funny), with a hint of Pitt. http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/martin-scorsese-reunites-robert-de-niro-leonardo-dicaprio-20150114 http://youtu.be/noRQ2wdyE4M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggie29 Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) I've seen American Sniper, Birdman and The Imitation Game so far and about to watch Unbroken. Bradley Cooper was good and Eastwood knows how to direct gung ho movies. Sad story indeed and thought provoking too. Best Picture? Stranger things have won in the past. While Keaton's performance was very good, how did Norton and Stone get nominations for awards for the little time they spent on screen? The movie itself was for me, a disappointment. Maybe I was expecting more, whatever that may have been? The Imitation Game was a much better film and performances all round. The tension build up was as good as any thriller I have ever seen, the race against time to crack the code and the interpersonal issues and prejudices he had to deal with along the way added to a very good and well paced story. I always ignore the critics and judge a film, music or whatever on it's own merits, mostly because I trust my judgement more than theirs and unlike critics I don't have any hidden agendas. Something that was more than hinted at in the plot of Birdman. Edited January 17, 2015 by Reggie29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Man oh man, just saw American Sniper which was as great as I had expected. Bradley Cooper did a respectable job honoring the remarkable service of Chris Kyle (and all men and women who fight for our freedom). Really makes you think. A must see movie, glad to see a packed theater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagefan55 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 ^^ I also just saw American Sniper -- what a great movie. I thought Bradley Cooper did an excellent job in the lead role. Our theater was packed as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 At TIFF 2014, one of the films I saw was "Ida" by Polish director Pawel Pawlikowski. Surprisingly, it has been nominated in the Foreign Language Film Oscar category. Surprising not because it got nominated, but because I thought it a shame that this understated, quietly moving film would most likely get overlooked among the glitzy giants that premiered in Toronto, yet here we are. Agata Trzebuchowska (Ida) balanced on a knife's edge the naiveté of a novitiate and the curiosity of a young woman, revealing the character's complex layers so deftly. All the more impressive considering it was her first acting role. http://oscar.go.com/nominees/foreign-language-film/ida "Ida" and "Leviathan" were the two films I liked the most of the five Golden Globe foreign-film nominees. It would have been nice if "Ida" had won but at least "Leviathan" won. With foreign films it is difficult enough for the good ones to get nominated, let alone win.Man oh man, just saw American Sniper which was as great as I had expected. Bradley Cooper did a respectable job honoring the remarkable service of Chris Kyle (and all men and women who fight for our freedom). Really makes you think. A must see movie, glad to see a packed theater. ^^ I also just saw American Sniper -- what a great movie. I thought Bradley Cooper did an excellent job in the lead role. Our theater was packed as well. It's about time "American Sniper" is getting released around the country...it's been playing L.A. and N.Y. for weeks in order to qualify for the Oscars. I am glad you two found the time to see it and were moved by the experience. I cried when they showed the real Dallas memorial footage. I wonder if zepscoda witnessed that in person? Typical Golden Globes HFPA anti-American bullshit that "American Sniper" didn't receive any nominations. With the recent death of Mike Nichols, the Cinematheque has been running a retrospective with special guests. Haskell Wexler was there the night of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss were at last night's screenings of "The Graduate" and "Catch-22". Tonight I was at the West Coast premiere of "Hardcore Devo Live!" with all the surviving members of the band in attendance for a Q & A, along with the film's director.http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/hardcore-devo-live-0http://youtu.be/Zl7rbDxMyMg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 ^^ I wondered if it missed the deadline for qualifying for a Golden Globe award. Again proving they don't always get it right. I feel certain that it will be recognized at the box office, if not by the awards shows. I also cried at the end, with a flood of emotions. I chose to wait in the theater until the full house had cleared, I literally could not move. Going to the movies is a treat for us, and one that we will do more of this year. I do hate how expensive it can get and sometimes opt for renting movies at home. However, I bet when you live in Hollywood, it's an experience at a whole different level with all of the players right there in the house! Envious!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pagefan55 Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 ^^ It is indeed ridiculous how expensive movies have gotten. We had to pay about $45 for two tickets, two small cokes, and a small popcorn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 ^^ It is indeed ridiculous how expensive movies have gotten. We had to pay about $45 for two tickets, two small cokes, and a small popcorn. That's nuts! Dinner and a movie has become dinner or a movie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walter Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 $45? You got off light! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Not surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 ^^^ I remember trying to see it with friends on Christmas day and all the Cinerama Dome screenings were sold out. Had to wait a few days for that initial rush to die down. Congratulations to Clint Eastwood! And a big FUCK YOU! to Michael Moore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anjin-san Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 ^^^ I remember trying to see it with friends on Christmas day and all the Cinerama Dome screenings were sold out. Had to wait a few days for that initial rush to die down. Congratulations to Clint Eastwood! And a big FUCK YOU! to Michael Moore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ddladner Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 Tell it, Strider! Can't even imagine what motivates people to say the stupidest things ever. Geesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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