What was the last movie you've seen?

[ZeroAX]

PoP: SoT received panning reviews and I was never a big fan of the games to begin with, so I'll be giving it a miss. However it might be worth a rental later on.

I don't think the reviews are really fair. Sure, it's a by the numbers blockbuster, but is that really bad? Heck I liked it way more than Ironman 2 which scored better on imdb. Besides, I hope that this movie, is the start of good video game adaptions.

[dsheinem]

The film binging continues, and probably will for the next few weeks. Here’s five more since my last post on Thursday:

Gran Torino (2008) – Ok, so I missed reviewing this one when I watched it earlier this year – but watching another Eastwood flick (see below) made me remember. Since it’s not fresh in my mind, I can only say that Eastwood still plays a better curmudgeonly anti-hero than anyone (and this film is a strong reminder). While Eastwood’s directing here isn’t his best work, it is more than competent to enhance a story that is powerful in and of itself. Great dialogue, as well.
Grade: 4/5

Live and Let Die (1973) – If it weren’t for a thoroughly amusing and fun-to-watch speed boat sequence, this film would easily be a 2/5. Roger Moore’s first appearance as Bond only makes me bemoan Connery’s absence. The highlights of this one are the settings (a really colorful Bayou) and the sound (not the score necessarily – but the sound editing and effects, at least in the Blu-ray version I watched). Anyway, I intend to watch more of the 007 series in the near future (I watched most of the Connery films last summer), so here’s hoping they get better.
Grade: 3/5

Swing Time (1936) – This is one of the all time great dance films, with Astaire and Rogers at their best. Toss in a few well written comedy moments, a strong supporting cast, and some wonderful set design (New Amsterdam and the empty orchestra stage are the standouts), and you have the makings of a classic. Maybe I’m in the minority on a site like this, but I think it’s a shame they don’t make films like this anymore.
Grade: 4.5/5

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) – A couple of strong opening scenes set the pace for what looks to be a great Western – but the movie drags on a bit in the middle sections and is too long overall. There have been more compelling and original plots, and the West has certainly looked better on film… but the movie gets by on the strength of the cast. Eastwood is often going through the paces here (both behind and in front of the camera), but the supporting characters do enough to break out of their stereotyped Western roles to make the film worth seeing for fans of the genre.
Grade: 3/5

Outland (1981) – Many sci-fi films get labeled as space-westerns, but this one is quite deserving of the comparison. Connery is great here as a marshal who won’t put up with any shit on his space station, and the climactic scenes towards the end of the film (with the exception of an outdoor fight) are all brilliantly conceived and directed. The environments here are especially well done, as is the sparing use of special effects. The film feels gritty (like a Western), has a compelling narrative (if a bit straightforward), and is well acted and directed.
Grade: 3.5/5

Next Up: More Moore Bond, at least one horror flick, and perhaps something for the kids.

[REPO Man]

Finished "Wall Street" last night. Love it. Wonderful film.

[Octopod]

The Road

[SpaceBooger]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Flipping channels last night and I came across one of my favorite movies from when I was in 7th grade. I used to be huge into Loony Toons (the originals) and when this movie came out I was just at the right age to appreciate the slapstick of the movie and the adult humor too.
This is still one of my favorite movies.

[BoringSupreez]

I saw this again like a week or two ago, but forgot to post. As far as I know, it was the first big war movie to shoot (pun) for realism. I can't stand those 1960's, 50's, 40's, ect. style war movies that are always so clean and unrealistic.

[Pulsar_t]

Outland (1981) – Many sci-fi films get labeled as space-westerns, but this one is quite deserving of the comparison. Connery is great here as a marshal who won’t put up with any shit on his space station, and the climactic scenes towards the end of the film (with the exception of an outdoor fight) are all brilliantly conceived and directed. The environments here are especially well done, as is the sparing use of special effects. The film feels gritty (like a Western), has a compelling narrative (if a bit straightforward), and is well acted and directed.
Grade: 3.5/5

Sean Connery was in this? MUST WATCH ASAP!

[Luke]

I saw this again like a week or two ago, but forgot to post.

One of the very few movies that really gets to me. The scene where the soldiers kill the innocent handicapped boy and his mother always gets a tear or two from me. Just makes you realize that stuff like that happens everyday when countries are at war.

[Pulsar_t]

http://spoonthemovie.com/

Sharlto Copley's (District 9) debutal direction (or directorial debut, whichever floats your boat!)

Rutger Hauer should be enough reason to get excited. And as always IMDb is slow on the uptake.

[dsheinem]

I saw this again like a week or two ago, but forgot to post. As far as I know, it was the first big war movie to shoot (pun) for realism. I can't stand those 1960's, 50's, 40's, ect. style war movies that are always so clean and unrealistic.

Platoon is great, but far from the first "gritty" or "realistic" war movie. Just a sample of great war films that fit your criteria and predate Platoon (1986) would be:

Apocalypse Now
The Deer Hunter
Paths of Glory
All Quiet on the Western Front
Patton
The Dirty Dozen
Das Boot

and many others I could come up with if I thought about it a while...

Go check out some of these, you'll see some of the inspiration for something like Platoon and enhance your appreciation of the genre.