What was the last movie you've seen?

[BurningDoom]

I think it's hilarious that you talk about movies being smart, then mention Lost Boys and Fright Night, lol.

Don't take it the wrong way, I like both of those movies. I just find it ironic.

[AppleQueso]

But when a movie tries to be smart and isn't, that is when I get perturbed. Obviously that's my beef with TDKR and Prometheus.

Maybe that's the difference between us here, because I never quite thought that Nolan's Batman movies were trying to be as smart as people took them to be.

I watched through all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies again last week, ending with Avengers. Marvel really has a handle on making this whole thing work I think. Even at their weakest, the movies are still fun and quite watchable. It definitely helps that when it all comes together, it ends up being the best part of the whole series.

I'm looking forward to pretty much all of the phase 2 stuff and the SHIELD tv series. Even if none of the future Marvel movies hit Avengers quality, I think I'm still in for a great ride.

[Luke]

I think it's hilarious that you talk about movies being smart, then mention Lost Boys and Fright Night, lol.

Don't take it the wrong way, I like both of those movies. I just find it ironic.

You don't know what irony is.

No, your view is fine by me but it doesn't appear like you read my last post.

Neither THE LOST BOYS nor FRIGHT NIGHT try the slightest to be smart. There is no attempt in those two movies to stimulate your intelligence, they're both silly vampire movies that are excellent at being silly vampire movies. Both movies achieve what they want to do.

And ya know what? The people in both of the mentioned movies act like they actually have a clue. Yes they are both silly movies, but the characters actually act like they have common sense.

[Luke]

Maybe that's the difference between us here, because I never quite thought that Nolan's Batman movies were trying to be as smart as people took them to be.

Nolan aimed at making a real life Batman in current time. He wanted to tackle sociological issues as well as making a super hero believable (although Batman technically isn't a super hero).

[indecks]

I have not seen Looper yet. (I have heard that it is very good, however, and I am looking forward to it.) It would, however, have to go a long way to be as intelligent as "Primer":

http://www.avclub.com/articles/primer,4866/

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-new- ... imer,2248/

If you enjoy thinking over the possibilities - and paradoxes - that would be created by time travel, then I highly recommend that move.

oh man. chalk up another vote for Primer from me. I friggin LOVE that movie. And I totally freely admit that I didn't catch most of it on the first (or 3rd) viewing and that's the beauty of it. I wanna watch it again right now, lol.

[AppleQueso]

Maybe that's the difference between us here, because I never quite thought that Nolan's Batman movies were trying to be as smart as people took them to be.

Nolan aimed at making a real life Batman in current time. He wanted to tackle sociological issues as well as making a super hero believable (although Batman technically isn't a super hero).

Fair enough I suppose. I like Rises for the cast, the Bruce stuff, and Bane. Character arcs are good to me so I don't really mind if things don't line up.

Maybe I forgive things in it because it's not at all a total disaster like most superhero threequels. (I'm sure you'd at least agree with me that it's far, far better than something like X-Men: The Last Stand or Spidey 3.)

Or maybe it's because all of the other Nolan Batman movies have had some glaring plot gaps too, and I feel like I'd need to knock those around for the same things if I knock around Rises.

I think we're both pretty set on our opinions of that movie though, and we aren't likely to change any minds. It's coo'.

[Luke]

I'm sure you'd at least agree with me that it's far, far better than something like X-Men: The Last Stand or Spidey 3.

Dear God yes. And not because X2 and SM2 set the bar a bit higher, only because X3 and SM3 were so terrible. The ending to Spider-Man 3 would have been awesome if it ended with Parker playing the glockenspiel to defeat venom.

[Pulsar_t]

The Andromeda Strain

One of the first major technothrillers and despite all the over-acting and illogical bits it is still a decent classic. Even the soundtrack was a bold choice for a Hollywood blockbuster.

[prfsnl_gmr]

But when a movie tries to be smart and isn't, that is when I get perturbed.

If there is one thing I cannot stand in film, it is unmerited pretension. That is why I consider "21 Grams" the worst movie ever made.

[Luke]

If there is one thing I cannot stand in film, it is unmerited pretension. That is why I consider "21 Grams" the worst movie ever made.

You know your comment can come off as sarcastic, but I think you are being more than honest.

Even if you are being sarcastic, I think your "unmerited pretension" comment deserves merit.

Your comment also made me think about the polar opposite of unmerited pretension. Off the top of my head TRAINSPOTTING and SNATCH offer a robust and perverse bonus of intelligence without being pretentious.

Yes, they are both bold, progressive, and over achieving films, but not once do they down play the intelligence of the screenwriting or pander to the audience (I bet $100 Mr.Dish absolutely can not stand when movies do nothing other than try to make fanboys happy).

TRAINSPOTTING & SNATCH:
Perfect? No. Splendid? Yes. Well written and produced? Ab-so-lutely.