what was the last movie you watched?

VF21

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SME
I'm a little surprised no one has said anything about the latest Harry Potter flick... Living up here I won't see it until it hits the video stores, but I thought it would be a hot ticket.
 
Push -- Ugh. Just... ugh. Rented it because I thought it would be a fun bit of cheese and was, sadly, only half right.

What Just Happened -- Hilarious. Have heard from several that you have to have an interest in the movie world to enjoy it, but... hard to judge the accuracy of that suggestion since I don't consider myself overly interested in or knowledgeable about that world, but realize that I am probably more so than many others. In any case, I think it's worth checking out. The whole cast is great, but de Niro is particularly good (and refreshingly so, as I love him as a comedic actor but hate the Analyze/Fockers series).

Transporter 3 -- Dumb. But stuff blows up and Jason Statham is hot. About what I expected. Still... probably the dumbest of the three films, which is REALLY saying something.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince -- I have an odd relationship with this franchise. I haven't read the books, nor have I a burning desire to do so, and probably haven't seen any of the films more than twice (still haven't seen the 5th one at all), yet I really enjoy the films. I could easily live without the teenage angsty stuff that's been in the last few films, and that's definitely true of the latest, but it still delivers everything else I've liked about the franchise, so... thumbs up overall.
 

Warhawk

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I'm a little surprised no one has said anything about the latest Harry Potter flick... Living up here I won't see it until it hits the video stores, but I thought it would be a hot ticket.
I will definitely take the wife to see it, but we will wait until the craziness dies down a bit. I think we are going to catch The Proposal tonight.
 
I'm a little surprised no one has said anything about the latest Harry Potter flick... Living up here I won't see it until it hits the video stores, but I thought it would be a hot ticket.
Got you.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

The created environment in the film is overly dark and moody, (why is it never sunny at Hogwarts? is it really in England?). A couple of scenes in the movie reassured me of the belief that there is not really a story that has never been told, but hey, it's for the kids. I'm a sucker for good drama and romance so the parts that play out like a teen drama are my favorite (when I was younger I remember wanting to meet a girl like Hermione, I love her character), and make this movie, not unlike the rest of the series, worth watching. There is not a whole lot of action, this movie is just a really good set up for the next one. And we get a rare look at a loosened up Harry Potter having a good time for about 20 minutes which is pretty hilarious.

Pretty good film, but I suppose it would help to read the book first in order to patch up any holes since it's difficult to pack a whole book into 2.5 hours. Lots of adults my age there as well (25 years or so, bookish kids my age did kind of grow up with it after all, being the earliest books were first released in our freshman / junior high years).

edit: Didn't see GGG's write up, but I am not on par with her dislike of teenage angsty stuff. Harry Potter's teen angst is some of the best! it's like fine wine with explosions and magic stuff.
 
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VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
Got you.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

The created environment in the film is overly dark and moody, (why is it never sunny at Hogwarts? is it really in England?). A couple of scenes in the movie reassured me of the belief that there is not really a story that has never been told, but hey, it's for the kids. I'm a sucker for good drama and romance so the parts that play out like a teen drama are my favorite (when I was younger I remember wanting to meet a girl like Hermione, I love her character), and make this movie, not unlike the rest of the series, worth watching. There is not a whole lot of action, this movie is just a really good set up for the next one. And we get a rare look at a loosened up Harry Potter having a good time for about 20 minutes which is pretty hilarious.

Pretty good film, but I suppose it would help to read the book first in order to patch up any holes since it's difficult to pack a whole book into 2.5 hours. Lots of adults my age there as well (25 years or so, bookish kids my age did kind of grow up with it after all, being the earliest books were first released in our freshman / junior high years).

edit: Didn't see GGG's write up, but I am not on par with her dislike of teenage angsty stuff. Harry Potter's teen angst is some of the best! it's like fine wine with explosions and magic stuff.
Thank you.

I didn't read the books when they first became popular. In fact, I actually saw the first and second movies before I became interested in them.

I got the six-book paperback set and read it straight through over the winter and then couldn't wait for the last book to hit paperback and actually got the hardbound version. Good thing, since I don't think the paperback has come out even now...

Anyway, I'm glad to see both perspectives as the best book adaptions are those that appeal to both types of viewers - those who have read the books and those who know only what they've seen on the screen.

Sounds like I'm going to enjoy this one as much as I have the past five.
 

Warhawk

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We saw The Proposal last night and while it hit every stereotype for a chick flick, it was pretty darn funny. Wife and I enjoyed it.
 

Bricklayer

Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Seven Pounds -- yeah, won't say too much in case you don't know the plot, but yes, but not a huge enthusiastic yes. Thought Will was kind of making the same mistake that Harrison Ford did a few times in the 90s, where a naturally charismatic star glums himself down so much to attempt to appear serious and/or unlikable that there is no point in having that star in the first place. Rosario Dawson though gave a great performance. And while at the time plot point I am not going to mention did not really bother me, I do have to admit it lingered afterward, so more powerful than expected (albeit with some holes).

Gone, Baby Gone -- another high quality flick which did a nice job of raising some very interesting/disturbing questions by the end. Ben Affleck may be cheeseball at everything else, but he has always had a great feel for working class Boston and the underlying book was by the author of Mystic River (and has some of the same grimy power). I would put both of these movies in the 7/8 range.
 
Saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince a couple days ago. Let me start off by saying I havent read any of the books, and the only movie I have seen was the one before this one ( 2 straight years of going to the movies to see it with the GF who is a fan ) .. so to be fair, Im probly not qualified to 'review' this movie, but I will :D There were a few funny scenes and the magic stuff is always cool, but for how long the movie was it seemed like nothing really happened. I guess I just dont care for the Harry Potter plot, but if you do than I see no reason why you wouldnt like this one.
 
Seven Pounds -- yeah, won't say too much in case you don't know the plot, but yes, but not a huge enthusiastic yes. Thought Will was kind of making the same mistake that Harrison Ford did a few times in the 90s, where a naturally charismatic star glums himself down so much to attempt to appear serious and/or unlikable that there is no point in having that star in the first place. Rosario Dawson though gave a great performance. And while at the time plot point I am not going to mention did not really bother me, I do have to admit it lingered afterward, so more powerful than expected (albeit with some holes).
I watched this one a couple weeks ago and largely agree, though I think I'm a bit further from the "yes" than you are. Will Smith's acting was fine, but I was bothered by certain aspects of his character enough that I just couldn't connect with him. Rosario Dawson's character (and performance), however, was good enough that I got sucked into the movie -- she was easily as good as I've ever seen her -- but I don't think I was sucked in for the reasons the filmmakers wanted me to be.
 
I watched this one a couple weeks ago and largely agree, though I think I'm a bit further from the "yes" than you are. Will Smith's acting was fine, but I was bothered by certain aspects of his character enough that I just couldn't connect with him. Rosario Dawson's character (and performance), however, was good enough that I got sucked into the movie -- she was easily as good as I've ever seen her -- but I don't think I was sucked in for the reasons the filmmakers wanted me to be.
Agreed. I think they tried to make it too heavy, and it kind of came across as overly self-important, if that makes any sense. I like the concept, but it didn't deliver the way I wanted it to, and like Brick said, the lead character's conflict wasn't quite as compelling as they wanted it to be.

Liked the movie overall, but wasn't blown away. I'd give it a 6.5.
 
Dragonball Z Evolution - live action movie, it was lots better then I thought it would be. If you are a fan of Dragonball, I'd recommend it. Not sure if those who aren't fans would like it but it was a good movie.

Inkheart - Good movie.
 

Warhawk

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Watched the Dark Knight again - really enjoy that movie. Watched the first half of Watchmen last night, should finish tonight.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
Watched The Watchmen this past weekend. It was the Director's Cut and added 20 or more minutes which made it a bit long but I did enjoy it despite the fact I had just hooked up a new Blu-Ray player and didn't get to adjust the settings making a very dark movie too dark in some scenes. I had heard so much about Dr. Manhattan that I really expected something more, honestly I did not find it as remotely distracting as some people did. I liked the alternate history with the use of real people, wish we would get more of that type of thing.

Also picked up Coraline but haven't gotten to watch it yet. I got snookered into wishful thinking that some new fancy 3D technology had come about because the glasses on the display were clear but the ones in the package are the standard anaglyphic variety (red/green) and the colors are very washed out during a quick preview I did. I know better and can't wait until there are good 3D home viewing options available. I've always been fascinated with 3D and haven't been able to enjoy this latest revival much because my wife is blind in one eye so we can't go to the movies together.
 
Crank 2 High Voltage

I thought it was a very trippppppy but entertaining movie.
Yea the plot is rediculous but its cool too see movies like this have a successful outcome with such a rediculous plot. It wasn't as good as the first one, but if your a Jason Statham fan, this is a must see.


I'm Going to Watch " I love You Man" with Paul Rudd & Jason Segal tonight, i'll comment on how that one is.
 
I Also Watched "Fanboys" today. its frigggen hilarious. its about 4 star wars nerds that go on an adventure to steal "episode 1 the phantom menace" from george lucas' "Skywalker Ranch" before its realeased. They hate "Trekies" or "Trekers" lol, star trek fans whom Seth Rogen happends to be. Rogen plays three different characters in this movie and there is a great supporting cast, including a cuple original characters from the original Star Wars films. If you liked Star Wars, you must see this movie. Its a great comedy with a touching ending, a buyable movie for sure. 8/10
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
Oh, I forgot to mention another one I watched... Lakeview Terrace. Probably because it was forgetable. I couldn't halp but think the whole time I watched that this was probably written by some white guy that fancied black girls and felt dissed by all the brothers he thought he could bond with over some hip hop cds. It just played like some kind of fantasy where the (jerky) white dude was completely being wronged by all the black males he encountered and didn't share the least bit of blame. I get that racism in any form is totally uncool but this movie twisted a bunch of other side issues into pure fantasy territory, and when it came down to it the "victim" was every bit as guilty, overreactive and scheming as the evil racist black man... who maybe was even a good guy at one point before his own personal tragedy set him on a different course. Skip this one.
 

Warhawk

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Watched The Watchmen this past weekend. It was the Director's Cut and added 20 or more minutes which made it a bit long but I did enjoy it despite the fact I had just hooked up a new Blu-Ray player and didn't get to adjust the settings making a very dark movie too dark in some scenes.
Yeah, that is the one (BR) I am watching as well - saw it in the theater, so just kinda cruising through it to see what I missed before and see what is different.
 

VF21

Super Moderator Emeritus
SME
Oh, I forgot to mention another one I watched... Lakeview Terrace. Probably because it was forgetable. I couldn't halp but think the whole time I watched that this was probably written by some white guy that fancied black girls and felt dissed by all the brothers he thought he could bond with over some hip hop cds. It just played like some kind of fantasy where the (jerky) white dude was completely being wronged by all the black males he encountered and didn't share the least bit of blame. I get that racism in any form is totally uncool but this movie twisted a bunch of other side issues into pure fantasy territory, and when it came down to it the "victim" was every bit as guilty, overreactive and scheming as the evil racist black man... who maybe was even a good guy at one point before his own personal tragedy set him on a different course. Skip this one.
I don't think it was racist. I just thought it was bad - and one of those instances where I really wondered what Samuel L. Jackson was thinking when he agreed to do it. Not up to his usual standards in any way...
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
I don't think it was racist.
I don't know that it was intentionally racist, but if you are going to tackle the issue of reverse-racism, or however you wish to define it, it needs to be done with far more tact than this sloppy mess which I think can send the wrong message to those who are looking to receive it. I share your bewilderment in why Jackson would touch this one, aside from the novelty of the black cop being racist against the white guy, this story has been told a thousand times better in dozens of movies.
 
Oh, I forgot to mention another one I watched... Lakeview Terrace. Probably because it was forgetable.
I haven't seen it, but from the previews, it looked like a rehash of Unlawful Entry w/ Liotta and Kurt Russell from a few yrs back. As far as SLJ, he doesn't discriminate when it comes to scripts. I'm pretty sure he wasn't trying to be sarcastic when he accepted Snakes On A Plane.

Saw This Boy's Life (1993) yesterday on cable. Leo/Bobby D. Didn't deliver at the end, the resolution could've happened at any time in the film.
 
Look at what Nicholas Cage has in the works:

He's one of my all-time favorite actors and I think one of the busiest actors in the world today! Of all those above, I can honestly say the only one I really didn't like was Bangkok Dangerous.
You ever see Birdy, VF? If so, wonder how you felt about it. I didn't know what to make of it.
 
Gone, Baby Gone -- another high quality flick which did a nice job of raising some very interesting/disturbing questions by the end. Ben Affleck may be cheeseball at everything else, but he has always had a great feel for working class Boston and the underlying book was by the author of Mystic River (and has some of the same grimy power). I would put both of these movies in the 7/8 range.
Love Dennis LeHane (author) and have read both of the above mentioned books and have seen the movies. I thought the movies were well done.
 

pdxKingsFan

So Ordinary That It's Truly Quite Extraordinary
Staff member
As far as SLJ, he doesn't discriminate when it comes to scripts. I'm pretty sure he wasn't trying to be sarcastic when he accepted Snakes On A Plane.
True but Snakes On A Plane and Deep Blue Sea and other silly roles he's taken on didn't really address sensitive issues like this one did.

I'm thinking I'll watch Pineapple Express tonight.
 
True but Snakes On A Plane and Deep Blue Sea and other silly roles he's taken on didn't really address sensitive issues like this one did.

I'm thinking I'll watch Pineapple Express tonight.
I watched a chunk (good verb) of Lakeview earlier tonite. You're right, it was very sloppy even for a rehashed idea and Jackson's reason for harassing the couple was stupid. The main problem I had was the couple in LT were really unbelievable, not just for the obvious. No way did they come close to fooling anyone that they were in love with each other. Unlawful Entry was interesting in comparison.
 
My friend and his 2 kids came over and we all watched Race to Witch Mountain. Its a good movie for the entire family and very entertaining. I might add that Dwayne Johnson is so good looking. :D