Film/Movie Recommendations

Discussion in 'Art & Culture' started by Omega133, Aug 13, 2010.

  1. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    I looked up some Netflix reviews of those 3 movies and you could be on to something there, but it won't stop me from watching them myself.

    A Netflix review of Divergent

    As an introduction to a series it's better than "The Hunger Games". "Divergent" is a nice little coming of age flick that feels bigger because it features some expansive nightmares and Kate Winslet as a baddie. But 'Divergent' succeeds largely due to Shailene Woodley as "Beatrice" and Theo James. Overall, Divergent is familiar fare, but served up by a cast that is fiercely dedicated to the material. Roth's novel imagined a post-Apocalyptic world where survivors created a society that has a firmly enforced caste system. When Beatrice chose the paramilitaristic faction (called "Dauntless"￾) I was prepared for a film to go brawn, and go dumb. Instead we mostly follow Beatrice as she makes friends, begins to crush hard and debates family members. The setup is so tapped into standard youthful fears (tests determining who you are, the unknown first sexual experience, having multiple interests when you are told you should only have one strength) that Divergent is essentially a really good high school movie. Whether or not that continues in the next film doesn't really concern me, although the likelihood of more booms and swoon is probably strong since the enemies are the intellectuals and the heroes are the brawn that ditched their social service upbringing. But, perhaps I'll continue to be pleasantly surprised. [JPT 2014]

    A Netflix review of Transcendence

    Best if you have never had a science class. A computer virus and a biological virus are two different things. Having a computer virus in your body that can crash a computer is like having your heart run on C++. Too dumb to stick with for the rest of the story, which falters and hiccups along a path to someplace like Area 51- except built underground under a solar electric field (which is an obsolete idea for the past 18 months). Poor Johnny Depp works underneath the wrinkly bleary makeup and using a strange accent to make his character believable, but you can sense that even HE does not believe in this character, so he comes off wooden. We decided it was best to not tell anyone we saw this because it seems designed to appeal to the mullet crowd. Splashy visual effects like a video game. Acting as in G-I-Joe. Story like a 1988 episode of Dr. Who. This is a 2-star movie moved up to 3 because of the many excellent supporting actors, like the gothy girl terrorist who lives underground in a steel cell.

    A Netflix review of Captain America and the Winter Soldier

    Black Widow (to Alexander Pierce) "Sorry if I stepped on your moment." I've been looking forward with great anticipation to seeing this follow-up to "First Avenger"...and after seeing it today I can tell you that it doesn't disappoint...if anything it is better! The plot and the screenplay are both faithful to the Marvel comics characters; and the story - while just as unbelievable as in most comic book actioners - is totally within the purview of Marvel reality...the fans of Marvel and of Captain America should love it. Chris Evans continues his fine characterization of the Captain; as does Samuel Jackson, as Nick Fury...and there are a couple of outstanding additions to this one. Scarlett Johansson is an inspired choice for Natasha Romanoff, "The Black Widow". Although we've seen Johansson in this role in "Iron Man II" and in "The Avengers" she brings the Black Widow character to fruition in this film, as the Captain's primary sidekick. Anthony Mackie is also a great addition as another sidekick, Sam Wilson, "The Falcon"...the first black super hero, both in comics and on the big screen. Also look for a fine outing from Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce, a corrupt leader within S.H.I.E.L.D....first time I've seen Redford as a villain. Romanian actor, Sebastian Stan also excels as the Captain's primary antagonist, "The Winter Soldier"...who turns out to be someone from Steve Rogers' past. There are also several bright lights among the support cast, who I suspect we'll see in the next iteration...including the characters played by Cobie Smulders, and Emily VanCamp. The computer generated special effects are as awesome as always...made even better if you watch it in 3D. If you're a comic book actioner fan, you don't want to miss this! - CIBOLO - 4-4-14
     
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  3. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    Haven't seen True Detective, but Breaking Bad wouldn't get in my top 5... possibly not the top 10.

    My top 5 in no particular order:
    - Babylon 5
    - The Wire
    - Game of Thrones (up to end of season 3... haven't seen any of 4 yet)
    - Band of Brothers
    - Twin Peaks

    So something would have to be damn fine to break into that merry and eclectic bunch.

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    Also seen recently:
    - "Now You See Me"... heist movie with magicians... not as slick or as clever as it thinks it is.
    - "This Means War"... CIA operatives fight over the same girl... entertaining but forgettable.
    - "Kick-Ass 2"... It's the return of Kick-Ass. not as good as the first, but still fun.
    - "Elysium"... Earth is a dump, while wholly implausible habitat ring in space is a paradise. Not as good as I had hoped, but still enjoyable.
    - "Dead Man Down"... Colin Farrell film I actually quite enjoyed. Slow burner, but enjoyable ending.
    - "Ender's Game"... not sure if I mentioned this one previously... always going to be difficult to turn the book into a comprehensible film, and it felt very rushed. Should have been split into two films to do it justice, possibly three. Even better would have been a high-quality series based on it, where they could tap into every nuance of the novel. But an enjoyable film nonetheless.
    - "Man of Steel"... good film, with an interesting vision of the story. Last 30 minutes, though, is just a case of the FX people putting a new toy to good use. "Look, Ma! We can show buildings collapsing!"
     
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  5. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    My short list below. I highly recommend all of them if you haven't watched them yet.

    Spartacus
    2010 TV-MA 12 discs
    After leading a mutiny against the Romans, a Thracian man is torn from his homeland and condemned to a brutal death in the arena, only to outlast his executioners and be reborn as the enslaved gladiator Spartacus.

    Cast: Andy Whitfield, Liam McIntyre, Dustin Clare, John Hannah, Manu Bennett, Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Nick Tarabay, Viva Bianca, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Jai Courtney
    Genre: TV Action & Adventure, TV Dramas, Television

    This series is particularly brutal and bloody and they are not squeamish in the sex department.
    ----------------------------------------------------

    Game of Thrones
    2011 TV-MA 16 discs
    Originally airing on HBO, this live-action fantasy series -- based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels -- charts the violent efforts of competing noble families to gain control of the vacant Westeros throne.

    Cast: Sean Bean, Mark Addy, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau , Michelle Fairley, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen, Iain Glen, Peter Dinklage
    Genre: TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy, TV Action & Adventure, TV War & Politics, Television

    I'm not about to miss any episodes of this series. It's right at the top of my list.
    ----------------------------------------------------------

    Dexter
    2006 NR 24 discs / 96 episodes
    Mild-mannered Dexter Morgan works for the police department as a blood-splatter analyst but moonlights as a vigilante murderer who only targets other killers, implementing a moral code instilled in him by his adoptive father.

    Cast: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas, James Remar, C.S. Lee, Lauren Vélez, Desmond Harrington, Julie Benz, Christina Robinson, Geoff Pierson
    Genre: TV Crime Dramas, TV Mysteries, TV Dramas, Television

    I wouldn't miss any of these episodes either. Dexter has it's own cult following and is worth watching.
    ------------------------------------------------

    Boston Legal
    2004 TV-PG 28 discs
    Taking a decidedly more comedic approach than its predecessor series "The Practice," this fast-paced drama stars William Shatner and James Spader as partners in the elite Boston law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. The outrageous nature of some of the firm's biggest cases is supplemented by the complicated personal lives of its star attorneys, who are frequently willing to bend the rules for themselves as well as for their clients.

    Cast: James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Rene Auberjonois, Mark Valley, Julie Bowen, Christian Clemenson, Gary Anthony Williams, John Larroquette, Tara Summers
    Genre: TV Courtroom Dramas, TV Dramedy, TV Comedies, Television

    What can I say James Spader & William Shatner like you've never seen each one before. This one will surprise you, take my word for it.
    ------------------------------------------------------

    Babylon 5
    1994 TV-PG 30 discs
    With an intricate plot and dazzling special effects, this character-driven sci-fi series follows the dramatic personal and political events that unfold at the Babylon 5 space station as the station's human and alien residents seek peace. Located on neutral territory during the tumultuous 23rd century, Babylon 5 provides sanctuary for galactic ambassadors and also serves as a base for military officers protecting delicate alliances.

    Cast: Bruce Boxleitner, Michael O'Hare, Jerry Doyle, Mira Furlan, Richard Biggs, Andrea Thompson, Stephen Furst, Bill Mumy, Julie Caitlin Brown, Claudia Christian, Andreas Katsulas, Peter Jurasik, Robert Rusler, Jeff Conaway, Mary Kay Adams, Patricia Tallman, Jason Carter
    Genre: TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Television

    I've watched this series completely twice and just might want to watch it again.
    -------------------------------------------------

    24: Live Another Day
    2014 NR Blu-ray and DVD

    The countdown starts again and Jack Bauer returns to action in this show from the creative team behind the award-winning "24." Fans will also welcome the return of the series' groundbreaking format, which chronicles Bauer's exploits in real time.

    Cast: Kiefer Sutherland
    Genres: Television, TV Action & Adventure, TV Crime Dramas, TV Dramas, TV Mysteries, Blu-ray

    This is the newest 24 starting as a new season 1. The original series had 11 seasons.
     
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  7. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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  8. NMSquirrel OCD ADHD THC IMO UR12 Valued Senior Member

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    good first choice!

    I have all but 'Crystalis' episode, dunno how I lost that episode..but I have all the spin offs also.
    been through B5 4 times so far. bout ready for another run through..

    Enders game was a good movie, did not realize it was a book, will have to look it up,
    BattleField Earth was a way better book than it was a movie.(same with either 'Dune')
     
  9. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    24,690
    Farscape
    Dinosaurs!
    Highlander
    JAG
    Duckman
     
  10. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    6,493
    I've watched a lot of Farscape, highlander & JAG re-runs for a number of years and that's hard to do if you don't like them.

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  11. quinnsong Valued Senior Member

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    JAG, really, hmmmmm, really?
     
  12. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    What, you don't like lawyer programs?

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  13. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    Anybody remember this series? I thought it was cool.

     
  14. Sarkus Hippomonstrosesquippedalo phobe Valued Senior Member

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    "Lie to Me" was good... sort of The Mentalist with facial expressions.

    Talking of JAG, I think NCIS is good - the interplay between the characters is very smart, but I have little time for things like CSI (especially the Miami flavour, where taking one's glasses off and coming up with a droll one-liner is considered "acting").

    And being a Superhero fan, I did like the first season of "Arrow"... in a pulp / no-need-to-engage-brain sort of way.
    As was the first season of Heroes... went downhill after that.

    I also very much like Falling Skies, and Defiance (the series set in a futurustic frontier-town type thing), and The Walking Dead.
    Just about to get started with Grimm... it was going cheap, so possibly worth a watch.


    And if you're in to Anime... "Cowboy Bebop" is very good indeed, and "Death Note" as well.
     
  15. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    Both the NCIS series are good. After the first season of Arrow I lost interest in it. I am looking forward to the second season of "Under The Dome" Very interesting plot.
     
  16. KilljoyKlown Whatever Valued Senior Member

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    Just watched Delivery Man, and while I'm not real big on comedies, this one had me laughing and liking Vince Vaughn a bit more. I couldn't really relate to his situation, but that did make for a great plot.

     
  17. The Marquis Only want the best for Nigel Valued Senior Member

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    +
    I enjoyed breaking bad... but I still loved "Last Train to Freo" more. If I had a choice if which to keep, it'd be the latter.

    I'm not sure how to say this.. I'm looking for words.

    You yanks are all about what you want to be.
    We Australians are about trying to laugh at who we are.

    But we never make any money doing it.
    Which is why you'll win.
     
  18. The Marquis Only want the best for Nigel Valued Senior Member

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    Only if it's "Boston Legal".

    *Screw you edit function. Where is "delete post"?
     
  19. The Marquis Only want the best for Nigel Valued Senior Member

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    2,562
    Only if it's "Boston Legal".

    The fuck. Am I so drunk I can't figure out how to delete posts anymore?
     
  20. quinnsong Valued Senior Member

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    Put down the Foster's and try both hands.
     
  21. The Marquis Only want the best for Nigel Valued Senior Member

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    2,562
    Fosters...

    Ok, i'll say it.

    Fosters is the American movie industry.
    We only produce it because you silly buggers keep buying it.
     
  22. quinnsong Valued Senior Member

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    You Aussies make any good bourbons or whiskey?
     
  23. quinnsong Valued Senior Member

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    Oh not me I like Negra Modelo, Guinness, Blue Moon even but not a fan of Fosters.
     

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