What Movie Did You Just See?

[Jaimoe]

I saw Wall*E two days ago and I really liked it. It ranks #2 on my Pixar/CGI animated film list behind Finding Nemo.

As I posted earlier, I also enjoyed Wall-E.  While as a whole it was quite an unremarkable backdrop for a story for any fan of sci-fi, it kept my attention fully with minimal dialogue and....well....robot love is kinda my thing 8-)

A post-apocolyptic Earth with a robot who still goes about his chores, but has remarkably evolved over 700 years in isolation. I thought it was a remarkable backdrop for a story, especially because the audience is families and today's attention-challenged kids.

Not really getting the connection between the story and attention challenged kids.

While AI and robot evolution of emotions has been played out, I do see where it is a somewhat new direction for Dreamworks/Pixar in regards to its target audience

It's more "ballsy" story-wise than anything, given today's attention-challenged kids and a movie with very little dialogue and overly cutesy moments. Plus, there's very little plot spoon-feeding going on during the film. Still, I didn't fully buy the end scene with EVE and Wall*E.

[mjkoehler]

I'm in a Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead mood. Sadly, I'm at work all day and cannot watch until late tonight.  :(

[pawpaw]

Milk. It's wonderful, and the acting was brilliant. This film couldn't have been released at a better time either, with all the Prop 8 drama going on in CA right now (http://sfist.com/2008/12/20/attorney_general_jerry_brown_declar.php).

Unless emotional and affectionate gay men really gross you out, you should really see this film. It's masterfully made, and it's an inspirational, true story. It made me miss living in San Francisco, and my gay friends there.

[aMillionDreams]

The Dark Knight.  It was pretty good, but I wasn't blown away.  I just don't get sucked into action movies like I used to.  Especially ones about superheroes.  Maybe that's part of growing up, but I know a lot of adults who eat that shit up.   :-/

[red]

somewhere along the line i heard the dark knight called "heat, but with batman and the joker".  i quite like that.

[j_rud]

Milk. It's wonderful, and the acting was brilliant. This film couldn't have been released at a better time either, with all the Prop 8 drama going on in CA right now (http://sfist.com/2008/12/20/attorney_general_jerry_brown_declar.php).

Unless emotional and affectionate gay men really gross you out, you should really see this film. It's masterfully made, and it's an inspirational, true story. It made me miss living in San Francisco, and my gay friends there.

I heard James Franco read the script and signed on, then got another copy after a re-write only to discover that Sean Penn had suggested some really intense love scenes.

Now, I've been around gay people since early in my life and Im wholly comfortable with the idea of homosexuality, but I gotta admit, that would probably freak me out a little...lol

[megalicious]

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - Excellent!

i really want to see this. i realized the other day that the film is based on a short story from f scott fitzgerald.

i finally saw the original version of sabrina the other night. great movie, and as as always, audrey hepburn is perfection.

[pawpaw]

Milk. It's wonderful, and the acting was brilliant. This film couldn't have been released at a better time either, with all the Prop 8 drama going on in CA right now (http://sfist.com/2008/12/20/attorney_general_jerry_brown_declar.php).

Unless emotional and affectionate gay men really gross you out, you should really see this film. It's masterfully made, and it's an inspirational, true story. It made me miss living in San Francisco, and my gay friends there.

I heard James Franco read the script and signed on, then got another copy after a re-write only to discover that Sean Penn had suggested some really intense love scenes.

Now, I've been around gay people since early in my life and Im wholly comfortable with the idea of homosexuality, but I gotta admit, that would probably freak me out a little...lol

;D Yeah, there's definitely some gay, bare-assedness going on, but nothing even remotely hardcore. I think that the sexuality being so forward in the movie was absolutely necessary though, because before Harvey Milk, the assembly of the gays in SF was mostly done socially (and sexually), whether at bars or bath houses. He organized them and gave them a voice politically, and promoted and strengthened gay businesses. And lets face it, gay men are about the most flamboyantly sexual people around, and the mid 70s in San Francisco was about as decadent a time and place as one could ever encounter.

James Franco showed no signs of being uncomfortable...he and Sean Penn were completely natural together, both were phenomenal.

[capt. scotty]

I heard Milk was good, but Penn's performance out-does the movie. I read somewhere else that Gus Van Sant kind of puts the 'Van Sant' touch on it, and sometimes thats not a good thing.

To me, his movies have for the most part either been very good or very not good, with a few in between. I know most have raved about it, but im not sure if that moreso for Penn or the actual film, bc GVSant can definitely out-artsy himself.

[Jaimoe]

I heard Milk was good, but Penn's performance out-does the movie. I read somewhere else that Gus Van Sant kind of puts the 'Van Sant' touch on it, and sometimes thats not a good thing.

To me, his movies have for the most part either been very good or very not good, with a few in between. I know most have raved about it, but im not sure if that moreso for Penn or the actual film, bc GVSant can definitely out-artsy himself.

You should see the film then and decide for yourself. I'm looking forward for your review.

[capt. scotty]

The Dark Knight.  It was pretty good, but I wasn't blown away.  I just don't get sucked into action movies like I used to.  Especially ones about superheroes.  Maybe that's part of growing up, but I know a lot of adults who eat that shit up.   :-/

When I saw this at the IMAX, I was blown away

After watching it again at the crib, Ledger was still great, but I wasnt as impressed or on the edge of my seat as when I first saw it.

I like that 'heat w/ Batman and Joker' comparison K...its kind of on point, with TwoFace as Wayne Groh or something  ;D

After watching Dark Knight a 2nd time, Im pretty sure Batman Begins will end up being my favorite of the 2, but Dark Knight was till good

[j_rud]

The Dark Knight.  It was pretty good, but I wasn't blown away.  I just don't get sucked into action movies like I used to.  Especially ones about superheroes.  Maybe that's part of growing up, but I know a lot of adults who eat that shit up.   :-/

I can enjoy superhero movies (Im especially looking forward to The Watchmen, that book is far beyond standard comic book fare), but I agree with your assessment. Ledger was great but other than that it was a pretty standard comic book movie.

[xmascriminal]

The Dark Knight.  It was pretty good, but I wasn't blown away.  I just don't get sucked into action movies like I used to.  Especially ones about superheroes.  Maybe that's part of growing up, but I know a lot of adults who eat that shit up.   :-/

I can enjoy superhero movies (Im especially looking forward to The Watchmen, that book is far beyond standard comic book fare), but I agree with your assessment. Ledger was great but other than that it was a pretty standard comic book movie.

Yep, I just watched it a couple days ago, and I pretty much agree. But outside of Ledger, who's the reason I saw the movie four times in the first place, I thought the acting was pretty solid all around: Gary Oldman, Michael Caine and Aaron Eckhart all did well. I thought Christian Bale was good as Bruce Wayne but a pretty bad Batman. Morgan Freeman was just himself. I wish he'd play a different part sometimes, but maybe he's actually as limited as he seems. I didn't think anybody could be worse than Katie Holmes, but Maggie Gyllenhaal tried really hard to lower the bar even more. Still, overall, the acting was much better than the standard comic book movie.

Overall, I thought it was a hell of a lot better than Batman Begins, which wasn't anything special in my opinion, and it was by far the best Batman movie ever. So, great Batman movie? Yes. Great movie in general? No. A masterpiece? Not even close. The Prestige showed Chris Nolan can still make an awesome movie. I hope he opts out of the franchise and stops selling out before he becomes a true Hollywood director, though it may be too late. We'll see with his next non-Batman film, which I excitedly await.

[librarian]

I am a new member, about to tarnish her reputation before even having had a chance to establish one by admitting to having just seen Twilight. Twice. In the space of two days.

But I'm not like that. Really.

[pawpaw]

I am a new member, about to tarnish her reputation before even having had a chance to establish one by admitting to having just seen Twilight. Twice. In the space of two days.

But I'm not like that. Really.

I don't know librarian...twice? In TWO DAYS?!?!  It kind of sounds like you REALLY ARE LIKE THAT!!! ;D

Just kidding  :) Had you read the book? I hear they're pretty addicting...

We're glad you're here!

[mjkoehler]

I am a new member, about to tarnish her reputation before even having had a chance to establish one by admitting to having just seen Twilight. Twice. In the space of two days.

But I'm not like that. Really.

I don't know librarian...twice? In TWO DAYS?!?!  It kind of sounds like you REALLY ARE LIKE THAT!!! ;D

Just kidding  :) Had you read the book? I hear they're pretty addicting...

We're glad you're here!

uhhh yeah I've seen Twlight, willingly, and read the books, willingly. Yes they are addictive or so I'm told my my female friends.  :-[

[pawpaw]

I heard Milk was good, but Penn's performance out-does the movie. I read somewhere else that Gus Van Sant kind of puts the 'Van Sant' touch on it, and sometimes thats not a good thing.

To me, his movies have for the most part either been very good or very not good, with a few in between. I know most have raved about it, but im not sure if that moreso for Penn or the actual film, bc GVSant can definitely out-artsy himself.

I (think) that the only other movie of his I've seen was Good Will Hunting, which I liked. I think that the direction of Milk was pretty grounded, and very easy to follow. He used both new and old footage of SF, some really beautiful shots, edited believably when required for historical accuracy. The opening sequence of newspaper clippings and old film footage from police busts set the tone and explained some history very effectively. The old footage of Anita Bryant, Diane Feinstein and Ronald Regan was also used very well.  

The direction is not groundbreaking, and I think that the film succeeds because of a (mostly) chronological telling of Harvey Milk's life. But there's a real and disarming intimacy that Van Sant establishes with his direction that highlights the AMAZING acting in the film...go see it.  

[ALady]

Just got round to watching Into the Wild. Wow.

That one really amazed me.  I thought it'd be good, but not that good.

I'm not sure I'm equipped to review this as I never read the book.  That being said, I struggled throughout the movie with the persistent imbalance between his self absorption, yet his seemingly infinite magical ability to immediately change the lives for the better of those he encountered.

Except for the soundtrack I really had trouble enjoying this.  Having said this, those that read the book have raved about it.  Nonetheless, Hirsch was excellent

I read the book a while back, sophomore year of college. Enjoyed the book, definitely an interesting guy with some admirable qualities, but I was really unpopular in my class because I refused to glamorize the whole ordeal or recognize McCandless as some sort of martyr.

This is the bottom line: he gravely underestimated the Alaskan wilderness while simultaneously overestimating his own experiences as an outdoorsman. A little planning would have saved his life, but he died a wholly preventable and unnecessary death. I understand he was attempting to survive as a minimalist, to push his physical and spiritual limits to grow as a person, but marching off into the wilds of Alaska with nothing but a bag of rice, two tuna sandwiches, and a rifle can graciously be described as "stupid".

Agreed on all points, j rud.  I read the book before seeing the movie and had a really hard time sympathizing with McCandless.  Family is very important to me, and the fact that he didn't bother to tell his parents or sister about his plans really irked on a major level.

However, I think Emile Hirsch did an excellent job of capturing all the facets of McCandless' personality, including the flaws.

I do love the soundtrack to bits and like to sing all the Corin Tucker parts on "Hard Sun"   :)

Milk. It's wonderful, and the acting was brilliant. This film couldn't have been released at a better time either, with all the Prop 8 drama going on in CA right now (http://sfist.com/2008/12/20/attorney_general_jerry_brown_declar.php).

Unless emotional and affectionate gay men really gross you out, you should really see this film. It's masterfully made, and it's an inspirational, true story. It made me miss living in San Francisco, and my gay friends there.

I heard James Franco read the script and signed on, then got another copy after a re-write only to discover that Sean Penn had suggested some really intense love scenes.

Now, I've been around gay people since early in my life and Im wholly comfortable with the idea of homosexuality, but I gotta admit, that would probably freak me out a little...lol

It's the portrayal of the intimacy between the men that's intense...conveyed with a look or a touch.  Certainly nothing approaching an X-rating, if that's what you're worried about   ;)

Going to see Let the Right One in tomorrow, methinks...

[j_rud]

Just got round to watching Into the Wild. Wow.

That one really amazed me.  I thought it'd be good, but not that good.

I'm not sure I'm equipped to review this as I never read the book.  That being said, I struggled throughout the movie with the persistent imbalance between his self absorption, yet his seemingly infinite magical ability to immediately change the lives for the better of those he encountered.

Except for the soundtrack I really had trouble enjoying this.  Having said this, those that read the book have raved about it.  Nonetheless, Hirsch was excellent

I read the book a while back, sophomore year of college. Enjoyed the book, definitely an interesting guy with some admirable qualities, but I was really unpopular in my class because I refused to glamorize the whole ordeal or recognize McCandless as some sort of martyr.

This is the bottom line: he gravely underestimated the Alaskan wilderness while simultaneously overestimating his own experiences as an outdoorsman. A little planning would have saved his life, but he died a wholly preventable and unnecessary death. I understand he was attempting to survive as a minimalist, to push his physical and spiritual limits to grow as a person, but marching off into the wilds of Alaska with nothing but a bag of rice, two tuna sandwiches, and a rifle can graciously be described as "stupid".

Agreed on all points, j rud.  I read the book before seeing the movie and had a really hard time sympathizing with McCandless.  Family is very important to me, and the fact that he didn't bother to tell his parents or sister about his plans really irked on a major level.

However, I think Emile Hirsch did an excellent job of capturing all the facets of McCandless' personality, including the flaws.

I do love the soundtrack to bits and like to sing all the Corin Tucker parts on "Hard Sun"   :)

Milk. It's wonderful, and the acting was brilliant. This film couldn't have been released at a better time either, with all the Prop 8 drama going on in CA right now (http://sfist.com/2008/12/20/attorney_general_jerry_brown_declar.php).

Unless emotional and affectionate gay men really gross you out, you should really see this film. It's masterfully made, and it's an inspirational, true story. It made me miss living in San Francisco, and my gay friends there.

I heard James Franco read the script and signed on, then got another copy after a re-write only to discover that Sean Penn had suggested some really intense love scenes.

Now, I've been around gay people since early in my life and Im wholly comfortable with the idea of homosexuality, but I gotta admit, that would probably freak me out a little...lol

It's the portrayal of the intimacy between the men that's intense...conveyed with a look or a touch.  Certainly nothing approaching an X-rating, if that's what you're worried about   ;)

Going to see Let the Right One in tomorrow, methinks...

No, no, no, I didnt mean the movie would freak me out. Im not homophobic or anything. What I meant is that would freak me out if I was James Franco. Think about it: You are presented with a script in which you play a gay character. No real love scenes, but your character is gay. So you sign on, the lead actor hears you have signed on, then touches up the script to include more love scenes. Thats what would freak me out lol.

[j_rud]

Just got round to watching Into the Wild. Wow.

That one really amazed me.  I thought it'd be good, but not that good.

I'm not sure I'm equipped to review this as I never read the book.  That being said, I struggled throughout the movie with the persistent imbalance between his self absorption, yet his seemingly infinite magical ability to immediately change the lives for the better of those he encountered.

Except for the soundtrack I really had trouble enjoying this.  Having said this, those that read the book have raved about it.  Nonetheless, Hirsch was excellent

I read the book a while back, sophomore year of college. Enjoyed the book, definitely an interesting guy with some admirable qualities, but I was really unpopular in my class because I refused to glamorize the whole ordeal or recognize McCandless as some sort of martyr.

This is the bottom line: he gravely underestimated the Alaskan wilderness while simultaneously overestimating his own experiences as an outdoorsman. A little planning would have saved his life, but he died a wholly preventable and unnecessary death. I understand he was attempting to survive as a minimalist, to push his physical and spiritual limits to grow as a person, but marching off into the wilds of Alaska with nothing but a bag of rice, two tuna sandwiches, and a rifle can graciously be described as "stupid".

Agreed on all points, j rud.  I read the book before seeing the movie and had a really hard time sympathizing with McCandless.  Family is very important to me, and the fact that he didn't bother to tell his parents or sister about his plans really irked on a major level.

However, I think Emile Hirsch did an excellent job of capturing all the facets of McCandless' personality, including the flaws.

I do love the soundtrack to bits and like to sing all the Corin Tucker parts on "Hard Sun"   :)


 

I really dont like Hirsch as an actor. I havent seen Into the Wild but in other movies I just have a hard time buying him in the roles he's in. Im talking about Alpha Dog and Lords of Dogtown, specifically. I just cant see him as a "tough guy". I dont buy it for a second.