What Movie Did You Just See?

[ALady]

I totally didn't care for Black Swan - thought it was schlocky and full of cliches.  But everyone else I know loved it.

Natalie Portman gave a great performance, though.

[ManNamedTruth]

I totally didn't care for Black Swan - thought it was schlocky and full of cliches.  But everyone else I know loved it.

Natalie Portman gave a great performance, though.

Schlocky is a pretty harsh criticism, what do you think was schlocky about it? I thought it had so many great elements to it - cinematography, mood, great acting, music, choreography, horrific imagery. I like that it was over the top in some aspects.
It does seem like there are more and more mind-bender type films, witch is becoming a cliche. The trailer for Unknown with Liam Neeson for example looked like a blatant rip off-of those films. i thought Black Swan was done the right way.

[ManNamedTruth]

True Grit - Enjoyable, solid movie from the Coens. It's filled with their trademark humor you'd come to expect. It's definitely not a gritty style western and is more of a comedy.

Black Swan - Masterpiece. Easily my favorite film of the year, and might be Aronofsky's best.

Man I really want to see both of those. Problem being my local friends have pretty awful taste in movies and my fiancee does not want to see either. She has great taste in movies but has no use for westerns no matter if the Coens are attached or not. She also is not psyched about Black Swan because Natalie Portman is my "Free-Pass" in our relationship and probably assumes I just want to see it bc of the supposed lesbo scene with Mila Kunis. Can't really blame her for thinking this way. However, I really do want to see it for cinematic enjoyment as well.

That sucks, i need a woman with similar tastes as me. I would probably get annoyed with her if she didn't. The "lesbo scene" was done tastefully, and actually contains no nudity.

[ALady]

I totally didn't care for Black Swan - thought it was schlocky and full of cliches.  But everyone else I know loved it.

Natalie Portman gave a great performance, though.

Schlocky is a pretty harsh criticism, what do you think was schlocky about it? I thought it had so many great elements to it - cinematography, mood, great acting, music, choreography, horrific imagery. I like that it was over the top in some aspects.
It does seem like there are more and more mind-bender type films, witch is becoming a cliche. The trailer for Unknown with Liam Neeson for example looked like a blatant rip off-of those films. i thought Black Swan was done the right way.

I'll PM you specifics if you like but I don't want to spoil anything for folks who haven't seen the movie (can't we do spoiler text on the new board?   :().  It probably didn't help that I saw it with my dance class - we were all laughing at the Lifetime-movie-esque plot twists.

I wasn't satisfied with the ending, either - not because I wanted everything tied up in a neat bow, but because there was so little indication of what was real and what was imagined.  It just felt careless to me - as if it left almost too much up to the viewer's interpretation?  Instead of feeling intricately crafted, I felt like they kept throwing things in haphazardly just to mess with your head, rather than to advance or to anchor the story.

The costumes and cinematography were outstanding, though - I woke up the next morning with the visuals still dancing through my head (lol).

[kydiddle]

True Grit

Amazing. The Coen Brothers have this uncanny ability to create the perfect film, it's not natural. I'm a fan of the original True Grit and thought this one not so much a remake but a re-imagining. They made it darker and bloodier and gave Matt Damon one hell of a nose curtain. I read a few reviews complaining about the rushed/ambiguous ending, but I thought this was more appropriate compared to the sappiness of the original. Another reason why the Coens are incredible....they treat their audience as thinking, intelligent adults instead of spoon-feeding them a film. Also, the dialogue is fantastic and I'm impressed they created a classic Western true to the genre and without all their usual quirks. Compared to their last film, A Serious Man, (which I enjoyed) it's hard to believe the same guys created both.

[tdb810]

Intended to see True Grit -- but the movie theater was CLOSED due to the Blizzard! Bummer State of Emergency in NJ ruining my plans!

Got some takeout instead, and rented Inception. 

WOW that was intense & trippy! I really liked it a  lot, but definitely needed to keep my thinking cap on throughout :) The dream within a dream within a dream was a bit confusing at times, but so worth it. 
Leo is dreamy, and Marion Cotillard was tres magnifique!

two thumbs up!

[ManNamedTruth]

True Grit

Amazing. The Coen Brothers have this uncanny ability to create the perfect film, it's not natural. I'm a fan of the original True Grit and thought this one not so much a remake but a re-imagining. They made it darker and bloodier and gave Matt Damon one hell of a nose curtain. I read a few reviews complaining about the rushed/ambiguous ending, but I thought this was more appropriate compared to the sappiness of the original. Another reason why the Coens are incredible....they treat their audience as thinking, intelligent adults instead of spoon-feeding them a film. Also, the dialogue is fantastic and I'm impressed they created a classic Western true to the genre and without all their usual quirks. Compared to their last film, A Serious Man, (which I enjoyed) it's hard to believe the same guys created both.

The more I think about it, the more I like it. I can't wait for a second viewing of both True Grit and Black Sawn. The dialogue was sharp and delivered perfectly by the cast, especially the girl who played Mattie. I felt like it wasn't all that dark though, the humor was so present that I couldn't help but feel I was watching  Coen brothers film. I definitely like it more than their last two - A Serious Man, and Burn After reading.

[ManNamedTruth]

I totally didn't care for Black Swan - thought it was schlocky and full of cliches.  But everyone else I know loved it.

Natalie Portman gave a great performance, though.

Schlocky is a pretty harsh criticism, what do you think was schlocky about it? I thought it had so many great elements to it - cinematography, mood, great acting, music, choreography, horrific imagery. I like that it was over the top in some aspects.
It does seem like there are more and more mind-bender type films, witch is becoming a cliche. The trailer for Unknown with Liam Neeson for example looked like a blatant rip off-of those films. i thought Black Swan was done the right way.

I'll PM you specifics if you like but I don't want to spoil anything for folks who haven't seen the movie (can't we do spoiler text on the new board?   :().  It probably didn't help that I saw it with my dance class - we were all laughing at the Lifetime-movie-esque plot twists.

I wasn't satisfied with the ending, either - not because I wanted everything tied up in a neat bow, but because there was so little indication of what was real and what was imagined.  It just felt careless to me - as if it left almost too much up to the viewer's interpretation?  Instead of feeling intricately crafted, I felt like they kept throwing things in haphazardly just to mess with your head, rather than to advance or to anchor the story.

The costumes and cinematography were outstanding, though - I woke up the next morning with the visuals still dancing through my head (lol).

spoiler alert


Since the film was shown from Nina's perspective, I have no problem with them leaving some things open. She clearly was very confused about what was real and what wasn't, especially near the end. I thought it was pretty clear what happened at the end though.

[capt. scotty]

I'll watch Black Swan once its on TV or DVD but it doesnt look like something that would interest me all that much. I pretty much have to see it since Aronofsky directed it, but it looks closer to The Fountain than The Wrestler or Requiem

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

I'll watch Black Swan once its on TV or DVD but it doesnt look like something that would interest me all that much. I pretty much have to see it since Aronofsky directed it, but it looks closer to The Fountain than The Wrestler or Requiem

There's an R5 release of this out that is pretty close to dvd quality floating around on the bittorrent sites.  I've tried watching the movie twice and keep getting bored.  the first 15minutes are straight up ballerina as fuck so I imagine the rest is similar but it just gets darker and darker.  pretty boring from the little I've watched tho.  unless you like tip toeing ballerina's. 

[ManNamedTruth]

I'll watch Black Swan once its on TV or DVD but it doesnt look like something that would interest me all that much. I pretty much have to see it since Aronofsky directed it, but it looks closer to The Fountain than The Wrestler or Requiem

There's an R5 release of this out that is pretty close to dvd quality floating around on the bittorrent sites.  I've tried watching the movie twice and keep getting bored.  the first 15minutes are straight up ballerina as fuck so I imagine the rest is similar but it just gets darker and darker.  pretty boring from the little I've watched tho.  unless you like tip toeing ballerina's.

If anybody is considering seeing this, I highly recommend not to let sticky's narrow-minded opinion persuade you otherwise.
Headdy, it's not really like The Fountain, witch is my least favorite Aronofsky movie.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

I'll watch Black Swan once its on TV or DVD but it doesnt look like something that would interest me all that much. I pretty much have to see it since Aronofsky directed it, but it looks closer to The Fountain than The Wrestler or Requiem

There's an R5 release of this out that is pretty close to dvd quality floating around on the bittorrent sites.  I've tried watching the movie twice and keep getting bored.  the first 15minutes are straight up ballerina as fuck so I imagine the rest is similar but it just gets darker and darker.  pretty boring from the little I've watched tho.  unless you like tip toeing ballerina's.

If anybody is considering seeing this, I highly recommend not to let sticky's narrow-minded opinion persuade you otherwise.
Headdy, it's not really like The Fountain, witch is my least favorite Aronofsky movie.

oh chill the fuck out.  I'm about to watch the movie right now and I'll get back to you.  my review was of the first 10minutes.   don't be such a puss.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

alright mannamedtruth, here's some straight truth about the lowdown involving black swan.
I finished it.  had time absorb it.  it was okay.  definitely no requiem.  Natalie Portman lived the role of the swan queen.  but in the end the shit was about ballet.  drama driven bitches with eating disorders and crazy mom's (whoops spoiler alert). 

the thing that bums out most about this movie is, is that it got Portman prego and engaged in real life. the dude who plays the lead guy dancer knocked her up K'fed style.  which totally fucks my 10year plan up. 

It was Swan Lake on a light dose of mushrooms.  that's how I'd describe it.  6.7/10.   If I can avoid I'll never watch this movie again, but not because it's bad, because it's about swan lake.

[Sticky Icky Green Stuff]

True Grit

Amazing. The Coen Brothers have this uncanny ability to create the perfect film, it's not natural. I'm a fan of the original True Grit and thought this one not so much a remake but a re-imagining. They made it darker and bloodier and gave Matt Damon one hell of a nose curtain. I read a few reviews complaining about the rushed/ambiguous ending, but I thought this was more appropriate compared to the sappiness of the original. Another reason why the Coens are incredible....they treat their audience as thinking, intelligent adults instead of spoon-feeding them a film. Also, the dialogue is fantastic and I'm impressed they created a classic Western true to the genre and without all their usual quirks. Compared to their last film, A Serious Man, (which I enjoyed) it's hard to believe the same guys created both.

I want to see this movie bad.  Jeff Bridges is going to go down as one of the greatest actors of all time.   maybe the best. 

[weeniebeenie]

True Grit

Amazing. The Coen Brothers have this uncanny ability to create the perfect film, it's not natural. I'm a fan of the original True Grit and thought this one not so much a remake but a re-imagining. They made it darker and bloodier and gave Matt Damon one hell of a nose curtain. I read a few reviews complaining about the rushed/ambiguous ending, but I thought this was more appropriate compared to the sappiness of the original. Another reason why the Coens are incredible....they treat their audience as thinking, intelligent adults instead of spoon-feeding them a film. Also, the dialogue is fantastic and I'm impressed they created a classic Western true to the genre and without all their usual quirks. Compared to their last film, A Serious Man, (which I enjoyed) it's hard to believe the same guys created both.

I want to see this movie bad.  Jeff Bridges is going to go down as one of the greatest actors of all time.   maybe the best.

I really wanna see this too! I was reading about it in the papers today. Jeff is so awesome.

just saw Chronicles of Narnia- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader on Boxing day. And being all nerdy, I will go and see it again. Just like I did with Harry Potter.

[ALady]

I totally didn't care for Black Swan - thought it was schlocky and full of cliches.  But everyone else I know loved it.

Natalie Portman gave a great performance, though.

Schlocky is a pretty harsh criticism, what do you think was schlocky about it? I thought it had so many great elements to it - cinematography, mood, great acting, music, choreography, horrific imagery. I like that it was over the top in some aspects.
It does seem like there are more and more mind-bender type films, witch is becoming a cliche. The trailer for Unknown with Liam Neeson for example looked like a blatant rip off-of those films. i thought Black Swan was done the right way.

I'll PM you specifics if you like but I don't want to spoil anything for folks who haven't seen the movie (can't we do spoiler text on the new board?   :().  It probably didn't help that I saw it with my dance class - we were all laughing at the Lifetime-movie-esque plot twists.

I wasn't satisfied with the ending, either - not because I wanted everything tied up in a neat bow, but because there was so little indication of what was real and what was imagined.  It just felt careless to me - as if it left almost too much up to the viewer's interpretation?  Instead of feeling intricately crafted, I felt like they kept throwing things in haphazardly just to mess with your head, rather than to advance or to anchor the story.

The costumes and cinematography were outstanding, though - I woke up the next morning with the visuals still dancing through my head (lol).

spoiler alert


Since the film was shown from Nina's perspective, I have no problem with them leaving some things open. She clearly was very confused about what was real and what wasn't, especially near the end. I thought it was pretty clear what happened at the end though.

I'm not so sure about that; everyone I have talked to about the film has had a different opinion about what was real and what was imagined - including the last scene.

[ALady]

alright mannamedtruth, here's some straight truth about the lowdown involving black swan.
I finished it.  had time absorb it.  it was okay.  definitely no requiem.  Natalie Portman lived the role of the swan queen.  but in the end the shit was about ballet.  drama driven bitches with eating disorders and crazy mom's (whoops spoiler alert). 

the thing that bums out most about this movie is, is that it got Portman prego and engaged in real life. the dude who plays the lead guy dancer knocked her up K'fed style.  which totally fucks my 10year plan up. 

It was Swan Lake on a light dose of mushrooms.  that's how I'd describe it.  6.7/10.   If I can avoid I'll never watch this movie again, but not because it's bad, because it's about swan lake.

:D  See, and I totally dig on ballerina movies, but I gotta agree with you about the bolded.  High concept Lifetime movie. 

I totally didn't know Natalie Portman got pregnant on this movie!  He must have been helping her tap into her inner Black Swan, huh.   ;)

[kydiddle]

True Grit

Amazing. The Coen Brothers have this uncanny ability to create the perfect film, it's not natural. I'm a fan of the original True Grit and thought this one not so much a remake but a re-imagining. They made it darker and bloodier and gave Matt Damon one hell of a nose curtain. I read a few reviews complaining about the rushed/ambiguous ending, but I thought this was more appropriate compared to the sappiness of the original. Another reason why the Coens are incredible....they treat their audience as thinking, intelligent adults instead of spoon-feeding them a film. Also, the dialogue is fantastic and I'm impressed they created a classic Western true to the genre and without all their usual quirks. Compared to their last film, A Serious Man, (which I enjoyed) it's hard to believe the same guys created both.

The more I think about it, the more I like it. I can't wait for a second viewing of both True Grit and Black Sawn. The dialogue was sharp and delivered perfectly by the cast, especially the girl who played Mattie. I felt like it wasn't all that dark though, the humor was so present that I couldn't help but feel I was watching  Coen brothers film. I definitely like it more than their last two - A Serious Man, and Burn After reading.

No no...it's definitely not dark as in sinister. It's dark as in...the original has an unnatural amount of sunshine. Ha.

And Sticky Jeff Bridges is the shit. Agreed.

[kydiddle]

alright mannamedtruth, here's some straight truth about the lowdown involving black swan.
I finished it.  had time absorb it.  it was okay.  definitely no requiem.  Natalie Portman lived the role of the swan queen.  but in the end the shit was about ballet.  drama driven bitches with eating disorders and crazy mom's (whoops spoiler alert). 

the thing that bums out most about this movie is, is that it got Portman prego and engaged in real life. the dude who plays the lead guy dancer knocked her up K'fed style.  which totally fucks my 10year plan up. 

It was Swan Lake on a light dose of mushrooms.  that's how I'd describe it.  6.7/10.   If I can avoid I'll never watch this movie again, but not because it's bad, because it's about swan lake.

:D  See, and I totally dig on ballerina movies, but I gotta agree with you about the bolded.  High concept Lifetime movie. 

I totally didn't know Natalie Portman got pregnant on this movie!  He must have been helping her tap into her inner Black Swan, huh.   ;)

Bazinga!

I have no interest in seeing this movie. I'll wait to rent it, but I watch the previews and think: "So?"

[ALady]

The visuals were really striking - I'd recommend it based on that alone.  Just wasn't a fan of the formulaic plot, and some of the dialogue was pretty clunky too.

Can't wait to see True Grit.  Hopefully by this weekend sometime.  I've heard it's really surprisingly funny.