What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out of 5

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 18 May 2008, 17:33

The Forbidden Kingdom 3/5

Much better than i expected really.Certainly no classic and pretty predictable,the american teenage lead epitomises blandness.however it's very fast moving,there's loads of action, some of it decent and it has Jet & Jackie who displays more energy here than he has in a while.And he uses Drunken Fist style ! film has a rather cheap look for a big budget production,i liked the opening credits which is loaded with images of martial arts greats like Bruce Lee,Gordon Liu,Wang Yu and Shaw bros movie posters.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 May 2008, 18:53

Cheers. I'll probably go and see it when it opens here.

saltysam wrote:Sweeney Todd:Demon Barber Of Fleet Street blu-ray 3.5/5

That's a pity about the UK BD. I'll still be picking up though, it's excellent and I'm sure overall will look ace on BD. I thought the songs were performed very well.

It gets a good review here and I'm pleased to see all the extras are included after all:

http://avplay.avforums.com/index.php?sh ... eview=9316

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 18 May 2008, 23:10

Sam, who gets top billing?

Jackie or Jet?

Shingster · Post by **Shingster** » 19 May 2008, 00:38

Neither, they display the names at the same time with Jackie Chan reading horizontally and Jet Li vertically down from the J in Jackie.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 19 May 2008, 01:28

Candy: 4/5

I believe this is the first Heath Ledger film I've actually seen, and he made a great performance. A film along the lines of 'Blow'.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 19 May 2008, 08:14

I'll go and see Forbidden Kingdom when it opens here as well

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 19 May 2008, 10:24

Markgway wrote:Sam, who gets top billing?

Jackie or Jet?

in the end credits the cast is listed in order of appearance.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 19 May 2008, 19:08

Cobra (USA, 1986) – 2,5/5
Some superb style in this film (Stallone’s glasses, clothing, car etc.) but the directing doesn’t work that well. The excitement dies the second Stallone leaves the frame. Some giallo style would have done good for the dull murder scenes. The soundtrack features some attempt, even if it doesn’t succeed as well as it could, and the action is good.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 20 May 2008, 23:41

The Phantom Of The Opera (West End) - The Show: 5/5

Brilliant show, loved it

The music was fantastic, and I loved the sets and costumes.
The guy playing the Phantom had an excellent voice, his singing on Music of the Night and Phantom's Overture was very good. He got one of the loudest cheers when doing his bow.
I guess it comes down to personal taste but I didnt like Christine's voice that much as it was sometimes way too high, shrill and mannered for me.
Also there was an extremely rude couple in front of me who clearly didnt want to watch, bloody chatted all the way through and talked on their fucking mobiles!!

Still a great show though and superior to the Shumacer film.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 May 2008, 00:04

I usually tell people to be quite if they talk at shows/the cinema. It's so god damn rude. I cannot see you doing that though, not without apologising between each word anyway

.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 21 May 2008, 00:32

I did have a good mind to say something, I wasnt the only one. Why didnt they just fuck off!

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 21 May 2008, 00:43

I find it so rude.

I say usually because one time during Miami Vice a couple next to me didn't shut up right through the movie. I wish I had said something. I usually do. The odd word is okay but otherwise come on, have some respect for the other paying customers.

I don't swear though and usually just say something like Oi loudly. It happens way, way too often.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 21 May 2008, 11:15

When I saw Inland Empire at a Festival screening last year some punks kept on laughing loudly (Not surprisingly, with the awkward, stilted delivery of dialogue and long reaction shots that are chock-a-block in that film.). People told them to shut up, but they wouldn't. After someone complained, an usher came and threw them out. The audience cheered.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 22 May 2008, 19:37

Rambo blu-ray 3/5

In my book still the least of the series but it's Stallone and Rambo so it's gotta have something going for it

didn't realise it was so short,the end credits run for nearly 12 minutes ! 4 deleted scenes are included as extras,all involve Stallone and Julie Benz (sadly not the fabled taking from behind scene though) including a longer version of their conversation during the boat trip and a different take on the scene where she convinces Rambo to help her and her colleagues.for me this scene worked better than the included one.interestingly the deleted scenes are in1:85:1 and look great,much roomier than the 2:35:1 film. i heard it's been released in some countries in 1:85:1 i guess it was filmed in super 35.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 May 2008, 20:13

Are the Rambo deleted scenes in HD?

EvaUnit02 wrote:After someone complained, an usher came and threw them out. The audience cheered.

Ushers in my local cinemas do nothing, even when challenged.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 22 May 2008, 21:54

bradavon wrote:Are the Rambo deleted scenes in HD?

yes

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 May 2008, 22:07

Thanks. I was wondering if they were decent quality or rubbish pre-finished quality.

I'm going to wait for UK reviews to see if the UK BD does indeed have more extras than the USA BD.

gasteropod · Post by **gasteropod** » 22 May 2008, 23:13

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: 4/5

I was prepared to be disappointed, but it was really enjoyable on the whole. There were some cringeworthy bits (monkeys, ants, you'll see), and the ending was a tad farfetched, but overall it really doesn't fall short of the last 3 films by too much.

There was some great action, and Harrison Ford was excellent as usual. Blanchett was good, and pretty hot

DangerousLeeHandsome · Post by **DangerousLeeHandsome** » 22 May 2008, 23:30

Dracula 3000 - 0/5
This movie sucks major ass. Why my brother even bothered to rent it, I'll never know. The only thing remotely amusing was the Jimmy Kimmel look-a-like running around in the rediculous Dracula costume. Avoid this movie.

Eagles: Hell Freezes Over - 5/5
The greatest band of all-time. No one else performs better live than the Eagles.

Iron Man - 4/5
Marvel's best film since Spider-Man 2. I was never a huge Iron Man fan (more of an X-Men, Spider-Man guy) but I liked this movie a whole lot. Go see it if you haven't already.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 May 2008, 23:57

Iron Man is very well made (it's no X-Men 3) but they spent way too much time on the story and not enough on the action. It certainly passes 2 hours without complaint but for a Superhero film it lacks excited.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 23 May 2008, 10:22

Scarface (1983) - 3/5

I thought this was a pretty good movie. Pacino's accent is a bit dodgy though

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 May 2008, 15:43

I didn't think you'd get around to watching it Grim. His accent is ace, dodgy yes but that's why it's so much fun. "Pretty good" though. WTF! It's fantastic. Easily 4 out of 5, 8 out of 10. Pacino is excellent, as is the ending.

You must NOW watch Carlito's Way, to see DePalma's other Pacino crime film but a very different one. I prefer Scarface but both are brilliant.

HungFist · Post by **HungFist** » 23 May 2008, 19:06

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (USA, 2008) – 2,5/5
Indy rocks, Spielberg doesn’t. The beginning is good, though. Harrison Ford looks like a granny but that ain’t a bad thing. The humour and references (although some are too obvious) work, too. The first action scene is entertaining although not the least bit believable. Setting setting the adventure in the 1950’s is a fun and logical idea. Unfortunately the film gets worse as it advances. None of the later action scenes are very good. The screenplay is also poor. Many of the supporting characters are dull, and actual storyline isn’t too interesting. The finale especially is a miscalculation. Indiana Jones films used to be magic, now it’s just the character, not the movie surrounding him. That’s still more than most modern adventure films have to offer, but way less than whan we’ve come to expect from Indy.

For reference
Raiders of the Lost Ark - 5/5
Temple of Doom - 4,5/5
The Last Crusade - 5/5

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 May 2008, 19:11

I have a feeling they're trying to fit an 80s type film into a 2008 style of film-making. Rambo 4 was a rarity in actually working today. I'll be seeing it soon but it's not one I'll rush to see.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 24 May 2008, 02:03

Well, Die Hard 4 and Rambo 4 worked for me, I hope Indy 4 completes the lucky trio. If it's AT LEAST as good as TEMPLE - and hopefully better - I'll walk away pleased.