What Have You Just Seen... Marks Out of 5

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 25 Oct 2005, 20:14

Just saw Leatherface: TCM 3, have to say it was a good movie, it was not as bad as i thought it would be. I got the dvd for cheap, under a fiver in Virgin sales, as 2 cuts of the film on the dvd. The cut version and uncut version (i don't know why MPAA didn't release the uncut version as it was not that gory). Overall a good slasher movie, not as good as the first or remake, but not bad.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 25 Oct 2005, 21:32

Bang Rajan - 3.75-4/5

Exciting, emotionally effecting action/war drama. The battles were suitably epic and grisly, and sometimes really sad

It didnt feel like events had been sugar coated, as the PA trailer says the story actually happened, but I dont know how much dramatic licence was taken

How are we supposed to react?
I mean, are we supposed to say "plucky little Bang Rajan!" at the screen? People on both sides had family etc, and as one character says "Aren't the Burmese men, just like you?"
I did feel for the main characters though, like the two lovers Inn and E Sa :crybaby:
However, I felt the film was maybe a bit slow in places and it was hard to tell who was who at times as well.

The DTS on the PA DVD is great.

Where is Burma?

Siam is obviously Thailand.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 26 Oct 2005, 03:10

Did you notice the DTS to have some sort of static mixed in with the sound at times, grim? I had to switch to the DD track because it was driving me crazy.

Maybe its just my copy

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 26 Oct 2005, 08:53

I didnt notice that

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 26 Oct 2005, 18:13

BTW, the woman who plays E Sa is very hot and fit 8)

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 26 Oct 2005, 19:39

Batman Begins - 4/5

My second favourite comic book film of all time (Spider-Man 2 being the best of course).

Thrilling!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 26 Oct 2005, 20:10

Cool, I didnt see BB at the cinema - I keep meaning to rent it tho

Is it the best of the Batman films? Forget Batman and Robin (risable shite)

IM what did you think of Bang Rajan?

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 26 Oct 2005, 20:26

Damnit I keep forgetting to watch Bang Rajan. I might do that on Sunday...

As for Batman Begins, once you've seen that you can basically forget all the other Batman films. Forget Michael Keaton and all the others - Christian Bale IS Batman!

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 26 Oct 2005, 20:39

Cool! Sounds good

You'll enjoy Bang Rajan I'm sure.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 26 Oct 2005, 21:34

Batman Begins is good and I intend to get the DVD, but I still think Tim Burton's two films have the edge. Michael Keaton rules as Bats. But then I also preferred Spider-Man 1 to 2 so make of that what you will...

IronMonkey · Post by **IronMonkey** » 26 Oct 2005, 22:19

You preferred Spider-Man to its sequel?! Are you mad?!

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 27 Oct 2005, 01:29

Yes, I'm mad. But that's not the reason.

SM2 is basically a retread of Part 1. It was like the same movie only bigger.

The action, the emotions, the stunts, the villains, the effects... it was IN YOUR FACE. It's like comparing the Joel Schumaker Batmans to the Tim Burton ones.

The themes (of responsibility, my curse, Mary-Jane) were all warmed over and REPETITIOUS (I could swear the same points were made a half-dozen times for those kipping at the back...) and the CGI was still crap.

At least the first film tried to be a little dark and weighty... this was kiddie-friendly moralising and seemingly designed to sell pyjamas to the under-8s.

Doc Ock was a terrible villain (and I happen to admire Alfred Molina as an actor); how Molina pulled his scenes off with a straight face is beyond me.

I know critics and fans loved this, but it passed me by. The orginal was good, not great, but the sequel disappointed. I think a new director should take over Part 3 and employ a unique style. To wit: I saw a clip of SM2 the other day on TV and at first I couldn't tell which movie it was from - they look like they were shot back-to-back. At least with Burton Batman and Returns look entirely different, yet keep within the same gothic boundary.

Er, that's all............

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 27 Oct 2005, 10:34

I havent seen it yet. Damn you..

You're right Spidey 1 was tops.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 27 Oct 2005, 12:57

Serenity - 4.5/5

Excellent, superb, marvelous and awesome at the same time. Follows the series well and it's nice to have a conclusion to the questions raised in the series. Moving stuff.

Firefly remains my second favourite series of all time, behind 24.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 27 Oct 2005, 18:34

BiscLimpkit wrote:Serenity - 4.5/5

Excellent, superb, marvelous and awesome at the same time. Follows the series well and it's nice to have a conclusion to the questions raised in the series. Moving stuff.

Gah, yet another who thought this movie was that good. Firefly is a good series and i enjoyed Serenity somewhat...but i think it is terribly overrated. (fucking 8.3 on IMDb!!??) It worked much better as a TV series, IMO.

Maybe i need to watch it again, but after the first viewing i truly cannot understand why everyone loves it so much. I mean, it was ok..but 8.3?...no.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 27 Oct 2005, 19:45

I would've preffered a second season over a movie but I think the film handled it well. It did struggle to include sufficient time with every character - but I really wanted to watch more Firefly. Serentiny satisfied my urge so I'm happy.

It looks like this is the end though, shame.

grim_tales · Post by **grim_tales** » 28 Oct 2005, 14:32

Comic Aid: Live And Uncut - 3.5/5

Live charity gig recorded last February in aid of the tsunami victims.
As expected, a bit hit and miss at times (what the hell are "Stomp" anyway?) - but hits more often than it misses. I did like Alistar McGowan (sp?), Ardal O Hanlan, and Dawn French's disturbing impression of catherine Zeta Jones

However, the less said about "The Bear" from Bo Selecta and Jonathan Ross's sketch (based on Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned) the better.

I havent seen The League of Gentlemen much so I didnt get their dark humor either.
Dave Spikey was funny, and I loved Bill Bailey also

His songs are marvellous - this one included the line ""The duck of our love lies shredded in a pancake, drowning in the hoi-sin sauce of your lies".
Tops

slasher13 · Post by **slasher13** » 28 Oct 2005, 16:18

Henry: Portait of a Serial Killer 5/5
This movie is very disturbing yet very good. The movie is a small budget movie in the late 80's and their is not much gore in the film. Most of the violence is seen off camera so you see the after effects with audio of screaming, this part is very effective. I Have to say the ending is good as well and i shall not spoil it for anyone. The Darksky 2 disk is also very good, you can see they put a lot of effort into this disk.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 28 Oct 2005, 19:45

IronMonkey wrote:You preferred Spider-Man to its sequel?! Are you mad?!

IMO both are very overrated, fluffy, colourful, puff pieces.

They don't even come close to proper (again IMO) superhero films such as:

X2
Superman 2
Batman
Batman Begins
Superman

In that order!

Those are the only superhero films I really like. Fantastic Four was better than expected and worth a rental.

I agree though Spider-man 2 is better than Spider-man but that isn't saying much.

Markgway · Post by **Markgway** » 28 Oct 2005, 21:35

X2 - Not seen. First part wasn't bad but enough for me.
Superman 2 - From memory probably the best of the series (which isn't saying much).
Batman - Classic and still my favourite comic book adaptation
Batman Begins - Very good but flawed.
Superman - Long and boring but has its thrilling moments and Reeve was well cast.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 29 Oct 2005, 02:37

Stealth - 1/5
A movie that should have stayed in stealth-mode. What a waste of Jamie Foxx's acting abilities.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 29 Oct 2005, 03:44

Watching Stealth was one of the worst experiences in my life.

Don't watch it unless you are paid to do so.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 29 Oct 2005, 09:19

The Taste of Tea - 4.8/5
I missed this one at the New York Asian Film Festival, and i finally got around to watching it on dvd. All i can say is WOW! What an extraordinary piece of cinema! Its almost impossible to even talk about what exactly this movie is about, its the kind of film that you just have to..watch. I was completly hooked for the entire 2:20 running time, i didn't want it to end! The writing, direction and cinematography are all perfect. The movie is just like one big piece of art. The scenes are so simple, yet extremely dynamic. I could go on and on with praise.

If you appreciate exceptionally crafted, artistic dramas..then please do yourself a favor and discover The Taste of Tea. Outstanding film!!

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 29 Oct 2005, 09:22

Damn you man. I wanna see that (along with the rest of the recently released English subbed Japanese titles).

Cheers for the review. Gonna try and hunt this down.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 29 Oct 2005, 09:24

Bisc, please trust me its worth the price of the JPN disc...BUY IT!!!!!