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

Film Reviews and Release Comparisons
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HungFist
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by HungFist »

sorry for my lack of input on this these threads recently - I've hardly had any time to watch any movies.

Class of 1984 (USA, 1982) – 3.5/5
Commando director Mark L. Lester’s classic high school gang film. About as discreet a social commentary as Death Wish III – and all the better for it. Not as sleazy as might be expected, though – mainly a violent b-drama, followed by a Bronson mode final act. Young Michael J. Fox co-stars. Good stuff.

Universal Soldier (USA, 1992) 3.5/5
Another reminder why Dolph Lundgren was the coolest of the late 80’s / early 90’s b-action stars, though unfortunately also the least successful in finding himself in quality productions. Universal Soldier is old school, hard core macho action cheese – stunningly violent, and often fun thanks to Lundgren’s show stealing villain performance. Only the ending is an anti-climax – rarely a good idea to follow an epic action scene with a drama climax, especially when your director is called Roland Emmerich.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by saltysam »

The Plague Of The Zombies 3/5 Atmospheric hammer horror starring Andre Morrell as a doctor investigating strange goings on in a small cornish village.A little plodding and it takes too long to get to the zombie action but despite it's flaws the film is is certainly on of Hammer's top efforts imo.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by gasteropod »

Red Lights (2012) - 3/5

It kept me interested throughout and there were some effectively creepy bits.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

Shaft (1971-USA) **

Dated, but OK blaxploitation. Shaft (as played by Richard Roundtree) isn't an easy character to like: sometimes he's cool, sometimes a total dick. The 2000 update is a better movie.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

Shopgirl (2004-USA) **½

Mature but too predictable romcom-drama.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by saltysam »

Jaws 5/5 Probably my favourite film,went to see this on the big screen and what a joyful experience it was.Everything about this film is perfect,cast,score,pacing,jump scares.it's also quite strong even for a 12A today,quite ironic as when i first saw this on boxing day 1975 it was only an "A" cert.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by gasteropod »

The Pact (2012) - 2/5

Starts off quite promisingly with dark dreamlike cinematography inside the house, but there just isn't enough plot so the film meanders on and has a boring ending. I think the director could make a good horror film if supplied with a good script.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by bradavon »

Markgway wrote:I don't see what being a work of fiction has to do with anything either.
It's fantasy :-|
Markgway wrote:That's too harsh.
You like BHC3?
saltysam wrote:Jaws 5/5 Probably my favourite film,went to see this on the big screen and what a joyful experience it was.Everything about this film is perfect,cast,score,pacing,jump scares.it's also quite strong even for a 12A today,quite ironic as when i first saw this on boxing day 1975 it was only an "A" cert.
It's PG, the DVD extras make it a 12 (it's written on the back of the box). Unless the BBFC have reclassified it higher? And agreed it's a classic. I almost went to see it on the big screen myself.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

bradavon wrote:It's fantasy :-|
I don't suspend moral judgement on something purely because it's fiction/fantasy.
You like BHC3?
No, I just don't hate it like you do.
Unless the BBFC have reclassified it higher?
They have for theatrical reissue.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

Cube (1997-Canada) **½

Gripping much of the way... but one character's sudden turn into indestructable psycho destroys credibility as does a total lack of explanation for the titular cube's practical purpose.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by gasteropod »

Markgway wrote:Cube (1997-Canada) **½

Gripping much of the way... but one character's sudden turn into indestructable psycho destroys credibility as does a total lack of explanation for the titular cube's practical purpose.
I think the ambiguity works in its favour and gives it more replay value, and the character that helped design the cube gives some explanation anyway. Cube Zero reveals what it is, although it may well be different to Vincenzo Natali's idea of what it is.

I recommend 'Cypher' by the same director as Cube if you haven't seen it.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

gasteropod wrote:I think the ambiguity works in its favour and gives it more replay value
More like the writer couldn't come up with anything plausible.

At least the SAW movies managed that much.
and the character that helped design the cube gives some explanation anyway.
But even he didn't seem to know. "I just designed the shell". Well that's fucking helpful, isn't it?
Cube Zero reveals what it is, although it may well be different to Vincenzo Natali's idea of what it is.
Doubt I'll bother with the sequels.
I recommend 'Cypher' by the same director as Cube if you haven't seen it.
Saw it when it came out but don't remember much.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

If... (1968-UK) *½

I don't get it.

District 9 (2009-South Africa-New Zealand) **

A Best Picture nomination? Really?? This wasn't even as good as Starship Troopers. And how does a film manage a Best Screenplay nod when pretty much most of the dialogue is 'fuck' (or 'fook'). The rest was drowned out by noise or ad-libbed.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Yi-Long »

21 Jumpstreet 4/5

It's always kinda hard to put a score on movies like these. I had a tremendous time with it and really enjoyed it, yet at the same time it's obviously not a masterpiece or whatever.

In it's genre, which is a blend between a comedy, a buddy cop movie, and a parody, it's refreshingly entertaining, with lot's of tongue-in-cheek jokes towards the source-material and poking fun at it, as well as making fun of what's now considered 'hip'.

The main leads do a fine job, with Channing Tatum surprisingly funny and likeable. The love-interest for Jonah Hill's character is gorgeous. (Brie Larson)

It's just a movie that's entertaining throughout, and it looks like everyone had a good time making it.

As someone who was a big fan of the TV-show when I was growing up, I really enjoyed this, even though it's basically a piss-take on the original, which works out great.

There are some lame predictable bits, but overall it's just a good watch.

4/5
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by saltysam »

Ghost Rider:Spirit Of Vengeance 2/5 Fairly lame follow up to an original that wasn't that great anyway.

Revenge Of The Ninja 2.5/5 Lame plot and stilted acting but hey,it's Sho Kosugi as a ninja. good fun.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

48 Hrs. (1982-USA) **½

The original buddy cop movie.
It's OK, but has been surpassed many times since.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by bradavon »

Markgway wrote:Cube (1997-Canada) **½

Gripping much of the way... but one character's sudden turn into indestructable psycho destroys credibility as does a total lack of explanation for the titular cube's practical purpose.
How did you see this? I've been meaning to buy it but the BDs are expensive and the anamorphic DVD hard to come by, most are letterbox.

It's a great movie IMO. The ambiguity is deliberate, not lazy. Not everything has to be explained.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by gasteropod »

bradavon wrote:I've been meaning to buy it but the BDs are expensive and the anamorphic DVD hard to come by, most are letterbox.
Not hard to come by at all, this is the one you want mate (anamorphic, surround sound, audio commentary), I've got it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cube-DVD-Region ... 545&sr=1-4

Nice and cheap!
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

bradavon wrote:It's a great movie IMO. The ambiguity is deliberate, not lazy. Not everything has to be explained.
An outstanding movie can get away with not explaining shit (eg. Groundhog Day). Most films do NOT fall into that category (Cube included).
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by luckystars »

Mission Impossible 4 5.5/10
Gets of to a shaky start, improves...then goes Phantom Menace. You could actually watch the last half hour with the sound off and not miss anything.
2010 - The return of the HK movie industry :)
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by brooce-leroy »

Markgway wrote:48 Hrs. (1982-USA) **½

The original buddy cop movie.
.
I think Lethal Weapon has to be the benchmark, as technically, Murphy's Reggie Hammond is a criminal. :)
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

brooce-leroy wrote:I think Lethal Weapon has to be the benchmark, as technically, Murphy's Reggie Hammond is a criminal. :)
He acts like a cop though.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by saltysam »

Ninja 3:The Domination 2/5 Bat shit crazy 3rd entry in the series is bonkers but entertaining.awful acting,ridiculous supernatural plot but fun nonetheless.Awful blu-ray transfer full-frame and barely dvd-like.
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Markgway »

Did Sho Kosugi ever make a good movie?
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Re: What general film/series have you just seen.. marks out

Post by Killer Meteor »

Markgway wrote:Did Sho Kosugi ever make a good movie?
Well...he was in Bruce Lee Fights Back From The Grave (I love that film!)
bradavon wrote:
but I guess you're more intelligence than me.