FOG Reviews the movies!!

[Squall Reyes]

It's no secret that the people here in FOG love themselves some movies. And it's also clear that we enjoy talking about them. And then it occurred to me, why not make a thread that allows us to talk about the many films released throughout this new year. And so here it is. Please feel free to add in your thoughts/reviews/spewing hatred/fanboy orgasm about any movies that come out this year. And right off the gate.

Leap Year: No No No....no.

Youth in Revolt: Enjoyable movie but am I the only one not getting pretty sick and tired of Micheal Cera playing an awkward teenage in every damn thing he's in. I mean if this kid is not careful by the time he's 30 people are going to be looking at him going "oh he's that guy who played the weird teenagers." AKA Career will be D. E. D dead.

Daybreakers: Now to some up the review by calling it the "anti Twilight" would not do this movie any justice. It is not just that at all. It is one hell of a good movie, the first action movie of 2010 and holy fuck is it setting the bar high. For those of you who don't know the plot here is a link for you. For those who know what I'm talking about, let get to the point. The movie is engaging, intelligent and a brilliant (and sometimes funny) piece of social satire. Think of it as Robocop or District 9 but with vampires.

It takes its shots at unchecked capitalism, and mass consumption. The problem facing this world of vampires is that through mass consumption the world is running out of blood (Sound familiar? :cough: Oil! :cough: ) and when starving for blood, they turn into cannibalistic killers. Now I could say more but much like District 9 and Up! from last year. It is best to go into this movie with little to no knowledge of the plot. It is a movie brimming with more ideas in it than Wolverine, Terminator Salvation, and Transformers 2 combined! Seriously they could have made 2-3 movies or an entire TV show with the many themes from this one little over 90 minute movie.

And alas that is the movies one downfall, it is so short it leaves you wanting more and more. But its pacing is fantastic, and so if the only complaint for a movie is that there isn't enough of it. Well then that is a movie worth seeing.

Next movie I'm looking forward to: The Book of Eli (Jan 15th.)

[Guest]

Omg! I wanna see Daybreakers sooo badly!

> w<

[Gunneh]

Daybreakers looks awesome, but that's mainly coming from me because...well...Willem DaFoe. Need I really say more? Also, The Book of Eli looks fucking amazing based on the trailers, and I'll definitely be happy to see Gary Oldman playing something other than the Comish for the first time in a while. Also, I' definitely wanting to go see Legion.

[Hello Danger]

Squall, I was just about to start a thread for the same thing!

Youth in Revolt: Was funny, for sure. Very witty. If you like other Michael Cera movies you'll like this one. I don't know Squall... his roles are more comedic than any other "oh he's that guy who played the weird teenagers," guys. ie - Anthony Michael Hall. lol!

this guy >
# Weird Science
# The Breakfast Club
# Sixteen Candles

Michael Cera may never break away from comedy, but neither did Adam Sandler.

:: shrugs ::


Daybreakers: A very good movie. I liked it. I kind of built myself up for this one, though, so was a little let down. Well worth seeing in theaters, and like Squall said- its more than just an "anti-Twilight." I thought it was going to take my number three spot for all time Vampire movies- not so much. Again, a very enjoyable Vampire movie, though.


I'm looking forward to The Book of Eli this Friday!

[Kathryn Lacey]

Danger, I beg to differ. Anthony Michael Hall was the badass boyfriend in Edward Scissorhands, AND he was the lead in Dead Zone which was a kickass television series as far as I saw.

Also, have you ever seen Spanglish? Sandler had a pretty good, dramatic role in that movie.

In all honesty, I don't really like Michael Cera all that much. He's all right, but I think seeing him in Juno was enough for me. I don't really want to see him typecast again and again. I really love when actors have a lot of diversity under their belts. However, maybe maturity will help with that. After all, Anthony Michael Hall didn't break from his nerdy roles until he filled out as he aged.

I am really looking forward to seeing Daybreakers. I have been ever since I saw a trailer for it. It seems so fascinating, and I liked the cinematic effects such as the lighting and scenery that I saw in the trailer.

I have no idea what The Book of Eli is... >.>

[Hello Danger]

Haha, I'm aware of his other roles. I was mostly joking hints the "lol" but anytime I see the guy I still think of all his 80's movies.

While Adam Sandler did do a few movies outside comedy - I wouldn't say two movies out of a twenty year long career is breaking away from comedy. Reign Over Me - is the only movie that comes to mind when I think serious role for him. Spanglish is whatever. :: shrugs ::

I would post a trailer of The Book of Eli for you in the trailer drop thread but I know you wouldn't be able to watch it lol, so here's the premise for you from Wiki.

In post-apocalyptic 2043, a lone hero, Eli (Denzel Washington), guards the Book of Eli (a Bible which, to his knowledge, is the last Bible in the world), which provides knowledge that could redeem society, and the source of all their pain. The despot (Gary Oldman) of a small makeshift town plans to take possession of the book.

[Kathryn Lacey]

You mean the word "role" rather than "roll." I just thought you should know for future use.

Yeah. I guess two movies isn't exactly breaking from comedy, but it still means that he wasn't always completely typecast in comedic roles! ^^_^^;;

Hmm... That seems interesting, and I like Denzel Washington, so I'll definitely have to see that.

[Hello Danger]

o.O

You and I both know I know the difference between role and roll. That was simply an error I didn't catch. Good looking out, though.

[Squall Reyes]

Yes I know it's been a while. I saw Book of Eli and I'm not shitting you I'm still trying to decide if I loved it, or give it a medal for trying so hard to GET me to like it. I swear to god I've never seen a movie that had so many great actors putting on their A games on a movie with a plot so bland, predictable, and translucent I thought could see the back of the fucking movie theater. Alas we are treated by top notch performances by Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, and Mila Kunis (wait what the fuck when did she learn to act?), but sadly this trifecta of acting prowess does nothing to cover up the unimaginative and predictable plot. (By the way if you go half way through the movie and NOT figured out what book they are fighting over is then I'm quite sure that you are retarded. Quite frankly if you've seen the PREVIEWS and not realized what the book is well.....)

There are much better end of the world movies and even books to watch and read, The Road (the book) and Road Warrior (the movie) pop into mind. But the Book of Eli does have some rather clever twist at the end that should put a smile to anyone's face. It's just too damn bad that can't be said for the rest of the movie. If you got 2 hours to kill, this movie is a great way to kill it. But if your looking for a movie that completely redefines the post Apocalypse movie genre, sorry but Eli misses the mark.

This Friday's big release is Legion, staring Paul Bettany as the angel Michael. I shall get back to you with my review of yet the next end of the world movie of 2010.

[Squall Reyes]

Back with two new reviews. Sorry for the lateness of them however I am now in Canada with my wife. And quite frankly shes a bit more important than my little rants on the newest movies. Now lets get started.

Legion: It was billed as a action horror movie. And fails miserably on both counts. I don't know maybe Daybreakers has just set the bar too high for action movies this year. (Well at least until the summer blockbusters.) The CGI is laughable, a competent developer could make better looking visuals using old N64/PS1 hardware. The gore is just silly, I'm not talking about first year film student bad here guys I mean full on first movie ever attempted bad. The script is bad, the story is bad, and really the only feelings you are left with is pity your feel is for quality actors who were handed such a miserable story.

Creation: Paul Bettany. Brilliant actor, who sadly in my eyes has not really had a REAL shot at showing what he can do. Lord knows LEGION wasn't one. But this movie about the trial and tribulation of Charles Darwin is sure as hell a step in the right direction. Granted the script is a bit....off, but the acting of Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connolly, (who co stars as the founder of evolutions RELIGIOUS wife.) save the picture and make it much more watchable and enjoyable than Paul's other movie. It reveals a side of Darwin that many in my country do not know, (that's the United "we are still so fucking puritan" States) either because our schools do not go too far into it for fear of our sexually frustrated soccer moms raising a fit or that the always hawkish politicians looking for a new religious pin in their caps. No matter the case the movie shows Darwin as a man who is 100% sure what he is doing is right. He knows he is going against everything he was taught to be correct and against his loving wife's wishes. (She is played brilliantly by Jennifer, who does not slam Darwin with bible quotes or dogma but the simple and endearing fear that he may not go to heaven with her. Which she cannot not stand to think about.) There is another probably more compelling side story of Charles and his Daughter. This movie is worth a look, if not in theaters then when it is out on DVD.

I will be going to the new Mel Gibson film, Edge of Darkness today with my wife and will write out my thoughts of the police thriller when I return.

[Shekinah]

Daybreakers: Well, I've been wanting to see this one myself very bad too, and so I finally did. But I have to say I was somewhat displeased. While they are a bit more original when it comes down to the subject, they're not able to keep that originality at a high level. Way too soon, they fall for the same cliché's every horror movie has been through and therefore it becomes a mediocre movie way too soon, without enough depth and action to really linger on in your mind. What bugs me most, is that they're still not able to shake off the stereotype they made out of vampires so very long ago, while they start the movie off with the beginning of a promise that they will do so throughout the movie. Unfortunately, while the decor in terms of colouring is very well done, the story isn't intriguing enough, nor tense enough to really get to you. But, I have to say, they do have one fascinating idea which I won't say a word about for those who haven't seen it yet.

[Sighlent]

Legion: A lot of people have been claiming that this movie is all out blasphemous but unless you've SEEN the movie keep your mouth shut. It IS not about God giving up hope on mankind! I won't say more than that but what happens occurs do to several reasons. All out the movie was pointless. I mean it was something to do for the time being. But, aside from the fact that Gabrielle was the most badass rendition of an angel I have pretty much ever seen, the movie was dumb. It never does explain why that damn child was so important, and to me that was the big 'question of the movie.' Also Jeep, reminded me waaay to much of "Sling Blade." So I couldn't listen to him talk without wanting to die laughing because he sounded so...I won't say stupid cause that's harsh...but ignorant. I mean the guy is in love with this chick he BARELY knows. Nothing just made sense to me. Or at least it did but it could have been explained a hell of a lot better.

Book of Eli: Not something I'll particularly care to see again. Post nuclear apocalyptic earth and you have one bible left. Of which Denzel Washington has and Gary Oldman wants because he wants to create a 'new world.' Sure there are some rather kick ass scene's...one featuring a guy getting speared through his dick (which I died laughing at), but other than that...like Legion it had NO purpose. It was entertaining I suppose. But just drug on. I was THANKFUL when the sound went out at the end and we couldn't finish it. However, I already knew via a friend what happens and in Gary Oldman's case it's kinda funny.

Daybreakers: BAD ASS! It really did set the bar for the movies this year. And I've gotten so particularly fed up with the whole Vampire thing that for me to like this was rather surprising. It wasn't cliched! The plot was original and intriguing. I laughed, cried, jumped myself shitless. All and all if you want to see it I advise it. Although I will admit after the first 20 minutes of the movie it starts dragging. I fell asleep for parts of it. But once it kicked back into gear, it REALLY kicked back into gear.

[Shekinah]

Funny how I seem to be the only one who didn't like Daybreakers Or I at least didn't like it that bad...

[Kathryn Lacey]

Maybe it's just me... but if someone falls asleep during a movie the first time they're watching it... it must not be that good. heheh

[Sighlent]

I HATE dialogue in an action movie. When it comes down to it I'd rather see the insides of human being rather than sitting through endless dialect about 'why we are the way we are.' Especially when it's a lot of it. XD

[Squall Reyes]

Hey it's ok Shekinah we ALL have our own different taste in movies. I mean hell my own guilty pleasure is The Rocketeer. I thought it did a great job of capture both the romantic memories of the era, as well the action from the movies in that era as well. I know many may disagree but that's my stance. Anyways I'm back for another bout. First up.

Edge of Darkness: Now I know the whole joke about how in every movie of Mel Gibson's is already know. "Family gets dead. Gibson deads killers." So I'll skip right by that. What I will start off with is the fact that this is a great movie. Really it is a quick paced, high tension detective story steeped in realism. And while there is plenty of action and gun fights NONE of it seems to be cross the fine line of realistic action and over the top fuck you gravity slime. A hard act to pull off with today's CGI and action craved movie goer. (Yet another reason I have so few friends. XD ) Anyways! What is also refreshing about this movie is that Mel Gibson's detective is just that, a detective. Not those fucks from Numbers or CSI who look for fibers, blood spills and hacking computers or what have you. This guy goes out to someone who knows something and ASKS him. And if he doesn't answer he asks HARDER. In other words insert violence.

What is also exciting, well if your a comic nerd like myself is that this movie is the last of this director before he takes the reigns of. Get ready for it. The Green Lantern. In case your wondering if this a good thing, let me put it to you this way. This is the guy who brought us the Mask of Zorro, Goldeneye, Casino Royale and now this little gem. Yes. I believe Hal Jordan is in good hands fellow nerds.

The Wolfman: I....was disappointed. I thought this could have been the second coming of classic horror movie characters to kick the shit outta the lame, cookie cutter bullshits who know claim to be "were wolves" or any other classic movie monsters. Instead we get a still very well done monster flick. Though in reality that should have been expect, I mean this movie has gone through more scripts, directors, composers, and monster suit than the number of deaths in Mel Gibson's movie families. So I have to give credit to director Joe Johnston, I could only IMAGINE the mess they dropped on to his lap when he took the job. And you really do get a sense of him trying to make so many pieces work, but it still falls a little short. However I'm not excited to see what he can do with a bit more time for the Directors cut.

The cast is solid. Benico Del Toro, Hugo Weaving and Anthony Hopkins all appear as the male leads. (Christ you'd think they'd be going for an Oscar with a cast like that.) Del Toro as said Wolfman, Weaving as the Detective, and Hopkins putting on his Silence of the Lambs creepy pants as Del Toro's seemingly insane father. It's unfortunate that this level of talent play such bland stereo typical characters but they do their best and make the characters shine. But I suppose you go to see the wolfman to see what they can do with the beast. And I have to say it's good. The monster is an amazing feat of makeup and CGI with an all out performance by Del Toro which sells the character completely. Yes the monster goes on a rampage. 4 actually. And I suppose in the end that's all you should want from a Wolfman movie. I guess.

Side note here. Joe Johnston. Please. PLEASE don't screw up the Captain America movie! I mean my god, he is one of Marvels best characters, their SUPERMAN and he hasn't had a SINGLE decent movie yet.

Shutter Island: Not Scorsese most brilliant work, but still better than 90% of the other crap out there. Should you see it? Yes. Now I'm going to put it now in big bold letters cause it doesn't seem like you can talk about the movie without someone bringing it up. SPOILER ALERT.

Spoiler:

Spolier/Rant end.

With that said people need to understand what is special about the movie is the artistry. Scorsese is a master at visuals, tone, editing and pacing. This film shows he hasn't lost a damn step. (Thought to be fair he has Thelma Shoomaker. Don't know who she is? She has edited all Scorsese movies since Raging Bull and has a library other feats.) The actors all put in A list performances that got them to where they are today regardless if they are Leo DiCaprio or John Carel Lynch or Ben Kingsley. It's a movie that simply wants to freak you out. And Scorsese aces it.

Now I'm not sure what I'm doing this week. Crazies or Cop Out. I'm unimpressed by both, at least from the previews. (Oh Kevin Smith how did you fall so hard after the masterpiece that was Dogma.) Hell I might see both, but maybe I'll be doublely disappointed. Well if I see either of them, you will heard about it.

[Shekinah]

I was afraid The Wolfman would end up as a disappointment... I haven't sene it yet, but I personally love Benicio, so maybe he's just good enough to turn it into a guilty pleasure movie

I also really want to see Shutter Island and The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus... Man, I should have more money

[Squall Reyes]

A quick just so you know. TIDP was a great movie. Wasn't revolutionary or the fitting tribute to Heath Ledger. (I think the Joker still is.) But the movie shows you once again just how gifted he was and how the world is poorer losing him.

[Shekinah]

I'm so unlucky When it comes down to movie releases, I should live in America, when it comes down to video game releases, I should live in Japan.

Are we supposed to only review the movies from this year? (referring to the topic title)

[Squall Reyes]

Um well that was the idea since we had a thread last year that people shared their feeling about the summer movies. But I could always change it to just be a movie review thread....

Yes lets do that. I'll change the topic now.

[Kathryn Lacey]

Critics liked The Crazies better than Cop Out, so I would recommend you see that one. Cop Out only received one and a half stars, two stars, and a C-, so it's probably a complete waste of time.

I really want to see The Wolfman. Anthony Hopkins is my favorite actor. ^*_*^

[Cypher]

Benicio del Toro is friggin' awesome, although I only saw him alongside Johnny Depp in Terry Gilliam's drug-addled cult masterpiece Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (which breaks through at #3 in my favorite movies of all time).

Say. Maybe I should do reviews too. Anyways, while we're on the topic of Bruce Willis movies (he IS in Cop Out, right?) has anyone besides me seen Hudson Hawk?

[Squall Reyes]

I would usually go with the critics Kathryn but the problem is it's a Kevin Smith movie. Critics almost never like them at least not at first. Even CLERKS was bashed by them! So that's why I give Kevin Smith movies a look. But his last two attempts were sup par with what I know he can write. As I said Dogma has to be one of the most clever movies I'd ever seen. It's explores and asks very sensitive questions about not just Catholicism but faith as a whole but it never loses its sense of humor.

And yes Bruce Willis is in Cop Out. And please by all means do some reviews if you like. This isn't a thread just for my own rants and reviews.

[Cypher]

YESSS~ *ahem* Alright, gimme a second to compose myself... Huh. Give me about a day to rewatch Hudson Hawk for a third time and I'll give you guys a review of it.

[Squall Reyes]

Cop Out: Against everything I read by major league critics I went to go see Cop Out and not the Crazies. (Cause really can any remake of a George A. Romero movie be ANY good. History has shown us no, in fact history has shown us that it gives us running zombies and really fuck that but that's a rant for another time.) And you know what IT'S GOOD! That's right Cop Out while not a life altering or genre defining film but it IS a great time at the movies. With great chemistry between Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis and a surprisingly funny performance by Seann William Scott. (I usually hate the guy.) Kevin Smith takes the tired story of buddy cops and makes it fun to watch again. You really get a sense that Kevin when making this movie has returned to his oh fuck the critics roots and delivered a fun fan piece with surprisingly well done action beats. Should you go see it? Well that depends do you like Kevin Smith movies? If so. Get your ass to the theater for a good funny time.

Hmmmm....That review lend itself to be rather short. Well fuck it lets get on the subject of the "modern" zombie. They have no interest to me whats so ever. I mean a virus really? Sure it gives the zombie some scientific merit but since when did horror monsters have to have scientific fucking merit. The original zombie was a creation of mans interest in death and his FEAR of it. And even if you argue the scientific merit of the zombie. Not the rage ones from 28 Days/Weeks Later (which by the way are not much better) but of the Dawn of the Dead remake, the dead go into rigamortis. Once the cells die this happens. No matter what. They can't run, with the loss of major brain function so goes equilibrium. I could go on and on. But really modern zombie movies are nothing guy gorified (that's right GORYfied) action movies which houses neither the primal fear of death which was their original intent nor the social commentary that Romero gave us. I can only pray that the coming World War Z movie in 2011 will set the world of zombie movies fucking straight.

[Cypher]

((Hint, Squall: Max Brooks had running zombies too. See: Zombie Survival Guide))

[Squall Reyes]

Nope I've got Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z. Hell I've read them more than a dozen times. Each. Max Brooks makes the point to DISOWN the running zombie. He creates the FEAR of the zombie by its ever persistent slump or crawl. He makes the zombies the embodiment of death itself. It keeps coming to us in our lives and nothing we can do to stop it however slow it might come.

I'll even remind you of a section in the book World War Z when the mercenary is protecting the celebrities mansion. They get contact, and when he hears over the radio they are running he starts to get confused. Zack as they are called in the book are not suppose to run, or jump or think. They are dead, the only think they do is groan to call other zombies to a meal and to eat. Trust me Cypher I've read the books enough. I know. You might had thought them to be running because that's whats fed to us through the movies now. But Max makes it a POINT to make them the slow and slumping kind.

[Cypher]

Oh. Well I do have the guide, but I haven't read it in a while, so I might have just misconstrued something in there.

[Squall Reyes]

The Crazies: As I feared another modern horror film makers attempt to redo a classic finds itself stumbling and looking rather inept compared to its superior older brother. However I will not go into great detail here of this bland piece of film making because the very talented Medusaspath has done so in a great and interesting peice. (Seriously guys she did a great great job.)

So Instead I'm in the mood to have a talk with you all. A talk about the upcoming summer and what blessings or disasters it may hold. Now I'm not sure what really qualifies as summer blockbusters anymore since so many movies which would have qualified for the title in June or even in May seem to be coming out as early as March soooo yeah....let's just go from March to June for now. We'll deal with July and August some other time.

Alice in Wonderland: Psh do I really need to say how excited I am for this?

Repo Men: This is not a rip of at allll of the very creative Repo: A Rock Opera. Nope not at all. It just carries the same plot, setting, and damn near the same characters as its opera counter part. Except of course that it may have taken a very creative story and made it into a standard piece action movie.

Clash of the Titans: I'm pretty sure everyone knows how I feel about Clash of the God of War. Yeah....I think I made myself pretty clear last time....

Kick-Ass & Machete & Iron Man 2 & The Losers: SKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Er....sorry that was my inner fan boy passing out from joy.

Robin Hood: Russel Crowe reprises his role as Roman general turned slaved turned....oh it's not? Heh....Could have fooled me.

Prince of Persia The Sands of Time: Oh god. Going off the previews I fear video games sad run in the theaters is going to continue. But I sincerely hope not.

Johan Hex: My inner fanboy started to skeee again to this news....Then he heard Megan Fox was in it.

Toy Story 3: People were worried that TS3 would suffer a case of the threequil as so many other movies have. Until they were gently reminded that this was mother fucking PIXAR.

The A-Team: I'm so scared for my childhood memories right now....

Karate Kid & Eclipse & Sex and the City 2 & Bounty Hunter: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

*coughs* Anyways let see what everyone else thinks.

[Kathryn Lacey]

July counts as summer, too. In which case, The Last Airbender should be mentioned.

I'm afraid for this because I'm a complete Avatard as far as the television series goes. I'm also a bit leery because M. Knight Shyamalan has never made a proper children's movie. However, I realize that Avatar: The Last Airbender appealed to an older demographic than anticipated, so maybe the fact that Lady in the Water also was not appealing to children won't be so bad.

I'm super excited for it, but I'm also afraid for what they may change and screw up...

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