Movies Talk Archive April 01 2017 to May 01 2017

 

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01 May 2017 15:19:46
Got to watch the GOTG Vol 2 last night and thought I'd share my thoughts.

The first GOTG was one of the most surprisingly delightful films ever, funny, exciting with great characters and remarkable world building. It was the sort of film the phrase 'they captured lightning in a bottle' was written for. Could Marvel repeat the trick? The answer is kinda.

First of all what works; the inventiveness, characterization and humour are still all there. The opening scene is just as great as Starlord dancing through the ruins in Vol 1. Baby Groot is, of course, superb and the biggest surprise is that Dave Bautista's Drax is arguably the best thing in the film. The new character Mantiss is a bit hit and miss but by the end feels genuinely part of the group.

Whilst the film gets the look and the feel of the first film spot on it it loses it's way when it comes to story. The antagonists are a race called the Sovereign who are about as threatening as a sharpened grapefruit. Meanwhile the plot, which centers around fatherhood and Kurt Russel's character is just a little underwhelming.

If you liked the first one you'll enjoy Vol 2 but that's about as far as I'd go. It's not another home run for Marvel and fits in alongside their decent but unremarkable films (such as Ant-man).

P.S. There really are 5 post credit scenes in the film, one sets up Vol 3 (and you need to be familiar with the comics to understand it), one sets up a potential spin off and the other three are joke scenes.



01 May 2017 17:20:03
Saw it this weekend and somewhat agree. Is a bit like batman vs superman (which I could write an essay on stupidity about) but think the sovereign should have served as an opener and then left out entirely.

Didn't really improve the film at all and took away entirely from the more interesting story about quills heritage and ego. Also SPOILERS don't read if going to see it, but second half the film been them against ego would have been really good. Also thing the yondou (sorry about spelling) but was far too forced entirely and would have served better as just comic relief, if you think about first film the whole relationship him and quill makes literally zero sense. but still somehow a great film



 

 

01 May 2017 11:03:43
Kill Command. Decided to have a look at this film after reading Ed01's review. It didn't dissappoint. Actually, I am surprised with the overall look of the film. It was a low budget film, but the production design was one thing to be admired. The story was simple, not much to shout about. And that blonde robot, she is so hot. A decent film to kill one and a half hours of your time.



{Ed001's Note - it was surprisingly good. Shows a big budget is not essential to make a good film.}

 

 

28 Apr 2017 18:18:39
Have just found out they are apparently making the king killer chronicles into a movie/to series. Have read the first one (the name of the wind) and would love to see this happen. If you like your fantasy, lord of the rings type books this may be for you.

That type of setting but not as action driven, more character.but will recommend reading it!



{Ed001's Note - less action than LOTR? That sounds awful as they had very little action themselves.}

28 Apr 2017 19:54:35
Fair enough, to each their own. Basically about a child's journey to becoming a legend and exploring like the lore, history and fictional universe. which have to admit I'm a sucker for! Even with Harry Potter never really liked the story but found the world Rowling created interesting



{Ed001's Note - I actually love LOTR, but they were just on the borderline of being too slow. I do love the worlds around stuff like that, it is why Warhammer has been so successful, imo, as they have created a whole world around it. That kind of thing does make a huge difference.}

23 Apr 2017 09:00:03
Life (2017)

A group of "scientist" on a space station are given the first chance to study life samples taken from Mars. The sample begins to crow and attack the crew, so they must survive and prevent the life form from reaching earth.

Was an alright film, but being honest mainly saying alright as love space movies, like alien movies, and enjoy thriller/horror type films. But is one of those films were you can't help but notice that this elite group of top "scientist" are apparently the dumbest people on earth (or POTENTIAL SPOILER the best of an incredibly dumb earth).

Dunno interesting concept and looked good, just an it predictable and always find films were the scientist come across as incredibly dumb, to me come, across as poorly written. But enjoyable



21 Apr 2017 23:36:09
Arrival. I am a bit shallow when it comes to alien films. I watch them expecting for some visuals, makeups, creatures, gunfights, explosions and such. If that is what you'd expect with Arrival, you'll be dissappointed just like me.

It does felt like Sicario at times, its photography and music somehow brought a dark feeling to the film. Maybe this is Villeneuve's trademark.

I am not going to say it was a bad film. Some reviews I read use "Spielberg-Nolan hybrid" as a point to say how good the film was. But with my current intellectual level, this film was just too deep for me to enjoy.

When the final credits rolled in, my final reaction was "What the hell is this?".



{Ed001's Note - I was similar, never enjoyed it at all and when it finished I just thought, what was that?}

22 Apr 2017 16:41:05
Talking about alien films, do you rate the classic Close Encounters from Spielberg?

Watched it a few days ago. I should steer away from these classics. I couldn't enjoy any of them at all. My eyes are too used with the visual grandeur and the high definitions of modern films.



{Ed001's Note - I haven't watched it in a long long time, but it bored me to be honest.}

16 Apr 2017 05:48:32
OK, I saw the new Fast and Furious movie over the weekend (don't judge me, it was not my choice!), since then I have been trying to figure out how to review it. It is far too easy to say it was utter trash, which it was, and leave it there. However it was more than that. All the Fast films are utter trash, usually they are watchable trash though.

Fast 8 is watchable, but in a kind of 'wtf is this?' cringe watch. It was more of a comedy, with the acting even worse than usual. The Rock was in full on, over the top, wrestling mode, which was fun at times, when he was matching up with Statham, but got tiring.

The whole thing just turned up the stupidity a notch or two over the usual. With me not being the biggest fan of the series, maybe it is just me, but it seems like Vin Diesel has too much control and has done the same as he did to XXX. Decided to be even more ridiculous and over the top than before, rather than trying to tell a story. The story was totally incidental and stupid.

The first one was the best because it mixed fast cars with a decent, realistic story (it was based on a journalist's report of the underground car scene after all). Some silly stunts, but basically it stuck to fast cars and good looking people telling a story. Now they barely bother with the cars or story.

The only thing that saved this film from being worse than the XXX series (which is utter dog turd especially the last one) and Tokyo Drift, was Jason Statham. I like Statham, but, let's be honest here, he is a limited actor, so relying on him does not say a lot for the film. However, he does carry this film at times. Actually that is not true, Helen Mirren's appearance is worth a watch, maybe it was novelty value but it is hard not to love Mirren, she is a legend of the screen.



17 Apr 2017 01:44:26
I haven't watch this yet, but just wanted to share that I have started losing my interest from the 6th, when they started making em like secret agents secret ops or whatever the stories were. For me, 7th was the worst. I think I managed to understand the overall consensus from your review here Ed01. I will still watch it though. Sometimes it is quite enjoying watching these kind of mindless stupid action flicks. Enjoying enough to kill a couple of hours and not thinking about them at all after that.



{Ed001's Note - if it was on TV and so free, so to speak, then fine, but I just feel like they are a rip off when people are paying money to watch them.}

12 Apr 2017 22:58:01
“The f–k, Fox! You can’t play 2 characters in the same universe!! Josh Brolin was in Sicario and I was in Sabrina The Teenage Witch.” - Reynolds on Brolin casting in Deadpool 2.

This guy is just crazy and hilarious. I can't imagine any other actor suited more as Deadpool than him.



{Ed001's Note - brilliant. I am so looking forward to Deadpool 2.}

13 Apr 2017 23:56:24
Overall, what do u think about Deadpool 1 Ed01?

I hope they will do it better for the 2nd. Don't get me wrong. I really enjoyed the 1st, but I just felt there was something more that can be done. I couldn't figure out exactly what it is though.



{Ed001's Note - I loved Deadpool myself. Thought it was one of the best comic book films ever. Reynolds is just so perfect for that role.}

14 Apr 2017 05:35:56
Come to think of it again, it was more of me wanting to see what is next and more for Deadpool, instead of something wasn't enough in the first film itself.



{Ed001's Note - my first thought on coming out of the film was that I hope they do a sequel. Unusual for me, usually I come out of a film hoping there will be no more of them!}

07 Apr 2017 22:54:54
Ok two questions; what films do you think completely ruined source material creating terrible films. and what source material do you think could make good films.

In regards to ruling; resident evil (literally given a great story just needed to be streamed), the relic (love this book series, not ground breaking but enjoyable, but got rid of main character and still life's with crows or cabinets of curiosities would translate better) two in one but dawn of justice (is an animated adaption of batman vs superman which is brilliant and death of superman would be brilliant stand alone film), and finally



{Ed001's Note - I would go with LOTR and Silent Hill as ruining the source material.

As for what could make good films, if done right, it would have to be the Warhammer novels, particularly the Horus Heresy stuff.}

08 Apr 2017 08:25:11
Forgot about silent hill. god those were bad. Also think the darkness and a night at Freddy's could be great films! though may be clouded judgement think shadow of colossus could be a good one



08 Apr 2017 12:17:59
How about Stephen Kings? I have watched only a few of them. I don't read books or novels. Though I enjoyed those I have watched, I have no idea if they have ruined the original materials or stayed true to the books. Thoughts? Some that I have watched such as Shawshank Redemption, Green Mile, The Mist.

Same with LOTR. I enjoyed all three of them, but not the Hobbit trilogy. However, I haven't read any of the books but I've heard it a few times that the films a bit different from the books, similar to Ed01's reply above.



09 Apr 2017 17:45:14
Haizan I think I've watched about every movie based on king novels and the 1 I've always been disappointed with is IT.compared to the novel it's terrible but is a cult movie due to Tim currys performance as pennywise.there has been a reimagining of the novel made which is due for release in September and the trailer looks pretty amazing so hopefully this will do the novel justice.my favourite movie based on a king novel is misery,Kathy Bates performance is something else!



10 Apr 2017 13:17:49
I remembered watching IT, and I didn't enjoy it. It didn't scare me either even though I was quite a young boy that time.

A bit off topic, have you watched Clown? I really enjoyed that one.



10 Apr 2017 16:01:21
yes I've seen clown,it was entertaining but not one I would revisit, I just felt they could have done more with it.Take a look at the IT trailer,ive got high hopes for this version.



10 Apr 2017 21:47:09
It massively dropped it as book is genuinely horrifying! Also had the perfect clown. If you've not seen it the mist is a good adaptation. I've always thought his books would make good shows as most are fairly long!

Speaking of source material should look into gulliem del toros failed efforts of getting bioshock made into a film, the realised concept art looks sick and is one of the few video games with a coherent enough plot and unbelievably good styling to make a great film. but would cost a fortune and most defo have to be R!



11 Apr 2017 17:47:57
Still waiting for the Half Life movie and the Gears of War movie.



12 Apr 2017 05:50:12
Need to build massive sets if want to do Half Life. I really like some of the games mentioned, but I don't think adapting them into movies will be successful. Most of us quite aware how those films turned out to be; Silent Hill, Warcraft, some others, and worth to mention some of the Uwe Boll's craps.

Now there are plans to do Call of Duty films. In my opinion, just leave them instead of ruining them.



12 Apr 2017 17:21:43
Call of Duty is crap anyway let them kill the franchise off with a terrible movie.



12 Apr 2017 22:32:41
Don't see how call of duty makes a film. personally think video games that could make a good film:

-bioshock
-resident evil 1 & 2
-mass effect 1
-halo
-wolfenstein
-max payne (film didn't get the psychological damage part of the game)
-heavy rain



13 Apr 2017 03:05:48
Disagree on Call of Duty hsf. The series were quite unique, in my opinion. Centered on a number of different main characters controlled by a player and different vantage points, and for me, that was really engaging and unique for me. I can't see how they can make that into a film.



15 Apr 2017 13:36:46
The single player got shorter and shorter with each release, the multiplayer became less of a priority.
I never understood paying £60 for a game that was released 8 times in the last 4 years.

All the money they made went into the CGI Kevin Spacey and advertising. They gave nothing back to the customers, apart from over priced and underwhelming DLC.



07 Apr 2017 23:00:31
Sorry hit send early! But finally the great gatsby, is my favourite book but the adaptation missed the point and was just awful. also honourable mention dragon ball, terribly adaptation but DBZ just won't translate into a good film, unless an inspired director took a weird taste e.g. Tremendously dark or artsy etc.

In regards to things I'd like to see adapted; hex by Thomas heuvelt (would be a good film or to series), uprooted by Naomi Novik and last one is would be a documentary but the shock doctrine by Naomi klein. Is a groundbreaking piece of journalism which if made more accessible and relatable medium would give the public a great insight.



08 Apr 2017 02:07:50
DBZ was so disappointing. It's got great potetential with hollywood.



08 Apr 2017 08:28:22
Sorry but think it would take an inspired director to make DB into a good live action film. Anime in general doesn't translate to live action well, could be wrong but personally think it would take someone taking a very different approach to make it work. For example think making it a lot darker and doing a film about the android/cell games would be a cool film. also Jackie chan as Roshi is just something I want to see.



09 Apr 2017 19:21:23
Decent CGI, good cast and make sure the story is the same as the anime and it's all good.

I think they need Michael Bay for this kind of movie.



10 Apr 2017 21:51:13
Yeah but Megan fox would be chi-chi and Tatum goku. maybe Shia lebuaf as Vegeta. saying that the guy who played the evil ninja in GI Joe would be a great vegeta! Also Brock Lesnar or the mountain for brolly! But again make an R Rated film with a super violent, psycho rampaging brolly and I'd throw money at you!

Fair enough different views mate! Also think Gundam Wing would be a great film, but again has giant robots and imagine they'd ruin it.



12 Apr 2017 17:28:56
Broly lol. You know I wouldn't go for a massive muscular villian(too hard to cast properly imo), I'd go for Frieza, kid was bad ass and was Goku's only genuine equal in all the anime series.

Plus the backstory for him and the Saiyan race would make for a good lore. Perhaps they could start with Barduk instead of Goku, like they did in one of the anime movies.

For me, the Frieza saga was the best.



12 Apr 2017 22:28:32
TBH isn't the muscular bit but if done right brolly would be quality. Is just an insane, unstoppable force of crazy destruction,especially the first movie. just owned everyone, even his casual blast made him epic. Reason he is literally the only movie villain you remember from the series.

TBH the whole saiyan namek saga was good, but like how cell games/android saga tied together with original dragon ball and brought the focus on gohan being something special. always wondered if the focus shift from Goku to Gotham after that it would have made the series better (e.g. Ssj3 gohan or mystic gohan beating buu, with goku staying dead) dunno got bored of goku.

Reckon that's why I've not watched it after cell games as is just the worst/dumbest protagonist but always wins. by just getting inexplicably stronger. least with vegeta or gohan could explain it better, e.g. gohan ssj2 (reaching hidden potential) or Majin vegeta, plus add in backstory vegeta is just such a better character. Actually uses strategy and is ruthless. like goku giving Frieza power to life. why!? has literally done nothing but genocide. imagine looking too much into an anime but still



03 Apr 2017 04:26:15
Sing. I enjoyed animation films, especially 3D. Sing didn't have great storyline and deep messages within the story such as the likes of Zootopia, and some others. However, it did have enough humours, heart, and some visually stunning scenes that really kept me in my seat until the end. The closing scene was so beautiful. I forgot to say how I love the songs in it, each and every one of them. This is easily becomes one of my favourites. Good entertaining film.