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Movie Review; So we don't go to the bad movies!
Topic Started: Feb 17 2008, 07:14 PM (3,098 Views)
Rock-Onia
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

WARNING! SLIGHT SPOILER WARNING

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4/5

Overall, it was actually put together quite well. The way the story gets told (starts out with Bilbo and Frodo the day of the birthday party in Fellowship) gives a peaceful start. The Dwarves are brilliantly cast. I can't even describe the Goblin King well enough, but he looks grotesque to say the least. They've taken the story in a slightly different direction. It comes across as a cross between an adaptation of the book with a bit of re-imagination thrown in with the inclusion of "The Pale Orc". I don't remember if he was in the book or not, but it seemed new. And as for Gollum, once again, Andy Serkis was born to play that role. One thing that may seem off is the visual feel of the movie. It has something to do with the frame rate. This may help explain better. Small potatoes, really. I can't wait to see part two.
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Almonaster
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I think its an adaptation: as seen in flashback, the pale orc corresponds to Azog, who killed Thorin's grandfather Thror. In the books, he died about 150 years before the events of the hobbit.

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Rock-Onia
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It's been a while since I read the book. But aside from one detail, it DOES follow that story.

And it is a flashback, Ian Holm and Elijah Wood both play their respective characters, and I believe Bilbo is in the process of writing his book when it flashes back.
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The movie Temple Grandin is an amazing piece about turning something regarded in societie's prejudgment as negative trait into your advantage. She manages to transform her autism into something that supports her best quality. While it shows that backing from your closest is important, she remains an independent and self-reliant person despite of her autism. Even more astounding - this story is based on true events. Some might argue that the movie does not stress enough the hardship for being simply different in a world that has a very narrow view on how people should be. But I don't think that Temple Grandin's message is to feel pity, but rather to embrace the differences in all our fellow humans - and yourself - that can be the source of amazing up and downs in your's and other's lives. The actor's performance is well done - I love the moment when the solution to the optical illusion reveals to her. I liked it more then Rain Man and similar amazing as A Beautiful Mind. The 8,2 on IMDB is well deserved, but compared to other dull movies with an 8 the scala is a bit distorted.

I strongly recommend to watch Temple Grandin's TED talk afterwards. She is an amazing personality that manifest a message I so much agree on - especially in a world driven by high-level decision making. We humans need all different kinds of ways of thinking. Each alone has its weaknesses, but joining together we can identify and solve complex dilemmas.
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Matilda Love
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LC, for me, your words are beautiful.

I haven't seen the movie Temple Grandin, but I have seen her speak and she is impressive.
Many in my family display ASD wiring. Perhaps because of my proximity, I do find myself wondering if the statistics on numbers for this brain type are accurate.
It does worry me......that word 'Disorder' that we 'neurotypicals' tack on at the end of Austism Spectrum.

I am concerned about books like 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' in its role as a school reading text. It is supposed to describe somebody on the ASD scale. A dangerous person that could go psycho at any time. Someone short on emotions and unable to display empathy. Misplaced at best.

This young man displays ASD wiring but with other disorders overlaid that are connected with his dysfunctional upbringing. There are many studies out lately that look at what it is like for these delightfully alternative people when they are brought up in less than favourable home environments.

As a person intimately involved, what I see is a fantastic human being with a heightened sense of social justice. Like Temple Grandin.

To varying degrees, here are a people for whom emotions are very real and very present, but not immediately recognised nor understood. As children many unexpected misunderstandings and reactions are demonstrated, simply because an emotion isn't 'intuited' in the same way a neurotypical does. An emotion is left to build up and take over unexpectedly. Over time however emotions are eventually and painstakingly intellectually 'groked'/understood. Someone with ASD wiring will (given half a chance) end up knowing way more about emotions than we neurotypical. Many become psychologists.

I apologise for the lecture :blush:

I will follow up and watch the movie and TED talk, albeit belatedly.
I would like to see more of this in schools rather than 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time'.
This book has its place, and is a good book, but it is misplaced as a description of an every day person with Autism Spectrum wiring.
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Lorelai County
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Glad you liked the review. :lol: Hope you'll enjoy the movie.

Matilda Love,Aug 12 2013
01:29 AM
...Many become psychologists...

Funny you say that. The dialog between the teacher supporting her when suggesting she should go to college has a funny line.

"Really anything you want. You could study people - psychology."
"I get to understand people!?"
"Äh... well... that's the idea."
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Matilda Love
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^ that line still makes me chuckle!


I saw the movie 'Gravity' last night.

I haven't enjoyed a sci fi as much since Apollo 13.

I'm sure some of you would be aware of other similar-ish types though - I gotta wait 'til the block buster comes out and gets my attention, not very clever at following movie culture

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Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.
Erica Jong

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart go together.
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Almonaster
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An Inconvenient Truth


(Yeah, I know it's been out for ages, but I missed it at the time.)


This is basically two movies badly grafted together. The first is (most of) a very good presentation by Al Gore on global warming. The case is well researched, well documented, and well presented.

The second is a pretty cheesy biopic of Gore's life and career. It does provide a little context to why he got involved in the issue, but otherwise is a complete waste of space, and IMHO subverts the environmental message.


6/10
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Redundancies
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Quote:
 
I haven't enjoyed a sci fi as much since Apollo 13.

Not to get too nitpicky, but Apollo 13 is more science "fact" than science "fiction".

So, last week I had an opportunity to watch a few movies:

CARRIE - the latest adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel. Chloe Grace Moretz is great as the title character and Julianne Moore is excellent as her Bible-thumping mother. I haven't read the novel or seen the earlier film, but this one is certainly worth seeing.

THIS IS THE END - A post-apocalyptic comedy about the world coming to an end while a bunch of currently-popular celebrities are attending a party at James Franco's house. Lots of adult humor, but I feel I kind of missed some of the jokes since I didn't watch many of the movies the main cast was in previously. Probably worth a look if you like Franco and co-stars Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill.

ZOOLANDER - I know, this one came out a long time ago, but I'd never seen it before now. A ridiculously over-the-top comedy about the fashion world, with excellent performances by Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell. It's pretty funny, but probably best to not go in with high expectations. At least I now get the remainder of the references my friends use...
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Matilda Love
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Redundancies,Oct 21 2013
07:15 AM
Quote:
 
I haven't enjoyed a sci fi as much since Apollo 13.

Not to get too nitpicky, but Apollo 13 is more science "fact" than science "fiction".


You are right of course!

I was thinking about how it was refreshing to find Gravity giving some thought at least to scientific detail. That's not to say I don't enjoy a sci fi 'ripping yarn' ever!

In Gravity I kept thinking about how they could do with a handles somewhere other than just on the door on the airlocks!
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Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.
Erica Jong

Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart go together.
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Matilda Love
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Last night I was at the movies again, this time it was a documentary.

Here is a story of unforgivable abuse on the part of our govt:
Mary Meets Mohammad
The film is now third in line for a prize.

Interesting too in light of Almonaster's post in Cool Linkage:
http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/09/war-peace...-in-sherifs.php

On Thursday night I go to see 39 Steps (stage production) :D
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Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads.
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Fine art is that in which the hand, the head, and the heart go together.
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Almonaster
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That link is borked, Mattie. (You need to use "copy link location" not just copy the text.)


Full link: http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/09/war-peace...-in-sherifs.php
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Ess
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Matilda Love,Oct 22 2013
01:27 PM

Worked for me: http://www.documentaryaustralia.com.au/fil...-meets-mohammad

I have so many movies I now want to see! :thumbsup:

I read Carrie and watched the first movie. I can hardly wait to see this new one! :D
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Almonaster
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The Lego Movie.


Deep - no, meaningful - enough, fun - hell, yeah!

Everything is awesome!
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Redundancies
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"Guardians of the Galaxy" is another excellent Marvel Cinematic Universe film. And it's not just funny - there's tons of great action and even some heart in it. Definitely worth a viewing or three.
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Stormaen
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Interstellar

Christopher Nolan's latest masterpiece is just that, a masterpiece. The film is not only entertaining, it makes you think – and think big. I'm not a fan of this adjective, but I use it here anyway: Interstellar is epic. It is a journey of man through physics, physicality and psychology; human nature played out amongst the stars.

There's a clear message to the film, as well (and perhaps unsurprisingly): we've stopped dreaming big. Humans achieve nothing playing it safe and, where Nolan's counter piece of sorts, Inception, delved deep, Interstellar reaches high and doesn't play it safe. At nearly 3 hours long, it's a voyage not for the lighthearted but definitely worth the ride!

Score: 4.5 / 5

(I rarely give .5s...)
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Almonaster
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Sync (2012) III

There are several shows/films called Sync, the one I'm referring to is http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2317127/ . You can see the director's cut at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhjimhX9d5U

This is a solid action-adventure movie, with some big SF ideas underpinning the plot. The acting is occasionally patchy, but good enough to carry the script. There is some odd, but ultimately human dialogue. The plot has holes, but is no more leaky than most, and a lot better than some. None of the characters are entirely likeable, but IMHO are the stronger for it.

Looking at the pieces separately, this doesn't sound like a great film, but it was. The action starts early on, and the pacing is good throughout. The ideas are deeper than the film, and they give it enough interest to keep you thinking.

If all SF films were this good, I would be happy.

8+/10
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Rylvan
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Stormaen,Nov 13 2014
12:58 PM
Interstellar

Christopher Nolan's latest masterpiece is just that, a masterpiece. The film is not only entertaining, it makes you think – and think big. I'm not a fan of this adjective, but I use it here anyway: Interstellar is epic. It is a journey of man through physics, physicality and psychology; human nature played out amongst the stars.

There's a clear message to the film, as well (and perhaps unsurprisingly): we've stopped dreaming big. Humans achieve nothing playing it safe and, where Nolan's counter piece of sorts, Inception, delved deep, Interstellar reaches high and doesn't play it safe. At nearly 3 hours long, it's a voyage not for the lighthearted but definitely worth the ride!

Score: 4.5 / 5

(I rarely give .5s...)

That father-daughter relationship is absolutely heartbreaking and heartwarming. It made me cry more than once. Matthew McConaughey is such an amazing actor. That scene with his son's message was crushing. I'll have to watch the movie again to decide how much I like it as a whole (particularly the trippy bit near the end), but that part I love completely.
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Stormaen
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Rylvan,Jan 15 2015
05:46 PM
Stormaen,Nov 13 2014
12:58 PM
Interstellar

Christopher Nolan's latest masterpiece is just that, a masterpiece. The film is not only entertaining, it makes you think – and think big. I'm not a fan of this adjective, but I use it here anyway: Interstellar is epic. It is a journey of man through physics, physicality and psychology; human nature played out amongst the stars.

There's a clear message to the film, as well (and perhaps unsurprisingly): we've stopped dreaming big. Humans achieve nothing playing it safe and, where Nolan's counter piece of sorts, Inception, delved deep, Interstellar reaches high and doesn't play it safe. At nearly 3 hours long, it's a voyage not for the lighthearted but definitely worth the ride!

Score: 4.5 / 5

(I rarely give .5s...)

That father-daughter relationship is absolutely heartbreaking and heartwarming. It made me cry more than once. Matthew McConaughey is such an amazing actor. That scene with his son's message was crushing. I'll have to watch the movie again to decide how much I like it as a whole (particularly the trippy bit near the end), but that part I love completely.

I'd have to agree. I rarely cry with films (and I have to say this wasn't an exception) but the scene where his daughter asks him to leave near the end of the film is deeply, deeply moving. That whole scene was.
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Almonaster
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Paddington

This took a fair few liberties with the original, but managed to keep the spirit intact. There is a mix of slapstick, irony, and subtle humour with a very British feel. The characters were fairly simply portrayed, but managed some good development. The story kept moving along, and there were some real heart-warming moments. It was never going to be a heavyweight contender, but was a good bit deeper than the Lego Movie for instance.

An excellent family movie - the big kids will probably enjoy it as much as the little 'uns.

8/10

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