Movie Reviews

[AYHJA]

Beowulf

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0442933/
AF Link (Discussion): http://www.ayhja.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=282&t=6541

Synopsis: The warrior Beowulf must fight and defeat the monster Grendel who is terrorizing towns, and later, Grendel's mother, who begins killing out of revenge.

My $0.02

<-- Pros --> A CG, but completely sexy and very nude Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother...I know that's not the best way to start a review, but its the most memorable thing about the movie...I wanted to see it in the theater, but never did...And for what it is worth, I liked it...I have a cloned copy, and will more than likely give it a view from time to time...The CG was excellent, and I hope to soon see more movies made in this way...

<-- Cons --> Something...Something about it...I mean, I just wasn't as impressed with this version of Beowulf as I was with the one that I read...Maybe its been a while since I've read it, and the impression it left on me as a youngster is of an insatiable variety anyway, but still...Also, even though the CG was good, I would have liked to see an epic, real life version of it in a Troy, 300, and LOTR type scale...I understand the decision to make it decidedly different, but a RL version could have been even more special...Also, aside from the really excellent Jolie, I can't recall seeing something and being very impressed, rather, I saw little things here and there that reminded me I was watching animation...

Rating: :D :) :) :| :disappoint:

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

probably the last time i enjoyed a sword & sandal epic this much was the original Conan (with Ridley's Gladiator coming in at 3rd). i can't wait for the legit dvd to come out here. i have a bootleg but the pic is slanted. the 3D shit in the cinema release was great. for the first 15 min. then i got over it.

[rooster2345]

I was fairly unimpressed with the CGI in Beowulf also and didn't like Polar Express much either.
(Yeah I know - it was a kids show)

However - could they find someone with the necessary physique to play the lead? I'm thinking of the disasters that are/were Dolph Lundgren, Van Damme etc

Didn't much like Ray Winstones vocals much either and I'm a big fan of his

[Highlander65]

...(Yeah I know - it was a kids show)...

I have kids so I can watch all the kids shows. I was not impressed with Beowulf either. They worked so hard on the CGI that they forgot to add a quality script and interesting dialog. And, what was with the naked dude? They make a very guy oriented flick and keep showing the naked dude? Where were all the naked chicks? There were a few shots, but come on!

:) for the CGI, :( :( :( :( for the rest.

[darklighter1]

I saw it in the theater but I gotta admit I went for the Jolie and I wasn't disappointed. She looked phenomenal. The rest of the movie was metza metza. Sometimes the animation looked amazing then others (Robin Wrights character in particular) looked somewhat off.

[AYHJA]

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/
AF Link: N/A

Synopsis: Based on the hit Broadway musical which tells the infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.

My $0.02

<-- Pros --> I can't ever say I've watched a Tim Burton film I didn't like...This one is no exception, and let me make this clear, of all the kinds of movies I don't like watching, musicals must be at the top...In fact, this may be the first musical I've ever watched from start to finish...The music in this film is exceptional...Unlike most musicals I can recall, the singing didn't get on my nerves...In fact, without the singing, this probably wouldn't be half as good...Not only did I not mind the singing, I fully expected it at every turn...On top of that, there is a good story underneath here...Great, great entertainment...This movie is 'I can't get the songs out of my head,' good...And there is something oddly fascinating and lustful about Helena B. Carter...She gives the weird characters she plays a great element...Johnny Depp should go down as one of the greatest actors of our time...

<-- Cons --> Wow, I didn't think that I'd have a short list w/a musical, but lets see...First off, not everyone gets Tim Burton movies...So if you've seen one and didn't like it, you probably wouldn't think this was that good...Secondly, there were a COUPLE of parts where the dialog was murky, but I get the feeling this was intentional...Not really a whole lot to complain about here...

Rating: :D :D :D :D :)

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

[center]ok i've seen it twice now so here's my mini-review free from spoilers..

Iron Man
Iron Man has been seen twice now by moi. It has raised the bar for comic book-based movies. Dark Knight, Incredible Hulk & Hellboy II (& even that horrid horrid looking Indy IV) are gonna really have to step it up a shitload. it is a rollicking good time at the movies! pure escapist fun w/out dumbing it down. it also has what i've long felt has been lacking in superhero flicks: a sense of humour.
what's even better is that your average joe or jane q public can go see it & have a ball w/out knowing sweet fuckall about comics or the character while at the same time the flick drops lots of gems for the fanboys.
Downey owns this movie totally. Paltrow suprisingly manages to go toe-to-toe with him & Jeff Bridges (who's wickedly ruthless in this one). the flick runs just over 2 hours but it sure does't feel like it. the fx & cgi are finally used to help push the story along instead of just being a distraction or shallowass lightshow with no substance. & you know how lame or substandard movies try & disguise the fact that they are by bombarding audiences with way too much stupid pop/rock or score music? this film has practically no noticable score whatsoever. the story is what makes it fly. i could say more but i don't wanna give away any spoilers. THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE OF 2008 thus far. & arguably the best superhero (not comic as i'd have to bring up Sin City & Ghost World) flick.
9.5/10
Iron will appeal to:
the General Public
Fanboys
Movie buffs
Techeads
Action movie lovers
&
People who dig witty & realistic dialogue
GO SEE IT NOW!
WARNING: make sure you stay until the credits finish for a nice suprise. [/center]

[AYHJA]

Already got my tickets online, lol...

[Sir Jig-A-Lot]

u goin' with Ra & tha Missus? betcha even they dig it muchly.

[AYHJA]

Yup, got the fam in tow...I was going to take my soccer kids, but my damn car broke down Sunday so I can't...Still may invite them though...

Got my ticks for the 8, gonna get there early though so we can get good seats...