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While I'm hardly a member of the target audience for it, this direct to video Disney cartoon sequel is enjoyable. I appreciate how it actually veers somewhat from the standard formula for a Disney cartoon.
Boring film.
Boring?
Have you seen it ?
BD:
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 6/10
The Sorcerer's Apprentice 6.5/10
We Bought a Zoo 8/10
The Hangover Part II 6.5/10 Correct score: 6/10
We're the Millers Extented Editie. 8/10 That's whas more fun then i expect it going to be.
Runner Runner 5.5/10
Last Vegas (2013) 8/10
The Bling Ring 6/10
Deux jours, une nuit 7/10. it is that movie be in France and made story made a it more dificult, so in my opnion it be bit overrated.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close 8/10
Delivery Man 7/10
Olympus Has Fallen 7/10
Deception 6/10
Wanted (2008) 5/10
Larry Crowne 7.5/10
The Hangover Part III 6.5/10.
The November Man 7/10. Come on with the sequel. I have some doubts or i like that Columbiana ending.
Battleship 7/10. The first title i bought in 2014, but because of the Last Ship tv series i wait for a whyle. I think two episodes pilot of that tv series are better. There trying to make another Independence Day, Armageddon and bit Jurassic Park.
DVD:
Couples Retreat 6/10
The Kids Are All Right 8/10
Disturbia 7.5/10
Haven (2004) 7/10
Rewatch: The Virgin Suicides 6/10
TV:
Film:
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) 8/10
Foxcatcher (2014) 7/10
Rewatch: Double Impact 7.5/10
Big Game 6/10
Bros Before Hos (Dutch) starring Silva Hoeks (Blade Runner 2049) 7/10.
Series:
Sleepy Hollow S3 8/10
CSI Cypher S2/final season 7.5/10
The Last Ship S3 8/10
The Night Manager 7/10
Smeris S3 (Dutch) 7/10
Suits S4 7/10 (+ couple of episodes of Season 5)
Homeland S6 7/10
Blind Spot S1 7/10 S2 7.5.
Bones Season 11 7/10 (Already started with S12 the final season)
Cel Blok H (Dutch version of Australian series Wentworth.) S4/final season. 7/10
Luther S4. Only have 2 episodes 7/10
Klem S1 (Dutch) 7/10
The American S2 7/10
Scorpion S3. The first half of second season whas weak, but i am happy the second half was much better and Season 3 contuned that. Mabey even better then Season 1. 8/10.
Motive S2. Realy feels now as modern Columbo. Realy a shame the channel give series on strange time at 00.30 AM. 7.5/10
Transporter S2. Like Season 1 some episodes are mixed up with exeption of first and final episode. Shame that it is final season, but if there whant there always can pick it up again. 7/10
24 Season 10 aka 24 Legacy 7/10.
Macgyver (2016) Season 1 7/10. This new series need more solo missions (Les Dalton) and also don't understand the switch.
With one episode to go, i am also almoost finish with rewatch or better say new experience of Season 1 of Miami Vice. There a bit more weak episodes like episode 21 (if you count first two as one episodes as Universal did.) But i think already whant to give it 8/10.
I would put this in the Bond film last watched thread but I don't consider it a part of the series. This was my first viewing. Despite often being credited for putting Bond in the grave, the film was simply delightful.
I was in the mood for some thing excellent, and after some debate it came down to either one of the last two MI films or the first of Nolan's Bat opus. I chose the latter. I haven't seen this film, which birthed the reboot craze that swept everything up in its path including James Bond, for quite some time. That was a mistake, because I had forgotten just how good it really is. Intense and meaningful, with richly textured characterizations, it remains a benchmark film for me.
The script by Chris Nolan and David Goyer is what drives the film and it's very good. There are so many great exchanges and scenes as a result, but my favourites are those between Bale and Neeson, and especially the early ones when he is trained by the League of Shadows. Those sequences resonate with me. There is character depth and the performances are top notch (Neeson is perfectly cast as Ra's/Ducard, Wayne's mentor/adversary, and Bale is without doubt my favourite Wayne). It's a pleasure to see the great Rutger Hauer in a role worthy of his talents as the odious Mr. Earle, and Morgan Freeman is a hoot as gadget man Lucius Fox (the true successor to Llewlyn imho). His repartee with Bale's Wayne is just great, as is the similar back and forth with Michael Caine's Alfred. Katie Holmes is really good as childhood sweetheart Rachel as well (I'm not sure why she didn't appear in the sequel but it was one of the biggest mistakes of her career imho). I quite liked the few quiet scenes she has with Bale.
The sequence of the Tumbler flying over rooftops is still amazing to this day, as is the finale when Bruce finally has the courage to do what's necessary (while Ra's uncharacteristically fails to be mindful of his surroundings). Great to see Shane Rimmer too (thanks for the the nod to classic Bond Chris!). I may be in the minority, but I really enjoy Hans Zimmer's score for this series, and especially the manner in which he adds layers to the basic motif for each subsequent sequel, culminating in a sonic masterwork for TDKR.
Cinematic perfection imho, and a top 10 film of mine.
Compared to the rubbish (imho) they're dishing out with the character these days, this is a godsend.
Yeah, and I had some problems with it but boredom wasn't one of them. ;)
I loved reading your post, as you have perfectly explained what makes BB such a fantastic film. Often tossed aside in the towering shadow of TDK, BB still seems to be treated as the underdog of the Nolan trilogy. Whether TDK is the superior film is a debate I don't want to have right now, but suffice it to say that I can't believe how much of an underperformer BB was at the BO, almost as if audiences didn't understand, in 2005, the brilliance of this film. It's all there though, in the clever dialogues, in the wonderful acting, in the magnificent story... BB serves as one of the best theses ever written on Batman, Bruce Wayne and his sworn oath, the holy trinity if you want of the Bat universe.
To kick off a new "series" without the Joker as the de facto villain, took some big cojones. In keeping with Miller's YEAR ONE, from which this film has grabbed several elements, BB works the minimalistic approach before pulling all the curtains open for the next two opuses. But by doing so, we get a chance to learn to know the dark hero, something very few superhero films ever allow us to do beyond some simple facts that usually combine to form a paper-thin origin story. BB held back, Batmannus interruptus; a rare exercise in patience, self-control and narrative excellence. We don't go in guns blazing within the first 20 minutes; this isn't GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. The film breathes, takes us on a journey, "the Fellowship of the Bat", "2005: A Hero's Odyssey"; but it'll all pay off in the end. BB doesn't start with Batman's origin story, it is Batman's origin story in many ways, and much more than that too. But it is the story of Batman, not of everyone else. Though we get to know Alfred, Rachel, Gordon, Lucious and others, Batman isn't the peripheral character we already know well enough from previous iterations, conveniently overwritten by the ultimate crowd pleaser that'll bring in the cash: Joker. No, you don't know Batman yet, even if you think you do. This film will tell you who he really is. Still, it would be unfair to claim that the villains in this film are merely filler material to grow some extra flesh around the backbone of Batman's character exploration. Both Ra's and Scarecrow, who will, with different interests, return in the series, are written and performed to perfection.
Nolan is often criticised for being cold, calculated, cerebral and poor at shooting action. Perhaps it's a genetic dysfunction of mine, but I simply can't see that. BB grabs us by the balls and drags us into the heart and psyche of the dark hero much more than almost any other superhero film I've seen since SUPERMAN THE MOVIE. The action isn't a Christmas tree of flickers, jokes, frenetic cuts and loud musical crescendos; and I for one welcome the change from the mainstream formula. The accusation that Nolan's action is dull and uninspired, has left me pretty cynical over the years. If people want John McClane wearing a cape and cowl, they should check out the Asylum section in the video store. Or seek out the family friendly Marvel films that do work from the Action Rule Book for dummies. Action in a Nolan film isn't like going out for a smoke or a drink during an exhausting meeting. Action in a Nolan film is a part of the story. The focus is not on volume, pitch and luminescence, but on what's going on that moves the plot forward. Nolan's action scenes engage the senses as well as the brains, and that's something few people seem comfortable with these days. It's never a checklist thing; hence, BB isn't built on action sequences with some filler material in between. The action is part of the fabric of the story, adrenalised and pounding, but also carefully measured and purposeful. It's hard to dismiss the action scenes in BB as tedious if your brain is still working on full capacity, as it should when watching this film.
Because that's what BB is and what appeals to me so much: it's one hell of a clever film.
Yeah, the narrows and the train showdown. I haven't seen it in a while but that part seemed more there for a sense of completion, and to deliver on the action spectacle that had long been promised, rather than because the movie was naturally building up to it. I think BB could work better as a 2 hr movie, TDK as 2hr 15m, and TDKR as 2hr 30m. They are all about 15m too long IMO.
(Bear in mind that I am most critical about the films I really enjoy, so this is more a nitpick than a major issue I have.)
I'm fully with you on the action as well. Perfectly said about it being integral to the narrative and not tacked on for effect. It was so impressive to view these sequences yesterday, because they are such a far cry from the spectacle driven nonsense that we are being provided with these days, which is more action for the sake of action. Today's entries will most likely go the way of The Phantom Menace in time, meaning I don't think history will be kind to them.
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@Mendes4Lyfe yes The Narrows sequence is probably the weakest in the film for me too, and is there to build up to the inevitable conclusion between the two participants as you noted. There's something about it which doesn't quite fit into everything for me either, most probably because of the CGI overload (it's aesthetically different from the rest of the film). However, it doesn't really bother me that much as mentioned, because I'm always looking forward to the emotional payoff of the final confrontation.
I, Tonya
This was a great film. I remember when the incident with Nancy Kerrigan happened in 1994, and this film goes a bit in depth with not only what led to that event, but also who Tonya Harding was and where she came from. There were some comedic moments as well as some scenes that were difficult to watch that involved her very acidic mother and abusive husband. The cast was great all around especially Margot Robbie who does a wonderful job as Tonya Harding.
Coco
Very good film. Definitely the last 20 minutes were very emotional for me, could not stop crying. Overall, the voice acting, the animation and music was all top notch.
The Greatest Showman
The story was very cliche and predictable, but the musical numbers were entertaining. Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron did a good job in their roles as well as the rest of the cast. I can say I had good time.
The Last Jedi
I thought it was fine. I felt some of the storylines didn't lead anywhere and some things were questionable. Both Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley were great, I did like their scenes together. The action sequences were good, especially the one on that salt planet. It was definitely more fun to watch as I saw this movie in 3D in one of the motion seat theaters.
Justice League
It thought this was very enjoyable film. The cast chemistry was good, I thought they handled the new characters well although I felt Aquaman was a bit underused. The actions sequences were good even though it was mostly CGI, but that didn't bother me. Steppenwolf was kinda weak and the story could have been better and less rushed. I kinda want to see the director's cut if there is one.
I have to say I am shocked that it took this long to get to the end of MacGyver Retrospective before I go into the review in 2018 I will be doing a few retrospective series under the assumption that you all have enjoyed my previous series and takes... ANYhoo schedule for next year
Taken/Liam Neeson Action retrospective series ( Taken 1 The A-team Taken 2 Unknown Non Stop a Walk Among the Tombstones Taken 3 and possibly The Commuter and Run all night)
Jason Bourne Franchise (which I have only seen Legacy and played the video game so it should be interesting)
And Spy films that never got a sequel /favorites I haven seen in a while (Usual Suspects Ronin The Saint Safe House Haywire Wonder Woman)
And then I am thinking the Prequel Star Wars trilogy I don't like planning to far ahead
Random thoughts while watching
Wow what do I say other then 2 minutes we get a compelling action sequence in a house that reminds me of the state home in the Living Daylights... MacGyver is brilliant but knowing the twists at the end makes the beginning kind of well ridiculous... long story short the film is well acted and well directed its a shame this didn't get a theatrical release to be entirely honest. Sure this invents characters Mac had a back story with but was never mentioned in all 7 seasons but meh... I love the flirtatious nature between Mac and the Russian spy...I love Mac calling out the spy
Mac saying the Mirands have been an important part of my life ... uhm WHAT when sorry I saw all 7 seasons not one mention..
The second Russian spy Nikoli looks a bit like Rory Kinnear but ten times cooler
the terrorists who will work for anyone with money... so essentially goons lol
mac firing a gun is strange but not bad
The Wire conversation is funny "trust me Mac I am experienced in these thing" MacGyver's response "yeah me too"
I just love the mystery of this TV movie it's honestly one of the best of the franchise
And MacGyver was raped by a hot Russian spy unsure how I feel about that but meh
Mac's car blows up because he is getting closer classic....
and Mac is set up for murder...
And the police aren't shooting at him during this chase why?
I don't want to write any more as it would spoiler but if you even kind of like MacGyver but never saw this I would implore you to see it
overall this is a great movie. and one of the best stories
Ranking of non Bond films 2017
1. Jaws
2. Mission Impossible Rogue Nation
3. MacGyver Trail to Doomsday (yes I am using rose colored glasses but I love this)
4 Beverly Hills Cop 2
5 Macgyver lost Treasure of Atlantis
6 Snake Eyes
7 Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol
8 Justice League
9 Macgyver Lost Love
10 Jaws 2
11 Beverly Hills Cop
12 Mission Impossible 3
13 The Firm
14 My week with Marilyn
15 Wonder Woman
16 Kong Skull Island
17 Mission Impossible
18 Halloween 2
19 Beverly Hills Cop 3
20 Ghostbusters
21 When Harry meet Sally
22 Macgyver Legend of the Holy Rose
23. Star Wars Last Jedi
24. Batman Mystery of Batwoman
25. Limitless
26. Jaws 3-D
27. Batman Year one
28. Fifty shades darker
29. Mission Impossible 2
30. Jaws the Revenge
31. Good Knight MacGyver
32. National Lampoon's Vacation
MacGyver retrospective
1. MacGyver Trail to Doomsday
2. MacGyver Lost Treasure of Atlantis
3. MacGyver Lost love
4. MacGyver legend of the holy Rose
5. Good Knight MacGyver
Jaws Franchise
1. Jaws (only franchise where my ranking is equal to there releases)
2. Jaws 2
3. Jaws 3-D
4. Jaws the Revenge
Brian de Palma films
1. Snake Eyes
2. Mission impossible
Beverly Hills Cop Franchise
1. Beverly Hills Cop 2
2. Beverly Hill Cop
3. Beverly Hills Cop 3
Ranking of films that came out in 2017
1. Justice League
2. Wonder Woman
3. Kong Skull Island
4. Star Wars The Last Jedi
5. Fifty Shades Darker
DC Films
1. Justice League
2. Wonder Woman
3. Batman Mystery of the Batwoman
4. Batman Year one
Mission Impossible franchise
1. Mission impossible Rogue Nation
2. Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol
3. Mission Impossible 3
4. Mission Impossible
5. Mission Impossible 2
Ranking of all films
1. Jaws
2. Casino Royale
3. Mission Impossible Rogue Nation
4. MacGyver Trail to Doomsday
5. Beverly Hills Cop 2
6. MacGyver Lost Treasure of Atlantis
7. Quantum of Solace
8. Snake Eyes
9. Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol
10 Justice League
11. Macgyver: Lost Love
12. Jaws 2
13. For Your Eyes Only
14. Beverly Hills Cop
15. Mission Impossible 3
16. The Firm
17. My week with Marilyn
18. Wonder Woman
19. Kong Skull Island
20. Mission Impossible
21. Halloween 2
22. Beverly Hills Cop 3
23. Ghostbusters
24. When Harry meet Sally
25. MacGyver: Legend of the Holy Rose
26. Star Wars Last Jedi
27. Batman Mystery of Batwoman
28. Limitless
29. Jaws 3-D
30. Batman Year one
31. Fifty shades darker
32. Mission Impossible 2
33. Jaws the Revenge
34. Good Knight Macgyver
35. National Lampoon's Vacation
35 films over 2017 not bad honestly a lot of good memories.
LOL, great list!
Quite. Don't forget Howard The Duck & Spacecamp.
Space Camp that's a blast from the past
Still a cool little film with a John Williams score!
Very much of its time there were some great films that were similar in the 80's, Space Camp had a brilliant cast
Next up in my Nolan Bat revisit is probably the most famous film in the trilogy and the one which became a phenomenon upon release in 2008. Almost unanimously praised at the time, and benefiting from the publicity around Heath Ledger’s untimely passing, the film went on to break box office records. I recall being blown away personally upon first viewing but wondered how I’d feel about it now, almost a decade later.
Well it holds up quite nicely as a matter of fact. From the ominous opening frame of the bat symbol shimmering within blue fire (portending the mayhem to ensue), to the subsequent overhead shot of the grappling hook firing into an office tower on a sunny day, you know you’re in for something special. Nolan’s well known penchant for practical effects serves the film’s action well and some of the by now famous sequences (such as the awe inducing lengthwise truck flip, birthing of the batpod, Hong Kong escape, Gotham General hospital explosion which puts the touted one in SP to shame, and bank heist), look as magnificent as ever, especially with the full screen IMAX format blowing up the print to completely fill a home screen. There are also nods to classic genres and films, including Bond (TB style Skyhook escape, Wayne using gadgets without reading instructions, GF style gang member meeting) & Heat (William Fichtner). However, this film is far more than explosions, chases and callbacks.
Ultimately, like its predecessor, it’s as much about characters and the relationships between them as it is about action. It’s about hopes, dreams and promises, all of which are interrupted here by the presence of the dreaded Joker - Batman’s arch nemesis, brilliantly realized by Ledger in an award winning performance. There are other actors in this film of course, but Ledger dominates to such an extent that one wonders if the film should have instead been named after his character, who is a force of nature here. The Joker psychologically manipulates everyone and exploits weaknesses to wreak havoc and chaos on the city and its clueless leaders. There is a deliberate method to his madness that makes it all the more disturbing. The manner in which Aaron Eckhart’s District Attorney Harvey Dent, initially a shining symbol of a better future for Gotham (perhaps without Batman) is broken & destroyed is fascinating to watch. Nolan expertly builds tension and infuses the film with an increasingly discomforting atmosphere so that the viewer feels unsettled & violated. By the end of this disruptive and dark journey no one is left unscathed. Both Dent & Wayne’s childhood love Rachel (played here by Maggie Gyllenhall, replacing Katie Holmes) are dead and Batman is forced to become an outcast, taking the blame in order to inoculate Gotham’s collective psyche from further damage.
This film captured these unsettled times beautifully. In a world where terrorists have no scruples, to what lengths will law enforcement go to succeed? Is torture ever acceptable? What about unilateralism? Mass surveillance? What does it mean to be heroic? Fascinating philosophical questions, and all addressed here. Bale is again superb as the conflicted Batman/Wayne, this time having to deal with external trauma that he may have indirectly created via his Bat guise. The entire supporting cast is also top notch, as are Zimmer and returning cinematographer Wally Pfister who work perfectly in concert with Nolan to give the film a foreboding atmosphere. Having said that, this is all about Ledger, and the diabolical character he plays so brilliantly here.