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Harry's DVD Picks & Peeks - 3rd wk of Jan - Punk Musical, MGM, Kong, Express, Powerpuff, Notebook, Election & more!!

What version of KING KONG did you get, Harry? by MaxTheSilent	Jan 25th, 2009 01:50:58 AM
Because the Blu-Ray only has the commentary, and none of the other extras from the DVD set. Yay for triple-dips!!
Tartakovsky didn't create Powerpuff Girls by StarWarsRedux	Jan 25th, 2009 01:52:35 AM
Craig McCracken did.
Is PAL/NTSC even an issue any more? by Grando	Jan 25th, 2009 01:53:46 AM
What with HDMI connections?
Well, KONG does have the PIP. by MaxTheSilent	Jan 25th, 2009 01:54:07 AM
But still, there's no excuse for not porting the 3-DVD set
High-def is neither format. by MaxTheSilent	Jan 25th, 2009 01:55:42 AM
It's just HD. There's no PAL/NTSC issues.
my King Kong blu ray is almost bare bones, what extras are you t by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 01:57:11 AM
there's just a PIP and commentary, and neither is good because you have to ruin one viewing of the movie to watch them
PAL/NTCS doesn't apply to high def by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 02:00:18 AM

I won't by the PJ version of King Kong. by Juggernaut125	Jan 25th, 2009 02:03:46 AM
I feel the LotR trilogy is some of the finest movie making of all time, but Peter's version of King Kong was too much of everything. He desperately needed to cut that movie back by about an hour at least.
KING KONG by HEADGEEK	Jan 25th, 2009 02:13:01 AM
I like the extras on the Extended Cut and the Picture in Picture stuff. Is there a double disc waiting to happen? Most likely. But probably not for a couple of years.
if it's good, the longer the better by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 02:17:30 AM
I would've love three 90 minutes movies, one for until they reach the island, one on the island and one back on NY
no one is unhappy with the disc, it just not "loaded with extras by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 02:33:28 AM
no one is unhappy with the disc, it's just not "loaded with extras" like you said before correcting it...remember LET THE RIGHT ONE IN on blu on US on march 10th
I want Ember in Bluray too! When might we get it? by Bungion Boy	Jan 25th, 2009 03:23:47 AM
I loved Monster House, and I agree this isn't quite as good as that, but it was visually stunning and a fun little kids movie. Like Monster House, it didn't shy away from being a tiny bit scary. Reminded me or the kinds of films I saw when I was a kid. We need more like this. I think Gil Kenan is going to have a great career. Can't wait for more. Honestly, so much shit gets put on bluray. Why not this?
I will be in front of the store on March 10th for LTROI by Kirbymanly	Jan 25th, 2009 03:36:28 AM
Oh and the Powerpuff Girls rule you all.
i just watched kong on blu ray last night by JimmyJoe RedSky	Jan 25th, 2009 03:45:56 AM
amazing - i feel like im one of the few that love jackson's version - its amazing to take in from start to finish - the care and detail in every shot is astounding - this is a movie made by a real lover of movies - the picture quality on this disc is jaw dropping - i have a 52" tv (i wish it was the size of harry's though) and this movie looks fantastic that big in hd - demo quality
It sucks that we aren't getting these by Dingbatty	Jan 25th, 2009 04:12:13 AM
cartoon boxed sets in high def. I'll have to wait for BTAS, unfortunately.
hypothetical question by Vern	Jan 25th, 2009 04:17:50 AM
You're locked in a room, and to escape you have to either a) watch SOUTHLAND TALES b) watch DOMINO twice in a row or c) cut off your arm. What would you do and as a followup question do you think this would be a fucked up enough scenario to include in SAW VI?
bluray by antonphd	Jan 25th, 2009 04:25:02 AM
good god what will we be watching in 30 years?
NTSC vs. PAL on Blu-Ray by Raschied	Jan 25th, 2009 04:55:55 AM
Some of the SD extras probably run at 720x576, 50i, instead of 720x480, 60i. Shouldn't affect the feature, which is encoded 1920x1080, 24fps.
"good god what will we be watching in 30 years?" by Alonzo Mosely	Jan 25th, 2009 05:08:49 AM
I am going to say Porn is a safe bet...
that boogie man ep of PPG scared me by ironic_name	Jan 25th, 2009 05:10:14 AM

PJ's King Kong looks better in B/W by Orionsangels	Jan 25th, 2009 05:29:03 AM
Especially the Jungle scenes on Skull Island. In Black & White, you can see just how much PJ copied the look and feel of the original Skull Island. Here's an example of PJ'S King Kong in B/W. http://tinyurl.com/anqn8u
That being said... by Orionsangels	Jan 25th, 2009 05:44:58 AM
My take on PJ'S King Kong. Well I appreciate his love for King Kong. I love the original too. The 1933 King Kong DVD. Is my second favorite that I own, after Disney's Snow White. PJ really poured his heart into this film and it shows in the visuals, but sadly, and I'm not saying anything that hasn't said before. Yes poor casting (Minus Watts), too many characters no one cares about and the ridiculous 3hr, nearly 4hr's, if you count the extended version, ultimately make this a very tedious watching experience. What does work is Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow and the relationship between her and King Kong. I know, It's been said a million times. I thought I'd say it again for 3 people who haven't seen it. Anyone who's lonely in this world can relate to King Kong in this film and wishes they had an Ann Darrow to care and comfort them, but it can't last and that's why King Kong's demises is so sad in this film. The part that always gets me is when they're a top the Empire States Building and Ann waves her hands screaming "NOOO!!!" to the biplanes headed their way. That she would do that for him is just such a beautiful thing.
The scene that always gets me in Jackson's King Kong.. by Spifftacular Squirrel Girl	Jan 25th, 2009 06:02:00 AM
... has to be towards the end with Kong playing on the ice in New York. It was just a perfectly happy moment that was all the more heartbreaking because you just know what was going to happen next.
Kong does not exist in this dojo by Cobra--Kai	Jan 25th, 2009 06:21:52 AM
The part that always gets me is when they're a top the Empire States Building and all I can think is... damn, she must be f'ing freezing! Sorry but PJ's Kong never quite clicked deep down for me, never quite made me suspend my belief enough to just 'go with' moments like that. What's the extended cut like btw? An improvement?
Yeah we get it you hate the Saw flicks by Quartermass-87	Jan 25th, 2009 06:32:23 AM
I am a huge horror fan and a rabib Saw fan. The first was awesome, the second was ok, the third was the best IMO and the fourth was ok too. Part V wasn't the greatest but it was passable. Tobin Bell is awesome enough said and the traps were cool and gory and the ending was pretty good....I DID believe how it ended but still it was good. I think there are haters and thats the way it is...its COOL to hate. I see absolute SHITTE here get some sort of write up but Saw V gets a word...SUCKS...thanks for the brilliant commentary....but I will still take a slightly disappointing Saw sequel over PG-13 Tween crap anyday. And any movie where an actor actually sticks their head in a class box of water CGI free and actually has the balls to do it has gotta get some credit...lol.
so Harry by ranma627	Jan 25th, 2009 06:54:30 AM
You just give a simple suck to Saw V but you not for Max Payne. It was an action movie that didn't have one redeemable action sequence which is pretty fucking shameful. Glad you love the Notebook, that is one great romance right there. I absolutely love Gosling and McAdams in that film and I like how they make James Marsden out to be a nice guy. It was very refreshing.
STOP IT WITH THAT "DOJO" SHIT! by Nasty In The Pasty	Jan 25th, 2009 08:18:14 AM
It is NOT fucking funny.
Stopping does not exist in this dojo by Cobra--Kai	Jan 25th, 2009 08:23:55 AM
Ain't meant to be funny. Although it's fucking hilarious how much it annoys you pasty face.
I am happy now by nodforlife	Jan 25th, 2009 09:36:01 AM
Thank you, Harry, for giving us other geeks hope that we may one day find true love. Perhaps I will be mocked, scorned, or ostracized from this board, but knowing that someone like you that never compromised his geeky nature could be blessed with a neato lady is truly inspiring. Thanks, boyo.
Hanks does get laid in Big. by GAH	Jan 25th, 2009 09:53:21 AM
In case you've forgotten, he does sleep with Elizbeth Perkins despite being a 13 year old boy in a 30+ year-old man's body. And I thought the whole kidnapping thing was a stroke of genius and helps both drive the plot and helps things feel more grounded in reality despite the rather fantastical premise. I re-watched it the other day actually and was surprised at just how well it holds up. The last time I saw it I was younger than David Moscow and now I am almost as old as Tom Hanks and the movie still works. That's remarkable. I've never seen 13 going on 30 though.
Not saying King Kong (2005) was a bad movie by WhoDis	Jan 25th, 2009 10:13:42 AM
but just the Skull Island part, especially on the Extended Edition, was worth the price alone. I love's me the monsters! And I can't remember the last time I almost had to look away from the screen on a movie then watching Andy Serkis being slowly taken and eaten alive. Had to have been at least 20 years.
I enjoy Jackson's Extended Edition of KING KONG. by JDanielP	Jan 25th, 2009 10:20:05 AM
Beautiful movie, as in AMAZING to look at. And yeah, I dropped the cash for the Blu-ray so that I could see the extra footage integrated into the flick. Extended Edition all the way, for me. But if there was a much shorter "Popcorn Edition" included, it would have been the PERFECT Blu-ray release.
by Cobra--Kai	Jan 25th, 2009 10:42:23 AM
JDanielP, im curious what's the extended material? Extra talky scenes or action? I'm curious because of how good the cutting room floor footage was in PJ LOTR trilogy.
Cobra--Kai by JDanielP	Jan 25th, 2009 10:52:40 AM
More action. That's all you need to know. If you liked Jackson's KING KONG, then grab the Extended Edition on Blu-ray, today! Personally, I love it!
HD with PAL/NTSC by Billy Sunday	Jan 25th, 2009 11:23:42 AM
Just an FYI, for those interested, PAL/NTSC will only apply to the special features as someone mentioned for most feature films. The extras from a foreign disc may be encoded in SD PAL which might not play on US Region A Blu-Ray players. Most feature films will be encoded at 1080p at 24 frames per second which all players can handle. HOWEVER, there are some films that weren't shot at 24fps that are then converted to Blu-Ray. Spanish horror hit [REC] comes to mind, as the Blu-Ray's of that available in foreign countries are typically encoded in 1080 at 50Hz or 50 fields per second which is 25 frames per second. This is equivalent to the frame/field/Hz stats for SD PAL and as a result many Region A Blu-Ray players including PS3 can't playback 1080 at 50Hz.
The new Jackson King Kong... by ufoclub1977	Jan 25th, 2009 11:40:55 AM
somehow manages to be a meticulous, well decorated, almost nightmarishly ornate, cooly retro-aesthetic, but DEAD movie. I love King Kong. Both the '33 and the '76 versions managed to be incredibly obsessively mythical viewing experiences to me as a child... and they still entertain me today... but the new one is like watching a scientific diagram of what should be cool in theory, but just seems dead... why do you think it failed to gel? Certainly the indulgent time spent on dull characters that are not very well written is part of it... and the cheap use of "Unsolved Mysteries" style stacatto slo mo is sickeningly repulsive. Kong himself looks great though! Maybe it did just needs an editor to carve out the dead flesh that weighs this film down into irritating dullness for some viewers. I did really enjoy the LOTR extended cuts. So it's not a matter of time... its a matter of cheap silly content that seems like filler and diminishes the emotional potential and overall mythic mood.
Cobra--Kai by The Reluctant Austinite	Jan 25th, 2009 12:07:01 PM
The extended version of Peter Jackson's "King Kong" includes the deleted lagoon sequence which is a big effects sequence where the crew is attacked by a huge water creature or Pirhanadon. If you remember, they made a toy figure of it, but it wasn't in the final cut of the movie. Another cut sequence is a triceratops attack scene. You may not want "more" King Kong footage, but you won't be disappointed with the new footage included.
The Happening was a fun movie by Greenleaf1	Jan 25th, 2009 12:13:48 PM
It was made as a B movie, complete with shitty acting and an over-the-top ridiculous storyline. Apparently when a B movie that's made as such is made really well, everyone hates it.
Powerpuff Girls by Kentucky Colonel	Jan 25th, 2009 12:19:17 PM
The episode where they use nothing except Beatles lyrics makes this worth the price alone. 10 Years! Damn...Pink Floyd was right about that "One day you look behind you..." line.
by Cobra--Kai	Jan 25th, 2009 12:22:30 PM
Thx JDP and Austinite... you've convinced me to give the Extended Edition a look and i'll add it to my Blu Ray rental list (although right now my opinion of the theatrical release is more in line with what ufoclub wrote).
PowerPuff Girls by Autodidact	Jan 25th, 2009 12:29:25 PM
Never saw a single episode, but saw the feature on a lark in 2002. I think I had just come out of feardotcom and really needed something to wash the aftertaste of that piece of crap away. I think that's why I bought a ticket to PowerPuff Girls. Anyhow, that movie was a fucking hoot. My favourite line, delivered by a hyper-evolved monkey: "We monkeys have been under humanity's thumbs for too long... now, we must OPPOSE THOSE THUMBS!" haha
Cobra--Kai by Orionsangels	Jan 25th, 2009 12:39:33 PM
The scene from the Teaser Trailer were Ann Darrow is acting on the beach of island and screams, and Kong is heard growling from a distance, is in the movie. The stegosaurus scene from the original 33 version is remade, sorta, but now with a triceratops. The build a raft scene to cross a swampy lake from the 1933 version is remade in the extended version. Only it's not a brontosaurus in the water. It's a strange type of sea monster.
Vern by unionJACKass.webs.com	Jan 25th, 2009 12:44:34 PM
Whatever you do, don't diss Kelly. Harry probably do a MiraJeff on you and un-black box you.
Not Bush's fault but civilization by kafka07	Jan 25th, 2009 12:50:52 PM
Bush is just the tip of the iceberg, you deluded Democrat. I'll definitely check out El Norte though, thanks.
Is it now official that Richard Kelly is a one hit wonder? by rbatty024	Jan 25th, 2009 12:57:04 PM
Don't get me wrong, I love Donnie Darko and I even saw Southland Tales in the theater, but can we really expect anything good to come from this guy? Doesn't he have some box movie (no, not a porno) or something coming out?
rbatty024 by Tacoloft	Jan 25th, 2009 02:17:38 PM
Agreed Donnie Darko was awesome and I really liked Southland Tales. What did you not like about ST? I expect good things from Richard Kelly still...
I really enjoyed Sothland Tales. by barnaby jones	Jan 25th, 2009 03:03:47 PM
The HD DVD of Kong was awesome, some of the jungle scenes looked almost 3-D.
Speaking of Star Wars by technotranceporter	Jan 25th, 2009 03:14:02 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =SgDB6Ac2rSc
Can't wait for my Kong bluray by bullet3	Jan 25th, 2009 03:15:11 PM
People complaining about the length need to get a grip. Wow boohoo, theres 1.5 hours of awesome action scenes with dinosaurs and giant monsters, this movie must suck.... I mean seriously, you're complaining that the movie is giving you too much goodness. And the slow buildup is necessary so you have some vested interest in the characters. Personally, if I'm laying down money for something, I want the most bang for my buck, and kong absolutley delivers in that regard.
THE MACHINIST by Series7	Jan 25th, 2009 03:26:46 PM
Was terrible. Such a lame lame lame wasted ending. And the weight lose no matter how crazy, just seemed kind of pointless.
DOMINO by Series7	Jan 25th, 2009 03:29:44 PM
Was there anything to like about that movie? I must have missed that.
I'm Jimmy Carl Black and I'm the Indian of the group! by AshesOfDonnie	Jan 25th, 2009 03:55:46 PM
oh man oh man can't wait to get my hands on that frank Zappa dvd.
Thanks, Harry. by Zarles	Jan 25th, 2009 03:59:30 PM
Good stuff this week. That Kong BR looks amazing. Any ideas why City of Ember didn't get released in Blu-Ray? Unfortunately I missed it in theaters (I don't think it was out for any longer than a week or two), but I was really looking forward to it in BR. Anyway, my Netflix queue thanks you.
Shannyn Sossamon by Broseph	Jan 25th, 2009 04:05:14 PM
I love her but she needs to fire her agent and get some better roles.The catacombs was a big stinky piece of shit
by sloanist	Jan 25th, 2009 04:55:43 PM
Wait, Journey the Center of the Earth is bad but Domino and City of Ember are good? Nice try.
the extended stuff on king kong by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 05:07:48 PM
there some scene extended with an extra line of dialogue or two but there's only two new scenes, both with huge previously unseen monsters on the island, one with a charging brontosaurus and one on a swamp with a swamp monster, both are great
what comes across better on the EE is... by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 05:12:45 PM
...Denham insistence on keep shooting the movie, on the swamp scene he gets some footage which would've make it the great movie ever at that time so when later the camera is destroyed you can of feel bad that it's lost too
Does Bale's body transformation make it a good movie? by lavatory love machine	Jan 25th, 2009 05:18:08 PM
because I thought the Machinist was a generic, stylish looking early Shaymalan wanna be, his performance and appearance were freakish but far from enough
That City of Ember cover looks almost as bad as the movie.... by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Jan 25th, 2009 05:28:46 PM
.....seriously, who the fuck designs this horse shit? How long would it take for an Art Department person involved with the film to whip something up? This cover will seriously detour people from checking out this piece of shit. And The Machinist in Bluray? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
COBRA-KAI DOES EXIST IN THIS DOJO! by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Jan 25th, 2009 05:44:56 PM
Fuck anyone that doesn't find that shit funny.
Anthony Head in Repo! by Fart_Master_Flex	Jan 25th, 2009 06:05:23 PM
He was pretty fucking brilliant in it. The movie was a huge mess and yet I feel like it was worth it because of Head's AMAZING performance.
Greenleaf, The Happening may have been a B-movie... by Lenny Nero	Jan 25th, 2009 07:00:35 PM
...but it was a remarkably BORING b-movie. Therein lies the difference.
And Tartakovsky did have his hands in Powerpuff Girls. by Lenny Nero	Jan 25th, 2009 07:01:11 PM
No, he didn't create it, but he definitely worked on it. Had a very big hand in the movie, too.
"Detour" people from checking out this piece of shit by half vader	Jan 25th, 2009 07:40:20 PM
Well, I guess that works too! Have you actually seen it? As for the cover, it's no worse than the original moronic decision to make posters with the "E" symbol - when no-one actually knows what it means (Ember is not exactly ubiquitous!). Not to mention getting clubbers in under the mistaken impression it was about the disco biccies. It reminds me though of the sneaky cinema worker who put the posters for Superman Returns, Eragon and X- Men 3 together so they spelled "S E X". A-hyuk hyuk hyuk!
I'd watch Bales body transform into Harry by technotranceporter	Jan 25th, 2009 08:10:22 PM
But I would rather watch this Star Wars trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =SgDB6Ac2rSc
R2-DE-TOUR by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Jan 25th, 2009 08:17:10 PM
Of course that should have read DETER. But fuck.....
Question about the Kong EE by half vader	Jan 25th, 2009 08:22:38 PM
Isn't that the version with the infamous Spider pit? Or was that in the original Jackson version too? I canna remember. Oh and Ufoclub, the only way to carve the dead flesh from it would be to completely remove Adrien Brody from the film. I liked Watts, Black did what he could and Kong/Serkis is/are great, but how does an Oscar-winning actor manage to have absolutely NO chemistry whatsoever with the leading lady? It's the black hole of the film. I'm thinking probably anyone BUT Brody would have worked better than he did. I usually like him as an actor, but a romantic lead he ain't. Can drive a car though...
Ah DGDB... by half vader	Jan 25th, 2009 08:34:18 PM
I CPO. Jesus dude, now you've got me talking in textspeak. You bastard!
So.... by SecretNerd	Jan 25th, 2009 09:14:28 PM
am I the only chick who disliked The Notebook. I did not think it was romantic at all. I did not cry and I did not have a need to watch it again. I have nothing agaisnt it or the actors, I just dont see the big deal.
The happening was fun? by Xiphos_2	Jan 25th, 2009 09:39:40 PM
Did somebody remake it already?
SecretNerd -- you must have a clit-dick like Chyna. by DANNYGLOVERS_DICKBLOOD	Jan 25th, 2009 09:51:32 PM

"City of Ember" isn't so much a bad movie-- by The Reluctant Austinite	Jan 25th, 2009 10:17:28 PM
--as it is unfulfilling one. It really feels like the first act of a much bigger story (which I believe it is), and it ends just when it looks like it's about to finally get going. Due to its box-office failure, there won't be another chapter, so I don't see much point in seeing this one other than to enjoy the underground sets. At one juncture someone who has been outside the city comes back with the claw of a giant beetle. I think the entire audience at Fantastic Fest expected a scene where the kids would be attacked by a giant beetle Ray Harryhausen style, but this never happens. Someone at the Q & A even asked the director about it, but he said there was never going to be a giant beetle and the claw only represented the "danger" outside. This is clearly a lesson to be learned in storytelling. Don't use the technique of foreshadowing unless you intend to pay off or your audience will just end up disappointed. The film looks good, but just never really comes to life.
Watching "Ember" pushed me... by Bob Loblaw Law Blog	Jan 25th, 2009 10:22:37 PM
to read all the books. I just finished the fourth and final book last week. It makes me sad that we'll (likely) never see a sequel, because the overall story is one of failure, rebirth, betrayal, redemption and humanity. This film could have been better, but I still enjoyed it. And, there were no giant beetles in the book... I don't think there should have been one in the movie either. Plus, in the book, the mayor has a mostly minor part, but I'm still glad to see Bill Murray in anything. If you dug the film, though... check out the books.
Nero by StarWarsRedux	Jan 25th, 2009 11:46:34 PM
True, Tartakovsky had a hand in Powerpuff, his isn't the name that should be dropped here. Praising him for the series and movie instead of McCracken is like crediting Truffaut for "Breathless" instead of Godard.
I always feel sorry for people who like Jackson's Kong by quantize	Jan 26th, 2009 12:41:16 AM
Hey I like the guy as much as anyone..going back to braindead and meet the feables, but Kong Kong probably should not have been made off the high of LOTR's...It's a big mistep, i dont know a single human being (outside of the combined loser patrol that will chant it's praises here) that felt it was anything but ineffectual. Even next to the DeLaurentis production
ufoclub1977...you have it right.. by quantize	Jan 26th, 2009 12:42:37 AM
..it feels DEAD..perfunctory even
Southland Tales...unwatchable gibberish by quantize	Jan 26th, 2009 12:44:07 AM
be V wary of anyone who says they like it
Jackson's Kong is easily one of the worst movies I've ever seen by Flip63Hole	Jan 26th, 2009 01:36:47 AM
I look at it as one of the defining point in film history where artistic integricy clearly takes a back seat to over the top CGI-ness. Yes, more-so than The Phantom Menace. If JarJar was unbelievable fatty comedian running under a dinosaur while holding a 100 lb camera then it would be a tie for "The Film That Helped Destroy Movie Goodness". Naomi Watt's character is painfully hilarious to watch. She's in love with a giant murderous monkey. Fucking retarded.
PJ's King Kong by yodalovesyou	Jan 26th, 2009 02:03:04 AM
The director took all the flab out of his arse and shoved it into a movie. I have never been more bored than seeing a classic from my childhood inflated into a massive ego project for a man, who thinks he's infallible.
King Kong by GavinVanDraven	Jan 26th, 2009 02:45:14 AM
PJ's Kong was magnificent, a true love letter to the original. the island scenes alone outshine all 3 Jurassic Park movies in dino action. and holy christ the movie looks awesome on blue ray. how can anybody find it boring? the action sequences are so intense, especially the scene where Kong fights the 3 V-Rex's... and the nightmarish bug scene, fucking brilliant. my only complaints is that the billy elliot kid was way too good of a shot considering he wasnt really aiming that machine gun. jack should have taken at least one in the nose.
Oh yeah Gavin you reminded me by half vader	Jan 26th, 2009 03:03:06 AM
of how much of a whiny little beyatch the Billy Elliot kid was. Both in and out of character. And a walking cliché to boot! Actually he was every bit as bad as Brody. If they wanted to chop the thing down they could have lost the whole character/subplot and also avoided beating us over the head with the book thing. Heart of Darkness - yes. O.K. We get it. Fuck off (and I actually LIKED the film!).
I liked Jackson's King Kong by The Amazing G	Jan 26th, 2009 03:34:34 AM
I think the problem is that it was different from what people were expecting (it was certainly different from what I was expecting, but not in a bad way)
If you live in the UK by Mr Gorilla	Jan 26th, 2009 05:21:08 AM
You can get the DOUGLAS SIRK boxed set (7 of his films, including Magnificent Obsession) for 8.99 - saving 61 quid.
The Machinist...No Thank You by ZoeFan	Jan 26th, 2009 07:16:23 AM
It's a bad Hitchcock wannabe movie with Christian Bale doing his best Karen Carpenter impression.
Southland Tales... by ZoeFan	Jan 26th, 2009 07:21:31 AM
Is such a polarizing film. You'll either love it or hate it. However, it's a film that must be seen at least twice before coming to an opinion. There is so much going on, there is no way most people can comprehend what's going on without 2 viewings. While I disagree with its political leanings, it's much better with a second viewing.
You mean I have to watch "Southland Tales" again?!?!? by The Reluctant Austinite	Jan 26th, 2009 11:15:17 AM
Once was painful enough. This unfunny "satire" cast "all against type" because--you know--I can. And that'll confuse people because this film is a "smart satire" of politics--or something--and if the audience is confused and doesn't get it, they'll surely think it's smarter than they are and praise it as art. With the Rock!
by RyanEsta	Jan 26th, 2009 12:32:43 PM
Domino is the shit! Why does everyone hate on it? I'ts a really great action flick with 2 tons of style. Seriously, how can you dislike a movie with that lapdance scene of Kiera? Plus, what's up with all of the Tony Scott hate that's been going on lately?
Jackson's Kong lost me at... by Darth Macchio	Jan 26th, 2009 01:30:28 PM
...the whole big summon Kong ritual. I really liked the shocking violence of the natives in PJ's work but then he has all of these actors pretending to be having epileptic seizures in the grip of some cult-induced Kong fervor and it just lost me. Kong and Watts were great everything else sucked. And the rest has been said a million times before me... Although you may sing the praises of Naomi Watts, she holds no candle whatsoever to the singularly undeniable beauty and talent of Jessica Lang back in De Launretis's '76 version. I'll take Jessica Lang's "Dwan" and Jeff Bridges' "Jack" and Rick Baker's 'man in suit' Kong over PJ's excellent but somewhat overly cgi-Kong, Watt's 'good but not film saving' Ann Darrow, and 'that Giant creepy and cavernous nostrils guy' "Jack" any day and twice on sunday.
Darth Macchio by ufoclub1977	Jan 26th, 2009 01:43:58 PM
I'm right there with you on that one... the much lashed '76 Kong, is a perfectly (yes it is campy) constructed emotionally resonant work. Maybe it's because I was so young and just had the natural ability to look past or even not perceive it's satirical, 70's commentary on the oil industry, hippies, sex, and new age trends... but despite that, despite not having dinosaurs, it really works and has a strong modern ending (Dwan is surrounded by what she always wanted, the paparazzi, but she is in anguish, screaming out to Jack, but he just gives up trying to reach her, and all is lost) It really rings true as tragic.
The Studio System by homer40	Jan 26th, 2009 02:18:59 PM
Prossor, are you really saying that the parade of shit that passes for movies these days is better than the studio product from the 30s, 40s, and 50s? Historically, there was always an independent film world, and it created and continues to create interesting films. When the Studios stopped being movie studios, and became just another big business, that is when the quality of films started falling. Don't get me wrong, there have been many great films made since the death of the studios, but you cannot discount the brilliant movies made within the system. Those guys, as the MGM docu points out, were really interested in movies as an art form, not just how much the film would make in its opeining weekend. I was thinking of this as I watched Australia this year. There was something about the filmmaking, which was not showy at all, but it looked three dimensional. What I started to see was that the film had actually been lit, that time and care had been taken for each shot to look right, and I frankly hadn't seen that sort of look for a long time, even in very well made films. Also, many filmmakers, even those who work outside the system, like to work with the same cast and crew over an over, not just because they are talented, but because you develop a way of working with people over a period of time, to the extent that you can almost read each other's thoughts. Your point seems to be the exact opposite of the MGM doc, which showed what a movie factory could do. The best cinematographers, best editors, best actors and writers, all living and working together. And remember that even in the sixties and seventies, when the greats of that era started making inroads, the studio system wanted them, because they spoke to a new generation of film goers, all of whom would pay to see a movie. Film has always been a business, more so for the independent, who has only this one chance to make his money back. The difference is that in the good old days the business was making beautiful, powerful movies. Now, the business is business, and movies are somewhat of an afterthought. Citizen Kane was a studio movie, as was the Wizard of Oz, as was Gone With the Wind, Maltese Falcon, The Godfather, even Mean Streets and Raging Bull. I see breaking up the monopolies as a necessary evil. Mayer never would have made Saw V.
Seriously. McCracken's name should be up there... by StarWarsRedux	Jan 26th, 2009 02:57:25 PM
...not Tartakovsky. All due respect, but Powerpuff is not Genndy's series. Never was, never has been.
personally though.... by The Amazing G	Jan 26th, 2009 03:12:19 PM
I think they should bring back intermissions for movies in theaters, that way you can have a really long movie, but give people the chance to take a leak, everybody wins!
Peter Jackson's King Kong by thelordofhell	Jan 26th, 2009 04:39:22 PM
That should have been the title. When I watched this film, all I could think of was that I was watching one man's 2+ hour masturbatory fantasy. The movie just makes me feel dirty.
Crom! by half vader	Jan 26th, 2009 06:44:59 PM
Well, with the exception of the HDTV version, which was the poster child for the format at the time. The Bd is ever so slightly different, but pretty much the same great quality. This isn't a format rant. They both look amazing. The only bizarre thing is that they left tons of space free on the Blu-ray, even WITH the extended cut. Why they couldn't have used it and filled the extra space up with a higher bitrate is beyond me. Well, not beyond me, but you get my drift...
Yeah that CITY OF EMBER by Series7	Jan 27th, 2009 12:59:05 AM
Cover is amazingly bad. The logo E was pretty cool, why didn't they go with that? Who ever is in charge of making Blu Ray covers is doing a terrible terrible job.
Like I said above, Series... by half vader	Jan 27th, 2009 04:50:33 AM
Because pretty much no-one would know WTF the E symbol means as I said above - the clubbers would be annoyed though. And don't they know that if you're going to do the floating photoshop heads/little person/people running down below that one of them must have a gun? Those are the rules, after all!
Max Payne by skimn	Jan 27th, 2009 09:14:31 AM
Out of the three "action thrillers" I rented recently, this, Bangkok and Babylon AD, I found this the best of the three. Which ain't sayin a hellava lot. What Moore missed out on is something I'm suprised filmmakers haven't jumped on yet, although Wanted came close. One of the biggest draws of 300 was the slo-mo battle scenes, with sword carnage in slow motion, hyper detail (and yes digital blood). Since Max Payne, the game, had the first use of Matrix' "bullet time" in a game, why not put that effect in the film. Not like The Matrix, but a slow motion gunfest, like a 21st century Peckinpah would stage. At least it would have a "cool" factor this movie lacked.
PJ should have exercised some restraint on KK by Stabby	Jan 27th, 2009 09:21:09 AM
Every scene on the island seemed to be pushed to the most over the top extreme. Did we really need the giant bug sequence and if we did did it have to be so long and drug out to the point of absurdity. Did the scene when they take down Kong have to be so drawn out. He's down, wait no he's not. I really think if PJ showed some restraint and cut back some of the special effects for the sake of special effects excesses the film would have been much better. Ironically, I found the final battle on the building to be too short and anticlimactic, but maybe I was so numb by that point from having my senses relentlessly assaulted by overlong special effects laden action sequences.
skimm, How could Max Payne not have Bullet Mode? by Stabby	Jan 27th, 2009 09:35:27 AM
Was that what it was called in the Game, Bullet Mode? Anyway, that was the main feature of the game and what made it cool. How could they not include that in the movie. Did the writer, producers, director even no anything about the game or do any research?
Because they're idiots by skimn	Jan 27th, 2009 10:03:03 AM
Just like Resident Evil, which didn't seem to have a basic understanding of what made the game fun/successful...
what fucking world are you in rowdy?? by slappy jones	Jan 28th, 2009 08:42:14 PM
the boards were filled with hate before the thing even came out. you are delusional. i love it myself and all i remember is the hate heaped upon from day one.
Jesus Rowdy, you're all bluster and bullshit aren't you? by half vader	Jan 30th, 2009 07:55:12 PM
Go find some of those old threads. PJ's Kong was the devil from day 1 and even before like slappy said. And congrats for being king arsehole for hating something from the start. A little less sugar there sunshine... And Stabby, you do realise that criticising a scene about giant bugs (or a story with a giant monster animal island) as being absurd is, well, absurdly redundant don't you? Like I say, even though I like the film it has many flaws, Brody chief among them. But your criticism of outlandish and over the top stuff? It's about a 25 foot gorilla mate. Jim Henson come back and save us from fashionably negative arseholes!

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