Jun 15 2010

MWG: Legend

Category: 1980s,Movie Watching Group,Movies,Reviews — velveetahead @ 11:06 am

Stacy wanted to continue on the theme we have had going on this year with what she calls, “The Tim Curry classic Legend.”

Netflix synopsis: Jack (Tom Cruise) lives peacefully in a mythical forest with animals and goblins until fate leads him to battle a host of terrors to rescue a captive unicorn. If he loses, the world plunges into an eternal ice age. Meanwhile, he must save the beautiful princess Lili (Mia Sara) from the clutches of the demonic Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry). Director Ridley Scott’s cut of this epic fantasy adventure includes 20 more minutes of footage.

RT Score: 52%

Watch it and review it!

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Oct 09 2009

American Gangster

Category: 2007,Movies,Reviews — jimz0r @ 6:27 pm

American_Gangster_poster

Directed: Ridley Scott

Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe

Denzel plays Frank Lucas, the top gangster in 70s Harlem, who is being investigated and pursued by the incorruptible NJ cop, the insane Russell Crowe.  Through the course of the movie, Frank sets up his empire, going from a bodyguard for an older Harlem crime boss who dies, to sourcing and importing heroin from Vietnam, to becoming a massive crime and drug lord, and then finally turning informant after he’s caught by Crowe and his squad.  Josh Brolin is also in this movie, portraying a crooked NYC cop that ultimately helps capture Frank after unsuccessfully trying to shake him down and sporting his huge pornstache.

The violence in this movie is sporadic and somewhat sparse, but excellent when it does happen.  The pacing reminds me a lot of the Sopranos…very slow and almost flat in places, punctuated by sudden bursts of explosions and gunshots.  My favorite scene involves Russell Crowe’s cracked out partner going nuts and jumping out of a moving ambulance.  Just say no, kids!

This movie holds up with some of the great mob movies of all-time.  It doesn’t have a huge cast of memorable characters, but crazy Russell Crowe is excellent and Denzel is great, as always.  I definitely recommend it if you have a pulse and/or like heroin.

Rating: Five Stars out of five.

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Oct 10 2008

Movies Opening October 10

Category: 2008,Movies,Opening — velveetahead @ 11:18 am

The wide releases contain something for anyone that doesn’t feel like laughing. No comedies are premiering this week. There is a Middle Eastern thrill from Ridley Scott; a futuristic movie dealing with people living underground, but their generator is about to go out; a feel good sports movie; and a horror movie involving a rare strain of rabies infecting people. The Duchess which was released in limited release a few weeks ago moved into wide release. There is a Certified Fresh movie in the Limited Releases. It is the latest movie from Mike Leigh (Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy, Vera Drake).

Nationwide Releases

Quarantine
The Express
Duchess
Body of Lies
City of Ember

Quarantine
Directed: John Erick Dowdle
Starring: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Johnathon Schaech, Columbus Short
Trailer

Synopsis: A news reporter shows a fire department as they go out on a routine call to check on an elderly lady, but it turns out to be some kind of rabies infection. They are quarantined in the apartment building and no one will admit to what is happening inside, saying everyone has been evacuated and are safe.

My Take: Even though I skeptical about any current horror movies, this one looks like it has some actual scary parts to it, even if it might be predictable.

RT Score: 70% 

Continue reading “Movies Opening October 10″

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Dec 30 2007

MWG: Bladerunner

Category: 1980s,Movie Watching Group,Movies,Reviews — velveetahead @ 4:42 pm

Jer is picking our January movie for the Movie Watching Group (MWG) as Bladerunner from 1982. He was trying to pick a movie to pay Marci back for Night of the Comet, but ended up picking this one since he really wanted to see it again. There are three versions of this movie out. There is the original Theatrical Version with Harrison Ford voice over narration, then there is the Director’s Cut (the one that is linked in this post) which cuts out the narration and has a different ending, and the Final Cut just came out on DVD. I have no clue how that one is different. I’ve only ever seen the Director’s Cut. Say which one you watched when you review it.

Netflix Synopsis: In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is called out of retirement to snuff a quartet of “replicants” — androids consigned to slave labor on remote planets. They’ve escaped to Earth seeking their creator and a way to extend their short life spans. Director Ridley Scott‘s reedited version comes with a different ending and the omission of Ford’s narration, giving the film a different tone.

RT Score: 91%

Here is our group that needs to watch the movie and review it: Amy, Marci, Sharon, Jim, Keiran, Lynz, Stacy, Jer and me. Review away! Remember to say which version you watched.

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Nov 02 2007

Movie Opening Nov 2

Category: 2007,Movies,Opening — velveetahead @ 6:21 pm

Nationwide Releases


American Gangster
Directed: Ridley Scott
Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe
Trailer

Synopsis: In the 70s, the first black mafia godfather and the one of the few uncorrupt cops in New York going after him.

My Take: It has an intense quality to it and both Denzel and Russell look good.

RT Score: 79%
RT Consensus: American Gangster is a gritty and entertaining throwback to classic gangster films, with its lead performers firing on all cylinders.

Continue reading “Movie Opening Nov 2″

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