Posted on 07/30/2010 11:17:42 AM PDT by inflorida
In the new movie "Inception," Leonardo DiCaprio burrows deep into the subconscious of a self-absorbed plutocrat to plant a powerful idea that will change the world. If the technology used in "Inception" were available in real life, Mr. DiCaprio might burrow into the subconscious of Hollywood plutocrats and plant these paradigm-altering ideas: Stop making movies like "Grown Ups," "Sex and the City 2," "Prince of Persia" and anything that positions Jennifer Aniston or John C. Reilly at the top of the marquee. Stop trying to pass off Shia LaBeouf—who looks a bit like the young George W. Bush—as the second coming of Tom Cruise. Stop casting Gerard Butler in roles where he is called upon to emote. And if "Legion" and "Edge of Darkness" and "The Back-up Plan" and "Hot Tub Time Machine" are the best you can do, stop making movies, period. Humanity will thank you for it.
In a millennium that has thus far produced precious few motion pictures in the same class as "The Godfather," "Jurassic Park," "Casablanca," "Gone with the Wind," "My Fair Lady" and "The Matrix," there is a knee-jerk tendency to throw up one's hands and moan that the current year is the worst in the history of motion pictures. But 2010 very possibly is the worst year in the history of motion pictures. Where once there was "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves," there is now "Robin Hood," prince of duds. Where once we could look forward to "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "The Last of the Mohicans," we can now look forward to "Dinner for Schmucks" and "The Last Airbender." This time two years ago we were treated to the ingenious, subversive "Iron Man"; this year we have the insipid, uninspired "Iron Man 2."
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
No. I didn’t even realize he was in it. I should have said that I like anything with a YOUNG James Garner in it.
The plot is pretty complex, so people may see plot holes that aren’t there. Honestly — its complex enough that they may miss plot holes that are there.
I highly recommend Inception ... it is an exceptionally cool movie.
My kids liked Toy Story 3. I didn’t see it (their grandparents took them).
SnakeDoc
I did enjoy “Despicable Me.”
I’m on Netflix and I watch movies instantly on my flat tv using my blue ray. For around $8 per month I also get movies sent to me one at a time.
I would rather go to the movies, but there is nothing out there to watch.
But I recommend a new blue ray machine, because even the old movies look better on Blu ray.
The Day the Earth Stood Still on Blu Ray is crystal clear. I can see Michael Renne’s skin pores...
I watched Dodsworth from 1936 last night with Walter Huston. Was up for best picture that year....
Up in the Air with George Clooney is good. Book of Eli is a sleeper at first but stick with it...
I have two worst ever...CAbin Boy and Independence DAy...
IF I ever have the chance to ask anything of St. Peter, it’s for him to give me those four hours back before I die.
Had me going there, until the article classed “The Matrix” as a great movie.
I go to movies less than I did, there are some “stars” I simply won’t support. But now and then I try one to see if I’m still right in my thinking. Inception ... geez, I sure wish I would have bought new guitar strings than waste my money and TIME (long and boring) on this movie. So I’m still “on course” by not going.
I didn’t see it, but I’d heard that Salt (which was nearly panned by the critics) was actually better than Inception, which critics fairly raved about. This from a few people I know who’d seen both. I’ve seen neither, however, I wanted to see Inception but am changing my mind...I’ll probably go see Salt instead. Whenever hubby can get some time off, that is. I’ll wait til Inception comes to the 2nd run show for $3.50.
Iron Man was subversive in the sense that the hero was a Randian type billionaire industrialist, roles normally reserved for villains a la Green Goblin from Spider-Man.
Where to begin? Perhaps the most interesting liberty taken with Asimov's tale was that the coming eclipse was not predicted by scientists.
Oh no, not that! Anything but that!
Anything???
You asked for it, it was prophesied by a blind "priest" who used a "telescope" made out a a nautilus shell and a couple sticks to hear the planets coming into alignment.
Other highlights include the heroine volunteering to have her eyes pecked out by a hawk so she can be just like aforementioned blind "priest" and join his cult.
Then there's in [implied] oral sex scene provoked by an unfortunately located snake bite.
Come to think of it the whole movie bites...
I’m probably the only female in the history of Christendom who tried three times to sit through “Top Gun” and just couldn’t make it.
However, I’ll watch any movie in the Texas Chainsaw franchise over and over and over...
The worst ever was filmed in South Florida ,, Empire of the Ants
Most of the movie’s he mentioned as good ones, weren’t either!
I agree on Inception.. and Toy Story 3 is wonderful. I grasped the seat in one part & cried at the end.
People need to avoid movies if they do NOT like the genre... If you know you normally don’t like it, why even go? There are certain types of movies I avoid..
BUT please - everyone - do NOT badmouth a movie you have not seen..
I can understand the high costs & being careful with $$ as a result. I am fortunate in my circumstances that I am able to go to the cinema many times a week
I have seen Inception multiple times & once at IMax.. because it was so complex to me..Each time I got more out of it. I did like the music, which I often don’t even note in films normally.
Salt was enjoyable & had some interesting twists.
I too like good story lines & based on fact movies.. but am a sucker for epics, special effects & HIGH action movies
If you are locked into the “good old days” of movies there are many great ones at video stores, the library & on Turner(among other Dish /cable choices). Dont waste your time at the theater
For those wanting movies with good/interesting story lines I think there are a lot of good ones out there but it all depends on your filters of politics, performers, genre etc..
day late.. but I liked Sorcerer’s apprentice.. How old are the kids?
Salt is good for older ones
agree with your thoughts..
I am not into Blue Ray .. (yet?).. the cost etc. I said the same about DVDs.. I had hundreds of VHS tapes (still do)..
Yesterday I went and saw a movie at the theatre, but it was a 1927 release! "Metropolis," complete and restored. It was worth seeing.About the only recent films I've seen that I did enjoy were Julie & Julia (maybe it's the foodie in me, though Julia Child did have an interesting story and I'm about to read her memoir of her life in France)and Amelia, and they came out in '09.
The best film I've acquired for the collection in recent months was when I finally bagged a DVD copy of The Enchanted Cottage, the 1945 film starring Robert Young, Dorothy McGuire (not the singer), and Herbert Marshall (who damn near steals the show as the blind pianist who befriends the strangely matched couple). If it isn't the single greatest romantic drama in film history it's sure as hell in the top ten.
ping
Winter’s Bone and Shutter Island were quite good.
So we are at the end of July and the first 8 months of every year are notorious for having bad and/or mindless movies. What has changed?
Like usual there has been 1 or 2 movies that are critical and box office successes in this time. This is a normal year.
How you can judge a year you are in the middle of is beyond me. Hell, I’m still discovering music from ‘08.
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