Crystal Clear

HORROR/COMEDY - Hot Fuzz (2007)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

The parody take on THE WICKER MAN, but how convincing all of the actors were in being scary - particularly the older generation, such as Edward Woodward and Timothy Dalton, who were not known for playing bad guys until this point.

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

Cannot think of a flaw with this movie, but if I had to be completely nick-picky, I would've liked to have seen Cate Blanchett's character who dated Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) in the beginning of the movie, return at a later stage and try to win him back and see how he handles that.

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

The two Andys (played by Rafe Spall and Paddy Considine) were brilliant together. One of the best movie duo acts of all time.

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

Nicholas Angel. Unbelievably strong, intuitive, brave and selfless. He follows his convictions even when people lack faith in him. A movie hero for our times

+ Comments:

My favorite movie in the Cornetto trilogy of Pegg/Frost/Wright combinations. It is entertaining from start to finish and surprisingly moving for a horror/comedy.

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

Crystal Clear

HORROR/MYSTERY - Sinister (2007)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

The opening scene is one of the scariest all-time, next to THE RING.

Really sets the tone for the rest of film -- the mystery of what happens to these families.

Also, the soundtracks in the flashbacks of the death scenes on tape are terrifying.

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

The end feels kind of rushed. Effective, but quick.

Plus, the attitude of Ethan Hawke's character gets more and more irritating. His desire to block out shock and guilt with alcohol is infuriating.

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

I would say his long-suffering wife who is very sympathetic and stands up to him when he just won't leave the case alone despite how bad things get.

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

All of the killer kids. The horrible ways in which they kill their families as part of the ritual are sickening

+ Comments:

Some scenes in this will stay in your mind for a long time. The flashbacks of the families' deaths are filmed so well, creepily with a great music score to add to the tension.

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

Crystal Clear

HISTORICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL - Borg vs McEnroe (2017)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

The different stages of the players' lives shown, fitting pieces together of their backstories to lead up to their big Wimbledon final

The actor playing Borg strongly resembles him

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

There are parts making me wonder what McEnroe felt about the film... It highly suggests a deep envy there on his part towards Borg, and just presents him as very enraged whilst portraying Borg as a more centered and balanced person. Whether or not that's true, it seems to give a version of them that is more media-biased.

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

I feel as if we follow Borg's personal journey more, and his demons/struggles. So I would say him, and I felt strongly sympathetic for him in terms of his need to find someone who understands his passion for the sport.

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

I suppose Borg's dad, who seemed very unfair to Bjorn as a child.

+ Comments:

I like the drama aspect of it, it defied my expectations of a simple portrayal of two men fighting on the court. Good performances.

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

Crystal Clear

HISTORICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL - Waking The Titanic (2012)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

A well-documented drama with interviews from real-life relatives, focusing specifically on a family of 14 from Aldergoole (Ireland) who planned to emigrate to America on the TITANIC ship in search for more prosperous lives. Very detailed and very emotional.

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

I don't have an answer to this, it was a well-made docudrama that paid full respect to both the victims and survivors of the tragedy in 1912.

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

It's a real-life documentation so I wouldn't call them characters. But the 3 survivors of the family were heroes in their own right. WHITE STAR LINE company treated them terribly in the aftermath of the tragedy. I was shocked by the revelations of how they tried to bribe / manipulate the sisters into keeping quiet about everything so that they wouldn't be sued.

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

WHITE STAR LINE company who Titanic set sail with, for the reasons stated in the answer above. They should have been held accountable as criminals for the way in which they treated the survivors.

+ Comments:

I watched it on Christmas day and 5 days later I am still moved by the memory of having watched it. A definite recommend for anyone who is interested in the history of TITANIC and wants to know about a specific family such as the Aldergoole 14 (11 of whom sadly perished)

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

atwoodsmariano

Gwen - this needs to be updated for the new year

dh23

Is this still running? I'd like to participate!!

atwoodsmariano

we still need to update the list for the new year

Crystal Clear

^ Sorry I was late with that! Done now!

Of course! Join in whenever you want, post a review any time you want using the template in the OP. The genres are listed in the first post of the thread.


Okay I'm watching Austin Powers (2nd movie) right now so I'll post my Comedy/Parody review later

Crystal Clear

COMEDY/PARODY - Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

A brilliant parody version of James Bond. The actors don't take themselves seriously yet they all do wonderful jobs. Everything is delightful if you're okay with non-PC jokes.

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

No answer to this, because I laughed pretty much constantly. (I guess it's worth pointing out that you NEED a sense of humor to enjoy these movies, they are NOT politically correct! )

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

Austin is just brilliant. He's dumb yet smart. Funny yet deep. A dork yet a winner with the ladies. Probably the best acted parody character ever in a film series.

Well done, Mike Myers

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

I suppose... Fat ... Not because he's bad (he's actually hilarious) but because he's gross. There's a scene where he's in bed with Heather Graham and... Yeah, gross.

+ Comments:

A great sequel, Mike Myers does a great job at playing 3 very different and very central characters, it really recreates the 1970's vibe well... And Seth Green back as Dr Evil's ignored son in a dispute with Mini Me is always wonderful.

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

Crystal Clear

COMEDY/PARODY - The Last Movie Star (1999)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

It's not a comedy, but this movie feels like a wonderful parody of when an actor revisits (quite literally) his old movies and has a life-changing epiphany about it all. Clever use of CGI to insert the main character into scenes of Burt Reynolds' past roles.

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

The main girl had irritating moments. She just seemed starved for attention and spent a lot of the time complaining.

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

Vic is wonderfully real and thoughtful, and wonderfully played (in his last ever movie) by Burt Reynolds.

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

The main girl, for the reasons I stated above. She gets bearable in the last 15 minutes or so.

+ Comments:

An emotional examination of a man examining what happened to his movie career and visiting his old movie roles. It felt like a parody in many respects, but one that also took itself very seriously.

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

Crystal Clear

I watched 2 comedies starring Mila Kunis today, The Spy Who Dumped Me and A Bad Moms Christmas.

Won't do detailed reviews but will say in a nutshell that she gave charming performances in both, and the camera really captures her natural charisma. She has a confidence on screen that has been natural since her TV years as a teen. She had great friendship chemistry with Kristen Bell, Kate McKinnon and a nice spark with Justin Theroux, who she got to display kick-ass action talent with as a Spy Yay for teamwork!

Both movies well worth a watch.

Logan

2020 invisible man saw that last weekend.
Having seen Hollow Man , Kevin bacon in 2000, which was more sexual and violent .
I like that Cecilia didn’t Believe her husband was dead , always looking over her shoulder.
Perhaps I watch too many movies, once we met the brother and strange stuff is happening, I always thought he was behind it all . Aldis hodge , I knew best from TV show leverage, most recently showtimes city on a Hill. Him as a single dad also a police detective .
The fight scenes with the invisible Man were really well done.
The final payoff was very well done

Crystal Clear

^ Thanks for the review! Nice to see a Hollow Man reference, that's probably my favorite Kevin Bacon film along with Stir of Echoes

We're in March now, so the genre for Movie Watch is ROMANCE

Sub-genres are: Fantasy | History | Thriller | Drama

So if you manage to watch a Romance movie this month (of any of the above mixed genres) then feel free to share your thoughts & reviews with us in here!

Crystal Clear

ROMANCE/DRAMA - Random Harvest (1942)



+ What did you like best about the movie? Why?

The tender handling of a man who has lost his memory after returning from the War and a woman who instead of taking pity on him or laughing at him, gives warmth and comfort to him and tries to build a life with him instead of taking advantage of him. As unrealistic as the plot feels at various times, it is very heartwarming.

+ What did you like least about the film? Why?

The ending was just far too convenient for my taste. Plus, Kitty's ~epiphany~ that he still loved a woman from his past was handled way too quickly.

+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why?

Charles has to deal with so much in this film, both as himself and as 'Smithy'... Mostly not remembering who he is or who he's supposed to be with, and it's so tenderly portrayed and written whilst you never feel that the character is overwritten because it's highly realistic that someone during War times would experience such a devastating case of PTSD either through an accident or through emotional trauma.

+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

Okay I adored Paula for most of the movie, but I have to admit that when it's revealed she came back and worked as a secretary for Charles all as a way to keep an eye on her beloved ex-husband, it felt too invasive of his privacy for my liking. He couldn't remember her, through no fault of his own... And yet she makes it clear to her doctor that she keeps hoping he will recognize her. It just seems too pushy to me, and I do wonder if it's why he can never fully move on with Kitty.

+ Comments:

A very well acted and written romantic drama, covering a huge period of time in which various traumatic events happen to this one man who spends the majority of time in a major identity crisis.

+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars?

dh23

THE DATER'S HANDBOOK (2016)


+ What did you like best about the movie? Why? Well, it was just really cute, sweet, and romantic. I liked seeing Meghan Markle before she was Princess Meghan Markle. She's completely adorable and I'm kind of sad she's not acting anymore because she's great! The movie ended up the way it was supposed to -- a happily ever after makes me happy! Hallmark movies can be generic and even cheesy, but this one had extra oomph! for some reason.


+ What did you like least about the film? Why? Just some of the dumb things Cass did. I also felt sad when she broke both of her suitors' hearts at varying points in the movie because of her indecisiveness. She should have been honest about her feelings... though there would be no plot, of course, if she had been.


+ Who was your favorite character in the movie? Why? I'd like to say Cass but Robert. Definitely Robert. What a cutie pie. He's my idea of the 'perfect man'. (I wish guys like him existed in reality! lol)


+ Who was your least favorite character in the film? Why?

Ugh. Peter. Double ugh. He was the worst 'sorta' boyfriend ever. Inattentive, obnoxious, and just lame. I was so glad he exited the story early on. And of course, Dr. Susie was awful too, but I absolutely love the actress who portrayed her (Teryl Rothery).


+ Comments: It was such a fun little film. Check it out if you can. Don't let the "Hallmark" label scare you away.


+ What would you rate this movie out of 5 stars? A solid 4.