Seems like this year might have some good movies.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Ginsu Victim]

I think as of now, "This is the End" is my most anticipated film of the summer. That and "Kick-ass 2".

The next Hunger Games is looking good so far.

Edit: Also, "The World's End," which is the third film in the trilogy that began with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

[ChadTower]

Saw Evil Dead twice... good modern horror/gore but completely lacks the Bruce Campbell factor and any fun. 

The Star Trek trailers look like a whole lot of special effects but not a whole lot of interesting story.  Meh.

You missed After Earth.  That's either going to be awesome or Waterworld.  I don't see an in between.  Is anyone else annoyed as hell by Will Smith's kid?

[Gray_Area]

The Star Trek trailers look like a whole lot of special effects but not a whole lot of interesting story.  Meh.

So was the last one. No, there was no story, there was just a lot of mucking about, by way of Nemesis reference. Bleecch.

This is great, though, because I don't pay attention to what's coming out, and you all will post about it, and I can get the skinny with little, and sometimes entertaining, effort.

[Howard_Casto]

Honestly Louis, your post basically listed why this is going to be a BAD year for movies, or at least for me it is. 

Iron Man 3... another stupid, plot-less superhero movie. 
Man of Steel... they want to make superman "gritty"   
Star Trek.... JJ Literally killed the franchise and turned it into a Star Wars wanna be with his reboot, and yeah sequels are always better.   
Evil Dead... thou shalt not remake films that starred Bruce Campbell... it's the 11th commandment. 
WWZ.. Have you seen the trailers for this?  Looks like cgi, plot-less garbage. 
Riddick... yes because sequels are always better than the original, especially when it's been around 15 years since the first one. 
Anchorman 2.... I'm sure this sequel will be every bit as good as Evan Almighty. 
Pacific Rim... no thank you, I've been watching anime since the 80's so my tolerance for "mecha" movies is a little low at this point. 
Oblivion... Tom Cruise just creeps me out at this point.  He hasn't made a good movie since the 80's either.

I know it sounds like I'm being negative... it's just all of those films are going to be really bad.   I wish/hope I'm wrong on this... I'm sick of getting one glob of crap movies after the next year after year.  It's been that way for quite a while though. 

The Hobbit is good, not as good as LOTR, but that's to be expected.  It's on bluray now, so I'm not sure why you mentioned it. 

Chad:  Will Smith's children is everything that is wrong with Hollywood.  It isn't supposed to be a legacy system, you are supposed to be TALENTED to get parts.  This obviously isn't the case anymore seeing as how his kid got a starring role in the remake of one of the most beloved franchises of all time, in what I'm pretty sure was his film debut.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Howard_Casto]

Not really.  It was original I'll give it that.  I think my main problem with it was Tom Cruise.  That was around the time they decided to make him an action star.  The problem with that is his isn't intimidating at all, and he's like 3 feet tall.  I know teenage girls more suited to his roles than he is. 

Ignoring LOTRs because everybody knew those were going to be great and they spent a lot of time on them I can't remember the last film I saw that was really good.  I think it's all of these "explosion" films that saturate the market anymore.  I like those, but they have to be done well, with an interesting plot.  The last one that was any good was Terminator 2 and that came out in what?  92?

It took me a long time to understand exactly what I like... there were things that I thought I liked, and it turns out... not so much.

Here's the test, and I've found it's 100% accurate not just for me but for everyone:

If you are flipping through that channels and you stop on a film you've already seen it's pretty good.
If you stop knowing that you have something else to watch/do then it's really good.
If you have to finish the film, no matter how many times you've seen it before, no matter what's going on, that's a great film!  You love that film!

Things that make me stop aren't the big budget throw-aways.  It's stuff like the Shaw shank Redemption, or the Legend of Bagger Vance, or even the original cast Star Trek Films, that are Surprisingly Cerebral, and character driven if you actually watch them.  Stuff that I THOUGHT I liked, like the Star Wars films, Many of your big-budget spectacles, ect... it turns out most of them are so dull I can't sit through them anymore. 

I get fooled into watching the bad stuff as well.  Last summer I told all of you guys that I could tell by the previews that The Avengers was going to suck.  But everybody kept saying how great the thing was.  So I caved and bought the Blu-ray.  It was the most dis-jointed, non-sensical drivel I've ever seen.  Yeah it LOOKED really cool, but that's just not enough for me.  Of all the Marvel films I actually liked Thor, it seemed to have a nice little story, but apparently nobody agreed with me.  Captain America was pretty good as well, largely due to the fact that he beats up Nazi's... everybody likes to see Nazi's lose.  They weren't great films mind you, but they were good... certainly watchable.  But the ones that everybody else likes, the Avengers and the Iron Man films... those are the worst ones. 

[Gray_Area]

Props to Howard for voicing some significant points. Now....

I've liked Tom. And The firm was a good movie. Born on the Fourth of July was probably a good or even great movie (I haven't seen it yet, but it looks like one of those heady films that's either great or not). Where he got action-y was Mission Impossible, which was decent. And then it ran away....until Ghost Protocol that was just cartoon-ish. Dear lourd almighty.

T2 came out in '91. !  But I tend to think '92 for some reason, too.....

Star Wars and Empire I will stop and watch, even if it's on cable at mom and dad's or whatever, because I love the commentary, and the sounds of their voices (am especially in love with Harrison's and Carrie Fisher's). The stories are totally ridiculous, actually, but I'm kind of a whore for beautiful, well-managed voices.

Totally agree:

If you are flipping through that channels and you stop on a film you've already seen it's pretty good.
If you stop knowing that you have something else to watch/do then it's really good.
If you have to finish the film, no matter how many times you've seen it before, no matter what's going on, that's a great film!  You love that film!

[danny_galaga]

Howard, like you I don't like Tom Cruise, but I've really enjoyed a lot of the movies he is in (a couple of favourites are Minority Report and Last Samurai). Have you seen Jack Reacher? Try and get past Tom and have a look. It was quite a refreshing action movie. Some very smart stunts. I also quite enjoyed Oblivion. It surprised me, I wasn't expecting all that much (maybe it's better to have low expectations )

[kahlid74]

You missed what's most likely going to be one of the best movies of the summer, Elysium.

[Louis Tully]

.

[Howard_Casto]

Howard, like you I don't like Tom Cruise, but I've really enjoyed a lot of the movies he is in (a couple of favourites are Minority Report and Last Samurai). Have you seen Jack Reacher? Try and get past Tom and have a look. It was quite a refreshing action movie. Some very smart stunts. I also quite enjoyed Oblivion. It surprised me, I wasn't expecting all that much (maybe it's better to have low expectations )

I forgot about Last Samurai... I actually thought that one was really good.  But then again it's not much of an action film and excuse me for sounding a bit racist, but Tom's sort of Asian sized so it isn't as noticeable in this role. 

I can't get over the title of Jack Reacher.  It sounds like the lead character in a gay porno and/or a place holder name that a writer would use when fleshing out a script.  I was appalled to find out that it's actually based upon a series of popular books.  So at no point did anyone mention "hey the name of the main character is a little generic/gay sounding"?  That's a bad sign to me. 


Btw....I could break down the avengers bit by bit as well as the recent star trek film explaining exactly why they are bad, but no need to pollute the thread. 

[javeryh]

Man of Steel looks awesome from the latest trailer.  If it is even 1/2 as good as The Dark Knight movies I'll be happy.  I love Superman and Superman II as much as the next guy but they are pretty dated at this point and really don't hold up that well.  Hopefully this version will be a classic.

[selfie]

I've never been a Superman fan and Man of Steel seems to be a bit of "Hey Batman worked..."

A low budget flick out last year that I am looking forward to on DVD was "Sightseers"

Also "The World's End" should be out this year. Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright

[kahlid74]

Howard, like you I don't like Tom Cruise, but I've really enjoyed a lot of the movies he is in (a couple of favourites are Minority Report and Last Samurai). Have you seen Jack Reacher? Try and get past Tom and have a look. It was quite a refreshing action movie. Some very smart stunts. I also quite enjoyed Oblivion. It surprised me, I wasn't expecting all that much (maybe it's better to have low expectations )

I forgot about Last Samurai... I actually thought that one was really good.  But then again it's not much of an action film and excuse me for sounding a bit racist, but Tom's sort of Asian sized so it isn't as noticeable in this role. 

I can't get over the title of Jack Reacher.  It sounds like the lead character in a gay porno and/or a place holder name that a writer would use when fleshing out a script.  I was appalled to find out that it's actually based upon a series of popular books.  So at no point did anyone mention "hey the name of the main character is a little generic/gay sounding"?  That's a bad sign to me. 


Btw....I could break down the avengers bit by bit as well as the recent star trek film explaining exactly why they are bad, but no need to pollute the thread. 

The primary issue with Jack Reacher is if you've read the book, you know he's 6'5" and 220-250 lbs.  At one point in the book he lifts a 400+ lbs guy in the air and slams him down on his head.  In the books it's told he can break a guys neck with one hand.  ANNNND then you cast Tom Cruise for the role.  ROFL.  That for me was the largest failing in the movie.

The Avengers/Star Trek movies being bad are your opinion, not fact.  Movies you've thought are good I have torn apart in other threads as well, so we should leave it as opinion.  In your opinion they are bad movies.

[ChadTower]

The primary issue with Jack Reacher is if you've read the book, you know he's 6'5" and 220-250 lbs.  At one point in the book he lifts a 400+ lbs guy in the air and slams him down on his head.  In the books it's told he can break a guys neck with one hand.  ANNNND then you cast Tom Cruise for the role.  ROFL.  That for me was the largest failing in the movie.

The Rock must have been busy that month.

[Howard_Casto]

You do understand that "in your opinion, not fact" translates to "you don't know what you are talking about and what you said doesn't count"  That's insulting and you should know better.  So thanks for that. 

And you didn't so much tear them apart as you rambled on and I lost interest and left... not the same thing. 

[danny_galaga]

Howard, like you I don't like Tom Cruise, but I've really enjoyed a lot of the movies he is in (a couple of favourites are Minority Report and Last Samurai). Have you seen Jack Reacher? Try and get past Tom and have a look. It was quite a refreshing action movie. Some very smart stunts. I also quite enjoyed Oblivion. It surprised me, I wasn't expecting all that much (maybe it's better to have low expectations )

I forgot about Last Samurai... I actually thought that one was really good.  But then again it's not much of an action film and excuse me for sounding a bit racist, but Tom's sort of Asian sized so it isn't as noticeable in this role. 

I can't get over the title of Jack Reacher.  It sounds like the lead character in a gay porno and/or a place holder name that a writer would use when fleshing out a script.  I was appalled to find out that it's actually based upon a series of popular books.  So at no point did anyone mention "hey the name of the main character is a little generic/gay sounding"?  That's a bad sign to me. 


Btw....I could break down the avengers bit by bit as well as the recent star trek film explaining exactly why they are bad, but no need to pollute the thread. 

The primary issue with Jack Reacher is if you've read the book, you know he's 6'5" and 220-250 lbs.  At one point in the book he lifts a 400+ lbs guy in the air and slams him down on his head.  In the books it's told he can break a guys neck with one hand.  ANNNND then you cast Tom Cruise for the role.  ROFL.  That for me was the largest failing in the movie.

Not a problem at all if you've never read the book...

[wp34]

The primary issue with Jack Reacher is if you've read the book, you know he's 6'5" and 220-250 lbs.  At one point in the book he lifts a 400+ lbs guy in the air and slams him down on his head.  In the books it's told he can break a guys neck with one hand.  ANNNND then you cast Tom Cruise for the role.  ROFL.  That for me was the largest failing in the movie.

I've read all the books and have to admit I was both disappointed and surprised when Cruise was cast for the reasons you mention. But I have to admit Cruise does a great job. Cruise had read the books and it showed in his performance.  Finding someone who both looked and could act like Reacher would be tough. For the most part they remained faithful to the books. Two hours of "Reacher said nothing." would have been boring.


Sent from my Atari 800 mobile device using Tapatalk

[ChadTower]

That's our standard now?  Someone is paid millions of dollars to do a job and we're glad he read the books before showing up?

[Hoopz]

Pretty sure that Cruse has someone read the books to him.

[wp34]

Pretty sure that Cruse has someone read the books to him.

I do.  His name is Dick Hill. 

http://www.audible.com/pd/ref=sr_1_1?asin=B002V1A77W&qid=1366817631&sr=1-1

That's our standard now?  Someone is paid millions of dollars to do a job and we're glad he read the books before showing up?

Yes.

[kahlid74]

You do understand that "in your opinion, not fact" translates to "you don't know what you are talking about and what you said doesn't count"  That's insulting and you should know better.  So thanks for that. 

And you didn't so much tear them apart as you rambled on and I lost interest and left... not the same thing. 

If you interpret my statements as an insult so be it, they weren't meant to be.
 

"Btw....I could break down the avengers bit by bit as well as the recent star trek film explaining exactly why they are bad, but no need to pollute the thread."

When you throw out statements like the one above it also translates to "you don't know what you are talking about and what you said doesn't count".  Is this not insulting to one who might enjoy said movies?

I have no wish to devolve this thread into an argument between us as I respect and listen to many things you have to say but sometimes scratch my head on your comments about movies.  Seems though that respect isn't mutual.

[Gray_Area]

Riight, The Last Samurai. It took the discussion to remind me I knew that movie. Yeah, it was ---smurfin--- excellent. I mean, it was a sort of Dances with Wolves (which was FU-CKING excellent, and which I actually hadn't seen till a couple/few years ago), but still.

Somewhat off topic: some of the strongest men in the (perhaps western) world have been under six feet tall. And they *can* crush your neck with one hand.

[lordnacho]

Who wants to bet there will be an exercise scene in After Earth?  Will has to have at least one showing off his abs, maybe they'll even work out together.  UGH

[danny_galaga]

Ok, saw Iron Man 3 last night and was pleasantly surprised. Number two was pretty lame in my opinion, but this one was much better, getting close to being as fun as the first. Ben Kingsley was great fun (",)

I give it 4/5

my score for recent movies you may have seen:

  5/5 - The Way Back, The Kings Speech, Michael Clayton, In Bruges, Gran Torino, Mary and Max, Moonrise Kingdom

4.5/5 - Taken, Iron Man, Reign Over Me, Watchmen, The girl with the dragon tattoo

  4/5 - True Grit, Traitor, Bedtime Stories, Sunshine, pineapple express

3.5/5 - 300, Max Payne, You dont mess with the Zohan, Yes Man

  3/5 - That new Indiana Jones flick, Disturbia, That new TMNT flick,

2.5/5 - Angels and Demons

  2/5 - The Love Guru. Note: My 2 is probably someone elses 1. Just leaving room for worse!

[Ginsu Victim]

Just watched the trailers for The Iceman, Prince Avalanche, and The Conjuring. The first two look great and the last one looks like dumb fun.

[Gray_Area]

IF YOU NEED THE STRENGTH.....THE CON-JURING.... Well that's what I always think when I hear those words.....

After watching The Avengers, I happened to look up Robert's IMDB thinking it'd be a few more months perhaps till Iron Man 3, if it was going to be this year. Oh, in three days. The third. How were people seeing it before that??

[wp34]

I saw Oblivion yesterday.  It was much better than I expected.  Not perfect but worth seeing.

[kahlid74]

I saw Oblivion yesterday.  It was much better than I expected.  Not perfect but worth seeing.

I wish he would have made the Graphic Novel like he originally intended to instead of wanting to make a movie.  The concept and concept art was fantastic and then he went off on a tangent to make the movie.

[ChadTower]

IF YOU NEED THE STRENGTH.....THE CON-GURING.... Well that's what I always think when I hear those words.....

After watching The Avengers, I happened to look up Robert's IMDB thinking it'd be a few more months perhaps till Iron Man 3, if it was going to be this year. Oh, in three days. The third. How were people seeing it before that??

Is that release date worldwide?  danny_galaga is an Aussie.

[wp34]

I wish he would have made the Graphic Novel like he originally intended to instead of wanting to make a movie.  The concept and concept art was fantastic and then he went off on a tangent to make the movie.

Interesting.  I saw in the credits it was based on a graphic novel and made a note to look it up.  It sounds like he never had any intention of releasing the book.  It was just a way to get around the writers strike at the time.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/04/12/oblivion-based-on-the-non-existing-graphic-novel/

[SNAAKE]

wasnt impressed with IM3. it was at least half hour too long. less "funny" would have been just fine.

fyi I loved IM1.

[selfie]

IF YOU NEED THE STRENGTH.....THE CON-GURING.... Well that's what I always think when I hear those words.....

After watching The Avengers, I happened to look up Robert's IMDB thinking it'd be a few more months perhaps till Iron Man 3, if it was going to be this year. Oh, in three days. The third. How were people seeing it before that??

Is that release date worldwide?  danny_galaga is an Aussie.

We got IM3 on the 25th of April. I thought it was meh....

[danny_galaga]

IF YOU NEED THE STRENGTH.....THE CON-GURING.... Well that's what I always think when I hear those words.....

After watching The Avengers, I happened to look up Robert's IMDB thinking it'd be a few more months perhaps till Iron Man 3, if it was going to be this year. Oh, in three days. The third. How were people seeing it before that??

Is that release date worldwide?  danny_galaga is an Aussie.

Yeah, I saw it on the 1st of May, and that wasn't the release day here. Prolly 25th worldwide. Gray-area, you need to get to a bigger town 

[Gray_Area]

Man, nobody caught my G in place of J. I fixed it, though.

@Danny: dude, IMDB ads said May 3rd. But that could've been regional net advertising. Just curious anyways. I won't see it till it's out in at least 720p torrent.

[epicfatigue]

Bring on World war Z!

I love zombie films that much i was thinking about doing a Post apocalyptic scene art work on it!

[Ginsu Victim]

^I love the book, but the movie looks HORRIBLE!!! 

[danny_galaga]

Just saw Star Trek tonight. I can't remember the last one clearly, other than that it was ok. I prolly would have given that one about 3/5. But this new one was excellent, I don't care what anyone says! 4.5/5. Simon Pegg was a bit of a weak link and it felt maybe just a tad too long, otherwise it was thoroughly entertaining (",)

my score for recent movies you may have seen:

  5/5 - The Way Back, The Kings Speech, Michael Clayton, In Bruges, Gran Torino, Mary and Max, Moonrise Kingdom

4.5/5 - Taken, Iron Man, Reign Over Me, Watchmen, The girl with the dragon tattoo

  4/5 - True Grit, Traitor, Bedtime Stories, Sunshine, pineapple express

3.5/5 - 300, Max Payne, You dont mess with the Zohan, Yes Man

  3/5 - That new Indiana Jones flick, Disturbia, That new TMNT flick,

2.5/5 - Angels and Demons

  2/5 - The Love Guru. Note: My 2 is probably someone elses 1. Just leaving room for worse!

[wp34]

Just saw Star Trek tonight. I can't remember the last one clearly, other than that it was ok. I prolly would have given that one about 3/5. But this new one was excellent, I don't care what anyone says! 4.5/5. Simon Pegg was a bit of a weak link and it felt maybe just a tad too long, otherwise it was thoroughly entertaining (",)

Glad to hear it.  I'm a big Star Trek fan but I've been having trouble getting excited about the new one.