Movies in General

Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Saw Star Trek:Into Darkness today. Great flick. They have done an excellent job again (as they did with the first one) in having actors that look like, and act like younger versions of the original Star trek crew. Great story line and great special effects.

Very enjoyable. My understanding is they have contracted for three movies, so there will most rpobably be another one and I think this one is going to do pretty well at the box office.
 
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siegecrossbow

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Saw Into Darkness with an old friend yesterday. Jeff gave a glowing review a week ago. Now it is my turn. Overall, I thought that the film was a solid sci-fi adventure film that consolidates the new Trek Franchise. 7/10 for me. However, there are a few major problems that greatly hampered my enjoyment of the whole film.

---------------------------------------- SPOILER ALERT -------------------------------------------------------------
The Good: The effects and cinematography were breath taking. The scene where Enterprise rises out of the ocean was awe-inspiring (the sweeping Trek main theme certainly). The action sequences were intense, well coordinated, and literally had me on the edge of my seat half the time. The jokes were well thought out and mature (I am looking at you, Iron Man 3!) and the plethora of older Trek references helped reinforce a sense continuity between the original universe and that of the reboot. Acting, for the most part, was superb, though it, in my humble opinion, did more harm than good in certain parts of the film.

The Bad: Where do I start... Although the film had a solid setup, everything started going down hill for me the moment I saw Harrison (or Khan) mowing down legions of Klingon and taking hits from Kirk like it was nothing. From that point the story line became terribly predictable but the action sequences still held my attention. The film's most irredeemable point occurred when Kirk had to make the ultimate sacrifice kick starting the warp core. In a hilarious inversion of the situation from the Wrath of Khan, Kirk and Spock reversed roles but the acting was so good that it still moved me even when Spock delivered the infamous "Khan" line in the most narmy way possible...

Then it cuts to McCoy and the tribble...

I uttered a tiny "oh no" and started slipping down my chair. It was painfully obvious what J.J. was going to do. He is going to use Khan's miracle juice to resurrect Kirk. All the build up, all the character development, all my emotional investment... and suddenly, NOTHING!

At that point I just ceased caring all together. They seriously can't wait that long to bring a main cast back to life (through hack writing, no less)! I felt cheated! Spock's death in the original Trek film worked because we thought that the loss of a beloved character was going to be permanent. Kirk's Disney death seemed like a cheap trick used to shock viewers (ahem Iron Man 3 again).

*********************************** END SPOILERS *******************************************

In the end, I think that Into the Darkness is still a great film and it is definitely worth seeing on the big screen just for the spectacles along. However, I hope that the big-wigs treat viewers with more respect and come up with more intelligent plots in the future. Just because many people will see your moview doesn't mean that you should conclude a film with a trite ending that even a 15 year old could come up with.
 
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plawolf

plawolf

Lieutenant General
I agree, Into Darkness was a decent movie and worth watching, but I didn't enjoy it as much as maybe I should because it was too predictable and I saw most of the major twists coming well in advance, so they didn't really produce much of an emotional reaction from me. In addition, my enjoyment of the film was spoilt somewhat by the 3D effects, which I found distracting rather than enjoyable, but that may be personal as 3D glasses always seem to bother me a little.

I also did not like some of the more blatant departures from the original fluff like man-portable transwarp devices or the cheap plot devices like all curing drugs from blood.

I did enjoy the Kirk-Spock role reversal, even though it was predictable and the effect marred somewhat by what Siegecrossbow mentioned.

I think the big thing I learnt from this is that I need to stop watching trailers as they give too much away now.
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
I took several grandkids and saw Epic last weekend.

A very enjoyable animated movie. Some really good animiation effects...but also some of the movements were kind of old, "catoonish."

But the movie was great for kids, and had an enjoyable/fun plot. Very good, enjoyable, clean entertainment for the whole family...especially the kids.
 
ABC78

ABC78

Junior Member
-----------------------SPOILER ALERT-----------------------------------------------

[video=youtube;mCIbThT5Dxs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCIbThT5Dxs[/video]


siegecrossbow said:
Saw Into Darkness with an old friend yesterday. Jeff gave a glowing review a week ago. Now it is my turn. Overall, I thought that the film was a solid sci-fi adventure film that consolidates the new Trek Franchise. 7/10 for me. However, there are a few major problems that greatly hampered my enjoyment of the whole film.

---------------------------------------- SPOILER ALERT -------------------------------------------------------------
The Good: The effects and cinematography were breath taking. The scene where Enterprise rises out of the ocean was awe-inspiring (the sweeping Trek main theme certainly). The action sequences were intense, well coordinated, and literally had me on the edge of my seat half the time. The jokes were well thought out and mature (I am looking at you, Iron Man 3!) and the plethora of older Trek references helped reinforce a sense continuity between the original universe and that of the reboot. Acting, for the most part, was superb, though it, in my humble opinion, did more harm than good in certain parts of the film.

The Bad: Where do I start... Although the film had a solid setup, everything started going down hill for me the moment I saw Harrison (or Khan) mowing down legions of Klingon and taking hits from Kirk like it was nothing. From that point the story line became terribly predictable but the action sequences still held my attention. The film's most irredeemable point occurred when Kirk had to make the ultimate sacrifice kick starting the warp core. In a hilarious inversion of the situation from the Wrath of Khan, Kirk and Spock reversed roles but the acting was so good that it still moved me even when Spock delivered the infamous "Khan" line in the most narmy way possible...

Then it cut to McCoy and the tribble...

I uttered a tiny "oh no" and started slipping down my chair. It was painfully obvious what J.J. was going to do. He is going to use Khan's miracle juice to resurrect Kirk. All the build up, all the character development, all my emotional investment... and suddenly, NOTHING!

At that point I just ceased caring all together. They seriously can't wait that long to bring a main cast back to life (through hack writing, no less)! I felt cheated! Spock's death in the original Trek film worked because we thought that the loss of a beloved character was going to be permanent. Kirk's Disney death seemed like a cheap trick used to shock viewers (ahem Iron Man 3 again).

*********************************** END SPOILERS *******************************************

In the end, I think that Into the Darkness is still a great film and it is definitely worth seeing on the big screen just for the spectacles along. However, I hope that the big-wigs treat viewers with more respect and come up with more intelligent plots in the future. Just because many people will see your moview doesn't mean that you should conclude a film with a trite ending that even a 15 year old could come up with.
Click to expand...

For me Into Darkness would have been better if Benedict Cumberbatch was anyone but Kahn. Because a Kahn movie has certain expectations had they made him one of Kahn's subordinates, a clone or even a new batch of Augments. Movie over all was good just don't do Kahn this way and it shows you just caved to the fans and made a Kahn movie that was not the equal or superior to the Wrathed of Kahn.

plawolf said:
I agree, Into Darkness was a decent movie and worth watching, but I didn't enjoy it as much as maybe I should because it was too predictable and I saw most of the major twists coming well in advance, so they didn't really produce much of an emotional reaction from me. In addition, my enjoyment of the film was spoilt somewhat by the 3D effects, which I found distracting rather than enjoyable, but that may be personal as 3D glasses always seem to bother me a little.

I also did not like some of the more blatant departures from the original fluff like man-portable transwarp devices or the cheap plot devices like all curing drugs from blood.

I did enjoy the Kirk-Spock role reversal, even though it was predictable and the effect marred somewhat by what Siegecrossbow mentioned.

I think the big thing I learnt from this is that I need to stop watching trailers as they give too much away now.
Click to expand...

My other issues are more poor writing like the attack at Star Fleet HQ they held a meeting of high level officers near the top floor with a window view? Sitting Duck anyone? Come on! This scene should be easy to write their in a sub-basement level and a bomb is beamed in or a super bunkerbuster. And the classic Bones retort ruined when he's told he's going open up the new torpedoes "I'm a doctor not a torpedo engineer" come on that was weak they couldn't come up with something better?
 
Jeff Head

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
I made it a double feature yesterday. First my wife and I saw, "Now you see me," first. It was GREAT. Sort of a mix between Inception, Mission Impossible, and particularly , The Prestige. A great story and very well done. Keeps you involved and wondering what is going to happen and who is really behind it all through the whole Movie.

Then, afterwards, I met my two sons to see, "After Earth." I know there have been a number of negative reviews about it, but I have liked all the Will Smith movies I have seen, and did not want to bias my mind, so I did not read them. We REALLY enjoyed the movie, and I personally thought his son did a fine job. The accent they were trying to use, although it did not really sound authentic, did not bother me at all. It a sci-fi movie set 1,000 years in the future, so who's to say how it should sound? The story was well done, the flash backs were great, and the action and excitment were very good from our perspective. We really liked it all and all and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a Sci-fi with a survivalist twist, and of course, who enjoys Will Smith.
 
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siegecrossbow

siegecrossbow

General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Jeff Head said:
It a sci-fi movie set 1,000 years in the future, so who's to say how it should sound? The story was well done, the flash backs were great, and the action and excitment were very good from our perspective. We really liked it all and all and I would recommend it to anyone who likes a Sci-fi with a survivalist twist, and of course, who enjoys Will Smith.
Click to expand...

Did Shymalan work another twist into this one? Just curious. Don't worry about spoiling it for me since I don't plan on seeing it in the theaters.

I am pretty hyped about Man of Steel and Pacific Rim right now. Probably the only two summer block busters I plan on seeing. Just for fun, here is a fun video I'm sure many of you've seen. Kinda explains the all around hack writing we see in Hollywood since... forever.

[video=youtube;vgYhLIThTvk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgYhLIThTvk[/video]

Luckily, Mr. Jon Peters was promoted (or demoted, from a creative standpoint) to executive producer for this film, meaning that we won't see giant spiders in the Man of Steel (thankfully). I think the audience (me included) has always been to harsh on the directors/script writers when we find goofy plot points or dull humor in a film. You kinda have your hands tied when you work for an illiterate, knuckle walking neanderthal with a huge ego.
 
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Equation

Equation

Lieutenant General
siegecrossbow said:
Did Shymalan work another twist into this one? Just curious. Don't worry about spoiling it for me since I don't plan on seeing it in the theaters.

I am pretty hyped about Man of Steel and Pacific Rim right now. Probably the only two summer block busters I plan on seeing. Just for fun, here is a fun video I'm sure many of you've seen. Kinda explains the all around hack writing we see in Hollywood since... forever.
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure about "Man of Steele", but I do agreed with "Pacific Rim" though. The new Superman still looked the same, red cape, blue leotard, red boots, and a red underwear worn outside.:p I know it's traditional outlook, but c'mon it's the 21st century time to change and ditch the red underwear look.
 
Blitzo

Blitzo

Lieutenant General
Staff member
Super Moderator
Registered Member
Equation said:
I'm not too sure about "Man of Steele", but I do agreed with "Pacific Rim" though. The new Superman still looked the same, red cape, blue leotard, red boots, and a red underwear worn outside.:p I know it's traditional outlook, but c'mon it's the 21st century time to change and ditch the red underwear look.
Click to expand...

They have ditched the red underwear for this movie.

The ditching of the red undies was one of the biggest hooplas when the first posters and trailers of man of steel came out.

Personally I think MoS will be very good. Him punching Zod and his goons into supersonic speeds sold it for me. With Zack Snyder directing and the guiding hand of Nolan, and with so much mythology and backstory to work with, I'll be amazed if they somehow screw it up.
 
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