What was the last movie you've seen?

[dsheinem]

I feel like I’ve watched more movies than this since my last set of reviews, so if I can remember what they were I’ll post about them next time!


The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – We debated and discussed this movie quite a bit in this thread when it came out, but I still think that at the end of the day the film is on par with Batman Begins but not as good as The Dark Knight. Nolan’s signature strength as a director continues to be the way in which he can bring together settings and characters, a facet of his work that’s as apparent in something like Insomnia or The Prestige as it is in his Batman movies. Once again Gotham is massive in scale and visually stunning even before shit starts flying and racing about, and once again the other set pieces are beautifully shot and punctuate the dialogue and plot in ways that the characters themselves can’t always convey. I’m probably in a minority that thought Hathaway was a throwaway (an unnecessary and uninteresting addition to the film), but otherwise the cast puts in strong performances and Nolan’s typical convoluted plot remains at the “sophisticated for a summer blockbuster” level of cerebral engagement. It was a nice way to wrap up the strongest series of superhero films I’ve ever seen, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.
Grade: 4/5

Attack the Block (2011) – This film has some nice gimmicks and some fun action scenes, but overall I found it to be a fairly predictable kill-monsters-by-the-numbers movie that simply takes a well-worn formula and brings it to a new context. That context, to me, was uninteresting. None of the characters were sympathetic or compelling (probably more a fault of the plot than the actors), the monster design was uninspired, and I felt like the whole thing was a bit long and plodding (not a good sign for an 88 minute movie).
Grade: 2.5/5

Despicable Me (2010) – I have to admit I didn’t have high expectations when I took my kid to see this for the free movie morning at the theater last month, but it turned out to be a fun movie with a lot of heart. The animation has a distinct style, the voice acting is good (well, other than Carrell’s ridiculous accent), and the pacing is brisk and keeps things moving. I thought that the film did a nice job of balancing laughs with more tender moments, and all the kids in the theater were mesmerized throughout. It doesn’t quite approach the Pixar-level quality of animated film, but it signals that Illumination Entertainment has the potential to be a new player in the animated market.
Grade: 3.5/5

[Luke]

Despicable Me (2010) – I have to admit I didn’t have high expectations when I took my kid to see this for the free movie morning at the theater last month, but it turned out to be a fun movie with a lot of heart. The animation has a distinct style, the voice acting is good (well, other than Carrell’s ridiculous accent), and the pacing is brisk and keeps things moving. I thought that the film did a nice job of balancing laughs with more tender moments, and all the kids in the theater were mesmerized throughout. It doesn’t quite approach the Pixar-level quality of animated film, but it signals that Illumination Entertainment has the potential to be a new player in the animated market.
Grade: 3.5/5

Despicable Me 2 is right around the corner, and Minions is in production. Lots of Carrell's ridiculous accent awaits you. Universal is putting some big cha-ching into Illumination Entertainment. It will never be Pixar, but the thing I like about the team at Illumination is that they aren't trying to emulate Pixar. Well, the head writer is a HUGE fan of Pixar, especially The Incredibles, but they're doing their own thing.

I think Minions is such a great idea for a movie. Not surprising that the writer for it was also slated to write a "The Sims" movie.

[AppleQueso]

I think Minions is such a great idea for a movie. Not surprising that the writer for it was also slated to write a "The Sims" movie.

That's uh... that's an interesting choice to adapt a movie from. I guess you could pretty much make it about anything though.

[dsheinem]

Despicable Me (2010) – I have to admit I didn’t have high expectations when I took my kid to see this for the free movie morning at the theater last month, but it turned out to be a fun movie with a lot of heart. The animation has a distinct style, the voice acting is good (well, other than Carrell’s ridiculous accent), and the pacing is brisk and keeps things moving. I thought that the film did a nice job of balancing laughs with more tender moments, and all the kids in the theater were mesmerized throughout. It doesn’t quite approach the Pixar-level quality of animated film, but it signals that Illumination Entertainment has the potential to be a new player in the animated market.
Grade: 3.5/5

Despicable Me 2 is right around the corner, and Minions is in production. Lots of Carrell's ridiculous accent awaits you. Universal is putting some big cha-ching into Illumination Entertainment. It will never be Pixar, but the thing I like about the team at Illumination is that they aren't trying to emulate Pixar. Well, the head writer is a HUGE fan of Pixar, especially The Incredibles, but they're doing their own thing.

I think Minions is such a great idea for a movie. Not surprising that the writer for it was also slated to write a "The Sims" movie.

Yeah, I saw that. I def got an "Incredibles" vibe (but with a French slant) from DM. Looking forward to the sequel.

[Luke]

^The Sims was at least eight years ago, if not more. And yup, it was written in "Simmish". It got the green light, which turned yellow, and then red. Even though the writer is a friend of mine, he'd put his job at jeopardy by giving me the script. Hollywood is weird like that. So tight lipped and paranoid.

Wasn't sure to put this in the "smile/ticked" or "movie" thread, but since I'm already here:

I read an Ebert review where he brought up a movie cliche that still has me laughing: The wrong gas station. To paraphrase, movies have yet to get the gas station right. Clerks came somewhat close to showing an actual gas station (well, convenience store), but no one plays hockey on the roof (unfortunately). In actual life gas stations are usually well lit, surprisingly clean, and not only can you purchase gas, candy and groceries, you can also find Jeff Foxworthy CD's and a full line of Harley Davidson apparel.

Why does every gas station in movies have to be "the wrong gas station" where after visiting at least three teenagers will die? The attendant is usually missing a few teeth, chewing on something, and for some reason like the bartender who is always washing a glass, the attendant is always wiping oil of his hands while donning a stained plain t-shirt or garage jump suit.

This amuses me. I'm trying to think of a movie that actually shows a gas station like it really is. I believe there may have been a scene in DICK & JANE where a gas station is robbed and well represented, but I'm not putting myself through that film vomit again.

Help me out guys, any movies with a good depiction of an actual gas station?

[dsheinem]

^The Sims was at least eight years ago, if not more. And yup, it was written in "Simmish". It got the green light, which turned yellow, and then red. Even though the writer is a friend of mine, he'd put his job at jeopardy by giving me the script. Hollywood is weird like that. So tight lipped and paranoid.

Wasn't sure to put this in the "smile/ticked" or "movie" thread, but since I'm already here:

I read an Ebert review where he brought up a movie cliche that still has me laughing: The wrong gas station. To paraphrase, movies have yet to get the gas station right. Clerks came somewhat close to showing an actual gas station (well, convenience store), but no one plays hockey on the roof (unfortunately). In actual life gas stations are usually well lit, surprisingly clean, and not only can you purchase gas, candy and groceries, you can also find Jeff Foxworthy CD's and a full line of Harley Davidson apparel.

Why does every gas station in movies have to be "the wrong gas station" where after visiting at least three teenagers will die? The attendant is usually missing a few teeth, chewing on something, and for some reason like the bartender who is always washing a glass, the attendant is always wiping oil of his hands while donning a stained plain t-shirt or garage jump suit.

This amuses me. I'm trying to think of a movie that actually shows a gas station like it really is. I believe there may have been a scene in DICK & JANE where a gas station is robbed and well represented, but I'm not putting myself through that film vomit again.

Help me out guys, any movies with a good depiction of an actual gas station?

What about the gas fight in Dumb and Dumber? Does that count?

[AppleQueso]

It's funny you mention Clerks, because iirc it doesn't actually have any gas pumps. It's just a convenience store, no gas station at all!

...what about the gas station in No Country For Old Men?

I don't know what gas stations were like in 1963, but how close does It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World come?

[Luke]

I def got an "Incredibles" vibe (but with a French slant) from DM. Looking forward to the sequel.

Passed your comment on.

You just made someones day.

[Hobie-wan]

This amuses me. I'm trying to think of a movie that actually shows a gas station like it really is.

Robocop? Either the one with the student studying or the mom & pop store?

[OldSchool_Boy]

This amuses me. I'm trying to think of a movie that actually shows a gas station like it really is.

No Country for Old Men