Films I watched this week (Vol 2)
Discussion
Escape Plan
Just sat and watched this Arnie/Stallone movie, all a little predictable but a good blast nonetheless. A bit disappointed that the final escape basically involved them starting a riot and climbing a ladder but hey. Only reason I watched it was because it was directed by a guy called Mickael who lived opposite me a couple of years ago - he had a couple of kids so I used to chat to him in the kids playground when I took my one over too. Really quiet chap very introverted who I just couldnt get my head around would go to work and direct egos like Schwarzenegger and Stallone!
A solid 7 prison escapes out of 10 cells.
Just sat and watched this Arnie/Stallone movie, all a little predictable but a good blast nonetheless. A bit disappointed that the final escape basically involved them starting a riot and climbing a ladder but hey. Only reason I watched it was because it was directed by a guy called Mickael who lived opposite me a couple of years ago - he had a couple of kids so I used to chat to him in the kids playground when I took my one over too. Really quiet chap very introverted who I just couldnt get my head around would go to work and direct egos like Schwarzenegger and Stallone!
A solid 7 prison escapes out of 10 cells.
My Facebook "Memories" / "On This Day" (they can't seem to decide which it is called) popped up and reminded me that a year ago I watched The Forbidden Kingdom
I don't think I was active on this thread a year ago, so here is my review:
Jackie Chan and Bruce Li in a delightfully silly mashup of a standard hero's journey / quest, with elements of Bulletproof Monk, Karate Kid, House of Flying Daggers, and anything else you care to throw in. And Jet Li plays (amongst others) the Monkey King which those of us of a certain age will remember fondly from the TV show Monkey.
Utter hokum and a very predictable plot, but I enjoyed it. Extra bonus for seeing a fight scene between Jackie Chan and Jet Li, even if it was a stylised one in tribute to martial arts cinema of old, rather than making even a nod to reality.
Interestingly, some of the fights reminded me of The Matrix. After a little research I found that both were choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping
I don't think I was active on this thread a year ago, so here is my review:
Jackie Chan and Bruce Li in a delightfully silly mashup of a standard hero's journey / quest, with elements of Bulletproof Monk, Karate Kid, House of Flying Daggers, and anything else you care to throw in. And Jet Li plays (amongst others) the Monkey King which those of us of a certain age will remember fondly from the TV show Monkey.
Utter hokum and a very predictable plot, but I enjoyed it. Extra bonus for seeing a fight scene between Jackie Chan and Jet Li, even if it was a stylised one in tribute to martial arts cinema of old, rather than making even a nod to reality.
Interestingly, some of the fights reminded me of The Matrix. After a little research I found that both were choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping
Pesty said:
You were never really here.
Awesome. Great movie , different , gritty. JP was great.
9/10
Just one thing, if somebody could explain it all to me that would be great, thanks.
Awesome. Great movie , different , gritty. JP was great.
9/10
Just one thing, if somebody could explain it all to me that would be great, thanks.
Just watched it myself. Blooby brilliant.
JP is one if my favourite actors, reminds me of Jack Nicholson in how believable he is when playing bonkers parts.
"Hunter Killer"
A sort of "new-Cold-War" action thriller set partly on a sub, and partly on land, where a rogue Ruskie general is starting a coup and trying to start WW3. Gerard Butler stars as the captain of USS Diversity, and Gary "will-work-for-food" Oldman plays a war-mongering US general (how can such a decent actor end up doing so many Nicolas-Cage level films?).
I know nothing about post-WW2 subs and I don't know how realistic the fact they can turn and stop on a sixpence is, and the fact that the torpedoes seem to be guided and almost self aware - maybe they have smart torpedoes nowadays. Anyway, the underwater sub battles are like a watery Top Gun.
The on-land Spec Ops scenes are ok if (like me) you have a boner for that kind of stuff, with some nice sniper action.
4 "aahm Ooot"s out of 10 "Das Boot"s
A sort of "new-Cold-War" action thriller set partly on a sub, and partly on land, where a rogue Ruskie general is starting a coup and trying to start WW3. Gerard Butler stars as the captain of USS Diversity, and Gary "will-work-for-food" Oldman plays a war-mongering US general (how can such a decent actor end up doing so many Nicolas-Cage level films?).
I know nothing about post-WW2 subs and I don't know how realistic the fact they can turn and stop on a sixpence is, and the fact that the torpedoes seem to be guided and almost self aware - maybe they have smart torpedoes nowadays. Anyway, the underwater sub battles are like a watery Top Gun.
The on-land Spec Ops scenes are ok if (like me) you have a boner for that kind of stuff, with some nice sniper action.
4 "aahm Ooot"s out of 10 "Das Boot"s
pfffffffffffftttttppppSolo - Not bad, not bad at all. I liked that the actor playing Han was previously unknown to me, just like the original when I was 7 and Star Wars characters were just characters and not actors from other films. T3 was great, I love a female droid with attitude. Even the love/hate relationship between Han/Llando worked well. I hope they do more.
grumbledoak said:
Free Solo. The antithesis of the recent superhero movies, all fictional characters and CGI no-peril. Just real people, real relationships, and real danger. A fascinating guy, very like a real world Spock. One particular smile to camera sticks in the mind. 
I think his personality and his logical methodical approach is why he's still at it when many of the top men in the sport are no longer with us. No flashy jumps and stuff, just 100% certainty in himself.Fascinating film.
Sully
Basically, the film about the pilot who landed on the Hudson, and the investigation afterwards - with Mr. Hanks as the pilot.
Not bad, and I found myself wondering how accurate it was - particularly the bit where they were discussing the results of the simulations. I expected better though - not exactly disappointing, just thought I would enjoy it more than I did.
7/10
Basically, the film about the pilot who landed on the Hudson, and the investigation afterwards - with Mr. Hanks as the pilot.
Not bad, and I found myself wondering how accurate it was - particularly the bit where they were discussing the results of the simulations. I expected better though - not exactly disappointing, just thought I would enjoy it more than I did.
7/10
davek_964 said:
Sully
Basically, the film about the pilot who landed on the Hudson, and the investigation afterwards - with Mr. Hanks as the pilot.
Not bad, and I found myself wondering how accurate it was - particularly the bit where they were discussing the results of the simulations. I expected better though - not exactly disappointing, just thought I would enjoy it more than I did.
7/10
I could be wrong but I do remember it happening, the pilot being hailed a hero, then the press suddenly turning against him, before it all got resolved. Like any film like this there will be an element of dramatisation otherwise its a bit difficult to fill 90 mins. Can imagine the inquest didn't quite play out like that, but who knows.Basically, the film about the pilot who landed on the Hudson, and the investigation afterwards - with Mr. Hanks as the pilot.
Not bad, and I found myself wondering how accurate it was - particularly the bit where they were discussing the results of the simulations. I expected better though - not exactly disappointing, just thought I would enjoy it more than I did.
7/10
coldel said:
davek_964 said:
Sully
Basically, the film about the pilot who landed on the Hudson, and the investigation afterwards - with Mr. Hanks as the pilot.
Not bad, and I found myself wondering how accurate it was - particularly the bit where they were discussing the results of the simulations. I expected better though - not exactly disappointing, just thought I would enjoy it more than I did.
7/10
I could be wrong but I do remember it happening, the pilot being hailed a hero, then the press suddenly turning against him, before it all got resolved. Like any film like this there will be an element of dramatisation otherwise its a bit difficult to fill 90 mins. Can imagine the inquest didn't quite play out like that, but who knows.Basically, the film about the pilot who landed on the Hudson, and the investigation afterwards - with Mr. Hanks as the pilot.
Not bad, and I found myself wondering how accurate it was - particularly the bit where they were discussing the results of the simulations. I expected better though - not exactly disappointing, just thought I would enjoy it more than I did.
7/10
He was put through the mill for no good reason.
Verdict: hero.
. I think I really like it!davek_964 said:
You were never really here
Watched it last night, based on the recommendations on here.
No. No, no, no.
Awful film, which I would have switched off within 30 minutes - but due to the high scores I'd seen, I thought it must get better. It didn't.
3/10 and I'm being very generous!
Terrific movie. 8.5/10 from me. Watched it last night, based on the recommendations on here.
No. No, no, no.
Awful film, which I would have switched off within 30 minutes - but due to the high scores I'd seen, I thought it must get better. It didn't.
3/10 and I'm being very generous!
I think I gave it a 9.Gassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff