MOVIE RATING THREAD 2010

[Donnacha]

Is there some sort of Sorkin cult that I didn't know about?

Yes. We like to find busy hallways that we can walk down and have catty conversations in.

[Wolfe]

THE VIRGINITY HIT was the third movie ever that I was in a completely empty theater for. But I thought it was everything that Wolfe said it lacked.

Yeah, I'm really off in the woods on my own with this one and SCOTT PILGRIM. I dunno, it just didn't turn my crank.

I don't think I've ever been completely alone in a theater before. The closest I ever came was when I saw PSYCHO BEACH PARTY by myself and there was just one creepy-looking middle-aged dude in there. It was uncomfortable because the auditorium was very small, so it was like we were hanging out together in someone's home theater.

[DerickA]

Your avatar is perfect.

[Steve Lilley]

THE SOCIAL NETWORK NEW NEW NEW
LEAVES OF GRASS
TOY STORY 3
CEMETERY JUNCTION
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD
THE TOWN
INCEPTION
KICK-ASS
GREENBERG
GET HIM TO THE GREEK
PREDATORS
MACGRUBER
THE VIRGINITY HIT
IRON MAN 2
YOUTH IN REVOLT
THE OTHER GUYS
I'M STILL HERE
PIRAHNA 3D
THE A-TEAM
THE LOSERS
HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
SHUTTER ISLAND
GOING THE DISTANCE
COP OUT


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Yeah, I don't really have a ton to add. I'm not at all surprised that I liked this as much as I did. They really did shoot that leaked first draft script almost to the scene. Fincher fixed the two problems that I had with Sorkin's script, which was a really pleasant surprise (and they were only minor problems).

Fincher and Sorkin aren't a *perfect* match, as there were moments (albeit few and far between) where the dialog didn't pop in a way that Tommy Schlamme would have. Now, Fincher is obviously a way better director overall than Schlamme, but still.

People focused on the overall authenticity of it definitely either haven't seen it, and if they have they've missed one of the main points.

It was weird seeing [spoiler]Aaron Sorkin[/spoiler] in an Aaron Sorkin movie.

[Brandon]

It was weird seeing [spoiler]Aaron Sorkin[/spoiler] in an Aaron Sorkin movie.

And, oddly, he's the one person that doesn't seem to be able to deliver Aaron Sorkin dialogue.

[sean]

It's really the only thread full o' lists that interests me. I know all of you in various degrees and I love to read your opinions, and it speaks volumes to see how some of you rank one film over another. Most other sites, I know nothing of the posters or their opinions so the lists are meaningless. Over at Mubi a poster named Martin Ingle had a nice comment on list-making:

It's actually none of those (for me).  I don't think, anyway.  It's the ranking.  I just got to a point where I realized that trying to decide whether I enjoyed 'Get Low' more or less than, say, 'Cop Out' wasn't any fun for me.  The reviewing is fine, I can keep that up (and, for whatever it's worth, yours are among the few here that actually affect what movies I want to see).

Incidentally, I don't think I did like 'Get Low' more than 'Cop Out'.  'Get Low' was a perfect example of an imitation-movie, where it goes through all the motions and has a big "emotional" actory climax, but really doesn't do anything.  The one moment that stood out to me was the baby at the end.

EDIT: It might just be that every time I look at the list of new movies that I've seen this year, I find the year a bit lame.

[Randy]

EDIT: It might just be that every time I look at the list of new movies that I've seen this year, I find the year a bit lame.

I definitely agree with this.  I've seen probably half as many movies as I did last year in the theater, and that's not just because my girlfriend never wants to see anything I want to see (like LET ME IN).  I am primed for TRUE GRIT, though.

[nate.3.0]

and Hall and Oates REUNITES at the end of the movie

But, they didn't break up.

Is there some sort of Sorkin cult that I didn't know about?

Are you not friends with Billy (FiveStates) on Facebook?

[DerickA]

I had thought there was bad blood between them from Hall interviews. That's cool.

[nate.3.0]

Hall's just kinda a pompous dick. But yeah, I just saw them a few months ago. Good times.

[Steve Lilley]

And, oddly, he's the one person that doesn't seem to be able to deliver Aaron Sorkin dialogue.

That's the weird part. He fancies himself an actor from what I've seen in interviews. He used to do plays with Nathan Lane and whatnot, and he always talks about how one day he's going to get back onstage and show everyone what he can do.

Well, uh oh, if that's the case.

I was thinking about the movie again, and I would say that the one misstep in the entire thing I would lay completely at Fincher's feet. That would be what is basically a commercial smack dab in the middle during the rowing event. I don't mean that its a commercial for a product, I mean its literally directed like a Nike commercial or something. It was the *one* part of the entire movie that is completely, 100% over-directed. Which I think may be the first time Fincher's ever done that. Its kind of jarring and bad.

[Brandon]

The scene in England with "Hall of the Mountain King?" Yeah, that bugged me too. Knowing Sorkin, though, he probably wrote that in there.

I half expected it to pan up to the road beside the river, then quickly zoom in on a Subaru going faster than the boats.

(Or something. That was dumb.)

[Steve Lilley]

Oh, the scene is in the script but its not nearly that specific as far as music and pacing. I know Fincher has done like 1000 commercials, but it's *never* bled into his work like that. To be honest, reading the script it was the ONE scene where I was initially like "Yeah, this probably won't be there" until you get to the second half of it after the event.

[ExpendablesFan]

The rowing scene was a little indulgent, yeah. Otherwise great movie. Have to buy the score immediately.

[SaveALemming]

TOY STORY 3
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
INCEPTION MOVED
SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD
GET HIM TO THE GREEK
KARATE KID
SHREK FOREVER AFTER
DESPICABLE ME
IRON MAN 2
KICK-ASS
SORCEROR'S APPRENTICE
PREDATORS
DEVIL
COP OUT
EASY A
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT
LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS
THE LAST AIRBENDER
HOT TUB TIME MACHINE
DEATH AT A FUNERAL
SPLICE
MACHETE
THE EXPENDABLES
THE OTHER GUYS
OCEANS
ROBIN HOOD
THE SWITCH
DATE NIGHT
BOOK OF ELI
CHARLIE ST. CLOUD
REPO MEN
LAST EXORCISM
WALL STREET: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS
KNIGHT AND DAY
LETTERS TO JULIET
A-TEAM
PRINCE OF PERSIA
RESIDENT EVIL AFTERLIFE
PIRANHA 3D
MACGRUBER
SHUTTER ISLAND
YOU AGAIN
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
STEP UP 3D
DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS
JUST WRIGHT
REMEMBER ME
DAYBREAKERS
WOLFMAN
THE CRAZIES
SECRETARIAT NEW
CLASH OF THE TITANS
THE LOSERS
PERCY JACKSON
ECLIPSE
JONAH HEX
VALENTINE'S DAY
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
WHEN IN ROME
LETTERS TO GOD
THE AMERICAN
EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES
FURRY VENGEANCE
BOUNTY HUNTER
LEGION
KILLERS
THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE (FIRST SEQUENCE)
VAMPIRES SUCK
STANDING OVATION

Secretariat had some good performances and a good score, but followed the guide to sports movie cliches way too closely. By the time it opens, I'll forget I saw it.