MOVIE RATING THREAD 2012

[Wolfe]

We disagree often enough on things that I don't know why it matters to you what I say. But it might be helpful to not go into it expecting VAMPIRE BEETLEJUICE.

[DerickA]

Wolfe's words are golden to me.

[ExpendablesFan]

The trailer has become so unfunny. That stoned joke is bad, but after seeing the Avengers it's just kind of sad. What business do they have releasing this movie so close to something great.

[Magoonie]

That pisses me off a bit as I was looking forward to Dark Shadows and just assumed that with Depp and Burton behind it it would be pretty good. Eh, who knows maybe it'll be better than what Wolfe said but I've found I agree with you guys most of the time when it comes to movies.

I do think Avengers has spoiled us though, we will keep thinking "why isn't this movie as good as Avengers"

[Wolfe]

THE AVENGERS
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
AMERICAN REUNION
21 JUMP STREET
THE RAID: REDEMPTION
THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT
JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME
THE DICTATOR NEW
CHRONICLE
WANDERLUST
HAYWIRE
PROJECT X
THE THREE STOOGES
DARK SHADOWS
GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE
CASA DE MI PADRE
FRIENDS WITH KIDS
THE DEVIL INSIDE
TOTAL RECALL
THE HUNGER GAMES
A THOUSAND WORDS
THE GREY
THIS MEANS WAR

-----------------

THE DICTATOR starts off pretty flat, but picks up as it goes along. It's not reliably consistent, but when it works it's really funny. It’s not nearly up to the level of DA ALI G SHOW, BORAT or the best parts of BRUNO, but I guess that’s at least partially to be expected considering it’s a different style of comedy. Still, it’s hard not to expect better of Cohen than what is essentially an edgier Mike Myers movie.

[DerickA]

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS
THIS IS 40
THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT
21 JUMP STREET
THE RAID: REDEMPTION
COMIC-CON: EPISODE IV - A FAN'S HOPE
CHRONICLE
GOD BLESS AMERICA
AMERICAN REUNION
DARK SHADOWS new!
HAYWIRE
JOYFUL NOISE
MIRROR, MIRROR
PROJECT X
THIS MEANS WAR
THE THREE STOOGES
JOHN CARTER
THE HUNGER GAMES
RED TAILS
A THOUSAND WORDS
GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE
CASA DE MI PADRE
---------------------------

Completely disagree with Wolfe on one thing. Eva Green seems to be the only one who knows exactly what movie she is in. To a slightly lesser extent, so does Depp. They were both pretty great. It is not the comedy and nutso fest that the trailer makes it out to be, but there are a lot of good moments. It should have been 90 minutes or so. But Green was amazing.

I think if I hadn't seen that trailer, I might be more glowing about it with expectations lowered. Actually, Wolfe's review softened the blow a little bit. I will say it's Burton's most entertaining movie since BIG FISH. But that sounds a bit misleading. I liked Michelle Pfieffer, Kelly Leak is mostly useless but they really made Chloe Moretz kind of gross. She's usually great but they made her do a kind of creepy sexy underaged person thing that I was clutching my pearls at. SPOILERSAnd they made her a really stupid werewolf for no reason.SPOILERS ARE ENDING Cut down and lightened up a bit, it could have been something.

[nate.3.0]

they really made Chloe Moretz kind of gross. She's usually great but they made her do a kind of creepy sexy underaged person thing that I was clutching my pearls at.

Isn't that kind of her thing (with the exception of HUGO)? Or are you saying they took it to a new, grosser level.

[DerickA]

Nate, I think we watch movies through different eyeballs. What movies does she do that in?

[nate.3.0]

You are right. I am wrong.

[Amusing Pseudonym]

Does clicking on that second link register us for some sort of watch list?  If you're a cop, you gotta tell us.

[BrianLynch]

The Raid: Redemption
Marvel's The Avengers
The Hunger Games
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
The Cabin in the Woods
21 Jump Street
John Carter
Red Tails
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope
The Three Stooges
American Reunion
Wanderlust
Dark Shadows
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Chronicle
Friends with Kids

A decent performance by Depp and a good one by Eva Green can't save a very bland movie.  And the last half hour is so disjointed and dumb it's actually insulting.  It's a shame, it set a good tone for the first 40 or so minutes.

[nate.3.0]

AVENGERS
CABIN IN THE WOODS
21 JUMP STREET
GET THE GRINGO *new*
HUNGER GAMES
JOHN CARTER
GOD BLESS AMERICA
_______

GET THE GRINGO - I wish Mel wasn't such a hateful scumbag.  Gringo's a really enjoyable film. And Mel's pretty great in it. 

[BrianLynch]

The Raid: Redemption
Marvel's The Avengers
First Position
The Hunger Games
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
The Cabin in the Woods
21 Jump Street
John Carter
Red Tails
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope
The Three Stooges
American Reunion
Wanderlust
Dark Shadows
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Chronicle
Friends with Kids

If you like SPELLBOUND, FIRST POSITION is kinda like that only with kids going to a ballet competition.  It's not as funny, but you get to love these kids so much that when they finally do their routine at the end, you're on the edge of your seat.  Really well done.  I hope the DVD has updates on everybody.

[Dalton]

If you like SPELLBOUND, FIRST POSITION is kinda like that only with kids going to a ballet competition.  It's not as funny, but you get to love these kids so much that when they finally do their routine at the end, you're on the edge of your seat.  Really well done.  I hope the DVD has updates on everybody.

All the kids have interesting stories, but one girl deserves a movie all her own.  She was adopted from Sierra Leone, where she saw (and still remembers) horrific sights like one of her teachers getting their limbs hacked off by the United Revolutionary Front.  (Muammar Gaddafi deserved so much worse than what he got in the end.)  Her escape was a picture on the cover of a magazine.  I won't spoil beyond that.

Anyway this girl's story is remarkable, and should keep any of us from complaining about anything.

[BrianLynch]

I feel like her family should have their own show.