Guest Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 I haven't posted here before, but I feel like doing so after watching the first film I've ever watched where I don't even know if I liked it or not, A Place Beyond the Pines. I can't describe my feelings on it without giving away the plot, so I'll say it in spoilers. I'd be interested to hear other people's take on it: For the first hour or so I really enjoyed it. It seemed weird how the second actor on the bill wasn't in it for a whole hour, and the plot of Ryan Gosling being a stunt-driver who uses his expertise for criminal activity to support a woman wasn't exactly new, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless. Then we finally see Bradley Cooper, whose first contribution in the film is to kill the main character with an hour and a half left. The problem for me was that I didn't find what happened to Cooper's character from there on in as interesting, perhaps because Ray Liotta turning up and being a crooked policeman feels more than a tad predictable. Then comes the third act with Cooper and Gosling's sons as teenagers 15 years on. From what I've read the general agreement is that the third act ruins the film. Perhaps I just love epic stories told over different generations but I disagree, I thought the third part of the story recovered it and was the second most interesting part of the three. It was quite well put together how it was all tied up at the end I thought. All in all I think I liked it, but I feel a bit cold about it all. It felt like it could've been a classic, but after the most interesting part of the film ended with an hour and a half to go it just didn't feel quite right after that. Maybe the film should've started with Cooper killing Gosling, followed by Cooper's story, then a flashback to the Gosling part before ending with the two sons. That way the best part wouldn't have been done with two fifths of the film left. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 I haven't posted here before, but I feel like doing so after watching the first film I've ever watched where I don't even know if I liked it or not, A Place Beyond the Pines. I can't describe my feelings on it without giving away the plot, so I'll say it in spoilers. I'd be interested to hear other people's take on it: For the first hour or so I really enjoyed it. It seemed weird how the second actor on the bill wasn't in it for a whole hour, and the plot of Ryan Gosling being a stunt-driver who uses his expertise for criminal activity to support a woman wasn't exactly new, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless. Then we finally see Bradley Cooper, whose first contribution in the film is to kill the main character with an hour and a half left. The problem for me was that I didn't find what happened to Cooper's character from there on in as interesting, perhaps because Ray Liotta turning up and being a crooked policeman feels more than a tad predictable. Then comes the third act with Cooper and Gosling's sons as teenagers 15 years on. From what I've read the general agreement is that the third act ruins the film. Perhaps I just love epic stories told over different generations but I disagree, I thought the third part of the story recovered it and was the second most interesting part of the three. It was quite well put together how it was all tied up at the end I thought. All in all I think I liked it, but I feel a bit cold about it all. It felt like it could've been a classic, but after the most interesting part of the film ended with an hour and a half to go it just didn't feel quite right after that. Maybe the film should've started with Cooper killing Gosling, followed by Cooper's story, then a flashback to the Gosling part before ending with the two sons. That way the best part wouldn't have been done with two fifths of the film left. It's on my To Watch list, purely because it was scored by Mike Patton of Faith No More/Mr Bungle fame, and he asked me to check it out back when I used to use Facebook. Yes, it was a personal request. In my head 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 (edited) While I'm hear I may as well give my thoughts on Nightcrawler: What an absolute fucker of a film. I loved it, it had everything. The plot started interestingly and got better, it looked amazing, there was bags of suspense and it had a very clear message about how fucked up American news reporting has become (the part where the newsreaders are showing his footage and the director is saying in their ear "repeat that they're on the loose", "ask if there's a baby in the crib" empathised that point well. The best thing about it was Jake Gyllenhaal's character and his performance though. What a weird, interesting, sociopathic character. It felt like it had nods to American Psycho, the way his pleasantries and polite conversation with people felt like they'd been studied from an online seminar, just like Patrick Bateman and his regurgitations of music reviews as his own thoughts, both done to pass them off as moderately normal people. He should win an Oscar for this, but as Oscar's are usually for some triumph over adversity, good vs evil type films and this is the opposite I'd say there's 0% chance of that happening. Edited November 9, 2014 by Guest 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meathead Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 I haven't posted here before, but I feel like doing so after watching the first film I've ever watched where I don't even know if I liked it or not, A Place Beyond the Pines. I can't describe my feelings on it without giving away the plot, so I'll say it in spoilers. I'd be interested to hear other people's take on it: For the first hour or so I really enjoyed it. It seemed weird how the second actor on the bill wasn't in it for a whole hour, and the plot of Ryan Gosling being a stunt-driver who uses his expertise for criminal activity to support a woman wasn't exactly new, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless. Then we finally see Bradley Cooper, whose first contribution in the film is to kill the main character with an hour and a half left. The problem for me was that I didn't find what happened to Cooper's character from there on in as interesting, perhaps because Ray Liotta turning up and being a crooked policeman feels more than a tad predictable. Then comes the third act with Cooper and Gosling's sons as teenagers 15 years on. From what I've read the general agreement is that the third act ruins the film. Perhaps I just love epic stories told over different generations but I disagree, I thought the third part of the story recovered it and was the second most interesting part of the three. It was quite well put together how it was all tied up at the end I thought. All in all I think I liked it, but I feel a bit cold about it all. It felt like it could've been a classic, but after the most interesting part of the film ended with an hour and a half to go it just didn't feel quite right after that. Maybe the film should've started with Cooper killing Gosling, followed by Cooper's story, then a flashback to the Gosling part before ending with the two sons. That way the best part wouldn't have been done with two fifths of the film left. Literally came into this thread to post about this film, having watched it for the first time last night. My feelings about it aren't all that different to yours, and I get where you're coming from with not being sure if you liked it, but I definitely feel like I enjoyed it. The first hour was certainly the best act, though I don't think the other two were bad at all. I was going into it having only seen the trailer, which made it seem like it'd be a standard police officer chases bad guy scenario. Killing off Gosling's character after an hour surprised me to the extent that I wanted to keep watching just to see where they'd take it. Genuine lol when Gosling's lying there on the pavement as a vegetable and the two police officers run up screaming at him. The second act was a bit predictable and in hindsight was probably my least favourite part, but Cooper played his role well enough to keep me interested throughout. Thought they might have made something about the (presumable) backlash his character would have faced from the police officers that he sent to jail, but I suppose the film is long enough as it is. Like you, I actually thought the third act was pretty good. The eventual fight between the sons was obviously to be expected, but it really twisted and turned up until that point and I genuinely thought he would execute both of them until Cooper's character started crying. By the time the third act got going it felt like an age since Gosling had actually been in the film, so that structure you suggested might well have worked better. All in all though I think it was a good film. Not a classic, but a 7 or 8 out of 10. Given that it's a fairly long film and has a pretty slow narrative, I'd say the fact that it kept me interested all the way through is enough for me to know that I enjoyed it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcat1990 Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) Literally came into this thread to post about this film, having watched it for the first time last night. My feelings about it aren't all that different to yours, and I get where you're coming from with not being sure if you liked it, but I definitely feel like I enjoyed it. The first hour was certainly the best act, though I don't think the other two were bad at all. I was going into it having only seen the trailer, which made it seem like it'd be a standard police officer chases bad guy scenario. Killing off Gosling's character after an hour surprised me to the extent that I wanted to keep watching just to see where they'd take it. Genuine lol when Gosling's lying there on the pavement as a vegetable and the two police officers run up screaming at him. The second act was a bit predictable and in hindsight was probably my least favourite part, but Cooper played his role well enough to keep me interested throughout. Thought they might have made something about the (presumable) backlash his character would have faced from the police officers that he sent to jail, but I suppose the film is long enough as it is. Like you, I actually thought the third act was pretty good. The eventual fight between the sons was obviously to be expected, but it really twisted and turned up until that point and I genuinely thought he would execute both of them until Cooper's character started crying. By the time the third act got going it felt like an age since Gosling had actually been in the film, so that structure you suggested might well have worked better. All in all though I think it was a good film. Not a classic, but a 7 or 8 out of 10. Given that it's a fairly long film and has a pretty slow narrative, I'd say the fact that it kept me interested all the way through is enough for me to know that I enjoyed it. I haven't posted here before, but I feel like doing so after watching the first film I've ever watched where I don't even know if I liked it or not, A Place Beyond the Pines. I can't describe my feelings on it without giving away the plot, so I'll say it in spoilers. I'd be interested to hear other people's take on it: For the first hour or so I really enjoyed it. It seemed weird how the second actor on the bill wasn't in it for a whole hour, and the plot of Ryan Gosling being a stunt-driver who uses his expertise for criminal activity to support a woman wasn't exactly new, but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless. Then we finally see Bradley Cooper, whose first contribution in the film is to kill the main character with an hour and a half left. The problem for me was that I didn't find what happened to Cooper's character from there on in as interesting, perhaps because Ray Liotta turning up and being a crooked policeman feels more than a tad predictable. Then comes the third act with Cooper and Gosling's sons as teenagers 15 years on. From what I've read the general agreement is that the third act ruins the film. Perhaps I just love epic stories told over different generations but I disagree, I thought the third part of the story recovered it and was the second most interesting part of the three. It was quite well put together how it was all tied up at the end I thought. All in all I think I liked it, but I feel a bit cold about it all. It felt like it could've been a classic, but after the most interesting part of the film ended with an hour and a half to go it just didn't feel quite right after that. Maybe the film should've started with Cooper killing Gosling, followed by Cooper's story, then a flashback to the Gosling part before ending with the two sons. That way the best part wouldn't have been done with two fifths of the film left. The worst part about that film was Gosling shouting. The man's voice goes into a weird screech whenever he attempts to raise his voice. Fwiw I found the third act ok if not predictable but it's not a bad film all in all. Edited November 10, 2014 by mrcat1990 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrestersKTID Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Watched Diary of a wimpy kid at the weekend with the mrs. Actually enjoyed it to be fair. Bit like Recess but not animated. Lots of cheap laughs and probably did enough to get us to watch the sequel. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieStevenson Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 The Fault in Our Stars This was a decent watch. This is obviously a love story but it certainly doesn't shy away from the tough issues at hand. It is heart warming but at the same time heart breaking, the two leads have great chemistry together. 7/10 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11thHour Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Sex Tape - 3/10. 3 points for Cameron Diaz alone. That is all. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieStevenson Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I just watched the first half an hour of Noah and was beyond bored. Did anyone like this film at all? I just couldn't get into it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 The way we were. With Robert Redford & Barbara Streisand.......what a pile of pish! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I just watched the first half an hour of Noah and was beyond bored. Did anyone like this film at all? I just couldn't get into it. I made it all the way to the end. I didn't particularly enjoy it either - it doesn't pick up much after the first half an hour, so you've made the correct decision to bail if you weren't enjoying it. I went to see Nightcrawler last week too. Really good film that will likely get acclaim, but it's not a particularly pleasant film to watch. It's representation of the US tv media is obviously quite scathing and Gylenhaal was excellent in his role. I'd expect it to receive a lot of recognition in the forthcoming award season. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumigoo Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I imagine Nightcrawler being really appreciated by a certain section of the US public as I am sure they will recognise much more in the film than maybe we do, our news (TV news at least) isn't quite so bad for the stuff that you regularly see on Fox and all the terrible local news networks over there. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieStevenson Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Bad Neighbours This is one of the better comedies that's been out recently. I try to avoid most comedies as they're either awful or just all the same. The reviews were positive for this one so gave it a go and really enjoyed it. It's probably the best film I've ever seen Zac Efron in tbh, that role was perfect for him. Big shout out to the delightful Rose Byrne too. 7/10 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christophe Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Death Proof 3/10Utter shit saved by curiosity and a couple of dece moments. Easily his worst film, does he really think we've got the patience for those endless talkie scenes? Interest held by playing spot the Tarantino ouvre reference. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I just watched the first half an hour of Noah and was beyond bored. Did anyone like this film at all? I just couldn't get into it. No, it's rotten. Who decided that randomly dropping Ray Winstone into films is a good idea? I've no problems with the man in suitable roles, but he's miscast so badly sometimes that you get the impression that somebody's taking the piss. It's like trying to turn Kenneth Williams into an action hero. (which I'd totally have paid to see, BTW) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Death Proof 3/10 Utter shit saved by curiosity and a couple of dece moments. Easily his worst film, does he really think we've got the patience for those endless talkie scenes? Interest held by playing spot the Tarantino ouvre reference. I liked it better than you, mainly because of the cast, but I know exactly what you mean. It amazed me that Planet Terror got pelters when the whole Grindhouse thing came out, but Death Proof got some plaudits. You'd swear that Tarantino could film himself taking a shit and some folk would hail it as a masterpiece. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTD Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 The way we were. With Robert Redford & Barbara Streisand.......what a pile of pish! Slightly worried about you now. I assume you got into someone's pants for enduring that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjc Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Slightly worried about you now. I assume you got into someone's pants for enduring that. sadly no but it was a female friend of mines choice. Endure is a very apt word! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieStevenson Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Chef Written, produced and directed by Jon Favreau. He is also starring as the main character, which he was brilliant at btw. The rest of the cast are pretty good too. It's got a decent plot, amusing at times and the food actually looked great. Jon Favreau's character goes through a whole host of emotions during his ups and downs as a chef. Great acting by him. I haven't seen any of his other stuff but some people are calling this his best work. It's another 7/10 from me. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sergie's no1 fan Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 Slapshot - 8.5/10.Love it. Slapshot 2. Stephen F'kin Baldwin . The Hanson's couldn't even save this. 1/10. The 1 is for 2 pairs of cracking Bristols. Slapshot 3. Turned it off after 5 minutes. Horrific.Looked like one of they rip off American Pie 7 efforts. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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