Article ITT I attempt to review every movie I've seen.

I'd recommend Big Hero 6. It's easily one of the best animated movies that I've seen. The writing and voice acting are top notch and the animation is gorgeous.

Box Trolls is pretty quirky, but I liked it. If you liked Paranorman, you'll likely enjoy this one too.
 
Mr. Monday said:
I'd recommend Big Hero 6. It's easily one of the best animated movies that I've seen. The writing and voice acting are top notch and the animation is gorgeous.

Box Trolls is pretty quirky, but I liked it. If you liked Paranorman, you'll likely enjoy this one too.
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Hey, if you want to, you could do guest reviews on those films. I normally don't gravitate towards animated films so the chances of me seeing them are pretty low. So if you're game for it, I'll post whatever reviews you write. Just PM me the reviews.
 
A Mr. Monday Review


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Title: Big Hero 6
Year: 2014
Country of Origin: United States
Director: Don Hall/Chris Williams


Plot: 14 year old ace robot fighter Hiro Hamada decides to join his brother’s engineering school. But when his brother is killed in an explosion at the science fair and Hiro’s project goes missing, he decides to seek vengeance with the help of the robot Beymax and his brother’s friends.

Review: I originally wasn’t terribly interested in this movie. The trailers made it look kinda generic and the same scenes were repeated over and over. However, as a manager at a theatre, I get a free movie pass every five days. There weren’t any other movies that were interesting me at the time, so I said what the hell and went for it.

The movie started off with a bang, making the introduction of all the characters and future plotlines seem smooth and natural. Scenes flowed from one to the next with no jarring jumps or breaks, making it easy to connect the plot points.

Each of the characters has a different personality, skills and ethnic background, making them perfect for the super hero team they end up becoming. The voice acting is stellar and chock full of personality, giving each character their own unique voice. Watching them come together as a cohesive group is a pleasure to watch.

Lastly, but not least, the film is absolutely gorgeous. Watching it in 3D is an absolute must, if you’re able. The animation is impeccable and the art style is a well done mesh of Western and Eastern styles (much like how the setting is a mix of San Francisco and Tokyo).

[9/10]
 
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Title: Locke
Year: 2013
Country of Origin: UK
Director: Steven Knight

Plot: A man is on a mission to be their for the birth of his child. One issue though, the mother of this child isn't his wife.

Review: This film takes place in its entirety in car and most normally, I dislike films like this. I usually consider forcing the film into one specific location as gimmicky and detrimental to the overall film. Film's like Buried and Phone Booth have both tried to pull off this type of film...and both by in large failed. Which is why Locke was so surprising, because it's actually a compelling film. Of course, this is entirely due to the strength Tom Hardy's performance. Hardy is a fantastic actor and his talents are truly on display here.

The plot itself is pretty simple; Ivan Locke, a construction foreman, walks off the job to drive to London to be their for the birth of his unborn child...who was the by-product of an extramarital one night stand. The rest of the 84 minute runtime is filled with panicked phone calls from his work, where he was supposed to be in charge of prepping a massive concrete pour that is to occur the following day, his wife who is none to happy to find out about her husbands indiscretions, and the mother to be who is afraid and confused. It is not exactly the most action filled plot, but it does well enough not to feel too stale throughout its runtime. Overall, this is a great film that owes all of its greatness to the strengths of Tom Hardy's performance.

[8/10]

On a side note, this film can in no way be described as a "nail-biting thriller." I honestly have no idea what that blub on the poster is on about.
 
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Thought you did a review of Locke already?

Anyways got to go see Inherent Vice and can't wait to see what your view on the movie was. Got to say I did enjoy it to a point but some parts stuck out as long and took me out of the experience.
 
ChocolateVillain said:
Thought you did a review of Locke already?

Anyways got to go see Inherent Vice and can't wait to see what your view on the movie was. Got to say I did enjoy it to a point but some parts stuck out as long and took me out of the experience.
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Hoping to see it this weekend, so expect a review up soon.
 
I'm disappointed. I don't think that it was best animated material, but it definitely deserved at least a nomination.

imo, Big Hero 6 or How to Train Your Dragon 2 will win, leaning towards the former. Boxtrolls is a bit too weird to make it.

Also, if Birdman doesn't win Cinematography, I'll be very disappointed. I'd also like to see the rage if Everything is Awesome wins best original song.
 
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Phil Lord had the best response to the snub. Also how did American Sniper make the list? Did it not just come out...
 
ChocolateVillain said:
Phil Lord had the best response to the snub. Also how did American Sniper make the list? Did it not just come out...
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It had limited theater release on Christmas Day, same thing with Selma so I guess they count as 2014 movies instead of early January movies.
 
ChocolateVillain said:
Phil Lord had the best response to the snub. Also how did American Sniper make the list? Did it not just come out...
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Agreed, I love Lord's sense of humor. As for American Sniper, I think it came out on Christmas so it qualifies. On a side note though, who thought a movie about America's deadliest sharpshooter would have made for great Christmas viewing?

Also, Everything is Awesome better win best song...not some eye-rollingly dull inspirational garbage that the academy usually goes with.
 
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Title: Inherent Vice
Year: 2014
Country of Origin: US
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Plot: What do land developers, neo-nazis, mysterious ships, and missing ex-girlfriends all have in common? Who knows, but Larry "Doc" Sportello is going to try his darndest to figure it all out.

Review: Inherent Vice is a noir awashed in a haze of pot smoke, intrigue, and strangeness. Its plot could be best described as labyrinthian, just trying to follow it is almost akin to barely keeping your head above water. It seems like every five minutes or so a new dimension is thrown onto the story or a new character that we haven't met yet is introduced. Eventually you get to the point where you seem to be one step behind of everything and are forced just to lie back and watch it all play out. None of this is helped by the possibility that part of the film could easily just be a drug induced fever dream of our protagonist. Still, it's a film that maps out the end of an era. The birth of the 70s and the death of the hippies as free love, drugs, and anti-authoritarian values have finally been co-opted by the shadowy capitalistic forces that seems to be creeping just in the background...like a white noise on the American landscape that is barely noticeable, but away present. This is very much a Pynchon thing, his worlds always have an unseen element operating in the background. Something that can only be touch on, but not fully understood...and no we're not just talking about governments or market forces, no we're talking about something cosmic...as if the universe itself in on the whole setup. I guess, this is the make it or break it part of this film where you either demand a satisfying resolution where wrongs are righted or if you are willing to let the film just play itself out in its own odd ambiguous way. Personally I enjoyed it and kind of want to see it again...well at least now that I have some grasp of the plot.

Outside of the plot department the film pretty much perfect from P.T. Anderson's flawless direction to Joaquin Phoenix's inspired performance. The rest of that cast is amazing as well, though Owen Wilson is arguably the weakest part of the film. Jonny Greenwood is fantastic as well, fitting in perfectly with the film. Inherent Vice is not an easy film and not everyone will enjoy it, but I think it's worth the effort. I wouldn't call it Anderson's best film...or his second or even his third, but it is still great movie.

[8/10]
 
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Title: Whiplash
Year: 2014
Country of Origin: US
Director: Damien Chazelle

Plot: An aspiring jazz drummer finally makes it to the big time and gets accepted to the most prestigious music school in the country. What follows is a heartwarming and inspiration story of heart and perseverance against all odds.

Review: So you know those movies like Stand and Deliver or Coach Carter, where an inspirational teach makes an impact in a young person's life? Well Whiplash is not one of those movie. This movie has more akin to a psychological thriller than an inspirational teacher film. The plot centers on the relationship between Terence Fletcher, the fearsome head of the one of the most prestigious jazz bands in the country and Andrew Neiman the newest member of Fletcher band.. Fletcher believes that threats of physical violence and verbal harassment is the perfect combination of things to bring out excellence from a promising student. The result is an almost battle of will between the student and the teacher, where the teacher always seems ready to tear the student down at a moments notice.

The real draw of the film is Miles Teller and J. K. Simmons whose performances can only be described in cliches, like powerhouse or masterful. Seriously folks, if you want to see some of the best acting of 2014, you really need to check out this one. The direction is somewhat bare boned, but it does its job well. There are some bits and pieces of the film that I do take issue with...probably because I saw the film with some musicians and their issues with the film sort of colored my own opinion...so we'll just sort of skip that part. Anyway, you should probably check this one out.

[8.5/10]
 
Sexy Beast said:
On a side note though, who thought a movie about America's deadliest sharpshooter would have made for great Christmas viewing?
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I heard the book it was based on was amazing and the movie is utter crap compared to it. A lot of stuff thrown into sensualize the plot. Going to pick up a copy sunday and read it before seeing the movie.
 
ChocolateVillain said:
I heard the book it was based on was amazing and the movie is utter crap compared to it. A lot of stuff thrown into sensualize the plot. Going to pick up a copy sunday and read it before seeing the movie.
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Honestly, I don't know much about the movie or the book...outside of Jesse Ventura successfully suing for Kyle's estate for defamation of character.
 
ChocolateVillain said:
I heard the book it was based on was amazing and the movie is utter crap compared to it. A lot of stuff thrown into sensualize the plot. Going to pick up a copy sunday and read it before seeing the movie.
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The book is fairly well written and interesting, but the author was a total ass.
 
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