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  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,501
    CraigMooreOHMSS wrote: »
    Remington wrote: »
    Just back from seeing Halloween (2018). Unfortunately, I'm disappointed. This movie does SO many things right but there's some things that just...ugh why?!

    SOME SPOILERS

    Pros:
    ●Michael Myers himself. Holy sh*t this movie just nailed this character. James Jude Courtney is simply phenomenal as the Shape. The way he moves and the mask is perfect. Possibly my favorite since Nick Castle or Dick Warlock.
    ●Jamie Lee Curtis. I've yet to see her deliver a bad performance. She's great here.
    ●The kills. I think they got a perfect balance for the amount of gore. One of the things I hated about the Rob Zombie films is how they dwelled on the gore so much. Seriously Rob, I don't need to see a guy get his head sawn off with a piece of glass for two minutes. Anyway, the kills in this are basically like in the original while others are more brutal. Some are left more to the imagination and it works perfectly. The only others in the series to get it right so far is H1, H2, and H4.
    ●The showdown between Michael and Laurie. Definitely better and more brutal than in H20.
    ●The score. Thank God for John Carpenter. The music for this film is amazing. Enough said.
    ●The cinematography. Beautifully shot.
    ●The title sequence. You'll love it.
    ●Allison. Laurie's granddaughter. I actually really liked her character and wouldn't mind seeing her return.
    ●The nods to previous films.

    Neutral:
    ●The atmosphere. While it has its moments, the movie lacks the Halloween atmosphere that is SO important for this series. Then again this has been a problem since H20. The first six films nailed it IMO.
    ●The humor. Some of it worked but some...ehh.
    ●The two journalists. I liked the woman character more than her partner. They just came across as (sorry for their expression but it's the only one I can think of) snowflakes. Their deaths however are a highlight of the film.

    Cons:
    ●The writing. For every brilliant line, there's a totally cringeworthy one. I know this series isn't exactly Shakespeare but this isn't just an average slasher film. Definitely needed some polishing.
    ●Some of the characters. Laurie's daugher(I forget her name), her husband, some of the teen characters, and the "new Loomis" really drag this movie down. The doctor could have been dropped all together.
    ●Laurie's character. Dedicating her life to preparing for Michael's return would have made more sense if this film included H2 and the sister angle but here it just makes no sense. And it just feels like a different character. One of the few things H20 nailed was Laurie and how she responded to the 1978 events.
    ●The ending. Just felt so anticlimactic and sudden. I'm curious to see what the original ending was.

    So overall, I'd give it a 6/10 or a C+. I enjoyed and was entertained. But after such a long wait, the anticipation, and the fact that critics were actually praising a slasher film and calling it the best since the original made my expectations just too high. I'll need to see it again to really form my opinion. My top five remains as:the original, 2, 4, 3, and the producers cut of the sixth film. This movie beats the hell out of the Rob Zombies films, Resurrection, and possibly H20 and 5 but that's it. I still recommend it. Cheers.

    I really liked the way the film used the "journalists". Lets face it, they weren't journalists. They were podcasters. And that was a perfect example of the film showing how the world within the film had moved on from Michael Myers. Nobody takes serial killers seriously anymore in a world where a teenager can murder fellow students with an assault rifle. The film directly says that too, in the conversation between Allyson and her friends. The podcasters were an extension of that motif. The new film tries to show us how little of a deal is made about Myers now, and then proceeds to show us why he should be a big deal. I liked that.

    Though admittedly, the podcasters were still a bit annoying - but I suppose you wouldn't enjoy their demise as much if they were likeable.

    I rated it a bit more than you did @Remington, but overall that was a good review.

    Well, both of you are braver than me-- I want to see this and I will wait for it to come to digital so I can watch in the safety of my home.

    MM scares the crap out of me.

    Literally.

    Adult diapers.

    And a therapist to talk me down...

    I'm pathetic.
  • RemingtonRemington I'll do anything for a woman with a knife.
    Posts: 1,533
    CraigMooreOHMSS wrote: »
    Remington wrote: »
    Just back from seeing Halloween (2018). Unfortunately, I'm disappointed. This movie does SO many things right but there's some things that just...ugh why?!

    SOME SPOILERS

    Pros:
    ●Michael Myers himself. Holy sh*t this movie just nailed this character. James Jude Courtney is simply phenomenal as the Shape. The way he moves and the mask is perfect. Possibly my favorite since Nick Castle or Dick Warlock.
    ●Jamie Lee Curtis. I've yet to see her deliver a bad performance. She's great here.
    ●The kills. I think they got a perfect balance for the amount of gore. One of the things I hated about the Rob Zombie films is how they dwelled on the gore so much. Seriously Rob, I don't need to see a guy get his head sawn off with a piece of glass for two minutes. Anyway, the kills in this are basically like in the original while others are more brutal. Some are left more to the imagination and it works perfectly. The only others in the series to get it right so far is H1, H2, and H4.
    ●The showdown between Michael and Laurie. Definitely better and more brutal than in H20.
    ●The score. Thank God for John Carpenter. The music for this film is amazing. Enough said.
    ●The cinematography. Beautifully shot.
    ●The title sequence. You'll love it.
    ●Allison. Laurie's granddaughter. I actually really liked her character and wouldn't mind seeing her return.
    ●The nods to previous films.

    Neutral:
    ●The atmosphere. While it has its moments, the movie lacks the Halloween atmosphere that is SO important for this series. Then again this has been a problem since H20. The first six films nailed it IMO.
    ●The humor. Some of it worked but some...ehh.
    ●The two journalists. I liked the woman character more than her partner. They just came across as (sorry for their expression but it's the only one I can think of) snowflakes. Their deaths however are a highlight of the film.

    Cons:
    ●The writing. For every brilliant line, there's a totally cringeworthy one. I know this series isn't exactly Shakespeare but this isn't just an average slasher film. Definitely needed some polishing.
    ●Some of the characters. Laurie's daugher(I forget her name), her husband, some of the teen characters, and the "new Loomis" really drag this movie down. The doctor could have been dropped all together.
    ●Laurie's character. Dedicating her life to preparing for Michael's return would have made more sense if this film included H2 and the sister angle but here it just makes no sense. And it just feels like a different character. One of the few things H20 nailed was Laurie and how she responded to the 1978 events.
    ●The ending. Just felt so anticlimactic and sudden. I'm curious to see what the original ending was.

    So overall, I'd give it a 6/10 or a C+. I enjoyed and was entertained. But after such a long wait, the anticipation, and the fact that critics were actually praising a slasher film and calling it the best since the original made my expectations just too high. I'll need to see it again to really form my opinion. My top five remains as:the original, 2, 4, 3, and the producers cut of the sixth film. This movie beats the hell out of the Rob Zombies films, Resurrection, and possibly H20 and 5 but that's it. I still recommend it. Cheers.

    I really liked the way the film used the "journalists". Lets face it, they weren't journalists. They were podcasters. And that was a perfect example of the film showing how the world within the film had moved on from Michael Myers. Nobody takes serial killers seriously anymore in a world where a teenager can murder fellow students with an assault rifle. The film directly says that too, in the conversation between Allyson and her friends. The podcasters were an extension of that motif. The new film tries to show us how little of a deal is made about Myers now, and then proceeds to show us why he should be a big deal. I liked that.

    Though admittedly, the podcasters were still a bit annoying - but I suppose you wouldn't enjoy their demise as much if they were likeable.

    I rated it a bit more than you did @Remington, but overall that was a good review.

    Yeah I didn't think I had the right term for them but oh well. Thanks for the correction.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,034
    Remington wrote: »
    CraigMooreOHMSS wrote: »
    Remington wrote: »
    Just back from seeing Halloween (2018). Unfortunately, I'm disappointed. This movie does SO many things right but there's some things that just...ugh why?!

    SOME SPOILERS

    Pros:
    ●Michael Myers himself. Holy sh*t this movie just nailed this character. James Jude Courtney is simply phenomenal as the Shape. The way he moves and the mask is perfect. Possibly my favorite since Nick Castle or Dick Warlock.
    ●Jamie Lee Curtis. I've yet to see her deliver a bad performance. She's great here.
    ●The kills. I think they got a perfect balance for the amount of gore. One of the things I hated about the Rob Zombie films is how they dwelled on the gore so much. Seriously Rob, I don't need to see a guy get his head sawn off with a piece of glass for two minutes. Anyway, the kills in this are basically like in the original while others are more brutal. Some are left more to the imagination and it works perfectly. The only others in the series to get it right so far is H1, H2, and H4.
    ●The showdown between Michael and Laurie. Definitely better and more brutal than in H20.
    ●The score. Thank God for John Carpenter. The music for this film is amazing. Enough said.
    ●The cinematography. Beautifully shot.
    ●The title sequence. You'll love it.
    ●Allison. Laurie's granddaughter. I actually really liked her character and wouldn't mind seeing her return.
    ●The nods to previous films.

    Neutral:
    ●The atmosphere. While it has its moments, the movie lacks the Halloween atmosphere that is SO important for this series. Then again this has been a problem since H20. The first six films nailed it IMO.
    ●The humor. Some of it worked but some...ehh.
    ●The two journalists. I liked the woman character more than her partner. They just came across as (sorry for their expression but it's the only one I can think of) snowflakes. Their deaths however are a highlight of the film.

    Cons:
    ●The writing. For every brilliant line, there's a totally cringeworthy one. I know this series isn't exactly Shakespeare but this isn't just an average slasher film. Definitely needed some polishing.
    ●Some of the characters. Laurie's daugher(I forget her name), her husband, some of the teen characters, and the "new Loomis" really drag this movie down. The doctor could have been dropped all together.
    ●Laurie's character. Dedicating her life to preparing for Michael's return would have made more sense if this film included H2 and the sister angle but here it just makes no sense. And it just feels like a different character. One of the few things H20 nailed was Laurie and how she responded to the 1978 events.
    ●The ending. Just felt so anticlimactic and sudden. I'm curious to see what the original ending was.

    So overall, I'd give it a 6/10 or a C+. I enjoyed and was entertained. But after such a long wait, the anticipation, and the fact that critics were actually praising a slasher film and calling it the best since the original made my expectations just too high. I'll need to see it again to really form my opinion. My top five remains as:the original, 2, 4, 3, and the producers cut of the sixth film. This movie beats the hell out of the Rob Zombies films, Resurrection, and possibly H20 and 5 but that's it. I still recommend it. Cheers.

    I really liked the way the film used the "journalists". Lets face it, they weren't journalists. They were podcasters. And that was a perfect example of the film showing how the world within the film had moved on from Michael Myers. Nobody takes serial killers seriously anymore in a world where a teenager can murder fellow students with an assault rifle. The film directly says that too, in the conversation between Allyson and her friends. The podcasters were an extension of that motif. The new film tries to show us how little of a deal is made about Myers now, and then proceeds to show us why he should be a big deal. I liked that.

    Though admittedly, the podcasters were still a bit annoying - but I suppose you wouldn't enjoy their demise as much if they were likeable.

    I rated it a bit more than you did @Remington, but overall that was a good review.

    Yeah I didn't think I had the right term for them but oh well. Thanks for the correction.

    I wasn't really correcting you, so no worries. :P

    They label themselves as journalists in the film too but they gave themselves away when they talked about their web-series in their interview with Laurie.

    @peter, that's understandable ;) I still find MM to be the best of the slasher bunch. And they do a great job of making him a proper intimidating presence again, after the supernatural guff that plagued the original timeline and Zombie's best efforts to undercut Tyler Mane's great physical performance in his flicks. Hope you enjoy it when you get round to it.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,501
    Adam Sandler’s 100% Fresh;

    Watch it to the end, no matter what u think of him and his films. If you’ve ever loved and lost, you hafta see this. If you have aged and accepted growing old you hafta see this. If you appreciate life, you hafta see this. Love kids and, faithful to one love of your life? See this.

    The entire (edited) concerts lead to the last ten minutes. I was blown away. Never expected this.

    A beautiful film.

    The best film I’ve seen this year.

    Blew me away.
  • Risico007Risico007
    Posts: 9,770
    10/30
    Porkies 2

    her pick and boy...is this a strange film

    I must admit I may have misjudged the first film its not bad this one wow they say with comedies never make a sequel because its just a greatest hits and while I must agree I don't get what sex and going against racism but still the same hits the same bits shrugs and why is it called porkies 2 over all it's not the worst movie I ever saw but its not the best

    10/31
    A few films to add as I am off from work

    Halloween 1978
    I am starting off at 7 AM on this classic I don't know if I am going to get through all the horror movies I own but I plan on getting through a few while I do laundry and Clean the house (and more importantly apply for a new job as its time for a change pm me if you are honestly interested about my real life)

    I am gonna guess that Michael walked extremely slow as a kid because there is no way her bf was that quick... regardless I love this Classic its really is one of the best slasher films in my opinion I enjoy how in the end it was the boogey Man

    Halloween 2 1981

    yeah the film Carpenter didn't want to write the film definitely is not as good as the Original but its not awful by any stretch of the imagination its actually better then most sequels

    One year I am going to do every Halloween film... but as for this weekend my plan is to tackle the Die hard franchise



    Films I have seen in 2018 (I don't think I am splitting up bond and non bond this year as I don't know how many I am actually gonna see)
    1. Batman Begins
    2. Casino Royale
    3. The A-team
    4. Mission impossible fallout
    5. The final girls
    6. Clue
    7. A simple favor
    8. The Saint
    9. Taken 2
    10. Halloween
    11. Taken 3
    12. The Shadow
    13. Batman Under The Red Hood
    14. Batman Gotham Knight
    15. The Meg
    16. Big trouble little China
    17. Halloween 2
    18. Taken
    19. Ferris buller's day off
    20. Valley girl
    21. Nonstop
    22. Batman Mask of the Phantasm
    23. Unknown
    24. Classic Artists presents Yes
    25. Stand By Me
    26. Before Sunrise
    27. Star Wars Episode 1 Phantom Menace
    28. A walk among the Tombstones
    29. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    30. Arthur
    31. Goonies
    32. 9012live
    33. Before Midnight
    34. Revenge of the nerds
    35. Grease
    36. Before Sunset
    37. Porky’s
    38. Porky's 2

    Before series
    1. Before Sunrise
    2. Before Midnight
    3. Before Sunset

    Stephen King movies
    1. Stand By Me

    Halloween series
    1. Halloween
    2. Halloween 2

    Corey Feldman movies
    1. Stand by me
    2. Teenage mutant ninja turtles
    3. Goonies

    Movies from 2018
    1. Mission impossible fallout
    2. The Meg


    Taken Series

    1. Taken 2
    2. Taken 3 (I put this second because at least there is somewhat of a twist and its not the same formula.)
    3. Taken

    Liam Neeson (sort of) retrospective series
    1. Batman Begins
    2. The A-team
    3. Taken 2
    4. Taken 3
    4. Taken
    5. Non Stop
    6. Unknown
    7. Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace
    8. A walk among the tombstones

    Batman/Dc films ( as I can guarantee I will see more then just Batman Begins this year)
    1. Batman Begins
    2. Batman Under the red hood
    3. Batman Gotham Knight
    4. Batman Mask of the Phantasm

    Films in 2018
    1. Mission Impossible Fallout
    2. A simple favor
    3. The Meg
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,269
    Halloween (2018). This was a worthy sequel. Honestly I liked this a lot; I highly recommend it.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,985
    The-Funhouse-onesheet-USA-1.jpg

    Watched this for Halloween. One of my favourite horror films.

    Very atmospheric with a cool monster.

    Some good performances, especially from the creepy Kevin Conway who plays three different parts!

    Solid direction from Tobe Hooper.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,980
    peter wrote: »
    Adam Sandler’s 100% Fresh;

    Watch it to the end, no matter what u think of him and his films. If you’ve ever loved and lost, you hafta see this. If you have aged and accepted growing old you hafta see this. If you appreciate life, you hafta see this. Love kids and, faithful to one love of your life? See this.

    The entire (edited) concerts lead to the last ten minutes. I was blown away. Never expected this.

    A beautiful film.

    The best film I’ve seen this year.

    Blew me away.

    I can’t say that I’m a fan but I like him and sense a sincerity that I don’t get from other comic performers.
    It funny, The Wedding Singer and Titanic came out at roughly the same time; I’ve always found Sandler’s film the more romantic of the two.

  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,501
    @talos7 , I saw Sandler doing stand up about 18 years ago. I was amazed how different he was compared with his film output (although i will always be a fan of Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore-- self-aware stupidity).

    This recent film, 100% Fresh, is a doc/stand-up comedy tour.

    I didn't know anything about it until the day I watched it-- I had been reading critics who had savaged his films in the past (rightfully so!), praising this as honest, and self-aware, and genuine.

    I had to see what it was all about.

    Blown. Away.

    Especially the last ten minutes.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,330
    Skyscraper 2018 I was really looking forward to this one but it was just "ok." A Die Hard clone that didn't quite deliver.

    Solo 2018. Not one I was looking forward too but ended up liking it for the most part. It got a bit confusing at the end but not bad. I'd put it under TFA and Rogue One. Better than The Last Jedi.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 6,816
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    The-Funhouse-onesheet-USA-1.jpg

    Watched this for Halloween. One of my favourite horror films.

    Very atmospheric with a cool monster.

    Some good performances, especially from the creepy Kevin Conway who plays three different parts!

    Solid direction from Tobe Hooper.

    I actually taped this the other evening from the Horror channel. Had it on DVD one time but think I lent it to a friend! Will watch it over the weekend. Well made film!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 23,366
    Murdock wrote: »
    Skyscraper 2018 I was really looking forward to this one but it was just "ok." A Die Hard clone that didn't quite deliver.

    Solo 2018. Not one I was looking forward too but ended up liking it for the most part. It got a bit confusing at the end but not bad. I'd put it under TFA and Rogue One. Better than The Last Jedi.

    Solo was better than I expected, not great though it was fun, Last Jedi was totally devoid of fun. My ranking is pretty much the same of Star Wars Disney

    Rogue One
    The Force Awakens
    Solo




    The Last Jedi
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,330
    Fire_and_Ice_Returns wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    Skyscraper 2018 I was really looking forward to this one but it was just "ok." A Die Hard clone that didn't quite deliver.

    Solo 2018. Not one I was looking forward too but ended up liking it for the most part. It got a bit confusing at the end but not bad. I'd put it under TFA and Rogue One. Better than The Last Jedi.

    Solo was better than I expected, not great though it was fun, Last Jedi was totally devoid of fun. My ranking is pretty much the same of Star Wars Disney

    Rogue One
    The Force Awakens
    Solo




    The Last Jedi

    Yeah it wasn't too shabby. I really dug it, especially after being turned off after seeing TLJ. My rank is.

    TFA/RO tied.
    Solo

    TLJ what's that? :D
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,473
    @Murdock, that's how I felt regarding Skyscraper. It was alright, didn't really wow me, felt more like a disaster film than a Die Hard clone, though. A bit cheesy and predictable, but not the worst thing I've seen this year.
  • ToTheRightToTheRight
    edited November 2018 Posts: 15,818
    GOODFELLAS

    It had been years since I've seen this and picked up a copy today. It was always my favorite Scorsese film, and favorite DeNiro film. It was in my top 5 films of the 1990's. In addition, I far prefer it to THE GODFATHER trilogy, and others in it's genre. I prefer it to RAGING BULL, MEAN STREETS and TAXI DRIVER (just).
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,985
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    The-Funhouse-onesheet-USA-1.jpg

    Watched this for Halloween. One of my favourite horror films.

    Very atmospheric with a cool monster.

    Some good performances, especially from the creepy Kevin Conway who plays three different parts!

    Solid direction from Tobe Hooper.

    I actually taped this the other evening from the Horror channel. Had it on DVD one time but think I lent it to a friend! Will watch it over the weekend. Well made film!

    I didn't realize the Horror channel showed it. I have rarely seen it on TV.

    I have the Arrow Bluray which is a very good disc.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 23,366
    17747_1_1080p.jpg

    2001: A Space Odyssey 4K Restoration quite frankly this is one of the greatest movie experiences I have ever had, this Masterpiece looks absolutely incredible in 4K I was gobsmacked and in total awe by one of the greatest films in cinematic history. This film is art at its best
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    One of those films you can watch again and again.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,547
    Absolutely! Despite its age, the film remains one of the masterpieces of "modern" cinema. CGI, no matter how flawless, cannot compete with this film's visual splendour.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited November 2018 Posts: 23,366
    There is a moment when the pen is floating in zero gravity, the way the light reflects off the pen wow, its just an example of Kubricks attention to finite detail which makes him one of if not the greatest ever director.

    You have to watch this film in 4K, for the detail level and sound design.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
    HiKWCqF.jpg
    You know what? Not bad. Not bad at all. At least far better than I expected. The humour can be a little crass and juvenile at times, but one should expect that with Kate McKinnon. Despite this, there's a lot to like, including some very well done action sequences, some great location photography and half decent pacing. If you liked 2015's Spy, the Rush Hour films or last year's The Hitman's Bodyguard then this could just work for you, although it's not quite up to the level of any of those earlier films imho. Justin Theroux and Sam Heughan make interesting spies and Mila Kunis is always watchable. Gillian Anderson once again (as she did in Johnny English Reborn) plays an MI6 chief to perfection.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 6,816
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    The-Funhouse-onesheet-USA-1.jpg

    Watched this for Halloween. One of my favourite horror films.

    Very atmospheric with a cool monster.

    Some good performances, especially from the creepy Kevin Conway who plays three different parts!

    Solid direction from Tobe Hooper.

    I actually taped this the other evening from the Horror channel. Had it on DVD one time but think I lent it to a friend! Will watch it over the weekend. Well made film!

    I didn't realize the Horror channel showed it. I have rarely seen it on TV.

    I have the Arrow Bluray which is a very good disc.

    Yeh the Horror channel usually don't show well known stuff, in fact it's usually pretty naff films they screen, but occasionally they will throw on a familiar film. It was on quite late one night. Just managed to cop it while scrolling through their schedule one evening!
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,501
    Blue Thunder-- an amazing action film from 1983. I saw this when I was a kid, mainly because I loved Roy Scheider (and I remembered a surprising amount!)...

    Today's action filmmakers could learn from this flick. This was a Master's Class in how to give us a swiftly told story, simple characters with backstories (giving them some dimension (as opposed to the corny, schmatltzy, cheesiness we get today)), with amazing practical effects and stunts.

    If they re-made Blue Thunder (and they've been trying for a few years now), they'll fill it with silly CGI stunts, and, instead of casting someone like Roy (who has a great, "lived-in" face (he should, since he was an amateur boxer), plus; he plays the everyman with ease and charisma), they will cast someone unstoppable and indestructible, like the Rock-- which right away takes away the dangerous web the protagonist finds himself stuck in. They will go cartoon-lite with all the characters (and would anyone believe the Rock, or someone like him, suffering from PTSD?), and fill it with forgettable, and very noisy, action sequences that lack in tension.

    Of course it'll be PG, further lowering the tension and suspense, and it'll be targeted towards the growing audiences of China.

    If they succeed in re-making this, I fear it'd be a cardboard cut-out...

    The final cat n mouse finale between McDowell and Scheider was brilliantly crafted, staged, filmed and executed and you can see how this sequence possibly influenced everything from TDKR, the Man of Steel, and, most definitely the barrel-roll in Spectre.

    What a kick-ass piece of thrilling action...

  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,985
    peter wrote: »
    Blue Thunder-- an amazing action film from 1983. I saw this when I was a kid, mainly because I loved Roy Scheider (and I remembered a surprising amount!)...

    Today's action filmmakers could learn from this flick. This was a Master's Class in how to give us a swiftly told story, simple characters with backstories (giving them some dimension (as opposed to the corny, schmatltzy, cheesiness we get today)), with amazing practical effects and stunts.

    If they re-made Blue Thunder (and they've been trying for a few years now), they'll fill it with silly CGI stunts, and, instead of casting someone like Roy (who has a great, "lived-in" face (he should, since he was an amateur boxer), plus; he plays the everyman with ease and charisma), they will cast someone unstoppable and indestructible, like the Rock-- which right away takes away the dangerous web the protagonist finds himself stuck in. They will go cartoon-lite with all the characters (and would anyone believe the Rock, or someone like him, suffering from PTSD?), and fill it with forgettable, and very noisy, action sequences that lack in tension.

    Of course it'll be PG, further lowering the tension and suspense, and it'll be targeted towards the growing audiences of China.

    If they succeed in re-making this, I fear it'd be a cardboard cut-out...

    The final cat n mouse finale between McDowell and Scheider was brilliantly crafted, staged, filmed and executed and you can see how this sequence possibly influenced everything from TDKR, the Man of Steel, and, most definitely the barrel-roll in Spectre.

    What a kick-ass piece of thrilling action...

    I get what you're saying @peter as Blue Thunder is a great film.

    But surprisingly what we get in the film is vastly toned down from the original Dan O'Bannon script. Apparently it was a lot darker with the Schneider character becoming unhinged to the point that when he's in the Helicopter he believes he's the 'God of Thunder'...! I believe he also commits suicide at the end as well.

    I think the film turned out fine as it is...!
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 6,816
    peter wrote: »
    Blue Thunder-- an amazing action film from 1983. I saw this when I was a kid, mainly because I loved Roy Scheider (and I remembered a surprising amount!)...

    Today's action filmmakers could learn from this flick. This was a Master's Class in how to give us a swiftly told story, simple characters with backstories (giving them some dimension (as opposed to the corny, schmatltzy, cheesiness we get today)), with amazing practical effects and stunts.

    If they re-made Blue Thunder (and they've been trying for a few years now), they'll fill it with silly CGI stunts, and, instead of casting someone like Roy (who has a great, "lived-in" face (he should, since he was an amateur boxer), plus; he plays the everyman with ease and charisma), they will cast someone unstoppable and indestructible, like the Rock-- which right away takes away the dangerous web the protagonist finds himself stuck in. They will go cartoon-lite with all the characters (and would anyone believe the Rock, or someone like him, suffering from PTSD?), and fill it with forgettable, and very noisy, action sequences that lack in tension.

    Of course it'll be PG, further lowering the tension and suspense, and it'll be targeted towards the growing audiences of China.

    If they succeed in re-making this, I fear it'd be a cardboard cut-out...

    The final cat n mouse finale between McDowell and Scheider was brilliantly crafted, staged, filmed and executed and you can see how this sequence possibly influenced everything from TDKR, the Man of Steel, and, most definitely the barrel-roll in Spectre.

    What a kick-ass piece of thrilling action...

    Love Blue Thunder. Director John Badham had this and Wargames out the same year. Both great films! Have often thought Scheider a great actor. In French Connection, Hackman has the main role, but Roy is just as good. Again in Marathon Man, Dustin Hoffman is lead, but I think Scheider steals the film (and who could forget that visceral fight sequence in the hotel room with the garrotte wielding villain!). Jaws, Sorceror, Seven Ups, he was in many terrific movies!
    Back to Blue Thunder Badham really delivers in the action set pieces! Nicely shot and scored. (Didn't know that about the screenplay changing, intriguing!) Great film!
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,501
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    Blue Thunder-- an amazing action film from 1983. I saw this when I was a kid, mainly because I loved Roy Scheider (and I remembered a surprising amount!)...

    Today's action filmmakers could learn from this flick. This was a Master's Class in how to give us a swiftly told story, simple characters with backstories (giving them some dimension (as opposed to the corny, schmatltzy, cheesiness we get today)), with amazing practical effects and stunts.

    If they re-made Blue Thunder (and they've been trying for a few years now), they'll fill it with silly CGI stunts, and, instead of casting someone like Roy (who has a great, "lived-in" face (he should, since he was an amateur boxer), plus; he plays the everyman with ease and charisma), they will cast someone unstoppable and indestructible, like the Rock-- which right away takes away the dangerous web the protagonist finds himself stuck in. They will go cartoon-lite with all the characters (and would anyone believe the Rock, or someone like him, suffering from PTSD?), and fill it with forgettable, and very noisy, action sequences that lack in tension.

    Of course it'll be PG, further lowering the tension and suspense, and it'll be targeted towards the growing audiences of China.

    If they succeed in re-making this, I fear it'd be a cardboard cut-out...

    The final cat n mouse finale between McDowell and Scheider was brilliantly crafted, staged, filmed and executed and you can see how this sequence possibly influenced everything from TDKR, the Man of Steel, and, most definitely the barrel-roll in Spectre.

    What a kick-ass piece of thrilling action...

    I get what you're saying @peter as Blue Thunder is a great film.

    But surprisingly what we get in the film is vastly toned down from the original Dan O'Bannon script. Apparently it was a lot darker with the Schneider character becoming unhinged to the point that when he's in the Helicopter he believes he's the 'God of Thunder'...! I believe he also commits suicide at the end as well.

    I think the film turned out fine as it is...!

    Wow! @LeonardPine !! I didn't know that, and actually am glad they didn't go that route! The producers/director were wise to tone that down, have him struggle with PTSD-- it was a simple internal struggle, while he had the external struggle... It made him a much more relatable and likeable hero.

    Thinking he's the God of Thunder's just a little too out there. And offing himself at the end would have been a serious downer, as would Stallone's John Rambo killing himself at the end of First Blood. In both cases, the better choice was made for the final film.
  • Risico007Risico007
    Posts: 9,770
    A good Day to Die Hard

    and so we begin the final franchise of 2018 with this film....

    While I will complement the opening song in this film the rest is so tired and not diehardish where is the scene of the criminals starting their plan into action where is well a Decent Die hard film in two weeks I will hit Live Free or Die Hard and I am willing to put money down its better then this garbage even the action scenes feel meh..


    Also I am debating if I watch the Detective or not... I think I may mix up the chronology and do the Detective next so either that or Live Free or Die Hard.

    Films I have seen in 2018 (I don't think I am splitting up bond and non bond this year as I don't know how many I am actually gonna see)
    1. Batman Begins
    2. Casino Royale
    3. The A-team
    4. Mission impossible fallout
    5. The final girls
    6. Clue
    7. A simple favor
    8. The Saint
    9. Taken 2
    10. Halloween
    11. Taken 3
    12. The Shadow
    13. Batman Under The Red Hood
    14. Batman Gotham Knight
    15. The Meg
    16. Big trouble little China
    17. Halloween 2
    18. Taken
    19. Ferris buller's day off
    20. Valley girl
    21. Nonstop
    22. Batman Mask of the Phantasm
    23. Unknown
    24. Classic Artists presents Yes
    25. Stand By Me
    26. Before Sunrise
    27. Star Wars Episode 1 Phantom Menace
    28. A walk among the Tombstones
    29. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
    30. Arthur
    31. Goonies
    32. 9012live
    33. Before Midnight
    34. Revenge of the nerds
    35. Grease
    36. Before Sunset
    37. Porky’s
    38. A Good Day to Die Hard
    39. Porky's 2

    Before series
    1. Before Sunrise
    2. Before Midnight
    3. Before Sunset

    Stephen King movies
    1. Stand By Me

    Halloween series
    1. Halloween
    2. Halloween 2

    Corey Feldman movies
    1. Stand by me
    2. Teenage mutant ninja turtles
    3. Goonies

    Die Hard Franchise
    1. A Good Day to Die Hard


    Taken Series

    1. Taken 2
    2. Taken 3 (I put this second because at least there is somewhat of a twist and its not the same formula.)
    3. Taken

    Liam Neeson (sort of) retrospective series
    1. Batman Begins
    2. The A-team
    3. Taken 2
    4. Taken 3
    4. Taken
    5. Non Stop
    6. Unknown
    7. Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace
    8. A walk among the tombstones

    Batman/Dc films ( as I can guarantee I will see more then just Batman Begins this year)
    1. Batman Begins
    2. Batman Under the red hood
    3. Batman Gotham Knight
    4. Batman Mask of the Phantasm

    Films in 2018
    1. Mission Impossible Fallout
    2. A simple favor
    3. The Meg


  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,473
    A Good Day To Die Hard is easily the weakest of the series, but it's worth a viewing every other couple of years for me just because of that Russia car chase sequence earlier in the running time. It's brilliantly done, shame that same level of attention and care wasn't applied to the rest of it.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,985
    peter wrote: »
    LeonardPine wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    Blue Thunder-- an amazing action film from 1983. I saw this when I was a kid, mainly because I loved Roy Scheider (and I remembered a surprising amount!)...

    Today's action filmmakers could learn from this flick. This was a Master's Class in how to give us a swiftly told story, simple characters with backstories (giving them some dimension (as opposed to the corny, schmatltzy, cheesiness we get today)), with amazing practical effects and stunts.

    If they re-made Blue Thunder (and they've been trying for a few years now), they'll fill it with silly CGI stunts, and, instead of casting someone like Roy (who has a great, "lived-in" face (he should, since he was an amateur boxer), plus; he plays the everyman with ease and charisma), they will cast someone unstoppable and indestructible, like the Rock-- which right away takes away the dangerous web the protagonist finds himself stuck in. They will go cartoon-lite with all the characters (and would anyone believe the Rock, or someone like him, suffering from PTSD?), and fill it with forgettable, and very noisy, action sequences that lack in tension.

    Of course it'll be PG, further lowering the tension and suspense, and it'll be targeted towards the growing audiences of China.

    If they succeed in re-making this, I fear it'd be a cardboard cut-out...

    The final cat n mouse finale between McDowell and Scheider was brilliantly crafted, staged, filmed and executed and you can see how this sequence possibly influenced everything from TDKR, the Man of Steel, and, most definitely the barrel-roll in Spectre.

    What a kick-ass piece of thrilling action...

    I get what you're saying @peter as Blue Thunder is a great film.

    But surprisingly what we get in the film is vastly toned down from the original Dan O'Bannon script. Apparently it was a lot darker with the Schneider character becoming unhinged to the point that when he's in the Helicopter he believes he's the 'God of Thunder'...! I believe he also commits suicide at the end as well.

    I think the film turned out fine as it is...!

    Wow! @LeonardPine !! I didn't know that, and actually am glad they didn't go that route! The producers/director were wise to tone that down, have him struggle with PTSD-- it was a simple internal struggle, while he had the external struggle... It made him a much more relatable and likeable hero.

    Thinking he's the God of Thunder's just a little too out there. And offing himself at the end would have been a serious downer, as would Stallone's John Rambo killing himself at the end of First Blood. In both cases, the better choice was made for the final film.

    Oh yeah @peter I agree.

    Although if you've ever read the First Blood novel, Rambo does actually die at the end. It worked fine in the book, but it would never have worked in the movie.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    A Good Day To Die Hard is easily the weakest of the series, but it's worth a viewing every other couple of years for me just because of that Russia car chase sequence earlier in the running time. It's brilliantly done, shame that same level of attention and care wasn't applied to the rest of it.

    The only DH movies I enjoyed were the first and third.
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