Film The Redcafe Movie review thread

Smoke (1995)

Randomly watched this last night and had no idea what it was going to be about - it has an allstar cast (Harvey Keitel, William Hurt, Harold Perrineau Jr., Forest Whitaker etc) but it was relatively unknown when it came out due to its independant style.

Anyway its quality - it is one of those films with multiple subplots which are all drawn together - some great performances and engrossing storyline - seek out this film if you can.

9/10
 
Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Although I didn't get bored watching it, it didn't leave any lasting impression for me. As Spoony said, it was a bit pointless. The only thing that kept me going for 2.5 hours was the curiosity of what become of Button if he kept become younger.
 
Frost/Nixon

Was good but it was also pretty obvious that they added quite a bit of fiction to make it more interesting. Take the phone call, there is no chance in hell that happened.

7/10
 
Valkyrie

I liked how they put history into the story. But two things irritated me to the serious extent. 1. Tom Cruise - he never persuaded me as a leader of resistance, he doesn't have face for it. 2. They really should have shoot it in German language. Listening Hitler in English was a bit weird.
 
Quarantine.

Meh. It was alright, not brilliant, not terrible. Just watched it and don't actually remember jumping out my seat once, which is disappointing. The Descent is a far scarier and far better film. Also what's the point of remaking a film that is barely a year old? Apparently Rec is supposed to be better and scarier, though as they're both supposedly identical watching Rec now seems a bit pointless. Quarantine is watchable, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it. If you're really looking for something to scare you shitless, then well here is a google image link of Jackie Stallone http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=jackie+stallone&btnG=Search+Images

Overall 6/10 (the film, not Jackie Stallone)
 
Valkyrie

I liked how they put history into the story. But two things irritated me to the serious extent. 1. Tom Cruise - he never persuaded me as a leader of resistance, he doesn't have face for it. 2. They really should have shoot it in German language. Listening Hitler in English was a bit weird.

Reminded me of this article I read last year:

Did United Artists doctor a photo of anti-Hitler plotter Claus von Stauffenberg to make him look more like the Top Gun actor?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2008/jun/23/tomcruisesnaziphotoshopjobforvalkyrie
 
Burn after Reading - 7.5/10

Not a Coen brothers classic in the same vein as The Big Lebowski, but it still has their signature feel to it and I still thought it was pretty hilarious.
 
Mulholland Drive

11/10 This masterpiece has absolutely everything!
 
Mulholland Drive

11/10 This masterpiece has absolutely everything!

Like girl-on-girl sex?

To be fair, I thought the rest of the movie was too convoluted. I'm not a huge David Lynch fan, though...other than Elephant Man, which is different from his other films.
 
Burn after Reading - 7.5/10

Not a Coen brothers classic in the same vein as The Big Lebowski, but it still has their signature feel to it and I still thought it was pretty hilarious.

I was in the mood for straight out laughs and this didn't provide. Mind you i had no idea what it was about all i knew were the actors. i might watch it again when im in the right frame of mind to watch it.

Get Smart on the other hand 8/10.
 
300

Finally got round to watching it. Regretted it almost immediately. What was the Director trying to achieve with this movie? Really disappointed after everyone I know raving about it.
 
Quarantine.

Meh. It was alright, not brilliant, not terrible. Just watched it and don't actually remember jumping out my seat once, which is disappointing. The Descent is a far scarier and far better film. Also what's the point of remaking a film that is barely a year old? Apparently Rec is supposed to be better and scarier, though as they're both supposedly identical watching Rec now seems a bit pointless. Quarantine is watchable, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it. If you're really looking for something to scare you shitless, then well here is a google image link of Jackie Stallone http://images.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=jackie+stallone&btnG=Search+Images

Overall 6/10 (the film, not Jackie Stallone)


REC is superior however the descent is still the best horror film (english speaking) in recent memory
 
Somer's Town - Sweet and gentle film about a friendship. Inconsequential next to This Is England but I really enjoyed it anyway. 8/10
 
Re-watched 'The Deer Hunter' the other night....first time in about ten years all the way through. That first hour of the wedding and the hunt is still rivetting, even though nothing much seems to happen in terms of action. Superbly directed, brilliant ensemble acting and characterisation. The transition from Pennslyvania to Vietnam is still breathtaking. Don't make 'em like this anymore!

9/10
 
Re-watched 'The Deer Hunter' the other night....first time in about ten years all the way through. That first hour of the wedding and the hunt is still rivetting, even though nothing much seems to happen in terms of action. Superbly directed, brilliant ensemble acting and characterisation. The transition from Pennslyvania to Vietnam is still breathtaking. Don't make 'em like this anymore!

9/10

I was blown away by the film when I first saw it at the cinema but underwhelmed when I saw it on video again later. I have tried again since and still remain underwhelmed. I must try again some time.
 
Watchmen


I haven't read the book yet. But the film is very good if a little predictable. Roscharch and The Comedian are without a doubt the stars of the show and Silk Spectre 2 is great eye candy. I've heard people complain about the run time but I for one didn't notice it. My only fault with it was it was a little predictable and Matthew Goode playing Ozymandias was pretty poor.
I will be taking a 2nd viewing of the film in the cinema when it dies down and will be getting the DVD

9/10
 
I wasnt as impressed with Watchmen

I had never even heard of the comic book before this film and knew nothing about the story whatsoever - I expected it to be some kind of XMen style action film so it was a bit of suprise to get something completely different.

i think quite a few people might have expected something different as there were some who walked out halfway through but i reckon they missed out on a super hero film which is a bit different.

was very slow to get going as it built all the characters but got more interesting as it progressed - overall didnt really think it was that great to be honest, the plot was a bit aimless at times but it kept my interest until the end at least.

7/10
 
Gran Torino

drumroll...

It's good, but not amazing. I probably expected too much. As soon as it started I remembered it was a Clint Eastwood film. Very understated and at times, underwhelming. The humour is well placed and at times is fecking hilarious. Clints a good ol' man's man as well, and it's fecking good to watch. The mrs was expecting more of a revenge movie and perhaps a bit more Dirty Harry action. It is Dirty Harry alright, just 25 years older. All in all I did really like it because I'm a grumpy old fecker as well, but I'm not sure about Clint Eastwood's singing in the end credits, Christ...
 
Wrestler

Actually it was very good. However I didn't like the ending.
 
Gran Torino. Really good, very funny, very cool, nice story, some shit acting here and there especially that fecking priest and surely someone should have told Clint not to fecking sing at the end. Whatever happened to fecking Gary Cooper eh?

I thought the kid ("zipperhead") acted pretty bad as well. Clint was good though.
 
we'll keep this one stickied so that all the movie buffs can enjoy/add to

Clerks
clerks.jpg

Plot: A day in the lives of two convenience clerks named Dante and Randal as they annoy customers, discuss movies, and play hockey on the store roof.

This is one of my favourite movies, arguably the best small budget movie made big. The argument over the merits of blowing up the Death star in star wars has to be one of the best bits of scripting. Likewise the guy blagging some quality toilet paper and a porn mag so that he can go for a wank in the toilets.


Rating: 10/10 - they dont come much better than this

Just seen Clerks.

I'm by no means a Kevin Smith fan. With the exception of Mallrats which was fairly good, I've found his films extremely tedious. And Dogma would be in my top 5 worst films.

But I really enjoyed Clerks. Both the script and direction is witty and inventive. It's occasionally clunky and crude but that kind of adds to the feel. It's obviously a film made by a hungry young filmmaker. I've always had my doubts about the guy but Clerks shows that he has (had?) talent and he's really gone up in my estimation, especially with the way he put the film together from scratch. This is guerrilla filmmaking at it's best.

9/10