What movies have you seen recently?

[Bard]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Define "really young" because there were 2 babies in our showing along with a bunch of 5-6 year olds. I took my 8 year old boy and thought that was pushing it.

Man. We had families galore in our theater last night.

Had 3 babies (months to a year), tons of 5-8 year olds, and even a few 2-4 year olds.

There were more kids than adults in the theater due to each family having 2-3 kids with them.

My wife and I thought we went into the wrong door at first, lol.

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[Blzer]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Lightyear

This movie had quite a bit to live up to. Not because of Toy Story, since this is technically no more in the universe than fictional films are within our universe. No, rather because (1) Pixar and (2) this was supposedly Andy's favorite film and his reason for loving Buzz Lightyear in the first place. Personally, I don't think it lived up to either.

I'm kind of surprised by this being Andy's favorite movie and the character that brought the toy he so desired. I'm having trouble tapping into the nine-year-old within myself to formulate how much I would have enjoyed this movie. I think I would have had a lot of fun with it, but I'm also thinking about how much more fun I can have. I look at a film like The Incredibles, and honestly Pixar didn't have to do too much with it other than make an animated superhero movie (sure there was the family dynamic, but this wasn't the first of its kind to do that), and it turned out very excellent and fun. When they made the decision for this movie to be more generic than the Pixar magic they tend to bring light with, along the way I think they tied themselves down a bit and forgot to hash out the excellently fun elements.

In a sense, I'm actually waiting for the sequel to this movie. I think that is the one where they would be able to get it off the ground and make it the exhilarating sci-fi adventure that Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger is meant to be. I think the sequel to this movie is the one that Andy would've fallen in love with. Pixar has an interesting opportunity here in that they can spinoff a franchise from this individual character and have it be completely of its own accord in science fiction if they want to, and I want them to. This first entry, if you will, is very much a character study. I just don't see this as the toy that I would want to rush out and purchase (though there is another one I think a lot of people will want to buy, more on that later).

Lightyear heavily borrows from Star Wars, Star Trek, Interstellar, and throws in Toy Story Easter eggs here and there (some quotes and mannerisms you've seen from Buzz). Sadly, I think it's only all for the best if you haven't seen those movies before. When I see something it pays homage to, I know that in other films I have either seen it better, can't be caught by surprise with it, or it can't tug at my heartstrings again. This is all especially true of Toy Story, because although it has nothing to do with the toys, this is supposed to mold into Andy's toy, and again I just have yet to see that. This mostly has to do with the fact that Buzz is a different character here than Andy portrays him as (and I think his character here is better since he is flawed), and this is especially problematic with how they changed Zurg. Again, these things aren't a problem if you've seen these other films, so either a sequel can choose to tie it all closer or distance itself all more. Either way, there is this middle ground they decided to hit which left me scratching my head.

Overall, this movie becomes a bit too pedestrian by playing safe against the material that it likens itself with and decides against being the all-out fun sci-fi adventure that it can be (though I feel a sequel can remedy that). There is one pretty intense scene, but it was the only time that I felt any actual peril for any characters. The comedy falls flat for my age group, especially with Taika Waititi's character... with the exception of Sox. And yes, I'm saving the best for last. Sox saves this film. He is adorable, hilarious, a scene-stealer, and will obviously be a big toy-seller. He alone might have brought this movie up a full point or two, especially because he brings the comedy that I think the other characters fail to (EDIT: IVAN is also great).

I don't think this movie is bad at all, but in all that it is good in it falls short of delivering the Pixar magic, the adventure, the consistency with the character we believed Andy fell in love with (which is fine on its face if you decide to separate that), and the changes to the Zurg villain were bothersome. In all, I still very much want this to be a franchise and want the sequel that I know Andy truly would've loved with Buzz Lightyear, and I think Pixar has a chance at giving us the Incredibles parallel in this franchise.

There are three credits scenes. None are necessarily groundbreaking, but I just want you to know that they're there.

Also, I didn't see any trailers before watching this movie, so I wanted to search up a trailer before leaving impressions to see what I should and shouldn't say content-wise. Sadly, in just typing "lightyear," the predictive search options brought up five or six hits that frankly should not be the focus of this movie (*potential spoiler* if you don't want to know what I'm talking about). It is so 2022 that this movie is probably going to be known for a controversial talking point, when really I thought it was part of the best written aspect of the movie and it was done really well. Perhaps if the rest of the movie was written as well, people wouldn't draw their focus to this.

[JayBee74]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Wall Street is an absolute classic and a perfect time capsule of the excess 80’s

Sheen drank every day before going to the studio. His puffy face is noticeable throughout the movie and even on the movie poster.

Geeko showed off that little portable TV to Bud Fox like it was some kind of technological marvel. I'm not sure if the movie was making fun of it (Fox said he could barely see it) or they found it impressive.

Pretty convenient trapping

Spoiler

of a smart guy like Geeko who was a regular chatterbox when he met up with Fox in that open field.

Both Sheens and Douglas were great. James Spader was still in his thin yuppie phase, unrecognizable today.

[Blzer]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Just went and saw Top Gun: Maverick for the fourth time. It was a 6:20 PM showing on a Sunday, and what do ya know, it was a packed house.

No joke. When I selected my seat two hours before showtime, outside of handicapped seats there were only three seats available in the theater.

This thing cannot die, and I still want to see it in theater at least two more times. It is so engaging with an audience, and it's great seeing families watch it. Seeing seven-year-old children riveted by every part of the movie is a treasure.

I haven't dipped from my 10/10 rating of it. This is one of my favorite movies ever.

[Majingir]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

I'm kind of surprised by this being Andy's favorite movie and the character that brought the toy he so desired. I'm having trouble tapping into the nine-year-old within myself to formulate how much I would have enjoyed this movie.

I haven't seen it yet, but I do remember watching the cartoon series from about 20 years ago.

But now we can speculate on the craziest of reasons why its Andy's fave film.

Disney and Pixar dont exist in their universe, so what if by that standards, this really is one of coolest kids movies.

Or...what if the morbid theory of Andy's dad being dead is true (and his dad is the original Andy, or "Andy Sr.") and Lightyear was the last movie he ever saw with his dad. That would forever make that movie special for him.

[KSUowls]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Finally saw Top Gun Maverick. Excellent movie. Just pure fun.

Much like the first movie I did think that the romantic interest felt like it was added on without much thought, but I think there was more thought than in the original.

That was a small part of it though. For the rest of it you get great action sequences, adrenaline pumping cockpit views, and great casting all the way around.

[Blzer]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Finally saw Top Gun Maverick. Excellent movie. Just pure fun.

Much like the first movie I did think that the romantic interest felt like it was added on without much thought, but I think there was more thought than in the original.

That was a small part of it though. For the rest of it you get great action sequences, adrenaline pumping cockpit views, and great casting all the way around.

Ooh, I very much beg to differ. This is what really completes the movie for me.

I don't know if you read my longer impressions or not, but I stated there that Kelly McGillis' character had the luxury of having a job that could implement her scenes with his in a more synergistic way, whereas Jennifer Connelly's character had to kind of force her moments on the side and push away from the main story unnaturally. That isn't a downfall, but it also was short of maybe two more scenes together from having everybody connect with it grandly. However, I personally believe the romantic arc with Penny was very important for Pete. I think this was symbolic of the movie's biggest theme, albeit an implied one: that he can advance his life beyond where he has stagnated himself.

Spoiler

My favorite non-action moment in the movie was a directorial one, and I noticed it immediately. After Pete sails with Penny and drops her off at her house, we see her go inside and close the door, and before you hear Amelia call out to her, it cuts back outside to Pete's perspective. He sits on his motorcycle and is taken aback by the fact that only she went inside that house with her family, and he doesn't have any of that. He has just been stuck as a naval captain for 30+ years.

Anyway, the moment comes in the scene transition, where it fades into the three-minute timer, and Pete walks in front of the camera to say: "Time is your greatest enemy." It's almost as if he is telling himself that if he doesn't act now, he will lose certain opportunities in life that he will never get back. Nobody has stuck around with him longer than Penny ever has, and no one will ever give him second, third, and fourth chances like she has. If he loses her, he loses the chance to have a family and a life outside of the most isolated occupation in the world (piloting a single-seat jet aircraft thousands of feet in the air), and he is running out of time.

It didn't feel like the movie spoke about this theme because they kept Pete's actions very selfless, but him choosing to go on this mission also meant there is a possibility that he could die, and while the choice alone could sever his connection with Penny, dying absolutely would (it was the same conundrum when deciding whether Bradley would go on the mission: that either he could die or that he would never forgive him). While there were other moments that made me think he was going to die, this was the one that most made me hope that he wasn't going to die. Sacrificing himself for Bradley would've otherwise been a noble heroic gesture, but having a reason to come home is more important. Remember when Bradley said something like: "Easy for you to say. No wife. No kids. No one to mourn you when you burn in." With Penny and Amelia, he does have that. And I felt it. Again, add a scene or two and I'd feel it more, but I knew it was there all the same.

They made a big point showing the decorated life that Tom (Iceman) had, not just in the Navy but also at home. You see his massive home, like seven children all frolicking in the backyard, and photos that show a lifetime of memories. His life was terminated much more quickly and unfortunately, but his life was certainly complete and he was happy. Pete saw that.

Having a kickass action movie like we got is one thing, and they could have either eliminated this romantic arc completely or replaced it with more moments involving the crew, but I absolutely feel that its importance in Pete's life journey was paramount. The Lady Gaga song doesn't play till the end of the film lyrically, but they sprinkled it within the score literally throughout the entire movie any time that he was with Penny (something I didn't notice till the second viewing, and in the third viewing I heard it multiple times, and cemented when it really occurred during the fourth viewing). The song clearly is about Pete sharing the rest of his life with others and being truly happy again.

And yes, this could also be about Bradley as much as it could be about Penny (as the music really blares in the end when they hug it out on the carrier after crash-landing). He ultimately becomes Bradley's surrogate father, and this was a much less subtle connection. However, the movie still suggests that he needed more with Penny and Amelia by going back to the bar (which by no coincidence is called The Hard Deck) and you saw that look he had when they sailed off with no return date... until they reengaged with him in the Mojave. I tear at that ending every time that this mother****er got the happy ending that he deserves.

I'm glad you loved the movie!

[Blzer]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

The Black Phone

Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, and Ethan Hawke return a decade later after Sinister for more cinematic horror. I have to be careful when I say "horror" though, because it certainly wasn't all that scary. The situation was certainly horrifying, as was Handsome Hawke's performance as the Grabber, but I don't think this ranks among other horror films that are genuinely unsettling. Nevertheless, it is very captivating. There are clear protagonists and antagonists, and my want as an audience member for the protagonists to prosper and the antagonists to falter are delivered effectively. This is done by taking time in the first act of the film to lay the groundwork with the characters, setting, mystique, and having a great cast.

Speaking of which, the child actors in this are phenomenal. They get the most screen time, and they could have really ruined the film with bad deliveries or general annoyances that can come with the demand of an R-rated, adult-themed movie, and in the 1970s no less. They really had to understand their element, and the main brother and sister had to show us their chemistry not just when together but also when apart. They had a lot to work with, and lived up to their roles. This was of course complemented by Hawke's first ever villain role, portrayed very obscurely yet charismatically (not theatrical like V, but not animalistic like Leatherface). You're not ever really knowing what he's thinking, what he'll do next, or why/when he'll decide to wear different masks or illicit a new kind of conversation. They could have gone deeper into it narratively, and restraining from it let the acting play first fiddle. Because of this being a strength in the film, I'd say this was the right choice.

I mentioned the first act being a lot of setup, and for someone who didn't see trailers or read a plot synopsis I was confused what kind of movie we were going to get. Things could feel a little disjointed when we would go directly from upbeat 70s music to a chilling score, or from dark and heavy thematic elements to campy one-liners from children. There are also a lot of characters introduced and questions of what subplots may be of use once the main plot takes course. Even more so, I didn't know why the movie had its title for quite a while. However, one thing they did well compared to Sinister was they let us know slightly early on that there would be some supernatural happenings going on, and it allowed you to buy in with and suspend disbelief for in a very natural way. Not only that, but this movie doesn't work without those elements in place, whereas I'm going to spend some of my summer finishing my Sinister editing project that removes all the supernatural elements and works better without them. The Black Phone carefully lays all the pieces of events before them and I think most of them are paid off, but definitely not all of them. There was also one thing that I buried my head in my hand for thinking about for like five minutes, wondering if they were giving us a foreshadowing clue; turns out it wasn't even a red herring, and was just something that I stupidly was giving more meaning to than was ever intended.

I do want to nitpick on two things that this movie (and many movies) botch on a filmmaking level. One is a baseball scene that makes you question whether they even watch the sport with the way that the shots are composed, and another is that classroom trope where the bell rings as the teacher is teaching like they had thirty seconds to deliver a lesson and weren't aware they needed to wrap up (as a baseball aficionado and a school teacher, these really get to me). It's not these things in particular and I know from the outside looking in people probably don't care, but there can be an intangible effect on these things when done right that just make for a more competently-made film overall. I keep going back to the greatness that I believe is Top Gun: Maverick, and you see YouTube videos of real-life pilots reacting to how 95% of what is done in the air of that film is completely authentic, how they would do it, etc. and the rest is enhanced for the sake of the film. In the case of the baseball and school scenes (plus some bullying scenes), there seems to be much less care that occurs here and aren't used to enhance the film either. These are really dumb nitpicks, but I'd like to see films actually get these right because they never seem to.

Anyway, this movie was really good. Scott Derrickson is starting to have a very distinct look and style to his films that works for this genre, and I think it is made better by having a team of players who he has worked with in the past (even James Ransone is in this picture). I think this is meant for a more mature audience, and those who lived in the era (which I did not) will probably appreciate the nods to that time period. It wasn't a particularly scary film, but it did better things than most horror films did with shot composition, acting, sound/set design, and story to just be an overall better film than most of them (there was one very intense "hold your breath" kinds of scenes for sure though, and they threw in a couple of jump scares likely to make sure they had something for the trailer). I don't think I'm trying to rewatch this immediately, but I'm definitely willing to have conversations about it within the moviegoing community.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

RRR (4.5/5): Just guys being dudes, dudes being bros. We’ve got a drum sesh, a dance off, the best handshake since Predator happening while two dudes hang over a river on fire, and tigers. The action is over the top and unhinged in best way possible. The blood on the “sun never says flag” was chefs kiss. Haven’t laughed this much out of just having an awesome time in a movie in forever. The issue here is Netflix has the Hindi version, when the original movie was in Telegu, so they're making you watch a dub and it's noticeable. The Telegu version is locked to some random streaming service but there is a lot of English in the movie, and in the Hindi version it just plays whereas in the Telegu version they dub it in Telegu. Someone needs to bridge the gap and give us the Telegu version with no dubbing on the English.

The Worst Person in the World (4/5): Norwegian movie I was supposed to watch last year but didn't get a chance to. Great performances, soundtrack, cinematography, really well put together movie. I’m also a sucker for “my parents had 2 kids when they were my age, what am I doing with my life” movies. Julie’s aimlessness is very relatable and I appreciate that the movie doesn’t try to wrap everything too neatly in a bow. This was the last movie from last year I thought had a shot at the top of my list, but Petite Maman still reigns.

New World (4/5): Korean Infernal Affairs…Lee Jung-Jae, bro from Squid Game, plays an undercover cop infiltrating a corporate gang enterprise. Checked all the boxes for me: dope suits, inter-clan brawling, a 1 on 5 elevator knife fight, and the right choice is made at the end.

T3: Rise of the Machines (2.5/5): As a Terminator sequel? Soulless and derivative. As a preview into the absurdity that Fast and Furious would later become, decently entertaining. Pretty much T2 without any of the heart. The worst part is the special effects had finally caught up to what the filmmakers wanted to achieve, and it’s kinda wasted in this. Bonus points for calling the female Terminator "The Terminatrix".

[Bard]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Saw Lightyear on Tuesday.

Disappointed is really the only word for it.

For someone who grew up with Toy Story and absolutely loved and adored it as a child, this movie was just a let down. Buzz is a serious, but doofy character (for any wrestling fans, I think Kurt Angle when I think Buzz Lightyear) and they made him kind of into a self centered goon in this movie.

It was not a good movie for kids to be like, "I want to be just like Buzz!" Instead it was, wow, that cat had some funny moments and was the star of the movie.

The "scene" which is a controversial matter is so quick and a literal peck. I almost missed it. People suck, it was fine.

I just did not fill fulfilled from two aspects. One being this is supposed to be THE movie that made Andy want Buzz, and just if I went in blind to this movie, the writing was just poor. This was a Pixar movie? Definitely their worst.

3.5/10.

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[Blzer]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Saw Lightyear on Tuesday.

Disappointed is really the only word for it.

For someone who grew up with Toy Story and absolutely loved and adored it as a child, this movie was just a let down. Buzz is a serious, but doofy character (for any wrestling fans, I think Kurt Angle when I think Buzz Lightyear) and they made him kind of into a self centered goon in this movie.

It was not a good movie for kids to be like, "I want to be just like Buzz!" Instead it was, wow, that cat had some funny moments and was the star of the movie.

The "scene" which is a controversial matter is so quick and a literal peck. I almost missed it. People suck, it was fine.

I just did not fill fulfilled from two aspects. One being this is supposed to be THE movie that made Andy want Buzz, and just if I went in blind to this movie, the writing was just poor. This was a Pixar movie? Definitely their worst.

3.5/10.

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I mostly echo everything you say here. I liked it slightly more (5/10) and I think if they borrow from Buzz Lightyear of Star Command for a sequel it could be the fun film that it should be. I had a problem with Zurg here, but I think I know how to fix that in a sequel anyway. I just don't think this will make any profit as a film to warrant a sequel from the studio sadly. And yes, the controversial moment is absolutely overblown.

Now, you mention "worst." I think I might want to do a Pixar movies ranking list. This will be much more controversial than any scene in the Lightyear movie, that's for sure.

1. WALL•E
2. Toy Story 2
3. Ratatouille
4. Toy Story 3
5. Finding Nemo
6. Inside Out
7. Coco
8. Toy Story 4
9. The Incredibles
10. Toy Story
11. Up
12. The Incredibles 2
13. Cars
14. Cars 3
15. Monsters, Inc.
16. Soul
17. Luca
18. Monsters University
19. The Good Dinosaur
20. Cars 2
21. Lightyear
22. Turning Red
23. A Bug's Life
24. Onward
25. Finding Dory
26. Brave

[Gramps91]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

I don't really like too many Pixar films, to be honest. Up is awesome though. I love that movie

[Bard]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Elvis.

Wow.

I am probably one of the only people that absolutely cannot stand his music. However, I do understand his impact on music and the culture surrounding it, and absolutely accept it.

Love his movies as well, lol.

Anyway...this movie was just tremendous. Everything about this movie was so well done, and I highly recommend it. Went with my wife and my mother-in-law (who are huge Elvis marks) and they were balling the entire time.

8/10. Very good, very well done.

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[RockinDaMike]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

Elvis.

Wow.

I am probably one of the only people that absolutely cannot stand his music. However, I do understand his impact on music and the culture surrounding it, and absolutely accept it.

Love his movies as well, lol.

Anyway...this movie was just tremendous. Everything about this movie was so well done, and I highly recommend it. Went with my wife and my mother-in-law (who are huge Elvis marks) and they were balling the entire time.

8/10. Very good, very well done.

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Glad to hear this is good, been waiting to get a proper biopic on him. Love biopics of legendary musicians.


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[Majingir]

Re: What movies have you seen recently?

I mostly echo everything you say here. I liked it slightly more (5/10) and I think if they borrow from Buzz Lightyear of Star Command for a sequel it could be the fun film that it should be. I had a problem with Zurg here, but I think I know how to fix that in a sequel anyway. I just don't think this will make any profit as a film to warrant a sequel from the studio sadly. And yes, the controversial moment is absolutely overblown.

Now, you mention "worst." I think I might want to do a Pixar movies ranking list. This will be much more controversial than any scene in the Lightyear movie, that's for sure.

1. WALL•E
2. Toy Story 2
3. Ratatouille
4. Toy Story 3
5. Finding Nemo
6. Inside Out
7. Coco
8. Toy Story 4
9. The Incredibles
10. Toy Story
11. Up
12. The Incredibles 2
13. Cars
14. Cars 3
15. Monsters, Inc.
16. Soul
17. Luca
18. Monsters University
19. The Good Dinosaur
20. Cars 2
21. Lightyear
22. Turning Red
23. A Bug's Life
24. Onward
25. Finding Dory
26. Brave

Mine will probably change every time I think of the list, and I haven't seen all, but my rankings would be:
1. Incredibles
2. Finding Nemo
3. Toy Story 3
4. Toy Story 1
5. Toy Story 2
6. Incredibles 2
7. Ratatouille
8. Monsters Inc
9. Up
10. Toy Story 4
11. Finding Dory
12. A Bugs Life
13. Monsters University
14. Soul
15. Coco
16. Inside Out
17. Onward
18. Cars 2
19. Cars 3
20. Turning Red