Finally saw INGLORIOUS BASTARDS (just can't bring myself to spell it correctly/incorrectly?) on BD and I think it is Tarantino's best film since PULP FICTION. There is this neverending sense of dread in so many of the scenes that you really find yourself wondering when the explosion will happen or if. The opening scene in the farmhouse and the one in the rathskeller are incredibly tense in the way that Tarantino keeps ratcheting up the tension as you wait for something to happen. As usual, the dialogue is just incredible, with flawless performances down the line with special kudos to Christoph Walz as one of the most malevolent characters I have ever seen onscreen, and Brad Pitt looking like he is actually enjoying himself in his role.

Also saw I LOVE YOU, MAN on BD and while it has its moments, I often felt I was watching a Ben Stiller comedy with Paul Rudd in the lead because Stiller decided not to do it. Pales in comparison with THE HANGOVER, which I thought was just the funniest film I have seen in years.

And for those of you who disliked THE DEPARTED, GANGS OF NEW YORK and THE AVIATOR, I just have two words: CAPE FEAR , which had quite a few defenders when it came out, and I think it is without a doubt Scorsese's worst film, with not one character that I felt should have survived the finale.

I never saw the remake of CAPE FEAR, but I believe what you say about it!

THE ISLAND (2005) - 2/10. Michael Bay sucks. Bloated special effects vehicle for a story that rips off BLADE RUNNER, LOGAN'S RUN (and any number of "escape" stories), COMA, and who knows what else! Unconvincing and silly movie though I did like a few of the special effects, and Scarlett Johanssen is cute.

Also saw I LOVE YOU, MAN on BD and while it has its moments, I often felt I was watching a Ben Stiller comedy with Paul Rudd in the lead because Stiller decided not to do it. Pales in comparison with THE HANGOVER, which I thought was just the funniest film I have seen in years.

I liked ROLE MODELS better than either of them; it also sustains itself quite well on repeat viewing. I rewatched THE HANGOVER a couple of weeks ago and thought it did not hold up well without an audience. The last 20 minutes in particular petered out.

And for those of you who disliked THE DEPARTED, GANGS OF NEW YORK and THE AVIATOR, I just have two words: CAPE FEAR Razz , which had quite a few defenders when it came out, and I think it is without a doubt Scorsese's worst film, with not one character that I felt should have survived the finale.

I loved GANGS OF NEW YORK -- I was let down by THE DEPARTED and I found THE AVIATOR tedious.

Overall I think Scorsese's batting average is probably under a lot of "the great" directors. He's made some amazing films (GOODFELLAS is still my favorite and RAGING BULL is a classic as well) but a lot of his movies frankly I am indifferent to.

I also disliked CAPE FEAR quite a bit too...I agree Jeff it may be his worst movie. BRINGING OUT THE DEAD wasn't particularly good; CASINO was uneven; and I also found THE AGE OF INNOCENCE stilted and dull. I also didn't care for THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST either, a movie that has not aged well in my opinion of course.

mkaroly wrote: THE ISLAND (2005) - 2/10. Michael Bay sucks. Bloated special effects vehicle for a story that rips off BLADE RUNNER, LOGAN'S RUN (and any number of "escape" stories), COMA, and who knows what else! Unconvincing and silly movie though I did like a few of the special effects, and Scarlett Johanssen is cute.

Go rent 1979's Parts: The Clonus Horror (which was riffed in a great MST3K episode), and you'll be stunned by how much The Island steals directly from it. No wonder the film's director tried suing Bay and the film's writers for plagarism.

THE HURT LOCKER (2009) - 10/10. One of the best films I've seen in a while. If there was a political bias to it, I didn't pick up on it. Very suspenseful, engaging, and thought-provoking film about a bomb diffusing troupe in Iraq. This was an A+ movie for me and worth repeated viewings.

mkaroly wrote:THE HURT LOCKER (2009) - 10/10. One of the best films I've seen in a while. If there was a political bias to it, I didn't pick up on it. Very suspenseful, engaging, and thought-provoking film about a bomb diffusing troupe in Iraq. This was an A+ movie for me and worth repeated viewings.

Good to know. I've been thinking about seeing it myself.

Daybreakers: 7.5/10

Hey, a good movie released in January! And one in the seemingly tapped-out vampire genre, to boot. Clever premise, good acting, lush Christopher Gordon score.

Monterey Jack wrote:Daybreakers: 7.5/10

Hey, a good movie released in January! And one in the seemingly tapped-out vampire genre, to boot. Clever premise, good acting, lush Christopher Gordon score.

I believe the score is released through Silva Screen.

THE HURT LOCKER is one of those films that just ratchets up the tension to an unbearable height, with the scene where Renner finds himself pulling up the fuses for a multitude of bombs until he is surrounded leaving me holding my breath for what seemed like hours. Along with UP, the best film of 2009 for me.

Yeah, The Hurt Locker is exceptional. Here's a little movie that probably cost less than ten million dollars that packs more gut-wrenching tension into two hours than the filmography of Michael Bay has managed within the last 15 years.

Jedbu wrote:THE HURT LOCKER is one of those films that just ratchets up the tension to an unbearable height, with the scene where Renner finds himself pulling up the fuses for a multitude of bombs until he is surrounded leaving me holding my breath for what seemed like hours. Along with UP, the best film of 2009 for me.

It will be interesting to see how the Hollywood establishment treats this film in comparison to AVATAR when it comes to awards.

And I agree with your comments MJ!

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (2008) - 5/10. I really like the X-MEN franchise. However, I never read the comic books and so I felt like I was lost watching this film at times (and the others). The action was derivative and the story was okay, but it seemed to make quick jumps without providing a lot of character development (not that there really needed to be). It just wasn't very "fluid" from beginning to end. I was entertained by it but it wasn't great.

mkaroly wrote:

Jedbu wrote:THE HURT LOCKER is one of those films that just ratchets up the tension to an unbearable height, with the scene where Renner finds himself pulling up the fuses for a multitude of bombs until he is surrounded leaving me holding my breath for what seemed like hours. Along with UP, the best film of 2009 for me.

It will be interesting to see how the Hollywood establishment treats this film in comparison to AVATAR when it comes to awards.

And I agree with your comments MJ!

AVATAR shouldn't win, or be nominated, for any major category...but having 10 nominess for Best picture makes you think it'll get there.

The Lovely Bones: 3.5/10

Or, how not to adapt a beloved bestseller. Honestly, what the hell happened here? Visually-gifted director, generally talented cast, great book, but the movie is an almost complete botch. And Susan Sarandon seems to have been taking overacting lessions from Fiona Shaw in The Black Dahlia.

Monterey Jack wrote:The Lovely Bones: 3.5/10

Or, how not to adapt a beloved bestseller. Honestly, what the hell happened here? Visually-gifted director, generally talented cast, great book, but the movie is an almost complete botch. And Susan Sarandon seems to have been taking overacting lessions from Fiona Shaw in The Black Dahlia.

My wife hated -- HATED -- the book, so she was happy the movie tanked.

Jackson has made missteps before (FRIGHTENERS?). This is two in a row after KING KONG it sounds like. Couldn't stand that movie either.