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[Display Name]

*then again, perhaps I doth protest too much - the finale was perhaps the writers' way of making him cross the proverbial line, and make him realize that his actions have consequences that ultimately alienate the only friend he has (i.e., Wilson).

Then again, ten bucks says Wilson will pussy out next season and refuse to hold him to task.

Well, if you look at the House Season 5 preview on youtube (one of the two), it seems House picks up right where he left off, saying something to Wilson about "taking this bereavement thing too far" and then [spoiler]Wilson saying he's resigning[/spoiler].

[ak996]

Been watching the HBO series In Treatment, and I would highly recommend it. Even though I doubt that it's a completely accurate portrayal of what therapy is really like, the acting in it is phenomenal from pretty much every character (although I wasn't much of a fan of the Laura character).

But yeah, highly recommended. 4.75/5

[Batshit Insane]

Just watched the whole one season of Lucky Louie over the last couple nights.

Man that show was awesome. Thanks to HBO for cancelling one of the few funny shows on TV over the last few years. Asses.

For anyone that cares, poor Louie is getting divorced in real-life. Hopfully this leads to more awesome comedy.

[leedsy99]

For anyone that cares, poor Louie is getting divorced in real-life.

These stories always kinda depress me, because what makes the comedy of these guys funny is that it's the illusion of their exaggeration. Louie CK is hysterical because his torture is supposed to be an act. His bit about his wife giving him the saddest hand job in history is one of my favorite comedy moments, but now knowing that that bit probably destroyed his marriage taints it a little.

LCK: "So my wife fucking hates me and my kids think I'm an asshole."
Crowd: HHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
LCK: "No, seriously. We're getting a divorce. She's taking the kids and moving across the country. I'm losing custody of them."
Crowd: Oh, gee. Um, sorry about that. Wow, uh, do you need a hug or something?

[Sed]

Untraceable 1/5

More like Unwatchable - trite garbage. Would've given it 0/5 if not for the still delicious Diane Lane.

[Dr. D]

Untraceable 1/5

More like Unwatchable - trite garbage. Would've given it 0/5 if not for the still delicious Diane Lane.

Just put in Unfaithful and watch that hallway hate sex scene and you'll feel all beter.

[Dr. D]

Step Brothers. See it now.

[leedsy99]

In Bruges starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. I frequently find Colin Farrell annoying but I fucking loved this movie about two hitmen holing up in Bruges (a town in Belgium) following a difficult job. It's a great character piece, very funny, with excellent dialog. It puts me in mind of Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang which is also highly recommended for anyone who hasn't seen it. (4.0/5.0)

They're filming midgets!

Enjoyable movie, though the final 15 minutes didn't work for me. It reminds you briefly that Colin Farrell does have positive qualities in roles like this, and I wish he did this stuff more than trying to play Sonny Crockett despite being 5'3.

[Dr. D]

The Condemned - 0/5

My buddies wanted to watch this movie last night, and I had my reservations seeing as it starred Stone Cold Steve Austin. It was just as bad as that other stupid WWE movie See No Evil. The film was about 10 criminals put on an island to kill each other for people on the Internet's entertainment. There was hardly any plot, paper thin characters, senseless amounts of violence and rape, among other atrocities. It was just plain TERRIBLE. I went to sleep halfway through the movie because it was just STUPID. Don't waste your time watching this garbage. My friends, however, thought it was "bad-ass" (given, they also think Batman and Robin is a good movie).

[Sed]

The Condemned - 0/5

My buddies wanted to watch this movie last night, and I had my reservations seeing as it starred Stone Cold Steve Austin. It was just as bad as that other stupid WWE movie See No Evil. The film was about 10 criminals put on an island to kill each other for people on the Internet's entertainment. There was hardly any plot, paper thin characters, senseless amounts of violence and rape, among other atrocities. It was just plain TERRIBLE. I went to sleep halfway through the movie because it was just STUPID. Don't waste your time watching this garbage. My friends, however, thought it was "bad-ass" (given, they also think Batman and Robin is a good movie).

Oooh - you just reminded me!

The Marine - 0/5

Thought that it would be hard to find a movie stupider than Four Brothers. Turns out I was wrong - John Cena is no Andre 3000.

[xcheck24]

Project Runway!

[LisaLisa]

Despite my signature, I just saw The Dark Knight today for the first time. In IMAX. Jeezus 'Efin" Christ! What an awesome movie. Must be seen in IMAX. Even my mom said that, and she's like 80 or something. Yes, it's true. I don't know exactly how old my mom is. You wouldn't know either if your mom kept giving you different answers when you ask her how old she is. Shhh! My birth certificate lies.

(Why do we not have a Batman emoticon? Who do we see about this oversight?)

On tv, I saw episode 3 of Generation Kill. I haven't seen the latest one yet, but I know HBO will rerun the hell out of it, so I'm not worried. This could be my next favorite show.

I finally saw Eastern Promises last week. Very good movie. Viggo Mortensen was excellent (and no, I'm not just saying that because he got naked). However, I'm not complaining. Although I can't explain why my brain checked out on me, because I didn't see the "twist" coming, and it was telegraphed early on. But I did think the ending, [spoiler]when Anna and Nikolai find Kirill and the baby, was a little too neat. The "happy family" snapshot at the end was a bit too much, too, in what I had expected would be a more bitter film. The last shot, of Nikolai (Viggo) clearly sitting in the seat of power, was what I liked. That fit more in the film, imo. [/spoiler]

[Alitaki]

Despite my signature, I just saw The Dark Knight today for the first time. In IMAX. Jeezus 'Efin" Christ! What an awesome movie. Must be seen in IMAX. Even my mom said that, and she's like 80 or something. Yes, it's true. I don't know exactly how old my mom is. You wouldn't know either if your mom kept giving you different answers when you ask her how old she is. Shhh! My birth certificate lies.

(Why do we not have a Batman emoticon? Who do we see about this oversight?)

We have a whole Dark Knight thread if you want to add your two cents to it.

On tv, I saw episode 3 of Generation Kill. I haven't seen the latest one yet, but I know HBO will rerun the hell out of it, so I'm not worried. This could be my next favorite show.

If you've watched Episode 3 already then you've seen the latest one.

Good series so far though I recommend you read the book.

[Alitaki]

Watched The Kingdom last night. Not too sure what I think about it. Wasn't preachy like I feared it would be so that is something. Its a weak movie though. Too disjointed I thought and a little too short. Needed a little bit more meat to it. Then again I was watching it while ironing so maybe I just need to sit down and give it my attention. Probably not, but one never knows.

[Mike B.]

I just watched a Burger King commercial. This commercial starred Jim True-Frost, who many of you would recognize as Detective Pryzblewski/Mr. Prezbo from The Wire, and for his impeccable turn as Buzz in The Hudsucker Proxy. The commercial featured him playing an underling to Puffy/P.Diddy/Poppa Diddy Bop.

It was good enough, I guess, in that it made me want a Whopper Jr.

This post has been edited by Mike B.: Jul 30 2008, 09:46 PM

[leedsy99]

Just watched, "Harold and Kumar Remake Their Last Movie Again Only With About 1/5 of the Original Comedy and Ample Low-Quality Nudity." A few months ago I read a GQ column that broke this movie down like it was a Tarkovsky film. I will not be renewing my GQ subscription.

Season One of Mad Men is sitting on my desk. I feel I will be disappointed.

[Sed]

Season One of Mad Men is sitting on my desk. I feel I will be disappointed.

Let me know - if so, I'll just delete the whole run from my Tivo and save myself the grief.

[leedsy99]

Good series so far though I recommend you read the book.

Haven't seen the latest episode, but so far I'm meh to it. I haven't been intrigued or moved by it yet. I feel like I'm watching The Office, except with more dismemberment.

[Mike B.]

I will not be renewing my GQ subscription.

Didn't Cliff and I set everyone straight on this subject months ago?

Time to send in that Esquire subscription form, big guy. While you're reading about dipshit stoners who make sucky movies, I'm reading Scott Raab's simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting profile of Newark mayor Corey Booker. And also, adding to my mental list of reasons to punch Chuck Klosterman in the face if I ever meet him. Did I mention David Simon's piece on the downfall of The Sun from a few months back?

Get with the program.

[Beamer]

I'd still put GQ over Esquire, both of which are over Details. All three of which are over Men's Vogue, which you should avoid, and Men's Health, which is worthwhile if you can get it very cheap.

[Mike B.]

I've taken an interest in really old movies lately, like from the silent era and the early black-and-white classics. Metropolis, Birth of a Nation, Battleship Potemkin, etc. I watched "M" a few weeks back, which is truly a masterpiece.

Last night was the original Nosferatu. I'll say 4/5 stars. Being used to the age of digital special effects, it's tough to watch a movie that is so rough technically - uneven lighting, unintentionally shaky cameras, bad print quality, etc. But if you can get past that, it can also be an advantage, because it forces you to really focus on all the details of the movie. Watching a movie with no dialogue, and only a score playing throughout, it kind of puts you into a trance. The movie had some really creepy moments, like the famous shot of the vampire rising out of his coffin, or near the end, when you can barely see him in the shadows of Mina's darkened bedroom, leaning over her and drinking his fill.

The only thing I found distracting was the choice of music - most of it was atmospheric and moody, fittingly, but it seemed like every time that they show the vampire in what is supposed to be a moment of fright or horror, the music was almost uplifting. Maybe that was intentional.

This post has been edited by Mike B.: Aug 1 2008, 04:44 PM

[Nilan 666]

If you haven't gotten to it yet Mike, try The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

[LeNea]

I've taken an interest in really old movies lately, like from the silent era and the early black-and-white classics. Metropolis, Birth of a Nation, Battleship Potemkin, etc. I watched "M" a few weeks back, which is truly a masterpiece.

Be sure to check out the birth of comedy as well. From the very early era, A Trip to the Moon (1903, I think) by the Lumiere brothers is just amazing and hilarious and so innovative for it's day. Dream of a Rarebit Fiend (1906?) is gut-splittingly funny and awesome from a technical standpoint as well. Check out some Buster Keaton stuff - he has some very funny shorts, and my favorite reaction shot of all time is in The General (1926 or 27ish).

[leedsy99]

I'd still put GQ over Esquire, both of which are over Details.

You're fucking high. Aside from pictures of pretty men dressed in clothes so expensive that you start to consider communism as not such a bad idea, it's embarrassing crap. While it was never meant to be anything more than a men's fashion magazine, the quality of the writing on their pieces has dropped to the point of mild retardation. A few months ago they printed a three-page text message conversation between a "writer" and Lindsey Lohan. Latest issue treats Seth Rogan like he's Woody Allen. The most interesting thing I read in GQ in the past year was a piece about Ewe Boll. At some point they turned the magazine over to a bunch of frathouse poets who consider themselves "gentlemen" because, unlike the "writers" at Maxim, they don't end every sentence they type with "brah." It's date rape in an $85 dollar tie.

Magazines are stupid. My next subscription is going to be to Cheri or Club. The jokes are funnier, it's filled with practical information, and serves a utilitarian purpose. Top that, GQ!

[leedsy99]

I've taken an interest in really old movies lately, like from the silent era and the early black-and-white classics. Metropolis, Birth of a Nation, Battleship Potemkin, etc. I watched "M" a few weeks back, which is truly a masterpiece.

Greed, by Eric Von Stroheim. Based on Frank Norris' "McTeague", the greatest novel ever written about a dentist. Go watch it right now.

[LisaLisa]

I've taken an interest in really old movies lately, like from the silent era and the early black-and-white classics. Metropolis, Birth of a Nation, Battleship Potemkin, etc. I watched "M" a few weeks back, which is truly a masterpiece.

I"ve also seen "Metropolis" (with the old and modernized soundtracks) and "Battleship Potemkin". Have you also seen the original "Phantom of the Opera"? I recommend seeing Louise Brooks in "Pandora's Box". I highly recommend a film starring Lillian Gish called "Broken Blossoms". I can't describe it better than this from Amazom (trust me--this film is worth reading the blurb):

The director's most favored leading lady, Lillian Gish, plays an adolescent girl in London's rough Limehouse district; abused by her father (Donald Crisp), a crude boxer, she is cared for by a poetic Chinese man (Richard Barthelmess). Gish, who had doubts about playing a child (and was not yet fully recovered from a brush with the deadly Spanish flu epidemic), delivers a magnificent performance. Justly famous for her hysterical meltdown while trapped in a closet, she also brings off the smaller moments: her hesitation while gazing at a flower she can't possibly afford to buy is a heartbreaking piece of pantomime. Griffith's delicacy of touch extends to matters of race, as he clearly sides with the refined man from China, who must endure the prattle of white men boasting about traveling to the Orient and converting "the heathen." Small in scale compared to Griffith's mightier projects, Broken Blossoms is nevertheless one of his most beautiful films, and a landmark of the silent era.

The scene of the girl trapped in the closet is heartbreaking because she knows her abusive father is going to unleash his rage on her. It had a big effect on me when I first saw it. So find it, and watch it.

[Giac]

I could not recommend a film more highly than the Chinese masterpiece King of Masks.

[Dr. D]

For old times sake, I've been watching Spider-Man: The Animated Series from the mid 90s.

[Sed]

Be sure to check out the birth of comedy as well. From the very early era, A Trip to the Moon (1903, I think) by the Lumiere brothers is just amazing and hilarious and so innovative for it's day. Dream of a Rarebit Fiend (1906?) is gut-splittingly funny and awesome from a technical standpoint as well. Check out some Buster Keaton stuff - he has some very funny shorts, and my favorite reaction shot of all time is in The General (1926 or 27ish).

Good stuff - be sure to work in some Harold Lloyd flicks as well. Safety Last! immediately comes to mind.

[Mike B.]

As Pete said earlier in this thread, my NetFlix queue is now in utter disarray. Mean Girls keeps getting bumped right before its turn.

This post has been edited by Mike B.: Aug 2 2008, 02:20 PM

[rightbug]

I've been enjoying Generation Kill for the same reasons I enjoyed the book. It's a nuanced and mostly unromantisized look at war from a grunts point of view.

Old movie trivia -- I had a professor at SUNY albany who had cutting room floor footage from Birth of a Nation (and one other film I can't remember). The teacher was also an insane racist who stood and applauded when the Clan road in at the end of Birth of a Nation and who got tears in his eyes when discussing the grandeur of Leni Reifenstahl's Triumph of The Will.

[Nilan 666]

The original To Be or Not To Be with Jack Benny, I also have the Mel Brooks remake waiting.

Loves the Netflix.

[Paul Smachetti]

I'm trying to watch the entire box set of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

Paul

[Rocha]

I watched the entire 4th season of Lost yesterday via ABC's website. I saw the first 4-5 episodes when they originally aired but stopped watching after that. It was good and bad. I think I was disappointed because I heard from some people that they answered a lot of questions in the season finale, when they really didn't answer shit. Oh yeah, now we know who Jacob is... maybe. It's still a cool show, but I really wish they'd stick to moving the main plotlines forward. Too dragged out.

[xcheck24]

I've been watching a lot of Cold Case Files on A&E. Love this show. They just had on today about the BTK case.

[Pymonte]

Fantastic. Stunning.

This movie is a complete nonlinear mindfuck the first time around, then a beautiful piece of cinema upon subsequent ones. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz play their roles beautifully over a stellar soundtrack by Clint Mansell. It's fascinating because it's so open to interpretation, and there's so much theorizing that can be done around the plot(s). Highly recommended for anyone that wants more than any traditional movie can offer in terms of intellectual stimulation. Sit down in a dark room when you're wide awake and devote two hours of your life to this masterpiece.

[leedsy99]

I'm enjoying Mad Men, but [spoiler]it's really just Sex and the City for men. It's a masturbatory fantasy show for any jackoff that spends their days working in a "firm" and thinking that what they do is the most important thing in the world. All the characters manufacture their problems because of their insecurity -- an unspoken staple of SATC. But it's not horrible. I'm not staying home and planning my week around the next episode, but I'm moved enough to post something about it. It's doesn't displace my current favorite running drama on TV either: Big Love.

Best part of Mad Men is the opening theme and credits. There's also a good scene where a little perv kid barges in to watch January Jones pee.[/spoiler]

[OzosBartender]

I don't know if anyone remembers the show "Mystery Science Theater 3000", but the movie has been on HBO a couple of times and for some reason I couldn't stop laughing (maybe because it was about 1 in the morning and I was exhausted). I used to love the show as a kid and you can't find the movie, so I made sure to Tivo it. And whenever "The Professional" has been on I have to at least watch the end ("...What do you mean everyone?....EVERYONE!!!").

[Andy from the LE...]

I've been watching a lot of Cold Case Files on A&E. Love this show. They just had on today about the BTK case.

Love those Cold Case files!!! American Justice is awesome too. Bill Kurtis kicks ass.

[Andy from the LE...]

Fantastic. Stunning.

This movie is a complete nonlinear mindfuck the first time around, then a beautiful piece of cinema upon subsequent ones. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz play their roles beautifully over a stellar soundtrack by Clint Mansell. It's fascinating because it's so open to interpretation, and there's so much theorizing that can be done around the plot(s). Highly recommended for anyone that wants more than any traditional movie can offer in terms of intellectual stimulation. Sit down in a dark room when you're wide awake and devote two hours of your life to this masterpiece.

Excellent film. Darren Aranofsky kicks ass again. A fantastic cinematic examination of love, life, and death, and the need for all of us to come to grips with our finite existence in the hope of a greater appreciation for all we hold dear. I totally recommend it also.

[DanTRQ]

Shark week just ended. I'm getting tired of it, though.... for the past few years they really haven't put together anything new, except for Mythbusters special and the always enjoyable Dirty Jobs special. Besides that, it's the same stuff for the past 3+ years. disappointing.

[Nilan 666]

I don't know if anyone remembers the show "Mystery Science Theater 3000", but the movie has been on HBO a couple of times and for some reason I couldn't stop laughing (maybe because it was about 1 in the morning and I was exhausted). I used to love the show as a kid and you can't find the movie, so I made sure to Tivo it. And whenever "The Professional" has been on I have to at least watch the end ("...What do you mean everyone?....EVERYONE!!!").

MST3K the Movie just got rereleased on DVD recently although there are zero extras.

NORMAL VIEW! NORMAL VIEW! NORMAL VIEW!

[OzosBartender]

MST3K the Movie just got rereleased on DVD recently although there are zero extras.

NORMAL VIEW! NORMAL VIEW! NORMAL VIEW!

Thanks for the heads up, looks like I got one more thing to add to my Best Buy Shopping List!

[Alitaki]

For some strange reason I watched Shoot'Em Up and Shooter. I really don't have any explanation for the latter but I watched the former in the vain hope that I'd see a little Monica Bellucci boobage. Sadly, there was only side boobage. And for the ladies, Clive Owens bare ass. Other than that it was a fun live action cartoon.No real plot to speak off just lots of fun action sequences.

Shooter is another story. I will say the only positive thing I can think of: It's better than Four Brothers.

[LeNea]

Becoming Jane (2/5) - I love 19th century period films and Jane Austen books and deplored this movie. No plot, no theme, and if I hadn't been knitting during it, it would have been a waste of two hours. I know it was supposed to be something loosely based on Austen's life, but Walk the Line managed to have a plot. Ray managed to have a plot. This one just floundered. Pretty scenery is the only salvation of this movie. Anne Hathaway's British accent is awful. If someone suggests watching this movie with you, basically anything else in the genre would be better.

[Rocha]

Wild Palms miniseries, 6/10
Watched the whole thing just now. Started off great, and just got worse and worse and worse as the 5 hours went along. The plot became jumbled and rushed, the scenes became ridiculous and over the top, plus the unrealistic techno-babble, plus Jim Belushi hamming it up, the completely unfitting use of Stones songs... eh. There were some really neat surreal touches early on, but by the end they just got silly and pointless. And the ending, as bright and sunny as could be. Didn't even fit the movie. A lot of good ideas wasted.

[Andy from the LE...]

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
(1972) 3.5/5

Not bad for a Romero rip. I recall this movie scaring the living shit out of me on late night TV as a kid, thus giving me a zombie horror complex. The acting and writing are terrible, the "story" (a theater group and their meglomaniacal director accidently resurrect the dead) is goofy, and there's hardly any gore - in fact, it's rating was moved down from R to PG-13 when it came to DVD. Also, in true '70s grindhouse fashion, the story moves slowly for the first 40 minutes.

But, the scares do work when they finally come, the makeup effects aren't bad for their time period, and the overall aesthetic is chilling enough to warrant a viewing. The ending, when the zombies decide to, um, take their show on the road, so to speak, is still quite creepy, a good 25 years after I first saw this on TV.

[Dr. D]

Casino Royale - 4/5

Finally got around to watching this. Really, an overall very good movie. Daniel Craig was surprisingly good as Bond. I think he pulled off Bond's suave demeanor very well, but also showed Bond's emotional side brilliantly. The plot was great, especially since I'm really into poker. [spoiler]Come on, who didn't jump out of their seat when Bond showed the straight flush?[/spoiler] The twists in the story kept me on my toes, however, I do think they may have drawn out the ending a bit too long. Besides that, awesome film. Can't wait for Quantum of Solace.

[Sed]

Can't wait for Quantum of Solace.

Totally can't wait.

[gkrangers]

For some strange reason I watched Shoot'Em Up and Shooter. I really don't have any explanation for the latter but I watched the former in the vain hope that I'd see a little Monica Bellucci boobage. Sadly, there was only side boobage. And for the ladies, Clive Owens bare ass. Other than that it was a fun live action cartoon.No real plot to speak off just lots of fun action sequences.

Shooter is another story. I will say the only positive thing I can think of: It's better than Four Brothers.

What do you have against Mark Wahlberg!?!?!