Author Topic: Trap's Movie Thread  (Read 228567 times)

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Offline trapeze

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Trap's Movie Thread
« on: March 09, 2011, 03:47:24 PM »
Welcome to trap's movie thread.

Please write about a movie that you like or loath. Old or new. Classic or camp. Any genre. Any era.

Rules:

1)One movie per comment entry. Keep it simple.

2)You must describe why you like or hate any given movie. Please don't just post something and say, "I liked this," or "I hated this."

I'm not looking for full blown reviews (although feel free to do it if you like). Just a few sentences that would perhaps compel someone to seek it out or avoid it like the plague.

One more thing: This is a bit unorthodox but I want to try it out...try and avoid commenting on other people's entries. If you feel differently about the same movie then post your own review rather than just agree or disagree with someone else's. I know you are going to do it but let's try and keep it to a minimum so that the thread can keep moving along...write about another movie, damn it!


« Last Edit: March 09, 2011, 04:40:28 PM by trapeze »
In a doomsday scenario, hippies will be among the first casualties. So not everything about doomsday will be bad.

Offline IronDioPriest

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2011, 03:55:34 PM »
I'll kick it off by reposting this recommendation I made in the "Faith & Family" board. It's by no means the best movie I've ever seen, but it is the most recent, and it was quite good in spite of the low made-for-TV production budget and specifically non-secular viewpoint. So here it is...
                                                                                                                                                             


...I watched a movie last night that affected me deeply, in a good way. It's called "Amish Grace", and it is a dramatic account of the aftermath of the October 2006 schoolhouse massacre of 5 Amish girls in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania.

I remember the media accounts at the time. The fact that the Amish community almost immediately stressed forgiveness of the killer was met with media incredulity, and when it became apparent that that was the sum-total of the story, the story was abandoned, and the massacre faded from the headlines.

This film stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley (whom you may remember as the daughter in "Father of the Bride") as a mother struggling with her hatred over the murder of her daughter, and her inability to relate to the community's rush to forgive - including her husband. The film does a wonderful, beautiful job of looking at this event from several different angles - from the viewpoints of several different people involved, and it does so objectively.

As the event occurs and everyone is left in its aftermath to deal with the consequences, broad concepts are examined with this tragic setting as a perfect backdrop. The film respectfully explores things like like forgiveness, hatred, evil, grace, God, religious dogma, loss and grief, judgment, and separatism. It is ultimately a film about the value of forgiveness, but it does not shy away from exploring things that all people of faith struggle with and question. Faith and forgiveness are explored honestly, daring to ask the most difficult questions without providing concrete answers, and yet in the end, faith emerges triumphantly above those difficult questions as the overriding and convincing theme of the film.

We can withstand much tragedy and strife with the application of faith, grace, love, and forgiveness - and the Amish community of Nickel Mines are a testament to it. I would highly recommend everyone see this film.

"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Online Pandora

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2011, 04:06:55 PM »
"Secondhand Lions", w/Robert Duvall, Michael Caine and Haley Joel Osment

Two old duffers, living on their farm (money hidden) get stuck, for a couple weeks, with their Great-Nephew by his good-fer-nuthin' mother.  The kid learns the tale of their exciting lives of adventure in exotic lands and he learns, as well, what it means to be a good man.

No mush but some touching scenes and a good plot.  Duvall and Caine are their usual excellent selves.

« Last Edit: March 09, 2011, 06:05:31 PM by Pandora »
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain

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Offline Glock32

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2011, 04:11:09 PM »
I believe Robert Duvall also "outed" himself as a conservative, IIRC.
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Offline IronDioPriest

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2011, 04:21:05 PM »
I believe Robert Duvall also "outed" himself as a conservative, IIRC.

Yes, he did. Some really good guys in Hollywood are open conservatives. Craig T. Nelson, Gary Sinise, and I've learned recently... Kevin Sorbo, the muscled hunk that used to play Hercules in that God-awful syndicated show of the same name.
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline Glock32

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2011, 04:23:06 PM »
Craig T. Nelson is too? I always liked that show Coach, well the first few seasons anyway.
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Offline trapeze

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2011, 04:26:02 PM »
Aliens (1986)

Written & directed by James Cameron

Sigourney Weaver
Michael Biehn
Lance Henrickson
Carrie Henn

Normally I am pretty intolerant of Cameron.  Especially his most recent stuff. Aliens, though, is in my opinion, one of the best (if not the best) sequels in movie history. The story is compelling. The action (after the setup) is unrelenting. The heros are heroic. The bad guys are about the worst thing ever conceived. There is some pretty serious splatter. And the good guys win in the end ("Ha, ha! Nuked your planet and threw you out the airlock!").

I really liked the space marines who were sent to rescue the colonists. They had the qualities that I always imagine US Marines to have, particularly the, "We are going to go kill some aliens and it's no big deal," attitude. And even when things turned out badly for them they just put their heads down and kept going, heedless of the risks and dangers because that's who they are and what they do.

The only thing about the story that bothered me was that they had the survivor from the original expedition (Weaver) who was brought along as a technical expert, having seen the aliens first hand, and then they pretty much ignore her advice until it's too late. I am pretty good at suspending disbelief when I see a movie but this just seemed ridiculous. But if you can get over that one logical mistake the rest of the film really works. It keeps you completely engaged all the way to the end. And it's one of those rare movies that I can see more than once just to see what details I might have missed on a previous viewing.
« Last Edit: March 09, 2011, 04:42:06 PM by trapeze »
In a doomsday scenario, hippies will be among the first casualties. So not everything about doomsday will be bad.

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2011, 04:30:42 PM »
I liked all three of the Alien movies.  Aliens was the first movie I'd ever seen where the heroine didn't jump over the gun on her screaming way out of the room.
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain

"Let us assume for the moment everything you say about me is true. That just makes your problem bigger, doesn't it?"

Offline Glock32

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2011, 04:49:12 PM »
Aliens is one of my favorites too. I also agree it's one of the best sequels ever (along with The Empire Strikes Back). That scene at the beginning when Ripley is at an inquest for hours on end, trying to explain why she engaged the self-destruct on her ship in the first film (i.e., because of the creature) and they keep questioning her sanity, bringing up crass bureaucratic concerns, etc, she finally loses it and goes off on the entire panel. I think of that scene a lot lately, when people ignore the enormous mess we're in and instead focus on their petty BS concerns that won't even matter once things really start coming unglued.

The one thing about that film I have trouble believing is that they would leave their ship in orbit completely unmanned. Seems they would at least have a sentry crew, or a reserve team to do an evac in case things go bad.

Overall a great movie.
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Offline Alphabet Soup

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2011, 05:46:51 PM »
C'mon Trap...rules?!

OK, here goes.

The Fifth Element - 1997

Bruce Willis
Gary Oldman
Ian Holm   
Milla Jovovich

This has to be my favorite "just tune out and enjoy" movie. I think it's the perfect blend of Sci-Fi, action, fantasy, and (light) comedy. The movie flows like champagne - tantalizing and full of excitement. You're never quite drawn into a personal association with any of the characters but who cares?! It's harmless fun that pushes all the right buttons and never disappointments.

9/10 stars

Offline Alphabet Soup

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2011, 06:02:21 PM »
And now for something completely different...

What Dreams May Come - 1998

Robin Williams
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Annabella Sciorra
Max von Sydow

I wanted to hate this movie. A friend loaned me the DVD not knowing how much I despise Robin Williams. I almost sent it back unopened. But I did read the blurb on the dustcover and it tempted me into watching.

I'm glad it did. It's a story of love and loyalty...and of loss. It's the story of a man who would literally walk through the gates of Hell to save someone. Obviously it isn't a "romp" or the stuff of casual viewing. And the pacing can be excessively slow at times, but I think it's worth the watch. The visuals can at times be stunning - or terrifying. I found myself relating in spite of myself.

Bring your hankie...

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2011, 06:04:58 PM »
I liked both of those as well, Soup.

"Basic" was good; John Travolta, Harry Connick, Jr., Tim Daley, Samuel L. Jackson, and bunch of faces I've seen a lot since then.  Had a female lead as well; too lazy to look her name up.

Jackson plays a sonofabitch DI, really hard on his team/trainees (SEALS or some such) in Panama (?) and the movie evolves into drug-dealing and murder, which a sort of renegade/washout Travolta is brought in to investigate.  The end was excellent; a surprise.

« Last Edit: March 09, 2011, 06:10:05 PM by Pandora »
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain

"Let us assume for the moment everything you say about me is true. That just makes your problem bigger, doesn't it?"

Offline IronDioPriest

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2011, 06:50:36 PM »
How about a super-depressing but brilliant film about how generational dysfunction is passed down from father to son?

Enter, 1997's "Affliction" starring Nick Nolte, James Coburn, Sissy Spacek, and Willem DaFoe.

It is among the saddest and most pathetic stories I've ever seen put to film, but it is riveting. The acting is top-notch, with Coburn standing out as giving an absolutely devastating performance as an old, abusive, hardcore drunken sonofabitch. Nolte as his son, DaFoe as little brother and narrator, Spacek as Nolte's girlfriend.

The setting is a small Northeastern town, where Nolte's character is the sheriff. The entire movie occurs in the winter, and much of it occurs outdoors, so the scenes are stark, cold, barren. Never a peek of sun; just gray skies.

First you get to know Nolte, who seems like a good-time, easy-going sheriff. But as the story unfolds, you learn that no one respects his authority, and his position as sheriff is beholden to town bosses who throw him scraps. His relationship with his ex and daughter are strained at first, and later you discover; irreparable. He's paranoid, and prone to outbursts.

The plot unfolds around a hunting accident. Nolte begins to believe that there may have been foul play. He begins following rabbit-trails that seem logical to him, and he keeps getting dragged deeper into his own troubles as he runs in circles around the plot that he sees. Both his devastated present and his utterly destroyed past begin to overwhelm him, and he embarks on a path of ever-increasing self-destruction, enveloping everyone around him. It eventually leads to a downward spiral and confrontation with his father over past abuses and current disappointments.

I'll say no more than that. I'll just conclude by saying that this film is so well scripted and acted, it is as if you're watching real people who are really, really f**ked up. It's devastating, but wonderfully done at the same time.

"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

Offline Predator Don

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2011, 06:57:55 PM »
I like the movie "Armegeddan".

Weird people, hot girl, spaceships, asteroids, hero, selflessness, selfishness, A bomb, drilling, common man, NASA ( before obama), oil rigs, guns in space, slingshots off moon, G's, reuniting with loved ones, 2nd chances, pride, fear, technology,  America saves the world.

If obama President during this time, we never pull this off.
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Offline Predator Don

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2011, 07:00:35 PM »
Oh, and I like Independence day for all the same reasons above.
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Offline Predator Don

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2011, 07:16:32 PM »
Got me to thinking...One of the most moving movies I have ever watched was a Kevin Bacon movie called "Taking Chance"...

It involves the procedures followed when a fallen soldier is brought back to the USA. One of the very, very, very few films where I welled up with tears. I highly recommend this doc.

"Taking Chance" trailer
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Offline trapeze

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2011, 09:32:03 PM »
Die Hard (1988)

Directed by John McTiernan

Bruce Willis
Alan Rickman
Bonnie Bedelia

If you ever needed proof that Roger Ebert is a know-nothing, over-rated hack you need look no further than his review of Die Hard. He gave it two out of five stars. The fact that over twenty years later it is still one of the most popular movies ever says otherwise.

Fast paced. Tension filled. Suspenseful. Funny.

Outstanding dialogue..."Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..." or "We're gonna need some more FBI guys, I guess."

And a bunch of terrorists get killed in interesting and spectacular ways. So it's basically right wing porn. Yay.

« Last Edit: March 09, 2011, 09:34:33 PM by trapeze »
In a doomsday scenario, hippies will be among the first casualties. So not everything about doomsday will be bad.

Offline IronDioPriest

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2011, 09:40:19 PM »
Willis is another Hollywood conservative.
"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means."

- Thomas Jefferson

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #18 on: March 09, 2011, 09:52:21 PM »
Die Hard (1988)

Directed by John McTiernan

Bruce Willis
Alan Rickman
Bonnie Bedelia

If you ever needed proof that Roger Ebert is a know-nothing, over-rated hack you need look no further than his review of Die Hard. He gave it two out of five stars. The fact that over twenty years later it is still one of the most popular movies ever says otherwise.

Fast paced. Tension filled. Suspenseful. Funny.

Outstanding dialogue..."Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..." or "We're gonna need some more FBI guys, I guess."

And a bunch of terrorists get killed in interesting and spectacular ways. So it's basically right wing porn. Yay.



Ah, damn straight!  The best line in the movie is "Yippee ki yea, motherfcker!"  ::snoopydance::
"Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer." - Mark Twain

"Let us assume for the moment everything you say about me is true. That just makes your problem bigger, doesn't it?"

Offline Glock32

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Re: Trap's Movie Thread
« Reply #19 on: March 09, 2011, 09:55:33 PM »
And speaking of right wing porn.....


Red Dawn (1984)

Patrick Swayze
Charlie Sheen (who was on a drug called Charlie Sheen)
Jennifer Grey
Lea Thompson
Powers Boothe

A combined Soviet-Nicaraguan-Cuban assault into the American interior by way of Mexico catches the US completely off guard. A small town in Colorado, which is now behind enemy lines, becomes the focal point of the film. A group of high schoolers flee into the surrounding mountains and slowly become an adept guerrilla band. A scene notable to those of us in the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (tm) was the part where the commander of the occupation force orders his men to collect ATF Form 4473 copies from the local gun shop so that private citizens with firearms can be identified and eliminated.
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