Let's All Go to the Lobby

I recently was able to snag a copy of the Rambo 4k boxset from Amazon, so I've spent some time revisiting these movies.

First Blood is still a damn fine movie, and while the rest of the series never captures that same level, they were all fun in their own right. I do think Rambo 4 was the weakest of the bunch (even though I had a hard time not imagining Rambo 5 as basically a Home Alone sequel.)

Last night I rewatched Amelie - a movie I haven't seen since I saw it theatrically. I forgot how much I loved this movie and just how adorable Audrey Tautou is.

I really would have loved to hear the pitch regarding act II and how they convinced the money folks to let that roll. I thought it was something special to watch. 

Posted by: @dannyboy121070

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Wasn't that a beautiful film?

Saw The Dog Stars, last night, and what a missed opportunity.

The cinematography was great and the acting by the four leads was solid, but the screenplay completely missed the mark at the end of the movie.

 I thought the first 2/3 of the movie was pretty good, and remained true to the book.  There were numerous differences, but in pacing and tone, it stayed faithful to the source material.

Throw that out the window in the last third, where the movie goes off in its own direction.

SPOILERS BELOW

After escaping the reapers and leaving the ranch with Cima & Pops, the whole Grand Junction plot line with the Alison Janney character was so jarring and weird.  It just didn’t fit the movie.  For reference, think of the ending to 28 Years Later, “I’m Jimmy”.  The novel handled the Grand Junction story line much subtlety and realistically.

After escaping Grand Junction, they return for the reunion with Bangley, which in the book was tension-filled and touch and go, where a weakened Bangley must depend on strangers to save his life.

 The movie played the reunion for comedic effect, which was completely out of line with the Bangley character. 

After that, the movie just kind of limped along for another tedious 15 minutes.

B

Posted by: @brlesh

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Saw The Dog Stars, last night, and what a missed opportunity.

The cinematography was great and the acting by the four leads was solid, but the screenplay completely missed the mark at the end of the movie.

 I thought the first 2/3 of the movie was pretty good, and remained true to the book.  There were numerous differences, but in pacing and tone, it stayed faithful to the source material.

Throw that out the window in the last third, where the movie goes off in its own direction.

SPOILERS BELOW

 

 

 

 

After escaping the reapers and leaving the ranch with Cima & Pops, the whole Grand Junction plot line with the Alison Janney character was so jarring and weird.  It just didn’t fit the movie.  For reference, think of the ending to 28 Years Later, “I’m Jimmy”.  The novel handled the Grand Junction story line much subtlety and realistically.

After escaping Grand Junction, they return for the reunion with Bangley, which in the book was tension-filled and touch and go, where a weakened Bangley must depend on strangers to save his life.

 The movie played the reunion for comedic effect, which was completely out of line with the Bangley character. 

After that, the movie just kind of limped along for another tedious 15 minutes.

B

So glad to read this before I bought tickets, which I was already wary to do, based on the previews alone.

I absolutely love THE DOGS STARS novel, and I'm always reluctant to see films of favorite books because 1). they tend to disappoint, and 2). I don't want someone else's interpretation of the work to overlay my special experience with the source book. Reason #2 is why I have never, and never will, see the film adaption of McCarthy's THE ROAD. 

But while the previews of THE DOG STARS felt initially okay, there was something off with the mood and tone (and maybe casting?), and I could quite place my finger on why -- it understandably seemed less existential and meditative and more action'y -- but whatever it was I sensed, it was enough to cause me to hold off grabbing tickets.

My wife and I ended up going to see THE ODYSSEY instead (non-IMAX), and it was okay. I didn't quite get the hype that some throw at it, but it was entertaining and certainly well done, if a bit long at three hours, especially given that there were obvious areas that could have been cut with no impact. Felt a little indulgent on Nolan's part. But anyway: a solid 7 out of 10 for me.

@ronclinton That's pretty much how I feel about most of Nolan's films: They're OK, but never the "GREATEST FILM OF ALL TIME THAT MUST BE SEEN ON THE LARGEST SCREEN EVER MADE!!!!" that the critics always claim they are.