Buttered Popcorn: Buzzmans Movie Review Thread

[Palooza]

i thought Fast was the next installment of the fast and the furious and that they were using the rock, vin diesel and paul walker

?

That's Fast Five. Faster is a totally different movie.

 

[Maynard]

Blue Valentine (2010)

i am gonna get this one tonight. Sounds like it could be a good flick. i never heard of it till your review. I like gosling. i would have never watched a film like the notebook, but i started watching it and his performance was great

 

[Rivers17ncsu]

i might have to check out Sunshine Cleaning.

Tonight though looks like Unstoppable

 

[Buzzman]

i am gonna get this one tonight. Sounds like it could be a good flick. i never heard of it till your review. I like gosling. i would have never watched a film like the notebook, but i started watching it and his performance was great

Just be prepared, it's very depressing. Worse then Leaving Las Vegas depressing and that movie made me want to kill myself.

i might have to check out Sunshine Cleaning.

Tonight though looks like Unstoppable

FYI, Sunshine Cleaning is on Instant Streaming with netflix.

i thought Fast was the next installment of the fast and the furious and that they were using the rock, vin diesel and paul walker

?

The one I watched is going to be the not awful one. I really hope they keep Brian Conners as an FBI agent still, it would make the story AMAZING!!!

 

[Buzzman]

Buzzman’s Best Films of 2010

I was never really a film man. I rarely watched actual good films until I started reading Rawlin and Dell’s reviews. They reviewed films I’d never give a chance and opened up a huge library of films to me. It was great because I missed out on a ton of great movies that I got to enjoy for the first time. That’s how I essentially got into watching and enjoying film. 2009 was the year this happened so naturally I thought it was a great year for cinema, having seen so many films, of course I would find a good selection that I enjoyed; it’s simple math. Last year changed all that for me though. 2010 was the first actual year that I can say I was a diehard film fan. From the very beginning of the year I made it a goal of mine to go and see any film that even remotely interested me. I feel confident in saying I accomplished that goal by watching 92 releases in the year 2010. That’s not including the ones I have passed over, but still plan to watch, but nearly every decently critiqued film as crossed paths with me this year along with dozens of shitty ones. It was leaps and bounds better than the previous year. My own review thread started out of mere boredom, but I’d like to think it has grown onto some of you guys here at VSN. So without further ado, I offer you my opinion on the 9 Best Films of 2010.

#9 | The Town: Extended Cut

The Town was the much anticipated follow-up for Ben Affleck; the director. He not only created one of 2008s best film but arguably one of the best of the decade. Not many knew if he could recreate that same magic and to throw fuel on the fire, he was going to star in this as well. Once it released, the doubts were buried, and Affleck re-defined himself as a force to be reckoned with. The Town features Hollywood’s golden setting right now, with the Boston area, and made a heist film that rivals with some of the best. The shootouts were well paced, the characters were developed, and cat and mouse game was on. It’s a shame it only got recognized in one category by the academy, but should turn into this generation’s Heat. (The Extended Cut is about 25 minutes longer and adds a few more scenes that add to the overall side stories the theatrical version shied away from; it helped the movie barely squeak into this spot on the list)

# 8 | The Fighter

Boxing; film’s ultimate sport can deliver cliché after cliché, yet at the end of the day it’s still one of the most entertaining genre to watch. Watching an underdog rise and become something great is something we love to see. The Fighter uses these techniques to lure you into the film, but becomes something more than ordinary through the story of the Ward family relationship. Boxing is it’s backdrop into something much larger. It’s dominated by actors that turn into their character and no doubt earned recognition with three acting nominations. It may be the best acted movie as an entire whole in the year 2010 and earned itself a spot as one of the best boxing films to date.

#7 | Blue Valentine

The little film that could was not Winter’s Bone(it’s great though), which Hollywood would have you believe with its countless nominations. It was a movie released at the very end of the year that seemed to come and go without so much as a peep from the general public. Only hardcore fans saw this, and most never have got the opportunity yet. I t was such a small release with little marketing behind it. It truly is a shame that one of the most depressing yet connecting films will never be anything more than forgotten. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams give what will probably end up being their best performances of their career, yet the academy had the nerve to snub Gosling. The film may not be for everyone, but it does touch anyone who watches in some manner that hits close to home.

#6 | Kick-Ass

Comic book films have been over-saturated in the market. A few shitty ones line-up in a row and the genre seems to die down. Then Kick Ass shows up. It features some of the best over the top violence, vulgar language, and spoofs that anyone could ask for. It answered the question of a real life superhero with its hilarious scenarios and controversial characters. It didn’t feature any award winning formulas, but majority can agree it was one of the best movie experiences of the year. It’s sad to look back and see it wasn’t the box office hit it deserved.

#5 | The Social Network

The film that defines a generation is just a tad bit overrated in my look on it. Many are calling it one of the best films of all time (and understandably so), yet here I have it sitting it number five. I think that just speaks to how highly I feel this year has been in film. The film is great because it reveals some history of something we have grown to use every day. While it may not be entirely accurate, it’s themes of friendship, betrayal, greed, and etc. will always be entertaining, but when you combine it with one of the best scores of the year, and great performances all around by its cast make it one of the best movies of the year. It definitely deserves the recognition it has achieved; despite its ranking I would not feel cheated if it ends up winning the Oscar for best picture of the year.

#4 | Toy Story 3

The sendoff to the greatest animated series couldn’t have ended up being any better. It’s shocking really that a sequel 12 years later to a film can turn out so well, yet Toy Story 3 accomplishes just that. It took a series that we all grew up with and let us have a moment alone to say our goodbyes. The adventure this time around brought more laughs, more action, and more tears(metaphorically speaking) than ever before. This last journey with the gang was something special and turns a series into the ultimate trilogy a film fan could ask for. Pixar has reached a peak that can only go down from here because I don’t think anything they produce after this can ever top it.

#3 | Black Swan

This film seemed to blindside everyone. The trailers gave off a creepy ballerina vibe, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted such a twisted psychological thriller that makes ballerina seem like one of the most exciting forms of competition out there. It mentally wears down your brain and brilliantly captures you with its climatic ending that sent chills down your back and let you finally exhale ad catch your breathe. It was powered by its leading lady Natalie Portman in her best performance to date and it’s wonderfully orchestrated musical score. Darren Aronofsky adds yet another brilliant piece of work to his already fantastic resume of film and pulls the greatest trick in convincing the general public to flock in bunches to watch a ballerina film.

#2 | 127 Hours

A movie essentially starring one man stuck in one spot sounds like a bad idea, but Danny Boyle throws in what are fantastic pieces of direction that add dozens of emotions out of his audience. One minute he jumps to fear, then to regret, then to hope, and most importantly life and how precious it really is. James Franco carries the film of course, providing what is easily his career defining role. He takes the struggles of trapped man and gives him enough spark that the audiences terribly roots for him to be free. It may end up being known as that film “where the guy gets his arm stuck” but is so much more than that. This deserves to be number one, but unfortunately it released the same year as…..

#1 | Inception

I have never watched a film that challenges its core audience more than Inception; that is what makes it such a masterpiece. It can be interpreted in so many ways that everyone can be right. Multiple viewings only fuck your mind more, creating new scenarios and bring to light a new perspective on the film. Christopher Nolan created what is Hollywood’s most ambitious stories and earned critical acclaim from nearly everyone. Outside of the technical aspect of the movie I’m truly shocked Nolan didn’t get a directing nod and that Inception seems to have no shot at winning the Oscar that it so rightfully has earned. I fell in love with Inception at first sight, the multiple viewing have only confirmed it; Inception is the best film of 2010.
​

 

[Rivers17ncsu]

great list man, a lot of great movies up there

 

[Buzzman]

I am Number Four (2011)

After nine aliens flee their home planet to find a peaceful life on Earth, their plans are shattered by pursuers who must kill them in number order. Number Four is a teen named John (Alex Pettyfer), who uses his extraordinary abilities to battle his enemies. John's guardian, Henri (Timothy Olyphant), aids him in his deadly fight while he tries to protect his human girlfriend, Sarah (Dianna Agron), and connect with the others who share his powers.

The tale this film tries to sell sounds more exciting then what is played out on screen. A group of young aliens being hunted down by the very species that destroyed their entire population sounds like it could be a badass chase movie. Unfortunately they chose to do a sort of origin story to alien number four that mainly consisted of him walking around moping because he can’t be normal and then moving onto a soapy romance that never dragged, but just wasn’t very interesting because it happened too quickly.

The villains were supposed to be a race that destroyed an entire alien population, so I find very hard to believe they would have trouble killing just one infant who doesn’t know his powers yet. The film seemed to brush that last part off, one minute he’s told he’ll discover new abilities and has to learn to control them, and then next scene he’s using them with ease. Which is it going to be? That sort of thing happens often throughout the film.

Its lead, Alex Pettyfer, is really stiff in the beginning, but by the end, when they had a giant battle he seemed to settle in more. His supporting cast outside of Timothy Olyphant brought some intentional and unintentional laughs, but none made a dent of criticalness to the actual plot. Character’s seemed to change perspectives on the fly to help the poorly written script moving, which ruined any chance of them actually positively contributing.

I am Number Four had a great opportunity to jumpstart a franchise, but the entire thing felt like a bit of a mess. Too many clichés, too many cheesiness, and not enough action. It was fun to watch when it let its lead off the leash, but it ends when it finally does. 2011 continues its piss-poor start and its first chance for appositive light flopped big time here. Unless a miraculous foreign audience attaches, the franchise dies here.

Overall Score: 5/10

 

[Maynard]

Black Swan (2010)

Overall Score: 10/10

started watching this last night. its a slow starting movie and i almost gave up on it at first. But i could tell there was something twisted going on somewhere down the line in the film. Im not there yet, but i know its coming.

 

[Maynard]

maybe i should give some of those movies on your list another try. I didnt give the town much more that 20 mins. Same with inception...i couldnt get into either one.

i have the fighter and blue valentine downloaded and im watching black swan. I loved the social club and watched it yesterday...again

 

[Buzzman]

The Fighter is an all around likable film that almost all enjoy.
Incpetion needs to be watched in one sit through, no stopping and coming back at a certain part.
Blue Valentine is slow and only gets slower, if you don't enjoy it within the first 20-30 mins you wont enjoy any of it.
Black Swan starts slow and finishes going 90mph.

 

[Maynard]

black swan was a fucked up film...in a good way i mean. that mom was bizaare and i was wondering what was up with her sitting in her room, then asking naomi if she was ready for her....i was like WTF. then she is in the room when naomi decides to touch herself....just weird.

the ending was real good. portman did a great job and kunis looked smoking hot in this film. she was great too

 

[Buzzman]

Buzzman’s Worst Films of 2010

As great of a year 2010 has been in film, that doesn’t mean it didn’t have its fair share of shittastic films. Some were expected to be bad while others just failed miserably at their expectations. Some would have been missed by the general public but due to the amount of films that cross my attention, I somehow managed to watch some of these awful films. This isn’t just a list of films you should avoid, but rather films that everyone involved should be ashamed to admit they were a part of. Without further ado, here are my worst films of 2010.

#9 | Monsters

Monsters featured a dynamic pre-release marketing campaign that had strong similarities to District 9. The comparison upon release was short lived as Monsters was just one long amateur film that was about as exciting as Clash of the Titans 3D. The movie was long uninterrupted walk from Mexico to the United States that was high on meaningless conversation and low on monster sightings of any kind. It’s ending was one of the worst attempts at turning garbage into treasure.

#8 | Jonah Hex

Comic Book movies are generally pretty hard to screw up as most end up making good money in return regardless. Because of that a movie like Jonah Hex comes along. I’m not saying it doesn’t deserve a shot at the big screen but everything about the character and is universe is extremely cheesy and doesn’t translate well to the screen. Then you add in a shitty director/writer/supporting cast and not even Josh Brolin can disguise this nothing but the piece of shit that it really is. Jonah Hex puts itself out there as possibly the worst comic book movie to date.

#7 | From Paris with Love

A remake starring a post 1995 John Travolta. That should automatically tell you something could be terribly wrong with the film. Then you throw in the detail that he’s supposed to be some super-agent badass should clearly define it as a terrible film. It lives up to those lofty expectations as well with a miserable plot twist and a fuck you im awesome attitude vibe throughout the entire film. Truly a miserable film.

#6 | Cop Out

Cop Out was once a highly anticipated film. It script was named the best script of all the black listed ones. Kevin Smith was adapting his first non-written film, and it was going to be a tribute to the old school buddy cop films. When it finally released however, it was dreadfully boring, featured a ridiculous plotline, and probably had the worst overall acting ensemble of the entire year. It was the ant-Fighter, and made the other film of the same genre, The Other Guys, look like an Oscar winner.

#5 | Youth in Revolt

This was the film that was supposed to deviate from the usual Michael Cera routine, but outside of a few moments, he still played the same awkward teenager were accustomed to. The alternate ego ended up being a mess and the overall movie had some of the most random scenes put together for the year. To this day I still have no idea what the hell Justin Long was doing in this film or why the advertised the shit out of Zach Gilifinakis when he was only in the film for less than 10 minutes. Such a bizzare film in a very bad way.

#4 | Saw 3D: The Final Chapter

The franchise that didn’t want to die finally concludes. Before the series became a giant shithole, it was actually entertaining. 7 films later and it’s become a joke of an excuse just to feature a vast amount of creative kill shots that lost its appeal after 2 movies. The best part of it all was the film had to try and wrap up all the holes the film had revealed through the years, giving it an all too obvious twist that was a complete joke. To make matters worse, its 3D was dreadful only adding more money per ticket. Don’t be surprised to see another, despite the promised conclusion. This was a box office hit for the dying franchise.

#3 | When in Rome

Kristen Bell should be a star. She’s hot, funny, charming, and has screen presences. She shouldn’t be starring in romantic comedies. Specifically ones like When in Rome where nothing about it is funny and she has trouble finding a date; it just doesn’t make sense. It has all the shitty qualities of a rom-com and follows the list to the tee. No surprise it was released in January and got a shitty box office reception, it was terrible.

#2 | The Bounty Hunter

The worst rom com of the year no doubt stars the queen of rom-coms, Jennifer Aniston. I still can’t believe she contuse to do these shitty films despite the talent she once showed when she just started in the business. The chemistry she has with the one hit wonder Gerald “I get fatter and shittier in every film” Butler is awful. The entire plot was boring and watching these two together was like trying to eat glass. Just plain hurt to do so. It is very lucky to not be the worst of the year because it certainly deserves it but there is still one that is worse.

#1 | And Soon The Darkness

This film shouldn’t even exist. The only reason I even heard of it was because it was advertised in a gaming magazine. The entire film looks like it was done on a handheld camera and shot with a 10,00 budget. It makes its viewer fell stupid. The acting is shit, the environment is shit, and the characters are shit. It is about two hours too long and might be the only film to not feature a climax. I am willing to bet less than 100 people willingly watched the entire thing without turning it off. It is hands down the worst movie of 2010 and no doubt a direct to DVD film that needs to burn all together so no one ever accidentally watches it. That or play it on a loop to solitary confinement inmates so they are taught a real lesson on pain.

Special Mention: My Soul To Take. This film was so bad I just had to add it to the list. Had I watched this before, it would easily have topped #1.
​

 

[Houston]

When in Rome was terrible.

 

[BrntO4Life]

I'm glad you put Youth in Revolt in there. My favorite novel ever written was sliced and diced to shreds, with major characters completely removed. And Justin Long's character is awesome in the book.

The movie was a shitfest.

 

[Buzzman]

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

A congressman (Matt Damon) who's a rising star on the political scene finds himself entranced by a beautiful ballerina (Emily Blunt), but mysterious circumstances ensure that their love affair is predestined to be a non-starter.

The Adjustment Bureau starts off extremely well-paced. It introduces you to David Norris (Damon), a bad boy turned congressmen, who has just lost the race for Senate in the state of New York. According to the plan laid out for him, this wasn’t supposed to happen. So the men in “suits” need to fix this problem and set him back on the right path. Enter Elise, the young woman that mesmerizes David right before he gives his speech that makes him the front runner for the next state election. That sets up a ripple effect that changes both of their lives forever.

The next time they bump into each other should’ve been a forgettable moment but because they recognized each other, the plan was disrupted once again. This ends up exposing David to a world that was supposed to remain in the dark and not only changes his way of life, but ours as well. Has all of our choices been actually ours or have them been pre-determined all along. It can be very creative at times, but in its attempt to not be too daring, it reveals itself to have a definite answer that just feels boring, rather than leaving one that gets the audience pondering what exactly is the truth. The over-explaining slowed down an otherwise well-paced film that just took a tumble.

The best parts of the film were the brief romance scenes between the wonderful Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, who had some very aware chemistry that clicked the moment the two converse with each other. It’s funny that had the movie ditched the science fiction aspect of the film and made it a full-on romance film, it more than likely would have turned out for the better but instead we get a small, yet good romance, in an otherwise average sci-fi flick. It wasn’t the sure fire hit that the trailers made it out to be, but it sure stands out in a so far dreadful 2011.

Overall Score: 7/10

 

[BrntO4Life]

Really? I have a hard time giving it more than a 3...

 

[Buzzman]

Really? I have a hard time giving it more than a 3...

I can definitely see people not enjoying due to its over explanation and messy plot, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything up until the last 25 minutes or so.

 

[BrntO4Life]

I can definitely see people not enjoying due to its over explanation and messy plot, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything up until the last 25 minutes or so.

Besides the messy plot, it just seems like every device within the world was so arbitrarily chosen.

Why the fuck did they choose a hat? What's the big deal about doorknobs? The writers were immensely lazy in creating a world separate from our own.

It just lacked any intelligence and screamed of "I got high and thought about destiny, God, and free will a lot, so I wrote this."

 

[Buzzman]

Besides the messy plot, it just seems like every device within the world was so arbitrarily chosen.

Why the fuck did they choose a hat? What's the big deal about doorknobs? The writers were immensely lazy in creating a world separate from our own.

It just lacked any intelligence and screamed of "I got high and thought about destiny, God, and free will a lot, so I wrote this."

It's funny you mention the doorknobs and the way they have to be used with the hats, yet most of the ones Damon uses are levers and handles, and not knobs,, therefore making it impossible to follow the rules. I'm not going to lie and say the science fiction aspect was good, but the romance between Damon and Blunt was their and at the end of the day, entertaining to watch these two interact.

 

[BrntO4Life]

I'm not going to lie and say the science fiction aspect was good, but the romance between Damon and Blunt was their and at the end of the day, entertaining to watch these two interact.

Agree to disagree. I thought it was terribly trite.

I can't believe I spent $12 on that.