mattmav45

This is a Malick misfire to me. All his films are poetry in motion, so of course it's beautiful and has some breath-taking images. And yet, I couldn't get past this sense of disconnection that seemed to pervade the whole movie. It would occasionally hit an emotional chord with me, but too often it just seemed uninvolving.....I always felt like I was at least an arm's length away from the characters and what was going on. I don't mind a slow pace, but a connection to the film and characters is a must in order for it to work. I will say the final shots of the pristine natural world as it once existed are devastating, particularly the ever so subtle swaying of the trees as the final shot. C+

Francis Ford Coppola will most likely always be remember for his Godfather saga, and for good reason. Ironically enough, in 1974 Coppola directed two powerhouse films, and it's a shame The Conversation has fallen by the wayside, to an extent.The basic plot finds Gene Hackman as one of the best buggers and security guys in the country. He ends up recording a conversation that leads him to believe that a murder may be carried out as a result of his surveillance.It must be noted that this is very deliberately paced, and likely not for everyone. It uses a fantastic score along with exceptional lighting and camera angles to convey a dark and foreboding atmosphere. It's the kind of film that envelopes you minute by minute, and draws you into its mood and tone.Gene Hackman in particular gives one of the more interesting performances of his career. The first half acts as a very deep character study into a private soul, and Hackman gives a low-key and poignant performance. One can easily see how his career has led to his devolution into a anxiety-ridden and paranoid individual. His career has seeped over to control ever aspect of his life, and he's having trouble holding it all together.This basic set-up leads to an excellent second half full of suspense rivaling that of a Hitchcockian thriller. The moral dilemmas presented here are very real, and lead to good discussion upon the conclusion of the film. At what point does moral responsibility override basic job duties? It is also worth noting that Coppola is a master at keep thing subtle, and it's refreshing to see deep themes and dilemma presented in ways that don't come across as heavy-handed lecturing.All these events lead to a downright electrifying and shocking conclusion. In fact, the ending constantly surprises you as top-notch suspense and even subtle horror take over. It just reinforces the very notion that the most powerful things in film will always be big ideas and themes.Simply put, this is a no-holds barred powerhouse for any movie fan. It features a director at the top of his game, and he shows just how masterful he can be at controlling his craft. Tension, paranoia, and suspense slowly build, and reach a fiery crescendo at the end that will stay in you mind long after the credits roll. As I type this, I've only seen this once. However, I have no doubt that this is the kind of movie that will improve with re-watches as more nuances and details are noticed.Long live Coppola and 70's cinema. A-

This is simply fucking awesome. In some ways, I feel like I've never seen a film like this. This is a beautiful film with vibrant colors and gorgeous set pieces. Del Toro's stamp is all over this one.The characters are all great, and Idris Elba in particular stood out to me. Always thought he was somewhat underrated, and he really stood out here. The "Number 1, don't touch me....Number 2...don't touch me" line was great.What separates this film from standard blockbuster fare was the emotional core situated around Mako and her past. My favorite scene was the flashback scene in which we are placed into her world as a young girl. In fact this scene sums up just what makes this film so awesome....it's beautiful and yet badass at the same time. Many times during the action scenes I would be just as into the shots and colors as I was the action. What's the last blockbuster that has been able to do this?And since the inevitable comparisons have begun, there can be no doubt that Pacific Rim is objectively better than any Transformers film. Let the 12-15 year-old Bay fanboys have their fun while the adults can enjoy one of the more badass blockbusters in the last few years.B+

This film has grown on me after a couple days.I still find it over-hyped regarding the horror aspect, but I'm surprised at just how good of a film this actually was. You get the idea that every shot was crafted in a meticulous fashion. It's also amazing what real actors can do and provide in a horror film.Very solid. Still early, but No. 4 on the year for me at this point.

In order of best to worst:1. Sunset Boulevard2. The Conjuring3. The Bay4. The Call5. Rock of Ages

It's definitely over-hyped, IMO.However, kudos to Wan for making a quality horror film that relies on shading, lighting, camera angles, and tension for scares. The scariest thing in a horror flick is not knowing what is hiding in the closet, around the corner, or behind the bed. The first 40 minutes were downright fantastic, and one of the more intense openings I've seen in a film.Unfortunately, once you start seeing the demons the movie loses a bit of it's momentum. At its core, this is yet another haunted house/demon/possession movie, and I was expecting more.Good horror flick, but nowhere near worthy of the all-time great or scariest film ever hype.

It's silly, meandering, and utterly pointless. Basically, it's a microcosm of 80's culture.Fuck the 80's, IMO.

1. Spring Breakers 2. Side Effects 3. Upstream Color 4. Fast and Furious 6 5. Monsters University 6. Star Trek Into Darkness 7. Evil Dead 8. The Great Gatsby 9. Iron Man 3 10. The Call 11. Oz: The Great and Powerful 12. Warm Bodies 13. Beautiful Creatures 14. The Last Stand 15. Jack the Giant Slayer

This.I was really only interested with the soundtrack, just seemed way too mechanical and calculated to me.

It's a decent enough film.I thought it took a little too long, and the story ends somewhat abruptly. Still, easily the best I've seen Tatum and not a bad watch, all things considered.

Interesting ideas regarding themes behind the film for those interested.http://imgur.com/a/AQGDC

Ehhh no way I'm even going to try to do rankings. So many films move up or down based on my mood, who I'm with, atmosphere, etc. I've found these lists somewhat silly.

Re-watching this now.This movie fucking kills, IMO.

I mean this in the best way possible: What the fuck did I just watch?This is about as abstract as you can get outside of Terrence Malick, and yet I I was thoroughly engrossed a few minutes in. Re-watches are a must, but this is a fascinating film that once again reminded me that cinema is in its most powerful form as a feeling, mood, and emotion.

Enjoyable, but there's very little doubt Pixar has lost a great bit of its magic displayed during its impressive run of animated masterpieces. Disney is the likely culprit here, but the brilliant run of Ratatouille, Wall-E, Up, and Toy Story 3 has never seemed farther away than it is now.Still, it's really pretty funny, and has good characters to make for an entertaining ride. I do think the greatness of the Mike and Sully scene at the end is being a bit overblown and exaggerated, but I still dug the message. That said, it seems Pixar has exchanged the story, depth, and heart that used to drive their films, and have replaced that with humor and lighter themes. Still good stuff, but ultimately a bit disappointing.

Mesmerizing.Every scene, every shot, every character. Amazing score and the most spiritual experience I've had during a film since Tree of Life.Best of 2012, and one that is likely going to become one of my favorite films.

Will this be released on Blu-ray?It's available to stream, but I'd prefer to wait for the Blu-ray if that is going to happen in the future.

1. Beasts of the Southern Wild2. Django Unchained3. Skyfall4. Seven Psychopaths5. The Grey6. Silver Linings Playbook7. Bernie 8. Take This Waltz 9. Argo10. Looper11. Zero Dark Thirty12. Life of Pi13. 21 Jump Street14. Dredd15. Wreck-It-Ralph16. Perks of Being a Wallflower 17. Your Sister's Sister 18. Safety Not Guaranteed19. Burning Man20. Brave21. Prometheus22. The Cabin in the Woods23. The Dark Knight Rises24. The Avengers25. Moonrise Kingdom26. The Master27. Killer Joe28. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey29. The Deep Blue Sea30. Lincoln31. The Do-Deca-Pentatholon32. Amour33. Killing Them Softly34. Savages35. End of Watch36. Jeff, Who Lives at Home37. The Raid: Redemption38. The Secret World of Arrietty39. Rampart40. For a Good Time, Call...41. Paranorman 42. The Thieves 43. Ruby Sparks44. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World45. God Bless America46. Bourne Legacy47. Ted48. Chronicle49. Goon50. Get the Gringo51. Pitch Perfect 52. This is 40 53. Haywire54. Wanderlust55. Thin Ice56. American Reunion57. V/H/S58. The Campaign59. The Amazing Spider-Man 60. People Like Us 61. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel62. Hit and Run63. Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning64. The Hunger Games65. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen66. John Carter67. Men In Black 368. Lawless69. The Five-Year Engagement70. Excision71. The Pact72. Snow White and the Huntsman73. Safe House74. Contraband75. Flight76. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted77. Premium Rush78. Sinister79. Damsels in Distress80. Being Flynn 81. Deadfall 82. Casa de mi Padre 83. Guilt Trip 84. Pirates! Band of Misfits 85. Dark Shadows 86. The Dictator 87. Intruders 88. Butter89. Man on a Ledge90. Red Tails91. Mirror Mirror92. Trouble with the Curve93. The Woman in Black 94. Cosmopolis 95. Lola Versus 96. The Collection 97. The Raven98. Silent House99. Battleship 100. Total Recall 101. This Means War102. Project X 103. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter 104. Wrath of the Titans 105. Red Lights 106. The Lorax107. Underworld: Awakening108. Act of Valor109. Lockout110. The Devil Inside

I simply love Tree of Life, and really enjoy Thin Red Line. Sadly, I haven't seen any of his other films, but the trio of New World, Badlands, and Days of Heaven should be arriving over the course of the next few weeks from my Netflix queue.

I have yet to see Holy Motors and some select others, but Spring Breakers is superior to any 2012 film I've seen.

$150 movie ticket? LMAO, pass over that bong George.

Yeah, 3:10 to Yuma's last half hour is on fire. Have to echo the thoughts on The Grey. Expected a cheesy action flick and got a minimal survivalist film with deep themes. Re-watched this a couple of weeks ago, and was even stronger than I remembered.

Yeah, my bad Tele. I accidentally put 2013 in the request thread, but it should be 2012. I don't think the previous thread was archived, so we can likely just combine the two. As for the movie, this is easily the most overlooked and underrated film of last year. A devastating and heartbreaking look at new love, and how it can destroy something that was more real. Michelle Williams is great as always, but Seth Rogen suprises in a genuine dramatic role for him. Some many things to say and think about, so it will be suited for a full review on my blog. However, this is one of the best films of 2012.

Take This Waltz.How the hell has this not been added? Most overlooked and underrated film of 2012, IMO.

What do you guys have?Decided to watch The Conversation yesterday, and was shocked at brilliant it was. A low-key masterpiece, and possibly my favorite Coppola film.