Comments on: Theater Releases for August 15th, 2008 http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/ The official podcast of MovieZeal.com, where film is always best discussed under the gentle influence of fine wine (as fine as $10 will get you). Each week Evan, Heather, and Luke pick a theme, discuss a theatrical release based on that theme, pop the cork and drink a wine that fits said theme, and finally subject one another to The Gauntlet, where forcing others to watch painful films nets you fabulous prizes. There is not anything else on the internets like it (literally). Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:47:00 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Sam Juliano http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8671 Sam Juliano Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:24:55 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8671 "The rest of the movie was a different story" I haven't seen it yet, and I won't make any conclusions, but I would place even money on that turning out to be a fact!" “The rest of the movie was a different story”

I haven’t seen it yet, and I won’t make any conclusions, but I would place even money on that turning out to be a fact!”

]]> By: Phillip Johnston http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8642 Phillip Johnston Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:02:45 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8642 Robert Downey Jr. is gut-bustingly hilarious in <i>Tropic Thunder</i>. I was in stitches every time he was on screen. The rest of the movie was a different story. Robert Downey Jr. is gut-bustingly hilarious in Tropic Thunder. I was in stitches every time he was on screen.

The rest of the movie was a different story.

]]> By: Luke Harrington http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8457 Luke Harrington Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:00:39 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8457 <blockquote>Wait…. “Zorba the Hutt” is a real character in Star Wars!?!? I thought Luke was just making a bizarre Nikos Kazantzakis joke!</blockquote> Yeah Fox...I <i>wish</i> I was that literate. :)

Wait…. “Zorba the Hutt” is a real character in Star Wars!?!? I thought Luke was just making a bizarre Nikos Kazantzakis joke!

Yeah Fox…I wish I was that literate. :)

]]> By: G http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8443 G Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:04:48 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8443 I could not be more excited about the love for Manhattan Murder Mystery. An utterly charming film, one where his use of the great directors is productive rather than mere mimicry (see A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, Interiors). Although I love both Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow, Anjelica Huston may be the greatest female Allen player of them all. After not getting her fair share in Crimes and Misdemeanors (an even better film), she dominates this one even when she's not onscreen, intimidating the three other major characters with her intelligence and her sexuality. Basically, she rules. As does the movie. Match Point just felt like an empty and shallow exercise to me, and the "which way will the ring fall" seen (which Allen described as his inspiration for the entire film) seemed trite and deflating. But nowhere near as trite and deflating as the film's latter third degeneration into keystone kops routine( "But what if someone planned the first murder, and then the second murder was an accident." "Nah.") New topic: How bitter am I that I now seem to hate dramatic irony in all of its forms? Anyone with me on this? anyone? I could not be more excited about the love for Manhattan Murder Mystery. An utterly charming film, one where his use of the great directors is productive rather than mere mimicry (see A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy, Interiors). Although I love both Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow, Anjelica Huston may be the greatest female Allen player of them all. After not getting her fair share in Crimes and Misdemeanors (an even better film), she dominates this one even when she’s not onscreen, intimidating the three other major characters with her intelligence and her sexuality. Basically, she rules. As does the movie.

Match Point just felt like an empty and shallow exercise to me, and the “which way will the ring fall” seen (which Allen described as his inspiration for the entire film) seemed trite and deflating. But nowhere near as trite and deflating as the film’s latter third degeneration into keystone kops routine( “But what if someone planned the first murder, and then the second murder was an accident.” “Nah.”)

New topic: How bitter am I that I now seem to hate dramatic irony in all of its forms? Anyone with me on this? anyone?

]]> By: Fox http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8434 Fox Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:15:53 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8434 Wait.... "Zorba the Hutt" is a real character in Star Wars!?!? I thought Luke was just making a bizarre Nikos Kazantzakis joke! Alexander - I agree with your analysis of <i>Cassandra's Dream</i>, but what made it watchable for me was the performance of Colin Farrell. Similarily in <i>Scoop</i>, I thought - surprisingly - that Scarlett Johannson did a great job as the surrogate "Woody" character... especially after that excruciating performance by Jason Biggs in <i>Anything Else</i> (Woody's worst film, in my opinion...) Wait…. “Zorba the Hutt” is a real character in Star Wars!?!? I thought Luke was just making a bizarre Nikos Kazantzakis joke!

Alexander -

I agree with your analysis of Cassandra’s Dream, but what made it watchable for me was the performance of Colin Farrell.

Similarily in Scoop, I thought – surprisingly – that Scarlett Johannson did a great job as the surrogate “Woody” character… especially after that excruciating performance by Jason Biggs in Anything Else (Woody’s worst film, in my opinion…)

]]> By: Alexander Coleman http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8432 Alexander Coleman Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:58:41 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8432 <i>Match Point</i>, I fear, plays best the first time you view it, and then it gradually loses more and more with each revisiting. In that sense, it's a pretty shallow thriller, and also a recycling of <i>Crimes and Misdemeanors</i>. <i>Manhattan Murder Mystery</i>--now that's an underrated Allen film. Having recently seen it again, I must commend the way in which Allen mixes some unsettling Hitchcockian tension with laugh-out-loud moments. <i>Scoop</i> is pretty awful in the sense that, you immediately accept that it's Allen working in a minor key, but it's just not even successful on that modest score card. So, it's a thoroughly lightweight comedy--fine. But it didn't provoke a single laugh. I found <i>Cassandra's Dream</i> to be perhaps Allen indulging in his worst instincts. It's the one movie he's made that was in its own way depressing--because it's an achingly somber story told clumsily and lethargically... It was like attempting to surf on molasses. I'm hoping <i> Vicky Christina Barcelona</i> is Allen's true comeback. I have a good feeling about it. Of course, that might just be from looking at Penelope Cruz in the ads and trailer. Match Point, I fear, plays best the first time you view it, and then it gradually loses more and more with each revisiting. In that sense, it’s a pretty shallow thriller, and also a recycling of Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Manhattan Murder Mystery–now that’s an underrated Allen film. Having recently seen it again, I must commend the way in which Allen mixes some unsettling Hitchcockian tension with laugh-out-loud moments.

Scoop is pretty awful in the sense that, you immediately accept that it’s Allen working in a minor key, but it’s just not even successful on that modest score card. So, it’s a thoroughly lightweight comedy–fine. But it didn’t provoke a single laugh.

I found Cassandra’s Dream to be perhaps Allen indulging in his worst instincts. It’s the one movie he’s made that was in its own way depressing–because it’s an achingly somber story told clumsily and lethargically… It was like attempting to surf on molasses.

I’m hoping Vicky Christina Barcelona is Allen’s true comeback. I have a good feeling about it. Of course, that might just be from looking at Penelope Cruz in the ads and trailer.

]]> By: Joseph http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8431 Joseph Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:56:53 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8431 "Recommended if you know who Zorba the Hutt is" Guilty as charged. :) “Recommended if you know who Zorba the Hutt is”

Guilty as charged. :)

]]> By: Evan Derrick http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8426 Evan Derrick Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:01:11 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8426 I haven't seen <i>Scoop</i>, G, but I found <i>Match Point</i> absolutely riveting. One of the most intense, searing dramas I have ever seen. Just one man's opinion, of course (and, as you pointed out, <i>Cassandra's Dream</i> did not fare well in any sense), but any director that can pull off a film like <i>Match Point</i> has knack for drama plain and simple. I haven’t seen Scoop, G, but I found Match Point absolutely riveting. One of the most intense, searing dramas I have ever seen. Just one man’s opinion, of course (and, as you pointed out, Cassandra’s Dream did not fare well in any sense), but any director that can pull off a film like Match Point has knack for drama plain and simple.

]]> By: Fox http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8425 Fox Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:00:24 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8425 Dang... look at Evan scooping in to correct the error on the <i>VCB</i> preview. You guys are hardcore around here! :) But on <i>VCB</i> trailer, I really love the way it ends with Penelope Cruz shooting the gun and the screen goes to black. I'm an admitted Woody Allen devotee, so I am very biased when it comes to his stuff, and probably blind to his lesser works. I agree with G on liking Scoop better than Match Point, and I halfway like Cassandra's Dream. But I like Woody's "murder" movies better when they have have an undercurrent of comedy to them like <i>Crimes and Misdemeanors</i> and <i>Manhattan Murder Mystery</i>. Dang… look at Evan scooping in to correct the error on the VCB preview. You guys are hardcore around here! :)

But on VCB trailer, I really love the way it ends with Penelope Cruz shooting the gun and the screen goes to black.

I’m an admitted Woody Allen devotee, so I am very biased when it comes to his stuff, and probably blind to his lesser works. I agree with G on liking Scoop better than Match Point, and I halfway like Cassandra’s Dream. But I like Woody’s “murder” movies better when they have have an undercurrent of comedy to them like Crimes and Misdemeanors and Manhattan Murder Mystery.

]]> By: Luke Harrington http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8420 Luke Harrington Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:38:50 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8420 Hmmm...I guess you're right. I didn't check Metacritic (or its ilk), but I remembered hearing generally good things about it. Perhaps I remembered wrong. Hmmm…I guess you’re right. I didn’t check Metacritic (or its ilk), but I remembered hearing generally good things about it. Perhaps I remembered wrong.

]]> By: G http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8419 G Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:36:30 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8419 I liked Scoop way more than Match Point. Woody really, really wants to be a director of dramas, not comedies (I've read his book of interviews, and he is obsessed with it) but he's just not. He can do comedy and "dramedy" but drama is not his thing. Even Interiors is only a partial success. Obviously, you and I were looking at different metacritic pages for Cassandra's dream. Metacritic: 49/100 Rotten Tomatoes: 51/100 RT Top Critics: 43/100 That's not acclaim, I don't think. I liked Scoop way more than Match Point. Woody really, really wants to be a director of dramas, not comedies (I’ve read his book of interviews, and he is obsessed with it) but he’s just not. He can do comedy and “dramedy” but drama is not his thing. Even Interiors is only a partial success.

Obviously, you and I were looking at different metacritic pages for Cassandra’s dream.
Metacritic: 49/100
Rotten Tomatoes: 51/100
RT Top Critics: 43/100

That’s not acclaim, I don’t think.

]]> By: Evan Derrick http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8418 Evan Derrick Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:35:12 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8418 Oh, and Rebecca Hall is the 'Vicky,' not Penelope Cruz (who plays Bardem's ex-wife, not his girlfriend). I realize that is confusing since Hall is conspicuously not on the poster and Cruz is. Oh, and Rebecca Hall is the ‘Vicky,’ not Penelope Cruz (who plays Bardem’s ex-wife, not his girlfriend). I realize that is confusing since Hall is conspicuously not on the poster and Cruz is.

]]> By: Luke Harrington http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8417 Luke Harrington Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:34:49 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8417 It looks like I'm stirring up some strong emotions here...seriously, SFR, if I had known there was someone out there who was taking my writing that seriously, I wouldn't have said half the things I have. I'm more annoyed with the general trend of horror remakes than I am with <i>Mirrors</i> in particular. :\ And Fox...you don't wanna mess with this. :) It looks like I’m stirring up some strong emotions here…seriously, SFR, if I had known there was someone out there who was taking my writing that seriously, I wouldn’t have said half the things I have. I’m more annoyed with the general trend of horror remakes than I am with Mirrors in particular. :\

And Fox…you don’t wanna mess with this. :)

]]> By: Evan Derrick http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8416 Evan Derrick Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:33:38 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8416 On the one hand I agree with scary film reviewer - Aja is one of the better horror talents working today. On the other hand it is yet another remake of an Asian horror film, which says nothing positive in the slightest about the state of American horror. I realize he's French, but since his import into the states, he's fallen sadly into line with Hollywood's way of churning out lame horror remakes. Why is it that all of the good horror films are foreign these days? On the one hand I agree with scary film reviewer – Aja is one of the better horror talents working today. On the other hand it is yet another remake of an Asian horror film, which says nothing positive in the slightest about the state of American horror. I realize he’s French, but since his import into the states, he’s fallen sadly into line with Hollywood’s way of churning out lame horror remakes. Why is it that all of the good horror films are foreign these days?

]]> By: Fox http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8414 Fox Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:29:34 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8414 Yo, I went and saw that dope ass movie <i>Scoop</i>! So what of it buddy!??? Huh, Huh!!!??? Yeeeah... wassup now... you scared or su'in? And Alex Aja doesn't just deserve a slap in the face, he deserves a kick in the poop hole. I wanna fight him. >[ Yo, I went and saw that dope ass movie Scoop! So what of it buddy!??? Huh, Huh!!!??? Yeeeah… wassup now… you scared or su’in?

And Alex Aja doesn’t just deserve a slap in the face, he deserves a kick in the poop hole. I wanna fight him. >[

]]> By: scary film reviewer http://www.moviezeal.com/theater-releases-for-august-15th-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-8413 scary film reviewer Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:14:54 +0000 http://www.moviezeal.com/?p=1098#comment-8413 wow, that synopsis and commentary on Mirrors is really lame. Come on now, is that really how you feel? That was just a low blow, cheap shot to any fan of horror. Alex Aja did one remake outside of this one. Two very gripping thrillers/horror films, and while Mirrors might not be movie gold, I'm not 100% sure it deserved such a slap in the face. Now I feel really dumb for wanting/going to see it this weekend. wow, that synopsis and commentary on Mirrors is really lame. Come on now, is that really how you feel? That was just a low blow, cheap shot to any fan of horror. Alex Aja did one remake outside of this one. Two very gripping thrillers/horror films, and while Mirrors might not be movie gold, I’m not 100% sure it deserved such a slap in the face. Now I feel really dumb for wanting/going to see it this weekend.

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