Archive for July, 2012

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Movie Review: The Watch

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , , , on 07/27/2012 by Taylor Holt

Stars: Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, Richard Ayoade

Rated R for some strong sexual content including references, pervasive language and violent images, Running time 98 minutes, Comedy/Sci-fi

Compare to: Men in Black II (2002), Paul (2011)

The Watch reminds me of several papers I’d done from elementary school all the way to high school. I’d be given an assignment and started letting all the details flow onto the paper. I would really be getting into it, depending on the subject matter. As much as I was enjoying myself, I would eventually realize that I’d already written the required amount and I didn’t need to go any further, so the conclusion, be it a story, essay, informative, whatever, would turn everything else into a rushed mess. This is the best way I can sum up The Watch.

A “meh” idea (aliens) mixed with a fairly funny premise (neighborhood watch taking themselves too seriously) and ultimately combining to make a movie that seemed like it could have actually been really good, despite what you thought about the trailers. Too bad it wasn’t as complete a thought as some scenes led me to believe early on. Continue reading →

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MBTI: Batman and Company

Posted in MBTI Stuff, The Dark Knight Rises Stuff with tags , , , , , , , on 07/23/2012 by Taylor Holt

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If you read my Myers Briggs post correlating movies to their respective type, you know I’m a fan of MBTI. And seeing as how Dark Knight Rises was as great as we wanted it to be, I still feel the need to write about all things pertaining to it. Below are a list of characters, primarily villains, who fit into the MBTI types. One thing that’s so fun about Batman’s villains are the fact that each one is a different aspect of his personality. There’s a whole science to him, look it up.

Once again, if you have an interest in Myers Briggs, here’s a link. Last Batman post for a while I think. I’ve got a life, I swear.

Okay fine, I don’t.

Updated on October 16. 2013

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Keep Your Politics Out of My Batman

Posted in The Dark Knight Rises Stuff, Whatever with tags , , , , on 07/23/2012 by Taylor Holt

 

It’s not uncommon for filmmakers to put their political and/or religious beliefs out of the stories they tell. Movies themselves are full of themes, ideas and messages, it goes without saying. In fact, if you don’t have an overall point, your movie probably sucks. But notice the difference between a message or theme from your beliefs. One is an ultimate point, something the film is centered around, constantly being conveyed through whatever it is the characters do.

In the 2003 remake of Willard (don’t remember?), Willard Stiles is a pathetic man with absolutely nothing to his name, and his life is being run into the ground with an especial amount of help from his tyrannical bully of a boss. You feel sorry for Willard (Kinda. Depends on how you feel about Crispin Glover) until he gets his iota of power by controlling an army of rats. He, in time, becomes just as bad as his boss to make an hour and a half short. The idea being don’t become what you hate. While this isn’t to say that everyone should strive to be like Willard, at least not financially, the movie had a message and it was made clear to those who wanted it. Most times people don’t, or don’t need to pick up on this but many times you can just feel it. It centers the film. But a message isn’t what I’m speaking of. Continue reading →

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Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

Posted in Reviews!, The Dark Knight Rises Stuff with tags , , , , , on 07/20/2012 by Taylor Holt

Stars: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action/violence, some sensuality and language, 164 minutes, Action/Adventure

Compare to: Heat (1996), Inception (2010)

After four years of wondering how could they make a sequel to 2008’s The Dark Knight and make anywhere near as good, The Dark Knight Rises is finally here and we can finally know. Many critics have criticized the nearly three hour run time, the supposed slow start to a decent finish that isn’t bad but something of a disappointment.

They claim that this is what happens after a director has so many films; he becomes full of himself and creates a long, slow, pretentious letdown. None of those things are true. I’m going to skip even a brief overview of the story so feel free to read with no spoilers. Continue reading →

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This Movie Suuucks: Parody Movies of the Last Decade

Posted in This Movie SUUUCKS with tags , , , on 07/18/2012 by Taylor Holt

I was going to mock Batman & Robin simply because Dark Knight Rises comes out in a couple days, but it’s just not worth it. We all know how terrible that movie is and there’s nothing I can say to elaborate or complete it’s panning.

I truly believe no more damage can be done to Batman & Robin. No more can be said about bat nipples, blinding neon lights, Chris O’ Donnell, and definitely not “the ice ayge!” We can repeat the lines and jokes and it can still be funny, but nothing new can emerge.

What we can talk about are the pieces of garbage parodies movies of the last decade…

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What to Expect from The Dark Knight Rises

Posted in The Dark Knight Rises Stuff, Whatever with tags , , , , on 07/17/2012 by Taylor Holt

I’m not usually one to place too much faith in a film. I usually go with the idea that while I want it to be good, I stay with reality in case it turns out to be terrible. Then there’s everything in between. Last year’s Drive was great, while Captain America wasn’t too bad, and then Tekken: Blood Vengeance was a miserable disappointment to me as a Tekken fan. Man, I was really looking forward to that one too. With that in mind, I’d like to feel some sense of cautiousness toward this Friday’s Dark Knight Rises…but I just can’t. I was one of the naysayers who didn’t care for the casting of Heath Ledger as the Joker, but look what we got. I expected it to be a decent film, but the end result was a little better than “decent.” I wasn’t sure what to think of the Inception trailers, but dang it, I love that movie now.

So now with Dark Knight Rises on the way, I feel it’s not only safe to this is going to be a great movie, but possibly Christopher Nolan’s best. This, along with the fact I believe Nolan to be one of the best directors of all time, we could be getting a classic with DKR. I honestly don’t think that’s expecting too much. Nolan himself has been quoted as saying that DKR is the “biggest [film] anyone’s done since the silent era.”

Here are some things to look forward to.

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You Gotta See This: Let’s Go to Prison

Posted in You've Gotta See This with tags , , , , on 07/13/2012 by Taylor Holt

Stars: Will Arnett, Dax Shepard, Chi McBride, Bob Odenkirk

Rated R for language, sexual content, some violence and drug material, 2006, Comedy

Compare to: Half Baked (1998), Due Date (2010)

Since I haven’t done a You Gotta See This in a while, I figured I’d let out (hehe). Not to mention, Ice Age: Continental Drift is the only thing that comes out tomorrow, and while it doesn’t look terrible, frankly, I just don’t care to review it. If you wanted to see it, check it out. If it looks terrible to you, chances are, you’ll find it terrible. That could easily sum up almost every movie ever reviewed on here, thereby defeating the purpose of this site, yet… I persist. Not every movie can be Warrior.

This post’s movie is Let’s Go to Prison and is unique in that it ain’t the cinematic gem I might normally promote a YGST as. It is very crude, very crass, and pretty much stupid. I just have a heck of a time watching it. Prison comedies just don’t speak to everyone understandably, and while I don’t necessarily care to relate to anything that happens in this movie, watching it happen to others just brings a smile to my face. Continue reading →

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Movie Review: Moonrise Kingdom

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , , , on 07/12/2012 by Taylor Holt

Stars: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and smoking, 94 Minutes, Drama/Comedy

Compare to: Rushmore (1998), The Brothers Bloom (2008)

Wes Anderson has done it again. He’s made a film that’s indie appeal is the movie rather than being apart of the movie, utilizing a unique brand of humor others just attempt. He’s also made a movie that, if you’re not fan who just can’t get enough, will annoy you to the bitter end how bland everyone is. A gift and a curse. Thankfully, this movie is more on the “gift” side.

Anderson’s love of character’s, settings, and tone that are so…mild seems to be hit or miss with audiences while favoured by critics in just about everything he releases. I don’t blame anyone for not caring for this style, but to write it off as “weird” and simply forget about it would be a mistake. Continue reading →

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What to Look Forward to (the Rest of the Year)

Posted in Whatever with tags , , , , , on 07/09/2012 by Taylor Holt

Another Top 5 list a-comin’ up. What, you never watched High Fidelity? These are just a few to look out for, although most of them will have ads and trailers shoved in your face nonstop whether you want to see them or not. Click on the title to get to the trailer.

Also, I’ll be gone for the next couple days, so leave sum luv should you feel it deserved. Not that it’s weird for me to not post for 48 hours. I’ve got a life to live, jeez.

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Movie Review: Savages

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , , , on 07/07/2012 by Taylor Holt

Stars: Blake Lively, Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Salma Hayek, Benecio Del Toro, and John Travolta

Rated R for strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use and language throughout, 127 Minutes, Crime/Drama/Thriller

Compare to: True Romance (1993), Street Kings (2008)

Oh, Savages. What a simple-minded, egotistical, violent tirade you are. When it comes to Oliver Stone these days, it’s just tough to have an open mind. The writer/director seems to be interested in very few new ideas and seems completely content in socio-political commentary and/or meaningless violence with the thinly layered pretense of a purpose.

I can see Savages going down as one of those movies that gains a cult fan base through people who want to live the lives of the characters but not actually understanding the types of consequences the characters’ actions would actually have. That’s in part because I’m not sure if Stone understands the types of actions they would have. Much like 2003’s Blow, Savages treats the subject matter at hand as something damning, while simultaneously making you think of the characters as admirable for going to the depths that they do. They all just seemed retarded to me. Continue reading →

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