NOW CLOSED ; List some movies you've watched recently. Theatre, rental, TV... and give a */10

[Charmonium]

Janet King - 8/10

This is an australian police/legal series that I thought was pretty interesting.

Crossing Lines - 6/10

Another police/legal series that centers on group a little like Interpol that works across borders - hence the name. Fairly predictable and a little overacted but it has Donald Sutherland. The first 2 seasons are better than the third.

 

[Aikouka]

isn't it the girl from season 1 of true detective?

Yeah, she was also in the Percy Jackson movies. She's also going to be in the upcoming Baywatch movie with Zac Efron and The Rock. She would make me want to see that movie, but the latter two... they just make me feel like a lesser man.

 

[Muse]

Ex Machina (2014) 8/10

Keeps your interest. I agree with Steve Dalton of the Hollywood Reporter that

Spoiler

the end was muddled and inconclusive. Actually the whole thing made a lot of sense on a logical basis by and large except the nutty ending.

That, however, doesn't spoil it.

Spoiler

Oscar Isaac as Nathan was far and away the best actor, greatest character.

 

[motsm]

Ex Machina (2014) 8/10

Keeps your interest. I agree with Steve Dalton of the Hollywood Reporter that

Spoiler

the end was muddled and inconclusive. Actually the whole thing made a lot of sense on a logical basis by and large except the nutty ending.

That, however, doesn't spoil it.

Spoiler

Oscar Isaac as Nathan was far and away the best actor, greatest character.

I didn't feel that way about the ending, any reasons specifically?

 

[Ns1]

I didn't feel that way about the ending, any reasons specifically?

+1, but it's been discussed at length in this thread.

 

[Charmonium]

Clash of the Gods on H2

It's sort of a documentary but focuses on myths and legends like Odysseus, Beowulf, Hercules, etc.

I learned most of this stuff years ago in various courses but I remember so little of it that it was fun to watch and it covered a lot of things that I never learned.

 

[MongGrel]

The Wire 9.3/10

Yeah, I know it has been mentioned many times on the forums before, I finally decided to get into it myself. Am about halfway through season 4 now.

About halfway through Season 1 was when I really became hooked, I'd started a few times in the past and never committed to it.

 

[Perknose]

Trumbo -- 8/10 -- Forgot to post, saw it last weekend. Bryan Cranston gets to do his "simmering man of substance" thing, and he does it reliably well. The movie tells the story of the most famous of the Hollywood 10, who stood up to the pandering fear mongers on the House Un-American Activities Committee at the height of our post-war II red scare, and paid the price.

It helps this movie immensely that real life Dalton Trumbo was brilliant, lived life large, and had the courage of his convictions.

 

[MongGrel]

kiss kiss bang bang

7/10 finally decided to watch this thing after seeing the trailer for the nice guys. solid movie. great dialogue. kilmer and downey jr worked well together.

I always loved that one myself, for the above reasons.

I'd actually give it a 8/10, but I'm a bit biased and dated a woman that looked almost identical to Michelle Monaghan in the distant past in Indiana for awhile, so I'm a bit biased watching it that way also

 

[Zeze]

Fargo season 1 [7/10]: I ran out of things to watch, so I grabbed this based on this thread. I didn't care for the movie much. I noticed the show kept that similar vibe- black comedy where it's not actually funny, and only ended up distracting its otherwise serious tone. So the show couldn't sit right with me, the tone was awkward. I just couldn't get over this quirkiness. And I love quirky shows. This one was just weird.

But the plot itself was still fun- quite gripping at times. I also couldn't take it seriously because it had too many familiar mega ex-stars: Billy Bob Thorton, that Hobbit guy, Saul from Breaking Bad, and even Glenn from It's Always Sunny in California. I mean what the hell. The show wasn't funny, yet the cast were near-comedians.

Sorry I keep going back to its awkward tone & casting. And it's all bit over-the-top and Hollywood-esque: Billy Bob Thorton's character was too much, and too unbelievable in how he gets away with everything & doing coolest things. The Hobbit guy's transformation was comical. A dramatic turnaround in CORE personality NEVER happens in real life, even after near-death experience.

Overall, who doesn't like shows that have a progressive story? It's all the rage nowadays. I enjoyed it and made me search for season 2.

Fargo season 2 [8.5/10]: The show comes back with a vengeance. The quirkiness has toned down significantly. Also this season's plot doesn't have some silly & unbelievable devices. It's a straight up bona-fide gang war. No fluff, no cartoony aspects, no funny business. I like all the characters and each of their basis are firmed rooted well. Their character, motive & aspirations are all fleshed out well and relatable. This season rocks. I feel like it found its feet after season 1- crime suspense with a just a healthy dash of quirk.

And yes, the black comedy was FINALLY actually funny in season 2- thanks to Nick Offerman. It wasn't a lazy adaptation of his character from Park & Rec. His character was legit new and equally funny.

 

[motsm]

+1, but it's been discussed at length in this thread.

Guess I missed it, I'll do a search.

 

[DigDog]

i finally got around watching The Martian

wow, boring. predictable, unexciting, and ... idk, i was expecting something more involving, more personal. and actually interesting to watch. 6/10

 

[Muse]

I didn't feel that way about the ending, any reasons specifically?

Talking about Ex Machina here:

Spoiler

Yeah, AI Ava locks her good-guy friend/love Caleb in her former prison, leaves him there, gets on the helicopter that came specifically to remove Caleb (presumably the pilot has never laid eyes on her, why would he transport her instead of him?), it takes her somewhere, maybe to the company of which Nathan (who Ava murdered) was the CEO, and she's just out there among whoever, you have no idea what she's doing, where she's going to go, what's on her mind, nobody knows her... like WTF is going on, anyway??? What kind of ending is that? What's her motivation? We had no clue that she was suddenly going to develop villainous proclivities and are left hanging. That she would murder her former jailer you can understand, what comes after, it's what's going on here? I agree with Steve Dalton, "it's a muddled mess" at the end.

 

[Zeze]

Ex Machina (2014) 8/10

Keeps your interest. I agree with Steve Dalton of the Hollywood Reporter that

Spoiler

the end was muddled and inconclusive. Actually the whole thing made a lot of sense on a logical basis by and large except the nutty ending.

That, however, doesn't spoil it.

Spoiler

Oscar Isaac as Nathan was far and away the best actor, greatest character.

What more did you want from the ending? The movie started and ended in the cabin which was perfect. It was also on the nose about the android"a ecascape and future.

 

[Muse]

The Wire 9.3/10

Yeah, I know it has been mentioned many times on the forums before, I finally decided to get into it myself. Am about halfway through season 4 now.

About halfway through Season 1 was when I really became hooked, I'd started a few times in the past and never committed to it.

I've heard great things about it, it seems like the kind of thing I'd like. I just bought the DVD set and when I have time, will go after it. BTW, Baltimore is on record pace for murders this year.

 

[Zeze]

Talking about Ex Machina here:

Spoiler

Yeah, AI Ava locks her good-guy friend/love Caleb in her former prison, leaves him there, gets on the helicopter that came specifically to remove Caleb (presumably the pilot has never laid eyes on her, why would he transport her instead of him?), it takes her somewhere, maybe to the company of which Nathan (who Ava murdered) was the CEO, and she's just out there among whoever, you have no idea what she's doing, where she's going to go, what's on her mind, nobody knows her... like WTF is going on, anyway??? What kind of ending is that? What's her motivation? We had no clue that she was suddenly going to develop villainous proclivities and are left hanging. That she would murder her former jailer you can understand, what comes after, it's what's going on here?

My wife hates ambiguous and artistic endings. She thinks they're pretentious. She loves Disney endings where all the loose ends are tied up.

Even my wife thought deus ex ending was fine. You aren't supposed to get hung up on where Ava would end up. The movies scope completed neatly. The creation destroyed its creator. And it escaped- at least the cabin. That alone is victory. Freedom.

Were you expecting her reality show after the helicopter? Then what. Introduce even whole new plot challenges and see how Ava overcomes them in last 15 mins?

There are lots of movies with pretentious endings. This isn't one of them.

You are like gettingad at Saving Pvt Ryan ending because it didn't show how Ryan lived his civilian life afterwards to 'earn it'.

 

[Charmonium]

I've heard great things about it, it seems like the kind of thing I'd like. I just bought the DVD set and when I have time, will go after it. BTW, Baltimore is on record pace for murders this year.

Just so you know, it is probably going to feel a bit dated. The technology changed so dramatically over the course of the series that you start with 'wire' meaning an actual wire and then it sort of develops from there.

 

[Muse]

What more did you want from the ending? The movie started and ended in the cabin which was perfect. It was also on the nose about the android"a ecascape and future.

Cabin? Are we talking about the same movie? The movie starts at the company of which Nathan is the CEO and Caleb a star programmer. Caleb wins a sham contest the prize of which is to visit the CEO's special high tech layout somewhere in the great northern wilderness, presumably accessible only by helicopter, which is where 95% of the movie is set. The movie ends after the android's escape, away from there, where, it isn't clear, but out in civilization, perhaps (it seemed to me) at the CEO's company.

 

[Zeze]

Cabin? Are we talking about the same movie? The movie starts at the company of which Nathan is the CEO and Caleb a star programmer. Caleb wins a sham contest the prize of which is to visit the CEO's special high tech layout somewhere in the great northern wilderness, presumably accessible only by helicopter, which is where 95% of the movie is set. The movie ends after the android's escape, away from there, where, it isn't clear, but out in civilization, perhaps (it seemed to me) at the CEO's company.

Yea brainfart. The isolated layout yes. Didn't know what to call it. Read my previous comment please.

 

[Muse]

Just so you know, it is probably going to feel a bit dated. The technology changed so dramatically over the course of the series that you start with 'wire' meaning an actual wire and then it sort of develops from there.

Yeah, I heard some stuff about that (not exactly comprehending), but heard it's absolutely great in any case.

Yea brainfart. The isolated layout yes. Didn't know what to call it. Read my previous comment please.

OK, I'll hunt for it...

In my opinion, they could have done a lot more with the ending. Endings are often a challenge to the creators of even some of the very best movies. It must have to do with the fact that the creators' lives become very involved in a project as monumental as a major movie. Unwinding from that and letting go and at the same time being able to put themselves in the shoes of their audience members can be a challenge they are just not up to. They have to end it, obviously, just have a point where the story ends, period and so often it's weird, cumbersome, unsatisfying, unclear. If the ride was worth it, you can forgive a clumsy ending.

Yea brainfart. The isolated layout yes. Didn't know what to call it. Read my previous comment please.

OK, I now see what you wrote. One day I will rewatch Ex Machina. Maybe I'll feel differently about the ending. Like I say, the ride was worth it, so I won't hold the ending against it too much. I went to Wikipedia's page on the movie soon after seeing the movie this afternoon, hoping for an explanation of the ending, I assumed that I just didn't pick up on what exactly happened, but there was nothing there in the plot outline they had that I didn't completely get. So, I decided that the ending was just peculiar.

 

[Charmonium]

Yeah, I heard some stuff about that (not exactly comprehending), but heard it's absolutely great in any case.OK, I'll hunt for it...

Oh it definitely is. Just saying that the tech starts to make it feel more like a period piece than normal drama. As long as that isn't a problem for you, you'll enjoy it.

 

[motsm]

Talking about Ex Machina here:

Spoiler

Yeah, AI Ava locks her good-guy friend/love Caleb in her former prison, leaves him there, gets on the helicopter that came specifically to remove Caleb (presumably the pilot has never laid eyes on her, why would he transport her instead of him?), it takes her somewhere, maybe to the company of which Nathan (who Ava murdered) was the CEO, and she's just out there among whoever, you have no idea what she's doing, where she's going to go, what's on her mind, nobody knows her... like WTF is going on, anyway??? What kind of ending is that? What's her motivation? We had no clue that she was suddenly going to develop villainous proclivities and are left hanging. That she would murder her former jailer you can understand, what comes after, it's what's going on here?

Spoiler

She is in prison and wants to escape, what more motivation does she need? The pilot may be left in the dark and just told not to ask questions, or she could have killed him if he posed a problem. As for villainous proclivities, I don't think she has any, she simply needed to remove obstacles in order to escape, and her lack of empathy (or at least empathy in the way we understand it) made manipulation and murder an inconsequential task, simply a means to an end. Lastly, I don't think it matters what she does after, her story was that she wanted to escape motivated by her desire to see the world, her story ends when she escapes and sees the world. Seems everything is wrapped up to me.

That said, I don't expect to convince you of anything, but that's how I saw the ending. Maybe if I watched it again I'd view certain things differently, can't say for sure.

 

[steve wilson]

Spoiler

She is in prison and wants to escape, what more motivation does she need? The pilot may be left in the dark and just told not to ask questions, or she could have killed him if he posed a problem. As for villainous proclivities, I don't think she has any, she simply needed to remove obstacles in order to escape, and her lack of empathy (or at least empathy in the way we understand it) made manipulation and murder an inconsequential task, simply a means to an end. Lastly, I don't think it matters what she does after, her story was that she wanted to escape motivated by her desire to see the world, her story ends when she escapes and sees the world. Seems everything is wrapped up to me.

That said, I don't expect to convince you of anything, but that's how I saw the ending. Maybe if I watched it again I'd view certain things differently, can't say for sure.

Spoiler

And that is what is so scary in a very subtle way. She(it?) has no qualms at all about murdering someone to get what she wants. If AI has no qualms about murdering human beings to get what it wants then you could end up with a Terminator/Matrix scenario so easily. This is especially terrifying with the birth of top notch AI supposedly around the corner.

 

[sdifox]

Re Ex Machina. You people are over thinking it. The central theme is The Turing Test. She passed with flying colours. End of story.

 

[steve wilson]

Re Ex Machina. You people are over thinking it. The central theme is The Turing Test. She passed with flying colours. End of story.

It's a small part of the story. You are oversimplifying it.