Films You Have Watched This Week: With a Vengeance

[EvilBoris]

I'd say it was above average, as an action movie it ticks all the boxes but I didn't think it was engaging enough as a sci-fi movie. The plot seemed merely a device to enable the characters to do the action sequences they wanted to show.

If you compare it to other recent Sci-Fi action films like Guardians of the Galaxy then I'd say it doesn't fare very favourably . It's a visual spectacle that's for sure. I certainly wouldn't say it was bad, I just felt unmoved and unengaged by the story. I went into it thinking that the mixed reviews were maybe down to a misunderstanding or dislike crazy space operas but it must be because it is inherently weak somewhere.

There seemed to be a crap load of characters, non of which I particularly cared about in any way and I found Mila Kunis to just be a bit annoying.

I also saw Ex Machina this week too and if I was to say see one I'd say see Jupiter Ascending if you want a Sci-Fi film to see , Ex Machina was hugely flawed.

[Dogg Thang]

Thanks, I appreciate the impressions. Haven't heard much about Ex Machina, although I thought the imagery looked good. Still undecided on Jupiter Ascending although it doesn't sound like I should be rushing to see it.

[EvilBoris]

Yeah the aesthetics are great, but the delivery is under par.
I think Alex Garland directing his own writing didn't work out quite so well compared to his previous screenplays.

If you fancy a really great Sci-Fi movie, I'd recommend seeing Predestination, before you happen to have the film spoiled, that's one of the best Time travel movies I've ever seen.

[QualityChimp]

This review is pretty glowing:

http://www.finalreel.co.uk/jupiter-ascending-review

I like the Wachowskis and I hope people give this a chance and enjoy it. I want to watch it!

Today we took my son to the cinema for the first time today to see Big Hero 6 and we all loved it.

The story is great and has lots of nice elements. The humour is gentle, but never forced.

My favourite thing is the beautiful design of the film. San Fransokyo is a gorgeous mashup of old and new with riffs on existing buildings like the Transamerica Pyramid has pagoda roofs.

Loads of incidental stuff really pushes my buttons too, especially the Diaclone-style mechs throughout. From the fighting robots, the toys on the shelf, the clock on the wall to the one on his t-shirt, they're all great.

I imagine this is pretty good in 3D, especially the scene where Baymax first flies over the brightly coloured city. It's a Blu-Ray purchase for sure!

[QualityChimp]

I really want to see Ex Machina and Jupiter Ascending, but the former will have to wait now and I don't think it warrants a big screen viewing.

I've not heard much about Predestination, so thanks for the suggestion. Primer is one of my favourite time travel stories of recent years.

[Neon Ignition]

Interstellar
Long time coming but finally seen it. To be honest, it was decidedly average. Some nice spectacle and I appreciated the harder push on characters than we typically get with Nolan films but the film is also very bloated, has a soundtrack that varies greatly from good to headache inducing and a last act that almost derails the build up. Worst sci-fi robot in ages too. I enjoyed it for what it was but I won't feel compelled to see it twice and it's not one of his best.

[bash]

Disconnect was just on BBC 2. Not bad, kinda reminded me of Crash where some characters had interwoven stories which revolved around the theme of being disconnected from people in their lives due to social media or web chats, forums etc.

It was pretty well written and decent performances, especially from the younger cast members. I found myself laughing at inappropriate momwnts but that's just my f'ed up self more than the the fault of the film 😁

[PaTaito]

Worst sci-fi robot in ages too.

Thats me done with this thread lol.

In all seriousness WTF the robots were incredible.

[Baseley09]

Best robots this century

[Neon Ignition]

Couldn't stand them, at best they looked impractical and at worst like a really ropey man in an aluminium covered cardboard box robot costume. Having them around really undermined the story for me also, the humans literally brought nothing to the mission that the robots turned out not to be capable of. Hell, with the exception of the ridiculous finale scene the mission would have been all round more successful without the humans. Would have been a better film without the Buck Rogers rejects

[buster_broon]

Aye also watched interstellar and I thought the robots were pretty good

I enjoyed the film but probably won't watch it again

Always thought mcconaughey was a sub par actor but recently he has been brilliant in everything he's been in

TARS is awesome

[Dogg Thang]

Yep, loved CASE and TARS too. Yep, impractical perhaps but I thought they were awesome.

[Neon Ignition]

I guess it makes them easy for merchandising

[buster_broon]

Lol

For me CASE and TARS are modern day robby the robot from forbidden planet

When I first saw TARS I was like WTF but picking up brand and 'sprinting' to the ship I thought was fantastic

It's similar to an old horror movie called demon seed in a way, how it's pretty much a box but it can manipulate itself to the situation

You also mentioned the end when it climbs onboard the craft with cooper, again I loved how it lay flat down and its screen changed so it made it as if it was sitting up, looking forward to the day when you can buy a sarcastic and humorous computer

Just watched the imitation game and thought it was pretty good also shocking at how homosexual's were treated only 50-75 years ago

I didn't even know they cracked enigma, I thought they stole one off a German ship and reverse engineered it

[bash]

Whiplash what a film!