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My Polls:
1) Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?
2) Hollywood New Wave Actors
3) It's Neeson Season!
4) No More Sequels Please!
5) The Avengers vs The Dark Knight
6) Anderson vs Anderson vs Anderson
7) Best name for a new Die Hard movie
8) Stallone vs Willis vs Schwarzenegger
9) So you're stranded on a desert island...
10) And the Most Overrated Director of All Time is...
11) Favourite Quadrilogy Made by One Director?
12) Mad Max - Gibson vs Hardy
13) Your Favorite 90's Action Film?
14) ">Obi-Wan vs Obi-Wan
15) Your Favorite 80's Action Film?
16) Movies Made by Alternate Directors - Part 1
17) Movies Made by Alternate Directors - Part 2
18) Your Favorite 70's Action Film?
19) Your Favorite Ennio Morricone Western Soundtrack?
20) The Greatest Action Movie Director of All Time
21) Your Favorite Ennio Morricone Crime Soundtrack?
22) Your Favorite R-Rated Action Movie Of The 2000's?
23) Your Favorite Ennio Morricone Drama Soundtrack?
24) Your Favorite Ennio Morricone Horror Soundtrack?
25) Your Favorite PG-13 Rated Action Movie Of The 2000's?
26) Westerns: Classic vs Revisionist vs Spaghetti vs Modern
27) Django vs Django
28) Your Favorite Action Movie From 2010-2015?
29) John Carpenter vs Wes Craven
30) Daniel Day Lewis' Insane Method Acting
31) Robert De Niro's Insane Method Acting
32) Not-So Fantastic Four
33) The Curious Case of Guillermo Del Toro
34) Face-Off: The Halloween Trio
35) Face-Off: The Hateful Eight vs The Revenant vs Bone Tomahawk
36) There's Method in the Madness
37) Scream vs A Nightmare on Elm Street
38) So you're stranded on ANOTHER desert island...
39) Will These Movies Ever Be Made?
40) Star Wars Force Powers
41) Alternate Storylines for Famous Films
42) Directors that Need to be Punished by Law!
43) Face-Off: Marvel vs DC - Acting Pedigree
44) Oscars 2016: Best Actor in a Leading Role
45) Oscars 2016: Original Score
46) Your Favorite John Carpenter Movie?
47) Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - Part II
48) Creepiest Xenomorph type?
49) Most Iconic Scene from a Scorsese Movie?
50) BAFTA Awards 2016: Best Director
51) Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - James Bond Edition
52) If the World Ended Today... (2016 Edition)
53) Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - Part III
54) Most Iconic Scene from a Spielberg Movie?
55) Most Quotable Action Movie of All Time?
56) Face-Off: Scorsese's Top Four
57) Clash of the Titans
58) Most Quotable Gangster Movie of All Time?
59) Movie Directors Past Retirement Age
60) Movies Told from a Different Character's Perspective
My Favourite Movie Directors:
1) Sergio Leone
2) Martin Scorsese
3) Stanley Kubrick
4) John Carpenter
5) Francis Ford Coppola
6) Alfred Hitchcock
7) Michael Mann
8) James Cameron
9) Sidney Lumet
10) Akira Kurosawa
TV Shows I Like or Own
My PSN
My Bank Account and Pin Number
Quick link to "Iconic Director" thread
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
In which of the following films, chosen by IMDb's Poll Board members, did you find yourself rooting for the bad guy the most?
Note: Movies where the bad guy is also the protagonist are not included in this list
However, sometimes we forget that these things that we consider an integral part of the movie franchise wasn't even present in the original film.
Which of these do you find the most surprising?
Related Polls:
Alternate Storylines for Famous Films
Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - Part II
Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - Part III
Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - James Bond Edition
Movies Told from a Different Character's Perspective
*special thanks to ur65711994 for coming up with the idea
See PART 1 here
See PART 2 here
See the JAMES BOND EDITION here
See also:
See PART 1 here
See PART 3 here
See the JAMES BOND EDITION here
See also:
See PART 2 here
See PART 3 here
See the JAMES BOND EDITION here
See also:
Related Polls:
Alternate Storylines for Famous Films
Alternate Storylines for Famous Films - Part II
Many of these are valid in a lot of cases, but it can't be denied that they have become a cliche to say.
Latest Message Board Posts
Reviews
The Audition (2015)
A Bit of a Missed Opportunity, Really
Do you want Scorsese, De Niro, Di Caprio (and Brad Pitt, but who cares) in a Meta comedy short? Yes please, answers the nation.
Unfortunately this 15 minute short film, promoting the opening of Melco- Crown's Macau casino resort, looks like it was just a quick cash grab for all those involved. So much for the epic De Niro-Di Caprio-Scorsese team up that everyone has been waiting for. Apparently, the stars were paid a whopping $30million each.
The story follows Bobby and Leo both arriving separately to the resort, as they have both been invited to audition for a role in Marty's new film. Little do they know they are both completing for the same part. It's a very cool premise that sounds much better than it actually plays out in the film. Sure, there are one or two amusing lines, but the banter between the two mega stars could have been much better. The short got dull only a couple of minutes in, and I found myself constantly looking at my watch despite the film only being 16 minutes long.
Oh well.
Gone Girl (2014)
Quickie Review: Gone Girl
Much like The Game, Gone Girl requires you to suspend your level of disbelief by quite a bit in order for you to enjoy it. The events in the movie aren't necessarily impossible, just highly improbable, which can be a problem when you're expecting a realistic and grounded thriller. Even so, Gone Girl acts as something of a swansong to thrillers made in the 90's in which ordinary people were caught in ordinary circumstances and, before you know it, you've uttered the phrase "they don't make movies like this anymore."
Twisted, dark and surprisingly violent, Fincher's 2014 offering is a stylish and slick tale that kept me engrossed for around two hours. Some pieces of dialogue felt forced, other actions felt contrived, but overall it's a thriller/drama well worth watching. Despite numerous plot inconsistencies, I found that I came away from the film feeling satisfied and yet slightly hollow. Maybe the bulk of my negative feelings are towards the last half an hour of the movie, where it really got weird. I heard this was changed from the source material too.
It's pretty funny though, seeing confused feminists rant and rave about the film, unable to decide whether it is pro-feminist or anti- feminist.
Best Scene: Boobs
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Quickie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
I liked Dragon Tattoo. It was well shot and exciting at times, but I can't get over the fact that the film feels so pointless. I mean, an adaption of the book was done only 2 years previously, and the two films aren't that different. If anything, the original is better acted and has far more closure. So what's the point in making a new version where you hardly change anything? Some scenes felt literally copied and pasted into the new films. Perhaps if I hadn't seen the original I would have enjoyed this more, but it's just that what I liked in this movie (and I liked a lot!) was already present in the original.
The acting was so-so. Craig seemed his usual disinterested self, and Rooney Mara gives a good enough performance but one that doesn't match up to her Swedish counterpart. I found myself struggling to keep up with all the members of the Vanger family unlike in the other version where you are given enough time to get to know everyone.
Best Scene: I wondered if, being an American film, this version would sanitize the rape scene. But know, it's almost as disturbing and difficult to watch as in the Swedish version.
The Social Network (2010)
Quickie Review: The Social Network
Here is another David Fincher movie that I enjoyed watching but ultimately was left rather indifferent. The bromance between best friends Zuckerberg (Jessy Eisenberg) and Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Gardfield) is what drives this story of Facebook's creation allegedly stolen by Zuckerberg from Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (played by the same guy wow! I couldn't tell at all). The much- raised dialogue in the movie was good but maybe a bit too much, as sometimes multiple sentences are stuffed into a scene that end up rendering it lifeless. You get the sense that the filmmakers are trying to make the scenes seem real and everyday-like, but I don't think they quite pulled it off.
For a film that's pretty relevant to today's users of social media the story is pretty by-the-numbers. I feel that the story of Facebook's creator is still going, and the movie was ended (or even made) prematurely. Even so, the subject matter doesn't really interest me much. If nothing else The Social Network shows just how sad, lonely and artificial you can become when surrounded by modern technology. That's what I thought of the protagonist anyway, since it seems the director wanted to show him as some misunderstood and sympathetic character. That, or he actually admires him?
Best Scene: I somewhat enjoyed the legal proceedings towards the end of the film and the feisty interactions between the once-friends
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Quickie Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Benjamin Button (both the film and the character) is a little odd. Though engaging and well-acted it leaves you a little flat as you realise there isn't much point to the story. I mean, it's not something that's every going to happen in real life, is it? Button is a movie that would be much more well received I think if it had a 'Based on a True Story' flashed in front. Obviously that's not possible, and the movie unfortunately ebbs away from your memory not long after you see it. Logically, a lot of things don't add up, though I suppose if you go into the movie looking for a logical film you're not watching it properly.
The special effects were good for the time but haven't held up completely well. Also, the film is pretty long at just under three hours, and unnecessarily so. However, it's not to say it is an unenjoyable three hours I found myself mildly pleased at what I was watching. A lot of parts were interesting, especially when Button meets new people. There's a grand sense of wonder and harmony that I connected with on more than one occasion. The romance was well dealt with and I didn't find it cheesy at all. It's just when the film finishes, its probing and stimulating touch kind of evaporates, really.
Best Scene: Cate Blanchett is confronted by a far younger Brad Pitt who looks suspiciously like he just walked out of the 90's after years of separation.
Zodiac (2007)
Quickie Review: Zodiac
I can understand why Zodiac could be frustrating to some viewers, as it doesn't really follow the usual structure of murder mystery cop thrillers, and it's pretty different from Fincher's previous thrillers. But this is the film that I believe is the director's best work so far.
The film has a kind of creepy and unsettling atmosphere made all the more eerie by the fact that knowing what you're seeing actually happened. There is a dark and moody vibe throughout. The opening murders were fascinatingly recreated and it was very interesting watching the police work that went on throughout the film. Sidney Lumet would be proud.
The actors shine: Jake Gyllenhaal as the inquisitive cartoonish, Robert Downey Jr. before he became Tony Stark, and Mark Ruffalo and Philip Baker Hall give good turns also.
I thought the digital cinematography was ugly at times, especially in the opening scenes, though I got used to it eventually. I'm a great believer in period movies being shot on films, otherwise it usually looks really weird and documentary-like (see Public Enemies).
It must be tricky making films that are based on true stories. You have to stick close to what happened in real life whilst making your movie entertaining for the viewer. Fincher managed to do this, I believe. A lot of research has clearly gone into this, and the filmmakers clearly tell you who they believe the Zodiac killer was whilst leaving the question open. The lengthy runtime allows for periods of the film to be dedicated to smaller, quieter moments which are often used to build atmosphere or to showcase police work. Overall this was a thoroughly satisfying thriller.
Best Scene: "This is the Zodiac speaking
"
Panic Room (2002)
Quickie Review: Panic Room
I consider this to be a pretty sub-par offering from Fincher. An unmemorable and dire hour and forty five minutes awaits whoever watches this film. A fair bit of my dislike of the film stems from the aesthetics of the movie The CGI was pretty mediocre and distracting (such as from the not-really-tracking tracking shots as we are taken around the house, through walls and keyholes and such). Panic Room has that crappy indistinct and cloudy look that a lot of modern movies shot digitally have, despite the fact that the movie was filmed with Panavision Panaflex Platinum cameras. In his defence, Fincher made this in 2002 and a lot of modern movies haven't moved on from this look, whereas he clearly has if you look at his recent films.
With a premise that harks back to the days of Hitchcock, Panic Room sees Jodie Foster and Kristen Stewart locked in their home's safe room, as a gang of robbers search the house for valuables. Unfortunately, events during the course of the film become so far- fetched and unbelievable that your suspension of disbelief kind of commits suicide and you know longer care what's happening because it's so ridiculous and contrived. The script is a bit dumb, which makes it all the more strange that Fincher directed this.
Best Scene: The opening credits were pretty cool. Apparently it was worked on for a whole year!
Fight Club (1999)
Quickie Review: Fight Club
Fight Club is like Shrek. And Shrek is like onions. And onions have layers. Therefore; Fight Club has layers. Many of them. Because of this I do feel it's a movie that needs repeat viewing in order to appreciate it more.
Fight Club makes interesting and very relatable statements against the current consumer-driven materialistic society (which has only gotten worse since the film's release.) Very stylish and sophisticated, the film features some hilarious and inventive ways of breaking the fourth wall and hitting you with subliminal messages. The famous twist ending remains one of the wackiest in recent memory and performances across the part are perfect.
It's one of those movies where you notice something new about it each time you see it, whether it be a split second shot of a dong or a single line of dialogue that makes you ponder on the emptiness of your existence. The cinematography is outstanding and really adds to the nihilistic tone of the movie. Overall, the film is about a great many things: manliness, materialism, generation X and Y's place in the world, life's little ironies, the oddity of western civilisation and, of course, fighting. But we can't talk about that.
Best Scene: Hmmm, picking one is difficult because I felt that the film flowed in such a way that it didn't feel like a movie where one scene follows another and instead worked as a whole. I'll pick the part where Edward Norton beats the crap out of himself and blames his boss.
The Game (1997)
Quickie Review: The Game
It's been some years since I've seen The Game. I remember enjoying it very much so. Despite being a step down from his previous film, David Fincher's second outing in urban thriller-mode feels like something of a taut modern classic. A neo-Hitchcock movie if I ever saw one.
The film follows a dull and greedy investment banker who is given a card as a birthday present by his brother, who tells him to phone up the company whose expertise lies in some form of enigmatic character building game. Despite phoning up and attending an arranged test he is told he did not qualify. However, after this our protagonist finds some truly odd thing occurring in his life. Are these events real, or are they a part of 'the game'? What follows is an engrossing roller coaster ride with enough twists and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat during the course of its runtime. You never really know what's coming next.
Douglas and Penn as brothers are on form in a film I'd recommend to anyone. It's a fun movie for a Saturday evening, but not one that assumes its audience are idiots. Quite the opposite, in fact. If I had any complaints about the film it would be the ending which, for a movie that was pretty believable for the most part, required a lot of suspension of disbelief
Best Scene: Like I said it's been sometime since I've seen it. One part still remains in my mind, however Douglas is visited by a frantic Penn begging him to forget everything about the game. It's a real
um, game-changer in the film because it was the scene that cemented the realisation that "Oh, hang on. Things are serious here." (Or so I thought.)
Se7en (1995)
Quickie Review: Se7en
Often cited as the quintessential detective murder mystery movie, Se7en (remember when putting numbers in your titles was cool?) is the movie that put Fincher on the map at a time where he was known as the guy who ruined the Alien franchise.
I must admit, I found the concept of a killer going around basing crimes off of the seven deadly sins to be better than it was actually executed in the film, but that doesn't take away from the fact that this smooth urban thriller remains one of the freakiest of its kind in Hollywood. The cinematography is immensely captivating, drawing you into this depressing and gloomy unnamed town in which our two cops Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman track down the unhinged killer Kevin Spacey. The acting from the main duo is serviceable whilst Spacey is, as he always was in the 90's, exceptional.
You have to give Fincher credit with his ballsy endings, even if it doesn't quite pay off all the way such as in Gone Girl and The Game. In this film, however, you're left thinking about the ending for quite some time, and it eventually dawns on you that, yes, the baddie won in this one. After a gripping climax out in a field in the middle of nowhere, the fiendish John Doe plays out all his cards after a half hour where we wonder just what the guy is up to when he gives himself up unexpectedly.
Best Scene: There's a number of memorable instances (that bloody jump scare with the dude in the bed!) but my favourite part was when Spacey walks straight into the police station and hands himself to the officers.