I think lately Ive been quite lucky with new movies, in that Ive really enjoyed them.
Casino Royale, Happy Feet, The Good Sheppard, Babel, Blood Diamond, The Departed, Pursuit of Happyness... to name a few of the top of my head.
That run came to and end last night when I went to see Smoking Aces.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0475394/
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/smokinaces
Shocking... you know that bin juice you get leaking from rubbish bags? This movie is that juice. It tries to emulate the style of Snatch and the storyline features of Lucky Number Slevin and falls flat on its face.
Crap story, which just doesnt develop like it should as the movie goes on, with a sh*t attempt to wrap it all up at the end. Cringe worthy "emotional" scenes for characters with no development so you cant feel for them (the ending especially).
My respect for Andy Garcia and Ray Liotta has taken a major nose dive.
I urge you - please dont go and watch this movie.
Go see Babel or Pursuit of Happyness or one of the numerous other good movies out right now.
Thought it was pretty average myself. I wouldnt buy the DVD.
Only go and watch Pursuit of Hapiness if youre happy to endure 2 hours of face-rape for a 1 second pay-off organism at the end.
Still, entertaining film for S&M fans though, gotta love that punishment.
I went to a screening of this just before it was out - it was one of the few movies I really felt like I had to walk out of (and since I didnt pay for it, it wouldve been alright).
Unfortunately, I stayed until the bitter end. I think if I left when I thought I should the movie wouldve come off a hell of a lot better.
I think the lack of character development stems from having far too many "leading characters and groups" - the movie is split so often running back and forth between little pockets of character groups, there is no flow - and it doesnt come together well at any point in the movie.
To be honest, my expectations werent high at all - I watched the trailer before going to watch it, and I thought "ok, bang bang boom boom, action movie, might be some nifty scenes".
The action was rubbish. Portrayal of intense gun fights: Abysmal. Actually, there was no intensity throughout, nothing clever, you spend your whole time waiting for something to materialise (something that might just make the movie half redeemable) - if you ever watch it, if you ever think this, its now time to go....it doesnt get any better, trust me - Im still wondering what I couldve done in the time I wouldve claimed back if I walked out.
Biggest waste of money ever for a movie. Both production and consumption.
Go see Last King of Scotland or Perfume instead.
I have not seen it but had a feeling it was going to be a bit like that film Revolver; I think I recall Ray Liotta in that aswell. Thought that was a dire film too.
I have to recommend Blood Diamond myself; really great film. Pursuit of Happiness is a really great movie too.
I enjoyed it tbh. But it could have been a lot better.
The rushed plot doesnt help. I found myself wondering "who is that", or "what happend" at several points in the film.
I cant recommend it though.
I thought it was not bad, just take it on face value as a bit of entertainment. Its not meant to be a thought provoking film.
Quote from: SamI thought it was not bad, just take it on face value as a bit of entertainment. Its not meant to be a thought provoking film.
But it fails even then in my mind. As Loki points out, the action is done in such a crap cringe worthy way. Its no where near as entertaining as Snatch, the action hasnt got the style or wow factor of the likes of a Tarentino flick and it hasnt got the entertaining story twists of Slevin.
I didnt expect it to be thought provoking, but it didnt even satisfy my pop-corn flick criteria.
Perhaps because its not any of those 3 films you mentioned?
"It fails in my mind, cause it didnt have trinity in it from the matrix, it didnt have the terminator 3 crane chase, and well yeah. inexcusably missed the never ending story flying dog". :|
Quote from: M3ta7h3adPerhaps because its not any of those 3 films you mentioned?
"It fails in my mind, cause it didnt have trinity in it from the matrix, it didnt have the terminator 3 crane chase, and well yeah. inexcusably missed the never ending story flying dog". :|
No sh*t sherlock - maybe you havent noticed but Im not comparing specific characters but overall direction. Have you actually seen it? If you have youll notice that it IS trying to emulate Snatch in style, it IS trying to pull off the over the top action of a Tarentino flick and it DOES try to wrap up the twists in a Slevin style.
If it was vaguely original those film comparisons wouldnt have entered my mind. That it tries to copy elements of them and falls flat on its face is the point Im trying to raise.
Quote from: KunalBut it fails even then in my mind. As Loki points out, the action is done in such a crap cringe worthy way. Its no where near as entertaining as Snatch, the action hasnt got the style or wow factor of the likes of a Tarentino flick and it hasnt got the entertaining story twists of Slevin.
Its no worse than Slevin, both were decent as a one off action film.
Now go and see the Fountain :)
Quote from: SamQuote from: KunalBut it fails even then in my mind. As Loki points out, the action is done in such a crap cringe worthy way. Its no where near as entertaining as Snatch, the action hasnt got the style or wow factor of the likes of a Tarentino flick and it hasnt got the entertaining story twists of Slevin.
Its no worse than Slevin, both were decent as a one off action film.
Now go and see the Fountain :)
Aye, planning on watching it soon.
Although next on my list are The Illusionist and The Prestige, never got around to seeing them when they came out.
Welll TI isnt out yet, and TP has gone. But TP was awesome, pity you missed it in the cinema. Films are never as good @ home.
Quote from: KunalAlthough next on my list are The Illusionist and The Prestige, never got around to seeing them when they came out.
Good plan, Im in the same boat, hoping The Prestige is as good as the trailer tbh.
As for Smokin Aces, me and the missus went to see that last Sunday. Wish we didnt. There were too many characters given too little screen time to develop. As a result you didnt really give a crap about anyone.
Spoilerrrrrrr......................
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Ben Afflecks team should have lived and the Nazis should have died. Id have liked to see the bail bondsmen go up against the Feds in a battle of wits. The only satisfying part of the film was that bird bouncing her knockers about in tight leather, and the bit where her partner gets to use that massive cannon :)