Got it set to go on my rental list.

I have them all set to the same priority level so the films I recieve are more or less random from a list of some 180+ films.

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows" (2011)
-Robert Downey jr, Jude Law

Plot: IMDB
Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his longtime trusted associate, Doctor Watson (Jude Law), take on their arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), with the help of Holmes's older brother Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry) and a gypsy named Sim (Noomi Rapace).

Phantom's Review: First, let me say, I'm a huge Holmes fan. I've read all the original stories and novels, seen dozens of films, collect the comic book, etc,. So when Downey Jr's version of Holmes hit theaters a couple of years ago I was just a bit curious about this new grungier action hero Holmes. Much to my surprise, I thought it was pretty damn good, and the sequel is even better. it follows the same style as the first one, but has a much better villain and a more interesting story. A rare sequel that's even better than the first.

I liked it but maybe not as much as the first.

Some Spoilers:

I thought Jared Harris played a great Moriarty and there was some genuine chemistry in the scenes with hime and Holmes.

The inclusion of Irene Adler was kinda pointless.

I like some of Holmes crap disguises :-)

Moran was clearly not a gentlemen now way did he get an accent like that in Eton and they'd never let an oik like him become a Colonel. He'd wouldn't be let into the clubs that he would be later thrown out of :-)


On a side note, phantomstranger. Have you read this, its a nice light hearted take on the Greatest Consulting Villian with some mention of that Baker St dectective too:

http://images.betterworldbooks.com/0...0857682833.jpg

Monster Man (2003)

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>>: B

Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows

Went ahead and grabbed "Splice".
Interesting. Watchable.

What ya think?

The Crazies (Remake).

I haven't seen the original yet but this isn't a bad movie. The ending is terribly predictable however. It's probably one of the most predictable endings I've ever seen and I kind of want a sequel because I like both of the main actors. I also want to see the story from the military side. Kind of like 28 Weeks Later. An actress I liked from the Friday the 13th remake is in this as well. Her death in Friday the 13th was the point when I didn't care about that movie anymore. But her fate is a bit more respectable in The Crazies.

The Devil Inside
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/...R00214317_.jpg

This was so bad. I found the documentary style really boring but that could just be me. I don't think they did enough with what they had and it felt really quick and that it dragged at the same time. The exorcism scenes were good but the ending was really lazy and sloppy and one of the worst endings i've ever seen.

The original's pretty good. It's not the prettiest film to look at (it's age and low budget do it no favours) but it's rather an enjoyably unsettling film.

Yesterday I got through a couple of movies, and liked them all, if I'm honest. Started with Beowulf. Was meaning to watch it for ages. It's visually stunning and the action is pretty decent. Also, I've been playing Skyrim a lot recently, and it was essentially like watching a Skyrim movie.

Next up was XXY. I was sent this by LoveFilm, and I have no recollection of adding it to my rental list, but I'm glad I did. Here's the plot summary from LoveFilm

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"Alex is not like other girls. She is a 15-year-old with a secret, one that no other can claim. Her parents keep her hidden away at a coastal town in amongst the dunes of the shoreline, buying time before they must decide on a life-threatening operation.

When old family friend and plastic surgeon Ramiro arrives with his teenage son Álvaro, Alex begins to realise that his visit could change her life forever. As the parents wrestle with the complications that will arise as Alex reaches adulthood, Alex and Alvaro become close, their relationship causing tensions amongst the locals. However, as the parents battle it out to instill a sense of open-mindedness amongst their society, it is the children who prove themselves to be flexible in understanding the sexual leanings and complexities of others."

Last up was Salvage.

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"Christmas Eve, and the residents of a quiet British cul-de-sac are suddenly plunged into a world of violence, terror and paranoia when a group of heavily armed military personnel storm their road ordering them at gunpoint to retreat inside their homes. Unsure if this is the sign of a terrorist attack, or something much worse, one local mother finds it in herself to desperately fight to save her estranged daughter stranded across the street. However, with growing dread, the residents soon discover that the threat is more monstrous than any of them could possibly imagine, and survival is no longer a guarantee."

It started off like an episode of late night Brookside (that's a British soap for all those outwith the UK) or something, then very quickly turned in to a very different film. Decent gore, few good jumps, and they managed to inject a new angle into a well worn format.

"The Innkeepers" 8/10

Loved the concept.

Very well directed. Dialogue was good and the 2 terrefic actors (especially the girl. She was actually quite funny. Yes. A GIRL!!!?) in the leads kept up the entertainment throughout, even tho most of the movie is one long build-up untill a very short climax.

The Fog (the Jamie Lee Curtis version)

Territories (2010)

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>>: B-

Chop (2011)

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A pretty decent dark horror comedy.

>>: B+

Chillerama (2011)

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Over the top super hilarious! Recommended.

>>: A-

Ditto. Loved that build up...particularly the way they maintained a strangely unease & eerie atmosphere throughout the movie.

hiteout" (2009)
-Kate Beckinsale

Plot: IMDB
U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko is three days from the end of her tour at an international research station in Antarctica after which she'll resign. An incident from her past haunts her. The continent's first winter storm is coming when a body, wearing no gear, is discovered in the tundra. She investigates, soon finds more bodies, and must find a motive and a murderer before the storm and her departure. A U.N. agent, Robert Pryce, appears, seemingly out of nowhere, to help. An aging physician about to retire, a nervous mission chief, a downed Soviet plane, and the weather's deadly elements add to the story.

Phantom's Review: The absolutely gorgeous Kate Beckinsale stars in a pretty standard murder mystery. Beckinsale and the rest of the cast do their best with the material, but except for the location, most of this film is unoriginal. Not bad, if your a mystery fan, but not all that great either.
--

Exhibit A (2007)

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Receiving a video camera for her birthday, Judith is excited to document her normal teenage life: her crush on the girl next door, her annoying brother and the installation of a swimming pool in their backyard. When her father Andy "gets a brand new promotion", the family puts in a bid on their dream house. However, through her camera, Judith soon discovers her father is living a lie: the family is essentially bankrupt. As secrets are revealed and the family disintegrates under financial pressure, Andy is eventually driven to the unimaginable.

An exceptional found footage film from Britain. Highly recommended.

>>: A-

That looks great - Just added it to my Netflix queue - Thanks for the heads up!

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[IMG]http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270761/[/IMG] (2010)


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I have been looking forward to seeing this movie for a while, to be honest. I'm definitely a fan of Guillermo del Toro, however, I do recognize his limitations. One of his limitations, in this film in particular, is that he clearly was tied to making a remake out of pretty weak source material. The fact of the matter is, there isn't really a whole lot there to pull out a full movie. Typically, this can be dodged by having great characters or fantastic monsters... But unfortunately the monsters were weak - The threat wasn't really palpable (TURN ON A FRIGGIN LIGHT YOU IDIOT), and the characters were pretty idiotic. Guy Pearce's character is such an ambivalent and awful father that I honestly wanted him to get eaten up... Also, humans seem waaaaaaaaaay too easily taken down in the movie. Just couldn't suspend my disbelief here.

Ultimately, a huge disappointment.

2/5.

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Psych 9 (2010)

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Nonsensical, really. And ultimately terrible. Not really worth watching.

Bad Boy Bubby 1993 ....on Netflix instant


fucked up movie but I enjoyed it.

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Rocky meets Robot Jox! Although I prefer the old school charm of the latter (Stuart Gordon's campy but entertaining 90s cult classic), this film had some pretty decent entertaining stuff as well.

I went into this film with very different expectations from what it turned out to be in the end (they could have called it Johnny Sokko and his Fighting Robot and made it more interesting), but yet it was decent. There's no doubt that Real Steel had potential - lots of it. But the characterisation felt flat - specially the kid's character which was too over-confident and annoying for his age. Hugh Jackman did okay, but seemed bereft of emotions. Others did their part, but the highlight of the film - robots beating the crap out of each other, was surprisingly done pretty well. There is a Wall-E moment when Max's robot, Atom, stares at itself in the mirror. But the makers don't go down that path, which could otherwise have been a superb turn for the premise of the movie.

All in all, a decent entertainer.

* * *

I hate to say I told you so but I told you so. What did you think about the detective character? The position he takes in the end is unbelievable.

Haha, yeah. Crazy movie but awesome.

Cinema screening of Friday The 13th Part 3, in 3-D y'alls!

I must say, I'm not a fan of the franchise, but this one I really enjoyed! It's great if you don't take it too seriously and treat almost more as a comedy. The yo-yo bit was probably the best bit. I thought modern 3-D movies were contrived!

Whether the film makers had that intention, I don't know.

Cargo (2009): A young female medic charged with looking after the crew of a space freighter, who are all in cryo-sleep, begins to suspect she isnt the only one awake....

Pretty decent German Sci-Fi, good story, good atmosphere and solid acting. More story driven than action, but the movie captures the classic sci-fi feel of a bleak future nicely. Definatley one to check out for all you Sci-Fi fans out there.

Clean, Shaven (1993)

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Along with A Woman Under the Influence, this is the best film about mental illness ever made. Spare, haunting visuals react and contrast with claustrophobic, chaotic, and terrifying sound design; more-or-less objective visuals and more-or-less subjective audio give a harrowing and heartbreaking insight to main character Peter Winter, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and is searching for his daughter. An incredible film that gets better with repeat viewings, as the audience is charged with deciphering what is real and what is a product of Peter's fractured mind. Highly, highly recommended.

Another Earth
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A very emotional and interesting movie. I don't think a lot of people will like the ending but i for one thought it was great.

the seven deadly sins
also ,again.

"Dream House" 7/10

Was expecting more spooky ghost encounters. Instead i got one helluva twist in the middle of the movie and from there on out it was all twisty. Nice.

Last up was Salvage.

https://d319cvonp80bph.cloudfront.ne...741-medium.jpg

"Christmas Eve, and the residents of a quiet British cul-de-sac are suddenly plunged into a world of violence, terror and paranoia when a group of heavily armed military personnel storm their road ordering them at gunpoint to retreat inside their homes. Unsure if this is the sign of a terrorist attack, or something much worse, one local mother finds it in herself to desperately fight to save her estranged daughter stranded across the street. However, with growing dread, the residents soon discover that the threat is more monstrous than any of them could possibly imagine, and survival is no longer a guarantee."

It started off like an episode of late night Brookside (that's a British soap for all those outwith the UK) or something, then very quickly turned in to a very different film. Decent gore, few good jumps, and they managed to inject a new angle into a well worn format.[/QUOTE]

LOL it was filmed on the brookside estate where they filmed the soap. Awesome film regardless :)

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.
Thank you Villain!
Surprised by this as it had a lot of intentional dark humour. With some genuinely creepy scenes near the end. Very enjoyable.

Stephen King's Bag of Bones (2011)

http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/...BagofBones.jpg

>>: B-

The Reaping (2007)

I hate that director, and this movie was also a piece of crap. It had a great idea, but the story was thin and it wasn't executed well enough if you ask me.

1.5/6


Someone got a real scary ghost movie from the 90's and up?

Pierce Brosnan.

Now THAT's what you call a wooden performance.

Ghostwatch (1992)

Oh yes, I agree.

LOL - Who the hell are you? I don't think you've even posted about this movie. Ever.

Yeah, the detective character was certainly unbelievable, but I didn't really give it much thought as the movie somehow got worse as it prodded along.

Meh - I was bored and it was free On Demand.

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A few people have recommended it on this board, but to be honest I haven't watched it because I think that the scenes with the cat would upset me. :o

Tell me true - Do you think I'd actually enjoy it? Or will it just disturb me and make he unhappy?

I think they would disturb you.

Well, the cat scenes are definitely rough. But everything I've read about it says that no real harm was done to any cat on screen, and that there was a vet and animal cruelty rep present on set. However, one cat that they got from a shelter ended up having to be euthanized later, back at the shelter, which is, at least at the time, SOP in Australia. So it's really up to you. It's a really fascinating film, and a challenging watch for several reasons.

Yea, the cat scenes are disturbing but it really isn't over the top and its important to the plot, IMO.

I probably should have put some kind of picture on my review. It's on page 3610 of this thread. I watched it on demand too. It's just another bad free Fear net movie.

Also, I'm new and going to create a new member thread once I figure it out.

Thanks, guys - That what I figured... And I appreciate the insight, J, in terms of how the cats were actually treated. I'm really curious about it just because a lot of people on here think it's a great film (you guys, Ferox, EC, and Roshiq, just to name a few), so I think I need to get over my wimpyness and just watch it.

I think you hit the nail on the head - I keep telling myself, "This isn't a cat-torturing movie. Get over it." Now if only I'd listen... ;)


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Let Me In (2010)


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To be honest, I really loved the original movie (HIGHLY recommended for those of you who haven't seen it yet), so I had avoided the remake purposefully. Based on the positive reviews, however, I knew I had to see it eventually, and so I did last night...

And, honestly, it's a really good movie. Very good. In fact, if it wasn't a remake it might have blown me away just a little... But considering it's nearly a line-by-line remake of the original, I just wonder Why did this need to be made? Not that it was a bad movie... Just completely unnecessary, especially since it followed the original so closely. Damn, are Americans THAT LAZY when it comes to reading subtitles?

I would say that the one clear advantage that this movie had over the original was the portrayal of Owen; I found him significantly more sympathetic while at the same time horrifyingly more creepy. I thought that it was a better casting decision and I both connected with him and feared him at the same time; in Let the Right One In I found the kid who played Oskar to be doughy, durfy, and slightly retarded... Though that could have been the language barrier... I didn't connect with him; I found him weak and pretty lame... But in the remake I definitely connected with Owen.

It was interesting what they did with Abby in the remake; she was definitely more manipulative, though I prefer the subtly to Eli in the original; I thought she was brilliant.

Also, the remake definitely lacked the creepy crawly pedophilic sexual undertones of the original, which, to me, were key to the plot and core of the film and what truly put me at dis-ease. Friggin American pussies.

In short, it's good... Would have been GREAT if it wasn't just an American cookie-cutter remake. Bizarre.

3.5/5.