Posts by Mark Nelson17

Henry Anderson47 said:I sign off on everything Mark Nelson17 wrote in the opening post.
But everything.

I feel the exact same way. 😁.

...and she stole it

Melissa Cruz2 said:I finally watched the movie. It was watchable, but nothing impressive.
A few scenes are irritatingly stupid and naive. For instance, at the beginning when they're fighting, the Black woman grabs the cereal box—it’s just bad and flawed.😲 In my opinion... the movie should have ended right there with our Ume being taken out. Instead, she's all atrophied and bashing through doors at a medic.
And the sword fighting scenes go on forever.

I had a similar thought regarding the Black woman, but I just shrugged it off with a "Heh." If I were the director of this film, regardless of what genre we're dealing with, I would attempt to minimize illogicalities as much as humanly possible. However, I stand by the idea that in 'Kill Bill', those details aren't the point.
I almost don't care that Tarantino references this or copies that in one way or another. Tarantino has constructed his own cinematic universe within the film itself.
Now, let me explain why 'Kill Bill' is a great film to me. In both the logical and illogical scenes, he succeeds in breathing life into the experience, making me feel like I'm watching something truly special. That, in my view, is the greatest value a film can possess. I can watch a movie with a perfectly written script, zero plot holes, flawless technical execution, and great acting from a solid cast, but if I don't feel it in my bones, it won't be any better than, say, 'Kill Bill.' That ability to reach you in your bones is, to me, the primal talent a great director must possess.
Regardless of what casualotter21 meant by saying he wasn't trying to disparage the film, 'Kill Bill' sits far, far above mere entertainment or mindless fun. I can't think of a single pure action, martial arts, or "just for kicks" movie that even comes close to the quality level of 'Kill Bill.' To me, 'Charlie's Angels II' feels bland no matter how you approach it, and as I mentioned a page ago, even a solid flick like 'from dusk till dawn' is at least two classes below 'Kill Bill.'
So, if you didn't feel like reading my sermon, the point is: the bones. This film has them, whereas many more "logical" films lack them or have much more brittle ones.

I had absolutely no idea that Once Upon a Time in America had even been released on DVD here. Wow. It looks like it’s officially time for me to overhaul my DVD collection—and I'll probably have to pick up Diplomat as well, since it's easily one of the greatest films ever made.

While most of Sergio Leone's other Westerns can be considered somewhat campy despite their merits, this particular film is so flawlessly executed across every single dimension that it makes my usual favorites—even heavyweights like Unforgiven, Odyssey, The Matrix, or The Lord of the Rings trilogy—look almost trivial by comparison. It is honestly a tragedy that it doesn't command more respect on the all-time great critic lists.

I caught the last fifteen minutes or so of the ceremony, right around where Jim Carrey was reading the nominees. I can't tell if it's just because our local translation was so grating, but those final fifteen minutes felt completely lackluster. It’s almost impossible to stay engaged with what the speaker is actually saying when the presentation is that poor.
It feels like the Oscars are much more spectacular; they have a clarity and a punch that this lacks. You see someone like Peter Jackson walking up to accept an award, he delivers his speech, the rest of the crew stands behind him, the translators are projecting clearly, there's applause, the stage setup, the lighting—it all works. Here, everything feels disorganized and messy, like a poorly made breakfast.
What I appreciate about the Oscars is that when someone steps onto that stage, you immediately feel their presence. When someone speaks, you actually listen, which allows you to form a genuine positive or negative opinion.
I won't comment on the awards themselves, as 'Lost in Translation' was the only one among the nominees that I've actually seen, though honestly, I am happy for 'return of the king' (simply because the first two were phenomenal, even if I haven't watched the third yet).
Anyway, that wasn't exactly a profound critique, but I just polished off a massive plate of BBQ ribs and washed it down with two beers for lunch. Now I'm incredibly drowsy, and I still have an hour left on the clock at work, so things couldn't be any worse.

blueranger13 said:Mark Nelson17

I didn't mean to come off as harsh... but quite frankly, Tarantino's become a bit of a fraud.
I can see you're a fan... someone I used to be myself... but after this movie, I've had to re-evaluate my stance on him. I told myself: "Don't believe the hype!"

Of course... that doesn't necessarily mean I'm right.

blueranger13, you weren't being harsh, nor was I trying to be. Following my previous post, I really should have included this smiley 😁, but if I lined up six of them, the point would get lost—though, to be fair, you organized yours quite nicely. I only wrote that just to include a pile of emojis, not because I intended to sound cynical or sarcastic or whatever else.

Happy New Year, and I'll go out on a limb and hope our reviews for Return of the King are a bit more consistent.

blueranger13 said:The movie is 🙂 🤮 🤮 🤮 🙂

I honestly find it hard to believe anyone would attempt to write reviews or deep philosophical analyses about this film.

Fair enough. Kids, just disregard my previous review and any "philosophy" I tried to attach to it.
The movie is 🙂 😲 😲 😲 😉

I just finished reading a sci-fi-obsessed critique of 'Kill Bill Vol. 1' in The New York Post, and among other things, this alien wrote that the movie is boring. Fine, if one must insist on playing the pretentious film critic, go ahead, but for heaven's sake, "boring" is the very last adjective I would ever use to describe this film.

As mentioned, 'Kill Bill' draws heavily from old Bruce Lee movies and Sergio Leone, and I think at one point while Uma is sipping coffee, she literally imitates Clint Eastwood (which was absolutely wonderful to witness). However, I wouldn't say that makes the film unoriginal. Tarantino (who is, in my opinion, an undisputed great director) has synthesized all of that into his own uniquely high-energy masterpiece. From the first second to the last, it kept my eyes glued to the big screen in a massive theater (for those wondering, AMC Theatres is top-tier). I’ve seen it twice now, and both times the impact was identical—perhaps even stronger the second time around.

The direction, style, editing, acting, casting, the music... everything is, without getting into a tedious analysis when I'm not in the mood, simply brilliant.

The question is where this movie stands in relation to 'Hellbound.' If Vol. 2 isn't strictly a mathematical sequel to Vol. 1—and the final line of the movie suggests it won't be—then 'Kill Bill' could easily sit side-by-side with PSH. If the script provides enough depth and combines it with a style that already outshines PSH, it might even be a millimeter better, which says a lot about how much KB thrilled me.

'Kill Bill' does have its flaws in terms of logic—like how Uma moves her hands straight out of her sleeves, or one person fighting ten with a katana, or the gravity-defying stunts—but I don't think those details matter in this genre of film. What matters is that a cinematic achievement like this doesn't come around every year. So, if anyone is hesitating, you'd better jump into the theater while it's still playing, lest you end up crying like I did because I missed seeing 'The Matrix' on the big screen.

Well, I suppose I have only watched five films from 2003 in total. Consequently, my "top" list might not be particularly definitive. Nevertheless, I shall provide them all along with my ratings and observations:

1. Kill Bill Vol. 1 – An easy number one here. It is an excellent piece of cinema, though perhaps not quite reaching the heights of 'Pulp Fiction.' One can only wonder how far it will go once Volume 2 arrives.
2. Mystic River – Looking at this from a purely objective standpoint, the acting performances are phenomenal and the direction is beautiful. However, the script feels a bit too "Hollywood" for this genre; it carries that sense where you expect a gritty depiction of true events, yet the ending feels somewhat manufactured. While it falls far short of 'Unforgiven'—which remains one of the greatest films ever made—I will unhesitatingly give this a Very Good rating.
3. Terminator 3 – In my estimation, this film is incredibly underrated. From a screenwriting perspective, it isn't anything to write home about, but as a fun, high-octane action spectacle, it works exceptionally well for me. Personally, I would choose to watch this over Terminator 2 any day (the dynamic between Arnold and young Edward Furlong tends to grate on my nerves, among other things). Rating: Good+.
4. The Matrix Revolutions – Compared to the original Matrix, there is simply no point in looking for quality here. It is a significantly inferior film, plain and simple. That said, if the first Matrix hadn't existed, this film wouldn't deserve such relentless criticism. It sits well above your average big-budget action flick, and the direction is often spectacular regarding the action sequences. It is much better than number five. Rating: Good+.
5. The Matrix Reloaded – Purely entertaining for a few viewings, much like how Revolutions sits above the average blockbuster. However, if one expects anything more than mindless entertainment and decent acting from nearly the entire cast (with Monica Bellucci being the only one who holds their own), it becomes unbearably poor. Rating: Good-.

On a legitimate list of the best of 2003, numbers three through five likely wouldn't belong, but since these were the only ones I saw, there you have it.
Oh, and if we were to take 'The Two Towers' into account (which I saw in theaters this year), it would either tie for first place with Kill Bill or displace it entirely, even if it doesn't quite measure up to 'The Fellowship of the Ring.'

We’ve arrived. One reason why The Matrix Revolutions didn't grate on my nerves is the simple fact that Morpheus and Trinity are given very few opportunities to act like idiots, which is significant considering they were largely responsible for how much Reloaded was dumbed down. Granted, Trinity can still deliver entire sentences without actually saying anything, but given how her story wraps up, there's some justice there. Neo handles himself much more effectively as a driver once he's out of the Matrix, and seeing Zion under siege—which is an absolute action masterpiece—is far more compelling than the version of Zion we were just being introduced to.

The approach to the shootouts is spot on again: sharp, decisive, and without excessive slow-motion or obvious "dancing on a wire" tropes. That final showdown in the rain (my personal favorite scene in the film)—ugh, I can't praise it enough, it's phenomenal. Generally speaking, the gunplay holds its own against the first film; in fact, certain shots (like Neo's hand shaping Smith's face) are literally breathtaking. It’s a shame this movie took such a hit because of the previous two installments. If I had directed it this well, only to have everyone bashing it from every conceivable angle, I would have jumped out a window without a second thought. Don't worry, there won't be a third window.

...thumbs up. So, I finally sat down and watched The Matrix Revolutions, and let's get the ball rolling. Without any shadow of a doubt, The Matrix 1 is a far superior film compared to Revolutions, primarily due to its more intelligent screenplay and overall sophisticated approach. There's really no debate there. In Revolutions, Neo possesses these extraordinary powers both as a chosen figure and just as a man, which feels somewhat uninspired. The script isn't exactly the most transparent either, but now comes the big "but..."

However, Matrix Revolutions absolutely floored me. It completely knocked my socks off. Despite the fact that they were filmed at the same time, it is at least a class above Reloaded. The action sequences are adrenaline-fueled, uncompromising, gritty, metallic, merciless, and sharp—to put it simply, fantastic. You can literally feel the raw energy poured into them. Most of the pivotal scenes are incredibly high-octane; the movie is exceptionally engaging, and unlike Reloaded, you find yourself watching it in one single breath. Let's move on.

driftingowl27 said:No, I was just waiting for some jerk who doesn't even watch movies to sit here and write about them... :asshole:

Give me a break. I am constantly writing about films I haven't seen, and honestly, so are you. brightscout63 might not have been the most graceful with his first post, but so what? Try to grasp his actual point.
Besides, he was discussing the movie, not you, and you really have to be a total pushover to call him an idiot over that.

Tiamat said:The original Matrix was just so perfect...

I suppose I’ll go ahead and sign off on what’s already been settled (which, let's be honest, just proves I’m actually running things here 😁). It's a solid post.

rapidstag74 said:Regarding the DVD, I’ve heard the bonus features are pretty much useless.

Unfortunately, I can neither confirm nor deny those rumors, as my specific DVD copy doesn't include anything beyond the feature film itself.

The extras on the first 'The Matrix' are 👍 , though I fail to see who would actually care.

I definitely need to cut back on how often I use the word "definitely."

rapidstag74 said:If I were watching, it would probably only last me about 15 minutes. The movie went in the complete opposite direction of what I was expecting. Back when I was young and naive...

I was actually a bit intimidated to finish reading that quote. Have you already stumbled upon the full script somewhere, or are you just assuming that's how 'Revolutions' might wrap things up?

'Reloaded' isn't exactly a masterpiece, and it definitely feels a bit dragged out. Compared to its much stronger predecessor, the screenplay, acting, and action sequences all fall short—it honestly underwhelmed me on almost every level, so my youthful naivety didn't save me here either. That being said, 'Reloaded' is still easily a class or two (maybe three, maybe five, maybe a hundred, who knows...) better than your run-of-the-mill big-budget action flick that you forget the moment the credits roll.

To avoid getting too philosophical, I can watch 'Reloaded' repeatedly without getting bored. When I heard it was hitting DVD, I didn't give it much thought before deciding to pick it up (though the story of how I actually acquired it is another matter entirely 😁). If a film holds that kind of staying power for me personally, then there has to be something truly special at its core.

When I talk about my home theater setup, I’m referring specifically to 'Reloaded.' Perhaps more importantly, the movie didn't fail me simply because I was watching it for a second time. Of course, seeing those spectacular sequences in a theater provides a much more intense experience, but the flaws tend to stand out just as sharply there too. Plus, you can't help but be hyped up for a massive hit when it hits theaters, which only makes the disappointment feel heavier when something doesn't quite land.

As has already been noted, the film is filled with plenty of empty, nonsensical philosophizing—primarily coming from Morpheus, Trinity (who, by the way, looks terrible in the sequel), and that insufferable operator, the Black woman with the ridiculous piercings (Niobe?). She acts as if she's being held back by some invisible force, but at least you have a DVD remote. You can essentially act like The One; if a scene really grates on your nerves, you just skip it. You're also The One if you need to rewind because something didn't make sense (personally, a lot of it didn't, and still doesn't), but I won't dwell on the obvious. A home cinema setup offers a cozy, relaxed atmosphere where, in my opinion, 'Reloaded' truly thrives.

Robert Cooper41 said:Since it seems some people find the drama surrounding this thread more captivating than the actual movie, here is a brief history of how we got here: Mark Nelson17 kicked off the first topic, and shortly after, Jessica Nguyen85 started another one under the title Kill Bill Vol. 1. They eventually merged them, keeping Jessica Nguyen85's title since that became the official film name. Later on, another user tried to start the same thread, but I’ll give them a pass since they've only made two posts so far.🙄

I have to admit, I haven't been able to keep up with all the back-and-forth, but it is quite entertaining. (Robert Cooper41, sorry for stripping away the gray tone and the pedantry from your words, but there's no need to be shy—you clearly have a knack for writing, so let people see it loud and clear).

driftingowl27 said:No, it's because this is the 68th thread covering the exact same subject... ☕

Great.

I actually went through the film list on that original starting thread before posting this, and somehow, I completely missed this one.

I am definitely planning to catch The Matrix Revolutions in theaters. There’s this killer track by George Jones, "I'm not perfect, but I'm perfect for You," and honestly, while The Matrix Reloaded felt a bit off during my first theatrical viewing, it actually seems quite decent on DVD.

To be blunt, I truly enjoyed the experience this time around. I went in knowing the flaws, stopped constantly measuring it against the unreachable standards of the first film, really applied myself to grasp the deeper themes, and—poof—it turns out it isn't a bad movie at all. The direction is incredibly sharp; you can tell an immense amount of effort was poured into it, and that craftsmanship is palpable. I suspect that once we have Revolutions to tie everything together into a cohesive whole, both The Matrix Reloaded and the trilogy as a whole will be viewed much more favorably.

I won't bother listing the negatives of The Matrix Reloaded, because I acted like a spoiled brat and trashed it immediately after seeing it in the theater (to be fair, it didn't click for me then). The point is, I have a genuine feeling—a real gut feeling—that once everything is tallied up, Revolutions could end up being a very, very good film. Here is my thumbs up 👍.

A few bits of earnings data that aren't exactly the main point here, though I suppose I should include them if I want to stir the pot a little bit😁.

Kill Bill has claimed the top spot at the US Box Office, pulling in $22.6 million. When you consider that the total budget for both films (Bik. 1 and 2) was roughly $50 million, the math is quite clear.

Online reviews are currently spreading like wildfire across the web; people are either absolutely praising the film or completely tearing it apart. Honestly, that’s exactly how it should be.

Someone above already asked when the release date is for our area, but I haven't come across any information on that yet.