Movies, Movies, Movies.....

[CaptainUnknown]

I saw It: Chapter 2 on Saturday night in a mostly full theater. I have never seen so many phones out in a movie before. At least a couple people filming. One person took a photo with the f**king flash on.

 

At least Bill Hader was good in the film.

[bert425]

^ that's crazy!

 

and really why I only go to 1st run films at Alamo Drafthouse these days. no Phone rule, they catch you with your phone out, or texting during film? 1 warning, then your butt is GONE from the theater.

 

I saw "It: Chapter 2" yesterday, and my take on it?

 

I liked it, but I didn't LOVE it.

 

I know they trimmed it from 4 hour 1st cut to the just under 3 hour film we got . . . but it was still too long. It needed a good 25 minutes still cut from it. (in particular the Henry Bowers stuff, shoulda been left on cutting room floor or saved for special edition. Didn't add anything to the film other than running time).

 

the final battle needed at least 1 more script polish, as it was still confusing and simply doesn't work - ironic considering one of the running gags is that as a writer, Bill doesn't know how to end a story.

 

oh, don't get me wrong - what DOES work? works really well. And I was pleasantly surprised to see that the two best shockers in part 2 were teased in the final trailer - but the trailer didn't give away the "good" parts.

 

a few more Jump Scares than in part 1. . overall, it's a good film, but it's not a GREAT one. Which I think it could have been with some editing.

 

now, bring on the special release director's cut of parts 1 & 2 together, that will run 9 hours

[Canobie Coaster]

I saw Joker last night and that was way different than any other comic book movie I've ever seen. Phoenix nailed the performance and the movie makes you feel uncomfortable throughout (and that's a good thing for me at least).

[Nrthwnd]

Jo Jo Rabbit

 

We loved it! Total surprise and both the kid who plays Jo Jo and the actor playing "the Jew" should be nommed for an Oscar. And as well, Sam Rockwell....nominate him too for Supporting Roll.

 

I've never sat through a movie like this, laughing one minute, then totally stunned in silence in another. Really hard to describe it without giving a lot away. So, I won't.

 

Go see it...it will surprise you. Pretty sure it will. 9.8/10

 

(There is no perfect 10, to me. My 9.9/10 is "Chicago".)

[TroyRides Channel]

just got disney plus so will be watching many movies on that.

[Nrthwnd]

Just saw this earlier this afternoon. And for our popcorn $...

 

Maleficent 2 > Maleficent 1

[Nrthwnd]

We just came back from seeing FROZEN II earlier...and I am honestly conflicted about it.

 

This sequel was definitely story driven. Very intensely at times. The songs were strong, a couple were fun. But...

 

My problem was that David and I were in the theater with three other pairs of people, and a few children. All spread out, throughout the big theater. We were front and center, of the front section's back row (if that makes sense).

 

Stuff that was obviously funny, I found hearing myself laughing out loud and nobody else. Wierd. Then there was the emotional stuff, and I found myself so isolated from the movie....because there were only a few people in the audience. And children so young, I kept wondering how the heck they ever got anything out of it, except for maybe, Olaf? Still, felt off to me.

 

So, I want to see it again, but this time, NOT in IMAX. In 3D and on a regular sized screen, downtown. I actually did that with the first Frozen. I saw that one twice, because I just loved that Elsa Transformation on the big screen.

 

Anyway we'll see, till then... To Be Continued.

 

 

 

SPOILER ALERT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although the revival of Olaf was a real tear-jerker, to us .

[mikeykaise]

My gf and I and her kids went and seen Knives Out, awesome movie and highly recommend it. I thought I had it figured out by the end but I was completely wrong. I was sitting there for like 10 mins after going over it in my mind like what the heck.... one of the best movies of the year.

[RCT3Bross]

Just got home from seeing The Rise of Skywalker.

The 9th and final chapter of the Star Wars saga.

Well there are things I don't like there is a lot of things I did. This was the scale I wanted Return of the Jedi to be, this sense of finality that I still felt robbed from in RotJ by those teddy-bears. No this movie did it so much better. I really liked that RoS did it own thing while not forgetting it had to wrap up 8 movies. I like to get more into this movie but that means spoilers.

 

The Sequel trilogy:

I want to look back just on these 3 movie's. It's definitely my least favorite trilogy, I don't think episode 9 did enough that watching episode 7 and 8 in with all the information is as much fun as watching episodes 1 and 2 after watching episode 3. The OT had just a great story but like the sequel trilogy wasn't as mapped out like the prequels.

All the trilogies had there ups and downs but this is how I place them:

1. Prequels: (Episodes 1 and 2 lacked in the main story but Episode 3 made it a nice package.)

2. Original: (All three Episodes had a great main story but 4 has some problems after watching Episode 6 that prove this wasn't mapped out as much as people like to believe.)

3. Sequels (I enjoyed all three again, Episode 8 had a great main story but a bad side story. Abrams return was good to fill the gaps created by Episode 7 but no this felt as much mapped out as the OT)

It falls in the last place but I love each trilogy and I can't wait to watch all 9 movies in a row.

 

One thing I didn't like for RoS includes a small spoiler but was present in the teaser so SPOILERS if you didn't watch that:

The Emperors return was done the only way I wouldn't like it. That said he was used right.

[Nrthwnd]

We just saw Knives Out on Monday. Really enjoyed it, especially with the twist at the end.

[mikeykaise]

^ I agree, I was like damn it, I had it completely wrong after I saw the ending, I thought I had it spot on.

[Nrthwnd]

SPOILER ALERT!!!!

 

^

 

After 'he' planned to help 'her' out, I suspected something was up with 'him.'

[Nrthwnd]

Kirk Douglas just passed away. At age 103! And he was in one of my all-time fave Disney films....

...with James Mason as the great Captain Nemo.

[RCT3Bross]

I saw Sonic today. I have to say not bad, a solid 7/10 if I had to rate it. Most of the movie was just generic toys, Videogame, anime movie adaptation aka let's bring in the military and a human side-kick, but the movie had an opportunity for one of the oldest cliché and didn't even attempt it which made me very happy because I always hated it. I also had to watch the Dutch version that also soured the experience what means I probably would have enjoyed the movie more if I had watched the English version.

[Nrthwnd]

Just hit with a movie casting revelation!

 

Found out before the holidays, that FOLLIES was finally going to be made as a film.

This is following a HUGE London Revival that was repeated with a totally new cast a year later!

 

So, I had an epiphany. Could the cast of CHICAGO(2002) be a repeat for these 4 parts in FOLLIES?....

 

Sally - Renee Zellweger

Phyillis - Catherine Zeta-Jones

Buddy - John C. Reilly

Benjamin - Richard Gere ....

 

Hmmm? Possible?

 

EDIT TO ADD: Then I came up with Meryl Streep for Carlotta ("I'm Still Here"),

and Renee Fleming for the Opera Singer, Heidi Schiller.

Edited February 26, 2020 by Nrthwnd

[Canobie Coaster]

I saw Sonic today. I have to say not bad, a solid 7/10 if I had to rate it. Most of the movie was just generic toys, Videogame, anime movie adaptation aka let's bring in the military and a human side-kick, but the movie had an opportunity for one of the oldest cliché and didn't even attempt it which made me very happy because I always hated it. I also had to watch the Dutch version that also soured the experience what means I probably would have enjoyed the movie more if I had watched the English version.

 

I too was pleasantly surprised by Sonic. It wasn't amazing, but that movie very well could have been just a cash grab, but it was solid. In retrospect, that makes sense considering the studio was willing to delay that film a few months to correct Sonic's design after the initial trailer.

 

Although you missed one thing in your recap, Olive Garden.

[CaptainUnknown]

AMC Theaters Will No Longer Show Universal Movies.

 

At this time of national emergency and the coronavirus wreaking havoc on the entire world, I hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. I worry – and I wish the best for – the health of all of our industry colleagues. Never in our lifetimes has there been a more challenging time.

 

Amidst a global pandemic as a backdrop, I wish we were spared from also having to address a different issue that arises from Universal actions currently underway.

 

For 100 years, AMC Theatres has served as a strategically critical and highly profitable distribution platform for movie makers, and for all that time the exclusivity of the theatrical release has been fundamental. When a movie is “Only in Theaters,” consumers perceive it to be higher quality entertainment. Countless filmmakers and moviegoers believe that their creative works are best enjoyed by consumers on the big screen. And we all know that those theatrical releases indeed boost publicity, positive word-of-mouth, critical acclaim and downstream revenues.

 

For much of the past four and a half years, I have been in direct dialogue with Jeff Shell and Peter Levinsohn of Universal about the importance of a robust theatrical window to the viability of the motion picture exhibition industry. Throughout that time, AMC has expressed a willingness to consider alternatives to the current windowing strategy common in our industry, where the aim of such alternatives is to improve both studio profitability and theater operator profitability.

 

Universal stated it only pursued a direct-to-home entertainment release for “Trolls World Tour” because theaters were closed and Universal was committed to a lucrative toy licensing deal. We had our doubts that this was wholly Universal’s motivations, as it has been a longstanding desire by Universal to go to the home day and date. Nonetheless, we accepted this action as an exception to our longstanding business practices in these unprecedented times.

 

In today’s Wall Street Journal, Jeff Shell is quoted as saying that:

 

“The results for ‘Trolls World Tour’ have exceeded our expectations and demonstrated the viability of PVOD,” Mr. Shell said. “As soon as theaters reopen, we expect to release movies on both formats.”

 

This radical change by Universal to the business model that currently exists between our two companies represents nothing but downside for us and is categorically unacceptable to AMC Entertainment, the worlds largest collection of movie theatres.

 

Going forward, AMC will not license any Universal movies in any of our 1,000 theatres globally on these terms.

 

Accordingly, we want to be absolutely clear, so that there is no ambiguity of any kind. AMC believes that with this proposed action to go to the home and theatres simultaneously, Universal is breaking the business model and dealings between our two companies. It assumes that we will meekly accept a reshaped view of how studios and exhibitors should interact, with zero concern on Universal’s part as to how its actions affect us. It also presumes that Universal in fact can have its cake and eat it too, that Universal film product can be released to the home and theatres at the same time, without modification to the current economic arrangements between us.

 

It is disappointing to us, but Jeff’s comments as to Universal’s unilateral actions and intentions have left us with no choice. Therefore, effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theatres in the United States, Europe or the Middle East. This policy affects any and all Universal movies per se, goes into effect today and as our theatres reopen, and is not some hollow or ill-considered threat. Incidentally, this policy is not aimed solely at Universal out of pique or to be punitive in any way, it also extends to any movie maker who unilaterally abandons current windowing practices absent good faith negotiations between us, so that they as distributor and we as exhibitor both benefit and neither are hurt from such changes. Currently, with the press comment today, Universal is the only studio contemplating a wholesale change to the status quo. Hence, this immediate communication in response.

 

AMC has invested significant time and energy with Universal executives over the past few years trying to figure out a new windows model that would be beneficial both for your studio and for our theatre operations. While Universal’s unilateral pronouncements on this issue are unpalatable to us, as has always been the case, AMC is willing to sit down with Universal to discuss different windows strategies and different economic models between your company and ours. However, in the absence of such discussions, and an acceptable conclusion thereto, our decades of incredibly successful business activity together has sadly come to an end.

 

Sincerely,

 

Adam Aron

CEO and President

AMC Entertainment

 

Universal's Response:

 

Our goal in releasing Trolls: World Tour on PVOD was to deliver entertainment to people who are sheltering at home, while movie theatres and other forms of outside entertainment are unavailable. Based on the enthusiastic response to the film, we believe we made the right move. In fact, given the choice of not releasing Trolls: World Tour, which would not only have prevented consumers from experiencing the movie but also negatively impacted our partners and employees, the decision was clear. Our desire has always been to efficiently deliver entertainment to as wide an audience as possible. We absolutely believe in the theatrical experience and have made no statement to the contrary. As we stated earlier, going forward, we expect to release future films directly to theatres, as well as on PVOD when that distribution outlet makes sense. We look forward to having additional private conversations with our exhibition partners but are disappointed by this seemingly coordinated attempt from AMC and NATO to confuse our position and our actions.

 

Source:

 

 

I've made it no secret that I have no love for AMC, but Holy Sh!t, this will kill the company. Especially if the rumors that the chain is going under due to COVID are true. Hopefully this will get more people to go to independent and smaller/regional chains. But at the same time, I hope that the two are able to reconcile.

[tinaalsgirl]

OOF. That's harsh.

 

I like AMC, but then, their headquarters are in the Kansas City metro, so obviously they have some of their nicer venues in that area, which I have been to (their Leawood location is AMAZING, but of course it would be since that's where the HQ is).

 

But overall, my favorite cinema chain has become B&B Theatres. Even our middle-of-nowhere rural location has great seats and is clean and has decent prices.

 

So, I guess whenever a Universal movie comes out, I'll be going to B&B to see it.

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Wow, that's quite a move. Eh, I hardly ever go to the AMC in town anyway. They used to be the nicest when they were new, but Alamo makes it hard for me to spend my money anywhere else on those few occasions I do get to go to a theatre.

[tinaalsgirl]

Oh man, I can't wait to finally be able to try out an Alamo. I've heard so many great things about them.

 

In other movie news, I finally saw the movie "Idiocracy" after seeing references to it all over DailyKos comments the last few weeks.

 

Woooowww. Yeah, I can see why people are referencing this movie right now. Also, I really enjoyed it.The r- and f-slurs were a big cringy, but considering the context in which they were used, and also acknowledging this movie is 15 years old, it didn't hurt too bad.

 

But what was nice was that the comedy was... relatively clean outside of the fart/etc jokes. Like, the script never made fun of Rita's choice of profession; they only made fun of Joe and his assumption that she's an artist. It was refreshing, honestly.

 

Anyway, enjoyed the movie, but kinda scared now that I understand all the references people have been making to it...

[Nrthwnd]

We watched The Devil Wears Prada last night. Still a brilliant Meryl Streep film.

Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt hold their respective own, too. And Stanley Tucci is

always fun to watch, as his character(s) usually evolve, too.

 

And the whole fashion scene (probably true to the 'art-form') is just nuts!

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Oh man, I can't wait to finally be able to try out an Alamo. I've heard so many great things about them.

 

In other movie news, I finally saw the movie "Idiocracy" after seeing references to it all over DailyKos comments the last few weeks.

 

Woooowww. Yeah, I can see why people are referencing this movie right now. Also, I really enjoyed it.The r- and f-slurs were a big cringy, but considering the context in which they were used, and also acknowledging this movie is 15 years old, it didn't hurt too bad.

 

But what was nice was that the comedy was... relatively clean outside of the fart/etc jokes. Like, the script never made fun of Rita's choice of profession; they only made fun of Joe and his assumption that she's an artist. It was refreshing, honestly.

 

Anyway, enjoyed the movie, but kinda scared now that I understand all the references people have been making to it...

Yeah it's not mean spirited at all, and pretty open minded too. I agree with every point you've made.

 

Not sure quite where in MO you are, but right now Missouri has two Alamos, one in downtown KC on Main St. in the Power & Light district and the other in Springfield on South Campbell Ave. (Hwy 160, a couple miles south of Bass Pro). There's a third going into St. Louis in the City Foundry development that's supposed to open this year. It's near SLU close to Ikea. Great location, hope it does open this year.

 

I've been to both Missouri Alamos are they're spectacular. It's service to the max. You'll love it.

[tinaalsgirl]

If I'm lucky, I'll be back living in the KC area by the end of this year. Fingers crossed.

 

I actually went several times to the cinema in Springfield that the Alamo took over, but sadly had already left the area when Alamo came in (I lived in Spfld 2009-2013; went to MSU). I was so glad when I heard they kept the mural of the horses on the backside of the building; I love that mural!

[ytterbiumanalyst]

Oh yeah, the old Wehrenberg Campbell 16... Let's just say I don't miss it. The mural is great though, glad Springfield has invested in public art over the years.

 

Good luck in KC!

[tinaalsgirl]

Only thing I miss about Wehrenberg is the catchy jingle; I spent most of my movie-going time at the Regal downtown... it was within both walking distance, or if I was lazy, also close to the campus shuttle route.

 

The other catchy ad I remember from movie-going down there was the Cox Health F.A.S.T. Stroke ad they would play that, well, I just managed to find it on YouTube: