Surely if a film deviates from your expectations (expectations as in story or genre, not good or bad), it's a sign of originality...? I used to think the same way as you, but I'm greatly excited these days when a film does something I don't expect it to.

Sure. I just have to be in the mood and have to find the time. Time is a real problem now with work, my thesis and my Blockbuster Online movies, etc. Remember those movies I got for my birthday? Yeah, haven't touched those! I've never seen NEW YORK NEW YORK, BOB DYLAN: NO DIRECTION HOME, THE LAST WALTZ and I'd like to see MEAN STREETS and many others again

I'm not there yet brother. I'm not sure I ever will. It may just be my stubborn personality

GOOD MORNING 1/2
(First Viewing)

This movie takes a look at a very Westernized subarban Japan in the late 50's. It focuses mainly on the daily lives of a small community and the way its members interact. It also demonstrates the power of speech and the way in which small talk acts as a lubricant for our daily lives.

The least impressive Ozu film I've seen but easily the funniest Japanese movie I've ever seen. The little boy Isamu, played by Masahiko Shimazu, was fantastic! Before long, I was eagerly anticipating him on screen. He was so cute, innocent and funny. He was really the highlight of the film and at such a young age.

CAPTIVITY 1/2
(First Viewing)

A young model is drugged, kidnapped and subject to harrowing torture in a cell of horrors in this spine chilling horror thriller. Jennifer is young, beautiful and famous. Everybody knows her name and her popularity brings her everything she wants in life- but one mans jealousy lures Jennifer to a dimension in torture when she finds herself drugged, captured and held in an underground maze of terror. Taken against her will and subject to psychological punishment, Jennifer soon questions her sanity as her watchful tormentor pits her in numerous twisted traps. After struggling to keep her mind, she meets with Gary, another prisoner in the sick games and together they try their wits to escape from the cells and defeat the madman behind the sick games- but are they already too late when they are bound, gagged and thrust into a world of pain?

I'm a horror geek nowadays so some of you knew I would be seeing this. Add in the fact that Elisha Cuthbert is in the flick and my seat is already paid for. The gore was a nice surprise as more filmmakers are continually trying to push the envelope and try new ways to scare/horrify/shock the audience. As for the story it was fairly predictable with the second cell mate and the ending. A decent horror film if you want to kill 90 minutes. It won't make any noise in the box office and might make it's money back on DVD (I'll be buying it).

MEAN STREETS 1/2
(Third Viewing)

In a series of character-led incidents set against the background of New York City's Little Italy, we follow the life of Charlie, a small-time member of the wiseguy community who collects protection money. His friends Tony and Michael are part of the community, but his other friend Johnny Boy is unreliable and therefore must be shunned. Charlie's secret girlfriend Teresa has epilepsy, and so must also be shunned. When Charlie's uncle Giovanni offers him a restaurant - the first step up the ladder - Charlie is forced to choose between his desire for power, his love for Teresa and his duty to protect his friend Johnny Boy.

Third time's a charm for me and this film. This was easily the most I've ever enjoyed it and while I'll never put it on the scale of RAGING BULL, GOODFELLAS or CASINO, it was a great movie. It's Marty's break-through movie that put him in the spotlight and for good reason. I think this is where he really flexed his muscles in terms of the music. I loved the opening credits with Be My Baby by The Ronettes blaring through the speakers. It immediately reminded me of GOODFELLAS and the Rags to Riches song by Tony Bennett. However, I felt at first Marty used too much music early on. The first or second time we're in the nightclub Marty goes through about 3 or 4 songs. In GOODFELLAS and his films since he spreads the songs throughout the film. However, once we get out of the nightclub, Marty does redeem himself by playing enjoyable tunes and placing them at the appropriate moments. Also this movie is a break-through for Marty because it's his first and thankfully not last great gangster picture. Personally, I wouldn't put this in my Marty top 5 list but I would put it in the top 10 now.

Damn right you liked it, bitch.

Im still yet to watch this.I always forget to pick it up.

I will definitely watch it though.Sounds pretty good.

For those wondering, here's my Marty list from best to worst:

1) RAGING BULL
2) GOODFELLAS
3) CASINO
4) TAXI DRIVER
5) THE DEPARTED
6) CAPE FEAR
7) GANGS OF NEW YORK
8) MEAN STREETS
9) THE AVIATOR
10) THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST
11) THE KING OF COMEDY
12) KUNDUN
13) THE COLOR OF MONEY
14) WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR?
15) ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE
16) AFTER HOURS
17) BOXCAR BERTHA
18) BRINGING OUT THE DEAD
19) THE AGE OF INNOCENCE

*Note - I've never seen NEW YORK, NEW YORK or THE LAST WALTZ hence the reason they're not on the list

It's about time you watched it.

Now watch it with the commentary on then put it in AT LEAST your top 5 Marty movies and we can talk.

Fat chance

Any other Marty recommendations Senor pizzaboy? I know I need to watch NO DIRECTION HOME, THE LAST WALTZ and NEW YORK, NEW YORK. I really want to watch NO DIRECTION HOME but it's 3 1/2 hours and I'm just having a difficult time squeezing it into my schedule right now. Also, what's your Marty list look like Lead

WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR was better than THE AVIATOR.

I'll fight you on that one. I've seen both twice but wouldn't mind seeing it again

Okay Irish, today is a big day for you, so I won't pick on you.

BUT- does your man-crush on Leo have anything to do with your love for THE AVIATOR?

Ok pizzaboy, what's with the man-crush business? First I've got one on Jeremy Piven, now Leo DiCaprio. You couldn't be further from the truth. What about the man in my avatar, Senor David Carradine? Anybody else you wanna tack on to this never ending list of yours

Well, we all know that all of that arguing with RonnieRocket is just sexual tension.

Whoa, hey now that's crossing a line brother

I'm just kidding.

Jeez.

PICK-UP 1/2
(First Viewing)

Sexy hippie chicks Carol and Maureen get more than they bargained for when they hitch a ride with groovy hippie dude Chuck in his nifty mobile bus home. The trio get lost in the Florida Everglades following a fierce rain storm and embark on a startling spiritual journey of self-discovery.

This is officially the weirdest movie I've ever seen. I bought the first 2 volumes of Welcome to the Grindhouse on DVD and thus far, the first one hasn't disappointed. There wasn't a plot and barely a story. Really just 3 kids, running around nude in a swamp having sex. Blibble, this might be right up your alley being a grind house film.

Hey Irish, whenever you done....get home by 11 or your dinner will get cold....sweetie.

THE TEACHER
(First Viewing)

18-year-old Sean's first summer after completing high school is much spent with 28-year-old teacher Diane, who's husband is too often motorcycle-racing instead of with her. Wacko Ralph also has "the hots" for Diane; and it doesn't help that Sean was with Ralph's younger brother, Lou, when Lou died.

The second double-feature of Welcome to the Grindhouse Volume 1. This was a lot more reminiscent of what I would deem a grind house movie. An interesting story, almost a 1970s and more soft porn style of THE GRADUATE. Also some nice goofs on screen always add to the humor of the film. My only beef with it was the music. While the theme song for the film was enjoyable, it was the ONLY song played. Naturally it had run its course by the end of the movie.

THE THIEF AND THE COBBLER (1964-1991) - ****1/2

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2289381842757027473&hl=en

Animator Richard Williams in 1964 started the production, on his own, of an animated adventure story inspired by Near Eastern mythology like The Arabian Tales. He sought to craft a tale that would carry over his admiration for the dialogue-free artistic majesty of FANTASIA, but break the musical song & dance nonsense that Disney followed through for decades.

THE THIEF AND THE COBBLER was off and on again until the late 1980s. Williams got Warner Brothers to help put up the cash to finish the film after Williams' work on WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT. With 15 minutes of total animation to finish, and having to show the investors something, Williams had to deliver a rough cut workprint edit filled with the completed animation, and pencil tests/storyboards to fill in the gaps.

Warner Brothers hated the cut, and practically abandoned it this side of a dumpster baby. With what was completed of the film taken from Williams' feeble fingers, MIRAMAX picked it up and released their own dubbed/hacked up version: ARABIAN KNIGHTS, which easily is indeed one of the worst films I've ever seen.

Linked above is that Original WorkPrint edit, and really for the so-called "Greatest Animated Film Never Finished," THE THIEF AND THE COBBLER does lives up on its own merits beyond its behind-the-scenes chaotic history...almost.

While some people might have some difficulty in trying to watch such a rough cut, what is revealed is practically the film Williams sought to make for so long.

If this film had been released in the 1980s or earlier, or even as late as 1990, it would have brought possibly the breath of fresh air for Animation away from the damn Disney formula.

In other words, almost PIXAR before there was PIXAR (but without the self-aware wit and pop culture sensibilities). Trust me, it makes sense.

The film's highlight is in the Climatic Finale, where the mute title character The Thief going through comic insanity as everything is crashing around him, as he tries to steal the greatest treasure of them all.

With a hero that is a mute as well(save for an lovely moment in the ending), Williams was right. He had directed "a silent film, but with noise."

My dream summer.

I just had to post this since it's such a horrid idea

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Ace Ventura 3

Because SON OF MASK and DUMB AND DUMBERER taught us nothing about making bad spinoffs of Jim Carrey movies, we bring to you today news of ACE VENTURA 3 that will follow the son of Ace. Yes, SON OF ACE VENTURA. It's an idea so horrendous the creators must've been wearing at least 20 pairs of Bad Idea Jeans. If just the idea of a SON OF ACE VENTURA movie isn't enough to give you douche chills, know that it stars Josh Flitter, that f*cking annoying kid from LICENSE TO WED and NANCY DREW. When someone can say about you that you were the worst thing about LICENSE TO WED, a movie that features more hammy Robin Williams schtick than an all-night marathon of PATCH ADAMS, you know you're in trouble. And we're all in trouble when ACE VENTURA 3 hits theaters. Filming is set to begin this September in Orlando.

Source: JoBlo

I think there could have easily been more Mask films; I'd've watched 'em!

No offense Irish, but ACE VENTURA 2 itself sorta sucked.

You'll be first in line to watch it, however.

I thought the first was fun, I guess it was also a little added fun since it took place in my backyard. Loved the second as a whippersnapper, but it sucks.