*** 'THE OFFICIAL MOVIE THREAD' ***

[Sheriff Fatman]

SPOILER FREE REVIEW (HOPEFULLY):

Went to the midnight showing of The Last Jedi last night and have to admit to being underwhelmed with it.

One of the criticisms of The Force Awakens (which I thought was fantastic on first viewing, less so over time) was that it was essentially a re-boot of the original Star Wars film.  This one felt largely like re-boots of a selection of scenes from Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi around which they've built a new plot.  Consequently it felt disjointed overall and, as a result of trying to cram too many plotlines/characters into it, some of them didn't get developed sufficiently, even in a film that's over 2.5 hours long.

There's also too much of an attempt at forced humour in some of the scenes, particularly the opening sequences which felt a little like a Star Wars parody being played for laughs in places.  That's probably something only picked up on by those of us who've grown up through the films, so it'll be oblivious to the younger viewers who will probably love it.

My surprise is that I seem to be contrary to the critic reviews on this, so maybe my expectations were too high.  My cousin was watching it elsewhere and she had similar thoughts to mine, based on our WhatsApp chat afterwards.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy it overall - it's Star Wars after all and the little kid inside me still wants to know how it develops.  However, if I could paraphrase it, I'd describe it as "Star Wars By Numbers".  Rogue One was a much better film, in my view, despite it being constrained to a general storyline that everyone knew beforehand.

Got Imax tickets booked for tomorrow's Fajita Friday outing.. I to have grown up with the Star Wars universe ingrained into my childhood being a bright eyed 8 year old when first introduced.. have been eagerly awaiting this.. will try to take off the rose tinted glasses but doubt it.. hope its not been over hyped

I should add that I saw it in plain, old flat 2D so the IMAX experience might add something to it.

[the sicilian]

The Last Jedi

As the screen froze for those few seconds whilst it displayed the BBFC notice that announced the film title and age rating, multiple oooh's and ahhh's of anticipation rippled through the jam packed Imax arena. Few films can illicit this kind of reaction.. But this is Star Wars and I’m sure there were many in that audience that weed themselves just a little in unrequited excitement.

The first few bars of that unmistakable orchestral arrangement filled the auditorium through the booming sound system and that signature prologue began to scroll up and away. It was back.. and more wee must have come out.

We pick up from where the Force Awakens left us and follow our heroes in the usual muti-faceted tale we have been accustomed to. The action as you would expect was fast and furious with top line special effects bursting out of the screen in a sensory overload. I'm pretty sure you would need to see these films five or six times to fully take in what was happening, especially in the space battles.

I can see where Sheriff was coming from.. The film felt safe from a studio point of view.. giving the fan what they want ..Spectacular battles... Jedi Mystique and heroes willing to commit the ultimate sacrifice at the drop of a hat. It felt they had re used parts of other films.. the casino felt like the Cantina scene.. rebel based almost a ringer for the battle on Hoth .. etc etc..

We have the usual touches of humour.. one or two which were really good.. one or which were a bit carry on.. A plethora of weird and wonderful creatures including one so cute you could die cuddling it and will be on most 7 years olds must have pressie list.

Some of the story telling felt wooden too.. a little obvious and cheesy like the original film... characters adamant they weren’t going to do something and then on a whim do a complete one eighty.. but I digress..

Yes we do have a Star Wars film that gives us familiar fare.. Nothing too far from the fans imaginings.. but then is that a bad thing.. giving the fans what they want ?  The whole thing bowls along at a fairly frantic pace and two and a half hours zooms by and the story is forwarded to a point for the next film to take up the reigns and can look forward to endless tales from the Star Wars Universe.

All in all a solid effort.. Slick. Spectacular, loud all that you would want and expect.. Fans will love it.. Sceptics will try and point out this and that.. some trying to be cool will criticise whilst inwardly loving it.. but overall I enjoyed the experience.. after all its Star Wars and you would have to try really hard to mess it up.. everyone ignoring Phantom Menace ?.. good.. Because that never really happened ..did it ?

Honestly I can only see the series getting stronger.. With Disney behind it and some new exciting directors doing the rounds I think we have many years of Tales of the Jedi

7.5 Fajitas

[Chompy]

Speaking of wooden...Daisy Ridley.

[TightEnd]

The first trailer for Oceans8

‘Ocean’s 8’ Trailer: Oh My God, They’re Going to Pull Off a Heist at the Met Gala
Who knew another ‘Ocean’s’ sequel could feel this necessary?

https://www.theringer.com/movies/2017/12/19/16795034/oceans-8-trailer

[MANTIS01]

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is an absolute must see. Vince Vaughn puts in a performance of epic proportions.

[bobAlike]

Brawl in Cell Block 99 is an absolute must see. Vince Vaughn puts in a performance of epic proportions.

Agreed although I wanted more from the ending.

[4KSuited]

Mudbound on Netflix

This one had a cinematic release in order to qualify for the awards season. More than a little cliched, but it's well worth having the reminder that it wasn't that long ago that Americans were still treating black people like sub-humans. If you haven't seen it yet, wait till the second week of January.

[TightEnd]

Review of Molly's game the new poker film starring Jessica Chastain, Sorkin's first cinema film

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/movies/mollys-game-review-aaron-sorkin-jessica-chastain.html

[TightEnd]

Molly’s Game’ Is a Ridiculous but Riveting Poker Drama

https://www.theringer.com/movies/2017/12/26/16813130/mollys-game-film-review-jessica-chastain-aaron-sorkin

[Chompy]

Really looking forward to this. Michael Cera normally so good.

[MANTIS01]

Wind River is pretty good, although a little slow in places. Scene outside the trailer makes up for it, rapid action. Bout 7/10. Catching some decent flicks of late, very pleasing period in my film watching situation.

[Chompy]

Review of Molly's game the new poker film starring Jessica Chastain, Sorkin's first cinema film

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/movies/mollys-game-review-aaron-sorkin-jessica-chastain.html

Meh.

[4KSuited]

Review of Molly's game the new poker film starring Jessica Chastain, Sorkin's first cinema film

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/12/24/movies/mollys-game-review-aaron-sorkin-jessica-chastain.html

Meh.

Myeh

[Mark_Porter]

Bright on Netflix is fun.

The opening 15 mins has some of the most on the nose dialogue I have ever heard. Really terrible.

Once it gets going it is just mad, Will Smith running around dropping f bombs and fighting elves. I mean really, it's hard not to enjoy. It looks super expensive too, some really good action scenes.

The concept is better than the actual film, it is rubbish really but would watch a sequel.

[KarmaDope]

Bright on Netflix is fun.

The opening 15 mins has some of the most on the nose dialogue I have ever heard. Really terrible.

Once it gets going it is just mad, Will Smith running around dropping f bombs and fighting elves. I mean really, it's hard not to enjoy. It looks super expensive too, some really good action scenes.

The concept is better than the actual film, it is rubbish really but would watch a sequel.

Action scenes are great on this.

Pity the storyline is about as good as that 50 Shades crap. Bloody horrendous.