Last movie you saw (1) at home / rental, and (2) in a theater? What did you think of both?

[Flaxbee]

I'll start:

(1) Prometheus, one week ago. Really interesting concept, stupid as hell. I was soooo disappointed. It's like Ridley Scott started with a good idea but didn't know how to do anything but make it into a lame horror movie.

(2) The Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes sequel, last New Year's Eve. It was enjoyable, though I get a bit tired of the slo-mo pre-fight sequences. Jared Harris is a great Moriarty. Don't remember what I saw before that - probably the last Bourne movie with Matt Damon.

[OriginalGeek]

1. Limitless and Skyfall

Limitless on Netflix a couple days ago. Wasn't bad. I like what's his name since he was Alias.

Skyfall was great. But I unashamedly love all 007 things.

[Flaxbee]

14. Yeah, I thought Limitless was pretty OK, too.

Really would like to see Skyfall. Maybe sometime in December, if it's still around. Seems that movies get shuffled out of theaters so fast these days...

[DearHeart]

2. Last movie I saw in the theater was

Argo. I like it alot! Very interesting and tension filled (even though you know the outcome).

Last movie I watched at home was The River Wild-Meryl Streep, David Strathairn, and Kevin Bacon. Old movie, but good and exciting.

[Flaxbee]

15. I'd like to see Argo; will probably be a rental

I remember The River Wild from back in the 90s, I think. Good movie.

[sarge43]

3. 1. Last night, Wolfen. 2. When it came out, Prometheus

Saw the first theatrical run of Wolfen. Has held up fairly well. Then and now, James Horner did a hit and run rip off for Alien of Jerry Goldsmith's Wolfen score.

Also very disappointed in Prometheus. I think it was written by committees that never talked to one another.

[Flaxbee]

16. Wolfen was too sad, if I remember correctly.

Can't/won't watch it.

Prometheus seemed so promised. And it was just such a dud. Wasn't even scary - that wasn't why I rented it; I wanted something really interesting and Sci-Fi...but if it had scared me a bit, at least I'd have respected it a bit...

[Liberal_in_LA]

29. I was glad it wasn't scary. Would not have watched it if I'd known it was prequel to Alien movies

[sarge43]

47. Wolfen certainly isn't a feel good,

but it had some good points about human arrogance. Prometheus is just a hot mess.

[bif]

4. "Albatross" streaming & "Moonlight Kingdom" theatre

Absolutely loved them both!

[Flaxbee]

17. Albatross doesn't sound familiar.

Moonlight Kingdom looks really interesting... might rent it tomorrow night.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. I was pretty tired over the Thanksgiving holidays, so I don't think I really went into the

theater with the right frame of mind.

Skyfall, enjoyed it, but definitely was looking at it with a critical eye, deconstructing the story as it went along.

Twilight. I was happy to be in the theater with my daughter, but I knew what was going to happen before it happened. It was put together better than the previous ones, but, I was glad it was the final adieu. I was more disappointed that they didn't show the trailer for Host. I suspect there is a problem finding the right way to promote it.

I have a free ticket from Regal that I need to spend before the twelfth. I'll probably go see Argo.

[Flaxbee]

18. Definitely will see Skyfall at some point ... most likely a rental but maybe in the

theater.

What's "Host"?

Saw the first Twilight movie on TV a while back - it was kinda bad, but I'm guessing the actors got better and / or the scripts got better? I read the first book at the vehement insistence of my nieces.

[Baitball Blogger]

28. Host is Stephenie Meyer's next story.

It's promoted as a science fiction story written for readers who don't like science fiction. Essentially, it's a love story--at least, that's the angle the movie is taking based on the first trailer. However, in the book, it was...different.

Essentially, alien life forms, travellers, invade our world and take over our bodies. They are wormlike creatures that are inserted into our spinal cords and take over our minds. The aliens then proceed to live out our lives--i.e. going to the same churches, work etc. As they begin to colonize the planet, there is one quality about them that is different than humans. They have an almost innocent trust of each other because they don't understand concepts of lying and thievery between them.

On the human side, some people have managed to escape capture from the aliens and have learned to exploit the alien's weaknesses in order to survive. The story begins with two of these humans falling in love. The girl (Melanie) gets cornered soon afterwards, and attempts to commit suicide in order to prevent capture. She jumps, falls and nearly dies. The aliens put her back together and insert her with a lifeform which is an old soul. The human, Melanie, and the alien, the Wanderer, have many internal conversations because Melanie will not give up. The Wanderer becomes curious about Melanie and sees her memories and absorbs the love that Melanie has for Jared, (Her love interest from the beginning of the movie) The Wanderer then runs away from her civilized world, looking for Jared, using cues that Melanie allows her to see to find their hideaway.

From the book, you get everything exclusively from the Wanderer's point of view. But the movie is centering around Melanie, which is why I think they needed to retool the trailer because I don't think it went over very well.

The first four movies of Twilight were horrible. Different directors and they all seemed to listen to the advice that they needed to appeal to the fan base. It was quick, good money, but the films won't last the test of time because of it.

Here's the trailer for the Host:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. On DVD--"Dark Shadows." In the theater--"Cloud Atlas"

Dark Shadows was meh, pretty forgettable actually.

I actually really liked Cloud Atlas, which was something of a box office flop. The six concurrent storylines was interesting and far less confusing than it sounds. All six stories kept my interest, and it actually had me thinking the day after.

[Flaxbee]

19. Too bad Dark Shadows was such a let-down

I had forgotten about it completely. My husband wanted to see it so we'll probably rent it, but it never really interested me too much.

Cloud Atlas will definitely be a rental - there isn't much that gets me to the theater these days. Glad you could recommend it, though.

[sharp_stick]

7. OK but my at home selection sucks

1) Hatchet: A really dumb gore-horror movie that I watched on demand for free.

Man I can't believe I have to write down Hatchet, that sucks...it wasn't very good, badly acted even the nudity was pathetic... If I go to the next one on the list it would be Rashomon streaming on Hulu Plus.. C'mon let me say Rashomon it makes me sound so much less a tool?

2) Wreck It Ralph: Took the two oldest kids to see this last weekend and it was a lot of fun. I really liked the voice actors in this, it was really well cast.

[Flaxbee]

20. Gotta say, the likelihood of me ever seeing either of those is pretty low

OK, Rashomon sounds interesting. You can claim it!

Wreck It Ralph looked cute -- for kids; at least it wasn't excruciating the way some 'younger' movies are.

[charlie and algernon]

8. 1) Monsters, 2) Skyfall

1) Monsters - An intelligent, cinematically beautiful monster movie. It takes place 6 years after a NASA probe crashes in Mexico and giant creatures hatch from the eggs on board. It follows a photographer and the woman he's escorting back to the United States through the "infected zone" where the majority of the monsters have taken up residence. It's about survival, the monsters are always making whale-like noises just off screen as US fighter jets and helicopters are constantly flying in the background. But it's also about the characters as they grow to like and understand each other. The "monsters" aren't presented so much as blood thirsty creatures but as animals just going about their business in what's become their new habitat of Northern Mexico. The ending is particularly powerful and incredibly beautiful.

2) Skyfall - Great Bond movie, great action movie.

[Flaxbee]

21. Looking forward to Skyfall.

Is Monsters sad at all? At first I thought you meant Monsters and Aliens -- that pixar movie.

The one you saw sounds interesting.

[charlie and algernon]

49. Monsters is more haunting than sad

And I don't mean in the "scary" kind of haunting. I HIGHLY recommend it!

[geardaddy]

9. Moonrise Kingdom (DVD) and Lincoln (Theater)

Moonrise Kingdom - Great movie, very quirky, interesting story and characters. Well produced.

Lincoln - Great movie, a little long and slow, but very good acting all around and interesting plot line.

[Flaxbee]

22. MK got a lot of good reviews from critics and DU'ers; I'll check it out.

For some reason I have absolutely no interest in Lincoln. Great cast, but just - meh.

[geardaddy]

30. Yeah, for Lincoln,

I think you have to be real history geek.

[Xyzse]

10. (1) Jiro Dreams of Sushi :: (2) Wreck it Ralph

Jiro Dreams of Sushi - Just this Saturday, it was interesting and showed how much thought and preparation comes with the presentation of such an elegant and simple looking dish.

Wreck it Ralph - Was awesome! I loved the small Disney short about the paper airplanes. The movie was very well done as well. I'd have to suggest it for any one, especially those who loved coin ops from before.

[Flaxbee]

23. I'm glad I asked this question - some interesting movies popped up

Jiro Dreams of Sushi sounds like it'd be fun to watch... sorta, unless you're squeamish (like I am).

Another rec for Wreck It Ralph!

[Xyzse]

27. Well, you don't actually SEE blood.

You do see dead fish.
It also discusses how there is a problem with over-fishing.

Which is true, because fish nowadays are far smaller than they used to be. Pretty sad really, but that is how things have gone.

[OriginalGeek]

40. Jiro was great

I loved it. Fascinating story. I would love to eat sushi made by him.

[Xyzse]

42. Oh Me Too!

But just tabulating the cost...

Japan trip = 1096 and up.
Hotel = 170 and up per night.
Jiro Sushi = 300 to start and up...

You also have to make a reservation a month or so advanced.

-whistles-
Then, I'd have to multiply that by two, because I have to bring someone with me.

[Art_from_Ark]

44. You can get lots of hotels in Japan for cheaper than $170/night

For example, the average "business hotel" in Tokyo is around 6500 yen ($80) a night, and some are cheaper. The Ueno area (where Tokyo's zoo and some major museums are located) has some pretty decent business hotels.

I don't know about "Jiro sushi", but there are all sorts of sushi restaurants that offer sushi starting at about 100 yen ($1.20) a piece.

[OriginalGeek]

53. Nah man

you gotta see the documentary "Jiro: Dreams of Sushi"....No other Sushi will do.

The guy is over 80 years old and I think they said he started down the sushi path when he was 8 or 9 - his parents were poor (split up even? I forget - was drooling over the sushi) and he had to go to work to eat.

Although his son has been his apprentice for 50+ years and has another restaurant that might be just as good. I'd give him a shot.

But I think a meal from Jiro would be, for me, one of those "all time greatest moments in life" things - what with the trip to Japan (which I have always wanted to do anyway - even before I heard of Jiro) and getting to eat food from a legendary man like him.

[Whiskeytide]

11. The wife and I watched...

... The Vow a week or so ago, mostly because the wife thinks Channing Tatum is easy on the eyes. Interesting story done fairly well, and based on a true story.

In a theater a few months back I saw Ice Age III with the kids. Loved it. "You shall feel my fury!!" "Feel your furry what?" Priceless.

[Flaxbee]

24. I can't get past Channing Tatum's ears.

Shallow of me, I know. I saw "Magic Mike" and he was really quite good (and definitely has a very nice physique) but still, those ears.

Lol. Probably will never see Ice Age III (or I or II) but that sounds like it was funny.

[riderinthestorm]

12. Brave (@ home w/ my niece), Snow White and the Huntsman (@ the theater with my teen).

My teenage daughter tried to act like she wasn't interested in watching Brave but once it started she plunked herself down to watch the cartoon with us...

Clash of the Titans arrived from Netflix yesterday but my teen grabbed it and watched it in her room without the rest of us of I might have had a cooler "rental" to report.

[Flaxbee]

25. Some of these movies leave theaters so quickly -- I'd completely forgotten

about Brave and Snow White ... were either good?

I have a gif from a friend with Liam Neeson saying "Release the Krakken!" so I can't forget it ...

[riderinthestorm]

36. I did! I liked them both. Not the best movies ever but certainly entertaining enough.

We're into horses so we rented both because there's lots of horses featured. My 16 yr old and I were particularly interested in Kristen Stewart's riding ability (we were prepared to laugh at her) in Snow White and it looked as though there was a lot of medieval imagery which we love. I also wanted to see both movies because they feature strong female heroines.

Honestly, the Snow White movie is an interesting take on a fairy tale. Snow is a warrior and a revolutionary in this film. Definitely not passive. At the end of the film, she's back in the royal throne room and the Prince is looking at her as she's being installed as the chief royalty, but she's looking at the huntsman.... I'm going to guess there's a sequel in the works (I hope I didn't give too much away in that synopsis)! If there is a sequel, I'd go see it for sure in the theaters since the cinematography was excellent and the story was interesting.

Brave didn't quite live up to the hype. I was hoping for an "Atalanta" type of film which is how the trailers seemed to portray the movie. In the Atalanta story the warrior princess is on display as a marital "prize" for the competitors. Atalanta is frustrated at being a submissive female so she decides to throw off her royal garb and compete herself. The royal competition ends up in a tie and the two winners decide they want to be friends first, explore the world, and perhaps someday in the future they may get together. THAT story is very female empowering.... So as far as my desire to have my "girls" see progressive, strong female characters - Snow White and the Huntsman lives up to its rep, Brave not so much.

Brave starts out that way as a classic Atalanta tale but then veers off into some odd legendary fantasyland. Its a bit strange. I will say the heroine's hair is incredibly entertaining all by itself. The artists must have had a blast drawing it. I don't want to give too much away but its just not as strong a story as the Snow White film.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

13. At home, X Men: First Class... not bad

Last one at the movies was "Lincoln" which I thought was masterful, oozing with excellence in acting and cinematography.

[Flaxbee]

26. Yeah, XMen First Class was OK ...

Not feeling the Lincoln love, though. I'm sure it's excellent, just probably won't watch it.

[Jade Fox]

31. Prometheus......

Huh......?

There is a funny review of Prometheus over on Amazon pointing out all the really dumb things the characters do in the movie, if you're so inclined.

May favorite dumb thing: Doing horrible self-surgery to remove some vile creature taken up residence in your body, and then not making really, really, really sure it's dead!

[Flaxbee]

32. I know. I was soooo disappointed.

I'll hop over to Amazon to check it out.

OK, here's an excerpt from the Scientist Survival Pop Quiz (lol) review at Amazon:

7. Upon the discovery of a 2000 year old decapitated alien head which has been wondrously preserved, you bag the head in your trusty ziplock and return to the ship with your trophy for testing. Do you:
A) Take a sample and have a look at its DNA first?
B) Recalling your fond memories of Frankenstein, you inject stem cells into its locus coeruleus to re-animate it and increase the amps until the alien head explodes; and then you run your tests?


Edited to add: If you want to read the above review, go here and scroll down to the second customer review:
http://www.amazon.com/Prometheus-Blu-ray-DVD-Digital-Copy/dp/B005LAIHY0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354233566&sr=8-2&keywords=Prometheus

[nickinSTL]

33. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter & Skyfall

Does it count if I didn't watch it to the end?

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was terrible.

Just terrible. In addition to just being crappy overall, and every female character being a victim, it kind of whitewashed every bad thing that happened by saying vampires were the real perpetrators. Slavery? Vampires. Wiping out Native Americans? Vampires. etc.


Skyfall on the other hand was excellent.

Great, just great. As a Bond fan, it had lots of little moments that paid homage to the old films.
One of the best Bond movies, imo.

[kalli007]

34. Cabin in the Woods - teh suck.

Taken 2, good action but predictable.

[dhill926]

35. in the theater....

Lincoln: fantastic.

At home: Cedar Rapids, light fluff. Not bad......

[Honeycombe8]

37. Life of Pi. (walked out) Before then, Silver Linings (one of the best movies of the year!!!!)

Silver Linings with Bradley Cooper & DiNiro. Great movie!

[Hayabusa]

38. Heh

1: D&D Book of Vile Darkness. Much, much better than the first one, although that's saying a lot... Came off cheesy at times.

2: Prometheus... I loved it personally. I placed it 3rd in the entire Alien saga, but with the quality of the AVP films and the Resurrection we got that isn't saying much. Didn't really like the design of the Space Jockeys and I wish that their environmental suits weren't suits.

[MrSlayer]

39. Amazing Spiderman and The Avengers.

Watched the Amazing Spiderman last night. I liked it well enough though Peter Parker is so douchey in this version you want to slap him. Even though the effects and moves are better in the latest version, I liked the last incarnation better.

Avengers was really good. Good characters, acceptable story, great effects. Looking forward to the sequel. Recommended.

[nolabear]

41. Prometheus at home, Lincoln at the theater. Meh, and AWESOME.

[one_voice]

43. At home, The Avengers...

At the movies...The Hunger Games...it wasn't bad, I'd read the books though. Damn if I can remember what I saw before that. I don't go to the movies often cuz the damn kids don't know how to act, plus it costs a fortune and I get really pissed paying that kind of money for a shitty movie.

Unless it's something I can't wait to see or something my daughter wants to see (I go so I get to spend time with her ) I usually wait till the Blu Ray comes out.

[TorchTheWitch]

45. the original Planet of the Apes at home

And I haven't been to a movie theater since the movie Ghost came out which was the last time I was in one. I don't like the movie theater. Too much distraction, too uncomfortable seats, I find it really hard to sit through a whole movie without doing something else at the same time or getting up to pee or raid the fridge or whatever, and I despise the buttery popcorn smell in the theater - makes me nauseous.

I hadn't seen the original Planet of the Apes movie since I was a kid and forgot a hell of a lot of it, so it was great to see it again especially as an adult.

[hobbit709]

46. I don't remember the last movie I saw in a theater.

I quit going to theaters at least ten years ago. Can't stand the inconsiderate idjits that talk, use their phones, etc. Much less the price for everything from the tickets to the crappy popcorn.
If I want to see a movie I'll wait until it comes out on DVD and either buy it or rent it.

[mainstreetonce]

48. Last one in a theater was War Horse

It was great. I don't remember what I watched at home.

[irisblue]

50. journey to the center of the earth2 and tangled

Dwayne Johnson makes some interesting choices. Tangled we took our foster daughter to a breakfast movie....expensive food it was all right, she seemed to enjoy it and she chattered away about it for a few days. We're planning on seeing Flight with Denzel Washington this weekend.

[Blue_Tires]

51. ok...

1. "Fastest", a documentary about the riders in the MotoGP series (mostly focused on Valentino Rossi)...It was ok, good but not great imo...

2. "Skyfall" -- Bar none the best Bond film I've seen, and I've seen them all...

[Initech]

52. At home: Men In Black 3. In theaters: Skyfall

Loved Men In Black 3. If you like the first one the sequel is just as enjoyable. Josh Brolin does an unbelievable job of recreating Tommy Lee Jones' character and it has the best ending of the series.

Skyfall was amazing as well. Javier Bardem is quite possibly the creepiest Bond villain of all time.

[TrogL]

54. "All about Jenna" and "Skyfall"

I doubt I'd want to watch the former in mixed company, and last time I turned up my subs to theatre volume I blew the seals in my front window.