Official Movie Talk Thread

[Soultrader 12]

This thread is dedicated for classic and recently released GOOD movies. If you have any recommendations, please post them here. It will also help if members can hyperlink their movie titles to www.imdb.com.

 

Recently watched:

 

The Kingdom

 

"When a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury quickly assembles an elite team and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. Upon landing in the desert kingdom, however, Fleury and his team discover Saudi authorities suspicious and unwelcoming of American interlopers into what they consider a local matter. Hamstrung by protocol-and with the clock ticking on their five days-the FBI agents find their expertise worthless without the trust of their Saudi counterparts, who want to locate the terrorist in their homeland on their own terms. Fleury's crew finds a like-minded partner in Saudi Colonel Al-Ghazi, who helps them navigate royal politics and unlock the secrets of the crime scene and the workings of an extremist cell bent on further destruction. With these unlikely allies sharing a propulsive commitment to crack the case, the team is led to the killer's front door in a blistering do-or-die confrontation. Now in a fight for thei r own lives, strangers united by one mission won't stop until justice is found in The Kingdom."

 

I thought the movie was pretty decent and worth a watch.

 

American Gangster

 

"Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. As a result, his product is superior to what is currently available on the street and his prices are lower. His alliance with the New York Mafia ensures his position. It is also the story of a dedicated and honest policeman, Richie Roberts, who heads up a joint narcotics task force with the Federal government. Based on a true story "

 

This is a must watch especially for Denzel fans. Denzel and Russell Crowe did an amazing job in my opinion. Movie was equally good as Training Day.

 

Any other late recommendations?

[james_gsx 16]

Its http://www.imdb.com James

 

I would agree, American Gangster is a GREAT movie!

 

I recently saw Michael Clayton, if you enjoy movies that make you think and follow a good story then you will love this movie. George Clooney does a great job and has all the twists and foreshadowing you would expect from any of his movies.

 

"Michael Clayton is an in-house "fixer" at one of the largest corporate law firms in New York. A former criminal prosecutor, Clayton takes care of Kenner, Bach & Ledeen's dirtiest work at the behest of the firm's co-founder Marty Bach. Though burned out and hardly content with his job as a fixer, his divorce, a failed business venture and mounting debt have left Clayton inextricably tied to the firm. At U/North, meanwhile, the career of litigator Karen Crowder rests on the multi-million dollar settlement of a class action suit that Clayton's firm is leading to a seemingly successful conclusion. But when Kenner Bach's brilliant and guilt-ridden attorney Arthur Edens sabotages the U/North case, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life. "

 

The Darjeeling Limited

 

"Three American brothers who have not spoken to each other in a year set off on a train voyage across India with a plan to find themselves and bond with each other -- to become brothers again like they used to be. Their "spiritual quest", however, veers rapidly off-course (due to events involving over-the-counter pain killers, Indian cough syrup, and pepper spray), and they eventually find themselves stranded alone in the middle of the desert with eleven suitcases, a printer, and a laminating machine. At this moment, a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins."

 

I really didn't think I would enjoy the movie, but after I went with a few friends I must say it was a good movie. The actors did a great job and it I enjoyed the deep meaning to the movie. There is much more to this movie than what hits the surface, and I really liked it.

 

I see a movie at least once every two weeks with my friends, so I think this should be a good thread.

[AbeSmith 10]

The Bear. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1802837661/info

 

Very nice and touching movie. Saw it last night.

[james_gsx 16]

Amazing Grace

 

"The idealist William Wilberforce maneuvers his way through Parliament in 19th century England, endeavoring to end the British transatlantic slave trade"

 

This was probably the best film made in 2007 IMO. The movie was very touching and inspirational, I loved the end when they played amazing grace with the bagpipes, drums, clarinets, flutes, etc. Overall, a great movie that I think everyone should watch at least once.

[rock 10]

3:10 to Yuma

 

I think this movie is a good one to watch if you have a criminal inclination that you have struggled with.

 

Also, I grew up with my dad watching westerns starring Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson as heroes and I became the only Asian dude I know that is a fan of westerns.

 

From IMBb:

"Rancher Dan Evans heads into Bisbee to clear up issues concerning the sake of his land when he witnesses the closing events of a stagecoach robbery lead by famed outlaw Ben Wade. No sooner or later, Wade is captured by the law in Bisbee and Evans finds himself one of the escorts who will take Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma train in Contention for the reward of $200. Evans quest for taking Wade to the station is not only for saving for his land but an inner battle that he can be more than just a naive rancher in the eyes of his impetuous and gunslinging son William Evans. The transport to Contention is hazardous and filled with ambushes from Indians, pursuits by Wade's vengeful gang and Wade's own conniving and surreptitious demeanor that makes the ride all more intense."

[Sparrow 10]

It was pretty ok as a movie but it's far from being my favorite western.

Somehow I lost interest in the middle of it and imo the ending sucked,

don't understand at all why Wade did he did, but maybe just because of losing focus.

Open Range was tons better, Maverick was also awesome although it's a whole different

kind of movie.

[rock 10]

hehe...maybe you really do have to be a criminal to appreciate it.

I think i understand why he did what he did. I think I would have done the same in his situation.

 

Are you referring to the Open Range with Costner?

 

 

I really want to see I am Legend before it exits the theater. I still haven't even seen American Gangster.

Edited January 26, 2008 by rock

[Sparrow 10]

hehe...maybe you really do have to be a criminal to appreciate it.

Are you suggesting that you are a criminal ? Just kidding man .

 

My favorite gangster movie must be Heat, that one was really great, also liked Gangs of New York and The Goodfellas a lot.

 

Are you referring to the Open Range with Costner?

 

Yep, 3:10 Yuma got better reviews at Rottentomatoes though. The western genre isn't very active so there aren't many recent movies to compare it to.

Unforgiven was pretty good too btw.

 

From the movies I have recently seen my favorite is

, it's a documentary but really terrific.

[AbeSmith 10]

Are you suggesting that you are a criminal ? Just kidding man .

 

My favorite gangster movie must be Heat, that one was really great, also liked Gangs of New York and The Goodfellas a lot.

 

 

 

Yep, 3:10 Yuma got better reviews at Rottentomatoes though. The western genre isn't very active so there aren't many recent movies to compare it to.

Unforgiven was pretty good too btw.

 

From the movies I have recently seen my favorite is

, it's a documentary but really terrific.

 

Ah yes. Gangster movies. I watched alot of those. All the standard ones, and yes, Heat as well. For you gangster movie fans, here are some gangster movies that are either new or not well know:

 

1. Eastern Promises. New movie. About Russian gang. I liked it.

2. American Gangster. New movie. I enjoyed it. The History channel documentary on it was very good as well.

3. Cocaine Cowboys. New documentary about the gangsters of Miami. Excellen documentary. I give this one a high recommendation.

4. Blood In, Blood Out. I watched this a couple of days ago. It was on the employee recomendation rack in Blockbuster. About the Mexican gangs of East La and Prison. It had a bit of 80's corkiness to it, but I enjoyed it. Some famous modern actors in there with minor parts.

5. Amercian Me. Also about the East La ande Prison gangs. I'm still watching this one. Seems ok.

 

All these movies had the high ratings on them, like multiple quotes from critics on the DVD. I almost never rent a movie if it has no quotes from critics on the DVD.

[Bam-Bam 10]

"To some it's a game. To others it's a habit. But to Dan Mahowny -- beating the odds is everything."

 

 

A great movie for traders is

 

Owning Mahowny

 

It's a great story about an out of control gambler, and it's difficult to believe the story is true. Whenever I think of Nick Leeson's mistakes, I am reminded of how similar his actions and responses are to an addicted gambler like Mahowny. This movie gives one a reminder about how easily one can slip into an addiction driven frenzy where emotions and random rewards drive your {trading} decisions.

 

--------------------

 

I second the recommendation for "Touching the Void," especially if you're into outdoors/adventure. It's another true story that's almost impossible to believe. A great story of how to succeed in the face of truly overwhelming odds through perseverance. It also shows how important it is to take advantage of every little gift that luck gives you.

 

 

I'm doubling size because I can just feel I'm gonna break even on the next trade,

 

Bam-Bam

[Sparrow 10]

Rogue Trader is a great movie for traders, definitely worth watching, thanks for the tip.

 

I've also got to see Rounders which was a lot more fun.

 

Here's a

with scenes from a lot of different gambling movies.

[rock 10]

Ah! Owning Mahowny! Of course, how did I forget that one?!?!

 

I recently saw Eastern Promises. It was pretty cool entertainment to me. The fight scene is one of a kind but it may make ya squirm.:rofl:

[AbeSmith 10]

Quest for Fire. Saw it last night. Very nice caveman movie.

Another caveman movie that I liked was One Million Year B.C.

Also would recommend a documentary, I think on Discovery channel, about the first Americans. Don't remember the name of it. It was well done. It suggested that some of the Native Americans came from Europe, not just Asia. And I think there is a new caveman movie coming out in theaters, don't remember the name or when it will come out.

 

And an update on American Me, on of the gangster movies I was watching. It was ok. The DVD came with a docomentary in the special features, which I liked more than the movie.

[Sparrow 10]

I watched Excellent Cadavers which is a documentary about Italy's war against the mafia over the decades. It's very interesting and shows the connections between the mob and politics.

Recommend it if you like that kind of movies.

[darthtrader 10]

Not a movie but a series of TV documentaries, I've been watching everything Adam Curtis has made thats up on google video this past week. Totally mindblowing stuff.

The Trap - Basically about Game Theory and how the ideas have crept into the modern world to create a very limited idea of freedom.

The Century Of The Self - Mostly about Edward Bernays/PR/propoganda and Freud and how these ideas have changed "the american citizen" to the "american consumer".

The Power of Nightmares - Mostly about the neo conservatives/Leo Strauss vs radical islam and how these ideas are shaping the world.

 

if you just search for the titles or Adam Curtis on google video and filter for "long" they should come right up.

[Sparrow 10]

I've just found a cool documentary, it tries to establish a link between astronomy and religion. It's pretty mind blowing and also received an award.

The beginning is kinda bit strange but once you get through the first 5 minutes it switches to ordinary documentary style.

 

Check out zeitgeistmovie.com if you're interested.

Also features 9/11 and conspiracy stuff ... which might or might not be true.

 

Had to find something to busy myself with because FX is so boring at the moment .

 

Here's the criticism section from wikipedia

 

In addition to attracting significant public interest, it has been criticized for relying too heavily on anecdotal evidence[8] and for using unidentified, undated, and unsourced video news clips, voice-overs, quotes, and book citations without page numbers.[9][10][11] In a piece entitled Internet idiocy: the latest pandemic, the Arizona Daily Wildcat (Student Paper) refers to the film as "internet bullshit" saying that "witty sayings, fear tactics and a cool, assertive air all enable them to convince the unwitting public of their points".[12] The Irish Times called it "unhinged" and accused it of offering nothing but "surreal perversions of genuine issues and debates".[13]

 

Jordyn Marcellus of The Gauntlet felt it ironic that the film's viewers "have blindly followed the documentary without doing their own research." He states that, though the film is "well-edited and is truly compelling", it "glosses over inconvenient facts," uses "deceptive filmmaking" and that "for a film that rails against deception, there's a lot of deception implicit in its creation."[11]

 

On March 10 2008, director Peter Joseph removed the 'Clarifications' section from the Film's official site, which The Guardian believed "alluded to dishonest filmmaking tactics that would otherwise help to discredit the film." It was replaced by a 'Q&A Section'. The new section responds to the film's critics stating that "All Part 1 "debunkers" do one or more of the following: (1) They attack/marginalize the messengers. (2) They do no real research. (3) They blindly ask "Where are the 'Primary Sources'?" (4) They projected their own subjective interpretation of a piece of information by using "semantic manipulation""[11]

Edited March 31, 2008 by Sparrow