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SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board  /  Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  /  Chappie
Posted by: rendevous, March 13th, 2015, 2:50am
Just watched this. Loved it. Some little bits aren't great, but overall this was highly enjoyable. Best thing I've seen in quite some time.

I don't know how they do some of this stuff these days. It's stunning. Just like Jackman's hair, although not quite as award winning as Sean Penn's was in Carlito's Way.
  
I'm putting Blomkamp on my list of directors I must get my perfectly formed arse off my sofa and place it at the pictures to see their latest. There was only Nolan, Tarantino and Fincher already on there. Others are a DVD, at a push.

For those of you who missed me, bless. I'll probably be around a little more often. It would be difficult to be around less.

Did I miss much around here? Oh. Thought so.

Be good.

R

Posted by: Colkurtz8, March 13th, 2015, 8:26am; Reply: 1
I liked District 9 but not as much as most others it seemed. It started off great, unique setting and world, intriguing premise, innovative creature design but fell into the trappings of its genre more and more as it went on. Eventually becoming a pretty standard action flick by the end, compete with unlikely, against-all-odds hero.

I thought less of Elysium but did see it on a plane which undoubtedly diminished its effect. Although Blomkamp himself has partially denounced it in recent times. Another cool concept that ran out of steam and resorted to formula.

In short, he's not a must-see-at-the-cinema filmmaker for me yet but shows great promise. Hopefully his best work is still ahead of him


Quoted from rendevous
I'm putting Blomkamp on my list of directors I must get my perfectly formed arse off my sofa and place it at the pictures to see their latest. There was only Nolan, Tarantino and Fincher already on there. Others are a DVD, at a push.


- Only those four? Solid choices but you really need to broaden your cinematic horizons, son...or just get off that a?s grooved couch more. Those sh?t biscuits, cling ons and will knots must be an ordeal to pry off when you do make the jaunt. Posterior grooming is not just for Christmas you know, its a life's work!


Quoted from rendevous
For those of you who missed me, bless. I'll probably be around a little more often. It would be difficult to be around less.


- Were you gone? Hadn't noticed.
Posted by: rendevous, March 13th, 2015, 9:18am; Reply: 2
Oh dear, Col. There is nothing shit about my biscuits. They are class, and you know it. Plus, I only have a pack a day. Oh alright, two packs. But winter is coming. Or so they tell me. My posterior is perfect. Despite my barstard biscuit bourbon habit.

Only those four Col? Tell me someone else worth lifting my pert cheeks from my suffering sofa and I'll consider. My arse is not just for Christmas. It often lasts until Easter. Obviously the summer's a write off. But you know, pertness returns with tensing. Not something I should go into here. Not without legal advice.


Quoted from Colkurtz8
Were you gone? Hadn't noticed.


Oh really? So why the rose every thursday? And the mandolins below my window every other night? Your desire betrays you, oh colkurtz8. The previous seven all fell at my knees begging for my love. It is just a matter of time.

Oh. To stay on topic, Chappie's fucking great. Go see. The Col is just too far up the river again.

R
Posted by: Demento, March 13th, 2015, 10:01am; Reply: 3
Thought District 9 was really good.

Thought  Elysium was really bad.

I will check this out and see what I think :) From the trailer, doesn't seem like my cup of tea.
Posted by: Colkurtz8, March 13th, 2015, 10:02am; Reply: 4

Quoted from rendevous
Oh dear, Col. There is nothing shit about my biscuits. They are class, and you know it. Plus, I only have a pack a day. Oh alright, two packs. But winter is coming. Or so they tell me. My posterior is perfect. Despite my barstard biscuit bourbon habit.


- The classic McVitie's Digestive does wonders to cleanse the colon thus facilitating a well compacted, residue-free turd. Little to no bog roll required, a swift poop and snip operation which would make a dog proud. Horribly bland biscuit though, accompanying beverage is a must, strong tea preferable.


Quoted from rendevous
Only those four Col? Tell me someone else worth lifting my pert cheeks from my suffering sofa and I'll consider.


- Paul Thomas Anderson, The Coen Brothers, Alejandro G. Innaritu (that's how he's credited now, these bloody "artists"), Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Spike Jonze, Alfonso Cuaron, Darren Aronofsky, Rian Johnson to name a few that would get wide releases.


Quoted from rendevous
Oh really? So why the rose every thursday? And the mandolins below my window every other night? Your desire betrays you, oh colkurtz8. The previous seven all fell at my knees begging for my love. It is just a matter of time.


- The rose was plastic, the mandolin was actually a lute. Of course if you'd had the courtesy to lift said arse from said couch and come to the window you would've known this. Basta?d. I sat in your lawn all night playing that thing. Had some rear ending cramping of my own by dawn.


Quoted from rendevous
The Col is just too far up the river again


-Bah. You're an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill.

I think I'll save my nine quid for "It Follows" instead.
Posted by: Scar Tissue Films, March 13th, 2015, 10:05am; Reply: 5
All those Directors you mention are DVD material, IMO. Maybe Cuaron.

Not that they are not good, but their films are not spectacular enough to warrant a trip to the cinema.
Posted by: Colkurtz8, March 13th, 2015, 10:44am; Reply: 6

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films
All those Directors you mention are DVD material, IMO. Maybe Cuaron.Not that they are not good, but their films are not spectacular enough to warrant a trip to the cinema.


- I respectfully disagree. A film doesn't have to be spectacular or a indeed a spectacle to justify the big screen. It can be rewarding in other ways which are maximized by seeing it in that environment.

Posted by: Dreamscale (Guest), March 13th, 2015, 11:10am; Reply: 7

Quoted from Colkurtz8
- I respectfully disagree. A film doesn't have to be spectacular or a indeed a spectacle to justify the big screen. It can be rewarding in other ways which are maximized by seeing it in that environment.


I agree 100%.

I used to see at least 1 movie at the theaters every single week.  Trust me, most were not that good, but seeing a flick on the big screen is a great experience
Posted by: Scar Tissue Films, March 13th, 2015, 12:01pm; Reply: 8

Quoted from Colkurtz8


- I respectfully disagree. A film doesn't have to be spectacular or a indeed a spectacle to justify the big screen. It can be rewarding in other ways which are maximized by seeing it in that environment.



Each to their own.

I prefer to watch character pieces on my big screen telly.

A lot of films are better on a small screen...you don't see the flaws as much.
Posted by: Heretic, March 13th, 2015, 3:02pm; Reply: 9

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films
A lot of films are better on a small screen...you don't see the flaws as much.


Really! That's interesting...I don't think I've ever enjoyed a film more on the small screen, including cheap little indies. I go to the theatre twice a week. Nothing compares, for me.

I'll probably leave Chappie to DVD, though. Blomkamp's fooled me twice -- saw District 9 and Elysium on their opening nights and found both neat, but not very satisfying.
Posted by: LC, March 13th, 2015, 6:05pm; Reply: 10
McVities are yum, especially the chocolate coated ones.


Quoted from Col
I think I'll save my nine quid for "It Follows" instead.

Yes! Can't wait.

Rick, I reckon you'd be excited about this one too. Lots of hype - I hope it lives up to it. Ooh, and Jeff too - both being horror aficionados.

Posted by: Demento, March 13th, 2015, 7:11pm; Reply: 11

Quoted from LC

Yes! Can't wait.


Count me in on the "It Follows" hype train. I wanna see that movie too.
Posted by: rendevous, March 14th, 2015, 3:02am; Reply: 12

Quoted from Colkurtz8
- The classic McVitie's Digestive does wonders to cleanse the colon thus facilitating a well compacted, residue-free turd.


You do realise you're quite literally talking shite here.


Quoted from Colkurtz8
Paul Thomas Anderson


There's no fecking way I'm going to see Inherent Vice. Last time I went to the pictures for one of his was for There Will Be Blood. It was far more There Will Be Refunds. God it was so bloody dull and slow and dull and numbing.

Outside afterwards there was a bloke painting a wall. I stood there watching the paint dry. It was far more entertaining.

Not quite as dull as those pretty but directionless efforts of Terrence Malick of late, but not far off either.

I love Hard Eight, Boogie Nights and Magnolia, and I went to see them all the big screen. But that was a good while ago.

I did see The Master on DVD a while ago. There should be a joke here about his surname being Bating, but I really can't be bothered. It would probably be offensive to innocent wankers.

Hoffman was a great, Phoenix is no slouch either but this movie was all over the show. If I'd have gone the pictures to see it I'd have been rather upset. Like that time I lost that fiver in the park. I'm still keeping an eye out for it.


Quoted from Colkurtz8
The Coen Brothers, Alejandro G. Innaritu (that's how he's credited now, these bloody "artists"), Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson, Spike Jonze, Alfonso Cuaron, Darren Aronofsky, Rian Johnson to name a few that would get wide releases.


Saw Looper on big screen and loved it. All those other guys, and the likes of Woody Allen and Kathryn Bigelow do good stuff occasionally. Hell, some do great stuff occasionally. But they're not consistently good any more.

I could argue even Tarantino isn't what he was. He always manages to include some God awful scene near the end (usually with himself in it) which makes you wonder why oh why has nobody got the balls to tell him how bad those scenes are.

Nevertheless, most of any of his films are as entertaining and as funny as it gets. Apart from Death Proof, obviously. He must have been on drugs then. There are few better feelings than watching a great film with a good crowd who are thoroughly enjoying themselves.

I can rely on those directors I've mentioned to do that. Sometimes the others you mention do too. But only sometimes. I really hate walking out of the cinema after seeing something mediocre. I try to avoid doing so as much as possible.

Then there's Lynch. But that's another whole story.


Quoted from Colkurtz8
- The rose was plastic, the mandolin was actually a lute. Of course if you'd had the courtesy to lift said arse from said couch and come to the window you would've known this. Basta?d. I sat in your lawn all night playing that thing. Had some rear ending cramping of my own by dawn.


The house would have to be very on fire to part my pert cheeks from my perch. Said strumming caused the local hounds to whine all night. So much so even the local prostitutes joined in. Whining that is. I was up all night. I couldn't sleep either.


Quoted from Colkurtz8
-Bah. You're an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill.


Made me laugh out loud.


Quoted from Colkurtz8
I think I'll save my nine quid for "It Follows" instead.


Fair enough. I'll be watching that on DVD myself. Horror's too hit and miss to raise my posterior for.

I can see why some won't like Chappie. But I'm still thinking about it and smiling twenty four hours later. A damn fine film.

R
Posted by: Scar Tissue Films, March 14th, 2015, 6:11am; Reply: 13

Quoted from Heretic


Really! That's interesting...I don't think I've ever enjoyed a film more on the small screen, including cheap little indies. I go to the theatre twice a week. Nothing compares, for me.

I'll probably leave Chappie to DVD, though. Blomkamp's fooled me twice -- saw District 9 and Elysium on their opening nights and found both neat, but not very satisfying.


Cinema has only one advantage...size.

So for me it tends to only make a difference where size is important. A film like Avatar in 3D on the IMAX..great. It's a completely different experience to the 2d affair on a small screen.

Dramas the size makes absolutely no difference. In many ways a close up of a 40 foot head breaks reality and immersion more than a life-size head right in front of you on a TV screen. Plus you have the added disadvantage of being surrounded by other people who distract you.


Some genres are outright better on the small screen. Horror is best watched alone with headphones...no question imo.

Cinema works best for the huge films..the mega blockbusters with huge stories and characters.
The T-REX in Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Super hero films.  I suspect most audiences agree, consciously or subconsciously..hence the focus on tent-pole pics.

As a further aside...watching films on DVD also means I can pause when I get bored, or even fast forward. You can skip about an hour of most films...and the film is only better for it.

Turn a 2 hour borefest action film into a nice and tight 30 minute spectacle.  ;D
Posted by: wonkavite (Guest), March 14th, 2015, 3:22pm; Reply: 14

Quoted from Scar Tissue Films

As a further aside...watching films on DVD also means I can pause when I get bored, or even fast forward. You can skip about an hour of most films...and the film is only better for it.

Turn a 2 hour borefest action film into a nice and tight 30 minute spectacle.  ;D


Well, I don't know if it improves them, really.  But it's far cheaper than seeing something in the theater, then yawning "meh."  And that reminds me of what I call the browser test.  At home, I know if a film is good by how long it takes before I pick up my laptop and check my emails... :P

FWIW: I really enjoyed District 9... despite the fact that it got a bit formulaic towards the end.  Still one of the best SF's I've seen "recently".  Lord knows, I haven't shelled out for a theater ticket since This is the End.  Which is kind of sad..  :)  (But seen lots others on TV and On Demand since...)
Posted by: Don, March 15th, 2015, 11:21am; Reply: 15
I just got back from watching Chappie and I was thoroughly entertained.  This was a visceral, edgy, and violent Pixar movie.  Yolandi Visser absolutly steals the movie.  The plot was weak in places and motivations implausible in others, but the visuals were great and the little details were cool.

- Don
Posted by: Demento, June 19th, 2015, 10:47pm; Reply: 16
Saw this on the other day, well, half of it. I RARELY, RARELY don't finish movies. I usually gut it through till the end, out of principle. But... I couldn't sit through this. It seemed horrible to me. I gave up an hour in. It was torture.

Maybe it was me, maybe I'll give it a chance some other day.  
Posted by: Scar Tissue Films, December 26th, 2015, 4:10am; Reply: 17
Really enjoyable.


The boring bone started to ache about half-way through with the repetitive nature of Chappie's learning, but it managed to turn it around.

It's just Robocop vs Short Circuit, but it worked well enough. Chappie was a great character and the arcs of all the major characters all worked.

Good stuff.
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