I would disagree with lazy. There are all types of stories, and writers decide what type of story they want to tell. A story can be set in modern day and just as easily avoid most aspects of real society and simplify the story world as much as desired.

Certain scenarios fit certain types of story. If it's going to be set in a creepy house, it'll probably be a horror, etc. If it's going to be set in the future, it probably won't be a woody allen-type relationship movie. Most likely it'll be an action-adventure type so it'll need an active antagonist. Hence killer robots, aliens or dystopian government.

(I can't remember if Solaris is set in an optimistic future but it is an exception as a sci-fi relationship movie.)

I think it's a valid point that futuristic stories are likely to lack the complexity of real society. It's pretty much impossible for them to do that and remain good stories. Setting a world in a modern setting, most of the world building doesn't need to be done. Everyone knows the minute of the world. Now add 100 years, and suddenly the writer has to explain every little thing that is different (without interrupting the flow of the story itself). So the writer will, by necessity, focus on just the few aspects that are important.

I seem to be rambling. I disagree with the part about lazy inexperienced writers. If a writer wants to illuminate the human condition, or deeply explore relationships or society, then probably don't set it on a spaceship. But similarly don't write a thriller or a horror.

that sucks about RIDDICK - they even got the same director from PITCH BLACK. But I'll still go see it. I understand Vin Diesel financed a lot of the movie himself so he has a lot riding on it.

As for the new Robocop, well, the best part of the original ROBOCOP is that the villains were fantastic. And "I'd buy that for a dollar" obv. I'm guessing these things won't happen with the remake.

All the Riddick movies have the same writer/director.

yes but PITCH BLACK was the better of the two movies imho. From the trailer it looks like RIDDICK would be more like PITCH BLACK where he's stuck on a desolate planet fighting man-eating creatures.

Paths of Glory - Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.
The Birds - Strange premise, decent payoff.
Dr. No - After seeing a dozen Bonds, this one's actually predictable.
Doctor Who: The Movie - Want some cheese with that ham, Eric Roberts?

Saw About Time from Richard Curtis (Love Actually) starring Bill Weasley (Madeye's son) and the wife from Time Traveller's wife, as well as Davy Jones. Anyway, it's bland, slow in places and as expected in a romcom/drama that involves time travelling has a lot of plot holes. But, there are plenty of entertaining characters, good gags, charming acting and it doesn't do too badly in the end. Worth a watch if you love romcoms or don't have much else to watch. 3/5

well duh!!!

@ the future discussion.

I think most futuristic movies have fallen into being a mere reflection of the current societal outlook from which it happened to be written. American Sci Fi movies haven't really evolved (sure they have changed technically over time), what has evolved has been the ideology of the time in which the story has written it. That is partially why I think HG wells has a difficult time being absorbed by the masses in the modern era when it comes to telling a story or especially movie making.

I also think that it is MUCH EASIER to just place the story in an grungy apocalyptic manner because it places a severe emphasis on the difference between "clean" or "dirty" lifestyles(the haves and have nots). In addition, I think that the "clean" ideology in modern times has been somewhat tainted as being the organized mental state of a reigning governance... or in simpler terms, "clean" seems to represent the father (or control) and "dirty" represents the youth (Free will or the rage).

If we look at some of the other countries that have made significant "futuristic" movies, we can clearly see the societal influence... say a Japanese Space, or monster movie of the late 1950's/early 1960's where the idea of escapism is driven by the need to see a bright future or as a metaphor to the usage of atomic weapons.

If I look back a few decades to Lucas' THX 1138, we can see a highly organized very sterile future that houses a repressed ideology of lust, and in essence, the human spirit that has an indomitable need to be free.

Certainly it's way to easy to make grunge the "plot complication" factor in a story these days.

Quadrophenia

Just saw it again for probably the first time in 25 years. Partly the music, partly nostalgia, but I really think it's a genuinely good movie.

Two reviews today from TIFF

Labor Day was fantastic. Josh Brolin plays an escaped convict who coerces his way into the home of a single mother (Kate Winslet) and her son. The film is not at all like any other Jason Reitman movie but he really pulls it off. Winslet is exceptional and Brolin and the son both give really good performances. I also saw Jason Reitman's live read of Boogie Nights and Brolin was great as Jack Horner.

Dallas Buyers Club just didn't do it for me; however, Matthew McConaughey deserves every bit of praise he gets for this role. He really carried the film. The screenwriters mentioned that it took them 20 years to get this script made and I think it may have been because it's just not that good of a screenplay. It's a really interesting story with a pretty large historical significance and amazing acting throughout but somehow the whole thing just fell flat for me.

You're at TIFF? **** you! Please keep the reviews coming btw! I'm jealous. ='(

I live in Toronto lol. Seeing Can A Song Save Your Life?, The Grand Seduction and Child of God tomorrow.

Wicked! I'll look those up. I'm so behind the times with festival films

The Worlds End (2013): if you like Hot Fuzz or Shaun of the Dead, you'll like this. Goofy but fun humour from Pegg, Wright and co. 3.5/5

Will likely see Insidious 2 as friends are horror junkies. Otherwise I cannot wait for October to arrive. Gravity, 12 Years a Slave and The Counsellor, and maybe throw in Captain Phillips if the reviews are good enough.

Let us know if you see this mflip, massive hype here

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013...ronto-premiere

Just saw this. Thought it was pretty funny. Better than Hot Fuzz. I thought they did well with the sci-fi plot in the end...better than how a movie like this would have usually ended. Was great to see that a good chunk of the budget in making the film was used for beer special effects esp. during action scenes and sound effects.

Was a good laugh and made me wanna down a pint or two by the end of it.

I have only seen In Bruges and Royal Tenenbaums out of that list and both are pretty funny and good movies.

I had no idea they had adapted Child of God. I have no idea what that might end up looking like, so please come back here and let us know.

The Place Beyond the Pines

There is an abrupt shift at the end of the first act, but once you realize how the narrative is structured and how the stories overlap, the film becomes magnificent.

As an aside, for those who watched Drive and wished it had more driving, you will adore the first third of this movie.

I don't have tickets to it. It sold out really quickly. A friend was at the premiere though and she said it was great. Very brutal and hard to watch. She described it as emotionally draining. Said she's in no rush to ever see it again just due to how tough of a film it is but that its really great. It received a massive standing ovation at the end.

I guess I should mention that McConaughey got one too when he came on stage afterwards.

In a million years, would you have predicted 10 years ago that McConaughey would become one of the best working actors.

Ten years ago?

Reign of Fire

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

Sahara

The wonderful and underrated Fool's Gold

In a million years, I'd have predicted this every year.

Not a freaking chance. I love the new McConaughey, guy is talented. Let's hope he doesn't go back to Fool's Gold.

I dont care how much this heap makes... I am not seeing it.

Vin Diesel was driving the box office at the start of the summer and he’s back on top on Hollywood’s first weekend of fall, as his sci-fi thriller “Riddick” opened at No. 1 with an estimated $18.7 million.

The weekend’s only wide opener easily knocked “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” which had been No. 1 for the past three weeks, into second as the civil rights saga took in $8.9 million. It was close for third between “Instructions Not Included“ and “We’re the Millers.” Lionsgate estimated its surprising Spanish-language family film would finish the three days with $8.1 million while Warner Bros. projected its Jennifer Aniston’s pot comedy would wind up at $7.9 million.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Rather fun comedy that really hinges on if you like Jay and Silent Bob or not. I like them. Very enjoyable, but what made me laugh the most was Ben Affleck trying to explain the nature of internet movie nerd rage, and why it's not worth caring about. Particularly funny after the Affleck/Batman thing

Here's the start of it at least:

Jay and Silent Bob only work in small doses, if at all. They don't deserve their own movie.


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So true. I thought they were good in Dogma. Did not like JaSBSB.