What Movies Have You Seen Lately?

Quote: beachbumbabs

The funny (almost scary) thing about this plotline is that it's extremely similar to my Mom's story, except she came here from Canada, not Ireland, same time frame. We might have to see it just because of the coincidence, see what happened to her vs. my Mom's experience.

I think you and your mom will enjoy it. I am interested to hear if the movie was close to reality. Just, for the good of all that is masculine, please don't make anyone with a Y chromosome watch it with you. Hehe

I recently saw the action super hero movie Deadpool.

If there is a recent film that would be considered the exact opposite of "Brooklyn" (see review above), it would be "Straight Outta Compton". However, a close second, would be Marvel Enterprise's crass anti-superhero flick "Deadpool".

Ryan Reynolds pulls the tights on as the title character again (he previously made a small appearance in 2009's "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"). Superhero movie fans will also recognize him as the lead from 2011's forgettable, "Green Lantern". With these two pretty bad films on his super hero resume, I am not sure how he got this gig, but "Deadpool" opened strong last weekend, doing $135 million domestically (more than double the production budget estimated at ~$60 million).

For those unfamiliar with the character, Deadpool is fairly recent creation, first appearing in comics books in the early 90's. He works as a mercenary and assassin for hire, and his power is the ability to heal quickly, even if very badly injured. What makes him different from other Marvel superheroes is his sophomoric sense of humor and foul mouth. The movie plays up these traits and effectively communicates that this is not your average "Iron Man" movie. Surprisingly, the film is rated "R", and there is no question that it deserves it. Pervasive foul language, nudity, multiple sex scenes including a long sequence of cutaway scenes that include oral copulation, bondage, and the implication that a male was on the receiving end of anal sex from a woman with a strap on phallus. Several blood splattering fights include graphic depictions of decapitations, dismemberment, and close range executions. The film is much closer to an "X" than "PG-13" rating, and I would say, definitely not for teens.

I have mixed feelings about this film. It tries to be "edgy", and goes out of its way to poke fun at the "Hall Monitor" behavior of the standard super hero archetype. However, I think it goes to far, numbing the audience with visual pornography in order to make up for a weak script and storyline (e.g., much attention is given to an unfunny dialogue on Ikea furniture, significant characters are introduced but the film ends without even alluding to the resolution of their storylines). Reynold's squeaky voice doesn't help, it's like nails on the chalkboard. If "Van Wilder" and "The A-Team" had a baby, it would be "Deadpool".

Leslie Uggams has a small role in the film. It is kind of sad to see the current state of film roles for women of color in Hollywood. She was amazing as Kizzy in the T.V. mini-series "Roots".

I give the film 5 bullets out of 10. If the character, or even the actor playing the character, were more likable the action in the film might redeem it. Instead, it is sound and fury... signifying nothing.


Marvel already has an anti-hero, and it ain't the guy on the far left.

Not familiar with the character "Deadpool" at all, but it sounded like a interesting idea ruined by a bad script and director.

OTOH, the idea of "Antman" had nowhere to go but up, and I thought it was worthwhile, after seeing it.

My favorite movie Marvel character is a villain so far, Dr. Octopus. Of course, I think Robert Downey Jr, is responsible for a lot of the appeal of Iron Man. More than the character itself would get.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Several blood splattering fights include graphic depictions of decapitations, dismemberment, and close range executions.

I really appreciate the warning. I think I'll pass.

Quote: Ayecarumba

I recently saw the action super hero movie Deadpool.

The R-Rated comic book adaptation has been tried a number of times now, but it is interesting that this one is closely tied to the PG-13 films. Previous to this the most successful R-Rated adaptation was the film "300", which was really a comic book by Frank Miller who created the modern version of Batman. The movie 300 was based on a movie which itself based on a very old history by Plutarch.

The Blade trilogy of films, started in 1998 was one of the more successful examples. Wanted, with Angelina Jolie (2008) was a moneymaker.

Judge Dredd (1995) was one of the first such adaptations, and one of the more memorable failures.
Watchmen in 2009 was the most ambitious effort with a production budget of $130m, but yielded a mediocre $185m box-office revenue worldwide.

Deadpool is proving the be the most financially successful film of this genre.

Wonder where something like Dick Tracy fits in? Very few non-super cartoon characters (at least lately). Don't think Dick Tracy will ever be made again though.

Quote: rxwine

Wonder where something like Dick Tracy fits in? Very few non-super cartoon characters (at least lately). Don't think Dick Tracy will ever be made again though.

BoxOfficeMojo lists 137 feature film adaptations of comic books, and many more direct to DVD or television adaptations. They also list close to 40 upcoming releases. Dick Tracy (1990) was a very profitable film, finishing in the top 10 boxoffice that year, plus winning 3 of 7 Oscar nominations.
As a result of Dick Tracy's success, Brenda Starr was released two years later, but the new film was so horrific it only opened in 48 theaters.

Success is rarely ignored forever. If it was a success 25 years ago, I think they always think about a sequel.

Quote: Pacomartin

BoxOfficeMojo lists 137 feature film adaptations of comic books, and many more direct to DVD or television adaptations. They also list close to 40 upcoming releases. Dick Tracy (1990) was a very profitable film,

Warren Beatty, Madonna, Al Pacino, that's
why it was a success. It was also the start
of the fantasy movies that are now very
common. I think a sequel would flop.

Quote: Evenbob

I think a sequel would flop.

It might be a flop.

But I think that studios look through the backlog and they can't stop thinking about past successes and wondering if they can be repeated. The business was more stable in 1990, where many films were made for a reasonable budget and returned several times there production budget at the domestic box office.

Rank - Film Name -studio -Domestic BO - (production budget)
1 Home Alone Fox $285,761,243 ($18 million)
2 Ghost Par. $217,631,306 ($22 million)
3 Dances with Wolves Orion $184,208,848 ($22 million)
4 Pretty Woman BV $178,406,268 ($14 million)
5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles NL $135,265,915 ($13.5 million)
6 The Hunt for Red October Par. $122,012,643 ($30 million)
7 Total Recall Sony $119,394,840 ($65 million)
8 Die Hard 2: Die Harder Fox $117,540,947 ($70 million)
9 Dick Tracy BV $103,738,726 ($47 million)
10 Kindergarten Cop Uni. $91,457,688 ($15 million)

The Bonfire of the Vanities was the most high profile failure of 1990. Domestic revenue was $15.7 million, there was no foreign release and Production Budget was $47 million.

Quote: Roger Ebert

The Bonfire of the Vanities, Wolfe's novel about McCoy, was savage and sarcastic, especially in the way it dissected the motives of every single character. Brian De Palma's new movie is lacking in just that quality; it is not subtle or perceptive about the delicate nuances of motive that inspire these people. My notion is that Wolfe sees every single one of his characters in exactly the same light, as selfish, grasping swine who want to get their hands on everything they can, and whose approaches are suggested by the opportunities they find around them in whatever walk of life they occupy. The movie doesn't seem to despise anyone all that much.