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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS


I purposely did not read any reviews or watch all the trailers, just so that I could go in and totally immerse myself in the fantasy. There are parts that I really loved and some that I didn't, but overall I liked it.

First, a movie that had humor and some continuity. Although I wasn't too thrilled with some of the edits and jump cuts, but it did have pacing and overall movement much like the early trilogy. I felt that Director Johnson got a little too enamored of the melodrama, but he would intersperse humor, and so that would bring the pace back into play. Somehow I felt that Johnson overused the intercut between scenes which threatened to rob the movie of it's established pace (some establishment is a good thing).

The story, although somewhat involved, followed a logical pattern and accounted for itself well. Second, a movie that spoke of the past but only as a way to honor it. But this movie was about transition, both about the characters within the movie, as well as, the franchise itself. I got the feeling that Disney is looking for a way to transform the franchise and develop a new Jedi order. Perhaps even to recruit new members with Finn and Rey leading the way. And even perhaps the newest character Rose.

But I did like it. I liked the treatment of the overall story, funny, drama-filled when needed but always adventurous. The Last Jedi came the closest to the feeling I had to the original 3 episodes. I got the feeling that I had in TESB, the second and, to everyone's mind, the best of the whole lot. The one where we find out about Luke's father. We all waited patiently for that moment, that game-changer moment when we would find out about Rey's parents. NO SPOILERS HERE.....SORRY! You'll have to see the movie to find that out. The movie was 2 and a half hours long, but it actually doesn't feel that long. But I was getting a bit anxious at times. Nonetheless, Johnson did well to give us a second act that delivered the goods. Action, adventure, peril, Jedi lore and yes, LOVE.

Okay, I'm assuming that you all will have one big question....Was it good? Yes, it was. Okay, maybe two big questions...Was it better than Force Awakens? Yes, very much so. I ask one more question...Was it the best ever, better than TESB. No, The Empire Strikes Back is still number one, at least for me. But this certainly tried hard to top that film.

I give it 3.5 to 4 Stars out of 5 (mainly due to some poor edits, and some over the top acting...I will leave that up to you to determine once you go see The Last Jedi.


SGG

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Quote:

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:

Quote:

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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS


I purposely did not read any reviews or watch all the trailers, just so that I could go in and totally immerse myself in the fantasy. There are parts that I really loved and some that I didn't, but overall I liked it.

First, a movie that had humor and some continuity. Although I wasn't too thrilled with some of the edits and jump cuts, but it did have pacing and overall movement much like the early trilogy. I felt that Director Johnson got a little too enamored of the melodrama, but he would intersperse humor, and so that would bring the pace back into play. Somehow I felt that Johnson overused the intercut between scenes which threatened to rob the movie of it's established pace (some establishment is a good thing).

The story, although somewhat involved, followed a logical pattern and accounted for itself well. Second, a movie that spoke of the past but only as a way to honor it. But this movie was about transition, both about the characters within the movie, as well as, the franchise itself. I got the feeling that Disney is looking for a way to transform the franchise and develop a new Jedi order. Perhaps even to recruit new members with Finn and Rey leading the way. And even perhaps the newest character Rose.

But I did like it. I liked the treatment of the overall story, funny, drama-filled when needed but always adventurous. The Last Jedi came the closest to the feeling I had to the original 3 episodes. I got the feeling that I had in TESB, the second and, to everyone's mind, the best of the whole lot. The one where we find out about Luke's father. We all waited patiently for that moment, that game-changer moment when we would find out about Rey's parents. NO SPOILERS HERE.....SORRY! You'll have to see the movie to find that out. The movie was 2 and a half hours long, but it actually doesn't feel that long. But I was getting a bit anxious at times. Nonetheless, Johnson did well to give us a second act that delivered the goods. Action, adventure, peril, Jedi lore and yes, LOVE.

Okay, I'm assuming that you all will have one big question....Was it good? Yes, it was. Okay, maybe two big questions...Was it better than Force Awakens? Yes, very much so. I ask one more question...Was it the best ever, better than TESB. No, The Empire Strikes Back is still number one, at least for me. But this certainly tried hard to top that film.

I give it 3.5 to 4 Stars out of 5 (mainly due to some poor edits, and some over the top acting...I will leave that up to you to determine once you go see The Last Jedi.


SGG

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TESB? I had thought most fans agreed the 2 best were ANH and ROTJ.
The original ANH, not the remix.
Was it better than Rogue One?

Aside, I just noticed a neighbor has a plate HAN SOLO.

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Quote:

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:
This Episode VIII certainly did not feel like a Lucas script or story. Several others agreed with me on that point.

I feel Rogue One was better, and a more fulfilling representative of the Star Wars franchise. Not sure why Johnson was selected to direct, but glad he turned down Episode 9.

Yes, somebody behind me was snoring during the show. I realized they weren't missing a whole lot. I did like it better than TFA.

At some point I'm wondering if this is the fate that awaits us in future films. Dawning on me that the script seemed the work of ADHD writer, or perhaps it was specifically targeted for short attention span audience.

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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
No, definitely not a Lucas script, but I got the feeling, as I stated, that the edits were a bit off. As for the rest, looking back, it did seem a bit Jekyll & Hyde, peek-a-boo-ish.

There were parts I loved and wouldn't trade for the world; they were so good, so Star Wars, dripping with nostalgia - and just the right amount. But then he would spoil it by doing something quite awkward and counter-productive in terms of the Star Wars mythos. For example, the treatment of Luke Skywalker. . . .

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Quote:

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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:

Quote:

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:
This Episode VIII certainly did not feel like a Lucas script or story. Several others agreed with me on that point.

I feel Rogue One was better, and a more fulfilling representative of the Star Wars franchise. Not sure why Johnson was selected to direct, but glad he turned down Episode 9.

Yes, somebody behind me was snoring during the show. I realized they weren't missing a whole lot. I did like it better than TFA.

At some point I'm wondering if this is the fate that awaits us in future films. Dawning on me that the script seemed the work of ADHD writer, or perhaps it was specifically targeted for short attention span audience.

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No, definitely not a Lucas script, but I got the feeling, as I stated, that the edits were a bit off. As for the rest, looking back, it did seem a bit Jekyll & Hyde, peek-a-boo-ish.

There were parts I loved and wouldn't trade for the world; they were so good, so Star Wars, dripping with nostalgia - and just the right amount. But then he would spoil it by doing something quite awkward and counter-productive in terms of the Star Wars mythos. For example, the treatment of Luke Skywalker. I'm not sure what to make of it, although I do get the feeling that Disney wants to go in a different
direction. But some of Johnson's choices were head scratchers. Like I said, I'm not sure what to make of it. It seemed a bit uneven.

When I left the theater, I was busy absorbing what I just saw; and so were many within the movie theater. At the end of TFA, people were smiling, applauding and somewhat excited at what they just saw. With TLJ it wasn't apparent to me that people were excited at what they just witnessed. Since then, I have watched review after review, some good, some bad and some awful, and yet others that felt as I did - somewhat confused as to what to make of all of it. I'm thinking and going back to see it again and see if I still feel the same way.

Somehow I think this is what the brain trust at Disney wanted. I think I will start another thread to discuss, for those that have seen it. There's much to discuss.

SGG

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I am going wondering how the first reviews were positive. Did fans already have their decision before even seeing the film?

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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS


I purposely did not read any reviews or watch all the trailers, just so that I could go in and totally immerse myself in the fantasy. There are parts that I really loved and some that I didn't, but overall I liked it.

First, a movie that had humor and some continuity. Although I wasn't too thrilled with some of the edits and jump cuts, but it did have pacing and overall movement much like the early trilogy. I felt that Director Johnson got a little too enamored of the melodrama, but he would intersperse humor, and so that would bring the pace back into play. Somehow I felt that Johnson overused the intercut between scenes which threatened to rob the movie of it's established pace (some establishment is a good thing).

The story, although somewhat involved, followed a logical pattern and accounted for itself well. Second, a movie that spoke of the past but only as a way to honor it. But this movie was about transition, both about the characters within the movie, as well as, the franchise itself. I got the feeling that Disney is looking for a way to transform the franchise and develop a new Jedi order. Perhaps even to recruit new members with Finn and Rey leading the way. And even perhaps the newest character Rose.

But I did like it. I liked the treatment of the overall story, funny, drama-filled when needed but always adventurous. The Last Jedi came the closest to the feeling I had to the original 3 episodes. I got the feeling that I had in TESB, the second and, to everyone's mind, the best of the whole lot. The one where we find out about Luke's father. We all waited patiently for that moment, that game-changer moment when we would find out about Rey's parents. NO SPOILERS HERE.....SORRY! You'll have to see the movie to find that out. The movie was 2 and a half hours long, but it actually doesn't feel that long. But I was getting a bit anxious at times. Nonetheless, Johnson did well to give us a second act that delivered the goods. Action, adventure, peril, Jedi lore and yes, LOVE.

Okay, I'm assuming that you all will have one big question....Was it good? Yes, it was. Okay, maybe two big questions...Was it better than Force Awakens? Yes, very much so. I ask one more question...Was it the best ever, better than TESB. No, The Empire Strikes Back is still number one, at least for me. But this certainly tried hard to top that film.

I give it 3.5 to 4 Stars out of 5 (mainly due to some poor edits, and some over the top acting...I will leave that up to you to determine once you go see The Last Jedi.


SGG

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Quote:

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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
I would say, having seen TLJ once, that it's on an even keel with Rogue One.
I need to see it again because there was quite a bit going on in the story. Lots to see and experience.

I really like ANH because of it's historical significance in filmdom, and I once thought that ROTJ was best, but over the years TESB has grown on me in it's storytelling and overall scope. TLJ tries to match the wonderment and overall pace, but TESB has so much going for it. The scene where Luke meets Vader on Bespin as he tries to lure him into the carbonite machine. That's worth the price of admission alone.

Alas there are no catch phrases, other than "May the Force Be with you" but there are some special moments. It was funny in spots and it was involved emotionally, but it doesn't quite have the charm of the original second act in TESB. There were some similarities, but it fell short of that specialness we have come to know in Star Wars movies.


SGG

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Quote:

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:

Quote:

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Originally posted by SHINYGOODGUY:
NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS.....NO SPOILERS


I purposely did not read any reviews or watch all the trailers, just so that I could go in and totally immerse myself in the fantasy. There are parts that I really loved and some that I didn't, but overall I liked it.

First, a movie that had humor and some continuity. Although I wasn't too thrilled with some of the edits and jump cuts, but it did have pacing and overall movement much like the early trilogy. I felt that Director Johnson got a little too enamored of the melodrama, but he would intersperse humor, and so that would bring the pace back into play. Somehow I felt that Johnson overused the intercut between scenes which threatened to rob the movie of it's established pace (some establishment is a good thing).

The story, although somewhat involved, followed a logical pattern and accounted for itself well. Second, a movie that spoke of the past but only as a way to honor it. But this movie was about transition, both about the characters within the movie, as well as, the franchise itself. I got the feeling that Disney is looking for a way to transform the franchise and develop a new Jedi order. Perhaps even to recruit new members with Finn and Rey leading the way. And even perhaps the newest character Rose.

But I did like it. I liked the treatment of the overall story, funny, drama-filled when needed but always adventurous. The Last Jedi came the closest to the feeling I had to the original 3 episodes. I got the feeling that I had in TESB, the second and, to everyone's mind, the best of the whole lot. The one where we find out about Luke's father. We all waited patiently for that moment, that game-changer moment when we would find out about Rey's parents. NO SPOILERS HERE.....SORRY! You'll have to see the movie to find that out. The movie was 2 and a half hours long, but it actually doesn't feel that long. But I was getting a bit anxious at times. Nonetheless, Johnson did well to give us a second act that delivered the goods. Action, adventure, peril, Jedi lore and yes, LOVE.

Okay, I'm assuming that you all will have one big question....Was it good? Yes, it was. Okay, maybe two big questions...Was it better than Force Awakens? Yes, very much so. I ask one more question...Was it the best ever, better than TESB. No, The Empire Strikes Back is still number one, at least for me. But this certainly tried hard to top that film.

I give it 3.5 to 4 Stars out of 5 (mainly due to some poor edits, and some over the top acting...I will leave that up to you to determine once you go see The Last Jedi.


SGG

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I feel like much of this is being walked back, in the discussion thread.
A bit more enthusiasm than reality called for.

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:

The film that I used as example of Maltin's deceit was A Little Princess, starring Liesel Mathews, and with Camilla Belle, Lauren Blumenfeld, Rachael Bella, Die Hard veteran Taylor Fry, Vanessa Chester, Kaitlin Cullum, Vincent Schiavelli, Eleanor Bron, Rusty Shwimmer. A veritable showcase of young girl talent.
I try to keep this example in mind whenever reviewing a film, trying to ensure I don't do the same, and sort of my personal tribute to A Little Princess.

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:
Was I surprised at how much I enjoyed Rogue One, Wind River, Arrival?

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Originally posted by second:

Quote:

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:

The film that I used as example of Maltin's deceit was A Little Princess, starring Liesel Mathews, and with Camilla Belle, Lauren Blumenfeld, Rachael Bella, Die Hard veteran Taylor Fry, Vanessa Chester, Kaitlin Cullum, Vincent Schiavelli, Eleanor Bron, Rusty Shwimmer. A veritable showcase of young girl talent.
I try to keep this example in mind whenever reviewing a film, trying to ensure I don't do the same, and sort of my personal tribute to A Little Princess.

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Metacritic rated A Little Princess (1995) at 83 on a scale of 100. That's an excellent number. Rather than depend on what one idiosyncratic critic says, Metacritic looks at what every critic worth a damn says about a movie.
www.metacritic.com/movie/a-little-princess/critic-reviews

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:
Was I surprised at how much I enjoyed Rogue One, Wind River, Arrival?

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Metacritic gave a green light, which means go and see it, on all three of those movies.
www.metacritic.com/movie/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story/critic-reviews
www.metacritic.com/movie/wind-river/critic-reviews
www.metacritic.com/movie/arrival/critic-reviews

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:

Well, if they are including most MSM critics, they will not relflect well on the films I most enjoy.

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Boston Globe Wesley Morris
For folks like me, who missed "Firefly," the short-lived TV show on which the movie's based, watching Serenity is like showing up for a big lecture course at the end of the semester. And yet, after an hour of intense disorientation, the movie's arch sarcasm becomes oddly entertaining.

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Originally posted by JEWELSTAITEFAN:
Not trying to be hypercritical, but I'll share a perspective on reviews. Pauline Kael never, ever gave a positive review of a film I liked.
Leonard Maltin often mailed in his reviews, and one I recall very well. He reviewed that a film was lousy, no reason to go see it, etc. It was the most adorable film, I was captivated and mesmerized by the performances of child actors like never before - when others like Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood did so, they were sole kids among adults - and this was a majority kid cast. My suspension of disbelief was complete until I left the theater. One of my most cherished viewing experiences of my life.
Others who actually saw the film agreed, they loved it. It gained more Box Office than a shlock film should.
At one point Maltin was on his movie critic TV show, like a Siskel/Ebert copy. He "re-reviewed" this particular film, and changed his critique to a glowing endorsement. He was effectively admitting that he never even bothered to watch what may have been the best film of the year, before issuing his official review. It certainly damaged the Box Office haul. His original review is no longer available to read, only his walked back version after the film's run had ended, I think when it came out on VHS. It includes no mention of his dishonesty, only the resultant retroactive reversal.
I never again read or listened to his reviews. Why should I? What was his purpose in submitting a fake review of a film he never bothered to watch? What goal? Not that I had held him in any regard before - at that point I had read only one reviewer/critic who had a mostly accurate record (she may have been at 100%, hard to recall now).

For me, the purpose of a review is forewarning for others who follow (the masses), or a siren call and spotlight to identify what shouldn't be missed, what is worthy of your hard-earned coin. How did Maltin fit into this perspective? He didn't, he rendered himself obsolete and unfit. And this was not his only time, merely what I felt was the most blatent.

So when I post a review, I want to be helpful. Not Spoiler ala Ebert & Kick-Ass. Not false enthusiasm or hype. I'm not providing evidence of my wonderful writing and composition (albeit stilted online) for others to bask in. I fully expect that not a single film will ever be universally enjoyed by all. I knew a girl who did not like Sci-Fi films, not any, not one. Star Wars was the universally acknowledged blockbuster of all time, at the time - yet she could not see past the Sci-Fi label to enjoy any part of the film at all. Will Merchant Ivory fans revel in the latest Dirty Harry blockbuster? No. Will those with CGI addiction feast upon Wind River? I expect not. Will those in search of boobs and blondes revel in Saving Private Ryan? Likely not. Will those who avoid thinking enjoy Inception? No, it gave them headaches. How would I express for those who seek the enjoyment of Bridges of Madison County that this film really is what they are looking for? Did I really want to enjoy Valerian, TLJ, TFA? You bet, but my bias wouldn't help those who had not yet seen them. Was I surprised at how much I enjoyed Rogue One, Wind River, Arrival? Yep, and I wanted to let others know what they might be missing.
So I seek to provide direction, compass, windsock, enough information for the potential viewer to make an informed decision. Without giving away the whole story, or the key shocking turns, or spoilers.

The film that I used as example of Maltin's deceit was A Little Princess, starring Liesel Mathews, and with Camilla Belle, Lauren Blumenfeld, Rachael Bella, Die Hard veteran Taylor Fry, Vanessa Chester, Kaitlin Cullum, Vincent Schiavelli, Eleanor Bron, Rusty Shwimmer. A veritable showcase of young girl talent.
I try to keep this example in mind whenever reviewing a film, trying to ensure I don't do the same, and sort of my personal tribute to A Little Princess.

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