It's Back: Exceelent Movies I've Seen Lately

[revo]

I just got back from a meeting and my family has Independence Day on the tv. It is one of those movies that trap you when you are surfing. Just a fun ride. The bad guys are about to get spanked.

I saw that flick on July 4, 1996 at the Westhampton Theater in Westhampton, NY. There was a line out the door, and afterwards, we all got gelato at a great hidden local store. What a great night, hard to believe 15 years ago. Even harder to believe my 2nd son would be born on July 4th, 14 years later!!

[Gregg]

I saw that flick on July 4, 1996 at the Westhampton Theater in Westhampton, NY. There was a line out the door, and afterwards, we all got gelato at a great hidden local store. What a great night, hard to believe 15 years ago. Even harder to believe my 2nd son would be born on July 4th, 14 years later!!

Good times and great memories!

[revo]

So I saw Sanctum last night, and while my first impression was "this was a pretty good flick. Why was it such a colossal bomb?", it intrigued me that they said at the very beginning of the movie "Based on a true story." So afterwards, naturally, I googled Sanctum to find out more about this epic "true story."

Without giving away the inner plot workings of Sanctum, I won't be giving away much to say it's about a team of divers that get trapped in a huge underwater cave system. That said, this movie and the "true story" kind of end there. It's like saying Inglorious Basterds was based on a true story because it had the Nazis and Hitler in it.

At what point can a movie claim it's "based on a true story" when 95% of the plot is made up?

I definitely felt a little cheated after finding out the real deal.

[DMT]

Just caught Casino Jack with Kevin Spacey playing Jack Abramoff. Highly recommended, it manages to present both sides. Although if you have any faith remaining in government, might want to pass.

[Erik]

Watched Last Night (1998) on Netflix Instant the other day. It was outstanding. The world has an end date, but the movie is not about how it happened or how it might be stopped, but rather about the choices people make when they know they only have a few months left.

[BuckyBuckner]

So I saw Sanctum last night, and while my first impression was "this was a pretty good flick. Why was it such a colossal bomb?", it intrigued me that they said at the very beginning of the movie "Based on a true story." So afterwards, naturally, I googled Sanctum to find out more about this epic "true story."

Without giving away the inner plot workings of Sanctum, I won't be giving away much to say it's about a team of divers that get trapped in a huge underwater cave system. That said, this movie and the "true story" kind of end there. It's like saying Inglorious Basterds was based on a true story because it had the Nazis and Hitler in it.

At what point can a movie claim it's "based on a true story" when 95% of the plot is made up?

I definitely felt a little cheated after finding out the real deal.

I saw this after reading your comment. It doesn't claim to be based on a true story but is inspired by a true story. Subtle but significant difference.

[revo]

I saw this after reading your comment. It doesn't claim to be based on a true story but is inspired by a true story. Subtle but significant difference.

Here's the Netflix description:
Based on a true story and using technology developed by executive producer James Cameron, this breathtaking thriller follows the adventures of expert diver Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh), who heads an expedition to map a network of underwater caverns. When a tropical storm cuts off their exit, the team, including Frank's teenage son, must use all their resources and strength to avoid panic and find a route to the surface. Ioan Gruffudd co-stars.

You're probably right that it actually said "Inspired by..." rather than "Based on..." but I doubt many moviegoers would differentiate between the two. But if "Inspired by..." gives the editorial leeway to completely change the actual events, why bother even mentioning it if it's total fiction?

[BuckyBuckner]

Here's the Netflix description:
Based on a true story and using technology developed by executive producer James Cameron, this breathtaking thriller follows the adventures of expert diver Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh), who heads an expedition to map a network of underwater caverns. When a tropical storm cuts off their exit, the team, including Frank's teenage son, must use all their resources and strength to avoid panic and find a route to the surface. Ioan Gruffudd co-stars.

You're probably right that it actually said "Inspired by..." rather than "Based on..." but I doubt many moviegoers would differentiate between the two. But if "Inspired by..." gives the editorial leeway to completely change the actual events, why bother even mentioning it if it's total fiction?

I guess it's worth mentioning because it was the personal experience of the screenwriter, which I found interesting. Netflix is obviously wrong in saying "based on a true story..." It's not our fault (or the movie-makers) that many moviegoers are dumb and can't differentiate between the two.

Obviously I can't argue that it's extremely loosely inspired on a true story but that's what it was. He had a experience and it prompted him to write the movie.

I guess it's disingenuous because I can only assume the reason to say it was inspired by a true story was to get more people to watch it.

[johnnya24]

Saw In Time recently ... very interesting concept and pretty good execution. Not a great movie, and plenty of holes ... but there was enough going on to forgive the odd inadequacy ... plus ... eye candy aplenty.

[johnnya24]

The Help - really enjoyed this. It had a bit of an odd feel about it ... like it was made in a different era. It felt like an 1980's movie ...

Transformers 3 - candidate for the worst movie ever made award. I think Michael Bay is trying to corner this market.

Cowboys and Aliens - mindless yet watchable entertainment. Expected to hate it ... so didn't exactly have high expectations ... but it managed to kill an hour or two without offending me.

The Change-Up - not really laugh out loud funny, but I still enjoyed it. I generally like anything with Jason Bateman in it ... although Horrible Bosses is a much better movie.

Cued up: Midnight In Paris, Crazy Stupid Love, Melancholia ... or I should say ... have been cued up for a while ... just waiting for the right mood to hit me.

[schlesinj]

Also saw Crazy, Stupid, Love. Kinda chick flickish but pretty entertaining. Ryan Gosling was awesome and upstaged everyone, Steve Carrell included, on the comedy piece.

I just watched it this weekend. I enjoyed it. Worth a watch if you want to watch something decent with your wife or GF.

[johnnya24]

You guys seen Drive starring Ryan Gosling? That is one messed up, violent movie. I bet FriarFan loved it.

Yeah really liked it ...

[heyelander]

You guys seen Drive starring Ryan Gosling? That is one messed up, violent movie. I bet FriarFan loved it.

Saw it a while ago. I really wasn't sure what I thought of it afterwards. I wanted to like it, but I didn't, but I did.

[johnnya24]

Saw it a while ago. I really wasn't sure what I thought of it afterwards. I wanted to like it, but I didn't, but I did.

Are you sure?

[DMT]

You guys seen Drive starring Ryan Gosling? That is one messed up, violent movie. I bet FriarFan loved it.

I heard great reviews from a couple different people but I just haven't found the time to see it in the theater.