Review: Sin City, Monster House
So, I'm probably the last person to get around to seeing Sin City. It was wishlisted to me a few weeks ago and I finally made time to sit down and watch it. I have to say - this movie more than makes up for the director shoving "Shark Boy and Lava Girls" onto the world. This is easily one of the best films I've seen in a long time. The visual style is amazing and really brings the comic to life. I loved the different stories and how they worked together. I was reminded quite a bit of Pulp Fiction when watching it.
Speaking of Pulp Fiction - if you think it was a bit violent, this movie will probably be a bit too much. I think the only thing more violent than Sin City is Kill Bill, and even then it's a pretty tight race.
I haven't yet read the Sin City comic, but I plan to. The DVD that I got (and the one linked to above) has a graphic novel with it. The author of the comic, Frank Miller, is one of the best writers out there and created what is probably the best Batman stories ever created.
On the flip side of Sin City. Our family went to see Monster House this weekend, and really enjoyed it. It was much better than Cars. The story was more interesting, the design of the animation was better, it was just all around fun to see, although I'm surprised they didn't wait till October to release it.
Comments
My guess would be to see Monster House on DVD come the end of October - if not then at least they'll get it out in time for Xmas by releasing it now.
# Posted By Andy J
| 7/25/06 8:03 AM
Ray,
You really liked Sin City? I have wanted to watch that movie a couple of times, but every time I remember that every person I know hated it. But, now, based on your review, I will have to actually watch it.
You really liked Sin City? I have wanted to watch that movie a couple of times, but every time I remember that every person I know hated it. But, now, based on your review, I will have to actually watch it.
# Posted By Neil Bailey
| 7/25/06 8:34 AM
I loved it. In fact, as time passes, my appreciation for it grows. It is definitely on my list of top movies now. In case people are curious:
Vanilla Sky
Star Wars (all)
Godfather (part 1 and 2)
Pulp Fiction, Sin City, Kill Bill, basically anything Tarantino related, even Jackie Brown which I just saw recently and thought was great)
The Conversation (old school movie, one of Harrison Ford's early flicks)
Closet Land (indie film)
and lots of others. I'm just a huge movie lover I guess.
Vanilla Sky
Star Wars (all)
Godfather (part 1 and 2)
Pulp Fiction, Sin City, Kill Bill, basically anything Tarantino related, even Jackie Brown which I just saw recently and thought was great)
The Conversation (old school movie, one of Harrison Ford's early flicks)
Closet Land (indie film)
and lots of others. I'm just a huge movie lover I guess.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/25/06 8:47 AM
Ray. Ray. RAY!!!
Vanilla Sky? Please tell me that was a typo...
'Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft'.....hahahaha... Vanilla Sky..... my my my... Now I dunno about watching Sin City :)
Vanilla Sky? Please tell me that was a typo...
'Tom Cruise, use your witchcraft'.....hahahaha... Vanilla Sky..... my my my... Now I dunno about watching Sin City :)
# Posted By Neil Bailey
| 7/25/06 8:50 AM
Ignore the fact that Tom is a nut job in real life. I like his acting. I'm not sure why, but Vanilla Sky just resonated with me. It is my absolute favorite film.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/25/06 8:58 AM
A nutjob?
Lets see, he abandoned one of the most beautiful women in the world, and ended up with a little girl - Katie's cute, but she's what? 12? 14? (I know not REALLY)...
nutjob doesn't BEGIN to describe him. And that whole scientology? Isn't that a completely made up religion? Some guy L. Ron Nutjob just said one day, "Hey, worship....blah"... And tom, being a disciple nutjob, said...sure..
I LOVED MI and MI2, but simply REFUSE to see MI3. I won't give that crazy bastard a nickle more of my money.
hahahaha sorry for the rant Ray....I just get so riled up :)
Lets see, he abandoned one of the most beautiful women in the world, and ended up with a little girl - Katie's cute, but she's what? 12? 14? (I know not REALLY)...
nutjob doesn't BEGIN to describe him. And that whole scientology? Isn't that a completely made up religion? Some guy L. Ron Nutjob just said one day, "Hey, worship....blah"... And tom, being a disciple nutjob, said...sure..
I LOVED MI and MI2, but simply REFUSE to see MI3. I won't give that crazy bastard a nickle more of my money.
hahahaha sorry for the rant Ray....I just get so riled up :)
# Posted By Neil Bailey
| 7/25/06 9:53 AM
Heh,well, I also thought War of the Worlds was dang good as well.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/25/06 9:55 AM
Ray. Ray. I am going to have to do a film intervention with you.
My wife is constantly telling me that I love every movie in the world - which, for the most part, is true. Almost every movie I see immediately, for a short while, is on my list of favorites.
War of the worlds I could barely even finish. The best part about that movie was Dakota Fanning, and even she wasn't great.
But, Ray, some people like mashed potatos, and some like potato salad. But, Ray....VANILLA SKY??? WAR OF THE WORLDS???? Oh, Ray..................
My wife is constantly telling me that I love every movie in the world - which, for the most part, is true. Almost every movie I see immediately, for a short while, is on my list of favorites.
War of the worlds I could barely even finish. The best part about that movie was Dakota Fanning, and even she wasn't great.
But, Ray, some people like mashed potatos, and some like potato salad. But, Ray....VANILLA SKY??? WAR OF THE WORLDS???? Oh, Ray..................
# Posted By Neil Bailey
| 7/25/06 10:01 AM
L Ron Hubbard is quoted as saying "The only way to make money in this life is to start a religion". I guess the scifi novel business wasn't cutting it for him. If you want to learn more about The Cult of Scientology just go watch Southpark's twelfth season 9 episode, "In the Closet".
Ray, what about The Princess Bride or Donnie Darko or Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Aliens (Special Edition) or Ladyhawke? Those are some of my favorites.
Damien
Ray, what about The Princess Bride or Donnie Darko or Ferris Bueller's Day Off or Aliens (Special Edition) or Ladyhawke? Those are some of my favorites.
Damien
# Posted By Damien McKenna
| 7/25/06 10:02 AM
Folks, please drop the religion talk or this thread will turn into IdiotBait. (Remember my post last week. ;)
Damien: Ditto Princess Bride. I'm adding it to my wishlist now as I think my kids need to see it. Ferris is of course awesome. I haven't seen Donnie Darko and yes, I know I need to. Ladyhawke is one of my favorite films. I like how the "fantasy" aspect of it is "lite" and not overwhelming.
And Aliens. How could I forget Alien/Aliens. I even liked part 3 and 4. But the first two are amazing. I can't wait till my kids are old enough to see them. Can you imagine those films, in HD, in the dark?
Damien: Ditto Princess Bride. I'm adding it to my wishlist now as I think my kids need to see it. Ferris is of course awesome. I haven't seen Donnie Darko and yes, I know I need to. Ladyhawke is one of my favorite films. I like how the "fantasy" aspect of it is "lite" and not overwhelming.
And Aliens. How could I forget Alien/Aliens. I even liked part 3 and 4. But the first two are amazing. I can't wait till my kids are old enough to see them. Can you imagine those films, in HD, in the dark?
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/25/06 10:06 AM
You have to watch the green screen 6 minute version of Sin City, very cool
My top list also includes The Thing (John Carpenter)
7 Samurai
The Cube
Animatrix and The Matrix
LOTR
My top list also includes The Thing (John Carpenter)
7 Samurai
The Cube
Animatrix and The Matrix
LOTR
# Posted By Denis The SQL menace
| 7/25/06 12:41 PM
If you think Sin City was violent, don't watch Hostel or The Hills Have Eyes (the remake).
Hostel is a great movie but the torture screens were a bit much for my wife. THHE is just plain disturbing... but fun! I love horror movies and gore. :)
Hostel is a great movie but the torture screens were a bit much for my wife. THHE is just plain disturbing... but fun! I love horror movies and gore. :)
# Posted By Tony Petruzzi
| 7/25/06 1:30 PM
I watched Hostel, but I fast forwarded through a few parts. It was just too much.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/25/06 1:35 PM
I only read about hostel, never saw it, but I made up my mind pretty darn quick that I never wanted to see it. It sounds just frigging nasty. I'm all for weird stories 'n all but movies like that shouldn't get an R-rated release, it should be NC17, likewise for any movie that the main focus is violent torture and/or r*pe ("Saw" series, THHE, etc). Heck, my wife and I went to see Underworld 2 and there were at least two families with young children there who sat through the entire movie, and *it* was pretty darn gruesome at times.
In comparison, while "Sean of the Dead" (simply awesome flick) was a bit icky at points it was quite obviously tongue in cheak and campy, which puts a completely different spin on it.
Damien
In comparison, while "Sean of the Dead" (simply awesome flick) was a bit icky at points it was quite obviously tongue in cheak and campy, which puts a completely different spin on it.
Damien
# Posted By Damien McKenna
| 7/25/06 1:57 PM
Shaun of the dead was more of a spoof, I mean who throws records at zombies?
Remember Evil Dead, the first one was scary the second one was a comedy (remember the possessed hand)
Remember Evil Dead, the first one was scary the second one was a comedy (remember the possessed hand)
# Posted By Denis The SQL menace
| 7/25/06 2:12 PM
I brought up Shaun due to the fact that it is another recent fairly gory flick that I think does fine with its R rating as compared to others I had mentioned.
# Posted By Damien McKenna
| 7/25/06 9:22 PM
Ray....did you ever watch Abre Los Ojos the movie (much better) Vanilla Sky was based on? Vanilla Sky sucked.
# Posted By PatB
| 7/26/06 10:26 AM
I have it - but haven't watched it yet. I may do so on Friday.
# Posted By Raymond Camden
| 7/26/06 10:30 AM
I remember watching Alien for the first time -- It was in the early 80's and we were pretty well stoned. My God, when that baby alien popped out I just about went through the roof -- literally.
I can only imagine what it would be like in the dark and in HD.
(Um, I don't do that anymore...out of high school and all, doncha know)
I can only imagine what it would be like in the dark and in HD.
(Um, I don't do that anymore...out of high school and all, doncha know)
# Posted By Brian
| 7/27/06 3:12 PM
@Denis The SQL menace: The Cube! Awesome. I just happened to pick that movie up one random day at Blockbuster and loved it.
# Posted By Christopher Wigginton
| 8/1/06 10:23 AM