Bricks in Motion
We are a friendly filmmaking community devoted to the art of stop-motion animation using LEGO® and similar construction toys. Here, you can share your work, join our community of other brickfilmers, and participate in periodic animation contests!
A place to discuss, share, and create stop motion films.
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Legend of the Guardians: Owls of Ga'Hoole
Wow. Definitely one of my newest top movies. The animation was superb, along with the score. The slo-mo shots were pretty awesome too, but they were overused just a tiny bit.
4.7/5 bricks 
Trust
A chilling tale about online-pedophiles and a girl who suffers an imbroglio of consequences after befriending a man she calls, 'Charlie.' This movie significantly increases awareness towards the issue, and I suggest the other teenagers here watch it.
9/10
The Losers
Quite enjoyable action flick which doesn't take itself serious at all and that is why it's so much fun 
The pacing is very good.
Harry Potter 1-2
4/5
Fantastic movies. The sets and special effects are really good, and the acting is impressive (especially for child actors). Both films have this happy, feel-good nature to them. These are great family flicks.
Harry Potter 3-4
3.5/5
Still very good movies despite a few flaws. You can tell the writers had a hard time translating the 400+ page books into 2 hour films. However, I am very pleased with the job they did and commend the entire production team for their hard work.
Harry Potter 5
3/5
A hard-to-follow plot mixed with some lackluster directing and camera work make this a weaker entry in the series. An average movie overall.
Babe 2
4.5/5
I don't remember a whole lot about the first movie, but I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Babe 2 is a highly entertaining movie with great lessons, fantastic production value, and an overall dark tone that makes for one solid movie. It was a breath of fresh air to see a kid/family movie that doesn't shove its morals down your throat. Instead, this movie more or less presents its lessons for the viewer's discretion, which makes for some very heart warming scenes.
"Thank the pig."
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
Oh my God I freaking loved this movie. It's definitely one that you have to have seen the show to get anything in the movie, but this probably outclasses the show in almost every way, and I loved the show. In fact the movie is a lot more serious than the show, the show was was largely a comedy but this film hardly has any comedic moments and a lot more drama and emotion in it.
The animation is great, the voice acting is really good, the story is very complex but incredibly deep and engaging and it's also an extremely emotional film. I'd only recommend watching it if you've seen all of the show because otherwise most of the movie won't make sense to you. If you HAVE seen the show, then you must watch this movie right away.
Also, Yuki Nagato with emotions has to be one of the most adorable things I have ever seen. 
Time Bandits
Well, I only really watched like 2/3 of the film, but I have to say that its awesome. And also stupid. I really don't know what the director was thinking when he made this, because it's the stupidest plot I have every heard of, but I don't really have a problem with that. It's hilarious and trippy and insane. WTH is this. agh.
Hugo
I liked the story (I read the book like 4 years ago). It was an overall good movie. I dont know what else to say really. I hated who the director wanted me to hate and liked who he wanted me to like. (Still would of liked it animated)
Seven Days in Utopia
Great movie about a golfer's decisions and choices. Lovely story, plot, and acting. Some bits may seem a bit cheesy if you look to hard at it, but this is a movie to see.
9/10
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)
I had low expectations for this movie. Well, I was very surprised with this movie. Also I actually stayed up to watch the whole movie. Seemed a tad slow in the beginning, but after that this movie snowballed. Obviously the effects weren't the best, but it was 1959--of course the effects weren't flawless! Great story, great plot, great ending. 
8/10
Rudy (1993)
Inspiring. I watched half of it in my geography class. I liked it for the most part.
9/10
Last edited by Mickey (March 7, 2012 (03:33pm))
I really don't know what the director was thinking when he made this, because it's the stupidest plot I have every heard of, but I don't really have a problem with that. It's hilarious and trippy and insane. WTH is this. agh.
The Director is Terry Gilliam - who was a member of Monty Python. You know - the guy who did all the really trippy animations. Time Bandits is his second live action feature, and its basically a live action version of his animations. He also co-directed The Holy Grail, and co-wrote a lot of the Python's early material. I know this because Gilliam is my favourite Director, and my primary inspiration. Many think Mr Socially Impaired is inspired by the Pythons, when actually its much more inspired by Gilliam - both his live action and his animated works.
Just think of Time Bandits as a spoof of adventure stories. I mean...the villain is literally made out of 100% pure Evil!
Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace
I remember loving this movie as a kid. I was a very stupid kid....
Even if you ignore how much this ruined the Star Wars franchise, its still a terrible movie by itself. Its plot is needlessly complex and terribly constructed. It might have worked as a Expanded Universe novel, or comic book series - but as a serious movie, it sucks.
I forgot just how awful the script is, although I'm sure the terrible acting doesn't help. Black Swan, Trainspotting, and even Taken prove that most of the cast is capable of either dramatic or at least entertaining performances. Oddly enough, the part that annoyed me the most was seeing Brian Blessed being stripped of his dignity - and this is the man who was in Flash Gordon. The pacing and tone is awful; we go from it being a political bore-fest to having about four different climactic battles going on simultaneously. The podrace is more intrusive than a pop-up ad - halting the narrative for about 20mins. Its a sequence that desperately needed trimming. It doesn't help that about 15mins of it plays out with no music, and no tension. Only right at the end does it actually start getting interesting - and then it ends!! The whole race almost plays out in real-time, which is a terrible idea, because NO-ONE wanted to see Star Wars Nascar!! What was Lucas thinking??
Actually, I think I said "What was Lucas thinking!?!" many, many times throughout the movie. Mostly whenever Jar Jar was on-screen. Really? Did we really need a Mr Bean comic relief!? And...I forgot that Jar Jar literally goes EVERYWHERE with them!! The goofy, slapstick comic relief IS A CENTRAL CHARACTER!!! I know everyone has already flamed Jar Jar to death...but I only just appreciated just how annoying he is...
And I forgot that Anakin was Jesus. When I think of the boy who's going to grow up to be Darth Vader - I think of young Tom Riddle. Or, at least, someone more likely to grow into the whiny teenager we see in the next movie. I hate whiny Anakin, but it makes much more sense compared to this child prodigy! I know the Jedi council wouldn't have trained him if he was like "I want to be the most powerful Jedi ever!", but...I...his mother is a virgin!?! I actually had to pause the DVD and take a break, because, like Jar Jar - I forgot just how bad that part was.
I used to think the lightsaber duel redeems the movie. And it does somewhat. I love how the whole thing is designed like a videogame. There is literally no purpose for the room with the multiple platforms that have no railings and big light-thingies for no reason other than it looks really cool, and you can drop down from the platforms. I love how there is this laser-gate thing that goes on/off whenever it is dramatically convenient, with a giant bottomless "THIS IS SPARTAAAA!!" pitt at the end for absolutely no reason other than a place the villain can fall down at the end. Its Hollywood set-pieces at its most mindlessly fun. Oh, and the music is some of the best of all time. The problem is that it keeps inter-cutting with either Jar Jar, Anakin, or Padme - which means the tension of the whole sequence is shattered with either Jar Jar or Anakin being infuriatingly goofy.
And no, I didn't see it in 3D - or, as I like to call it: 2.1D. The only reason why I'm actually glad that the re-release has been a sucess is because it means we're at some point going to get Episodes IV, V, and VI; which I'm sure is what everyone is REALLY waiting for...
I might as well watch Episode II right after posting this. I mean, it cant be any worse...can it?
Last edited by Max Butcher (March 7, 2012 (10:27am))
Percy Jackson And The Olympians: The Lightning Theif
Terrible. It was nothing like the books a all.
1/5
...his mother is a virgin!?!
I never remember any mention of Anakin's mother being a virgin; only that they didn't know who the father was.
I might as well watch Episode II right after posting this. I mean, it cant be any worse...can it?
Lol.
Max Butcher wrote:...his mother is a virgin!?!
I never remember any mention of Anakin's mother being a virgin; only that they didn't know who the father was.
Shmi specifically states there is no father. By later conversations among the Jedi, it is generally to be concluded that the midichlorians created Anakin in Shmi to bring balance back to the force.
She never claimed to be a virgin when he was conceived, so it is not necessary to assume it was a virgin birth, just that there was never a biological father.
Max Butcher wrote:...his mother is a virgin!?!
I never remember any mention of Anakin's mother being a virgin; only that they didn't know who the father was.
Shmi says "There was no father. I carried him, I raised him....I cant explain what happened". Yeah; she's basically the Virgin Mary. Lucas took inspiration from classic mythology in the Original Trilogy - but forgive me if my spellings bad; because I'm writing through my fingers mid-facepalm...
(EDIT: OK, I swear that comment wasn't there before...but yeah. Also, thanks for teaching me how to spell Shmi)
So...
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
I decided "You know - its been a long time since I've watched all the Star Wars movies in a row; and since I watched Episode I for no reason other than vein curiosity, I might as well watch them all, because my opinion can sometimes change quite radically over time"
This is an example of my opinion changing.
I used to think this movie was actually worse than Episode I. As a kid, I just wasn't as hooked - and regarded it as the worst of the Star Wars movies. Don't forget that for kids 'Bad' = not with cute stuff. As a 17-going-on-18 year old, however, I believe this is actually an improvement from Episode I...
Oh, its still very mediocre. But, it actually feels relevant. Its almost as though Episode I doesn't exist in how it pretty much re-introduces every important character, and almost nothing that happened in Episode I is mentioned. Sixty seconds in an elevator with Anakin and Obi-Wan establishes more about the characters than the entire of Episode I. And, its not about taxation or a tiny little planet being taken over by some nuts who for no reason are being backed by a Dark Lord of Evil, its about a powerful threat being built up - a threat which may take over the Republic. There is actually dramatic weight behind it. OK; its not very well handled, but...its there! Its actually there! Its not about some peace-loving planet being the victim of some bullcrap politics which, even to this day, I still dont understand.
But...there is the romance. Yeah, all that 'the fate of the Republic rests in your hand' stuff...that can wait. We need frolicking in the fields, and the two having a romantic dinner. I think the worst moment was when Anakin and Padme argue like an old married couple in front of the Queen and her court. The both of them just look like utter jerks. Natalie Portman is clearly trying to create chemistry, but the awful dialogue and direction makes it impossible. Anakin is a hormonal little jackoff who should have had all of his silly little tantrums smacked out of him by now. And Padme...hasn't aged at all!
And yet, even the romance is better than anything in Episode I. Because the romance is, like the rest of this film, ACTUALLY RELEVANT! Its bad, its painful to sit through, but the romance is arbitrary otherwise Anakin would have no good reason for turning to the Dark Side other than 'Grr! Obi-Wan is holding me back!' Its awful, but at least its relevant in the long run...
Its still pretty bad. Anakin completely fails as a character, and its not a well told story. If I viewed this without seeing Episode I, I wouldn't have liked this. But...its a HUGE improvement....
Last edited by Max Butcher (March 7, 2012 (03:37pm))
Wow, that was fast.
Great review. I can't say that agree with all your opinions, (I like Jar Jar!) but it made sense and forced me to think about it in a different way.
You can think of Star Wars any way you want. Please dont feel 'forced' to follow my opinion...
I might as well watch Episode II right after posting this. I mean, it cant be any worse...can it?
Lemme answer that for you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0QHw7iy … DAtjtuY5vj
I remember watching Attack of the Clones. I hated it. The prequels ruined Star Wars for me.
I like Attack of the clone's -Me
flame war star 3...2..1
Attack of the Clones is better than The Phantom Menace, but not as good as all the other Star Wars movies. Thats the biggest compliment I can give...
Anyway, lets finish this:
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
I've always thought this one was the best of the prequels. And it is. Many disagree as to what the best Star Wars movie is (although its nearly always either IV or V), but the opinion has always been unanimous: Episode III looks like Shakespeare compared to I and II.
And...its fact! Maybe you prefer I or II for some bizarre reason, but Episode III is by far the most well structured, well told, and well directed. Oh, its still badly directed. And scripted. But its WWWAAAAAYYYYY better than I and II. Its basically like II but without the bland romance and...you know...actually treating us like adults for a change! There are still clearly some tone shifts that are intended to stop the kids from being too frightened - like R2-D2 coming along with Anakin as he is about to brutally murder the Trade Federation, and C3PO being campy as ever saying "I'm starting to get used to this flying lark!" whilst Padme is brooding about how how her husband has gone completely nuts.
Like II, there is actual purpose and meaning. There are parts that are obligatory, such as Chewbacca appearing for no reason - or the entire sequence on Kasshyk (yeah, I've probably spelt it wrong. I dont care). Apparently, Kasshyk was originally going to be in Episode VI instead of Endor and the Ewoks. Since Wookies are much more badass than Ewoks, and we already have Yoda as the 'unlikely hero', I would've rather this happened - but maybe Lucas didn't want our only impression of the Wookies home-planet to be The Star Wars Holiday Special...
But, of course, this episode is essential viewing if you want to fully understand how exactly the Galaxy turned into Nazi Germany. Oh, dont act like you didn't make the connection! Genocide? Using your emergency powers to turn a parliament into a dictatorship? Persuading everyone your doing it for the benefit of your land, when really you want to rule the world/galaxy? Building an army in secret? Persuading everyone your the greatest thing since sliced bread when in retrospect its so unbelievably obvious your really messed up? Silencing everyone who discovers the truth? Someone paid attention in High School History class....
Its flawed. Obviously! Its a Star Wars prequel! And, here they are:
Why doesn't Obi-Wan either kill or capture Anakin. OK, it makes some sense that Obi-Wan wouldn't kill Anakin, but why didn't he take Anakin with him - or at least stop him? He wins the fight, but he just leaves him just like "Well, I defeated him. Um...I'll just leave him to burn; my job here is done!" You DO know you've just left a powerful Sith Lord there, who will just return later. What was the point in confronting Anakin if you weren't going to stop him!?! I get that if Obi-Wan did kill Anakin there would be no Episode IV, but....really?
Secondly, why does Yoda do into exile? Aside from the fact he has to get to Dagobah somehow? He doesn't win or lose the battle with the Emperor. They are both knocked back - AND YODA RUNS AWAY!?! Go back and get him!! You were both evenly matched!! Grab your lightsaber and go back!!
Really? "NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO"?? REALLY!?! REALLY LUCAS!?!
And, if they wanted the Emperors identity to be an actual twist - they failed spectacularly. In The Phantom Menace, they pretty much say "LOOK!! THERE'S THE MASTER!!", in Attack of the Clones they're much more subtle - but here as soon as he's like "Have you ever heard of this story the Jedi have never told because its about a Sith Lord being awesome?" there is no shock. The big reveal is meant to be when Anakin considers killing him, but its not a reveal because WE ALREADY GUESSED!!
But, there is both the 'Jedi Purge' sequence and Anakin vs Obi-Wan. I would be lying if I said these scenes were not fantastic. Again, the Anakin vs Obi-Wan fight is like the Darth Maul duel in how the entire thing is designed like a video-game; to the point where the entire planet starts going haywire for no reason apart from the fact they hit some controls whilst duelling. Yep - its so epic that they almost destroy the entire planet whilst duelling. They actually have to stop the battle and take cover! Just like in the Darth Maul duel when they have to sit and meditate right in the middle.
So that's the prequels. They are unnecessary. They are inferior in every way to the originals. They are artless, but there is a little bit of enjoyment to be had.
The biggest problem is that its a factory. Its not like the original trilogy where George Lucas wanted more than ever to make this little pet-project he had been working on for a while. Its not a bunch of young men and women who want to create something people will remember. The prequels are just like any other modern blockbuster.
The only person who seems really passionate is John Williams. Some of his best compositions are in the Prequels. Heck, in scenes like where Anakin looks out of a window to Padme; the music is pretty much doing all the talking. The reason why the Darth Maul duel is so awesome is because of 'Duel of the Fates'; which pretty much invented the use of an epic Choir in blockbusters. Even the abysmally directed and scripted romance scenes in Episode II were improved by John Williams's sweeping score speaking louder than any of the dreadful dialogue. If you want any proof that John Williams is one of the greatest movie composers of all time, look at how he redeems the Star Wars Prequels. THAT is talent - making something mediocre worth your time.
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