I think the first time I saw such a shot used specifically for shock value was The Forgotten in 2004. (I did see Adaptation, but I don't remember the shot.) The TV show "Alias" used that same shot right around the same time.

That's interesting, my wife was watching Bravo Two Zero on Netflix and I walked in and watched the final 2/3 with her. I did not know the backstory, especially the difference of opinion between McNab & Ryan.

Totally agree with everything you wrote. As much as I didn't want to lose the Marie character, at least it felt genuine. And as you say, it sets up everything that follows, character-wise.

Right here!

I disagree on this particular film, which I saw in the theater, and which I was able to follow without getting confused or nauseous.

The way they handled that window stunt alone is a perfect example of how I think Ultimatum was a step down in quality from its predecessor.

Totally agree, the authentic night shooting (er…cameras, not guns), is my favorite part of Collateral, and my favorite thing about digital.

The gun trainer on The A-Team said the exact same thing about Bradley Cooper. Like, he was so proficient it was eerie. I guess that sort of element made him a good choice for American Sniper, although I have not seen that film.

I still haven't seen Blackhat all the way through, but I came across that shootout scene on TV and I thought it was great. Maybe because in my mind I wasn't comparing it to Heat, but more to whatever action schlock is prevalent these days.

Miami Vice just had something about it…I remember it being one of those films that stuck with me a very long time after seeing it. I don't even know WHY it had such an effect on me, but I think it just comes down to atmosphere. They went in a different direction than the original TV series in terms of style (not…

What I liked about Troy was that all of the characters treated Paris as if they were Orlando Bloom haters as well. Whatever people said against Bloom was already said against Paris in the film, so it kind of worked out.

Have you seen the "making of" doc of The Stunt Man that was on one of the anniversary edition DVDs? I think it's the first time I've seen such a feature that was written, directed, and presented by the director himself, and it was brilliant. It was its own proper documentary, not just a clip reel with Richard Rush…

Gyllenhall gets a lifetime pass from me for Nightcrawler. God, what a fantastic movie. I don't think there has ever been a better portrayal of a sociopath.

"Grips" are any crew who move equipment — not just in the lighting department.

That was the plot of Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street, only it was the master audio reel from his new album.

But "Sdai-recnac" is Klingon for "those spikey things that stick out of our boots".

Hell, I was even OK with the casting — I think Julian McMahon is capable of going way deeper, but the writers just didn't want to do anything interesting with that character.

I basically have the Lieutenant Gorman version of that anecdote.

GREAT answers.

That's awesome. Although maybe it would've been even better if the clerk had just given him the Kris Kristofferson/Cheryl Ladd film.