What is The Last Movie You Watched?

[broncofan]

was it your first time with that, Broncofan?
Yes. I hadn't even heard of it or seen a Gary Cooper movie! Don't know how as I'm always trying to watch older movies and had just gotten through watching a bunch of the Spaghetti westerns.

[robertlouis]

Low-budget Brit horror flick on BBC the other night, Severance. Fine suspense, plenty of knowing humour, just enough gore and some good performances.

[Prospero]

Not a movie but catching up on "Friday Night Lights"

[runningdownthatdream]

Yes. I hadn't even heard of it or seen a Gary Cooper movie! Don't know how as I'm always trying to watch older movies and had just gotten through watching a bunch of the Spaghetti westerns.

To a fan of Westerns it sounds strange to hear another fan not know of High Noon, the quintessential American Western! Have you seen Shane and Stagecoach? Would also recommend Brando's One-Eyed Jacks.

[Prospero]

Once Upon A Time In The West.... The Searchers.... two other goodies

[broncofan]

To a fan of Westerns it sounds strange to hear another fan not know of High Noon, the quintessential American Western! Have you seen Shane and Stagecoach? Would also recommend Brando's One-Eyed Jacks.
I guess I don't know too much about the genre. Just watched A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and the Good the Bad and the Ugly. I like what I've seen though and will watch all of the above at some point.

Just saw Prospero's post. That makes five on my list in the near future. Just getting introduced to Westerns. One of those things where you're kind of glad you haven't seen many because now you get to for the first time.

[robertlouis]

You must see The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Unforgiven, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Shootist and Tombstone as well.

[broncofan]

You must see The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Unforgiven, The Outlaw Josey Wales, The Shootist and Tombstone as well.
AHA! Finally I've seen a few. The Outlaw Josey Wales, Unforgiven, and Tombstone. Loved all three. But I now have to add the Shootist and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance to my list makes 7.

Great recommendations. If you guys think of any more can you please wait a couple of weeks:).

[robertlouis]

AHA! Finally I've seen a few. The Outlaw Josey Wales, Unforgiven, and Tombstone. Loved all three. But I now have to add the Shootist and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance to my list makes 7.

Great recommendations. If you guys think of any more can you please wait a couple of weeks:).

Will do. Be sure to come back with your reviews.

[maxpower]

The Wild Bunch, also.

[robertlouis]

The Wild Bunch, also.

And if we're talking Peckinpah, add Major Dundee and The Ballad of Cable Hogue.

[broncofan]

The Searchers
Excellent movie. Moves at a fairly fast pace and is pretty effective in portraying a particular time and place on the frontier out west. Was a very good way to start my foray into the genre.

Also watched True Grit, the more recent one just out of boredom. I had heard mixed things but I liked it a lot. If I have one complaint it's that Jeff Bridges was almost unintelligible at times. If there had been closed captioning for the movie I would have used it and missed a lot less dialogue.

[Jericho]

The Colony.

Survivors of a new ice-age, living underground, are attacked by cannibals.
That's about it, really! :shrug

[Prospero]

"Frances Ha" - directed by Noah Baumbach. A meandering tale about a young woman (Greta Gerwig) and her life in New York as a failed dancer. Shit in black and white. Okay.

Frances Ha Official Theatrical Trailer #1 (2013) - Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9YKHRQkf7k)

[Johnny.Blaze]

I finally took the plunge and decided to see the Evil Dead remake. I was hesitant mainly because so many people had told me that it is very graphic. And I'm not talking nudity here. Now I'm a big horror movie fan but when it comes to extreme graphic types, I tend to steer away. And I must tell you that this movie is not for the squeamish. It was far better than the original I have to say though. Original was way to much of a comedy type. This was the complete opposite. None the less, I recommend it if you don't mind all the creepy gore....

Evil Dead (2013) Official Red band Trailer Horror Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwvGH8QFJSo)

[Johnny.Blaze]

I also seen a movie called "Would You Rather" I really liked this movie. Was different than your usual horror movie. And the main villain (Shepperd Lambert) I just loved. He was this creepy yet cool type of character. Check the trailer. I'm sure some of you will get into it, if you're Horror/Thriller fans...

Would You Rather Official Trailer #1 (2012) - Brittany Snow Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSR2F_PS1AY)

[dskreet2]

Attack from Beneath! This is TRULY a modern B movie and similar to Pacific Rim. Monsters from below the ocean floor attacking cities and being fought by giant robots piloted by humans. I seen better acting in Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!!!

http://bmovieshelf.blogspot.com/2013/06/early-review-of-atlantic-rimattack-from.html

[robertlouis]

Has anyone here seen Before Midnight, the final part of the trilogy of films starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy and directed by Richard Linklater?

I loved the first film because I had virtually the same experience in Paris when I was younger, so identified with Ethan Hawke's character. Only difference was that I slept with the girl on that magical night!

Enjoyed the second, though not so much, so I'm interested to know what others thought about the third film.

[Prospero]

Not yet RL.... late last night, unable to sleep, watched "McCullin" a documentary about the great photographer Don McCullin - most famous for recording the horrors of war in an bleak and unfliching way from the conflict in Cyrprus in the 1950s to the war in Biafra. he gazed long into the heart of human darkness. I think it bruised his soul.

After watching this the words that spring to mind are from Conrad. "The horror, the horror."

Here are some of his most iconic images. The last, by contrast, is a character everyone called Snowy who could be seen every day in Cambridge market in the 1970s.

[Jericho]

Broken City
Mark Wahlberg/Russel Crowe
Nothing new but alright for what it was. :shrug

[Ben]

Actually, would like to watch this documentary at some point...

[Toadily]

This next movie is wicket cool.
Good will Hunting, wicket good!

[Great Movie Scenes] Good Will Hunting - Bar Scene - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymsHLkB8u3s)

Watch it on Netflix right now, wicket good.

[Ananke]

I'm a great fan of McCullin.
Are they likely to show it again?

[Prospero]

I have a promotional DVD of it Ananke... but it might get shown again. I think the DVD is commercially available. He also wrote a great autobiography about 20 years ago called "Unreasonable Behaviour."

[ImpulZ]

The Conjuring from kwan...saw,insidious.....cool scary movie,not that scared butt okay!

The Conjuring - Official Teaser Trailer (HD) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNrTQxTOEUI)

[dderek123]

Saw about half of The Kings of Summer. It was a boring crap of a movie. It's the same teenage angsty movie that you've seen 100 times before. I turned it off and watched Workaholics instead.

[Stavros]

Divine Intervention (Elia Suleiman, 2002)
Samuel Beckett on the Occupied West Bank, a film that has Beckett's humour, the absurd elements of the Israeli occupation, and the pathos of defeat. The scene with the red balloon sums it up. Superb film-making.

Divine Intervention Theatrical Trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFR8XcKg3k4)

[youngblood61]

42, The Jackie Robinson story. It was ok.

[Ben]

Actually, a documentary film I want to see:

Blackfish: Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Documentary Movie HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLOeH-Oq_1Y

[MacShreach]

Not yet RL.... late last night, unable to sleep, watched "McCullin" a documentary about the great photographer Don McCullin - most famous for recording the horrors of war in an bleak and unfliching way from the conflict in Cyrprus in the 1950s to the war in Biafra. he gazed long into the heart of human darkness. I think it bruised his soul.

After watching this the words that spring to mind are from Conrad. "The horror, the horror."

Here are some of his most iconic images. The last, by contrast, is a character everyone called Snowy who could be seen every day in Cambridge market in the 1970s.

Curiously I was talking about him today to a mutual acquaintance... Don was very damaged.

[Prospero]

A friend of mine who has covered many wars in the Middle East has ben hardened by the horror. She says she is no longer horrified by bodies - but human cruelty and accounts of it still affect her deeply. I was in Iraq and Egypt (among other places) a couple of weeks ago and the brutality both these places are experiencing is terrifying. I admire people like McCullin who can square up to it and give us the story.Heaven help the region if an attack on Syria is launched. But this strand is not the place to discuss that...

[dderek123]

This next movie is wicket cool.
Good will Hunting, wicket good!

[Great Movie Scenes] Good Will Hunting - Bar Scene - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymsHLkB8u3s)

Watch it on Netflix right now, wicket good.

That's one of my favourite movies. Robin Williams is great in it.

[Prospero]

watched In The house recently - great french film. very smart.

[Cerberus]

"Now You See Me"

Can anyone explain the ending to me please?
The bit where they are sitting in Paris, looking down at a padlock and says one more secret, then it cuts to a flashback of the crash on the bridge.

WTF?:confused::confused:

[MHarrigan82]

World War Z I enjoyed the movie.

[fred41]

Watched "Samsara"....incredible visuals.
If you have a decent picture on your T.V. and some weed on hand....this is the film for you. If you're the average person like me who doesn't really travel much...then movies like this let you experience things you don't always realize exist ..from interesting to breathtakingly beautiful...often showing poetry in wonders both natural and man-made.
Food for the senses.
..to me anyways.

..Oh yeah,almost forgot - there are some Ladyboys too...lol.

[Prospero]

"What Maisie Knew" an adaptationo of the Henry James novel, originally set in late Victorian England but now transposed to modern Manhattan. It is a valid transposition. The film is Hollywood, but in many respects as true to james as is possible ithout being able to replicate the inner voice of Maisie.. And actually very moving. You are aware you are being emotionally manipulated but what the hell. Brilliant lead performances by Julianne Moore, Steve Coogan and Ornata Aprile as the six year old Maisie.

What Maisie Knew OFFICIAL Trailer (2012) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE4Q_7YNlAo)

[a994]

Last night, I watched "Reservoir Dogs."

[bassman2546]

We're The Millers - Exceeded my expectations for a comedy flick. I recommend it.

[Stavros]

Watched "Samsara"....incredible visuals.
If you have a decent picture on your T.V. and some weed on hand....this is the film for you. If you're the average person like me who doesn't really travel much...then movies like this let you experience things you don't always realize exist ..from interesting to breathtakingly beautiful...often showing poetry in wonders both natural and man-made.
Food for the senses.
..to me anyways.

..Oh yeah,almost forgot - there are some Ladyboys too...lol.

I agree that this is a stunning film, but I don't know why it isn't available on DVD only as a download.

[Stavros]

I compared the two versions of Solaris -I avoided watching the Steven Soderbergh version of Stanislaw Lem's novel from 2002 because Tarkovsky (1972) is one of my favourite directors even though he wasn't satisfied with the film. Soderbergh has filleted out the key element of Lem's book which fascinated Tarkovsky -what happens if humans are given extraordinary powers? In Solaris the impact of a distant planet on the consciousness can resurrect the dead, or give scientists the power to realise something previously beyond their ability -it drives the scientists on the space station to madness or a non-productive stasis -the psychologist who arrives to decide if the station should be shut down re-encounters a wife dead for ten years; ultimately he dispenses with her, but she re-appears, and at the end it isn't clear if Kelvin ever made it back to Earth...by contrast, Soderbergh is only interested in the love story of a man who re-discovers his wife and can't let her go. A superficial neutering of a story about absolute power. Tarkovsky returned to this theme with greater success in Stalker.

[Stavros]

The Double Life of Veronique (Kiezlowski, 1991)
Superb film-making; Kiezlowski's death was a terrible loss.

La double vie de Veronique - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEVlDb43v-4)

[Prospero]

Stavros...Two of my favourite films.... and i agree Soderberg's version of Solaris was a travesty.

[hiten369]

I just watched The Gladiator again last night. God damn I love the first scene!

[Prospero]

The Best Offer (2013) Official Trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCfXq3nFDUM)

"The Best Offer" a new Italian film (in English) directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, best known for "Cinema Paradiso`' It stars Geoffrey Rush as an ageing art dealer who becomes embroiled with a mysterious and reclusive young woman. Quite an original and arresting film, but overlong. Not yet released in the UK.

[Ben]

Another flick I'm curious to see:

Errol Morris's New Documentary on Donald Rumsfeld (Sneak Peek) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NptUMuDAljA)

[Stavros]

Silver Linings Playbook

Though it may have a conventional Hollywood ending -or does it?- the script is great the acting is great and I enjoyed this more than most of the American films I have seen recently.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj5_FhLaaQQ‎

[broncofan]

Not a lot of films that come out of Hollywood are worth watching. Every once in a while there's a good one. I also liked Silver Linings Playbook.

Just saw the Lady From Shanghai by Orson Welles. It held my attention but I didn't like it as much as I should have given the acclaim it's gotten (imdb rating mostly). It seemed to me that Orson Welles' character just sort of sat there in the crosshairs while things happened to him, only to find out what and then not do much about it. I don't think I've ever seen such a fatalistic protagonist in my life.

[Prospero]

Borgman A dutch, Belgian and Danish co-production. This is a deeply chilling portrait of evil - a horror film with no real gore. It probes into deep and almost mythic fears with references to shapeshifters and succubi. I've not seen such a haunting and dark film in a long time.

Borgman - Van Warmerdam - Trailer (subtitled) - Cannes Golden Palm Nomination 2013 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h6SRrn7NA0)

[Prospero]

"Blue Jasmine", the newest Woody Allen movie with a quite wonderful performance by its leading lady Cate Blanchett. Surely a serious contender for an Oscar. This has to be the first film I've seen by Allen that is not recognisable as a Woody Allen film. There is no character who is Woody by any other name. You forget his directorial style and ticks. But it is scarcely a comedy. It is I suppose, at best, a tragi-comedy about a woman destroyed by mishaps in her life.

Surely inspired by he aftermath of the Bernie Madoff affair and the plight of his wife, (though Woody denies it) this really is a very moving film.


Blue Jasmine - Official Trailer (HD) Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FER3C394aI8)

[Jericho]

The Wild Bunch (again).
Love the set-up to the final shoot-out (puts me in mind of the 'walk' in Reservoir Dogs).

[aprilian]

I compared the two versions of Solaris -I avoided watching the Steven Soderbergh version of Stanislaw Lem's novel from 2002 because Tarkovsky (1972) is one of my favourite directors even though he wasn't satisfied with the film. Soderbergh has filleted out the key element of Lem's book which fascinated Tarkovsky -what happens if humans are given extraordinary powers? In Solaris the impact of a distant planet on the consciousness can resurrect the dead, or give scientists the power to realise something previously beyond their ability -it drives the scientists on the space station to madness or a non-productive stasis -the psychologist who arrives to decide if the station should be shut down re-encounters a wife dead for ten years; ultimately he dispenses with her, but she re-appears, and at the end it isn't clear if Kelvin ever made it back to Earth...by contrast, Soderbergh is only interested in the love story of a man who re-discovers his wife and can't let her go. A superficial neutering of a story about absolute power. Tarkovsky returned to this theme with greater success in Stalker.
So true of many Hollywood movies. I go to the line "Without the love story, Titanic is just a movie about a sinking ship"

[robertlouis]

"Blue Jasmine", the newest Woody Allen movie with a quite wonderful performance by its leading lady Cate Blanchett. Surely a serious contender for an Oscar. This has to be the first film I've seen by Allen that is not recognisable as a Woody Allen film. There is no character who is Woody by any other name. You forget his directorial style and ticks. But it is scarcely a comedy. It is I suppose, at best, a tragi-comedy about a woman destroyed by mishaps in her life.

Surely inspired by he aftermath of the Bernie Madoff affair and the plight of his wife, (though Woody denies it) this really is a very moving film.





I rather fancy this film too, but in all the chaos of moving house it's almost certainly going to be another one to pick up later on DVD.

[ymb469]

Outpost 11. But just in general, movie4k.to... Click-throughs but nothing too bad...

[fred41]

Les Miserables (Tom Hooper, 2012)
Hugo's bloated novel at over 1,000 pages does at least allow some character development; it may be unfair to expect a musical, even one as tediously long as this to offer anything comparable in substance, but this train wreck of a film suggests the book of this musical is more a set of light sketches joined together by a diluted plot which has no drama.
Fatally, for a musical, it has only one memorable song, I dreamed a dream; in addition I think there are three upbeat numbers where everything else is a ballad, big mistake. It all sounds the same, from beginning to end. The male singers are all tenors, where a dark bass or baritone voice would have suited either Javert or Valjean, not least because both Russell Crowe and Hugh Jackman strain to reach the notes even in falsetto, though since they can't sing anyway this is an academic point. So on the big song Ann Hathway barks and sobs her way through it, not having had a coach to teach her how to either sing, or phrase a word. One of the songs, the one at the end sung by Valjean a reprise from earlier on, is frankly too close to the Humming Chorus of Puccini's Madama Butterfly (it closes Act II).

Think of the great musicals -My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Oliver!, South Pacific, The King and I, heavens even The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins -they all have five or six hit songs, there are happy songs, ballads, dance routines, choruses, songs for sopranos, songs for baritones, and so on and so on. What does Les Miserables have?
I screamed a scream...

Stavros, I figured I'd try to review this film from a perspective of someone who actually liked the musical. I saw it on Broadway and watched the Broadcast of the 25th anniversary of the show on PBS...and loved it.

Well...I can't give a complete critique of the film because I didn't get very far. I made it a third of the way through then I turned it off. It's bad. Why?...because they put together a cast with enough modern day star power that seemed like a perfect fit on paper. It seemed like a good cast for a Les Miserables movie...and it is....if you want to make yet another film based on the Victor Hugo novel..(what the hell - there's already a ton out there, why not one more ..right?).
...but it doesn't work as a musical. They chose hammy overacting to the music...which is always a fatal mistake. Everything Stavros said is pretty much true. Russell Crowe can't sing any better than the average person belting out a tune in their car on the way to work....and at the very least, they should have picked an actor who was perhaps a Baritone (watch the Norm Lewis version of Javert in the 25 anniversary edtion...he's the actor that plays Sen. Davis, Kerry Washington's former love interest in the television show "Scandal"). Anne Hathaway sobs her way through the centerpiece song to the point where you can barely feel the music through her snot filled diction.
I will probably try this movie again at a later date to view Samantha Barks as Eponine (I'll just fast forward)...she's got a good voice and she's a total cutie-pie.
That's it.

[Odelay]

I was one of the countless hoard who saw Gravity this weekend. The movie runs 90 minutes, the plot is spare and simple, and 98% of the dialogue is spoken by only two characters, which makes the movie an example of storytelling stripped down to bare essentials.

No spoilers here, I'm just saying I think this movie lives up to the hype and good reviews it's getting.

[Prospero]

Re Les Miserables. I got only about 15 minutes in before turning it off. Terrible. Can't say if it has any good songs. But I've never heard any and it has been around as a stage show for years.

[fred41]

Re Les Miserables. I got only about 15 minutes in before turning it off. Terrible. Can't say if it has any good songs. But I've never heard any and it has been around as a stage show for years.

If you didn't like the music to begin with, why would you even for a moment think that a movie version of the musical (featuring the exact same music...it's not like they were going to add any new tunes...lol) would even stand a chance of appealing to you?

[Ben]

Documentary: Long Distance Revolutionary....

[Tiffany Starr]

I watched Mulan. Apparently Audrina has never seen a bunch of the classic disney movies and since Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD remix just came out I made her watch some, but then when we arrived at Mulan I realized I have never seen that movie either. So we sat down and watched it together.

[Prospero]

I stated to watch Les Miserables for professional reasons, fred. (As a judge for a film and TV award)

[fred41]

I stated to watch Les Miserables for professional reasons, fred. (As a judge for a film and TV award)

Oh, cool then.
That did not occur to me, sorry.

[tsmirandameadows]

Documentary: Long Distance Revolutionary....

This is going to make me come off like a terrible person but I always have to laugh hysterically whenever I hear of Mumia. Why? When I was a teenager I lived in a group home for a couple of years -- that's partly why I chose to work in one as an adult -- and we had a staff, whose name escapes me and whose seemingly favorite tshirt was a "Free Mumia" shirt. One day, my best friend Chris had gotten in trouble for something and the staff in question, wearing her favorite shirt, was trying to give him consequences. He became enraged and then said something I'll never forget "Fuck you, I hope Mumia fries in the electric chair! Fry Mumia! Fry Mumia!" So now, over a decade later, whenever I hear of Mumia Abu-Jamal, all I can think is "Fry Mumia!"

Chris also had an episode where the house clinician, who had recently announced that his wife was pregnant, had pissed him off. The conversation proceeded like so: "Fuck you, Brad: I hope your baby is autistic!" "Chris, do you need a time out?" "AUTISTIC!" "In your room?" "AUTISTIC AUTISTIC AUTISTIC!!!"

Good times. :D

[tsmirandameadows]

I watched Mulan. Apparently Audrina has never seen a bunch of the classic disney movies and since Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD remix just came out I made her watch some, but then when we arrived at Mulan I realized I have never seen that movie either. So we sat down and watched it together.

Mulan was pretty cool as a kid but I couldn't stand it as an adult. "Is honor so important that it's worth dying for?!" Uh, yeah, that's kind of the point... I donno, maybe I just read too much of Classical literature, and too much of folks like Plato and Vergil rubbed off on me, while in college.

[Stavros]

Stavros, I figured I'd try to review this film from a perspective of someone who actually liked the musical. I saw it on Broadway and watched the Broadcast of the 25th anniversary of the show on PBS...and loved it.

Well...I can't give a complete critique of the film because I didn't get very far. I made it a third of the way through then I turned it off. It's bad. Why?...because they put together a cast with enough modern day star power that seemed like a perfect fit on paper. It seemed like a good cast for a Les Miserables movie...and it is....if you want to make yet another film based on the Victor Hugo novel..(what the hell - there's already a ton out there, why not one more ..right?).
...but it doesn't work as a musical. They chose hammy overacting to the music...which is always a fatal mistake. Everything Stavros said is pretty much true. Russell Crowe can't sing any better than the average person belting out a tune in their car on the way to work....and at the very least, they should have picked an actor who was perhaps a Baritone (watch the Norm Lewis version of Javert in the 25 anniversary edtion...he's the actor that plays Sen. Davis, Kerry Washington's former love interest in the television show "Scandal"). Anne Hathaway sobs her way through the centerpiece song to the point where you can barely feel the music through her snot filled diction.
I will probably try this movie again at a later date to view Samantha Barks as Eponine (I'll just fast forward)...she's got a good voice and she's a total cutie-pie.
That's it.

To be fair I could also have mentioned Samantha Barks as I thought she was the best thing in it, but her character just fades away and is another example of how poorly conceived this thing is. But I do understand your frustration -I am a snob who prefers opera, yet I recognise it is a niche entertainment and most people would rather go and see a show, and that must be the strength of musicals, and Americans can usually put on a show better than most others even if the London stage has a good reputation. Another disappointment is the lack of originality, choosing the well-trodden route of musicalising a book or historical figure rather than creating a musical from an orginal concept. But I am not sure if Les Miserables could have been saved even with good singers. Lea Salonga on youtube somewhere shows how to make I Dreamed a Dream sound as good as it should be, its even worth listening to more than once.

So what do you think have been the best musicals on film? I ask because I saw a recent clip of the 'classic' West Side Story and thought the singing was rough in too many places...

[fred41]

So what do you think have been the best musicals on film? I ask because I saw a recent clip of the 'classic' West Side Story and thought the singing was rough in too many places...

Well Stavros....I had a long rambling and babbling answering I was typing out...was well into the fifth or so paragraph..when I hit the wrong key and lost it all. Probably for the best since it may not really have answered your question.

The short answer is: I'm probably not well qualified to answer this question since I really don't enjoy what could be termed as a typical classic style musical. Sure I enjoy a good song and a skilled performance of such, but I much prefer a straightforward story with regular dialogue.

So before I go on, I've got to know: are you asking me which Hollywood adaptation of a Broadway type musical did I enjoy or at least find successful...or do you mean any Hollywood musicals (with the full realization that an awful lot of early American films including comedies had ample musical numbers)?

[Ben in LA]

The Day After Tomorrow.

It was on when I woke up from dozing off - and it was such good movie when I saw it originally - so what the hell? I watched it again.

[onetluv]

pain and gain.hella good movie..my favorite movie with the rock (dwane Johnson) so far.finally plays a bad guy.hes a freakin beast in that movie..probly the biggest hes ever been.he looks freakin massive.but yea..really good movie tho..based on a true story.well worth the dollar sumthing to rent from the redbox.

[Prospero]

Just saw "The Railway Man" a forthcoming film about Eric Lomax, based n his true story. he was captured at Singapore by the Japanese and suffered terrible treatment. A very powerful and emotional film about coming to terms with the past.

The Railway Man - Official Trailer [HD] Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NbJG5HhWWE)

[Prospero]

Re Musicals on film. For me there are only a few great ones. My personal favourite is "My Fair Lady" though Audrey Hepburn (who is gorgeous) didn't sing her part. I also loved "Cabaret" Few modern musicials work for me.

[Stavros]

Well Stavros....I had a long rambling and babbling answering I was typing out...was well into the fifth or so paragraph..when I hit the wrong key and lost it all. Probably for the best since it may not really have answered your question.

The short answer is: I'm probably not well qualified to answer this question since I really don't enjoy what could be termed as a typical classic style musical. Sure I enjoy a good song and a skilled performance of such, but I much prefer a straightforward story with regular dialogue.

So before I go on, I've got to know: are you asking me which Hollywood adaptation of a Broadway type musical did I enjoy or at least find successful...or do you mean any Hollywood musicals (with the full realization that an awful lot of early American films including comedies had ample musical numbers)?

Fred its up to you, make a list. Here is one:

Best Overall - concept, film, music:
Yankee Doodle Dandy (Michael Curtiz 1942)
-Cagney is awesome in this film which to me is also one of the best films ever made about 'America' and is part of that tradition of America as a land of joy which one finds in Walt Whitman.

Best Original Musical for film: The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939)
-based on a book but was a film before it was done on stage.

Best Adapted Musical for Film: South Pacific (195-eight)
I was taken to see this in the days when a band played in the pit before the movie started, but South Pacific not only has a lot of great songs, it was I think the first film made after the Hay's Code was dropped, allowing a 'white man' to kiss a 'non-white woman' on screen...

Eccentric Choice: Mean Streets (Scorsese, 1973) someone I used to know even claimed it was an opera.

Worst Musical ever made: remarkably, the once fashionable French director Alain Resnais made two of the most excruciating musicals ever tossed at the public: Pas sur la Bouche (2003) and On Connait le Chanson (1997) which deserves to sink like a stone to the bottom of the sewer because Jane Birkin is in it (see below)

Frances Langford & James Cagney - Over There - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0K551W0fzk&list=TLyZtQ2kKZGxhUh-_XeLx37oL5Q-i1_imf)


* Pas sur la Bouche * Not On The Lips - (2003) Alain Resnais - (English & Spanish Subtitles) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNF8o2Bazzs)

On Connaît la Chanson | Same Old Song (1997) - Alain Resnais - Trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbLp_FtdeJU&list=TLXGrQv8c6rktEyhtqh4rLLTq0HCJUyQKB)

[fred41]

Fred its up to you, make a list. Here is one:

Best Overall - concept, film, music:
Yankee Doodle Dandy (Michael Curtiz 1942)
-Cagney is awesome in this film which to me is also one of the best films ever made about 'America' and is part of that tradition of America as a land of joy which one finds in Walt Whitman.

Best Original Musical for film: The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939)
-based on a book but was a film before it was done on stage.

Best Adapted Musical for Film: South Pacific (195-eight)
I was taken to see this in the days when a band played in the pit before the movie started, but South Pacific not only has a lot of great songs, it was I think the first film made after the Hay's Code was dropped, allowing a 'white man' to kiss a 'non-white woman' on screen...

Eccentric Choice: Mean Streets (Scorsese, 1973) someone I used to know even claimed it was an opera.

Worst Musical ever made: remarkably, the once fashionable French director Alain Resnais made two of the most excruciating musicals ever tossed at the public: Pas sur la Bouche (2003) and On Connait le Chanson (1997) which deserves to sink like a stone to the bottom of the sewer because Jane Birkin is in it (see below)


Most musicals I've seen where on a black and white tube T.V. as a child...so I'm going to have to mostly go by distant memory here.

First introduction in the musical world for most children are the Disney animated films...I liked most of them and couldn't pick a favorite, but the most memorable song (and one that sort of represents the franchise)would probably have to be "When You Wish Upon A Star"..by Jiminey Cricket (from Pinocchio..one of Disney's darkest animated films..for the tots..lol).

Growing up there were musicals that you watched traditionally...such as the previously mentioned "Wizard of OZ" (at least once a year in our house)...which has stood the test of time as a great musical...with "Over the Rainbow" being a beautiful song sung in a beautiful way by Judy Garland)..Then many a Thanksgiving/ Christmas time we watched "March of the Wooden Soldiers" ..though I'm not sure which of the many renditions of the original (Babes in Toyland) it was...and I wouldn't put it anywhere near the same category as "The Wizard of OZ"...but I liked it as a child...as I like most Laurel and Hardy films even now.

I did enjoy Gene Kelly movies...but can only remember seeing two musicals - "Anchors Aweigh" (also with Frank Sinatra)...and "Singin' in the Rain" (of which I can only remember the signature song).

I will also say that one of my favorite movie musicals had been "The King and I" (1956) starring Yul Brynner with Deborah Kerr playing the part of Anna (previously played by Gertrude Lawrence in the Broadway production). Like you, I also liked "South Pacific" but have only seen it quite recently after watching a 2001 television remake with Glenn Close...inspiring me to watch the original.

My favorite musical comedy would be "Young Frankenstein"by Mel Brooks..(yeah, yeah...I know some people don't like him, but this is a funny movie).


Re Musicals on film. For me there are only a few great ones. My personal favourite is "My Fair Lady" though Audrey Hepburn (who is gorgeous) didn't sing her part. I also loved "Cabaret" Few modern musicials work for me.

I didn't like "My Fair Lady" the first time I saw it in early adolescense...thought it was a bit stuffy,..but appreciated it very much a couple of years later (probably realized how beautiful Miss Hepburn really was) when I saw it again.
"Cabaret" I had a problem with only because I'm not a huge fan of Liza Minnelli...but may watch it again one of these days.

Most modern day musicals on film (whether originating in the theater or not)..I can't even get through, often including critically acclaimed ones such as "Moulin Rouge".

[Prospero]

Moulin Rouge induced nausea. I also hate so-called "jukebox" musicals on film (onstage they're tolerable as a thinly dramatised clutch of hit songs.) I agree with Stavros regading The Wizard of Oz and also think Guys and Dolls one of the finest musicals written but that the film vrsion was somewhat thin.

[Stavros]

Most musicals I've seen where on a black and white tube T.V. as a child...so I'm going to have to mostly go by distant memory here.

First introduction in the musical world for most children are the Disney animated films...I liked most of them and couldn't pick a favorite, but the most memorable song (and one that sort of represents the franchise)would probably have to be "When You Wish Upon A Star"..by Jiminey Cricket (from Pinocchio..one of Disney's darkest animated films..for the tots..lol).



I had forgotten the Disney films, I also now realise they must have been some of my first musical films -Fantasia, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and so on. It wasn't even snobbery on my part, just forgetfulness!!

[Jimmy W]

Just watched LOVELACE with Amanda Seyfreid on dvd. other than the fact that she was naked a lot, which was great, the story was surprisingly dull and predictable which was not great. They also made the mistake of including Eric Roberts in a brief cameo which made me think, shit, STAR 80 was so much better than this.

[RallyCola]

i just saw apollo 18. it was not something i'd recommend or ever watch again.

i also saw the watch the other day. i generally hate ben stiller and really almost always hate vince vaughn but for a stupid concept and as a costco shopper...i found it quite funny.

[Prospero]

"Philomena" a new film directed by Stephen Frears based on a true story by the former journalist and soin doctor matin Sixsmith. it details tehe search by an irish woman for her son, taken for adoption as a toddler by nuns in ireland. Heartbreaking but with a vein of humour that lightens the story. Great performances by Judy Dench and Steve Coogan who goes from strength to strength as a comedic actor.

He was at the screening. Nice guy.

Philomena TRAILER 1 (2013) - Judi Dench, Steve Coogan Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZQkETG0aJ0)

[darkrose2000]

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

Not the best movie you can watch, but a nice for evening watch.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1538403/)

[rockabilly]

This is the End

[Stavros]

Captain Phillips (Paul Greengrass 2013)
Reliable Greengrass thriller based on true events although some members of the crew dispute the version Phillips has published and are suing. Has come out at the same time as a book on one of the Maersk container ships which may owe more to journalistic licence than even this film (Rose George: Ninety Percent of Everything). In real life more hostages are taken back to Somalia, mostly not Americans, and some pirates have ventured out as far as 800 miles to hijack ships, and it is ugly, but the film does bring out the chaotic nature of the event and manages to make the pirates look pathetic, having claimed they turned to piracy because of over-fishing undermining their traditional way of life, yet making millions from piracy without actually seeing much of the dosh.
Compelling performance from Tom Hanks. Worth seeing.

[Prospero]

British actors usually fare badly when they try to emulate an American accent. They usual offer a United States of accents with bits of California, New York and the deep south all scrambled together.

However few crimes against English as she is spoke compare to that committed by Dick Van Dyke in "Mary Poppins". So it is hardly surprising that at an industry screening of the new film about Walt Disney's fight to win the rights to make Poppins the one moment that the entire audience were in accord - and laughed together - was when a clip of Dick as the chimney sweep was fetuared in the film. "Saving Mr Banks" is a Disney film about how Uncle Walt fought with thew writer of Mary Poppins, the prim english woman P L Travers for the rights to make the film. Hanks play Disney and Emma Thompson is crisp and rather funny as Travers. It's all a bit sugar coated though for this is a Disney film. Who else could make it. But the director says it was conceived and scripted before being thrown over the wall to the Disney executives to decide if they'd let it live or kill it. They gave it the thumbs up and they were very hands-off in the making of the movie. The one stricture. Disney could not be seen to smoke on-screen (Disney films now never feature smoking) even though in reality he was a chain smoker.

The meaning of the title becomes clear as you watch the film. To explain would spoil a key element.

Saving Mr. Banks Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Tom Hanks Movie - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5kYmrjongg)

[maxpower]

British actors usually fare badly when they try to emulate an American accent. They usual offer a United States of accents with bits of California, New York and the deep south all scrambled together.


I think Gary Oldman does good American accents, as does Tom Wilkinson. Russell Crowe, too (I know he isn't British).

[Stavros]

Gattaca (Andrew Niccol, 1997).
Tepid film of swapped identities set in the future; the parallels between brother-brother an brother-surrogate don't work, but the film is quite well written and nicely filmed.

World War Z (Marc Foster, 2013)
A rabid virus is turning humans into zombies, the world is on the verge of extinction and only one man can save us...and no, he isn't a no-nonsense soldier or a scientist but someone who used to work for and is now re-recruited by the UN, maybe the first time this world organisation achieves hero status? On the other hand, it is a disaster movie...

A Late Quartet (Yaron Zilberman, 2012)
I don't know how many bars there are in Beethoven's String Quartet op 131, but they are outnumbered by the cliches in this underwhelming stage play which struggles to match the oh-so-profound depths of Beethoven with the less-than-profound insights into the dynamics of a string quartet about to implode. The climax of the film is both unprofessional, and embarrassing, even if Christopher Walken as usual is endlessly watchable. Bizarrely, Angelo Badalementi was asked to write the background music, as if Beethoven wasn't good enough, and has his soupy drivel (even if derived from Op 131) interspersed with the quartet to alarming effect. One interesting rarity is Marietta's Lied from Korngold's Die Tote Stadt scored for soprano and piano quartet (dead wife is the clue). A great pity the author decided to focus on the tedious conflict between the First and Second violins, when a few viola jokes might have given this deadly serious drama some levity before sentencing itself to death, vide:

What's the difference between a viola and an onion? No one cries when you cut up a viola.

Why do violists stand for long periods outside people's houses? They can't find the key and they don't know when to come in.

What's the difference between a washing machine and a violist? Vibrato.

A Late Quartet - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENY4dNhoUpk)

[Prospero]

I am not entirely sure if the HBO mini-series "Burning Bush" directed by the Polish film maker Agnieszka Holland quite counts as a movie. It is a contender for an award in the European Film Awards so i guess so.

Anyway it is nearly four hours long and for me echoes the excellence of "The Lives Of Others' in its portrait of life in Communist eastern Europe. This is set in the immediate aftermath of the self-immolation in 1969 of the student jan Palach in protest at the Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia after the crushing of the Prague Spring.. Brilliantly acted and directed it is a powerful and uneasy film to watch. In Czech with sub-titles.

Right now I've no idea where and when it will get a public screening but catch it when it does. Brilliant.

HBO "Burning Bush" Full-Length International Trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlvshoNsY7g)

[RallyCola]

I had to force my wife to watch blade runner last night...at 32, she still have never seen it. so, while having to explain relevance and interject opinion throughout the movie to keep her interested, i was able to find new joy in that most excellent film

[bluesoul]

I had to force my wife to watch blade runner last night...at 32, she still have never seen it. so, while having to explain relevance and interject opinion throughout the movie to keep her interested, i was able to find new joy in that most excellent film

i've also never seen that film- despite being a big fan of science fiction. i always get to the point where rutger hauer is shouting with some dude then i fall asleep/loss interest/turn it off (take your pick).

i also hate prometheus and gladiator. i kinda have this "i hate" feeling for almost everything ridley scott does

[Stavros]

Is there a definitive version on Blade Runner? I looked for it in the two shops we have in my town (an HMV and a brilliant independent) but neither have it. I saw it once when it was released and didn't like it but understand the studio messed around with it. I wanted to revisit it. Also thinking of revisiting Apocalypse Now but there seem to be three versions of this film, which I detested every time I saw the first version, it being incoherent.

[broncofan]

Just saw Paths of Glory with Kirk Douglas. It is probably my favorite Kubrick movie (now that I've seen them all), though I'm sure not too many rate it as highly. Whereas Dr. Strangelove posed some interesting questions about the balance of terror during the cold war, it drove home its point by being intentionally absurd. Paths of Glory on the other hand only contains the tracest amounts of humor, and is really a more serious portrayal of the hypocrisy of generals and the unrealistic expectations placed on soldiers that have been sent on a virtual suicide mission. It is obviously an anti-war movie but is so effective because of its subtlety and greater restraint. Highly recommended.

I also saw Apocalypse Now and though it had some stirring moments and was at times visually spectacular, the message wasn't coherent. Coppola wanted to make a modernized version of Heart of Darkness, but the scenes with Brando didn't provide much clarity on what Coppola wanted to say except in the most general way. Was Kurtz to be commended for his honesty? Was his killing ordered only because nobody wanted to admit that his brutal ways were an honest expression of the war we were waging?

[TSBootyLondon]

Movie day today...

Waited patiently for the release of both World War Z and The Purge (Purchased both last week and only today found me time to watch them)...
I have mixed views on both

Enjoyed them both however there were so many OTT parts in WWZ that they spoiled the over-all movie as a whole.

Enjoyed The Purge more of the 2 x Found myself wondering if I would hunt down and purge someone if it were in fact a reality! :-)

[TSBootyLondon]

PS has anyone watched Liberachi? (poorly spelt)

[TabStorm]

finally watched World War Z
It was pretty good

[Stavros]

Just saw Paths of Glory with Kirk Douglas. It is probably my favorite Kubrick movie (now that I've seen them all), though I'm sure not too many rate it as highly. Whereas Dr. Strangelove posed some interesting questions about the balance of terror during the cold war, it drove home its point by being intentionally absurd. Paths of Glory on the other hand only contains the tracest amounts of humor, and is really a more serious portrayal of the hypocrisy of generals and the unrealistic expectations placed on soldiers that have been sent on a virtual suicide mission. It is obviously an anti-war movie but is so effective because of its subtlety and greater restraint. Highly recommended.

I also saw Apocalypse Now and though it had some stirring moments and was at times visually spectacular, the message wasn't coherent. Coppola wanted to make a modernized version of Heart of Darkness, but the scenes with Brando didn't provide much clarity on what Coppola wanted to say except in the most general way. Was Kurtz to be commended for his honesty? Was his killing ordered only because nobody wanted to admit that his brutal ways were an honest expression of the war we were waging?

Paths of Glory is based on true events and a book written by a US veteran of the First World War. In real life the families of the executed men sued after the war, and two were awarded the sum of One Franc in compensation. Kubrick shot most of the film in Germany and the singer in the cafe at the end became his third wife (Christiane Harlan I think). Paths of Glory was also an example of Kubrick's mania for taking take after take after take driving both Adolphe Menjou and Kirk Douglas into paroxysms of verbal fury. Although the finest of Kubrick's films when seen in isolation from the rest, it does begin Kubrick's obnoxious repetition of his negative view on life which he labours throughout the rest of his ouevre, films in which there is no sense of love among people, no sense of fellowship or community, but where love is false, if it exists at all, and people are motivated by selfishness, aggression and hate. One part of reality, but not the whole part.

Coppola either did not understand Conrad's Heart of Darkness, or Conrad's astonishing tale is simply too complex to film, as it contains at least three layers of narrative in which the actual heart of the darkness referred to may be right there on the Thames where it begins and ends, rather than in Africa. Apocalypse Now is not about Vietnam anyway, but it might be about the US experience in Vietnam, which is not the same thing.

[broncofan]

Although the finest of Kubrick's films when seen in isolation from the rest, it does begin Kubrick's obnoxious repetition of his negative view on life
.
I think I read in one of the few interviews Kubrick gave that he believed many viewers came to the theaters requiring a positive ending to feel fulfilled by a movie and that providing the opposite was more true to life. The problem with this fetish is that it is just as reductive as providing a positive ending each time, and becomes a cliché of its own eventually. I agree with the rest of what you say.

Kubrick was from what I've read a family man, although his daughter Vivian split around the time of his death and became a scientologist, never to be seen again. Disappointing that he was unable to demonstrate any of that empathy in his character's interactions. He wrote his daughter a 40 page letter to win her back to the family when she began her estrangement; though showing his trademark obsessiveness, it sounds to me like a very sentimental act. However, probably for misguided ideological reasons, none of that human love ever made its way into his films.

[bluesoul]

Is there a definitive version on Blade Runner? I looked for it in the two shops we have in my town (an HMV and a brilliant independent) but neither have it.

check Amazon.com: Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition): Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, Ridley Scott: Movies & TV@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Q9Llnb5fL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Q9Llnb5fL (http://www.amazon.com/Runner-Five-Disc-Ultimate-Collectors-Edition/dp/B000K15VSA)

[Stavros]

I think I read in one of the few interviews Kubrick gave that he believed many viewers came to the theaters requiring a positive ending to feel fulfilled by a movie and that providing the opposite was more true to life. The problem with this fetish is that it is just as reductive as providing a positive ending each time, and becomes a cliché of its own eventually. I agree with the rest of what you say.

Kubrick was from what I've read a family man, although his daughter Vivian split around the time of his death and became a scientologist, never to be seen again. Disappointing that he was unable to demonstrate any of that empathy in his character's interactions. He wrote his daughter a 40 page letter to win her back to the family when she began her estrangement; though showing his trademark obsessiveness, it sounds to me like a very sentimental act. However, probably for misguided ideological reasons, none of that human love ever made its way into his films.

On the one hand it might be said there aren't that many lovable people laughs in Bergman's films, but there is love in many of them, particularly in the 1950s, and he approaches his films from within the conflicts in his own life between the austere Christian discipline of his childhood, the escape into theatre, and the less-discussed issue of ambiguous sexuality -there aren't that many such complexities in Kubrick. I think he enjoyed the technology of making films more than the stories.

[Stavros]

check Amazon.com: Blade Runner (Five-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition): Harrison Ford, Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, Ridley Scott: Movies & TV (http://www.amazon.com/Runner-Five-Disc-Ultimate-Collectors-Edition/dp/B000K15VSA)

I might go for the 'All-new final cut' but I am not buying every version, that's OTT.

[Stavros]

Straw Dogs (Sam Peckinpah, 1971)
I did not see the film when it was released, and I think I have the uncut version, not that it matters, I didn't miss much in the intervening years, and what I did wasn't worth seeing.

[maxpower]

I might go for the 'All-new final cut' but I am not buying every version, that's OTT.


The "Final Cut" version is supposedly Ridley Scott's final, definitive version of the film. The 1982 US theatrical version is the one where Scott had to cave to pressure from the studio. They insisted on voice-over narration by Harrison Ford because they believed the movie would be too confusing to audiences without it, and it has a more upbeat, less ambiguous ending. It's interesting to compare them. I think at this point, any Blade Runner DVD/Blu-Ray that you find will contain multiple versions of the film in the package. You don't have to get the aluminum case, though.

[broncofan]

On the one hand it might be said there aren't that many lovable people laughs in Bergman's films, but there is love in many of them, particularly in the 1950s, and he approaches his films from within the conflicts in his own life between the austere Christian discipline of his childhood, the escape into theatre, and the less-discussed issue of ambiguous sexuality -there aren't that many such complexities in Kubrick. I think he enjoyed the technology of making films more than the stories.
I've only seen the Seventh Seal and the message was at times stark and at other times uplifting. When Max Van Sydow is sitting there eating the milk and strawberries with the young family and talking about how that moment made his reprieve worthwhile, we get a sense of how human love can be a great comfort in moments of existential despair. I haven't seen any other Bergman films besides the Seventh Seal but there was sort of bittersweet ethos, emanating between despair and optimism.

With the exception of maybe Barry Lyndon, Kubrick hardly dealt with normal human interaction at all. This is clearly a shortcoming in his ability to develop a story; both in his choice of subject matter, and his evident inability to show the lighter side of humanity.

[broncofan]

I have to admit I was not awed by Bladerunner. I was interested for forty minutes and then became bored. It seemed like an interesting portrayal of the future and a relevant concept with the machines knowing their expiration date and trying to find their creator. I guess I just don't have the temperament for science fiction.

[bluesoul]

prometheus: a bunch of lunckhead scientist types go to a planet to meet a giant christianxxx then get killed. really bad.

goodfellas: ray liotta joins the mob. really fun film. scorsese killed it (then nailed it to the wall) did anyone notice debra mazar was liotta's fucktoy? yummy!

hitchcock: okay. remember when you were in school and someone did an impression of someone else and you thought "yep. that's him" but they didn't do it for too long because it wasn't a good enough impression? well- this movie is that- except it's like 2hrs long. embarrassingly bad. but helen mirren is gorgeous. i actually masturbated to her at one point during this film

[Falrune]

Cat People - the 1981 remake of the 1942 pic by the same name. The David Bowie song was there first, before it hit Inglorious Basterds or however it's spelled. Nastassja Kinski was really very good in it, and Malcolm McDowell was also a bit more sympathetic than usual. A bit too subdued, but still a good watch.

[Stavros]

Cloud Atlas (Tykwer, Wachowski & Wachowski 2012)

Fantastic production of the book which does not amount to a drop of water in the ocean. The one cute device in a film part-directed by Lana Wachowski is the use of the same actor in multiple roles and particularly trans-gendering, not that it makes it any more interesting to watch. Ben Whishaw a compelling actor. Is it just me or is Tom Hanks improving as he gets older?


Cloud Atlas Extended Trailer #1 (2012) - Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Wachowski Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWnAqFyaQ5s)

[darkrose2000]

Cloud Atlas (Tykwer, Wachowski & Wachowski 2012)

Fantastic production of the book which does not amount to a drop of water in the ocean. The one cute device in a film part-directed by Lana Wachowski is the use of the same actor in multiple roles and particularly trans-gendering, not that it makes it any more interesting to watch. Ben Whishaw a compelling actor. Is it just me or is Tom Hanks improving as he gets older?



Completely agree and great movie indeed.

For the protocol - Just made my first attempt to start watching this Breaking bad series.
Watched the 1st episode last night, will see... :)


Regards,
K.

[Prospero]

I am watching, at great leisure, Friday Night Lights. It simply does not make me any more interested in American football (for football as you Americans prefer to call it0 Give me soccer any day - and i don't even enjoy that!

Next up - sometime in 2014 - Breaking Bad

[Gina Valentine]

Boris Karloff's "Black Sabbath" last night. It was terrible!! But, so creepy. I loved it!

[trish]

The Counselor (director Ridley Scott and screenplay by Cormac McCarthy).
You have to listen to this movie. Wonderful lines, dialog and monologs...some delivered by even the most minor characters. (NPR complained the dialog was realistic, that no one would say those things in those ways. I agree. But that doesn't detract from Shakespeare, nor does it detract from McCarthy.)

[trish]

oops! NPR complained the dialog was NOT realistic. (Why oh why can't we edit our posts???)

[txjr3]

Prometheus. Made virtually no sense. And I LOVE the Alien movies.

[Prospero]

Prometheus was utter crud, wasn't it.

[tsadriana]

The White House Down and The call both brilliant movies.

[Stavros]

Blade Runner -the Final Cut
An improvement on the original release, but there isn't much to it once you see the same skyline over and over again, and the crowded, rainy streets. The acting is wooden, the content slight -replicants designed to be useful have become a menace, merely another version of Frankenstein- and the lead character may even be a replicant himself. Even Rutger Hauer fails to match the deliciously wild persona that he presented so well in The Hitcher. The film is set in 2019 which is now too close, maybe 2219 would be more appropriate but surely the sun will shine brighter then? I wonder if Ridley Scott has a problem with science and rationality?

[trish]

On Blade Runner (beware of spoilers):

It does raise the issue of whether some sort of Turing Test is an adequate measure of a sort of generalized “humanity.” The test Deckard uses requires over a hundred questions before he can be confident that Rachael is a replicant. Will distinguishing human from replicant eventually become intractable? If so, what will that mean? Rachael asks if Deckard ever terminated a human by mistake. He doesn’t answer. At one point in the movie, a replicant (Pris) poses as an automaton to avoid detection; an example of an artificial human actually attempting to fail the Turing Test and failing to fail as her act seems to raise Deckard’s suspicions. We don’t even know in the end whether Deckard himself is artificial or not. He dreams of a unicorn. If it’s a dream and not an implant, why did Gaff leave an origami unicorn in his apartment?

Of course the film has it’s flaws. If the replicants can withstand extreme heat and extreme cold (plunging their hands into boiling water and liquid nitrogen) wouldn’t there be easier ways to detect them? The film avoids this question precisely because it wants to focus on the notion of the Turing Test.

Explorations of morality what a creation owes its maker are explored in the characters of Tyrell and Sebastian.

Besides the exquisitely depicted dark dystopian future, the movie has some good lines.
From the “I want more life, fucker” to the Roy’s death speech at the movie's climax.

I give it a thumbs up.

[Stavros]

Hmmmm...I didn't see it from your point of view not knowing anything about the Turing Test, although that again raises the question of Scott's interest in, or antipathy to science and rationality -is he saying you can't use science to ascertain the truth of a person? After all Deckard tends to kill rather than reason, with one exception, albeit a 'woman', and then it is love/lust rather than reason that takes over. Also there is the theme of the rebel, which I assume is meant to cast Deckard as the hero. I can't agree that anything much is explored in the characters of either Tyrell or Sebastian, it also seems odd that a man so rich in so violent a world as Tyrell lives in would be so accessible to strangers. Even though I understand the play on identity -the photos in Deckard's apartment are surely from a different century?- it doesn't go deep enough for me, but I don't think Scott is a deep thinker anyway so maybe this is as good as it gets.

[trish]

To paraphrase Turing (perhaps to the point of distortion, for the purpose of discussion) if an artificial intelligence could pass as a human, then we should regard it as a truly intelligent being.
is he saying you can't use science to ascertain the truth of a person?(my parenthesis). Or perhaps Scott and Phillip K Dick are saying that the alleged moral borders demarcating artificial minds from real minds are conventional, questionable and perhaps too intractably difficult to delineate. Maybe at some point there is no border.


I can't agree that anything much is explored in the characters of either Tyrell or SebastianI admit to being imprecise. Rather than the character of the characters it's the symbolism of those characters and their relationship to their creations. Sebastian reminds me of the Angel in Mark Twain's The Stranger. His creations are mangled and foolish, but he's sees no moral dilemma in that whatsoever. Tyrell is murdered by his creation. Aren't we supposed to honor our father and mother, and most of all our Creator? Roy is very much a Nietschean character.

You're right. The film could go deeper. But, for me at least, it's an invitation to delve. Thanks for your response.

[trish]

Addendum:

merely another version of Frankenstein-I always took the Frankenstein films to be saying that there are questions we should never ask and knowledge we'd be better off not knowing. We should not seek how to create life and we shouldn't create Frankenstein monsters. In my mind this interpretation goes hand in hand with the age in which the Frankenstein films were most popular; though the first was made in the early thirties it was screened over and over again in the 50's and 60's...the height of the cold war and our fear of atomic self-immolation. On the other hand, Blade Runner seems, to me, to say the opposite. The Nexus androids are not pitiful creatures better off never having existed. They are beautiful, intelligent and they know that slavery is wrong. Sebastian is Frankenstein. His creatures are monsters. But Tyrell is God.

[broncofan]

I saw the Counselor. I didn't enjoy it at all. I thought the dialogue was over-wrought and at times inappropriate for the medium. There were some interesting insights, but it seemed the point of every conversation was to impart them rather than advance the storyline. Some good scenes as well (don't want to give spoiler), but certain things came across as embarrassingly contrived and needing editing.

E.g. the Cameron Diaz hump the car scene and accompanying description, the conversation with the drug boss and Fassbender, Cameron Diaz in the confessional...this last one was a good idea because it showed how brazen she was, but it was not developed into anything compelling as the priest simply walked out before she could make him really uncomfortable.

[trish]

The Counselor reminds me of John Gardner's Grendel. The characters are dragons, monsters and Viking heroes. There can be no natural dialogue. Instead there are monologues. Their point is indeed to offer insights and advice ("collect gold...and hoard it"). Personally I love those moments (in any media) where a character essentially stops all action to deliberate upon a choice, or pontificate on the world from her perspective; i.e. to deliver a monologue (as in the scene with Fassbender and the drug boss; or those scenes in Deadwood where Swearengen would be delivered of his monologue by the hooker working on his pecker. However, I agree, it's not natural, realistic or typical to come across a conversation where the participants are spewing McCarthyesque dialogue.

[Prospero]

"Mandela" - Idris Elba cruising for an Oscar. Will post more tomorrow.

[Stavros]

Addendum:
I always took the Frankenstein films to be saying that there are questions we should never ask and knowledge we'd be better off not knowing. We should not seek how to create life and we shouldn't create Frankenstein monsters. In my mind this interpretation goes hand in hand with the age in which the Frankenstein films were most popular; though the first was made in the early thirties it was screened over and over again in the 50's and 60's...the height of the cold war and our fear of atomic self-immolation. On the other hand, Blade Runner seems, to me, to say the opposite. The Nexus androids are not pitiful creatures better off never having existed. They are beautiful, intelligent and they know that slavery is wrong. Sebastian is Frankenstein. His creatures are monsters. But Tyrell is God.

Mary Shelley's book is part of the romantic anti-capitalism which failed to come to terms with 'infernal machines' and which went to the 'next step' ie the creation of mechanical humans with no soul -a warning of unlimited development, and yes there is an analogy with the creation of nuclear devices which can destroy us all, but the context is different. The idea that the replicants in their 'natural' state are 'beautiful, intelligent' doesn't explain why they rebel and become so violent and of course become aware that they are not real. I haven't read Dick's story so I don't know how different it is from the film, but future worlds which are fiercely regimented and provoke rebellion seem common yet the film-makers are not radicals but conservative, as if the regimented society was pseudo-communist and rebellion a spark of individual justice seeking freedom even though in some cases, eg Blade Runner and Cloud Atlas, the 'masses' are sold on an extreme form of capitalism that provides everything, all rather confusing. I think as with Alien(s) and Predator Scott is contrasting modernisation with naturalism preferring the latter to the former even though the former enables him to make films. Wagner had this problem in the Ring -human love discarded for material gain destroys the world-fine; but to present it on stage Wagner needed, indeed, desired modern stage technology and, of course, money to put it all on. He never could square the contradiction, or anxious relationship between his need for material things and his worship of nature; it's one of the reasons his work continues to excite and challenge. As is also the case with Shelley. Next: how many transgendered people having invested in the physical alterations of their body are psychologically/emotionally satisfied with the results? (Even if they are not self-made Frankensteins!! -well, not all of them...)

[Stavros]

"Mandela" - Idris Elba cruising for an Oscar. Will post more tomorrow.

Perhaps you can find time to justify it; 'biopics' are usually a disaster.

[trish]

The idea that the replicants in their 'natural' state are 'beautiful, intelligent' doesn't explain why they rebel and become so violent and of course become aware that they are not real. No, but the idea that they are designed to be slaves with a four year lifespan might go some ways toward explaining their violent behavior. (I presume the off-world replicants are told from the get go that they are replicants and slaves.)

The question that first struck me while watching Alien for the first time was, "To what sort of evolutionary pressures must a creature respond in order to survive in the vacuum of space while drifting from one world it just conquered to another that it must conquer?" I think the film questions nature as much as modernization, which is after all a result of evolutionary forces as well. The film, I think, draws a parallel between evolution by natural selection and evolution of corporate entities through market selection. The results of either can be vicious.


Next: how many transgendered people having invested in the physical alterations of their body are psychologically/emotionally satisfied with the resultsWho among us is ever happy with our bodies? Perhaps it's different in the UK, but here we're always working to modify our bodies. Weight loss programs. Exercise routines. Diets. Liposuction. Tattoos. Electric razors. Electrolysis. Cosmetics. Collagen injections. Botox. Surgery. Surgery's not just for the transgender you know. In the US a girl under twelve without pierced ears is a rarity. I'm even less happy with my mind. I'm always listening to new music, reading new stories, learning new theories, trying different interpretations. Would we be human if we weren't doing these things?

I can see we'll probably have to agree to disagree on our assessment of Blade Runner's value as a film. Good night.

[Prospero]

I agree regarding biopics, Stavros. Biopics invariably require a simplification. (Though I do not have to "justify" anything.)

So then "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" which opens in the UK in January. Making a film about Nelson Mandela was surely going to present a film maker with a huge challenge - especially making one that emerges with the help and approval of the family. Mandela is probably the most revered public figure alive today. An objective and critical stance on him is a hard thing to achieve.

So true or simply good cinema? It cannot be just the latter. This man is, rightly, considered a giant of our time. True? Well - I do not have the background knowledge to assess it properly in that respect. But I think with the simplifications inherent in telling the story of a long and complex and controversial life in two hours and twenty minutes this is a bold and considerably successful venture.

Warts and all? To an extent, yes. The Mandela that emerges from this film is a man of depth and judgement and clearly a giant on the stage of African politics. That I think is a fact that cannot be denied even if history's judgement presents us with a more nuanced and critical view in the decades to come.

So emerging after this long epic I was impressed to find that I did not feel i had endured a simple hagiography, but one that I actually found moving and that did not ignore the earlier and darker sides to this man. So we see his bad treatment of his first wife, his womanising and his early approval of violence in the cause of the struggle for freedom (and the injustices that prompted this peaceable man to advocate violence for a time). . We also see the transformation of Winnie from loving wife and mother to cruel and intolerant demagogue. But we are also shown the reason that she became so case hardened.

That Mandela with the cruelties, humiliations and injustices did not become embittered and vengeful is already historical fact. The director Justin Chadwick and Idris Elba as Mandela doe justice to our vision of this man and offer an insightful portrayal of his complexities.

Elba especially inhabits the role with brilliance. That is what I meant with my remark about the Oscar. But I suspect any black actor would have given hi eye teeth for this role.

There is a cartoonish element to the film. The white South Africans are presented as, primarily, boorish Boers, bullies, brutes and rather one dimensional (with the exception of F W de Klerk and the deep and utterly intolerable day to day existence of the Black majority of South Africans under the cruelty of Apartheid is almost taken as something the audience already well understands. But the long history is mapped well and the film cuts well between the personal, the political and historical.

Africa is bathed in a gold light in the film - especially the opening in the Xhosa community from which Mandela emerged to become a young and eloquent lawyer. It is a bit too poetic. But it then gets into its stride and is absorbing.

As a portrait of a hero of our times it is as good a stab at the challenge as we are likely to get in a Hollywood film aiming at a mass audience.

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Idris Elba, Naomie Harris Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAglZjX3HOk)

[Stavros]

No, but the idea that they are designed to be slaves with a four year lifespan might go some ways toward explaining their violent behavior. (I presume the off-world replicants are told from the get go that they are replicants and slaves.)

The question that first struck me while watching Alien for the first time was, "To what sort of evolutionary pressures must a creature respond in order to survive in the vacuum of space while drifting from one world it just conquered to another that it must conquer?" I think the film questions nature as much as modernization, which is after all a result of evolutionary forces as well. The film, I think, draws a parallel between evolution by natural selection and evolution of corporate entities through market selection. The results of either can be vicious.

I can see we'll probably have to agree to disagree on our assessment of Blade Runner's value as a film. Good night.

Good morning, Trish. An eloquent reply as usual with some interesting points. By coincidence Aliens (James Cameron, 1986) was on tv last night, not an advance on Scott's first film (Alien, 1979 -hard to believe it was that long ago but then Sigourney Weaver is older than me) but what I noticed for the first time is that the Aliens, which I used to think of as looking like insects close to locusts, actually resemble dragons. Just thought I would throw that in.

[Stavros]

I agree regarding biopics, Stavros. Biopics invariably require a simplification. (Though I do not have to "justify" anything.)

So then "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" which opens in the UK in January. Making a film about Nelson Mandela was surely going to present a film maker with a huge challenge - especially making one that emerges with the help and approval of the family. Mandela is probably the most revered public figure alive today. An objective and critical stance on him is a hard thing to achieve.

So true or simply good cinema? It cannot be just the latter. This man is, rightly, considered a giant of our time. True? Well - I do not have the background knowledge to assess it properly in that respect. But I think with the simplifications inherent in telling the story of a long and complex and controversial life in two hours and twenty minutes this is a bold and considerably successful venture.

Warts and all? To an extent, yes. The Mandela that emerges from this film is a man of depth and judgement and clearly a giant on the stage of African politics. That I think is a fact that cannot be denied even if history's judgement presents us with a more nuanced and critical view in the decades to come.

So emerging after this long epic I was impressed to find that I did not feel i had endured a simple hagiography, but one that I actually found moving and that did not ignore the earlier and darker sides to this man. So we see his bad treatment of his first wife, his womanising and his early approval of violence in the cause of the struggle for freedom (and the injustices that prompted this peaceable man to advocate violence for a time). . We also see the transformation of Winnie from loving wife and mother to cruel and intolerant demagogue. But we are also shown the reason that she became so case hardened.

That Mandela with the cruelties, humiliations and injustices did not become embittered and vengeful is already historical fact. The director Justin Chadwick and Idris Elba as Mandela doe justice to our vision of this man and offer an insightful portrayal of his complexities.

Elba especially inhabits the role with brilliance. That is what I meant with my remark about the Oscar. But I suspect any black actor would have given hi eye teeth for this role.

There is a cartoonish element to the film. The white South Africans are presented as, primarily, boorish Boers, bullies, brutes and rather one dimensional (with the exception of F W de Klerk and the deep and utterly intolerable day to day existence of the Black majority of South Africans under the cruelty of Apartheid is almost taken as something the audience already well understands. But the long history is mapped well and the film cuts well between the personal, the political and historical.

Africa is bathed in a gold light in the film - especially the opening in the Xhosa community from which Mandela emerged to become a young and eloquent lawyer. It is a bit too poetic. But it then gets into its stride and is absorbing.

As a portrait of a hero of our times it is as good a stab at the challenge as we are likely to get in a Hollywood film aiming at a mass audience.


Why do the trailers to films always have that soundtrack of military music with choirs singing ascending chords and punctuations caused by a crashing sound? Is there just one company producing this stuff? I don't know what to make of it, Elba has attempted the accent, but I wonder how far the film goes into the role played the Communists in the development of the ANC, which is important as by the 1980s the cold warriors were depicting the ANC as a front organisation of the South African Communist Party and a victory for the ANC would have been seen as Moscow extending its influence in Southern Africa from Angola and Mozambique through Zimbabwe to the biggest prize. Indeed, this 'Us or them' was part of the Total Strategy Doctine which Magnus Malan created to persuade politicians like Margaret Thatcher to support them rather than campaign for Mandela's release and the unbanning of the ANC. I guess the film is more about the man than the politics. I liked Marion Cotillard in La Vie en Rose (I like her in almost anything) but the film barely scratched the surface of Edith Piaf's extraordinary life, not least her war record, but as you suggest, these films are short circuits I don't suppose they will ever amount to much as far as the historical record goes.

[Prospero]

Stavros... i did say it was a Hollywood film,.... so the hardcore political dimension was not explored What mention would be a great documentary but hardly the stuff of mainstream drama for a mass audience. Entertainment not art or historical investigation. These things can co-exist for instance The Lives Of Others. But seldom from Hollywood

[Jimmy W]

I watched an hour of that Johnny Depp shit stain called 'The Lone Ranger'. Me...Tonto....You...Kemosabe...Me also Hunter S Thompson but me not Keith Richards in this movie. What a hunk of shit.

[Stavros]

Last Tango in Paris (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1972)
I could not remember why I didn't like this film when it was released in its first censored version, and saw it on sale for £1.50 -the uncut version so watched it after an absence of 40 years. There is a sort of story -older man meets young woman while viewing an apartment in Paris (Rue d 'Alboni, at the Passy end of the Pont de Bir-Hakeim) -they start to have sex and he insists they know nothing about each other. When she is not with him, the girl is being filmed by her boyfriend who wants to know everything about her. By the end of the film, the boyfriend has 'sucked her life out of her' and they part, while the older man, whose wife has recently killed herself, decides he cannot part from the younger woman and now wants to know everything about her. Unfortunately, by this time it doesn't matter as the film is characterised by poor dialogue, poor acting, poor music, and is possibly one of the worst films ever made; the sex, which was supposed to be 'realistic' and of course 'shocking!' at the time, seems pretty tame these days. Brando looks bored throughout, as if it had started out as a good idea and fizzled into nothing. Maria Schneider is (to me) unattractive, and was a naive 19 year old at the time -Brando persuaded her to improvise the 'controversial' scene with the butter he uses for anal sex and although simulated she hated the scene and her cries of pain she claims were real -she never spoke to Bertolucci again (she died in 2011) although it seems she didn't blame Brando for the fiasco. The dance hall in which the couple disrupt a tango competition is the old Salle Wagram but otherwise the relevance of tango is not clear, in fact it doesn't matter. The only interesting point to consider is that it is claimed Bertolucci originally wanted the couple to be male. Bertolucci made the film after The Conformist (1970) and Spider's Stratagem (1970), two outstanding movies; but went on to make this rubbish as well as the unbelievably bad 1900 and La Luna, and many more disasters. Something went wrong somewhere, this man's talent was wasted and he never succeeded in making a watchable film after Spider's Strategem.

[Jericho]

2012...That was a bit of a let down!

[Prospero]

2013 is the follow-up... have you seen that one yet, Jericho?

[trish]

I remember enjoying Little Buddha, though I can’t remember why. I haven’t seen any of Bertolucci’s Italian movies and very few of the ones in English. Last Emperor was a tolerable drag and you’re absolutely right, Stavros, about Last Tango, it’s not worth the time it takes to watch it.

[Jericho]

2013 is the follow-up... have you seen that one yet, Jericho?


I thought I'd skip it and wait for 2014...Apparently, there's a meteor!

[Jericho]

Colombiana.
A bit shite really, but worth a look just for Zoe Saldana in a catsuit!

[Prospero]

Le Weekend. Trite

[broncofan]

Have gotten through watching three Vietnam war movies: Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, and Platoon. I liked Platoon best. I know that the sole goal of a movie is not be realistic, but when you're dealing with something as visceral as war, what the director has to say isn't going to be any more relevant or interesting than what happened. I think Platoon provided a very nice slice of that.

I wasn't in Vietnam and so personally I don't know whether it was realistic at all, but watching Platoon was a very intense experience for me. Apocalypse Now was the worst of the three for me because I found it convoluted even if it's considered by some a masterpiece.

[Prospero]

I haven't seen Last Tango in Paris since it first came out. i was going to see it again - but I am not sure, having read the judgements here, that I will bother. I liked Maria Schneider far better in The Passenger.

[Stavros]

About Elly (Asghar Farhadi, 2009)
I saw this on tv last night, a film from the director of A Separation, using some of the actors from that film, except for the amazing Golshifteh Farahani who now lives in exile in Paris. Owing to the limitations imposed on Iranian directors, the films tend to revolve around human relations in confined spaces. Like a Mike Leigh film, Farhadi puts people in a situation for one purpose -in this case a weekend at the seaside- and then throws in something unexpected in order to see how individuals try to negotiate their way through a crisis in the process being forced to lie, confess, obfuscate, and show some decency. The director uses limited resources to great effect and gets utterly believable performances from fine actors. The last shot in the film is a classic statement. But if I get to Iran I think I'll pass on the seaside...

ABOUT ELLY - Official UK Trailer [In Cinemas 14th September] - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HbIRRM-ffc)

[Prospero]

"Kill Your Darlings" in which Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) gets to have passive anal sex with a man and is given a blow job by a girl while playing a very young Allen Ginsburg. So Hogwarts is in a parallel universe now.

A thin low budget film about the very early and formative yes of Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs in New York. Watchable but very unsure of it's tone. And why did the first time director John Krokidas decided to take his title from William Faulkner.

Kill Your Darlings Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Daniel Radcliffe Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGgkEHmHHg)

[tsmirandameadows]

"Kill Your Darlings" in which Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) gets to have passive anal sex with a man and is given a blow job by a girl while playing a very young Allen Ginsburg. So Hogwarts is in a parallel universe now.

A thin low budget film about the very early and formative yes of Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William Burroughs in New York. Watchable but very unsure of it's tone. And why did the first time director John Krokidas decided to take his title from William Faulkner.

Kill Your Darlings Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Daniel Radcliffe Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxGgkEHmHHg)

I remember hearing about this when Harry Potter was cast for it. Sounded... not good at the time, and your review has done little to encourage me to see it, lol.

Also, why do so many former child actors have such poor taste when it comes to selecting "serious, artistic" projects which will mark their transition from commercial film to art film? Shia LeBeouf did the same thing a few years ago, and thankfully it seems to have brought an end to his career, meaning we can stop having to collectively pretend that he had the stage presence of a leading man or action hero.

[Prospero]

I met Radcliffe at the screening and he assured me that he chose the role because Ginsberg fascinated him - not to somehow break the straitjacket of the Potter image. Nice guy actually - but I do wonder if he'll ever manage to transcend the Potter image. His acting is okay but the film is small. (as he is - a tiny little guy)

[Stavros]

I thought the earlier film about Ginsberg, Howl (2010) was wonderful -James Franco didn't really look like the young Ginsberg but it didn't matter. Taking on the Faulkner reference which I also don't get, Franco has been in As I Lay Dying (2013) and is currently filming The Sound and the Fury for which he has co-wrote the screenplay -I think this is probably a mistake, like trying to film Conrad or Virginia Woolf, but who knows. Have no real idea who Ratcliffe is, Harry Potter has passed me by.

[Prospero]

I agree. The look is in most respects very unimportant and, sadly, i didn't see Howl. It is Radcliffe, not Ratcliffe... and, Stavros, while i would not for a minute think you'd want to read or view Harry potter, I am astonished that the phenomenon and the young actor who starred in all the movies would not register on your radar.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0705356/

[Stavros]

I know the name, I know he is in the Potter films with a red-headed boy with freckles and a young girl and a cast of sturdy English/Irish/Scottish actors, that is about it. I made a sincere effort with the first Potter book but it was so bad I lost interest although I can imagine the films are superior to the books -witches, magic, vampires are of no interest to me so why would I know more about the lad? Didn't the lad who played Frodo in the Lord of the Rings have a similar image problem and fail to go on to anything more mature? Other than Christian Bale how many child stars of recent years have developed relatively trouble-free careers? McCauley Caulkin? The weird boy in A.I.?

[Prospero]

recent years... well maybe she doesn't count, but Tatum O'Neill certainly went on to become a respected adult actress after "Paper Moon" but i guess that might not count as recently. Otherwise, you're right... few make the leap.

I think Radcliffe has a bigger problem than most - for the immense success of the Potter films (love them or hate them) means that he is always going to b associated with them to the wide general public. A little film about Allen Ginsburg won't shift that.

Oh and i agree - I gave up after the first Potter book. But in filmic terms the Lord of The Rings series were much worse than the Potter film. They lacked any humour to ameliorate their po-facedness. But I know i out on a limb here.

[broncofan]

Other than Christian Bale how many child stars of recent years have developed relatively trouble-free careers? McCauley Caulkin? The weird boy in A.I.?
Not sure how young they have to be but Natalie Portman was 12 or so when she was in The Professional. She's had a decent if not spectacular adult career.

[Stavros]

True -Mickey Rooney I suppose must be the one with the longest career.

I watched the redux version of Apocalypse Now this evening, it is even worse than I recall. The script in particular is poor, as is the music over which Coppola seemed to spend so much time and effort -he wanted ethereal electronic music to take over when the boat heads past the bridge towards Kurtz, but it sounds like cheap sci-fi music from 1960s tv shows. The overall theme, if there is one, that the conduct of war undermines its strategic purpose and drives soldiers mad, is not original; the anarchic scenes at the Kurtz compound are quite well done -mostly using the Ifugao in the northern Philippines who sacrifice a Carabao - but the pseudo-anthropology in the script is desperately poor and the 'poet warrior' Kurtz just uninteresting as a character even though the entire films builds up the the confrontation with him. In Conrad Kurtz is a trader, in this film a soldier; in Conrad capitalism is a key factor in the narrative, but not in this one. Civilisation features in both, but where it is scrutinised in an elliptical, ambiguous way by Conrad, it is condemned as a sham in this film. The editing also suggests Coppola didn't know what he wanted at the time or after. One minute Willard is talking to Kurtz, then he is locked in a cage; Chef has his head cut off but the radio connection -which in an earlier version is the means whereby the compound is destroyed in an air strike- is not touched and anyway Willard in the Redux version just sails away. Some people like the anarchy of the film, but the whole experience is unsatisfactory. The acting is also unimpressive, except maybe for Denis Hopper but there seems to be a feeling he wasn't acting...hmmm.

[bluesoul]

http://i.imgur.com/VvbyILo.jpg

i rather enjoyed this. a simple made-for-tv drama about the lee oswald's killing of kennedy. the guy that played lee really did a good job with the sometimes minimal script, and the babe that played his wife was smoking. rob lowe and the honey playing jackie o were both kinda awkward. you'd think they'd have made them look better than the oswald's.

[fred41]

Not sure how young they have to be but Natalie Portman was 12 or so when she was in The Professional. She's had a decent if not spectacular adult career.

Yeah...off the top of my head I would also say Joseph Gordon-Levitt is turning out to be impressive.

[broncofan]

Yeah...off the top of my head I would also say Joseph Gordon-Levitt is turning out to be impressive.
I think one of the reasons successful child actors are hard to think of is that to be successful they have to completely re-invent themselves. Once they do you forgot they were child actors. The ones who don't fail because you remember they were child actors.

Joseph Gordon Levitt is no longer the skinny goofy kid he was on third rock. He was still kind of that kid in transition when he did Ten Things I Hate About You but no longer.

I think Dakota Fanning will probably have a career as an adult actress. She was in Man on Fire as a kid, and I just recently saw her in The Motel Life. The Motel Life was a touching film, even if the story was a little under-developed. Not a big role for her but I think she'll develop into a pretty good adult actress.

[fred41]

I think one of the reasons successful child actors are hard to think of is that to be successful they have to completely re-invent themselves. Once they do you forgot they were child actors. The ones who don't fail because you remember they were child actors.

Joseph Gordon Levitt is no longer the skinny goofy kid he was on third rock. He was still kind of that kid in transition when he did Ten Things I Hate About You but no longer.

I think Dakota Fanning will probably have a career as an adult actress. She was in Man on Fire as a kid, and I just recently saw her in The Motel Life. The Motel Life was a touching film, even if the story was a little under-developed. Not a big role for her but I think she'll develop into a pretty good adult actress.

I agree...but sometimes they grow up kinda weird looking like Haley Joel Osmond...

I agree Dakota Fanning will continue her career, as will, most likely - Chloe Moretz...perhaps with differing degrees of success.

I hope Stewie from "Family Guy" grows up okay (fingers crossed) if cartoon drugs don't do him in first.

[broncofan]

Oh shit. I just looked up pictures of Haley Joel Osment. So brilliant as a child. Are we really so superficial? Yes. Yes. Yes. :)

Edit: and Stewie's burning out harder than Corey Feldman.

[robertlouis]

Don't know if it's been mentioned here yet, but I went to see Philomena, with Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It's based on a true story about an Irish woman whose baby was sold by nuns in the 1950s. Judi Dench is, as always, terrific. But the revelation is Steve Coogan - restrained, mature, and moving.

And I can already hear the sneers revving up in certain places, but I thought it was a really good film.

Tonight I'm off to see Gravity, in 3D.

[Prospero]

I agree with RobertLouis judgement of "Philomena" I posted some comments about two weeks ago. Tonight i am seeing "12 years a slave'.

[Stavros]

Don't know if it's been mentioned here yet, but I went to see Philomena, with Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. It's based on a true story about an Irish woman whose baby was sold by nuns in the 1950s. Judi Dench is, as always, terrific. But the revelation is Steve Coogan - restrained, mature, and moving.

And I can already hear the sneers revving up in certain places, but I thought it was a really good film.

Tonight I'm off to see Gravity, in 3D.

In London? Just checked to see it's on at the IMAX in London, as I would like to see it there. Do review it as some claim once you get over the visuals there is no story.

[robertlouis]

In London? Just checked to see it's on at the IMAX in London, as I would like to see it there. Do review it as some claim once you get over the visuals there is no story.

No. I moved last month. Seeing it at City Screen in York.

[Prospero]

No. I moved last month. Seeing it at City Screen in York.

Typical... can't be bothered to come to London with all it's treats and delights. Provincial through and through...

[Stavros]

More on child stars maturing into adult performers: Jodie Foster an obvious omission, and also one of the best although some of her films are slight.

http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/F/Jodie-Foster-9299556-1-402.jpg

[bluesoul]

More on child stars maturing into adult performers:

how about leo di caprio? or neil patrick harris? ron howard would probably be the most suck-cess-ful though, but he was a kid about 5 generations ago right?

[Stavros]

It's not as if we have done exhaustive research -does Ron Howard count if he stopped acting? Not sure. Not aware of di Caprio's earlier career and no idea who Harris is.

[Prospero]

I saw "12 Years a slave" this evening. Will post comments tomorrow. Too emotionally drained right now.

[robertlouis]

Typical... can't be bothered to come to London with all it's treats and delights. Provincial through and through...

Northern and proud, you soft southern git.

Now, excuse me, I have to walk the whippet by the canal, buy new clogs for the cat, polish up my cornet (ooh matron!) and breathe in some tar fumes for my emphysema.....

[robertlouis]

In fact, this is where I now live, and when you see the pics you'll understand why I moved.

[Prospero]

so leaving aside your new found Northern pride how was the film RL?

[robertlouis]

so leaving aside your new found Northern pride how was the film RL?

Going later today, after I've mucked out the pigeons.

[Prospero]

"12 Years A Slave'.... phew, an emotional tour de force. Women in the film business were weeping at the screening I attended last night. This is almost unrelenting in its grimness, in its presentation of a story that takes us to the very heart of the inhumanity that was the slave trade. Some scenes are almost unwatchable. It is a terrific antidote to Tarantino's crass "Django Unchained" film on the slave trade from last year which presented it as a mass entertainment shoot-em-up film. (It did have its moments - but only as a cartoon). This film is NOT entertainment. Chiwetal Ejiofor might well win an Oscar for his portrayal of the central character in this true story, but that is beside the point really. So might Steve mcQueen the director. It's focus is unrelenting. His directing awesome in creating a mood of intense oppression. (The river journey into slavery is haunting and clever in its use of thrashing paddles and noise to evoke the journey from freedom to enslavement). And one scene captures perfectly just how cowed and terrified slaves were. The main figure, Soloman Northrup, faces a near lynching. He is left dangling in a sunny glade near the plantation house his feet scarcely touching the muddy ground and keeping him from death. The afternoon passes as he dangles almost choking, his face a rictus of agony. In a single long long shot McQueen shows us the other slaves coming and going, children playing, but no one daring go to him and help.

In some ways the film echoes some of the issues that Primo Levi dealt with in "The Drowned and the Saved" - his last book about the Holocaust. In another scene the central character is forced to whip someone. He does it eventually after some resistance. Not to save his own life but because of pressure to protect others. The film is unflinching at looking at the compromises and cowardices that are forced upon the wretched at the hands of their oppressors - forcing complicity from those who are powerless. But at a terrible loss to the sense of self of those who do survive.

The viewer's salvation from despair is to remember that, in the West at least, this is now history - even if the complex legacy remains a festering sore at the heart of our culture. But it is also a reminder that inhumanity and cruelty are at the heart of human affairs. Not entertaining - but a film of majesty and demythologising power.

[dderek123]

I'm watching Prisoners at the moment. It's really intense and definitely not a happy movie.

Prisoners (2013) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392214/)

[dderek123]

Holy fucking shit it was a good movie. Best movie I've seen in a really long time. Definitely worth a watch if you're up for a suspenseful gritty drama.

Hugh Jackman is really intense and Paul Dano is excellent as a creepy simpleton.

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTg0NTIzMjQ1NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNDc3MzM5OQ@@._ V1_SY317_CR0,0,214,317_.jpg

[Prospero]

Paul Dano is finding a niche in that sort of role. He is a creepy slaver in "12 years a slave"

[robertlouis]

Paul Dano is finding a niche in that sort of role. He is a creepy slaver in "12 years a slave"

Apprehensive about seeing the film. But Dano was very memorable in There Will Be Blood.

And I haven't seen Gravity yet.

[Prospero]

I saw "The Act of Killing" yesterday. Perhaps two grim films in a row is destined to make a person feel very bleak indeed. It had that effect on me. This is a remarkable piece of documentary making. It features a host of now quite elderly "gangsters" as they style themselves talking at length and recreating the murders they committed on behalf of the regime in Indonesia in the 1960s when a million or more so-called Communists were slaughtered by the military regime. These guy joke and laugh and reminisce about they killed people - casually talking about beheadings and garottings. They recreate a scene where they killed a man by crushing him - sitting on a table singing and giggling. They drive through Jakarta giggling about throwing bodies into a river "they were beautiful - like a parachute falling" and are unrepentant. What is so remarkable is that the film makers got them to talk so freely and create weird dramatic re-enactments of their crimes. A truly chilling film about the bestiality humans can enact. These guys are now national heroes in a movement called Pancasila Youth - which is close to government. Truly horrifying

http://www.smh.com.au/world/filmmaker-fears-reprisals-for-expos233-on-mass-murders-20121123-29ypj.html

The Act of Killing Clip - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZqEzIEWzPk)

The Act of Killing - Clip - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa2x1iJJ7W0)

THE ACT OF KILLING [Clip] "Jeans For Killing" - In Theaters July 19. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJOB987WFCg)

[robertlouis]

"12 Years A Slave'.... phew, an emotional tour de force. Women in the film business were weeping at the screening I attended last night. This is almost unrelenting in its grimness, in its presentation of a story that takes us to the very heart of the inhumanity that was the slave trade. Some scenes are almost unwatchable. It is a terrific antidote to Tarantino's crass "Django Unchained" film on the slave trade from last year which presented it as a mass entertainment shoot-em-up film. (It did have its moments - but only as a cartoon). This film is NOT entertainment. Chiwetal Ejiofor might well win an Oscar for his portrayal of the central character in this true story, but that is beside the point really. So might Steve mcQueen the director. It's focus is unrelenting. His directing awesome in creating a mood of intense oppression. (The river journey into slavery is haunting and clever in its use of thrashing paddles and noise to evoke the journey from freedom to enslavement). And one scene captures perfectly just how cowed and terrified slaves were. The main figure, Soloman Northrup, faces a near lynching. He is left dangling in a sunny glade near the plantation house his feet scarcely touching the muddy ground and keeping him from death. The afternoon passes as he dangles almost choking, his face a rictus of agony. In a single long long shot McQueen shows us the other slaves coming and going, children playing, but no one daring go to him and help.

In some ways the film echoes some of the issues that Primo Levi dealt with in "The Drowned and the Saved" - his last book about the Holocaust. In another scene the central character is forced to whip someone. He does it eventually after some resistance. Not to save his own life but because of pressure to protect others. The film is unflinching at looking at the compromises and cowardices that are forced upon the wretched at the hands of their oppressors - forcing complicity from those who are powerless. But at a terrible loss to the sense of self of those who do survive.

The viewer's salvation from despair is to remember that, in the West at least, this is now history - even if the complex legacy remains a festering sore at the heart of our culture. But it is also a reminder that inhumanity and cruelty are at the heart of human affairs. Not entertaining - but a film of majesty and demythologising power.

As I say, I'm apprehensive of both the subject matter and the apparently unflinching treatment, but McQueen's other films, Hunger and Shame, have both been outstanding in their utter honesty and have also featured the finest performances of Michael Fassbaender, who is rapidly becoming an unmissable screen presence.

[Prospero]

And he is remarkable in this film also.

[bluesoul]

[B]This film is NOT entertainment. Chiwetal Ejiofor might well win an Oscar for his portrayal of the central character in this true story, but that is beside the point really. So might Steve mcQueen the director.

they both won't. if they were american, they'd already have won 13 BET awards and 2 oscars each. they're best chance now is to win a BAFTA then shilling hard

[luvs2lick1385]

Last film I saw was Last Vegas.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The entire cast was great but Kevin Kline was superb

[professor snatch]

Just watched The World's End with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg.

Was all going great until that blokes head fell off in the bogs and blue stuff oozed out all over the place.

10 more mins and I switch off... pants!

Yet 'PAUL' was so fucking good!!!

3 tits? Yeah man!

[Prospero]

"Hannah Arendt" - as a glutton for punishment i watched yet another film about a depressing subject. This is a partial biopic about the German born Jewish philosopher and writer who attained fame and infamy with her controversial magazine feature, then book, on the trial of Adolf Eichmann, "Eichmann In Jerusalem." What upset huge numbers of people and many of her friends was Arendt's attempt to understand the nature of the evil committed by Eichmann in the Final Solution and the complicity of some Jewish community leaders in the programme. She of course coined the phrase 'the banality of evil.' The trouble is this film by Margarethe von Trotta is stilted, dry and rather dull.

HANNAH ARENDT by Margarethe von Trotta - Trailer (HQ) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTQNWgZVctM)

[Stavros]

I can't say I have been impressed by von Trotta's films, her need to preach makes her films too stilted, like essays. Also not sure why Arendt merits this treatment -there are a lot of people like this whose work/lives have been interesting who do not benefit from being the subjects of a feature film (Walter Benjamin? Paul Celan?) -there could be material for a tv documentary but why go to the expense of hiring all those actors to pretend to be Hannah, Martin Heidegger etc? Eichmann in Jerusalem is a fascinating book, and her study On Revolution is interesting but doesn't explore the phenomenon with the comparative analysis you can find in many other works, and the essays collected in Men in Dark Times are also interesting but in reality high class journalism rather than political theory or social philosophy. Fact is she was not a major thinker -a case of special pleading here I think, something von Trotta tried with Rosa Luxemburg. I haven't seen the film and the clip doesn't inspire me to. As far as German women directors are concerned, it is a pity Helma Sanders-Brahms has not reached a wider audience though her films may be even bleaker than the one reviewed here.

[kenneth67]

http://images.static-bluray.com/movies/covers/19865_large.jpg

[Prospero]

Well Stavros - as i said - the film is not good so don't bother.

[robertlouis]

Well Stavros - as i said - the film is not good so don't bother.

Never mind chaps. Borgen is back on BBC4! :)

[Prospero]

“The Book Thief”. A hugely emotionally manipulative film set Nazi Germany just before and during World War Two. It’s about the survival of a young girl. Wonderful performance by young French-Canadian actress Sophie Nelisse as the main character Lisel Meminger. But this is a very flawed film and the voiceover by Death (Roger Allam)is a ludicrous device. I understand the book by Markus Zusak on which it is based is even worse.

The Book Thief Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson Movie HD - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92EBSmxinus)

[pantybulge69]

thor-dark world. i thought it was rather so-so ordinary. nothing to write home about.

[Prospero]

"The Butler"... phew, well this confection is a massive distortion of history to find a device to tell the story of the journey from the continuing injustice of black existence in the 1920s to the arrival of the USA's first black president.(a journey of developing civil rights and growing equaiity that is far from over) You have to applaud the core sentiment of this film but it offers a sentimentalized story which takes such huge liberties with the real story - a fictionaized account of a story based on a real life figure, Eugene Allen the black man who was the Butler to US presidents from Eisenhower to Reagan. It is full of cartoons and simplifications and ludicrous moments of historical coincidence. But it does have terrific acting by Forest Whitaker as Allen (re-named Cecil Gaines for the film) and not least by a true symbol of deepening Black success in USA, the most successful and high profile African American woman today (barring i guess Michelle Obama) Oprah Winfrey as the eponymous Butler's wife. The film is enjoyable but its schmalz and distortions disqualify it from being anything other than a well produced and glittering piece of Hollywood entertainment.

THE BUTLER Movie Trailer (2013) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUA7rr0bOcc)

[gummi baer]

Cable TV-"The Long Kiss Goodnight"
In a theater- "The Nightmare Before Christmas-3D" (not my idea)

[Stavros]

Gravity (Alfonso Cuaron, 2013)
In 3D.
Takes crisis management to new heights; a technically superb film to watch, Sandra Bullock always worth watching too; but it seems a film about an event or a situation, rather than a story. The Earth always looks good from up above anyway. Lots of real science and fake science mixed in -the space shuttles travel at around 17,500 miles per hour, but not in this film. At one point we are clearly over Egypt travelling East to West yet Kowalski moments later can see the Ganges. Small things like will irritate nerds, but otherwise this is a short but stimulating visit to the cinema. There are also a lot of small jokes/references in the film -Kowalski being but one...

Gravity - Official Main Trailer [2K HD] - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4)

[broncofan]

I liked Gravity a lot despite the fact there wasn't too much story because it re-enacted situations I couldn't have imagined myself. Someone I know asked me what was the difference between this and Castaway, except that this was a survival story based in space rather than an island. Being left floating through space leaves much more to the imagination and so it was enjoyable even if you're not a fan of movies that rely heavily on special effects.

[maxpower]

I'm waiting for Cuarón's next film...


Alfonso Cuarón's "IKEA" - Official Trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiBt44rrslw)

[Stavros]

I like that girl, she has a cute ass. All she needs to do is ask a store assistant and she will be fine. I once worked in Wickes for a a couple of days and there was a French junior manager similar to this girl. I checked Cuaron on IMDb this is some odd kind of spoof but I liked it.

I did enjoy Gravity, it just didn't overwhelm me.

[dderek123]

Trailer Park Boys Xmas Special

http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Trailer_Park_Boys_Xmas_Special/70143440?sod=search-autocomplete

Good for a few laughs.

[Stavros]

I made the mistake of watching two films on Film4 last night:
The American (Corbijn 2010).
If you are a hired assassin and need to lay low, where do you go? A large city where you can be anonymous, or a small Italian town where you are the only American and within an hour everyone knows who you are? Yep, the small Italian town. And make sure your licence plates are also from another town in case anyone asks Have you seen a car with Pescara licence plates? The usual cliches also apply: attractive but world-weary assassin on his last job, not given to much talking but always well dressed, works well assembling guns, has 'profound' conversations with the town Priest who, of course speaks English -which in most Italian towns is unlikely. At one point he wonders if he is being followed yet sits in the window of a cafe at night...near the end he walks through this town with a gun in his hand in broad daylight. Etc etc.

Unfaithful (Adrian Lyne 2002)
Sort of like Fatal Attraction but the one where the woman does the cheating on her husband. Why is not made clear, other than raw lust I suppose. Big plot hole here is that she takes her French lover a special gift from her husband which he finds in the apartment; they might have gotten away with murder, it isn't clear at the end; her fingerprints must be all over the Soho apartment, the private detective must know the man was murdered as it was in the papers, the employee who was sacked saw them snogging in a cafe, etc etc.

Two films with more holes than Swiss cheese, but less tasty; with or without this year's Beaujolais Nouveau.

[robertlouis]

I liked Gravity a lot despite the fact there wasn't too much story because it re-enacted situations I couldn't have imagined myself. Someone I know asked me what was the difference between this and Castaway, except that this was a survival story based in space rather than an island. Being left floating through space leaves much more to the imagination and so it was enjoyable even if you're not a fan of movies that rely heavily on special effects.


Gravity reminded me of why you go to the cinema - willing suspension of disbelief, terrific visuals, excellent soundtrack and an outstanding performance by Sandra Bullock, but most of all the sheer enjoyment of the visceral cinematic experience without intellectually deconstructing it. I think I finally exhaled properly about thirty seconds from the end.

Watching it in the civilised environment of the City Screen in York only added to the pleasure. A damn good night out.

Looking forward to Nebraska; the combination of Alexander Payne and Bruce Dern is intriguing to say the least.

[Prospero]

Oldies on DVD... "Paper Moon" with Ryan and Tatum O"Neal. Delightful. And "Jane Eyre" from two years back. Beautifully shot but a little sterile.

[stan.smith]

Prisoners. what a great movie! just a tad bit long in my opinion

[danthepoetman]

"Stand Up Guys", by actor-director Fisher Stevens, with old guys Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alla Arkin.

After 28 years in jail, a man comes out with still a life debt to repay a ruthless gang leader, having kept only two friends as accomplices, an old amateur artist and a man crippled with disease in an old age home.

I was affraid this could be a Gold Age reunion type of movie. Although Pacino and Walken are indeed not anymore in their prime, it rather comes out as a magnificent acting dual between the two. It's not a great movie, but it serves its purpose in being funny, entertaining and filled with surprised. It doesn't either follow to the line the stencil script for such an old gangster type of movie. It rather serves a bit of bluesy nostalgia with a touch of spice. Both Pacino and Walken are magnificent in what might be a last important, leading role for each. And all of that wrapped in an excellent musical score of essentially soul music.

I liked this one a lot.

[broncofan]

Just saw a Good Year with Russell Crowe, directed by Ridley Scott. I didn't like it very much. All of the finance scenes were very cliche and annoying; in fact the movie fell back on lots of pointless cliches.

I also saw Predator. There wasn't much of a story there, but I liked it because there were good action sequences and the predator itself was a pretty cool creature. It's not important but I don't really understand why it was so bent on poaching humans, as though the sole mission of this extra-terrestrial is to kill us for no reason, but again it's not important.

[Prospero]

"Gloria" a very slo wChilean film. Hmmmm.... a little dull really

[danthepoetman]

Just saw a Good Year with Russell Crowe, directed by Ridley Scott. I didn't like it very much. All of the finance scenes were very cliche and annoying; in fact the movie fell back on lots of pointless cliches.

I also saw Predator. There wasn't much of a story there, but I liked it because there were good action sequences and the predator itself was a pretty cool creature. It's not important but I don't really understand why it was so bent on poaching humans, as though the sole mission of this extra-terrestrial is to kill us for no reason, but again it's not important.
I think the predator is a hunter, that hunts humans for simple sport, like we hunt deers. I liked it too. Full of action. Not very subtle for the least, but efficient in his range. Fun! With a Governator at his height. They made a few more after. I only saw the second one, not as good at all but still fair and fun.

[robertlouis]

"Gloria" a very slo wChilean film. Hmmmm.... a little dull really

Hoping to see Nebraska next week. Have you seen it yet?

[danthepoetman]

Just saw with my poor gf, victim of the circumstances, a huge elephant. I could characterize it better by saying it's the thickest sugar spreaded toast I've had in a good while. "Olympus has fallen" is the title. A group of terrorists attack the White House and take the president hostage inside the underground protected bunker. Only a former, more or less disgraced FBI agent, who mannaged to introduced himself inside the place, can take the group apart and save the day. I'm sure you can't possibly guess the end to this one.
It's an attempt at resurrecting the tension of the first "Die Hard" film, which it doesn't match in any possible way.
Militaristic, devoid of any kind of realism or credibility, it is a giganstic, multimillion dollars symphony of fireshots and explosions, in which the body count is innumerable -frankly, I'm not even sure "Saving Private Ryan" shows as many deaths; maybe not even "The Day of the Living Deads"... Obviously financed by the extreme conservative right, it appeals to the most common denominators in what we could only call "intelligence" by a hyperbole, a licence I won't allow myself here.
It does have a certain entertaining value. The cast is impressive, the budget collosal, the special effects spectacular. But the result is dreadful. For young teenagers or intellectual indigents.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--a6YeiE41gI/UXJK6SoM3mI/AAAAAAAAx-8/FuVTeUkGw9M/s1600/Olympus-Has-Fallen-Quad-Poster-UK.jpg

[bluesoul]

I also saw Predator. There wasn't much of a story there, but I liked it because there were good action sequences and the predator itself was a pretty cool creature. It's not important but I don't really understand why it was so bent on poaching humans, as though the sole mission of this extra-terrestrial is to kill us for no reason, but again it's not important.

i love this movie. it's the ultimate man movie. and i don't mind the idea of an extraterrestrial who's sole purpose is to hunt us. i think of it kind of like animals in the wild (except this one has self awareness) and thus seeks the ultimate pray that also has self awareness so it can become a better.... predator

besides, how epic is that handshake?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItzslynRhwg

[broncofan]

Haha, there were a couple of scenes in there where I was sure Arnold's character posed just so in order to show how much work he has put in in the gym. It was a fun movie, a man movie..got me into the gym for the first time in month afterwards;.

I'm going to try to see the Coen Brother's Inside Llewyn Davis in the next week and let y'all know how it goes. It might just be that I'm not the right audience since I know nothing about folk music or the early folk scene, its characters, and their cultural significance.

[Falling]

Olympus has fallen was pretty lame but I also watched "the graveyard shift" which was a lot better than I thought I'd be.

[danthepoetman]

Olympus has fallen was pretty lame but I also watched "the graveyard shift" which was a lot better than I thought I'd be.
The horror flick of 1990, Falling, or have they recently remade it?
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ53N9kUTon6e8or-SCY_5cWYziP8hjwYKJ0X8KCQU6pgYSQVug
http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/2/Open/Sony%20Pictures/Graveyard%20Shift/_derived_jpg_q90_600x800_m0/GraveyardShift-Still2.jpg?partner=allmovie_soap
http://www.horrordvds.com/reviews/a-m/gds/gds_shot1l.jpg

[Ben]

The Onion Movie:

The Onion Movie Soundtrack 2008 - Melissa Cherry: Down On My Knees - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvFgVYUOnJY)


The Onion Movie Soundtrack 2008 - Melissa Cherry: Take Me From Behind - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCRsz3IKFME)

[robertlouis]

A delightful French comedy on BBC4 last night called Romantics Anonymous (Emotifs Anonymes). Just 75 minutes long, gently played by two social misfits who find love. Recommended.

[pantybulge69]

the hell with the reviews. i actually liked Spike Lee's "Oldboy " (starring Josh Brolin) i liked it even more than i did the old Korean version.

Before that i saw " Best Man Holiday" (which i loved! ) and Forrest Whitaker's " Black Nativity" which i thought was average/decent.

[robertlouis]

Going to see Nebraska with Bruce Dern tonight. Anybody seen it already?

[danthepoetman]

"Killing them softly", by Andrew Dominik, with Brad Pitt, Richard Jenkins, Ray Liotta, James Gandolfini. First, despite my dislike of silly 115 pounds women beating in so many films nowadays, 6 feet tall and over, big, 250 pounds bad guys, I must say this one is an absolutely terribly womanless movie, desperately womanless; it's a femininity desert, which already in itself, makes a terrible one out of it.
It's the story -if you absolutely want to call it that- of a gangster who's trying to solve the problem of hold ups at a gambling house. The perspective is a forced attempt at realism, with a really slow rythm, characters more credible than usual for this type of film, and an atmosphere that's designed, in all likelyhood, to capture the banality of the activities of such milieu. Well, it certainly succeed in tranlating banality. It's long, boring, it doesn't seem to have any point and it ends on a lovely extreme right type of speech. Nothing of the entertainment value such films often offers, and nothing on a deeper intellectual or psychological levels to compensate this shortcomming. You want to watch this one, drink a lot before and save some booze for the duration...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hWpKFubrw0/UEOJ-Uen8JI/AAAAAAAATT4/es7sFsevRXA/s400/killing-them-softly-3.jpg

Killing Them Softly - Official Trailer (HD) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDyaNnrgdp4)

[WendyWilliams]

I went and seen Hunger Games today and I hated the ending. I know they are setting up for the next one but it was so abrupt............. Overall nice movie though. I want to go see THE BUTLER next.

[darkrose2000]

Went this Saturday to watch The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/)

To be honest I was not very impressed.

[StinkyPete1000]

Iron Man 3, which I thought was terrible, and Beasts of the Southern Wild, which I thought was very good.

[LibertyHarkness]

Man of Steel, was quite enjoyable ... great music as well .

[Prospero]

Nebraska. Funny and moving. Terrific film making. A possible oscar for Bruce Dern

[Stavros]

Compliance (Craig Zobel, 2012)
The only thing worse than this film, which was on Film4 last night, is that it is based on a real incident. Apparently there are people who telephone businesses and pretend to be policemen and who play on the vulnerability of others who, convinced they are talking to the police, do what they are asked, regardless. At some point I thought it was just not credible, if only because Americans are famous for spending hours watching cop shows on tv where procedure is part of the drama -apparently not. Maybe they spend too many hours flipping burgers and working long hours. Whatever, I hated the way I was being manipulated by the film, yet as I say, the truth is that there was an incident in Kentucky and there is a youtube clip of a tv documentary too. It means there are spoilers if you haven't seen either. People, it seems, really are stupid, and I doubt it is confined to the USA.

NEXT '12: Craig Zobel - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ3aaXSMPnA)

Opie & Anthony - Louise Ogborn McDonalds Security Tape - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFXeXK3szOk)

[robertlouis]

Nebraska. Funny and moving. Terrific film making. A possible oscar for Bruce Dern

Pleased to hear it. On the list for this week! :)

Alexander Payne has become the master of the quirky road movie.

[Tapatio]

I just saw the new Hunger Games last weekend.

Liked it OK, but like the last one I just wanted Jennifer Lawrence to be more. . . less. . . Fuck, she's awesome. Would it kill the director to let that through? I know, I know- revolution, despair, etc.

Seriously, she's an incredible woman- look for some of her funny quotes online if you're not familiar, or watch some interviews.

She's electric. And wasted on that franchise.

[StinkyPete1000]

Man of Steel, was quite enjoyable ... great music as well .
Agree 100%. Definitely much better than the previous remake in my opinion. Although I've grown quite tired of Hollywoods remake craze.

[red-cyberman]

I saw Prisoners great movie

[Stavros]

The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012)
I don't know the book so I don't know how faithful the film is, but it is not an original story as these 'fatal games' have been done before from Rollerball through Battle Royale. In this film the 12 Districts plus the Capitol suggest the original 13 American colonies while the concept of human sacrifice suggests Christianity has collapsed and been replaced by something vaguely Roman but none of these themes is dealt with in the film which is not as gory or cruel as say, Battle Royale, and thus the overall impression is underwhelming, and I really couldn't care less who survived, although I do like Jennifer Lawrence. I am not even sure this would appeal to 16 year olds.

[robertlouis]

The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012)
I don't know the book so I don't know how faithful the film is, but it is not an original story as these 'fatal games' have been done before from Rollerball through Battle Royale. In this film the 12 Districts plus the Capitol suggest the original 13 American colonies while the concept of human sacrifice suggests Christianity has collapsed and been replaced by something vaguely Roman but none of these themes is dealt with in the film which is not as gory or cruel as say, Battle Royale, and thus the overall impression is underwhelming, and I really couldn't care less who survived, although I do like Jennifer Lawrence. I am not even sure this would appeal to 16 year olds.

Umm, somehow I don't think you're their target demographic, old chap. :geek:

[goatman]

Aliens(today on Sundance)

[robertlouis]

Al Pacino as Phil Spector.

At last a Pacino movie where yelling HOOHAH!!! at the camera every ten minutes sort of works.

[my my my!]

I finally saw that garbage apocalypse movie "2012"

one of the most cliched , trite and stupid hollywood movies I've ever seen.

[goatman]

Alien3 (also Sundance)...Now watching Grindhouse Presents Deathproof on Ifc...

[Stavros]

Umm, somehow I don't think you're their target demographic, old chap. :geek:

Jennifer Lawrence is my 'target demographic' if that is English. And I can watch any film I like now I have a senior citizen's railpass....

[dskreet2]

Prisoners with Hugh Jackman.

[trish]

American Hustle. I predict it will become a cult classic just for all the great hair doos and don'ts.

[Instrumental]

I watched Elysium this afternoon. I ordered it off Amazon and it came in the mail this morning

[maxpower]

American Hustle. I predict it will become a cult classic just for all the great hair doos and don'ts.


Do: Amy Adams

Don't: Christian Bale

[Stavros]

The Consequences of Love (Paolo Sorrentino, 2004)
I saw this when it was released and again last night; it is a subtle film, beautifully shot in and around Lugano in Italian Switzerland, but doesn't overwhelm and there are the inevitable stereotype mafiosi which, oddly, perhaps, the lead character is not. The film is an essay on love, and the difference between spiritual and material value. Superior to Sorrentino's ghastly film The Family Friend (2006). A more recent Sorrentino film The Great Beauty (2013) has had good reviews, though if Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian likes it I would hesitate, as the man has no taste and is lucky to get paid to write the rubbish that he does.

[Dino Velvet]

http://www.efukt.com/20899_Hooker_Accidentally_Craps_Herself_.html

[maaarc]

how to get ahead in advertising - great flick!!!

[goatman]

X-Men First Class....(& I was fixated on "Lil Miss Buttplug" aka Jennifer Lawrence) There were no good thoughts in my head...

[gummi baer]

"Free Samples" (2012) --an indie
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1793223/?ref_=nv_sr_1

I used to do the ice cream truck gig myself.

[pantybulge69]

american hustle ,,,,which i found quite boring. :sleep

[pantybulge69]

X-Men First Class....(& I was fixated on "Lil Miss Buttplug" aka Jennifer Lawrence) There were no good thoughts in my head...

i really loved xmen 1st class,!! ... 2nd best xmen film behind xmen;united.

[Ben]

It was OK....

Brutal Massacre: A Comedy

Brutal Massacre: A Comedy - Trailer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn2fJ5aee6o)

[danthepoetman]

http://www.efukt.com/20899_Hooker_Accidentally_Craps_Herself_.html
Absolute anti-viagra vid. I'm an old guy, Dino; I won't have any erection for the next couple of days... :)

[robertlouis]

Lore. A German film about a group of children fleeing before the advancing allies at the end of the Second World War. The oldest, Lore, had been seduced by the attractions of nazism, and the film spends a lot of time watching her wrestle with her conscience, beliefs and the new reality. Thought-provoking and exciting too. German cinema is pretty good these days and is keen to explore subjects that were taboo for decades.

[Rockit_]

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. It was funny, but the first movie is funnier. Worth watching if you liked the original, but I hold the original as the superior film.

[pantybulge69]

WOLF OF WALL STREET......it was hilariously entertaining!.....a bit weird towards the end but a typical martin scorcese film.

[Prospero]

American Hustle which is a superb little drama based on a true story. Also Fruitvale Station, a grim drama documentary about the murder, by a cop, of a young African America. And finally the documentary about Pussyriot - A punk prayer which I saw the day before Putin pardoned the two remaining members the group.

[Ben]

Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People - TRAILER - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QKxHINgloA)

[Ben in LA]

Wolf of Wall Street AND American Hustle will be seen this weekend. I've been waiting for both...

[Dino Velvet]

Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People - TRAILER - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QKxHINgloA)

Naw. Golan-Globus were perfectly even handed here sending Chuck Norris on his crusade. Chuck Norris not only has lots of balls but also many. Robert Forster imitates his neighbors from Dearborn, Michigan and now wants to sell you a Hyundai.

Terrorists singling out Jews on Hijacked Airplane - Delta Force - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EUyjV2zpVQ)

The Delta Force (1986) Chuck Norris Owns Terrorists - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE0V-xhTF4s)

http://www.filmreference.com/images/sjff_04_img1491.jpg

[Dino Velvet]

Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People - TRAILER - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QKxHINgloA)

Gene Simmons cast as an over-the-top terrorist here.

Gene Simmons Interview for Wanted Dead or Alive - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEq4VDxuVwg)

Kiss - War Machine - Rock The Nation Live! (Gene Simmons Powervision - HQ) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIQGQU35kns)

http://cinapse.co/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Wanted-Dead-Or-Alive-Villain-And-Hero.jpg

[sukumvit boy]

Two comedies: "The World's End " and We're The Millers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World's_End_(film)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaXQ8nzBr1I

[broncofan]

I saw We're the Millers too. Pretty decent comedy. Not a great movie, but it had a few laughs in it and was worth a watch.

[Stavros]

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Andrew Dominik 2007)

I don't think that someone as cruel and whose life was as squalid as Jesse James deserves the beauty shop treatment that stretches to two hours and forty minutes. Dominik has tried to do for Jesse James what Terence Malick in Badlands (1973) did in the Starkweather-Fugate killing spree of 1958, except that Malick is a genius. The film is beautifully shot, the lighting and photography are superb, but the voice-over narrative is deadly, and the climax of the film -the underwhelming assassination, followed by a tedious post-script. Casey Affleck does very well to portray a creep, never having been impressed with his acting before, other than in the Ocean's films. Brad Pitt is good at controlled aggression and presumably knows he is going to get shot, but other than that, this is a very beautiful but very long disappointment.

[fred41]

Side Effects - some interesting plot twists and overall...I liked the movie.