What is The Last Movie You Watched?

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Originally Posted by broncofan

The Long Goodbye, directed by Robert Altman, starring Elliott Gould. I have not read the source material, a book by Raymond Chandler. But if I had to guess, I would guess that this movie was let down by a deficient screenplay. The one Chandler book I've read had a very intricate, even labyrinthine plot. Here, where the plot wasn't easy to follow it was only because the character development was very thin.

A good performance by Sterling Hayden as a writer with a serious drinking problem. Elliott Gould was merely okay. He was trying to come across as a sort of sarcastic loner. Mission accomplished, but he seemed to mumble to himself a lot, and I don't think it's really a valid interpretation of Marlowe, who was probably a bit more self-possessed. Maybe I'm just used to Bogart's Marlowe from the Big Sleep, but that seemed a lot more plausible to me.

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I had similar thoughts about this movie. Watched it a few months ago because it was suggested as being one of Robert Altman's best. Not a bad movie but overall I felt it was dull and Elliot Gould was miscast - I read Chandler a long time ago and I had the impression of Marlowe being more tormented. Elliot Gould delivered too much of the character's sardonic nature and not enough of the torment. Sterling Hayden was very good, Nina Van Pallandt wasn't.

Michael Kohlhaas, a french-language movie directed by Arnaud des Pallieres and starring Mads Mikkelsen. Story takes place in 16th century France (although the original story written in the 18th century was based on a figure from German, specifically Saxon, history) and is about a morally upright horse dealer and follower of Martin Luther who - when wronged by the local Baron - decides to take matters into his own hands to get justice. However, don't expect another Braveheart! Instead the director chose to focus on the moral and political aspects of the story and from an existentialist's point of view so dialogue is sparse, cinematography is devoid of enhancements, and one gets the idea that every action is purposeful. Nothing is wasted. Mads Mikkelsen is outstanding - I've watched 4 of his movies so far and yet to be disappointed - and the rest of the cast play their parts well. Interesting scene between Koohlhaas and Martin Luther in which the latter tries to dissuade the former fro rebellion while clearly Koohlhaas was following his morals according to Luther's teachings. The real star though is the script.


Mads Mikkelsen as Michael Kohlhaas - with English Subtitles - YouTube

I saw the Lego movie. Very enjoyable.

"Super Eight" - a DVD I've had lying around for ages and never bothered to watch. I should have stuck to that decision. Dumb adventure film about aliens. Thee was a brilliantly staged train crash though. A waste of time.

The Book Thief. Don't bother, a saccharin-flavoured overblown confection of a film which even the usually reliable Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson can't rescue. Mind you, I forecast a big future for the young Canadian actress Sophie Nelisse who plays the lead role of Liesl.

It's a shame, because the book on which it's based, although flawed in its delivery, was a bold experiment. Oh well.

Next week, a treat - Wes Anderson's latest, The Grand Budapest Hotel.

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Originally Posted by Prospero

"Lore" a rather obscure - in that I've not seen reviews anywhere mainstream, not listings of it at any cinemas - film called Lore", an Australian-German co-production about the fate of a group of children in the immediate aftermath of World War Two in Germany. They are abandoned by their parents, (the father was in the SS) , and undertake a troubled journey across occupied germany to reach their grandmother. It is a bit too beautifully filmed with overly precious lingering and overcomposed shots and is too lyrical and rather slow, but does deal with some serious issues little touched on in fiction or cinema. It is the third film by a young Australian director Kate Shortland who I'd not come across before.

Lore Movie Trailer (2013) - YouTube

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I've seen it - there are some very good German films these days. Felt it tackled the dog end of the war in an interesting way that challenged most preconceptions and took a brave stance on the parents' Nazi backgrounds. Good performances all round, and, as you say, beautifully filmed.

I will be watching Barbara on BBC4 tomorrow night as I'm a big fan of its star, Nina Hoss.

And I will be seeing The Grand Budapest Hotel next week.

Ted...Again.
Even fukkin better!

Who Framed Roger Rabbit. I remember seeing it when i was like 5 and it scared the crap out of me with some of the imagery. Now it's hilarious.

POMPEII

basically your average roman gladiator type movie -nothing special that you
don't normally see on cable TV or roku streaming - i also saw it in 3-D.
and 3-D effects wasnt anything special either. It was action filled and i guess
somewhat of a tear jearker because a few ladies in theater were sniffing tears
at the sad ending.