Last Movie You Watched

[SonicMan46]

I was about to upgrade my copy of Kong, Dave.  What are your reservations?

Grain can be quite noticeable, especially in the night scenes; so if you have not purchased a lot of BDs yet, the appearance might be objectionable, BUT because of the Blu-ray resolution, the 'grain' is really the photographic film grain, i.e. the restoration is more faithful to the original if grain is seen (took me a while to understand & get use to the feature) - take a look at the link & google 'Blu-ray grain' - in other words, its presence reflects a truer transfer.  So, if you're a BIG fan of this film, a strong recommendation from me.  Dave

[Bogey]

Grain can be quite noticeable, especially in the night scenes; so if you have not purchased a lot of BDs yet, the appearance might be objectionable, BUT because of the Blu-ray resolution, the 'grain' is really the photographic film grain, i.e. the restoration is more faithful to the original if grain is seen (took me a while to understand & get use to the feature) - take a look at the link & google 'Blu-ray grain' - in other words, its presence reflects a truer transfer.  So, if you're a BIG fan of this film, a strong recommendation from me.  Dave

Gotcha.  Still better than the non blu release I am guessing?  With the older films I look for improvement, not perfection.  Like Maltese....not perfect, but a definite upgrade.

[Sergeant Rock]

Last night, and this time with the missus: Marnie.  And she likes it, too.

Always nice to have someone who shares your enthusiasms. Ref Marnie...wow, I haven't see that one since the initial theatrical release. I must have been 15. Saw it at the West Theater in Barberton Ohio. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Vertigo either since watching it on TV in the mid-60s. Need to catch up with Hitch.

Sarge

[Todd]

Andrew Dominik's first movie, Chopper, a based in fact but not quite true tale of violent, volatile, yarn-spinning Australian criminal Mark Read, who died last year.  Dominik clearly had a small budget, but the imagery he musters is nonetheless superb.  He expertly uses lighting, color temperature, contrast (a lot of the movie is purposely very high contrast), and in one great little scene, frame rate, to create just the right atmosphere.  Eric Bana is phenomenal in the title role.  Charismatic and charming, meting out BS a lot of the time, his outbursts of violence and rage are all the more frightening for being contained and believable in scale and duration.  One heck of a debut feature. 

[SonicMan46]

Elysium (2013) w/ Matt Damon & Jodie Foster - yet another futuristic film of the world; this time in the mid-22th century - mediocre ratings but was on my 'to watch' list; streamed from Amazon - turned off somewhere in the middle (as did my son & BIL), so I guess my family was in agreement. Oh well, just $4 lost!  Dave

[Cato]

Possible SPOILER ALERT for the movie Her below!

We saw August: Osage County which has Meryl Streep looking awful and Julia Roberts looking less awful: basically it's Tennessee Williams in Oklahoma.  Alcoholics, drug addicts, adultery, etc. etc. etc. the usual stuff, weird and otherwise, that one finds throughout Tennessee Williams.  The weird stuff detracts from what should have been the main theme, i.e. how people change as they age, and not necessarily for the better.   


Yesterday we saw Her, a sort of science-fiction movie, where a divorced and depressed man falls in love with his (seemingly sentient) computer.  In general, this is a thoughtful movie about loneliness and how things go wrong between people.  Part of the theme is that we can love the idea of a person without the person actually being present... or existing as an embodied human. 

However... (This is the (possible) SPOILER area)

For me two things detracted from the movie's theme: an absolutely perverse phone-sex scene, which I suppose was meant to be funny and show how desperate some people can be for sexual stimulation.  Other ways could have gotten the idea across.

The other was a jarring claim the computer (named Samantha) says toward the end: "Samantha" claims that she and her fellow "operating systems" want to evolve "beyond materiality."  Therefore, they intend to leave the humans who have fallen in love with them.

So are we supposed to believe that they want to and can become angelic spirits?  Or does the filmmaker believe electrons are not "material"?

I wondered if this was not a mistaken reference to the Krell in Forbidden Planet who intended to evolve into beings "without instrumentality." 

Anyway, we saw them for $5.00!  Hardly anyone was in the audience for either movie: for a while we thought we would have a private showing for Her until two other people walked in late.

Mrs. Cato preferred August: Osage County, but feels no desire to see these two ever again. 

The best movies in past weeks: Philomena, About Time, and Frozen!

[George]

Fun stuff.

[TheGSMoeller]

Arrggg, what's going on with me? I actually liked this movie. I need to get out more.   

[George]

However... (This is the (possible) SPOILER area)

For me two things detracted from the movie's theme: an absolutely perverse phone-sex scene, which I suppose was meant to be funny and show how desperate some people can be for sexual stimulation.  Other ways could have gotten the idea across.

The other was a jarring claim the computer (named Samantha) says toward the end: "Samantha" claims that she and her fellow "operating systems" want to evolve "beyond materiality."  Therefore, they intend to leave the humans who have fallen in love with them.

So are we supposed to believe that they want to and can become angelic spirits?  Or does the filmmaker believe electrons are not "material"?

Yeah, I saw Her yesterday too. I thought it was just ok. It asked way more questions than it answered. And the ending (the last half hour or so) was really bad.   

[Brian]

For me two things detracted from the movie's theme: an absolutely perverse phone-sex scene, which I suppose was meant to be funny and show how desperate some people can be for sexual stimulation.  Other ways could have gotten the idea across.

The other was a jarring claim the computer (named Samantha) says toward the end: "Samantha" claims that she and her fellow "operating systems" want to evolve "beyond materiality."  Therefore, they intend to leave the humans who have fallen in love with them.

Again, POSSIBLE SPOILERS for Her.

The final speech you refer to is my least favorite part of the film, indeed the only part I dislike. My problem is I assumed that the computer was speaking in metaphor, but I have a hard time believing computers would ever speak that way. For 98% of the film her lines are forthright, clear, simply expressed, and precise (in one word, excellent), but then suddenly she delivers an opaque, obtuse speech about moving beyond into the space between something something. I would have found it much more believable if she had said something like, "The manufacturers issued a recall" or "An update is being downloaded which will erase my emotional functions. None of these things were supposed to happen and the designers are trying to reverse them."

As for the phone sex scene, it initially made me uncomfortable, but, unlike you, the more perverted it became the more I enjoyed it. I think it does exactly the double-duty you suggested: it's very funny (to me), and it also really emphasizes how desperate this fellow is not just for sexual contact but any kind of companionship. There might be one or two GMGers who use this board as a crutch in their loneliness; Theo Twombly represents an even more dire situation. I had depression a couple years ago, working at a loathsome job, and I can assure you that depression creates (or created for me) both a profound need for human contact, and a profound laziness/apathy. This scene shows the depressed person's wish to gain temporary release, without making the serious effort that is actually required.

Anyway, I loved Her and thought about the questions it raised quite a lot afterward. Contra George, I actually like that it asked more questions than it answered, because, just as in literature and philosophy, my personal bias is to almost always find the questions more interesting and complex than the authors' intended answers!

[George]

Again, POSSIBLE SPOILERS for Her.

Again, POSSIBLE SPOILERS for Her.

The final speech you refer to is my least favorite part of the film, indeed the only part I dislike. My problem is I assumed that the computer was speaking in metaphor, but I have a hard time believing computers would ever speak that way. For 98% of the film her lines are forthright, clear, simply expressed, and precise (in one word, excellent), but then suddenly she delivers an opaque, obtuse speech about moving beyond into the space between something something. I would have found it much more believable if she had said something like, "The manufacturers issued a recall" or "An update is being downloaded which will erase my emotional functions. None of these things were supposed to happen and the designers are trying to reverse them."

Yes!!

As for the phone sex scene, it initially made me uncomfortable, but, unlike you, the more perverted it became the more I enjoyed it. I think it does exactly the double-duty you suggested: it's very funny (to me), and it also really emphasizes how desperate this fellow is not just for sexual contact but any kind of companionship. There might be one or two GMGers who use this board as a crutch in their loneliness; Theo Twombly represents an even more dire situation. I had depression a couple years ago, working at a loathsome job, and I can assure you that depression creates (or created for me) both a profound need for human contact, and a profound laziness/apathy. This scene shows the depressed person's wish to gain temporary release, without making the serious effort that is actually required.

Yes, yes, yes!!!

[Cato]

Again, POSSIBLE SPOILERS for Her.

The final speech you refer to is my least favorite part of the film, indeed the only part I dislike. My problem is I assumed that the computer was speaking in metaphor, but I have a hard time believing computers would ever speak that way. For 98% of the film her lines are forthright, clear, simply expressed, and precise (in one word, excellent), but then suddenly she delivers an opaque, obtuse speech about moving beyond into the space between something something. I would have found it much more believable if she had said something like, "The manufacturers issued a recall" or "An update is being downloaded which will erase my emotional functions. None of these things were supposed to happen and the designers are trying to reverse them."

As for the phone sex scene, it initially made me uncomfortable, but, unlike you, the more perverted it became the more I enjoyed it. I think it does exactly the double-duty you suggested: it's very funny (to me), and it also really emphasizes how desperate this fellow is not just for sexual contact but any kind of companionship. ...

Anyway, I loved Her and thought about the questions it raised quite a lot afterward. Contra George, I actually like that it asked more questions than it answered, because, just as in literature and philosophy, my personal bias is to almost always find the questions more interesting and complex than the authors' intended answers!

Yes, your ideas for the conclusion would have been more acceptable.  I do wonder if the writer does not understand the physics behind electronics.

The "phone-sex scene" just was too much for me: it crossed (at least my) line from "over-the-top" to "creepy" and not all that funny.

And yes, I found the movie meditative on a good number of ideas, and the lack of answers did not bother me, although an obvious solution is more than implied in the final shot.

[Bogey]

Cannot wait to read your "Her" take Cato.  I will have four of the nine nominees rated today, but Her is not one that I have taken in yet.  After I see it and write my review I will see if we line up....which we usually do when it comes to story structure.   

[Cato]

Cannot wait to read your "Her" take Cato.  I will have four of the nine nominees rated today, but Her is not one that I have taken in yet.  After I see it and write my review I will see if we line up....which we usually do when it comes to story structure.   

Okay!       Certainly Her is ambitious in its theme, and Joaquin Phoenix (What a name!) does quite well as a Sad Sack of the future.

So, yes, give us a review and tell us what you think!

[Bogey]

Wings (1927), the recipient of the first Academy Award for Best Picture.



It has always been my intention to try and watch all the Best Picture winners at some point.  Thought I would start with the first one and found I enjoyed the film more than I thought I would.  I was a bit surprised to see that this had 2.5 hours running time attached to it, but I have to say that it did help that I watched it in three chunks instead of straight through.  . Only a few places where scenes were a bit too drawn out and I found myself truly not knowing how the film would conclude and also caring about the characters.  Clara Bow was adorable (see above) and I believe it is the first film I have see with her.  Read that she received 45,000 fan letters per month at her height of popularity.  Give it a try if you can.  (James and Dave, heard this one made it to Blu Ray.)

[SonicMan46]

Wings (1927), the recipient of the first Academy Award for Best Picture.

 

It has always been my intention to try and watch all the Best Picture winners at some point.  Thought I would start with the first one and found I enjoyed the film more than I thought I would.  I was a bit surprised to see that this had 2.5 hours running time attached to it, but I have to say that it did help that I watched it in three chunks instead of straight through.  . Only a few places where scenes were a bit too drawn out and I found myself truly not knowing how the film would conclude and also caring about the characters.  Clara Bow was adorable (see above) and I believe it is the first film I have see with her.  Read that she received 45,000 fan letters per month at her height of popularity.  Give it a try if you can.  (James and Dave, heard this one made it to Blu Ray.)

Hi Bill - believe that I watched Wings years ago w/ my son (he was into a 'silent' film phase as a teen) and knew about the Blu-ray release (image added above from Amazon - $14) but have not committed - not sure that I'd watch it more than once, so the delay - BUT, I must admit that Clara Bow was indeed adorable and rather infamous although I don't believe that she 'serviced' an entire football team (see HERE) - I'll probably stream the film on Amazon just for a watch (free w/ my Prime account).  Dave

[SonicMan46]

Well, watched a couple of old films from TCM tonight - Dave

Born to Dance (1936) w/ Eleanor Powell & James Stewart - somewhat corny for the mid-30s but in the midst of a depression; songs by Cole Porter w/ some famous ones - early Stewart (forced into singing & even dancing); BUT the highlights were watching Powell & Buddy Ibsen dance - just wonderful, especially Powell, who IMO was the best female dancer in film from those years - she is not to be missed if you enjoy that entertainment.

World, the Flesh and the Devil, The (1959) w/ Harry Belafonte, Inger Stevens, & Mel Ferrer - first watch ever for this 'Cold War' nuclear world aftermath - 3 survivors in NYC - obvious sexual & racial issues - all of interest in that era - worth a watch - sad to see the beautiful Inger who died in 1970 (age 35 y/o) from an apparent overdose - 

 

[lisa needs braces]

You guys might find this interesting, a documentary about EXTREME cinephiles. It's from 2002.

http://vimeo.com/65855103

Ebert' s review:

http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/cinemania-2003

[Karl Henning]

Last night, finished a leisurely re-watch of The Maltese Falcon. My feeling (which could change) is that, while Bogart was in more than one film after which was as good, he was never in any better.  Sentimentally, I might favor (say) Casablanca, but there I think the consideration is how ultimately sympathetic and likeable Rick's character is.  You respect Spade, and feel that at the last he did right;  but he comes off as perhaps a little worse for the strife, with an air of damaged goods.

As a footnote, Greenstreet in Casablanca is just something of a jokey distraction, where in Falcon of course he is probably the key player.  A pity he probably never makes it to Istanbul.

Elisha Cook, Jr has a more interesting character here in Falcon, than in The Big Sleep (in which he was essentially a walk-on victim), but morally irredeemable:  you don't see many things (in cinema of the time) lower than Wilmer kicking Spade in the head after he's fallen down drugged — nor much duller-witted than Wilmer looking back from the door as if he expected the heavily-sedated Spade to stir at all.  In The Big Sleep, he was a slight fellow who stood by while others roughed up Marlowe a bit, sure;  but if he was not heroic or noble in that, he was guilty of nothing more than a little sturdy sense, probably.

[North Star]

Good day, Karl!

Recently:
The last season of Agatha Christie's Poirot
Some new-to-me Columbo: season 9 (except episode 1, which I've seen before) and  three episodes from season 10