Last Movie You Watched

[mc ukrneal]

Behind in reporting here, but mostly dissppointment:

Frozen
[asin]B00G5G7EXY[/asin]
Some ok songs, but not well integrated into the movie. Pretty superficial and some rediculous plot developments. Sidekick character is more irritating than funny. Avoid. 

Lego Movie:
[asin]B00I6JOD2S[/asin]
Even worse than Frozen. Sure, it has an interesting plot twist, but the stupidity of the movie doesn't save it. They should call it Lego with Superheroes. I really didn't like that aspect either. Avoid.

Gravity
[asin]B00H83EUL2[/asin]
Some good acting, but some totally unrealistic plot development. If you can ignore that and just enjoy the emtional rollar coaster of the Sandra Bullock character, you might enjoy this. But I found it more irritating than enjoyable. Avoid.

[Octave]

All this talk of Ozu reminds me that there was a double album of experimental/ambient/electroacoustic miniatures inspired by Ozu's famous "pillow shots" (what the interesting commentator on the Criterion TOKYO STORY disc calls "intermediate space", iirc).  It's called YASUJIRO OZU: HITOKOMAKURA.
http://www.and-oar.org/pop_and_26.html
The discs come with an embedded PDF with stills of the pillow shots that the artists were responding to.

I remember liking it, but it's been years; I was really into a lot of those artists back then.

[Bogey]

Behind in reporting here, but mostly dissppointment:

Wow.  Not a great day of viewing for you. I enjoyed both Frozen and Gravity, but I can see where some would not.  Passing on the Lego movie.

[Cato]

I did not catch when you jumped to blus.  Enjoying them?

We have not yet made the jump: but things like this are bringing (me) us closer!   

Fortunately the regular DVD's are often being included these days with Blu-Rays for people like us!

[TheGSMoeller]

Watch Lego Movie with a group of kids that smile during the entire film, you'll become a fan.

[Ken B]

Watch Lego Movie with a group of kids that smile during the entire film, you'll become a fan.

It makes a difference! I found the same thing with Taxi Driver and The Shining.

[milk]

All this talk of Ozu reminds me that there was a double album of experimental/ambient/electroacoustic miniatures inspired by Ozu's famous "pillow shots" (what the interesting commentator on the Criterion TOKYO STORY disc calls "intermediate space", iirc).  It's called YASUJIRO OZU: HITOKOMAKURA.
http://www.and-oar.org/pop_and_26.html
The discs come with an embedded PDF with stills of the pillow shots that the artists were responding to.

I remember liking it, but it's been years; I was really into a lot of those artists back then.

I'll have to get back to this and check it out but the whole thing seems so interesting.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

That film has such a weird quality to it. I have to re-watch it. It's like he was particularly interested in artificiality or something in that one. In a way (ok I'm stretching on this one), it could almost be science fiction. I like the idea that maybe we as the audience can see in the characters what they cannot. But many people will not dig deep enough under the surface perhaps. It's just that on the surface it could be a daytime soap. But underneath it there is a whole world of questions and meanings. Also, this film belies the notion that Rohmer is all talk. It may be partially about talking but not about what they say. The discourse of the film is not what they say at all. Unlike My Night With Maud, here Rohmer shows everything while the content of what they say is negligible...if I'm remembering correctly. At a certain point I got so obsessed with Rohmer that I spent a few years trying to write and direct films. None of them turned out very well unfortunately. Recently there are more filmmakers in the States admitting to his influence. But no one has his depth, his sublimity.   

I'm uncertain what you are finding weird in L'ami de mon amie; it is the most Rohmeresque of his films and architecturally the stagiest.  Perhaps it's the theatricality of it that, in part, you are reading as soap opera (in addition to the depiction of the daily ups and downs of its protagonists which is Rohmer's stock-in-trade).  It is one of his comédies et proverbes series so it is a comedy of manners.  By Hollywood standards it has the most 'empty space' of any of his films and it fascinates me to see his characters try to fill those spaces (just as we do I might add with classical music and - ahem - films) with job, consumerism, recreation, friendships, and most significantly romantic relationships.  You are right, most viewers won't care enough about these characters to "dig deep enough under the surface."  There are rewards for those who do. (The issue is made a bit more complex by the fact that these characters are not all that deep, really, as is typical in comedies of manners - so the whole enterprise will weary most American filmgoers who will ask, "What's the Point?").  I'm glad he was such an influence on you; are you certain your films didn't turn out well?  When you have a maître such as Rohmer for your idol it's easy to be too hard on yourself.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Ahh, I like your enthusiasm Zauberdrachen! So perhaps either a director or, alternatively, a theme or random "classical" films ranging the silent films to the present, that then are voted on by members. As you suggested a list for the "season/quarter"(?) can then be posted to allow access/acquisition etc. This would shape a template for discussing films on a weekly (biweekly?) basis depending on participation. It seems like fun to me....   

I used to be a member in a film circle in college. It was a very cool creation in which each weekday had a theme. One could buy access to these themes or go all the way out and purchase a full membership. Needless to say (being a film maniac) I was always getting the full membership and this opened the path to loving film. I watched directors such as Herzog and Fassbinder - films that never ever showed in the local movie theaters that were a bit Hollywood oriented even though this was in Europe.  Anyway, I think it would be a blast to have some bright and friendly GMG company moving through the realm of film.

Seems like an entertaining and educational enterprise to me.  I'm frequently surprised amazed (and informed) by others' preferences in film and trust I'm not alone in that.  I suspect our film club will show more divergent opinions than does classical music!  When I was a working lad All of the films I loaned-out to my colleagues rec'd thumbs-down from them (inc. some of my favorites:  Thin Blue Line , Sexy Beast , Brief Encounter ).  Our security guards (I loaned them the Thin Blue Line among others) used to joke that some staff are fired for watching porn and wondered if I could be let go for watching boring films? 

[milk]

I'm uncertain what you are finding weird in L'ami de mon amie; it is the most Rohmeresque of his films and architecturally the stagiest.  Perhaps it's the theatricality of it that, in part, you are reading as soap opera (in addition to the depiction of the daily ups and downs of its protagonists which is Rohmer's stock-in-trade).  It is one of his comédies et proverbes series so it is a comedy of manners.  By Hollywood standards it has the most 'empty space' of any of his films and it fascinates me to see his characters try to fill those spaces (just as we do I might add with classical music and - ahem - films) with job, consumerism, recreation, friendships, and most significantly romantic relationships.  You are right, most viewers won't care enough about these characters to "dig deep enough under the surface."  There are rewards for those who do. (The issue is made a bit more complex by the fact that these characters are not all that deep, really, as is typical in comedies of manners - so the whole enterprise will weary most American filmgoers who will ask, "What's the Point?").  I'm glad he was such an influence on you; are you certain your films didn't turn out well?  When you have a maître such as Rohmer for your idol it's easy to be too hard on yourself.

Yes, I like what you say about space. Perhaps that's it. Some of Rohmer's films have characters confronting nature (4 Adventures/Blue Hour, Green Ray, perhaps Tale of Summer, etc.) but you're right about empty space. Everything is so artificial here. And I think much more so than the other Comedies and Proverbs. You have a lot of good points here. The characters are empty. Yet their emotional moments are touching - maybe it's even heightened by their shallowness. All of this is so interesting to me and I think weird when put up against American films generally. There are just so many interesting issues in Rohmer. While I think "L'ami de mon amie" has a heightened eerie artificiality, it's also true that his usual themes are present. For example, there is this question of chance or fate. I have to watch it again but I think the characters sort of bump into each other sometimes. And then they can make a meaning of that.

Well, you're kind to suggest I could be less hard on my own efforts. It's true that comparing oneself to Rohmer is a recipe for misery. I think my last film wasn't terrible (although perhaps not good either). It was very Rohmer-ian. It was about a guy who moves into an apartment and then receives a few love letters from a girl written to the former tenant. He's touched by the letters (having opened the first by accident and then having continued to open them) and decides he has to find her and return them. He thinks she's been jilted and sort of falls in love with the idea of her. Of course it turns out he has quite misjudged the situation but he meets another girl a long the way anyway. It's called "The Sorrows of Young Warren."

Making films is such a huge effort. I feel maybe I could do something better these days but I lost the will. I can't even believe I had the energy in the first place. Anyway, regardless of the outcome, I do take pride in not having just talked the talk but also having walked the walk.

Have you seen La Fille Seule by the way?

       

[SonicMan46]

Wow.  Not a great day of viewing for you. I enjoyed both Frozen and Gravity, but I can see where some would not.  Passing on the Lego movie.

Guess we're w/ Bill on that assessment - saw Gravity in 3D @ an IMAX which was quite an experience - will not buy the film because I suspect it would be a bore on my small HDTV (just 42").  Frozen was OK, although I'm tired of the same vacuous Disney songs; just all seem the same w/ screeching teenage voices.  We did see the Lego movie on the big screen because of the good ratings, however, we almost walked out several times - but stayed to the bitter end - that one I would not recommended for adults.  Dave

[Karl Henning]

. . . OK, although I'm tired of the same vacuous Disney songs

+ 1 (though I got there two decades ago . . . .)

[SonicMan46]

+ 1 (though I got there two decades ago . . . .)

Well, I think Beauty & the Beast might have been the last Disney animated film that I did enjoy much of the music (made in 1991) - may have been a few since that time, but cannot recall them @ the moment - Dave

[Karl Henning]

Cheers, Dave!

Tangentially . . . yesterday, a friend posted on Facebook about a movie he'd seen, including the line the sidekick was more infuriating than amusing . . . and I nearly commented, Ah, I see you've met Walt Disney   0:)

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

I think my last film wasn't terrible (although perhaps not good either). It was very Rohmer-ian. It was about a guy who moves into an apartment and then receives a few love letters from a girl written to the former tenant. He's touched by the letters (having opened the first by accident and then having continued to open them) and decides he has to find her and return them. He thinks she's been jilted and sort of falls in love with the idea of her. Of course it turns out he has quite misjudged the situation but he meets another girl a long the way anyway. It's called "The Sorrows of Young Warren."

Making films is such a huge effort. I feel maybe I could do something better these days but I lost the will. I can't even believe I had the energy in the first place. Anyway, regardless of the outcome, I do take pride in not having just talked the talk but also having walked the walk.

Have you seen La Fille Seule by the way?

     

Die Leiden des jungen Warrens.  I hope he doesn't do himself in.  I really like the plot idea, Milk.  And it does sound Rohmer-ian.  Reminds me a bit of Lunchbox which I saw a coupla weeks ago; so deftly put together is it (and the acting is first rate all 'round) that the unlikelihood of the plot is quickly forgotten and disbelief suspended.  And hunger for Indian buffet promptly induced!  My sympathy re: the energy requisite for such enterprises.  I had several quasi-academic publications pretty much make a sound like a small stone does when tossed into a pond, never to be heard or seen again.  My energy level to do similar projects = less than zero.  This is starkly Darwinian; the truly great struggle on even if only to gain appreciation posthumously (the word now means for me:  after one eats hummus).  Nope, haven't seen La Fille Seule and it's been on my long list for a long time.  It didn't get the distribution here that some of Jacquot's other work has; on your recommend will pursue more vigilantly.  BTW, if you revisit Boyfriends and Girlfriends be sure to note, if you hadn't, the carefully coordinated and contrasted clothing colors, a neat trick Rohmer may have picked-up from Demy.      Edit: grammar.

[mc ukrneal]

Well, I think Beauty & the Beast might have been the last Disney animated film that I did enjoy much of the music (made in 1991) - may have been a few since that time, but cannot recall them @ the moment - Dave

That film set the bar ridiculously high. But that was the height of the Ashman/Menken partnership as Howard Ashamn would pass away soon after. They were such a great duo too. Of course, B&B had such a remarkable cast - while few of the others had so many stars from top to bottom.

[milk]

Die Leiden des jungen Warrens.  I hope he doesn't do himself in.  I really like the plot idea, Milk.  And it does sound Rohmer-ian.  Reminds me a bit of Lunchbox which I saw a coupla weeks ago; so deftly put together is it (and the acting is first rate all 'round) that the unlikelihood of the plot is quickly forgotten and disbelief suspended.  And hunger for Indian buffet promptly induced!  My sympathy re: the energy requisite for such enterprises.  I had several quasi-academic publications pretty much make a sound like a small stone does when tossed into a pond, never to be heard or seen again.  My energy level to do similar projects = less than zero.  This is starkly Darwinian; the truly great struggle on even if only to gain appreciation posthumously (the word now means for me:  after one eats hummus).  Nope, haven't seen La Fille Seule and it's been on my long list for a long time.  It didn't get the distribution here that some of Jacquot's other work has; on your recommend will pursue more vigilantly.  BTW, if you revisit Boyfriends and Girlfriends be sure to note, if you hadn't, the carefully coordinated and contrasted clothing colors, a neat trick Rohmer may have picked-up from Demy.      Edit: grammar.

No suicide in my movie (unlike Werner). Just, "Oh Well!" Yves Klein Blue if I remember correctly! Right, it's like the characters just swap one color for the other (as they swap lovers)! I hadn't heard of lunchbox. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[SonicMan46]

Last night, a couple more BD replacements:

Young at Heart (1954) w/ Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Gig Young, Dorothy Malone, and a wonderful Ethel Barrymore - this is not a great movie but still a favorite of mine, mainly for the musical numbers, especially Frank singing @ the piano.  I delayed a purchase because the video restoration received only a 3.5/5 HERE, and I'd have to agree - the colors are not as vibrant and a lot of grain is evident; BUT the mono audio is excellent (rated 4/5 at the same site linked). 

All About Eve (1950) w/ Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, et al - multiple Oscar nominations & wins, including Best Picture & Best Supporting Actor for Sanders.  The AV restoration is excellent (video, 4.5/5 & audio, 4.0/5 HERE) - highly recommended.  Dave

 

[Mookalafalas]

That film set the bar ridiculously high. But that was the height of the Ashman/Menken partnership as Howard Ashamn would pass away soon after. They were such a great duo too. Of course, B&B had such a remarkable cast - while few of the others had so many stars from top to bottom.

I think Tangled is an excellent Disney cartoon.  The music is solid--far from vacuous but, admittedly, not memorable.  Even Aladdin and Hercules are respectable movies, and although I hate their most promoted songs, they both have acceptable music, IMO.   

[mc ukrneal]

I think Tangled is an excellent Disney cartoon.  The music is solid--far from vacuous but, admittedly, not memorable.  Even Aladdin and Hercules are respectable movies, and although I hate their most promoted songs, they both have acceptable music, IMO.   

I agree - Tangled is fun. Aladdin is fun as well and about half the music is still Ashman/Menken byt the way. Hercules was never my favorite, but then I find the story not so interesting for me in any movie, so I am not the best judge on that particular one.