Last Movie You Watched

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Well worth the viewing - I come from a part of the U.S. in which cases of MS are rife (as they are peculiarly along that Northern latitude 'round the globe).   So while watching this documentary I couldn't help but think of all those afflicted I know (knew)...

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[SonicMan46]

Some new Blu-ray arrivals - all DVD replacements:

Karate Kid, The (1984) - 30th year anniversary - hard to believe!  I've always enjoyed Pat Morita in this film and how the relationship w/ Macchio developed - excellent video restoration and cheap - review HERE.

Fugitive, The (1993) w/ Ford & Jones - the 20th anniversary edition (i.e. one w/ the white label) has received better AV restoration - now rated 4*/5* for both by the reviewer HERE - still an excellent film which I've not watched in years - if you're a fan of the two actors and the movie, then a recommendation!

When Harry Met Sally (1989) w/ Billy Crystal & Meg Ryan - still an enjoyable film for me and love the soundtrack - w/ the AV restoration rated 4.5/5 & 4/5 HERE, another consideration for fans - Dave


   

[Todd]

True Detective.  A couple cops hunt a serial killer in the swamps of Louisiana.  Extremely well made, with generally good acting throughout, it nonetheless has some over-the-top scenes that don't work, Matthew McConaughey's character just doesn't seem viable as a police officer, and the last episode seems too rushed.  As far as serial killer themed entertainments go, I found it well worth watching.

[milk]

True Detective.  A couple cops hunt a serial killer in the swamps of Louisiana.  Extremely well made, with generally good acting throughout, it nonetheless has some over-the-top scenes that don't work, Matthew McConaughey's character just doesn't seem viable as a police officer, and the last episode seems too rushed.  As far as serial killer themed entertainments go, I found it well worth watching.

I liked the characters, performances, and direction much more than the plot and the final episode has tainted my memory of the series. I think I'll watch it again at some point and see what I think. I didn't mind so much that it wasn't realistic at times because the world they created made it's own kind of sense. But I don't think the plot integrated well at the end with what they were saying overall with the characters and production design. It's well worth watching though. 

[Todd]

Blue Ruin.  A low-budget revenge film, filled with much violence and blood, all of it depicted in realistic fashion and scale - no slow-motion action shots and endless gun clips here.  The plot is uncomplicated.  The acting is all good, or at least good enough.  The main character's motivation is understandable, but his actions are ultimately as unforgivable as those he seeks to bring to his version of justice.  Good, but single viewing only good.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

This intensely personal film from Louis Malle (The Lovers, My Dinner with André) tells a heartbreaking story of friendship and devastating loss concerning two boys living in Nazi-occupied France. At a provincial Catholic boarding school, the precocious youths enjoy true camaraderie—until a secret is revealed. Based on events from writer-director Malle's own childhood, Au revoir les enfants (Goodbye, Children) is a subtle, precisely observed tale of courage, cowardice, and tragic awakening.

[asin]B004GFGUAE[/asin]

Yes! (...and sense of guilt and personal responsibility).  Malle's short novel (from which he developed the film) is well worth reading.

[SonicMan46]

Still going through my 'homemade' DVDs off the TCM channel - just a few every so often - now on the Ds - Dave

Dark Victory (1939) w/ Bette Davis, George Brent, & Humphrey Bogart - socialite w/ an inoperable brain tumor who falls in love w/ her surgeon - a 'tear jerker' from the ole days - remade as Stolen Hours in 1963 w/ Susan Hayward, who actually died from a brain tumor.  Good summary on RottenTomatoes w/ 85% positive!

Dawn Patrol, The (1938) w/ Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, & David Niven - WWI British pilots against the Red Baron & his gang of fliers - 100th year anniversary of the start of this war - well done film w/ most of the 'adventure' on the ground w/ some excellent acting; my recorded version is in terrible condition - a restoration would be of great interest - recommended for war buffs! 

 

[Bogey]

Two last night:

What I would rate as close to a B film without being one.  From 1937:



It was worth watching due to Bogey and the sets. 

And

From 1970, Patton.



I have tried to watch this numerous times and each time I walk away with a "meh" attitude about the film.  However, the Goldsmith score is outstanding,

[SonicMan46]

What I would rate as close to a B film without being one.  From 1937:

 

It was worth watching due to Bogey and the sets. 

Bill - thought that I owned Dead End on a burned DVD but actually have a commercial one, so must be a good film! - just checked my movie database and has 3+/4 ratings in both Maltin's book and in VideoHounds - will watch tonight!

As to Patton, I watch that one about once a year and enjoy - just a BIG George fan, I guess - Dave

[Bogey]

Let me know if Joel McCrea reminds you a bit of Errol Flynn. 

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Rommel... you magnificent bastard, I read your book!

[Ken B]

Let me know if Joel McCrea reminds you a bit of Errol Flynn.

"I'm the guy they hire when they can't get Gary Cooper." --Joel McCrea

He is one of my favourites. He's in a lot of great movies, Sullivan's Travels and The More the Merrier for instance, and is never less than faultless.

He became immensely rich btw. He plowed his earnings into real estate in North Hollywood.

He does not remind me of Errol Flynn.

[SonicMan46]

"I'm the guy they hire when they can't get Gary Cooper." --Joel McCrea

He is one of my favourites. He's in a lot of great movies, Sullivan's Travels and The More the Merrier for instance, and is never less than faultless..........

He does not remind me of Errol Flynn.

Hi Ken - I agree, Joel McCrea is one of my favorite actors, also - the two films mentioned above perfectly demonstrate his varied talents, i.e. from seriousness to wacky comedy; then later in his career, he was portrayed in so many excellent westerns, especially from the '50s.  I own a LOT of his films (both homemade & commercial DVDs and now a handful of BDs - just purchased the Foreign Correspondent Blu-ray version from 1940).

For those who do not know this actor, then start exploring his LONG and varied acting output - and I have to agree that Errol Flynn would not be my first choice for a comparison, but I'll watch the film Bill mentioned tonight to see what he may have been suggesting?  Dave

[Ken B]

Hi Ken - I agree, Joel McCrea is one of my favorite actors, also - the two films mentioned above perfectly demonstrate his varied talents, i.e. from seriousness to wacky comedy; then later in his career, he was portrayed in so many excellent westerns, especially from the '50s.  I own a LOT of his films (both homemade & commercial DVDs and now a handful of BDs - just purchased the Foreign Correspondent Blu-ray version from 1940).

For those who do not know this actor, then start exploring his LONG and varied acting output - and I have to agree that Errol Flynn would not be my first choice for a comparison, but I'll watch the film Bill mentioned tonight to see what he may have been suggesting?  Dave

He is great in FC. That speech could be a dated disaster, but it isn't. It works, and McCrea is why it works.
He reminds more of Henry Fonda than Errol Flynn.

[North Star]

Agreed.
I put aside my favorite movie that PSH was in watch later, Synecdoche, New York, only Hoffman could have pulled off such an unorthodox character in such an unorthodox film. He was believable in every role he created .

Just watched this now, a great performance for sure.

[Ken B]

Over a decade in the making, Claude Lanzmann's nine-hour-plus opus is a monumental investigation of the unthinkable: the murder of more than six million Jews by the Nazis. Using no archival footage, Lanzmann instead focuses on first-person testimonies (of survivors and former Nazis, as well as other witnesses), employing a circular, free-associative method in assembling them. The intellectual yet emotionally overwhelming Shoah is not a film about excavating the past but an intensive portrait of the ways in which the past is always present, and it is inarguably one of the most important cinematic works of all time.

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Timely.

But it usually is these days.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Thanks to Octave for leading me to Hukkle, part sociology, part puzzle, ALL VISUAL TREAT.  One of the most original cinematic experiences I've ever enjoyed.   

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[SonicMan46]

Well, tonight I've been streaming some films from Amazon & Netflix:

Noah (2014) w/ Russel Crowe et al - WHAT can I say?  Some of the specials were good, otherwise 'give me a break'!   As likely expected, this film got very mixed reviews, e.g. 77% from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes but only 45% from the viewers - I'm w/ the crowd - I'd give this no more than 3* on Amazon (and that's twisting my arm) - recommended by me, not really but up to you!

Mud (2013) w/ Matthew McC..... et al - streamed this film w/ Susan earlier this year, and we got bored, but the reviews were good, SO decided to watch the movie again (free on Netflix) - enjoyed and liked the relationship of the boys - 98% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes & 80% from the audience - 4*/5 on Amazon which I'd probably do the same - worth a watch but not likely a repeater for me.  Dave

 

[Ken B]

Well, tonight I've been streaming some films from Amazon & Netflix:

Noah (2014) w/ Russel Crowe et al - WHAT can I say?  Some of the specials were good, otherwise 'give me a break'!   As likely expected, this film got very mixed reviews, e.g. 77% from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes but only 45% from the viewers - I'm w/ the crowd - I'd give this no more than 3* on Amazon (and that's twisting my arm) - recommended by me, not really but up to you!

Does he sing? By all that's holy, does he sing?

[SonicMan46]

Does he sing? By all that's holy, does he sing?

Hi Ken - well, no singing in this version (BUT, there may be a sequel? ) - basically, a film about a dysfunctional family caught up in a minor planetary disaster -

One of my favorite scenes was after landing on Mt. Ararat (assume from the CGI graphics), Noah wanders off to live in a cave, finds some grapes, and then gets drunk on wine - LOVE it!  I'll have to re-read the bible on that one - AGAIN, I'm not recommending this film.  Dave