Last Movie You Watched

[Bogey]

Still holds up, plus I am a sucker for sub films.

[Bogey]

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How'd it look, James?  Do you have the Stagecoach release from Criterion as well?

[Brian]

I watched a little movie called Once Upon a Time in the West.

Good, stylish, fun, and with delicious acting performances from everyone, but especially Charles Bronson, whose face is a fascinating, inscrutable landscape. (And it makes for better close-ups than the young, smoother-skinned Eastwood did in the Dollars films.) But for me this definitely falls well short of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Morricone's score is the only thing that has been pared down and simplified. The plot, cast, character motivations, sets, and storytelling structure all got more complicated. I'm amazed Claudia Cardinale could figure out who all these guys visiting her were and what all of them wanted.

It's funny that the title of this one suggests the story as myth, because to me, Good Bad & Ugly is more mythical. It may contain Odyssean diversions and distractions, like the Civil War battle and the interlude in the hospital, but the plot is almost primal, instinctive: three dangerous men are searching for treasure.

Once obviously had some classic scenes that left me riveted. The whole opening train station sequence (with Gus Fring lookalike); the first meeting of Harmonica and Cheyenne; Cheyenne slowly shooting up the entire train car; the first time you see Henry Fonda. Actually, most of the times you see Henry Fonda. I guess the plot was too byzantine, the climax wasn't as thrilling, and I really missed seeing Eli Wallach ham it up.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Once upon a time in the west has movie scene to which I cry more than in any other movie. And that is the death of Morton, the tragic Antivillain, railroad tycoon, his longing to see the Pacific Ocean before his death... and he ends up dying in a small puddle of water. And of course Morton's theme by Ennio Morricone never fails to impress. I heard however that his personal favorite of his works is his score to once upon a time in america which I enjoy likewise. And it is a very good movie too.

Listened to Man with the harmonica today, it is very impressive.

[Ken B]

I watched a little movie called Once Upon a Time in the West.

Good, stylish, fun, and with delicious acting performances from everyone, but especially Charles Bronson, whose face is a fascinating, inscrutable landscape. (And it makes for better close-ups than the young, smoother-skinned Eastwood did in the Dollars films.) But for me this definitely falls well short of The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Morricone's score is the only thing that has been pared down and simplified. The plot, cast, character motivations, sets, and storytelling structure all got more complicated. I'm amazed Claudia Cardinale could figure out who all these guys visiting her were and what all of them wanted.

It's funny that the title of this one suggests the story as myth, because to me, Good Bad & Ugly is more mythical. It may contain Odyssean diversions and distractions, like the Civil War battle and the interlude in the hospital, but the plot is almost primal, instinctive: three dangerous men are searching for treasure.

Once obviously had some classic scenes that left me riveted. The whole opening train station sequence (with Gus Fring lookalike); the first meeting of Harmonica and Cheyenne; Cheyenne slowly shooting up the entire train car; the first time you see Henry Fonda. Actually, most of the times you see Henry Fonda. I guess the plot was too byzantine, the climax wasn't as thrilling, and I really missed seeing Eli Wallach ham it up.

You should watch Support Your Local Sheriff.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

BTW, in the opening scene when Harmonica shoots the three guys... Leone wanted that GBU trio would portray them but unfortunately Eastwood had enough of Leone and considering Wallach almost died three times during the filming of GBU I don't wonder why he declined. Can't remember if that was the actual reason though. And I also cannot remember Lee van Cleef's reasons. The killing of GBU trio in the opening scene of once upon a time in america was suspposed to symbolize the death of wild west, major theme in this movie.

[ibanezmonster]

A fine movie though the ending goes on for a bit too long and the character of Forrest is a bit awkward (yes, I know it was intentionally so but I think the awkwardness should (and could) be still portrayed somewhat more interestingly) The best character, to me, is not Forrest but lieutenant Dan. Gary Sinise nails it. And the score is hard-core.

Is this your first time watching this? 

(somehow, I've seen it 3 or 4 times without even trying... I don't watch cable TV nowadays, but over here it is played constantly on cable)

[Brian]

And I also cannot remember Lee van Cleef's reasons.

I believe that Wallach declined because Eastwood declined, and then Leone knew that having only Lee van Cleef would not make the same statement, so he gave up.

You should watch Support Your Local Sheriff.

That's the James Garner one, right?

[lisa needs braces]

BTW, in the opening scene when Harmonica shoots the three guys... Leone wanted that GBU trio would portray them but unfortunately Eastwood had enough of Leone and considering Wallach almost died three times during the filming of GBU I don't wonder why he declined. Can't remember if that was the actual reason though. And I also cannot remember Lee van Cleef's reasons. The killing of GBU trio in the opening scene of once upon a time in america was suspposed to symbolize the death of wild west, major theme in this movie.

Wow, that would have been amazing.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Is this your first time watching this? 

(somehow, I've seen it 3 or 4 times without even trying... I don't watch cable TV nowadays, but over here it is played constantly on cable)

No, I have seen it before couple of times although it still took me remarkably long to watch it first time.

[Ken B]

I believe that Wallach declined because Eastwood declined, and then Leone knew that having only Lee van Cleef would not make the same statement, so he gave up.

That's the James Garner one, right?

Yes. He made two. Sheriff is excellent, Gunfighter not so good.

[Bogey]

[Drasko]

Fourth season somewhat structurally differs from previous ones in as much that it has strong central plot (search for this long missing mystery person) going throughout the season. I'd prefer less of that plot and more of those colorful characters already established, but still not bad at all.

I think I'll make slight pause before the 5th season of Justified and watch the final season of True Blood next.

[DavidRoss]

Classic!
Added this to my Netflix watch list a couple of weeks ago.  Maybe it's time ... doubt I've seen it since the sixties!

[lisa needs braces]

Lots of buzz for this one. Hail the return of Michael Keaton!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJfLoE6hanc

[Bogey]

Classic!
Added this to my Netflix watch list a couple of weeks ago.  Maybe it's time ... doubt I've seen it since the sixties!

Fortunately, the writing causes enough tension and moves the picture along at a decent clip that it does not allow one to ponder the acting.    I enjoyed it for a home matinee experience.

[SonicMan46]

Yes I have both, best I've seen both. Red fairs much better than Stagecoach for image & sound quality .. and it is presented in 2 versions, theatrical and pre-cut version (DVD & Blu Ray - 4 discs). I watched the theatrical Blu last night .. plus the Red box has tonnes of extras and the actual novel the film was based on. A real steal through Barnes & Noble's 50% off sale back in July.

@ Bill - if you want additional confirmation, I also have both films now on BD - no looking back!     Dave

[Ken B]

An odd political movie from 1961

[asin]B009M4KTV0[/asin]

A bit clumsy but enjoyable.

[SonicMan46]

Boyhood (2014) w/ Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Ellar Coltrane, et al - plot synopsis below from Rotten Tomatoes, which has a 99% positive rating from the critics; 8.8/10 on IMDB; and 4.3/5* on Amazon - below a series of facial shots of Ellar Coltrane from a young boy to a high school graduate - long film but held our attention (and no CGI or loud booms!) - highly recommended - I'd certainly do 4* on Amazon (and maybe a little more) - Dave

Filmed over 12 years with the same cast, Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (a breakthrough performance by Ellar Coltrane), who literally grows up on screen before our eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette as Mason's parents and newcomer Lorelei Linklater as his sister Samantha, BOYHOOD charts the rocky terrain of childhood like no other film has before. Snapshots of adolescence from road trips and family dinners to birthdays and graduations and all the moments in between become transcendent, set to a soundtrack spanning the years from Coldplay's Yellow to Arcade Fire's Deep Blue. BOYHOOD is both a nostalgic time capsule of the recent past and an ode to growing up and parenting. It's impossible to watch Mason and his family without thinking about our own journey.

 

[SonicMan46]

Desparate Hours, The (1955) - Bogart's penultimate film before his death in 1957 - have this one burned to DVD from TCM but have not watched in a while - Bogart & March quite effective together w/ suspense to the end.  Rotten Tomatoes, 83%; IMDB, 7.6/10 - recommended, especially for fans of the two main male actors.  Dave