Last Movie You Watched

[Ken B]

Arrival yesterday of another small Amazon order - 6 BDs (all DVD replacements) - last night:

Shadow of a Doubt (1943) w/ Teresa Wright & Joseph Cotton; Alfred Hitchcock, director - nefarious 'Uncle Charlie' pays a family visit and the mystery drama proceeds in the usual Hitchcockian ways - a MUST watch if not seen before; another excellent blu-ray transfer.

The Big Trail (1930) w/ the 23 y/o John Wayne - beginning synopsis quoted below from HERE; the expansive scenes are just amazing for the times (more on making the film HERE); an early widescreen technology was used which presents a 2.10 aspect ratio; the BD is full of special features which I need to explore - HIGHLY recommended!  Dave

   

Never seen the Wayne. I'll watch for it.

I think if you calculate the great movies to average movies ratio for stars that Cotten would end up on top.

[kishnevi]

Arrival yesterday of another small Amazon order - 6 BDs (all DVD replacements) - last night:

Shadow of a Doubt (1943) w/ Teresa Wright & Joseph Cotton; Alfred Hitchcock, director - nefarious 'Uncle Charlie' pays a family visit and the mystery drama proceeds in the usual Hitchcockian ways - a MUST watch if not seen before; another excellent blu-ray transfer.

The Big Trail (1930) w/ the 23 y/o John Wayne - beginning synopsis quoted below from HERE; the expansive scenes are just amazing for the times (more on making the film HERE); an early widescreen technology was used which presents a 2.10 aspect ratio; the BD is full of special features which I need to explore - HIGHLY recommended!  Dave

   

Hah!

One of my Facebook friends (actually my old boss) posted exactly the same picture of Wayne to her timeline today.   Barely recognized him.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Was shadow of a doubt that Hitchcock film that old Alfred himself considered his best?

Speaking of hitchcock, here's an underrated movie I just saw:

[Brian]

Last night I re-watched Casablanca after many years and...honestly was a tiny bit disappointed. Maybe I need to watch it a third time. So much of it is caught up in plot mechanics and machinations and grueling explanations to set up Rick's decision. Still many fantastic scenes, though, most of them involving Dooley Wilson, Sydney Greenstreet, or Claude Rains. I like the undertone of racial progressiveness when Rick pours champagne for himself, Ilsa, and Sam as equals in the apartment in Paris and they raise their glasses together.

[SonicMan46]

Never seen the Wayne. I'll watch for it.

I think if you calculate the great movies to average movies ratio for stars that Cotten would end up on top.

Hi Ken - Joseph Cotton was a great actor and appeared in so many good films, i.e. one of his first noted roles was Citizen Kane followed shortly by The Magnificent Ambersons (which I watched a few nights ago) - plus, he was so versatile, e.g. appearing in Duel in the Sun, Portrait of Jenny, & The Farmer's Daughter all w/i a 2 year period.  Those who do not know this actor, then start exploring his films from the 1940s into the '50s. 

Hah!

One of my Facebook friends (actually my old boss) posted exactly the same picture of Wayne to her timeline today.   Barely recognized him.

Yep, Marion Morrison, a.k.a. Duke Morrison would have just finished college at USC on a football scholarship if not for a surfing accident - but the new John Wayne emerged! - Dave

[SonicMan46]

Yesterday afternoon, Susan & I went to our local downtown Indie theater for a new film:

The Homesman (2014) w/ Hiliary Swank, Tommy Lee Jones, & Meryl Streep (brief appearance @ the end); synopsis below (SOURCE) - this is a bleak and at times brutal story; don't expect to laugh nor have a warm, cuddly 'holiday' feeling when leaving the theater -   The scenes are stark and often beautiful, especially of the near treeless and dusty plains (Territory of Nebraska).

Ratings have been mixed: Amazon, 3/5* (only 9 reviews); Rotten Tomatoes, 80% (7/10) by the critics, BUT 53% (3.2/5) by the public; IMDB, 6.6/10 - we liked the film but I don't need a re-watch and certainly will not be a purchase for me; I'd would probably go 4/5* if doing an Amazon review, i.e. more in favor of the critics' ratings here - Tommy Lee puts in an excellent performance, so recommended especially if a fan of this actor.  Dave

When three women living on the edge of the American frontier are driven mad by harsh pioneer life, the task of saving them falls to the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilary Swank). Transporting the women by covered wagon to Iowa, she soon realizes just how daunting the journey will be, and employs a low-life drifter, George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones), to join her. The unlikely pair and the three women (Grace Gummer, Miranda Otto, Sonja Richter) head east, where a waiting minister and his wife (Meryl Streep) have offered to take the women in. But the group first must traverse the harsh Nebraska Territories marked by stark beauty, psychological peril and constant threat.

[Drasko]

Modern attempt at 30s rom-com/screwball mix, more successful as former than latter. Some all around decent acting of rather thin script. Very good production design. But most of all an utter delight that is Amy Adams. 

[SonicMan46]

Modern attempt at 30s rom-com/screwball mix, more successful as former than latter. Some all around decent acting of rather thin script. Very good production design. But most of all an utter delight that is Amy Adams.

Hi Milos - Amy Adams is certainly a cutie!  The film sounded familiar but wasn't sure if I had seen it?  So, checked my database and I did back in 2008!  Actually, gave the film a B+ rating and even stated a questionable buy!  Might look for an inexpensive 'streaming' option for a second viewing - Dave

[Artem]

I enjoyed Blow Out quite a bit. What a disturbing ending! Shadows was OK. It was my first Cassavetes film. Without looking at the date of its release, I'd never have guessed that it appeared on screen in 1959. It feels much more modern.

[Bogey]

Four in a row from TCM last night.....due to laying on the couch with a virus:




Probably give this one 5 or 6 out of 10 stars.  Enjoyed Wayne's character, though I kept looking for the pinnacle of the story.



I have always wanted to like this one more than I do.  However, I understand its place in film history as being one that introduced the crime-comedy combo.  Probably a 6 out of 10 here.



This one did little to nothing for me.  Some of the sets and props were cool, but that was about it.  I believe my wife and I shared two chuckles throughout.   Maybe a 3 out 10.



My favortie of the night, but then look at the cast. Always enjoyed this one over thhe Steve Martin remake.  Not my favorite Tracy fik\lm, but an enjoyable one.  7 out of 10 here.

[SonicMan46]

Couple more recent BD arrivals (also DVD replacements):

American Graffiti (1973) w/ Richard Dreyfus, Ron Howard, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, and more - all so young @ the time!  About the early 1960s when I was also in high school, so the music, cars, attitudes, etc. bring back a LOT of memories.  The blu-ray restoration is quite good - video, 4.1/5 - audio, 4.2/5 as rated HERE - recommended for the oldsters who were in HS back in the hippie era -  

Fargo (1996) w/ Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi et al - the Coen Brothers gruesome story based on a real one of kidnapping, ransom, and senseless murders in Minnesota - AV ratings for the blu-ray transfer are also excellent, i.e. 4.3/5 for both HERE - recommended for Coen fans!  Dave

 

[Bogey]

Still trying to figure out the story on this noir.  It flowed, but just not sure to where.  However, Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford save this film from itself.  I'll throw it a 7 out of ten on my IMDB list.

[Ken B]

Four in a row from TCM last night.....due to laying on the couch with a virus:




Probably give this one 5 or 6 out of 10 stars.  Enjoyed Wayne's character, though I kept looking for the pinnacle of the story.



I have always wanted to like this one more than I do.  However, I understand its place in film history as being one that introduced the crime-comedy combo.  Probably a 6 out of 10 here.



This one did little to nothing for me.  Some of the sets and props were cool, but that was about it.  I believe my wife and I shared two chuckles throughout.   Maybe a 3 out 10.




My favortie of the night, but then look at the cast. Always enjoyed this one over thhe Steve Martin remake.  Not my favorite Tracy fik\lm, but an enjoyable one.  7 out of 10 here.

Have you read The Thin Man? Recommended. (All Hammet is recommended, except the Dain Curse.)

[Bogey]

Have you read The Thin Man? Recommended. (All Hammet is recommended, except the Dain Curse.)

Hammett is required reading at this end.

[Todd]

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.  I made sure to see it on the biggest screen, in 3D, high frame rate, and in Dolby Atmos sound, and as a family event film, it was good enough.  It's the best of the three Hobbit flicks, and it certainly has some visually magnificent shots and sequences, but there's precious little Bilbo, not much in the way of good dialogue for the non-Tolkien fan - or presumably for the Tolkien fan - and lots of noise and battles.  Five armies' worth, as it turns out.  Maybe I'll watch it at home someday.

[Daverz]

Bird People, one of avclub's top 20 for 2014.



An urban fantasy with amazing special effects in the service of whimsy rather than headache inducing car chases.  The first half deals with a character who is a bit tedious, but it's worth hanging round for the second half.

[Drasko]

Hi Milos - Amy Adams is certainly a cutie!  The film sounded familiar but wasn't sure if I had seen it?  So, checked my database and I did back in 2008!  Actually, gave the film a B+ rating and even stated a questionable buy!  Might look for an inexpensive 'streaming' option for a second viewing - Dave

Hi Dave  I think I agree, it would definitely be worth a second viewing at some point in future, mostly for Adams and art direction, but I'm not sure if owning it would be a priority.

[Brian]

Bird People, one of avclub's top 20 for 2014.

An urban fantasy with amazing special effects in the service of whimsy rather than headache inducing car chases.  The first half deals with a character who is a bit tedious, but it's worth hanging round for the second half.

It's weird that this review would also apply nearly word-for-word to the movie "Birdman", except that it's the second half that it's a bit tedious and the first half that makes it worth seeing.

[Bogey]

While wrapping Christmas presents I let this one stream in.  Has the iconic number of Marilyn singing "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" and some chuckling moments.  Enjoyed it, but not wowed.  I might give this a 6 out of 10 on IMDB.

[Karl Henning]

Fargo (1996) w/ Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi et al - the Coen Brothers gruesome story based on a real one of kidnapping, ransom, and senseless murders in Minnesota [....]

Incidentally, that "based on true events" is a red herring . . . and it's wonderful, because of course you watch the movie with significantly different expectations / emotional investment.