Last Movie You Watched

[Shrunk]

The film is, as you say, open to several interpretations. In the last scene, Auteil's son and Majid's son are talking to each other. Behind them a guy is filming. We cannot see who he is - at least I couldn't - but that means that the videos sent to Auteil didn't came from Majid or his son. Then who? Janeke himself?

You know, I didn't notice the guy filming (although Haneke says about half the audience fails to notice the sons at all -and that the film still makes perfect sense if you don't see them).  The other possibility is that the two boys are collaborators.  I think it's pretty clear that the movie is not meant to be a "whodunnit", and the issue of who made the videos is only incidental, the real interest lying in the chain of events the videos produce.  I actually wondered if, in some way, Auteil himself made the videos, that they were a means of expressing the guilt he could not otherwise feel himself.  The more I think about and discuss this movie, the more I like it.

BTW, apparently Hollywood will be remaking it.  Ron Howard will be directing.  I don't have high hopes.

[SonicMan46]

The Naked Prey (1966) w/ Cornel Wilde - just read in USA Today of this film being released on the Criterion label (CLICK on the image for details) - yes, pricey, but kind of a Wilde 'cult classic' - I've not seen this movie in ages, and of course on TV was in 4:3 format; the Criterion site linked states a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer - not sure that I want to pay $27 but will shortly check Netflix to see if it is there yet!  At least, put this one on your 'to watch' list if you're into African adventure flicks in which man becomes the hunted! 

[BorisG]

Venus with Peter O'Toole and Jodie Whitaker. What a queer little movie.

[SonicMan46]

Well, I had some 'Fun Cash' to use up from Columbia House and decided to buy a couple of 'box sets' - just started to watch each the last few nights - will take a while:

Roots (1977) & Planet Earth - Complete BBC Series (2007) - enjoying both at the moment - 

 

[маразм1]

"Waiter" -- a Dutch film, from 2006.

Pretty interesting concept.  I really enjoyed it.  Has anybody else seen it? 
After watching the movie, restaurants really sicken me

d.

[SonicMan46]

The Last of the Mohicans - the BBC mini-series from the early '70s - big fan of the Daniel Day-Lewis film (which was filmed down the road from me in the NC mountains) despite the changes from the novel; apparently this older production is truer to the original novel (which I've not read since my teenage years - I really need to re-read this book - the best representation of the story) - this series is in 8 episodes over 5 hrs long; obviously, a low-budget production, but not bad - probably would give it a 3+ star rating of 5* - if interested in this book and the many films made over the years (back to the silent era), check out the varied comments from the Amazonians - 

[longears]

Dave-

I would imagine Roots is rather interesting--haven't seen it since  it was aired (when was that? '77?).  I would imagine a case could be made that this miniseries played a notable role in bridging the divide between black and white Americans.  Planet Earth continues to enchant us with extraordinary images documenting the beauty and majesty of the real world. 

That Michael Mann movie with DDL also does a fine job of documenting the beauty of your nearby environs, Dave.  It's not plot that resonates for me with that film, but spectacular imagery, haunting music, and the powerful performances of Wes Studi, Eric Schweig, Russell Means (!) (!!), and DD Lewis.  As for the book, I think you'll find that it holds up well.  Fenimore Cooper isn't read much anymore, which is a shame, especially since his Pathfinder character gave us the archetypal American here.  I think we'd be a safer and saner nation today if more kids wanted to emulate him than the narcissistic pop stars whose tawdry lives are splashed all over the mainstream media these days.

Come to think of it, The Naked Prey shares some of the core themes expressed in all these other movies.  Are you reflecting on your place in the world these days, Dave? 

[George]

Excellent flick! 

[orbital]

Hard to believe this was a Bresson film. There were things I liked about it, which mostly came from Cocteau (one of the best lines I've ever heard uttered in a film: "There is no such thing as love, only proofs of love"), and things that I did not, also from Cocteau (a character referring to a piece of gold says "It's warm, it's cold, it's dark and it's light. It's incorruptible", or something cocky like that).

Artistically there is very little to suggest it has any type of Bresson trademark on it, granted it is an early work. The actors are professionals and they show a wide range of emotions even going melodramatic frequently. Nothing striking about the lighting, or the sets. When the subject matter of a film becomes irrelevant with time, it has to have other characteristics to make it self be remembered by, and here, apart from some dialogues and the wonderful acting (and the semi-evil expressions of Maria Casares) there is not much for me to go back to.

[SonicMan46]

I would imagine Roots is rather interesting--haven't seen it since  it was aired (when was that? '77?).  I would imagine a case could be made that this miniseries played a notable role in bridging the divide between black and white Americans.  Planet Earth continues to enchant us with extraordinary images documenting the beauty and majesty of the real world.

Same here w/ Roots - have not seen the series since its first airing back in 1977 - 30th anniversary!  The story holds up well after all of these decades - just have viewed the first two episodes, but was quite well done and looking forward to the rest the the episodes - the restoration & reproduction onto DVD is excellent, also!

Just starting on Planet Earth - simply amazing & spectacular - I would recommend this series to all basically - not cheap as a purchase (Costco the other day had a bunch on hand for $55; I was able to pick up the set for $35 from Columbia House using my 'Fun Cash' - certainly a must rental!).

That Michael Mann movie with DDL also does a fine job of documenting the beauty of your nearby environs, Dave.  It's not plot that resonates for me with that film, but spectacular imagery, haunting music, and the powerful performances of Wes Studi, Eric Schweig, Russell Means (!) (!!), and DD Lewis.  As for the book, I think you'll find that it holds up well.  Fenimore Cooper isn't read much anymore, which is a shame, especially since his Pathfinder character gave us the archetypal American here.  I think we'd be a safer and saner nation today if more kids wanted to emulate him than the narcissistic pop stars whose tawdry lives are splashed all over the mainstream media these days.

Can't agree w/ you more - I love that film w/ Day-Lewis, and Studi was just great as Magua!  Plus, Madeleine Stowe was a pleasure to the eyes - thought the romantic relationship was quite well done.  And YES, a lot of those scenes were familiar to me - some were filmed around Lake Lure (near Chimney Mountain) and the Linville Gorge & Falls areas - just a couple of hours from Winston-Salem.  BTW - I rented an old BBC mini-series from 1971 The Last of the Mohicans from Netflix - just finished the series last night (8 episodes and about 5+ hrs) - of course, small scale production and pretty good, much closer to the story in the book - worth a look if you're really a NUT CASE for this genre & history, as I am - 

Come to think of it, The Naked Prey shares some of the core themes expressed in all these other movies.  Are you reflecting on your place in the world these days, Dave? 

Just checked Netflix today and this film is already listed (just released a few days ago on Criterion!) - I'll probably do a rental ($27 is a little steep for one DVD!) - but Cornel Wilde was about 50 y/o when he made (and directed) this movie based on a true story (about a hunter & American Indians - yes, back to that topic); at any rate, an excellent 'survival' type saga - as mentioned, I've only seen this picture on TV in 4:3 format - should be outstanding in widescreen! Thanks for all of the comments - Dave 

[Bogey]

Excellent flick! 

You got that right! 

[Kullervo]

Excellent flick! 

I remember it being too short. Did you know the photo of Bogey's character "pre-facelift" is actually the director?

[George]

I remember it being too short. Did you know the photo of Bogey's character "pre-facelift" is actually the director?

No I didn't, that's very cool.

Yeah, the obligitory "figure out who the bad guy/gal part" was dissapointing, since I knew all along who it was.  However, there was much to enjoy.

[SonicMan46]

The War - the new Ken Burns series - just on the second disc - Netflix rental - quite good, so far! 

The Jewish Americans - new PBS series - three parts - about to watch Part 1 now - wife is Jewish, so expect to enjoy this series - 

 

[Haffner]

Schindler's List

Haven't seen it since it first came out. Very effecting, excellent acting.

[Great Gable]

The War - the new Ken Burns series - just on the second disc - Netflix rental - quite good, so far! 

 

Is there anything that lifts the Ken Burns effort above the thousands of other WWII documentary releases?

[SonicMan46]

Is there anything that lifts the Ken Burns effort above the thousands of other WWII documentary releases?

GG - so far, I've just seen 2 episodes - there is a lot of 'stock' WWII footage of the fighting, so not anything new - the approach Burns is taking is to look @ 4 towns in the USA from which men (many late teens/early 20s) came and to follow them in the war - some died (and if so the feelings of the families were represented) and others survived (often 'scarred' by the war) and are interviewed - these latter will be gone forever in the near future - this war was SO enormous that no one series can portray its impact on the world or human population - I think if you are interested in this period of history & in this war, that the series is at least worth a rental - don't think that I will buy into the package, though - 

[Great Gable]

GG I think if you are interested in this period of history & in this war, that the series is at least worth a rental - don't think that I will buy into the package, though - 

Ok thanks - I will probably go for this but the price will have to drop considerably. I have been very impressed by Burns' other offerings.

[Solitary Wanderer]

Schindler's List

Haven't seen it since it first came out. Very effecting, excellent acting.

I have this on rental Andy 'cause I've never seen it. My wife has and says its impressive movie making. However due to its length and harrowing subject I will need to be in the right mood so it could be a few weeks before I get to it.

[Haffner]

I have this on rental Andy 'cause I've never seen it. My wife has and says its impressive movie making. However due to its length and harrowing subject I will need to be in the right mood so it could be a few weeks before I get to it.

I went two weeks! I got both Schindler's List and Karol: The Man Who Became Pope from Netflix on the same day. Both really long, and I put them off.