Last Movie You Watched

[SonicMan46]

I own the first. Somehow I cannot bring myself even to watch any sequel. FWIW, I have been slow regarding the John Wick sequels, too.

Hi Karl - the first Matrix hit the right nerves for me; as to the John Wick films, I've rented and streamed most of them but had no urge to see them again, although many are being sold by Amazon as 4K versions cheaply!  Just not enticed, although I did buy the 4K UHD streamers of Raiders of the Lost Ark & The Last Crusade to replace my BDs - both looked great!  Dave

[Karl Henning]

Christmas movie № 5: Die Hard

[Karl Henning]

Christmas movie № 6: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

[LKB]

Christmas movie № 6: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)

The music from this oldie provided some of my earliest motivation to become a singer, back when dinosaurs ( and cartoons ) ruled the Earth.

[Madiel]

The review of Matrix 4 that I've seen praised the first section and then said it lost its way a bit. The impression I got was that they still thought it was better than the 2nd and 3rd films. Being better than the 3rd film, in particular, would not be difficult. It's a complete turkey in my view. I literally remember a single shot, because it was the only time my interest was aroused.

[Karl Henning]

The music from this oldie provided some of my earliest motivation to become a singer, back when dinosaurs ( and cartoons ) ruled the Earth.

It taught us that we might sing things like you're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!

[aligreto]

The Rhythm Section:





A woman loses her entire family in a terrorist attack on an airplane and her life spirals dramatically downwards. This is the [improbable] story of her revenge and retribution on the people who perpetrated the crime. I thought that it was a good watch however. 

[Karl Henning]

Christmas movie № 7: Enemy of the State

[Pohjolas Daughter]

West Side Story.



It is so long ago that I saw the original I'm unable to comment how the new Spielberg film compares. At two and a half hours I was slightly concerned my attention-span would be stretched but no worries as time flew by. Thankfully the setting was as the first film 1950's New York, with time and place perfectly caught. The highlight for me - beside Bernstein's music of course - was more dance then song. A very pretty Maria has a fine voice but I didn't think Tony was strong enough although my wife didn't agree with me. I think the violence perhaps a little too graphic for the type of likely audience, only a minor observation. A remake is always fair game for critics but I thoroughly enjoyed West Side Story.

I'd love to see the new one.  There's so much beautiful music, songs and dancing in the original.  Recently (I'm sure due to this new movie), they played the suite from it on my local radio station....ah, bliss! 

Glad that you enjoyed it Irons.

PD

[LKB]

It taught us that we might sing things like you're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!

My favorite bit of vocal weirdness remains the Dungeon Song from The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T:

https://youtu.be/rqy4xcXgtxM

I would occasionally try to sneak it into the  impromptu recitals I'd give back when l was a church soloist.

[SonicMan46]

Two more Amazon streaming updates - Random Harvest from DVD -> HD; and To Catch a Thief from BD -> 4K UHD:

Random Harvest (1942) w/ Ronald Colman and Greer Garson - short summary below; Colman as a shell-shocked WW I British soldier (now would be probably called PTSD) who has amnesia - been a favorite of mine for years, but wife was bored, so if interested check out the link below. Nominated for 7 Oscars, winner of none.

To Catch a Thief (1955) w/ Cary Grant and Grace Kelly - another Hitchcock suspense film with a LOT of spectacular filming on the French Riviera - the 4K streamer purchased was just superb, so will donate my BD - both Amazon buys were only $5 probably reduced for the holidays (believe same offers on Apple TV).  Highly recommended.  Dave

Random Harvest is a 1942 film based on the 1941 James Hilton novel of the same title, directed by Mervyn LeRoy et al; Arthur Wimperis adapted the novel for the screen, and received an Academy Award nomination. The film stars Ronald Colman as a shellshocked, amnesiac World War I soldier, and Greer Garson as his love interest. The film was an instant commercial success and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Colman, Best Supporting Actress for Susan Peters, Best Director and Best Picture. Garson, whose performance was well-received, was ineligible for the Academy Award for Best Actress, as she had already been nominated that year for her role in Mrs. Miniver. (Source)

To Catch a Thief is a 1955 American romantic thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, from a screenplay by John Michael Hayes based on the 1952 novel of the same name by David Dodge. The film stars Cary Grant as a retired cat burglar who has to save his reformed reputation by catching an impostor preying on the wealthy tourists (including a wealthy widow, played by Grace Kelly) of the French Riviera. (Source)

 

[Karl Henning]

My favorite bit of vocal weirdness remains the Dungeon Song from The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T:

https://youtu.be/rqy4xcXgtxM

I would occasionally try to sneak it into the  impromptu recitals I'd give back when l was a church soloist.

Our Cato put me onto that. What a kick!

[Karl Henning]

Tip of the hat to Dave!

Christmas movie № 8: A Christmas Carol (1984)

[Maestro267]

Home Alone, on Channel 4 earlier.

Add one to the 2021 (John) Candywatch counter.

[SonicMan46]

Tip of the hat to Dave!

Christmas movie № 8: A Christmas Carol (1984)

👍 Hope you (or will) enjoyed!  Happy Holiday Season - Dave 

[Karl Henning]

👍 Hope you (or will) enjoyed!  Happy Holiday Season - Dave 

Very much, Dave. Merry Christmas!

TD:

Christmas movie № 9: Scrooged

[SonicMan46]

All below are BD upgrades from DVDs in my collection - purchased for half price from Amazon w/ recently received credit:

Ivanhoe (1952) w/ Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, et al - based on the 1819 historical novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, so knights, castles, etc.  Filmed in gorgeous technicolor (5*/5* video rating HERE) - LINK

Unconquered (1947) w/ Gary Cooper, Paulette Goddard, and others (including Boris Karloff as an Indian chief!); Cecile B. DeMille, director - historical drama about Pontiac's rebellion in 1763 w/ DeMille's usual extravagant costumes and scenes - the canoe pursuit down rapids (filmed on the Snake River and another) and over falls is well done; LINK

Good News (1947) - an MGM musical film based on the 1927 stage production of the same name. It starred June Allyson, Peter Lawford, Mel Tormé, and Joan McCracken. The screenplay by Betty Comden and Adolph Green; made in Technicolor (also 5* video & 4.5* audio HERE). A corny film which I love - the BD restoration (see link) is spectacular w/ colorful costumes and great audio, especially the singing of the 22 y/o Mel Torme (a.k.a. the Velvet Fog); LINK

Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) - MGM film musical starring Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell and George Murphy. It was directed by Norman Taurog and features music by Cole Porter, including "Begin the Beguine".  The attraction of this film is the dancing by the three stars, so only recommended if your interested, check LINK

National Velvet (1944) - Technicolor horse film directed by Clarence Brown and based on the 1935 novel of the same name by Enid Bagnold. It stars Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp, Angela Lansbury, Anne Revere, Reginald Owen, and an adolescent Elizabeth Taylor. LINK

   

 

[Madiel]

Soul again. Because I got it for Christmas. The Pixar collection keeps growing.

[Todd]

Obviously a better fit for Easter than Christmas, Mary Magdalene nonetheless made for Christmas viewing.  Made in the wake of the much-maligned Mary being elevated to apostle of the apostles status by Pope Francis, the film is a low budget but proper looking telling on the last days of Jesus.  It's very much a modernized, feminist take on the story, and it has all manner of nods to contemporary button-pushing inclusiveness - eg, Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Peter, though, of course Joaquin Phoenix plays Jesus, so, you know - but it still works well enough for what it is.  Everyone takes the material seriously.  Rooney is understated, and Phoenix, who could have played Jesus in any overwrought way he wanted instead goes for a more subdued, very human take.  Worth viewing if hardly essential. 

[aligreto]

The Good Liar:





A con artist and extortionist makes a play for the big score of his life and invests everything in this scam. I enjoyed it a lot.