Last Movie You Watched

[Todd]

The newest version of All Quiet on the Western Front.  I've seen the first adaptation, which is magnificent.  I have not yet seen the John Boy version and doubt I ever will.  This one is hit and miss.  On the hit side, it is German, in German.  (The only cast member I recognize is Daniel Brühl.)  Also on the hit side, the Czech locales add some authenticity to the film.  Also, portions of the film may be described as effectively expressionistic.  On the miss side, some of the CGI is awful (eg, the tank scene).  It is too much to expect most directors to match Spielberg in large scale combat scenes, and Edward Berger does not.  He does a decent job.  The biggest miss is the soundtrack, which detracts from the movie in multiple places.  I would love to see a war movie that relies solely of foley effects during the running time, to heighten the dread, the anxiety, the horror, etc.  Overall, a decent enough one and done film.  The original film version of this tale, Paths of Glory, and Lawrence of Arabia remain the great WWI movies for me.

[VonStupp]

I saw Sphere after reading the novel, and was quite disappointed. Most books are superior to their film adaptations, and I'd say it's particularly true in this case. ( l kept hoping the you- know- what would make a surprise visit and terminate the film. 

Ha! I have no doubt the book would be better. The movie is silly sci-fi and confusing; a poor mix.

VS

[Karl Henning]

 
I've never enjoyed Robert Goulet so much!
VS

Right?!

[SonicMan46]

Ha! I have no doubt the book would be better. The movie is silly sci-fi and confusing; a poor mix.

VS

Hi VS - despite the strong cast, I have never seen Sphere, but just finished reading the Wiki article about the story and the movie's reception, some comments of the latter quoted below - a cheap Amazon rental but believe I'll not partake -    Dave

Sphere received mostly negative reviews from critics. The Los Angeles Times characterized it as a flop. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 11% based on 53 reviews, with an average score of 3.93/10; the site's critical consensus states, "Sphere features an A-level cast working with B-grade material, with a story seen previously in superior science-fiction films". On Metacritic, the film has a score of 35 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film a grade "C−". Roger Ebert gave the film 1.5 stars out of 4. (Source)

[VonStupp]

Hi VS - despite the strong cast, I have never seen Sphere, but just finished reading the Wiki article about the story and the movie's reception, some comments of the latter quoted below - a cheap Amazon rental but believe I'll not partake -    Dave

Probably a sturdy choice, Dave! I was lured in by the cast too...
VS

[relm1]

I saw Sphere after reading the novel, and was quite disappointed. Most books are superior to their film adaptations, and I'd say it's particularly true in this case. ( l kept hoping the you- know- what would make a surprise visit and terminate the film. 

I thought very highly of the score.  It was evocative and intense.  Far superior to the film.  The film did have its moments...the first half is better than the second half. 

[Fëanor]

I'm in the process of watching Apocalypse Now Redux -- I wasn't up to watching its 3 hour, 22 minute run time in one sitting.

This "remastering" (to use an audio term) was made in 2001 but I'd never watched before.  For a long time I was satisfied with having seen the original 1979 version of the movie back in the day.  However today with the "Redux" version I'm appreciating the not-so-nuanced cynicism and ironies better than I did 40 years ago.

Classic phrases:

• "... terminate with extreme prejudice", (paraphase:  Don't second guess it, just kill him)
• "I love the smell of napalm in the morning ... It smells like victory"

I have to say I really struggled to recognize Lawrence Fishburne;  Harrison Ford was easier and was a bit of a hoot in his minor role.

[relm1]

I'm in the process of watching Apocalypse Now Redux -- I wasn't up to watching its 3 hour, 22 minute run time in one sitting.

This "remastering" (to use an audio term) was made in 2001 but I'd never watched before.  For a long time I was satisfied with having seen the original 1979 version of the movie back in the day.  However today with the "Redux" version I'm appreciating the not-so-nuanced cynicism and ironies better than I did 40 years ago.

Classic phrases:

• "... terminate with extreme prejudice", (paraphase:  Don't second guess it, just kill him)
• "I love the smell of napalm in the morning ... It smells like victory"

I have to say I really struggled to recognize Lawrence Fishburne;  Harrison Ford was easier and was a bit of a hoot in his minor role.

It's really a fantastic film.  The first time I saw the film was in IMAX for the redux so I guess that must have been in 2001.  It was quite a descent into madness and very, very effective.  Another great film I saw just recently, Cleopatra (1963).  The director's cut!  4.5 hours baby!  Fantastic film and I found it completely riveting!  Saw it all in a single sitting.  Note there are many versions of the film - the original cinematic version is poorly edited (I've read) but the anniversary release seems definitive and was just wonderful.  These actors fully embodied these roles.  Liz Taylor WAS Cleopatra.  Richard Burton WAS Marc Antony.  Rex Harrison WAS Caeser. 

[Karl Henning]

Two movies which somehow I had never seen before:
Caddyshack. Amusing enough, but I don't need to watch it again. I didn't even recognize Albert Salmi at first, had to go back and watch that scene again.

And ... if I had a fiver for every time my Physical Therapist has mentioned Home Alone ... great fun!

[Karl Henning]

For Thanksgiving: Broadway Dannie Rose.

[Karl Henning]

Last night, more T'giving movies, since I'm off to be a thankful guest today:
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (this one always gets me) and The Wizard of Oz.

[George]

Last night, more T'giving movies, since I'm off to be a thankful guest today:
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (this one always gets me) and The Wizard of Oz.

Planes Trains is great, must watch it again, soon.

Happy thanksgiving, Karl!   

[Karl Henning]

Planes Trains is great, must watch it again, soon.

Happy thanksgiving, Karl!   

Happy Thanksgiving, George!

[VonStupp]

Realized last night my girls had never seen The Wizard of Oz (1939) before.

My youngest was entranced throughout, and burst into tears at the kidnapping of Dorothy by the flying monkeys, and then again when the wizard's hot-air balloon takes off without her. It will take a while for her to come to grips with this movie. I was rather impressed with the makeup and costumes.

I think the last time I saw it, I was a young whippersnapper trying to time it with Dark Side of the Moon!

VS

[Karl Henning]

Realized last night my girls had never seen The Wizard of Oz (1939) before.

My youngest was entranced throughout, and burst into tears at the kidnapping of Dorothy by the flying monkeys, and then again when the wizard's hot-air balloon takes off without her. It will take a while for her to come to grips with this movie. I was rather impressed with the makeup and costumes.

I think the last time I saw it, I was a young whippersnapper trying to time it with Dark Side of the Moon!

VS

That's beautiful. Happy Th'giving, buddy!

[VonStupp]

That's beautiful. Happy Th'giving, buddy!

Thank you Karl, and the best to you and yours!
VS

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

PD

[Karl Henning]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

PD

To you, as well!

[VonStupp]

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

PD

Thank you PD! I am sure it is different around the U.S., but I hope you find your preferred version of turkey, yams, green beans, and pumpkin where you are this weekend.

VS

[SonicMan46]

Realized last night my girls had never seen The Wizard of Oz (1939) before.

My youngest was entranced throughout, and burst into tears at the kidnapping of Dorothy by the flying monkeys, and then again when the wizard's hot-air balloon takes off without her. It will take a while for her to come to grips with this movie. I was rather impressed with the makeup and costumes.

I think the last time I saw it, I was a young whippersnapper trying to time it with Dark Side of the Moon!

VS

 

A favorite of my mother and we watched on TV almost yearly around this holiday season when I was young - I've gone from VHS > DVD > BD > 4K UHD, the latter the BEST ever (review HERE for those with the equipment) - Happy Holidays ALL - Dave