Last Movie You Watched

[relm1]

He is a wonderfully inconsistent director, isn't he?    

Yes, maybe he makes too many films and starts working on the next one before the prior one is finished handing off critical tasks to staff.

[relm1]

Godzilla (1954) was on tv and I found it to be a very compelling historical document and sci-fi thriller.  I'm sure I've seen it before, probably when I was a kid and loved all things dinosaur related but hadn't seen it in a while so experienced it like it was a first viewing.  I had just seen the 1953 film, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" and can imagine Godzilla owes much to that quite good film.  One thing I was struck with was how the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were just nine years earlier than Godzilla which carries the metaphoric weight of that trauma heavily (as does the excellent Godzilla Minus One from 2023).  This was just 79 years ago and one can imagine how much that horrifying event must still impact the culture.   

Godzilla was reborn from H-bomb explosions as his footprints contained radiative signatures from the unimaginable power of the thermonuclear bombs first tested just two years before the film premiered.  Just imagine, the first H-bomb was detonated in 1952 and was already 700 times more powerful than Hiroshima detonated just 7 years earlier and only 7 years after this film, the Tsar Bomba was detonated at 4,000 times more powerful than Hiroshima!  It must have been a terrifying time to live through.

I was surprised to discover the director of the original film, Ishirô Honda, directed so many sequels.  I haven't seen that many of the other Godzilla films but definitely loved what I saw as a kid (come on, who didn't love "Destroy All Monsters"?) so perhaps I should pursue some of the others.   I'm aware there is an Americanized version staring Raymond Burr which I've not seen understanding it's a watered down version.  I don't really like the modern CGI fest godzilla movies, but I felt Godzilla (1954) was imaginative, finely crafted, and an ultimately terrifying metaphoric film from those who lived through that nuclear experience and the anxiety of that time.

[LKB]

Godzilla (1954) was on tv and I found it to be a very compelling historical document and sci-fi thriller.  I'm sure I've seen it before, probably when I was a kid and loved all things dinosaur related but hadn't seen it in a while so experienced it like it was a first viewing.  I had just seen the 1953 film, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" and can imagine Godzilla owes much to that quite good film.  One thing I was struck with was how the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were just nine years earlier than Godzilla which carries the metaphoric weight of that trauma heavily (as does the excellent Godzilla Minus One from 2023).  This was just 79 years ago and one can imagine how much that horrifying event must still impact the culture. 

Godzilla was reborn from H-bomb explosions as his footprints contained radiative signatures from the unimaginable power of the thermonuclear bombs first tested just two years before the film premiered.  Just imagine, the first H-bomb was detonated in 1952 and was already 700 times more powerful than Hiroshima detonated just 7 years earlier and only 7 years after this film, the Tsar Bomba was detonated at 4,000 times more powerful than Hiroshima!  It must have been a terrifying time to live through.

I was surprised to discover the director of the original film, Ishirô Honda, directed so many sequels.  I haven't seen that many of the other Godzilla films but definitely loved what I saw as a kid (come on, who didn't love "Destroy All Monsters"?) so perhaps I should pursue some of the others.  I'm aware there is an Americanized version staring Raymond Burr which I've not seen understanding it's a watered down version.  I don't really like the modern CGI fest godzilla movies, but I felt Godzilla (1954) was imaginative, finely crafted, and an ultimately terrifying metaphoric film from those who lived through that nuclear experience and the anxiety of that time.

If you haven't seen Godzilla Minus One, I'd encourage you to at least consider doing so. It's another origin story, and it seems many critics and viewers believe it to be the best Godzilla film since the 1954 original.

[Ganondorf]

Yes, maybe he makes too many films and starts working on the next one before the prior one is finished handing off critical tasks to staff.

I think most of Alien's numerous masterstrokes are not due to Scott's directing skills. He wasn't originally even supposed to direct it. Don't get me wrong, there is much masterful cinematography but to me the main attraction of Alien is it's story, writing and setting specifically. When it comes to writing, Dan O'bannon and the revisers Hill and Giler did an outstanding job. Sure the whole possible credit-stealing attempts were disgraceful from the latter two but the pair brought IMO the perhaps greatest aspect of the film's story and writing to it - namely Ash the android subplot.

[Karl Henning]

Godzilla (1954) was on tv and I found it to be a very compelling historical document and sci-fi thriller.  I'm sure I've seen it before, probably when I was a kid and loved all things dinosaur related but hadn't seen it in a while so experienced it like it was a first viewing.  I had just seen the 1953 film, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" and can imagine Godzilla owes much to that quite good film.  One thing I was struck with was how the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were just nine years earlier than Godzilla which carries the metaphoric weight of that trauma heavily (as does the excellent Godzilla Minus One from 2023).  This was just 79 years ago and one can imagine how much that horrifying event must still impact the culture. 

Godzilla was reborn from H-bomb explosions as his footprints contained radiative signatures from the unimaginable power of the thermonuclear bombs first tested just two years before the film premiered.  Just imagine, the first H-bomb was detonated in 1952 and was already 700 times more powerful than Hiroshima detonated just 7 years earlier and only 7 years after this film, the Tsar Bomba was detonated at 4,000 times more powerful than Hiroshima!  It must have been a terrifying time to live through.

I was surprised to discover the director of the original film, Ishirô Honda, directed so many sequels.  I haven't seen that many of the other Godzilla films but definitely loved what I saw as a kid (come on, who didn't love "Destroy All Monsters"?) so perhaps I should pursue some of the others.  I'm aware there is an Americanized version staring Raymond Burr which I've not seen understanding it's a watered down version.  I don't really like the modern CGI fest godzilla movies, but I felt Godzilla (1954) was imaginative, finely crafted, and an ultimately terrifying metaphoric film from those who lived through that nuclear experience and the anxiety of that time.

I should see if they've got this at the Library. Not sure that I've ever properly seen it.

[Karl Henning]

TD: Last night I re-watched Valkyrie, with Tom Cruise as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg. A very well-made historical thriller, and a gratifying (if sombre) reminder that there were some Germans who hated Nazism and tried to do something about it, knowing that it might well cost them their lives.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

TD: Last night I re-watched Valkyrie, with Tom Cruise as Col. Claus von Stauffenberg. A very well-made historical thriller, and a gratifying (if sombre) reminder that there were some Germans who hated Nazism and tried to do something about it, knowing that it might well cost them their lives.

I will watch it very soon!

[VonStupp]

I should see if they've got this at the Library. Not sure that I've ever properly seen it.

Make sure it isn't Godzilla, King of the Monsters with Raymond Burr. That is the one I always seemed to catch on cable.
VS

[Karl Henning]

An old fave, which I once read described as the best Bond movie which isn't a Bond movie: True Lies.

[George]

[Karl Henning]

An old fave, which I once read described as the best Bond movie which isn't a Bond movie: True Lies.

Harry? Harry? You do not have time to tango, buddy. You copy?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Godzilla (1954) was on tv and I found it to be a very compelling historical document and sci-fi thriller.  I'm sure I've seen it before, probably when I was a kid and loved all things dinosaur related but hadn't seen it in a while so experienced it like it was a first viewing.  I had just seen the 1953 film, "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms" and can imagine Godzilla owes much to that quite good film.  One thing I was struck with was how the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were just nine years earlier than Godzilla which carries the metaphoric weight of that trauma heavily (as does the excellent Godzilla Minus One from 2023).  This was just 79 years ago and one can imagine how much that horrifying event must still impact the culture. 

Godzilla was reborn from H-bomb explosions as his footprints contained radiative signatures from the unimaginable power of the thermonuclear bombs first tested just two years before the film premiered.  Just imagine, the first H-bomb was detonated in 1952 and was already 700 times more powerful than Hiroshima detonated just 7 years earlier and only 7 years after this film, the Tsar Bomba was detonated at 4,000 times more powerful than Hiroshima!  It must have been a terrifying time to live through.

I was surprised to discover the director of the original film, Ishirô Honda, directed so many sequels.  I haven't seen that many of the other Godzilla films but definitely loved what I saw as a kid (come on, who didn't love "Destroy All Monsters"?) so perhaps I should pursue some of the others.  I'm aware there is an Americanized version staring Raymond Burr which I've not seen understanding it's a watered down version.  I don't really like the modern CGI fest godzilla movies, but I felt Godzilla (1954) was imaginative, finely crafted, and an ultimately terrifying metaphoric film from those who lived through that nuclear experience and the anxiety of that time.

The theme music was composed by none other than Akira Ifukube. When this theme was played in Godzilla Minus One, I saw every one in the theater got excited.

[DavidW]

I rewatched Into Darkness a movie that would have been a very strong Star Trek movie had it not tried to clumsily remake Wrath of Khan in the last act, and had a character die and undo it within minutes.

[LKB]

One last semi-OT Godzilla post, to link my favorite " Godzilla concert ":

https://youtu.be/icfnRjeaOF0?si=z57fW72Je-gwy0TU

Don't be put off by the crappy video, the sound is acceptable and... well, ten trombones and a pipe organ!

[VonStupp]

City of Ember (2008)
Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Mary Kay Place
Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, Toby Jones

My daughter finished the book series, so I thought we would try the film too.

Too bad the main musical theme is only used at the very beginning and the end credits, as it is the best thing here.
VS

[Karl Henning]

It's not the Daniel Craig Bond flick everyone would reach for first: Quantum of Solace. One fun thing about coming back to this is, observing Mitchell in the opening interview with Mr White.

[Karl Henning]

It's not the Daniel Craig Bond flick everyone would reach for first: Quantum of Solace. One fun thing about coming back to this is, observing Mitchell in the opening interview with Mr White.

Interesting choice to have a girl with a Ukrainian last name play Camille Montes. It's explained that her mother was Russian, so call it plausible. I feel that Giancarlo Giannini's death scene is a highlight of Craig's tenure. I also really like that the Vesper storyline is wrapped up. 

[AnotherSpin]

Interesting choice to have a girl with a Ukrainian last name play Camille Montes. It's explained that her mother was Russian, so call it plausible. I feel that Giancarlo Giannini's death scene is a highlight of Craig's tenure. I also really like that the Vesper storyline is wrapped up.

Along with her Ukrainian passport, Olga Kurylenko has held a French passport since 2001. Interestingly, Kurylenko beat Gal Gadot at the audition for Quantum of Solace (2008). Since then, Kurylenko has starred in a number of notable films. Including Armando Iannucci's The Death of Stalin, where she played the role of Maria Yudina.

[SonicMan46]

The Sea Hawk (1940) with Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Alan Hale, and Flora Robson as a fabulous Elizabeth I - the wonderful Korngold music and beautiful Marshall (in a more revealing pic below -  ). A B&W film but during the Panama scenes, sepia was used to suggest the tropical heat. Highly recommended if a Flynn fan and lover of swashbuckling movies of the era.  Dave  

The Sea Hawk is a 1940 American adventure film from Warner Bros. that stars Errol Flynn as an English privateer who defends his nation's interests on the eve of the launch of the Spanish Armada. The film was the tenth collaboration between Flynn and director Michael Curtiz. Its screenplay was written by Howard Koch and Seton I. Miller. The rousing musical score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold is recognized as a high point in his career. (Source)

   

[ritter]

The Sea Hawk (1940) with Errol Flynn, Brenda Marshall, Claude Rains, Alan Hale, and Flora Robson as a fabulous Elizabeth I - the wonderful Korngold music ...

And Korngold reused part of the score in his delightful Alt-Spanish (one of the Five Songs, op. 38).