Last Movie You Watched

[AnotherSpin]

My remark was not personal.

Stalinist terror continues: in the past, millions of Ukrainians were killed by human-made famine and GULAG; today, it happens through massive military aggression and missile strikes on cities. And Stalin is once again a national hero for the Russians. The tumor was not removed, and the new metastases are as effective as the old ones.

[Madiel]

Those People



Gay romantic drama set in the wealthy circles of New York (well, the level of wealth seems to vary). It's not groundbreaking, and sometimes a bit of a melodrama, but I quite liked it. Significant bonus points for the unexpected emphasis on Gilbert and Sullivan. I can't really judge how the heterosexuals among you would find it.

I'm on a quest to finally watch at least SOME of the numerous movies recorded or queued in various places. This was on had been sitting around since at least late 2021, and The Death of Stalin had been waiting for me since May 2020.

[Kalevala]

Rockwell and Yates stole every scene they were in.

At some point today, I need something mindless for the background: The Great Escape (after Hackers, this is likely the next film I've seen the most times, as I find it perfect for the background) and The Pelican Brief (maybe, my third most watched film, as it is also perfect for the background)

The Great Escape is a classic!  Don't think that I've ever seen The Pelican Brief before?

As an aside, have you ever watched Chicken Run before?  It's a fun movie on its own.  The reason that I thought of it is there are a number of musical references to the GE and other classic movies in it. 

K

[Christo]

Why worry? People have always turned others' suffering into a spectacle, and today is no different. They crave a thrill to stir their nerves, a distraction to keep from sinking into the swamp of their own complacency. It's easier—and far more entertaining—than taking action to alleviate someone else's pain.

During my life, and the same applies to anyone of my generation no doubt (I just turned 63) I met dozens of them -- and their children in even larger numbers -- in real life and in person. I believe they were not just actors in a game. IMHO.

[T. D.]

Finally saw this. It's long, significantly over 2 hours.
Recently read a big book on the subject, so I already knew the history, and the film couldn't possibly give all the details.
But there's a lot of fascinating footage. For instance: 1) the degree to which Black Americans engaged with the issues (major international conferences held in Harlem!); 2) Third World countries cooperating at the UN; 3) Khrushchev being portrayed as a rather sympathetic figure (?!); 4) Lots of Malcolm X material (I never knew much about him).

Definitely worth watching if it appeals at all.

[SimonNZ]

Khrushchev being portrayed as a rather sympathetic figure (?!)

And an unexpectedly unsympathetic portrait of Hammarskjöld.


A couple of days ago:



I agree with the critical praise this film has gotten, but not with the critical interpretation, which sees this as a film about mindfulness and simplicity and the rejecting of fast-paced modernity, all of which I feel trivializes what is actually a far more complex and engagingly thorny story.

I have some thoughts and interpretations, but they would all require spoiler alerts and at any rate be hugely subjective. But I do believe that its being demanded of us that we do interpret and speculate and engage our critical apparatus, and that all is not merely pleasantly nice.

[AnotherSpin]

And an unexpectedly unsympathetic portrait of Hammarskjöld.


A couple of days ago:



I agree with the critical praise this film has gotten, but not with the critical interpretation, which sees this as a film about mindfulness and simplicity and the rejecting of fast-paced modernity, all of which I feel trivializes what is actually a far more complex and engagingly thorny story.

I have some thoughts and interpretations, but they would all require spoiler alerts and at any rate be hugely subjective. But I do believe that its being demanded of us that we do interpret and speculate and engage our critical apparatus, and that all is not merely pleasantly nice.

Indeed, it's a very good film. I agree that it allows for many interpretations; I have my own as well. It likely comes down to this: life is broader and deeper than any possible interpretations or externally imposed notions of what it should be. I'll most likely end up watching it again.

[SimonNZ]

Indeed, it's a very good film. I agree that it allows for many interpretations; I have my own as well. It likely comes down to this: life is broader and deeper than any possible interpretations or externally imposed notions of what it should be. I'll most likely end up watching it again.

Yes, but I meant I have interpretations about his history. I have interpretations about why he's photographing that tree and not some other random thing. I have thoughts about how he reacted to pulling that double shift. I have thoughts about why Patti Smith doesnt fit with the rest of his playlist. Etc

[AnotherSpin]

Yes, but I meant I have interpretations about his history. I have interpretations about why he's photographing that tree and not some other random thing. I have thoughts about how he reacted to pulling that double shift. I have thoughts about why Patti Smith doesnt fit with the rest of his playlist. Etc

Obviously, you are a viewer who pays more attention to details than I do. Another reason to watch it again.

[ando]

Uncle Vanya (1963, Stuart Burge)
Great (mid 20th century) English language version of the Chekhov classic. The 1970 BBC version isn't bad, either. But this cast is A List Brit.

[Cato]

From 30 years ago! 

Heat with Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, and a host of great character actors (Wes Studi, Mykelti Williamson, Ted Levine, et al.)

Excellent caper/chase/"one-last-score" movie, directed by Michael Mann.



And for those who know Ingmar Bergman movies, a great satire from comedian Dave Thomas:

"Ingmar Bergman's Barber Shop"! 

[Cato]

The Great Escape is a classic! Don't think that I've ever seen The Pelican Brief before?

As an aside, have you ever watched Chicken Run before? It's a fun movie on its own.  The reason that I thought of it is there are a number of musical references to the GE and other classic movies in it. 

K

Yes to The Great Escape and Chicken Run is a great comic version of it!

[AnotherSpin]

Yes, but I meant I have interpretations about his history. I have interpretations about why he's photographing that tree and not some other random thing. I have thoughts about how he reacted to pulling that double shift. I have thoughts about why Patti Smith doesnt fit with the rest of his playlist. Etc

I rewatched it again; moreover, this time I read a bit about the film's production history. The impression is mixed. On the one hand, my overall positive perception of the film was reaffirmed. On the other hand, some details seemed a bit random or even banal, so to speak.

[SimonNZ]

Director Julie Taymor's commentary track.

Which had me accept and respect the decisions of visual style that seemed pretty crazy when I first saw this.

[Christo]

Literally on New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve: two movies, on Netflix. First, the ultimate Hollywood film Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino from 2019. Extremely cleverly made, astronomical budget, among the best Hollywood has to offer at all. The following day for the second time 'Maestro' (2023), about Leonard Bernstein, by Bradley Cooper, who himself plays the lead role in an unparalleled way.

The conclusion after two evenings was clear to both of us: Hollywood is fun, but offers a game, not life, life here on earth I mean, and too vacuous to enthrall for longer than the duration of the film -- at the gruesome scenes of derailed violence towards the end of Once Upon a Time Etc., even disgust strikes: what unnecessary, utterly nonsensical, inhuman nonsense. May all of Hollywood burn down to ashes, as it deserves, we tend to pray.

Maestro, on the other hand, captivated even more than last year: along with Oppenheimer, the most impressive American film we know, despite Spielberg (at least four outstanding films: Empire of the Sun, Lincoln, The Post, and most of all: Fabelmans) and certainly despite Hollywood. Maestro is about our fragile lives, success and failure, about love and death. Impressive, we barely kept dry: what a film. And then also all those incomparable scenes, and all that fantastic music.

We do know: America is a grandiose culture, but for pop music and films, America is not the place to be. A place like Norway has more to offer on both accounts. Maestro, however, proves that even now, excellent, rich, truly American films are still appearing -- despite the utter bullshit Hollywood keeps pouring out on all humanity. Highly recommended, if only for music lovers: Maestro, a 10 out of 10.

[KevinP]

Rewatches, all.

[Roasted Swan]

Nosferatu at my local (£4.00 a seat - any film any day!!) independent cinema.  I enjoyed this a lot - very brooding cinematography and design.  Not many big jumps or shocks but a real Gothic Horror movie.  Strong performances with Lily-Rose Depp rather good as the dream-haunted Ellen.  But in fact the whole cast are very good.  This is literally (as filmed) a dark and shadowy movie but somehow the result is often sombrely beautiful in the composition of the shots and scenes.  Certainly worth seeing I thought

[AnotherSpin]

Literally on New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve: two movies, on Netflix. First, the ultimate Hollywood film Once Upon a Time in ... Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino from 2019. Extremely cleverly made, astronomical budget, among the best Hollywood has to offer at all. The following day for the second time 'Maestro' (2023), about Leonard Bernstein, by Bradley Cooper, who himself plays the lead role in an unparalleled way.

The conclusion after two evenings was clear to both of us: Hollywood is fun, but offers a game, not life, life here on earth I mean, and too vacuous to enthrall for longer than the duration of the film -- at the gruesome scenes of derailed violence towards the end of Once Upon a Time Etc., even disgust strikes: what unnecessary, utterly nonsensical, inhuman nonsense. May all of Hollywood burn down to ashes, as it deserves, we tend to pray.

Maestro, on the other hand, captivated even more than last year: along with Oppenheimer, the most impressive American film we know, despite Spielberg (at least four outstanding films: Empire of the Sun, Lincoln, The Post, and most of all: Fabelmans) and certainly despite Hollywood. Maestro is about our fragile lives, success and failure, about love and death. Impressive, we barely kept dry: what a film. And then also all those incomparable scenes, and all that fantastic music.

We do know: America is a grandiose culture, but for pop music and films, America is not the place to be. A place like Norway has more to offer on both accounts. Maestro, however, proves that even now, excellent, rich, truly American films are still appearing -- despite the utter bullshit Hollywood keeps pouring out on all humanity. Highly recommended, if only for music lovers: Maestro, a 10 out of 10.

Greenland, in terms of pop music and the film industry, is cooler than even Norway. This is the hidden meaning behind some of the current movements in America that are reported in the news.

[Franco_Manitobain]

Nosferatu at my local (£4.00 a seat - any film any day!!) independent cinema.  I enjoyed this a lot - very brooding cinematography and design.  Not many big jumps or shocks but a real Gothic Horror movie.  Strong performances with Lily-Rose Depp rather good as the dream-haunted Ellen.  But in fact the whole cast are very good.  This is literally (as filmed) a dark and shadowy movie but somehow the result is often sombrely beautiful in the composition of the shots and scenes.  Certainly worth seeing I thought

I'm glad you enjoyed it as well.

[Brian]

Rewatches, all.

Wow that's a good lineup!!