Last Movie You Watched

[Mister Sharpe]

Well, it's helping to push me to vegetarianism, we might say . . . .

Well, there's solid medical footing for vegetarianism...

[Karl Henning]

"The Birds is coming."  I remember my parents debating the grammar of that when I was a teen...

It does sound a bit like Leo Gorcey

http://www.youtube.com/v/Pienya0R3P4

[SonicMan46]

New BD arrival - already own the BD of True Grit w/ John Wayne, but decided to also buy this version and enjoy!  Dave

[drogulus]

Gone Baby, Gone

Gets generally good reviews but I am not a fan. The story is contrived and script is weak. A lot of the scenes look staged, with forced acting. I think that's at least partly the script at fault but also the director. The accents come and go. Sometimes they return at the end of a speech! The minor characters were Central Casting On Stilts.

It's not dreadful, I am not wailing over my two lost hours, but thumbs down. 5/10

     I liked it. A Boston accent is a problem when you have a few actors who are natives and the rest who aren't. Come and go is all many of them can do.

[mc ukrneal]

Les Miserables (2012)
[asin]B005S9EK5Y[/asin]

I had put off seeing this, but finally saw it a few days ago over the course of two evenings. The break was necessitated by frustration. But lets start with the good. There is some great cinematography (scenes of places, rarely of people). Anne Hathaway was deserving of the Oscar. She is both dramatically good and sings well. Normally, I'd prefer singers who can act, but she does ok (as an actor who sings), even if others could do better. Epinine is ok too. Cosette and Marius are mixed. They look nice and capture the flavor well, but neither is a strong singer. I think that's about it.

Russell Crowe is horribly mis-cast. He can't sing. And when he does, it's like he's so worried about the pitch that the words come out with no inflection - just flat. His acting seems affected by this too - totally wooden.  A major disappointment, considering how rich a role it could be. Hugh Jackman isn't at his best here. I've heard him sing much better than this. He seems strained a lot, and his vibrato irritates me. His acting is ok, but  it's not enough to save things. The roles of the Thernardiers seems overdone. I get why, but they seem more grotesque than funny or a release for the drama in the rest of the story. Bonham Carter just doesn't have much to say and seems wasted to me.

Cinematically, the movie spends so much time looking up their nostrils when they sing (meaning, lots of really close close ups). What's up with that? Was the Director doing research on nostril hair? Very unoriginal for the most part. The only exception is Hathaway/Fontine's I Dreamed A Dream, where you can see all the different emotions/feelings/expressions flash across her face as she sings the words. Maybe they were trying to do this with everyone else too, but it rarely worked and was often thoroughly intrusive/uncomfortable (especially the men with beards - Jackman and Crowe mostly). it does work better with Epinine, Marius and Cossette, but the constant repetition of this technique was maddening. Sometimes less is more.

Anyway, if you like the show, you might still get some enjoyment out of it, but it should have been so much better considering the source material. Next time, maybe they will get singers first and actors second if they are going to adhere so strictly to the musical.

[Ken B]

Les Miserables (2012)
[asin]B005S9EK5Y[/asin]

I had put off seeing this, but finally saw it a few days ago over the course of two evenings. The break was necessitated by frustration. But lets start with the good. There is some great cinematography (scenes of places, rarely of people). Anne Hathaway was deserving of the Oscar. She is both dramatically good and sings well. Normally, I'd prefer singers who can act, but she does ok (as an actor who sings), even if others could do better. Epinine is ok too. Cosette and Marius are mixed. They look nice and capture the flavor well, but neither is a strong singer. I think that's about it.

Russell Crowe is horribly mis-cast. He can't sing. And when he does, it's like he's so worried about the pitch that the words come out with no inflection - just flat. His acting seems affected by this too - totally wooden.  A major disappointment, considering how rich a role it could be. Hugh Jackman isn't at his best here. I've heard him sing much better than this. He seems strained a lot, and his vibrato irritates me. His acting is ok, but  it's not enough to save things. The roles of the Thernardiers seems overdone. I get why, but they seem more grotesque than funny or a release for the drama in the rest of the story. Bonham Carter just doesn't have much to say and seems wasted to me.

Cinematically, the movie spends so much time looking up their nostrils when they sing (meaning, lots of really close close ups). What's up with that? Was the Director doing research on nostril hair? Very unoriginal for the most part. The only exception is Hathaway/Fontine's I Dreamed A Dream, where you can see all the different emotions/feelings/expressions flash across her face as she sings the words. Maybe they were trying to do this with everyone else too, but it rarely worked and was often thoroughly intrusive/uncomfortable (especially the men with beards - Jackman and Crowe mostly). it does work better with Epinine, Marius and Cossette, but the constant repetition of this technique was maddening. Sometimes less is more.

Anyway, if you like the show, you might still get some enjoyment out of it, but it should have been so much better considering the source material. Next time, maybe they will get singers first and actors second if they are going to adhere so strictly to the musical.

You are right about Hathaway, and a couple others, but the movie itself is a penance, a musical made with no respect for the music. I would have thought Master of the House was a number you couldn't screw up, but they managed to. Crowe must have been given the score for Pierrot Lunaire by accident. 2/10

[Jaakko Keskinen]

I didn't like that one either, but ironically one of the only things that I did like about the movie... was Russell Crowe as Javert.

[Karl Henning]

Last night, again:  Hugo

[TheGSMoeller]

. Crowe must have been given the score for Pierrot Lunaire by accident. 2/10

Took a sip of my coffee same time I read this, almost had disastrous results . 

[Bogey]

Les Miserables (2012)
[asin]B005S9EK5Y[/asin]

I had put off seeing this, but finally saw it a few days ago over the course of two evenings. The break was necessitated by frustration. But lets start with the good. There is some great cinematography (scenes of places, rarely of people). Anne Hathaway was deserving of the Oscar. She is both dramatically good and sings well. Normally, I'd prefer singers who can act, but she does ok (as an actor who sings), even if others could do better. Epinine is ok too. Cosette and Marius are mixed. They look nice and capture the flavor well, but neither is a strong singer. I think that's about it.

Russell Crowe is horribly mis-cast. He can't sing. And when he does, it's like he's so worried about the pitch that the words come out with no inflection - just flat. His acting seems affected by this too - totally wooden.  A major disappointment, considering how rich a role it could be. Hugh Jackman isn't at his best here. I've heard him sing much better than this. He seems strained a lot, and his vibrato irritates me. His acting is ok, but  it's not enough to save things. The roles of the Thernardiers seems overdone. I get why, but they seem more grotesque than funny or a release for the drama in the rest of the story. Bonham Carter just doesn't have much to say and seems wasted to me.

Cinematically, the movie spends so much time looking up their nostrils when they sing (meaning, lots of really close close ups). What's up with that? Was the Director doing research on nostril hair? Very unoriginal for the most part. The only exception is Hathaway/Fontine's I Dreamed A Dream, where you can see all the different emotions/feelings/expressions flash across her face as she sings the words. Maybe they were trying to do this with everyone else too, but it rarely worked and was often thoroughly intrusive/uncomfortable (especially the men with beards - Jackman and Crowe mostly). it does work better with Epinine, Marius and Cossette, but the constant repetition of this technique was maddening. Sometimes less is more.

Anyway, if you like the show, you might still get some enjoyment out of it, but it should have been so much better considering the source material. Next time, maybe they will get singers first and actors second if they are going to adhere so strictly to the musical.

I believe I would have really enjoyed this one had there been no singing.  It was a task and a half for me to get through.  Are there any versions out there worth watching that took the non-musical route?

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Last night, again:  Hugo

Victor Hugo?  j/k

[Bogey]

From 1959, Rod Serling's Patterns



This one was a first time through for me.  Heck of a movie....I mean heck of a movie.  I need to re-watch this one as I was only paying attention to the story and great acting.  However, some of the shots were terrific and I have to lock them into my mind even more so.  Would love to grab the dvd of this, but if you do a search on Amazon you have to be careful of not getting the tv version of this Serling story.  Looks to be a bluray on the way: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Patterns-Blu-ray/133943/



Van Heflin, Everett Sloane, and Ed Begley were absolutely dynamite!  PS: Watch now for free on Amazon Prime if you have that service!

[Bogey]

And here is a shot of another Sloane-Serling connection for you Twilight Zone fans!

[Bogey]

Happy 65th to Mark Hamill.  Not sure if I enjoy your Skywalker role more than your animated voice for the Joker, or maybe even better is your role as the Trickster.

[/img]

[SonicMan46]

You are right about Hathaway, and a couple others, but the movie itself is a penance, a musical made with no respect for the music. I would have thought Master of the House was a number you couldn't screw up, but they managed to. Crowe must have been given the score for Pierrot Lunaire by accident. 2/10

RE: Les Miserables - years ago, saw this musical on Broadway w/ my son - did not really enjoy the show that much; streamed the movie when available on Amazon - did not change my mind.  Dave

[SonicMan46]

From 1959, Rod Serling's Patterns

 

This one was a first time through for me.  Heck of a movie....I mean heck of a movie.  I need to re-watch this one as I was only paying attention to the story and great acting.  However, some of the shots were terrific and I have to lock them into my mind even more so.  Would love to grab the dvd of this, but if you do a search on Amazon you have to be careful of not getting the tv version of this Serling story.  Looks to be a bluray on the way: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Patterns-Blu-ray/133943/

Van Heflin, Everett Sloane, and Ed Begley were absolutely dynamite!  PS: Watch now for free on Amazon Prime if you have that service!

Hey Bill - don't believe that I've ever seen that Heflin film - seems to be available for streaming on Amazon ($2) - might just add to my viewing list - Dave

[drogulus]

     The David Gulpilil festival continues with Walkabout, his first role. Also starring

     

     

[Bogey]

Mid December release.  I know what I want for Christmas.

[NikF]

Mid December release.  I know what I want for Christmas.

That should be cool. Right about then the 35mm lens was firmly in use and they were enjoying the option of a greater depth of field than before. It's a great looking film.
Part of that is due to Harold Rosson. He rightly received plaudits for his work on The Wizard of Oz, but his ability in black and white is wonderful. In fact, in my humble opinion as far as his colour work is concerned it's The Garden of Allah that should be seen as an example of what he could do with the colour of that era, especially when you take into account that Technicolour had a representative on set making sure that their product was used within their 'rules'.
Anyway, I hope Santa hears your plea and is good to you. 

[Ken B]

That should be cool. Right about then the 35mm lens was firmly in use and they were enjoying the option of a greater depth of field than before. It's a great looking film.
Part of that is due to Harold Rosson. He rightly received plaudits for his work on The Wizard of Oz, but his ability in black and white is wonderful. In fact, in my humble opinion as far as his colour work is concerned it's The Garden of Allah that should be seen as an example of what he could do with the colour of that era, especially when you take into account that Technicolour had a representative on set making sure that their product was used within their 'rules'.
Anyway, I hope Santa hears your plea and is good to you. 

*mumble mumble Jack Cardiff mumble mumble*