Last Movie You Watched

[TheGSMoeller]

Hey Karl - I've seen a handful of her films, but my favorite is the Last of the Mohicans from 1992 (own as a BD) - she was in her mid-30s and is so attractive and alluring; a good looking 'couple' w/ the much younger Daniel Day-Lewis. One of my main attractions to this movie is that much of the filming took place in the North Carolina mountains - quote below lists the locales, most of which Susan & I have visited often - one scene from the movie is over a bridge (3rd pic below) which is on the Biltmore Estate (Bass Pond) - the last is my own image from a walk around the pond (taken on a 2015 visit) - if you've not seen the film, then highly recommended.  Dave

 

 

Very cool, Dave! Great pic!
Mohicans is a personal favorite film of mine since its release. And an amazing soundtrack to go along with it.

[SimonNZ]

Also worth seeing for Wes Studi's remarkable performance as Maqua. I don't know who got the Best Supporting Actor Oscar that year, but Wes was robbed.

Not much like the book, though, as I recall.

[SonicMan46]

Very cool, Dave! Great pic!
Mohicans is a personal favorite film of mine since its release. And an amazing soundtrack to go along with it.

Also worth seeing for Wes Studi's remarkable performance as Maqua. I don't know who got the Best Supporting Actor Oscar that year, but Wes was robbed.

Not much like the book, though, as I recall.

Hi Greg & Simon - thanks for your comments - below a map of the Biltmore House, Gardens, and Bass Pond - nice walk downhill from the house to the pond, but a tiring trek back up (as evident from the insert on the right); the pond is circled w/ an arrow pointing to the location of the bridge.  I watch the film about once a year and just may be that time?    Dave

P.S. Just checked the 1993 Oscar Awards - one nomination for Sound and the WINNER!  And I agree that Wes Studi is great in that film but was not nominated for a 'Best Supporting Actor' award - winner in that category was Gene Hackman in Unforgiven, which I also own on BD and enjoy.

[Karl Henning]

Also worth seeing for Wes Studi's remarkable performance as Maqua. I don't know who got the Best Supporting Actor Oscar that year, but Wes was robbed.

Not much like the book, though, as I recall.

I think the screenwriting liberties taken with a number of American literary classics in recent years (The Scarlet Letter, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow") -- and the horrifically invasive (IMO) screen adaptation of The Lord of the Rings -- has made it unlikely that I'll watch any of them.

[SonicMan46]

I think the screenwriting liberties taken with a number of American literary classics in recent years (The Scarlet Letter, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow") -- and the horrifically invasive (IMO) screen adaptation of The Lord of the Rings -- has made it unlikely that I'll watch any of them.

James Fennimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans written in 1826 has had multiple adaptations to the screen from the silent film days - tonight I decided to watch the 1936 B&W version (DVD-R burned from the TCM channel) w/ Randolph Scott as Hawkeye (Bruce Cabot as a surprisingly good Magua) (synopsis below + a critics review attached); now I read this book several times as a young teen and cannot remember the plot but based on the description HERE, the film is pretty much true to the Cooper story (the romantic relations possibly enhanced but this is true in the movies - right?) - having watched the 1992 film w/ Day-Lewis & Stowe numerous times, the story line is pretty much the same as the 1936 version, so close to the book - however, the widescreen aspect, scenes from my state, and the much more sensual romance between the two main characters is a PLUS for me - thus, these two films do not really go that far from the novel, and in my mind the cinematic presentation is a big plus.

For me a very positive absence from the films is the exclusion of Hawkeye's name used in the book, i.e. Natty Bumppo - don't know how Cooper came up w/ that name but not mentioned in either movie versions (to my relief) - BOTTOM LINE - if you are a fan of Cooper's books and if colonial American wars are of interest, the 1992 The Last of the Mohicans is a MUST watch - but just my two cents.  Dave

Randolph Scott has one of his best roles as Hawkeye in this exciting film adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's often filmed novel. During the brutal French and Indian War, Hawkeye is prevailed upon to escort Major Duncan Heyward (Henry Wilcoxon), and the two daughters of Fort William Henry commander Colonel Munro (Hugh Buckler) -- Alice (Binnie Barnes) and Cora (Heather Angel) -- to safety through enemy lines. Hawkeye is assisted by his Indian friend Chingachgook (Robert Barrat), and Uncas (Philip Reed), Chingachgook's son; the two are the last survivors of the Mohican tribe. During their travels to the fort, Alice falls in love with Hawkeye, while Cora falls in love with Uncas. But along the way, the band is continually harassed by the demonic Huron Indian Magua (Bruce Cabot). Magua causes the deaths of Cora and Uncas, while the British are attacked by the Hurons and the French and forced to flee Fort William Henry. Hawkeye is taken prisoner by the brutal Hurons and Maj. Heyward must organize a band to rescue Hawkeye before he is tortured to death.

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[Karl Henning]

Cheers, Dave!  I do appreciate your two c., as always!  Oh, how I agree that Natty Bumppo is a ghastly-sounding name, and a powerful argument that Fenimore Cooper had a tin ear 

I had never managed to read the book, or any of his books, when I was a lad (and I read voraciously, so there must have been Reasons) and then, once I had read Twain's withering essay, "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses," well, I just couldn't, just could not.  So we might argue that I can watch the new movie without suffering at all.

Enhanced love interest as something that always happens in the movies . . . allowing for the rhetorical use of always, aye, you are quite probably right, but I don't have to like it 


But the modern sensibility grafted onto Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, and (what is likely) the distortion of "Sleepy Hollow" beyond anything that Irving would have recognized as his own work (and I consider that a shame, because otherwise, I am rather curious about it, given my recent-ish Burton tear) . . . these are not liberties, they are rape.

[Mahlerian]

Cheers, Dave!  I do appreciate your two c., as always!  Oh, how I agree that Natty Bumppo is a ghastly-sounding name, and a powerful argument that Fenimore Cooper had a tin ear 

I had never managed to read the book, or any of his books, when I was a lad (and I read voraciously, so there must have been Reasons) and then, once I had read Twain's withering essay, "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses," well, I just couldn't, just could not.  So we might argue that I can watch the new movie without suffering at all.

I read that essay in High School as we were reading Last of the Mohicans, and I'm sad to say it was so hilarious that I couldn't take Cooper seriously after that.  It's only later that I realized that Twain was writing the equivalent of a YouTube rant, and as funny as it is, it's still unfair, and criticizing the novels for not doing things they weren't actually trying to do (like verisimilitude).

[Karl Henning]

I read that essay in High School as we were reading Last of the Mohicans, and I'm sad to say it was so hilarious that I couldn't take Cooper seriously after that.  It's only later that I realized that Twain was writing the equivalent of a YouTube rant, and as funny as it is, it's still unfair, and criticizing the novels for not doing things they weren't actually trying to do (like verisimilitude).

I could see that.


But, gawd:  Natty Bumppo.


NATTY BUMPPO!   

[SonicMan46]

Well, I believe we just had a Tim Burton discussion and I listed the films in my collection, including Sleepy Hollow; as all know, Burton took major liberties from Irving's 'short story' - Icahbod Crane (played by Depp) is a New City police constable, but w/ his various gadgets is more in the Holmes detective mold - plus the plot centered on the headless Hessian soldier (played marvelously by Christopher Walken) has been embellished with gusto!  I really enjoy Depp and his performance in this Burton horror story - certainly worth seeing once if a fan of the Tim & Johnny -   Dave
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[Roasted Swan]

The BBC broadcast on standard terrestrial TV over the weekend

[asin]B01F000VI0[/asin]

Superb acting from Streep and Hugh Grant - keeping the story funny yet very touching too.  High quality all-round.

[Karl Henning]

Well, I believe we just had a Tim Burton discussion and I listed the films in my collection, including Sleepy Hollow; as all know, Burton took major liberties from Irving's 'short story' - Icahbod Crane (played by Depp) is a New City police constable, but w/ his various gadgets is more in the Holmes detective mold - plus the plot centered on the headless Hessian soldier (played marvelously by Christopher Walken) has been embellished with gusto!  I really enjoy Depp and his performance in this Burton horror story - certainly worth seeing once if a fan of the Tim & Johnny -   Dave
.
 

I do recall!

As you see, I am perhaps immovably conflicted 

[SonicMan46]

I do recall!

As you see, I am perhaps immovably conflicted 

[George]

Well, I believe we just had a Tim Burton discussion and I listed the films in my collection, including Sleepy Hollow; as all know, Burton took major liberties from Irving's 'short story' - Icahbod Crane (played by Depp) is a New City police constable, but w/ his various gadgets is more in the Holmes detective mold - plus the plot centered on the headless Hessian soldier (played marvelously by Christopher Walken) has been embellished with gusto!  I really enjoy Depp and his performance in this Burton horror story - certainly worth seeing once if a fan of the Tim & Johnny -   Dave
.
 

Christina Ricci. 

[SonicMan46]

Christina Ricci. 

- yep, another great reason to watch Sleepy Hollow - came out in 1999 which she was just 19 years old! Dave

[Draško]

Bees Make Honey is British murder mystery comedy set in 1930s. With heavily stylized visuals, a la Baz Lhurman, very flowery prose and anachronistic soundtrack. Kinda lightweight.

[Karl Henning]

- yep, another great reason to watch Sleepy Hollow - came out in 1999 which she was just 19 years old! Dave

My wife's eyes (and they are beautiful eyes) are already rolling   

[aligreto]

All Things to All Men [The Deadly Game]





A tense thriller that is worth a watch.

[LKB]

I think the screenwriting liberties taken with a number of American literary classics in recent years (The Scarlet Letter, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow") -- and the horrifically invasive (IMO) screen adaptation of The Lord of the Rings -- has made it unlikely that I'll watch any of them.

Hello Karl ( you can call me David,  btw ),

I always appreciate your taking the time and trouble to post your reactions in detail, as many are neither so inclined nor able. But l must admit that l find the term, " horribly invasive ", somewhat puzzling in relation to film adaptation. As The Lord of the Rings trilogy comprise a favorite filmic experience of mine,  can you please explain what you mean by " invasive "?

Thanks,

LKB

[Karl Henning]

Hello Karl ( you can call me David,  btw ),

I always appreciate your taking the time and trouble to post your reactions in detail, as many are neither so inclined nor able. But l must admit that l find the term, " horribly invasive ", somewhat puzzling in relation to film adaptation. As The Lord of the Rings trilogy comprise a favorite filmic experience of mine,  can you please explain what you mean by " invasive "?

Thanks,

LKB

Hi, David!  I admit that, my quarrels with the screenwriting notwithstanding, Jackson's Lord of the Rings is a wonderful trip through Middle-Earth.  That said, I have not beaten any path at all to watch the Hobbit movies.

I should have to revisit the trilogy (which, actually, I am not averse to doing) to answer more thoroughly.  But to list two items which remain fresh in my mind . . .

* They did not merely "embellish" the character of Aragorn, but in their relentless efforts to make him (apparently) a "more interesting" character—in their view—they degraded his mettle, made him poutier and pettier.

* They entirely re-drew the Frodo/Sam/Sméagol drama as they scuttled outside the fences of Mordor.  If the Aragorn tampering was [I see their point, little sympathy for or approval that point though I have], this item is utterly gratuitous.

As a rule, three instalments went from "A few cavils, but largely faithful to Tolkien" in The Fellowship of the Ring to "Bears about as much resemblance to The Return of the King, as a stick figure to any actual person."

There is a lot, however, which is simply wonderful about the production.

[Karl Henning]

Thread Duty:

Over Monday and Tuesday evenings, the two-hour Decoding Die Hard, a fine balance of informative and great fun.

As a result, last night I watched Die Hard itself;  and yes, it remains wonderfully fresh.

I shall hold off on watching Die Harder . . . will save it for Christmas . . . .