Last Movie You Watched

[Ken B]

Anatomy of a Murder (1959) w/ James Stewart, Lee Remick, Ben Gazzara, and others on the cover below; Otto Preminger, Director; Music by Duke Ellington who appears briefly in the film - short synopsis below; the young Remick beautiful as ever!  And, George C. Scott in one of his early roles. The Criterion AV restoration is superb, as expected (review HERE) - highly recommended.  Dave

 

Great movie (of a great book). The judge in that photo is Joseph Welch.

[SonicMan46]

Great movie (of a great book). The judge in that photo is Joseph Welch.

Hi Ken - Welch was excellent and showed great control of the court in the film - a good choice (and he was a substitute judge for an ailing one) - loved the scene were he and Stewart discuss a bull frog lure in the middle of the trial -   Dave

[SonicMan46]

Last night, my wife (to my surprise!) wanted to see a movie in honor of Memorial Day - well, I have plenty but suggested the one below which she enjoyed thoroughly:

Paths of Glory (1957) w/ Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, and Wayne Morris; Stanley Kubrick, Director; short synopsis below - glorious B&W restoration by Criterion w/ great sound (review HERE) - a MUST see for war buffs (and, of course, others such as my spouse!) - Dave

Paths of Glory is among the most powerful antiwar films ever made. A fiery Kirk Douglas stars as a World War I French colonel who goes head-to-head with the army's ruthless top brass when his men are accused of cowardice after being unable to carry out an impossible mission. This haunting, exquisitely photographed dissection of the military machine in all its absurdity and capacity for dehumanization (a theme Kubrick would continue to explore throughout his career) is assembled with its legendary director's customary precision, from its tense trench warfare sequences to its gripping courtroom climax to its ravaging final scene.

 

[Karl Henning]

The Big Lebowski

[Ken B]

Dude.

[Brian]

Dude.

Where's my car?

[aligreto]

Hampstead





This was a most enjoyable watch with a somewhat different story line than the norm. It is based on a true character and it is a story very well told and acted out.

[SonicMan46]

Well, my wife is still interested in my Memorial Day list of 'war films', so last night watched:

The Lost Battalion (2001) w/ Ricky Schroder et al - short synopsis below - led by a New York lawyer Major Charles Whittlesey; he was a pall bearer at the dedication of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, along w/ Alvin York - shortly after was on a ship out of New York and disappeared, presumably jumped overboard - maybe PTSD of the time? 

Desert Fury (1947) w/ John Hodiak, Lizabeth Scott, Burt Lancaster, and Mary Astor; Miklós Rózsa, Music - a 'film noir' in beautiful Technicolor of southwestern scenery reminding me of Sedona Arizona - Scott and Astor amazingly attractive; early Lancaster role as a police officer.  Both of these films are recommended.  Dave

The Lost Battalion is the name given to the nine companies of the United States 77th Division, roughly 554 men, isolated by German forces during World War I after an American attack in the Argonne Forest in October 1918. Roughly 197 were killed in action and approximately 150 missing or taken prisoner before the 194 remaining men were rescued. They were led by Major Charles White Whittlesey. (Source)

 

 

[aligreto]

The Last Days on Mars





This is a good enough sci-fi story; it is a sort of zombies on Mars with a little bit extra if you are interested in that type of thing.

[Ken B]

Projected, in an excellent restoration, one of my favourite movies ever
The Dam Busters 1954

A single screening in town, nearly a sell out. 10/10

[SonicMan46]

Projected, in an excellent restoration, one of my favourite movies ever
The Dam Busters 1954

A single screening in town, nearly a sell out. 10/10

One of my favs also - may have seen in the theater back in the '50s and possibly on TV decades ago but not since - I've been looking for a Region A BD release but not available - the one below may be available as a 'used' copy (reviewed HERE) but again is Region B (my BD player is only Region A); but will continue to wait in anticipation.  Dave
.

[aligreto]

Passenger 57





It is quite a while since I have seen this one - sort of Die Hard on an aeroplane.

[SonicMan46]

The Blue Dahlia (1946) w/ Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix, Howard Da Silva, and Hugh Beaumont (Leave It to Beaver's father!) - a classic film noir w/ Ladd and Lake looking great in their youth (short synopsis quoted below) - the transfer is fine and a GREAT improvement over my old DVD-R - would love to see Criterion redo this film (some reviews HERE) - ratings: 7.2/10, IMDB; 100%, Rotten Tomatoes; 4.3/5*, Amazon - I'd do a 4/5* - highly recommended for film noir aficionados and fans of the leading actors.  Dave

 

Discharged naval officer Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd) returns to his wife, Helen (Doris Dowling), in Hollywood after fighting in the South Pacific, and with him are two military friends, George (Hugh Beaumont) and shell-shocked Buzz (William Bendix). Johnny is stunned to discover Helen's unfaithfulness with a local nightclub owner named Eddie (Howard Da Silva), who then breaks it off with her. When Helen is found murdered, everyone seems to have a motive.

[aligreto]

Beyond Skyline





This is a fast paced sci-fi thriller that is worth a watch.

[drogulus]

     

One of my favs also - may have seen in the theater back in the '50s and possibly on TV decades ago but not since - I've been looking for a Region A BD release but not available - the one below may be available as a 'used' copy (reviewed HERE) but again is Region B (my BD player is only Region A); but will continue to wait in anticipation.  Dave
.

     Buy it, rip it, burn it. Also, unless you must see it in widescreen, get the one in 1.33:1. The widescreen is cropped from that.


     

     

[Ken B]

     
     Buy it, rip it, burn it. Also, unless you must see it in widescreen, get the one in 1.33:1. The widescreen is cropped from that.


     

     

Eek.
The print I saw last week was 4:3.

I so old I remember when they cropped to 4:3.

[SonicMan46]

Well, going through my DVD/BD database w/ my wife - last of the 'A' movies she wanted to see below (she's being really seletive!) - onto 'B' films!

Air Force One (1997) w/ Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, et al - this film received mixed reviews BUT I like Ford in this role and Oldman is good - we both enjoyed and wished our current USA President had similar credentials -

Absence of Malice (1981) w/ Paul Newman & Sally Field - generally good reviews and we again liked - love the scene toward the end w/ Wilford Brimley (Assistant DA in the DOJ) - both films recommended.  Dave

 

[aligreto]

Babe





I have liked this quirky, engaging and entertaining film since I first saw it.

[SimonNZ]

Possibly 10th viewing. Not only a great sequel but a great film in its own right.

(unfortunately I can't say that about the third film )

[SonicMan46]

Babe


 


I have liked this quirky, engaging and entertaining film since I first saw it.

Wife & I have a handful of films that we enjoyed watching together - one is Babe which we've probably seen at least a half dozen times and likely more (now own the BD inserted above) - we're in a 'burn out' phase at the moment but will likely return soon for another watch - love James Cromwell as 'Farmer Hoggett' - he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar.  Dave