Last Movie You Watched

[DavidW]

Dave I've felt like I've seen that western several times over!  Not exactly breaking new ground.   But I'll probably watch it at some point.

[DavidW]

Talking about not breaking new ground I watched Godzilla vs Kong.  It was good stupid fun.  And great to watch on a large tv.  It is a shame that it doesn't get to command the box office, I feel like the size made it more of a theatrical experience.

[SonicMan46]

Dave I've felt like I've seen that western several times over!  Not exactly breaking new ground.   But I'll probably watch it at some point.

Well, there is a 'different twist' to this western story, i.e. how the main character (Hanks) earns a meager living, but won't give the plot away - and the warm relationship that develops between him and the girl adds yet a different nuance - now, I've seen most and own many John Wayne westerns and have never seen 'The Duke' in this kind of role -    Dave

[DavidW]

Well, there is a 'different twist' to this western story, i.e. how the main character (Hanks) earns a meager living, but won't give the plot away - and the warm relationship that develops between him and the girl adds yet a different nuance - now, I've seen most and own many John Wayne westerns and have never seen 'The Duke' in this kind of role -    Dave

Oh okay that is intriguing.  I'll give it a watch soon.

[SonicMan46]

It wasn't the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.

King Kong (2005) w/ Andy Serkis (as Kong in 'motion capture'), Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody et al; Peter Jackson, Director - decided to replace my BD w/ a digital 4K UHD digital version from Amazon Prime Video (listened on headphones - sound and video spectacular).  The film is too long (3 hrs), so watched over 2 nights; some of the jungle scenes could have been shortened and/or eliminated but just my opinion. There are two other versions, i.e. the original from 1933 (own on BD and still a 'stop motion' classic) and the rather poorer remake from 1976 with Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange. 

This Jackson remake is visually and aurally stunning - nominated for 4 Oscars, and winner of 3 (Sound mixing, sound editing, and visual effects).  Andy Serkis' efforts in 'motion capture' of the Kong character are quoted below.  Reviews were mixed: Rotten Tomatoes, 84% from critics but 50% for the audience; IMDB, 7.2/10; Amazon, 4.6/5 - my rating on Amazon ranges from 3.5 (too long; emotional attachment of Watts to Kong overdone) to 4.5 (outstanding visuals, sound, and special effects, especially in the jungle scenes), SO let me just go for 4*/5* if leaving an Amazon review.  If a 'King Kong Fan', owning the 1933 original (now on BD as mentioned) is a MUST; the 2005 version is a great 'modern' update despite its length; also own Kong: Skull Island (2017) and recommend a watch; not a big fan of Kong vs. other 'creatures', such as Godzilla, BUT the new one mentioned by DavidW will likely be a rental.  Dave

Serkis was cast as Kong and prepared himself by working with gorillas at the London Zoo. He then traveled to Rwanda, observing the actions and behaviors of gorillas in the wild; the detailed facial performance capture with Serkis was accomplished because of the similarities between human and gorilla faces. Photos of silverback gorillas were also superimposed on Kong's image in the early stages of animation. Serkis had to go through two hours of motion capture makeup every day, having 135 small markers attached to different spots on his face. Following principal photography, Serkis had to spend an additional two months on a motion capture stage, miming Kong's movements for the film's digital animators. (edited Source)

 

[DavidW]

I like that King Kong but I prefer the 1933.  I think there might have been a remake from the 70s?  I haven't seen that one.

Oh Dave, if you didn't know the Indiana Jones movies are releasing on 4k this June.

[Brahmsian]

I like that King Kong but I prefer the 1933.  I think there might have been a remake from the 70s?  I haven't seen that one.

Oh Dave, if you didn't know the Indiana Jones movies are releasing on 4k this June.

Dave and David,

I actually prefer the 1977 remake of King Kong (with the beautiful Jessica Lange, and Jeff Bridges) over the 2005 remake. However, hard to beat the 1933 original and also had a wonderful soundtrack.

[DavidW]

Dave and David,

I actually prefer the 1977 remake of King Kong (with the beautiful Jessica Lange, and Jeff Bridges) over the 2005 remake. However, hard to beat the 1933 original and also had a wonderful soundtrack.

Oh that is on HBO Max (I just checked).  I'll have to give it a watch.

[André]

Dave and David,

I actually prefer the 1977 remake of King Kong (with the beautiful Jessica Lange, and Jeff Bridges) over the 2005 remake. However, hard to beat the 1933 original and also had a wonderful soundtrack.

My opinion exactly. Despite its age and crude effects the 1933 movie still has the novelty effect. And in the 1977 remake Jessica Lange is adorable. One can understand the beast's feelings.

[SonicMan46]

Dave and David,

I actually prefer the 1977 remake of King Kong (with the beautiful Jessica Lange, and Jeff Bridges) over the 2005 remake. However, hard to beat the 1933 original and also had a wonderful soundtrack.

Well, Guys, I guess that a re-watch of the 1970s King Kong is needed; in all honesty, probably saw just once way back then and really cannot remember - Bridges & Lang were in their prime then - BUT I agree the 'mother lode' is the 1933 original - quote below from Wiki's Ray Harryhausen's bio - after seeing King Kong (1933) as a young teen, he was apparently awe-struck and like a lightening bolt, the experience chose his life-long career - an oft repeated story. Dave

After having seen King Kong (1933) on its initial release for the first of many times, Harryhausen spent his early years experimenting in the production of animated shorts. The scenes utilising stop-motion animation, those featuring creatures on the island or Kong, were the work of pioneer model animator Willis O'Brien. His work in King Kong inspired Harryhausen, and a friend arranged a meeting with O'Brien for him. O'Brien critiqued Harryhausen's early models and urged him to take classes in graphic arts and sculpture. Taking O'Brien's advice, while still at high school, Harryhausen took evening classes in art direction, photography and editing at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, where he would later serve as a lecturer. Meanwhile, he became friends with an aspiring writer, Ray Bradbury, with similar enthusiasms. Bradbury and Harryhausen joined the Los Angeles-area Science Fiction League formed by Forrest J. Ackerman in 1939, and the three became lifelong friends. (Source)

[vers la flamme]

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Man, what a beautiful movie. Highly recommended.

[LKB]

It's fascinating simply because it is so clearly both a Kubrick movie and a Spielberg movie.

I suspect though that there aren't an enormous number of people who are both Kubrick fans and Spielberg fans.

I am, very much so.

But then, l am " weird ", as any of my exes would undoubtedly testify.

,

LKB

[André]

Purchased today:

[aligreto]

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Man, what a beautiful movie. Highly recommended.

Yes, I have seen it twice. Wonderful stuff indeed!

[Karl Henning]

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, even though my mother is no hamster.

[71 dB]

Two French movies from the 60's with Michel Legrand's music:

Les parapluies de Cherbourg (Jacques Demy, 1964)
Great music, awesome colors. What's not to like?


Cléo de 5 à 7 (Agnès Varda, 1962)
Less music, even less color (only tarot cards!). A bit boring imho.


I watched these on TV (Finnish subtitles).

[SonicMan46]

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) w/ Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, and George Sanders; Joseph L. Mankiewicz, director (great uncle of Ben) - own on BD - romantic fantasy interspersed with comedic writing - film was brought up a few pages ago, so convinced my wife to watch (not a great fan of old B & W films) - she really enjoyed - highly recommended.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) w/ James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, et al; Frank Capra, director - now I've seen this film well over a dozen times and currently own the BD; BUT just restored to a 4K UHD version not yet out, however, available on Amazon Prime in that format as an inexpensive streaming rental or purchase, so I bought the digital film (review HERE) - still a classic; up for 11 Oscars in 1940 but won just one, and lost 'Best Picture' to 'Gone With the Wind' (not unexpected) - also highly recommended.  Dave

 

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947) w/ Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison, and George Sanders; Joseph L. Mankiewicz, director (great uncle of Ben) - own on BD - romantic fantasy interspersed with comedic writing - film was brought up a few pages ago, so convinced my wife to watch (not a great fan of old B & W films) - she really enjoyed - highly recommended.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) w/ James Stewart, Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, et al; Frank Capra, director - now I've seen this film well over a dozen times and currently own the BD; BUT just restored to a 4K UHD version not yet out, however, available on Amazon Prime in that format as an inexpensive streaming rental or purchase, so I bought the digital film (review HERE) - still a classic; up for 11 Oscars in 1940 but won just one, and lost 'Best Picture' to 'Gone With the Wind' (not unexpected) - also highly recommended.  Dave

 

Pleased to hear that she--and you--enjoyed the Ghost!  Did you end up watching any of the commentary?  I really enjoyed the first one (one listed at the top), but not so much the second one.  Or perhaps another time?   

PD

[LKB]

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, even though my mother is no hamster.

Oddly enough, l woke up this morning smelling of elderberries...

[SonicMan46]

Pleased to hear that she--and you--enjoyed the Ghost!  Did you end up watching any of the commentary?  I really enjoyed the first one (one listed at the top), but not so much the second one.  Or perhaps another time?   

PD

Hi PD - just checked Amazon and I bought the BD shown back in 2014 (and had the DVD a number of years before that time) - I cannot remember the commentary but have watched that film nearly a half dozen times over the years, and may have ran the extras?  Dave