Last Movie You Watched

[ritter]

Recent mention of Alberto Moravia in the reading thread prompted me to watch the film adaptation of his novel The Conformist, directed in 1970 by Bernardo Bertolucci.



Worthwhile, but IMHO the oneiric (almost surreal) atmosphere Bertolucci imposes on the film is slightly at odds with my perception of Moravia's work (I haven't read this particular book, though), and the story of a traumatised man's collaboration with the fascist regime, all in the name of a—futile—search for "normality", loses some strength as a result. From what I've read, the director added some characters and situations that  further push the film in the "surreal" direction and away from (what I presume is) the book's original tone. Still, some stunning visuals, and Dominique Sanda is beautiful as always.

[milk]

Not the first time that I have seen that one recommended. I have not seen it yet.

it's a beautiful film. And I give extra points to any art film that comes in under 90 minutes!

[71 dB]

ENTITY (Sidney Furie, 1981) KOCH MEDIA Blu-ray

I read good things about this movie some even calling it the best ghost flick of the 80's. So, I bought the German Blu-ray. It is a mixed bag in my opinion. The acting overall is great and Barbara Hershey does a very strong performance. The film has nice "people trying to understand each other" stuff. However, there are small problems also: I wasn't totally fond of the camerawork: I would have used more wide lenses. The music score of the movie wasn't strong, even distracting at places! The plot developed in ways that felt confusing rather than coherent. Oftentimes it felt like some ideas where forgotten to make "room" for new ideas. The last 15 minutes felt bizarre when a movie about a raping poltergeist transforms into war between "academic" science and ghostbusters-like pseudoscience. All of this made the movie feel like the script was a result of forcing half-dozen small story ideas into a big story. A bad movie? No. It is decent mainly thanks to the good acting and dialog.

[steve ridgway]

Breakthrough with Richard Burton, 1979. A decent WWII adventure of its time although the TV channel gave advance warning of "outdated language" so I expect in a couple of years it'll be cancelled altogether.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Recent mention of Alberto Moravia in the reading thread prompted me to watch the film adaptation of his novel The Conformist, directed in 1970 by Bernardo Bertolucci.



Worthwhile, but IMHO the oneiric (almost surreal) atmosphere Bertolucci imposes on the film is slightly at odds with my perception of Moravia's work (I haven't read this particular book, though), and the story of a traumatised man's collaboration with the fascist regime, all in the name of a—futile—search for "normality", loses some strength as a result. From what I've read, the director added some characters and situations that  further push the film in the "surreal" direction and away from (what I presume is) the book's original tone. Still, some stunning visuals, and Dominique Sanda is beautiful as always.

I like both Bertolucci and Dominique Sanda. Again, I must get the original novel!

P.s. I like their 1900 as well.

[SimonNZ]

An okay documentary, though it focused far too much on the high-end antiquarian trade an too much on the non-book ephemera.

But having until five years ago been a bookseller for all of my adult life it reminded me of all the intense frustrations I had with the industry and why on balance I'm relieved to be out of it.

[steve ridgway]

An okay documentary, though it focused far too much on the high-end antiquarian trade an too much on the non-book ephemera.

But having until five years ago been a bookseller for all of my adult life it reminded me of all the intense frustrations I had with the industry and why on balance I'm relieved to be out of it.

I used to have a great time browsing these shops for interesting books of a century or so ago, still have a small collection, but when I got too specific (Moon books) the internet in the form of Abebooks took over.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

An okay documentary, though it focused far too much on the high-end antiquarian trade an too much on the non-book ephemera.

But having until five years ago been a bookseller for all of my adult life it reminded me of all the intense frustrations I had with the industry and why on balance I'm relieved to be out of it.

Both the movie and your life sound interesting. I will get the dvd.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Luchino Visconti, Gruppo di Famiglia in un Interno (Conversation Piece). Lovely film about class division, trust, and distrust.

[SimonNZ]

Both the movie and your life sound interesting. I will get the dvd.

Heh. Thanks for that. I'm pleased to hear I've presented that illusion.

[aligreto]

A Long Way Down





One New Year's Eve four unrelated people unintentionally meet on the same roof of a tall building and all have the same intention of throwing themselves off that building. This is the story of those people. The subject matter is dark and serious but some of the scripting is really very funny and it ends up being a very entertaining film that deals with a dark and delicate subject. It is definitely worth a watch.

[Karl Henning]

A Long Way Down





One New Year's Eve four unrelated people unintentionally meet on the same roof of a tall building and all have the same intention of throwing themselves off that building. This is the story of those people. The subject matter is dark and serious but some of the scripting is really very funny and it ends up being a very entertaining film that deals with a dark and delicate subject. It is definitely worth a watch.

Sounds interesting, Fergus!

[Papy Oli]

I remember quite liking that one. Should watch it again.

[aligreto]

Sounds interesting, Fergus!

I remember quite liking that one. Should watch it again.

Definitely worth a watch guys.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A Star is Born





This is the third iteration that I have seen of this story. The first was with Judy Garland, the second was with Kristofferson/Streisand and now this one with Cooper/Gaga. I am told that there was a fourth version but I do not know it. Anyway, this is the first time that I have seen this particular version and I thought this was by far the best one that I have seen. Gaga was very good but, for me, Cooper was the real star and he was excellent.

I saw that in a theatre with a friend (remember what theaters were?)...really enjoyed it!  Hadn't realized how talented Cooper was in music too.  And loved Lady Gaga in it!  I was quite impressed!

PD

[SonicMan46]

Well, over the last week or so, I've purchased a number movies, one new to my collection and two others as replacements:

The Dam Busters (1955) w/ Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave - BD review HERE - "the film recreates the true story of Operation Chastise when in 1943 the RAF's 617 Squadron attacked the Möhne, Eder, and Sorpe dams in Nazi Germany with Barnes Wallis's bouncing bomb. (Source)" A childhood favorite that I've not seen in decades, recently released in the Blu-ray format.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) w/ James Stewart, Donna Reed, and so many other greats; Frank Capra, Director - another favorite classic (and of so many others) that I've owned on VHS > DVD > BD > 4K now - did not expect to buy this version but the review HERE (shown below) was irresistible, plus only $8 for me w/ some Amazon reward money.  For those not knowing this film (likely people from another planet - ), more on Wiki.

The Princess Bride (1987) w/ Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Christopher Guest; Rob Reiner, Director - story HERE for those who have not seen this wonderful comedy fantasy film - I have an old DVD and decided to buy Amazon's 4K UHD digital streamer - the quality of the movie was excellent.  Dave

[Karl Henning]

Well, over the last week or so, I've purchased a number movies, one new to my collection and two others as replacements:

The Dam Busters (1955) w/ Richard Todd and Michael Redgrave - BD review HERE - "the film recreates the true story of Operation Chastise when in 1943 the RAF's 617 Squadron attacked the Möhne, Eder, and Sorpe dams in Nazi Germany with Barnes Wallis's bouncing bomb. (Source)" A childhood favorite that I've not seen in decades, recently released in the Blu-ray format.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) w/ James Stewart, Donna Reed, and so many other greats; Frank Capra, Director - another favorite classic (and of so many others) that I've owned on VHS > DVD > BD > 4K now - did not expect to buy this version but the review HERE (shown below) was irresistible, plus only $8 for me w/ some Amazon reward money.  For those not knowing this film (likely people from another planet - ), more on Wiki.

The Princess Bride (1987) w/ Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Wallace Shawn, André the Giant, and Christopher Guest; Rob Reiner, Director - story HERE for those who have not seen this wonderful comedy fantasy film - I have an old DVD and decided to buy Amazon's 4K UHD digital streamer - the quality of the movie was excellent.  Dave

Inconceivable!

[André]

Recent mention of Alberto Moravia in the reading thread prompted me to watch the film adaptation of his novel The Conformist, directed in 1970 by Bernardo Bertolucci.



Worthwhile, but IMHO the oneiric (almost surreal) atmosphere Bertolucci imposes on the film is slightly at odds with my perception of Moravia's work (I haven't read this particular book, though), and the story of a traumatised man's collaboration with the fascist regime, all in the name of a—futile—search for "normality", loses some strength as a result. From what I've read, the director added some characters and situations that  further push the film in the "surreal" direction and away from (what I presume is) the book's original tone. Still, some stunning visuals, and Dominique Sanda is beautiful as always.

Yes, there are many oniric/surreal bits that were probably influenced by Fellini (8 1/2, Juliet of the Spirits, Satyricon had been released in the previous years). They occur in the first half of the film. The second half is more tightly woven and realistic, with the screws of the plot noticeably tightened. I watched it very recently and was struck at how cleverly Bertolucci peppers Marcello's world with bizarreries, making his craving for normality seem all the more natural considering the wackos he has to deal with - starting with his own parents.

The 'revelation' ending is entirely Bertolucci's own. He didn't like the novel's ending as it didn't point to anything that might have explained Marcello's search for social and political conformism. There's an interview with the director in the edition I watched that explains this. I think it works well as it shows the protagonist realize his whole life was based on a fallacy (the murder of Lino).

The two women dancing in the ballroom by the Seine is an anthology piece. What a sight !

[aligreto]

Ichi the Killer





The only comment that I will make is Depraved!

This was given to me and will be passed on immediately.

[ritter]

Another film based on a novel by Alberto Moravia: La Ciociara ("Two Women")



Vittorio de Sica's film garnered much success and received many awards (including an Oscar for Sophia Loren as best actress). It's interesting as it depicts everyday life of displaced people in WWII Italy, with its pain but also with its little joys. It then deals with a true episode of those years (the so-called marocchinate) and becomes much bitterer. Good to have seen it, but not indispensable IMHO.