Last Movie You Watched

[Karl Henning]

Boy, surprised no posted movies the last couple of days - our films the last few nights:

A Christmas Carol (1938) w/ Gene Lockhart (Bob Cratchit), Reginald Owen (Scrooge), Kathleen Lockhart (Bob's wife in the movie and in real life), Terry Kilburn (Tiny Tim); June Lockhart in uncredited role as one of the Cratchit daughters (far left in second top pic below) - she later became the mother in the LassieTV series - assume most know the story (movie link HERE) - there have been many 'takes' on this Dickens story over the decades and I've seen most but cannot remember viewing this one - streamed from Amazon; film is only 70 mins long, so some scenes from later productions are not included - however, my favorite remains the 1984 TV show w/ George C. Scott, but for a 'short version' this one was quite good - recommended.

Remember the Night (1940) w/ Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, Beulah Bondi, Stanley Holloway, and others - short beginning quoted below; see link for more.  Fred and Barbara were always an attractive couple in their films together, and this is no exception; Bondi wonderful as usual in a mother's role (same as in It's a Wonderful Life, yet another holiday movie).  I really enjoy this film and watch most years around this time - own the BD which is well done.  Dave

 

 

Hey, Dave. I feel it's probably time I saw the geo. C. Scott Carol.

[SonicMan46]

Hey, Dave. I feel it's probably time I saw the geo. C. Scott Carol.

Hi Karl - well, if you've never seen Scott in this role, then about time!    And David Warner and Susannah York as the Cratchits are marvelous - I own the BD below which is on Amazon for only $7 at the moment (believe I paid nearly twice that amount when purchased about 10 years ago, and I've watched the film nearly every year - must be a fav!).  Dave

 

[Karl Henning]

Hi Karl - well, if you've never seen Scott in this role, then about time!    And David Warner and Susannah York as the Cratchits are marvelous - I own the BD below which is on Amazon for only $7 at the moment (believe I paid nearly twice that amount when purchased about 10 years ago, and I've watched the film nearly every year - must be a fav!).  Dave

 

I noted that the BD is improbably affordable Dave, so I have pulled the trigger, though probably not in time for delivery by (Western) Christmas

[SonicMan46]

I noted that the BD is improbably affordable Dave, so I have pulled the trigger, though probably not in time for delivery by (Western) Christmas

Well, must not be immediately in stock, usually w/ Prime, the items arrive w/i a few days - BUT, hope that you enjoy, and let us know - Dave

[Karl Henning]

Well, must not be immediately in stock, usually w/ Prime, the items arrive w/i a few days - BUT, hope that you enjoy, and let us know - Dave

Will report!

[aligreto]

The Whole Nine Yards:





This is an amusing take on the whole "HitMan" theme and all of the various intrigues around it. Recommended as quite a good way to spend some entertaining down time.

[Iota]

An extraordinary and much-garlanded film, though very depressing. Too depressing on the day for this milquetoast (seems to be the word of the moment ..) alas.

As many may know, it covers Hackman's private surveillance expert, who becomes uncomfortably entangled in a case he is working on. The surgical exposition of human dysfunction and despair however, seemed to actually outweigh for me the pleasure in its many virtues. Perhaps freed of the slightly claustrophobic effect of the pandemic my response would have been different.
 
Nonetheless particularly honourable mentions for Coppola's vision and his incisiveness in realising it, and for Gene Hackman who pulls off the trick of being charismatically uncharismatic (as the character requires) in memorable fashion. Interested that it was apparently Coppola's favourite of his films.

[VonStupp]

An extraordinary and much-garlanded film, though very depressing. Too depressing on the day for this milquetoast (seems to be the word of the moment ..) alas.

As many may know, it covers Hackman's private surveillance expert, who becomes uncomfortably entangled in a case he is working on. The surgical exposition of human dysfunction and despair however, seemed to actually outweigh for me the pleasure in its many virtues. Perhaps freed of the slightly claustrophobic effect of the pandemic my response would have been different.
 
Nonetheless particularly honourable mentions for Coppola's vision and his incisiveness in realising it, and for Gene Hackman who pulls off the trick of being charismatically uncharismatic (as the character requires) in memorable fashion. Interested that it was apparently Coppola's favourite of his films.

It may be pure balderdash, but I heard Gene Hackman's character in Enemy of the State (1998) was a quasi-continuation of his character in The Conversation.

VS

[Karl Henning]

An extraordinary and much-garlanded film, though very depressing. Too depressing on the day for this milquetoast (seems to be the word of the moment ..) alas.

As many may know, it covers Hackman's private surveillance expert, who becomes uncomfortably entangled in a case he is working on. The surgical exposition of human dysfunction and despair however, seemed to actually outweigh for me the pleasure in its many virtues. Perhaps freed of the slightly claustrophobic effect of the pandemic my response would have been different.
 
Nonetheless particularly honourable mentions for Coppola's vision and his incisiveness in realising it, and for Gene Hackman who pulls off the trick of being charismatically uncharismatic (as the character requires) in memorable fashion. Interested that it was apparently Coppola's favourite of his films.

Great flick, but a downer, yes.

[SonicMan46]

Well a couple more DVD replacements w/ HD Amazon purchases, one another classic Christmas film and the other a long time favorite:

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) w/ Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet (from Maltese Falcon fame), and S.Z. Sakall (a.k.a. 'Cuddles' - love him in whatever movie!); short summary below (more at the link) - a screwball holiday comedy - Stanwyck great in a comedic role - recommended!

People Will Talk (1951) w/ Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain and the supporting cast listed in the short synopsis below - I've enjoyed this film for decades and Jeanne Crain is absolutely scrumptious in this role; Finlay Currie also outstanding - check the link - highly recommended.  Dave

Christmas in Connecticut is a 1945 American Christmas romantic comedy film about an unmarried city magazine writer who pretends to be a farm wife and mother and then falls in love with a returning war hero. The film was directed by English director Peter Godfrey and stars Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan and Sydney Greenstreet. (Source)

People Will Talk is a 1951 American romantic comedy/drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck from a screenplay by Mankiewicz, based on the German play by Curt Goetz. It stars Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain, with supporting performances by Hume Cronyn, Finlay Currie, Walter Slezak and Sidney Blackmer. It was nominated for the Writers Guild of America screen Award for Best Written American Comedy (Joseph L. Mankiewicz). (Source)

 

[Iota]

It may be pure balderdash, but I heard Gene Hackman's character in Enemy of the State (1998) was a quasi-continuation of his character in The Conversation.

VS

Haven't seen Enemy of the State, but if it works, it works, I guess .. Bach and Handel etc weren't above reusing material after all. And like them Hackman's base material is good, but unlike with them, I found the going a bit tough.

Great flick, but a downer, yes.

Quite pleased to read this, I thought my opinion might be a solitary one.

[VonStupp]

Christmas With the Kranks (2004)
Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dan Aykroyd

Based on the novel by John Grisham, Skipping Christmas.

I know there are a slew of movies where characters compete and fight over Christmas, although I haven't seen them. This one isn't cynical, foul, obscene, or mean spirited, at a time when it is increasingly difficult to find family-friendly fare we haven't seen, even at the holidays.

A host of fun character actors litter this movie, although I wouldn't call this great cinema in any stretch of the phrase. VS

[aligreto]

Enduring Love:





The opening scene depicts a group of men attempting to rescue a child trapped in a runaway hot air balloon and one of them dies in the process. The film portrays the mental and emotional anguish of one of those men and a subsequent situation which develops between this man and another one of the would-be rescuers. Craig does well in this one.

[Todd]

Red Notice.  Three of the biggest movie stars today together in a straight to streaming action flick.  Dwayne Johnson cracks wise, Ryan Reynolds cracks wiser, and Gal Gadot looks gorgeous while kicking ass.  There's a story about stealing some magic eggs from the time of Cleopatra - or something, plot is not important - and the whole thing ends in a way allowing for as many sequels as fans may or may not want.  The movie looks awful, for the most part, as it was clearly shot mostly in a studio with everything CGId in later.  (Some of the outdoor light shots have miscalibrated color temperatures, but whatcha gonna do?)  A not terrible, not great way to kill some time.

[SonicMan46]

Last few nights, two more DVD replacements w/ Amazon HD streamers (first two below):

Adam's Rib (1949) w/ Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Judy Holliday, and others in the short synopsis below; one of the best of their nine films made together; married lawyers on screen in this production, unmarried couple off-screen for nearly three decades until Tracy's death in 1967 - Holliday wonderful in one of her early pictures until her untimely death from cancer at age 43 years.  A 'must see' if fans of these two together - ranked at the top their performances HERE.

Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) w/ Robert Donat and Greer Garson - summary below (much more at link); Donat won the 'Best Actor' Oscar.  There was a musical remake in 1969 starring Peter O'Toole as Chips and Petula Clark who wisely handled the singing numbers; I've seen this remake only once and remember enjoying (possibly another rental?) - but for those interested, an excellent review by Ebert HERE.  Dave

Adam's Rib is a 1949 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by George Cukor from a screenplay written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn star as married lawyers who come to oppose each other in court. Judy Holliday co-stars as the third lead in her second credited movie role. Also featured are Tom Ewell, David Wayne, and Jean Hagen. The music was composed by Miklós Rózsa, and song "Farewell, Amanda" was written by Cole Porter. The film is considered a classic romantic comedy. It was nominated for both AFI's 100 Movies and Passions lists, and ranked at #22 on the AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughslist. (Source)

Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a 1939 romantic drama starring Robert Donat, Greer Garson and directed by Sam Wood. Based on the 1934 novella Goodbye, Mr. Chips by James Hilton, the film is about Mr Chipping, a beloved aged school teacher of a boarding school, who recalls his career and his personal life over the decades. The film was dedicated to Irving Thalberg, who had died on 14 September 1936, and was nominated for seven awards, including Best Picture; Donat won the award for Best Actor. At the time of its release, the picture appeared on Film Daily's and the National Board of Review's ten best lists for 1939, and received the "best picture" distinction in the Hollywood Reporter Preview Poll of May 1939. (Source)

   

[Karl Henning]

Well a couple more DVD replacements w/ HD Amazon purchases, one another classic Christmas film and the other a long time favorite:

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) w/ Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet (from Maltese Falcon fame), and S.Z. Sakall (a.k.a. 'Cuddles' - love him in whatever movie!); short summary below (more at the link) - a screwball holiday comedy - Stanwyck great in a comedic role - recommended!

People Will Talk (1951) w/ Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain and the supporting cast listed in the short synopsis below - I've enjoyed this film for decades and Jeanne Crain is absolutely scrumptious in this role; Finlay Currie also outstanding - check the link - highly recommended.  Dave

 

Hey, Dave! I recently re-watched People Will Talk, myself. Love it!

[SonicMan46]

Hey, Dave! I recently re-watched People Will Talk, myself. Love it!

Hi Karl - same here and probably watch at least once a year - the Shunderson story in the hearing near the end is just a HOOT!  Susan was even chuckling, a rarity for her in an old B&W film!    Dave

[VonStupp]

People Will Talk (1951) w/ Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain and the supporting cast listed in the short synopsis below - I've enjoyed this film for decades and Jeanne Crain is absolutely scrumptious in this role; Finlay Currie also outstanding - check the link - highly recommended.  Dave

Reading the synopsis after Karl's post, I immediately latched on to Cary Grant's character name: Doctor Pretorius. Does anybody remember Bride of Frankenstein (1935)?!?   

VS 

[Karl Henning]

Reading the synopsis after Karl's post, I immediately latched on to Cary Grant's character name: Doctor Pretorius. Does anybody remember Bride of Frankenstein (1935)?!?   

VS 

Don't believe I've ever watched it!

[VonStupp]

Don't believe I've ever watched it!

It's a doozy, for sure. Dr. Pretorius is an extremely odd character too.

VS