Last Movie You Watched

[milk]

The first movie is kind of fun but it goes downhill. People say the third one is better than the second but I think the whole thing just heads downhill pretty quickly. Gosh do I hate flashbacks and these are the kind where the keep repeating the same stupid images over and over. I know, how did we get through all three feeling this way? It kind of became a duty half way through.
I wanted my wife to see this so we just started it. It's so startlingly well made; the cast is incomparable. EGR! Bacall is a looker! Is there any analogous movie star to Bogart these days? I don't think so. I mean Hanks could be Jimmy Stewart or Jack Lemon. Clooney could be Grant. Pitt could be Gary Cooper or someone. Who today is a short ugly guy that oozes masculinity and screams leading man? 

[The new erato]

Don't Look Up! on Netflix. A worthwhile commentary to present day crazyness.

[SonicMan46]

 

The first movie is kind of fun but it goes downhill. People say the third one is better than the second but I think the whole thing just heads downhill pretty quickly..........

I wanted my wife to see this so we just started it. It's so startlingly well made; the cast is incomparable. EGR! Bacall is a looker! Is there any analogous movie star to Bogart these days? I don't think so. I mean Hanks could be Jimmy Stewart or Jack Lemon. Clooney could be Grant. Pitt could be Gary Cooper or someone. Who today is a short ugly guy that oozes masculinity and screams leading man?

Hey Milk - I streamed the Bourne Triology films when released, and got lost quickly (probably bored and not paying attention), but saw each one and did not have a need to purchase or re-rent - BUT, the Amazonian reviewers seen to love them! 

Love Key Largo, which is in my collection as a BD inserted above.  I really cannot think of anyone in the last 30 years or more that approaches Humphrey Bogart as a versatile and consummate actor; his fellow actors in his era (Fonda, Stewart, Wayne, Grant and some others) died off, although Grant aged well and was making films into the 1960s e.g. Charade & Father Goose, and he was so versatile from the Hitchcock movies to screwball comedies - Brando and Newman come to mind, but?  Dave

[Roasted Swan]

Don't Look Up! on Netflix. A worthwhile commentary to present day crazyness.

I watched this the day before yesterday and enjoyed it a lot.  The Apple/Facebook-style CEO played by Mark Rylance with a chilling blandness a particular joy.  Jonah Hill luusting after his mother/President had a wonderful Trumpian reverse echo too.  Well worth a dystopian look.

[SonicMan46]

Some new 4K UHD Amazon streaming upgrades for my physical BDs:

Batman (1989) w/ Jack Nicholson as the Joker and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, alongside Kim Basinger; Tim Burton, director - wanted to 'clean out' my Spiderman & Batman films owned - had about 10 w/ the Batman movies below - kept just 2 of each, and replaced w/ the 4K UHD streamers; for the Batman choices, I felt the need to keep the Nicholson and added the Dark Knight as my second one - below are ratings from two sites by percent for RT and numbers for the link; now, I might consider adding back a few more (i.e. Batman Begins & Batman Returns)?

Jerry Maguire (1996) w/ Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, et al; esp. Jonathan Lipnicki as Zellweger's young son, Ray - if you're into adorable, then really recommended; short synopsis and link below - nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and a winner for Cuba Gooding, Jr. for Best Supporting Actor.  Dave

Batman (1989) - Keaton & Nicholson (71%; 7)
Batman Begins (2005) - Bale & Neeson (84%; 3)
Batman Forever (1995) - Kilmer & Jones (38%; 11)
Batman Returns (1992) - Keaton & DeVito (80%; 2)
Dark Knight (2008) - Bale & Ledger (94%; 1)
Dark Knight Rises (2012) - Bale & Caine (87%; Eight)
(ratings: % are from Rotten Tomatoes (RT); number ranks from HERE)

Jerry Maguire is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama sports film written, produced, and directed by Cameron Crowe, and stars Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, and Regina King. Produced in part by James L. Brooks, it was inspired by sports agent Leigh Steinberg, who acted as technical consultant on the crew and his client Tim McDonald during the 1993 NFL Free Agency. (Source)

   

[Karl Henning]

Some new 4K UHD Amazon streaming upgrades for my physical BDs:

Batman (1989) w/ Jack Nicholson as the Joker and Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, alongside Kim Basinger; Tim Burton, director - wanted to 'clean out' my Spiderman & Batman films owned - had about 10 w/ the Batman movies below - kept just 2 of each, and replaced w/ the 4K UHD streamers; for the Batman choices, I felt the need to keep the Nicholson and added the Dark Knight as my second one - below are ratings from two sites by percent for RT and numbers for the link; now, I might consider adding back a few more (i.e. Batman Begins & Batman Returns)?

Jerry Maguire (1996) w/ Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding Jr., Renée Zellweger, et al; esp. Jonathan Lipnicki as Zellweger's young son, Ray - if you're into adorable, then really recommended; short synopsis and link below - nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor, and a winner for Cuba Gooding, Jr. for Best Supporting Actor.  Dave

   

Hey, Dave. After viewing as many Batman movies as I figure I want to watch: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Begins (2005), Dark Knight (2008) & Dark Knight Rises (2012) I eventually junked the DVDs. On one hand, I have a mild sentimental attachment to Keaton, Basinger & Nicholson in Burton's 1989 movie, on the other (at the risk of offending Prince enthusiasts) the Prince parade set piece feels like dead air to me. Overall, I found myself out of sympathy with the arc into making it Super Heavy Business.

[SonicMan46]

Hey, Dave. After viewing as many Batman movies as I figure I want to watch: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Begins (2005), Dark Knight (2008) & Dark Knight Rises (2012) I eventually junked the DVDs. On one hand, I have a mild sentimental attachment to Keaton, Basinger & Nicholson in Burton's 1989 movie, on the other (at the risk of offending Prince enthusiasts) the Prince parade set piece feels like dead air to me. Overall, I found myself out of sympathy with the arc into making it Super Heavy Business.

Hi Karl - well, that has been my more recent attitude toward a lot of these 'comic book' films made in the last 30 or so years, i.e. I've streamed many, bought a minority, and now don't feel a need to watch them that often if only rarely (or at all!); so I just rid myself of nearly 10 physical discs and now have 2 Spideys and 2 Batman films in the 'Amazon & Apple Clouds' - Dave

[milk]

Hey Milk - I streamed the Bourne Triology films when released, and got lost quickly (probably bored and not paying attention), but saw each one and did not have a need to purchase or re-rent - BUT, the Amazonian reviewers seen to love them! 

Love Key Largo, which is in my collection as a BD inserted above.  I really cannot think of anyone in the last 30 years or more that approaches Humphrey Bogart as a versatile and consummate actor; his fellow actors in his era (Fonda, Stewart, Wayne, Grant and some others) died off, although Grant aged well and was making films into the 1960s e.g. Charade & Father Goose, and he was so versatile from the Hitchcock movies to screwball comedies - Brando and Newman come to mind, but?  Dave

I don't know Bogie's history but I saw a clip of Charles Nelson Riley (in his later years) asking and answering the question: why aren't there actors today that can become impressions the way there used to be? Why can't we imagine impressionists making a living today? I had a totally different answer pop into my head than CNR. I thought it's because people are so self-conscious now that there are less out-and-out characters. But Riley said it's because today's screen actors don't come from the stage. Their acting is too small. I don't know if this has anything to do with Bogie. All of those you mentioned except maybe Fonda can be the subject of impressions. But Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, etc.?

[Karl Henning]

I don't know Bogie's history but I saw a clip of Charles Nelson Riley (in his later years) asking and answering the question: why aren't there actors today that can become impressions the way there used to be? Why can't we imagine impressionists making a living today? I had a totally different answer pop into my head than CNR. I thought it's because people are so self-conscious now that there are less out-and-out characters. But Riley said it's because today's screen actors don't come from the stage. Their acting is too small. I don't know if this has anything to do with Bogie. All of those you mentioned except maybe Fonda can be the subject of impressions. But Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, etc.?

I am smiling at the thought that, while I presume that Chas Nelson Reilly is indeed an actor, I only recall seeing him as a participant in The Hollywood Squares.

[aligreto]

28 Days:





A woman ends up in a rehab facility and this is the story of how she and the various inmates of the facility battle their varying demons.

[SonicMan46]

Several just purchased and watched 4K UHD films from Amazon:

It Happened One Night (1934) w/ Colbert and Gable - short synopsis below; one of my top 10 favorite films - had a 4K scan a while ago - HERE (from 2013); first of only 3 films to win the 'Five Major Oscars' (see quote).  A MUST if you have not seen this screwball romantic comedy.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) w/ so many stars (see second quote); Peter O'Toole as Lawrence, who lost the 'Best Actor Oscar' to Gregory Peck for To Kill a Mockingbird - on a 4K HDTV, the desert and mountain scenery is just spectacular - the movie is LONG (nearly 4 hours) and watched over 2 nights.  Both films highly recommended.  Dave

It Happened One Night is a 1934 pre-Code American romantic comedy film with elements of screwball comedy directed by Frank Capra, in which a pampered socialite (Claudette Colbert) tries to get out from under her father's thumb and falls in love with a roguish reporter (Clark Gable). The screenplay by Robert Riskin is based on the August 1933 short story "Night Bus" by Samuel Hopkins Adams, which provided the shooting title. It is widely hailed one of the greatest films ever made. It Happened One Night is the first of only three films (along with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Silence of the Lambs) to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. (Source)

Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British epic historical drama film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence and his 1926 book Seven Pillars of Wisdom. It was directed by David Lean and produced by Sam Spiegel, through his British company Horizon Pictures, and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The film stars Peter O'Toole as Lawrence with Alec Guinness playing Prince Faisal. The film also stars Jack Hawkins, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Anthony Quayle, Claude Rains, and Arthur Kennedy. The screenplay was written by Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson. (Source)

 

 

[Karl Henning]

Several just purchased and watched 4K UHD films from Amazon:

It Happened One Night (1934) w/ Colbert and Gable - short synopsis below; one of my top 10 favorite films - had a 4K scan a while ago - HERE (from 2013); first of only 3 films to win the 'Five Major Oscars' (see quote).  A MUST if you have not seen this screwball romantic comedy.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) w/ so many stars (see second quote); Peter O'Toole as Lawrence, who lost the 'Best Actor Oscar' to Gregory Peck for To Kill a Mockingbird - on a 4K HDTV, the desert and mountain scenery is just spectacular - the movie is LONG (nearly 4 hours) and watched over 2 nights.  Both films highly recommended.  Dave

 

 

Mighty fine viewing, Dave!

[aligreto]

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) w/ so many stars (see second quote); Peter O'Toole as Lawrence, who lost the 'Best Actor Oscar' to Gregory Peck for To Kill a Mockingbird - on a 4K HDTV, the desert and mountain scenery is just spectacular - the movie is LONG (nearly 4 hours) and watched over 2 nights.  Both films highly recommended.  Dave


 

I have never seen the film Dave but I did once read TE Lawrence's The Seven Pillars of Wisdom:





It is a mighty tome and a very interesting read giving a great insight into the nature of both the tribes and the relevant times. Lawrence was very factual about what he wrote and I have often wondered about the trials and tribulations of the screenwriter transferring it to the big screen.

[SonicMan46]

I have never seen the film Dave but I did once read TE Lawrence's The Seven Pillars of Wisdom:

It is a mighty tome and a very interesting read giving a great insight into the nature of both the tribes and the relevant times. Lawrence was very factual about what he wrote and I have often wondered about the trials and tribulations of the screenwriter transferring it to the big screen.

Hi Fergus - I've never read Lawrence's book mentioned above, but just checked Amazon and available in a number of versions, including a 700 page or so illustrated edition for one buck USD!  Well, cheap enough but at my age I usually avoid books much longer than 500 pages, just have a short attention span for an oldster -    BUT, the movie is excellent and LONG - if you do watch it please pass along your thoughts on how the two compare?  Dave

[Karl Henning]

Hi Fergus - I've never read Lawrence's book mentioned above, but just checked Amazon and available in a number of versions, including a 700 page or so illustrated edition for one buck USD!  Well, cheap enough but at my age I usually avoid books much longer than 500 pages, just have a short attention span for an oldster -    BUT, the movie is excellent and LONG - if you do watch it please pass along your thoughts on how the two compare?  Dave

I picked up a Kindle edition for a song, but have not yet waded into it.

[Karl Henning]

Another It's about time I saw that one:

Anatomy of a murder

[aligreto]

Coming Home in the Dark:





A family picnic is violently interrupted by two strangers. The sequence of events turns out to be a chronicle of the past life of the two strangers and the father of the family concerned. The particular coincidence concerned is a bit of a push in terms of credibility. It is dark and violent but it is well constructed.

[aligreto]

Hi Fergus - I've never read Lawrence's book mentioned above, but just checked Amazon and available in a number of versions, including a 700 page or so illustrated edition for one buck USD!  Well, cheap enough but at my age I usually avoid books much longer than 500 pages, just have a short attention span for an oldster -    BUT, the movie is excellent and LONG - if you do watch it please pass along your thoughts on how the two compare?  Dave

Cheers, Dave. As a fellow oldie I can readily understand your reluctance to embark upon such an undertaking as reading The Seven Pillars Of Wisdom. If one has not achieved that attainment at our stage of life then what is the point, one may ask? 
I do recall one critic reviewing that film that you posted saying that the detail was so fine that each grain of sand in the desert was visible.

[André]

Don't Look Up:





If this film does nothing else it depicts the delusions that many people on this planet have in terms of reality. The total dominance that the media, social media, politicians and various other influencers have on many people is very well investigated here. This film is to be commended for what it portrays and a lot of what it portrays is already here in the now and humanity is the worst for it. It is disturbing and tragic on so many intellectual levels. Don't look up if you want to ignore and not acknowledge the problem! It is definitely worth watching.

Saw it yesterday. Under the guise of a spoof it portrays a truly alarming worst-case scenario.

[SonicMan46]

Cheers, Dave. As a fellow oldie I can readily understand your reluctance to embark upon such an undertaking as reading The Seven Pillars Of Wisdom. If one has not achieved that attainment at our stage of life then what is the point, one may ask? 
I do recall one critic reviewing that film that you posted saying that the detail was so fine that each grain of sand in the desert was visible.

Hi Fergus - yep, my interests are quite varied so I'd rather read 2-3 shorter books on various topics that one LONG one, but just me.  Concerning the 4K UHD version of Lawrence of Arabia, the film was shot in 70mm so the resolution was already up there!  Below is a review summary from HERE, giving 5* for the video; and indeed on my 50 inch Sony 4K HDTV the movie was just stunning and yes when the sand was blowing, one could almost count the grains - 

Now recently I've been going w/ purchasing the streaming 4K UHD versions of films mainly for convenience (clears out my DVD/BD storage areas) and for much lesser cost (believe this UHD film was only $5 USD on Amazon!) - of course, the other factors to consider in the 'physical disc vs. streaming options' is the AV quality, the physical disc wins out (nice discussion HERE), but my audio is plain old 2-speaker stereo so cannot take advantage of the more movie-like sound; as to video, my streaming bit rate will not approach what my 4K Blu-ray player would deliver to the TV but that's a limitation of Amazon, Apple, Netflix or whatever other provider I may be using (just checked my router speed, 230 Mbps - the player sends info at 128 Mbps, according to the last link).  So, I've been happy w/ replacing my older physical discs w/ Amazon or Apple streaming purchases (some are free!).  Dave