Last Movie You Watched

[SonicMan46]

I do find, Dave, that I love the original all over again. Fairly or not, I just felt that Returns was the Disney Corporation seeking to cash in on sentiment. I'm game to give Saving Mr Banks a fair shake, notwithstanding the consideration that (for this viewer) a little Tom Hanks goes a loooooong way (I still cannot bring myself to watch Forrest Gump in its entirety—and if I ever report that I've watched the movie in which his co-star is a volleyball, sink an axe in my cranium and make it a clean job. Fact is, the Blu-ray for Mary Poppins was cheaper if I bought the two-fer with SMB, a reasonable risk:reward profile.....................

Hi Karl - love the original Mary Poppins and own the BD; also greatly enjoyed Saving Mr. Banks and bought the BD, although my son has me using his Disney Plus account, so I can stream those films along w/ many others under their control - not sure if those two are streaming in 4K which would be great (need to check) - now as to Mary Poppins Returns, Susan and I saw in the theater pre-COVID but not enthused enough to buy a disc - could now stream on Disney if desired?  Also, I'm w/ you completely on Forest Gump - when available for streaming we did a rental, hated it, and turned off; then all the great reviews, the dozen or so Oscar nominations, and the wins for Best Actor and Picture - I was flabbergasted - so, we rented the film again and again turned it off - still baffles me?  Should I watch Gump yet again (not really -  ) - Dave

[Karl Henning]

Hi Karl - love the original Mary Poppins and own the BD; also greatly enjoyed Saving Mr. Banks and bought the BD, although my son has me using his Disney Plus account, so I can stream those films along w/ many others under their control - not sure if those two are streaming in 4K which would be great (need to check) - now as to Mary Poppins Returns, Susan and I saw in the theater pre-COVID but not enthused enough to buy a disc - could now stream on Disney if desired?  Also, I'm w/ you completely on Forest Gump - when available for streaming we did a rental, hated it, and turned off; then all the great reviews, the dozen or so Oscar nominations, and the wins for Best Actor and Picture - I was flabbergasted - so, we rented the film again and again turned it off - still baffles me?  Should I watch Gump yet again (not really -  ) - Dave

It's more interesting as an idea for a movie, than it is as a movie.

[Karl Henning]

Mesmerising, clever, visually beautiful, with Terminator-type industrial noir music heightening the atmosphere perfectly. Quite something.

Thanks for this. I have been teetering on the cusp of indifference and curiosity, and you and Davey have provided just the push,

[SonicMan46]

Yet some more Amazon streaming upgrades the last few nights:

Top Hat (1935) w/ Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, et al - short synopsis below w/ link; Irving Berlin songs - an upgrade from an old DVD to Amazon HD (BD equivalent) - looked great w/ just one minor glitch, overall an excellent transfer.  Of 9 or 10 films together, this is considered their best according to this RATING - cheap purchase and just requires a HDTV (i.e. NOT 4K) - meant for diehard Astaire/Rogers fans (like me) - so if you're into GREAT dancing, classic American songs, and some screwball comedy, then highly recommended!

Remember the Titans (2000) w/ Denzel Washington and many others; biographical high school football film film rated No. 1 HERE for these types of movies (Hoosiers No. 2, another favorite owned) - if you're into this genre and have not seen the film, then a MUST.  I replaced my BD w/ the Amazon 4K UHD streamer - looked great; short summary quoted.  Dave

Top Hat is a 1935 American musical screwball comedy film in which Fred Astaire plays an American tap dancer, who comes to London to star in a show produced by Horace Hardwick (Edward Everett Horton). He meets and attempts to impress Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers) to win her affection. The songs were written by Irving Berlin. "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails" and "Cheek to Cheek" have become American song classics. (Source)

Remember the Titans is a 2000 American biographical sports film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin. The screenplay is based on the true story of coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denzel Washington, and his attempt to integrate the T. C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School) football team in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1971. Will Patton portrays Bill Yoast, Boone's assistant coach. Real-life athletes Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell are portrayed by Ryan Hurst and Wood Harris, respectively. (Source)

 

[George]

Thanks for this. I have been teetering on the cusp of indifference and curiosity, and you and Davey have provided just the push,

They had me at Ana De Armas. 

[Karl Henning]

Just finished the supplements on the Anatomy of a Murder disc. Gary Giddins' discussion of Duke Ellington's score is especially choice.

Hi, Dave. I'm up for Saving Mr Banks this weekend. Curiosity about Emma Thompson & Tom Hanks playing off one another runs too firm

One of the extras on the Mary Poppins disc is Becoming Mr Sherman, which is utterly charming and has me jazzed to watch Saving Mr Banks.

[Karl Henning]

They had me at Ana De Armas. 

Curiosity further piqued

[HomerChapman]

Mesmerising, clever, visually beautiful, with Terminator-type industrial noir music heightening the atmosphere perfectly. Quite something.

I agree with this but my impression of the music was "this is Hans Zimmer- not Vangelis-and terribly loud to boot". That said, I've only seen it once in the theatre(2019)-so probably an unfair judgement, and I will have to  revisit it on disc and home screen.

[aligreto]

Mystere:





Following the death of his wife a man moves to rural France with his daughter. Circumstances lead the daughter to befriend a wolf cub and the film portrays how this friendship helps her in her bereavement. The local scenery is stunning.

[VonStupp]

Cadillac Man (1990)
Robin Williams & Tim Robbins

An uneven dark comedy.

The first 45 minutes explore what a deporable human being RW's character is: a luxury car salesman trying desperately to hold on to a job, a philanderer, and a fast talker. The last 45 turns 180° when Tim Robbins literally bursts in and this becomes a hostage flick. Neither half sells it.

VS

[Karl Henning]

I agree with this but my impression of the music was "this is Hans Zimmer- not Vangelis-and terribly loud to boot". That said, I've only seen it once in the theatre(2019)-so probably an unfair judgement, and I will have to  revisit it on disc and home screen.

It's some time since I saw a movie in the cinema, and the excessive loudness is exactly the reason ....

[Karl Henning]

Cadillac Man (1990)
Robin Williams & Tim Robbins

An uneven dark comedy.

The first 45 minutes explore what a deporable human being RW's character is: a luxury car salesman trying desperately to hold on to a job, a philanderer, and a fast talker. The last 45 turns 180° when Tim Robbins literally bursts in and this becomes a hostage flick. Neither half sells it.

VS

Pity!

[VonStupp]

[...] and finally Saving Mr. Banks with Tom Hanks as Walt Disney and Emma Thompson is quite entertaining.  Dave

I have never read the books of P. L. Travers, but this film makes me so angry! I am not sure if Saving Mr. Banks was trying to endear me to Disney, but it didn't work one iota. The fact that some of this is based on actual events, some that perpetually repeat in corporate history, perturbs me even more. Aargh!

I would never care to see it again, despite fine performances from actors I like, and I am not sure I even want to revisit the original film anymore either. All I can think of are the aspects on the screen that she found deplorable, yet gave into, and I picture Emma Thompson crying.

Sorry if my reaction was too strong here. VS

[VonStupp]

Pity!

Yes. I am trying to find some Robin Williams vehicles I haven't seen before, but it has been very hit and miss so far. Maybe that is why I haven't seen them!

VS

[SonicMan46]

Mystere:



Following the death of his wife a man moves to rural France with his daughter. Circumstances lead the daughter to befriend a wolf cub and the film portrays how this friendship helps her in her bereavement. The local scenery is stunning.

Hey Fergus - I love animal films w/ kids (Lassie, Old Yeller, The Yearling, et al) and assume the film was made in French w/ subtitles - BUT, I can stream this on Netflix and started the film and the father was speaking in English, dubbed I assume - did you watch the movie in French or dubbed English? Of course, one of the main reasons for me to see the picture is your description above about the scenery - would certainly look 'stunning' on my 4K HDTV!   Thanks.  Dave

[Karl Henning]

Yes. I am trying to find some Robin Williams vehicles I haven't seen before, but it has been very hit and miss so far. Maybe that is why I haven't seen them!

VS

Have you seen One Hour Photo?

[Karl Henning]

I have never read the books of P. L. Travers, but this film makes me so angry! I am not sure if Saving Mr. Banks was trying to endear me to Disney, but it didn't work one iota. The fact that some of this is based on actual events, some that perpetually repeat in corporate history, perturbs me even more. Aargh!

I would never care to see it again, despite fine performances from actors I like, and I am not sure I even want to revisit the original film anymore either. All I can think of are the aspects on the screen that she found deplorable, yet gave into, and I picture Emma Thompson crying.

Sorry if my reaction was too strong here. VS

V. interesting, thanks. I've not watched just yet. Last night I watched various extras on the Mary Poppins disc. The "Jolly 'Oliday" and "Step in Time" "scene deconstructions" are illuming. I also watched the Gala Premiere reconstruction (assembled from mixed film elements from the archive and audio from the simultaneous radio broadcast. I noted with interest that P. L. Travers attended. I understand your strong feeling. I am not inclined to "forgive" "Uncle Walt" for strongarming Stravinsky viz. Le sacre.

[VonStupp]

V. interesting, thanks. I've not watched just yet. Last night I watched various extras on the Mary Poppins disc. The "Jolly 'Oliday" and "Step in Time" "scene deconstructions" are illuming. I also watched the Gala Premiere reconstruction (assembled from mixed film elements from the archive and audio from the simultaneous radio broadcast. I noted with interest that P. L. Travers attended. I understand your strong feeling. I am not inclined to "forgive" "Uncle Walt" for strongarming Stravinsky viz. Le sacre.

I hadn't read this story about Stravinsky, but will look with interest.

I may buy my daughter the PL Travers book series and give it a turn as well.

VS

[VonStupp]

Have you seen One Hour Photo?

Not since it first came out at Blockbuster! 

My wife and I both liked Insomnia (2002), so OHP might be a good revisit. I can only remember what the movie poster looks like, so it will be like watching it anew. Thanks!

VS

[Karl Henning]

Not since it first came out at Blockbuster! 

My wife and I both liked Insomnia (2002), so OHP might be a good revisit. I can only remember what the movie poster looks like, so it will be like watching it anew. Thanks!

VS

Groovy, I do like Insomnia, as well!