Last Movie You Watched

[Karl Henning]

On Netflix at the moment is Benediction;



which is the story of Siegfried Sassoon.  Rather well done and acted I thought although it does rather just descend into a series of witty barbs fired out by bright young things struggling with their memories and their lives.  Of course it was a remarkable time and there were many remarkable people in the society Sassoon moved in.  All of which made the characters slightly more tiresome than sympathetic but perhaps that is how they were - Ivor Novello as portrayed was clearly a prize s**t.  Of further interest to CM lovers as they use quite a lot of original music - ie the Tallis Fantasia covers the last minutes of the film and the credits.  Peter Capaldi as the old embittered Sassoon is pretty dreadful as he really struggles with the "cut-glass" accent and his acting feels self-concious and stiff as a consequence.  But overall it was well worth a watch.

There's got to be a great story to be told.

[SonicMan46]

Does she still sing? It sounds like it was a beloved pastime for her.

My jokes have been long ignored by my household as well. I am glad I am not the only one! 

Good day, Dave! VS

Hi again VS - she use to play (piano) and sing a lot (w/ guitar - soprano voice kind of a blend of Judy Collins and Kathy Mattea when singing those types of songs back then) at our Unitarian Fellowship, and has multiple instruments - the Mason & Hamelin piano dates back to her childhood and was in their house; she has Irish harps, guitars, recorders, and some others; at the moment, she is on a Martin T1K Koa Ukulele (below; easier for her aging fingers than a guitar) and taking Zoom lessons from a NC School of the Arts Master Graduate (in string instruments).  She is still singing but her voice can be a little wobbly holding notes at times (i guess we just 'wear out', both in our 70s now).  BUT, she is enjoying the lessons and the uke.    Dave

 

[VonStupp]

Hi again VS - she use to play (piano) and sing a lot (w/ guitar - soprano voice kind of a blend of Judy Collins and Kathy Mattea when singing those types of songs back then) at our Unitarian Fellowship, and has multiple instruments - the Mason & Hamelin piano dates back to her childhood and was in their house; she has Irish harps, guitars, recorders, and some others; at the moment, she is on a Martin T1K Koa Ukulele (below; easier for her aging fingers than a guitar) and taking Zoom lessons from a NC School of the Arts Master Graduate (in string instruments).  She is still singing but her voice can be a little wobbly holding notes at times (i guess we just 'wear out', both in our 70s now).  BUT, she is enjoying the lessons and the uke.    Dave

 

I love when adults further musical interests; I always tell my children, if it is important to you, you will make time. I have never followed up on instruments I've wanted to play in the past, with time as an excuse. Someday, I guess...

It sounds as if she has an instrument collection going too! Neat! 

VS

[milk]

Maybe one of Allen's last sensical films. It has some verisimilitude as well. I think Allen has three or four sorts of films. This is the sort that I like; it's not about an idea but about a person with ideas and problems. Only a handful of his idea films ever worked out and that boat has long sailed I think. Will he ever make a real film about a person again? I doubt it. He has one more film in him, shooting in September (in French so I've heard). Anyway, I do recommend this one. It's foul-mouthed Allen.

[aligreto]

Pride and Prejudice:





I understand that this is a film adaptation of the novel but I have just recently come from reading a novel by each of the Bronte sisters. Both of those worlds are galaxies apart to coin an astronomical phrase. Although I am keen on Knightley as a serious actress this particular presentation was very "staged" by the director to "look good" in my opinion. There was not much else to it even given the subject matter.

[SonicMan46]

Last night, Susan asked to watch some old mystery/detective/police movies, even if B&W! - after the SHOCK -  - I suggested some Bogart:

The Maltese Falcon (1941) w/ Bogart and Astor, plus the others below - been watching this film since my teen days - a classic!

Key Largo (1948) w/ Bogart, Robinson, and Bacall, plus more in the quote.  I'm sure the quotes are not needed for either of these classics from the '40s - MUST SEES!  Dave

The Maltese Falconis an American film noir written and directed by John Huston in his directorial debut. It stars Humphrey Bogart as private investigator Sam Spade and Mary Astor as his femme fatale client. Gladys George, Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet co-star. The story follows a San Francisco private detective and his dealings with three unscrupulous adventurers, all of whom are competing to obtain a jewel-encrusted falcon statuette. (Source)

Key Largo is an American film noir crime drama directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and Lauren Bacall. The supporting cast features Lionel Barrymore and Claire Trevor. Key Largo was the fourth and final film pairing of actors Bogart and Bacall, after To Have and Have Not (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), and Dark Passage (1947). Claire Trevor won the 1948 Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her portrayal of alcoholic former nightclub singer Gaye Dawn. (Source)

 

[Karl Henning]

Last night, Susan asked to watch some old mystery/detective/police movies, even if B&W! - after the SHOCK -  - I suggested some Bogart:

The Maltese Falcon (1941) w/ Bogart and Astor, plus the others below - been watching this film since my teen days - a classic!

Key Largo (1948) w/ Bogart, Robinson, and Bacall, plus more in the quote.  I'm sure the quotes are not needed for either of these classics from the '40s - MUST SEES!  Dave

 

Very nice, Dave!

[VonStupp]

SW: The Force Awakens (2015)
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, Mark Hamill

VS

[SonicMan46]

SW: The Force Awakens (2015)
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, Mark Hamill

VS

 

Hey VS - believe the Star Wars Franchise is at IX (as added above); there appears to be a X in pre-production (which would bring the saga duration to nearly 50 years - wow!) - see quote/link - for myself, I own the original trilogy (IV-VI) on BD, and earlier this year streamed the same ones as 4Ks on Disney+ (really looked great!) - now, I've streamed all of the remainder but have purchased none (assume I could stream on Disney) - but if memory recalls, I must say that the The Force Awakens is a favorite in that non-original bunch.    Dave

Star Wars: Episode X The Unknown Regions is the working title of the upcoming tenth film in the Star Wars saga and the first in the Star Wars eternal trilogy. (Source)

[SonicMan46]

Last night, Susan continued w/ her interest in cop/detective films but wanted color this time -     My pick:

In the Heat of the Night (1967) - a favorite of mine w/ music by Quincy Jones and Ray Charles doing the theme song - the Criterion BD in my collection was rated 5*/5* for both audio and visuals HERE, and looked spectacular on my 4K HDTV (which usually 'upscales' blu-rays).  Dave

In the Heat of the Night is an American mystery drama film directed by Norman Jewison. It tells the story of Virgil Tibbs, a Black police detective from Philadelphia, who becomes involved in a murder investigation in a small town in Mississippi. It stars Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger; the screenplay was written by Stirling Silliphant. At the 40th Academy Awards the film was nominated for seven Oscars, winning five including Best Picture and Best Actor for Steiger. (Source)

 

[VonStupp]

Hey VS - believe the Star Wars Franchise is at IX (as added above); there appears to be a X in pre-production (which would bring the saga duration to nearly 50 years - wow!) - see quote/link - for myself, I own the original trilogy (IV-VI) on BD, and earlier this year streamed the same ones as 4Ks on Disney+ (really looked great!) - now, I've streamed all of the remainder but have purchased none (assume I could stream on Disney) - but if memory recalls, I must say that the The Force Awakens is a favorite in that non-original bunch.    Dave

I didn't know there was a 10th on the way Dave, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. If addicted to that universe, between the big screen and small, one could really be over-saturated, I think.

VS

[VonStupp]

SW: The Last Jedi (2017)
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fischer, Benicio del Toro

I have been enjoying these. The girls really like all of the droid and creature humor.

VS

[SonicMan46]

The Killers (1946) w/ Lancaster in his film debut and a ravishingly young Ava Gardner - synopsis below, much more at the link - if you're into 'film noir' and want to see two future great actors in early roles, then highly recommended!  Dave

The Killers is an American film noir starring Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien, and Sam Levene. Based on the 1927 short story of the same name by Ernest Hemingway; it focuses on an insurance detective's investigation into the execution by two professional killers of a former boxer who was unresistant to his own murder. Directed by Robert Siodmak, it featured an uncredited John Huston and Richard Brooks co-writing the screenplay, which was credited to Anthony Veiller. On release, The Killers was a critical success, earning four Academy Award nominations, including for Best Director and Best Film Editing. Hemingway, who was habitually disgusted with how Hollywood distorted his thematic intentions, was an open admirer of the film. (Source)

 

[vandermolen]

[SimonNZ]

Ah, there's a new Terence Davies film I was unaware of. And it's about Sigfried Sassoon? what did you think of It?

His The Long Day Closes is, I think, one of the best films ever.

[Todd]

The Hateful Eight in its serialized, extended version.  I watched this once before, in its roadshow version, projected in 70 mm Panavision on the only local screen capable of showing the movie in that format.  That presentation helped the movie because the imagery was less detailed and obviously much vaster than its digitally mastered, downsized version.  On the high res small screen, Minnie's Haberdashery looks like a TV studio set from the 50s, though in color.  The exterior shots still look good, but a lot of the impact of the movie is lost in the downsizing.  The movie also does not gain from the upsizing of content.  I can't remember every detail of the viewing experience from seven years ago, but the current version, with a bit more exposition, merely seems a bit longer overall.  Some of the dialogue is sharp and compelling, but some also sounds anachronistic to the point of diversion.  One always expects gratuitous violence in a Tarantino movie, and this has it, but it doesn't really help matters.  The movie has not held up well.  It's one of Tarantino's lesser efforts. 

[SonicMan46]

Last few nights, two very different films, i.e. a comedy about an Australian Tarzan and a chilling film noir:

Crocodile Dundee (1986) - short summary below staring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski - I've watched and enjoyed No. 2, but No. 3 to complete a trilogy was poor IIRC but would need to watch again.  The first one is highly recommended for the many laughs!

The Killing (1956) - synopsis below; many actors in an ensemble cast; Stanley Kubrick, director - guess the ending's moral is 'crime doesn't pay' -    Dave

Crocodile Dundee is an action comedy film set in the Australian Outback and in New York City. It stars Paul Hogan as the weathered Mick Dundee, and Linda Kozlowski as reporter Sue Charlton. Inspired by the true-life exploits of Rod Ansell, the film was made on a budget of under $10 million as a deliberate attempt to make a commercial Australian film that would appeal to a mainstream American audience, but proved to be a worldwide phenomenon. (Source)

The Killing is an American film noir directed by Stanley Kubrick and produced by James B. Harris. It was written by Kubrick and Jim Thompson and based on the novel Clean Break by Lionel White. The drama stars Sterling Hayden, Coleen Gray, and Vince Edwards, and features Marie Windsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Jay C. Flippen and Timothy Carey. (Source)

 

[ritter]

Another lesser-known Buñuel, Cela s'appelle l'aurore ("This is Called Dawn").



This movie from 1954 is Buñuel's first French film since his departure for the US and then Mexico at the end of the Spanish Civil War. It's a love story set in a very backward Corsican town, but everything is tinged with strong social critique. Some of the cinematography is simply stunning, and as usual Lucia Bosé's elusive beauty is a great bonus.

The title is taken from a line of Jean Giraudoux's play Électre.

[VonStupp]

Crocodile Dundee (1986) - short summary below staring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski - I've watched and enjoyed No. 2, but No. 3 to complete a trilogy was poor IIRC but would need to watch again.  The first one is highly recommended for the many laughs!

Yes, Dave, 3 was not good, other than to see what Paul Hogan was up to.

This past weekend, I finished up the most recent SW trilogy with:

SW: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac
Carrie Fischer, Billy Dee Williams, Ian McDiarmid

VS

[aligreto]

Mothering Sunday:





This is a two track [perhaps, specifically, a three track at a push] then and now film about a young woman in service in a big house in 1924. It is quite well done and oftentimes quite atmospheric. It ploughs a good furrow between sentimentality and sensationalism. It was a quietly studied film and I enjoyed it.