Last Movie You Watched

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Rommel. 

[Brian]

Not PTA's best work – that remains The Master, one of the greatest movies ever made – but compelling start to finish in a lighthearted way, and with a great final scene.

Agreed with almost all of this (especially about The Master) but two notes about the ending.

1. I did think the last 30 seconds or so were too cheesy/sentimental and removed some of the ambiguity that made their relationship fun. The last line of voiceover was cringe for me.

2. In the final scene in the arcade at the end, did you notice a couple of arcade patrons just...having sex...in the middle of the scene? I think they were on the right-hand side as Gary walks through a crowd. But IMDB does not list it in the parental advisory, my friends didn't notice when we watched in theater, and nobody online seems to be talking about it. But I thought I saw, like, Boogie Nights-style out-and-out sex-having. Did I hallucinate??

[SonicMan46]

Rommel. 

 

Hi DBK - I've not seen Rommel, but years ago watched The Desert Fox (1951) w/ James Mason - have you seen the later and any comparative thoughts?  Dave

[SonicMan46]

The Farmer's Daughter (1947) - synopsis w/ cast below - a favorite comedy from the era; also starring the young Lex Barker and James Arness as two of the brothers - as stated, Young won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance.  Highly recommended.  Dave

The Farmer's Daughter is an American comedy film that tells the story of a farmgirl who ends up working as a maid for a Congressman and his politically powerful mother. It stars Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten, Ethel Barrymore, and Charles Bickford, and was adapted by Allen Rivkin and Laura Kerr from the 1937 Finnish play Juurakon Hulda by Hella Wuolijoki. It was directed by H.C. Potter. The film won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Loretta Young and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Charles Bickford. (Source)

 

[Karl Henning]

Several more upgrades recently:  Holiday Inn, BD > 4K UHD & Arsenic & Old Lace, DVD > BD (Criterion):

Holiday Inn (1942) - short summary below w/ cast; mainly a 'song & dance' fest for Crosby and Astaire doing Irving Berlin songs, most famous for introduction of White Christmas (Bing's rendition being the biggest selling single of all time - Source). Of course, the film is tainted by the racial controversy over the blackface scene (second pic below) - a rather vitriolic recent review HERE bombing the entire film - well, I still enjoy largely for the reasons stated in the first sentence above - great to see Bing and Fred in glorious video and sound.  Recommended for fans of musicals from Hollywood's glorious years, otherwise you might want to read the links first - 

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - see second quote for short synopsis and actors, an ensemble cast - listed #30 in AFI's 100 Best Comedies (LINK) - recommended without reservations this time - also great effort by Criterion's restoration of the film.  Dave

 

 

Thanks for the tip, Dave, that Criterion has adopted Arsenic and Old Lace!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Hi DBK - I've not seen Rommel, but years ago watched The Desert Fox (1951) w/ James Mason - have you seen the later and any comparative thoughts?  Dave

I like both the movies. The recent color movie is on his dilemma bet administration and politics. It's not an exciting macho movie, but very likable and realistic movie.

The Farmer's Daughter (1947) - synopsis w/ cast below - a favorite comedy from the era; also starring the young Lex Barker and James Arness as two of the brothers - as stated, Young won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance.  Highly recommended.  Dave

 

Looks very interesting.  Will get a copy!

[VonStupp]

Holiday Inn (1942) - short summary below w/ cast; mainly a 'song & dance' fest for Crosby and Astaire doing Irving Berlin songs, most famous for introduction of White Christmas (Bing's rendition being the biggest selling single of all time - Source). Of course, the film is tainted by the racial controversy over the blackface scene (second pic below) - a rather vitriolic recent review HERE bombing the entire film - well, I still enjoy largely for the reasons stated in the first sentence above - great to see Bing and Fred in glorious video and sound.  Recommended for fans of musicals from Hollywood's glorious years, otherwise you might want to read the links first - 

I really like the tune and harmonies to 'Abraham' which accompanies this infamous scene; too bad it will never see the light of day due to its association.

Incidentally, I saw a stage performance of Holiday Inn. At the time, I didn't even know that a stage adaptation existed, but the music included is more a revue of Irving Berlin songs than strictly adhering to the source.

Most surprising was a large group of high school students who were absolutely captivated by the production. A big score for Irving Berlin and an 80-year old movie!

VS

[Madiel]

Several more upgrades recently:  Holiday Inn, BD > 4K UHD & Arsenic & Old Lace, DVD > BD (Criterion):

Holiday Inn (1942) - short summary below w/ cast; mainly a 'song & dance' fest for Crosby and Astaire doing Irving Berlin songs, most famous for introduction of White Christmas (Bing's rendition being the biggest selling single of all time - Source). Of course, the film is tainted by the racial controversy over the blackface scene (second pic below) - a rather vitriolic recent review HERE bombing the entire film - well, I still enjoy largely for the reasons stated in the first sentence above - great to see Bing and Fred in glorious video and sound.  Recommended for fans of musicals from Hollywood's glorious years, otherwise you might want to read the links first - 

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - see second quote for short synopsis and actors, an ensemble cast - listed #30 in AFI's 100 Best Comedies (LINK) - recommended without reservations this time - also great effort by Criterion's restoration of the film.  Dave

 

 

I should see Arsenic and Old Lace. I saw a local production of the play earlier this year... and frankly it was very badly done.

[Karl Henning]

Re-watched both Hudson Hawk and The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother.

[SonicMan46]

I really like the tune and harmonies to 'Abraham' which accompanies this infamous scene; too bad it will never see the light of day due to its association.

Incidentally, I saw a stage performance of Holiday Inn. At the time, I didn't even know that a stage adaptation existed, but the music included is more a revue of Irving Berlin songs than strictly adhering to the source.

Most surprising was a large group of high school students who were absolutely captivated by the production. A big score for Irving Berlin and an 80-year old movie!

VS

Hi VS - curious in the 'stage performance' what was done w/ the Abraham scene, e.g. no blackface, deleted, or other?  I've been watching old movies since the 1950s and use of blackface and/or making 'fun' of the black actors was so common that I was mostly indifferent then - obviously, having grown up and reading a LOT of American history and watching a LOT of documentaries has greatly altered my perspective; but I can still watch these films from a historic vantage point - be a shame to take that scene from the movie which has been done.  However, I certainly respect and understand those who feel differently.  Dave

[SonicMan46]

I should see Arsenic and Old Lace. I saw a local production of the play earlier this year... and frankly it was very badly done.

Pre-COVID, wife and I use to go to many local amateur stage performances and enjoyed most but there were some duds (and walked out of a few at intermission -  ).  But the movie w/ Grant, Lane, Massey, Lorre, et al is certainly worth a watch, and the Criterion BD is so much better than the old DVD I owned (same one linked in the quote below from a BD review - interestingly, from the partial review description below, I'd have expected at least a 4* or 4 1/2* for video but was given 3 1/2*; audio was 5*). Dave

The release is sourced from an exclusive new 4K master that was prepared after Arsenic and Old Lace was fully restored in 4K. This master is a stunner. I have this very, very old DVD release of Arsenic and Old Lace in my library and I did not feel the need to pull it out and do any direct comparisons because the superiority of the Blu-ray release was so dramatic they would have been meaningless. (Source)

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Avatar--and no, and yes, I'm probably one of the last people around here (the forum) to have never have seen it before now.  Very much enjoyed it.  And can imagine that on "the big screen" it would have been even more exciting.  Very creative (particularly re the bonding between species and also the sentient "earth")....and still very relevant in terms of what we are doing to our planet and what we still need to learn--about many things/people/subjects alas.

PD

[Madiel]

Avatar--and no, and yes, I'm probably one of the last people around here (the forum) to have never have seen it before now.  Very much enjoyed it.  And can imagine that on "the big screen" it would have been even more exciting.  Very creative (particularly re the bonding between species and also the sentient "earth")....and still very relevant in terms of what we are doing to our planet and what we still need to learn--about many things/people/subjects alas.

PD

The central part of the film, which focuses on the natural environment of the planet, was probably the best single advertisement for 3D film making in the period where that seemed to really be a thing.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The central part of the film, which focuses on the natural environment of the planet, was probably the best single advertisement for 3D film making in the period where that seemed to really be a thing.

Interesting as I didn't know that one could see it in 3D.  Perhaps I, like you,(?) loved the focus on listening...getting to know nature...accepting what you don't know and figuring out how to listen and change.  I don't have a BluRay player or ways of watching 3D films.

PD

[Karl Henning]

Re-watched both Hudson Hawk and The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother.

I'm all feel-good movies this week.

Tonight: Arsenic and Old Lace and The Princess Bride.

[SonicMan46]

I'm all feel-good movies this week.

Tonight: Arsenic and Old Lace and The Princess Bride.

+1 Karl - Dave

[goboenomo]

still going. amazing. . Re-watched the pianist.

[VonStupp]

Hi VS - curious in the 'stage performance' what was done w/ the Abraham scene, e.g. no blackface, deleted, or other?  I've been watching old movies since the 1950s and use of blackface and/or making 'fun' of the black actors was so common that I was mostly indifferent then - obviously, having grown up and reading a LOT of American history and watching a LOT of documentaries has greatly altered my perspective; but I can still watch these films from a historic vantage point - be a shame to take that scene from the movie which has been done.  However, I certainly respect and understand those who feel differently.  Dave

Dave, that holiday was dropped altogether on stage, although many of the other film's songs and holidays were retained.

It is an interesting, if unfortunate part of human (and music/theatre) history. I don't particularly like erasing documents of the past to cover up a culture's mind's eye either, ala Song of the South (1946), especially if it can spark conversation and comparisons of time and culture. Of course, I don't think I am on the receiving end of these offenses, so it is best that it is not my call.

I guess I still have Fletch 2 to hear 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah' alongside animated creatures.

VS

[Karl Henning]

Dave, that holiday was dropped altogether on stage, although many of the other film's songs and holidays were retained.

It is an interesting, if unfortunate part of human (and music/theatre) history. I don't particularly like erasing documents of the past to cover up a culture's mind's eye either, ala Song of the South (1946), especially if it can spark conversation and comparisons of time and culture. Of course, I don't think I am on the receiving end of these offenses, so it is best that it is not my call.

I guess I still have Fletch 2 to hear 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah' alongside animated creatures.

VS

Tangentially, I'm watching Gone With the Wind, again tonight.

[relm1]

I just returned from seeing Steven Spielberg's latest film, The Fabelmans, and I loved it!  It's not going to be everyone's cup of tea (there is no spectacle), it's just a personal movie about a geeky kid who is obsessed with making movies.  But at a broader sense, it's a note to a younger self about pursuing your dreams and a love letter to parents.  It is so well directed (I guess Spielberg did his homework), acted (the kid who plays the young Spielberg so much embodies him but also the family and quirky friends and family), and told.  By the end of the film, it felt so personal and connected to any dreamer.  SPOILERS:The thing is, this could be anyone's story...but Spielberg happened to hit it big where almost no one ever will.  Then again, how does one define making it big?  I know some who've made it quite big and think themselves failures because they aren't as big as the people they compare themselves to.  I loved how this was handled in the film.  (SPOILER within SPOILER: crazy uncle's plight).  Though the film dragged a bit at the start, by its end, it was a very satisfying and personal film that lingers in my memory and clearly the most personal film Spielberg made.  He had to wait for his parents to pass away to make this tribute to them because his father didn't even know the full story in it, yet it wasn't about wrath or hate or revenge but love and passion, art, and dreams...a tribute to them without sugarcoating flaws.  A lovely, sensitive film.