Last Movie You Watched

[Karl Henning]

The movie is also overstuffed with too many characters and plot threads. It lacks the focus and cohesion of older Superman movies

Similar to my quarrel with the last of the Chris Nolan Batman trilogy. Tangentially, this month I shall revisit The Dark Knight, which personally I find easily the best of the three, and not only for Heath Ledger's turn as The Joker.

[Karl Henning]

TD: Descending again, this time with the Director's Cut of Das Boot.

[Karl Henning]

Similar to my quarrel with the last of the Chris Nolan Batman trilogy. Tangentially, this month I shall revisit The Dark Knight, which personally I find easily the best of the three, and not only for Heath Ledger's turn as The Joker.

Further tangentially, I am also curious to revisit the Tim Burton franchise. The last time I watched his Batman, I found myself losing patience with it. But I am now remembering with greater force how impressive I found it back when I first saw it. So, curious to see how I feel, giving it a fresh fair shake, yea, even though I am morally prepared for diminishing returns over the course of the four movies.
It's very retro of me, sure, but overall, I feel that the Adam West/Burt Ward campy approach to the material is best, after all.

[SonicMan46]

I saw it in the cinema when it opened. Loved it then, love it now.

Same here - own as a streamer but Susan will not watch w/ me - she adored Reeve and after his accident and death, did not want to ever watch one of his movies (like Elvis Presley and Jailhouse Rock - his co-star Judy Tyler was killed in a car crash soon after the film and don't believe he could watch it, ICRC) - Dave

[DavidW]

Further tangentially, I am also curious to revisit the Tim Burton franchise. The last time I watched his Batman, I found myself losing patience with it. But I am now remembering with greater force how impressive I found it back when I first saw it. So, curious to see how i feel, giving it a fresh fair shake, yea, even though I am morally prepared for diminishing returns over the course of the four movies.
It's very retro of me, sure, but overall, I feel that the Adam West/Burt Ward campy approach to the material is best, after all.

I had been meaning to do that as well since Keaton reprised his role in the recent Flash movie.

[DavidW]

Same here - own as a streamer but Susan will not watch w/ me - she adored Reeve and after his accident and death, did not want to ever watch one of his movies (like Elvis Presley and Jailhouse Rock - his co-star Judy Tyler was killed in a car crash soon after the film and don't believe he could watch it, ICRC) - Dave

Well, if she ever changes her mind... Deathtrap is also worth rewatching:


It was kind of sad that I realized that most of the actors in Superman have passed away.

[Karl Henning]

Well, if she ever changes her mind... Deathtrap is also worth rewatching:


It was kind of sad that I realized that most of the actors in Superman have passed away.

Yes, Deathtrap and Somewhere in Time are Christopher Reeve performances I always enjoy.

[Karl Henning]

Batman (1989) IMO imperfect, yes, but highly enjoyable. 

[SimonNZ]

If we're giving shout-outs to favorite Christopher Reeve films I'd mention Speechless with Michael Keaton and Geena Davis as rival political speechwriters. Seen it four or five times already, and now that I've thought of it again wish I could watch it tonight.

TD: another film I've also already seen multiple times and feel deserves to be much better known:



I learn today that this was made for only three and a half million. How is that possible? Even putting aside that it looks as professional as a film with twenty times that budget, its got an amazing cast, at least four of whom could have demanded more than that just for themselves.

[Karl Henning]

Following a suggestion from our @Cato 
Ang Lee's Sense & Sensibility. 

[Cato]

It's very retro of me, sure, but overall, I feel that the Adam West/Burt Ward campy approach to the material is best, after all.

AMEN!!!  😇😇😇

[Kalevala]

@Der Schattenmann Sorry, I couldn't find your recent question to me, so am replying here.

I think (not positive) that it might have been The Sting.

K

[Cato]

Yes, Deathtrap and Somewhere in Time are Christopher Reeve performances I always enjoy.

Yes, to both!

I have told the story before, but in case anyone missed it...

Christopher Reeve was on a talk show promoting one of his post-Superman movies - possibly Somewhere in Time - and told of meeting Gene Hackman for the first time at the beginning of the filming for Superman.

Completely in awe of the actor, Reeve said he nervously blurted out something like: "Gee, Mr. Hackman!  What attracted you to playing the part of Lex Luthor ?"

Hackman replied: "Oh I don't know, kid.  But I think the check for a million dollars had a lot to do with it!" 

[Cato]

It was kind of sad that I realized that most of the actors in Superman have passed away.

Especially tragic was the later story of Margot Kidder, who had made a splash in 1972/1973 in Brian De Palma's first big success, Sisters, in which she played twins.

An excerpt...

(But find the entire movie!  A restored version is available from The Criterion Collection.)

[Cato]

Especially tragic was the later story of Margot Kidder, who had made a splash in 1972/1973 in Brian De Palma's first big success, Sisters, in which she played twins.

An excerpt...

(But find the entire movie!  A restored version is available from The Criterion Collection.)

I should have mentioned the great musical score by Bernard Herrmann!

[Karl Henning]

Hadn't seen this one in a while: Batman Returns. Not nearly as good as the first, which is putting it diplomatically. No need to ask Keaton why he would not return. Not quite as bad as I'd made it out earlier, but the cruncher is that I just find what Burton made of The Penguin an unnecessary hot mess. I find myself thinking less uncharitably of Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman, but she had big paws to fill.

[DavidW]

I just find what Burton made of The Penguin an unnecessary hot mess.

The Penguin in the new movie is much better.


In fact, so much so that he got his own spin-off TV show.

[relm1]

I saw it in the cinema when it opened. Loved it then, love it now.

The score is so great!  I luckily saw it a year or two ago performed live to picture and forgot how great every note of that score was!

[relm1]

Yes, to both!

I have told the story before, but in case anyone missed it...

Christopher Reeve was on a talk show promoting one of his post-Superman movies - possibly Somewhere in Time - and told of meeting Gene Hackman for the first time at the beginning of the filming for Superman.

Completely in awe of the actor, Reeve said he nervously blurted out something like: "Gee, Mr. Hackman!  What attracted you to playing the part of Lex Luthor ?"

Hackman replied: "Oh I don't know, kid.  But I think the check for a million dollars had a lot to do with it!" 

Hackman (RIP) was famously known to be a curmudgeon and seemed to hate everything he was part of though always gave terrific performances. He's excellent in Mississippi Burning.

Here's a story you might like, I heard Christopher Reeve was a huge music fan (might have been an amateur musician) and during the scoring of Superman, he wanted to sit with the orchestra during a take.  He sat next to the principal horn player of the LSO who said he was incredibly nice and very engaged in the scoring process and was visibly moved by the experience. 

[Karl Henning]

Batman (1989) IMO imperfect, yes, but highly enjoyable.

Tangentially: