Last Movie You Watched

Karl Henning · December 15, 2025, 04:06:36 PM

Quote from: Madiel on December 13, 2025, 02:20:44 AMWell, I'm only about 40% through, but at this stage I seem to have found a Coen Brothers film that I really don't like.

EDIT: Finished. It didn't really get any better. The word that this film brings to mind is "petty". Many of the characters behave in very petty ways, and there's a scene where someone, and the film, pretty well openly declares there isn't any point. Searching for meaning is a mistake. Just take the suffering.

There's a fair amount of nihilism in many Coen Brothers movies, but this doesn't have the compelling characters of No Country for Old Men or the style of The Man Who Wasn't There. This just asks you to spend time listening to whining - some of it justified, some of it not.

Your quarrel is just. FWIW, this was the last movie I watched before my stroke.

Karl Henning · December 15, 2025, 04:10:13 PM

Quote from: Madiel on December 14, 2025, 02:55:46 AMThe Big Lebowski.

A long time since I've last seen it.

It still holds up as one of their really good ones.

I resisted watching this for a while. At the time I had only seen Raising Arizona, and I was mildly put off by the "in-joke crowd" vibe of the movie's fans. Well, I got over it.

Madiel · December 15, 2025, 05:57:36 PM

Quote from: Karl Henning on December 15, 2025, 04:10:13 PMI resisted watching this for a while. At the time I had only seen Raising Arizona, and I was mildly put off by the "in-joke crowd" vibe of the movie's fans. Well, I got over it.

John Goodman's character and performance is a masterclass in having an exasperating friend.

relm1 · December 16, 2025, 05:03:29 AM

Quote from: Karl Henning on December 15, 2025, 04:10:13 PMI resisted watching this for a while. At the time I had only seen Raising Arizona, and I was mildly put off by the "in-joke crowd" vibe of the movie's fans. Well, I got over it.

I instantly loved it. I thought the opening narration where the narrator forgets his thoughts was so funny without trying to be. Reminded me of the classic opening credits to Monty Python and the Holy Grail where everyone gets sacked.

Karl Henning · December 16, 2025, 08:42:56 AM

Quote from: relm1 on December 16, 2025, 05:03:29 AMI instantly loved it. I thought the opening narration where the narrator forgets his thoughts was so funny without trying to be. Reminded me of the classic opening credits to Monty Python and the Holy Grail where everyone gets sacked.

Oh, once I actually sat down to watch it, I was hooked.

Philo · December 16, 2025, 11:41:59 AM

I've been mulling over what movie I think is the greatest of all time, and I think I'm getting close to settling that for myself - currently, I think this might end up on top - David Lynch's Blue Velvet:

Cato · December 16, 2025, 02:03:41 PM

Quote from: Philo on December 16, 2025, 11:41:59 AMI've been mulling over what movie I think is the greatest of all time, and I think I'm getting close to settling that for myself - currently, I think this might end up on top - David Lynch's Blue Velvet:

Oh yes, a great one, although for some (many) people such movies from David Lynch are an acquired taste.

Today, speaking of acquired tastes (Mrs. Cato does not like such movies, and while she is gone for a meeting...)

An early masterpiece, helped of course by Bernard Herrmann's score!

Yes, it has Hitchcockian references beyond a Herrmann score, and people sniffed at the movie because of it: but an intriguing ride all the way.

And if you do not know the movie, watch the asylum-flashback scene carefully! Somebody appears there, whose presence is absolutely mind-boggling!

If you do know the movie, and are not sure to what I am referring, watch it again and look more carefully at that scene.

Karl Henning · December 16, 2025, 03:44:27 PM

Quote from: Cato on December 16, 2025, 02:03:41 PMOh yes, a great one, although for some (many) people such movies from David Lynch are an acquired taste.

Today, speaking of acquired tastes (Mrs. Cato does not like such movies, and while she is gone for a meeting...)

An early masterpiece, helped of course by Bernard Herrmann's score!

Yes, it has Hitchcockian references beyond a Herrmann score, and people sniffed at the movie because of it: but an intriguing ride all the way.

And if you do not know the movie, watch the asylum-flashback scene carefully! Somebody appears there, whose presence is absolutely mind-boggling!

If you do know the movie, and are not sure to what I am referring, watch it again and look more carefully at that scene.

My curiosity has not yet resulted in viewing Blue Velvet. I'll keep an eye out for Sisters.
TD: The Muppet Christmas Carol. It surprises me how much I enjoy this. Michael Caine's entire commitment helps.

Kalevala · December 16, 2025, 04:13:05 PM

Quote from: Karl Henning on December 16, 2025, 03:44:27 PMMy curiosity has not yet resulted in viewing Blue Velvet. I'll keep an eye out for Sisters.
TD: The Muppet Christmas Carol. It surprises me how much I enjoy this. Michael Caine's entire commitment helps.

But who doesn't like the Muppets?

Bubbles was on their show--along with many other famous guests.

K

Karl Henning · December 16, 2025, 05:45:13 PM

Scrooged

brewski · December 16, 2025, 07:38:46 PM

Quote from: Philo on December 16, 2025, 11:41:59 AMI've been mulling over what movie I think is the greatest of all time, and I think I'm getting close to settling that for myself - currently, I think this might end up on top - David Lynch's Blue Velvet:

I've seen Blue Velvet maybe 7 or 8 times. (I'm a nut.) Not sure I could tag it as "the greatest of all time" (a tough if not impossible call, given the landscape), but it is easily one of Lynch's best, which is saying something.

Quote from: Cato on December 16, 2025, 02:03:41 PM

An early masterpiece, helped of course by Bernard Herrmann's score!

Yes, it has Hitchcockian references beyond a Herrmann score, and people sniffed at the movie because of it: but an intriguing ride all the way.

I'm also a big De Palma fan, though I've only seen this one once and don't recall the scene you hint at. (Thank you for not giving further details.) Happy to revisit, including a closer listen to Herrmann's score.

Karl Henning · December 16, 2025, 08:15:21 PM

As You Like It, directed by Branagh.

Philo · December 17, 2025, 08:44:09 AM

Quote from: brewski on December 16, 2025, 07:38:46 PMI've seen Blue Velvet maybe 7 or 8 times. (I'm a nut.) Not sure I could tag it as "the greatest of all time" (a tough if not impossible call, given the landscape), but it is easily one of Lynch's best, which is saying something.

I've not approached that many rewatches, yet, but, for me, it is on my current shortlist - I am only starting to compile that shortlist, though - another one on the shortlist is the original Blade Runner, in fact, that might be my entire list for right now - still mulling ...

Karl Henning · December 17, 2025, 09:54:58 AM

Quote from: Philo on December 17, 2025, 08:44:09 AMI've not approached that many rewatches, yet, but, for me, it is on my current shortlist - I am only starting to compile that shortlist, though - another one on the shortlist is the original Blade Runner, in fact, that might be my entire list for right now - still mulling ...

Big fan of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.

Karl Henning · December 17, 2025, 12:06:51 PM

Quote from: Karl Henning on December 17, 2025, 09:54:58 AMBig fan of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner.

When the Final Cut DVD release was in preparation, they produced a feature-length featurette, Dangerous Days: The Making of Blade Runner, which is a highly rewarding watch.

brewski · December 17, 2025, 04:39:10 PM

Ball and Vase (2022, dir. David Baram). Stumbled across this short film (30 minutes) on my local PBS station, and found it very touching. Despite Austin Pendleton's formidable career (over 400 movies), I hadn't seen him in much of anything since What's Up, Doc? (1972, dir. Peter Bogdanovich). He's now 85, and plays a 92-year-old magician, dealing with the realities of relationships and old age.

You can watch it here.

Karl Henning · December 17, 2025, 07:39:50 PM

The Tower of London (1939) with Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff and Vincent Price. Also, a young Leo G. Carroll.