Last Movie You Watched

[Ken B]

Last night, two new BD acquisitions, neither in my commercial DVD collection:

The Women (1939) w/ Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, and many other ladies; George Cukor, director - delightful movie w/ well developed female characters each w/ her own sweat (Shearer) or nasty (Crawford) personalities - 91% on Rottentomatoes - and in the Videohound & Leonard Maltin books, both 3+*/4* - recommended to those who like these 'smart' comedy dramas from that time period.

Elmer Gantry (1960) w/ Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones, & Arthur Kennedy; Richard Brooks, director; multiple Oscar nominations and wins, including Lancaster & Jones; 96% on Rottentomatoes; and also 3+*/4* each in the two video review books already mentioned - based on the Sinclair Lewis novel - I would say this film in a MUST see, if not a purchase just to watch Burt in his prime!  Dave

 

EG is great. When John Edwards was running for president and veep I referred to him as Elmer Gantry. Many did not catch the reference . 

[ritter]

A timeless classic:



The last time I saw this (I had caught it started on TV), I had the impression that Max Steiner's score was full of Wagnerian quotations. I must be that on that occasion I dozed off and imagined it all, because I didn't detect any quotes this time round...

Great film, in any case...

[Todd]

Interstellar.  Christopher Nolan's film is vastly ambitious, there's no doubt of that.  For the most part, it works.  But a couple actors don't seem right for their parts, especially the one who plays the last big character introduced in the film.  Some of the dialogue is near-corny, too, especially about one of the big ideas (not one of the scientific ones).  And for a big budget sci-fi flick, a few of the effects shots are surprisingly old school.  It's easy to tell models were used.  The nods to 2001 and Star Wars in the spaceships and robots are nice touches.  The movie definitely benefits from being seen on a big screen in a theater with really big subwoofers.

[SonicMan46]

Interstellar.  Christopher Nolan's film is vastly ambitious, there's no doubt of that.  For the most part, it works.  But a couple actors don't seem right for their parts, especially the one who plays the last big character introduced in the film.  Some of the dialogue is near-corny, too, especially about one of the big ideas (not one of the scientific ones).  And for a big budget sci-fi flick, a few of the effects shots are surprisingly old school.  It's easy to tell models were used.  The nods to 2001 and Star Wars in the spaceships and robots are nice touches.  The movie definitely benefits from being seen on a big screen in a theater with really big subwoofers.

Well, we just returned from seeing this new release at our local IMAX - BIG screen & GREAT sound!  I have to agree w/ Todd, i.e. see this movie in a theater, will just not be enjoyed as much (if at all) on a small TV whether streamed or bought on DVD/BD.

Despite the reviews and my pre-expectations, the film was a let down for me; the opening scenes of a dying earth w/ huge dust storms (done well w/ CGI) was simply a repeat of Ken Burns documentary on the 1930s Dust Bowls in color.  This was followed by a LOT of pseudo-astrophysics talk that got to be boring and made little sense in the latter half of the film; finally, the imagery w/ time-warp theory was an attempt to 'cash in' on the older film, 2001: A Space Odyssey w/ some additional BS and special effects. 

Now this film received 73% positive critic reviews on Rottentomatoes, but just to quote one of the 'rotten ones' below reflects some of my thoughts - my wife fell asleep a few times (and would probably have sleep throughout most of the film if not for the sound effects - plus she had cotton in her ears) - this is probably not a film for 'senior citizens' like ourselves, so read the reviews closely.  If I were rating this film on Amazon, I would do 3+*/5* - now, for those interested in this type of genre, I would definitely recommend seeing the picture on a BIG screen w/ good sound - however, this will not migrate well to smaller screens/sound in a home setting.  Dave

As a once and future astronaut with a soaring vision of human destiny, Matthew McConaughey's Cooper, the hero of "Interstellar," has the Right Stuff to save our species, even if, as the film contends, our home planet is doomed. We are explorers, Coop says fervently, not caretakers. "We used to look up at the sky and wonder about our place in the stars. Now we just look down at our place in the dirt." This gospel of aspiration resonates strongly in these troubled times, and it's matched by the film's ambition. But Christopher Nolan's 168-minute odyssey through the space-time continuum is stuffed with stuff of bewildering wrongness. Eager for grandeur, I went in hoping for the very best from a filmmaker with his own vision of the theatrical medium's potential. The last thing I expected was a space adventure burdened by turgid discussions of abstruse physics, a wavering tone, visual effects of variable quality and a time-traveling structure that turns on bloodless abstractions.

[SonicMan46]

Well tonight, I watched a recent BD replacement & a burned DVD:

The French Connection (1971) w/ Gene Hackman & Roy Scheider - 8 Oscar nominations w/ 5 wins, including Hackman for best actor - a great car chase - the blu-ray transfer is excellent w/ some fine grain in the lower lighting scenes - highly recommended if you like cop dramas involving drugs!

Harper (1966) w/ Paul Newman, Lauren Bacall, and many others - private detective film involving a missing husband - one of the highlights is watching a young Pamela Tiffin dancing on a diving board - a good film overall!  Dave

   

[Jaakko Keskinen]

The Simpsons season 26 episode 4 has a tribute to Stanley Kubrick, including references to Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, Barry Lyndon, Eyes Wide Shut, 2001:








Sarge

Referring to my earlier remark about lack of references to strangelove: I forgot that Simpsons has already at least once made reference to it, in one of my favorite episodes no less, season 5 Homer the Vigilante, the famous bomb riding scene.

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Interstellar.  Christopher Nolan's film is vastly ambitious, there's no doubt of that.  For the most part, it works.  But a couple actors don't seem right for their parts, especially the one who plays the last big character introduced in the film.  Some of the dialogue is near-corny, too, especially about one of the big ideas (not one of the scientific ones).  And for a big budget sci-fi flick, a few of the effects shots are surprisingly old school.  It's easy to tell models were used.  The nods to 2001 and Star Wars in the spaceships and robots are nice touches.  The movie definitely benefits from being seen on a big screen in a theater with really big subwoofers.

Planning to go watch that one with my pal.

[ZauberdrachenNr.7]

Watched this again and never disappoints.  I was inspired to re-view it by the accompanying tune, Grisbi Blues, which I recently heard Franck Pourcel do, I think, most effectively (it may be too saccharine for some but I think it accentuates the sweetness of cash esp. when you have little or none) :   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgh-Vkd8lSo 

Liane's rather Teutonic French lends it something else still : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XJvJwhvDwg

[asin]B0006HC0I2[/asin]

[Karl Henning]

Saw this because the first scene came so highly recommended and found myself held tight till the end. Brad Pitt was so good in this. Every word he said had me laughing my ass off.

Gosh, well . . . .

[SonicMan46]

Last night, streamed a recent movie on my 'to watch' list; also viewed an oldie in my 'burned' DVD collection:

Begin Again (2014) w/ Keira Knightley & Mark Ruffalo - Keira sings and is not bad at all (kind of a 'Nora Jones' type) - the film is entertaining w/ plenty of musical performances (however, not the kind of music that I find appealing, i.e. today's pop) - enjoyed by the Amazonians, 4.3/5*; IMDB, 7.5/10; and 82% on Rotten Tomatoes - I would probably give this 4* on Amazon, i.e. enjoyed, but likely not a re-watch or purchase for me - recommended to fans of the main stars and to listen to the music.

Hasty Heart, The (1949) w/ Ronald Reagan, Richard Todd, & Patricia Neal - a brief synopsis below (from Rotten Tomatoes); Amazon, 4.7/5*; IMDB, 7.5/10 - Todd is outstanding in his performance and the change of his personality from start to finish - not real a war film but a drama taking place mainly in a field hospital in Burma; one of Reagan's few excellent roles - recommended.  Dave

Richard Todd plays an insufferable Scots soldier confined to a World War II military hospital. Ronald Reagan is an all-American patient who befriends the headstrong Scotsman, while Patricia Neal is the compassionate nurse. Gradually the patients grow begrudgingly fond of Todd, and when it is learned that he is suffering from a fatal illness, everyone involved tries to keep his true condition a secret from him. Todd inadvertently discovers the truth, and violently turns against his new buddies. But before the fade-out, friendship wins out over bitterness and self-pity.

 

[Drasko]

Barnes & Noble Criterion 50% Sale has started, lasts till December 1st!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?store=DVD&PRO=2917

[SonicMan46]

Hi Milos - thanks for the reminder!  Just put in an order for two favorites below - one not to be released until next week - Dave

 

[Drasko]

Hi Milos - thanks for the reminder!  Just put in an order for two favorites below - one not to be released until next week - Dave

Fantastic choices, both. I have small shopping list myself: La Dolce Vita, Marketa Lazarova, Complete Mr. Arkadin, Gainsborough melodramas box, but I have not yet decided what or if I'll be getting anything this time.




Hard to be a God - Aleksei German

[André]

Barnes & Noble Criterion 50% Sale has started, lasts till December 1st!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/?store=DVD&PRO=2917

I ordered 5 and had to refrain from more...The devil made me do it... 

Thanks Milos !!

[Jaakko Keskinen]

Saw interstellar today. I have very conflicted feelings about this. On the other hand, it is a very clever movie and they have really shown their work. But I didn't enjoy most part of it. I feel it is too depressing and sad movie. Not that I have anything against tragedies but this movie just was so overwhelming. I had powerful panic attack during this movie, it brought many recent sad events of my life in mind very strongly. Movie is humane, there is no doubt about it, but as in Nietzsche's work, it is too humane and so sorrowfully humane. Usually sad movies that I like are enjoyable because they use dark humor. This had maybe a couple of lines that could be seen as a joke but it didn't really bring much relief. The cynicism in me often shows itself through dark humor, not in mere desperation. That's the feeling that dominates much of this movie, even the ending that some could see having some positive aspects. It is desperate. One of the parts I enjoyed was the betrayal, although I immediately saw that betrayal coming, even before the traitor himself had appeared in the movie. The reason I liked it was because it too felt humane, but in better way, I could empathize with the characters at that moment without suffering grinding torments myself like during most of the movie. Even with the traitor himself. Like in other Nolan movie, Inception, there are not characters who are simply monstrous. But Inception I liked considerably more and even though it had its depressing parts it still made me feel good inside for the most of the time. This movie... did not. Except at those few passages. Other moments I liked were the way one character demonstrates how the wormhole works, and some of the stuff, such as the waves, at water planet. Visually this movie is breathtaking. You could really see the influence of 2001, although once again, I liked 2001 much more. It was psychologically scary at times too but not all the time.

I read positive comments about Zimmer's score. I barely noticed anything resembling music in this movie.

[Artem]

I ordered 5 and had to refrain from more...The devil made me do it... 

Thanks Milos !!

What did you get?

[André]

What did you get?

A varied course:

Westerns: Red River (Hawks) and My Darling Clementine (Ford)
Easterns: Charulata (Ray) and The Hidden Fortress (Kurosawa)
European: The Earrings of Madame De (Max Ophüls)

[kishnevi]

Visited a local B/N
Busbe box was 40% off plus a 20% off coupon via email.
And one Criterion.  I did not get more because, frankly, I hardly ever sit down to watch filns, and The Pile: DVD is accumulating nastily.


Contents of the Busby set
Footlight Parade
42nd Street
Gold Diggers of 1933
Gold Diggers of 1934 aka Dames
Gold Diggers of 1935
and a bonus DVD of extra extras.

[Ken B]

Visited a local B/N
Busbe box was 40% off plus a 20% off coupon via email.
And one Criterion.  I did not get more because, frankly, I hardly ever sit down to watch filns, and The Pile: DVD is accumulating nastily.


Contents of the Busby set
Footlight Parade
42nd Street
Gold Diggers of 1933
Gold Diggers of 1934 aka Dames
Gold Diggers of 1935
and a bonus DVD of extra extras.

Two great purchases.

I pick Lubitsch as the best director ever. If you haven't seen his early musicals or Trouble in Paradise (which is the apotheosis of shots of doors)  you should.

[kishnevi]

Two great purchases.

I pick Lubitsch as the best director ever. If you haven't seen his early musicals or Trouble in Paradise (which is the apotheosis of shots of doors)  you should.

DVD 2 of the Criterion includes one of his German silent films, from 1916.