Last Movie You Watched

[TheGSMoeller]

I could listen to Ian Mckellen read the ingredients of a frozen pizza, and it would be beautiful.

[SimonNZ]

I could listen to Ian Mckellen read the ingredients of a frozen pizza, and it would be beautiful.

Have you heard him narrate the opening of the book of Genesis for John Corigliano's "Creations"? After hearing that I wished I could hear him narrate the entirety of the Bible, both testaments plus apocrypha. And I'm an atheist.

[James]

Looper
2012 ‧ Fantasy/Thriller ‧ 1h 59m

In a future society, time-travel exists, but it's only available to those with the means to pay for it on the black market. When the mob wants to eliminate someone, it sends the target into the past, where a hit man known as a looper lies in wait to finish the job. Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is one such hired gun, and he does his job well -- until the day his bosses decide to "close the loop" and send Joe's future self (Bruce Willis) back in time to be killed.

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[Mister Sharpe]

At this one the Ghost is aghast.  I won't bother railing against the gun and knife violence - that train has long left the station and we'll be paying dearly for the ticket in the U.S. for many years to come.  What's disturbing and objectionable in Kick Ass is the fetishisation of a young girl of eleven in the guise, disguise rather, of female empowerment.  The film's stylish gleam and gloss and comedy serve to mask the sickness of the enterprise inc. its pedophyllic undercurrents.  This film grossed, I use that term advisedly, $200 million - so apparently for its writers and producers it was well worth whatever damage it did to what might laughably be termed "contemporary culture" and any child under 17 unfortunate enough to have the kind of parent or guardian who would take them to see it (rated R for really repugnant).

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[Cato]

At this one the Ghost is aghast.  I won't bother railing against the gun and knife violence - that train has long left the station and we'll be paying dearly for the ticket in the U.S. for many years to come.  What's disturbing and objectionable in Kick Ass is the fetishisation of a young girl of eleven in the guise, disguise rather, of female empowerment.  The film's stylish gleam and gloss and comedy serve to mask the sickness of the enterprise inc. its pedophyllic undercurrents.  This film grossed, I use that term advisedly, $200 million - so apparently for its writers and producers it was well worth whatever damage it did to what might laughably be termed "contemporary culture" and any child under 17 unfortunate enough to have the kind of parent or guardian who would take them to see it (rated R for really repugnant).

H.L. Mencken: "No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people."

One can easily substitute "taste" for "intelligence."

[Karl Henning]

I've started on the Blu-ray of Chimes at Midnight obliquely, by dipping into the supplements.  This promises to be a great time.

[TheGSMoeller]

I've started on the Blu-ray of Chimes at Midnight obliquely, by dipping into the supplements.  This promises to be a great time.

Awesome, Karl. Mine came in the mail last week, haven't found the time to get my viewing in, but I'm anxious for it. I love the thought of watching a Welles movie for the first time!

[Cato]

I've started on the Blu-ray of Chimes at Midnight obliquely, by dipping into the supplements.  This promises to be a great time.

Awesome, Karl. Mine came in the mail last week, haven't found the time to get my viewing in, but I'm anxious for it. I love the thought of watching a Welles movie for the first time!

John Gielgud, as you can imagine, is also excellent in Chimes at Midnight.  Many years ago, I sat through an unrestored version with a soundtrack at times full of static.  So I hope a Blu-Ray version has taken care of the soundtrack at least partially.

[SonicMan46]

Last night, I was watching a few films recorded on my DVR from the TCM channel, one was:

Oh, God! (1977) w/ George Burns, John Denver, & Teri Garr (plus many more character actors); Carl Reiner, director (synopsis below) - have not seen this film since release (decent reviews, 6.5/10, IMDB; 3.5/4, Roger Ebert, & 4.5/5, Amazon) - enjoyed, especially seeing Burns - Denver not bad at all in a comedic role, but the young Teri Garr was as usual cute & adorable (to me - ) - brought back memories of her and the other (mostly gone now) actors from Young Frankenstein (1974), which I own on BD - Dave

Jerry Landers (John Denver), an assistant manager in a supermarket, receives a visit from God (George Burns), who appears in the form of an old man. Reluctant at first, Jerry agrees to spread the word about his visits from the almighty creator of heaven and earth. However, Jerry's wife, Bobbie (Teri Garr), is skeptical, and theologians think Jerry's God is a fake. As Jerry continues to receive visits from God, religious authorities take action and demand that he prove his story.

.
 

[Karl Henning]

John Gielgud, as you can imagine, is also excellent in Chimes at Midnight.  Many years ago, I sat through an unrestored version with a soundtrack at times full of static.  So I hope a Blu-Ray version has taken care of the soundtrack at least partially.

Well, in the supplements, there is a new (2016, I believe) interview with Keith Baxter, and when he is discussing Gielgud, we then cut to a soliloquy . . . but, yes, all the "teasing" excerpts which crop up in my as-yet-sideways viewing have been exquisite.

[André]

Well, in the supplements, there is a new (2016, I believe) interview with Keith Baxter, and when he is discussing Gielgud, we then cut to a soliloquy . . . but, yes, all the "teasing" excerpts which crop up in my as-yet-sideways viewing have been exquisite.

"Chimes at Midnight" (Falstaff in the french release) lives and dies its extraordinarily rich life through its actors. I have read that Wagner's "Siegfried" was a gigantic scherzo. I don't think many films have been made that made this idea come true as wonderfully as Welles' film.

John Gielgud's portrayal of the ailing/dying Henry IV is the most awesome incarnation of regality I  have ever seen. What else could Prince Hal do when he inherited the throne ?

[James]

At this one the Ghost is aghast.  I won't bother railing against the gun and knife violence - that train has long left the station and we'll be paying dearly for the ticket in the U.S. for many years to come.  What's disturbing and objectionable in Kick Ass is the fetishisation of a young girl of eleven in the guise, disguise rather, of female empowerment.  The film's stylish gleam and gloss and comedy serve to mask the sickness of the enterprise inc. its pedophyllic undercurrents.  This film grossed, I use that term advisedly, $200 million - so apparently for its writers and producers it was well worth whatever damage it did to what might laughably be termed "contemporary culture" and any child under 17 unfortunate enough to have the kind of parent or guardian who would take them to see it (rated R for really repugnant).

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I loved this one. Good stuff.

[Karl Henning]

As the result of a whimsical search, I learn that the Blu-ray edition of Stardust Memories will be available 13 Dec 2016.

I'm nearly in tears, here. Tears of laughter. Joyous laughter, all right.

[TheGSMoeller]

As the result of a whimsical search, I learn that the Blu-ray edition of Stardust Memories will be available 13 Dec 2016.

I'm nearly in tears, here. Tears of laughter. Joyous laughter, all right.

Great news! Thanks, Karl.

[Ken B]

As the result of a whimsical search, I learn that the Blu-ray edition of Stardust Memories will be available 13 Dec 2016.

I'm nearly in tears, here. Tears of laughter. Joyous laughter, all right.

Colorized?

[TheGSMoeller]

Colorized?

Blasphemy 

[bhodges]

This week:

Fassbinder: Berlin Alexanderplatz - After parts 1-3, terrific. The sheer scope (15+ hours) is a little daunting (first time seeing it), but I love the director, and haven't seen any of his films in awhile.

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--Bruce

[Mister Sharpe]

Brewski, can thoroughly recommend this Fassbinder film made for German TV.  I knew a German-speaking History professor who had a friend who worked on some of his films.  He told him it was a miracle that so many of his films are as good as they are, even that they got made, so often would Fassbinder show up (or not show up at all) drunk or drugged or both.  Many of his company, he said, were close friends with whom he could communicate even through the haze of his intoxication. Gone at 37.

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[bhodges]

Thanks, I haven't seen this one. Looking at his 40+ filmography, I have only seen about 10, mostly his later ones, and some multiple times. (Faves: The Marriage of Maria Braun, Lola, Veronika Voss)

And yes, a  troubled soul - have heard of his alcohol and drug problems before, which really does make these films miraculous. I like his use of a "repertory company" of actors. One of the many pleasures of Alexanderplatz is seeing people like Hannah Schygulla again.

Anyway, thanks for the rec. When the glow of this mammoth exercise has faded, I will be catching up with this and some others.

--Bruce

[listener]

THE FLAG OF IRON[/b ]    HK 1980     Shaw Brothers
directed by Chang Cheh  so bodies get perforated and spurt florescent blood
Wide variety of weapons including broken dishes.