Last Movie You Watched

[SimonNZ]

Thanks Simon - decided not to see this film on the BIG screen - one reason too long - do own the original on BD and enjoy - there have been mixed reviews here and also elsewhere, e.g. inserted above are the Amazon commenters, 3+*/5* not great there - SO, I'm still considering a streaming option when available, but still not sure if the film would hold my interest?  Dave

I would, however, strongly recommend that documentary I watched a couple of days ago on the events and wider culture of racism leading up to and involved in the Rodney King riots:

[Karl Henning]

Maybe my mind is descending unto the cinema abyss ... but I watched the 1967 Casino Royale and, while I don't deny its incoherence nor the fact that it winds up rather a long 2 hours and 11 minutes, I ... think I do like it. Warts 'n' all.

[Ken B]

Maybe my mind is descending unto the cinema abyss ... but I watched the 1967 Casino Royale and, while I don't deny its incoherence nor the fact that it winds up rather a long 2 hours and 11 minutes, I ... think I do like it. Warts 'n' all.

Next up, The Ghost and Mr Chicken

[milk]

Thanks Simon - decided not to see this film on the BIG screen - one reason too long - do own the original on BD and enjoy - there have been mixed reviews here and also elsewhere, e.g. inserted above are the Amazon commenters, 3+*/5* not great there - SO, I'm still considering a streaming option when available, but still not sure if the film would hold my interest?  Dave

that was a snoozer for me

[GioCar]

Disappointing on so many levels. A silly story, poorly written, with numerous plotholes and tedious pacing. And weirdly, insultingly, sexist.

+1

I've heard that Villeneuve is now working on a new film adaptation of Dune, after David Lynch's controversial effort.
I do hope he'll do something better (than BR 2049, not than the Lynch's film) but I'm a bit negative. I wasn't very impressed by his former film Arrival too, although it's better than this one IMO.

BTW I'd like to watch again Lynch's Dune, after many years. I saw it only once when it was released, I remember I didn't like it at all.

[Todd]

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.  It took almost two decades to get to it, but I finally got to it.  A surreal blend of at least three genres, the movie has individual scenes and sequences of genius blended with scenes and sequences that don't work at all. 

[kishnevi]

+1

I've heard that Villeneuve is now working on a new film adaptation of Dune, after David Lynch's controversial effort.
I do hope he'll do something better (than BR 2049, not than the Lynch's film) but I'm a bit negative. I wasn't very impressed by his former film Arrival too, although it's better than this one IMO.

BTW I'd like to watch again Lynch's Dune, after many years. I saw it only once when it was released, I remember I didn't like it at all.

I didn't like it either.   The SciFi channel adaptation (as American viewers would know it as) was much better, and even that had some flaws.

There seem to be a few different DVD options for that, plus one or more sequels.

[James]

Stranger Things
2016|Science fiction/Horror|395 minutes

This thrilling Netflix original drama stars Golden Globe-winning actress Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, who lives in a small Indiana town in 1983 -- inspired by a time when tales of science fiction captivated audiences. When Joyce's 12-year-old son, Will, goes missing, she launches a terrifying investigation into his disappearance with local authorities. As they search for answers, they unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries involving secret government experiments, unnerving supernatural forces, and a very unusual little girl.

[SonicMan46]

The Post (2018) w/ Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, et al; Steven Spielberg, director - just saw today in the theater - short synopsis quoted below; ratings - 7.5/10, IMDB; 88% (8/10) by critics, Rotten Tomatoes; 2.7*/5*, Amazon w/ nearly half of the reviews being 1* - did Spielberg have an agenda in making this film, are the Amazon reviewers trolling, was the story worth telling?  The movie could be slow at times and Hanks and Streep are somewhat robotic in their roles - wife kept looking at her watch - I'd probably do a 3 1/2*/5* on Amazon - if the synopsis is of interest, take a look at the reviews as to whether a 'Big Screen' cost is worth the price or a later cheaper streaming option.  Dave

Katharine Graham is the first female publisher of a major American newspaper -- The Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee, Graham races to catch up with The New York Times to expose a massive cover-up of government secrets that spans three decades and four U.S. presidents. Together, they must overcome their differences as they risk their careers -- and very freedom -- to help bring long-buried truths to light.

 

[SonicMan46]

Wife's BD yesterday, short overnight trip to Greensboro (O.Henry Hotel & Green Vly Grill dinner) - in the hotel room on a HDTV:

Marshall (2017) w/ Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, & Kate Hudson - short synopsis below - early 'less important' case in the life of Thurgood Marshall (1940 - 'true story' HERE) - ratings: 7.2/10, IMDB; 83% (6.8/10), Rotten Tomatoes - a good courtroom drama that does not enlighten one about the early career of Marshall regarding his many NAACP cases and appearances before the Supreme Court; but we enjoyed - I would leave a 4*/5* review on Amazon and a recommendation to those liking courtroom films, especially about true stories.  Dave

Starring Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson, Dan Stevens, Sterling K. Brown, and James Cromwell. Director Reginald Hudlin's Marshall, is based on an early trial in the career of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. It follows the young lawyer (Chadwick Boseman) to conservative Connecticut to defend a black chauffeur (Sterling K. Brown) charged with sexual assault and attempted murder of his white socialite employer (Kate Hudson). Muzzled by a segregationist court, Marshall partners with a courageous young Jewish lawyer, Samuel Friedman (Josh Gad). Together they mount the defense in an environment of racism and Anti-Semitism. The high profile case and the partnership with Friedman served as a template for Marshall's creation of the NAACP legal defense fund.

 

[Todd]

There's no thread for upcoming flicks, but I just learned about this summer flick today.  Dundee.  Danny McBride plays Crocodile Dundee's son and Chris Hemsworth plays Wally's son.  I didn't know I wanted another flick in the series, but it turns out that I kinda do.  I do hope it's R rated; Danny McBride's artistry deserves nothing less.  (As it happens, I'm working my way through Eastbound & Down again.)

[Brian]

A film that tries hard not to be a cheap horror movie  - and it isn't one. But rarely have I left a cinema with such an unpleasant feeling. It is a painfull & trying experience, mixes dry, ice cold humor with an increasingly shocking awareness of doom.

That's Yorgos Lanthimos' style for you! The Lobster is a similar feeling when you leave the cinema - like watching a disaster and knowing it could have been prevented.

[George]

There's no thread for upcoming flicks, but I just learned about this summer flick today.  Dundee.  Danny McBride plays Crocodile Dundee's son and Chris Hemsworth plays Wally's son.  I didn't know I wanted another flick in the series, but it turns out that I kinda do.  I do hope it's R rated; Danny McBride's artistry deserves nothing less.  (As it happens, I'm working my way through Eastbound & Down again.)

So that IS a real movie. Very cool.

And great idea about rewatching Eastbound and Down. 

[Todd]

So that IS a real movie. Very cool.

I sure hope so.  I have to think getting Hemsworth to do a fake teaser trailer would be kind of spendy.  Maybe I'll be disappointed.  At least Deadpool 2 is definitely a real thing.

[LKB]

Next up, The Ghost and Mr Chicken

I could write several paragraphs concerning TGAMC, but I'll limit this post to one observation:

If your happen to see this in the theatre when you're a young, hyper-imaginative boy, the organ music will stay in your head for decades.

Regards,

LKB

[Karl Henning]

Over two evenings, I rewatched Enemy of the State.

I'm waving to a couple of you who already knew that.

[vandermolen]

I saw 'Darkest Hour' at the cinema on Saturday and enjoyed it very much. I liked the fact that the opening scene shows Churchill looking for his marmalade cat under the bed. Gary Oldman is very good but my favourite 'Churchill' remains Albert Finney in 'Gathering Storm' and, unlike most critics, I thought highly of Brian Cox's recent performance in 'Churchill'. Of course there are historical accuracies but I thought that 'George VI' in 'Darkest Hour' was the best I have seen on screen.

The soundtrack is, unusually, on DGG.

[Karl Henning]

Jeffrey, only a trivial slip, so believe that I am not chiding you.  I am enjoying the contextual substitution where (I am guessing) you meant inaccuracies.

[...] Of course there are historical accuracies but I thought that 'George VI' in 'Darkest Hour' was the best I have seen on screen.

[André]

Its' entirely probable that a 'historic' film contains at least some accuracies.

[vandermolen]

Jeffrey, only a trivial slip, so believe that I am not chiding you.  I am enjoying the contextual substitution where (I am guessing) you meant inaccuracies.

Quite right Karl. I like to throw in a few deliberate mistakes just to check that the other members are on the ball.