Last Movie You Watched

[Karl Henning]

Some of John Wayn's better work, one of the few films in his later years in which he was focused on delivering a character as opposed to simply delivering lines as John Wayne.

Kim Darby was probably the best choice available, though a bit old for the part. While her performance is nowhere near the wonderful offering of Hailee Steinfeld, she gets the job done.

Glen Campbell... barely tolerable, imho.

But we get Robert Duvall's Ned Pepper as compensation, which is more than enough.

It's a product of its time, with some beautiful cinematography. I think the recent version is a superior film overall, but the earlier version is worth seeing.

Cheers,

LKB

Splendid, thanks.  (And I enjoyed Ebert's understatement: Campbell, who needs some acting practice, finds it difficult to make the dialog convincing . . . .)

[SonicMan46]

Splendid, thanks.  (And I enjoyed Ebert's understatement: Campbell, who needs some acting practice, finds it difficult to make the dialog convincing . . . .)

Hey Karl - definitely worth seeing the '69 original w/ Wayne & Darby - own both on BD (ratings shown below) - a good 'blow by blow' discussion HERE w/ the 2010 film winning out - I've vacillated on my own pick, but after seeing the new one several times, it would likely be the BD from my collection when I wanted to watch Grit again - the main 'burr in my saddle' in the '69 version is Glen Campbell, just a poor inexperienced or uneasy performance IMO - looking forward to your comments.  Dave

 

[milk]

Watched this for the umpteenth time - to show it to my wife really. It's interesting to go back and look at this in the light of everything that's going on these days. First of all, this is a visually stunning film. That said, it's probably the most shallow of Allen's lauded works. Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters and my personal favorite, Broadway Danny Rose, all have something more to say I think. There's a lot of hollow moralizing in Manhattan, an irony considering what people are saying about it these days. Allen's character also, ironically again, finds humiliation in having his private sex-life outed in a tell-all book. I don't much know what I think of the relationship in the film. The Allen-character makes it an issue in a way but, interestingly, the world of the film is one in which no one else, certainly not the adult women, finds anything immoral about the May-December romance. I go back and fourth about the issue of the age difference and how slightly it's treated here. My wife didn't think it was such a problem, but she's not from the west. It's not like there haven't been many relationships around like that (Farrow-Sinatra, Macron...what's his wife's name?). It's all a question of where to draw the line. Allen's personal life notwithstanding, his character in this film is so much less endearing (not endearing at all really) than I remember. I'm sure some will just say "ew." However, for the moment, I'll limit myself to finding this iteration of the Allen-character lacking in charm and Manhattan in general to be a beautifully filmed if somewhat flimsy slice of the cannon. Love that Gershwin.     

[Karl Henning]

Watched this for the umpteenth time - to show it to my wife really. It's interesting to go back and look at this in the light of everything that's going on these days. First of all, this is a visually stunning film. That said, it's probably the most shallow of Allen's lauded works. Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters and my personal favorite, Broadway Danny Rose, all have something more to say I think. There's a lot of hollow moralizing in Manhattan, an irony considering what people are saying about it these days. Allen's character also, ironically again, finds humiliation in having his private sex-life outed in a tell-all book. I don't much know what I think of the relationship in the film. The Allen-character makes it an issue in a way but, interestingly, the world of the film is one in which no one else, certainly not the adult women, finds anything immoral about the May-December romance. I go back and fourth about the issue of the age difference and how slightly it's treated here. My wife didn't think it was such a problem, but she's not from the west. It's not like there haven't been many relationships around like that (Farrow-Sinatra, Macron...what's his wife's name?). It's all a question of where to draw the line. Allen's personal life notwithstanding, his character in this film is so much less endearing (not endearing at all really) than I remember. I'm sure some will just say "ew." However, for the moment, I'll limit myself to finding this iteration of the Allen-character lacking in charm and Manhattan in general to be a beautifully filmed if somewhat flimsy slice of the cannon. Love that Gershwin.     

Interesting, thanks.  The beautiful shots (the city looks much more stunning, through Allen's camera, than it does in person) and the Gershwin are reason enough.  I entirely agree that the Allen character comes across as a cad;  but I think the hollow moralizing as part of the theme, and not a bug.  The image and the idea of the city is beautiful, perfect, even warm;  but the people are (morally) ants scurrying down at street level.

I do not fault you for feeling otherwise (of course), but I do think better of Manhattan than of Annie Hall.  Yea, even though I now think much better of the latter than I had, ere now 

[mc ukrneal]

Hey Karl - definitely worth seeing the '69 original w/ Wayne & Darby - own both on BD (ratings shown below) - a good 'blow by blow' discussion HERE w/ the 2010 film winning out - I've vacillated on my own pick, but after seeing the new one several times, it would likely be the BD from my collection when I wanted to watch Grit again - the main 'burr in my saddle' in the '69 version is Glen Campbell, just a poor inexperienced or uneasy performance IMO - looking forward to your comments.  Dave

 

Not a mention of Robert Duvall in that TODAY comparison?!?! He's a tremendous upgrade over the 2010 version. I mean, its Robert freaking Duvall!! 

I think the main reason people like the newer version is that sensibilities have changed. The girl in the first is a bit more realistic, while Hallee is just in a dark, dark place, which suits the 2010's atmosphere of a dark, sarcastic film. There is none of that in the original (well, not in the same way), which is still sort of in the mold of the old style Western. The ending has more impact too. Personally, I really liked both, though Campbell is definitely the weakest link.

[milk]

Interesting, thanks.  The beautiful shots (the city looks much more stunning, through Allen's camera, than it does in person) and the Gershwin are reason enough.  I entirely agree that the Allen character comes across as a cad;  but I think the hollow moralizing as part of the theme, and not a bug.  The image and the idea of the city is beautiful, perfect, even warm;  but the people are (morally) ants scurrying down at street level.

I do not fault you for feeling otherwise (of course), but I do think better of Manhattan than of Annie Hall.  Yea, even though I now think much better of the latter than I had, ere now 

It's easy to go back and forth. I guess it's part of the fun of rewatching films. I totally see your point about the moral decay theme generally. I have a special fondness for Broadway Danny Rose and that was confirmed by a recent rewatch. Why I like that one: it's a farce (and I like tightly plotted farces), It takes classic New York comedy and vaudeville and show business as its them (great themes), it's got great gags and jokes ("he was a juice man for mob" "he made juice for the mob?"), it's got funny songs, and it's got a very idiosyncratic cast of characters. I think I like Annie Hal because it really gives one the sense of experiencing a relationship from all views in time. It's poignant in that way. But Manhattan may be Allen's most beautiful looking film (Gordon Willis?). 

[Karl Henning]

A grisly photo of a Saigon execution 50 years ago shocked the world and helped end the war

. . . which appears on the walls of Sandy Bates's apartment:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ut_AsxpqLLU

[Karl Henning]

[...] I have a special fondness for Broadway Danny Rose and that was confirmed by a recent rewatch. Why I like that one: it's a farce (and I like tightly plotted farces), It takes classic New York comedy and vaudeville and show business as its them (great themes), it's got great gags and jokes ("he was a juice man for mob" "he made juice for the mob?"), it's got funny songs, and it's got a very idiosyncratic cast of characters.

I yield!         

[Karl Henning]

Watched True Grit (1969) last night on a DVD checked out from the BPL.  Entirely enjoyable;  took me a long second to recognize Duvall (or Boo Radley);  Glen Campbell is every bit the fish-out-of-water as expectations had been led (I suppose he sings the opening song, too, a musical item which felt a little peculiar to me).  On Christmas Day, my sister, mother and I watched much of some Jn Wayne western or other (I never did catch the title) which – call this my own disinclination/prejudice, if you like – exactly fit my image of disposable boilerplate Jn Wayne western.  So I am highly gratified to say that, in my view, J.W. rose above expectations in True Grit.  I thought the ending, with the freeze-frame of The Duke on horseback was a little . . . star vehicle-ish.  In many ways, the movie struck me as dated, of its era;  but I think it an excellent movie, and well worth the watching, nevertheless.  Whether or not this is quite fair, as it is a while since I watched the Coen Bros.'s remake (and so cannot make true comparisons), my impression is that I think yet better of the newer movie.  (I shall take opportunity to test this, possibly this weekend.)

[Karl Henning]

Oh!  I remember now another note I meant to add.  For years I thought a little scornfully of True Grit, thanks to the fact that I was a frequent reader of Mad magazine in my teens, and one of the issues did feature a Tr. Gr. parody.  In fact, it featured on the cover of that issue.

[milk]

A grisly photo of a Saigon execution 50 years ago shocked the world and helped end the war

. . . which appears on the walls of Sandy Bates's apartment:

http://www.youtube.com/v/Ut_AsxpqLLU

That's also great!

[kishnevi]

Watched True Grit (1969) last night on a DVD checked out from the BPL.  Entirely enjoyable;  took me a long second to recognize Duvall (or Boo Radley);  Glen Campbell is every bit the fish-out-of-water as expectations had been led (I suppose he sings the opening song, too, a musical item which felt a little peculiar to me).  On Christmas Day, my sister, mother and I watched much of some Jn Wayne western or other (I never did catch the title) which – call this my own disinclination/prejudice, if you like – exactly fit my image of disposable boilerplate Jn Wayne western.  So I am highly gratified to say that, in my view, J.W. rose above expectations in True Grit.  I thought the ending, with the freeze-frame of The Duke on horseback was a little . . . star vehicle-ish.  In many ways, the movie struck me as dated, of its era;  but I think it an excellent movie, and well worth the watching, nevertheless.  Whether or not this is quite fair, as it is a while since I watched the Coen Bros.'s remake (and so cannot make true comparisons), my impression is that I think yet better of the newer movie.  (I shall take opportunity to test this, possibly this weekend.)

I am curious--have you ever seen The Shootist?

[Karl Henning]

I am curious--have you ever seen The Shootist?

I don't believe so.

[Karl Henning]

I am curious--have you ever seen The Shootist?

Should I take your query as a recommendation?  0:)

On the slate for this weekend:  The Searchers.

[mc ukrneal]

Should I take your query as a recommendation?  0:)

On the slate for this weekend:  The Searchers.

I'm not Jeffrey, but I can wholeheartedly recommend this! It is wonderfully done, and includes Jimmy Stewart and Lauren Bacall in addition to Wayne. There are several other actors you'll recognize as well as some wonderful character acting. it is arguable his best role, and the parallel between his life and this role can be earie at times. In general, the acting is excellent (as you would expect from the people in it). Anyway, absolutely worth a watch!

[Karl Henning]

I'm not Jeffrey, but I can wholeheartedly recommend this! It is wonderfully done, and includes Jimmy Stewart and Lauren Bacall in addition to Wayne. There are several other actors you'll recognize as well as some wonderful character acting. it is arguable his best role, and the parallel between his life and this role can be earie at times. In general, the acting is excellent (as you would expect from the people in it). Anyway, absolutely worth a watch!

Thanks, mate.

[SonicMan46]

I'm not Jeffrey, but I can wholeheartedly recommend this! It is wonderfully done, and includes Jimmy Stewart and Lauren Bacall in addition to Wayne. There are several other actors you'll recognize as well as some wonderful character acting. it is arguable his best role, and the parallel between his life and this role can be earie at times. In general, the acting is excellent (as you would expect from the people in it). Anyway, absolutely worth a watch!

1+! for the The Shootist (1976) along w/ Ronny Howard in addition to the above - John Wayne's (1907-1979) last role - recommended!

 

[SonicMan46]

Thanks, mate.

Hi Karl - thanks for your excellent comments on some of Woody Allen's films - my favorites are Annie Hall, Hannah...., Manhattan, and Broadway Danny Rose; also like Zelig, but could go on........ 

John Wayne from his early 50s and nearly to his death made nearly three dozen films (the chart below of most of the 'late' movies - the ones in bold are those I own, mostly as BDs and a few as DVDs - I've seen most of the rest) - second pic of Wayne & Holden in Horse Soldiers, a fav of many from those listed.  There are a couple more in that chart that I will likely buy when a good BD is release - Dave

 

[SonicMan46]

Well, a couple of more BD additions to my video collection (one a DVD replacement, i.e. Lincoln):

The Young In Heart (1938) w/ Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Paulette Goddard, Roland Young, & Billie Burke - short synopsis below - a warm hearted comedy from the late 30s w/ a great cast plus a good blu-ray transfer - recommended.

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) w/ Henry Fonda et al; John Ford, director; Alfred Newman, music - a great performance by Fonda and film by Ford - as expected from Criterion, the restoration is outstanding, well explained in the 30-page booklet - plenty of supplemental material typical of this company - highly recommended in this format.  Dave

Young in Heart - having been given the bum's rush at Monte Carlo, a clan of polished grifters (Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Roland Young, Billie Burke) make the fortuitous acquaintance of a wealthy and lonely old widow (Minnie Dupree) during a cross-continent train trip. Their plans to insinuate themselves in her life and sponge off of her wind up crashing on shoals of unaccustomed conscience, in this winning and warm comedy.

 

[aligreto]

Someone to Watch Over Me....