Last Movie You Watched

[Karl Henning]

Taking your cue, Dave, I've started to luxuriate in the extras on the 2nd disc.

Daphne du Maurier: In the Footsteps of Rebecca was esp. wonderful

[vandermolen]

Not sure how Stasi Guy can be labeled "A Good Man" at the end just because he took an interest in one guy and chose not to throw him to the wolves...after having personally sent hundreds or even thousands elsewhere to their doom.

I suppose it shows that he's capable of some kind of redemption, although I see your point. In that sense his behaviour is a bit like that of Darth Vadar at the end of 'Return of the Jedi'!

[SonicMan46]

Streamed over the last week:

Beyond the Visible (2020) - documentary about the Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) who is now considered one of the 'founders' of modern abstract art (some of her art at the bottom along w/ her photo; the last image is an inexpensive giclee print that I bought online which is on its way) - the film has a mix of English and Swedish (w/ English subtitles, not always easy to read).  If you are into 'modern art', then a definite recommendation.

The Current War (2017) w/ Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Hoult, et al - short quote below; delayed production and released at the end of last year - mixed reviews w/ only 30% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics - unfair?  I've always been interested in the emergence of electricity in the United States and the AC (Westinghouse & Tesla) vs. DC (Edison) issue - if fact when you take the 'downstairs tour' of Biltmore House in Asheville (built 1889-1895), George W. Vanderbilt put in both types of current because the choice was still 'up in the air'!  Bottom line - my kind of movie despite some production & story flaws - recommended to those w/ an interest in the topic!  Dave

BEYOND THE VISIBLE: HILMA AF KLINT.  After a century's worth of erasure, Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) is finally being credited with creating the first examples of abstract art.  Because her paintings were rarely seen during her lifetime, they have been prohibited at  modern retrospectives of the abstract art movement.  Halina Dyrschka's revealing documentary explores af Klint's life and the male-dominated art world which kept her masterpieces from receiving recognition.

Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse -- the greatest inventors of the industrial age -- engage in a battle of technology and ideas that will determine whose electrical system will power the new century. Backed by J.P. Morgan, Edison dazzles the world by lighting Manhattan. But Westinghouse, aided by Nikola Tesla, sees fatal flaws in Edison's direct current design. Westinghouse and Tesla bet everything on risky and dangerous alternating current.

 

   

[SimonNZ]

I suppose it shows that he's capable of some kind of redemption, although I see your point. In that sense his behaviour is a bit like that of Darth Vadar at the end of 'Return of the Jedi'!

Yeah, the first thing I thought of was Darth Vader getting into Jedi Ghost Heaven after all the stuff he did.

Then I remembered the Robot Chicken sketch where he's met there by all the Jedi Academy kids he killed in one of the prequels. "You Killed us when we were children!", they accuse him. "Awkward this is", says Yoda.

[aligreto]

First Reformed





This is a deep, dark, brooding film which deals with big issues. It will not be for everyone but I liked it.

[AlberichUndHagen]

Yeah, the first thing I thought of was Darth Vader getting into Jedi Ghost Heaven after all the stuff he did.

Then I remembered the Robot Chicken sketch where he's met there by all the Jedi Academy kids he killed in one of the prequels. "You Killed us when we were children!", they accuse him. "Awkward this is", says Yoda.

I had forgotten that sketch, thanks for reminding!

For what it's worth, in the Expanded Universe it is made quite clear that while Luke (and apparently Yoda and Obi-Wan) forgave Vader for all his atrocities, the rest of the galaxy most certainly did not. Leia for ex. was furious for some time at Luke that he would forgive someone who had tortured her and watched coolly when Tarkin blew up her entire home planet. Eventually even she forgave Vader but it took much longer. I know Expanded Universe isn't canon anymore, though... :/

[aligreto]

Running with the Devil





A lively thriller based on the drug trade. It has something different to offer and is definitely worth a look.

[aligreto]

Winter's Tale





A modern day fantasy in which the [Hollywood] universal truth that Good triumphs over Evil prevails. It also incorporates an interesting romantic tale along the way.

[SonicMan46]

Destry Rides Again (1939) w/ James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich, Brian Donlevy, Charles Winninger, et al - short synopsis below; just released Criterion BD (replaces my old DVD) w/ a 4K video restoration from a 35mm fine grain original + uncompressed monaural soundtrack - 5*/5* AV ratings HERE - bottom line after watching last night is that the restoration is spectacular - if a fan of this western w/ a comedic twist (which Mel Brooks was obviously fond of in view of Madeline Kahn's role in 'Blazing Saddles'), then probably a MUST BUY - highly recommended.

Life of the Bengal Lancers, The (1935) w/ Gary Cooper, Franchot Tone, C. Aubrey Smith, et al - just arrived BD replacement for an old and poor CD-R - a Kino Lorber production, so not always the best restoration, but purchase based on an excellent review of the restoration HERE - short second synopsis below - although somewhat 'dated', considered one of the best 'adventure' films of the era - nominated for 7 Oscars, including 'Best Picture', but won just one (Assistant Director) - now there was a LOT of competition that year!  If you're into films about British India and adventure/intrigue, then a strong recommendation!  Dave

Kent, the unscrupulous boss of Bottleneck has Sheriff Keogh killed when he asks one too many questions about a rigged poker game that gives Kent a stranglehold over the local cattle rangers. The mayor, who is in cahoots with Kent appoints the town drunk, Washington Dimsdale, as the new sheriff assuming that he'll be easy to control. But what the mayor doesn't know is that Dimsdale was a deputy under famous lawman, Tom Destry, and is able to call upon the equally formidable Tom Destry Jr to be his deputy. Featuring a career reviving performance from Marlene Dietrich as bar singer Frenchie, which could well have been the inspiration for Madeline Kahn's "Blazing Saddles" character, Lili Von Schtupp.

The 41st Bengal Lancers are stationed on the Northwest Frontier of British India, guarding against Afridi invaders led by wily Mohammed Khan. Experienced (though insubordinate) Lieut. McGregor is joined by two new arrivals, haughty Forsythe and callow Donald Stone...son of the commanding colonel. We follow the three through varied adventures and hardships. Will they uphold the honor of the regiment? Will Stone and the Colonel come to terms with their difficult relationship?

 

[SimonNZ]

Second viewing.

Such a deep bench of high quality actors in even the smallest of roles. Even more impressive on this viewing as many have since been more visible in various celebrated productions.

Interestingly there's no overlap at all in scenes with Killing Lincoln, and the two might make a good double feature.

[Todd]

The Death of Stalin.  Armando Iannucci applies his standard approach that worked so well in The Thick of It, In the Loop, and Veep to the aftermath of Comrade Stalin's death.  Delightfully miscast actors and actresses include Olga Kurylenko as Maria Yudina (!), Michael Palin as Molotov, Jeffrey Tambor as Malenkov, and Steve Buscemi (!) as Khrushchev (!!).  The movie is filled with Russian orchestral music and British satire.  Some of the bits are coolly funny - all the casual, um, liquidations - and the scene of the first meeting of the Central Committee after Stalin's death is hilarious.  The darkness of some of the humor is really quite remarkable, especially pertaining to Beria.  All of the actors and actresses are game, with Jeffrey Tambor and especially Steve Buscemi the standouts.  A most enjoyable flick.

And of course, one must marvel at the very Soviet change of one of the main posters that occurred after accusations of sexual impropriety were leveled at Jeffrey Tambor.  I just wonder if Iannucci had a hand in it, especially given the end credits of the movie.

[TheGSMoeller]

The Death of Stalin.  Armando Iannucci applies his standard approach that worked so well in The Thick of It, In the Loop, and Veep to the aftermath of Comrade Stalin's death.  Delightfully miscast actors and actresses include Olga Kurylenko as Maria Yudina (!), Michael Palin as Molotov, Jeffrey Tambor as Malenkov, and Steve Buscemi (!) as Khrushchev (!!).  The movie is filled with Russian orchestral music and British satire.  Some of the bits are coolly funny - all the casual, um, liquidations - and the scene of the first meeting of the Central Committee after Stalin's death is hilarious.  The darkness of some of the humor is really quite remarkable, especially pertaining to Beria.  All of the actors and actresses are game, with Jeffrey Tambor and especially Steve Buscemi the standouts.  A most enjoyable flick.

And of course, one must marvel at the very Soviet change of one of the main posters that occurred after accusations of sexual impropriety were leveled at Jeffrey Tambor.  I just wonder if Iannucci had a hand in it, especially given the end credits of the movie.

One of the funniest movies I've seen in recent years. And yes, the "miscast" actors and actresses help to enhance the absurdity of the film. I'm not familiar with Simon Russell Beale, who plays Beria, but he's fantastic, and a real standout for me.

[Brian]

It's also Michael Palin's first movie role in 20 years. He clearly hasn't lost a bit of his edge, and I hope gets a similar chance to shine again before another 20 years are up.

[SimonNZ]

By chance making it a Lincoln trilogy with a first viewing of this.

Excellently done, I thought.

[listener]

CAPRICCIO    Germany 1938
starring Lilian Harvey
music is not by Koechlin.. This is a very funny gender-bender like Victor/Victoria parody of old-style operettas with Gilbert & Sullivan speed.
A very pleasant and unexpected surprise.

[Ratliff]

Watched a guilty pleasure, Desperato, featuring Antonio Banderas.



I like the cartoonish gunfights, in which the necessity for Banderas to constantly reload his guns is used create a sort of comic relief.

I also like the line at the end, "Just in case. It's a long ride to the next town."

After seeing this film, it was my ambition to get a black jacket with a scorpion on the back. Not the sort of thing I could pull off...

[aligreto]

The Bodyguard





This was huge in its day. I cannot remember the last time that I saw it. It still held up well for me.

[greg]

Watched a few from The ABCs of Death.

The letter L deserves some applause because it actually feels like true horror. Genuinely disturbing. Much more effective than all those "shh look this house is haunted, boooo" movies. 

[drogulus]

It's also Michael Palin's first movie role in 20 years. He clearly hasn't lost a bit of his edge, and I hope gets a similar chance to shine again before another 20 years are up.

     Palin did a ghost story TV thing in 2014, Remember Me. I liked it.

     https://www.youtube.com/v/nKaAyyuvCTA

[aligreto]

Ex Patriot





Good action packed thriller based around double crossing. Worth a watch.