Last Movie You Watched

[Todd]

A Man Called Otto.  A treacly, entirely predictable tragicomedy about a grumpy old man with a heart of gold.  I can't imagine the Swedish original being any better, and I don't know if it includes the nod to contemporary American culture war politics that this one does.  I shan't find out.

[SonicMan46]

Continuing w/ Memorial Day viewing, last night:

Stalag 17 (1953) - summary & cast below; Holden won the Oscar for Best Actor - mixture of serious POW reality mixed w/ comedic interludes, such as the 'Hitler scene' below, second pic. Of course, the television series Hogan's Heroes (CBS, 1965–71) is based on a similar Stalag. Dave

Stalag 17 is an American war film, which tells the story of a group of American airmen confined with 40,000 prisoners in a World War II German prisoner-of-war camp "somewhere on the Danube". Their compound holds 630 sergeants, but the film focuses on one particular barracks, where the men come to suspect that one of their number is an informant. The film was directed and produced by Billy Wilder, who with Edwin Blum adapted the screenplay from the Broadway play of the same name. The play was written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski, based on their experiences as prisoners in Stalag 17B in Austria. The film stars William Holden, Don Taylor, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck, Peter Graves, and Otto Preminger. Strauss and Lembeck appeared in the original Broadway production. (Source)

 

[Karl Henning]

Lovin' this!

[Karl Henning]

Lovin' this!

What I find is that the "pre-concert lecture" is a meal in itself, and I need to come back to the a actual performance another day. I'm entirely okay with that. 

[SonicMan46]

Continuing our Memorial Day war movie viewing - last night:

To Hell and Back (1955) - story of Audie Murphy (1925-1971) in WW II, as in first quote below; earned all of his medals before his 20th birthday (second quote).  Became a movie star w/ over 40 films to his credit.  Died in a private plane crash at age 45 years near Roanoke, Virginia (about 90 mins from where I live).  Highly recommended for war film buffs! Dave

To Hell and Back is a Technicolor and CinemaScope war film released in 1955. It was directed by Jesse Hibbs and stars Audie Murphy as himself. It is based on the 1949 autobiography of the same name and is an account of Murphy's World War II experiences as a soldier in the U.S. Army. The book was ghostwritten by his friend, David McClure, who served in the U.S. Army's Signal Corps during World War II. (Source)

On April 23, 1945, at the age of only 19, Murphy received the Medal of Honor for his actions. Though Murphy's heroism on January 26 was extraordinary, it was not the first time Murphy had distinguished himself. He had previously received over 20 awards for valor, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star medals, and two Bronze Star medals for valor in Italy and France. After receiving the Medal of Honor, Murphy was widely celebrated as the most decorated American soldier in World War II and was featured on the cover of Life magazine. Murphy died on May 28, 1971 at the age of 45 in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia. He was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. (Source)

   

[BWV 1080]

Lesser known 70s noir w 18yo Melanie Griffith (kind of uncomfortable how much of 18Yo Melanie Griffith you get to see). Good film though

[George]

Lesser known 70s noir w 18yo Melanie Griffith (kind of uncomfortable how much of 18Yo Melanie Griffith you get to see). Good film though

I just read that she was 16 years old when they shot the film, though it was released 2 years later.

[BWV 1080]

I just read that she was 16 years old when they shot the film, though it was released 2 years later.

Wow, guess that was how they did things in the 70s

[Karl Henning]

I just read that she was 16 years old when they shot the film, though it was released 2 years later.

Am I merely stating the obvious if I say, that seems to make it worse?

[George]

Wow, guess that was how they did things in the 70s

Yeah...yikes!

[George]

Am I merely stating the obvious if I say, that seems to make it worse?

I think it makes it worse. 

[Karl Henning]

TD: for Memorial Day, and as a result of a half-derailment of the Herrmann thread: Saving Private Ryan.

[drogulus]

     Recently I watched The End Of The Affair, a 2000 Neil Jordan film from the novel by notorious spook Graham Greene. The ideology is lathered on a bit too thick to ignore, however the film is well done and features fine performances from Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea and Ian Hart. It's sad that the movie business for adult drama has collapsed to the point that it's inconceivable that a film like this could be made today.

[Karl Henning]

Recently I watched The End Of The Affair, a 2000 Neil Jordan film from the novel by notorious spook Graham Greene. The ideology is lathered on a bit too thick to ignore, however the film is well done and features fine performances from Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore, Stephen Rea and Ian Hart. It's sad that the movie business for adult drama has collapsed to the point that it's inconceivable that a film like this could be made today.

All Marvel all the time.

[Cato]

Concerning Night Moves with Gene Hackman:

Lesser known 70s noir w 18yo Melanie Griffith (kind of uncomfortable how much of 18Yo Melanie Griffith you get to see). Good film though

One of my favorites: both criticism of the 1960's-70's Zeitgeist and a strange mystery movie.

For Memorial Day, one of my father's favorite movies: he always said it was fairly accurate...except it was cleaned up with "euphemisms" because the reality would have been censored!  e.g. "You people are too slow!" 

"We were never addressed as 'you people.'  We heard more colorful expressions, especially when we messed up!"   

[Karl Henning]

TD: for Memorial Day, and as a result of a half-derailment of the Herrmann thread: Saving Private Ryan.

Well, if I had seen this in the theatre, I expect I should have cried.

[Cato]

Well, if I had seen this in the theatre, I expect I should have cried.

I recall that, before the general release, veterans of D-Day were invited to private screenings: reports said that they were emotionally shaken by the movie, some very much so.

[relm1]

So I finally watched 1988's Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Michael Caine and Steve Martin for the first time.  Movie was extremely funny and very satisfying fun film. 

[Karl Henning]

TD: for Memorial Day, and as a result of a half-derailment of the Herrmann thread: Saving Private Ryan.

And I've just learnt that the seemingly ubiquitous Frank Darabont was part of the script re-write team.

[SonicMan46]

Patton (1970) - our last Memorial Day film - Susan left at intermission (nearly a 3-hour movie) but I watched to the end - story and cast below - Oscars for Best Picture & Best Actor (and more) - Scott did not accept the award (why? check HERE) - highly recommended esp. for Scott's portrayal of Patton.  Dave

Patton is an American biographical war film about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. It stars George C. Scott as Patton and Karl Malden as General Omar Bradley, and was directed by Franklin J. Schaffner from a script by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, who based their screenplay on Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago and Bradley's memoir, A Soldier's Story. Patton won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. Scott also won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of General Patton, but declined to accept the award. The opening monologue, delivered by Scott as General Patton with an enormous American flag behind him, remains iconic. (Source)