Last Movie You Watched

[San Antone]

High Fidelity (2000).

All too annoying and irritating.

Aw, too bad ... it's one of my favorite movies.   

[SonicMan46]

Last few nights, the films below:

The Fugitive (1993) - synopsis and cast below, based on the popular '60s TV series w/ David Janssen - Ford and Jones excellent; great reviews; nominated for 7 Oscars, and a sole winner for Jones as Best Supporting Actor. Reviews: 96%, Rotten Tomatoes; 7.8/10, IMDB; 4*/4*, Roger Ebert (review HERE) - highly recommended if you're into this type of film and enjoy the two leading stars.

U.S. Marshalls (1998) - a spin-off made 5 years later, again w/ Tommy Lee Jones and his team, but Wesley Snipes playing the 'fugitive' - story and cast below. Again two great performances from the leads and some terrific scenes (e.g. the plane crash & 'hopping' the train), but panned by the critics - 30%, Rotten Tomatoes; 6.5/10, IMDB; and 2 1/2*/4*, Ebert (HERE) - my feeling is the film fails to match 'The Fugitive' but I'd probably go to 3*/4* in Ebert's rating system.  If you love the first film w/ Ford, then the sequel might also please?  Dave

The Fugitive is a 1993 American action thriller film based on the 1960s television series of the same name. The film was directed by Andrew Davis and stars Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas, and Jeroen Krabbé. The screenplay was written by David Twohy and Jeb Stuart from a story by Twohy. The plot centers on Dr. Richard Kimble (Ford), a vascular surgeon. After being framed for the murder of his wife and sentenced to death, Dr. Kimble escapes from custody following a bus crash and sets out to find the real killer and clear his name while being hunted by the police and a team of U.S. Marshals. (Source)

U.S. Marshals is a 1998 American action crime thriller film directed by Stuart Baird. The film is a sequel to the 1993 film The Fugitive. Written by John Pogue, it does not feature Dr. Richard Kimble; rather, it centers on United States Deputy Marshal Sam Gerard, once again played by Tommy Lee Jones. The plot follows Gerard and his team as they pursue another fugitive, Mark Sheridan, played by Wesley Snipes, who attempts to escape government officials following an international conspiracy scandal. The cast features Robert Downey Jr., Joe Pantoliano, Daniel Roebuck, Tom Wood, and LaTanya Richardson, several of whom portrayed Deputy Marshals in the previous film. (Source)

 

[Karl Henning]

Aw, too bad ... it's one of my favorite movies. 

I like it well, too.

[Karl Henning]

Last few nights, the films below:

The Fugitive (1993) - synopsis and cast below, based on the popular '60s TV series w/ David Janssen - Ford and Jones excellent; great reviews; nominated for 7 Oscars, and a sole winner for Jones as Best Supporting Actor. Reviews: 96%, Rotten Tomatoes; 7.8/10, IMDB; 4*/4*, Roger Ebert (review HERE) - highly recommended if you're into this type of film and enjoy the two leading stars.

U.S. Marshalls (1998) - a spin-off made 5 years later, again w/ Tommy Lee Jones and his team, but Wesley Snipes playing the 'fugitive' - story and cast below. Again two great performances from the leads and some terrific scenes (e.g. the plane crash & 'hopping' the train), but panned by the critics - 30%, Rotten Tomatoes; 6.5/10, IMDB; and 2 1/2*/4*, Ebert (HERE) - my feeling is the film fails to match 'The Fugitive' but I'd probably go to 3*/4* in Ebert's rating system.  If you love the first film w/ Ford, then the sequel might also please?  Dave

 

I do really like The Fugitive. TD: I'm not typically a "Christmas movies in August guy," but I was in the mood last night, so:
Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life.

[Cato]

From the late 1940's, a classic film noir with Richard Basehart and Jack Webb:



From the review by Variety:

"...Top credits for this film's wallop is shared equally by the several scripters, director Alfred Werker and a small, but superb cast headed by Richard Basehart...Starting in high gear, the film increases in momentum until the cumulative tension explodes in a powerful crime-doesn't pay climax. Striking effects are achieved through counterpoint of the slayer's ingenuity in eluding the cops and the police efficiency in bringing him to book..."

Of interest is Jack Webb as a "C.S.I." 1940's style.  The role intrigued him so much, along with researching the role with real criminologists, that he transformed the experience into the famous and iconic Dragnet series, which had a long run throughout the 1950's, and was brought back in the 1970's for another run.

With Dragnet, Jack Webb developed a telegraphic style of dialogue and camera work designed for small-screen television: people talked about "Jack-Webb dialogue" as a writing style.

Anyway, it began with He Walked by Night, which launched the career of Richard Basehart as an intense, dramatic actor.

Three other movies with him are to be recommended:

Two war movies: the first deals with the aftermath of World War II:  Decision Before Dawn



From Wikipedia:

"..It tells the story of the U.S. Army using potentially unreliable German prisoners of war to gather intelligence as clandestine "line-crossers" in the closing days of World War II... "

The other movie, Time Limit, is a terrific drama, which deals with the Korean War and a court-martial for collaborating with the enemy: here with co-star Richard Widmark.




An easy recommendation: Basehart's role as Ishmael in Moby Dick, with Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab: directed by John Huston.  A wonderful score by British composer Philip Sainton!

[vers la flamme]

YMO Propaganda. Wondering how I ever missed out on getting into this band (though I'm a fan of Sakamoto as a composer and solo artist), because that was cool as hell. RIP to Mr. Sakamoto and Mr. Takahashi who both died this year

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Saving Private Ryan.  What can one say that probably hasn't already been said?  I can see why the movie received all of the awards that it has.  Not easy to watch, but well worth it.  Great cast, writing and job by Steven Spielberg and others. 

One man, Capt. Miller (played by Tom Hanks), is tasked with bringing back Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon) after all of his [Ryan's] brothers were killed whilst fighting in the war (WW II).  He assembles a small group of men to accomplish the mission.

[vers la flamme]

Saving Private Ryan.  What can one say that probably hasn't already been said?  I can see why the movie received all of the awards that it has.  Not easy to watch, but well worth it.  Great cast, writing and job by Steven Spielberg and others. 

One man, Capt. Miller (played by Tom Hanks), is tasked with bringing back Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon) after all of his [Ryan's] brothers were killed whilst fighting in the war (WW II).  He assembles a small group of men to accomplish the mission.

The first ~20 minutes or so of that movie are just amazing. Not that the rest of the film lets down after that.

[Roasted Swan]

From the late 1940's, a classic film noir with Richard Basehart and Jack Webb:



From the review by Variety:

Of interest is Jack Webb as a "C.S.I." 1940's style.  The role intrigued him so much, along with researching the role with real criminologists, that he transformed the experience into the famous and iconic Dragnet series, which had a long run throughout the 1950's, and was brought back in the 1970's for another run.

With Dragnet, Jack Webb developed a telegraphic style of dialogue and camera work designed for small-screen television: people talked about "Jack-Webb dialogue" as a writing style.

Anyway, it began with He Walked by Night, which launched the career of Richard Basehart as an intense, dramatic actor.

Three other movies with him are to be recommended:

Two war movies: the first deals with the aftermath of World War II:  Decision Before Dawn



From Wikipedia:

"..It tells the story of the U.S. Army using potentially unreliable German prisoners of war to gather intelligence as clandestine "line-crossers" in the closing days of World War II... "

The other movie, Time Limit, is a terrific drama, which deals with the Korean War and a court-martial for collaborating with the enemy: here with co-star Richard Widmark.




An easy recommendation: Basehart's role as Ishmael in Moby Dick, with Gregory Peck as Captain Ahab: directed by John Huston.  A wonderful score by British composer Philip Sainton!

Given the quality of his fim work I'm rather ashamed that for me Richard Basehart = Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea!!

[Karl Henning]

From the late 1940's, a classic film noir with Richard Basehart and Jack Webb:

I should have guessed that it was an allusion, when the Firesign Theatre opened their Nick Danger sketch with: Los Angeles. He walks again by night.

[relm1]

Saving Private Ryan.  What can one say that probably hasn't already been said?  I can see why the movie received all of the awards that it has.  Not easy to watch, but well worth it.  Great cast, writing and job by Steven Spielberg and others. 

One man, Capt. Miller (played by Tom Hanks), is tasked with bringing back Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon) after all of his [Ryan's] brothers were killed whilst fighting in the war (WW II).  He assembles a small group of men to accomplish the mission.

Really one of the greatest war films ever.  Also fantastic and very unique war score! 

[Karl Henning]

Really one of the greatest war films ever.  Also fantastic and very unique war score! 

I'll watch again one of these days. Tonight, though: Wm Wyler's Roman Holiday.

[Cato]

Given the quality of his film work I'm rather ashamed that for me Richard Basehart = Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea!!

I have told the story before: during that series, Richard Basehart performed for several weeks in a Shakespeare play (King Lear ?) when the series was not filming.

An interviewer for T.V. Guide remarked to him that performing in a Shakespeare play must be difficult in comparison to the T.V. show.

Basehart objected: "Oh, no!  Shakespeare is much easier because the lines are there!"  😇

[Karl Henning]

I have told the story before: during that series, Richard Basehart performed for several weeks in a Shakespeare play (King Lear ?) when the series was not filming.

An interviewer for T.V. Guide remarked to him that performing in a Shakespeare play must be difficult in comparison to the T.V. show.

Basehart objected: "Oh, no!  Shakespeare is much easier because the lines are there!"  😇

And he didn't necessarily mean to cut the screenwriters so.

[San Antone]

Till



Till is a 2022 biographical drama film directed by Chinonye Chukwu and written by Michael Reilly, Keith Beauchamp, and Chukwu, and produced by Beauchamp, Reilly, and Whoopi Goldberg. It is based on the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley, an educator and activist who pursued justice after the murder of her 14-year-old son Emmett in August 1955. The film stars Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie and Jalyn Hall as Emmett. Kevin Carroll, Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, Jayme Lawson, Tosin Cole, Sean Patrick Thomas, John Douglas Thompson, Roger Guenveur Smith, and Goldberg also appear in supporting roles.

Very well done.  Acting is impeccable, and the story telling restrained, and as far as I can tell, historically accurate. Wonderful musical score by Abel Korzeniowski.

[DavidW]

I watched Infinity Pool.  Another Brandon Cronenberg film.  I also liked his previous one, Possessor.  This is not THE Cronenberg from the past but his son.  Anyway interesting premise taken to a horrific conclusion.  Just like Possessor the main character's arc leaves them dehumanized and isolated.

[drogulus]

    I watched Richard Basehart the other night in La Strada.

   

[SonicMan46]

Really one of the greatest war films ever.  Also fantastic and very unique war score! R: Private Ryan

Always curious about rankings of movie genres, such as WW II films - googled a bunch of movie sites and randomly choose the three in the attachment - if the rankings are added w/ the lowest score being the highest, then Saving Private Ryan (SPR) comes in first! However, in this other rating of the top 50 WW II films, SPR is listed at 29 w/ Bridge Over the River Kwai 28 - SO, I guess these rankings can be easily adjusted to your likes by picking those lists that match your taste? 

Saving Private Ryan - 5
Schindler's List - 10
Casablanca - 12
Grave of the Fireflies - 16
Inglorious Basterds - 17
Bridge on River Kwai - 10+ (2 ratings)
Great Escape - 15+ (2 ratings)
Pianist - 18+ (2 ratings)

BTW, I have many of these films in my collection - some others that I like are listed below for your perusal (alphabetical order):

• 39 Steps, The (1935)
• Big Red One (1980)
• Enemy Below, The (1957)
• Foreign Correspondent (1940)
• Guns of Navarone (1961)
• Mister Roberts (1955)
• Patton (1970)
• Run Silent, Run Deep (1958)
• Stalag 17 (1953)
• To Be or Not to Be (1942)
• Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970)

[Cato]

I watched Richard Basehart the other night in La Strada.

   

With Anthony Quinn!  Yes, very interesting look at people on the margins of Italian society after World War II.

[drogulus]

With Anthony Quinn!  Yes, very interesting look at people on the margins of Italian society after World War II.

     Giulietta Masina seemed to be channeling Charlie Chaplin. Ebert said it was Harry Langdon in his 1994 appreciation.