Last Movie You Watched

[Roasted Swan]

I'm partway through the newest version of Nosferatu.  Enjoying it for the most part.  Couple of comments:  1) At least on my computer, some of the scenes are filmed with what I would say is really dark lighting [reminded me of one of the episodes from the HBO series "The Game of Thrones"]. 2) I suspect that I made a mistake picking to watch the extended version (no idea if there was an alternative version on Peacock Plus).  Just my two cents worth.  I had to stop watching it earlier in order to do some errands.  Will go back to it.

K

Regarding the lighting - watching this in a 'proper' cinema environment yes the lighting was often quite dark but it never felt too dark - I must admit I thought the cinematography as a whole was rather wonderful.......

[Karl Henning]

It occurs before the original movie.

I never should have guessed. Thanks. 

[hopefullytrusting]

Yes, he's a great villain.  Strong opponent with a brain and good backstory, arch, and motivation.  Like Darth Vader.  When he killed Gamora to obtain one of the stones, you really felt his love for her but also his motivation for what he felt was a just cause worthy of every sacrifice.  Great writing.

For me, I place him above Vader, but that is only because he is the kind of "villain" that I enjoy - he's so dispassionate, and he has reason - he's stoic. Thanos actually reminded me of the Reapers in Mass Effect - just these seeming "uncaring" machines who only output logic, and thinking how would I reason with such an entity? That strangeness fascinates me.

Vader, I get. Vader, I think, is a great case for less is more, and knowing that Vader was a petulant child and annoying teenager, even though we might have presumed both, knowing those things, for me, diminishes him considerably.  It also didn't help that the dialogue in the prequels was mostly dreck saved only by whoever did the casting. I mean you are supposed to be horrified at what Anakin does, but I suspect that most folks laughed because - come on - younglings?! What was that?

[hopefullytrusting]

Second-time through this, still couldn't watch all of it - it hits very, close to home for me - it is crushing - it is amazing:

[VonStupp]

Dune: Part Two (2024)
Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Dave Bautista, Austin Butler
Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Rebecca Ferguson
Christopher Walken, Charlotte Rampling, Florence Pugh

As a fan of the book, I enjoyed spending time with the movie's first 2/3rds most of all, despite (or because of) its slow pace. The third act seemed really rushed, which I thought they were going to leave off for another movie. There were changed/added character motivations, plus some plot points in the last portion were different, all of which I assume will pay off in the next release.

Now knowing they strong-armed the third act in at the last moment, I wish they would have tightened up the rest to allow the finale to build up properly. I also wish Christopher Walken wasn't in this. But, as my wife tells me, if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.

All in all, a good time. And as usual, I am late to the game.

VS

[Karl Henning]

For me, I place him above Vader, but that is only because he is the kind of "villain" that I enjoy - he's so dispassionate, and he has reason - he's stoic. Thanos actually reminded me of the Reapers in Mass Effect - just these seeming "uncaring" machines who only output logic, and thinking how would I reason with such an entity? That strangeness fascinates me.

Vader, I get. Vader, I think, is a great case for less is more, and knowing that Vader was a petulant child and annoying teenager, even though we might have presumed both, knowing those things, for me, diminishes him considerably.  It also didn't help that the dialogue in the prequels was mostly dreck saved only by whoever did the casting. I mean you are supposed to be horrified at what Anakin does, but I suspect that most folks laughed because - come on - younglings?! What was that?

If I read you aright,  Lucas couldn't even script a Slaughter of the Innocents in a way which paints Herod as a monster. I admit I hadn't looked at it at quite that angle, but you're absolutely right. 

[hopefullytrusting]

If I read you aright,  Lucas couldn't even script a Slaughter of the Innocents in a way which paints Herod as a monster. I admit I hadn't looked at it at quite that angle, but you're absolutely right.

Lol, I'd not thought of that analogy before, but now that I am thinking about it - you are correct; I think Lucas could make us laugh at that, unintentionally, of course. AND NOT JUST THE MEN!

[Karl Henning]

Revisiting 1968's Planet of the Apes. And although I can practically smell diminishing returns, I'm in the mood to check out the rest of the old movies (apart from Beneath, I've only seen odd bits.)

[Cato]

Revisiting 1968's Planet of the Apes. And although I can practically smell diminishing returns, I'm in the mood to check out the rest of the old movies (apart from Beneath, I've only seen odd bits.)

The third movie, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, is supposed to be much better than its predecessor.

Recently we watched The Duke, mainly because of Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren: an excellent little movie about a man trying to find liberty from an increasingly tax-hungry government, i.e. post WW II England.

"Based on a true story"

[Karl Henning]

The third movie, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, is supposed to be much better than its predecessor.

I don't think Beneath a "great" movie, and I'll concede it's inferior to the first, but I do somehow enjoy it, so your word about Escape is encouraging. 

[Kalevala]

Regarding the lighting - watching this in a 'proper' cinema environment yes the lighting was often quite dark but it never felt too dark - I must admit I thought the cinematography as a whole was rather wonderful.......

Perhaps it might be in part to have been watching it on a computer vs. in the cinema?  I did appreciate that they were trying to keep Orlock (sp?) in the shadows (for example).

Had fun tonight and watched a much lighter movie at a friend's place (He doesn't like scary movies and too much going on in the world so I did a quick check on Netflix--which he subscribes to--for something on the lighter side).  We had a pizza and then watched the latest Wallet and Gromit.    We had a good time and he seemed to appreciate my choice.

K

EDIT:  I should add, my friend saw elements of "The Fast and the Furious" in there and I saw some "Mission Impossible" in there.  In any event, just some good fun.

[Karl Henning]

I don't think Beneath a "great" movie, and I'll concede it's inferior to the first, but I do somehow enjoy it, so your word about Escape is encouraging.

Well, the library system has the 5-movie "Legacy Collection" on Blu-ray. I've placed my hold.

[relm1]

I watched Top Gun Maverick yesterday (second time I've seen it) and it was just as much fun as I remember.  This is what a very good popcorn film is like.  Hits all the nostalgia but has loads of fun, character developments - he's still a captain where others with his age and background would be in their third act by now, plus the history with Jennifer Connally.  In short, he's not as much a player as he was in the original.  I loved Miles Teller's silent rage that Maverick got out alive while Goose was killed.  I loved the impossible mission and how they navigated increasingly high stakes to the very end and the perfect way they wrapped everything up with Maverick being hugged and loved by all his peers and getting the girl at the end.  Just a great, exciting, and very satisfying ride.  I didn't realize it made more money than any other film of Cruise's career hitting 1.5 billion!

[DavidW]

I've decided to hunt down everything I've watched in the past several years that (a) I've only seen once and (b) I liked it. Time for some rewatches.

[Kalevala]

Boy, Timothée Chalamet was quite busy in 2024!  I do remember hearing though that the B.D. movie was made over about 6 years.

K

[hopefullytrusting]

Finally, able to make it through - easily one of the best experiences I've had watching a film - very cathartic, disquieting, unsettling, real - truly amazing: Minding the Gap

[LKB]

What's the title mean, though?

I've read part of an explanation which came from the film's creators, stating that by the end of WWII and the aftermath of the atomic bombs, Japan's overall national capability and potential could be expressed as " Zero ".

In that historical context, Godzilla pushes Japan even lower, into negative territory:

- One.

[Karl Henning]

Revisiting 1968's Planet of the Apes. And although I can practically smell diminishing returns, I'm in the mood to check out the rest of the old movies (apart from Beneath, I've only seen odd bits.)

Just rewatched Beneath. It's a funny thing: I think I watched it on the small screen not long after High School. And I've had the blu-ray as long as that of the original movie (and I feel sure I've watched it) yet there was so much of which I seemed to have had no recollection. All that said, its flaws notwithstanding, on balance I like it. 

[VonStupp]

Just rewatched Beneath. It's a funny thing: I think I watched it on the small screen not long after High School. And I've had the blu-ray as long as that of the original movie (and I feel sure I've watched it) yet there was so much of which I seemed to have had no recollection. All that said, its flaws notwithstanding, on balance I like it.

Some of the craziest worship music, both in message and musical content. Great fun!
VS

[Karl Henning]

Some of the craziest worship music, both in message and musical content. Great fun!
VS

Yes!