Topic: Last Movie You Watched

[Florestan]

Excellent.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Constantine:





I watched this film because I like both Reeves and Weisz. It was, in truth, nothing special however.

I saw that one not too long ago.  Parts of it I enjoyed--particularly liked Tilda Swinton as Gabriel and also her part in the whole story.

PD

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Watched All About Eve with an at-times  richly interesting commentary by the son of writer-director Jos. L. Mankiewicz

[SonicMan46]

Well, some more upgrades for me: 1) The Naked Jungle DVD > HD Amazon streamer; and 2) The Shawshank Redemption BD > 4K UHD physical disc:

The Naked Jungle (1954) starring Charlton Heston, Eleanor Parker, and William Conrad - summaries below (from 2 sources) - although not a great film, this has been a favorite of mine for years - looking at the beautiful Eleanor Parker and the finale of the ANT ATTACK are just two reasons. The HD quality from Amazon an improvement over my old DVD - if you like looking at a gorgeous redhead in her prime of pulchritude and 1950s 'bug movies', then may be right up your alley - 

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) w/ Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and many others - short synopsis below; if you're into prison movies, this is rated No. 1 on IMDB (9.3/10) for that genre HERE - if not seen yet, then a MUST - Robbins is just superb (and what versatility - I'm thinking of another favorite w/ him, Bull Durham).  Dave

The Naked Jungle is a 1954 American adventure film directed by Byron Haskin, and starring Charlton Heston and Eleanor Parker. Telling the story of an attack of army ants on a Brazilian cocoa plantation, it was based on the 1937 short story "Leiningen Versus the Ants" by Carl Stephenson. It's 1901. At 19, tough, stubborn Christopher Leiningen came to South America and built levees to claim thousands of acres of Rio Negro river land for a chocolate plantation. Now 34, he recruits a mail-order bride in New Orleans. She's beautiful and arrives ready to be his stalwart helpmate; however, no one has told him she's a widow. He rejects her. During the next week, as she awaits the boat to take her back to the US, they learn that legions of army ants will strike in a few days' time. She joins the fight to save the plantation; their courage and his probable loss of all he's worked for may crack his resolve to send her away. (Source & IMDB)

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It's the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), and becomes instrumental in a money-laundering operation led by the prison warden Samuel Norton (Bob Gunton). William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore appear in supporting roles. (Source)

 

[aligreto]

I saw that one not too long ago.  Parts of it I enjoyed--particularly liked Tilda Swinton as Gabriel and also her part in the whole story.

PD

Yes, she was very good, actually.

[SonicMan46]

More Amazon streaming upgrades for me:  Rocky:BD > UHD and First Blood: BD > UHD (UHD = 4K Equivalents):

Just for starters, I'm not a BIG Sylvester Stallone fan, i.e. I enjoy these two films which became the starts of long-term major franchises - I've seen most of these 'sequel' films and their 'spin-offs' but own no more, although the early Rocky follow-ups might be a consideration?

Rocky (1976) written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire; synopsis below; saw this in Fayetteville, NC in a theater while I was stationed at Ft. Bragg as a major in the US Army Medical Corps for 2 years (right after my radiology residency) - wife and I loved the film, and one of my favorite 'boxing movies' - nominated for 10 Oscars, and winner of 3 including the 'Best Picture' - Raging Bull and Rocky are ranked 1 & 2 HERE.  Highly recommended.

First Blood (1982) w/ Stallone and others in the summary below - enjoy this action film and like watching a well-trained Green Beret specialist in action.  This film is probably not for everyone but good ratings: IMDB, 7.7/10; Rotten Tomatoes, 85%; 4.7*/5*, Amazon - I'd do 4* on the latter site; plus, the UHD on my 4K is such an improvement over my old BD - recommended.  Dave

Rocky is a 1976 American sports drama film written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, and directed by John G. Avildsen. It tells the rags to riches story of Rocky Balboa, an uneducated, kind-hearted working class Italian-American and small-time club fighter who, while working for a loan shark in the slums of Philadelphia, gets a shot at the world heavyweight championship. The film also stars Talia Shire as Rocky's love interest Adrian, Burt Young as Adrian's brother Paulie, Burgess Meredith as Rocky's trainer Mickey Goldmill, and Carl Weathers as reigning champion Apollo Creed. (Source)

First Blood (a.k.a. Rambo: First Blood) is a 1982 American action film directed by Ted Kotcheff, and co-written by Sylvester Stallone, who also stars as Vietnam War veteran John Rambo. It co-stars Richard Crenna as Rambo's mentor Sam Trautman and Brian Dennehy as Sheriff Will Teasle, and is the first installment in the Rambo franchise, followed by Rambo: First Blood Part II. (Source)

 

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Rocky (1976) written by and starring Sylvester Stallone and Talia Shire; synopsis below; saw this in Fayetteville, NC in a theater while I was stationed at Ft. Bragg as a major in the US Army Medical Corps for 2 years (right after my radiology residency) - wife and I loved the film, and one of my favorite 'boxing movies' - nominated for 10 Oscars, and winner of 3 including the 'Best Picture'

Rocky was a life-changing triumph for Stallone, and big also for the late Burgess Meredith.

[SonicMan46]

Rocky was a life-changing triumph for Stallone, and big also for the late Burgess Meredith.

Hi Karl - yep, Sylvester's career was headed toward television looking at his credits below (Source) - Rocky indeed was his salvation and springboard to phenomenal success.  Dave

[André]

The Power of the Dog:





I finally got to see this film last night. I found it to be excellent. I thought that the acting was very fine. It was a good story, well told and the cinematography was also wonderful. The film has a great presence to it.

I saw it today. Very fine indeed. Not sure it is Best Movie Oscar material, but certainly close - will depend on the competition of course.

[aligreto]

Burn After Reading:





This is quite a convoluted story of espionage where espionage does not necessarily exist. Everyone appears to be way in over their heads. It is quite amusing in places and a good watch overall Good performances from all concerned.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Burn After Reading:





This is quite a convoluted story of espionage where espionage does not necessarily exist. Everyone appears to be way in over their heads. It is quite amusing in places and a good watch overall Good performances from all concerned.

I like that one even better each time I watch it, Fergus!

TD:

although I had seen (for instance) the sand-for-strawberries demo and Queeg on the witness stand ... I only realized last night that I hadn't seen it in its entirety: The Caine Mutiny.

Fred MacMurray manages to play a character even lower than his role in Double Indemnity. Damn, this is good.

[aligreto]

I like that one even better each time I watch it, Fergus!

I can understand that, Karl. It was, at least, my second viewing.

[George]

I can understand that, Karl. It was, at least, my second viewing.

I really need to see it again. The first time was a huge disappointment, considering I am a huge fan of pretty much everyone involved .

[Papy Oli]

Burn After Reading:



This is quite a convoluted story of espionage where espionage does not necessarily exist. Everyone appears to be way in over their heads. It is quite amusing in places and a good watch overall Good performances from all concerned.

Quirky and weird but absolutely loved that one!!

[SimonNZ]

I really need to see it again. The first time was a huge disappointment, considering I am a huge fan of pretty much everyone involved .

My reaction also. I might try and watch it again soon after reading these comments.

[Todd]

Being the Ricardos.  Tried watching the flick, set during a pivotal week when Lucy's commie past and pregnancy generate existential angst, or something, all delivered with language that Aaron Sorkin pretends may have been used in the 50s.  The film looks good, and the actors are all game, but after maybe forty-five minutes the whole thing seems pointless.  This would have been striking stuff maybe sixty years ago, or maybe even twenty, when people who still cared about 50s sitcoms were still alive.

[VonStupp]

Continuing my Robin Williams odyssey:

The Survivors (1983)
Robin Williams, Walter Matthau, Jerry Reed

RW becomes a backwoods survivalist after being robbed at gunpoint by hitman Jerry Reed. Walter Matthau ends up in the middle, and continues to be a treasure despite this rather uneven comedy.





Moscow on the Hudson(1984)
Robin Williams, Maria Conchita Alonzo, Cleavant Derricks
Alejandro Rey, Elya Baskin, Yakov Smirnoff

More drama than comedy, and a nice turn from RW as a defecting Soviet saxophonist, even if the film is too long.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Last night: The Longest Day, which I started rather late in my day, so that it was 2 AM by the time I hit the hay, but it is marvelous, and I had to watch through to the end. (My own day, after all, was not nearly so long)

[SonicMan46]

Last night: The Longest Day, which I started rather late in my day, so that it was 2 AM by the time I hit the hay, but it is marvelous, and I had to watch through to the end. (My own day, after all, was not nearly so long)

Great film, but I've been splitting those 3+ hour productions into two nights -    Actually, I'm waiting for a 4K release - now have the BD below (reviewed HERE), but did not pay the price shown (looking back on my Amazon orders - cost me $17 USD in 2012).  Dave

P.S. those BD ratings are excellent - a 4K release is going to have to have a spectacular review and decent price for me to 'buy in'?

[SonicMan46]

Well, what to do in COVID isolation?  Buy some more video upgrades for my 4K HDTV - 

Two new Amazon streaming upgrades: 1) Enemy Mine, DVD > HD (BD equivalent); and 2) Men in Black, BD > 4K UHD

Enemy Mine (1985) w/ Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett, Jr - short synopsis below - sci fi favorite of mine but not well received on RottenTomatoes (60%); Roger Ebert review also somewhat critical w/ a 2 1/2*/4* rating; but as usual, loved by the Amazonians, 4.7/5 - I'd probably do a 4*/5* rating there - if interested, look at the links and decide.

Men in Black (1997) w/ Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith - short summary below - funny film (even wife was laughing!) - much better received by RottenTomatoes and Roger Ebert (3*/4*); the Men in Black Franchise has released a number of films - I've seen them all but have only purchased to original one. Highly recommended.  Dave

Enemy Mine is a 1985 American science fiction action drama film directed by Wolfgang Petersen and written by Edward Khmara. The film stars Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett, Jr. as a human and alien soldier, respectively, who become stranded together on an inhospitable planet and must overcome their mutual distrust in order to cooperate and survive. (Source)

Men in Black is a 1997 American science fiction action comedy film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald and written by Ed Solomon. Loosely based on the Men in Black comic book series, the film stars Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith as two agents of a secret organization called the Men in Black, who supervise extraterrestrial lifeforms who live on Earth and hide their existence from ordinary humans. The film featured the creature effects and makeup of Rick Baker and visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic. (Source)