Spoilers What Movie Are You Watching?

[impulse462]

Resevoir Dogs: I've heard about this movie from my roommates for a while, so I finally decided to watch it and I thought it was pretty great. Excellent dialogue; i love how Tarantino delved into the backgrounds of majority of the thieves, plus the soundtrack was great. The opening scene with the rotating camera and all of them talking at the table was great too.

Rear Window: This is the second Alfred Hitchcock movie I've seen (the other being Psycho). I didn't think it was as good as Psycho, but still good nonetheless. Apparently there are a lot of things which can be taken away from this movie, one being that Jimmy Stewarts character makes up for the lack of his working leg, by using his work camera to spy on people in other apartments which is supposed to have a different meaning than him using binoculars, but I didn't catch that from the movie, only after reading about it.

The King's Speech: I was biased against this movie in 2010, because I thought that The Social Network should have won the Oscar. I was presently surprised by this movie though. Colin Firth played King George VI with a stutter really well, and interactions between him and his speech therapist definitely made the movie. It was kind of predictable, but those events happened in real life, so I can't fault it for that. Great directing.

Mr. Turner: This movie is about the last years of the life of J.M.W Turner, the english artist. While this is supposed to be a biopic, I found the film kind of superficial. It shows major events in his life which led to him creating some of his most famous paintings, but the movie didn't go in depth as to why these events meant anything to him (if they did) or how they influenced his style of art. He's known for his unconventional (at the time I guess) methods of painting, such as spitting on the canvas mid painting. But the movie doesn't explain why he decides to use those non-established methods. Also there were some scenes which I didn't feel needed to be in the movie. For example, to create a painting of a snowstorm, he ties himself to the mast of a ship in a storm so that he could get an up-close look of the storm in person. But they didn't even show the result of that work in the movie; I just read about it after. The actor who played him Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew from Harry Potter) was pretty good, but other than that the movie was just pretty decent. Apparently he's supposed to be one of the most famous painters who's work led to the Impressionist era, but watching this movie, you wouldn't get that impression in my opinion.

 

[Huntn]

Resevoir Dogs: I've heard about this movie from my roommates for a while, so I finally decided to watch it and I thought it was pretty great. Excellent dialogue; i love how Tarantino delved into the backgrounds of majority of the thieves, plus the soundtrack was great. The opening scene with the rotating camera and all of them talking at the table was great too.

Rear Window: This is the second Alfred Hitchcock movie I've seen (the other being Psycho). I didn't think it was as good as Psycho, but still good nonetheless. Apparently there are a lot of things which can be taken away from this movie, one being that Jimmy Stewarts character makes up for the lack of his working leg, by using his work camera to spy on people in other apartments which is supposed to have a different meaning than him using binoculars, but I didn't catch that from the movie, only after reading about it.

The King's Speech: I was biased against this movie in 2010, because I thought that The Social Network should have won the Oscar. I was presently surprised by this movie though. Colin Firth played King George VI with a stutter really well, and interactions between him and his speech therapist definitely made the movie. It was kind of predictable, but those events happened in real life, so I can't fault it for that. Great directing.

Mr. Turner: This movie is about the last years of the life of J.M.W Turner, the english artist. While this is supposed to be a biopic, I found the film kind of superficial. It shows major events in his life which led to him creating some of his most famous paintings, but the movie didn't go in depth as to why these events meant anything to him (if they did) or how they influenced his style of art. He's known for his unconventional (at the time I guess) methods of painting, such as spitting on the canvas mid painting. But the movie doesn't explain why he decides to use those non-established methods. Also there were some scenes which I didn't feel needed to be in the movie. For example, to create a painting of a snowstorm, he ties himself to the mast of a ship in a storm so that he could get an up-close look of the storm in person. But they didn't even show the result of that work in the movie; I just read about it after. The actor who played him Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew from Harry Potter) was pretty good, but other than that the movie was just pretty decent. Apparently he's supposed to be one of the most famous painters who's work led to the Impressionist era, but watching this movie, you wouldn't get that impression in my opinion.

I like both Rear Window and King's Speech. The others I have not seen. I don't have an issue with Jimmy Stewart's character observing his neighbors.

 

[obeygiant]

I'd watch this!

 

[JamesMike]

Its Friday evening, and a good time for watching a oldie, but goodie, 'Casablanca', a great cast.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Resevoir Dogs: I've heard about this movie from my roommates for a while, so I finally decided to watch it and I thought it was pretty great. Excellent dialogue; i love how Tarantino delved into the backgrounds of majority of the thieves, plus the soundtrack was great. The opening scene with the rotating camera and all of them talking at the table was great too.

Rear Window: This is the second Alfred Hitchcock movie I've seen (the other being Psycho). I didn't think it was as good as Psycho, but still good nonetheless. Apparently there are a lot of things which can be taken away from this movie, one being that Jimmy Stewarts character makes up for the lack of his working leg, by using his work camera to spy on people in other apartments which is supposed to have a different meaning than him using binoculars, but I didn't catch that from the movie, only after reading about it.

The King's Speech: I was biased against this movie in 2010, because I thought that The Social Network should have won the Oscar. I was presently surprised by this movie though. Colin Firth played King George VI with a stutter really well, and interactions between him and his speech therapist definitely made the movie. It was kind of predictable, but those events happened in real life, so I can't fault it for that. Great directing.

Mr. Turner: This movie is about the last years of the life of J.M.W Turner, the english artist. While this is supposed to be a biopic, I found the film kind of superficial. It shows major events in his life which led to him creating some of his most famous paintings, but the movie didn't go in depth as to why these events meant anything to him (if they did) or how they influenced his style of art. He's known for his unconventional (at the time I guess) methods of painting, such as spitting on the canvas mid painting. But the movie doesn't explain why he decides to use those non-established methods. Also there were some scenes which I didn't feel needed to be in the movie. For example, to create a painting of a snowstorm, he ties himself to the mast of a ship in a storm so that he could get an up-close look of the storm in person. But they didn't even show the result of that work in the movie; I just read about it after. The actor who played him Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew from Harry Potter) was pretty good, but other than that the movie was just pretty decent. Apparently he's supposed to be one of the most famous painters who's work led to the Impressionist era, but watching this movie, you wouldn't get that impression in my opinion.

Not a fan of 'Rear Window' (Hitchcock's voyeuristic and vaguely expressed misogynistic tenderise peek through in this movie, I think), and, while I do like 'Reservoir Dogs', it would not be my favourite among Quentin Tarantino's oeuvre. I much preferred 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Jackie Brown', and more recently still, rather enjoyed 'Django Unchained'.

However, while I haven't seen 'Mr Turner' - the cast sounds excellent - I do have to say that Turner is considered to be one of the outstanding artists of the 19th century; his watercolours presage and predict the the revolution in Art brought about by the Impressionist School and - at their best - are nothing short of awe-inspiring, spellbinding and breath-taking.

Seriously, they are stunning. If you ever get an opportunity to see Turners exhibited, I cannot recommend taking the chance to see them for yourself strongly enough.

Many of his works are painted in watercolours - which are less durable, indeed, less robust than paintings in oils - and thus, must be exhibited in light deprived settings (January in northern Europe, with its serious light deprivation, is ideal for this).

 

[Huntn]

I really enjoy Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doon (1984), especially the opening dance sequence, Shanghai escape, and airplane escape.

Trivia: The three main characters are named after dogs. Short Round was named after screenwriter Willard Huyck's dog, which was named after the orphan in The Steel Helmet (1951), Willie is named after Steven Spielberg's dog and Indiana is named after George Lucas's dog. The Shanghai exteriors outside the nightclub were really filmed on location in Macau I think.

Great set:

 

[Renzatic]

I just watched a movie that I got a few recommendations for, wasn't at all expecting to be good, and...

...it turned out to be surprisingly good.

The Babadook.

The trailers made it look exactly like your average run of the mill bog standard jump scare boogyman movie we've all seen a thousand times before. You know how they go. Quiet scenes suddenly interrupted by a loud chord and OH MAH GAAAHHHDDD you just closed the bathroom mirror and there's a monster there now! Wasn't expecting that at all!

No. It ended up being something else entirely. Something much better. About the only negative thing I can say about it is that it's not too subtle with its allegory, but that doesn't lessen the experience at all.

I recommend it.

 

[Huntn]

The Big Country (1958)- Gregory Peck lands in the middle of a water feud in the old West. Strong story and visuals, larger than life actors, epic music, and an all star cast- Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, Charleton Heston, Carroll Baker, Jean Simmons, and Chuck Conners. Personal honor may be stretched a bit as a theme. On AMC this morning.

​

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Its Friday evening, and a good time for watching a oldie, but goodie, 'Casablanca', a great cast.

I meant to comment on this post: 'Casablanca' is an outstanding classic. One of the all time greats, an example of something that comes close to cinematic perfection.

 

[kazmac]

Just finished the King's Speech again with mom and now the the Princess Bride (which I am finally appreciating after how many screenings?)

Next up, The Lost Boys again.

 

[pachyderm]

I really enjoy Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doon, especially the opening dance sequence, Shanghai escape, and airplane escape.

YouTube: video

Trivia: The three main characters are named after dogs. Short Round was named after screenwriter Willard Huyck's dog, which was named after the orphan in The Steel Helmet (1951), Willie is named after Steven Spielberg's dog and Indiana is named after George Lucas's dog. The Shanghai exteriors outside the nightclub were really filmed on location in Maccaw I think.

he he he... this one is generally considered the worst of the bunch....

the first rule of the film i just watched: do not talk about the film you just watched...

 

[Huntn]

he he he... this one is generally considered the worst of the bunch....

the first rule of the film i just watched: do not talk about the film you just watched...

If this is advice for me, alas I first watched this 30 years ago and without doubt of the Indiana Jones films, The Kingom of the Crystal Skull was the worst.

 

[Mr. McMac]

If this is advice for me, alas I first watched this 30 years ago and without doubt of the Indiana Jones films, The Kingom of the Crystal Skull was the worst.

I agree. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was awful. I especially hated what's his name? Ummm, Shia LaBeou. He's a complete jerk.

Temple of Doom on the other hand was fantastic.

 

[S.B.G]

If this is advice for me, alas I first watched this 30 years ago and without doubt of the Indiana Jones films, The Kingom of the Crystal Skull was the worst.

I agree. The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was awful. I especially hated what's his name? Ummm, Shia LaBeou. He's a complete jerk.

Temple of Doom on the other hand was fantastic.

I have to agree, the Crystal Skull film was the worst in order of comparison between all of the Indiana Jones films.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Well, as I posted earlier, I will readily forgive Harrison Ford any number of poor Indiana Jones movies for the delighted smile he put on my poor Mother's face over the Christmas when she cheerfully binged on a number of 'Indiana Jones' movies.

At the moment, she is watching 'Shrek 2' and giggling away very happily.

 

[impulse462]

I watched Birdman yesterday fully for the first time. I had watched when it was in theaters a few months ago and I fell asleep and said that it was "one of the worst movies I've seen"

I have to eat my words. In my defense, I was super tired that day and when I went to see it my mind really wasn't into the movie at all. The movie is about a washed up actor who was originally the star of a super hero franchise (Birman) trying to return to relevance by writing, directing, and acting in a broadway play. What I originally referred to as Michael Keaton just "screaming at people" was him actually showing how desperate his character was in getting his play to be successful. There are 2 scenes I think in which he really shines. Overall I really enjoyed the movie, even though the ending was a little out there. Definitely recommend. The camera-work especially shows that many scenes were taken in long takes instead of usually short takes; this was to make the audience feel more as if they were watching a theatrical play compared to a movie.

----------

Not a fan of 'Rear Window' (Hitchcock's voyeuristic and vaguely expressed misogynistic tenderise peek through in this movie, I think), and, while I do like 'Reservoir Dogs', it would not be my favourite among Quentin Tarantino's oeuvre. I much preferred 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Jackie Brown', and more recently still, rather enjoyed 'Django Unchained'.

However, while I haven't seen 'Mr Turner' - the cast sounds excellent - I do have to say that Turner is considered to be one of the outstanding artists of the 19th century; his watercolours presage and predict the the revolution in Art brought about by the Impressionist School and - at their best - are nothing short of awe-inspiring, spellbinding and breath-taking.

Seriously, they are stunning. If you ever get an opportunity to see Turners exhibited, I cannot recommend taking the chance to see them for yourself strongly enough.

Many of his works are painted in watercolours - which are less durable, indeed, less robust than paintings in oils - and thus, must be exhibited in light deprived settings (January in northern Europe, with its serious light deprivation, is ideal for this).

I've never been to an art museum or gallery before (where I actually payed any attention to the art, but I will definitely check them out. I've always been a math/science person, and only recently got interested in most types of art (1-2 years ago).

Also, do you have any specific examples of Hitchcockian misogyny? I'm just curious because my mom told me she feels sort of the same way about his movies.

 

[pachyderm]

catch 22

yeah, generally speaking most people don't like the 2nd indy film. you two are in the minority.

enjoy though!

 

[kazmac]

Lamb of God: As the Palaces Burn as a casual fan of the band, I was hoping this would focus more on the fans, but the facts behind the trial of vocalist Randy Blythe was good to see too.

Presently watching The Exorcist again. What freaks me out most about this film is the abandonment issues that Miller's priest (Father Karas) and Reagan share. That is scarier to me than the demonic possession.

 

[Zendokan]

Charlie Wilson's War is a 2007 American biographical comedy-drama film, recounting the true story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with CIA operative Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
with Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julia Roberts.

and

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
While I can understand the anger of Tolkien purist for these three movies (not following the book, some only for film created characters and that it are three movies from one book), I on the one hand liked the three movies and thought that Peter Jackson did a great job in bringing JRR Tolkien's work to the silver screen.
Will start to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (in English) soon, but my experience from (trying) to read those novels in Dutch was that Peter Jackson's vision was a good one to bring that content to life.
YMMV.

 

[Mr. McMac]

Amazing Journey - The Story of The Who (2007)

"This epic documentary reveals the legendary rock band The Who in unrivaled detail. Spanning four decades of their explosive and innovative rock music, the film includes rare and never-before-seen concert and archive footage from the group's humble beginnings to their meteoric rise to world stardom. This in-depth narrative offers extensive interviews with each member of the band as well as testimonials from other rock music icons about the influence of The Who on their own music and careers."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

[snip]

I've never been to an art museum or gallery before (where I actually payed any attention to the art, but I will definitely check them out. I've always been a math/science person, and only recently got interested in most types of art (1-2 years ago).

Also, do you have any specific examples of Hitchcockian misogyny? I'm just curious because my mom told me she feels sort of the same way about his movies.

Yes, I can see why she would think that way. As it happens, I share her views.

In his earlier movies (such as Rebecca), this tendency (while present) was less evident.

My own sense is that Hitchcock didn't much like women, especially attractive women, and liked to see them suffer, feel fear and be humiliated in the course of his movies. Some of the actresses who worked under him reported being made to feel uncomfortable at times.

While I accept that his movies are technically accomplished, and did forge new paths and ways of telling stories cinematically, personally, I don't like his movies, and, above all, I don't like the way he portrayed women.

 

[Huntn]

Charlie Wilson's War is a 2007 American biographical comedy-drama film, recounting the true story of U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson who partnered with CIA operative Gust Avrakotos to launch Operation Cyclone, a program to organize and support the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
with Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Julia Roberts.

and

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
While I can understand the anger of Tolkien purist for these three movies (not following the book, some only for film created characters and that it are three movies from one book), I on the one hand liked the three movies and thought that Peter Jackson did a great job in bringing JRR Tolkien's work to the silver screen.
Will start to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (in English) soon, but my experience from (trying) to read those novels in Dutch was that Peter Jackson's vision was a good one to bring that content to life.
YMMV.

Have you read these books before? The LOTR trilogy is a masterpiece in both book and movie editions. The Hobbit trilogy movie might be considered good as a LOTR-sized story, but it is a terrible representation of the book. Crass commercialization preying on LOTR fans, that's what the Hobbit trilogy is.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Have you read these books before? The LOTR trilogy is a masterpiece in both book and movie editions. The Hobbit trilogy movie might be considered good as a LOTR-sized story, but it is a terrible representation of the book. Crass commercialization preying on LOTR fans, that's what the Hobbit trilogy is.

'The Hobbit' is a charming, perfectly delightful, and well-told adventure story, with an intelligent and engaging protagonist, whom I liked a lot.

However, I cannot for the life of me see how it was considered possible to spin three full movies out of it…….I just fail to see the story in The Hobbit that could sustain three movies.

Huntn is right, alas. Crass commercialisation, unfortunately.

 

[Zendokan]

Have you read these books before? The LOTR trilogy is a masterpiece in both book and movie editions. The Hobbit trilogy movie might be considered good as a LOTR-sized story, but it is a terrible representation of the book. Crass commercialization preying on LOTR fans, that's what the Hobbit trilogy is.

I have read The Hobbit and The Fellowship, but stopped during The Two Towers. The reason: the Dutch translation sucked.
While The Hobbit was an easy read, it required a lot of willpower not to fall asleep with The Fellowship and the Two Towers where just a pain in the ....

So I got the English version as a Christmas present and will start to read them at the end of this month or in February, depending how life will go.


Still loved the appearance of Billy Connolly in TBOFA.

 

[mojolicious]

I just fail to see the story in The Hobbit that could sustain three movies.

I was an avid Tolkien reader in my late pre/early teens – hell, I even made it through The Silmarillion – and enjoyed the LotR movies, but I was always wary of the Jacksonification of The Hobbit.

My fears were realised a couple of months ago when I started to watch An Unexpected Journey on Netflix. After nearly an hour our heroes were still in Bag End having a food fight, at which point I turned off.

I'd anticipated the s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g of the story, but what I found even more off-putting were the prosthetics. In LotR, John Rhys-Davies' Gimli was essentially a Welsh prop forward. The Hobbit's dwarves were a bunch of Play Doh plastered grotesques.