Rate The Last Movie You Saw

26th Hall of Fame

And Then There Were None (2015) -

While I normally don't watch mini-series and television shows, I was still happy to check this one out. Though I had a couple issues with it, I found it to be an effective and tense thriller. The cinematography was a big highlight and enhanced the claustrophobia of the show. The shots of the coastline which seemed to go on forever, the barren landscapes on the island, and the occasional shots of the island being battered by thunderstorms helped to build tension. Speaking of which, I appreciated how different kinds of tension occurred amongst the characters on the island. Of course, there was the surface level tension of the characters growing distrustful of each other, but I also appreciated how, in some ways, they strangely seemed comfortable with each other. The bacchanal in episode three was effective at showing how much the events on the island had warped the characters. They had their differences and were still distrustful of each other, but they were all running out of hope of being rescued, so why not make the most of what may be their final days alive? As strong as this show is, I wasn't that big on the flashbacks. They worked well in the first episode, but not so much in the latter parts of the show. They often slowed the show down and killed the tension a handful of times when the show would cut away from the main action to them. To make matters worse, most of the flashbacks shown in the latter parts of the show (mainly the ones involving Claythorne) either repeated what we already knew about her or provided unnecessary details to her backstory. I also thought that the final reveal, while not bad per se, felt a bit lacking given all the buildup. In spite of these flaws, however, I enjoyed my time with the show and I'm glad it was nominated.

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IMDb
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The Squid and the Whale follows Bernard and Joan (Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney), a couple of "intellectuals" whose paths have diverted lately: Bernard's career is in decline as he focus more on his work as a professor, while Joan is on the rise as he's about to publish her first book. When they decide to separate, the decision affects their two sons: Walt and Frank (Jesse Eisenberg and Owen Kline), in very different ways.

The above line is actually the first line in the film; said at the start of a seemingly inoffensive game of tennis between the family. But still, it captures the essence of what is the core of the film, that of rivalry and competition, as well as kids taking sides with the parents, which is what eventually happens. Who will "win"?

Grade:


Full review on my Movie Loot

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Have you seen the 1945 version of the story? It's actually one of my favorite movies. It's a lot lighter than the source material, thanks to some changes made to the story to make it happier.

I enjoyed the miniseries, though I felt at times that it had some issues with pacing.

Yup; I've actually grown to like it better than the original, come to think of it (then again, I was never a huge fan of Blade Runner '82 in the first place). By the way, did you ever check out the "Blackout" short film they produced to promote 2049?:



It's pretty good, and gives us some nice additional context on the story they were creating, but I wasn't sure if you'd be open-minded enough to check it out, considering that it was directed by Shinichirō "Cowboy Bebop" Watanabe...

I haven't seen West Side Story yet (though I want to), but just out of curiousity, why don't you care for Sound Of Music?

By Incorporates artwork by Bill Gold. - http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/pro...061.1020.A.jpg, Public Domain, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25294178

Gypsy - (1962)

I would have enjoyed this musical a little more if it didn't run for a spirit-crushing 143 minutes. It's most positive note is a great performance by Rosalind Russell - in a role that was originally going to go to Judy Garland. She's terrific, and Natalie Wood looks terrific, but gives a performance that's a little one-note. Numbers like Everything's Coming Up Roses lift my spirits - but moments like those are too rare in this film, and in the end watching Russell's performance was the only thing I had to hold on to.

5/10


By www.impawards.com, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6705383

Five Easy Pieces - (1970)

It's been so long since I've seen this that I don't count it as a rewatch. Jack Nicholson's Oscar-nominated performance is full of energy and pathos, and serves the film's excellent script perfectly. I was meaning to really exalt Karen Black - because her performance is just as good, and gets lost behind the larger-than-life persona of Jack, but then I go and read that she was also nominated for an Oscar so she did get some recognition. Still - the next time you think about Five Easy Pieces, tell yourself it's that great Karen Black movie so she gets her due at least once. Jack Nicholson would stay loyal to director Bob Rafelson, appearing in some of his more middling efforts.

9/10


Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15892345

Easy Rider - (1969)

I got the same feeling watching Easy Rider that I did the first time - which is that it's a great movie, and iconic, but not the all-out masterpiece some people think it is. There's a hell of a lot of shots of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper riding their choppers through the U.S. landscape to 1960s music - which is great at first but then starts to grate at me. The gravity and the greatness of the scenes that unfold when they make their stops varies - the diner scene which Jack Nicholson nails was one of my Uncle's favourite scenes in any movie. The ad-libbed scene where various Southern law-enforcement and truck drivers spout vicious hatred is also great. Some of Fonda and Hopper's stoned scenes are just that - Fonda and Hopper mumbling nonsense while stoned. I love around half of this film - but it falls way short of where others place it in the pantheon of great films. I understand why it's thought of so highly - a cultural landmark that stood for a lot of what the disaffected in the United States felt - that they were free, but at the same time were not allowed to be free in the true sense of the word. You either fit the mould or end up as roadkill.

Dennis Hopper's first cut of the film ran for 3 hours - I'm glad everyone talked him out of going with that version.

7/10

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Thelma and Louise - 1991

Didn't realize Ridley Scott directed this. Didn't know Shooter McGavin was in this lol or Harvey Kietel. Feels like this movie is just screaming to get remade today in this climate. Girl power. I actually did like a good chunk of this movie, it will probably get remade by a woman directer within the next 5 years I bet and be a complete man hating fest of a movie. I think having Ridley direct it gave it a lighter touch. The only scene that was a bit heavy on the "we think men are scum" was the truck driver one at the end, could have done without that. Otherwise it gets it point across in an entertaining story.

Genna Davis and Susan Sarandon were really good in their roles and you could see Brad Pitt's star shine in his limited role. Everyone else left a lot to be desired ha. Lot of hammy acting. Also I don't know if it was because I watched it on Youtube but the editing and transition wasn't great to me. I don't know it was entertaining with two very good leads. I wouldn't be in a hurry to watch it again. I'd bet 100 bucks this thing gets remade in at least 5 years time.

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I came here to do two things, drink some beer and kick some ass, looks like we are almost outta beer - Dazed and Confused

101 Favorite Movies (2019)

A Good B action movie that know what it is!



Weird start! Everytime I watch I love all the cars and Max scenes more, and hate the biker gang scenes more.



I heard that Stallone was part of it, during the movie I realized he was a damn CGI Shark. I stayed for the rest, but I honestly don't know how I got the stomach. One of the worst movies I've seen and the worst I've seen in 2021.

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"This Would Sharpen You Up And Make You Ready For A Bit Of The Old Ultra-Violence."

Kind of an Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets The Thing, meets The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verril, meets Society and a few more. A meteor lands in the yard of an Alpaca farmer and his family and things start getting a little weird. Took a while to get going but once it did it was a ton of fun. Cage is appropriately campy and his delivery in spots had me rolling. This is a good looking movie with some gooey fx. Could have been cut down to a shorter run time but I still liked it.

I haven't seen the 1945 film, but this film definitely piqued my interest in it. I'll be sure to check it out.

Also, were your issues with the pacing in the 2015 mini series due to the flashbacks as well? I felt like some narrative tension was lost by switching to them in the latter half or so of the mini-series.

The movie is a masterpiece & definitely doesn’t need a remake. It’s as relevant today for women as it was then.

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I’m here only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. That’s why I’m here now.

Odd that I’ve never seen this movie. Two female leads are excellent. Got a bit nutty towards the end, but entertaining. What the heck ever happened to Bridget Fonda?



Can’t believe I watched & enjoyed a 3 hours plus Turkish movie. Very enjoyable movie from a director with whom I am unfamiliar.



Docudrama. Laura Dern excellent as she always is. Creepy scenes ugh of a grown man trying to penetrate a 13 year old virgin, but necessary for the film.

Can't exactly tell you, it's just not for me. Maybe it's too wholesome, maybe the music just doesn't inspire me at all, I dunno, it's just a turnoff for me, kinda like the musical for people who wish life would go back to being the way it used to be. Or something like that.

Demonic (2021)



Cute horror movie. It is not as bad as the IMDB rating says it is, also its directed by Blomkamp, the genius director of District 9.

It's been a while since I watched it (because I watched it when it first came out and not since). I can't say if it was the flashbacks. Honestly, it might also be partly because I've seen the '45 version so many times that I'm used to the story being told in ~95 minutes.

I did like the and felt that they were admirably twisty and disturbing.

Great film. Nicholson was marching toward superstardom. And I agree about Karen Black. I had a big crush on her in those days. Also liked her in Family Plot, although it was an atypical Hitchcock. She had a much wider range than people gave her credit for.

I imagine that a 95 minute version of the story would be more lean, so I can understand that criticism.

I liked the idea behind the flashbacks. I just wished they were better incorporated into the show in a way which didn't involve them breaking the tension of it. Also, while I enjoyed some aspects of the main woman's flashbacks, I felt like some of them repeated what we already knew about her and could've been cut from the show.

Neighbors
6.5/10.

Not my usual kind of movie, but having frat-boys balanced by fairly-responsible parents made it watchable for me. Some very good laughs, including some creative uses for dildos and whoopy cushions.

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Boldly going.