Citizen Rules...Cinemaesque Chat-n-Review

[Citizen Rules]

Green Room
Thanks Tugg, I've heard of it, but it's not my type of movie. My favorite 2016 film so far is Indignation

I saw Arrival in the theatre, but I actually would've preferred to watch it at home, where the ambient sound was much quieter. I don't think the size of the screen or the quality of the sound system would've changed my opinion of the film itself though.

I enjoyed the cinematography, and the designs of the heptapods were great, but I just didn't love the movie. I liked it, yes, but it didn't blow me away. I did appreciate it, and I definitely want to see more science fiction films like Arrival, but it was just missing something for me (maybe more Jeremy Renner would help? I like him). It may or may not have still earned a spot on my sci-fi list, and its still one of the better films I've seen from 2016, but I think I just wanted more from it.Yup that's how I seen it:p I did like how the heptapods wrote, that was a cool effect.

[mark f]

You sound like you missed it. The daughter was not a "back story". The reason Amy Adams can interpret the aliens is because they revealed themselves to her. Sorta like how mankind evolves whenever the monolith shows in 2001. By the way, I'm sure Drumpf would want to attack the aliens. :) Hey, I only give Arrival a 3/5 too, but I give The 4D Man a 1.5+.

[Citizen Rules]

I know I didn't completely get Arrival, but I think you missed it completely.
Here I'll prove it to you that I got it:p
By deciphering the aliens written 'ink language', which not only conveys complete thoughts but emotions as well... and is written in a non linear time fashion...Amy Adams brain is rewired to think of time in both the now and in the future. You could say the aliens did for her what the alien presences in 2001 A Space Odyssey did for Dave.

With this new time seeing ability, she's able to tell the Chinese military leader what his wife's last words were, thus he decides to halt his attack on the aliens..and the world ends up being healed and learning from the visitors.

Meanwhile the film explores the idea that the moments of one's life is worth living even if you knew the outcome wasn't so perfect (Amy knows she will marry her co worker and have a loving child with him, who will then grow up and die young).

This time knowledge language gift that the aliens give humanity, will then be used 3000 years in the future when aliens need our help and we do help them. Which I guess makes the aliens gift, sort of self serving, and not really a gift at all;)

How did I do?

[Citizen Rules]

You sound like you missed it. The daughter was not a "back story". The reason Amy Adams can interpret the aliens is because they revealed themselves to her. Sorta like how mankind evolves whenever the monolith shows in 2001. By the way, I'm sure Drumpf would want to attack the aliens. :) Hey, I only give Arrival a 3/5 too, but I give The 4D Man a 1.5+.You snuck in as I was typing my long reply to Cricket.

[cricket]

Back from my nap; I knew you couldn't have gotten less of it than I did. I'll guess you were trying to give a spoiler free review?

[Citizen Rules]

Back from my nap; I knew you couldn't have gotten less of it than I did. I'll guess you were trying to give a spoiler free review?Yes:), absolutely...I was vague on purpose, as the film's best part is in the mystery, actually there's many mini mysteries in it... from what the aliens looked like, to how they are first met, to what happens. I didn't want to spoil any of that, as I myself didn't watch the trailer or read about it, so I had no idea what was going to happen.

[Citizen Rules]

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The Well (1951)

Directors: Leo C. Popkin (as Leo Popkin), Russell Rouse
Cast: Gwendolyn Laster, Richard Rober, Maidie Norman
Genre: Drama, Thriller

About: A small racially mixed town erupts into mob hysteria and is nearly destroyed by hatred, after a white man is arrested as a suspect in the kidnapping of a black school girl. The black and white residents then begin to suspect each other and mob violence breaks out. The girl has actually fallen down a well, but each side suspects the other of wrong doing and hysteria fuels their hatred based on fear.

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Review: A very important 'message film' from 1951, about the dangers of race hatred and social conformity. The Well is almost unknown today and that's too bad because the film makers were ahead of their time in the depiction of hate mongering, hysterics and racial fears.

I was impressed that this film took on such a tough subject way back in 1951. Some might say that this film is dated and that it delivers its message in a heavy handed way. And it does come on strong, but it's not really fair to judge the film by today's film making standards. For me it's not only a historically important film, it had a powerful story that is sadly still relevant today.

The rescue effort of drilling a counter shaft next to the well where the little girl is trapped, might go on a bit long, but it does seem to get the facts correct on how such a rescue effort would be mounted.

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Most of the cast are unknowns and some were non-professional actors with this being their only movie credit. And that works well, as the film avoids being a Hollywood movie and instead seems like a documentary.

Harry Morgan, best known as Col. Potter on M*A*S*H* plays the falsely accused stranger who was last seen buying flowers for the missing girl. He does one helluva fine acting job.

At only 86 minutes this is an easy watch and one movie you won't soon forget.

rating_3_5+

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks to MarkF for telling me about The Well (1951):) If it wasn't for him I would have never seen this very interesting movie.

[Citizen Rules]

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Bigger Than Life (1956)

Director: Nicholas Ray
Cast: James Mason, Barbara Rush, Walter Matthau
Genre: Drama

About: A mild mannered school teacher and family man (James Mason) who becomes seriously ill with a life threatening disease. The treatment is high doses of a new miracle drug, steroidal-cortisone. The cost of the cure is an addiction to the new drug, which then causes mental instability and violent delusional behavior.

Review: Director Nicholas Ray was on a roll in the 1950's, with such critically acclaimed movies as: In a Lonely Place (1950), Johnny Guitar (1954), Rebel Without a Cause (1955). In 1956 he teamed up with actor turned producer/writer, James Mason to make a big box office flop, that audiences didn't like...but critics loved...Bigger Than Life.

Shot in deluxe color, wide screen CinemaScope this was a big budget film and one of the first to show the dangers of prescription drug addition and the resulting mental illness that can occur from drug abuse. It's also noteworthy for showing us the family unit, up close and personal in a suburbia home.

Such mundane subjects were not often the subject of a film back then. As a result the movie works like a time machine and gives us a window back on the nuclear family of the 1950's.

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In 1963, Jean-Luc Godard named it one of the ten best American sound films ever made.

François Truffaut praised the film, noting the "intelligent, subtle" script, the "extraordinary precision" of Mason's performance, and the beauty of the film's CinemaScope photography.
What surprised me was the turn the film takes after the first act. On the surface it appears to be a melodrama about a dying man and his family...but then James Mason's behavior grows bizarre. He becomes paranoid, he disowns his wife and hellishly torments his son.

James Mason does a great job here and gets very intense! Had this film been made by Hitchcock no doubt it would have been known as one of the great thrillers. But this isn't just a thriller, it's an exposé, we study an American family under extreme duress.

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It's well done too and besides Mason who commands the screen, Barbara Rush gives a realistic performance as a believable 1950's woman, mother and wife. I really liked her in this. Walter Matthau has a supporting role as a fellow teacher and friend of the family. Oh, and look for a cameo by little Jerry Mathers, who later played The Beaver on Leave It To Beaver.

rating_4

[Upton]

I don't know how accurate a look at the average '50s nuclear family Bigger Than Life really is. It's pretty stylized and has typical classic Hollywood mannered acting. Also James Mason was VERY unconvincing playing a man who has ever held a football before

[Camo]

Really want to see Bigger Than Life and just more from Ray in general. Haven't seen any in a while for the record or i would've commented.

[Citizen Rules]

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A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Elia Kazan,1945)


Director: Elia Kazan
Writers: Tess Slesinger& Frank Davis (screenplay), Betty Smith (novel)
Cast: Peggy Ann Garner, Dorothy McGuire, James Dunn, Joan Blondell
Genre: Drama, Romance

About: A coming of age story about an idealistic young girl growing up in poverty in a Brooklyn tenement, in the early 1900s. Her dreams are encouraged by her idealistic, but luckless father who dreams more than he works.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was a real treat for me. It had been a while since I seen it too. I wanted to pay attention to the director type stuff (compositions, scene length, stuff like that) but the film quickly swept me up in it's story and the lives of the family.

A few times I did manage to force myself to think about how the film was shot, and I was totally impressed. The opening scene of any movie is important as it establishes the themes for the movie. That's why it's also called the establishing scene.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29121&stc=1&d=1488215621
An actual photo from the crowded, poverty stricken streets of Brooklyn in the early 1900s. The movie captures such scenes with authenticity.


The first thing we see is the crowded streets of turn-of-the century Brooklyn and the children gathering rags to make a few pennies.....But there's so much joy in their hearts, as they race around finding scraps, that we can see that even though they're poor, they're indeed rich in life's experiences. And that's what the film is about and that's a theme that resonated with me.

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I loved the father daughter relationship, it was heartfelt and done well. James Dunn won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, he deserved it too. He played the father with a loving quality that's hard to get on the screen. But what got me was the real pain you could see in his eyes when he knew he couldn't provide all the things he wanted to give his family, especially his daughter.

Peggy Ann Garner was one heck of a child actor. She really conveyed a deep love for her dad and for the dreams that make life worth living, she seemed wise beyond her years and yet still a kid.

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I loved the way Elia Kazan decked out the streets of Brooklyn. I assume he filmed on a studio back lot, but he really loads in the details and makes it look real.

The shot of the apartment courtyard where all the women are clankering at the man who's fixing their laundry poll, was a thing of beauty, very cool crane shot. I don't usually think of Elia Kazan as a visual director, but more of a social-humanist director....but here he captured the spirit of the poor, but lively lives of second generation immigrants so well.

rating_4_5



.

[Citizen Rules]

Whoops, sorry I missed these post...I don't know how accurate a look at the average '50s nuclear family Bigger Than Life really is. It's pretty stylized and has typical classic Hollywood mannered acting. Also James Mason was VERY unconvincing playing a man who has ever held a football before I don't know about the football thing, I'm not a sports fan, and I'm guessing maybe James Mason wasn't either?:p You know what I like was freeze framing scenes and studing the inside of their house. They had a very cool refrigerator! (that's a running joke with me, I always notice the refrigerator in old movies):)

Really want to see Bigger Than Life and just more from Ray in general. Haven't seen any in a while for the record or i would've commented. Yup, I need to check out more of his stuff too. I've really liked what I've seen so far.
In a Lonely Place(1950) won the 1st Film Noir Hof. Everyone was impressed with that film too. Both for Bogart's acting and for Nicholas Ray's directing.

[edarsenal]

read a couple of the recent reviews; will need to see Bigger Than Life at some point but even more so, after reading your review, I am very curious about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn which I had previously knew little of and would have gone on, thinking it wouldn't matter otherwise.
But it does, so will be adding this to my watchlist. Thanks CR!!

[Citizen Rules]

read a couple of the recent reviews; will need to see Bigger Than Life at some point but even more so, after reading your review, I am very curious about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn which I had previously knew little of and would have gone on, thinking it wouldn't matter otherwise.
But it does, so will be adding this to my watchlist. Thanks CR!! Ed, I loved A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, that was my second time seeing it too. It was Raul's choice for the Director Dissection with Seanc and Rauldc thread, all three of us did reviews of it:

Raul's A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1625335#post1625335)
Sean's A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1637062#post1637062)

[edarsenal]

thanks for the links!!
Well, I am completely and utterly sold now lol

[Citizen Rules]

Good! Oh, and be prepared for 4 more Elia Kazan movie reviews (when I get the time):p

[edarsenal]

looking forward to them! Be very curious to see which ones you review. . .
Loved Streetcar Named Desire, Baby Doll and On the Waterfront and heard a lot of great things about A Face In The Crowd during the 50's countdown but still haven't seen it. Pinky and Man on a Tightrope are both supposed to be pretty good as well.

[Citizen Rules]

looking forward to them! Be very curious to see which ones you review. . .
Loved Streetcar Named Desire, Baby Doll and On the Waterfront and heard a lot of great things about A Face In The Crowd during the 50's countdown but still haven't seen it.You have good taste, Ed! I've seen all of those, loved too, but so far have only reviewed
A Face In The Crowd (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1599598#post1599598)


Pinky and Man on a Tightrope are both supposed to be pretty good as well.I haven't seen Man on a Tightrope, not yet....I hardly remember Pinky, so either it didn't make an impact on me or I was tired that night, (I was probably tired!), either way I'm do for a rewatch.

[Citizen Rules]

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The Dressmaker(2015)


Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse
Writers: Jocelyn Moorhouse (screenplay), Rosalie Ham (novel)
Cast: Kate Winslet, Judy Davis, Liam Hemsworth
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama

About: A glamorous social outcast who returns to the rural Australian town in which she grew up...and was accused of murder 25 years ago when she was a 10 years old.

The year is 1951 and Tilly (Kate Winslet) returns from her high-fashion dressmaking career in Paris, to her hometown of Dungatar, a dreary, sheep town, where her ill mother lives...The small town is full of gossip and consider Tilly, a bad omen.

Armed with her sewing machine and a furious sense of determination, Tilly transforms the ragamuffin women of this dirty sheep town into haute couture style, with the latest in Paris fashions.

But the town won't forgive her for her and they make her life hell...she pays them back, double.

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Review: The Dressmaker is based on Rosalie Ham's best selling novel of the same name. Director & writer Jocelyn Moorhouse serves up a stylish revenge comedy-drama film that she describes as, "Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven with a sewing machine."

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29181&stc=1&d=1488334845

This 2015 Australian film, was critically acclaimed, and it should be as it's one very unique movie. The set designer had the town built in a remote region and created an American style 19th century western town with Australian characters.

The film is R rated and it's not a touchy-feel good movie. It's comedy is a bit on the dark side at times, but never goes to far or too dark. I thought Kate Winslet and all the actors in this colorful film were, well colorful! I enjoyed it, it's original, it has high fashion among the sheep dung and dust. It's funny and looks fabulous.

rating_4+

[seanc]

Glad you reviewed that, I had forgotten about it. Going to try and watch it soon, sounds good.

[Citizen Rules]

Glad you reviewed that, I had forgotten about it. Going to try and watch it soon, sounds good. I don't know why I hadn't heard of The Dressmaker before. It's like if Tarantino was a woman director and made a western/fashion/dark comedy-revenge movie...this would be it!

[seanc]

I don't know why I hadn't heard of that before. It's like if Tarantino was a woman and made a western/fashion/dark comedy-revenge movie...this would be it!

Nice, now I want to see it more. I heard about it on a podcast and wanted to check it out then forgot about it. I love Winslet and Westerns, can't lose.

[Citizen Rules]

Yeah, but how do you feel about haute couture fashions;)

[seanc]

Yeah, but how do you feel about haute couture fashions;)

We will see. :D

[Citizen Rules]

seanc

Hey, I watched one of your favorite movies last night. I'll see if I can review it real quick.

[seanc]

seanc

Hey, I watched one of your favorite movies last night. I'll see if I can review it real quick.

Intrigued

[Citizen Rules]

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Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)

Director: Woody Allen
Writers: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
Cast: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts
Genre: Comedy Romance

About: A neurotic New York intellectual, comedian Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) meets and falls in love with a ditzy, aspiring singer, Annie Hall (Diane Keaton).

Review: I really liked this, even more than I thought I would. Once I had said, 'I didn't like Woody Allen movies', and I was challenged to watch a few more of his films....And I'm still watching his movies!

What I found is: most of his films revolve around the Woody persona....which is a reoccurring character in his films. Personally, I like it when Woody is in the movie as no one can play Woody like Woody can!

There are three things I really appreciate about Annie Hall.

The dialogue, wow! it's clever, it flows...Woody is witty with his biting comments and self deprecating humor. I feel like I'm on the streets of New York ease dropping on Woody as he lives his conflicted life. The movie is jam packed with funny-witty lines that flow quick and easy....I wonder if Woody in real life talks like this, it sounded like real dialogue to me.

One of my favorite scenes was the standing in line for a movie, with a know-it-all movie critic spouting off. It's totally funny and believable what Woody tells Annie. I even like how he steps out of line and breaks the fourth wall.

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The fourth wall, Annie Hall goes where not many films had gone before in 1977...while staying in character Woody as Alvy Singer talks directly to us. He even comments on his younger self in the hilarious school room scene.

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Pacing, Woody gets pacing right, he never rushes us, never spoon feeds us emotions. There's no heavy handed music score to cue our heart strings, no fancy camera work to wow us...and yet he's a genius with a camera, as he makes us feel like a fly on the wall. His movies look real because he has a naturalistic style of film making.

Annie Hall, gives us a voyeuristic view of Woody's strange life. The scenes of his past relationships, (Carol Kane, Shelly Duvall), the beginning and end of his life with Annie, and all points in between are fascinating...and fun to see.

rating_4_5

[seanc]

Very pleased Citizen. I have grown to love Woody but for me Annie Hall is the best of everything he does well. Totally a clinic on writing and jokes in film. Just the best.

[seanc]

I wrote a review a while back. See what you think.

[TheUsualSuspect]

Only got through half of Annie Hall. I didn't turn it off because I wasn't enjoying it, had something to do and just never went back to finish it.

[Citizen Rules]

I wrote a review a while back. See what you think. I well do!

Only got through half of Annie Hall. I didn't turn it off because I wasn't enjoying it, had something to do and just never went back to finish it. Watch it!:p

[Captain Steel]

I think my parents took me to see Annie Hall (because I saw it in the theater when it came out).
My mom definitely didn't get it - she was commenting not long ago on how she doesn't understand why this movie was supposed to be funny. She's not a Woody Allen fan, but then she is from the depression era generation. I guess I was about 11 or 12 when I saw it and the humor was just way over my head at that time. I also wasn't very socially conscious (more concerned with surviving the bullies at school and reading comic books) - another reason I didn't get much of it.

Due for a re-watch.

P.S. Rules, an astute observation that Woody is basically the same character in most of his movies. He's pretty much himself.
And I believe speaking into the camera is called breaking the Fourth wall. ;)

[TheUsualSuspect]

And I believe speaking into the camera is called breaking the Fourth wall. ;)

I wrote that a character broke the fourth wall in a screenplay I wrote in college. The kid who was reading my screenplay was confused as to why someone would break a wall, where the fourth wall came from, which wall was considered the fourth and why it had no purpose in the story. :p

[Captain Steel]

I wrote that a character broke the fourth wall in a screenplay I wrote in college. The kid who was reading my screenplay was confused as to why someone would break a wall, where the fourth wall came from, which wall was considered the fourth and why it had no purpose in the story. :p

Heh! I know you already know this, but the fourth wall is the one the audience sees through. On a stage, a set depicting a room will usually have 3 walls (a back and two side ones), the fourth wall is the one the audience is observing the scene through. If an actor addresses the audience they have broken through the invisible, but imaginary "fourth wall."

[edarsenal]

You have good taste, Ed! I've seen all of those, loved too, but so far have only reviewed
A Face In The Crowd (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1599598#post1599598)
I haven't seen Man on a Tightrope, not yet....I hardly remember Pinky, so either it didn't make an impact on me or I was tired that night, (I was probably tired!), either way I'm do for a rewatch.

I remember reading that review of A Face in the Crowd so that was definitely one of the ones I was referring to.

Dressmaker looks pretty d@mn cool so I've requested it from my library (I'm behind a bout 25 people so It'll be a few weeks to a month or two) but I will be checking it out.

I've always been so-so with Woody except for his really early, heavily comedic movies and I don't think I've ever sat through all of Annie Hall so I may have to remedy that. I do remember the in line scene and it was pretty funny, so. . .

[Citizen Rules]

I think my parents took me to see Annie Hall (because I saw it in the theater when it came out).
My mom definitely didn't get it - she was commenting not long ago on how she doesn't understand why this movie was supposed to be funny. She's not a Woody Allen fan, but then she is from the depression era generation. I guess I was about 11 or 12 when I saw it and the humor was just way over my head at that time. I also wasn't very socially conscious (more concerned with surviving the bullies at school and reading comic books) - another reason I didn't get much of it.

Due for a re-watch.

P.S. Rules, an astute observation that Woody is basically the same character in most of his movies. He's pretty much himself.
And I believe speaking into the camera is called breaking the Fourth wall. ;)Ha:p, fourth wall! Yup you're right...I fixed that.

My parents would NEVER have went to see Annie Hall, we seen stuff like The Enforcer.

I guess I was about 11 or 12 when I saw it and the humor was just way over my head at that time. Hell it was still over my head:eek:

[Citizen Rules]

...Dressmaker looks pretty d@mn cool so I've requested it from my library (I'm behind a bout 25 people so It'll be a few weeks to a month or two) but I will be checking it out.. You have a slow library!:p Pop in here, when you watch it and let me know what you think, I'm curious if you and Sean will like it.

[Captain Steel]

Come to think of it, a lot of comedians who become popular enough to have their own movies end up playing the same character (a lot, not all). Like Bob Hope - he's basically Bob Hope in every movie. Jerry Lewis is basically the same in all his movies with Dean Martin (until his own movies where he started playing multiple characters, but most were very similar).

[edarsenal]

yep, most comedians stick with their schtick until they attempt more serious movies lol

not a slow library, just a LOT of folks grabbing up the same movies when they first appear and you get to keep them for a week before you start racking up late charges. So, depending on how many copies they have, for a very popular movie, which is usually new to the library, it can take a bit. Normally, I can request something and if it isn't already taken, I get it next day from them.

[Captain Steel]

yep, most comedians stick with their schtick until they attempt more serious movies lol

not a slow library, just a LOT of folks grabbing up the same movies when they first appear and you get to keep them for a week before you start racking up late charges. So, depending on how many copies they have, for a very popular movie, which is usually new to the library, it can take a bit. Normally, I can request something and if it isn't already taken, I get it next day from them.

My library's movie selection is awful - it's pretty big, but it consists of movies people have donated, i.e. the stuff nobody wanted to keep. So it's like a rotten tomatoes fest.

[Citizen Rules]

But with Woody Allen he takes his persona much further. In his latter films, he has the lead actor playing a Woody type character, including the mannerisms and speech. In The Purple Rose of Cairo Mai Farrow plays a female Woody character.

[Captain Steel]

But with Woody Allen he takes his persona much further. In his latter films, he has the lead actor playing a Woody type character, including the mannerisms and speech. In The Purple Rose of Cairo Mai Farrow plays a female Woody character.

Heh! I never thought of it that way!
What are some other movies he made, but doesn't appear in?

[gbgoodies]

My library's movie selection is awful - it's pretty big, but it consists of movies people have donated, i.e. the stuff nobody wanted to keep. So it's like a rotten tomatoes fest.


That sounds like my library. So far, they've never had a movie that I was looking for, and they search the entire county's database, and can't even get them from another library. I think I have more DVDs at home than they have in the whole county. :(

[Citizen Rules]

Heh! I never thought of it that way!
What are some other movies he made, but doesn't appear in? You got to check out this review I did of Cafe Society (2016) I rant about that very same thing...And I even quote Orson Welles.

My review Cafe Society (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1600127#post1600127)

[edarsenal]

I'll be back to read the Cafe review.

Sorry to hear about crappy libraries, gbg and steel. I've been pretty lucky with ours. Most new movies take about a year to show up and there's a really good classic movie, TV series. The animated/anime section is so-so but the drama, sci-fi, comedy and foreign sections are pretty large. They must have some kind of connection because when new/recent movies arrive there is around 10 or more copies all at once.

[gbgoodies]

I'll be back to read the Cafe review.

Sorry to hear about crappy libraries, gbg and steel. I've been pretty lucky with ours. Most new movies take about a year to show up and there's a really good classic movie, TV series. The animated/anime section is so-so but the drama, sci-fi, comedy and foreign sections are pretty large. They must have some kind of connection because when new/recent movies arrive there is around 10 or more copies all at once.


I wish I had a library like yours. My library has one little bookcase of DVDs, and most of them are the blockbuster-type movies that most people have already seen 100 times. (As an example, they have movies like Die Hard.) Very few new movies, classic movies, or hard to find movies. :(

[Citizen Rules]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/posts/2351-14c84aa5aaec703950193fe45f1c1748/La_Jetee_Feature_Current_original.jpg

La Jetée (1962)
Director: Chris Marker
Cast: Étienne Becker, Jean Négroni, Hélène Chatelain
Genre: avante garde sci fi
Short: 28 minutes

The funny thing about art is, the more strikingly different it is, the more that some will acclaim it's genius. La Jetée is different, that's for sure. But is it genius? I'm not so sure. The 28 minute long short is composed of still photos with a voice over narration.

There's no movie in the literal sense. The images are presented statically, like your grandfather's slide show of his trip to the Grand Canyon. Only instead of gramps narrating his travel photos, there's a voice over narrator telling us the story of time travel and of lost love in a post apocalyptic world.

I suppose people's minds work differently, as some claim this to be a deeply inspiring film, that moves them emotionally...I felt nothing. I didn't care about the story line, nor did I have any emotional response.

The one aspect of La Jetée, that did resonate with me was the still photography, which was composed of beautifully thought out compositions. I found the images interesting to view, the photographer who took them was the real genius of the movie.

rating_3

[Chypmunk]

Watched that the other day, can't say it inspired me or particularly moved me emotionally but it was enjoyable and well done imo.

[Citizen Rules]

Chyp, I'm sure you already know this, but La Jetee was the inspiration for Twelve Monkeys.

[Chypmunk]

Chyp, I'm sure you already know this, but La Jetee was the inspiration for Twelve Monkeys.
Correct ... and correct ;)

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29199&stc=1&d=1488387400

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)


Director: Richard Fleischer
Writer: Earl Felton(screenplay), Jules Verne (book)
Cast: Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
Genre: Adventure, Sci Fi Fantasy

In 1954 Walt Disney personally produced the Jules Verne's classic 19th century novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. As with other of Walt's personal movie projects, no expense was spared. Shot in expensive 3 strip Technicolor and in anamorphic wide screen CinemaScope.

The special effects were impressive, especially the actual undersea footage which was shot on location in the Bahamas. I must say it looks real good! I'm sure audiences were thrilled to see men walking on the bottom of the sea and encountering sunken treasure and strange creatures. The submarine too is a very cool design, very detailed and Disney even had a 'real' sub built for the movie.
The sub is styled after an 1890's steam ship, hence some consider this movie an early precursor of the steampunk genre.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29197&stc=1&d=1488387727

A feisty sailor, Kirk Douglas, gets restrained on the orders of a delusional Captain Nemo...James Mason.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29201&stc=1&d=1488387741

Veteran actor Peter Lorre gets to give his comedy chops a work out.


James Mason is Captain Nemo, and while he seems like a good choice and gives his usual fine performance, the script doesn't really give him much chance to develop any depth. For depth albeit of a comic nature there's Kirk Douglas. Who knew tough guy Kirk Douglas could be so personable and funny on screen. Peter Lorre too, gets to do some comic scenes and is a memorable character. Equally screen worthy is Esmeralda the seal.


I liked this for it's set design and visual look, but I wasn't engaged in the storyline as it's not that compelling. But if you watch this for fun you should have a good time.

rating_3
http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29200&stc=1&d=1488387715

[Chypmunk]

Been many moons since I watched that one - probably saw it about a dozen times growing up but never revisited as a fully fledged adult which says it all really.

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks Chyp for the help!

I was underwhelmed by it too, except the production values. I'd only seen once as a kid and remembered nothing about it, which is one good aspect of getting older:p...all the old movies from my childhood are new again to me!

[edarsenal]

i love seeing movies I haven't seen since I was a kid and having that "Oh, yeah, I forgot about that" moment over and over again lol
Though it's only been about 10 yrs since I saw 20,000 and got nostalgic since, like Chyp, saw it dozens of times as a kid. Especially on Sunday night's Wonderful World of Disney.

[Citizen Rules]

i love seeing movies I haven't seen since I was a kid and having that "Oh, yeah, I forgot about that" moment over and over again lol
Though it's only been about 10 yrs since I saw 20,000 and got nostalgic since, like Chyp, saw it dozens of times as a kid. Especially on Sunday night's Wonderful World of Disney. We never got to watch Wonderful World of Disney when I was a kid. We had only one TV and my dad watched Gunsmoke or some other cop/western show that was on at the same time. I've seen almost none of the Disney movies from my childhood.

[cricket]

I felt the same as you about La Jetee, and I believe I rated it the same.

[edarsenal]

There was a lot of stuff that my dad enjoyed as much as we did. I think the only two shows he insisted on were Hee Haw and Lawrence Welk. Oh, and Bowling For Dollars. Otherwise he enjoyed the cop shows, comedies and various variety shows that were always on.

[Citizen Rules]

Oh yeah, we watched Hee Haw, but I actually liked it:)

[mark f]

Benny Hill?

[Citizen Rules]

Benny Hill? I had a friend in high school who was into Benny Hill. When I was a kid I had never even heard of it.

[edarsenal]

Oh yeah, we watched Hee Haw, but I actually liked it:)
me too. Found it on cable the other day and enjoyed watching it and was chuckling at all the pompadour hairdoes. And it was Jim Stafford as the musical guest which was kinda cool.

Benny Hill?
LOOOVED Benny Hill!!
"And a little farther down,
was little Father Downe"
King of the Vaudeville comedy.
I was gonna remark in the Musical HoF how much I loved seeing him in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang playing the toy maker.

Also, Benny Hill was late night, after the 11 O'Clock News on a local UHF channel. We'd huddle around the TV in the basement desperately trying not to laugh TOO loudly so my mom wouldn't come down and see the barely dressed women on that show. :)

[MovieMeditation]

Just watched La Jetée yesterday. Because of its short length, I actually watched it twice in a row... I liked it; interesting, fascinating, kind of haunting and thought provoking, yet I wasn't exactly blown away either. I do admire its style and themes and ideas and it worked better with my second watch. It's almost poem-like and I like that. Anyways, I would probably give it around 3.5 - the second watch made it go up half a popcorn.

[Citizen Rules]

Just watched La Jetée yesterday. Because of its short length, I actually watched it twice in a row... I liked it; interesting, fascinating, kind of haunting and thought provoking, yet I wasn't exactly blown away either. I do admire its style and themes and ideas and it worked better with my second watch. It's almost poem-like and I like that. Anyways, I would probably give it around rating_3_5 - the second watch made it go up half a popcorn.Sometimes a second watch, makes a movie go up in popcorns for me too. But if I watch a movie too many times, I start to get tired of it and it goes down a pocorn. Once is usually all I will watch a movie unless it's been years and years, then I might rewatch it. La Jetee is certainly worth watching for any movie buff.

[MovieMeditation]

Sometimes a second watch, makes a movie go up in popcorns for me too. But if I watch a movie too many times, I start to get tired of it and it goes down a pocorn. Once is usually all I will watch a movie unless it's been years and years, then I might rewatch it. La Jetee is certainly worth watching for any movie buff.
I think this is my first time ever doing something like this, actually... watching a movie/short twice in a row with no breaks.

Usually, I'm baffled when I hear people loved a movie so much they just played it from the beginning again. I always want time to digest a movie, to think about it and to know where I stand. And then I won't watch it until a long time after because I want to get excited about watching it again.

That said, as a movie critic, I've watched a few films twice with only a few days or a week in between, because I loved it, first and foremost, and therefore also want to make the review perfect - especially if it's a movie that's hard to grasp.

But with La Jetée I simply felt like I wasn't paying enough attention and I wasn't sure if I caught it all either, especially because the ending came kind of as a surprise and I wanted to see the build up once again. With a run-time going less than 30 minutes, I saw no problem there and I'm glad I did watch it again. :)

[Citizen Rules]

I heard Hitchcock say, that the audience is always one step ahead of the story, and they anticipate what's coming next. I know I do that all the time.

*SPOILER* La Jeete....I knew he would be the man who the little boy had seen die on the airport jeete...but I thought the mysterious woman who's image was burned in his mind and the woman he meet and fall in love with...would end up being his mother! I figured it was a French art film, so expected that. I was a bit disappointed when that didn't happen, which made the ending a little weaker for me. Proving Hitch was right.

[Citizen Rules]

https://3btheaterposterarchive.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/village-of-the-giants-lobby-card_3-1965.jpg

Village of the Giants (1965)

Director: Bert I. Gordon
Cast: Tommy Kirk, Johnny Crawford, Beau Bridges
Genre: Comedy Sci Fi

About: A group of unruly teens roll into a small town where they steal and then eat a chemical formula that makes them grow 30 feet tall. Once they've gotten big, they take over the town and hold the sheriff's daughter hostage.

Review: There's a whole lot of shaking going on, as teens are dancing and gyrating around. This is one of those cheaply made teen exploitative movies, that were churned out by the 100's for amorous young people to watch through steamy windshields at local drive-in theaters, that once dotted everytown America.

The real reason to watch this today is the historic look back to 1965, the movie is litteraly a time machine with it's pulse on the first stirrings of the Baby Boomer generation. The other reason to watch this is the cheese cake factor as we see closeups of young woman dancing to pop music and get very excited about it. They sure can dance too! I especially liked the scenes in the Whiskey a Go-Go club. No not the real one in LA, but a small club in the small town that the delinquent teens invade.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLUXgYpKF8Q/UIS1l-SBWAI/AAAAAAAAQp8/14fKWDaXLMc/s1600/giant1.png


The sci fi element is a funky purple chemical concoction cooked up by boy science whizz, who's called Genius and played by little Ronny Howard. Yup, it's that Howard, the one who will grow up and become a director.

First a cat, then a dog are made giant, but the fun doesn't really start until a pair of dancing ducks are made big. Oh there's a scary giant tarantula spider scene in it, with a life or death struggle. But other than that everything is played for laughs and eye candy.

A very young Beau Bridges heads up the naughty giant teens. Tommy Kirk is the nice guy who has to battle a giant Beau with a sling shot....just like David and Goliath. Loosely based on H.G. Wells novel, Food of the Gods, but don't expect sci fi, instead look for blondes in bikinis;)

rating_2_5


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_a2V-y_bbQ

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29244&stc=1&d=1488595541
Hacksaw Ridge (Mel Gibson, 2016)

Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Robert Schenkkan, Andrew Knight
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey
Genre: Drama, History, War

About: A U.S. WWII Army Medic, Desmond Doss, who felt it was his duty to serve in the war, but refused to handle a gun as a religious conscientious objector. Instead of fighting, he signs up as an Army Medic, but soon faces court martial charges for disobeying the direct orders to train with a rifle. He's branded a coward and beat to a bloody pulp by the other recruits. However once he's sent to the Battle of Okinawa, he repeatedly risk his own life to save others.

Review: Army Medic Desmond Doss is a hero in the truest sense of the word. His story is amazing and deserved to be told...Too bad Mel Gibson made a hack job of Hackshaw Ridge.

I've seen plenty of war movies, some bad, some good, but it's hard to believe Mel Gibson thought his battle scenes were exciting or realistic. They are neither. The idea of a war scene is to make us feel the sheer horror of war that these men faced, and to make us feel like we are actually there. But I found myself laughing at the silly use of rats, maggots and spaghetti legs!

Spaghetti legs is what I call the special effects for the soldiers with their legs blown off. And there's lots of legs being blown off with spaghetti hanging everywhere! Who knew soldiers were full of spaghetti! I mean it really was a stupid effect. You don't have to be medically astute to image what a missing limb looks like on a wounded solider. Other movies get it right. Why couldn't Mel.

Then there's the silly rat-maggots scenes, which look like something out of a bad 1970s horror movie. And poor Mel went back to those effects, time after time again. I guess he thought they were neat. His battle scenes are cheesy popcorn, Hollywood fluff. On top of that was the video game style of filming/editing, with soldiers dying every split second. Watching the battle of Okinawa was like watching somebody playing a video game.

In battle, soldiers aren't lined up 100 per 10 square feet. They are spread out so they aren't easy targets for enemy fire, but not in Mel's movie. Of course it takes money and a thoughtful director to make a war scene vast enough to look real.

If you want to see a war battle that looks real, with wide angle scope, using actors over acres of land, watch Paths of Glory (1957)...or even Saving Private Ryan (1998) which gave the impact of how horrible war is on a huge scale.

Mel Gibson's battle scenes look like a cartoon. I believe Mel has been in one too many popcorn action flicks and doesn't know the difference between realism and fun-blow-em-up movies like Lethal Weapon...

The real story of a conscientious war objector who refuses to carry a rifle because of his religious beliefs, and is then harassed and almost court martialed....but instead ends up in battle as a medic and becomes one of the most decorated war heroes of WWII is an Amazing story. Even more impressive is how he risked his life, time and time again to save the lives of others, including enemy soldiers....that's an amazing story! It's too bad that Mel Gibson's handling of that amazing story, turned this movie into another blockbuster CG action flick. Mad Mel strikes again.

rating_2_5

[MovieMeditation]

You ever been in a war, CR? No?

Good. Then shut your mouth. :p Hacksaw Ridge was awesome.

[Nestorio_Miklos]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29244&stc=1&d=1488595541
Hacksaw Ridge (Mel Gibson, 2016)




Yeah, story is beautiful, but the graphics are too explicit. Gibson overdid it.

[Nestorio_Miklos]

[CENTER]http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29199&stc=1&d=1488387400

[FONT=Book Antiqua][SIZE=6][B]20,000 Leagues Under the Sea [SIZE=5](1954)





This is awesome! I've read all Jules Verne's books. Never seen any movie based on his book thou.

[ScarletLion]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29244&stc=1&d=1488595541
Hacksaw Ridge (Mel Gibson, 2016)

Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Robert Schenkkan, Andrew Knight
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey
Genre: Drama, History, War

About: A U.S. WWII Army Medic, Desmond Doss, who felt it was his duty to serve in the war, but refused to handle a gun as a religious conscientious objector. Instead of fighting, he signs up as an Army Medic, but soon faces court martial charges for disobeying the direct orders to train with a rifle. He's branded a coward and beat to a bloody pulp by the other recruits. However once he's sent to the Battle of Okinawa, he repeatedly risk his own life to save others.


rating_2_5





2.5 / 5 is being kind to this awful movie.

[cricket]

I very much enjoyed Hacksaw Ridge, one of my favorite movies of 2016. It is very flawed though, and I can't argue your points. I was just entertained.

[Citizen Rules]

You ever been in a war, CR? No?

Good. Then shut your mouth. :p Hacksaw Ridge was awesome.Ha:p I know you're joking MM, but I did expect at least one person to say just that: if I hadn't been in war how do I know it's fake...

Answer: The movie doesn't have to be 100% factual in the battle scenes...BUT what it does have to do is, convince me, (regular-guy-movie-watcher) who's never been in war, that what I'm watching seems believable. It wasn't.

The battle scenes were so fakey-action video game like, that the all important suspension of disbelief didn't occur...and if I don't 'feel' like I'm watching real people in a real battle, then the movie is boring.

Had this movie been hammed up even more and clearly aimed to be an over the top fun-action packed movie then it could have worked. But it's clear to this reviewer, that the intentions of Mel Gibson was to tell a realistic story of an unsung war hero, Army Medic, Desmond Doss, and not to produce a pop corn flick. And in that Mel failed horribly.

Wow;), that's even better than what I wrote in my review, I guess that makes you my muse MM:p

2.5 / 5 is being kind to this awful movie. I thought seriously about a 2/5 rating.

[MovieMeditation]

Ha:p I know you're joking MM, but I did expect at least one person to say just that: if I hadn't been in war how do I know it's fake...

Answer: The movie doesn't have to be 100% factual in the battle scenes...BUT what it does have to do is, convince me, (regular-guy-movie-watcher) who's never been in war, that what I'm watching seems believable. It wasn't.

The battle scenes were so fakey-action video game like, that the all important suspension of disbelief didn't occur...and if I don't 'feel' like I'm watching real people in a real battle, then the movie is boring.

Had this movie been hammed up even more and clearly aimed to be an over the top fun-action packed movie then it could have worked. But it's clear to this reviewer, that the intentions of Mel Gibson was to tell a realistic story of an unsung war hero, Army Medic, Desmond Doss, and not to produce a pop corn flick. And in that Mel failed horribly.
I have to disagree, my dear CR. Yes, he clearly wanted to create something violent and tell a proper story about this man; but still, like with Braveheart, I do think Mel is clearly a person who wants to create good entertainment as well. He loves violence, especially the fetish for it seems clear in his last directed feature, Apocalypto. Personally I do think Hacksaw was meant to entertain a fair share as well and I think Mel hit that balance that only Mel can - like he did with Braveheart.

Braveheart is super cheesy when you think about it, but it's super violent too, and even though the "FREEEEEDOOOM!" scene would come off as too much, I personally think he "earns it" by directing the movie the way he did. To me, his style and intention is obvious. Things like Vince Vaughn being dragged on a blanket and shooting bad guys or when he starts lowering the soldiers, both the friends and enemies and the reaction that comes from this; he clearly wants the audience to have fun too and smile and get taking away on this intense battlefield journey.

So yeah, to me it did exactly what you say it didn't to you. :shrug: but of course, it's my opinion and you did say "it's clear to this reviewer", so it's all good.

]Wow;), that's even better than what I wrote in my review, I guess that makes you my muse MM:p
:p

[Citizen Rules]

I have to disagree, my dear CR. Yes, he clearly wanted to create something violent and tell a proper story about this man; but still, like with Braveheart, I do think Mel is clearly a person who wants to create good entertainment as well. He loves violence, especially the fetish for it seems clear in his last directed feature, Apocalypto. Personally I do think Hacksaw was meant to entertain a fair share as well and I think Mel hit that balance that only Mel can - like he did with Braveheart.

Braveheart is super cheesy when you think about it, but it's super violent too, and even though the "FREEEEEDOOOM!" scene would come off as too much, I personally think he "earns it" by directing the movie the way he did. To me, his style and intention is obvious. Things like Vince Vaughn being dragged on a blanket and shooting bad guys or when he starts lowering the soldiers, both the friends and enemies and the reaction that comes from this; he clearly wants the audience to have fun too and smile and get taking away on this intense battlefield journey.

So yeah, to me it did exactly what you say it didn't to you. :shrug: but of course, it's my opinion and you did say "it's clear to this reviewer", so it's all good.


:p If it's true that Mel was on purpose going for a fun-over the top action entertainment movie, then I think even less of him as a director...as the subject matter needed to be treated with more respect. Image if he made The Passion of the Christ in the same vein as Hacksaw Ridge. Of course he didn't do that as he's a devout Catholic and he would know better than to make the story of Jesus into a popcorn flick.

[MovieMeditation]

If it's true that Mel was on purpose going for a fun-over the top action entertainment movie, then I think even less of him as a director...as the subject matter needed to be treated with more respect. Image if he made The Passion of the Christ in the same vein as Hacksaw Ridge. Of course he didn't do that as he's a devout Catholic and he would know better than to make the story of Jesus into a popcorn flick.
That's what I'm saying... the balance is surprisingly good in this. That's why he succeeds imo. The story feels treated with respect but I feel entertained on an emotional and intense level as well. Fun, but not laugh your ass off fun, more like awe inspiring and breathtakingly good fun.

It's not the definition of popcorn flick, but it's entertaining and grisly good adrenaline-fueled stimulation to the body and mind. It's technically well put together and that's what also makes it reach that high level. It even won Oscars for that.

So yeah, I'm entertained by Saving Private Ryan too, I'm by Halloween too, but it's all for different reasons and different levels of entertainment. Still entertainment though.

[Citizen Rules]

I have to see Saving Private Ryan again, I haven't seen it since it first came out. I remember it awed me at the time. I'm curious as to what my reaction was.

Was that you that got grilled for saying you liked Saving Private Ryan some time ago? Seems I remember something like that.

[MovieMeditation]

I have to see Saving Private Ryan again, I haven't seen it since it first came out. I remember it awed me at the time. I'm curious as to what my reaction was.

Was that you that got grilled for saying you liked Saving Private Ryan some time ago? Seems I remember something like that.
That was me yes. But I got grilled for HATING it though. ;)

So I'm mainly refering to the grand opening sequence, and not so much the rest of the movie. :p

[Sarge]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29244&stc=1&d=1488595541
Hacksaw Ridge (Mel Gibson, 2016)

Director: Mel Gibson
Writers: Robert Schenkkan, Andrew Knight
Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey
Genre: Drama, History, War

About: A U.S. WWII Army Medic, Desmond Doss, who felt it was his duty to serve in the war, but refused to handle a gun as a religious conscientious objector. Instead of fighting, he signs up as an Army Medic, but soon faces court martial charges for disobeying the direct orders to train with a rifle. He's branded a coward and beat to a bloody pulp by the other recruits. However once he's sent to the Battle of Okinawa, he repeatedly risk his own life to save others.

Review: Army Medic Desmond Doss is a hero in the truest sense of the word. His story is amazing and deserved to be told...Too bad Mel Gibson made a hack job of Hackshaw Ridge.

I've seen plenty of war movies, some bad, some good, but it's hard to believe Mel Gibson thought his battle scenes were exciting or realistic. They are neither. The idea of a war scene is to make us feel the sheer horror of war that these men faced, and to make us feel like we are actually there. But I found myself laughing at the silly use of rats, maggots and spaghetti legs!

Spaghetti legs is what I call the special effects for the soldiers with their legs blown off. And there's lots of legs being blown off with spaghetti hanging everywhere! Who knew soldiers were full of spaghetti! I mean it really was a stupid effect. You don't have to be medically astute to image what a missing limb looks like on a wounded solider. Other movies get it right. Why couldn't Mel.

Then there's the silly rat-maggots scenes, which look like something out of a bad 1970s horror movie. And poor Mel went back to those effects, time after time again. I guess he thought they were neat. His battle scenes are cheesy popcorn, Hollywood fluff. On top of that was the video game style of filming/editing, with soldiers dying every split second. Watching the battle of Okinawa was like watching somebody playing a video game.

In battle, soldiers aren't lined up 100 per 10 square feet. They are spread out so they aren't easy targets for enemy fire, but not in Mel's movie. Of course it takes money and a thoughtful director to make a war scene vast enough to look real.

If you want to see a war battle that looks real, with wide angle scope, using actors over acres of land, watch Paths of Glory (1957)...or even Saving Private Ryan (1998) which gave the impact of how horrible war is on a huge scale.

Mel Gibson's battle scenes look like a cartoon. I believe Mel has been in one too many popcorn action flicks and doesn't know the difference between realism and fun-blow-em-up movies like Lethal Weapon.

rating_2_5





This is Fake review news :D

I normally respect your opinions but I can't take this seriously. Not sure I have ever disagreed with a review more. :D

[Citizen Rules]

This is Fake review news :D

I normally respect your opinions but I can't take this seriously. Not sure I have ever disagreed with a review more. :D I guess I can't win them all:p

That was me yes. But I got grilled for HATING it though. ;)

So I'm mainly refering to the grand opening sequence, and not so much the rest of the movie. :pOh! I got that backwards. So why did you like Hacksaw Ridge but hate Saving Private Ryan?

[MovieMeditation]

I guess I can't win them all:p

Oh! I got that backwards. So why did you like Hacksaw Ridge but hate Saving Private Ryan?
Ryan deserves another, proper watch before I argue anything. That was also mainly what left me open last time. I didn't intend a big discussion and stood naked without having direct things I could pull out of the movie.

But simply put, the propaganda and stupidity of the movie was annoyingly pathetic to me. Whether intentional or not, I didn't find the overly heroic and patriotic war sentimentalism to be a base for a good movie - at least not when it didn't feel like obvious satire or social commentary. I thought the whole plot of the movie was dumb and the scenes showing the heroism, courage and especially supposed duties of our soldiers was worthy of a facepalm to me.

So yeah, Hacksaw entertained me better, first of all, as it wasn't 3 hours long and boring, insulting and annoying.

Mel's film was merely an underdog story and despite strong sides by the director/scriptwriter - as you can't help but not have with such a strong subject matter as that of war - I never felt like Mel tried to stuff me full of anything that wasn't to my liking. Like, you can make a film pro or against Hitler, but both be a masterpiece... I won't get annoyed as long as the film is done well and earn my understandings and respects, instead of forcing me to believe anything in particular doing every moment possible... then I'd either feel thrown off, annoyed, mad or something along those lines.

[Citizen Rules]

OK, now I have to watch Saving Private Ryan so I can talk about it! You know what is funny is I almost posted that I wished Steven Spielberg had made Hacksaw Ridge:D...But I'd settle for Clint Eastwood.

[MovieMeditation]

OK, now I have to watch Saving Private Ryan so I can talk about it! You know what is funny is I almost posted that I wished Steven Spielberg had made Hacksaw Ridge:D...But I'd settle for Clint Eastwood.
Yeah me too. Clint's war "double feature" is impressive, especially Letters from Iwo Jima is amazing.

[cricket]

I only saw Private Ryan once and I was disappointed after the riveting opening scene. I will watch it again at some point.

[Citizen Rules]

Yeah, the opening scene was riveting! in Saving Private Ryan.

[seanc]

I like Mel directed movies. Love Braveheart and Apocalypto. Respect Passion. I didn't think Hacksaw looked good at all, and definitely didn't feel realistic. I liked it better than you Citizen. I thought it had some nice character moments. Overall pretty underwhelming.

I see what you are saying, MM, about him wanting it to be entertaining, and I don't think that's a problem even in a war flick. That's not what he is going for with the gore though. He's going for realism.

[Captain Steel]

This is awesome! I've read all Jules Verne's books. Never seen any movie based on his book thou.

Interesting. Almost all his books have movie versions.

[Nestorio_Miklos]

Yeah, I should probably get around it. I read those books when I was a kid, and my favorite, of course:), was Two Years' Vacation. Can you recommend good movie adaptations?

[MovieMeditation]

I like Mel directed movies. Love Braveheart and Apocalypto. Respect Passion. I didn't think Hacksaw looked good at all, and definitely didn't feel realistic. I liked it better than you Citizen. I thought it had some nice character moments. Overall pretty underwhelming.

I see what you are saying, MM, about him wanting it to be entertaining, and I don't think that's a problem even in a war flick. That's not what he is going for with the gore though. He's going for realism.
Yeah, but realism in Mel's eyes and in ours are not quite the same. :p Mel has a pretty twisted view on violence, I think. I don't know, that's just how I always felt.

But gore or not, he merges everything with an entertaining and wild gory spectacle, and I liked that. When the first action battle sequence began I was BLOWN AWAY. It hit so hard and so perfect; visually and aurally. The war scenes did start to drag and became repetitive at a certain point though...

[Captain Steel]

Yeah, I should probably get around it. I read those books when I was a kid, and my favorite, of course:), was Two Years' Vacation. Can you recommend good movie adaptations?

Probably my favorite is the original Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) - its special effects may look a bit dated by today's standards, but it's still very gripping & entertaining. I think Rules reviewed it somewhere on this thread.

Around the World in 80 Days - both films are pretty good.

Master of the World (1961) - this is an interesting film starring Vincent Price and Charles Bronson (a weird pairing). The funniest piece of trivia I remember from this film is a goof - 19th century sailing ships open fire on Vincent Price's airship, but canons on 19th century ships only fired horizontally at other sailing ships. They couldn't fire up - there was no need to since planes didn't yet exist! Not really recommending this one unless you're in the mood for something slightly bizarre.

[ScarletLion]

Think of the best 10 war movies. Think how real. How personal. How unsettling. How solemn. How sobering they are.

Then put Vince Vaughn, apple pie and human torso shields next to them

Dreadful, dreadful film.

[Citizen Rules]

Probably my favorite is the original Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959) - its special effects may look a bit dated by today's standards, but it's still very gripping & entertaining. I think Rules reviewed it somewhere on this thread.
I haven't reviewed it, but have seen it several times and think highly of it. Off the top of my head I'd give it a rating_4

Think of the best 10 war movies. Think how real. How personal. How unsettling. How solemn. How sobering they are.

Then put Vince Vaughn, apple pie and human torso shields next to them

Dreadful, dreadful film. OMG! I forgot about the human torso shield:rolleyes: Ripped right from the original Total Recall where it was cool &fun...but here it's another lame scene from Mel...who doesn't have a lot of original ideas does he?

[rauldc14]

I liked Hacksaw :shrug:

[Citizen Rules]

I liked Hacksaw :shrug: I remember you posted about it, and I really though I would like it too. Well, I'm holding out hope of loving Manchester By The Sea and La La Land. I should be getting the DVD for Manchester By The Sea fairly soon.

[Citizen Rules]

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A Streetcar Named Desire (Elia Kazan, 1951)

Director: Elia Kazan
Writers: Tennessee Williams
Cast: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden
Genre: Drama

About: An aging southern belle, Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) who once lived in the lap of luxury on her father's estate, but now circumstances have brought her to poverty, forcing her to the edge of sanity. When she moves into her sisters (Kim Hunter) run down apartment in New Orleans, she finds herself in conflict with her brutish brother-in-law (Marlon Brando).

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Review: When the film starts off with Blanche arriving in the French Quarter of New Orleans, I was pretty excited as I've been to the French Quarter and it does look just like it does in the movie...with lots of wrought iron railings and old decaying buildings with porches and courtyards.

When we first meet Blanche DuBois, I thought Vivien Leigh's performance was a bit too theatrical. But as the movie went on I warmed up to her...I also remembered that she had done the British stage play of Streetcar Named Desire. So I guessed that her style of acting was more from British theater.

During the movie I paid attention to her delivery and at one point I actually thought Vivien sounded like she was channeling Laurence Olivier. Of course I knew she was married to him. But...I was total blown away by what I read at IMDB after watching the movie.


Vivien Leigh...later said that Olivier's direction of that production [Streetcar Called Desire] influenced her performance in the film more than Elia Kazan's direction of the film did. I knew it!...and it's not surprising either as the director Elia Kazan said he didn't really direct the actors, he just set them in the right place and let them do their own thing.

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Kazan was a very successful stage director and had directed Streetcar for two years before making the movie. It was a highly successful play and the original cast (Brando, Hunter, Malden) were all brought over for the movie project, with one exception, Jessica Tandy who played Blanche on the stage.

This was Brando's first big movie role and he blew the doors off it! Like the other actors he's a method actor and really brings a dynamic to his role with his childlike honesty, coupled with his violent suspicious nature. He has the best lines in the movie too. I love the scene where he's going through Blanche's trunk and telling Stella about Napoleonic laws.

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I liked Karl Malden in this too. This is perhaps one of his finest movie roles. As the film went on I started to really care about Blanche and once again Vivien Leigh made an impression on me, some of that is due to the way Karl Malden reacts to her.

The very last scene when Blanche is being taken away and she's gone to pieces on the floor and she stands up and the older man removes his hat and offers his arm to her, was a nice touch....and that made me a bit teary eyed.

Streetcar Named Desire was filmed in chronological sequence, just like a play would be watched. That's almost unheard of in movie making. Kazan explained that there was basically only 2 main sets, (the apartment and the porch/street area), so those two sets were allowed to remain standing during shooting as the room wasn't needed for anything else. Kazan accredited that to part of the reason why the actors were able to give such powerful performances. Indeed the actors give some of the most powerful performances ever to be put onto film.

rating_5


.

[Chypmunk]

Love, love, love Streetcar!

[MovieMeditation]

Streetcar is a long overdue watch for me...

And I have a feeling you will like Manchester, Citizen Rules

[Citizen Rules]

Love, love, love Streetcar!

Streetcar is a long overdue watch for me...

And I have a feeling you will like Manchester, @Citizen Rules (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=84637) I joined Raul's and Sean's Director Dissection when they dissected Elia Kazan:eek: It was fun and I watched 5 of Elia Kazan's movies for that, one being Streetcar. So...now I'm in the mood for more of Kazan and Brando's films.

[Sarge]

I liked Hacksaw :shrug:

Me too. :cool:

[MovieMeditation]

I joined Raul's and Sean's Director Dissection when they dissected Elia Kazan:eek: It was fun and I watched 5 of Elia Kazan's movies for that, one being Streetcar. So...now I'm in the mood for more of Kazan and Brando's films.
I like what I've seen from Kazan thus far: On the Waterfront and East of Eden.

[Citizen Rules]

MM, I suggest Streetcar as your next Kazan film. I know both Sean and Raul really think highly of it.

I've seen these Kazan films, most all are good to excellent. He's probably one of my top 5 favorite directors.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
A Streetcar Named Desire
Wild River
A Face in the Crowd
Baby Doll
East of Eden
On the Waterfront
Viva Zapata!
Gentleman's Agreement
The Sea of Grass
Splendor in the Grass
Panic in the Streets
Boomerang!

I need to revisit many of these, and there's still more Kazan I haven't seen.

[Gideon58]

[CENTER]http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29247&stc=1&d=1488681907
A Streetcar Named Desire (Elia Kazan, 1951)

The very last scene when Stella is being taken away and she's gone to pieces on the floor[/FONT][/FONT] and she stands up and the older man removes his hat and offers his arm to her, was a nice touch....and that made me a bit teary eyed.



In this sentence, you mean Blanche, not Stella.

[Citizen Rules]

Oh you're right! thanks for spotting that.

[Citizen Rules]

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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Spielberg,1982)

Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Melissa Mathison
Cast: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Walace
Genre: Family, Sci-Fi Fantasy

Talk about a movie that took me back in time...I last watched E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial way back in 1982 at the theater, 35 years ago! My parents took me and I really enjoyed it! I remember thinking that it was awesome how this little alien was so friendly, but needed help...and a kid, of all people helped him in his time of need. I remember thinking how cool it would be to find a space ship in the woods like the boy in the movie did. I believed if there were indeed aliens they would be kind hearten like E.T.

So last night, after 35 years I watched this again. I'd like to say I still felt the magic and I still believed. But that would be a lie. I couldn't connect to the film..and I think the reason is that, this time I seen E.T. as a rubbery puppet. I couldn't suspend my disbelief and so E.T. wasn't anymore real to me than the stuffed toys in Elliot's closet. And if I can't believe the premise, there's nothing much else left.

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This scene bothered me, as it's odd. There's a cigarette smoldering in the middle of the teens who aren't old enough to drive and they are not presented as juvenile delinquents in the movie. And mom is right there too in the next room and minutes latter comes into the kitchen. So who's smoking? The mom? we never see her smoke and she's not seated at the table, those are all 14-15 years old playing a game. It's a very weird scene.

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I found the two kid actors: Henry Thomas (Elliot) & Drew Barrymore (Gertie) to be pretty darn good. Sometimes kid actors can be annoying, but here both were likable. Little Drew had the best lines, especially when she first meets E.T. and screams...and he screams....and she screams again and again. That was a funny moment, there were a few others too like that but for me those moments were too few and too far between to hold my interest.

rating_3-

[cricket]

That's too bad; it was the greatest thing ever when I saw it at the movies. I've seen it several times, but it's been a few years now. I wonder how I'd feel now as well.

[Citizen Rules]

That's too bad; it was the greatest thing ever when I saw it at the movies. I've seen it several times, but it's been a few years now. I wonder how I'd feel now as well. I'm going to revisit some other movies that I once loved, but haven't seen since my youth. I guess I'll find out if my taste have changed:eek: Jaws will be one of them, I haven't seen it since the mid 80s.

[mark f]

Mom is not in that scene in the kitchen with Dungeons and Dragons, ordering pizza and the cigarette smoke coming from an ashtray on the table. We don't see a kid smoking it, but I'm sure one of them is. I find it odd that's what you take from the scene rather than it establishing Elliott as an outsider.

[cricket]

I just watched that scene. It appears that it's a cigarette burning, but I didn't see the actual cigarette. The table is full of stuff, and I wonder if what is shown could be the result of candles or hot coffee or food. Also, while it doesn't show the mom right at that moment, she is there when they cut back to the table.

[Jeff Costello]

Shame you couldn't get into it Citizen...

[cricket]

Oh nevermind, I can see the cigarette now.

[ShopkeeperTriumph]

I'm never surprised when I hear people dislike E.T. anymore, almost every single one of my friends dislikes that movie quite a bit for whatever reason. I personally love it, I think other than Jaws it's Spielberg's best.

[Jeff Costello]

I'm never surprised when I hear people dislike E.T. anymore, almost every single one of my friends dislikes that movie quite a bit for whatever reason. I personally love it, I think other than Jaws it's Spielberg's best.

I loved it too, but I understand where CR is coming from. If you can't connect to the story, the film losses great deal of its appeal.

[ShopkeeperTriumph]

I loved it too, but I understand where CR is coming from. If you can't connect to the story, the film losses great deal of its appeal.

Oh no, I get why people wouldn't like it. Along with some of his other works, E.T.'s sentimentality could turn a lot of people off. He's lost me with it sometimes too with films I'm not big on like A.I., but I always found E.T. works with it.

[Citizen Rules]

Mom is not in that scene in the kitchen with Dungeons and Dragons, ordering pizza and the cigarette smoke coming from an ashtray on the table. We don't see a kid smoking it, but I'm sure one of them is. I find it odd that's what you take from the scene rather than it establishing Elliott as an outsider. Actually I disagree with you Mark. I believe the cigarette in the scene is a mistake and was not intended to show Elliott as an outsider. In fact I don't believe it was meant to be picked up by the camera at all. I never seen it until I found that photo. I did see the smoke and the reason that cigarette is there has nothing to do with character building it has to do with ambiance. Almost every single scene in the first part of the movie utilizes mist, smoke or haze in the outdoor shots to create a feeling of mystery and suspension. I believe that Spielberg attempted to create the same hazy look inside and it wasn't meant to be perceived by the audience as a teen smoking.

[Citizen Rules]

I just watched that scene. It appears that it's a cigarette burning, but I didn't see the actual cigarette. The table is full of stuff, and I wonder if what is shown could be the result of candles or hot coffee or food. Also, while it doesn't show the mom right at that moment, she is there when they cut back to the table. That's plausible, often burning cigarettes are used out of frame to give off smoke, but not necessarily meaning the smoke is coming from a cigarette. If there is a reason for it from a story stand point, the smoke is suppose to look like steam from a hot chocolate or hot food.

[gbgoodies]

It's a shame that you couldn't see the magic in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. I saw it several times when it was originally in the theater, and it's been a favorite movie for me ever since then. I watch it several times a year, and it's never lost its magic for me.

I remember when the trailers for the movie were released, the only image of E.T was his finger coming around the edge of a door. There were no images of E.T. himself, and Spielberg said that was intentional because he wanted people to see E.T. as they watched the movie so they could fall in love with his personality, and not be distracted by his looks. Maybe you didn't get the chance to fall in love with the character if you already saw him as just a rubber puppet.

[Jeff Costello]

Regarding the cigarette question. I think both of you fellas could be right. When we're first introduced to the table, a strong cigarette smoke is shown and eventough barely visible there's an ashtray with a cigarette in it. After Elliots picks up pizza and starts heading towards the house, there's a cut back to the table with mother being in the kitchen, close to the boys. Suddenly the smoke is gone and an ashtray appears to be removed. Perhaps one of the boys was smoking a cigarette, while mother was in the other room or upstairs and when she returned they quickly got rid of it?

Still I think that Spielberg was definitely trying to recreate the smoky visuals from the opening scene.

[MovieMeditation]

Gotta read up on that review later, CR! :up:

[seanc]

Bummer you didn't get more out of ET. I love the scene your talking about and I'm pretty sure I reference it in my review. It is a perfect example of Spielberg building character, something he does better than almost anyone. It firmly establishes who every member of this family is in one chaotic scene. Been a couple years, but doesn't the mother come into this scene as though she has been away. She is ticked about the pizza. Could be she says something about the cigarette and it was cut. I can see a group of teens this age in the 80's lighting up in a home. Much different era smoking wise. Anyway, I would have liked to hear more about the disconnect you felt. Certainly it's not all about the cigarette.

[Citizen Rules]

...Been a couple years, but doesn't the mother come into this scene as though she has been away. She is ticked about the pizza. Yes you're right, she's not initially in the kitchen but she does come into the kitchen moments latter and so she was in another room. (I changed that in my review just now as I had that part wrong)

Certainly it's not all about the cigarette.That scene had nothing to do with my reaction to the movie, or my rating. I just thought it was an odd thing. If I had time I would search the internet to see if Spielberg talked about the reason why that smoke was in the scene. But I'm fairly sure it was not meant to show the teens smoking, but was a prop used to create smoke that was: A)suppose to look like hot food steaming... and B) reflected/mirrored the use of smoke/mist outdoors in all of the first shots.

Could be she says something about the cigarette and it was cut. I can see a group of teens this age in the 80's lighting up in a home. Much different era smoking wise. Could be, but there were no other scenes that showed her oldest son as a edgy/troubled kid or that the mom had difficulties maintaining control.

[Citizen Rules]

On the other hand:p I think @seanc (http://www.movieforums.com/community/member.php?u=75240) is right...and there was a smoking scene that got cut. I found this interview with the actor who played one of the kids, Tyler

Link (http://www.avclub.com/article/c-thomas-howell-on-ithe-outsidersi-blackface-and-h-92458)

My father got a phone call to bring me in to meet with Spielberg for E.T., partially because they knew I was a physical kid, and I was known in the business somewhat as a stunt kid, and I could do all the bicycle riding. The other actors who were riding were being doubled, and I think Steven wanted to be able to cut to one of the actors on the bikes eventually, and not always be using the doubles, so that was part of the reason why I went in. Secondly, they had already cast somebody in the role of Tyler prior to me, but unbeknownst to Steven, the kid was Mormon, and that character had to smoke a cigarette. And, of course, the kid’s mother wouldn’t let that happen. So they decided it’d be best if they made a change.

[seanc]

Interesting. Yeah, I just don't think smoking had the stigma it does now. I think teen smoking was almost a given at this point. Seems like in the 80's parents had a I know just don't fo it around me attitude. That's why I think it kind of fits with this family.

[Citizen Rules]

Interesting. Yeah, I just don't think smoking had the stigma it does now. I think teen smoking was almost a given at this point. Seems like in the 80's parents had a I know just don't fo it around me attitude. That's why I think it kind of fits with this family.That's true, teen smoking was perceived more leniently back in the day. When I went to high school in the late 70s-early 80s, I was shocked to find out that the school actually had a designated area for kids to smoke. Even if they were 15 year old sophomores. I of course stayed away from that area!

[Citizen Rules]

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On The Waterfront (Elia Kazan, 1954)

Director: Elia Kazan
Writers: Budd Schulberg(screenplay & original story)
Cast: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller


Terry Malloy, "You don't understand. I could've had class. I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody instead of a bum, which I am."


I watched the DVD extras before watching the movie. Several times they showed that taxi cab clip, and talked about how dynamic it was. Kazan himself was in awe of what Brando and Steiger did in that scene. It's considered one of the important scenes of cinema and the quote above, is one of the most quoted movies lines.

When I finally watched the movie...I was deeply moved by that scene. Even thinking about it as I type, makes me feel Brando's remorse. It's a helluva scene.

Needless to say I'm duly impressed by On The Waterfront! Brando almost always knocks it out of the ballpark, but here he's sanctified.

He's the embodiment of Kazan's theory on characters, 'that every protagonist should have a dark side, and every antagonist, a soft spot'. And Brando does, he's both sensitive & gentle...and violent & powerful. Brando makes this film!

Father Barry is the crux to the story, it's him who turns the tide by his impassioned speech about the evils of looking the other way as wrong is done in the world. Strong stuff, he is Kazan speaking to the audience. Father Barry's part is well written. But I couldn't help but seeing Karl Malden instead of the priest. In Streetcar I bought that he was his character, but here I didn't. I liked the character, but didn't like Malden in it.

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Eva Marie Saint, I thought she was real and believable. I read that Grace Kelly had been asked to do the role but declined in favor of doing Rear Window. Thank Goodness!

Rod Steiger was a power house and one of my favorite actors, Lee J. Cobb really made this a memorable film. All around a fine cast.

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You know the writer never gets enough credit. On The Waterfront won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Writing, Story and Screenplay: Budd Schulberg, who also wrote: (A Face in the Crowd, The Harder They Fall).

The script is tight! Kazan said the producer Sam Spiegel (who he did not like), kept asking Budd to rewrite the script to sharpen it to a fine point. Kazan said it was the best script he had worked on.

The movie has so many elements that are layered, like Terry Malone's past as a prize fighter who was ordered to take a dive for the big boss....And the entire subplot of caring for pigeons among the hawks of organized crime.

I'm glad I rewatched this as it gave me a new appreciation for the film.

rating_5


.

[Captain Steel]

I always get Streetcar Named Desire and On The Waterfront confused.
Which is the one where he yells "Stella!"?

[Citizen Rules]

Captain Steel

That's Streetcar, Stella is Kim Hunter.

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29280&stc=1&d=1488913647
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)


Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi

About: A series of unexplained encounters with U.F.O.s sets in motion a global search for answers...Whilst a family man, Richard Dreyfuss seeks answers to his own close encounter with an unknown object.

Review: I first watched Steven Spielberg's opus to extraterrestrial first contact back in the early 80s. I was blown away by what I saw. After all these years I rewatched this classic sci fi...and yes I was still blown away by it! Thanks to Spielberg's mastery of film making.

You know usually the director gets all the credit for the movie, but it's the intelligently written, multi story layering of the script that impressed me most of all. And guess what? Steven Spielberg wrote the movie! That's probably why his movie comes close to perfection as it's his unified vision...and according to him based on a childhood experience.

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But of course Spielberg is also skilled as a director. I love how he imparts us with the emotion of the scene by cutting to a reaction shot as he does in the above photo. It's the tears welling up in the son's eyes that tells us how deeply affected the father is by the UFO encounter.

Nothing makes us feel the pain or joy of the moment more than by seeing the emotions in the other character's eyes. Spielberg works magic here with his reaction shots.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29282&stc=1&d=1488913672

Bob Balban foreground, Francois Truffaut background.


I love how the movie interweaves the different stories of those who had extraterrestrial encounters of the 1st kind. Especially powerful was the story line of the international team investigating the re-appearance of long missing planes and ships in the deserts. It gives an all important and serious feel to the context of the movie. Very cool that the renowned French director François Truffaut, leads the investigation team.

Another secondary story that's hauntingly effective, is due to the mother's fear of losing her son. Both mom (Melinda Dillion) and the little kid are instrumental in building the story arc that questions: what the aliens real intentions are?...And her little son (Cary Guffy) was so good an actor that Stanley Kubrick decided to use him in The Shining.

I think of Richard Dreyfus as a comic actor but he's so good here. I instantly believed he was an average family guy with kids and with the charmingTeri Garr for a wife. The way he descends into his obsession after his close encounter is powerful. The scene where he's in the shower having a mental break down and the son is screaming at the top of his lungs, while slamming the bathroom door in anger, is some of the most realistic family crisis drama I've seen put on film. All thanks to Dreyfus and Spielberg.

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And Teri Garr was great as the loving suburbia wife, who's pushed to the edge by her troubled husband. She was great in this...and I realize she looks a lot like Blake Lively, or is that the other way around?

Gosh, there's so many well done scenes that each moment in this movie is a real treat. I loved the setting at Devil's Tower, which in itself is more amazing than any modern CG effect. And the alien ships!...with all of those beautiful lights and the way they moved and rolled over before landing, so very cool.

rating_4_5+

[seanc]

I love all the family stuff and buildup in Close Encounters. Unfortunately I pretty much hated the last act. I will give it another go again sometime. Gave it a 3.5.

[Gideon58]

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[SIZE=6]Close Encounters of the Third Kind[COLOR=#254B8D] (1977)



And Terri Garr was great as the loving suburbia wife, who's pushed to the edge by her troubled husband. She was great in this...and I realize she looks a lot like Blake Lively, or is that the other way around?

rating_5

Dude...Blake Lively again dude...wow, you're like Honeykid and Drew Barrymore.

[Citizen Rules]

I love all the family stuff and buildup in Close Encounters. Unfortunately I pretty much hated the last act. I will give it another go again sometime. Gave it a 3.5. The first half of the film with the mental crisis growing inside of Dreyfus's mind, was my favorite. I did like the actual encounter with the aliens, though it wasn't my favorite part and I would have done it slightly different:cool:

Dude...Blake Lively again dude...wow, you're like Honeykid and Drew Barrymore.It's kind of a running joke:p...but yeah she does look like her.

[MovieMeditation]

Read your E.T. review... seems like it's a personal thing more than anything. It seems as if you had some issues that are not exactly related to the overall quality and craftmanship of the movie itself.

So yeah... I didn't agree. I still love the movie. Best rewatch in a while for me. :up:

[cricket]

I watched Close Encounters for the Sci-Fi countdown for the first time since seeing it at the movies. I wouldn't say I disliked it, but I didn't like it.

[Citizen Rules]

Read your E.T. review... seems like it's a personal thing more than anything. It seems as if you had some issues that are not exactly related to the overall quality and craftmanship of the movie itself. No, I didn't have a personal issue with E.T. the movie. You're not becoming another Iro's are you;). Why would you even say that? Because I said it was odd that there was smoke coming from the kitchen table and yet no one was shown smoking. Believe me that didn't ruin the movie for me.

I was forthright, that I couldn't believe that ET was a real creature and not a puppet and I generally don't like kids/fantasy movies.

[Captain Steel]

Conspiracy theory: Terri Garr is the same wife character in Close Encounters as she is in Oh God (except, by the end of Oh God, her husband receives some vindication in her presence.)
???

[Citizen Rules]

I was checking out Teri Garr's movies today at IMDB:cool: and seen she was in Oh God. I had no idea she was in that. Expect a review one of these days:p

[Captain Steel]

I was checking out Terri Garr's movies today at IMDB:cool: and seen she was in Oh God. I had no idea she was in that. Expect a review one of these days:p

Yes - she plays a role remarkably similar to the one in Close Encounters as she's asked by her husband to believe something rather inexplicable without any proof, except...

John Denver kind of proves to her (and a courtroom full of people) that he's been talking to God, so Terri stands by her man - whereas, if I remember Close Encounters correctly, Richard Dreyfus just leaves her and I don't think she's referred to again, yes?

[Citizen Rules]

I remember when that came out, but never got around to seeing it. I like John Denver's music so maybe he can act too? I'll have to see that.

[Captain Steel]

I remember when that came out, but never got around to seeing it. I like John Denver's music so maybe he can act too? I'll have to see that.

It's a classic - but then, I said that about Airplane! and we saw how that played out. ;)

Oh, God! (1977) is a light-hearted comedy about personal faith - it's a bit corny at times, but warm hearted. A good family type movie. You can't beat George Burns playing God and John Denver is pretty good as a reluctant supermarket manager called upon to spread God's word (oh, and my favorite part is the great Paul Sorvino playing a Jimmy Swaggart-type televangelist!)

You may want to skip the two sequels - I don't remember much about them, just that they lacked the charm of the first one (in the third one Oh, God! You Devil (1984) George Burns plays both God and Satan).

[MovieMeditation]

No, I didn't have a personal issue with E.T. the movie. You're not becoming another Iro's are you;). Why would you even say that? Because I said it was odd that there was smoke coming from the kitchen table and yet no one was shown smoking. Believe me that didn't ruin the movie for me.

I was forthright, that I couldn't believe that ET was a real creature and not a puppet and I generally don't like kids/fantasy movies.
That you didn't believe in ET as a real creature, despite how the magic and wonder from everybody who loves the movie comes from the exact fact that they are enchanted by the creature, seems to me to be a personal problem. That's like saying you don't believe the Shark in Jaws and therefore find it silly and is taking out of the movie. It's still great craftmanship - unless you make a point against that instead - the effects just didn't hold up anymore. :)

[gbgoodies]

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Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)


Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi

About: A series of unexplained encounters with U.F.O.s sets in motion a global search for answers...While a family man, Richard Dreyfuss seeks answers to his own close encounter with an unknown object.

Review: I first watched Steven Spielberg's opus to extraterrestrial first contact back in the early 80s. I was blown away by what I seen. After all these years, I rewatched this classic sci fi...and was still blown away! Thanks to Spielberg's mastery of film making.

rating_5


I'm glad to see that you liked Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I was beginning to wonder about you after your recent reviews of 12 Angry Men and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. :lol:


Another secondary story that's hauntingly effective, is due to the mother's fear of losing her son. Both mom (Melinda Dillion) and the little kid are instrumental in building the story arch of what the aliens real intentions are?...And her little son (Cary Guffey) was so good an actor that Stanley Kubrick decided to use him in The Shining.


BTW, Cary Guffey wasn't in The Shining. Kubrick wanted him for the movie, but his parents wouldn't let him do it.

[Citizen Rules]

That you didn't believe in ET as a real creature, despite how the magic and wonder from everybody who loves the movie comes from the exact fact that they are enchanted by the creature, seems to me to be a personal problem. That's like saying you don't believe the Shark in Jaws and therefore find it silly and is taking out of the movie. It's still great craftmanship - unless you make a point against that instead - the effects just didn't hold up anymore. :) By that definition, all opinions are of a personal nature. My reviews are always right, from my standpoint. Just as yours are always right from your POV.

At any rate E.T., not my cup of tea.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm glad to see that you liked Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I was beginning to wonder about you after your recent reviews of 12 Angry Men and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. You forgot Dial M for Murder, (I don't like that either).

I watched a 1 hour 41 min documentary on the making of Close Encounters. Fascinating stuff and lots of neat interviews with Spielberg and the cast.
I'll go out on a limb here and say Close Encounters does first contact with extraterrestrials much better than Arrival did.

[Chypmunk]

I'm a fan of both Waterfront and Encounters - nicely done CR.

[gbgoodies]

You forgot Dial M for Murder, (I don't like that either).

What are we going to do with you? :facepalm:


I watched a 1 hour 41 min documentary on the making of Close Encounters. Fascinating stuff and lots of neat interviews with Spielberg and the cast.
I'll go out on a limb here and say Close Encounters does first contact with extraterrestrials much better than Arrival did.


I haven't seen Arrival yet, but I'll go out on that limb with you. :D

[Citizen Rules]

I'm a fan of both Waterfront and Encounters - nicely done CR. Thanks Chyp, when I get a chance I'm going to try and catch more of Spielberg's big 80s hits. I haven't seen them since the days of spandex and big hair:p

What are we going to do with you? :facepalm:
I haven't seen Arrival yet, but I'll go out on that limb with you. :D I think you'll like Arrival, I'm betting you'll feel about the same as I did. When you see it, pop in here and let me know, even if it's months from now. I always like to here how people perceive movies.

[Sarge]

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On The Waterfront (Elia Kazan, 1954)

Director: Elia Kazan
Writers: Budd Schulberg(screenplay & original story)
Cast: Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller


Terry Malloy, "You don't understand. I could've had class. I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody instead of a bum, which I am."


I watched the DVD extras before watching the movie. Several times they showed that taxi cab clip, and talked about how dynamic it was. Kazan himself was in awe of what Brando and Steiger did in that scene. It's considered one of the important scenes of cinema and the quote above, is one of the most quoted movies lines.

When I finally watched the movie...I was deeply moved by that scene. Even thinking about it as I type, makes me feel Brando's remorse. It's a helluva scene.

Needless to say I'm duly impressed by On The Waterfront! Brando almost always knocks it out of the ballpark, but here he's sanctified.

He's the embodiment of Kazan's theory on characters, 'that every protagonist should have a dark side, and every antagonist, a soft spot'. And Brando does, he's both sensitive & gentle...and violent & powerful. Brando makes this film!

Father Barry is the crux to the story, it's him who turns the tide by his impassioned speech about the evils of looking the other way as wrong is done in the world. Strong stuff, he is Kazan speaking to the audience. Father Barry's part is well written. But I couldn't help but seeing Karl Malden instead of the priest. In Streetcar I bought that he was his character, but here I didn't. I liked the character, but didn't like Malden in it.

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Eva Marie Saint, I thought she was real and believable. I read that Grace Kelly had been asked to do the role but declined in favor of doing Rear Window. Thank Goodness!

Rod Steiger was a power house and one of my favorite actors, Lee J. Cobb really made this a memorable film. All around a fine cast.

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You know the writer never gets enough credit. On The Waterfront won 8 Academy Awards, including Best Writing, Story and Screenplay: Budd Schulberg, who also wrote: (A Face in the Crowd, The Harder They Fall).

The script is tight! Kazan said the producer Sam Spiegel (who he did not like), kept asking Budd to rewrite the script to sharpen it to a fine point. Kazan said it was the best script he had worked on.

The movie has so many elements that are layered, like Terry Malone's past as a prize fighter who was ordered to take a dive for the big boss....And the entire subplot of caring for pigeons among the hawks of organized crime.

I'm glad I rewatched this as it gave me a new appreciation for the film.

rating_5


.

Another for the watchlist :up:

[Chypmunk]

Thanks Chyp, when I get a chance I'm going to try and catch more of Spielberg's big 80s hits. I haven't seen them since the days of spandex and big hair :p
Yes, it'll be interesting to see how they hold up now presumably you no longer have big hair or dress the same :D :p

[Citizen Rules]

I love all the family stuff and buildup in Close Encounters. Unfortunately I pretty much hated the last act. I will give it another go again sometime. Gave it a 3.5.I wanted to ask what you didn't like about the ending in Close Encounters?

I think I know and I bet it's the same thing that bothered me.

While I did like the secret landing site in a hidden canyon of Devil's Tower. And I did like the way the site looked. And the way they had the set dressed with module buildings for the scientist with huge lights and the music greeting too. And I thought the entire ending with the scientist and officials anxiously waiting to make first contact was well done. But...

I didn't like Richard Dreyfus going into the ship and leaving with the aliens. I mean he has a loving family and he just ditches them. He was a nice, regular guy and that didn't fit with his personality. It doesn't ruin the movie for me, but I wish that part had been left out. I'm wondering is that what you didn't like about the ending?

[Citizen Rules]

Yes, it'll be interesting to see how they hold up now presumably you no longer have big hair or dress the same :D :p
:p:eek:

[seanc]

I wanted to ask what you didn't like about the ending in Close Encounters?

I think I know and I bet it's the same thing that bothered me.

While I did like the secret landing site in a hidden canyon of Devil's Tower. And I did like the way the site looked. And the way they had the set dressed with module buildings for the scientist with huge lights and the music greeting too. And I thought the entire ending with the scientist and officials anxiously waiting to make first contact was well done. But...

I didn't like Richard Dreyfus going into the ship and leaving with the aliens. I mean he has a loving family and he just ditches them. He was a nice, regular guy and that didn't fit with his personality. It doesn't ruin the movie for me, but I wish that part had been left out. I'm wondering is that what you didn't like about the ending?

Been a couple years but I didn't like the caper aspect of Dreyfuss sneaking in or the musical communication. Yeah, I didn't buy the ending either but I'm not sure it would have bothered me that much if I had liked the stuff leading up to it.

[Gideon58]

All this talk about Close Encounters is really making me want to watch it again...it's been at least a decade since I've watched it.

[Captain Steel]

I've always wondered what happens to the creepy, spindly-legged alien that first comes out of the ship. He seems to be there for shock value as he's neither cute nor friendly looking, but looks more like some kind of tall humanoid spider thing. But then he's just gone when all the little big-head aliens come out.
What happened to Mr. creepy spindly-legs? Did he go back inside? (As if the aliens are saying, don't piss us off or we'll have to "bring out the geek" again?) Did he proceed off camera to confer with Bob Balaban?

[Gideon58]

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Annie Hall (Woody Allen, 1977)

Director: Woody Allen
Writers: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
Cast: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts
Genre: Comedy Romance


Don't like this movie as much as you do, but enjoyed reading your review and am enjoying watching your appreciation of Woody Allen grow.

[Citizen Rules]

Been a couple years but I didn't like the caper aspect of Dreyfuss sneaking in or the musical communication. Yeah, I didn't buy the ending either but I'm not sure it would have bothered me that much if I had liked the stuff leading up to it.Gawds! I'm never good at guessing how others feel about movies. I thought for sure you would say because Dreyfuss left his wife and family behind and went off on the space ship. Spielberg in an 1997 interview said that he would never have done that scene the same way and called it a naivety from his youth. I thought that was pretty cool, that 20 years latter Spielberg agreed with me;):p

I've always wondered what happens to the creepy, spindly-legged alien that first comes out of the ship. He seems to be there for shock value as he's neither cute nor friendly looking, but looks more like some kind of tall humanoid spider thing. But then he's just gone when all the little big-head aliens come out.
What happened to Mr. creepy spindly-legs? Did he go back inside? (As if the aliens are saying, don't piss us off or we'll have to "bring out the geek" again?) Did he proceed off camera to confer with Bob Balaban? The creepy spindly leg alien was a giant marionette puppet, the only one in the scene. I thought it was pretty cool, I'd like to have seen more of it. There were actually three different species of aliens that we see.

Don't like this movie as much as you do, but enjoyed reading your review and am enjoying watching your appreciation of Woody Allen grow. I'm looking forward to watching another Woody movie, I'm not sure which one it will be.

[Captain Steel]

Have you seen Take The Money and Run (1969), Rules? One of Woody's earlier comedies that is pretty much straight slapstick with tons of memorable sight gags and one liners done in a semi-mockumentary style. It's not one of his cerebral, esoteric, social commentary comedies which is why I like it. It's just silly. I also love the girl who plays his love interest: the late Janet Margolin - she was so beautiful.

[Citizen Rules]

No, I haven't seen it. I do know of it, though. Hmm, slap stick and sight gags, I'm not sure if I'm going to like it?

[Captain Steel]

No, I haven't seen it. I do know of it, though. Hmm, slap stick and sight gags, I'm not sure if I'm going to like it?

It's kind of Woody Allen light - but it is one of his first solo ventures.
It's "light" only in comparison to his later esoteric style - but it's heavy on outlandish scenarios and laughs (for instance, as a kid, his character played the Cello in a high school Marching Band!)

I think it's way better than Bananas (1971) and even Sleeper (1973) which I like because of its sci-fi angle.
It's filming style - with portions presented as a late 60's crime profile documentary - also makes it unique.
As comedies go, it's one of my all time favorites.

[Citizen Rules]

https://kelleepratt.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/gentlemens-agreement_holmandpeckchat.jpg?w=640

Gentleman's Agreement (1947)

Director: Elia Kazan
Writers: Laura Z. Hobson(novel), Moss Hart(screenplay)
Cast: Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, John Garfield
Genre: Drama, Romance

About: A reporter who takes on a writing assignment to uncover the hidden story of anti-Semitism, by pretending to be Jewish himself.

Review: Unlike some of Elia Kazan's other well known social issues movies, Gentleman's Agreement doesn't pack a lot of emotional punch...but, I came to the conclusion that its lack of strong emotions about racial injustices actually makes it more effective and grounded in reality.

I don't know how many movies I've seen about bigotry that shows the victim being horribly mistreated, which then infuriates the viewer, producing a strong reaction. But that emotional manipulation by directors is a bit like a chief who pours to much Tabasco into their dish. A little is good, a lot isn't.

I felt the kind of anti-Semitism bigotry this film explored was more realistic than the bombastic type that could have been shown. I also liked that it was explored from different angles, including the bigoted Jewish secretary who was bigoted against those she thought was 'too Jewish'...In that way they showed quiet discrimination taking place, which made it seem more grounded to me.

Oddly Elia Kazan thought this was one of his weaker movies.
From IMDB:
Despite winning an Oscar for his direction, Elia Kazan revealed in a later interview that he was never fond of this movie, feeling that it lacked passion on his part and he thought that the romance was too forced. I have to agree with Kazan that I don't think the romance worked well. Though I don't know what he meant by 'too forced'? I thought the script gave the two leads good reason for falling in love and I think the romance scenes were filmed well.

But IMO, Dorothy McGuire does not have that great of an acting range, she's a bit of a cold fish and had no chemistry with Gregory Peck. She's well cast here as the reserved well to do, country club lady but not real personable, so not much chemistry.

The best romance chemistry was the scenes with Celeste Holm and Gregory Peck and that's thanks to Celeste Holm. I love the subtle way she clues us in on her interest in Peck.

My favorite scene in the film is (the picture above)... is where she's alone with Peck and he's talking about his problems and doesn't have a clue she's interested. I love the way she aimlessly stirs her coffee with a spoon. Her continually stirring really speaks volumes. I wonder if that was Kazan's idea? Hers? or even the script writers?

I'll finish by saying I liked Gregory Peck in this and I liked the way the story was told....Oh and I loved the cottage that they visit in Connecticut. When they enter the house and she shows him around, that's a very long scene take, without an edit, impressive! I'm pretty sure that was a real house and not a studio set too.

rating_4

[Citizen Rules]

It's kind of Woody Allen light - but it is one of his first solo ventures.
It's "light" only in comparison to his later esoteric style - but it's heavy on outlandish scenarios and laughs (for instance, as a kid, his character played the Cello in a high school Marching Band!)

I think it's way better than Bananas (1971) and even Sleeper (1973) which I like because of its sci-fi angle.
It's filming style - with portions presented as a late 60's crime profile documentary - also makes it unique.
As comedies go, it's one of my all time favorites. Just tell me it's not like the dreaded:cool: Airplane (1980)! and I'll watch it!

[Captain Steel]

Just tell me it's not like the dreaded:cool: Airplane (1980)! and I'll watch it!

Ha! No a different style of humor. Think of it this way - you know how we were saying Woody is basically the same character in every movie? Well, same here, except this time he's a nerdy, failed Cello player who is bullied throughout his youth and ends up turning to a life of crime (and the result is one of the most inept, neurotic & hilarious criminals of all time).

[Citizen Rules]

Ha! No a different style of humor. Think of it this way - you know how we were saying Woody is basically the same character in every movie? Well, same here, except this time he's a nerdy, failed Cello player who is bullied throughout his youth and ends up turning to a life of crime (and the result is one of the most inept, neurotic & hilarious criminals of all time).I'll watch it, I'll watch it! You're were spot on about The Big Bus, so I'll take you word for it:p

[Citizen Rules]

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Loving (2016)

Director: Jeff Nichols
Writer: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton
Genre: Historical Bio-Pic Drama

About: Based on the actual events of Richard and Mildred Loving, who in 1958 drove from their home in Virginia to get married in nearby Washington D.C. Upon returning to Virginia they are quickly arrested for violating Virginia's interracial marriage laws. What follows in this true life story is the couple's fight for civil & personal rights...A harrowing tale of prison and banishment from their own state.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29351&stc=1&d=1489114132


Review: Don't be fooled by the movie's title into thinking this is some touchy-feely romance movie...it's not. Loving...is the last name of the real life interracial couple that the movie is based on. For the most part this is a historical drama. Oh sure we get a few terse moments when the police come looking for the newlyweds, but mostly it's done low-key. It's hard to believe that up until 1967 mixed race marriages were illegal in some southern states and those violating the law could be arrested and sent to jail, sad but true.

I found the film held my interest and the story is a riveting one. Yet the way the director/writer tells the story, left me with a bit of an empty feeling, like there should have been a bit more character development or more to the story. I don't feel I got to know the characters well, and in a film like this, that's very important. Loving is an indie film, so I'm willing to cut it some slack.

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Ruth Negga...I was very impressed with her, she gave a compelling yet controlled performance. She made her character seem real and likable. I like to see her in more movies. The only other movie I've seen her in was World War Z. Ruth is worth the price of admission, as someone says.

Joel Edgerton...Playing her husband is Joel Edgerton. I've not seen him in anything that I recall. He really does look a lot like the real Richard Loving. I'd say he did a good job here, except I wish we would have gotten a little more insight into the real Richard. I feel like he gave a strong performance, but didn't let the audience in on it.

Let me say this, whoever cast the young ACLU layer was a fool. He was so comical that he came across like a young Jon Lovitz and I thought the movie was headed into slapstick territory, when the lawyer enters the picture.

I did enjoy Loving and learned something about the past. But ultimately I wanted more of a connection out of this film.

rating_3_5+




.

[Citizen Rules]

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The Idolmaker (1980)Director: Taylor Hackford
Writer: Edward Di Lorenzo
Cast: Ray Sharkey, Tovah Feldshuh, Peter Gallagher
Genre: Drama

About: A dramatization based on the life of the real rock promoter & producer Bob Marcucci. Bob discovered & manufactured and managed mega 1950s stars like Frankie Avalon and Fabian.



Review: This was a fun, easy watch. I can't say I loved it, but it had it's moments and always kept me interested. At times it felt like a made for TV movie, but that's not a bad thing as it was trying to be entertaining and it was and at least it never went over the top or got silly. All of the actors were real excellent, especially Ray Sharkey who plays the obsessed with success, rock promoter. Based on the real life Bob Marcucci. Here all the characters have different names than the actual people they are based on.

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My favorite part was with Marcia (Maureen McCormick) of The Brady Bunch...and the house band at the small club where the new acts are introduced. I dug the band and the atmosphere. The movie comes back to this hole in the wall, club several times. All nicely done.

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I also liked the story of the first performer Tommy Dee, who's first big appearance is in front of jr high school girls, which was funny. The live TV show on Saturday night Bandstand that he does was also fun and well done.

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Geez, the promoter was sure a jerk, but the actor did a really excellent job at being a jerk. I wonder if they real promoter was really this jerky? Everybody sang pretty good too, especially his second star Peter Gallagher. It was funny that the songs from the late 50s, early 60s all sounded like the early 80s. But that's not a big deal as they were not original period songs, but wrote for the movie.

Tovah Feldshuh who played Brenda Roberts the magazine lady, really reminded me of Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager. I swear they could be sisters.

Overall an entertaining film.

rating_3






.

[Camo]

Have you seen Take The Money and Run (1969), Rules? One of Woody's earlier comedies that is pretty much straight slapstick with tons of memorable sight gags and one liners done in a semi-mockumentary style. It's not one of his cerebral, esoteric, social commentary comedies which is why I like it. It's just silly. I also love the girl who plays his love interest: the late Janet Margolin - she was so beautiful.

Take The Money And Run is my favourite Woody Allen film by quite some way. You are completely right, it is one of if not his most shallow films. There's not much beyond the jokes so if you don't find it funny then there's not much you are going to get out of it. I like films with alot of depth but sometimes i think i respect a director more for making something like this, especially a director who usually tries to add more to his films. Take The Money and Run is just supposed to be fun, nothing else, i also think despite it just being a joke machine it gives just as good of an insight into Allen's mind as any other film of his since this is basically a pure showcase of what he finds fun and funny himself. The whole thing is just so silly there's no other word for it, every scene while being technically possible (with the exception of one or two) is so absurd that the film feels really surreal. It also has the joke i laughed at most in an Allen film the first time i saw it; don't read this spoiler Citizen if you are going to watch it because it has to be a surprise for it to work.

The car appearing inside the house, jesus that joke killed me :rotfl:


Completely agree with your Spielberg posts the last few pages. I don't like E.T, actually i like it a lot less than you and always have since i was a kid, got to have seen the film 10+ times now including as an adult so clearly it is never going to work for me. And Close Encounters may be my favourite Spielberg i'm not sure.

[Nestorio_Miklos]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29350&stc=1&d=1489114125

Loving (2016)

Director: Jeff Nichols
Writer: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, Will Dalton
Genre: Historical Bio-Pic Drama

About: Based on the actual events of Richard and Mildred Loving, who in 1958 drove from their home in Virginia to get married in Washington D.C. Upon returning to Virginia they are quickly arrested for violating Virginia's interracial marriage laws. What follows in this true life story of the couple's fight for civil & personal rights, is a harrowing tale with prison and banishment from their own state.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29351&stc=1&d=1489114132


Review: Don't be fooled by the movie's title into thinking this is some touchy-feely romance movie...it's not. Loving...is the last name of the real life interracial couple that the movie is based on. For the most part this is a historical drama. Oh sure we get a few terse moments when the police come looking for the newlyweds, but mostly it's done low-key. It's hard to believe that up until 1967 mixed race marriages were illegal in some southern states and those violating the law could be arrested and sent to jail, sad but true.

I found the film held my interest and the story is a riveting one. Yet the way the director/writer tells the story, left me with an empty feeling, like there should have been a bit more character development or more to the story. I don't feel I got to know the characters and in a film like this, that's important. Loving is an indie film, so I'm willing to cut it some slack.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29353&stc=1&d=1489114153


Ruth Negga...I was very impressed with her, she gave a compelling yet controlled performance. She made her character seem real and likable. I like to see her in more movies. The only other movie I've seen her in was World War Z. Ruth is worth the price of admission, as someone says.

Joel Edgerton...Playing her husband is Joel Edgerton. I've not seen him in anything that I recall. He really does look a lot like the real Richard Loving. I'd say he did a good job here, except I wish we would have gotten a little more insight into the real Richard. I feel like he gave a strong performance, but didn't let the audience in on it.

Let me say this, whoever cast the young ACLU layer was a fool. He was so comical that he came across like a young Jon Lovitz and I thought the movie was headed into slapstick territory, when the lawyer enters the picture.

I did enjoy Loving and learned something about the past. But ultimately I wanted more of a connection, out of this film.

rating_3_5




.

story is mighty interesting, but the execution is lifeless. At least for me. IT was like filmmakers having too aggressive deadlines.

[Captain Steel]

Take The Money And Run is my favourite Woody Allen film by quite some way. You are completely right, it is one of if not his most shallow films. There's not much beyond the jokes so if you don't find it funny then there's not much you are going to get out of it. I like films with alot of depth but sometimes i think i respect a director more for making something like this, especially a director who usually tries to add more to his films. Take The Money and Run is just supposed to be fun, nothing else, i also think despite it just being a joke machine it gives just as good of an insight into Allen's mind as any other film of his since this is basically a pure showcase of what he finds fun and funny himself. The whole thing is just so silly there's no other word for it, every scene while being technically possible (with the exception of one or two) is so absurd that the film feels really surreal. It also has the joke i laughed at most in an Allen film the first time i saw it; don't read this spoiler Citizen if you are going to watch it because it has to be a surprise for it to work.

The car appearing inside the house, jesus that joke killed me :rotfl:


Completely agree with your Spielberg posts the last few pages. I don't like E.T, actually i like it a lot less than you and always have since i was a kid, got to have seen the film 10+ times now including as an adult so clearly it is never going to work for me. And Close Encounters may be my favourite Spielberg i'm not sure.

Excellent, excellent post, Camo! There is something brilliant in the simplicity of the movie's comedy - it's like "pure" unadulterated comedy. If there is a 101 course on comedy, this movie should be a prerequisite. You don't have to engage in a lot of thinking, you just enjoy as the fun is contained in a very simple story under an hour and a half long.
And there's the overall juxtaposition of sticking so many absurd situations into the realistic feeling of a documentary that adds to the overall surreal feeling - some say that Woody Allen made the very first mocumentary with this film that many others have since tried to copy.

[Camo]

Excellent, excellent post, Camo! There is something brilliant in the simplicity of the movie's comedy - it's like "pure" unadulterated comedy. If there is a 101 course on comedy, this movie should be a prerequisite. You don't have to engage in a lot of thinking, you just enjoy as the fun is contained in a very simple story under an hour and a half long.
And there's the overall juxtaposition of sticking so many absurd situations into the realistic feeling of a documentary that adds to the overall surreal feeling - some say that Woody Allen made the very first mocumentary with this film that many others have since tried to copy.

Agreed with all of that. Also something that completely cements the absurdity of the film, by that i mean makes it clear that you aren't supposed to take any of it seriously and if you are you are wrong is the fact that Virgil is so damn likable haha. Maybe it was just me, but i completely warmed up to everything he did and even felt for him at times because of the fact that he is the biggest failure and unluckiest character in film history pretty much, and this is taking into account the various crimes he commits including attempted murder.


It is Allen at his least restrained, not to be corny here but he does pretty much takes it and runs (with it) haha.

[SilentVamp]

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Loving (2016)


One of my all-time favorite TV movies is from the mid-90's. It stars Timothy Hutton and it is called Mr. and Mrs. Loving. It is this same story. And because I liked that one so much, I didn't have much interest in watching the version of that story that was out last year.

If you can find a way, you should see if you can obtain Mr. and Mrs. Loving, give it a watch, and tell me what you think about it. I may watch the theatrical film at some time, but I don't think I will like it as much as the TV movie.

[Camo]

Forgot to mention Loving. I pretty much agree with you, personally i think Jeff Nichols is a very good director and that his understated approach often pays off: especially in Shotgun Stories but Loving was so understated that it has basically blended into nothing in the months since i watched it. I actually think i'd put Midnight Special above it now since that has stuck with me more.

[Citizen Rules]

story is mighty interesting, but the execution is lifeless. At least for me. IT was like filmmakers having too aggressive deadlines.Agreed, the execution was mostly lifeless with some terse moments, even though the story of the real couple is very compelling. That's what I was trying to say in my review. I blame the script, which was written by the director.

One of my all-time favorite TV movies is from the mid-90's. It stars Timothy Hutton and it is called Mr. and Mrs. Loving. It is this same story. And because I liked that one so much, I didn't have much interest in watching the version of that story that was out last year.

If you can find a way, you should see if you can obtain Mr. and Mrs. Loving, give it a watch, and tell me what you think about it. I may watch the theatrical film at some time, but I don't think I will like it as much as the TV movie.I wondered if their story had been told before..Thanks for mentioning it, I would like to see that. I just checked and it's not at my library, but I can probably find it. I know there's a documentary, The Loving Story (2011) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1759682/) which my library has and so I'll watch that.

[cricket]

I saw Gentleman's Agreement recently, not brilliant or anything but it deserves to be more recognized.

[re93animator]

Cherry 2000[/COLOR][/SIZE][/SIZE] (1987)


Director: Steve De Jarnatt[FONT=Arial]
Cast: David Andrews, Pamela Gidley, Melanie Griffith

rating_3_5


I watched this again. I liked it better this time, but I think it could’ve been so much cooler. It was a little too ‘light’ IMO for a PA movie. Like they took really violent and mature content and almost tried to make a kids movie out of it.

I definitely appreciated the world of it though. Up my alley. The locations are all interesting and diverse. I didn’t really care about the main plot, I just wanted them to constantly keep exploring more weird locations with eccentric characters. Adventure is definitely the movie’s forte.

I’d give it about a 2_5. I appreciated your thoughts on it, and I am glad that they inspired me to give it another go. :)

BTW, if you haven’t seen it, I think you’d like Six String Samurai.

[Citizen Rules]

re93animator

Very cool that you rewatched Cherry 2000 (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1205041#post1205041) based on my review:) Thanks for posting back too! Yeah, it's not too violent, so I could see that being a drawback for some, but for me that's a plus. I don't like real violent movies.

Adventure is definitely the movie’s forte. I like that, well said!

Thanks for telling me about, Six String Samurai, I'd never heard of it so glad you recommended it. I will watch it sometime too. I was actually looking for more post-apocalyptic sci fi films, and that one sounds pretty cool.:p

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29406&stc=1&d=1489461233
http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29416&stc=1&d=1489517805
(1976)

Director: Sidney Lumet
Writer: Paddy Chayefsky
Cast: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch
Genre: Drama

Network starts off with a bang, when a major network news anchorman is fired and given his two weeks notice. The reason?..Because he's grown old and the station manager wants to boast their dismal ratings. I loved how this seemed almost semi documentary style...and we're given an insider's view into the sleazy world of network executives and corporate profits. Interesting stuff!

The first hour was powerful, as we see how giant corporations gobble up networks and the proceed to turn respectable news stations, into infotainment. This movie is certainly ahead of it's time!

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29407&stc=1&d=1489461216

An iconic scene from Network as actor Peter Finch vents his anger on live TV..."I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"


It was fascinating seeing how the network executives make programing decisions that effect ratings and profits. I loved the way the fictitious forth network (this is before cable TV) named UBS is at the bottom of the heap and losing money fast. When they fire their aging news anchor, he shocks the hell out of everyone by threatening to blow his brains out on live TV!...This movie at that point, caught my attention!

What follows is a cascading effect where the network executives take on even more provocative 'news' shows to boast their sagging profits. I swear this movie is way ahead of it's time, foretelling not only news as entertainment, but foretelling the coming of reality based TV shows.

As much as I liked the subject matter, I was mixed on the acting, some of it was flat and hammy. The only stand out actors to me, were Robert Duvall & Peter Finch. William Holden and Faye Dunaway at times sounded like they were acting in a bad TV soap opera. Very cliched, long monologues that didn't resemble real speach or real people. Their romance scene, was like something out of a soap opera and felt tacked on. It's probably not their fault, as the dialogue was cheesy in the scrips. But who cares I thought, this was still a pretty great movie....

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29409&stc=1&d=1489461244
The program manager, Faye Dunaway is like Mary Tyler Moore on steroids. Much to my surprise the movie actually references the Mary Tyler Moore show.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29410&stc=1&d=1489461252
In what has got to be one of the more kooky scenes, a reality based TV info-news show is created with a psychic as one of the host.


However the movie goes to hell in the second hour, when it becomes farcical and attempts satire. We get one really lame plot turn, when the executives hire members of a radical political group who rob banks, the Ecumenical Liberation Army. That was the start of dumbing down the movie.

Worse is when we see a bunch of high paid network executives in some dingy hide out, signing contracts with the ELA bank robbers. Ridiculous. If this was done for comedy, it wasn't funny. And as the rest of the movie wasn't comical, it took away from the power of the story. And as satire it took away the realistic documentary feel of the movie and diluted the message.

But that's what director Sidney Lumet does, he delivers his social messages with a sledge hammer. Apparently Sidney thinks the audience is stupid and won't get his point unless he makes it painful obvious. I hate movies that dumb it down for the audience, and despite the totally prophetic and important message of the movie, I can't overlook the sloppy execution by the director.

rating_3-

.

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29426&stc=1&d=1489601772
Fences (2016)

Director: Denzel Washington
Writer: August Wilson (screenplay & original stage play)
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson
Genre: Drama

About: In a poor section of Pittsburgh during the late 1950's, a working class black man, Troy (Denzel Washington) who's lived a hard life and so becomes a 'hard man'....tries to do his best, for his family.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29427&stc=1&d=1489601781


Review: Fences is not an easy watch, it annoyed me, it angered me...and it challenged me to look beyond the usual formulaic movie making process and reevaluate what movies making means.

Based on the successful stage play Fences, written by August Wilson, Wilson also wrote the screenplay for this 2016 movie directed by and starring veteran actor Denzel Washington.

If you've ever seen a Tennessee Williams play or a movie based on one of his plays, you'll know what to expect. Like a Tennessee Williams play, this is wordy, very wordy...With long diatribes from Troy mostly aimed at the white people who he's encountered and blames for his life's failures. His biggest failure, according to him is that he was denied a chance at playing big league baseball because he was black.

In a way Denzel Washinton's character is like TV's Archie Bunker a bitter man who has deep seated bigotry, that not only hurts himself, but hurts those around him, mainly his family. He spends most of his screen time venting his anger not only at whites but at blacks as well. He's a negative bitter man, who says the 'n word' numerous times, even degrading his own son with that word. He's full of rage and conflict and not at all likable...just like a lead in a Tennessee William's play.

My challenge was to realize that unlike most other movies, Fences dares to annoy the viewer, but with an artistic intent. It's not a fun film, the disgruntled bully of a father/husband doesn't redeem himself and become a saint, like so many other films would have done. This movie is much more intelligent than that. It doesn't cut the audience any slack and I respect that.

Like real life, Troy is complex. He's neither evil, nor good. He tries to do the best he can, but he's been deeply wounded by all of his life's experiences, once again like a character out of a Tennessee Williams play, he's deeply flawed and his flaws drive the story.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29428&stc=1&d=1489601788


Denzel Washington gives the role his all. He never stoops to soft pedaling his character to the audience. And he never dumbs down his performance by making Troy a man we love to hate. Denzel plays this straight up, with a refreshing, brutal frankness. Troy does many questionable things, but his actions come from a base inside him that is portrayed very honestly. Kudos to Denzel as a director for taking his film in this direction.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29429&stc=1&d=1489601795


Viola Davis, is my favorite in the film, and that's mostly because we care about her, we feel her pain, we wish things could be better for her. Viola won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and it's easy to see why...she's very good here.

I have to give a nod to the people responsible for dressing the sets. I'm probably the only reviewer in the world who will mention this:

At the start of the film (during the late 50's) we see a 1940's era refrigerator in the kitchen. Which is appropriate as the family has little spare money and the father is tight with his hard earned cash. Outside on the back porch is an old discarded refrigerator with a top mounted condenser, from the 1930s. A nice touch, as it says something about the family and their economy state. The camera never focuses on the fridge, it's just in the background, but it relays an extra depth to the story.

Flash forward towards the end of the film and it's 6 years later and the family now has a newer style refrigerator in the kitchen, presumably the old fridge broke.

To my amazement, I then noticed on the back porch that the 1930s refrigerator was gone and in place was the exact 40's refrigerator from the first part of the movie. That deserves and Oscar for set design! What a nice touch to this special film.

Fences packs a lot of negative emotions into the film and really set me on edge. It's not the kind of film I can love but it's film making I can respect.

rating_4

[SilentVamp]

Isn't this finally your first Denzel Washington film? You did say that you hadn't seen one with him before, right?

I have this requested from the library. I, for one, am not a big Viola Davis fan. I think she overacts sometimes. So we will see how I feel about this one. But I was interested in this story since I first saw a bit of the revival on the Tony Awards (Denzel won a Tony for his performance and so did Viola Davis for hers). This is my kind of movie. I am looking forward to watching it.

[Citizen Rules]

Isn't this finally your first Denzel Washington film? You did say that you hadn't seen one with him before, right? That does sound like something I would say:p And yeah basically it's true, though I just realized I had seen him in Crimson Tide (1995) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112740/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_34)

I have this requested from the library. I, for one, am not a big Viola Davis fan. I think she overacts sometimes. So we will see how I feel about this one. I think she underplayed it, (which I like)as her character was more of a put-upon character. She did have the snot-coming-out her nose scene, I don't know if that's overacting, as she probably couldn't help that;) But I really liked her in this.

But I was interested in this story since I first saw a bit of the revival on the Tony Awards (Denzel won a Tony for his performance and so did Viola Davis for hers). This is my kind of movie. I am looking forward to watching it.I love to hear your thoughts on this.

[cricket]

I wasn't interested in Fences anyway, but I didn't realize it was based on a play. I usually don't like movies based on plays, although there have been exceptions.

[Gideon58]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29426&stc=1&d=1489601772
Fences (2016)

Director: Denzel Washington
Writer: August Wilson (screenplay & original stage play)
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson


Loved your review of this film, Citizen and agree with just about everything you've said...I like the comparison to Tennessee Williams, I never thought of that but the story and dialogue do have a very Tennessee Williams quality. I agree that Denzel does not shy away from the negative aspects of the character and that Viola Davis was the best thing about the movie...her supporting actress Oscar was the only sure thing Oscar night since she was clearly a lead...she has more screentime than Denzel.

[Gideon58]

I understand Fences was your first look at Denzel in a minute...there are a couple of other Denzel performances I would recommend:

Glory
Malcolm X
John Q

[matt72582]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29426&stc=1&d=1489601772
Fences (2016)

Director: Denzel Washington
Writer: August Wilson (screenplay & original stage play)
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen Henderson
Genre: Drama

About: In a poor section of Pittsburgh during the late 1950's, a working class black man, Troy (Denzel Washington) who's lived a hard life and so becomes a 'hard man'....tries to do his best, for his family.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29427&stc=1&d=1489601781


Review: Fences is not an easy watch, it annoyed me, it angered me...and it challenged me to look beyond the usual formulaic movie making process and reevaluate what movies making means.

Based on the successful stage play Fences, written by August Wilson, Wilson also wrote the screenplay for this 2016 movie directed by and starring veteran actor Denzel Washington.

If you've ever seen a Tennessee Williams play or a movie based on one of his plays, you'll know what to expect. Like a Tennessee Williams play, this is wordy, very wordy...With long diatribes from Troy mostly aimed at the white people who he's encountered and blames for his life's failures. His biggest failure, according to him is that he was denied a chance at playing big league baseball because he was black.

In a way Denzel Washinton's character is like TV's Archie Bunker a bitter man who has deep seated bigotry, that not only hurts himself, but hurts those around him, mainly his family. He spends most of his screen time venting his anger not only at whites but at blacks as well. He's a negative bitter man, who says the 'n word' numerous times, even degrading his own son with that word. He's full of rage and conflict and not at all likable...just like a lead in a Tennessee William's play.

My challenge was to realize that unlike most other movies, Fences dares to annoy the viewer, but with an artistic intent. It's not a fun film, the disgruntled bully of a father/husband doesn't redeem himself and become a saint, like so many other films would have done. This movie is much more intelligent than that. It doesn't cut the audience any slack and I respect that.

Like real life, Troy is complex. He's neither evil, nor good. He tries to do the best he can, but he's been deeply wounded by all of his life's experiences, once again like a character out of a Tennessee Williams play, he's deeply flawed and his flaws drive the story.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29428&stc=1&d=1489601788


Denzel Washington gives the role his all. He never stoops to soft pedaling his character to the audience. And he never dumbs down his performance by making Troy a man we love to hate. Denzel plays this straight up, with a refreshing, brutal frankness. Troy does many questionable things, but his actions come from a base inside him that is portrayed very honestly. Kudos to Denzel as a director for taking his film in this direction.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29429&stc=1&d=1489601795


Viola Davis, is my favorite in the film, and that's mostly because we care about her, we feel her pain, we wish things could be better for her. Viola won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and it's easy to see why...she's very good here.

I have to give a nod to the people responsible for dressing the sets. I'm probably the only reviewer in the world who will mention this:

At the start of the film (during the late 50's) we see a 1940's era refrigerator in the kitchen. Which is appropriate as the family has little spare money and the father is tight with his hard earned cash. Outside on the back porch is an old discarded refrigerator with a top mounted condenser, from the 1930s. A nice touch, as it says something about the family and their economy state. The camera never focuses on the fridge, it's just in the background, but it relays an extra depth to the story.

Flash forward towards the end of the film and it's 6 years later and the family now has a newer style refrigerator in the kitchen, presumably the old fridge broke.

To my amazement, I then noticed on the back porch that the 1930s refrigerator was gone and in place was the exact 40's refrigerator from the first part of the movie. That deserves and Oscar for set design! What a nice touch to this special film.

rating_4

I might check this out tomorrow. I didn't wanna read too much of the review, but it looks good.

[Gideon58]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29406&stc=1&d=1489461233
http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29416&stc=1&d=1489517805
(1976)

[FONT=Georgia][SIZE=3]Director: Sidney Lumet
Writer: Paddy Chayefsky
Cast: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch


I was so excited to see that you had reviewed this, Citizen, because this is one of my favorite films and, for my money, the best movie of 1976, featuring one of the five best screenplays ever written, but you know I respect your opinion Citizen, I was just thrilled to see that you watched it because it doesn't strike me as your kind of movie.

[Citizen Rules]

I wasn't interested in Fences anyway, but I didn't realize it was based on a play. I usually don't like movies based on plays, although there have been exceptions. It's very stagey, as they say, but I often like that, as it allows maximum time for dialogue and character development. I liked that there was no flashbacks and I liked that the story was told in one time frame only, as opposed to different overlapping time periods (intercut) as is often the trend. Mostly the movie takes place in the small backyard, in the living room and kitchen. It's pretty confined like that, though there are a few scenes out on the streets.

But I think you might actually like it, as it packs a lot of negative emotions into the film and really set me on edge. It's not the kind of film I can love but it's film making I can respect.

Loved your review of this film, Citizen and agree with just about everything you've said...I like the comparison to Tennessee Williams, I never thought of that but the story and dialogue do have a very Tennessee Williams quality. I agree that Denzel does not shy away from the negative aspects of the character and that Viola Davis was the best thing about the movie...her supporting actress Oscar was the only sure thing Oscar night since she was clearly a lead...she has more screen time than Denzel.Thank you Gideon, that means a lot to me. I think both the director and screenplay writer help make Fences memorable.

[cricket]

I did love Detective Story, your recent HoF nom, and that was based on a play.

[Citizen Rules]

Network...I was so excited to see that you had reviewed this, Citizen, because this is one of my favorite films and, for my money, the best movie of 1976, featuring one of the five best screenplays ever written, but you know I respect your opinion Citizen, I was just thrilled to see that you watched it because it doesn't strike me as your kind of movie. If I rated the first hour I would have given it a 4.5 but the second hour just didn't work for me. Oh well at least I seen it, and did love the MTM reference.

[matt72582]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29406&stc=1&d=1489461233
http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29416&stc=1&d=1489517805
(1976)

Director: Sidney Lumet
Writer: Paddy Chayefsky
Cast: Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Peter Finch
Genre: Drama

Network starts off with a bang, when a major network news anchorman is fired and given his two weeks notice. The reason?..Because he's grown old and the station manager wants to boast their dismal ratings. I loved how this seemed almost semi documentary style...and we're given an insider's view into the sleazy world of network executives and corporate profits. Interesting stuff!

The first hour was powerful, as we see how giant corporations gobble up networks and the proceed to turn respectable news stations, into infotainment. This movie is certainly ahead of it's time!

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29407&stc=1&d=1489461216

An iconic scene from Network as actor Peter Finch vents his anger on live TV..."I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"


It was fascinating seeing how the network executives make programing decisions that effect ratings and profits. I loved the way the fictitious forth network (this is before cable TV) named UBS is at the bottom of the heap and losing money fast. When they fire their aging news anchor, he shocks the hell out of everyone by threatening to blow his brains out on live TV!...This movie at that point, caught my attention!

What follows is a cascading effect where the network executives take on even more provocative 'news' shows to boast their sagging profits. I swear this movie is way ahead of it's time, foretelling not only news as entertainment, but foretelling the coming of reality based TV shows.

As much as I liked the subject matter, I was mixed on the acting, some of it was flat and hammy. The only stand out actors to me, were Robert Duvall & Peter Finch. William Holden and Faye Dunaway at times sounded like they were acting in a bad TV soap opera. Very cliched, long monologues that didn't resemble real speach or real people. Their romance scene, was like something out of a soap opera and felt tacked on. It's probably not their fault, as the dialogue was cheesy in the scrips. But who cares I thought, this was still a pretty great movie....

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29409&stc=1&d=1489461244
The program manager, Faye Dunaway is like Mary Tyler Moore on steroids. Much to my surprise the movie actually references the Mary Tyler Moore show.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29410&stc=1&d=1489461252
In what has got to be one of the more kooky scenes, a reality based TV info-news show is created with a psychic as one of the host.


However the movie goes to hell in the second hour, when it becomes farcical and attempts satire. We get one really lame plot turn, when the executives hire members of a radical political group who rob banks, the Ecumenical Liberation Army. That was the start of dumbing down the movie.

Worse is when we see a bunch of high paid network executives in some dingy hide out, signing contracts with the ELA bank robbers. Ridiculous. If this was done for comedy, it wasn't funny. And as the rest of the movie wasn't comical, it took away from the power of the story. And as satire it took away the realistic documentary feel of the movie and diluted the message.

But that's what director Sidney Lumet does, he delivers his social messages with a sledge hammer. Apparently Sidney thinks the audience is stupid and won't get his point unless he makes it painful obvious. I hate movies that dumb it down for the audience, and despite the totally prophetic and important message of the movie, I can't overlook the sloppy execution by the director.

rating_3-

.

Was that your first viewing? This is my #6 all-time :)

I also didn't care for the scene (gun-shot especially), but it's showing how low they'd go... I really loved how William Holden says "In my day, it was considered simple human decency" and how she's grown up on television. It's the ONLY way she can get off.. She doesn't love anything, she just wants to see how many views a show can get. After all, she was raised on Bugs Bunny. It's also a dilemma to do what feels right (momentary distraction, perhaps making Holden feel young again) or doing what's right, and not to leave his wife, especially when he's expected to be a grandpa.

Only a couple of years later did CNN come out. Now look at it.... The news divisions always lost money, now it's "entertainment" an makes a ton of money.

[Citizen Rules]

Was that your first viewing? This is my #6 all-time :) First time actually, I have a big hole in my 70s movie résumé...and I'm trying to watch more of them when I can. BTW I have the DVD for Harold and Maude and will watch that probably within a week.

... I really loved how William Holden says "In my day, it was considered simple human decency" and how she's grown up on television. It's the ONLY way she can get off.. She doesn't love anything, she just wants to see how many views a show can get. After all, she was raised on Bugs Bunny. I loved that too. In fact it sounded like something I would have said about the MTV/video gamer generation:p I really did admire all of the film, except when it went to satire/farce.

Only a couple of years later did CNN come out. Now look at it.... The news divisions always lost money, now it's "entertainment" an makes a ton of money. Totally agree! and I can see how you would love this for it's prophetic warning of corporate greed and the bastardization of hard news into CNN style info-tainment. It really nails that and I'd give it a 10/10 for that.

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29433&stc=1&d=1489634447
Rope (Hitchcock 1948)
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: Hume Cronyn (adapted by), Patrick Hamilton (play)
Cast: James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Based on the real life Leopold murder case...Two young intellectual college men decide to murder their classmate, who they consider to be inferior...just to prove that the perfect murder can indeed be committed. The pair of murderers then decide to hide the body in their apartment to 'show off their perfect crime' by inviting friends and family of the victim over for a dinner party.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29432&stc=1&d=1489634437


Review: This was my second viewing of Rope. I feel it's a good movie but middle of the road for Hitch. I never got that sense of tension and desperation that Hitch was so famous for. I think that's because of two choices that Hitch made: The 'continual take' and his choice of actors.



'Continual take'...The movie looks like it was made in one long camera take. It wasn't of course and if you keep your eyes open you can see where one take ends and another starts...usually from a closeup of the back of someone's jacket or some solid object. Though there are direct cuts...at the start of the party there's an edit from Brandon to Ropert's face.

The 'continual take' technique was interesting, BUT it has the side effect of not being able to show events taking place elsewhere. And it might have been more effective to start with an opening shot that's set in the college classroom where the murderers learn of the idea that murder can be an elite form of art from their teacher. That would have then shown the two men's impetus for murder, giving us more of a background...which would have built tension by foreshadowing future events. But there's no flashbacks with a 'continual take'. Even Hitch would later call his continual take just a stunt.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29434&stc=1&d=1489634454
http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29435&stc=1&d=1489634461


Casting: Hitch was known for making superb casting choices, most of the time. Originally Montgomery Clift was intended to play Brandon Shaw, the dominant murderer. Clift would have been awesome in this, but I think the actor who played Brandon (John Dall) was truly excellent as a narcissistic, sociopath intellectual. Though his sidekick Philip (Farley Granger) didn't bring much to the role. I would have loved to see Montgomery Clift play Philip.

The maid was a gem, as was the aunt. I really liked Joan Chandler as the girlfriend of the murder victim too. BUT as much as I like James Stewart, he was all wrong for the role. He's suppose to be a haughty, smug, intellectual professor who feels murder can be justified as art...but doesn't have the guts to carry out his own views.

Jimmy Steward is the antithesis of this, he's down to earth, he's friendly, and he's very trust worthy, everyone likes Stewart! He's just the wrong fit for the role. He thought so himself too:

This was the only movie James Stewart made with Alfred Hitchcock that he did not like. Stewart later admitted he felt he was miscast as the professor.It's funny because during the movie they talk about actors of the day, Errol Flynn, Cary Grant, James Mason. Cary Grant was the first choice to play Rupert...But it's James Mason would have made an excellent Rupert. So would've Walter Pidgeon or even James Massey.

Overall a fun Hitch movie, more than a masterpiece.

rating_3

[TheUsualSuspect]

I really liked Rope and the concept. I wouldn't mind seeing a remake of sorts to this one either.

[SilentVamp]

I love to hear your thoughts on this.
Will definitely let you know. But you will have to wait a little while yet. I saw today that I am number 143 out 410. I got my request in early at the library. Just not early enough. :) I figure it will still be about a month or so before I get it.

.her supporting actress Oscar was the only sure thing Oscar night since she was clearly a lead...she has more screentime than Denzel.
That is the kind of thing that drives me crazy about the Academy. From what I knew about the story, I didn't get how she was only supporting when it came to the nomination. But I also felt that same way about Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain and Casey Affleck in The Assassination of Jesse James. I don't understand why they nominate someone in the supporting category when they are clearly equal with the actor that they consider to be the lead.

[rauldc14]

Violas character is supporting to me because she isn't technically a central character to the plot....Denzel is. But yeah, I could still see why many would think that.

[rauldc14]

That does sound like something I would say:p And yeah basically it's true, though I just realized I had seen him in Crimson Tide (1995) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112740/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_34)

I think she underplayed it, (which I like)as her character was more of a put-upon character. She did have the snot-coming-out her nose scene, I don't know if that's overacting, as she probably couldn't help that;) But I really liked her in this.

I love to hear your thoughts on this.

Dude you need to see more Denzel. He's my favorite of all time.

[Citizen Rules]

Dude you need to see more Denzel. He's my favorite of all time. He seemed good in Fences, I don't see Denzel Washington being a stand out actor for me.

In the original stage production of Fences, James Earl Jones did the role of the father. Now, I could see Jones as a powerful force in that role, he has such a commanding presences.

[TheUsualSuspect]

Violas character is supporting to me because she isn't technically a central character to the plot....Denzel is. But yeah, I could still see why many would think that.

I consider her a lead, but she's been nominated in supporting at the MoFo Film Awards. Is that because the Oscars somewhat determine where people think things should go? I sure do.

[Citizen Rules]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ot0qFrpzkQ/UMEE5Z1NqkI/AAAAAAAABqc/_MvP0eD8hWw/s1600/SuspectDaniellLaughton.jpg
The Suspect (Robert Siodmak, 1944)
Director: Robert Siodmak
Cast: Charles Laughton, Ella Raines, Dean Harens, Henry Daniell
Genre: Drama, Mystery

A more obscure film that deserves more recognition. This reminded me of an early Hitchcock, though the director is Robert Siodmak.I thought the way the film was put together: the acting, the cinematography and direction was done intimately...which fits the very personal story, told from one man's view point.

I think if The Suspect had been made grandiose with dramatic cinematography it would have ran counterproductive to the very up close and personal feel the movie has. I mean Charles Laughton feels like someone we care about, almost like we personally know him. I loved that about the movie.

The film succeeded at creating empathy for Laughton's character...and for giving him one nasty wife too! And his wife has to be a cantankerous, battle axe for the story to work, and for us to continue liking Laughton...And that's all done well.

A good murder mystery should keep you guessing as to who's done the crime and who's a red herring. And that was done well too. I wasn't sure what the final outcome would be until the last scenes, which kept my interest up.

If there was one thing I didn't care for, it was a 1 minute voice over montage scene where the Scotland Yard inspector tells us how he thinks the murder was done. I wish the actor would have delivered a conventional monologue, instead. But not a big deal.

Charles Laughton makes this film, he's excellent, he's likable and has real screen presences and so does the actresses that plays his wife, she's the kind you love to hate. I also liked the drunken, snobbish next door lout, played by Henry Daniell.

rating_4

[Captain Steel]

Haven't seen The Suspect, but I've grown to love Charles Laughton, so I'll be looking for it!

[Citizen Rules]

I seen a Charles Laughton movie set in the 19th century, where he was an overbearing father who kept his adult daughter literally a prisoner in his house. It was a powerful performance, I might even have reviewed it, but I can't think of the title at the moment.:indifferent:

[mark f]

This (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1555587#post1555587)?

[Citizen Rules]

This (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1555587#post1555587)? Yes! That's it,:)

The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934)...that was the movie I couldn't remember earlier.

[Nestorio_Miklos]

i love Charles Laughton, he's great actor and i enjoy to watch him in any film he did, I havent seen a lot: The Sign of the Cross, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Mutiny on the Bounty, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Suspect, The Paradine Case, Hobson's Choice, Witness for the Prosecution, Spartacus

but there is still a lot. Watching him in a film feels very comfortable and natural. I feel like I am there with him, having cognac and cigar in his salon.

[Citizen Rules]

i love Charles Laughton, he's great actor and i enjoy to watch him in any film he did, I havent seen a lot: The Sign of the Cross, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Mutiny on the Bounty, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Suspect, The Paradine Case, Hobson's Choice, Witness for the Prosecution, Spartacus

but there is still a lot. Watching him in a film feels very comfortable and natural. I feel like I am there with him, having cognac and cigar in his salon.You've seen some of this best films, but you're right he made a lot and there's still a lot that I need to see of his work.

I've seen these and can recommend all of them
The Old Dark House (1932) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023293/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_58)
The Sign of the Cross (1932) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023470/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_55)
Island of Lost Souls (1932) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024188/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_54)
The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0024865/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_51)
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026752/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_48)
Sidewalks of London (1938) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0030746/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_44)
Jamaica Inn (1939) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031505/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_43)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0031455/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_42)
It Started with Eve (1941) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033766/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_40)
The Suspect (1944) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037330/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_31)
The Paradine Case (1947) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039694/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_28)
The Big Clock (1948) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040160/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_24)
Witness for the Prosecution (1957) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051201/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11)
Spartacus (1960) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054331/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_4)

Looking at all of Laughton's filmography, I realize the man made a lot of movies! And now I want to watch more of them!

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.cinemaclock.com/images/580x326/41/how-green-was-my-valley-19414157.jpg

How Green Was My Valley (John Ford,1941)

Director: John Ford
Writers: Philip Dunne(screen play), Richard Llewellyn(novel)
Cast: Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara, Anna Lee
Genre: Drama

About: A poor family in a poor Welsh mining village coming to grips with life's hardships at the turn of the century.


Review: This reminded me of Dune (1984). Both films are based on well known novels that were multi-character, with multiple interwoven story lines.... both were epic, long novels that were brought to the big screen. Like David Lynch with Dune, John Ford choose to include many of the scenes from the book (as opposed to focusing on select chapters of the book). And like Dune, that gives the viewer a visual synopsis of the novel. However, unfortunately in a 2 hour movie doesn't allow enough time for the character's personalities and story subtleties to be delved into as much as if this was a simpler story.

I think John Ford did a fine job in including as much of the human element that he could, but when a 600 page novel of much complexities is condensed down to 2 hours of film, so much gets loss. How Green Was My Valley lacks the 'meat' that makes movie moments so special, some scenes felt rushed and incomplete. Ford did manage to bring to life Donald Crisp, I got a good sense of the kind of man he was and what motivated him.

This reminded me of The Waltons TV show from the 1970s.The narrators voice, his warm sentimental way of talking and his rosy look back into his families past, really reminded me of Earl Hamner author and narrator of The Waltons.

I liked How Green Was My Valley, but it's viewing impact for me was middle of the road.

rating_3_5

[Captain Steel]

This reminded me of Dune (1984).

I had to do a double-take when I saw that statement. Glad you explained "how" (because I couldn't remember any scenes with young Roddy McDowell riding a giant sand worm with an oxygen tube stuck in his nose!) ;)

Saw this a couple years ago for the first time - really liked it. So I'm on par with your rating.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29470&stc=1&d=1489978285
Harold and Maude (1971)

Director: Hal Ashby
Writer: Colin Higgins
Cast: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama Romance

Review: I really wanted to like this movie, really I did! I thought it sounded fun and it's so highly rated. I thought it might be something I'd really like. I thought wrong. I mostly hated it. I'll explain...

No I didn't hate it for the obvious reason. I did not object to the story idea of an 80 year old woman having a romance with a 20 year old kid, (though he looks more like 14) I actually liked the story idea, it had a lot of potential.

I liked Ruth Gordon in this, she's always a favorite of mine. I liked the look of the film too: (the way it was filmed, the on location scenes, the editing...it was all well done.) I liked the actress who played the rich kid's mom, Vivian Pickles (cool name!). I thought she brought lots of juice to her role, ha.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29471&stc=1&d=1489978291


Even the three girls who showed up for blind dates, were well cast and each actress made the most out of their limited screen time. I liked everyone except for the drip dry Bud Cort who plays the young Harold. Crap was he boring! Talk about no personality and zero screen presences. He played the role like a zombie, which made it hard for me to care about him at all.

I kept hoping he would wipe that vacant, dumb-ass look off his face and come out of his clam shell...but he never did. He was not up for the role.

Then I kept thinking how great this would've been if the movie had a spirited, impish actor with a dark side, say like Malcom McDowell. Malcom was a young actor at the time and had three years earlier made a film about another disfranchised, rebellious youth in the controversial movie, If....(1968) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1213917#post1213917)

Malcom McDowell would've been perfect for this. Hell even a more comic actor, say like Dustin Hofman could've made this film memorable. But as it is, I can't get behind the movie with such a dismally, boring lead actor.

As far as the message of the film goes, that life should be enjoyed to the fullest by being a free spirit, sure that's a great idea. But...Maude certainly disapproves that idea at the end of the film, doesn't she.

One interesting thing about this movie, it's a product of it's time and endorses the old hippy slogan 'if it feels good just do it'. Are Maude and Harold free spirits? No, they're both selfish, self centered people, who hurt people around them.

rating_2_5

[Seer123]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29470&stc=1&d=1489978285
Harold and Maude (1971)

Director: Hal Ashby
Writer: Colin Higgins
Cast: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama Romance

Review: I really wanted to like this movie. I thought it sounded fun and as it's so highly rated, I thought it might be something I would like. I thought wrong, I mostly hated it.

No, not for the obvious reason, I did not object to the story idea of an 80 year old woman having a romance with a 20 year old kid, thought the fact that he looked 14 was a little creepy. I actually liked the story idea. I liked Ruth Gordon in this. I liked the actress who played the rich kid's mom, Vivian Pickles.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29471&stc=1&d=1489978291


I liked all the actors, the three girls who show up for blind dates were well cast. I liked everyone except for the drip dry Bud Cort who plays the young Harold. Crap was he boring! Talk about no personality. He played the role like a zombie, which made it hard for me to care about him at all. I kept hoping he would wipe that vacant, dumb-ass look off his face and come out of his clam shell...but he never did. He was not up for the role. Not to mention he looked 14 years old.

I kept thinking how great this would have been if the movie had a spirited, impish actor with a dark side. Malcom McDowell was a young actor at the time and had three years earlier made a film about another disfranchised, rebellious youth in the controversial If....(1968) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1213917#post1213917) Malcom would have been perfect for this role. Hell even a more comic actor, say like Dustin Hofman would have made this film. But as it is, I can't get behind the movie with such a dismally boring lead actor.

As far as the message goes, that life should be enjoyed to the fullest by being a free spirit. Well Maude certainly disapproves that idea at the end of the film. One interesting thing about his movie, it's a product of the time and endorses the old hippy slogan 'if it feels good do it'. Is Maude and Harold free spirits? No, there both selfish, self centered people.

I'm not sure what people see in this film...I didn't see much.

rating_2_5

Wow I really need to rewatch this as I adored it during my first watch. Dissapointed that you didn't like it :( :(

[Seer123]

Also he's supposed to act like a zombie. The part is supposed to be someone who is depressed, suicidal, attention seeking, and sulking. Not a upbeat outgoing person.

[Citizen Rules]

Wow I really need to rewatch this as I adored it during my first watch. Dissapointed that you didn't like it :( :( We all perceive movies differently, so it's cool that you liked the movie:) Most people love it. I didn't.

Have you seen If....(1968) that movie rocks.

[Seer123]

We all perceive movies differently, so it's cool that you liked the movie:) Most people love it. I didn't.

Have you seen If....(1968) that movie rocks.

No I have not but will have to check it out. You do bring up good points in your post that I myself haven't thought about to much such as them being very selfish people when the message is supposed to promote living life to the fullest and stuff. I am not quite sure about my input on that but I think that everybody is selfish in some way such as Maude choosing an action that hurt Harold.

[Seer123]

also after checking if on imdb I was pleasantly surprised as I now remember I really wanted to watch this. Thanks a bunch :)

[Gideon58]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29470&stc=1&d=1489978285
Harold and Maude (1971)

Director: Hal Ashby
Writer: Colin Higgins
Cast: Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles
Genre: Dark Comedy, Drama Romance



Loved this review...always love when a reputed film classic doesn't live up to its reputation...appreciate your honesty about this film, Citizen.

[Citizen Rules]

Loved this review...always love when a reputed film classic doesn't live up to its reputation...appreciate your honesty about this film, Citizen.Thanks:) I try my best:p I can't think of too many movies that I liked but was so bugged by the actor that it ruined the movie for me. Harold and Maude is the only one I can think of right now.

[cricket]

I liked Harold and Maude more than you did but I do prefer a few other Hal Ashby movies. He was a beast in the 70's.

[Citizen Rules]

Hal Ashby, I'm not familiar with his name. I should go look up what other movies he did. Do you have any favorites by him?

[Seer123]

Hal Ashby, I'm not familiar with his name. I should go look up what other movies he did. Do you have any favorites by him?

Criterion is releasing one of his titled Being There thats supposedly good. I like you also haven't seen any of his other titles

[cricket]

Hal Ashby, I'm not familiar with his name. I should go look up what other movies he did. Do you have any favorites by him?

Coming Home, The Last Detail, and Shampoo. Being There could be his most popular but I wasn't crazy about it.

[Citizen Rules]

Coming Home, The Last Detail, and Shampoo. Being There could be his most popular but I wasn't crazy about it.
Oh, he directed Coming Home, I didn't remember that. Loved that film, I'm sure I reviewed it too. I've never seen Shampoo, but I might give that a watch...then again I'm not the biggest fan of Warren Beatty.

[cricket]

I know you reviewed it because I nominated it for a HoF.

[Captain Steel]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28306&stc=1&d=1483324804
The Shallows(2016)

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: Anthony Jaswinski
Cast: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada
Genre: Thriller

About: A medical student on a journey of self discovery, heads to an isolated Mexican beach to go surfing. She's only 200 yards from shore when attacked by a great white shark that's feeding on a nearby, floating whale carcass. Badly wounded, she manages to make it to a small rock outcropping in the middle of the bay. Two problems: the shark knows she's there and the incoming tide will submerge the rock outcropping.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28307&stc=1&d=1483324836


Review: When I watch a movie like The Shallows and review it, I ask myself a few questions: So here's the answers:

Did it hold my attention?...Yes! I was engrossed in the film, it never dragged and just when one scene had played out, another started. Good pacing.

Did I find it believable?....Well, mostly yes. The addition of the rotting whale carcass that attracted the great white shark was a smart story ploy, as it made the following circumstances mostly believable. And the carcass scene had an ehh-yuk factor that worked well with lots of eyeball visual! The wounded seagull that first seems like a threat and then gives her a bit of solace, was also a smart script choice. That bird added a lot to the story! I'd give it a best supporting actor nomination if I could.

Did I find the actions the protagonist took plausible?...These survivor type thrillers work because we put ourselves in the protagonist shoes. Could I see myself making the same choices that she did given the same circumstances? Yes, she really didn't have many choices and the ones she made were logical, mostly.

Did the CG work for or against the film?...Sure the shark looked good, but did it really need to be the size of a small bus? But the main CG flaw was the underwater blood which to me looked like something from a poorly done music video.

Did the acting convince me that the person was in real peril?...Most definitely yes! I predicted Blake Lively would make a name for herself and she's starting to do just that! She stood out in Age of Adeline despite a lack luster script, and was the high light of Woody Allen's Café Society...Here she really does a stellar job of being terrified, feeling alone and facing fear. Not an easy thing to do because there's no other actors for her to play off, no menacing shark model to scare her, it's CG stuff. And yet she was totally believable.

Did I like the director's style of film making?....Yes and no. The director found a beautiful spot to film at Lord Howe Island, New South Wales. I liked his scene length and compositions, the film looks great...but gawds! I hated the post production CG overlay of Nancy's watch and phone. I found that silly, distracting and it took me right out of the movie. Why couldn't the director just shot her phone screen over her shoulder?

The ending...It's OK, I won't spoil a thing, but I will say the last 10 minutes of the shark encounter was a joke. The way the shark died looked like something from a Looney Tunes cartoon. I would rate this movie higher if the ending had been more intelligent and less over the top block buster crap.

http://i24web.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/the-shallows2-4.jpg?itok=140AscRd


Watch The Shallows, for fun, for scenery and mostly for a talented new actress Blake Lively.

rating_3_5



.

Just watched this tonight. I mostly agree with the review, but would probably rate it a little lower (okay, I'll add half a point for Blake Lively's bikini - if you know what I mean!) ;)
For some reason I never really felt invested in it, maybe because the main character's background story just felt a bit cliched (that's not the word I want, but I can't think of the right word to describe it).

The ending almost killed it for me. At first I couldn't figure out what she was doing, and then after the climax I couldn't figure out why she did it. What I mean is, how did she even fathom (excuse the pun) what might happen to formulate a plan around it? Did she know what is at the base of a buoy? (I don't, so such a plan probably would never have crossed my mind.) I realize it was a last ditch effort, but it seemed just making a break for shore would've been equally as logical because if there's one creature that's probably really good at not running into things on the ocean floor, it's a shark.

[Captain Steel]

Coming Home, The Last Detail, and Shampoo. Being There could be his most popular but I wasn't crazy about it.

I personally think Being There (1979) is a bit of an understated masterpiece.
But I can see why some might not be thrilled by it right off, it's definitely an acquired taste.
It's a slow-moving, enigmatic, somewhat cerebral film with an underlying humor to its social satire.

I always found its message fascinating and secretly wished I could have the kind of success that Chauncey did - where everyone would read genius-level insight into my simplistic thoughts (unfortunately, I'm not that simple.)

It's one of those films I've enjoyed rewatching because each time I pick up on more of the psychology and sociology (and it's really not so much about Chauncey, but about how society responds to him and to each other - a bit like The Emperor's New Clothes.)

[Gideon58]

Hal Ashby, I'm not familiar with his name. I should go look up what other movies he did. Do you have any favorites by him?

Hal Ashby directed Coming Home, The Last Detail, and Shampoo.

[Gideon58]

Just watched this tonight. I mostly agree with the review, but would probably rate it a little lower (okay, I'll add half a point for Blake Lively's bikini - if you know what I mean!) ;)
For some reason I never really felt invested in it, maybe because the main character's background story just felt a bit cliched (that's not the word I want, but I can't think of the right word to describe it).

The ending almost killed it for me. At first I couldn't figure out what she was doing, and then after the climax I couldn't figure out why she did it. What I mean is, how did she even fathom (excuse the pun) what might happen to formulate a plan around it? Did she know what is at the base of a buoy? (I don't, so such a plan probably would never have crossed my mind.) I realize it was a last ditch effort, but it seemed just making a break for shore would've been equally as logical because if there's one creature that's probably really good at not running into things on the ocean floor, it's a shark.

Watch what you say about this movie...Citizen is obsessed with Blake Lively.

[Citizen Rules]

Just watched this [The Shallows] tonight. I mostly agree with the review, but would probably rate it a little lower (okay, I'll add half a point for Blake Lively's bikini - if you know what I mean!) ;)
For some reason I never really felt invested in it, maybe because the main character's background story just felt a bit cliched (that's not the word I want, but I can't think of the right word to describe it).

The ending almost killed it for me. At first I couldn't figure out what she was doing, and then after the climax I couldn't figure out why she did it. What I mean is, how did she even fathom (excuse the pun) what might happen to formulate a plan around it? Did she know what is at the base of a buoy? (I don't, so such a plan probably would never have crossed my mind.) I realize it was a last ditch effort, but it seemed just making a break for shore would've been equally as logical because if there's one creature that's probably really good at not running into things on the ocean floor, it's a shark. I think we're on the same page. I didn't care about her back story. And I hated the ending, which was a lame-brain attempt at bringing a CG type action excitement in what had up to that point mostly been a psychological thriller. I liked the quieter moments where it was just her the seagull and the fear of the unknown. If the movie was more horrific (as many horror fans would have liked) I wouldn't have watched it. Even with Blake Lively;)

I have a movie recommendation for you! The Age of Adeline (2015):p (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655441/)

[Gideon58]

I personally think Being There (1979) is a bit of an understated masterpiece.
But I can see why some might not be thrilled by it right off, it's definitely an acquired taste.
It's a slow-moving, enigmatic, somewhat cerebral film with an underlying humor to its social satire.

I always found its message fascinating and secretly wished I could have the kind of success that Chauncey did - where everyone would read genius-level insight into my simplistic thoughts (unfortunately, I'm not that simple.)

It's one of those films I've enjoyed rewatching because each time I pick up on more of the psychology and sociology (and it's really not so much about Chauncey, but about how society responds to him and to each other - a bit like The Emperor's New Clothes.)

Can't believe I forgot about Being There...brilliant film, clearly Ashby's masterpiece and my 2nd favorite Peter Sellers performance, behind Dr. Strangelove.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29485&stc=1&d=1490150524
Bundle of Joy (1956)

Director: Norman Taurog
Cast: Eddie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Adolphe Menjou
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance

About: A young single woman (Debbie Reyolds) who's been recently fired from her department store job, goes looking for work and finds an abandoned baby outside of an orphanage. When she takes the baby into the orphanage, they believe the baby is hers, and refuse to believe other wise.

Review: Bundle of Joy is a musical romance comedy, featuring husband and wife team of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. The film marks two major events:

1) This was Eddie Fisher's debut film. Eddie had become a singing sensation earlier in 1953-54 with a couple of appearances on the Coke Time (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045379/?ref_=_18) TV series, which was a variety show sponsored by Coca-Cola. Hit records soon followed for Eddie and he was offered the staring role in Bundle of Joy. He hated the movie and as fortune would have it, this would be his only starring role. That was in part to his highly scandalous affair with Elizabeth Taylor (both were married at the time.) Eddie did do one more bigger movie, Butterfield 8 with girlfriend Liz Taylor. Bundle of Joy is the only film he sings in, he's a darn good singer too and a decent actor to boot. He should have had a bigger career, but he didn't.

2) The other major event is, Debbie Reynolds was pregnant with a very young Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) during the shooting of the movie.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29486&stc=1&d=1490150535


Bundle of Joy, is a remake of the 1939 Ginger Roger's movie Bachelor Mother. Shot in gloriously colorful Technicolor the film is a virtual eye candy of mid 1950s high fashions. In one scene the rich boyfriend of Debbie Reynolds takes her on a shopping spree, decking her out in the latest high fashions, reminiscent of the scene from Pretty Woman. The songs in the movie are nice, but nothing to get real excited about. The film is charming and a fun, easy watch. If you get this on the Warner Classics DVD the movie has been beautiful restored and looks great.

rating_3

[Captain Steel]

This is totally irrelevant and uninteresting - but I started watching this movie once, got called away and never finished.
No idea why I just posted this as it is completely irrelevant, pointless and uninteresting.
I'm in a silly mood tonight.

[Citizen Rules]

This is totally irrelevant and uninteresting - but I started watching this movie once, got called away and never finished.
No idea why I just posted this as it is completely irrelevant, pointless and uninteresting.
I'm in a silly mood tonight.You should check out again, Debbie Reynolds is fairly cute in this, she's not Doris Day but she holds her own.

[Captain Steel]

You should check out again, Debbie Reynolds is fairly cute in this, she's not Doris Day but she holds her own.

Maybe you can help me out here, Rules. I went looking for an oldies song I thought was called "Bundle of Joy," assuming it was sung by Eddie Fisher for this movie, but I can't find it. (Although I get a zillion hits for a song with that title from the Pixar movie Inside Out.)

Now I've got the song in my head (all I can remember are the lyrics "a great big bundle of joy"), but have no idea when the song was from (I know it was either 50's or 60's), who sang it or what it's actual title was.

[Citizen Rules]

It's probably this one:

Bundle of Joy
Music by Josef Myrow (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0617155/)
Lyrics by Mack Gordon (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0330418/)
Sung by Eddie Fisher (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0279472/)

I don't remember that song. Actually the songs didn't really stick in my head. Dinner time! Have a good one:p

[Captain Steel]

Thanks, Rules. I cannot find a copy of that song to listen to anywhere (where you don't have to download & pay) and it's not on YouTube (one video supposedly features clips of all the songs from the movie - all except that one). In the soundtrack listing for the movie it's listed as "Bundle of Joy and finale."

I may be confusing it with a song called the "Chatanoogie Shoeshine Boy" which has the lyrics "he's a great big bundle of joy" in it. But I feel like I used to hear this song on the oldies stations all the time (which, back in the day was WCBS with The Cousin Brucie Show!)

[mark f]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJb43vbZ76I&index=1&list=PLwhiGvllIPpYIa-qNXdEdhPdGaw_vOjDw
At about 1:47 of this trailer Eddie sings about 15 seconds of some song with the lyric "Bundle of Joy" in it.:cool:

[Captain Steel]

At about 1:47 of this trailer Eddie sings about 15 seconds of some song with the lyric "Bundle of Joy" in it.:cool:

Thanks, Mark. Yeah that's the video I referred to and I thought they left out "Bundle of Joy." I didn't know that was it because it's definitely not the song I'm thinking of.
So I'm still not sure, but the one I'm thinking of must have a different title - it was a much more swinging song with maybe a boogie-woogie beat. And I seem to think it was performed by a major artist of the time.

[Captain Steel]

Sorry to waste everybody's time - but I found it! (It was driving me crazy!)

It is the song "Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy" and it's the version by Freddy Cannon that I used to hear on the radio (and it does indeed have a boogie-woogie beat). Since it has the lyrics "bundle of joy" - the only ones I remembered - I always thought it was associated with the Debbie Reynolds / Eddie Fisher movie.

What's funny is I always thought this song was called [a great big] Bundle of Joy! :D
Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6apksrdb6TY

[gbgoodies]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29485&stc=1&d=1490150524
Bundle of Joy (1956)

Director: Norman Taurog
Cast: Eddie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Adolphe Menjou
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance

About: A young single woman (Debbie Reynolds) who's been recently fired from her department store job, goes looking for work and finds an abandoned baby outside of an orphanage. When she takes the baby into the orphanage, they believe the baby is hers, and refuse to believe other wise.

Review: Bundle of Joy is a musical romance comedy, featuring husband and wife team of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. The film marks two major events:

1) This was Eddie Fisher's debut film. Eddie had become a singing sensation earlier in 1953-54 with a couple of appearances on the Coke Time (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045379/?ref_=_18) TV series, which was a variety show sponsored by Coca-Cola. Hit records soon followed for Eddie and he was offered the staring role in Bundle of Joy. He hated the movie and as fortune would have it, this would be his only starring role. That was in part to his highly scandalous affair with Elizabeth Taylor (both were married at the time.) Eddie did do one more bigger movie, Butterfield 8 with girlfriend Liz Taylor. Bundle of Joy is the only film he sings in, he's a darn good singer too and a decent actor to boot. He should have had a bigger career, but he didn't.

2) The other major event is, Debbie Reynolds was pregnant with a very young Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) during the shooting of the movie.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29486&stc=1&d=1490150535


Bundle of Joy, is a remake of the 1939 Ginger Roger's movie Bachelor Mother. Shot in gloriously colorful Technicolor the film is a virtual eye candy of mid 1950s high fashions. In one scene the rich boyfriend of Debbie Reynolds takes her on a shopping spree, decking her out in the latest high fashions, reminiscent of the scene from Pretty Woman. The songs in the movie are nice, but nothing to get real excited about. The film is charming and a fun, easy watch. If you get this on the Warner Classics DVD the movie has been beautiful restored and looks great.

rating_3


Bundle of Joy was a cute movie, but it's not very memorable. There were a few good scenes, like when they're feeding the baby and he's reading from a book and he keeps telling her to rub the food on the baby's navel. :lol:

I was surprised that Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher didn't have much chemistry together, but I guess maybe that explains why their marriage didn't work out in real life. :shrug:

I like Debbie Reynolds a lot in the movie, but I thought Eddie Fisher was kind of bland. (But he has a great singing voice.) And you're right about the songs. They're not much more memorable than the movie.

[Citizen Rules]

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The Light Between Oceans (2016)

Director: Derek Cianfrance
Writers: Derek Cianfrance(screnplay), M.L. Stedman(novel)
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz
Genre: Drama Romance

About: A returning World War 1 veteran (Michael Fassbender) takes on the lonely task of a lighthouse keeper on a remote island off the coast of Australia. During a visit to the mainland, he meets and marries a young girl (Alicia Vikander). The two of them return to the lighthouse to face life together. That life changes when they discover a baby adrift on a lifeboat.


Review: I found The Light Between Oceans to be a mediocre movie. Visually it was artistically beautiful, with it's muted earth tone colors and soft diffusion look. The story premise too, of a man and his wife alone on a remote island tending a lighthouse, was very promising. This is the type of movie I love.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29494&stc=1&d=1490231712


But the director/writer never really made me feel like I was privy to the lives of the couple. I never felt their emotions (at least for the first half of the film anyway). We see snippets of the character's lives but the moments in between, that are so important for developing finesse, are often missing. I never felt a connection to the characters as the scenes are too brief and mainly function on a surface level. I wanted a deeper existential film and this ain't it.

Real life couple Michael Fassbender & Alicia Vikander, are the leads, playing husband and wife...surprisingly they didn't have much chemistry. I did like the performance by Michael Fassbender, but didn't care for Alicia Vikander in this.

rating_3

[Citizen Rules]

http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/477613PURSUED__3_.jpg

Pursued (Raoul Walsh, 1947)
Director: Raoul Walsh
Writer: Niven Busch (screenplay)
Cast: Teresa Wright, Robert Mitchum, Judith Anderson
Genre: Western Noir, Drama Romance

About: An orphan (Robert Mitchum) in the late 19th century who's raised by the family that hunted down and killed his own family in a land standing feud.



Review: 'She loves him, she really loves him, she hates him, really hates him, she marries him, she wants to kill him, wait a second...she loves him again!'

Poor Thor, she can't seem to make up her mind in this soap styled western. It's not Teresa Wright's fault, she actually turns in a good performance. The fault lies with an inept script that has the characters changing their mindsets as quickly as blowing sand.

Pursued seems like a movie that was rushed into production without a well fleshed out script. Missing is the little details that fills in the back story and gives the characters motivational credibility.

Point in case: Grant Callum (Dean Jagger), the one arm man who vows to kill all of the Rand family, thus prompting Mrs. Callum (Judith Anderson) to save the young boy and raise him as her own. OK so far so good. It even works when the one arm guy spots a 10 year old Rand and takes a pot shot at him. The confrontation that follows in the hotel room between Mrs Callum and Grant promises to be an emotional high light, instead it's played so low key that the film starts to lose credibility. Even worse is Grant, who's blood thirsty to kill Rand, has like another 15 years to do it, but can't seem to find the time! Grant has got to be the most unmotivated killer in any film.

At the end of the story it's funny when Grant and his gang of killers have Rand and Thor surrounded and are ready to lynch Rand. But wait, once Mrs Callum shoots Grant dead, the entire lynching is forgotten about. I guess the lynching mob didn't have any motivation either.

Robert Mitchum who's usually good, sleep walks his performance. I've never seen him look so bored. I don't know what the director Raul Walsh was thinking, but whatever he tried to achieve by having the actors act so deadpan, it didn't work.

James Wong Howe's cinematography and Max Steiner's music score are the films highlights. I'm glad this was nominated as I had not seen it and I'm glad I watched it too.

rating_3

[Citizen Rules]

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Rear Window (1954)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writers: John Michael Hayes (screenplay), Cornell Woolrich (short story)
Cast: James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter
Genre: Mystery, Thriller

About: James Stewart is a photographer with a broken leg who's stuck in a wheelchair in his apartment during a sweltering summer heat wave. He passes his spare time by spying on his neighbors, watching their lives through the rear windows of their apartments that faces his. Suddenly he becomes convinced he's discovered evidence of a murder, when he spots strange things happening in one of the apartments. His high society girlfriend thinks he's lost his marbles, so does his insurance helper, Thelma Ritter.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=30766&stc=1&d=1495577201


Review: This was the second time I've seen Rear Window and I had forgotten everything about it, so I'm glad this was on the Hitch watch list.

My favorite scene was the establishing shot starting in the apartment - with the window blinds up, then the blinds go down - the camera then zooms out the window, peeping into the lives of the other apartment's rear windows...finally the camera comes back in and we see it's hot! Stewart is sweating bullets! and the mercury in the thermometer is rising, really rising! Then we see Stewart frantically trying to itch his leg in the cast, brilliant!

That's very well done, as it gives us the feeling of what it's like to be trapped in an apartment, stuck in a wheel chair, bored as hell, while sweltering in the heat...This then drives the story forward and sets the tone for the movie. Which tells us that being a peeping-tom voyeur is not a healthy hobby!

James Stewart is perfect in this role. He's one of my all time favorite actors and is well cast here. And big kudos to a great actress, Thelma Ritter. I loved the scene they shared together at the start of the movie. This is when we learn of Stewart's philosophy on marriage and life. It's a very well written script too. And I just got through watching a short interview with the script writer John Michael Hayes, which was very insightful.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29501&stc=1&d=1490321321

I liked Grace Kelly in this. She's better here than in Dial M for Murder. Even the scriptwriter John Michael Hayes, said she was stiff in Dial M. She's certainly pretty and very fashionable too, just look at those photos! I'd say her best quality is her classy, poise. However she was my least favorite of the actors.

I'm not a fan of Hitch's trick photography, like the glowing effect of the camera's flash bulb, I think it takes away from the rest of the film's brilliance. Hitch is the master of entertainment films, but the more I watch and rewatch his films, I realize they were the blockbuster CG movies of his day, but with Hitch it's the skill that he puts into his direction, that makes his films memorable.

rating_3_5++

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28026&stc=1&d=1480959975
The Little Foxes (William Wyler 1941)
Director: William Wyler
Writer: Lillian Hellman
Cast: Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright, Dan Duryea
Genre: Drama, Romance
About: A rich southern family, the Hubbards, who plot, scheme and cheat to get wealthy.



I've seen this three times now. It's one of Bette Davis' top rated films.

Bette Davis' make up! Very effective at defining her icy cold character. Perc Westmore was her personal makeup artist. The Westmore family has been doing makeup in Hollywood since the start of films. The Westmore name appear on countless films, including many of the noms here, so I thought I pay them some justly deserved credit.

Bette's makeup is quite effective at making her unattractive and harsh looking!....And if you think that's just the way she looked in 1941, check out the photo of her from 2 years earlier in Jezebel, where she played another southern belle.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28025&stc=1&d=1480959963


Bette Davis is amazing here, she could have played her character large, loud and colorful...she often did, but she was no ham and knew what type of performance would best support the film. I'm a huge fan of Miss Davis and I've seen over 40 of her films. She's always amazing.

My favorite characters were:

Patricia Collinge/Birdie (the mom from Shadow Of A Doubt)...Hers was the most heart breaking character and most importantly she's the mirror that shows us the suffering the 'little foxes' inflicts on those around them. Her character worked well as a warning to what might befall Teresea Wright, if she doesn't get away from her mom and change her ways.

Jessica Grayson/Addie who played the head house servant. Films like The Little Foxes and Gone With the Wind gave black actors a chance to play more substantial roles and develop real characters on screen, than they always would have had. I liked Addie she's just about the only sensible character in the movie and she's not afraid to speak her mind or sass Bette Davis! I loved the line when she's washing Zan's (Teresa Wright) hair:

Addie: Hold still, Zan.You had pretty hair when you was little.
You was a mighty pretty little girl.

Zan: Addie, will anybody think I'm pretty now?

Addie: Someday some fool of a man will, I reckon.
Seems there's always somebody for somebody.
But you'll do, baby. You're too young to worry
about such things.

But for me, the standout character, the character that made this movie is Dan Duryea. This was Dan's first movie and launched a very successful career as a character actor, later he had his own TV show. Much like James Dean did, Dan Duryea packs little extras into his acting, like putting a cigar into his mouth and dropping it back in the box when no ones watching. Or fidgeting about. I loved his little roll around the living room in the wheel chair, very naughty. One of my favorite scenes is the shaving scene with him and his dad.

rating_4

[Gideon58]

[CENTER]http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28026&stc=1&d=1480959975
The Little Foxes (William Wyler 1941)
[LEFT]Director: William Wyler[FONT=Arial Narrow]
Writer: Lillian Hellman
Cast: Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright, Dan Duryea


Love this movie and your review...I think this was in my top five of favorite Davis performances...she is bone-chilling in this movie.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29522&stc=1&d=1490409251 The Loving Story (2011)

Director: Nancy Buirski
Writers: Nancy Buirski, Susie Ruth Powell
Length: 77 minutes
Genre: Documentary, Drama, History

A well made documentary by HBO about Richard and Mildred Loving an interracial married couple who was arrested for being married in D.C. in 1958. Upon returning to their home state of Virginia, they were arrested and jailed...the crime, interracial marriage. They were given a suspended 1 year jail sentence and ordered by the court to leave the state of Virginia. They were not allowed to return together, under penalty of a stiff jail sentence.

http://dl9fvu4r30qs1.cloudfront.net/e8/92/515afa344133aa2fcc331604de0f/richard-and-mildred-loving.jpg

Richard Loving and his wife Mildred Loving.


This sounds like fiction, but it's a true story, and it took place from the late 1950s all the way up tell 1967. The film follows the Loving's, and their lawyers, attempts to appeal this landmark case that eventually went all the way to the Supreme Court. That ruling changed the foundation of equality and civil rights laws.

This is a no frills documentary, there's no cheesy reenactments, no fancy CG, no gimmicks..and I found that refreshing. We see the actual film footage of the Loving's, both at home with their children and being interviewed by various journalist. We get to know the couple and see what the were like. The two ACLU lawyers who took on their case are also interviewed as this was a huge national story. At the time this case was resolved, 26 states in America had anti interracial marriage laws.

I highly recommend this film as it's a very personal, human story, it's damn important...and it's the basis of the 2016 movie Loving. Which I reviewed here: Loving (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1665277#post1665277)

In watching this documenary I developed an even deeper respect for the 2016 movie Loving, which I also recommend.

3.5+

[Citizen Rules]

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Arsenic and Old Lace (Frank Capra, 1944)
Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Julius J. Epstein & Philip G. Epstein (screen play)
Cast: Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane, Raymond Massey, Edward Everett Horton, Jack Carson, Peter Lorre
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Thriller

About: On the day of his wedding, a fussy drama critic (Cary Grant) learns that his old maiden aunts are murders...and that insanity is a hallmark of his family line.



Review: Frank Capra's movies are known for having a certain charm and human spirit with a bright note at the end of the show.

http://broadwayscene.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lindsay236.jpg


Arsenic and Old Lace was completed in 1941 but not released until 1944. Coming from the tail end of the 1930s, you can kind of get the feel of the 1930s screw ball comedy here.

I really liked the cast, especially Priscilla Lane, she's a real doll in this and is a natural at comedy. So is Jack Carson who played the cop who dreams of being a playwright and Peter Lorre who's hilarious as Dr Einstein. And the two older actresses who played the two eccentric aunts, were priceless. Does anybody remember the TV show The Waltons, I swear the idea of The kooky Baldwin sisters who served recipe in their big mansion in The Waltons came directly from the Brewster ladies with their spiked Elder Berry wine.

Cary Grant is on record for not liking his performance in Arsenic and Old Lace, he especially didn't like the couple of reactionary mug shots he does to the camera. I thought they worked well and were fitting for the style of film. I thought Cary was great in this.

Now I feel like watching more Frank Capra films.

rating_3_5

[gbgoodies]

I'm watching Arsenic and Old Lace right now. :) It's one of those movies that I watch A LOT because I love it so much. Even though Cary Grant didn't like his performance in this movie, I love him in it. However I think Peter Lorre steals the movie.

[Gideon58]

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Arsenic and Old Lace (Frank Capra, 1944)


Never felt like watching this movie until I read your review.

[Gideon58]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29522&stc=1&d=1490409251 The Loving Story (2011)

Director: Nancy Buirski
Writers: Nancy Buirski, Susie Ruth Powell
Length: 77 minutes
Genre: Documentary, Drama, History



I'm glad I read this review and I was blown away when I saw the pictures that you printed because the resemblance between the real couple and Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga in the 2016 movie is uncanny.

[Citizen Rules]

Never felt like watching this movie until I read your review.It's a screwball comedy from the early 40s, so if you know what those are like, then you know what Arsenic and Old Lace is like.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm glad I read this review and I was blown away when I saw the pictures that you printed because the resemblance between the real couple and Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga in the 2016 movie is uncanny. Gideon, trust me...watch The Loving Story. It will give you even more appreciation for the movie Loving (2106). You'll be amazed by it.

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.pieuvre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/All-The-Way-HBO-1-702x336.jpg
All the Way (2016)

Director: Jay Roach
Writers: Robert Schenkkan(teleplay), Robert Schenkkan(play)
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie, Melissa Leo
Genre: Biography, Drama, History

About: LBJ...Lyndon Baines Johnson as his presidency and battle to get his Civil Rights Act passed.

Review: HBO movies turns out one of the more interesting and detailed bio pics on LBJ and his time in the Oval Office. Bryan Cranston who played the blacklisted liberal writer Dalton Trumbo in Trumbo (2015), turns in one helluva performance as that down home and fiery Texan, President Lyndon Johnson. Damn he really does look like LBJ too. I had to look hard to even recognize the actor, that's how complete of a transformation it is. More that looking like the 36th President of the U.S.A, Bryan Cranston captures the persona of LBJ. Really it has to be seen to be believed.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29601&stc=1&d=1490838692


What I loved about this movie was how it delved into the intimate details of the behind the scenes effort to get President Johnson's Civil Rights Act passed. Along the way we see the influence that Martin Luther King Jr. (Anthony Mackie) had on the process. Even though LBJ and MLK have the same goals, their efforts often run counter productive to getting the bill past. Balancing out the act is Melissa Leo who effectively plays the woman behind the President, Lady Bird Johnson. Another film maker might have made her a background character, but in this intelligent movie she has an impact on LBJ and figures promptly in the film.

If you love history or just want to see a good movie that's based in reality. Check out All The Way

rating_3_5+

[Gideon58]

http://www.pieuvre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/All-The-Way-HBO-1-702x336.jpg
All the Way (2016)

Director: Jay Roach
Writers: Robert Schenkkan(teleplay), Robert Schenkkan(play)
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Anthony Mackie, Melissa Leo
Genre: Biography, Drama, History


Enjoyed your review and that picture you posted...Bryan Cranston's resemblance to LBJ is positively spooky.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=36766&stc=1&d=1508604139
Shadow of a Doubt (Hitchcock, 1943)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey
Genre: Thriller Drama Noir

About: A young woman (Teresa Wright) who idolizes her Uncle Charlie, has a surprise when Uncle Charlie shows up in California to visit her family. During the visit she begins uncovering clues that points to her kindly uncle being a dangerous man.
Review: This is a strange film! Uncle Charlie was a bit too friendly with his niece. It was an odd relationship! At first, Charlie (Teresa Wright) seemed to have a crush on Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotton). That actually gave this film a good kick start and the film starts off with a bang.



Into that dynamic comes the mom Patricia Collinge, who also adores her brother, Charlie. I found Patricia Collinge to be a very bright spot, she had this certain quality when she spoke of her deep love and admiration for her brother. Her performance was a real thing of beauty.

Teresa Wright, was right! for this role. She's so normal, wholesome and down to earth, no wonder she was so popular in the 1940s...She is uniquely real. And that's at a time when many an actresses career was built on star power.

https://68.media.tumblr.com/47219884ab1be1e0109eb163d35c066d/tumblr_okngp1JlTe1uybf9ro1_500.jpg


Same goes for Joseph Cotton...and accomplished actor who was never a movie star. Cotton cut his teeth with the great Orson Welles as one of the Mercury Theater players. Cotton starred in two of Welles' great films Citizen Kane and The Magnificent Ambersons. He too was one of the powerhouses in the 40s. I almost nominated another of his films.

Hitch rewards us with well developed and interesting characters, from the little precious, know-it-all girl, to the nerdy murder mystery fan, played by a very young Hume Cronyn in his first movie role.

I mean this movie is really fleshed out with great on location settings, which is something Hitch normally didn't do...and with naturalistic, enlivened dialogued by Thorton Wilder (Our Town) and Sally Benson another great screen writer.

I guess what I'm saying is, this is a good film!

rating_4

[Citizen Rules]

Enjoyed your review and that picture you posted...Bryan Cranston's resemblance to LBJ is positively spooky. Even more so in other pics from the movie All The Way (2016)

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29639
'Lady Bird' Johnson
who's real name was Claudia Alta Johnson

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