Citizen Rules...Cinemaesque Chat-n-Review

[honeykid]

Don't even start with that. :D

I think I saw it, or some of it, when I was young. What I can be sure of is that my mum really liked it (as did my grandparents) and I can remember hearing that soundtrack over and over for years. I hate that bloody album. In fact, it's entirely possible that my hatred for westerns comes from that album. Both the music and the horrible, horrible album cover.

https://images.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F51ddxG2KcUL.jpg&f=1

Look at that horrible brown scratchy thing. :sick:

[Citizen Rules]

:D

For everyone (but HK);) I just seen that you can legally watch Paint Your Wagon on Youtube. Hearing Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood sing is an experience.:eek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOBhBwaky3k

[SilentVamp]

It is so funny. I am the one person who doesn't mind "Paint Your Wagon" or the two of them singing. :p

[Friendly Mushroom!]

It is so funny. I am the one person who doesn't mind "Paint Your Wagon" or the two of them singing. :p

I don't mind Clint's singing. I do mind Lee Marvin's, most of the music and the story itself though.

[SilentVamp]

I don't mind Clint's singing. I do mind Lee Marvin's, most of the music and the story itself though.
Well, at least you don't mind something about it. :D The music is actually really good music. But I don't think the producers handled the making of the film too well and that spoiled the music by who was cast and how the story was told. This was a Broadway show before a movie. So, I know how the music sounded originally before Lee Marvin sang. :) It is just different as the Broadway show.

[Citizen Rules]

I loved Paint Your Wagon. I thought it was cool to see a younger Eastwood in a western where he wasn't the tough guy gun fighter (I love the spaghetti westerns too). Lee Marvin sings like a frog which is great as he's a grisly old prospector and I doubt many of the 69ers could carry a tune. I thought it was a fun film and a unique musical.

[gbgoodies]

I tried watching Cat Ballou for the 1960's list, but for some reason, I just didn't really care much for it. I thought it was strange because I like Jane Fonda, and it sounded like my kind of movie, so I plan to re-watch it at some point to give it another chance.

I saw Paint Your Wagon many years ago, but I don't remember much about the movie except that I didn't like it.

I don't know. Maybe I just have some kind of mental block against musical westerns? :shrug:

[honeykid]

I don't know. Maybe I just have some kind of mental block against musical westerns? :shrug:
You mean you're normal. ;)

[gbgoodies]

You mean you're normal. ;)


I've been called a lot of things, but "normal" has never been one of them. :lol:

[honeykid]

Well now you can add it to the list. :D

[Citizen Rules]

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Soldier Blue (1970)

Director: Ralph Nelson
Cast: Candice Bergen, Peter Strauss, Donald Pleasence
Genre: Exploitative History, Western


Synopsis: A U.S. Cavalry regiment is massacred by the Cheyenne Indians. There are only two survivors: a naive young solider (Peter Strauss) who's ill equipped to deal with the situation...and a savvy tough talking, young woman(Candice Bergen) who'd lived with the Cheyennes and is sympathetic to their plight.

Review: I knew when the prologue words came on the screen sounding like a protest rally, that this film would be different. Sadly what should have been a thought provoking statement on the massacre of innocent Cheyennes is turned into a campy exploitative film.

Candice Bergen's acting is so bad at times that it made the film painful to watch. Peter Strauss isn't winning any acting awards either for this and Bergen & Strauss are the main focus of the film. We don't ever get to know the Cheyenne as people, we just see them killing...and then being killed. For a film that purports to further the Native American plight, the Indians in the film are treated as nothing more than exploitative material.

Candice's character is politically correct, she can swear and belch like any man, but mostly she grates on the nerves with her squeaking angry rants. Peter Strauss plays it so naive and green that he's afraid to kiss Candice...though I can't say I blame him. His character is suited for a comedy but there's nothing funny about this film.

Worse of all is the preachy feel of the movie that is as subtle as a sledge hammer, topped only by unnecessary gore done in an over the top fashion that makes this film almost camp. Almost is the key word because while camp can be entertaining, seeing a close up of a child's head being decapitated really isn't.

The massacres of Native American people during the 1800s by the U.S. army is a poignant and sadly true story. Maybe this film had good intentions but it's the most poorly delivered message I've seen. The story of the Sand Creek massacre deserved a more dignified film than this.

rating_2


Recommend films dealing with massacres of Native Americans
Cheyenne Autumn (1964)
Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee (2007)

[gbgoodies]

Candice's character is political correct, she can swear and belch like any man, but mostly she grates on the nerves with her squeaking angry rants.


That kind of sounds like her character in "Murphy Brown", but at least that show was funny. :lol:

[Citizen Rules]

Mrs Rules like Murphy Brown too, I never seen it. The only other film I've seen her in is The Sand Pebbles (1966). I seem to recall she was OK in that film. One thing, you do not want to watch this film:eek: it has more gratuitous gore than a slasher horror film.

[gbgoodies]

Mrs Rules like Murphy Brown too, I never seen it. The only other film I've seen her in is The Sand Pebbles (1966). I seem to recall she was OK in that film. One thing, you do not want to watch this film:eek: it has more gratuitous gore than a slasher horror film.


Based on your review, it didn't sound like my kind of movie anyway, so I doubt I'll ever watch it.

But you should watch "Murphy Brown". It's a very funny show.

[Citizen Rules]

Maybe I will. I just finished the last season of Soap last night. I'm starting on season 2 of Rhoda now. After that I'm a free agent and will be shopping for a TV series to watch.

[gbgoodies]

Maybe I will. I just finished the last season of Soap last night. I'm starting on season 2 of Rhoda now. After that I'm a free agent and will be shopping for a TV series to watch.


"Soap" was a great show, but it's one of those shows that got worse as the show went on. The first few seasons had some of the funniest moments on TV, but the last couple of seasons weren't nearly as good.

I watched "Rhoda" when it was originally on, but I don't think I've seen it since then. I remember it being a good show, but not as good as the show that it spun off from, ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show"). Does it stand the test of time?

[Citizen Rules]

The first few shows of Rhoda were golden. I like Rhoda (Valerie Harper), her sister Brenda (Julie Kavner) and her nosy, bossy but loving mom, Ida (Nancy Walker). But then they had Rhoda get married and I KNEW that was a bad idea it really slowed the show down. I complained about that....Funny thing is I then watched the DVD interview with the producer of Rhoda and he said insiders had told him not to have Rhoda get married and he said they were right as it hurt the show.....So Rhoda get's divorce in season 2 and I assume that brings the show back to it's roots. Ask me again after I watch season 2.

Soap, you're right that the first season had the best stuff. But in season 2 and 3 they really developed some of the characters and did serious drama at times. The actors who played Burt and Jessica gave so moving monologues. But season 4 was old and tired and the writers brought out the same old stuff. I recommend seasons 1-3

[gbgoodies]

The first few shows of Rhoda were golden. I like Rhoda (Valerie Harper), her sister Brenda (Julie Kavner) and her nosy, bossy but loving mom, Ida (Nancy Walker). But then they had Rhoda get married and I KNEW that was a bad idea it really slowed the show down. I complained about that....Funny thing is I then watched the DVD interview with the producer of Rhoda and he said insiders had told him not to have Rhoda get married and he said they were right as it hurt the show.....So Rhoda get's divorce in season 2 and I assume that brings the show back to it's roots. Ask me again after I watch season 2.

No love for Carlton the Doorman?


Soap, you're right that the first season had the best stuff. But in season 2 and 3 they really developed some of the characters and did serious drama at times. The actors who played Burt and Jessica gave so moving monologues. But season 4 was old and tired and the writers brought out the same old stuff. I recommend seasons 1-3

The Campbell family was definitely the funnier family. I loved when Burt thought he was invisible. And everything about Chuck and Bob. :lol:

Benson was the best character in the Tate family.

[cricket]

It's probably no surprise that I liked Soldier Blue a lot. Maybe like is the wrong term, affected is more like it. Knowing the true story behind it and what was coming, I found it effectively disturbing.

[Citizen Rules]

Oh ya....Carlton the Doorman rules, always funny. He's one of the producers of the show too.

I also heard that Rhoda was so popular on Mary Tyler Moore that she received numerous offers and the MTM producers were afraid of loosing her, so they spun her off to her own show. I think her departure from MTM hurt that show some, still a great show. I finished watching MTM last month.

a short 2 minute clip of the power of Richard Mulligan's (Burt) acting ability from Soap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wPTTHCQRvo

and an even shorter 30 second clip of a drunken Burt, funny!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-YJZ1JQapM

[Citizen Rules]

It's probably no surprise that I liked Soldier Blue a lot. Maybe like is the wrong term, affected is more like it. Knowing the true story behind it and what was coming, I found it effectively disturbing. Have you seen any other movies dealing with atrocities in the 1800s against Native American Indians? I listed two films, but I remember seeing another that was done quite well.

[mark f]

Little Big Man with Richard Mulligan as Custer.

[cricket]

Little Big Man with Richard Mulligan as Custer.

Yes

[gbgoodies]

Oh ya....Carlton the Doorman rules, always funny. He's one of the producers of the show too.

I also heard that Rhoda was so popular on Mary Tyler Moore that she received numerous offers and the MTM producers were afraid of loosing her, so they spun her off to her own show. I think her departure from MTM hurt that show some, still a great show. I finished watching MTM last month.

a short 2 minute clip of the power of Richard Mulligan's (Burt) acting ability from Soap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wPTTHCQRvo

and an even shorter 30 second clip of a drunken Burt, funny!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-YJZ1JQapM


Richard Mulligan was great in everything he did. If you like him as Burt, I'd recommend seeing him in Scavenger Hunt, S.O.B., and Teachers.

I wish "Empty Nest" was available on DVD. He was great in that show too.


Have you seen him in anything else?

[Citizen Rules]

I hadn't seen him in anything else but thanks to Mark I will watch Little Big Man. I had no idea he was in that film, off to request it now:)

...and my library had it, cool.

[cricket]

That's a brilliant movie. I watched it because it was in Mark's top ten

[Citizen Rules]

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X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)

Director: Roger Corman
Stars: Ray Milland, Diana Van der Vlis,
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

"A doctor uses special eye drops to give himself x-ray vision, but the new power has disastrous consequences."


That's right, it's a Roger Corman film, you know the guy who gave us Death Race 2000, Little Shop of Horrors and House of Usher to name a few of his gems. X is one of those gems!

This might look like a campy B budget, sci fi thriller but thanks to Ray Milland this movie works and works well! Ray Milland is Dr. James Xavier an impatient scientist who's developed eye drops that allow him to see inside the human body, as a surgeon he hopes to perform surgeries too complex for the average human eye. The more eye drops he takes, the more his eyes change and the more deeply he can see. Ultimately he aims to uncover the mysteries of the universe by seeing into the atomic level.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66835

The special effects that show us, the audience what he sees, works! It's intriguing and just plain cool. The changes in his eyes with colored glass lenses look pretty good too.

'Suddenly he could see through clothes, flesh... and walls!'


That was the catch line that what used to sell tickets. Pretty provocative in 1963 and helped to make this movie popular. But this is a 1963 film after all, so don't expect to see much.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66836
Dr. X can see right through girls clothing as we found out in the not so infamous party scene.

This film takes the subject of science exploration and the human cost seriously. One of the most effective characters is comedian Don Rickles who plays a sleazy side show carnival operator. Rickles latches onto the troubled scientist and turns him into a mystic who can read peoples minds.

The best part is a 1 second scene that is only a few film frames long, it comes at the very end and is powerful. If you blink you'll miss it.

rating_3_5++

[cricket]

I was never interested in that because I thought it'd be too campy for me. It doesn't sound bad though.

[Citizen Rules]

Not campy at all, but that is exactly what I expected to see too.

[Swan]

I think it's pure camp personally, but that doesn't make it bad at all.

[Citizen Rules]

Did you like it Swan?

[Swan]

I didn't love it but I liked it. :)

[Citizen Rules]

Cool....I love films like that. I had heard about for years but only now got a chance to watch it.

[Swan]

Yeah definitely. They're great fun.

[Citizen Rules]

73987 Plagues and Pleasures on the Salton Sea (2004)
Directors: Chris Metzler, Jeff Springer
Writers: Chris Metzler, Jeff Springer
Genre: Documentary
Length: 74 minutes

"Renowned cult film director John Waters narrates this quirky exploration of the Salton Sea, the massive Southern California lake that was created by accident a century ago, became a popular."

This is a fast paced, fun, quirky documentary about some bad stuff that has happened to the Salton Sea. Do you know where the Salton Sea is? Neither did I. The Salton Sea is in California and is an inland sea that was accidentally created in the early 1900s when engineers tried to irrigate the Imperial Valley with water from the Colorado river. Part of the river busted through, changing it's course and flooded a huge area of what was once dry desert flats....That's how the Salton Sea was born.

Years latter in the mid 20th century, the Salton Sea became a mecca for southern Californians who sought recreation, fishing and boating there. Soon yacht clubs, parks and even towns were springing up on it's sunny shores. Some claimed that it would one day rival Palm Springs as a destination for the rich. But then the lake flooded, ruining properties and people left in droves. Then the lake started drying up with massive fish die offs creating a stench that could be smelled for miles. Today a handful of people eek out a living on the deserted shores of what has been called an ecological nightmare.

73985
The once popular Salton Bay Yacht Club in better days.

73986

The Salton Sea is in danger of being completely loss to evaporation as in 2017 Los Angles will be diverting water that feeds the inland sea to the thirsty people of L.A. This documentary looks at the remaining people who live on the shores of the Salton Sea and it's bleak future.

rating_4_5

[honeykid]

I only know about the Salton Sea and this documentary because it came out a couple of years after The Salton Sea.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/89/Salton_sea_poster.jpg/220px-Salton_sea_poster.jpg

Which I remember as being quite a good thriller.

[Citizen Rules]

I had heard about The Salton Sea with Val Kilmer. Is much of the film set at the Salton Sea? Do you see much of it and the surrounding communities?

[cricket]

I don't know where The Salton Sea was filmed, but it's a movie I love.

[Citizen Rules]

I read about The Salton Sea movie and it doesn't sound like something I would like. Do you think I would like it? Assuming you kind of know my taste by now.

[MovieMeditation]

That X movie sounds pretty interesting, even if it isn't XXX rated. :p

A good review too, Citizen, I enjoyed reading it. I have never heard of the film until now, but you got my attention. :up:

[Citizen Rules]

Ha, more like PG:( Actually it's unrated. This is Ray Milland's last big starring role in a decent movie. It's fun.

[Captain Steel]

Rules, I remember seeing X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes several years ago. It was bad... or good... in that peculiar Roger Corman sort of way.
It was strange seeing Ray Milland (known as a serious actor for his dramatic roles) in a Corman Sci-Fi / horror flick like this. (It would be like sticking Charleton Heston in a movie about zombies... heh-heh!)
Weirdest of all, though, was Don Rickles being in the movie... and being particularly un-funny at that.

[Citizen Rules]

(It would be like sticking Charleston Heston in a movie about zombies... heh-heh!) That took me a few seconds then I got it...ha! (I love Omega Man):)

Don Rickles slipped into the sleazy conniving carny role very well. I really need to watch more Roger Corman stuff. Have you ever looked him up on IMDB he must have produced a million movies, all with tantalizing names.

[Captain Steel]

Corman is known as the "B" movie king.

And Don Rickles actually has some acting chops - especially when playing sleazy or even tough-guy characters (see his role in Casino - it's understated to the best of my memory, but he plays it well.)

[Citizen Rules]

I totally forgot he was in Casino. I was impressed with that film too. Who can forget Joe Pesci sticking a guy in a throat with a pencil. Or the Irishman in the vise clamp scene....eck!

[Citizen Rules]

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=22710&stc=1&d=1442887916
Battle Hymn (1957)
Director: Douglas Sirk
Stars: Rock Hudson, Anna Kashfi, Dan Duryea
Genre: Biography, Drama, History


"A remorseful bomber pilot-turned-minister rejoins for the Korean War."

There are several good Korean war films that were made in the 1950s, this is one of them. Based on a true story about a WWII bomber pilot Col. Dean Hess (Rock Hudson) who mistakenly bombed a German orphanage. Filled with guilt, he becomes a minister to atone for his mistake. Years later during the Korean war, (where the film starts) he rejoins the military to train pilots. The Col. struggles with grief and purpose until he finds his calling....hundreds of Korean war orphans desperately need care. With the North Korean army advancing he had to find them safe shelter.

We often think of Rock Hudson as being attached to Doris Day in comedies, but he's good here as a introspective character wresting with his emotions. Hudson might not have had the greatest range as an actor but he was good at playing a somber, reflective character as he does in this film.

Directed by Douglas Sirk who directed Rock in three other critically acclaimed dramas: All That Heaven Allows (1955), Written on the Wind (1956) and Magnificent Obsession (1954).

Well known character actors Day Duryea and Alan Hale Jr. (the skipper from Gilligan's Island) round out the cast.

This has been digitally restored and the color looks great. Best of all this is a wide screen CinemaScope movie that on the DVD is presented in wide screen format.

rating_3_5



.

[Swan]

Citizen, have you seen Bright Star? The Jane Campion film.

I haven't so it's not a recommendation. Just curious what you think.

[Citizen Rules]

Gosh, I don't know. I asked my wife and she didn't remember it. I looked at the movie at IMDB but it doesn't ring a bell. But that is the kind of film I would like so I added it to my watch list. Glad you mentioned it. I'm about to turn into a pumpkin so catch ya latter:)

[Citizen Rules]

Love & Mercy (2014)http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=22714&stc=1&d=1443061019http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=22715&stc=1&d=1443061024

Love & Mercy (2014)
Director: Bill Pohlad
Stars: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music

In 1966 the Beach Boys are struggling to complete their masterpiece album Pet Sounds and Brian Wilson (Paul Dano) is struggling with mental illness. In the mid 1980's an older Brian Wilson (John Cusack) is a virtual prisoner of his controlling therapist Dr. Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti), when he meets a caring woman Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks)...CR

I love the Beach Boys music, but by mercy what did I just watch? This film is bi polar, with half of it set in the 1960's with Paul Dano playing Brian Wilson...and the other half set in the 1980's with John Cusack also playing Brian Wilson. Why?...Was this suppose to be clever? It's not, it's distracting.

Cusack isn't bad in this, he just doesn't look the part. Paul Dano on the other hand embodies Brian Wilson, he looks like him, acts like him. I believed his performance. Why couldn't the make up department age Dano for the 1980's version?

All this back and forth time travel with two different Brian Wilson makes for an unstructured film. It didn't hold my attention. Which is too bad as there were scenes in the 1960s with Dano, showing his mental illness creeping up on him, that were powerful. I could see how frightened and confused Brian was. It was really sad to watch such an artistic genius, suffer....But then we flash forward and my emotional investment is put on hold as we watch Cusack in the 80s.

Paul Giamatti plays the evil therapist who has legal guardianship over Brian. Giamatti's a fine actor but here the director has him totally over top with evilness. All he needed was a black cape and to twirl his mustache. The bad wig didn't help either.

66849


Elizabeth Banks was fine but they might have toned down her Barbie doll look. Why she falls for a confused mumbling Brain Wilson is never made clear either.

This was a great story opportunity that I feel was diminished by having two different adult actors play Brain Wilson.

rating_3

[gbgoodies]

I was on the fence about watching Love & Mercy because I'm not a big Beach Boys fan, so I'll probably pass on this movie. I was really only going to watch it for John Cusack anyway. :shrug:

[Citizen Rules]

My gut tells me you won't like the movie. Oh there is no complete Beach Boys songs in the film. I'm guessing that's because of copyrights. They do some snipets though.

I'm a big fan of Paul Dano.

[gbgoodies]

My gut tells me you won't like the movie. Oh there is no complete Beach Boys songs in the film. I'm guessing that's because of copyrights. They do some snipets though.

I'm a big fan of Paul Dano.


I've only seen Paul Dano in a couple of movies, so I haven't really formed an opinion of him yet, but I liked him in Ruby Sparks.

[Citizen Rules]

I haven't seen him in many only: Ruby Sparks, 12 Years a Slave, Little Miss Sunshine and Meek's Cutoff.

Catch ya latter.:)

[cricket]

I think Paul Dano is fantastic; he was great in There Will Be Blood, Prisoners, 12 Years a Slave, and Weapons. He's been in other movies I've seen but I don't remember the roles well.

[Swan]

Interesting review. Some stuff I disagree on but ultimately can't argue against, in other words they are valid criticisms.

Most importantly though, I'm with you that the Paul Dano and the scenes regarding Wilson's youth and downfall into psychosis was the best thing about it. He was absolutely terrific and it was a great depiction of mental illness.

[Swan]

Why she falls for a confused mumbling Brain Wilson is never made clear either.

How dare you. On behalf of all confused, mumbling crazies such as myself, I am deeply offended.

:D

[Captain Steel]

I'm disappointed because I AM a huge Beach Boys fan, so I had high hopes for this film. Sad to hear they use chronological jumbling to try to be clever rather than just tell Brian's story. I'll probably still check it out when it comes on cable.

P.S. Now I can't help remembering that there were multiple Brian Wilson references in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story - especially the scene where he was demanding more didgeridoos...
(warning: foul language & nudity)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3HPqfW5ZU

[Citizen Rules]

Interesting review. Some stuff I disagree on but ultimately can't argue against, in other words they are valid criticisms.

Most importantly though, I'm with you that the Paul Dano and the scenes regarding Wilson's youth and downfall into psychosis was the best thing about it. He was absolutely terrific and it was a great depiction of mental illness. He was touching in those moments. I cared about the character and would have loved to see more of his story set in the 1960s.

That's why I was so disappointed in the 1980s storyline, which I felt was done like a made for TV movie, very over the top. If I could rate just the 1960s Paul Dano storyline I would give it a rating_4_5

[Citizen Rules]

I'm disappointed because I AM a huge Beach Boys fan, so I had high hopes for this film. Sad to hear they use chronological jumbling to try to be clever rather than just tell Brian's story. I'll probably still check it out when it comes on cable.

P.S. Now I can't help remembering that there were multiple Brian Wilson references in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story - especially the scene where he was demanding more didgeridoos... I watched that clip! funny:D....And strangely similar to the studio scene in Love & Mercy. If you ever watch it you'll know what I mean.

[seanc]

We had very different experiences with Love & Mercy. I really loved the two part structure. I could probably be convinced with your criticisms of Banks character but I don't know how half these big time musicians get girlfriends.

[Captain Steel]

We had very different experiences with Love & Mercy. I really loved the two part structure. I could probably be convinced with your criticisms of Banks character but I don't know how half these big time musicians get girlfriends.

Money, fame, houses, pools, travel, boats, booze, drugs - you have all that at once and it won't matter what you look like or how you act - you'll be beating "girlfriends" off with a stick! :cool:

[Citizen Rules]

I tend to like more conventional story telling. A flash back at the beginning of the film that leads into the past events is OK, but I'm not a fan of a split story like Love & Mercy was. But that's not my main gripe about it.

I read some trivia on Otto Preminger when I watched your nomination, I don't think I've posted this but it's interesting:

Otto Preminger disliked the use of flashbacks; hence there are none in the film [Anatomy of a Murder].

[mark f]

The special features of the DVD explain why they developed and filmed Love and Mercy the way they did, including interviews with the real Brian and Melinda. I'm beginning to notice that CR seems to be distracted a lot by basic modern filmmaking methods, but your opinion is yours. You certainly must have known in advance that two actors played Brian Wilson since that was included in all the advertising.

[Captain Steel]

The special features of the DVD explain why they developed and filmed Love and Mercy the way they did, including interviews with the real Brian and Melinda. I'm beginning to notice that CR seems to be distracted a lot by basic modern filmmaking methods, but your opinion is yours. You certainly must have known in advance that two actors played Brian Wilson since that was included in all the advertising.

Two actors playing the same person has nothing to do with how the film was made and gives no advanced information as to how it's structured in its continuity. Any bio-pic or story that covers a lifetime will often use multiple actors to play the same character at certain ages - there's nothing modern about that.

I haven't seen the film but it sounds like CR is saying that it jumped around with the chronology which can be distracting especially in a bio-pic where you get invested in the character and want to follow their experiences as they build on each other (kind of like in real-life).

[Citizen Rules]

The special features of the DVD explain why they developed and filmed Love and Mercy the way they did, including interviews with the real Brian and Melinda.I normally watch the special features but this time didn't. So what was the film makers reasons for a split story with two actors?


I'm beginning to notice that CR seems to be distracted a lot by basic modern filmmaking methods, but your opinion is yours.That was a clever prose;)...You sound a bit irritated that I pan movies you like. I've noticed sometimes you get miffed when your favorite films are panned, but that's your choice, many MoFos do that. It doesn't phase me though when someone disses my favorite films.

My opinion of 'some' modern film making techniques are they're kitsch and detract from the story telling.

You certainly must have known in advance that two actors played Brian Wilson since that was included in all the advertising.Nope I didn't know that, not that it would have changed my review. I still think it's a poor idea in this case.

[mark f]

The film is structured so that the emotional story is depicted chronologically. What made you want to watch the movie, apparently sight unseen? How did you know it was about Brian Wilson? How do you know what movies I like and which ones I've been miffed about people's panning of them? Have you read a lot of my opinions?

[Citizen Rules]

What made you want to watch the movie, apparently sight unseen? How did you know it was about Brian Wilson? I'm not sure why you care so much about what I knew about the film before watching it. Do you think I have a master plan to seek out and criticize highly acclaimed bio pics;)....But what the heck I'll tell ya why I watched it. It came up in a Netflix suggestion based on my past movies watched. This is all of what I read about it before requesting it:
Love & Mercy

2015 PG-13 Rated PG-13 120 mins 4.8

Our best guess for you: 4.8 stars
Average of 8573 ratings: 3.6 stars

This candid biopic traces the winding path of Brian Wilson, creator of the Beach Boys' unique sound. Battling mental illness, Wilson traded stardom for an isolated existence in the 1960s but returned to the stage in the '80s after taming his demons.
Cast: Bill Camp, Jake Abel, Paul Dano, more...

[mark f]

Yeah, well Netflix thought I'd rate it 3.1. :) The TV advertised the film a lot when it was first released and now again with the DVD/On Demand release.

[Citizen Rules]

:)

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66859
https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66860

Cocktail (1988)

Director: Roger Donaldson
Writer: Heywood Gould (screenplay)
Cast: Tom Cruise, Bryan Brown, Elisabeth Shue
Genre: Drama

Cocktail is listed among 'The 100 Most Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made' in the book: The Official Razzie Movie Guide.

Synopsis: Brian Flangan (Tom Cruise), an ambitious young man looks to better his position in life by entering the fast track business world, only to find out that his lack of education and experience makes a business career and impossibility....Forced to take on a job as a bartender, he meets 'Flair Bartender' Doug Coughlin (Bryan Brown) a man who has his own unique and cynical take on life. He becomes Cruises mentor and teaches him the art of 'Flair Bartending' while giving him a lesson in the school of hard knocks.

Review: I expected this to follow along the lines of Top Gun, it didn't. This is a much deeper film, that examines the friendship and rivalry between Doug and Brian. Brian (Cruise) is looking to succeed and move up in the world, while his friend is looking for any advantage he can take to win. The rivalry goes beyond top bartender and extends to the women in their lives. Nothing it seems is sacred. Ultimately this is a morality tale of what happens when a person is wiling to screw someone else over just to win.

Elisabeth Shue, Tom Cruise and especially Bryan Brown turn in excellent performances. The film is set both in the city and later moves to Jamaica. The production values are high.

I was surprised at how good this was. It's so much more than flipping bottles to rock music. In a way it examines an era of greed and self promotion that was the 1990s.

rating_3_5+

[cricket]

I've only seen Cocktail once, when it first came out, and I didn't care for it. I have this feeling that I could really like it now.

[Citizen Rules]

Believe it or not I'd never seen it either. When I was younger I didn't watch many movies. I watched Top Gun for the first time a couple months ago and decided to check out some other Tom Cruise oldies. Top Gun was popcorn fun. Cocktail has a darker side to it. I really like it and expected not to. Now if I can just get back to catching up on Cruise films. I do start a watching trend but never seem to finish it. Oh well.

[seanc]

I used to really like Cocktail but it has been forever.

[gbgoodies]

I'm not a fan of Tom Cruise, but if you haven't seen Rain Man, you should watch it.

[Citizen Rules]

I never seen Rain Man either. No kidding.

[Captain Steel]

I never seen Rain Man either. No kidding.

Hey, you should put that on my Movies You've Never Seen thread (because everyone's seen Rain Man)! ;)

Yes Rain Man is a good movie - I only saw it once but remember most of it (yet there's movies I saw last month that I can barely tell you what they were about).
I've seen some documentaries that feature the man that Dustin Hoffman's "Rain Man" was based on - he's an "idiot savant" and quite incredible in both what he can do and cannot do.

[Camo]

I never seen Rain Man either. No kidding.

You should watch it. i would be surprised if you didn't find it above average at least, seems like your sort of film.

[Citizen Rules]

I probably will watch it one of these days. You guys should see my need to watch list! It's huge...Well I'm sure your guys' list are all big too.

I just went to the library and picked up some films and docs too, including Master and Commander.

[gbgoodies]

I haven't seen Master and Commander because it doesn't look like my kind of movie, but I remember that there was a lot of good buzz surrounding it back when it was in the theaters.

[Citizen Rules]

I don't know, from what Captain said I think it might be a movie you could get behind. I'd watch it tonight if I didn't need to finish the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare.

I'll post a review here or a mini review over at my other place and let you know what I though.

[gbgoodies]

I don't know, from what Captain said I think it might be a movie you could get behind. I'd watch it tonight if I didn't need to finish the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare.

I'll post a review here or a mini review over at my other place and let you know what I though.


I'll decide after you watch and review it. If it sounds good, maybe I'll give it a try.

[Captain Steel]

I haven't seen Master and Commander because it doesn't look like my kind of movie, but I remember that there was a lot of good buzz surrounding it back when it was in the theaters.

Since I went on & on about it last night, I won't do so again. But I'll just say if I had a top 10 list of best movies ever made (I have a hard time limiting myself to such restrictions since I like a large variety of things for different reasons) then Master and Commander would be on it.
It's one of those very few movies that has the ability to take me somewhere beyond my own life and problems for a while, and makes me feel like I stepped out of a time machine and right onto the deck of a 19th century sailing vessel.

Personal note: last night, I got so enthused from talking about it that I thought I'd go watch it again - it had been in the listing of one of the cable channel's (that I get) "On Demand" selections for months. But when I went to look it up, found it was no longer on the list, and I don't own a copy. I did give a VHS copy to my dad as a birthday gift years ago (but it's at his house... if anyone could even find it). :(

[gbgoodies]

Since I went on & on about it last night, I won't do so again. But I'll just say if I had a top 10 list of best movies ever made (I have a hard time limiting myself to such restrictions since I like a large variety of things for different reasons) then Master and Commander would be on it.
It's one of those very few movies that has the ability to take me somewhere beyond my own life and problems for a while, and makes me feel like I stepped out of a time machine and right onto the deck of a 19th century sailing vessel.

Personal note: last night, I got so enthused from talking about it that I thought I'd go watch it again - it had been in the listing of one of the cable channel's (that I get) "On Demand" selections for months. But when I went to look it up, found it was no longer on the list, and I don't own a copy. I did give a VHS copy to my dad as a birthday gift years ago (but it's at his house... if anyone could even find it). :(


If you get either Encore or Starz, it's listed on both of those channels within the next week or two.

Mon, Sep 28 12:45 AM ENCRCL
Thu, Oct 01 6:55 AM STARZ
Thu, Oct 01 1:00 PM STARZ
Mon, Oct 05 11:30 AM STZCI
Mon, Oct 05 7:35 PM STZCI
Tue, Oct 06 7:30 AM STZCI

[Citizen Rules]

Captain, you do have a 'Top 10 List of Best Movies' ever made, it's part of your profile, just click on User CP and add your 10 favs. I just looked and your cupboard is bare:p...No big deal of course, many MoFos have no favorites listed, myself I resisted for many months but like the Borg say resistances is futile and I made a quickie list. I don't know if it's my all time Top 10, but I guess it tells others what kind of movies I like.....albeit old creaky movies:)

One of the coolest things about this site is members through their enthusiasm for a film encourage others to give it a try, as you did. I've watched a LOT of great films I never would have watched thanks to the people here.:)

[gbgoodies]

Captain, you do have a 'Top 10 List of Best Movies' ever made, it's part of your profile, just click on User CP and add your 10 favs. I just looked and your cupboard is bare:p...No big deal of course, many MoFos have no favorites listed, myself I resisted for many months but like the Borg say resistances is futile and I made a quickie list. I don't know if it's my all time Top 10, but I guess it tells others what kind of movies I like.....albeit old creaky movies:)

One of the coolest things about this site is members through their enthusiasm for a film encourage others to give it a try, as you did. I've watched a LOT of great films I never would have watched thanks to the people here.:)


My 10 favorite movies listed aren't my all-time favorites, but they're 10 movies that I love so much that I watch them over and over again.

[Captain Steel]

That's what I'm saying - asking me what the 10 best movies ever made are is like asking me what the ten best foods ever made are. I like a lot of stuff - sometimes my favorite depends entirely on my mood. I love Italian pasta dishes, but if I've had that 4 nights in a row, it might not be on my top 10 list of favorites again until next week! But then I'll try something new and that will become my new favorite for a while.

Now I might be able to do top 10 Sci-Fi films, or Boat movies, etc. :)

[Citizen Rules]

Top 10 Sci Fi or Top 10 Boat movies, sounds good!..I don't know how the other MoFos pick their top 10s but I just went with the notion that I pick 10 movies that I though were cool and I'd like to advertise. I change them sometimes too.

[gbgoodies]

That's what I'm saying - asking me what the 10 best movies ever made are is like asking me what the ten best foods ever made are. I like a lot of stuff - sometimes my favorite depends entirely on my mood. I love Italian pasta dishes, but if I've had that 4 nights in a row, it might not be on my top 10 list of favorites again until next week! But then I'll try something new and that will become my new favorite for a while.

Now I might be able to do top 10 Sci-Fi films, or Boat movies, etc. :)


You can just put in 10 movies that you love. It gives people an idea of your taste in movies.

BTW, my 10 favorite foods would be an easier list than my 10 favorite movies. #1 would be Lemon Chicken. :)

[gbgoodies]

Top 10 Sci Fi or Top 10 Boat movies, sounds good!..I don't know how the other MoFos pick their top 10s but I just went with the notion that I pick 10 movies that I though were cool and I'd like to advertise. I change them sometimes too.


Yeah, a lot of people just put in their current 10 favorite movies, and then they just change them whenever they feel like it. You can do that too.

[Captain Steel]

I may watch Cocktail now, due to your review, Rules.
It was never on my radar - I remember just writing it off due to the apparent subject matter (about a bar, bartender, resort, etc.) and thinking it was just some film Tom Cruise did in-between his blockbusters! Something along the lines of "Private Resort" (1985).


This is totally random, but I just remembered these friends of mine who told me that Roadhouse was their favorite movie and, in their opinion, the best movie ever made. So I finally watched it and thought it was the most stupid thing I'd ever seen - not even the set-up was plausible (bouncers have international reputations in their "field" and women doctors like to spend their free time after long hours at a hospital hanging out in sleazy go-go bars where men go to watch women strip???)

Don't take that as any kind of comparison - you'd have to know these friends - I don't think they've ever sat through a classic movie or period piece that wasn't also a comedy. I only mention it because it's funny and is pretty much the opposite of what happens here when people recommend movies.

[Camo]

Captain, you should fill in your lists at least. As much as i love seeing ten favourites of members that is something i think you learn from time spent, the lists allow you to know what someone has and hasn't seen.

[gbgoodies]

I may watch Cocktail now, due to your review, Rules.
It was never on my radar - I remember just writing it off due to the apparent subject matter (about a bar, bartender, resort, etc.) and thinking it was just some film Tom Cruise did in-between his blockbusters! Something along the lines of "Private Resort" (1985).



I wrote off Cocktail because it's a Tom Cruise movie. :lol:

[Camo]

I wrote off Cocktail because it's a Tom Cruise movie. :lol:

Good instinct it is pretty awful imo. I had a vhs at one point which was Cocktail and The Colour of Money, i think neither were good or bad because of Tom Cruise.

[Captain Steel]

Captain, you should fill in your lists at least. As much as i love seeing ten favourites of members that is something i think you learn from time spent, the lists allow you to know what someone has and hasn't seen.

Well, I started thinking about it... and became very overwhelmed.

A week or so ago someone had a thread about movie experiences - and I posted a bunch on that thread. Now, it wasn't because the movies were great, necessarily, but they left an indelible memory because they were part of a larger experience (a great night, an unusual event, a first time experience, a great date, etc.) Now some of those are my favorite movies, but NOT because I think they are the best movies or, in some cases, even good movies, but only because seeing them again brings back a great memory associated with them.

But I will give it some more thought (so many come to mind as soon as I start thinking). ;)

[gbgoodies]

Good instinct it is pretty awful imo. I had a vhs at one point which was Cocktail and The Colour of Money, i think neither were good or bad because of Tom Cruise.


I don't know what it is, but there's something about Tom Cruise that I just don't like. I rarely watch his movies unless a specific movie gets great reviews, or if it looks like my type of movie, sometimes I'll give it a try.

I like some of his early movies, like Top Gun, Rain Man, and The Outsiders, (although The Outsiders isn't really a "Tom Cruise Movie" because he has a pretty small part).

[gbgoodies]

Well, I started thinking about it... and became very overwhelmed.

A week or so ago someone had a thread about movie experiences - and I posted a bunch on that thread. Now, it wasn't because the movies were great, necessarily, but they left an indelible memory because they were part of a larger experience (a great night, an unusual event, a first time experience, a great date, etc.) Now some of those are my favorite movies, but NOT because I think they are the best movies or, in some cases, even good movies, but only because seeing them again brings back a great memory associated with them.

But I will give it some more thought (so many come to mind as soon as I start thinking). ;)


Remember, this isn't a test. There are no right or wrong answers. It's just your opinion, and you can fill them out any way that makes you happy. It's just to give people an idea of what kind of movies you like. And you can change them as often as you like.

[Citizen Rules]

Come on guys Tom Cruise isn't that bad:cool: Ya he's a little flaky in real life and his first couple movies weren't great acting jobs but he does a decent job usually. I forgot I also seen Days of Thunder right after Cocktail, I thought Days of Thunder had a contrived, pot boiler story but did have great actual footage of stock car racing.

[Captain Steel]

I don't know what it is, but there's something about Tom Cruise that I just don't like. I rarely watch his movies unless a specific movie gets great reviews, or if it looks like my type of movie, sometimes I'll give it a try.

I like some of his early movies, like Top Gun, Rain Man, and The Outsiders, (although The Outsiders isn't really a "Tom Cruise Movie" because he has a pretty small part).

It's probably the Scientology!
And on that note - here's a really cool song that, once I heard it, I couldn't get it out of my head!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfL3i5NdreQ

[Citizen Rules]

Robocop...there's 1 movie for you Captain. Ever time I hear about that movie I think back to another 'time and place' when you told me about it. It seems like 'your' movie.

[gbgoodies]

It's probably the Scientology!
And on that note - here's a really cool song that, once I heard it, I couldn't get it out of my head!



Nah, I didn't like Cruise long before I knew anything about him and Scientology. Something about him just annoys me. :shrug:

[Captain Steel]

Okay youse guys!
I started a list (it's mostly what's on my shelf in my very small private collection). And yes, I put Robocop in there (which means I'll have to add Starship Troopers as well).

BUT - before you look at it you have to listen to the Scientology song (and sing along) and see how many times you spot "Tom"! :D

[Citizen Rules]

I promise to listen to it tomorrow! The timer just went off and my pizza is done! See ya all!

[Camo]

The Scientology song?? You say it as if most normal people don't recite it before their cereal.

[gbgoodies]

Okay youse guys!
I started a list (it's mostly what's on my shelf in my very small private collection). And yes, I put Robocop in there (which means I'll have to add Starship Troopers as well).

BUT - before you look at it you have to listen to the Scientology song (and sing along) and see how many times you spot "Tom"! :D


The sound is off on my computer right now, so I'll have to listen to the song later, but I'm glad to see that you put up a list.

There are some great movies listed there too. Superman and Superman II are still two of the best superhero movies, even with all the newer ones that have come out in recent years. I'm glad to see a Star Trek movie in there, but that wouldn't have been my choice. There are much better Star Trek movies than Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

I haven't seen Paths of Glory, but I think it's in one of the current Hall of Fames, so I'll probably watch it soon. I'm glad to see that you think so highly of it.

[Camo]

Superman and Superman 2 are the ones i thought you'd forget Captain Steel with your Superman related avatar and all.

Glad to see you like Paths of Glory and Robocop in your favourites, they are too often forgottten in their respective genres.

[Captain Steel]

Now I really wish I could put up more than 10 because there's no room for Apollo 13 (another I consider a nearly perfect movie: somehow without fist fights, violence, sex, guns, knives, swords, blood, nudity, or foul language, and despite going in knowing how it ends, we're on the edge of our seats the whole time!)

I put Star Trek TMP in there as one that has more meaning to me based on several factors than on how it rates in the Star Trek family of movies.

Paths of Glory is a powerful film. It's one I had to own. It's an anti-war war film that truly exposes the ridiculousness of man's militaristic practices (but damn, it really all comes down to that climactic, passionate, confrontation scene between Kirk Douglass and Adolphe Menjou that really clinches it as a classic).

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66892

Where Eagles Dare (1968)
Director: Brian G. Hutton
Writer: Alistair MacLean (novel & screenplay)
Cast: Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure
Genre: Action, War

During the height of WWII an American general crashes his plane in Nazi territory and is held in the Austrian mountain fortress known as the 'Eagles Lair'. A team of British and American special agents are sent on a daring mission to rescue the general. Upon landing on enemy soil they find that one of their own men is a traitor...and that a mysterious blonde woman is shadowing their every move.

Steven Spielberg voted Where Eagles Dare as his favorite war film. It's pure adventure written for the screen by famed novelist Alistair MacLean. Unlike other war movies of similar ilk, The Dirty Dozen & Raid on Entebbe...this is not a buddy picture or even a character driven film, it's an intelligently written, strategy film. Burton and Eastwood are all business here.

73988
The Schloss Hohenwerfen castle in Austria is used as the focal point of the movie.


One of the highlights of the film is the use of realistic outdoor sets. Close attention is paid to the film's details and it pays off.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=22721&stc=1&d=1443375206

The actress Ingrid Pitt (center) who was born in Poland was held in a Nazi concentration camp as a child along with her family. She found being around Nazi uniforms emotionally hard. She's best known for working in 1960s horror camp films. The woman to the right is Mary Ure.

73989
Clint Eastwood kills more people in this film than in any of his Spaghetti westerns.


At almost 2.5 hours this is a long movie, but perfect for cold winter nights when battling Nazi's with a cup of hot chocolate is just the thing!

rating_3_5+

[cricket]

I don't think Where Eagles Dare is in line with my normal taste, but it looks really good to me.

[Citizen Rules]

I would have pegged you for a good WWII flick, action thriller type guy. So what normally wouldn't you like about a film like that?

And what looks good about that specific film? just curious.:)

[honeykid]

Where Eagles Dare is the film Inglorious Basterds wished it was. Well, this and Inglorious Bastards (1978, hence the spelling). Not that I'm a big fan of Where Eagles Dare, but it's a lot better than QT's bastard child.

[honeykid]

I expected this to follow along the lines of Top Gun, it didn't. This is a much deeper film
You're right, Top Gun is much better. :D

I was surprised at how good this was. It's so much more than flipping bottles to rock music. In a way it examines an era of greed and self promotion that was the 1990s.
1980's surely? ;) I mean, the 90's were, it's just that the 80's were a lot more honest about it.

For my money Scarface is still the ultimate 80's film.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I was on the fence about watching Love & Mercy because I'm not a big Beach Boys fan, so I'll probably pass on this movie. I was really only going to watch it for John Cusack anyway. :shrug:

WATCH IT.

I just did. I went searching to see who here was talking about it. I give it 5. I might write a review later.

[Citizen Rules]

You should write it, I would like to read your review SC.

[Sexy Celebrity]

I didn't rep your review because the rating was too low.

[Citizen Rules]

Oh well, at least you can't neg rep me;)....If you were the director of Love & Mercy is there anything you would have done different?

[Sexy Celebrity]

Oh well, at least you can't neg rep me;)....If you were the director of Love & Mercy is there anything you would have done different?

Mmmmmmm......... the ending could have had more punch.

[Citizen Rules]

OK...just a second there's something funny I want to post.

[Citizen Rules]

Check this out, it's a parody of Brian Wilson in the recording studio, from Walk Hard The Dewey Cox Story. This totally reminds me of the same scene from Love & Mercy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bF3HPqfW5ZU

[Sexy Celebrity]

Not my kind of humor, but okay.

[Captain Steel]

Since you guys are discussing Love & Mercy again, is there any focus on Brian's brothers and their deaths and how they effected Brian? (especially Dennis, who drowned?)
Also, any mention of Manson & his association with Dennis & the Beach Boys?

[Sexy Celebrity]

OK, recording the pregnancy was a little funny.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Since you guys are discussing Love & Mercy again, is there any focus on Brian's brothers and their deaths and how they effected Brian? (especially Dennis, who drowned?)
Also, any mention of Manson & his association with Dennis & the Beach Boys?

They do mention his brother dying at the beginning... and you know, they really should have brought it up again somehow.

[Captain Steel]

Not my kind of humor, but okay.

Walk Hard (2007) was a comedy spoof of the many Rock & Roll bio-pics that are out there, and it referenced the lives of many famous singers. I thought a lot of it was funny, but some of the humor was vulgar as well (which I didn't like). I think it could have been a bigger hit if tweaked in the direction of simply lampooning musical bio-pics, and steering away from some of the "harder" humor.

Although I must say John C. Reilly is one talented entertainer - he's excelled in comedy and drama, and he's got a beautiful singing voice.

[Citizen Rules]

You're right about that, and I had almost forgot. It's like the director forget to put that into the story.

[Captain Steel]

You're right about that, and I had almost forgot. It's like the director forget to put that into the story.

I just wondered, because Dennis's death was unexpected and tragic (and a bit ironic - someone drowning who sang about the beach & surfing). Carl's death, while no less tragic, was due to lung cancer from cigarette smoking. I've never really heard how his brothers' deaths effected Brian - did they push him further over the edge... or help jolt him back into reality?

I always wondered about the Manson connection because (according to Wiki):
In December 1968, the Beach Boys released the Manson-composed "Never Learn Not to Love" as a single. Manson's involvement was omitted while Dennis was officially credited as the song's sole author.

[Citizen Rules]

I don't remember anything in the movie about Charles Manson....and I think that would have stuck out.

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks to Captain Steel for recommending this next movie to me. I had never heard of it and would have never seen it, if he hadn't mentioned it.

[Citizen Rules]

73991 Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)


Director: Peter Weir
Writers: Patrick O'Brian(novels), Peter Weir(screenplay)
Cast: Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Billy Boyd
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

In 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, a legendary British Captain known for his boldness pursues a much more powerful French war ship in the stormy seas around South America.

What a great film! This is based on two novels by Patrick O'Brian, Master and Commander and The Far Side of the World, hence the unwieldy title of the film.

Looking at the poster with the ship, raging sea and Russell Crowe one might not guess that this is a film about comradely, friendship and duty...all set aboard a British sailing ship the H.M.S. Surprise. It's the characters and how they interact and show us life abroad ship that makes this film very special. Yes it does have some thrilling moments, many in fact. Yes there's plenty of action and good old ship broadsides with roaring canon blast and shards of ship boards a-flying. But this film has something more, heart and that makes it much better than the average sailing ship movie.

Director Peter Weir went to great lengths to create authenticity and believability in his film. He chose to make a very personal story and the viewer gets a feeling of what it would be like to live, work and fight in the British Navy circa 1805.

73992
The director had his cameramen fly to the replica of Captain James Cook's ship, HMS Endeavour as it was undertaking a historic sailing voyage around the globe. The footage of the stormy seas as the ship sails around the Horn of South America are real.

The first movie to ever film on the Galapagos Islands, where a scene in the movie takes place.

Russell Crowe who's often criticized as an actor, does a splendid job here. He's personable, amicable and genuine and he extrudes the idea of a proper British Naval officer. The onboard ship's naturalistic and surgeon, played by Paul Bettley, gives a sense of wonderment to the film. He is scientifically inquisitive and desperately wants to visit the Galapagos islands to discover new species....this brings the two men at odds and adds a good subplot to the already emotion packed film. The naturalistic gives us a window onto the great British naturalist Charles Darwin. I was reminded of his legendary visit to the Galapagos aboard the HMS Beagle.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66893
Capt.Aubrey (Russell Crowe) and Dr. Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany) on board the HMS Surprise.

The film was Academy nominated for 10 awards including Best Picture and Best Director. It won 2 Academy Awards including Best Cinematography.

Realistic, touching, exciting and very well done!

rating_4_5

[MovieMeditation]

I think I saw this years back but don't remember anything.

I've been meaning to give it a rewatch, but the mixed reactions and such have thrown me off. I definitely will get to it now! :up:

[cricket]

I almost watched that movie a couple times but just doubted that I'd like it. I guess I'm going to have to give it a shot.

[Citizen Rules]

I think the title would have put me off, it just sounds like one of those CG Hollywood flicks, it's not. Peter Weir really did amazing job on this. There's a real professional feel to the film making.

[Captain Steel]

Beautiful review, Rules!
And yes, what makes this film is the professionalism of the film-making: the realism, the visuals, the attention to historic detail, the camera work and the epic feel to it. But I think you captured what truly makes this film great - the heart. It's got heart - you laugh, you cry and you feel for the men as each sacrifices their own goals for the other. I don't mean to make a pun, but this film "flows" nicely as each subplot connects with and leads into the advancement of the story.

This is a really goofy detail, but when I first saw the movie, I swore the guy playing the cook (actor David Threlfall) was Eric Idle (of Monty Python), until he spoke because his voice was completely different. But even watching it the other day I thought again how the cook looked like Eric Idle. But then, another nice thing about the film is it really didn't have any big names (except for Crowe) and, much of the time, hidden gems like this one are not the star-studded spectacles.

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks Captain, and a big thanks for telling me about it.

Believe this or not, when I saw the cook I thought he looked familiar too and an old Monty Python skit came to mind. He did look like Eric Idle in costume.

Questions seeing how you watched this 4 times. At the end we learn that the French surgeon who had handed over the sword of surrender to Capt Aubrey, was an impostor as the Naturalist said the French surgeon had been dead for awhile. But nothing seemed to come from it. Did I miss something? Or was that a open ending for a sequel?

[Captain Steel]

Thanks Captain, and a big thanks for telling me about it.

Believe this or not, when I saw the cook I thought he looked familiar too and an old Monty Python skit came to mind. He did look like Eric Idle in costume.

Questions seeing how you watched this 4 times. At the end we learn that the French surgeon who had handed over the sword of surrender to Capt Aubrey, was an impostor as the Naturalist said the French surgeon had been dead for awhile. But nothing seemed to come from it. Did I miss something? Or was that a open ending for a sequel?

The ending was most likely meant to leave an opening for a sequel...

The implication was that the French Doctor who surrendered the Captain's sword to Aubrey was actually the Captain of the Acheron (while the dead patient on the table, assumed by Aubrey to be the Captain, could have been any member of the French crew that had been killed in the battle, over which they threw the Captain's coat to stage the scene that the French Captain had died).

When Aubrey figures out that the Captain of the Acheron may still be alive and it was he who was likely posing as the ship's Doctor (since the real Dr. died months ago), Aubrey then realizes that his crew members from the HMS Surprise now manning the Acheron are in danger as there were many French survivors who were now prisoners and that they may still have leadership that can re-take the Acheron if the Captain is still alive. (Plus, if the Captain was posing as a doctor, and medical aid with all the wounded was in need aboard the Acheron, he'd likely have free access throughout the ship and means of freeing his countrymen to form an uprising.)

So Captain Jack decides to turn the Surprise around and go back after the Acheron to make sure his former Ex-O (Pullings) and crew are not subject to a revolt by the French prisoners and a re-taking of the ship by the French Captain. The movie shows Aubrey issuing orders to reverse course to pursue the Acheron (as his Doctor friend displays obvious disappointment) and then Aubrey reassures him that since the Doctor's bird of the Galapagos is flightless, that it's "not going anywhere" (inferring he'll have the rest of his life to go back someday, possibly even on the next return trip).

So the film reached a satisfying conclusion, but then threw in this little promise of more adventure to come (to the poor Doctor's disdain). But, at least they'd have music to sail by! :)

[edarsenal]

excellent review for Commander. Like so many I was hesitant about this one and caught bits and pieces on cable and grew more and more intrigued until finally watching it completely and OH SO happy i did!

And I haven't seen Where Eagles Dare since I was a little kid. Really need to locate and rewatch that one. Thanks for posting about it and strengthening that urge to rewatch

[gbgoodies]

I watched Master and Commander yesterday, and I didn't love it as much as you did. I thought the first half hour was kind of slow, but it got better as it went along. Overall, this movie was just okay fro me. The movie looks beautiful, but story just didn't hold my attention very well. :shrug:

However, I thought Russell Crowe sounded a lot like Ewan McGregor.

[Captain Steel]

I watched Master and Commander yesterday, and I didn't love it as much as you did. I thought the first half hour was kind of slow, but it got better as it went along. Overall, this movie was just okay fro me. The movie looks beautiful, but story just didn't hold my attention very well. :shrug:

However, I thought Russell Crowe sounded a lot like Ewan McGregor.

Sorry, GB. I thought you might like it more because, despite some of the violence and some of the less-comfortable parts, it's quite touching.

[Citizen Rules]

I can't picture Ewan McGregor's voice right now, but Russell Crowe did do a good job at dictation. Previously I had refereed to him as Mr Mumbles.:p I'm now officially a fan of director Peter Weir.

[gbgoodies]

Sorry, GB. I thought you might like it more because, despite some of the violence and some of the less-comfortable parts, it's quite touching.


The violence wasn't too bad, but the movie was just was okay for me. I just didn't love it like most people seem to. :shrug:

[Citizen Rules]

I liked the friendship parts and daily life on the ship more than the ship battles. I did like the decoy scene though.

[gbgoodies]

I can't picture Ewan McGregor's voice right now, but Russell Crowe did do a good job at dictation. Previously I had refereed to him as Mr Mumbles.:p I'm now officially a fan of director Peter Weir.


I was officially a fan of director Peter Weir when I saw Dead Poets Society. I already knew who he was because I also liked Witness and The Mosquito Coast, but I loved Dead Poets Society the first time I saw it, and I went back to see it in the theater several times. In fact, I almost did a term paper on it for a high school film class, but I knew I would have to see it a lot in a short time span, and I thought it might be too depressing to see over and over again, so I did my term paper on When Harry Met Sally... instead because it was a more upbeat movie.

[Citizen Rules]

Cool, you got to take a film class in high school, man I wish I could have taken something like that.

Today I looked up Peter Weir, a name I knew but couldn't tie any movies too and I seen he's done a lot of fine films. He hasn't made a film in 5 years.

[gbgoodies]

Cool, you got to take a film class in high school, man I wish I could have taken something like that.

Today I looked up Peter Weir, a name I knew but couldn't tie any movies too and I seen he's done a lot of fine films. He hasn't made a film in 5 years.


I've only seen a few of his movies, but I've liked the ones I've seen.

[Citizen Rules]

Me too. I've see these Peter Weir directed films and liked them all:

Picnic at Hanging Rock 1975
Gallipoli 1981
The Truman Show 1998
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World 2003

[gbgoodies]

The Peter Weir movies that I've seen are:

Witness (1985)
The Mosquito Coast (1986)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
The Truman Show (1998)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

[Captain Steel]

The violence wasn't too bad, but the movie was just was okay for me. I just didn't love it like most people seem to. :shrug:

Maybe try it again in a couple years. For me, I liked it the first time I saw it (didn't love it, just liked it), but it got better for me with subsequent viewings. Sometimes you pick up on things you missed, lines you missed, parts of the plot that didn't seem to make sense, or dialogue that didn't register the first time, etc.

I point this out because there are a lot of movies I only need to see once. There are some that don't seem any better a second time around, and some that seem to grow tiresome with subsequent viewings.

I watched it with my dad when I got him a copy for his birthday. He was in the Navy (and it was funny because he always used to make a toast that was said in the movie, "To our wives and mistresses... may they never meet.")

Or maybe "Commander" is just one of those "guy's" movies. There are no women in it (except for one short shot where they stop by an island) and no romance.

Anyone catch Billy Boyd in it, known for his much "shorter" (yet much longer) role as a Hobbit? :)

[gbgoodies]

Maybe try it again in a couple years. For me, I liked it the first time I saw it (didn't love it, just liked it), but it got better for me with subsequent viewings. Sometimes you pick up on things you missed, lines you missed, parts of the plot that didn't seem to make sense, or dialogue that didn't register the first time, etc.

I point this out because there are a lot of movies I only need to see once. There are some that don't seem any better a second time around, and some that seem to grow tiresome with subsequent viewings.

I watched it with my dad when I got him a copy for his birthday. He was in the Navy (and it was funny because he always used to make a toast that was said in the movie, "To our wives and mistresses... may they never meet.")

Or maybe "Commander" is just one of those "guy's" movies. There are no women in it (except for one short shot where they stop by an island) and no romance.

Anyone catch Billy Boyd in it, known for his much "shorter" (yet much longer) role as a Hobbit? :)


I'll keep it on my watchlist. At the rate that I'm going, it will probably be a few years before I get a chance to watch it again anyway.

[Captain Steel]

I was officially a fan of director Peter Weir when I saw Dead Poets Society. I already knew who he was because I also liked Witness and The Mosquito Coast, but I loved Dead Poets Society the first time I saw it, and I went back to see it in the theater several times. In fact, I almost did a term paper on it for a high school film class, but I knew I would have to see it a lot in a short time span, and I thought it might be too depressing to see over and over again, so I did my term paper on When Harry Met Sally... instead because it was a more upbeat movie.

Here we're on the same page.
I don't know how many times I've watched Dead Poets (have it on VHS).
Don't know if you saw my story about watching it again last year?

I cried uncontrollably through almost the whole thing (and I've seen it so many times). I thought maybe my reaction had to do with the fact that my father was in the hospital at the time after a heart attack (and maybe it did, maybe the emotional stress was getting to me) but make of this what you will...

A couple days later I heard that Robin Williams had died. Upon gathering further information about his death & based on my best calculations; I was watching Dead Poets on the day he actually died and may well have been viewing it at the moment he passed.

Pychic connection? Clairvoyance? Over emotional reaction to a sad yet great movie due to stress and mid-life crisis?
You decide!

[gbgoodies]

Here we're on the same page.
I don't know how many times I've watched Dead Poets (have it on VHS).
Don't know if you saw my story about watching it again last year?

I cried uncontrollably through almost the whole thing (and I've seen it so many times). I thought maybe my reaction had to do with the fact that my father was in the hospital at the time after a heart attack (and maybe it did, maybe the emotional stress was getting to me) but make of this what you will...

A couple days later I heard that Robin Williams had died. Upon gathering further information about his death & based on my best calculations; I was watching Dead Poets on the day he actually died and may well have been viewing it at the moment he passed.

Pychic connection? Clairvoyance? Over emotional reaction to a sad yet great movie due to stress and mid-life crisis?
You decide!


That's strange, and kind of creepy when you think about it. :eek: It's a very emotional movie, so I can understand having a strong reaction to it, but the timing on it is very strange.

There are a lot of strange stories like that about people having very emotional reactions to some event that they couldn't possibly know about yet. I hear about them a lot, and I always think that it's weird.

[Captain Steel]

Equally weird, your post made me remember another event - I had a dream about James Gandolfini (which is weird in itself - why would he be in my dream?) and the next day my brother called me up and told me he died. My only "connection" to James was that we were both from NJ and we both attended Rutgers at the same time. I didn't know him. He was a bit older & he would've been a senior when I was a freshman.

Just now I realized he was in a movie in my profile favorites: Crimson Tide.

Keep in mind - I'm not a "woo-woo" type person! ;) I'm a science-minded, analytical skeptic.

P.S. I also liked Mosquito Cost and Witness. But (believe it or not) I've never seen When Harry Met Sally! (I think I have a thread on that somewhere) ;)

Hope you're doing well, GB!

[gbgoodies]

Equally weird, your post made me remember another event - I had a dream about James Gandolfini (which is weird in itself - why would he be in my dream?) and the next day my brother called me up and told me he died. My only "connection" to James was that we were both from NJ and we both attended Rutgers at the same time. I didn't know him. He was a bit older & he would've been a senior when I was a freshman.

Just now I realized he was in a movie in my profile favorites: Crimson Tide.

Keep in mind - I'm not a "woo-woo" type person! ;) I'm a science-minded, analytical skeptic.

You seem to have a weird connection to actors' deaths. That would probably creep me out if it was me. :eek:


P.S. I also liked Mosquito Cost and Witness. But (believe it or not) I've never seen When Harry Met Sally! (I think I have a thread on that somewhere) ;)

Hope you're doing well, GB!

I liked Witness better than Mosquito Coast, but they're both good movies. You should definitely see When Harry Met Sally. It's a terrific rom-com, and one of my favorite movies.

I'm doing good, just overworked and tired. :)

How are you doing?

[Captain Steel]

You seem to have a weird connection to actors' deaths. That would probably creep me out if it was me. :eek:




I liked Witness better than Mosquito Coast, but they're both good movies. You should definitely see When Harry Met Sally. It's a terrific rom-com, and one of my favorite movies.

I'm doing good, just overworked and tired. :)

How are you doing?

Well, those are the only two (actors) I can think of... and they died just about a year apart at that.

I do get a little worried if I suddenly dream about people I know (who don't usually show up in my dreams). But luckily, most of them are still alive and well years later! More often I dream about friends who've already passed (some more than others).

I saw Witness several times - it's great. I really can't remember much about Mosquito Coast as I only saw it once a long time ago - but I do remember that I really liked it!
I'll put When Harry Met Sally on my list (from what I hear, it is the ultimate Chick-Flick, yes?)

Hope you get some rest tonight. I am finally off to bed.
Sweet dreams!

[gbgoodies]

I saw Witness several times - it's great. I really can't remember much about Mosquito Coast as I only saw it once a long time ago - but I do remember that I really liked it!
I'll put When Harry Met Sally on my list (from what I hear, it is the ultimate Chick-Flick, yes?)

Hope you get some rest tonight. I am finally off to bed.
Sweet dreams!


I've also seen Witness a bunch of times. I watch it whenever I'm flipping channels and I find it on TV. I've only seen The Mosquito Coast twice, so I don't remember it as well, but I remember liking it a lot. I have it on DVD, but I just don't get a chance to watch it, and it's rarely on TV for some reason.

I would agree that When Harry Met Sally is probably considered a "chick-flick", but I doubt it's the "ultimate chick-flick". It's a rom-com, but it's not overly romantic or feminine IMO. It's a very funny movie, but it gets kind of emotional at times too. I guess you'll just have to watch it and decide for yourself.

Good Night. :yawn:

[cricket]

Definitely see Witness, CR

[Citizen Rules]

Warning!:eek: I'm incredibly tired...too tired to operate a keyboard;) So if my forth coming review seems odd, you know why....OK, off to write it.

[Captain Steel]

Warning!:eek: I'm incredibly tired...too tired to operate a keyboard;) So if my forth coming review seems odd, you know why....OK, off to write it.

Uh-oh! Sounds like you need Pizza! :eek:

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=66895
Cake (2014)

Director: Daniel Barnz
Writer: Patrick Tobin (screenplay)
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Anna Kendrick
Genre: Drama

Jennifer wants her cake but will she eat it too? Or does she prefer a vodka cocktail with a pill chaser?

All it took for me to like Jennifer Aniston was to scrub the glamor off her pretty face, throw on a half dozen gnarly scars and plop her down in a drama like Cake!

Sure, I liked Jennifer on Friends, who didn't? But somehow I always thought of her as a light comedic actress suited for roles like Office Space. As soon as Cake started I could see more than just those applique scars on her face. I seen a brilliant actress who just needed to find the right role in the right movie to shine. Cake is that movie.

Jennifer plays Claire, a sarcastic but likable wreck of a woman. Her car was smashed and so was her body, but the worst damage was from a personal lost. She's in chronic pain both physically and mentally. She's enrolled in a chronic pain group where she becomes fascinated with a woman who committed suicide. The film follows her as she comes to grips with her own desperate problems.

Cake feels like a look into the world of a real person, with real problems. It's simple, yet effective. We can't help but like her, but she doesn't seem to deserve any sympathy. Cake is a fine example of indie film making, it's never over the top and stays true to itself.

Jennifer Aniston deserved an Academy nomination for her performance. Sadly she didn't get one.

rating_4

[gbgoodies]

I'm kind of hit or miss with Jennifer Aniston's movies, but it sounds like this one might be worth giving it a chance. It's been on my watchlist as a "maybe", (mostly because of her), so maybe I'll bump it up a little bit.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm not sure if you will like it or not? But at least it's not a long movie. I don't think I've ever seen Jennifer Aniston in anything except Friends and on the cover of a zillion magazine.

[gbgoodies]

I'm not sure if you will like it or not? But at least it's not a long movie. I don't think I've ever seen Jennifer Aniston in anything except Friends and on the cover of a zillion magazine.


I've seen a few of her movies, but they're usually just kind of silly rom-coms. This sounds like it will at least be interesting.

[Citizen Rules]

Let me know if you watch it and want you thought of it. Good night:)

[gbgoodies]

Let me know if you watch it and want you thought of it. Good night:)


Okay, I'll let you know.

Good Night. :yawn:

[Beatle]

Out To Sea (1997)
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51T2V4ZM1KL.jpg

Watch this just for fun. There's a great cast of old time actors and a few laughs too.

Think of Out To Sea like an episode of The Love Boat with the Grumpy Old Men duo of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau looking for romance on the high seas.

Into that mix add such old time familiar faces as: Donald O'Connor (his last film), Hal Linden, Dyan Cannon, Rue McClanahan and Brent Spiner. Set on a cruise ship, a real cruise ship, the Holland American Westerdam.

Sure Walter Matthau is way too old for Dyan Cannon but that won't stop him from pursuing her and her money. Jack Lemmon is reluctantly pursued by a classy older lady, Gloria DeHaven.

Brent Spiner is hilarious as the sniveling, pompous Cruise Director. He does a good British accent too.

I've been on cruises and Out To Sea is the only movie I've seen that is actually filmed on a real cruise ship. Many of the sets are real locations on the Westerdam. So if you can't afford a cruise, just watch Out To Sea and you won't even get sea sick.

rating_3







I scrawled down the thread and this is the first one I saw and even heard of, except Inglorious. But, boy, did i love this one! Like when Jack was 'adjusting' Walther's back. But I agree with everything you say. Brent steals it. I love him anyway as lieutenant commander Data or even in Superhero Movie or whatever. My favorite scene is also the one when he introduces himself. :lol:

[Citizen Rules]

73993
Paddington (2014)

Director: Paul King
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Nicole Kidman, Paddington
Genre: Comedy Family

After his jungle home is destroyed, a young Peruvian bear who can talk, journeys to London to find a new home. Lost, cold and alone he meets the kindly Brown family who take him in for one night only.

I really was looking forward to seeing this. I thought it would be a heart warming, family movie based on the children's classic Paddington books. Boy was I wrong!

73994

This is a family comedy with a PG rating, so this should be great for little tykes, right? Wrong!...what we get is a scary Nicole Kidman who captures a small monkey with plans of killing it and stuffing it for the museum. Then you guessed it, she chases poor Paddington around, with similar evil plans. What's wrong with modern film makers that they have to 'ramp up' a movie just to sell more tickets. Not only is the mad scientist, Nicole Kidman scary for little kids, it's a stupid, lazy plot twist. Which is too bad because in the first part of the story the drama and conflict comes from Paddington not knowing how human society works, while he desperately wants to fit in and that could have been the entire basis for the story while providing a good morality tale for children.

I did instantly like the Brown family and their cool looking house with it's colorful walls and a huge painted tree that was neat. The house set was the best part of the film. Each room had it's own vivid decor.

73995

Sally Hawkins is always a joy to see in films, she makes a great mom here. I wish she had more screen time. Dad (Hugh Bonneville) who seems like a Colin Firth stand in, was also good as the stern but loving father. The kid actors were also good and never annoying or overly cutesy. Most importantly the character of Paddington came alive through the special effects and the voice actor...I could believe he was real!

I heard of little kids being scared by this film, so it's best for us big kids;)

rating_2_5

[gbgoodies]

I haven't seen Paddington yet, but I had a Paddington doll when I was a kid, and I was looking forward to the movie. It sounds like they tried to turn it into a horror movie for kids. :eek:

Now I'm just disappointed, and I'll probably just skip the movie. :(

[Citizen Rules]

GBG, this time around I suggest you ignore my review. Why? because I think you might like this film, not love it, but I bet you would like it. It's not a horror for kids, nothing gory at all. Please give it a watch and see. I even find many things to like about it, myself.

[gbgoodies]

GBG, this time around I suggest you ignore my review. Why? because I think you might like this film, not love it, but I bet you would like it. It's not a horror for kids, nothing gory at all. Please give it a watch and see. I even find many things to like about it, myself.


Okay, I'll keep it on my watchlist, but I'm not as excited about it as I was before I read your review. :shrug:

But I promise to watch it with an open mind. :)

[Citizen Rules]

Good. I feel bad if I change peoples minds on a film. It just wasn't what I wanted, but then again directors rarely listen to me:)

[honeykid]

Aren't most of the classic kids films scary? I hate Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but The Child Catcher is one of the most evil and scary characters on film.

[Citizen Rules]

You're absolutely right many are, Sleeping Beauty for one. I've heard other people say the The Child Catcher was scary to them as a kid.

I see there's another Paddington movie (2015) have you seen that one?

[honeykid]

I don't know, but I'm guessing it's the same film. 2014 release in the UK but a 2015 release in the States. Either way I've not seen it because I've not seen the one you're talking about. :D

[Citizen Rules]

Oh...that explains it, thanks. I actually liked the movie but disliked the substory with Nicole Kidman, (but I like Nicole Kidman in general, just not her character here.)

[edarsenal]

i was wondering if it held any of its "magic" or got the usual "ramping".
Looks like still worthwhile, thanks for the review. The house does look pretty gorgeous and I do love that painted tree that seems to go on and on. And I'm SO relieved to hear that the kids ain't annoying or too cutesy. That always ruins it for me

[Citizen Rules]

i was wondering if it held any of its "magic" or got the usual "ramping". I think I know what you mean. I would say it mostly holds it's magic. There were a few scenes that were like OK I've seen this many times before. But then again, if it's done right it doesn't matter if everything isn't totally fresh.

The house ruled! It was three stories tall and each room was lavishly decorated to match the 'feel' of the room. The house was my favorite part.

[Gatsby]

Paddington looks like good fun. Unlike GBG your review didn't disappoint me because that's exactly what I was expecting ever since I noticed the film.

[MovieMeditation]

Rep for Paddington even though I don't really agree.

I don't think it was scary in any way at all. Actually I personally talked a bit down on it for being the exact opposite - way to cute and cuddly. A harmless typical family tale that was way too kiddie like than it should have been. Yes, you could say the premise is scary, but I don't think it's presented that way. Look at all the Disney movies. Some of them have really sick plot lines, but because of the approach it's mosty not too bad... Also, Paddington is PG not G, so it's not like it says "bring your 1 year old" or anything.

But yeah, I pretty much gave it the sams rating as you did and most of what you liked I also did.

[Citizen Rules]

But did you like the house?:D BTW, cool avatar, I like the slow-mo animation, nice touch!

[Citizen Rules]

22854
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
Director: Philip Kaufman
Writers: Jack Finney (novel), W.D. Richter (screenplay)
Cast: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Jeff Goldblum, Veronica Cartwright, Leonard Nimoy
Genre: Sci-Fi Horror

"In San Francisco, four people discover that everyone in the city is being replaced with a duplicate that emerges from an alien plant pod."



Wholly smokes! This movie rocks! It's miles ahead of most Sci Fi flicks. It's miles ahead of most films period!...I knew right away that this was made by a skilled director, a real perfectionist, who cared to do it right. Each scene is a thing of beauty: the sets are richly detailed and well dressed out. This was shot inside real buildings in San Francisco, no fakey Hollywood sets here. When you see a room, it looks real because it is.

There are many fine details in the background that help to create realism and that's really important in sci fi. Some of those details create atmosphere too. And this movie is dripping in atmosphere.

Take a look at that still shot of Donald Sutherland from the movie. Look at how the oddly shaped trees adds to the creepiness as does the low camera angle. This film is stacked full of such shots.

The camera work is perfection. The way they do off centered and tilted shots gives a real sense of foreboding...as does the film noir style lighting in some of the darker interior shots.

22859
Jeff Goldblum, Donald Sutherland and Leonard Nimoy.
Not pictured: Veronica Cartwright and Brooke Adams.

The cast is a dream cast of vibrant, intense actors each who brings his or her own specialty to the mix. The script is intelligent too. The actors are so in-tuned to what they are doing that they seem like real people, which makes this even more creepy.

What a great Sci Fi Horror flick!
rating_4_5+

[MovieMeditation]

I started that film but turned it off after 15-20 minutes. I remember it to be so boring, guess my attention span was short that day. :D

[honeykid]

It is boring. :yup: Though maybe I'm in the same boat. :D It was a very long time ago and I still don't think it's a patch on the original.

[Citizen Rules]

73996

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

Director: Don Siegel
Cast: Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, Carolyn Jones
Genre: Sci Fi Horror

A doctor in a small town starts hearing of complaints from his patients. They claim their loved ones have been replaced by emotionless duplicates.

This is the original 1956 version. It was good entertainment, but not on the same level of the 1978 version. The 1956 version originally had lots of dry humor in it but the studio executives would not allow humor in a horror film so they ordered all the humor scenes cut. That's probably why the film is so short at only 80 minutes.

According to some who worked on the film, the story line came out of the fear of McCarthyism. No doubt the film and those associated with it would've faced black listing had they been too overt in their commentary. One can only wonder what the film would have been like with its dry humor scenes left intact.

With some scenes deleted the film seems a bit odd at times. One almost gets the sense that the film wanted to be like a Dr. Strangelove and perhaps it was at one time. What we do get is stuff like: a scene where they first discover a half formed duplicate. It's laying covered up on the pool table in a home. When the doctor gets there he looks at it and the women are scared....then, they all retire to the living room for martinis! We can actually see the body laying on the table as they calmly have drinks!

Leading actor, Kevin McCarthy said it best about how the characters in the movie reacted, "lacking the curves and nuances that you often hear in the conversation of ordinary, mature men and women."

I did find this enjoyable but don't look for it to be anything other than a cool 1950s sci fi flick. Kevin McCarthy, who would latter reprise his role in the 1978 version...was good, very good. As was the lovely and talented Dana Wynter, his leading lady. Surprisingly Carolyn Jones (Adams Family TV series) had almost no lines in this movie. I can only guess her dry humor went to the cutting floor.

The pod effects were nicely done and so was the score. A fun film.

rating_3_5

[cricket]

I don't remember the original very well at all. I should watch it again; its from one of my favorite directors.

[Citizen Rules]

I wish you would:) I like to hear your thoughts on it. Dana Wynter is a real looker too! I watched Alien 1979 last night, I just have to get around to reviewing it.

[cricket]

I'm looking forward to Alien; it's been a while since I've seen that one too.

[Citizen Rules]

You probably already know this but there is the original theatrical release of Alien and a Directors Cut done in 2003. I watched the theatrical release. I might watch some of the Directors Cut for a comparison...Did I already say this on the Sci Fi thread?

[cricket]

I'm not sure but I've most likely only seen the theatrical release. That's what I usually prefer anyway.

[Swan]

Ridley Scott has talked about the two versions and he's said the theatrical cut IS the TRUE director's cut. It's also the better version.

[Citizen Rules]

Swan, I like the theatrical cut but are you sure it wasn't the other way around? that Ridley Scott says the Directors Cut was the true version? (I can hear him saying something like that.)

[Swan]

He talks about in the pamphlet for the anthology. Director's cut, he said, is director's cut in name only.... Fox asked him to made a "longer" version with some new scenes and he obliged, but he made sure to note that he considers the original theatrical version his true vision.

[Citizen Rules]

OK, thanks. I would have never guessed that but I'm glad you told me. On the DVD extras he talked about the faster pacing in the Directors Cut (2003). Have you seen both versions? Do you have a preference?

I'll check back tomorrow, my dinner is just about done. Catch ya latter:D

[Swan]

I haven't, admittedly, but that's because I can't imagine an altered version. I think if I were to throw on the "Directors Cut" version I'd immediately have to eject and replace it with the true version. :D

I know about some of the changes, though, like the additional scenes. They're cool on their own but yeah... Alien is perfectly paced and I feel the additions and alterations would ruin that.

[Funny Face]

Haven't watched Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake since I was a kid and caught it on some Fright Night Theater-type show. Don't remember much aside from the creepy ending keeping me up that night. Excited to rewatch it and to also check out the original version. Looking forward to your review of Alien. Ellen Ripley is one of my favorite characters in cinema.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=74061
Alien (1979)
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, Ian Holm, Yaphett Kotto
Genre: Sci Fi, Horror

The crew of the commercial tow vessel Nostromo is waken from cryogenic sleep to investigate a mysterious distress call on an unexplored planet. There they find the wreck of an alien vessel that is infested with the eggs of a Xenomorphic alien species. As the crew heads back to Earth, they realize they're not alone. CR

This review is for the original 1979 theatrical release, there's also a Director's Cut which was released in 2003.

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The Sets: At the very start of the film the first thing we see is a long tracking shot of the detailed interior of the ship...it's an amazing shot. All the sets are stunning in this film but damn that first shot is sublime. During the film we're treated to many different views of the Nostromo. Each section of the ship has it's own styling and that's a big part of the appeal of Alien.

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Cinematography: Ridley Scott knows how to give his films ambiance! His secret is dark subdued lighting and smoke. Ridley is famous for using lots of smoke and mist. This partially obscures the background, making the sets look like they go on forever and allows the viewer's mind to image what lays beyond. Low key lighting is also used and gives a shadowy dark look for a greater depth of field and adds realism to the sets. Ridley knows how to take his time with a scene, the camera is never rushed it lingers allowing us time to soak in the stunning sets.

Music Score: The score is perfection. It's eerie and spellbinding. We feel the music score but never think about it, and that's the way it should be. The score sets the mood without getting in the way of the movie.

Characters: The crew of the Nostromo are a motley crew. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is the lead. She's a take charge, no nonsense woman. And she's also very human and at times afraid... which makes us afraid for her. Her concern for her cat Jones adds a nice human touch.

H. R. Giger: He was the designer of the Alien creature and his work influenced the interior of the alien ship too. Many movies have been influenced either directly or indirectly by this amazing artist. Sadly he died in 2014 from a fall at the age of 74.
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Alien set the bar for other sci fi horror films...After 40 years it's still amazing.

Ratingrating_4_5

[Captain Steel]

Hey Rules, I still haven't seen Prometheus which I understand is an Alien prequel. Since you saw the prequel before the original Alien, how do you compare them? Does Prometheus even rate next to the mastery of Alien?

And if you watch them back to back, does Prometheus seem like episode 1, Alien: episode 2, Aliens: episode 3?

I just realized Alien was pre-CGI, and yet the special effects in it are nearly perfect. I'd say Alien was ahead of its time, but what came ahead of its time was CGI.

More and more I'm getting to dislike CGI as being overused and often difficult to look at. Sometimes CGI just looks like a kaleidoscope of movement and color, or like a video game. Then I look at Alien. When things seemed dark or obscure in the film, it was done on purpose for mood or effect, but when they wanted you to know what was going on, you did.

[Citizen Rules]

Hey Rules, I still haven't seen Prometheus which I understand is an Alien prequel. Since you saw the prequel before the original Alien, how do you compare them? Does Prometheus even rate next to the mastery of Alien? Captain, I had watched the three Alien films prior to watching Prometheus...but it had been like a decade since seeing them. When I watched Prometheus all I knew was that it was a newer sci fi film by Ridley Scott and had some tie in to Alien. To me it didn't seem like part of the Alien franchise and certainly not like episode 1. Both the style of the film and the subject/story matter is very different than the original Alien. But it's good fun and worthy of watching.

I just realized Alien was pre-CGI, and yet the special effects in it are nearly perfect. I'd say Alien was ahead of its time, but what came ahead of its time was CGI. I of course whole heartily agree that Alien special effects are near perfect! (I did have one qualm about a SE in Alien).

More and more I'm getting to dislike CGI as being overused and often difficult to look at. Sometimes CGI just looks like a kaleidoscope of movement and color, or like a video game. Then I look at Alien. When things seemed dark or obscure in the film, it was done on purpose for mood or effect, but when they wanted you to know what was going on, you did.You're preaching to the choir! I so agree with all of that, which is why I don't care for modern big budget, action entertainment movies, like Mad Max: Fury Road, after 15 minutes I shut it off as it was giving me a headache.

[edarsenal]

I remember just how much the first Alien terrified me as a pre-teen. From waiting for the prior show to let out (we got there about 45 min early to get a seat) and hearing everyone screaming. Then, when it should have been all over-- more screaming.
A really great film in all aspects. The tension, the mood, the dialogue and the crew's characters and yes, Giger's influence. Became a quick fan of his Cthulhu-esque artwork. I remember hearing how his work were nightmares he'd have and the only way to stop having any specific nightmare was to paint/create them.

Great review, citizen

[Citizen Rules]

I remember hearing how his [Geiger] work were nightmares he'd have and the only way to stop having any specific nightmare was to paint/create them. I hadn't heard that, but looking at his art it makes sense, it's nightmarish and yet beautiful. Glad you enjoyed my review. I'm now in the mood for Aliens and the rest of the films in the series.

[Funny Face]

Giger was an amazing artist and one of the reasons I still love revisiting Alien from time to time. If you were interested, there is a recent documentary about him. Here's the trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGbqX_9bsWk
Looks like someone posted the full documentary a few weeks ago: Dark Star: H. R. Giger's World (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hpebRBbK9Gk)

[Citizen Rules]

I am definitely interested in seeing that documentary! Thank you:)

[edarsenal]

Excellent. I had seen one about Geiger back in the early nineties. VERY curious to see this one as well

and you are very welcome, citizen. Looking forward to reading your reviews for the rest of the Alien series

[Citizen Rules]

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Star Trek: Renegades (2015)
Director: Tim Russ
Cast: Adrienne Wilkinson, Walter Koenig, Sean Young, Manu Intiraymi, Corin Nemec, Gary Graham, Tim Russ, Chasty Ballesteros
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Length: 88 minutes
Production: Fan based, Pilot movie

"Set a decade after the U.S.S Voyager's return to Earth, a rag-tag crew of renegades and outcasts must covertly work with Admiral Chekov and Tuvok to stop forces threatening the Federation from outside, and within."

Star Trek: Renegades is a fan funded and produced, movie pilot made with the intention of selling a new Star Trek TV series based on this movie. It's not intended to compete with any of the theatrical release ST movies. It had a tiny budget of $375,000 and while some of the film reflects that, still it's amazing on what they did with such little money. Renegades is mainly a showcase for characters and the actors who play them and for a possible story line that fits within the Star Trek canon.

The idea is that in the year 2388, which is 10 years after the TV series ST Voyager ended, the Federation is under a threat from unknown forces that are operating from outside and within the Federation. No one can be trusted, hence the use of a group of outcast, the renegades.

The head of the renegades is Lexxa Singh a direct descendant of Khan Noonien Singh. Played by Adrienne Wilkinson, I liked her! She was attractive and yet had a weather beaten, tough edge to her. I liked the idea of a woman in charge and as captain. Just like Captain Janeway she's tough but intelligent.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=74065 Lexxa Singh (Adrienne Wilkinson)


They're several alumni Star Trek actors making appearances in Renegades, most notably is Tuvok (Tim Russ) and Admiral Chekov (Walter Koenig). I've always though both Russ and Koenig were fine actors and they add a lot here.

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Commander Tuvok (Tim Russ) from ST Voyager and Admiral Chekov (Walter Koenig) from the original Star Trek.



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Guest appearance by Robert Picardo (Louis Zimmerman).

Another returning Star Trek character is the former Borg drone who was returned to individuality by Captain Janeway...

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Icheb (Manu Intiraymi) from ST Voyager.


Icheb has been turned into a weapon of war by convert operations inside Star Fleet as a result he is bitter and has become a rouge outcast.

Perhaps one of the strangest casting choices is Sean Young (Rachel in Blade Runner). Sean has been accused of being difficult to work with and actor James Woods once took out a restraining order on her. I'm not sure if she is someone you would want to be in a continuing TV series. I didn't particularly like her character.

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Lucien (Sean Young)
Lucien a scientist who worked on Jupiter Station with Dr Zimmerman. After her experiment killed someone she went rouge.



Mostly the story was action adventure base with little of the Star Trek commentary on the human condition. There was a lot of fighting and phasers and explosions but Star Trek is much more than action and the story itself wasn't that compelling. The special effects were decent to just OK but that's too be expected with a tiny budget. Renegades lacked heart but with a revamping it might make a good TV series.

rating_3

[Citizen Rules]

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The Last of Robin Hood (2013)

Cast: Kevin Kline, Dakota Fanning, Susan Sarandon
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance

The last days in the life of legendary Hollywood actor Errol Flynn.
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Amazing, Kevin Kline is Errol Flynn! He looks like him, he talks like him and he's even got the facial expressions down pat. I'd say he channeled Errol Flynn from the great beyond!

Based on true events about the last days of Errol Flynn before he died in the arms of his teenage girlfriend. Errol was only 50 when he passed and already a legend on and off screen. The phrase 'In like Flynn' was a popular reference to living one's life as verbose as Errol did.

Errol Flynn was in many of my favorite films so I was concerned if they were going to trash his reputation. Oh sure Errol had a reputation as the life of the party, a hard drinker and a lady's man to boot. According to his life long friend Olivia de Havilland, Errol was always a gentleman towards the ladies, but he did love em.

The Last Days of Robin Hood does Flynn's reputation justice. Kevin Kline portrays him as a likable chap who has the misfortune of following in love with a 15 year old girl. The girl played by Dakota Fanning had lied about her age saying she was 18. Her mother actively supported the relationship and later would come under scrutiny for encouraging the relationship.

Susan Sarandon played the unscrupulous mom to a tee. She's always good in her roles and here she really gets a plum of a role. The period piece film is set in the late 1950s and everything looks authentic. I felt like I was watching the last days of a great actor.

rating_4

[gbgoodies]

It sounds like you liked The Last of Robin Hood a lot more than I did. I thought Kevin Kline was terrific, but the movie wasn't very good. Errol Flynn had a reputation as a womanizer, but I thought this movie took it a little too far.

[Citizen Rules]

I have to disagree that Errol was a womanizer, at least in the way the term is often used. From everything I heard he treated women with respect and never forced himself on him. I'd call him a lady's man. I suppose that's my guy provocative viewpoint:)...BTW I came very close to having Errol as my avatar years ago. But I'm not the life of the party as he was;) As far as I know the story of him having relations with a teenage girl is accurate.

[gbgoodies]

From what I read, the story in the movie is true. The movie seemed to be more about the 15 year old girl than about Errol Flynn. I didn't think the movie was bad. I just didn't think it was good either.

[Citizen Rules]

I agree it was mostly about the teen girl and I wish it had been more about Errol. I did object to the scene where he injects a narcotic into his leg. As far as I know he did not use illegal drugs, booze oh yah he did that.

[Citizen Rules]

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Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)

Directors: George Miller, George Ogilvie
Cast: Mel Gibson, Tina Turner
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Max is on a mission to get back his stolen vehicle. He tracks it to a post apocalyptic settlement called Barter Town. There he enters into a deal with the head of the town, 'Aunty'. Barter Town operates under one law, 'bust a deal, face the wheel'.

This is the third installment in the Mad Max series and the last time Mel Gibson played Max. Beyond Thunderdome is a much different film than the previous two films: Mad Max and The Road Warrior. Beyond Thunderdome creates an in-universe world that shows us a glimpse of humans in a post apocalyptic setting. Barter Town has it's own culture and it's own law. Max is the stranger there, who's in danger of breaking that law.

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Max (Mel Gibson) with his double barreled sawed off shot gun.

Mel Gibson will always be Mad Max. He plays this to a tee. He's brutal, he's self reliant and yet still retains a spark of humanity.

It's hard to image anybody other than Tina Turner playing Aunty Entity. She's likable, she's treacherous and she looks the part. It's her desire to completely run Barter Town that drives the story.

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Aunty Entity (Tina Turner) brings her role to life and also sings two songs from the movie.

Aunty: "Do you think I don't know the law? Wasn't it me who wrote it? And this man has broken the law. Right or wrong, we had a deal. And the law says, "Bust a deal, face the wheel. "

Crowd Murmurs: 'Bust a deal and face the wheel.'

Dr Dealgood: All our lives hang by a thread. Now we've got a man waiting for sentence. But ain't it the truth? You take your chances with the law. Justice is only a roll of the dice....a flip of the coin, a turn of the wheel.

Shakespeare never wrote truer words. And that is by far my favorite part of the film...it gives me goose bumps.

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The fight inside Thunderdome is the stuff of movie legends.

After 45 minutes the film changes to Max encountering a group of children who live in a desert oasis. They have formed their own religion based on an event that had happened in their past. This part with the kids is still good, but it loses some of the intensity of the first 45 minutes. Still there's plenty to see and the film moves along at a good pace.

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It's rather sad for me to watch Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome because like the children in the desert oasis I kept vigil, hoping for Mad Max to return in another movie. While finally he did, but it wasn't Mel Gibson and I'm too old too care now.

rating_4

.

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks HK:)

[Gideon58]

The Homesman (2014)
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The Homesman (2014)
Producer: Tommy Lee Jones
Director: Tommy Lee Jones
Writers: Tommy Lee Jones & Kieran Fitzgerald
Actors: Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer, John Lithgow
Genre: Western Drama
Length: 122 Minutes

Synopsis: On the desolate American prairie in the 1850's, three pioneer women have been driven mad by the deaths of loved ones. Their husbands are unwilling or unable to care for them so it's decided they will be sent back east to be cared for. With no one else willing to take on the arduous task of transporting them 500 miles by wagon...it's up to one ruggedly independent and stubborn woman, Mary Bee Cuddy (Hilllary Swank). Mary is a pious woman of 31 years of age and unmarried. She has not only survived on the prairie but manages to save money. Her prospects look good, but no man will marry her as she's "plain as a bucket and bossy." Along the way she rescues a good for nothing drifter, saving him from a lynching, George Briggs (Tommy Lee Jones). She insist that he accompany her on the trip and obey her orders. Briggs is not to keen on this idea but goes anyway as she offers $300 at the end of the trip.

Review: Sounds good huh? But I bet you've never heard much about The Homesman...probably because this is one poorly executed film. It's based on a novel and seems to offer the unique telling of pioneer days from the perspective of a woman. Hence some call it a feminist western. Nothing could be further from the truth. What we see is, in a small community of a dozen people, 3 women go insane because they couldn't handle the lose of loved ones. Mary Bee does starts out with fierce determination, but then in one scene when she decides to be left behind to clean up a grave site and then gets lost....she goes to pieces and turns into another overly emotional female character.

Two thirds of the way into the film after two men have rejected her proposals of marriage, Mary Bee decides to do something that is totally out of character for her. She's strong and religiously pious, so the last part of the film makes no sense at all, except to allow Tommy Lee Jones to take the limelight. It's Jones' movie, he's the producer and the writer and the star....so he gets to play hero and the film's third act focuses on him. We're 'treated' to several cliche scenes straight out of a Hollywood action western. If this was a spaghetti western or action western it would be cool, but it's not, it's suppose to be a serious look at how tough life was for pioneer women.

Hilary Swank is excellent in this movie, she stills the scenes from bumbling Tommy Lee Jones. John Lithgow has a brief but inspired performance as the town's minister. He's excellent. I wish I could say the same for Meryl Streep's cameo, she doesn't even try to get into her character. And Tommy Lee Jones himself, he's more of a caricature than a character. At times I could not understand his dialogue thanks to his fake western accent.

Perhaps the worst part of this film is the hatchet job editing. At that start of the film we see what appears to be an abrupt flash back showing people we have not yet been introduced to. Were not sure who they are until latter in the film.

rating_2


Interesting review...I've never even heard of this film, but I don't think Hillary Swank has made a good movie since Million Dollar Baby and her presence will make it hard for me to invest in this one, but I do loves me some Tommy Lee Jones, despite your assessment of his performance, I still may have to check it out.

[Gideon58]

I'm not a big fan of Woody Allen, but I haven't really seen enough of his movies to say that I dislike him either. I just find him kind of annoying sometimes.

But I liked your review of Radio Days, so I'll add that movie to my watchlist and give it a try.
Radio Days is one of Woody's most underrated films...a perfect combination of warm nostalgia and silly slapstick that also highlights Woody's flawless taste in music. His Oscar-nominated screenplay is flawless.

[Gideon58]

I was thinking of you when I watched the film, I thought it seemed like something you might like. I was surprised that I liked it that much....and you know I think that is the only film I've seen Julie Kavner in.
Kavner is also in Hannah and her Sisters, Shadows and Fog, and Deconstructing Harry.

[Gideon58]

Big Eyes (2014)
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Big Eyes (2014)

Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston
Genre: Biography Drama
Length: 106 Minutes

A biopic drama about painter Margaret Keane, who painted the 'big eyes' paintings that became a huge commercial success in the 1960s. It follows her struggles with her husband who claimed he had painted her paintings and kept her from telling the world the truth.

Big Eyes?...Tim Burton? Sounds like an insane combination! But no Mr Burton shows great restraint and tells a straight forward story of a struggling artist, Margaret Keane (Amy Adams) and her emotional and legal battles with her smooth talking, slimy business minded husband (Christoph Waltz) who steals fame and respect from his wife by claiming the paintings are his work. He goes so far as to make her sign his name to the art and keeps his wife a virtual prisoner in her home. Even her own daugher from a first marriage is kept in the dark about the paintings.

What makes this movie work is, it's true. This is one of those 'stranger than fiction' events and it actually happened to Mrs Keane. In the 1960s her art work was famous. You couldn't walk into a room with out seeing a reproduction of her art on the wall. When I was a little kid one of her lithographs of a big eyed sad dog hung in my bedroom. Tim Burton is an advent collector of her art and a personally fan of Margret Keane and for that reason he sought to tell her story.

I really liked this film and so did my wife. It's easy to watch, not to fast, not to slow, nice pacing. Both Amy Adams and Christoph Waltz are talented actors and are excellent in this. They bring the characters to life...It's the uniqueness of the story itself that makes this worth watching.

rating_4




In the last six months or so, I have been looking at Amy Adams through fresh eyes and that is the primary reason I will be adding this film to my watchlist...oh, and your review.

[Gideon58]

Space Station 76 (2014)
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Space Station 76 (2014)

Director: Jack Plotnick
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Liv Tyler, Marisa Coughlan, Matt Bomer, Jerry O'Connell,Kali Rocha
Genre: Dark Comedy Drama, Sci-Fi
Length: 93 minutes

Premise: What would happen if people's culture, values and styles were permanently stuck in the mid 1970s and yet it was the future on some space station...what would that future look like?

Space Station 76 is not sci-fi. It might seem like sci-fi because it's set on a space station orbiting an alternative earth but that's the end of the sci-fi part. There's no CG, no lasers, no space battles. The entire movie takes place in a few rooms inside the station and it's about people and their neuroses.

The film is based on a stage play and like many play based films it's heavy on dialogue and characters. The director described the film as a dark comedy. Comedy really isn't the right word, it's more of an expose. This is not a Space Balls or Galaxy Quest type film. The 'comedy' is dry and subtle and comes out of examining the values and personalities of these people who are permanently stuck with 1970s lifestyles. Better yet, don't think of it as a comedy at all.

The decor and set design is fabulously all 70s. There's a lot of detail that went into making this alternative version. It's fun looking at the sets and spotting styling cues from the past. How many can you see in the photo?

Space Station 76 is a small budget Indie film, which dares to be different. If you go into this film with no expectations you might just enjoy it as much as I did. It helps if you're familiar with the 1970s. There's no big story arch, no huge conflicts, just a bunch of chain smoking pill popping, drinking people who can't seem to get their life's together.

rating_4



I don't know how you do it Citizen...another movie I have never even heard of but will be adding to my watchlist.

[Gideon58]

You know what? I was really obsessed with "West Side Story" - of all things - when I was a little kid. And when I got older - say about 10 or so - I got the record of the Broadway cast. So I had an idea of what was different about it. Yet, I always wanted to see it on stage. And when I saw it, it was good, but not good enough for me. I think it is because when I compare the two, I like the changes that occurred in the movie so much more than how it was originally presented. For me, the changes worked better with the story. Also, I think my childhood obsession could've impaired my judgment of the "real" version. I don't know if any of that makes sense, but that is the best that I could explain it. :)

My first theater experience was "Camelot". I grew up loving musicals. And I was about 11-12 when I started to become really hooked on original Broadway shows. My brother bought me the cast album of "Camelot". There were songs that I knew from the show and others that I ended up liking better than the "known" ones. Anyway, I was 13 when I saw "Camelot" on stage. This is when Robert Goulet was touring as King Arthur. I LOVED IT!! I thought it was great and it is still in my top 10 for live shows. But then I got it into my head to watch the movie. :) I am assuming you have seen it. And I am assuming you know how I felt about the movie. :tsk: What a waste of a great opportunity to make a great movie.


By the way, I am sorry to take over this thread now. :D
I've never seen West Side Story onstage, but I love the movie. On the other hand, film versions of Broadway musicals are rarely better than the stage production (The Sound of Music comes to mind). It's kind of like movies based on books...it is a given that the book is almost always going to be better and we know that going in...the same with movie musicals...it's a given that it was better onstage because it was created for that venue. And just for the record, I detest Camelot...a musical I have seen onstage and on screen...that musical bores the crap out of me.

[Gideon58]

The comedy part isn't hard to see, when you look back at movies like Max Dugan Returns and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, but I never saw the musicals part coming.

I remember when I saw him in The Music Man, (on PBS), I thought he was good, but I didn't think that he had the "wow" factor. Maybe it was just because Robert Preston was just so hard to live up to, but I just expected a bit more from him than what I got. :shrug:
Totally agree with you regarding Matthew in The Music Man...I thought his performance was kind of one-note, but to be fair, the role of Harold Hill belongs to one actor. Loved Kristen Chenoweth as Marian though...her rendition of Goodnight My Someone made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

[Gideon58]

I liked Matthew Broderick in The Producers, but I agree that he was miscast in The Music Man.

I'm not sure if anyone would be able to fill Robert Preston's shoes in that role, but the only person who I'd like to see try is Hugh Jackman. He's been fantastic in everything I've seen him in. I have a CD of the Broadway soundtrack starring Craig Bierko, and he sounds good on the soundtrack, but I haven't seen him act much, so I don't know how good he was in the actual show.
I saw Matthew in How To Succeed too...that role fit him like a glove, but Harold Hill? No. And now that you mention it, I have to agree that Jackman is one of the few actors that could be a viable Harold Hill...though I loved Craig Bierko but I'm still hoping they get Jackman onscreen in a remake of Carousel that has been on the rumor mill and allegedly "in dvelopment" for about a decade now.

[Gideon58]

I looked it up, and it stars Tony Curtis and Henry Fonda. I'll give it a try. :up:
I think The Boston Strangler is Tony Curtis' best performance.

[Gideon58]

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Crash 2004

Director: Paul Haggis
Writer: Paul Haggis (story & screenplay)
Cast: Ensemble
Genre: Drama multi storied
Length: 112 minutes

Premise: An intermixed, multi story tale of Los Angles residents who lead very separate lives from one another. On one faithful night, the lives of these people collide through a chain of events. Changing them forever.

Review: Crash is highly stylized and beautifully filmed. It artistically weaves together the unrelated stories of these peoples lives. It attempts to deal with the complicated and diverse subject matter of racism...as it explores the reasons and consequences. In this it succeeded.

To me, Crash was like eating cotton candy. It left me hungry for more. I never felt satisfied, I never got my fill. There were so many characters that I hardly got a chance to know them and I would have liked too. The film would have needed another 30 minutes for that.

All of the many actors were exceptional, they make the events of Crash so believable.

I found the angry cop character played by Matt Dillon and his situation interesting. He does some bad things but the film shows us how he got to have so much anger inside and that was believable.

I also liked the two characters of the African American car-jackers. The film really does try to handle the misconceptions of race very well.

I would have like to learned more about the TV producer and his wife and also the Mexican American lock smith and his family.

Crash is a unique film that embraces the idea that we all walk around isolated in our own worlds, oblivious to the lives of others that we pass. And yet we can interact in ways that have profound effects on people we'll never know.

rating_3_5
I LOVE your review of Crash Citizen...for the longest time, I thought I was the only person on the planet who liked that movie and I got a lot of flack regarding my review of the film, but it did not change my opinion of the film. I remember walking out of the theater after seeing it and thinking to myself: This movie is going to win Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Matt Dillon is going to be nominated for Supporting Actor.

[Citizen Rules]

Hey good to see ya Gideon, I'm always happy when somebody stops by and reads a few reviews or post:)

The Homesman (2014)Interesting review...I've never even heard of this film, but I don't think Hillary Swank has made a good movie since Million Dollar Baby and her presence will make it hard for me to invest in this one, but I do loves me some Tommy Lee Jones, despite your assessment of his performance, I still may have to check it out. I really like Tommy Lee Jones and by bumbling I don't mean he was a poor actor BUT that he was being egoistical in his role as director/producer by injecting his character into the story at the determent of the movie. But his acting is fine here.


Space Station 76 (2014)I don't know how you do it Citizen...another movie I have never even heard of but will be adding to my watchlist. I don't know if you like sci fi but this really isn't sci-fi, it's more like a SNL comedy satire skit. It's well done...even if you are not a big fan of sci fi, I think you would at least find the post modern 70s stuff to be interesting.

[Citizen Rules]

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The Fly (1958)

Director: Kurt Neumann
Writers: James Clavell (screenplay), George Langelaan (original story)
Cast: David Hedison, Patricia Owens, Vincent Price, Herbert Marshall
Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi

A scientist is on the verge of developing a teleportation device. He decides to try teleporting himself as an experiment. Unknown to the scientist, a fly has also entered the device.


This film was nothing like I expected it to be. I had seen only bits and pieces on TV and that was years ago. So I thought this would be a typical 1950's giant insect horror flick....I was wrong!

I found The Fly to have a very somber and emotional quality to it. It's a love story...about a French Canadian married couple who treasure each other. The accident that comes between them, and the love that they show for each other was heartbreaking. Their love and commitment to each other was by far the most important element in the film to me.

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Patricia Owens and David Hedison in a blissful moment.

The Fly was intelligently wrote by James Clavell who also wrote Shogun. The director touched upon what it means to be human. Without that, this would just be a giant bug film.

What makes The Fly so special is it's ironic juxtapositions. There's the brilliant, pacifist scientist who would never harm a fly, who has a horrific accident in which he's combined with a fly. He desperately tries to spare his wife the shock of seeing him and yet he must trust her to help him if his life is to be saved. As he struggles we see how his mind is slipping as he becomes more insect like. We see how his wife must make a heartbreaking decision in the name of love.

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Both the leads David Hedison and Patricia Owens were excellent. Hedison is probably best know from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. But it's Vincent Price and Herbert Marshall who have prominent roles in the film. Much of the film revolves around them and how they view the strange events that they learn of.

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The Police Inspector (Herbert Marshall) and the scientist's brother (Vincent Price) try to unravel the mystery.


Note: a LOT of people claimed to have seen this on TV in black and white. There might have been a TV version of the same movie that was only black and white. But the original theatrical release was a big budget film shot in Eastman color film and in wide screen Cinemascope too. It's now beautifully restored and available as a Blu-Ray.

The Fly lives in film history for two iconic scenes: The small fly in the spiders web crying 'help me, help me' as a spider approaches... and the image of the screaming wife reflected in the compound eyes of the fly.

rating_4_5
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[Citizen Rules]

Oh drats! I see some of my pics vanished. I'll try to fix them.

[edarsenal]

always enjoy reading your reviews. Completely agree with Big Eyes. A very well done movie. I liked the fact that they have a recent photo of Keane in the final credits.

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks Ed! I haven't been writing too many reviews, but whenever someone stops by my thread and likes something I done, it lifts my spirit:) and makes me want to write another one.

MoFos.....watch Big Eyes:D...OK off to write another review.

[Citizen Rules]

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Troy (2004)

Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom
Genre: Action Historical Literary Fiction

'An adaptation of Homer's great epic, the film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.'

Overall Troy is a good telling of the Trojan war. Yes, there are major differences between Homer's Iliad and the movie, but both are fictional retelling of events that happened in the very distant past. So enjoy the film for what it is and without looking for historical inaccuracies.

At 2 hours 42 minutes it's long!..and there was a few superfluous scenes that could have been cut to move the pace along. There's also a director's cut at 3 hours 16 minutes.

Brad Pitt did a fine job as Achilles the Greek hero. He's quiet and subdued, yet strong willed, which works well as Achilles. Brian Cox as the Greek King Agamemnon, was at times over the top and quite silly. He needed to town down his performances. Especially in the all important establishing scene where Agamemnon is introduced on the battlefield, he seems almost a caricature.

The exterior shots at the beginning of the film was overexposed. Maybe the director wanted to impart a sense of heat and sunlight? But as neither was mentioned or shown, the overexposure looked bad as it was washed out.

On a BIG plus side...I was impresses that the point of view, was told mainly from the Trojans who you would expect to be portrayed as the bad guys. Also it was a good call not to make Pitt's character the 'hero'. Sure he's a great fighter, but his character isn't admirable, at least in the beginning of the film. Instead it's his revival, the Prince of Troy, Hector who is shown as the 'good guy'.

I have to say the sets for Troy with there massive walls was impressive! And from what I read they were not CG, but actually constructed sets, very cool indeed. The interior palace of Troy was interesting too, so kudos to the art director for a stylish set.

Sometimes these sword and sandal movies are a hit or a miss. Troy is a hit.

rating_4

[Captain Steel]

Interesting, Rules. I've always avoided Troy because... well, for a few reasons. It's run time was one, but it just seemed like a lot of schlock relying on the big boy-toy names of the time. Now I'll have to check it out.

[cricket]

I've always been interested in Troy, just not enough to take on that runtime.

[gbgoodies]

I either watched Troy or Gladiator, but I don't remember it well enough to know which one I saw. All I remember is that I didn't really care much for it, whichever it was. :shrug:

[Citizen Rules]

Interesting, Rules. I've always avoided Troy because... well, for a few reasons. It's run time was one, but it just seemed like a lot of schlock relying on the big boy-toy names of the time. Now I'll have to check it out.I hear ya, I was leery of watching Troy and avoided it for a long while. I just don't like most of these newer Sword and Sandal movies, like 300 and I'm not a big Pitt fan but ya, Troy was different.

I've always been interested in Troy, just not enough to take on that runtime. Part 1, next night Part 2?;)

I either watched Troy or Gladiator, but I don't remember it well enough to know which one I saw. All I remember is that I didn't really care much for it, whichever it was. :shrug: I loved the Gladiator. I haven't seen it since it first came out. One of these days I will do a rewatch. You would remember the Gladiator as it has some ultra violent scenes with people getting hacked up in the Coliseum.

[Captain Steel]

I liked Gladiator too.

[gbgoodies]

Maybe one night I'll watch both Troy and Gladiator if I have the time, and then I might be able to figure out which one I've already seen.

[SilentVamp]

I liked "Gladiator" when I saw it. But if I remember correctly, Joaquin Phoenix is what made that movie worthwhile for me. It is one that I should really watch again.

As for "Troy", I saw this in the theater with a friend of mine. She only wanted to go because she liked Orlando Bloom. :rolleyes: I really don't remember much about it at all. I should watch that again at some time, too, to see how I would feel about it now.

[edarsenal]

Gladiator is a very good movie. Been a while, need to revisit it.

I was so-so with Troy but only due to Bloom's character.

A petty child who Bana's character should have kicked out the gate to fight Achilles and die instead of taking it upon himself. A reminder of how, far too many times, the more noble bear the weight of the actions of the petty, and when they fall and die we are left with naught but the petty. A sad, aggravating scenario

The rest was very good. Even Bran Cox's rantings. But then I'm a huge fan of his so I'm very very bias ;).
Though in regards to his similarities to a caricature in the initial battle; it may have been interpreted as a device to sway the audience to Achilles' argument for his outright disdain of him?

[edarsenal]

Thanks Ed! whenever someone stops by my thread and likes something I done, it lifts my spirit:) .

one of the many reason I spend time on the many reviewers on this site. Always a joy to read words by those who love movies as opposed to those whose job it is to review in newspapers and such.

thank you and so many others here for posting them

[Citizen Rules]

Thanks Ed:)

[Citizen Rules]

66922 A Midwinter's Tale (1995)

Producer/Director/Writer: Kenneth Branagh
Stars: Michael Maloney, Richard Briers, Hetta Charnley, Joan Collins
Genre: Intelligent Witty Comedy


Synopsis (no spoilers): After Joe looses an acting job he decides to help his sister save an old abandoned church in the British countryside by putting on a small theater play of Hamlet in the church. The play is done on a shoe string budget and funded soley by him. He assembles a cast of talented but quirky, non working actors. They bring their own charm and problems to the 'profit sharing' play. The problem is that not many in the small village of Hope are expected to come to their Christmas day play, so the down and out actors might really be down and out for Christmas.

Review: I want to give an accurate impression of this film, so:

First you should know it's not a Christmas film even though it's set at Christmas time. There's no Christmas themes or message or even decorations.

It's genre is comedy but it's not a silly farce or a screwball comedy. That's why I called it an 'intelligent witty comedy'. The film isn't about laughs. It's more of an insightful look at the back stage production of a tiny community play done in a small community.

It's black & white, but this isn't an old film. Oh sure it has Joan Collins, but it's not from the 1950s, it was made in 1995. I loved the choice of black & white as it puts the emphasis on the characters.

This film is mainly about getting to know the group of stage actors and following theme through their journeys. Their quite the colorful lot too!

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Last Supper

Kenneth Branagh produced, directed and wrote A Midwinter's Tale. Like Joe the actor who pays for the production of Hamlet and then profit shares any of the money it makes with the actors...Kenneth Branagh did the same thing...with his money from his movie Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) he funded and profit shared with the cast of A Midwinter's Tale. Which makes this film, a film within itself.

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In an ironic twist, the actors look in at themselves doing Hamlet.

Did I like it? Yes! I had never heard of this film and just grabbed it off the library selves, I'm glad I did! This is a really neat, little film that's well worth spending 99 minutes to watch.

rating_4

[Citizen Rules]

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Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)


Director: Max Ophüls
Cast: Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan, Mady Christians
Genre: Drama, Romance
Length: 86 minutes

Synopsis (spoiler free) Era 1900 Vienna Austria...A well-to-do concert pianist (Louis Jourdan) is about to flee from a deadly duel of honor, when he receives a letter from a mysterious woman from his past (Joan Fontaine). He cannot remember who she was, but she has been obsessed with him since she was a young girl. As he looks back at his life, we see how the lives of these two have been interwoven through out the years...and yet he was unaware of her existence.

Review: I thought Letter from an Unknown Woman was an unusually sincere and profound look at unrequited love and the determinedly effects it can have. The relationship between the two doesn't feel quit right and in many ways the actions that Lisa (Joan Fontaine) takes are one of an obsessive-compulsive person, this is what gives the film it's strength.

For 1948 this is a very refreshing look at human behavior. You just don't get many films like this in the 1940s. I appreciate the emotions that it explores and it does it very well

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Both Joan Fontaine and Louis Jourdan shine in their roles. Their characters are compelling and yet still retain human flaws that make them so real.



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Joan Fontine plays a very convincing school girl at the beginning of the film.

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The carnival ride train scene where the two wayward souls were able to spend some time together was a highlight. In the trains window we see the scenery change as they travel across 'Europe'.

Letter from an Unknown Woman is one of the treasures from the 1940s, in many ways it was ahead of it's time. It's a very personal film by the renown director Max Ophüls. One of my all time favorites.

rating_4




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[cricket]

I watched Letter From an Unknown Woman for the 7th HoF, and I loved it, a beautiful film!

[Citizen Rules]

That was another great film from an Hof. I had seen it before and thought highly of it. I believe the director mainly did films in France, perhaps that's why this film doesn't feel like the typical 40s Hollywood film.

[Citizen Rules]

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Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987)

Director/Writer/Producer: John Hughes
Cast: Steve Martin, John Candy
Genre: Comedy

Mini Synopsis: Steve Martin is Neal Page, an uptight business man whos marketing job has him in New York City away from his family. All he wants to do is to catch a plane to Chicago in time to spend Thanksgiving weekend with his wife and kids...John Candy is Del Griffith, a likeable loudmouth and traveling shower curtain ring salesman. When snow cancels the plane flight, Del's offers to help seems to do Neal more harm than good.

Review: Director-writer-producer John Hughes has created some of the most beloved comedies of the 1980s. His directing career only includes eight movies, all of them comedies and most were big hits. One of those films is Planes, Trains & Automobiles a film that's different than his other teen focus films.

John Hughes usually has his films POV shown from the point of view of a social outcast...someone who's likeable & intelligent and yet marches to a different beat, and doesn't quite fit in. Here it would seem he broke that mold by telling the story from Neal (Steve Martin's) viewpoint. Neal is conventional, a man who has a good job, a nice family and seems to fit into society. But there's a second POV from John Candy's character, Del.

Del is an outsider, an eccentric goof with a kind heart, but he's not mainstream, not at all. Del is John Hughes in this movie and that's why the key to this film is in Del. It's through Del that we learn about humanity, friendship and enjoying the moment.

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Loved the shower rings for earrings scene, with the teen girls going crazy to buy them. Just one of the clever tidbits in this richly written film.


Steve Martin who's often played the wild man, is brilliant playing the straight man this time around. He balances the movie and keeps it grounded. Without him the film could have been just a zany over the top laugh fest.

John Candy does what he does best, playing likable oafs. We learn to care about him and he gives the film heart. This is John Candy's favorite film of the movies that he made.

Hughes took the effort to make some of the cameo roles very memorable. It's the characters that are encountered that entertain.

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Steve Martin and John Candy are a brilliant comedy pairing with Steve playing the straight man and John playing the lovable goof.

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And this was another hilarious moment made funnier by the talented actresses Edie McClurg.

This is one of those movies that really needs to be watched over and over again. There were so many cleverly written and down right funny scenes, that one viewing is not enough.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles is one of the classic John Hughes' comedies. It has wit, it has laughs, it has heart and it understands people. At the end of this movie we feel good and there's nothing wrong with that.

rating_4


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[Captain Steel]

Oops! I should have posted this here...
I think we should try to get gbgoodies to watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles as her first official John Candy movie!

[Citizen Rules]

I second that! It's a great film. I'm wanting to watch it again and I usually don't do that. I requested 2 more Candy films. One that you mentioned, Summer Rental and forgot the title of the other one. It's not a well known film.

[Captain Steel]

You've made me want to watch it again too, Rules! I originally saw it in the theater. I've seen bits of it on TV over the years but don't think I've ever sat down and watched the whole thing again - so it's time for a re-watch. One thing I do know - I'm always a mess at the end!

Cool Runnings is "cool." I think it was one of the few (if any) John Candy starred in that was based on a true story. (He appeared in JFK, but that was just a cameo, but what a cameo - John was totally unlike the usual characters he played. He had the ability to be dramatic.

I always remember the scene in Splash where John lays into his brother (Tom Hanks) about how lucky he really is - the movie is a comedy, and John is comic relief in it, but he shines in that one dramatic moment where he stops being funny and exposes his character's inner loneliness and vulnerability.

[Citizen Rules]

You know I've never seen Splash and I only seen Cool Runnings once back when it came out...so you might as well say I never seen it. Two films that I'm going to watch.

I'm working my way through both John Candy films and John Hughes. I got to get back to finishing off Molly Ringwald. Then I might work on Steve Martin.

[Citizen Rules]

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Pure Luck (1991)
Director: Nadia Tass
Cast: Martin Short, Danny Glover, Sheila Kelley
Genre: Comedy

Synopsis (spoiler free): A beautiful but klutzy, bad luck daughter of a wealthy businessman mysteriously disappears while vacating in Mexico. No one can find her so a psychologist is called in to help. He comes to the conclusion that the only way to find her is to send another person to look for her who has just as much bad luck as she does. That person is an employee of the businessman, perennial bad luck man, Marin Short.

Review: What's wrong with a movie being watched just for the fun of it? Nothing! Pure Luck is intended to be pure fun. It's not trying to be anything other than entertainment and it succeeds brilliantly. I was instantly interested in the story line and the characters and cared what happened to them, as silly as they might seem. The time flew by as I watched this. At no time was I bored or did I lose interest in this zany movie.

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The missing girl who has bad luck was brilliantly cast with Sheila Kelley. She looks the part and is as klutzy as she is pretty.

Martin Short is a funny guy, all he has to do is show up on the set and he's funny. His character is likable in this movie. This is also a buddy film, so his side kick Danny Glover needs to balance out Short's funny persona and Glover is perfect at doing that. He's stern, he's grumpy and annoyed at Martin Short, but at heart he's a good guy too.

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Everything than can happen to these two, does!


I liked the real on location shooting in Acapulco, what a beautiful place to set the film and it makes a big difference too. It's clear they spent some money on this film and it really looks good. But most importantly it's funny.

rating_3_5

[cricket]

I liked Pure Luck more than I thought I would; it's good, easy fun.

[gbgoodies]

Oops! I should have posted this here...
I think we should try to get gbgoodies to watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles as her first official John Candy movie!

I second that! It's a great film. I'm wanting to watch it again and I usually don't do that. I requested 2 more Candy films. One that you mentioned, Summer Rental and forgot the title of the other one. It's not a well known film.


I'm willing to give Planes, Trains and Automobiles a chance. I have nothing against John Candy or his movies. I just haven't seen any of them because they don't seem like my type of humor. But you never know. I've been surprised by movies before, so I'll add this to my watchlist.

[gbgoodies]

I watched Pure Luck for the Comedy HoF. I thought it was a pretty good movie, but I didn't find it very funny. There were some funny scenes, but basically it was just an enjoyable movie with some chuckles and grins, but no real laugh-out-loud moments.

[Citizen Rules]

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Mon Oncle (1958)
Director: Jacques Tati
Cast: Jacques Tati, Jean-Pierre Zola, Adrienne Servantie
Genre: Comedy
Language: French
Length: 117 minutes

Mon Oncle (My Uncle) is about Monsieur Hulot, a simply, older man who visits the technology advanced home of his sister and her husband. Hulot bonds with his nephew but he can't quite get the hang of the new modern house. To make things more difficult his brother-in-law, who's the manager of a modern plastics factory, gives the older man a job at his high tech factory. Monsieur Hulot is completely out of his element.

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I really liked this one! I found it simplistically charming in it's story telling. It's not an intimate film but shows us life from afar, that takes place in and around the ultra-mod house.

I was impressed with the attention to the color palette used in the art/set decorations. Vincente Minnelli would have been impressed with the look of this film. The entire movie looks great with it's ultra modern 1950s look.

The uncle reminds me of a Buster Keaton character in how he's a bit of an eccentric who's content in his own world but thanks to his sister's instances he ends up in the modern world of plastic manufacturing. A world he's ill equipped for, hence the juxtaposition.

Like most comedies I didn't burst out in laughter and that's OK as Mon Oncle has it's own quiet charm.

rating_4_5

[gbgoodies]

Is Mon Oncle the movie that was in the Comedy HoF recently?

[Citizen Rules]

Yes. Did you watch that one? It was one of my favorite films out of all the comedy Hof noms and was very high on my list.

I have some unfinished reviews that I will be posting in the near future, (once I finish them of course) and they will be of the films I seen in the Comedy Hof.