Citizen Rules...Cinemaesque Chat-n-Review [Archive]

Citizen Rules

09-04-14, 04:24 PM

gbgoodies

09-04-14, 04:48 PM

Why do we love movies so much? Seems like a simply question, right? But think about it...why do us movie nuts devote so much time to watching, pondering and discussing movies?

I did some soul searching on that question and for me movies are like a time or travel machine. Through movies, one can image another life. Getting a glimpse of what might have been if our lives had taken a different path. One can image what it would have been like to live hundreds of years ago, or to see the wonders of the past world, or the amazement of future things to come. For the time I'm watching a movie, my mind is there in the story, I'm experiencing in a small way, an out of body existences.

Does anyone else feel that way?

I love movies because they offer an escape from my boring life. Through movies, I get to experience the lives of others. I get all the love, laughs, heartache, fear, fantasies, and more, while staying safe at home. As you said, while I'm watching a movie, I get to know all the people, and become a part of their lives. If they're happy, then I'm happy. If they're sad, then I'm sad. Whatever happens to them, feels like it's happening to me.

Citizen Rules

09-04-14, 10:37 PM

Well said GBG. "Whatever happens to them, feels like it's happening to me."

I bet that's true for many movie fans. Perhaps those who don't like movies can't let themselves 'go' and can't emotionally connect to what their watching.

I'd say it's the artist, the dreamers and the romantics who can readily disembody their minds for the duration of the movie and live vicariously through the characters and narrative.

I wonder if some people lack the ability to place their mind in an abstract image that we call movies?

Derek Vinyard

09-04-14, 10:38 PM

Look interesting !! curious to see that Thread !

seanc

09-04-14, 10:49 PM

I love the emotional connection I feel from a really great movie. I think that is why I respond to character driven films so much. It gives me a chance for that connection. I love that a movie like that will make me think about it for a long time. I love when I can clearly relate a movies themes to real life. Anything that makes me ponder what it is saying to me for a period of time.

Citizen Rules

09-04-14, 11:14 PM

I levitate towards character driven films too. Yet, I can enjoy in an aesthetic way, a movie heavy on cinematic looks. But those kind of films don't draw me in as much. I watch some strange movies but I bet we all do.:)

seanc

09-04-14, 11:18 PM

Yeah, there are always exceptions to every rule. I like the idea behind the thread Citizen, hopefully we can get some good conversations going.

Citizen Rules

09-04-14, 11:30 PM

So my first review here will be an OBSCURE film that I doubt anyone here has seen. But you guys constantly amaze me with your diversity in movie watching, so maybe you did see this?

Swamp Fire

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I was curious to see this as it features both Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe. Both men played Tarzan in the movies and both were gold medal Olympians. Swamp Fire was made in 1946 right after WWII and was one of the first movies to show the effects of battle fatigue and survivors guilt on a returning vet.

Also interesting, was its setting in the Louisiana bayous with mostly Cajuns characters, who are intelligently portrayed. I was impressed by Buster Crabbe's acting ability. He had leading man good looks and played a lively bad guy, all while doing a good Cajun accent. I'm not sure why he didn't have a bigger career.

It was a pretty good story too. Worth a watch.

rating_3

Citizen Rules

09-04-14, 11:33 PM

Yeah, there are always exceptions to every rule. I like the idea behind the thread Citizen, hopefully we can get some good conversations going. Thanks Seanc!

gbgoodies

09-04-14, 11:53 PM

I've never heard of the movie Swamp Fire. I've seen a couple of the old Tarzan movies, but that was so long ago that I don't even remember who played Tarzan in them. Many years ago, one of the local channels used to air them on Saturday afternoons along with the old Abbott & Costello movies.

Citizen Rules

09-05-14, 12:00 AM

gbgoodies

09-05-14, 12:06 AM

GBG, I've been watching the Tarzan movie collection. Some are pretty good, some are goofy. The one's I'm watching are all Johnny Weissmuller he made 12 of them. That's why I watched Swamp Fire.
(Weissmuller) "Won 5 Olympic Gold Medals 1924-1928 for swimming. Broke the record in each race. From 1921-1929 he won every free style race he entered."

The movie itself was an Alpha video DVD. You guys ever watch those? Alpha videos are the best digital transfers around...not.

The picture that you posted above looks like the DVDs found in the dollar stores around here. They're usually public domain movies, so anyone can make a DVD and sell it. That's why the movie quality is usually pretty bad. It's usually a copy, of a copy ,of a copy, x number of times.

edarsenal

09-05-14, 12:30 AM

was a big fan of the weismuller/maureen o'hara Tarzan flicks as a kid. Like GBG, they played out on local channels back in the 70's along with abbott & costello (which i watched faithfully as a kid)
I'll have to keep an eye out for this movie; always enjoy a good oldie - or even a semi goodie for that matter.

As for you initial question, citizen: for me its really an enjoyment of the senses on a variety of levels. From emotional to the cerebral; when it comes to following the story line and, either guessing the outcome or hopping on and with hands in the air, riding the roller coaster of the movie. That includes enjoying the characters, the actors' performances, the director's influence, the way a scene unfolds, how the camera moves about and captures what we see. The enhancement of music, or the enhancement of sans music.
There is so much that a movie can offer on so many different levels for so many different reasons.
My question is: how can you NOT get excited about movies and get, happily, caught up in them?

Citizen Rules

09-05-14, 03:26 PM

gbgoodies

09-05-14, 04:23 PM

Good post, Edarsenal, I like what you said about the various components of a movie that you can enjoy. Movies are much more than just acting or CG or camera work.

I usually can find something to like in a movie, even if it's just the sets done nicely by the Art Director or a certain performances.

The only movies I really dislike, are the one that I want to see the most. These have my highest expectations and so I hold them to a higher 'bar' than other movies. Then I'm often let down and usually it's the ending that fails my expectations.

I think one of the problems with reading reviews of classic movies is that they've gotten such great reputations over the years that it's hard for them to live up to that reputation. Usually when I watch a movie that I really wanted to see, I can appreciate that it's a good movie, but I can't see it for the brilliance that everyone else seems to see.

Maybe that's why most of the top movies in the 70s countdown aren't even on my list. Movies like Chinatown, Taxi Driver, The Godfather, etc., are all movies that I watched because they've been recommended so highly that I felt like I was missing something if I didn't see them. I consider them all to be great movies, but they may never make it onto my favorites list.

Citizen Rules

09-05-14, 04:37 PM

That could be true GBG.I just requested Chinatown which I've never seen, so it will be very interesting to see if it lives up to it's reputation.Most movies have some plot hole or unbelievable actions by a character. So I'll see how it goes.

But what I was meaning (but didn't write very well) was movies where there's a mystery like in Contact, and my imagination for what the movie will be is usually different than what the movie is. I'm sure Contact was a good movie but I 'dreamed' it bigger. If that makes senses?

Same thing happened with the movie I watched last night.

Citizen Rules

09-06-14, 12:02 AM

Donnie Darko The Director's Cut

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Never judge a movie by it's cover, that's what I did. I requested this from my library a couple months ago. I took one look at the cover and seen a young guy with an ax over his shoulder and said to myself, 'nope I'm not watching a slasher horror film.' So I never watched it.

But as fate would have it, this movie was discussed here. So once again I requested it. This time I watched it.
Donnie Darko is no horror film, it wasn't even particularly violent, at least in a gory way. This is more of a psychological Sci fi movie, akin to a 21st century Twilight Zone episode...punched up and brought to the big screen.

At the start I had an idea of what the movie might turn out to be. But the ending was completely different than what I had imaged. I liked it.

rating_3_5

honeykid

09-06-14, 10:52 AM

There's tons of Donnie Dark fans here. Or, at least, there used to be. I still think you'll find one or two, though.

BTW, Donnie Dark was listed as horror? There's another one for me to rail against.

Citizen Rules

09-06-14, 02:13 PM

Honeykid did you see Donnie Darko? If so did you know beforehand what the movie was about? (same questions to anyone who's seen it)

I was impressed by the first part of the movie. It set up a mystery as to what the heck is wrong with Donnie? Or maybe he's fine? To me the mystery was the best part.

After they mentioned Donnie taking meds, I figured that the 6 foot tall, talking rabbit and cryptic messages of destruction would be, us the viewer, seeing through Donnie's eyes as if his hallucinations were real. I half expected the end to be an expose on a mass school shooting as seen inside-out, through the eyes of a deranged person.

Hitchcock and Rod Sterling would have liked Donnie Darko

honeykid

09-06-14, 04:41 PM

Yes I've seen DD and yes I knew what it was about before I saw it. However, despite it being the internet buzz film at the time, I was waiting for months for this to be released, let alone seen, I only knew about it and cared about it because Drew was in it. :D I think I watched it twice but, TBH, I don't really remember anything much about it, not helped by it being so complicated, of course. :)

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/84/4a/d3/844ad300d07dc90be74748673a4b1e4c.jpg
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/a0/b7/03/a0b703377b28b449bfc28e1904328c8a.jpg

I know I liked it, but I doubt I could answer many/any questions you have about it without seeing it again.

Citizen Rules

09-06-14, 06:06 PM

That's cool, I can't remember the details of a movie for more than a few days. In a month I'll hardly remember seeing Donnie Darko.

"I only knew about it and cared about it because Drew was in it."

Drew is the only actresses I know who will put a smile on your face in almost any movie she is in. She just radiates happiness in most all roles.

Did you see here in Grey Gardens? I thought she really earned her Barrymore name in that movie. I was impressed!

Citizen Rules

09-09-14, 12:14 AM

Pearl of the South Pacific

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A rather obscure RKO film from 1955. What makes it somewhat interesting to film history buffs, it's one of the few, 3 strip technicolor films to shoot on location outside of the USA. Many of the exterior shots were done in Hawaii. I bet those idyllic beaches with nothing more than sand and palm trees swaying in the wind, are now dotted with hotels.

Virginia Mayo is the lead, it's her movie. She is watchable as the pearl seeking scoundrel, posing as a missionary to dupe the inhabitants of a remote island into giving her the priceless black pearls. Virginia looks real good in this too.

Dennis Morgan, a former leading man at Warner Bros in the 1940s, also stars. Here he's older and more surly too. Morgan plays a former flame of Virginia Mayo. Is he still carrying a torch for her? Or is he out to get the pearls for himself?

Legend has it that the very octopus monster prop used in this movie was also used by two great directors: Cecil B.De Mille and Ed Wood.

Pearl of the South Pacific is not a deep movie and yes there's some plot holes in it. But it's fun, it has it's moments and Virginia Mayo in Technicolor.

rating_3

mark f

09-09-14, 12:37 AM

It would fit nicely in a double bill with the Ed Wood octopus movie, Bride of the Monster, since it's about equal in the quality department. :)

honeykid

09-09-14, 07:13 AM

The pic for Pearl of the South Pacific isn't working for me. Anyone else see it?

gbgoodies

09-09-14, 07:26 AM

The pic for Pearl of the South Pacific isn't working for me. Anyone else see it?

If you right-click on the little white box, choose "Copy image URL", and paste it into the address bar of your browser, you should be able to see the picture.

Citizen Rules

09-09-14, 02:41 PM

The picture was there, now it's not, why is that? This has happened to me before with my MoFo post. Help please?

Yoda

09-09-14, 02:46 PM

The site you got the image from blocks "hotlinking"--IE: images embedded on external sites. It works fine when you access it because you're accessing it directly, rather than "through" this page.

Citizen Rules

09-09-14, 02:53 PM

Thanks, I'll try to keep a mental note of which ones do that.

Yoda

09-09-14, 02:56 PM

Sounds good. Additionally, you can hit Preview Post and see if it shows up there, first. Or upload images to a free hosting site like www.imgur.com, which is the first/best choice for most people here.

Citizen Rules

09-11-14, 02:50 PM

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I wanted to like this movie that was acted/directed/script written and produced by George Clooney...a 2014 production, telling the real tale of a group of U.S. service men seeking to recover stolen art, gold and valuables taken by the Nazis during WWII.

I should have liked this film. It's a period piece, has great sets and art direction and has an interesting premise based on historical events. To that mix add in, two first class actors George Clooney and Cate Blanchett. This movie should have scored big.

It didn't...it fell short of connecting with me in any emotional way. It neither showed the inner lives of these men, nor did it create excitement with the hunt for priceless stolen art.

Instead it relied on too many vignette sub-stories that might have been interesting had they been fleshed out more. Cate Blanchett's story line was the most intriguing but there wasn't enough of it. As usual Matt Damon was stoic. The movie attempts humor that comes off as forced and silly.

A MoFo'er said this movie had 'strange annoying tonal shifts'. He was right! The interior scenes are nicely lightened with warm gold colors and shadowing. BUT when the scenes go to an exterior shot, they are over bright with a white-blue light that looks like something shot in the 1970s on video tape. I wonder if Clooney intended that look? It's almost like they forgot to post production the color and exposure on the exteriors.

rating_3

seanc

09-11-14, 03:20 PM

Has there been a movie that felt more like a wasted opportunity than Monuments Men the last five years? I actually rated it quite a bit lower than you. Really forgettable, which is the last thing it should have been.

Citizen Rules

09-11-14, 03:25 PM

Well said Seanc, a wasted opportunity says it all.

I gave it 3/5 for the subject and sets. But as a story, yup I agree it could be rated lower.

I've seen documentaries on the search and recovery of the stolen art which were more entertaining than the movie.

honeykid

09-11-14, 04:05 PM

Documentaries usually are more entertaining than movies. Well, C21st movies, anyway. ;)

gbgoodies

09-11-14, 05:09 PM

I completely agree about The Monuments Men. It was one of those movies that I really wanted to see it as soon as I saw the trailer, and I had high hopes for it because of its subject and cast, but I was disappointed. It was a completely forgettable movie.

Citizen Rules

09-12-14, 02:42 PM

I'm always up for a good WWII film, and it doesn't have to have lots of fighting in it. Actually I prefer more of the human side of the story.

I requested Inglourious Basterds (2009) so hopefully that one will be better. If you guys have other recommendations they would be welcomed.

honeykid

09-12-14, 04:17 PM

Yeah, my recommendation is don't watch Inglorious Basterds. :p

I'd recommend this one, instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39pUyYJS5pM

Daniel M

09-12-14, 05:05 PM

Ignore HK, Inglourious Basterds is a blast, don't take it too seriously (people seem to complain about its moral standing) and treat it like a kind of comic book style film and it should be a whole lot of fun.

Captain Spaulding

09-12-14, 05:05 PM

Yeah, my recommendation is don't watch Inglorious Basterds. :p

And my recommendation is don't listen to honeykid. ;)

Yoda

09-12-14, 05:12 PM

I second both sentiments.

Basterds is the closest Tarantino will likely ever get to the heights of Pulp Fiction again. Absolutely tremendous. Probably seen it ten times now.

Citizen Rules

09-13-14, 09:08 PM

Inglourious Basterds (2009)
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Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Inglourious Basterds is a prime example of an auteur's stamp on his movie. If you like Quentin you'll probably like this movie. If you don't like him, well then be prepared for a Quentinesque film.

Inglourious Basterds is an 'alternative history' movie with a pulp comic book feel. Some of the scenes are ultra violent, with closeups of human scalping and brutality. Brad Pitt is good at delivering a believable southern accent without going over the top. To bad Christoph Waltz, who does play a mean Nazi with gusto, couldn't lose his British accent.

The filming technique looks great and Tarantino makes good use of wide angle lenses, but he over does the extreme facial close ups. An overly distracting soundtrack, made of an ecliptic collection of music styles...ranging from David Bowie to old Spaghetti Western Spanish Guitar, is used during the film, no doubt an homage to the 1978 Italian film of the same name.

Quentin obliviously thinks his audience is inattentive as text labels for the name of key Nazis are inserted into the film with an arrow pointing at the correct actor...just in case we weren't paying attention to who the Nazis were. Even more annoying is a rather lengthy voice over narrative, explaining to the viewer just how flammable old film nitrate stock is. It matters not that the characters have already discussed the flammability of nitrate film in laying out their attentions to burn down a building with top ranking Nazis in it.

The director repeats this behavior by showing us an unnecessary flash back of the lead actress, a Jewish girl, escaping the Nazis. But wait a minute the entire 1st act already showed us that very scene.

Inglourious Basterds had a great look and a good working script but Quentin killed it in post production. Turning the film into kitsch.

rating_2_5

gbgoodies

09-13-14, 09:15 PM

I watched Inglourious Basterds for the Movie Tournament recently, but all I really remember about it is that I didn't like it.

But I'm not a fan of Quentin Tarantino, and as always, I seem to be in the minority again. :shrug:

Citizen Rules

09-13-14, 09:19 PM

Not a fan either after this film. It will be a long time before I watch one of his movies again. And back in the day I did like Pulp Fiction.

honeykid

09-13-14, 09:39 PM

See, occasionally, HK knows what he's talking about. :D TBF, I disliked it more than you because I found it dull and completely lacking in the dialogue department and I thought Christoph Waltz gave a horrible performance. Love 90's Tarantino, even the mess of a script that is From Dusk Till Dawn manages to work, mostly due to the performaces and the sheer audacity of the genre change which you go with because you're having fun However, with the exception of Death Proof, everything else has failed for me and, were I not such a fan of exploitation films, I doubt that would've worked for me, either.

mark f

09-13-14, 09:53 PM

I don't see how you can rate Monuments Men higher than Inglourious Basterds, but what do I know? :)

honeykid

09-13-14, 09:55 PM

I've not seen Monuments Men, so I can. :D

cricket

09-13-14, 10:20 PM

Basterds was a little disappointing for me but I still think it was well above average. Even a lesser Tarantino movie has great moments with interesting characters and at least some terrific dialogue.

seanc

09-13-14, 10:29 PM

Oh Citizen, I don't even know what to say. Basterds had me hooked from the opening scene which I find to be one of the most intense I have ever seen. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course. Just remember if you agree with HK you will be on the wrong side of the argument more often than not.;)

honeykid

09-13-14, 10:42 PM

The wrong side of the argument, maybe, but correct nonetheless. ;)

Swan

09-13-14, 10:45 PM

I've said it a million times. The script is better than the movie.

seanc

09-13-14, 10:47 PM

I've said it a million times. The script is better than the movie.

Factually incorrect statements don't need to be repeated Swan, especially that many times.:p

Swan

09-13-14, 10:48 PM

Have you read the script? It adds backstory to the characters.

I'm not dissing the movie. I like the movie. :p

Citizen Rules

09-13-14, 10:49 PM

I don't see how you can rate Monuments Men higher than Inglourious Basterds, but what do I know? :)
Mark that's a fair question.

I really don't like to rate movies as it's such a personal decision. But to answer you:

I found Monuments Men lacking in character and plot but I didn't have a grievance with it.

Inglourious Basterds made me mad at the waste of good film footage ruined by cheesy music score and cheesy word labels popping on the screen. But mostly I found the retelling of what I was just told, maddening. It was a dumbing down of the movie. I think us movie watchers are smarter than Quentin believes we are.

seanc

09-13-14, 10:50 PM

Have you read the script? It adds backstory to the characters.

I'm not dissing the movie. I like the movie. :p

No, I don't think I have ever just read a script. I am not sure how much I would enjoy that. Also, I know just horsing around.

Swan

09-13-14, 10:53 PM

No, I don't think I have ever just read a script. I am not sure how much I would enjoy that. Also, I know just horsing around.

No worries. It's a good script. If you ever get into scripts, check it out. :)

Citizen Rules

09-13-14, 10:58 PM

See, occasionally, HK knows what he's talking about. :D

You called it right with your comic book comment. And see, I paid homage to you by using 'comic' in my review.

Basterds had me hooked from the opening scene which I find to be one of the most intense I have ever seen.

I would agree with you. I never found it boring or slow. In fact if the post production stuff had been handled differently I would have really liked it. Well except for the rewriting history of WWII. Not sure where I stand with that.

I think the script was tight for the most part. No complaints there.

seanc

09-13-14, 11:05 PM

I never really thought of the things you talked about as dumbing down. Of all your points that may be the one I could get on board with. As for rewriting history, I have never got that argument. Tarantino is not presenting history. He is presenting a fantasy set during WWII. I always love Tarantino's music choices. It is one of those things I would not want every director to do but it always works as part of his aesthetic.

Citizen Rules

09-13-14, 11:25 PM

A good example of over explaining or 'dumbing down' to the audience is in Act 1. The Gestapo officer, Col. Landa is speaking French with the farmer. So the director wants to switch to English for the audiences sake. Which is common and understandable.

Most directors would have used a one or two line transition to make sense of why they start speaking English. An example might be like: " Oh, but my French is poor, may we converse in English?"

But Quentin took the long way around, he must have taken a couple minutes of dialogue just to say, 'let's speak English.'

In itself it would be no big deal but he repeated the over explaining to a number of times. Especially with the VO explanation of the nitrate film.

But don't get me wrong. I didn't say it was a lame movie, in fact I said those who like Tarantino's style should like it. He nailed it, for what he wanted to do. But for me that's not what I wanted to see.

Citizen Rules

09-19-14, 01:18 PM

Swiss Family Robinson
https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=39293&stc=1&d=1513480037

Walt Disney Production...1960
Ken Annakin...Director

Starring: John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur, Janet Munro, Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran

Shooting Location: Tobago, Caribbean

Swiss Family Robinson is the quintessential Disney movie made during the years when Walt Disney himself headed production. Walt was very enthusiastic about making this film and ear marked a large budget for this expensive extravagance.

Most of the film was shot on location on the Caribbean island of Tobago. Not an easy task in 1960 as the island had little infrastructure and most everything had to be imported for the crew. Some of the most elaborate sets ever built by Disney are in this film. Including a full scale build up of a wrecked sailing ship, built on the islands reef. And a very cool, multi layer tree house, built in one very big tree. The tree house was latter recreated as an attraction at Disney Land.

The Disney version of the classic 1812 novel bears little resembles to the book. Walt Disney started production in a unique way, by asking a question of the writers, 'What neat stuff should be on a tropical island?' The writers came up with pirates, wild animals, a tree house, a swamp with a large snake, sibling rivalry, a pretty girl and family togetherness. They then story boarded the movie and finally wrote the script from the story boards.

George Lucas loved Swiss Family Robinson so much that he named a famous Star Wars character after the director.

So was the movie any good...Yes! It's interesting with many different adventures happening to the castaways, good characters played by skilled actors. All done in a G rated family fun, Disney style.

rating_4

seanc

09-19-14, 01:35 PM

Absolutely loved Swiss Family when I was a kid. I have seen it so much I don't know that I will ever revisit it. It would be interesting to see how adult me feels about it though because I no longer consider it a favorite.

Citizen Rules

09-19-14, 01:58 PM

Sean, same for me. I hadn't seen it since the 70s. I wasn't into the pirate story so much this time around. But I was more into the overall adventure of a family working together. I was amazed at the location and sets.

I should have added to my review that I loved the DVD extras. There were several documentaries on making the film, showing just how elaborate it was. On a negative side they did some risky and questionable animals stunts.

gbgoodies

09-19-14, 02:02 PM

I don't remember if I saw Swiss Family Robinson when I was a kid or not. I think I saw The Adventures of the Wilderness Family, and maybe Mountain Family Robinson, but I get all those old "family" movies confused now that I'm old and my memory isn't what it used to be.

I'll have to watch all of them again when I have some time.

Is the more recent movie Meet the Robinsons a remake of any of those movies?

Citizen Rules

09-19-14, 02:28 PM

Meet the Robinsons doesn't sound like the same movie. There's been many films based on Swiss Family Robinson.

Swiss Family Robinson TV series from 75-76 with Martin Milner.

Also a 1975 movie with Helen Hunt.

The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson 1998 with Richard Thomas aka John Boy

The New Swiss Family Robinson 1998 with Jane Seymour and David Carradine.

Swiss Family Robinson 1959 with Patty Duke and Dennis Hopper ( a scary combination)

Swiss Family Robinson 1940 with nobody who's name I recognize.

Finally a 1973 TV movie too.

honeykid

09-19-14, 03:03 PM

I remember seeing this at school on a Saturday morning. We had to buy a ticket and then we watched it in the assembly hall. I think it started about 11:30am. :D I remember liking it, but apart for the big treehouse, I remember nothing about it.

seanc

09-19-14, 03:10 PM

@Citizen. I loved the pirate stuff as well. I also remember really liking the love triangle, which is weird for a kid. I always felt so bad for the middle brother and his"silly hat". The final pirate show down was epic for a kid. Home Alone is just a pretender next to Swiss Family.

gbgoodies

09-19-14, 03:17 PM

Miss Vicky

09-19-14, 03:20 PM

Meet the Robinsons has nothing to do with Swiss Family Robinson.

It's about an orphan boy who time travels.

Citizen Rules

09-19-14, 03:34 PM

Honey Kid....me too, I remembered only one thing, the tree house!

Sean...yup, it was a bit sad for the middle brother who had a crush on the girl, while the older brother had the girls attention.

GBG...I've only seen this one. But I want to see the others. Especially the Jane Seymour one.

gbgoodies

09-19-14, 03:40 PM

Meet the Robinsons has nothing to do with Swiss Family Robinson.

It's about an orphan boy who time travels.

Meet the Robinsons is on my animation watchlist. I bought the DVD at a garage sale last year, but I haven't watched it yet.

honeykid

09-19-14, 03:47 PM

GBG...I've only seen this one. But I want to see the others. Especially the Jane Seymour one.

Really? Why? ;)

http://media.mademan.com/chickipedia/uploaded_photos/7/75/Jane_Seymour-smoking-hot-sexy-young-before-chickipedia_thumb_585x795.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6jcXinvqbuA/TzvVW68jggI/AAAAAAAAAV8/nnJj4aVl00Y/s1600/Jane-Seymour-photo38.jpg
http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbqfduKEwd1runamko1_1280.jpg

Citizen Rules

09-25-14, 10:55 AM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48166&stc=1&d=1537407633

South Pacific (1958) Based on the wildly successful Rodgers & Hammerstein stage play of the same name. This set a record for a newly released movie, playing contentiously at the same theater in London for 4 1/2 years.

One of only 20 films that was made in Super Wide Screen, Todd AO 70mm print.

One of the most unique aspects of South Pacific is the usage of colored lens filters to give various scenes a monochromatic look. Reportedly after the film was processed the effects of the filters became more pronounced which disappointed the director, Joshua Logan. Prompting him to call the filters his worst idea ever.

Shot on location at Kauai Hawaii and set during WWII on a small South Pacific Island that is surrounded by Japanese Troops. In the distance looms the magical island of Bali Hai.

South Pacific was a big budget film that utilized leads that weren't familiar to mainstream American audiences at the time:

Rossano Brazzi a respected Italian stage actor, played a Frenchman who has escaped criminal charges in France, seeking refuge as a plantation owner in the South Pacific.

Mitzi Gaynor a relatively unknown actress, is an army nurse from a small town trying to see the world for the first time, while having to deal with her prejudices and love.

John Kerr is a Lieutenant sent on a dangerous mission to land on a nearby Japanese held island. He falls in love with a young native girl from Bali Hai, played by newcomer France Nuyen. He too must deal with his own prejudices and the choices he makes for love.

Juanita Hall plays a colorful character, 'Bloody Mary' who profits from selling grass skirts to the Americans and is looking for a husband for her young beautiful daughter.

Character actor Ray Walston also has a small but fun roll, playing a rogue who profits from the war.

South Pacific has one of the greatest Rodgers and Hammerstein score of any musical film. And is the only movie based on one of their plays to retain all of the original music numbers.

The film works on many levels. A great cast of talented actors. It's exotic, real world locations. An almost dreamy, cinematic look. The idea of a mystical island called Bali Hai, where life is idyllic and the native girls are friendly. In sharp juxtaposition is the prejudices and the deadliness of war.

If you haven't seen South Pacific, give it a try. You too might what to visit Bali Hai.

rating_4

Citizen Rules

09-26-14, 12:36 PM

Citizen Rules

09-26-14, 12:36 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48167&stc=1&d=1537407715

The Innocents (1961)
Film Process CinemaScope 2.35:1 Black and White
Directed by Jack Clayton
Cinematography by Freddie Francis
Screenplay by William Archibald and Truman Capote
Film Editing by James Clark

Based loosely on the 1898 classic novella, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. The movie is inaccurately referred to as a horror film. It's a Gothic story, with either a psychological twist or a supernatural one. The film cleverly allows the viewer to ultimately decide if the ghost are real or a figment of the young governesses imagination. The Innocents has more in common with films like Rebecca (1940) or Wuthering Heights (1939) than it does with other early 1960s horror films.

Deborah Kerr is well suited to play the young governess hired to care for two young children at a 19th century British country estate. She seems like a proper British governess, cloistered and responsible, yet with a pensive more hidden side.

The cinematography of The Innocents is sublime. Each scene is composed like a work of art. The lighting is beautiful. The special effects and optical effects are remarkable. The story itself is intelligent and thought provoking, giving the viewer the chance to finalize the meaning of the story for themselves.

rating_4_5

gbgoodies

09-26-14, 02:15 PM

OK, so I guess my review of South Pacific is too long:( or nobody likes musicals...

For my next review I'll make it shorter, I promise!

I want to thank Christine for recommending to me the next movie...

Sorry Rules, somehow I missed your post about South Pacific yesterday.

I like the movie South Pacific, but it's not one of my favorite musicals. The songs are great, but the movie seems to lack something that most of the other musicals of that era seemed to have.

If you like the movie South Pacific, you should watch the concert version with Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell. It was part of the PBS series "Great Performances". It's called "South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall", and it's available on DVD.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0798459/reference

christine

09-26-14, 03:07 PM

Citizen, glad you liked The Innocents :)
I always thought that the bit where

The kid kisses her on the lips was really shocking, and when she does it to him at the end - something very disturbing about that

Citizen Rules

09-26-14, 03:39 PM

gbgoodies

09-26-14, 03:52 PM

GBG, I haven't seen South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall but I have seen the remake with Glen Close. The remake was a better story line, but I really liked Mitzi Gaynor in the original. She was fresh faced and real. I liked her so much that I watched all of her 1970s TV specials.

I saw the remake with Glenn Close, but it wasn't as good as the original movie, or the version with Reba. I thought that most of the voices were too weak for the music, and I didn't like that they removed the song "Happy Talk". Also, I usually like Harry Connick Jr, but he didn't shine in that part like I thought he would have.

The version with Reba is on YouTube. The whole show is in parts, but it's there. Here's a link to part one. (You should be able to find the rest from there.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wouQthkuvA

This is my favorite song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSyCiIkOde8

This is another highlight from that version. Reba and Alec Baldwin singing "Honey Bun":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsSnEkrcQic

Citizen Rules

09-26-14, 04:12 PM

Thanks! I'll have to check out the entire show. Happy Talk and Honey Bun were both great numbers.

Did you know that the young native girl in the original movie, France Nuyen was also Elaan of Troyius

And the next night I seen her in another movie that I should do a mini review for, it's from 1962 and set in Hawaii.

gbgoodies

09-26-14, 04:22 PM

Did you know that the young native girl in the original movie, France Nuyen was also Elaan of Troyius

No, I didn't know that she was in South Pacific. ("Elaan of Troyius" is not one if the better "Star Trek" episodes.)

honeykid

09-27-14, 06:37 AM

Not a fan of musicals, however, when I saw this thread had updated yesterday the last post I could see was mine. Maybe it was the same for others?

Anyway, The Innocents is a wonderful film. So atmospheric and I love that with a horror/creepy thriller.

Citizen Rules

09-27-14, 01:01 PM

Not a fan of musicals, however, when I saw this thread had updated yesterday the last post I could see was mine. Maybe it was the same for others?

Yah, that's true. It was a temporary glitch, caused by me using 2 tabs to make 2 different post simultaneously on this thread. I believe Yoda has fixed it.:)

Anyway, The Innocents is a wonderful film. So atmospheric and I love that with a horror/creepy thriller. As much as I really liked that film. I thought the scene where the Governess looks behind some shrubbery in the garden and sees an old statue with a bug crawling out it's nose to be laughable.

Citizen Rules

09-28-14, 11:30 PM

73801 The Man in the Moon (1999)

Reese Witherspoon's first movie, she was only 15 in this film. A warm yet bittersweet coming of age film, about two sisters who both fall in love with the same guy. Set in the late 1950s on a rural farm in Louisiana. Reese plays Dani, a tomboyish 14 year old girl who befriends the new boy in town, named Court, played by Jason London. Problem is, Court has eyes for her older and prettier sister, played by Emily Warfield. The love triangle is soon tested when tragedy strikes.

Reese Witherspoon and Jason London both give fine performances as does the father played by Sam Waterston. The cinematography and music score is well done and enhances the subject matter. The Man in the Moon is a likeable film, albeit heartbreaking at times.

rating_3_5

seanc

09-28-14, 11:49 PM

You should try coming up with some kind of theme when watching a bunch of films.;) Thanks for the write up, unfortunately I haven't seen any to comment.

gbgoodies

09-29-14, 12:03 AM

Just some quick reviews of a few movies I seen recently & enjoyed.

The Man in the Moon (1999) Reese Witherspoon's first movie, she was only 15 in this film. A nice film about 2 sisters who both fall in love with the same guy. Set in the late 50s in the rural south. rating_3_5

Destination Moon (1950) and in Technicolor too. An intelligent attempt to show actual travel to the Moon to a 1950s audience. The story is rather dry, but what's impressive is the amount of accuracy about space travel that the movie get's right. rating_4

I haven't seen First Men on the Moon, but I've seen the other two movies.

The Man in the Moon was a very good movie, but it was also very sad at times. I saw it years ago, and as I recall it's kind of hard to watch because of the heavy drama involved, but I would recommend it to anyone who likes coming-of-age dramas.

I watched Destination Moon a while back on the same night with a couple of other similar movies, so I may be mixing it up with another movie, (probably Countdown or Marooned), but as I recall it was a good sci-fi movie that tries to make you feel the danger that the astronauts are in, so you can really relate to the characters. I remember it got off to a slow start, but it was worth the wait because it got more exciting, and felt more dangerous as the movie went on.

If you're looking for a movie with high-end special effects, this might not be the right movie, but if you're just looking for a good sci-fi story about the dangers of traveling to the moon, than this is worth a watch.

honeykid

09-29-14, 04:56 AM

+ rep because I like Destination Moon. :up: I've not seen the other two.

Citizen Rules

09-29-14, 03:03 PM

I haven't seen First Men on the Moon, but I've seen the other two movies. There's a version of that silent film where an actor does an off screen reading of the original working script. This is done while the original silent movie plays.

I found that very interesting as I had no idea what many of the scenes were representing.

Citizen Rules

10-10-14, 11:59 PM

Dead Man

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48178&stc=1&d=1537479271

I like Depp. He's good in most anything he does, even if the film itself doesn't work so well. Luckily Dead Man does work.

Depp was on a roll in the mid 90s. Following his success with: Edward Scissorhands (1990), What's Eating Gilbert Grape and Benny and Joon (1993) and Ed Wood (1994), he made this avant garde western, Dead Man (1995).

Filmed in glorious black & white by director/writer Jim Jarmusch. Dead Man tells the off beat tale of William Blake, a young man jilted by his fiance who hops on a train and heads to a desolate western town called Machine. There he finds himself without a job, without any money and with a murder wrap hanging over him...for killing the son of the town boss and bully, Robert Mitchum. And heaven help the man who messes with Robert Mitchum!

What follows is a uniquely different type of film as Depp is forced to go on the lamb, where he meets a Native American Indian and is mistaken for the poet William Blake.

What makes this movie unique is it's use of ecliptic symbolism and atypical story narrative, which suits Depp's style of acting to a tee.

rating_4

seanc

10-11-14, 12:17 AM

Dead Man has been in the Netflix que for months. I need to get to it. I have watched a couple Jarmusch this year and have enjoyed them both. Love hasn't taken hold yet though.

rauldc14

10-11-14, 12:18 AM

I didn't much care for Dead Man. I preferred Jarmusch's Stranger than Paradise.

Citizen Rules

10-11-14, 05:36 PM

The only negative thing I can say about Dead Man is that the music score consisted of a electric guitar that played the same notes over and over and over, very loudly too. The guitar score was at least twice as loud as the actors dialogue and became grating on my nerves.

gbgoodies

10-11-14, 06:19 PM

I'm not a big Johnny Depp fan, but I watched Dead Man a few months ago for the Movie Tournament. I don't remember a lot about it, but as I recall, I liked the movie, and I thought the music was a good match for the tone of the movie. I'll have to re-watch it when I get a chance.

Citizen Rules

10-13-14, 12:14 AM

Never Let Me Go
https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29796&stc=1&d=1491843482

What a beautifully made movie Never Let Me Go is. The art direction, the lighting and the scenes are stunningly beautiful. The cinematography is carefully controlled, sublime. The color pallet of the film is soft pastels, filmed in soft diffusion. Like a work of art from the 19th century French Impressionist, Never Let Me Go (2010) is minimalist cinema fused with art.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29797&stc=1&d=1491843494

Based on the best selling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The film tells the somber story of a group of children raised in isolation at a British boarding school in 1975. The students are clones, whose only purpose in life is to be organ donors for others. As they graduate from school and enter adult hood they are moved to communal living quarters, where they await their assignments as organ donors.

The director Mark Romanek does a superb job of delivering a subtle, somber story, done with ambiance and self reflection. From the cinematography to the haunting music score, every element of the film is in harmony with the soulful storyline.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29798&stc=1&d=1491843503

Academy nominated, Carey Mulligan plays a young woman-donor clone, coming to grips with the meaning of her short life. Academy nominated, Keira Knightley along with Andrew Garfield make up the fine cast of talented British actors, who make the film so believable.

Don't think for a moment that Never Let Me Go, is sci fi, it's not. Don't think it's about people fighting back and escaping their fate, it's not. The film, like the book is a metaphor for what we strive for, a meaning to our existence.

rating_5

seanc

10-13-14, 12:17 AM

Wow. I need to see this. Never remember hearing about it.

gbgoodies

10-13-14, 12:58 AM

I've never even heard of Never Let Me Go, but from your review, it sounds like it could be interesting. Not too many movies get a 5-star rating and review, so based on your rating, I'll definitely look for this movie.

Citizen Rules

10-13-14, 04:48 PM

gbgoodies

10-13-14, 05:38 PM

I rarely give a movie 5 stars. This movie impressed me. It touched me.

It's not for everyone. It's not action. It's not CG. It's not fast paced.

It forces the viewer to dig into the story and to reflect on our own existences. It's a minimalist work in all ways.

I would hope those who appreciate cinema as art, would watch Never Let Me Go.

I watched Never Let Me Go last night based on your recommendation, and it was amazing. I can certainly see why you gave it a 5 star rating.

It's a wonderful drama that feels more like a romance than a sci-fi. There's no action in this movie. Just an amazing story to focus on, and it has great acting from a young cast. This movie will definitely pull at your heartstrings.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone who likes good dramas. Great pick Citizen Rules. Thanks for the recommendation. :)

Citizen Rules

10-14-14, 02:52 PM

gbgoodies

10-14-14, 03:06 PM

GBG, I only found the Never Let Me Go by browsing the Library shelves. I almost left it on the shelf too as I had never heard of it and the title didn't grab me.

The script was written by the same person who wrote Sunshine. Which was another poignant, somber movie, sans the silly horror scene that was tacked into the film.

I need to find more films like this one.

I think I saw Sunshine a while back. As I recall, it was a pretty good movie for about the first 2/3 - 3/4 of the movie, until they started with that garbage about Pinbacker.

Citizen Rules

10-14-14, 03:15 PM

gbgoodies

10-14-14, 03:19 PM

Exactly, Pinbacker scene blew! I bet a producer wanted that scene included for my ticket sales. I would rate Sunshine a solid 4 but that scene I give a 0. I still think about that movie sometimes though.

I don't think I would give that movie such a high rating. Maybe without the Pinbacker scene, but with it, it's barely a 3 rating for me.

Citizen Rules

10-14-14, 03:24 PM

Yup I meant without the Pinbacker scene I'd give a 4, with the scene, gee I don't even know.

Citizen Rules

10-17-14, 03:42 PM

Out To Sea (1997)
https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48179&stc=1&d=1537479501

Watch this just for fun! There's a great cast of old time actors and a few laughs here 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 open ocean.

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 of Star Trek TNG fame. 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 too. 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+

Citizen Rules

10-19-14, 09:51 PM

I forgot to add, Out To Sea had a great sound track of oldies. Including a great song which ran during the closing credits, More by Bobby Darin.

gbgoodies

10-19-14, 10:01 PM

I haven't seen Out To Sea, but if it's got Hal Linden ("Barney Miller"), Brent Spiner (ST: TNG), Donald O'Connor (Singin' in the Rain), and Bobby Darin's music, I'll have to give it a try.

Citizen Rules

10-19-14, 10:11 PM

Hey somebody who likes Bobby Darin. I hadn't really heard his music before, I just knew him as the singer who married Sandra Dee. But man he's got great vocal control like Sinatra does on the song More.

Brent Spiner really steals the movie! Showing just how good of an actor he really is. He has a fairly big role too. I loved the scene where he's off stage and introduces himself by using a different voice. He sings in the movie too. Now I just got to find a cruise ship with Brent Spiner as the cruise director. That been a blast.

It's too bad Donald O'Connor and Hal Linden had smaller roles. Though there both good in it.

Wolfsbane

10-21-14, 11:14 PM

I dig Never Let Me Go, but it drags in a lot of scenes to be honest, which made me look at my watch more than once.

Citizen Rules

10-29-14, 02:24 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48180&stc=1&d=1537479655

The Last Castle (2001)

Director: Rod Lurie
Cast: Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo

Robert Redford plays a general who's been court martialed and sent to a corrupt military prison. The General is a highly decorated war veteran, respected for his personal integrity and loyalty to the men under his command. However in military prison he has no rank and no privileges. But his integrity is rock solid and he commands the respect of his fellow inmates.

He has one enemy, the prison warden. A man who has never been in battle. A man who's jealous of the General and will stop at nothing in his attempts to break the General.

Sounds good? The problem is Redford has no charisma in this role. The movie is predictable and fails to give the viewer any intellectual insight into the workings of a military prison. And for those viewers who expect to see an action film. There's not much action either.

rating_2_5

cricket

10-29-14, 08:57 PM

Those are some out of the blue movies you're reviewing there, Citizen. That can be very helpful in finding hidden gems.

gbgoodies

10-29-14, 09:33 PM

http://xesiontube.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/images122.jpg

The Last Castle (2001)

Director: Rod Lurie
Cast: Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo

Robert Redford plays a court martialed General, who's sent to a corrupt military prison. The General is a highly decorated war veteran, respected for his personal integrity and loyalty to the men under his command. In military prison he has no rank and no privileges. But his integrity is rock solid and he commands the respect of the inmates.

He has one enemy, the prison warden. A man who has never been in battle. A man who's jealous of the General and will stop at nothing in his attempts to break the General.

Sounds good? The problem is Redford has no charisma in this role. The movie is predictable and fails to give the viewer any intellectual insight into the workings of a military prison. And for those viewers who expect to see an action film. There's not much action either.

rating_2_5

I like Robert Redford, but I've never seen The Last Castle because it didn't sound like my kind of movie anyway. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you're recommending this movie, so guess I'll pass on this one, at least for now.

BTW, I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but Out to Sea is on my watchlist. If I ever catch up with the 2014 Movie Tournament, the animation list, and the 5th HOF, it's at the top of my list.

mark f

10-29-14, 09:39 PM

The Last Castle is a little better. :)

seanc

10-29-14, 09:41 PM

I saw Last Castle at the theater but remember next to nothing about it. Never a good sign.

Citizen Rules

10-29-14, 10:03 PM

Those are some out of the blue movies you're reviewing there, Citizen. That can be very helpful in finding hidden gems. Thanks Cricket, that's nice of you to say:) Geez, if I reviewed each movie as I watched it...you guys would be thinking, 'what the heck kind of movies does CR watch!' Last night I watched an obscure film, They Call it Sin.

I like Robert Redford, but I've never seen The Last Castle because it didn't sound like my kind of movie anyway. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you're recommending this movie, so guess I'll pass on this one, at least for now.

BTW, I haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but Out to Sea is on my watchlist. If I ever catch up with the 2014 Movie Tournament, the animation list, and the 5th HOF, it's at the top of my list. Wow, you watch a lot of movies GBG! It's great you participate so much on the board. Well when you get the time, check Out to Sea.

The Last Castle is a little better. :) Mark, I can understand that, I never know if I should rate the movie on my personal reaction or rate it against other movers of the similar genre. I usually go with a personal rating.

I saw Last Castle at the theater but remember next to nothing about it. Never a good sign. I know how you feel Sean, I have the worlds worst memory. If you asked me in a month about this movie, I wouldn't hardly remember it.:(

Citizen Rules

10-30-14, 12:08 AM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48181&stc=1&d=1537479852

Phantom (2013)

Director: Todd Robinson
Cast: Ed Harris, Julian Adams, David Duchovny

Phantom tells the very speculative story of a Soviet nuclear equipped sub K-129, that actually sank in 1968 off the coast of Hawaii. The facts of the mystery sub are classified to this very day. That part the movie got right...but according to this movie the sub was commandeered by KGB agents in a dangerous 'rogue attempt'...I won't say anymore as it might spoil the surprise.

If you're looking for a Das Boot or The Hunt for Red October type movie, you won't find it here. Phantom is a well made action adventure film, that's all. Short on character development, it does have the Soviet sub looking authentic.

Ed Harris plays the captain of the Soviet sub. He's a fine actor but don't look for him to have much meat to his role. David Duchovny plays the fanatical rogue KGB agent. No one in this film even attempts a Russian accent. Oh well, I doubt it would have matter anyway.

rating_2_5

Citizen Rules

11-01-14, 10:23 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48182&stc=1&d=1537479988

Starship Troopers (1997)

Director: Paul Verhoeven
Cast: Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick Harris, Michael Ironside

If you think Starship Troopers is a no-brainier flick with nothing to say, you'd be wrong. This rock 'em sock 'em movie, loosely based on Robert Heinlein's best selling novel is much more than just space marines battling giant bugs on an alien planet.

Starship Troopers delivers a powerfully conflicting message on the dangers of over zealot flag waving and the folly of demonizing your enemy without knowing them.

At first the film looks like a simple sci-fi action story about an alien insect planet that has evil plans to destroy Earth with their asteroid bombs. Later we find out that the alien bugs are brainless and act out of pure instinct. Which seems to suggest that the Human's war effort is misguided by the militaristic government. At the end of the movie however, they encounter a 'smart bug' which perhaps justifies Earth's fear. Or perhaps not? It's a conflicting message.

The movie cleverly indoctrinates the viewer into it's message by showing us, ultra patriotic Nazi style propaganda clips. These clips on shown on the fictions 'Federal Network'. It's no coincidence that the military officers are audaciously dressed in pseudo Nazi uniforms. The films propaganda news clips rallies one's militarist side....'the enemy is evil...they must be destroyed!'

“War”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faFuaYA-daw

New military recruits are indoctrinated into fighting soldiers by an ultra patriotic instructor, played by Michael Ironside. The recruits are taught the differences between a full fledged Citizen who has earned the right to vote, and a Civilian who has not served in the military and so has no voting rights. The following scene is well done, especially as Michael Ironside gives his citizenship speech to teen students who are more interested in flirting with each other. The arm bit at the end is good too.

“The Failure of Democracy”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAsR4O4W0w
On the surface Starship Troopers works as an action packed, special effects movie. But look deeper and it's a clever parody of ultra-militarism.

rating_4_5

honeykid

11-01-14, 10:59 PM

I bloody love Starship Troopers. The one glaring omission from my 100. Enjoyed your review. :up:

Citizen Rules

11-01-14, 11:04 PM

Thank you Honeykid! It took me a loooong time to write it, so I'm glad to hear someone liked it....

I know I've seen MoFo members with Starship Troopers as one of the favorites. So any thoughts on the movie from you guys, even if you think I'm nuts is OK:)

gbgoodies

11-01-14, 11:56 PM

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 just finished watching Out To Sea, and this was another great pick. Like you said, it's a fun movie with a lot of familiar old-timers.

As expected, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are a lot of fun in this movie, but IMO, Brent Spiner stole the movie. He was great in every scene that he's in. Unfortunately Hal Linden and Donald O'Connor were wasted in this movie. I would have loved to see both of them get more screen time.

3.5

gbgoodies

11-01-14, 11:59 PM

http://images.amcnetworks.com/ifc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/starship-troopers.jpg

Starship Troopers (1997)
rating_4_5

I haven't seen Starship Troopers, but based on your review and your rating, I will definitely add this movie to my watchlist.

The Rodent

11-02-14, 01:50 AM

Summed up pretty much everything I love about Starship Troopers... :up:

Also why it's in my Top 10 too.

Citizen Rules

11-02-14, 01:33 PM

Thanks Rodent. We haven't 'talked' much since I came to MoFo but I'd like to remedy that:)

I see you have Starship Troopers as one of your favorites. Some people agree with the analogy that the film is a parody of military propaganda. Others see it differently. And some see it just as one heck of a fun action packed movie.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you interrupt the movie?

christine

11-02-14, 01:38 PM

Never Let Me Go
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_O6xLvXpZlOU/TTH-DatqOJI/AAAAAAAAKfo/nUMHk1nN6oI/s1600/never-let-me-go-4-6e05f.jpg

What a beautifully made movie Never Let Me Go is. The art direction, the lighting and the scenes are stunningly beautiful. The cinematography is carefully controlled, sublime. The color pallet of the film is soft pastels, filmed in diffusion. Like a work of art from the 19th century French Impressionist art movement, Never Let Me Go (2010) is minimalist cinema, fused with art.

Based on the best selling novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The film tells the somber story of a group of children raised in isolation at a British boarding school in 1975. The students are clones, whose only purpose in life is to be organ donors for others. As they graduate from school and enter adult hood, they are moved to communal living quarters, where they await their assignments as organ donors.

The director Mark Romanek does a superb job of delivering a subtle, somber story, beautifully done with ambiance and self reflection. From the cinematography to the haunting yet subtle music score, every element of the film is in harmony with the minimalist storyline.

Academy nominated, Carey Mulligan plays a young woman-donor clone, coming to grips with the meaning of her short life. Academy nominated, Keira Knightley along with Andrew Garfield make up the fine cast of talented British actors, who make the film so believable.

Don't think for a moment that Never Let Me Go, is Sci Fi, it's not. Don't think it's about people fighting back and escaping their fate, it's not. The film, like the book is a metaphor for what we strive for, a meaning to our existence.

rating_5

Did you read the book Citizen? It's so good. I liked the film too, the cast were great, but the book had another extra layer of wistfulness that's hard to put in a film.
Nice choice :)

christine

11-02-14, 01:40 PM

Dead Man is a great film too. I don't think I've seen a Jim Jarmusch film I haven't liked

Citizen Rules

11-02-14, 01:45 PM

I just finished watching Out To Sea, and this was another great pick. Like you said, it's a fun movie with a lot of familiar old-timers.

As expected, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau are a lot of fun in this movie, but IMO, Brent Spiner stole the movie. He was great in every scene that he's in. Unfortunately Hal Linden and Donald O'Connor were wasted in this movie. I would have loved to see both of them get more screen time.

rating_3_5

I'm really happy when someone takes a chance on a movie I liked, and watches it. I knew you'd like it too! I agree with everything you said about it. Brent Spiner is really talented, he makes the movie.

For those who haven't seen this film, it's not amazing, but it's fun light comedy.

I haven't seen Starship Troopers, but based on your review and your rating, I will definitely add this movie to my watchlist. Based on what I know about your movie taste, I'm not sure if you will like this. BUT if you watched the two video clips then you have a perfect idea of what to expect. You've been fore warned;)

Citizen Rules

11-02-14, 01:51 PM

Dead Man is a great film too. I don't think I've seen a Jim Jarmusch film I haven't liked Christine, I haven't seen any other Jim Jarmusch films. I just looked at his filmography and it looks like he has some interesting films. Do you have a couple of recommendations? I know, you don't know me good enough to guess my taste in movies....I don't like really violent stuff. Dead Man was not too violent for me.

No, I didn't read the book Never Let Me Go. I don't read much. I bet the book was awesome thought. I did hear an interview with the author.

christine

11-02-14, 03:35 PM

Christine, I haven't seen any other Jim Jarmusch films. I just looked at his filmography and it looks like he has some interesting films. Do you have a couple of recommendations? I know, you don't know me good enough to guess my taste in movies....I don't like really violent stuff. Dead Man was not too violent for me.

No, I didn't read the book Never Let Me Go. I don't read much. I bet the book was awesome thought. I did hear an interview with the author.

My favourite is probably Down By Law but I like all the others I've seen - Stranger Than Paradise, Broken Flowers, Mystery Train. I really like Ghost Dog too, but there is violence in that obviously as it's about a hit man, but I wouldn't say it was that gory.

Citizen Rules

11-02-14, 08:39 PM

Thanks for that list. I read the synopsis on them and I picked Mystery Train to watch. I will try and do a review when I see it. You haven't steered me wrong yet with your movie suggestions:)

Citizen Rules

11-05-14, 11:00 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48183&stc=1&d=1537480800

All That Heaven Allows (1955)
The Criterion Collection

Director: Douglas Sirk
Cast: Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead

Don't think because this has a couple big name Hollywood stars that it's a typical Hollywood movie. It's not.

All that Heaven Allows flies in the face of 1950's conventionalism with a refreshing message that rejects wealth and status, while searching for personal freedom.

The mid 50s were a time when Americans clutched to time honored traditions. McCarthyism and the 'red scare' was prevalent. Those individuals who bucked the system by marching to a different drummer risked being ostracized by their neighbors.

Jane Wyman plays a well-to-do, widowed woman in a small New England town. The society women at the country club don't approve of her relationship with a younger man who's a simply gardener, played by Rock Hudson. Her life is made miserable by the town's bigotry and the pressure to conform. Even her own children refuse to accept her relationship with a common working man.

On the outskirts of town is a small group of people who have rejected the need for wealth and status, choosing to live a simply country life instead.

"Don't give importance to things that aren't important." That's the motto the gardener lives by. He refuses to be embarrassed by his old car and his simply life style. The widow has to choose between confirming to her rich friends wishes or choosing love.

The Criterion Collection DVD is beautifully restored. The technicolor and quality of the print is amazing.

All That Heaven Allows has a somber tone, with an uplifting message. It's worthy of any cinema lover.

rating_4

MovieGal

11-05-14, 11:02 PM

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413VO5GNhmL.jpg

All That Heaven Allows (1955)
The Criterion Collection

Director: Douglas Sirk
Cast: Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead

Don't think because this has a couple big name Hollywood stars that it's a typical Hollywood movie. It's not.

All that Heaven Allows flies in the face of 1950's conventionalism with a refreshing message that rejects wealth and status, while searching for personal freedom.

The mid 50s were a time when Americans clutched to time honored traditions. McCarthyism and the 'red scare' was prevalent. Those individuals who bucked the system by marching to a different drummer risked being ostracized by their neighbors.

Jane Wyman plays a will-to-do, widowed woman in a small New England town. The society women at the country club don't approve of her relationship with a younger man who's a simply gardener, played by Rock Hudson. Her life is made miserable by the town's bigotry and the pressure to conform. Even her own children refuse to accept her relationship.

On the outskirts of town is a small group of people who have rejected the need for wealth and status, choosing to live a simply country life.

"Don't give importance to things that aren't important." That's the motto the gardener lives by. He refuses to be embarrassed by his old car and his simply life style. The widowed has to choose between confirming to her rich friends wishes or choosing love.

The Criterion Collection DVD is beautifully restored. The technicolor and quality of the print is amazing.

All That Heaven Allows has a somber tone, with an uplifting message. It's worthy of any cinema lover.

I think this is a film I might enjoy... thanks CR!

Citizen Rules

11-05-14, 11:05 PM

MovieGal

11-05-14, 11:07 PM

MovieGal, I was actually thinking about you when I wrote my review. I was going to PM you and suggest that you might like it. I had no clue what the film was going to be like. I don't think I did the mood of the film justices. VERY few films have 'changed me' but this film is in a way like American Beauty. In that we realize giving other people power over us by allowing them to look down their noses, is not the way to happiness.

I thin you and I have some film taste in common.. so always suggest away.... you know older films more than I do.... but I have to say one of my favorite old films is "Dragonwyck"... love love that film!

cricket

11-05-14, 11:14 PM

I've never heard of that one but it sure sounds worth checking out.

mark f

11-05-14, 11:19 PM

It was remade by Fassbinder as Ali: Fear Eats the Soul You guys may like several Douglas Sirk movies from the '50s. :)

cricket

11-05-14, 11:21 PM

It was remade by Fassbinder as Ali: Fear Eats the Soul You guys may like several Douglas Sirk movies from the '50s. :)

That's interesting; I liked Ali.

Citizen Rules

11-05-14, 11:33 PM

I thin you and I have some film taste in common.. so always suggest away.... you know older films more than I do.... but I have to say one of my favorite old films is "Dragonwyck"... love love that film!

You talked me into it;) I just requested it. Actually I'm surprised I hadn't seen it as I've seen many Gene Tierney films.

I've never heard of that one but it sure sounds worth checking out. Cricket, I'd say it's a great story and directed well. Rock Hudson isn't the most dramatic actor, he's better at light comedy. But the film is really about Jane Wyman and she's good in a reserved way, sort of like Deborah Kerr.

It was remade by Fassbinder as Ali: Fear Eats the Soul You guys may like several Douglas Sirk movies from the '50s. :) Good suggestion Mark, I just looked and he does have a lot of interesting 50s films, I'll have to request them. The only other one I've seen is Intimation of Life.

gbgoodies

11-05-14, 11:35 PM

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413VO5GNhmL.jpg

All That Heaven Allows (1955)
The Criterion Collection

Director: Douglas Sirk
Cast: Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Moorehead

Don't think because this has a couple big name Hollywood stars that it's a typical Hollywood movie. It's not.

All that Heaven Allows flies in the face of 1950's conventionalism with a refreshing message that rejects wealth and status, while searching for personal freedom.

The mid 50s were a time when Americans clutched to time honored traditions. McCarthyism and the 'red scare' was prevalent. Those individuals who bucked the system by marching to a different drummer risked being ostracized by their neighbors.

Jane Wyman plays a will-to-do, widowed woman in a small New England town. The society women at the country club don't approve of her relationship with a younger man who's a simply gardener, played by Rock Hudson. Her life is made miserable by the town's bigotry and the pressure to conform. Even her own children refuse to accept her relationship.

On the outskirts of town is a small group of people who have rejected the need for wealth and status, choosing to live a simply country life.

"Don't give importance to things that aren't important." That's the motto the gardener lives by. He refuses to be embarrassed by his old car and his simply life style. The widow has to choose between confirming to her rich friends wishes or choosing love.

The Criterion Collection DVD is beautifully restored. The technicolor and quality of the print is amazing.

All That Heaven Allows has a somber tone, with an uplifting message. It's worthy of any cinema lover.

rating_4

This movie sounds so familiar that I went to check my DVD shelves to see if I have it, but I can't seem to find it. I'm pretty sure that I've seen it, but it may have been on TCM or some other movie channel. (Either that, or Mom stole another DVD.)

I don't think it's something that I watched recently, because I can't really remember much about it, so I'll have to add it to my watchlist and see if I've seen it already or not. (If I'm right, I'll probably be about 3/4 into the movie before it starts to look familiar, and then I'll remember the ending.)

Citizen Rules

11-05-14, 11:41 PM

mark f

11-05-14, 11:43 PM

It also was redone as Far from Heaven with Julianne Moore, Dennis Haysbert and Dennis Quaid.

gbgoodies

11-05-14, 11:48 PM

GBG, does this picture ring a bell, Hudson remodels an old flour mill to live in.
http://eng304sp11.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/all_that_heaven_allows_rons_barn-2hn8ke53.jpg

Oh, my wife just informed me we did see another Douglas Sirk film with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman, Magnificent Obsession

I'm not sure, but it looks vaguely familiar. If I did see the movie, it's been a long time, so it's time for a rewatch anyway. If I had to guess, I probably saw it on TCM when they did a Rock Hudson tribute day. I tend to watch those tribute days when the actor featured is someone I like, like Rock Hudson.

I have Magnificent Obsession on the DVR right now, but I haven't watched it yet. I think TCM aired it about a month ago, but I never got around to watching it. Maybe I'll watch those two movies as a double-feature one night.

Citizen Rules

11-07-14, 02:34 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48184&stc=1&d=1537480998
The Hired Hand (1971)

Director: Peter Fonda
Writer: Alan Sharp
Cinematography: Vilmos Zsigmond
Editing & Montage: Frank Mazzola
Production Design: Lawrence G. Paul
Musical Score: Bruce Langhorne

Cast: Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Verna Bloom

On rare occasions we cinema lovers will stumble upon an obscure film that leaves us wondering why we hadn't heard of it before. The Hired Hand is one of those hidden gems.

The film came into being as a result of the huge success of a small independent film made in 1969, Easy Rider. Universal Studios was keen to repeat their financial success by giving Peter Fonda full artistic control. He was able to choose the cast, the locations, the cinematographer, editor, the music score, etc. Fonda even had control over the final edit of the film.

Fonda set out to make a western like nothing that had been done before. According to Fonda, his aim was to put the viewer literally into the film. He does this by capturing the solitude and isolation of the old west. The film moves deliberately slow, matching the pace of life in the old west. The cinematography enhances that isolation with use of wide angle lenses on the long shots. The Hired Hand is like a moment in time duplicated on film. One can believe this is how the old west really was.

The cinematography is amazing, it utilizes controlled depth of field, back-lighting and silhouettes to impart an artistic feeling. The edits between the scenes use long dissolve montages for a unique poetic look. There are more stunning sunsets in this film, than you ever seen in your life.

The story is told in a minimalist fashion. We don't know the back story of the two main characters, played by Peter Fonda and Warren Oates. We learn of their characters through their interaction with each other. Fonda's character is conflicted, quiet and brooding. Oates in comparison is the everyday man, traveling life's road to wherever it takes him. Verna Bloom is perfect as a realistic pioneer woman...staunch and unwavering with strong feminist views of sex and self.

The music score is unique. The instruments used for the score are all period specific to the old west. The music is hauntingly beautiful, departing a forlorn, soulful feeling to the film.

The Hired Hand won the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in 1971. Sadly Universal Studios decided to pull the film from the theaters after only 1 week. In 2001 the film was beautifully restored and is available as a Collectors Edition which has the same cut as original shown in 1971.

rating_5

Citizen Rules

11-07-14, 02:58 PM

You know, if The Hired Hand was a foreign film with English sub titles it would be considered an avant garde classic and be on many top list here.

Sadly the studio that bank rolled the film, Universal Studios, touted it as another Easy Rider. The audiences expected to see Captain America in the old west, but what they got was a cutting edge art film. The critics respected it but the ticket sales were weak so the film was pulled and just about forgotten.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you guys need to watch this one.

christine

11-07-14, 04:44 PM

I thin you and I have some film taste in common.. so always suggest away.... you know older films more than I do.... but I have to say one of my favorite old films is "Dragonwyck"... love love that film!

I read Dragonwyck back when my mum read all the Anya Seton books . I wasn't allowed an adult library ticket cos I was too young but my mum gave me hers so I used to pretend I was getting books for my ma. I loved her books, they were so dramatic, maybe even melodramatic but nice to remember back then

cricket

11-07-14, 11:05 PM

Never heard of The Hired Hand before, but I just looked it up and it sounds very interesting. I put it on my watchlist.

Citizen Rules

11-07-14, 11:25 PM

Cricket, if you watch it let me know. If you post about it to the, Rate The Last Movie You Saw, please message me as I don't always look at that thread. I'm very interested in hearing what other MoFo's think of this film.

cricket

11-07-14, 11:38 PM

Will do

Captain Spaulding

11-08-14, 06:19 AM

After falling in love with Easy Rider, I watched several movies starring Peter Fonda, stuff like Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry, The Trip, Race with the Devil, as well as The Hired Hand. I'm surprised to see anyone review it, since it is a very obscure film, but it didn't leave much of an impression on me. I'd probably give it 2.5. I thought Fonda's intentions were well-meaning, but that he tried too hard to make the film artsy and meditative without the technical skill behind the camera to really pull it off. To be honest, though, I don't remember much about the film as a whole. If I get a chance to revisit it at some point, maybe it will make more of an impact on me.

Citizen Rules

11-08-14, 01:28 PM

Captain, it's good to hear someone else watched, The Hired Hand and seen my review. The movie struck a cord with me, so I'm hoping a few people will give it a chance.

You mentioned watching other Fonda films after you had seen and fallen in love with Easy Rider...I think a lot of people have done that and found Easy Rider is one of a kind. Even when The Hired Hand was first released, people loved Easy Rider and were disappointed they didn't get the same character. The studio trailer and print advertising did not help.

Do these look like what you seen in The Hired Hand?
http://cf.badassdigest.com/_uploads/images/13027/hiredhandfeatured__span.jpg
http://eaglethunder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Rita-Rogers-The-Hired-Hand.jpg

In some ways The Hired Hand is an antithesis of Easy Rider and that goes against it. But on it's own it's a unique quiet film.

Citizen Rules

11-08-14, 11:29 PM

Scaramouche (1952)

Director: George Sidney
Cast: Stewart Granger, Janet Leigh, Eleanor Parker, Mel Ferrer
MGM studio
Technicolor 115 minutes

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48190&stc=1&d=1537481849

Scaramouche isn't a foreign film, though it's set during the French Revolution. It isn't a swashbuckling matinee movie, even though it has one of the most elaborate fencing scenes ever done. It's not a comedy and not a musical, though there's humorous moments and the costumes are elaborate.

What Scaramouch is... it's a well done, sophisticated telling of a 1921 novel about nobility and revenge during the French Revolution. The film contains elements of intrigue, heroism, romance, danger and action. All the things you might find in a 'sword and costume' movie. But look deeper and you'll see strong acting, with an intelligent story and high production values.

If you've never see Stewart Granger in a film, he's excellent in his role as a man who must disguise himself from the authorities with a clown's mask, a scaramouche. His adversary Mel Ferrer, is a powerful, ruthless nobleman who takes great pleasure in sword duels, as he is undefeated. Both men give their all to their performances and studied vigorously for the fencing scenes which adds to the believablity of the duels.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48188&stc=1&d=1537481824

Elanor Parker is looking lovely in this film, but the main draw is her superb acting. Three times in her life she was nominated by the Oscars for Best Actress. In this film she plays a fiery stage performer and plays it with gusto.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48189&stc=1&d=1537481840

Equally lovely is a young Janet Leigh, who plays a ingénue in Marie Antoinette's court. She has the misfortune of being pursued by both Granger and Ferrer. This is one of her first films where she had a substantial part. Fans of Miss Leigh will not be disappointed.

The care that went into making Scaramouche shows in the decadently amazing costumes and sets...and with the beautiful technicolor print, each scene is a visual feast for the eyes.

rating_4

cricket

11-08-14, 11:39 PM

That's another I've never heard of that sounds extremely interesting.

Citizen Rules

11-08-14, 11:43 PM

I wasn't planning on writing any reviews for awhile BUT I seen it and just had to let you guys know about it.

Can I ask you (or anybody), is the font size that I used for the review hard to read?

cricket

11-08-14, 11:46 PM

It looks very good to me on my iPhone.

Citizen Rules

11-08-14, 11:50 PM

Cool, thanks bud! I'm heading out for now.:)

mark f

11-08-14, 11:59 PM

Looks good and i agree with your thoughts. Here's the longest "review" of mine I could fimd for it.
Scaramouche (George Sidney, 1952) 4 - This riproaring, romantic, action-adventure plays loose with the Rafael Sabatini novel, but it's crammed with plenty of style, wit and nonstop entertainment. Stewart Granger is terrific, whether he's romancing Eleanor Parker or Janet Leigh, trying to avoid being captured for treason or skewered by France's best, yet extremely-unlikable, swordsman (Mel Ferrer). Granger is also very funny when he hides out with an acting troupe and plays the fool Scaramouche on stage. This film, set during the reign of Marie Antoinette's France with the winds of revolution stirring, contains much swordplay, and, in many ways, is reminiscent of The Three Musketeers. The plot is extremely strong and the pace is extremely fast. The only thing which could top the beautifully-staged final duel is the actual final scene which will not be revealed here.

cricket

11-09-14, 12:04 AM

Wow that's 2 strong recs turning it into a must see.

Citizen Rules

11-09-14, 02:54 PM

Thanks for posting your review Mark. I enjoyed reading it.

I looked for other reviews here of Scaramouche but couldn't find any, so I'm glad to read that someone has seen this film.

BTW, I should 'borrow' your word skewered, I like that, very colorful verbiage.:)

I agree with you when you say: "in many ways, is reminiscent of The Three Musketeers"....I'd say Scaramouche has a much less campy-comic feel to it. It's more serious, with an intelligences to the story that is aimed at adults. Like you said, "The plot is extremely strong"...it is indeed and that's what I liked about it.

cricket

11-09-14, 07:31 PM

If Netflix doesn't screw up, I'll be watching Scaramouche next Saturday.

Citizen Rules

11-13-14, 12:18 AM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__7s9GUTM-oY/TF9xD15y94I/AAAAAAAAR1A/Sxy3GgfxIdg/s1600/cinder.JPG
Cinderella (1957)

Aired Date: March 31st 1957
Produced by: CBS

Director: Ralph Nelson
Writer: Oscar Hammerstein
Musical Numbers: Rodgers and Hammerstein

Cast:
Julie Andrews... Cinderella
Ilka Chase... Stepmother
Kaye Ballard... Stepsister Portia
Alice Ghostley... Stepsister Joy
Edie Adams... Fairy Godmother
Jon Cypher... Prince Christopher

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28632&stc=1&d=1485538340

On March 31 1957, TV broadcast history was made when 120 million people tuned into CBS to watch the Rodgers and Hammerstein made for TV musical, Cinderella. What made this production so special was it was performed live on TV and marked the first time Rodgers and Hammerstein had wrote especially for TV audiences.

The broadcast was performed live at CBS Studio 72 in New York. The highly anticipated broadcast was show in color and starred a fresh new face, Julie Andrews. At the time of the broadcast Julie Andrews was starring in one of the hottest Broadway shows, My Fair Lady.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28633&stc=1&d=1485538347
Studio rehearsals of what would be a live television broadcast.

Cinderella was well received by the audiences. However it was never shown again on TV and considered lost until a black and white kinescope recording was recently discovered.

The show itself is charming. It's the traditionally telling of Cinderella with a little jazzing up of the story. The musical numbers are as good as any by Rodgers and Hammerstein. There's 14 numbers total and 9 of those are songs with lyrics.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28631&stc=1&d=1485538334

The cast was composed of talented people, mostly stage performers. Julie Andrews is charming as Cinderella. The prince is played by then newcomer Jon Cypher. The stepmother (Ilka Chase) was wonderful in her role as was the two step sisters played with comic gusto by Alice Ghostley and Kaye Ballard.

The quality of the kinescope to DVD is better than must transfers but not high quality. The sound is mono and doesn't do the music score justice. The sets are on a relatively small set and this was performed live, so it doesn't have a polished production look. But it does have one thing, a young Julie Andrews along with a fun energetic cast and great music numbers.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28629&stc=1&d=1485538319

Cinderella and her stepmother and stepsisters. Left to Right: Alice Ghostley, Kaye Ballard, Julie Andrews, Ilka Chase.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=28630&stc=1&d=1485538327

Production Photo taken after the performance was over. Left to right: Edie Adams, Julie Andrews, Kaye Ballard.

rating_4

.

gbgoodies

11-13-14, 12:53 AM

I love the Julie Andrews version of Cinderella, but I've never been able to find a good quality copy of it anywhere. It's watchable, but I'd love to see a nice restored version released on DVD someday.

I think Julie Andrews has one of the most amazing voices ever.

Citizen Rules

11-13-14, 01:35 PM

The DVD I had was an official release made by Image Entertainment.

This is what it looks like. (and I seen other DVD covers so those might be cheaply made copies?)
http://crslatnick.com/images/72833f.jpg

cricket

11-13-14, 04:19 PM

I never heard of that Cinderella; I'll watch it for the 50's list.

Citizen Rules

11-13-14, 09:00 PM

I doubt it will make a showing on the 50s list. But how knows, maybe I will vote for it.:)

Citizen Rules

11-13-14, 09:01 PM

http://www.leisuremartini.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/The-Man-from-Earth.jpg (https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48191&stc=1&d=1537482319)

The Man from Earth (2007)

Director: Richard Schenkman
Writer: Jerome Bixby
Executive Producer: Emerson Bixby
Cast: David Lee Smith, Tony Todd, John Billingsley, Ellen Crawford, Annika Peterson, William Katt

A college professor feels it's time for him to leave his job and his life behind. He quits his position at the college and prepares to move away. His friends get together at a remote mountain cabin for a surprise goodbye party. As the evening progresses his friends begin to notice odd little things about him and question just why is it that he's leaving? Through out the evening he decides to tell an amazing story....he's actual a 14,000 year old man born during the Paleolithic stone age who doesn't age. He explains he has lived many lives and known many renowned people through out history and perhaps has shaped mankind's culture...or is he just spinning a tall tale?

The Man From Earth was written by the famous sci fi & Star Trek screen writer, Jerome Bixby. This is his last work. The film was made after his passing by his son Emerson Bixby who promised his father to be true to the story. Jerome Bixby also wrote the original Star Trek episode: Requiem for Methuselah, which has similarities to this film.

The Man From Earth is a small budget, Indie film. Shot on only one location, a remote cabin in the mountains. This is a dialogue rich, existential film about how people would treat a friend who they have learned is an immortal. A thought provoking study of human strengths and fears.

rating_4

gbgoodies

11-13-14, 09:17 PM

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/stillsx/2007/11/the-man-from-earth-movie2.jpg

The Man from Earth (2007)

Director: Richard Schenkman
Writer: Jerome Bixby
Executive Producer: Emerson Bixby

Cast: David Lee Smith, Tony Todd, John Billingsley, Ellen Crawford, Annika Peterson, William Katt

A college professor feels it's time for him to leave his job and life behind. He quits his position at the college and prepares to move away. His friends however get together for a surprise goodbye party at a remote mountain cabin. As the evening progresses his friends begin to notice odd little things about him and question just why is it that he's leaving? Through out the evening he decides to tell an amazing story....he's actual a 14,000 year old man, born during the Paleolithic stone age, who doesn't age. He explains he has lived many lives and known many renowned people through out history. And perhaps has shaped man kinds culture...or is he just spinning a tall tale?

The Man From Earth was written by the famous sci fi & Star Trek screen writer, Jerome Bixby. This is his last work. The film was made after his passing, by his son Emerson Bixby who promised his father to be true to the story. Jerome Bixby also wrote the original Star Trek episode: Requiem for Methuselah, which has similarities to this film.

The Man From Earth is a small budget, Indy film. Shot on only one location, a remote cabin in the mountains. This is a dialogue rich, existential film about how people would treat a friend who they have learned is an immortal. A thought provoking study of human strengths and fears.

rating_4

I watched The Man from Earth a while back when it was recommended to me, (probably by you), and I thought it was a great movie. It's one of those movies that you keep thinking about long after the movie is over.

BTW, "Requiem for Methuselah" is one of my favorite "Star Trek" episodes.

Citizen Rules

11-13-14, 09:30 PM

It was me;)

I think about that movie too. So simply done with a limited budget and yet powerful.

Captain Spaulding

11-13-14, 11:33 PM

I had never heard of The Man From Earth until recently when Neiba included it on his favorites list. It sounds like a very interesting movie. It's definitely on my watch list now.

Citizen Rules

11-13-14, 11:36 PM

Captain if you watch it, I will look for your post on it. There was a couple of plot developments that I didn't like, but overall it was memorable. Different that's for sure.

Citizen Rules

11-16-14, 03:29 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48217&stc=1&d=1537555212

Cherry 2000 (1987)

Director: Steve De Jarnatt
Cast: David Andrews, Pamela Gidley, Melanie Griffith

A cult classic sci fi film made in 1985 but not shown in USA until 1988. Reportedly the film was held for release to cash in on Melanie Griffith's rising fame.

It's the year 2017, the distant future...(OK it seemed distant when this was made back in 1985). Cherry 2000 was an android pleasure model, nicknamed Cherry. Cherry (Pamela Gidley) is literally one of a kind having been made before the post apocalyptic war when manufacturing standards were high.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48215&stc=1&d=1537555196

This guy Sam (David Andrews), a rich but lonely guy, had bought her and she was quite an expensive purchase too. I guess you could say he loved her. She loved him too, in an android type way. She tugs on his ear lobe and says in a sweet voice, 'I love you'. One day while getting busy on the kitchen floor she gets wet and blows out an android part (no kidding)... Sam forgot to keep her away from water and now she's broken.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48216&stc=1&d=1537555206

Sam takes Cherry to the repair shop but is told because she's such a rare model, he'll have to buy a new android instead. Sam doesn't want a new model, he wants Cherry. The problem is a replacement Cherry 2000 can only be found in a lawless waste land, called Zone 7. So off Sam goes into the post apocalyptic sunset to get a replacement. Along the way he hires a rough and tumble tracker to help him, played by Melanie Griffith.... The girl tracker has the hots for Sam but he doesn't notice her. Later after riding around in her cool Mustang and rumbling with the local warlord...Sam has to decide between getting the part to fix Cherry or choosing Melanie Griffith. Hmmm tough choice...

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48218&stc=1&d=1537555217

Cherry 2000 is a fun, cult classic film. It might sound silly but it has lots of underpinnings of an economically depressed & fragmented society and explores the difficulties of male female relationships. The mid 1980s were a great time for Hollywood post apocalyptic movies. One thing is for sure you'll never look at Pepsi the same way.

rating_4

cricket

11-16-14, 05:08 PM

I saw Cherry 2000 back in the late 80's, but I don't remember it too well.

honeykid

11-16-14, 05:13 PM

I don't remember it either. Just a feeling of disappointment.

mark f

11-16-14, 05:25 PM

It's a fun, modest movie - one of my 2.5s. :)

Captain Spaulding

11-17-14, 08:21 AM

Never heard of Cherry 2000, but it looks entertaining.

Citizen Rules

11-17-14, 01:16 PM

Captain, Cherry 2000 sort of has the same vibe as Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983).

I wonder if the Tracker character played by a red haired Melanie Griffith was stylized after a version of Molly Ringwald's character Nikki in Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone?

I grew up on 1980s sci fi, so it has a place in my heart even if it's not always perfect.

Citizen Rules

11-20-14, 03:48 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48238&stc=1&d=1537579232
Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963)

Director: David Swift
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Carol Lynley, Dean Jones, Edie Adams
Writer: Lawrence Roman, (stage play & screenplay)

Based on the successful stage play of the same name.

Jack Lemmon is Hogan a swinging bachelor and rich landlord of a swanking apartment complex. His tenants are all beautiful young women. Hogan is quite successful at romancing the ladies too...with one exception, the new tenant Robin (Carol Lynely). Robin has rented an apartment with her fiancee Dave (Dean Jones). Her plan is for them to live together without sex, to see if they are compatible. Her fiancee is not to happy about this arrangement. Hogan is infatuated with young Robin and tries to trick her into a dalliance with him. Comedy ensues.

Under the Yum Yum Tree is a hilarious comedy indicative of it's time. Women recently had started taking the birth control pill, ushering in the second sexual revolution. And Hugh Hefner had glorified the swinging bachelor lifestyle. Films like this one were ground breaking in dealing with sex outside of marriage. Jack Lemmon has his own swinging bachelor pad too that must be seen to believed...it's decked out with remote control candles and stereo violins.

Lemmon is in top form in this movie, as is Disney movie veteran Dean Jones. Carol Lynely shines as the young idealistic woman. Edie Adams is just marvelous in this, so is Paul Lynde and Imogene Coca.

rating_3_5

gbgoodies

11-20-14, 03:54 PM

Under the Yum Yum Tree is on my watchlist for the 1963 movies, and it sounds like my kind of movie. I'm a fan of both Jack Lemmon and Dean Jones, so I'm really looking forward to this movie. :)

Citizen Rules

11-20-14, 04:01 PM

Hey GBG, thanks for telling me about this movie! If it wasn't for this site and your suggestion I might never have seen it. It's pretty darn funny too. I hadn't seen much of Dean Jones but he's really good at comedy. I had just seen Edie Adams in the Cinderella 1957. She's just way funny in this. I have to see more of Edie's work. I just found out she had a TV series.

This is from IMDB trivia:

"In order to help his friend Edie Adams out financially, after the sudden death of her husband ('Ernie Kovacs') left her debt-ridden, star/co-producer Jack Lemmon not only insisted upon hiring her for this film, but further insisted that her part be expanded considerably from the original stage play to give her more work."

christine

11-20-14, 04:02 PM

http://www.beyondhollywood.com/stillsx/2007/11/the-man-from-earth-movie2.jpg

The Man from Earth (2007)

Director: Richard Schenkman
Writer: Jerome Bixby
Executive Producer: Emerson Bixby

Cast: David Lee Smith, Tony Todd, John Billingsley, Ellen Crawford, Annika Peterson, William Katt

A college professor feels it's time for him to leave his job and life behind. He quits his position at the college and prepares to move away. His friends however get together for a surprise goodbye party at a remote mountain cabin. As the evening progresses his friends begin to notice odd little things about him and question just why is it that he's leaving? Through out the evening he decides to tell an amazing story....he's actual a 14,000 year old man, born during the Paleolithic stone age, who doesn't age. He explains he has lived many lives and known many renowned people through out history. And perhaps has shaped man kinds culture...or is he just spinning a tall tale?

The Man From Earth was written by the famous sci fi & Star Trek screen writer, Jerome Bixby. This is his last work. The film was made after his passing, by his son Emerson Bixby who promised his father to be true to the story. Jerome Bixby also wrote the original Star Trek episode: Requiem for Methuselah, which has similarities to this film.

The Man From Earth is a small budget, Indy film. Shot on only one location, a remote cabin in the mountains. This is a dialogue rich, existential film about how people would treat a friend who they have learned is an immortal. A thought provoking study of human strengths and fears.

rating_4

I haven't seen that, sounds really interesting. Jerome Bixby wrote my most favourite SF short story - It's a Good Life.

Citizen Rules

11-20-14, 04:16 PM

Christine, I had to look up It's a Good Life...but now I remember it...
http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090818063230/twilightzone/images/8/87/It%27s_A_Good_Life.JPG

That was the most down right terrifying episode of the original Twilight Zone series. No wonder they redid that story in The Twilight Zone movie.

If you watch The Man From Earth, please post your thoughts on my thread. Even if you hate it, that's OK, I just really want to know what other people's impression is of the movie.

gbgoodies

11-23-14, 04:27 PM

http://www.lewiswaynegallery.com/entertainment/20778.jpg
https://anotherfilmblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/yum4.jpg

Under the Yum Yum Tree (1963)

Director: David Swift
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Carol Lynley, Dean Jones, Edie Adams
Writer: Lawrence Roman, (stage play & screenplay)

Based on the successful stage play of the same name.

Jack Lemmon is Hogan a swinging bachelor and rich landlord of a swanking apartment complex. His tenants are all beautiful young women. Hogan is quite successful at romancing the ladies too, with one exception, the new tenant Robin (Carol Lynely). Robin has rented an apartment with her fiancee Dave (Dean Jones). Her plan is for them to live together without sex, to see if they are compatible. Her fiancee is not to happy about this arrangement. Hogan is infatuated with young Robin and trys to trick her into a dalliance with him. Comedy ensues.

Under the Yum Yum Tree is a hilarious comedy indicative of it's time. Women recently had started taking the birth control pill, ushering in the second sexual revolution. And Hugh Hefner had glorified the swinging bachelor lifestyle. Films like this one were ground breaking in dealing with sex outside of marriage. Jack Lemmon has his own swinging bachelor pad too...decked out with remote control candles and stereo violins.

Lemmon is at top form in this movie, as is Disney movie veteran Dean Jones. Carol Lynely shines as the young idealistic women. Edie Adams is just marvelous in this. So is Paul Lynde and Imogene Coca.

rating_3_5

I watched Under the Yum Yum Tree a couple of days ago, but I haven't had time to post about it yet.

It was a cute movie, but not as good as I had hoped. It's certainly not the best for either Jack Lemmon or Dean Jones. The acting was great, but there were some big name stars who seemed to be wasted in the movie, like Paul Lynde, Imogene Coca, Robert Lansing, and there was even a small cameo by Bill Bixby.

It had some laughs, but no real big ROTFLMBO laughs. It's worth watching, but it's not likely to make my top ten list for 1963, (however, Jack Lemmon's Irma la Douce has a good chance).

3

Maybe it just paled in comparison to the other movie that I watched that night, The Thrill of It All starring James Garner and Doris Day, which had me ROTFLMBO.

Citizen Rules

11-23-14, 04:47 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48240&stc=1&d=1537579407

Solaris (1972)

Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
Writers: Stanislaw Lem...novel. Fridrikh Gorenshteyn...screenplay.
Cast: Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banionis, Jüri Järvet
Length: 2 hours 46 minutes
Language: Russian, English sub titles.

A Russian psychologist is reluctantly sent to a USSR space station that orbits a planet of a distant star. His mission is to find out what caused the former crew of the space station to go insane. On the space station he encounters elements from his own past that might be connected to an alien intelligence...Citizen Rules

Solaris is an intriguing, psychological sci fi drama. It's worth watching...but be forewarned it's long with slow paced scenes. The slow pacing is intentional, it sets a reflective, pensive mood that starts with the opening shots and stays through to the end. Don't expect sci-fi gadgetry or action, Solaris is not that kind of film.

The film starts off with a beautifully filmed sequence in the Russian country side, the cinematography is breathtaking. The actor who played Berton the pilot was skilled at conveying a sense of uneasiness over what he had witnessed years ago in the Solaris ocean. This part riveted me.

Then there's a long car ride scene down a freeway into the city. The director was given permission to leave the Soviet Union to film at the Worlds Fair in Japan but missed the fair by days. Most likely the freeway scene is in the film to justify the expense of his trip to the Soviet film board.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48241&stc=1&d=1537579413

The actor who played Kris Kelvin was stoic, as were most of the male actors in the film. However that might accurately reflect Soviet society in the early 1970s. I liked the actress who played Hari. Her character's vulnerability and neediness as a 'created copy' of a woman who had committed suicide 10 years earlier was the best part of the film. She brought dimension into her character.

Hari is fragile, even pitiful...she's utterly dependent on Kris. She doesn't own herself or her emotions. At first her existences is defined by a childlike dependence on Kris.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48239&stc=1&d=1537579399

The scene on the station where Kris leaves Hari in the room by herself and she panics at the separation, forcing herself through an aluminum door, horribly gashing her arms, was one of the films most powerful moments.

I won't reveal the ending, I will say it's done in a poetic, metaphysical style.

rating_4_5

gbgoodies

11-23-14, 05:04 PM

I haven't seen the 1972 version of Solaris, but I love the remake with George Clooney. I've tried to watch the 1972 version a few times, but I haven't been able to sit through the whole movie for some reason.

I've heard a lot of great reviews of the 1972 version, so I'll have to keep trying. I think it will be worth it.

Citizen Rules

11-23-14, 05:09 PM

gbgoodies

11-23-14, 05:21 PM

GBG, You'll probably remember that I seen the George Clooney version first and I really like it too. Except for the ending which we talked about before.

The 1972 version REALLY requires the viewer's full attention. To get the most out of the film one needs to watch it twice. I've only seen it once. I need to rewatch it.

Yeah, I remember that discussion a while back. I watched the George Clooney version based on your recommendation. I'm still working on watching the 1972 version.

Citizen Rules

11-23-14, 06:19 PM

gbgoodies

11-23-14, 06:38 PM

:) I'm glad someone watches some of my recommendations.

I seen you mention John Cusack on another thread. I just seen him in an older Disney film. The Journey of Natty Gann (1985) Have you seen that? My wife really liked it, so did I.

Yes, I've seen The Journey of Natty Gann. It's not my favorite John Cusack movie, but it's a good movie.

I think he's great in just about any movie he's in, but I like his romantic comedies best. My favorite movie of his is probably Serendipity (2001), and I also think he did a great job in the animated movie Anastasia (1997).

cricket

11-23-14, 07:17 PM

Solaris is a fascinating high quality movie, but slow, long Sci-Fi is a tough watch for me.

I watched Scaramouche last night and gave it 3.5 It reminded me of The Adventures of Robin Hood, but the cast lacked the charisma of Hood's, especially from Errol Flynn. I also thought some of the settings looked subpar. Still, a very entertaining romantic adventure that was surprisingly funny. I really liked the 2 female leads.

honeykid

11-23-14, 07:42 PM

I've not seen the original, but I recently (this year) saw the remake which, sadly, I thought was meh at best. It had its moments in terms of cinematography but mainly I just sat there. I think it's something I'd really have to be in the mood for and that's a mood I'm in less and less often.

Citizen Rules

11-23-14, 09:41 PM

I watched Scaramouche last night and gave it rating_3_5 It reminded me of The Adventures of Robin Hood, but the cast lacked the charisma of Hood's, especially from Errol Flynn. I also thought some of the settings looked subpar. Still, a very entertaining romantic adventure that was surprisingly funny. I really liked the 2 female leads. Cricket thanks for posting that, it's good to hear somebody else thoughts on it. Nobody tops Errol Flynn for charisma, maybe Cary Grant but in a different way. I liked the 2 female leads too:)

I've not seen the original, but I recently (this year) saw the remake which, sadly, I thought was meh at best. It had its moments in terms of cinematography but mainly I just sat there. I think it's something I'd really have to be in the mood for and that's a mood I'm in less and less often. Like Cricket said the original Solaris is long and slow paced. There was a cut of it that was almost an hour shorter. That cut might have more impact, depending on what was edited. Generally I don't like directors cuts.

Citizen Rules

11-24-14, 12:44 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48242&stc=1&d=1537580069
Naked Lunch (1991)

Director: David Cronenberg
Writers: William S. Burroughs (novel), David Cronenberg
Cast: Peter Weller, Judy Davis, Ian Holm

A bug exterminator in the 1950s becomes addicted to his bug spray, he hallucinates and has a wild adventure as a secret agent writing a report on alien-bug activity at a mysterious port in Africa.

If the subject matter wasn't so dark, this would be a fun kids movie, like Mars Attacks!...but instead we get a story that is ridiculously wacky with cheesy looking aliens-bugs. I wanted to shut this off in the first half hour but I hoped it would get better, it never did. The notion of a poor, bug exterminator getting hooked on his bug spray and using it like a narcotic with hallucinations, could have been a clever, fresh idea. But thanks to an overly wacky script written by David Cronenberg, we get a story that waste the talents of Peter Weller by going way over the top to zaniness.

I actually did like the scenes of Weller's talking alien-bug typewriter. That was the best part of the film as the typewriter serves as a narrator and Weller's subconscious too, giving him a chance to interact with himself. Had the script backed off a bit from the extreme hallucination scenes, it might have worked. There's an adage, 'less is more'. This is more, much more.

The sets look great and are fascinating to see. They really give an illusion of a different reality. The art direction uses a rich pallet of warm colors, it's eye popping and that fits the mood of the film.

Even the direction is excellent with one biting exception....the director choice to use close ups of the alien-bug, holding the shots for a long time so that the viewer can easily see the alien is just a cheesy prop. Less would have been more here too.

If you want to see a film of this style by Cronenberg that actually works, watch Videodrome.

Naked Lunch, (the movie, not the novel) reminds me of something Hunter S Thompson might have done, only he would have done it up right. I'm giving high marks to Peter Weller who's always great in his films. And to the sets, art direction, editing, scoring and even directing.

rating_2

cricket

11-24-14, 11:23 PM

I've almost watched Naked Lunch a few times because of the director, but always decided that I probably wouldn't like it. I won't consider it again.

Citizen Rules

11-24-14, 11:36 PM

You know funny thing, I was just bored and was updating my MoFo list and I seen Naked Lunch was #79 on the
Movie Forums: Top 100 of the 1990s. So somebody liked it.

cricket

11-25-14, 09:24 PM

Well if it's on the 90's list I will watch it at some point.

Citizen Rules

11-25-14, 09:59 PM

It took me a while to find the actual thread but here's a link to Naked Launch in the Top 90s Countdown. It looks like you guys had fun with that countdown. It was before my time.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=32480&page=67

Citizen Rules

11-30-14, 01:13 PM

Mystery Train (1989)

Director: Jim Jarmusch
Writer:Jim Jarmusch

Mystery Train is a small indie film set in a run down area of Memphis, Tennessee. Director & Writer, Jim Jarmuschshows us a slice of life by telling three separate stories of foreign travelers to Memphis. The events take place over a 24 hour period with all three stories having a commonality: the seedy Memphis Hotel.

Shot on location, the viewer is treated to a rarely seen side of the forgotten back streets of Memphis. The cinematography is semi documentary style with some amazing footage of urban decay. In one impressive shot there's a vacant lot on a desolate street...in the distance is the gleaming skyscrapers of downtown Memphis.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48255&stc=1&d=1537640865

Segment: Far From Yokohama
Cast: Masatoshi Nagase, Yûki Kudô

This was my favorite segment. A young Japanese couple who are obsessed with Elvis and 1950s music, travel by train to Memphis on a pilgrimage to see Graceland. The script is fresh and we see American culture though their young eyes. The girl is very animated and bubbly, she's enamored with Elvis. In sharp contrast is her stoic boyfriend, who's quiet and jaded and just to cool to care. They speak in Japanese so there's English subtitles for most of this segment. Their story gives the viewer insight into how the teen couple far from Japan views the Memphis landscape and the locals there. I rate this segment 5/5

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48257&stc=1&d=1537640881Segment: A Ghost
Cast: Nicoletta Braschi, Elizabeth Bracco

An Italian woman traveling in Memphis has to contend with schemers and tales of Elvis's ghost. Finally she encounters a ditzy, talkative woman who has just broken up with her British boyfriend and is in need of a hotel room, but has now money. This was my lest favorite of the three, still it's interesting. I rate this segment 3.5/5

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48254&stc=1&d=1537640838Segment: Lost In Space
Cast: Joe Strummer, Rick Aviles, Steve Buscemi

Joe Strummer of the band The Clash is a Brit working in Memphis. He's got a temper and gets mad when people call him Elvis. Which they do all the time, thanks to his hair style. His girlfriend from the second segment has left him and he ends up drunk in a bar and packing a gun. Things go from bad to worse for him and his friends. I rate this segment 4/5

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48256&stc=1&d=1537640871Memphis Hotel
Cast: Screamin'Jay Hawkins, Cinqué Lee

Not actually a segment but the glue that holds the other segments together. We never really learn much about these two men who work the front desk at the Memphis Hotel. Their characters are intriguing and we see that they have a back story but we never found out what it is exactly.

Mystery Train is an undiscovered gem. The director & writer Jim Jarmusch deserves praise for making such and interestingly fresh film that's a treat to watch.

rating_4_5

Citizen Rules

11-30-14, 07:54 PM

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=23945&stc=1&d=1454025798

V for Vendetta (2005)

Director: James McTeigue
Cast: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves

A masked anarchist has a plan to bring down the tyrannical British government of the future. Based on a graphic novel written by Alan Moore.

I found V for Vendetta's message to be both disturbing and compelling...and that message is too dangerous to discuss here. I'm surprised the producer had the guts to use such strong subject matter in a film. It just goes to show that with a good presentation anyone can come along for the ride and cheer when the lever is pulled.

V for Vendetta is like many Sci-Fi action movies in that it has a duality to its story. During the fight sequences it has a comic book type feel, this works well with the action elements. But V for Vendetta dares to be different than your average comic book screen flick. The scenes where Evey (Natalie Portman) is imprisoned were somber and sobering...and yet uplifting in the message of overcoming one's innate fear of death. Powerful stuff!

V for Vendetta is done in a highly stylized, almost operatic style. The artistry is a thing of beauty and the production values are high. The cinematography, the music score, the sets and the acting are all first rate. It's strongest strengths are a blazing script alive with intelligent dialogue and laced with metaphoric phrases and stellar performances by Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman.

rating_4_5

cricket

11-30-14, 08:05 PM

I've only seen one Jarmusch film so far(Dead Man), and I didn't like it at all. I still want to try more of his movies, and Mystery Train sounds like a good place to start.

V for Vendetta is an excellent movie.

Citizen Rules

11-30-14, 08:31 PM

Mystery Train is far more accessible with a straight story, than Dead Man which is artsy-ecliptic. So you might like Mystery Train. I'm wanting to watch other Jarmusch films too. When I do I'll probable do a review.

gbgoodies

11-30-14, 09:13 PM

I saw Dead Man and I thought it was a pretty good movie, but I wouldn't consider it one of my favorite movies. I rarely choose a movie by the director anyway, unless it's a director that I already know that I like most of their movies, like Steven Spielberg, Frank Capra or Billy Wilder.

I kind of feel the same way about V for Vendetta. I liked it, but I wouldn't consider it a favorite movie of mine. However I'm more likely to go back and re-watch V for Vendetta than Dead Man.

Citizen Rules

11-30-14, 09:36 PM

A LOT of MoFos choose a movie based on the director. I don't usually do that as I prefer to choose based on subject matter. But Dead Man was interesting enough that I wanted to see more from Jarmusch.

If you take a look at your manage list and look at Roger Ebert's Great Movies list, Mystery Train is on there. Which doesn't mean everyone will like it. But if you watch you can cross it off the list, like I just did:)

Cobpyth

11-30-14, 09:57 PM

Mystery Train is my favorite Jarmusch film. It's one of those films that I just randomly think about from time to time. I'm glad you noticed my review of the film and felt some of the same things I felt when watching this extraordinary film. :)

Citizen Rules

11-30-14, 10:07 PM

Hey Cob, you know I really wish Jarmusch had made 2 films out of the script. I liked to have seen a full length movie on just the Japanese couple. And then the rest of the material left in Mystery Train with the hotel clerks role expanded.

I didn't mention this in my review but my favorite moment was when the Japanese couple were at the train station and an older man ask for a light for his cigar. Which they do.....He then says Arigatou...and the girl gets really excited saying 'he's speaking Japanese'...Then she says a bunch of stuff in Japanese to the man. Of course he doesn't have a clue as to what she's saying. I love that scene.

Citizen Rules

12-03-14, 10:03 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48258&stc=1&d=1537641305

If....(1968)

Director: Lindsay Anderson
Writer: David Sherwin
Cast: Malcolm McDowell, David Wood, Richard Warwick
Production and Shooting: England UK

Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell), "There's no such thing as a wrong war. Violence and revolution are the only pure acts."

If you liked Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange, you might like If....

If....is a rather notorious British film that earned an X rating when it was first released in the UK for it's subject matter of anarchy aimed squarely at the British class system. This was the first movie in the UK to have full frontal nudity in it, which didn't help win over more conservative taste. Reportedly a British ambassador once called the movie, "an insult to the nation".

And a member of the British Parliament after reading an earlier script of the movie called it, "the most evil and perverted script I've ever read. It must never see the light of day."

Malcolm McDowell is an impish rogue...a rebellious student, fighting the long established British class system in his school. He spends his time drinking, smoking, chasing girls and talking about revolution. His schoolmaster calls him a 'degenerate'.

Note: the ending might be disturbing to some due to recent news events. It's not graphic but is shocking in some ways. The nudity is a brief shot of an actress, pretty tame by today's standards but no doubt shocking in 1968.

I liked this film but the ending made me uncomfortable. I have no proof of this but this film might be the very start of the Punk movement and working class rejection of the British class system. John Lydon would approve of If....

rating_3_5

cricket

12-03-14, 10:13 PM

I'm not sure if I'll like If, but it's got me very curious. I'm looking forward to watching it in the next couple months.

I watched one of your recommendations-The Hired Hand

I just posted my thoughts on it here-

http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1213920#post1213920

gbgoodies

12-03-14, 10:16 PM

I like Malcolm McDowell in other movies, but I may be the only person here who hates the movie A Clockwork Orange.

cricket

12-03-14, 10:21 PM

There's a few people here who hate A Clockwork Orange. I'm not one of them.

Citizen Rules

12-03-14, 10:29 PM

I liked A Clockwork Orange when I was young. I guess it appealed to my idea of being rebellious as someone in their early 20s might think. I suggested one day in a college critical thinking class that we watch the movie. So we did. I never heard so many groans from my fellow students, especially the girls. I'm surprised they didn't run me out on a rail.

Now that I'm much older I'm not sure how I feel about the film. I haven't watched it in years as I know my wife will hate it.

Citizen Rules

12-03-14, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the link to the Hired Hand post. I'm glad someone watched it!

honeykid

12-04-14, 10:09 AM

If.. is a great film. Anyone who thinks that Clockwork is teen rebellion should watch If... Of course, McDowell still looks a little too old for the role, but nothing like as old as he does in Clockwork.

Also, Blow Up is the first film in the UK to have full frontal nudity.

Citizen Rules

12-04-14, 02:30 PM

From IMDB trivia on IF....

"Features the first instance of a full-frontal female nude passed by the British Board of Film Classification. Previously there had been instances of flashes of nakedness - notably in Michelangelo Antonioni's Blow-Up (1966) - but "If..." had a prolonged shot of featured nudity."

christine

12-04-14, 03:15 PM

I like If much more than Clockwork Orange

honeykid

12-04-14, 05:01 PM

Citizen Rules

12-07-14, 02:33 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48260&stc=1&d=1537641519

Cleopatra (1963)

Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Length: 248 minutes
Film Process: 70mm Todd-AO

Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison
Martin Landau, Hume Cronyn, Roddy McDowall

A few years ago I watched The Ten Commandments and was duly impressed. Then I set out to watch other epic historical movies from the 1950-60s. One that I watched was Cleopatra. I found it lacking in action and nothing like The Ten Commandments...The other night I watched Cleopatra again. This time I was impressed. Yes, it's 4 hours long and yes there's not much action or heroic adventure.

What Cleopatra offers is an exploration of the personal dreams and aspirations of it's three main characters: Caesar, Anthony and Cleopatra. The film was originally planned to be 6 hours and shown in two different movies: Caesar and Cleopatra to be followed by Antony and Cleopatra, each film would be 3 hours in length. Cleopatra might have been a master piece had the original two movie plan been done. With the removal of almost 2 hours of film, the details of the characters lives and motivations is partially lost. Still it's a moving story told in a subtle Shakespearean style.

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Right at first the film drew me in with the scene of Caesar landing in Alexandra. In a way, Rex Harrison with his nasally voice and cerebral 'know it all' attitude seemed like an odd choice for the powerful Caesar. However he's a fine actor and added a dimension that I didn't expect. His Caesar was portrayed full of melancholy and angst over his aging life and missed opportunities. It was Cleopatra's belief in him that gave him a new strength of will. Her dreams became his, this was her power.

Elizabeth Taylor added depth to the legendary Queen. She was royal and yet human and of course stunningly beautiful in her 65 different costumes. Her most fabulous costume being the 24-carat gold cloth regally dress with cape and head piece, shown in the photo above.

In the second part of the film, Mark Anthony (Richard Burton) comes to Egypt. Like Caesar before him, he needs the wealth of Egypt to back his personal campaigns in his bid to seize control of the Roman Empire. On screen, like off screen, Taylor and Burton had a tremulous relationship. At first Anthony will have nothing to do with the Queen, even though he secretly loves her. His pride is far too strong to bend a leg to her and that's what she demands, his bowing...on his knees and in his will. Like Caesar before, Cleopatra beguiles Anthony and embarks him on a perilous plan for control of Rome.

The film plays out like a classic Greek tragedy with shades of a Shakespearean drama.The beauty is in the love triangle and the diction of noble spoken words.

Some people seem to dislike this film. But I find the epic telling of unbridled love and what it can do, compelling. If you watch this don't forget to appreciate the sets. Most of the Egyptian sets and especially Roman sets were actually built for the movie, they are huge. This film looks great.

I'm rating Cleopatra against other historical epics of the time period.

rating_4

cricket

12-07-14, 06:08 PM

I saw Cleopatra but I was so young that I don't remember it very well. I was interested in watching it again, but I skipped it for the time being since I could watch two 1963 movies instead. Your review and rating makes it sound promising.

seanc

12-07-14, 06:14 PM

I am looking forward to Cleopatra, I will definitely get to it as part of my 60's viewing. I just have to set aside the time. Probably some Saturday when nothing is going on.

Citizen Rules

12-07-14, 07:25 PM

Cricket and Sean, there are at least two versions of Cleopatra that very in length.

3 hr 12 min (192 min) This is the older cut of the film.
4 hr 8 min (248 min) (roadshow) This is what I seen and is the most complete to date.

5 hr 20 min (320 min) (director's cut) As far as I know this one doesn't actually exist?

People say Cleopatra was a flop but according to what I read it was one of the highest grossing films of the 1960s and was sold out for months after it first opened. Audiences seemed to loved it, but it was panned by the critics. My guess is the bad publicity surrounding the film due in part to cost overruns and production problems and the highly publicized affair of Taylor and Burton who were both married to other people at the time, left a bad taste in some mouths.

gbgoodies

12-07-14, 09:23 PM

I watched Cleopatra a few days ago, but I don't think I reviewed it here because I'm not really a fan of epic movies, and I didn't want to give it a bad review that it probably doesn't deserve.

Unfortunately for me, I found it long and boring. The story is okay, but there are better ways for me to spend four hours. Like Cricket said, I probably should have skipped this movie and watched two other 1963 movies instead, but I wanted to give it a chance because I've heard so much about it over the years, and it has a great cast.

Citizen Rules

12-07-14, 09:52 PM

GBG, I've learned from my time at MoFo that people really have varied taste, so I can understand what you're saying. Before watching Cleopartra I had a dim view of it. I actually told my wife, 'be prepared it's going to be long and boring.'

But I think because I was focused on the film and in the mood to watch a 4 hour epic, I seen something in it that I hadn't before. I liked it so much that I was looking for the directors cut, all 6 hours. But it looks like I will have to settle for the Blu Ray.

Citizen Rules

12-11-14, 11:48 AM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48261&stc=1&d=1537641792

Sunshine (2007)

Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: Alex Garland
Cinematography: Alwin H. Küchler
Production and Shooting: UK

Cast: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Mark Strong, Cliff Curtis, Benedict Wong, Hiroyuki Sanada, Troy Garity

Earth 2057, a cosmic 'Q ball' has become lodged in the center of the Sun causing the Sun to cool and dim. As a result life on Earth will perish as the Sun loses it's heat. After the first ship is mysteriously lost, a second ship the Icarus II is launched. Its crew is sent on a hopelessly dangerous mission to detonate a huge nuclear bomb in the Sun's core, with the hope of dissipating the Q ball. This is the last chance to save Earth.

Sunshine presents a fascinating idea that maybe there's something spiritual within sunlight. The scene in the sun observation room where a crew member opens the huge observation window thus blasting himself with intense sunlight, were intense. Sunshine has a subtle, metaphysical idea that within the deadly sunshine is a hidden truth. It's a truth so worth knowing that a person would risk their life by staring into the blasting sunshine, just to get a glimpse of that truth.

Sunshine has an R rating for violence and there's a sub plot twist which involves some graphic horror like scenes, though that's not what the film is about and it's a small part of the film in the third act. I'll rate the decision to include the horror elements a 0. But the rest of the film is amazing.

Sunshine has a great look to it, good pacing and interesting premise. I liked the characters. Their interactions and personal conflicts makes the movie as does the mystery contained within sunshine.

rating_4

cricket

12-11-14, 09:00 PM

I've heard a lot of good things about Sunshine, but there's not much Sci-Fi I like.

Citizen Rules

12-11-14, 09:06 PM

One thing I didn't mention in my review as I thought no one would care....In the beginning of the movie they use what's called a 'screen wipe' to transition to another scene. I thought that was really neat as it's an old technique from the 1930s, though it was used even before that. I bet it was done to pay homage to the old Flash Gordon serial movies, they used the swipe a lot too. But so did other film makers.

seanc

12-11-14, 09:15 PM

I really need to see Sunshine.

Citizen Rules

12-20-14, 04:38 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48262&stc=1&d=1537642225The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963)

Director:Vincente Minnelli
Cast: Glenn Ford, Ron Howard, Shirley Jones, Stella Stevens,Dina Merrill
Production Studio: MGM

A fun and sometimes bitterly terse movie about a recent widower Tom Corbett (Glenn Ford) and his young son Eddie (Ron Howard). As the father returns to his job and life after becoming a widower, his son Eddie, thinks it's time for dad to remarry.

Glenn Ford plays the father with a lot of pent up anger. It's quite different than the TV version with Bill Bixby. I'm not sure if the producers wanted that type of character, perhaps that's just the way Ford played it.

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Across the hall lives a pretty young woman who has been a friend to the Corbett family since little Eddie was born. Elizabeth (Shirley Jones) is sweet, kind and cares deeply for both Tom and little Eddie.

But dad is too blind to see it...Or perhaps as Elizabeth was his wife's best friend he doesn't want to see it. In a couple of scenes he's particular cynical towards her, accusing her of climbing over Eddie to get to him. If ever a man needed a reality check it's Tom.

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First potential mommy that Eddie spots is Dolly (Stella Stevens). He likes her red hair and thinks she's pretty...smart kid. He wants Dolly to live with them, but dads not so sure, so he pawns her off on his friend (Jerry Van Dyke).

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48263&stc=1&d=1537642235

Dad then spots a rich fashionable lady, Rita (Dina Merrill) and falls for her. She's not the mother type and little Eddie will have no part of it. He pouts and runs away from camp, scuttling Dad's plans for happiness.

With a little help from the housekeeper, the pretty lady from across the hall is back in the picture.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48266&stc=1&d=1537642264

The story line is sometimes uneven. We don't really see what motives Glenn Ford to be so nasty towards Shirley Jones, but we can guess the reason. It's like a few scenes are missing. At 118 minutes, perhaps the producers decided the movie was long enough.

One high note of the film is director Vincente Minnelli. As with most Minnelli films the art direction is stunning. Vincente in his earlier years had worked as a costume, set designer and art director. The color pallets he uses and the care in matching everything from wall color to the women's coordinated dresses...to the smallest details, is sublime.

The Courtship of Eddie's Father has a lot to offer, just don't expect to see the gentle father-son TV show relationship in this movie.

rating_3_5

gbgoodies

12-21-14, 01:05 AM

I agree 100% about The Courtship of Eddie's Father. I loved the TV series, and the movie was pretty good, but Bill Bixby was much more likable as Eddie's father, Tom, than Glenn Ford.

cricket

12-21-14, 02:03 AM

I liked the show, and I'd like to try the movie at some point.

matt72582

12-21-14, 12:05 PM

A Clockwork Orange was my favorite film when I was 17, and it didn't have much to do with youth rebellion at all. It's not my favorite film because I've seen maybe 500-100 since then.

I loved the idea of social behavior.. What caused Alex to be bad, and people in general? And if this can be reversed, either through medicine, or by coniditioning?

It had a "What goes around, comes around" theme as Alex revisits some his victims. Even his old droogs became policemen, and the truth that many violent people enter the life of authority - military, police, security, etc..

Citizen Rules

12-23-14, 11:46 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48267&stc=1&d=1537643080

Max Schmeling (2010) Released in the USA as Fist of the Reich

Director: Uwe Boll
Writer:Timo Berndt
Cast: Henry Maske, Heino Ferch, Susanne Wuest
Country: Germany, Crotia

An interesting story based on the famous World Champion German boxer, Max Schmeling who had the guts to defy the Nazis. He remained loyal to his Jewish boxing promoter and risked helping his Jewish friends during the Kristallnacht.

He rose to fame after he gained the World Boxing title by a default decision that was not popular with boxing fans. Later he knocked out the undefeated black American boxer, Joe Lewis. Both men remained friends through out their lives and Max financially supported Joe Lewis who had fell on hard times in later years.

As a result of constantly defying the Nazi's wishes, Max was sent into combat into the German front lines, out of sight and out of mind with the hope he wouldn't come back.

The movie is produced in Germany. The version I seen had dubbed English which wasn't done well. Dubbing languages almost never gives the same aura as the original performance.

The film fails to deliver any kind of real story about Max and it lacks emotional connection. We mainly see lots of boxing scenes. Too bad, as Max Schmeling was a true hero who deserves a better film.

rating_2_5

cricket

12-24-14, 03:14 PM

From what I've read, Uwe Boll seems to be about the most despised director out there. I have no desire to see this movie, although he did direct one of my favorites(Rampage).

Citizen Rules

12-24-14, 03:33 PM

Cricket what you said is pretty much what most reviewers said about the director and this film. It almost seems like an exploitation film...it's a great story and an interesting one....but told with the least skill possible. I wouldn't recommend the film to anyone. I only found this film by accident at my library. But at least I know more about Max Schmeling.

Citizen Rules

12-24-14, 05:42 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48268&stc=1&d=1537643290

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Frank Capra, additional: Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett
Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore,Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers

Synopsis: George Bailey is a hard working, good hearted young man who dreams of escaping the dull drums of small town life. But his dreams of college and world travel unravel before his eyes as his sense of responsibility to family and fellow man wins out, keeping him stuck at the family loan business. After his final let down, his will is broken and he stands poised to end it all on a snowy bridge at Christmas time. Along comes a fumbling but well meaning angel, who steps in to show George the importance George's life had on the people who cared about him.

Review: What more can be said about this truly great classic by Frank Capra. It's a Wonderful Life was Capra's personal favorite. He purchased the shelved project from the RKO studio, along with three previous attempts at a movie script. He then took the best elements from those scripts and wrote his own final script, giving it that magic Capra touch.

Frank Capra can pack more profound human emotions in one scene then many directors can do in an entire film. It's a Wonderful Life is nearly seamless in the the way each scene is a complete mini story that effortlessly flows into the next scene. Capra knows how to reveal the human soul and his films are alive with the richness of humanity.

The casting is sublime. James Stewart, freshly returned from his duties as a WWII bomber pilot was ready to make another film with Capra. He's the quintessential average guy and one heck of an actor. Donna Reed was a fresh faced contract player at MGM studio. Donna gives a small town, girl next door charm to her role. And good old Lionel Barrymore is the perfect 'Scrooge' as in the very scrooge like Mr. Potter. The entire cast is amazing at filling in the little nuances that make the town of Bedford Falls seem so real.

Some hardened movie fans won't give a serious look at this film. Viewing it as plain-vanilla as it has run countless times on TV, becoming a main stay of the Holiday seasons. But regardless of how commonly shown the film is, or how many times one has seen it, It's a Wonderful Life remains a remarkable film.

rating_5

seanc

12-24-14, 05:48 PM

I haven't watched It's A Wonderful Life yet this year. Hopefully I will get to remedy that in the next two nights. Amazing movie. Good review Citizen.

Citizen Rules

12-24-14, 05:52 PM

Thanks Sean, I had more spelling errors than you can shake a stick at it. I just fixed them after you read it. So take another look at it, as it reads a tad bit different.

christine

12-24-14, 05:56 PM

It's a Wonderful Life - what a film. It's perfect in my eyes :)

Citizen Rules

12-24-14, 06:01 PM

Christine, I watched it last night. That was the first time I had watched it with a critical eye, with the idea of reviewing it. I really looked hard at the performances, the cinematography, the structure of the story, the dialogue, etc. Capra knew what he was doing! I don't see one thing that could be done differently.

The Gunslinger45

12-24-14, 08:27 PM

To me, It's a Wonderful Life is the best movie ever made. Excellent review.

Citizen Rules

12-24-14, 08:35 PM

Gunslinger thanks... After I posted my review I did a search at MoFo to see if anybody else had reviewed it...Surprise, somebody had done a very thoughtful review that I enjoyed reading. I can tell the film had a big impact on you.

One of my favorite scenes is where George and his dad are at the dinner table discussing George's college plans and George tells his dad, he thinks he's pretty wonderful. That was so well done and rich in emotion.

Gunslinger's review
http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1056280#post1056280

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 07:07 PM

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=23946&stc=1&d=1454027963
John Loves Mary (1949)

Director: David Butler
Cast: Ronald Reagan, Jack Carson, Wayne Morris, Patricia Neal
Production Studio: Warner Bros.
Script writers: Henry Ephron, Phoebe Ephron
Play writer: Norman Krasna
Black & White 96 Minutes

A whimsical farce comedy based on the successful Broadway play. It's Ronald Regan and he's made a big boo-boo. To help his best friend (Jack Carson) Regan marries his buddy's British girlfriend, so that she can come to America as a war bride. The plan is he gets a quick divorce and then his buddy gets to marry the girl. One problem, Reagan's fiance played by Patricia Neal, she suspects something is up.

John Loves Mary is an obscure post WWII film. It plays out like His Girl Friday only Ronald Regan and Patricia Neal aren't as zany as Grant and Russell. John and Mary are more of a down to earth couple. The screwball comedy bits are left in the capable hands of Jack Carson and Wayne Morris, both are funny.

This is Patricia Neal's first movie role, she's good here too. A fun movie to watch and as usual Ronald Regan is likable on screen.
rating_3

.

Swan

12-28-14, 07:09 PM

I know like none of these movies, Citizen. You should review an artsy foreign film or a horror movie just so I can rep you.

F*ck it! I'll rep ya anyway.

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 07:11 PM

Hi Swan! That was funny! I'll keep trying and maybe get a film you like.:)

gbgoodies

12-28-14, 07:20 PM

I've seen a few of Ronald Reagan's movies, but I haven't seen John Loves Mary. It sounds like my kind of movie, so I'll probably check this one out.

Just out of curiosity, do you know if the scriptwriters, Henry Ephron and Phoebe Ephron, are related to Nora Ephron?

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 07:44 PM

I've like Regan in all of his movies. I don't know if the Ephron's are related? I assumed Henry and Phoebe were a husband wife team.

I forgot to say in my review that, I busted out laughing when the opening screen credits roled. If you watch it you might see what I mean.

gbgoodies

12-28-14, 08:00 PM

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 08:05 PM

gbgoodies

12-28-14, 08:16 PM

Who's Nora Ephron? I never heard of her.

I should have mentioned Edward Arnold in my review. He's pretty funny as a U.S. Senator and father to Mary. He keeps trying to help with marriage plans between John and Mary, which gets John to dig himself deeper and deeper in a hole.

Nora Ephron wrote some of my favorite rom-com movies:

When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
You've Got Mail (1998)
Julie & Julia (2009)

And even Bewitched (2005). I know that most people hated this, but I liked it, even though it starred Will Ferrell, (who I hate).

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 08:27 PM

Wow, that's a pretty impressive list. I liked Bewitched too. I really like Julie & Julia. The other ones have been years since I seen.

I got my Sony BluRay player for Christmas, but damn! I hooked it up and then it stopped working.

gbgoodies

12-28-14, 08:30 PM

I got my Sony BluRay player for Christmas, but damn! I hooked it up and then it stopped working.

That sucks. Do you know what happened? Is it a defective DVD player, or a bad hookup?

Did you try a few different discs to make sure that it's not just a bad disc?

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 08:51 PM

gbgoodies

12-28-14, 08:58 PM

Man! Sony shipped the player just in it's product box, not in a shipping box. I've got it to work but can't control the volume or any of the TV controls by it's remote. I'm reading the big online manual right now at Sony. Did I mention I hate reading manuals:mad:

Keep your fingers crossed.

You usually have to set the remote to work with your TV controls, including volume, unless it's a Sony TV. There's usually a code that you have to look up in the manual, and input it into the remote.

I usually don't bother. I just keep all the remote controls next to me on the desk.

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 09:13 PM

gbgoodies

12-28-14, 09:20 PM

Ahh, your too smart!:) Yup that was it. In the manual that shipped with it, which I read cover to cover, there was no mention of setting up the remote. I had to go online to find that info. As always thanks!

P.S. I'm thinking my New Years MoFo resolution is to do a quickie review of each film that I watch the night before. I'll see how long I can keep that up and just maybe I'll even review one Swan will like;)

I'm glad to hear that you figured it out. Have fun with your new Blu-Ray player.

I tried rating each movie the next day, and it was working for a while until I got too busy to do it. I was going to try to catch up on my ratings for the 1964 movies that I haven't rated yet, but I counted them, and there are 14 movies from 1964 that I didn't have time to rate, so I decided to just pass. I'll try to keep up when we start the 1965 list.

Citizen Rules

12-28-14, 09:42 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48269&stc=1&d=1537644447
Third Finger, Left Hand (1940)

Director: Robert Z. Leonard
Writer: Lionel Houser
Cast: Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas
Production Studio: MGM
Black & White 96 minutes

A likeable screwball comedy from 1940. The film revolves around the humorous problems that arise from a fake marriage. Myrna Loy is quite good as Margot, the smart brunette who heads up a magazine editing department. Her problem is the bosses wife who's jealous of pretty unmarried women in the office. So to keep from being fired, Margot invents a fictions marriage to a man that no one has ever seen. All is well until she crosses path with Melvyn Douglas who plays a practical joke on her...he announces to her family that he's the long missing husband. The couple go to great lengths to hide the true nature of their marriage.

Myrna Loy is exceptional in this role. She has a unique blend of intelligence and sass that works well in this type of movie. Melvyn Douglas was a real surprise for me. I've seen him in a few movies but never in such a naturalistic comic role. He has a subtle comic style that pairs well with Myrna Loy. There's a lot of funny scenes in this movie, I really enjoyed it.

rating_3_5

Citizen Rules

12-29-14, 11:59 PM

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=48270&stc=1&d=1537644947

Rollerball (1975)

Director: Norman Jewison
Writer: William Harrison (screenplay)
Cast: James Caan, John Houseman, Maud Adams
Length: 125 minutes

Synopsis: In the future governments have been replaced by omni-powerful corporations. War and poverty have been eliminated and so has personal freedom. Humans have every luxury they desire but their lives are controlled by the corporations. One man, Jonathan E, a star rollerball athlete refuses to accept the status qua when he's told the corporation wants him to retire from the game.

Rollerball sounds pretty interesting, but it's not. It's merely a dressed up exploitation film with a cool premise...sadly it has no guts and nothing to say.

Besides some futuristic looking buildings which were shot in Germany, the film mainly revolves around the circular rollerball track. It's like a glorified version of the old TV roller derby with some mumbo jumbo jargon about evil corporations thrown in to try and make the film seem deep.

Rollerball borrows heavily from classic sci-fi. The classical music score and the uncooperative, talking super computer is very reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey. And the plot idea that women are assigned to houses like furniture, comes straight out of Soylent Green. There's little that's original about Rollerball and even less of a story or character development. We never learn what motivates Johnathan E. We never dive into the underpinning of this futuristic society.

James Caan mumbles his way through the film. His character barely seems to have any emotions at all, and not much of a brain either. Maybe he's been bopped in the head one too many times!...Or more to the point the movie lacks anything reminiscent of a good script, so Caan has nothing to say.

Rollerball is a product, like cotton candy on a hot summers eve...it leaves one with an empty feeling.

rating_2

honeykid

12-30-14, 11:56 AM

Johnathon E doesn't have a point. He's there to play the game. The game is there to prove that the individual is worthless.

The corperations are worried because Johnathon is 'beating the game'. Johnathon doesn't understand this or even think it, he's just doing what he does. They try to buy him off and give him a golden handshake, proclaiming him King, while making sure he leaves, He doesn't do this and they keep changing the game to defeat him, both mentally and physically. They make the last game a death match and he survives and shows mercy to his opponents and scores the goal. Which is his goal. To win. He's the individua and the individual won. He's the hero and everyone recognises it and the corporations are scared.

Needless to say, I love this film. :D Top 100 and a childhood favourite. Shame you didn't like it, though.