What Is The Last Film You Watched? (Older Films)

[A24 4,331]

 

Loved it! It's almost Tarantino atypically making a movie, not a stage play (driven solely on his dialogue). And it's his best movie since Jackie Brown. 8/10

 

 

 

[Brundlefly 2,385]

17 hours ago, Alexcremers said:

True. Oliver Stone isn't the most subtle director around. He's a maker of statements, not suggestions.

Well said.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Quantum of Solace

 

 

Caught this one on telly last night and I was happy to see it was on. I haven't seen it in a while and it was a good watch, as I've always found it to be. I know a lot of people don't like this one and there's at least one guy who's been arguing it's the closest Bond has ever been to Fleming's novels. I just enjoy it for what it is. A nice little revenge flick that is reminiscent of the Timothy Dalton Bonds.

 

It isn't as "epic" as Casino Royale or Skyfall but it isn't supposed to be. The story is very intimate. Bond is just trying to find answers and closure by any means necessary, including brutal kills against orders. He's rather washed up in this one and his sidekick is an expectedly attractive and sympathetic babe also out for revenge. I like the guy who plays Green, perfectly cast as a Bond villain and seemingly a smaller scale one, but part of a larger entity as it would turn out.

 

Craig is mostly humorless as always (he only laughs when he's being tortured in these movies) and while I miss the more fun Bonds, I've always maintained that they're all good regardless of the tone as long as they're entertaining. I buy 007 overindulging himself with booze and killing guys for no reason. There is a pretty badass climactic David Arnold score with a memorable guitar motif, some neat action scenes (He looks incredibly badass when he falls down the scaffolding like in Jurassic Park and shoots that guy near the start of the flick) that have also been widely criticized for the shakey camera and fun supporting characters like the redhead babe and the crooked CIA guy now famous for Stranger Things.

 

It's a solid 007 flick and honestly one of my favorites.

[The Illustrious Jerry 3,356]

Caught a few flicks the last couple of weeks:

 

Sully (2016)

My initial impression was a definetly a little off. Yes, it is on the slower side, but Eastwood's layout of the story is kind of refreshing and certainly gives me a different sense of the pacing on second viewing. It's not a handicap- it does a lot for the film. Hanks is subtly superb and Eckhart supports just fine. I noticed the investigative team are really put in an antagonistic position, but whether that was for the sake of having easily-defined character roles or a reflection of the true story is not known to me. 4 / 5

 

Pale Rider (1985)

Sorry to say that this one rubbed me the wrong way. Eastwood's character was kind of confusing to me, and the "lone man comes to help villagers from plundering villains" trope didn't appeal to me in this instance. Some kooky fight scenes too. I felt shortchanged in a sense, as I really enjoy most of Eastwood's other westerns as a director and actor. 1.5 / 5

 

 

All Is Lost (2013)

A stoic Robert Redford gets tossed and turned by Mother Nature in every which way, battling everything from sharks to torrents in this one man survival show. Visceral. 3.5 / 5

 

United 93 (2006)

Greengrass' handheld is at its most apt, masterfully capturing the chaos, confusion and terror of all of 9/11, with Flight 93 as the focus. Genuinely terrifying and impactful. The continuous control room chatter, phone calls, radar screens, and shaky camera add reality to everything, almost appearing as a docudrama in sections because of, well, how real it is. 5 / 5

 

All the Presidents Men (1976)

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. Watergate. Journalism in the 70s. Had a good time watching this. 5 / 5

 

Also took in:

Fruitvale Station (2013) 3 / 5

The Post (2017) 4.5 / 5

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) 5 / 5

Anna Karenina (2012) 3.5 / 5

Patriots Day (2016) 2.5 / 5

[Nick Parker 3,040]

6 minutes ago, The Illustrious Jerry said:

Sorry to say that this one rubbed me the wrong way. Eastwood's character was kind of confusing to me, and the "lone man comes to help villagers from plundering villains" trope didn't appeal to me in this instance. Some kooky fight scenes too. I felt shortchanged in a sense, as I really enjoy most of Eastwood's other westerns as a director and actor. 1.5 / 5

 

I remember really liking this movie as a 13 year old! I don't remember much about it now, but I remember loving the cinematography and the implied history between Eastwood's character and the main antagonist, shown in scenes like the climax where Eastwood shoots him the same way he was shot.

[A24 4,331]

 

On the one hand, As Astra wants to be a science fiction movie with a realistic vibe, but most of what you see feels like it could only happen in a Metal Hurlant magazine. Worst of all, due to the story, the whole movie feels incredibly pointless. 3/10

[bollemanneke 3,343]

Iron man 3.

 

What a pleasant rediscovery. I seemed to remember this movie as the least interesting entry in the Iron Man series, but tonight I really liked it. I might even say it’s the best of the three. Robert Downey Jr. is absolutely amazing and the same could be said about Ben Kingsley. Nothing else left to say. I’ll try to watch Spider-Man, Far From Home as soon as I can.

The score didn’t make much of an impression on me at first either, but I now have to admit it really works in the movie. The main theme is gorgeous, but completely unnecessary as Djawadi already wrote one for Iron Man. They should have used this one from the start or for another superhero in the franchise.

 

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

Bit of an underrated entry that one.

[A24 4,331]

It is what it is, Drax.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

10 hours ago, bollemanneke said:

The main theme is gorgeous, but completely unnecessary as Djawadi already wrote one for Iron Man.

 

Its a lot better than the one Djawadi wrote for Iron Man though.

 

Gets a nice cameo in Age Of Ultron too!

[bollemanneke 3,343]

Agreed, but I hate it when they change character themes for no reason at all.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Don't go to the MCU for thematic consistency, Bolleke.

[Chen G. 3,949]

Actually, just don't go to the MCU.

[Sweeping Strings 2,357]

Heh, and on that note -

Captain America : Civil War - this rewatch cemented my belief that Winter Soldier is the best of the Cap flicks. Think what 'lessens' this for me is that there are so many of the other heroes in it, it kinda comes across as an Avengers movie where a couple of them refused to appear/weren't available.  

[bollemanneke 3,343]

Yes. But then again, Rogers was never exciting enough to get his own movie for me.

[A24 4,331]

13 minutes ago, bollemanneke said:

Yes. But then again, Rogers was never exciting enough to get his own movie for me.

 

Nevertheless, Winter Soldier usually gets cited as one of the best Marvel pics. 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

1 hour ago, Chen G. said:

Actually, just don't go to the MCU.

 

For easily digestible popcorn entertainment? Why not?

 

12 minutes ago, Alexcremers said:

 

Nevertheless, Winter Soldier usually gets cited as one of the best Marvel picks. 

 

Because it is.

[A24 4,331]

I don't understand why Jay hasn't fixed the multiple quote issue yet. The second quote in your post is glued to the comment above it. I always need to edit it.

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

8 minutes ago, Stefancos said:

 

For easily digestible popcorn entertainment? Why not?

.

 

It's not about TE Lawrence. 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Exactly! It's just a bit of fun!

9 minutes ago, Alexcremers said:

I don't understand why Jay hasn't fixed the multiple quote issue yet. The second quote in your post is glued to the comment above it. I always need to edit it.

Yes!

[bollemanneke 3,343]

3 hours ago, Stefancos said:

 

For easily digestible popcorn entertainment? Why not?

 

 

Because it is.

The only thing that really made it good for me was that Black Widow finally got a bigger role. I was never able to get emotionally invested in Cap.

[SteveMc 2,674]

You Only Live Twice

Sean Connery's bond masquerading as  Japanese?  Did he really need to get "married"?  There's a lot of nonsense in this one.  And some flaws like Connery appearing kind of bored, the plot being very improbable, Blofeld being underwhelming, but, you know what?  This movie is fun.  Great score and fantastic cinematography help things.  Not the best Bond, but at least it knows how to Bond.

3/4

 

Live And Let Die

First half or so is underwhelming, feeling a bit too much like a period TV show.  But things liven up towards the end.  Moore was still finding his way as Bond here.  He seems too much like a less saintly Simon Templar.  But there are flashes of the suave that would characterize his take on the character.  

The plot is rather grounded, with a surprisingly well-rounded and definitely well-acted villain (though his demise leaves a lot to be desired).  The ending is a little off-beat.

Best things about this one are the title song (best in the franchise) and the excellent boat chase set piece. 

3/4 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

 

I bet James Gunn wasn't restricted in any way.

It feels like not a single joke was edited out, and there are many musical set pieces. Its all a bit much and slow though.

 

Its also a film that starts to hit you over the head with its theme. Which is family. Every character in this film gets a family arc.

 

[bollemanneke 3,343]

The golden compass.

 

The only thing I thought I remembered about this movie is that Helena Bonham Carter was in it and I still think Nicole Kidman sounds a bit like her here. It’s also really stupid how quickly Lyra first trusts everyone. Oh no, not another prophecy, please! So childish and derivative, but I somehow don’t want to turn it off yet. Still, it’s definitely too fast-paced, superficial and illogical. Even Ian McKellen can’t save it. Why does Lyra keep addressing him with both names? The movie asks loads of questions it never answers, but it’s no surprise the sequel never came. I want more Nicole Kidman! That is all!

Some parts of the score sounded promising, but somehow I had expected more from Desplat. This sounds more like Danny Elfman.

 

[Sweeping Strings 2,357]

Given that the recent BBC adaptation of 'Northern Lights' was 8 hour-long episodes and the Golden Compass movie comes in at slightly under 2 hours, I can only assume the movie leaves a lot out.   

[publicist 4,643]

14 hours ago, bollemanneke said:

The golden compass.

Some parts of the score sounded promising, but somehow I had expected more from Desplat. This sounds more like Danny Elfman.

 

[A24 4,331]

19 hours ago, Stefancos said:

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

 

 

Your first time?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

No, i have seen it before.

 

Its not a very good film.

[Jay 37,352]

I liked it more than the first one!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Really? For an anarchic comic book film all the family stuff became awfully cloying. Also it works several jokes to death! (Taserface) the pacing is very slow. The big planet blows up and there's still a half hour left!

 

I think no one restrained Gunn in any way on this one.

[A24 4,331]

Just now, Stefancos said:

Its not a very good film.

 

I know. 

[Brundlefly 2,385]

Allied - Zemeckis' directing style became more mature within the last two decades, but Silvestri's music is ad gooey and childish as ever.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Titanic. Still magnificent. 

[Quintus 5,399]

Still a bit of a drag waiting for them to hit the iceberg though.

[Holko 9,525]

It draws me in 100% every single time. When the first foreshadowings of the iceberg come (with the crow's nest I think) I'm always almost surprised, like "oh yeah, all that is stil coming! Awesome!"

[Chen G. 3,949]

12 minutes ago, Quintus said:

Still a bit of a drag waiting for them to hit the iceberg though.

 

Its a wonderful exercise in suspense: we know the ship is gonna sink, either because we know of Titanic or simply because the framework device hits you over the head with it. The characters on the ship, however, do not.

 

As long as the film is, I love that James Cameron takes his sweet time. Scenes like the Titanic setting out to sea are wonderfully drawn out, letting us drink-in the visuals and soak up the excitement of a high-seas adventure. You can just tell it was directed by an editor.

 

Alltogether wonderful.

[Quintus 5,399]

I enjoyed the long first half for the first viewing or so, but subsequent watches ever since have dragged in parts. There's still some enjoyable scenes early on though.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,516]

The shot of Titanic casting a shadow over the tiny yacht, as it leaves Soton, is still my favourite in the film.

 

 

Correction: second favourite 

[SteveMc 2,674]

The Rock (1996)

An excellent action movie indeed.  Always entertains me in its over-the-top way.  It walks that very thin line between believability and absurdity with aplomb.  It invites you on a fun ride, and you know its a ride, but you enjoy it all the same. Pity Bay never ascended these heights again (the trolley launch was a sign of everything wrong to come).  

 Nicholas Cage is Nicholas Cage, can't be helped, but Sean Connery is Sean Connery and he really elevates things here.  A pleasure to watch him indeed.

3.5/4

 

Never Say Never Again (1983)

This is the slightly better of the two Bond movies from '83.  Leaves a bit to be desired, but the characters and performances are quite good, Connery is more engaged in the role since Thunderball, and Kerschner's direction has some flair to it, with the Rivera sequence especially standing out.  I like the Q here, too.

Cons include the score, the kind of lackluster climax, and the unavoidable fact that this is just a remake of Thunderball after all.

3/4
 

 

 

 

[Unlucky Bastard 7,782]

City Slickers

 

Such a strange movie that's way more tonally inconsistent than I was expecting. It's marketed as a comedy, and sure it has comedic elements, but it's more like an earnest Western in its last reel. I liked it.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

10 hours ago, Quintus said:

I enjoyed the long first half for the first viewing or so, but subsequent watches ever since have dragged in parts. There's still some enjoyable scenes early on though.

 

It definitely has a bizarre sort of romcom (?) vibe at some point in the pre-iceberg scenes. The post suicide attempt scenes are gloriously awkward with some hammy questionable acting and dialogue, but it just adds to the charm. Once the shit hits the fan, however, you really get the sense for the first time since the wreck exploration and the ship operational scenes that Cameron is making exactly the movie he wanted to make. I do love the romance stuff, but it's fairly ordinary and Cameron feels a bit out of his element there.

 

But I guess that was the point. Ordinary people in an extraordinary circumstance.

[Jay 37,352]

Just read on Wikipedia that the producers of Never Say Never Again originally wanted James Horner to score the film.  How awesome would that have been?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Just now, Jay said:

Just read on Wikipedia that the producers of Never Say Never Again originally wanted James Horner to score the film.  How awesome would that have been?

 

Yes!

[Sweeping Strings 2,357]

Even if the existing score had been allowed to include the Bond theme, it would've been an improvement. And as for that song ... only thing from the 'official' Bonds that beats it in terms of insipidness is Serra's 'Experience Of Love' from the Goldeneye end credits.  

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

2 minutes ago, Sweeping Strings said:

Even if the existing score had been allowed to include the Bond theme, it would've been an improvement. And as for that song ... only thing from the 'official' Bonds that beats it in terms of insipidness is Serra's 'Experience Of Love' from the Goldeneye end credits.  

 

Its great!

 

 

[Sweeping Strings 2,357]

In terms of the Serra song ... we've just had Bond back for the first time in 6 years in a flick that proves 007 can still cut it in the PC, post-Cold War Nineties. He even walks off carrying his leading lady at the end ... what we SHOULD get is something triumphal, instead of a drippily-crooning French dude.   

[Naïve Old Fart 9,516]

5 hours ago, Sweeping Strings said:

...we've just had Bond back for the first time in 6 years...

6 1/2 years, Sweep.

Yeah, the title song to NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN isn't very good, but is it worse than the other Bond song, from '83?

The problem with NSNA the film, is that no-one takes it seriously...and it shows. They even recycle jokes from '70s British sitcoms, for cryin' out loud. Don't believe me? Watch PORRIDGE. 

As for THE EXPERIENCE OF LOVE; granted, it isn't the showstopper that the brilliant, and brilliantly sung, SURRENDER is, but it gets the job done. Seeing as they wrote the title song, perhaps Bono and the lads could have adapted the chorus of I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR, to fit the lines "You're a sexist, misogynist dinosaur"? Try it: it fits 

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Connery was a great Bond but does anyone else prefer him as Indiana Jones' father?

[A24 4,331]

Is there any difference?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

34 minutes ago, Alexcremers said:

Is there any difference?

 

You don't think so?