What is the Last Film You Watched? - Part II

[Morlock 11]

Exactly, which is why I have not given up on Spielberg yet. While he might mess up, it's not irrevocably so. I always feel like there's hope for him yet.

[Ollie 1,059]

The Outlaw Josey Wales - an old favorite of mine. A typical Eastwood western, not alot of talking as he takes his revenge on those who wronged him. Some of the night scenes are a little too dark but overall I love the way the film was shot.

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou - I enjoyed this film, not sure if it's really a comedy although there are many humerous sequences. Love the stop-motion animation for most of the wildlife, especially underwater. Bill Murray delivers a very good performance and the rest of the cast rounds out the film nicely.

[Red 75]

Exactly, which is why I have not given up on Spielberg yet. While he might mess up, it's not irrevocably so. I always feel like there's hope for him yet.

There is always hope for Spielberg. Why? Because he makes good films, and has continued to do so.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Casino Royale. Great in the cinema, great on DVD!

[robthehand 3]

Yes, it is, isn't it?.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Daniel Craig's performance is the most convident first time Bond since Dr. No.

I did spot a nit though.

The code ELLIPSIS that is text to the people involved in the Miami International bombing. It turns out the letters corresponds to the number code for a door at the airport. When see see the code pad it has both numbers and letters on it, just like any mobile phone. Why would a door lock like that need letters?

[robthehand 3]

Hmm, I never noticed that...

My biggest problem (and even this is a relatively small one) is: why did Bond kill Dryden? Wouldn't a traitor be more valuable to MI6 alive?

BTW, did you listen to the DTS track? If so, how is it?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Perhaps they got all the info they needed from him while survailing him. At some point a double agent is gonna buy it.

I have no problems with that at all.

If this was any other franchise film I'd have questions about Bond having a defibrillator in his car......

[robthehand 3]

If this was any other franchise film I'd have questions about Bond having a defibrillator in his car......

Compared to a car that sprouts wings, or turns into a submarine, that would seem perfectly believable.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Also an Aston Martin DBS cannot flip over like it does in the film, it's center of gravity is far too low.

As for the DTS tracks, it's very good.

Punchy and loud during the action scenes, but never overbearing, and nice and clear during the gambling scenes. The music is mixed very well.

[crocodile 8,017]

Mixed well in those scenes or in general? Because African Rundown (or whatever the title of this track was) could have been a bit more upfront in the mix, I thought (when I saw it in the theater back in November).

Karol

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

I didn't mind that. After all, when there's a bulldozer thundering through a concrete foundation, it's not too unlikely the music is going to be drowned out a bit by the sound effects.

- Marc, getting the Dutch DVD as soon as it comes out.

[crocodile 8,017]

But it would have more energy to this sequence. Oh sorry, even more energy.

Karol

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You say that as a film score enthusiast. We are often a bit to bias towards the score over sound effects.

Casino Royale found a nice balance between the 2 overall.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

I agree. As much as I like hearing that theme, it would have been just too much to have it blazing out of the speakers while concrete flies across the screen. Yet it isn't buried down too far, and most of the score is quite nicely audible. Good mix, and I look forward to giving my system a workout with it.

- Marc, who bought a nifty Casino Royale poster last week - first new purchased poster in several years.

[Morlock 11]

Exactly, which is why I have not given up on Spielberg yet. While he might mess up, it's not irrevocably so. I always feel like there's hope for him yet.

There is always hope for Spielberg. Why? Because he makes good films, and has continued to do so.

Yes, but there is an increasingly alarming amount of crap in the films he's making.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

Exactly, which is why I have not given up on Spielberg yet. While he might mess up, it's not irrevocably so. I always feel like there's hope for him yet.

There is always hope for Spielberg. Why? Because he makes good films, and has continued to do so.

Yes, but there is an increasingly alarming amount of crap in the films he's making.

There has always been a quite amount of crap in his films but the amount of astonishing stuff

is luckily still winning...

[Morlock 11]

No, there hasn't always been a lot of crap. Only recently has the crap become so bad that it makes you think twice about the film. I was just watching The Last Crusade again. That is a brilliant movie, perfect entertainment from begining to end.

[Romão 2,274]

I agree with you, Morlock, on The Last Crusade. The pace is also fantastic.

[Red 75]

Most people would. 'Cept for Joe, but you know, thats just how he is.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Week 10!

55. Clerks. (1994)

Kevin Smith's feature debut is an almost surprisingly fun film. Not a whole lot happens (although there's a nice arc for Dante), and the acting isn't always up to snuff. But the dialogue is great. One of those films to watch with your geeky friends.

56. The X-Files (1998)

Watching this film, you hardly feel like you've missed out if you haven't seen the show. Sure, there's several things that would probably make a bit more sense if you had, but it's still an entertaining thriller if you haven't. It probably wouldn't hold up as a film on its own if it didn't have the name and legacy of the show attached to it, but it does make good use of the fact that it has. Not a film I'd go around recommending, but a decent watch nonetheless.

[A24 4,337]

1)Those kids sure are fabulous in that film.

2)Spielberg's changes for the anniversary edition are just wellcome: I'm so delighted for once to see

a film without any guns!

1) They sure are!

2) I'm must agree with the Morlock: YOU GOT TO BE JOKING!!!

[

There has always been a quite amount of crap in his films but the amount of astonishing stuff

is luckily still winning...

No Crap in Jaws, mister!

12 Angry Men: A little too preachy and moralistic for my taste but the message it conveys is important. (no Stefancos, this wasn't a premiere, I've seen the movie three times)

Alex

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

12 Angry Men: A little too preachy and moralistic for my taste but the message it conveys is important.

Did you see the original or the William Friedkin remake?

(no Stefancos, this wasn't a premiere, I've seen the movie three times)

Who's Stefancos?

No Crap in Jaws, mister!

When he's right, he's right!

[A24 4,337]

12 Angry Men: A little too preachy and moralistic for my taste but the message it conveys is important.

Did you see the original or the William Friedkin remake?

I'm talking, of course, about the Lumet version. Heck, I wasn't aware of any remake. I did think, during the movie, that this film beggs for a remake.

Alex

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

The remake is rather good, and it has some dam fine actors. Though It's strange seeing Armin Mueller-Stahl and Tony Danza in one film.

[Morlock 11]

No Crap in Jaws, mister!

No crap indeed. Just saw it again recently. Revisiting it is really like seeing an old friend.

12 Angry Men: A little too preachy and moralistic for my taste but the message it conveys is important. (no Stefancos, this wasn't a premiere, I've seen the movie three times)

While I do agree that the Henry Fonda character is a bit too moralistic, Fonda himself brings so much of that as an icon (whether justified or not, I don't knwo the man's history). But he just exudes dignity and morality. And upon watching the film recently, I noticed something which I didn't before. Juror number 8 is probably the most uninteresting character in the room. He voted innocent because it is in his character to do so. The other 11 each voted guilty for their own reason. I find it fascinating that the two staunchest 'guilty' supporters did it for totally and entirely different reasons. Marshall did it out of pure, cold intellect, while Cobb did it out of hot-headed emotion.

The remake is good, but I felt it was entirely unnecessary. It is following not only the same story, but the same exact script as the original film. And try as it may, the cinematography is ordinary, where as Boris kaufman's work on the original was really terrific. It's only real value is in the interesting all-star cast, and how they compare to the original film (or if indeed one thinks of the original film's actor). Lemmon was not particularly impressive (not bad, but not especially good), but George C. Scott, Armin Muehller-Stall, Hume Cronyn and Edward J. Olmos were very interesting and effective. But Fonda, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, Martin Balsam, Robert Webber and Ed Begly remain unmatched as far as I'm concerned. So it's a 6-5 win for the original cast wise, and a slam dunk every other wise.

I saw two consecutive Scorsese pics.

New York, New York. First time I've seen it. Easily my least favorite Scorsese film to date. I didn't like it at all. It's got an odd, clunky, and ineffective narrative. The music is not very good. Aside from a couple of nice numbers, the only good music is the title song.

I liked seeing DeNiro doing a slightely cheerier role than usual for the period. Although he's got a dominant ugly side, the breezy attitude in the begining of the film was the first time in a long time I've seen a performance from DeNiro that I haven't seen before. But the narrative doesn't allow understanding of his character. And then there's Liza Minelli. I don't know why she was so popular. Not only did I not like her for most of the film, I think her eyes are terrifying. Those huge eyes look like a doll's eyes to me, and her disproportionate face doesn't help matter. I don't like her singing, and the only bits of performance I liked out of her were also in the begining, when we could still understand why she was accepting DeNiro's behaviour.

In general, I guess I was am not familiar enough with the genre of 40's and 50's MGM musicals to appreciate what was done here -I've only seen three- Gigi, An American in Paris and Singin' in the Rain. Although it's enough to know that the big disconnected sequence, obviously inspired by the similar sequence in Singin' in the Rain doesn't work nearly as well.

And I personally was not terribley impressed by the sets and cinematography.

Again, my least favorite Scorsese film to date. **/****.

After this, I've got 3 more Scorsese feature films left to watch- Kundun, Cape Fear and The Kings of Comedy, plus 3 that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ, Mean Streets, and Bringing out The Dead).

Raging Bull. I'd seen this once before, but didn't get it then. Saw it again, I think got most of it, I'll need one more viewing down the line to get a clear image of the film. As it is, the film is powerful and impressive depiction of this boxer who's life is a fight in and out of the ring. His real life is so painful, that it comes as a shock that the gritty, unglamorous boxing scenes are actually a relief from all the fighting in the rest of his life. I must say, the film is at times a bit too Catholic-guilt themed for my tastes. But it is still a very powerful portrait of a man, and LaMotta reciting the Brando speech from On The Waterfront is quite a poignant ending to the film.

Everything that can be said about DeNiro's performance has been said already. While on the one hand I was awed by his performance and his dedication, I must say that on the other very small, but still evident hand, in all the scenes where he is especially heavy, I found myself far too aware of how hard DeNiro worked and that he actually gained the weight, ect. I guess it was unavoidable, but I was often aware that I was watching and overweight and dedicated DeNiro playing LaMotta, and not LaMotta.

Look is great, cinematography by Chapman is terrific, as most Scorsese films can boat (the previous film not withstanding).

***1/2/****.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

No Crap in Jaws, mister!

You're right.

My mistake

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You now have less credibility then Morlock!

[Red 75]

After this, I've got 3 more Scorsese feature films left to watch- Kundun, Cape Fear and The Kings of Comedy, plus 3 that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ, Mean Streets, and Bringing out The Dead).

I firmly believe that The King of Comedy is Scorsese's most underrated.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Well you are still young......

I'd give Cape Fear my vote.

[Morlock 11]

You now have less credibility then Morlock!

What a crazy modern age we live in!

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ)

But that is...his best.. movie.

Who's Stefancos?

Isn't he that lovely fellow from neverland who stopped posting(or changed name) after reaching

22 Billion post count...

[Red 75]

Stefancos never existed. It was just a myth.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Stefancos no longer serves any function!

[Morlock 11]

that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ)

But that is...his best.. movie.

The films that I saw once and didn't get are films that I concede I have no place discussing or stating opinion on until I see them again and get them. I do not think it is one of the best nor one of the worst, simply because I havent' yet formed an opinion of it.

Who's Stefancos?

Isn't he that lovely fellow from neverland who stop posting(or changed name) after reaching

22 Billion post count...

STEFAN COSMAN is many things, but lovely he is not. And the rest of the post does not make sense (gramatically speaking).

Morlock- an expert at not making sense (gramatically speaking)

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

Gramatic is not my strongest field.But spelling is.

Grammatic

[Morlock 11]

Spelling is not my strongest field.But homicide is.

Homicide

Morlock-

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Ray Barnsbury - who literally did just that

[A24 4,337]

that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ)

But that is...his best.. movie.

No, that's Raging Bull, something you and Morlock once will discover. It's one of the true artworks in film history, the one that will last forever, and his latest work is pure commercial drivel compared to it.

12 Angry Men: A little too preachy and moralistic for my taste but the message it conveys is important. (no Stefancos, this wasn't a premiere, I've seen the movie three times)

While I do agree that the Henry Fonda character is a bit too moralistic, Fonda himself brings so much of that as an icon (whether justified or not, I don't knwo the man's history). But he just exudes dignity and morality.

You should see him in Once Upon A Time In The West. An icon he sure is but there he doesn't exudes morality so much (wink). BTW, you're right about the incredible photography of Boris Kaufman.

Alex

[Morlock 11]

Ray Barnsbury - who literally did just that

I aims to please.

No, that's Raging Bull, something you and Morlock once will discover. It's one of the true artworks in film history, the one that will last forever, and his latest work is pure commercial drivel compared to it.

It is one of the true artworks, yes. And I appreciate and think very highly of it as such. But, frankly, while Scorsese made an amazing portrait. But I don't believe any more in conforming to the public opinion that just because a film is loved, concidered a classic, and is as good as it can be, that makes it the best. I wonder if you'll be able to say anything you loved about the film that I would disagree with. I just don't think the concept yields as much greatness as you. I thought long and hard on the film after seeing it (I saw it a week ago, and have been reading, thinking, and talking about it ever since), and that's the rating I came up with. Of course, then again, that rating means absolutely nothing. I thought for a week about the film (and still going). I can often contemplate even mediocre films for a couple of days, but the film certainly does make a deep, deep, deep, impression.

I personally don't think Scorsese has a clear best. I've got about 4-5 favorites. And while I will admit that his latest work might not be among his best (might), I am excited to no end by his current output. It may not be the best that Scorsese can be, but it is the best the material can be.

You should see him in Once Upon A Time In The West. An icon he sure is but a there he doesn't exudes morality so much (wink).

I have of course seen that excellent film. And sure, Fonda plays one of the meanest SOBs I've seen. But that is a famously notable exception. A credit to Fonda that people could buy him in that role.

Man of the Year. Not at all bad. I was expecting something mediocre, but it was really quite entertaining (in a modest way, but still). Lewis Black and especially Walken gave the movie the extra zing that kept it afloat. And is anyone else sick of Laura Linney?

Score by Graeme Revell is atypical (good) and not very noticable (even better).

**1/2/****.

Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Like Jaws, another film that feel like visiting with old friends. Certainly lags at times, and may (I stress-may) be missing a bit of substance....but the film is so much fun, and Redford and Newman are so lovable, it's flaws are easily forgiven. It's a moot point to quote the film, as everyone knows the good ones (of which there are many), but one can understand why this is (along with Princess Bride) Bill Goldman's favorite film based on a script he wrote.

Oscar winning cinematography is stunning, by the late great Conrad Hall.

The music is probably the oddest thing about the film. Burt Bachrach wrote 12 minutes of music for the film. There are precisely three score cues, in addition to 'Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head' (which feels out of place yet so right at the sane tine). Two of the three cues are negligable, IMO- the one for the travel to NY and then to Bolivia, and the circus cue used for Newman's bike riding. The third, however, is one of my favorite cues ever. The one for the return to the life of crime in Bolivia. A wonderful vocal piece I can't get enough of. Inspired scoring. Still, I don't see how he got an oscar for this. Less music in it than Brokeback Mountain. But that is the nitiest picking of all.

Marvelous entertainment. ***1/2/****.

[robthehand 3]

that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ)

But that is...his best.. movie.

No, that's Raging Bull

My vote goes to Taxi Driver.

[A24 4,337]

I don't believe any more in conforming to the public opinion that just because a film is loved, concidered a classic, and is as good as it can be, that makes it the best.

Nobody was talking about public opinion, Morlock. Frankly, if we were to bring in the opinion of the public, Raging Bull would probably be very low on the list. I take offence at your inclination that I merely conform to the public opinion. Now, if you would change "public" into "critics", we would have a totally different story .

My vote goes to Taxi Driver.

A close second.

[robthehand 3]

Yesterday I watched The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.

Very good and exciting thriller, with strong performances all round. Interesting (but short) score by David Shire. Robert Shaw is typically memorable. Such a shame he died so young.

[AI 0]

After this, I've got 3 more Scorsese feature films left to watch- Kundun, Cape Fear and The Kings of Comedy, plus 3 that I saw once and didn't get at all (The Last Temptation of The Christ, Mean Streets, and Bringing out The Dead).

I firmly believe that The King of Comedy is Scorsese's most underrated.

Put me under the sticker of those who think The King of Comedy is one of Scorseses best. I love that film.

[Morlock 11]

I don't believe any more in conforming to the public opinion that just because a film is loved, concidered a classic, and is as good as it can be, that makes it the best.

Nobody was talking about public opinion, Morlock. Frankly, if we were to bring in the opinion of the public, Raging Bull would probably be very low on the list. I take offence at your inclination that I merely conform to the public opinion. Now, if you would change "public" into "critics", we would have a totally different story .

Of course, I meant critics. Frankly, I don't know that many people who care enough about film to have seen it (or at least not that they remember). Thus, the only public opinion I am aware of is the practically uniform opinion that it is one of the greatest films ever made (I think that Pauline Kael is the only major critic who didn't go gaga for it). And what I meant was, if people think it's the best film of the 80's, let them explain why, and maybe I'll have a greater understanding. I'm hearing everyone say it is the greatest, but the exact same reasons that I think it is great, but not quite as great as it is in public opinion (again, the critics and serious minded film people).

and @Rob- my cousin's husband insisted I watch Pelham a few years back, it's his favorite film. I liked it a lot. It feels like a great portrait of the real NY in the mid-70's, and the performances are terrific. Love Shaw, loved Balsam, loved Seeing Wilson's face (even though he had that big-ass mustache), Matthau was just brilliant Matthau. That last scene is priceless, with Matthau's priceless look at Balsam's apartment. I didn't get Shire's score for a while, but recently I've been liking it more and more.

Oh, I forgot. I watched Ridley's A Good Year a few nights ago. For an unoriginal romantic comedy in well-worn setting, it is quite passable. I enjoyed it. Scott and Crowe Are obviously having a good time taking a breath of fresh air shooting in Provance....I think the best thing about the film is that it doesn't feel forced, even though it is as predictable as any film. It worth it for the stunning locale shot very competently by the DP, Crowe (always good), Albert Finny (Always brings a smile to my face), and the French actress (Forgot her name, the charming and stunning actress who played Billy Crudup's wife in Big Fish). Realistically, **1/2/****. But I really enjoyed it, so a ***/****.

[Neimoidian 14]

"Good Year" is terrific enough not to care about the flaws. It carries so much positive energy that you stop caring about the clishes and naivety and start to relax and to absorb the atmosphere of remote and picturesque village away from all the problems, having a beautiful girl around and a bottle of wine in hand...

[Morlock 11]

Yeah. Although I can understand any cynicism about the film, I was quickly absorbed into the film, both the London and Provence sequences. And by watching the special features, I learned that Scott lives in Provence, and that may explain the loving and absorbing way in which it was presented (although I would assume the appeal would be universal).

BTW- the DVD does a very interesting thing. Instead of having a regular commentary and a making of elsewhere on the disc, it has a feature that plays the entire film with commentary and the making ofs interwoven in the film. I liked it a lot. It makes the commentary more bearable (even though Scott's are always fantastic and informative), and gives you a complete view of the making of the film, without worrying about missing any informative bits.

[Red 75]

No, that's Raging Bull, something you and Morlock once will discover. It's one of the true artworks in film history, the one that will last forever, and his latest work is pure commercial drivel compared to it.

You say that like it is fact, which it is not.

[Joni Wiljami 1,206]

I know , I need to give Racing Bull a second chance , I first saw it over 20 years ago as a teenager.

[Morlock 11]

No, that's Raging Bull, something you and Morlock once will discover. It's one of the true artworks in film history, the one that will last forever, and his latest work is pure commercial drivel compared to it.

You say that like it is fact, which it is not.

You are obviously not yet acquainted with Alex.

Morlock- who needed a few months to adjust to Alex's posts, but once he did, found them an invaluable addition to conversation on the board

I know , I need to give Racing Bull a second chance , I first saw it over 20 years ago as a teenager.

Especially if you think the Bull is racing.