What is the Last Film You Watched? - Part II

[John Crichton 4]

I've been on a Jeeves and Wooster DVD kick lately. I say, what a dashing ripping series!

God bless Hugh Laurie and the man who's eaten Stephen Fry.

I need to see that, I love the two of them as part of the Blackadder team. And pretty much anything else they've been in.

[robthehand 3]

I saw Olivier's Henry V theatrically. I hadn't seen it before, and I didn't care for it. I liked parts of it, and the idea (of how to adapt it) was certainly interesting... but something felt REALLY off, can't quite place what. Olivier himself was very good, though.

[Morlock 11]

Saw The Bourne Ultimatum with my dad. Had a good time. Like the first two, I'm sure I'll have trouble recalling it within a week, but I did have a very good time.

There's not all that much to say about it. The plot is uninvolving (I couldn't care less about his real identity, or what the flashbacks ments exactly), but that is totally immaterial. The action worked. Like gangbusters. In particular, I really loved the Waterloo sequence. And all the others worked, and had a great urgency about them.

Damon is believable as this unbelievable character. It's always nice to see David Strathain in a movie, and even if his character's skill and intelligence greatly vary, mostly spiraling downwards to accomodate the plot. Joan Allen is...whatever (although she does have a great line in there- "He is really good at staying alive, and trying to kill him just pisses him off."). Julia Stiles is also whatever. Just about everyone is...whatever. They do their jobs. I don't understand how someone can put Scott Glenn in a movie and give him about 3 minutes screen time, in which he does virtually nothing of interest. And Albert Finney is a waste, had none of the impact that Albert Finney should be having at this day and age (While I don't recall much from the earlier films, I do recall that at least Brian Cox was fun in them).

The music is terrific, but often mixed too low. I was straining to hear his wonderful 'Tangiers' cue, one of the most fun action cues I've heard in a long time, but for at least the first 2 minutes of it, it is totally buried in the mix. Dissapointing, as Powell does a lot of interesting stuff, and just about all you hear is the percussion (which is effective alone, but so much better in cotext).

I've just gone through a whole lot of reviews, and they're all basically the same......but Roger Ebert gave a link to a most excellent article on the much talked about shooting and editing style of the movie, and the concept in general. Really, a great look at the style of filmmaking: http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/?p=1175.

***/****.

[Red 75]

That Greengrass sure does know how to make an action movie.

[Marian Schedenig 8,199]

I saw Olivier's Henry V theatrically. I hadn't seen it before, and I didn't care for it. I liked parts of it, and the idea (of how to adapt it) was certainly interesting... but something felt REALLY off, can't quite place what. Olivier himself was very good, though.

I actually turned it off in the middle. It might partly have been the horrible dub (Shakespeare in German is more than odd to begin with, but when the French King speaks with Yoda's dubbing voice, you start recognising the similarities between German Shakespeare and Yoda's grammar), but I remember overall finding it odd.

And although I realise that Branagh's version is cut as well, I was really annoyed that the hanging scene was missing. Yes, this was supposed to be a war propaganda movie of sorts, but that made that scene only more important.

Walton's score has some cool moments, of course.

Marian - who wants Olivier's Hamlet on DVD.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

It is on DVD. I have it.

It's a cheap-ass edition with poor quality and no extras, but it is the movie on DVD format. And with different languages. Still no Rosencratz and Guilderstern, though.

[Marian Schedenig 8,199]

It is on DVD. I have it.

Oh, I know. To my knowledge, there are several releases...

It's a cheap-ass edition with poor quality and no extras, but it is the movie on DVD format.

...and I've so far refused to buy one because I don't know if they're all that way.

And with different languages. Still no Rosencratz and Guilderstern, though.

I do have that one, though.

[robthehand 3]

I've heard the Criterion edition is very good. You can see screen caps from it here.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

I do have that one, though.

Ah, I thought it wasn't like you to be uninformed about a DVD release.

[Neimoidian 14]

Finally "The Black Dahlia". I liked cinematography nad music- both were perfect. So was the production design. The story, however, as well as the acting & directing were heavily flawed. The ending was campy and unlike some other great campy in the history of cinema (vide edning of dePalma's own "Scarface") this one was more "Batman and Robin"-campy

[Marian Schedenig 8,199]

If only those Criterions weren't so damn expensive...

I do have that one, though.

Ah, I thought it wasn't like you to be uninformed about a DVD release.

Ok, I'm losing track here... which movie are we talking about now?

[Elmo Lewis 6]

Olivier's Hamlet.

Although, while we're in the subject, I watched that a few weeks ago - the movie can be quite difficult to watch at fist, until you shed your "modern" point of view and let the acting speak for itself.

[Marian Schedenig 8,199]

I thought your last comment was about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

I've only seen Olivier's Hamlet once, also dubbed, but unlike his Henry, it left me rather impressed. And it made me understand some bits of the play for the first time.

As a Branagh fan, I'm of course also looking forward to his DVD. I think the Euro release is being released in a few days... the US version has been available from certain places for 2 weeks or so, but since I still haven't set up the old (or a new) projector at my new flat, I haven't ordered it yet. In fact, I haven't really watched a movie since April, except for two or so at the theatre and one or two, dubbed, on TV.

[John Crichton 4]

If only those Criterions weren't so damn expensive...

Indeed. I could never convince myself to fork out for the Criterion release of Life of Brian, and now I have to settle for the bare bones disc.

[Morlock 11]

Indeed...I've only got 3-4 Criterion DVDs, and none of them are the 'prestige' releases: Chasing Amy, The Royal Tanenbaums.....I could swear there was at least one more. Oh, and I have the special features disc of Brazil (even though I've yet to see the film). Damn Criterion!

Morlock- who was just watching Matchstick Men again. To think that this was directed by the same person who did GI Jane...Ridley Scott is THE MAN.

[A24 4,338]

That Greengrass sure does know how to make an action movie.

He sure does, even though I like the first Bourne more than the second. I haven't seen the third one but according to practically every reviewer it's another touchdown for Greengrass.

[Morlock 11]

I really have a hard time remembering any of them. A day later, I can barely recall the third one (even though, again, I had a terrific time watching them).

[A24 4,338]

Great! That's a perfect reason for watching them again.

Alex - who will introduce Jurassic Park to his son tonight.

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

Great! That's a perfect reason for watching them again.

Alex - who will introduce Jurassic Park to his son tonight.

Do you think he will say: 'fake!' ?

[Elmo Lewis 6]

Being Alex's son, I prefer to imagine he'll complain about the one-dimensional characters being less real than the dinosaurs.

Do keep us posted, though, Alex.

[Morlock 11]

Matchstick Men. Fantastic. ***1/2/****.

[A24 4,338]

Being Alex's son, I prefer to imagine he'll complain about the one-dimensional characters being less real than the dinosaurs.Do keep us posted, though, Alex.

He thought it was great!

Of course, I thought it was terrible. I still don't understand why a film that is obviously based on effects is so loved and praised. It's nothing more than a CGI exercise. The T-Rex's head, which is not CGI (during the tour car sequence), looked pretty fake, BTW. To get something out of this flick, you really have to be a kid.

Matchstick Men. Fantastic. ***1/2/****

Again, that must be the highest score anyone has ever given to it. The film is just ok.

Alex

[Elmo Lewis 6]

He thought it was great!

Of course, I thought it was terrible. I still don't understand why a film that is obviously based on effects is so loved and praised. It's nothing more than a CGI exercise. The T-Rex's head, which is not CGI (during the tour car sequence), looked pretty fake, BTW. To get something out of this flick, you really have to be a kid.

See, you're not wrong at all, but are also not right.

[Henry B 50]

I guess you had to be there - I saw first Jurassic Park a couple years ago on VHS and wasn't amazed. I thought it was a decent film, but not that exciting or that suspenseful. One thing that really drags it down (though I'm sure it's what Spielberg wanted) is Williams's score. It's too light and sentimental. The tone really hits rock bottom when the main theme is tracked into the T-Rex "rescue." What, is the T-Rex a hero for gallantly saving everyone?

The Lost World (except for the last track) is a much greater dinosaur score, and to Williams's credit, he had a terrible film with which to work.

[John Crichton 4]

I like Jurassic Park for what it is, it's certainly not anything that would be on my "best ever" list but it's enjoyable enough. I couldn't be bothered with the other two, though.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

I still love it unabashadly...it is what it is, which to me is simply a fun adventure movie. Amazing experience seeing it in the theatre as a nine-year-old, and that sentiment is certainly a big part of why I like it so much. But I think it's a good movie in its own right too.

Ray Barnsbury

[Jacob 0]

Watched National Treasure again, anticipating the sequel (new trailer BTW). Completely contrived and totally unbelievable, but I have fun watching it with my buds. Bartha is great.

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

Saw War. Lots of people shooting each other and spouting off bad dialogue. Even for the genre, this was bad. 4/10

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Again, that must be the highest score anyone has ever given to it. The film is just ok.

Alex

Actually, your pal Ebert gave it 4 stars....

[A24 4,338]

Again, that must be the highest score anyone has ever given to it. The film is just ok.

Alex

Actually, your pal Ebert gave it 4 stars....

That explains it!

[AI 0]

What Gremlins gag? did it involve Phoebe Cates?

[robthehand 3]

I watched Casino Royale again. Very good film, not quite perfect, but enormously entertaining and the best Bond film since OHMSS. Incidentally, Roger Ebert finally got around to reviewing the film - he's apparently catching up on the films he missed while he was in hospital last year - you can read his review here. I agree with most of what he has to say, though I'd give it ***1/2 out of ****.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

One of Eberts better reviews.

[Morlock 11]

I think the Venice sequence is a bigger problem than he would have us believe.

Again, that must be the highest score anyone has ever given to it. The film is just ok.

Alex

Actually, your pal Ebert gave it 4 stars....

That explains it!

The film is better than just okay. It's about as good a screenplay as the material could have suggested, and it's directed so much better that one would get from just any director. A very good character piece, and one of Nicolas Cage's best performances, one of the 3-4 I actually like him in. I think I will follow it up with Lord of War. DAMN that's one fine film!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I think the Venice sequence is a bigger problem than he would have us believe.

I think you are talking out of your ass!

[Morlock 11]

You think that there is nothing wrong with the sequence? I mean, I loved the movie, and I liked the sequence, but the pacing of it, the way they restarted with plot on, after the fluffy romantic stuff....yeah, it fits the story, and yeah, it's right. But still, the movie's momentum was diminished when switching from "The plot" to "The characters"-I mean, Green was extremely present in the movie, and was superb (I think she is one of the very best Bond-girls ever), but the only real character moment we've had with her was the scene in the shower, so there's that switch in there. Of course, it all wraps up beautifully- when Bond says "The bitch is dead", you really feel everything that the linemeans. And the final scene is just perfect. The perfect coda to the film, and the perfect set-up for the new James Bond.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

You think that there is nothing wrong with the sequence? I mean, I loved the movie, and I liked the sequence, but the pacing of it, the way they restarted with plot on, after the fluffy romantic stuff....yeah, it fits the story, and yeah, it's right.

You just answered your own question......

[Morlock 11]

That's no excuse. It still shifted gears very suddenly. From the lovey-dovey scenes that feel just like your typical JB endings (save that it is a much longer sequence)....you're thrown into this new plot-twist. It feels very awkward, until it gets into it. I can't pin it down, something in the pacing of the story doesn't quite fit 100%. Maybe the Venice sequence is too long? I don't know. It's a good sequence, and crucial for the character. Or maybe they overdid the false ending, so that when you're in Venice, you're a bit disoriented- you know somehing's gonna happen, than there's the weird guy whom we don't know spotting them. Flow of information isn't quite as smooth as it should be, nor is the pacing of the scenes between Le Chiffre's final scene and the Venice plot.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Shaft (1971)

This succesfull explotation hit still works very well today, provided you are prepared to accept this as a dated time-piece.

Richard Roundtree makes for a commanding lead character, who's groundbreaking agressive performance paved the way for scores of other tough talkin' black guys. (though Sidney Poitier remains by far the better actor)

Other notable performances are from Moses Gunn as Bumpy Jonas and Charles Cioffi as the long suffering Vic Androzzi.

Direction by Gordon Parks is overall good, especially in creating the feel of the city.

Parts of it are a bit clunky though, and the build up to the final shoot out takes far to much time without really giving a satisfying pay-off. (the final shoot out is over just like that)

The script by Ernest Tidyman and John D.F. Black (????) manasges to be engaging without there really being that much of a story. In fact the story itself is pretty standard, the appeal is in the way it's served up before us.

The song by Isaac Hayes rightly won an Oscar and has gone into music history as one of the most influential of it's time. The other songs are good too, though more as background for the scenes thety were written for then as stand alone listens. The underscore was nominated for an Oscar, but it's not all that memorable I think. Certainly effective, but pretty barebone when compared to the 70's funk people like Schifrin were churning out.

All in all by no means a perfect film, but at the time it was made a very significant one, it's it's still very good to watch.

*** out of ****

[A24 4,338]

The film is better than just okay. It's about as good a screenplay as the material could have suggested, and it's directed so much better that one would get from just any director. A very good character piece, and one of Nicolas Cage's best performances, one of the 3-4 I actually like him in. I think I will follow it up with Lord of War. DAMN that's one fine film!

I don't like it when movies are just filmed scripts, especially not when the material is just mediocre.

I also don't like Scott's cinematography. It's too polished, too slick. It's going to ruin American Gangster.

[Morlock 11]

It is not just a filmed script. The characters were there, and created by the actors, not the author.

I think Scott's cinematography might on day become too polished for his own good, but that hasn't happened yet. In this movie, it vested the entire movie with visuals that subtly support the narrative. And I do know that I'd rather the rich look of a Hannibal or the polished look of Matchstick Men over the dark, overbearing and occaisionally dirty Gladiator.

[A24 4,338]

It is not just a filmed script. The characters were there, and created by the actors, not the author.

Not really 3D characters, if you ask me.

I think Scott's cinematography might on day become too polished for his own good, but that hasn't happened yet.

Apparently, it already started, since I'm not the only one who has a problem with it.

Alex

[Morlock 11]

Well, not for me. I am still unable to complain about something be too polished or too beautiful, since so many of the movies I see look like crap, even the good ones are rarely visually stimulating any more.

[nightscape94 965]

The Lookout - Good film. Not perfect, but definitely respectable. Some elements, like the Isla Fisher character seemed wasted. ***1/2 out of ****

Stranger Than Fiction - Not what I thought it was going to be, not in terms of good or bad, but simply the type or style of movie I thought it was going to be. ***1/2 out of ****

Shooter - passable entertainment. *** out of ****

The Number 23 - Can't recommend. The film was doing pretty good until the last half hour. **1/2 out of ****

The Bourne Ultimatum - Great film, probably the best of the series, although I've only seen it once. Appropriate ending, and I'm glad Greengrass brought the series around full circle with the last images. ***1/2 out of ****

The Simpsons Movie - I went in wanting this movie to not suck, and I came out thinking it was great. So much better then I could have hoped for. ***1/2 out of ****

Rescue Dawn - Solid flick. Not sure I liked how Herzog handled the ending scene with the speech, but overall, good movie. ***1/2 out of ****

Superbad - Thankfully this movie wasn't, in fact, super bad. It was almost a laugh-a-minute for the first 15 minutes, and I'm actually glad it didn't keep that pace up. It lulled in a good way, if that makes sense, then polished itself of with faster jokes toward the end. The cops were funny most of the time, but there material still felt like it was in another film. ***1/2 out of ****

I know it seems that I have given high ratings to most of these films, which I normally don't do, but I have a pretty good track record of avoiding crappy films in the theaters. It's the DVD films like "The Number 23" that I usually end up giving low ratings to, because I feel it necessary to catch up on every film once it's released to DVD.

Tim

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

James Cameron's ambitious sequel to the film that made everyone sit up and took notice.

I remember well being amazed by the fact that this costed over 100 million to make, a huge amount of money at that time. These days even a Steve Carell comedy costs twice as much.

A'hnuld, at this time was trying to move away from blood & guts action films and I'm pretty sure one of his demands to return to this role was if he could play a good Terminator this time, non-lethal, caring, sharing....

Whatever one might think of this, it does actually work. The script makes clever use of this role-swopping and the first time I saw this film, the moment were The Terminator shield John from the bullets, it was truly a surprise.

For the rest of the film A'hnuld is effective both as a talking post for Edward Furlong, and as a nearly unstoppable machine wielding a big gun.

Edward Furlong manages to hold his own while bossing The Terminator and his mother about, this is a very good debut performance. Pity he seems to have more or less vanished.

Linda Hamilton is even more impressive in her second turn as Sarah Conner, physically looking incredibly fit, but her face looking gaunt and haggard, carrying the knowledge of a dreadfull future she thinks she cannot prevent. She gives Sigourney Weaver a run for her money in this film.

Robert Patrick manages to be a persistant threat thoughout the entire film, even though physically he's got nothing on Ah'nuld. Films like these are usually only as good as their villians, and the T-1000 is a very, very good one.

The story is a lot more expansive this time round, there more plot, more characters and therefore this film does not have the relentless pace of the first one. Nevertheless Cameron manages to tell a riviting while maintaining a good, constant pace and without descending into temporal-theory-techno-babble. (actually temporal logic is completely abondoned in this film, and that a good thing)

What Cameron manages most succesfully in this film is, like the first one to build a sense of impending doom into this film, it really does feel like the fate of the world is at stake, for a big budget action spectacle, this is an incredible sombre film, with very little snazzy one-liners to ease the audience's fears. (a pity the makers of the third film got the tone so completely wrong)

The application of the special effects, and the actual effects themselves are almost perfect and for some strange reason the CGI in this film looks ever so much impressive then what we get served up some 16 years later. In this film Cameron does what Spielberg also manages to do so very well in much of his work, make special effects not seem like special effects, hiding away the seams instead of proudly showing them to the audience.

The action set pieces are very well done, I especially love the motorcycle/truck chase and the scenes in the steel mill (even though the whole final shootout in the adandoned factory/warehouse has been done about 10.000 times too much.)

Adam Greenberg work here is amazing, i've always loved the look of this film, especially the cool, blueish tint in the night scenes and the oranges in the desert sequence. The picture clarity is also superb.

Brad Fiedel returns to compose a score that I absolutely cannot listen too on CD. (I've tried) but once again manages to work wonders in the film.

The film is not quitte as good as the first one, but it' manages to be very nearly as good, which is something most films can only dream about.

***1/2 out of ****

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

The application of the special effects, and the actual effects themselves are almost perfect and for some strange reason the CGI in this film looks ever so much impressive then what we get served up some 16 years later.

I agree with you. The Silver surfer is a sh**

[Elmo Lewis 6]

Edward Furlong manages to hold his own while bossing The Terminator and his mother about, this is a very good debut performance. Pity he seems to have more or less vanished.

He got heavily into drugs. Once you have saved the world with Arnold, rest of your life can feel somewhat void.

[Morlock 11]

Untitled (FKA Almost Famous). Saw the DVD again, the Untitled version, not the theatrical one (I can't imagine why one would want to see the theatrical version if the extended one is in existance).

One of the best movies of recent years. A love-fest of movie-making, and a love fest of rock music. And, more than anything, a love letter to the era and the mindset. Not a weak performance to be found.

****/****.

[nightscape94 965]

I agree with every word of the above post.

[A24 4,338]

I don't.

(but I do agree with most of it).

Alex