What Movie Have You Recently Watched?

[roamingzebra]

"Casablanca" (1942), w/ Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

Some things just come down to personal taste, and "Casablanca" just didn't do that much for me.

It sort of reminded me of "Cheers" -- a mix of characters sitting around in a bar/cafe and interacting with each other. In this case it was German soldiers, French soldiers and European exiles biding their time till they can flee to America.

Sure, there's a tragic love story, and the odd spector of an escapee of a Nazi concentration camp rubbing shoulders with Nazi soldiers, but again, not enough to make the overall story compelling for me.

The acting itself, however, was well-done.

[cs412a]

Inner Sanctum via the Internet Archive.

Interesting (not good, but interesting) film noir that’s simultaneously nasty, goofy, and, of course, misogynistic. “You’re very pretty . . . when your lips aren’t moving.”

[yankees60]

"Casablanca" (1942), w/ Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

Some things just come down to personal taste, and "Casablanca" just didn't do that much for me.

It sort of reminded me of "Cheers" -- a mix of characters sitting around in a bar/cafe and interacting with each other. In this case it was German soldiers, French soldiers and European exiles biding their time till they can flee to America.

Sure, there's a tragic love story, and the odd spector of an escapee of a Nazi concentration camp rubbing shoulders with Nazi soldiers, but again, not enough to make the overall story compelling for me.

The acting itself, however, was well-done.

Certainly have read many, many, many things regarding it over the decades. Cannot remember, though, if I ever actually watched it.

[yankees60]

Grade: A

https://youtu.be/sU6wC6FC72U
THE GANGSTER
- Hollywood Movie | Jason Statham & Mark Strong | Blockbuster Full Action English Movie

Synopsis:
Jake Green is a hotshot gambler, long on audacity and short on common sense. Jake served seven years in jail for a crime he didn't commit after taking the rap for mean crime boss Dorothy Macha. Upon his release he takes on Macha in a private casino game, causes humiliation, and wins. While Macha puts out an order on Jake's life, Jake meets brothers Avi and Zach who protect him and plot to take Macha down


My comments: A lot of action but not a simple movie to follow. It was even difficult for the main character to follow!

[TomatoTomahto]

Great Photo, Lovely Life, a documentary by Amanda Mustard on Max.

Photojournalist Amanda Mustard turns her investigative lens on sexual abuse committed by her grandfather, beginning a personal journey in pursuit of the truth and reconciliation for her family.

I happen to have known Amanda for some 20+ years, so I’m a bit biased. Regardless, I found this documentary to be very courageous and well thought out. Given the subject matter, it’s not a feel good watch, but it’s well worth viewing.

[yankees60]

Not yet watched the actual documentary but heard all about it this morning here:

November 26, 2024 | Part Of Washington Journal 11/26/2024
Washington Journal
Martin Smith on PBS Frontline Film China, the U.S. & the Rise of Xi Jinping
Documentary producer, director, and correspondent Martin Smith talked about his PBS Frontline film, “China, The U.S. & The Rise of Xi Jinping.”

https://www.c-span.org/video/?540130-3/ ... xi-jinping



It is supposed to be airing for the first time tonight on PBS. Would be interested in the reaction from any of you who do watch it.

I read a book about China's president a few years ago but remember little from it.


At this point I'm not inclined to watch it because due to several things I heard the producer say I wondered about its overall quality.

It started when he said, "I think he majored in chemical engineering." He thinks??!! That to me is a basic fact that someone doing a documentary of someone should know!

I just did a Bing search of it and in 15 seconds was able to confirm that that was his major.

[roamingzebra]

Certainly have read many, many, many things regarding it over the decades. Cannot remember, though, if I ever actually watched it.

If nothing else, watching "Casablanca" makes one part of the educated citizenry who now knows the origin of such iconic phrases as "Here's looking at you, kid".

[bertilak]

Certainly have read many, many, many things regarding it over the decades. Cannot remember, though, if I ever actually watched it.

If nothing else, watching "Casablanca" makes one part of the educated citizenry who now knows the origin of such iconic phrases as "Here's looking at you, kid".

It's part of American culture. That should be especially important to someone with "yankee" in their screen name.

[Elsebet]

"Wicked Part I" in the theater. Enjoyed it for the most part, I would softly recommend either seeing the Broadway version or reading the book "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" before seeing it, although that's optional since the movie does a pretty good job filling in background details.

The things I didn't like were the movie seems to glow (too brightly) or get very fuzzy in some scenes, I am guessing I am either getting old or this is an issue with movies that have a lot of CGI. It certainly doesn't happen with most movies I watch. Also the "Dancing through life" scene is WAY too long and silly in my opinion. Otherwise a very good representation of the musical. Please note that the book has slight differences with both book and musical.

[turtlebug]

Rear Window (1954) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr

My favorite Hitchcock movie. Perfect from stem to stern.

[littlerfish]

"Casablanca" (1942), w/ Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

Some things just come down to personal taste, and "Casablanca" just didn't do that much for me.

It sort of reminded me of "Cheers" -- a mix of characters sitting around in a bar/cafe and interacting with each other. In this case it was German soldiers, French soldiers and European exiles biding their time till they can flee to America.

Sure, there's a tragic love story, and the odd spector of an escapee of a Nazi concentration camp rubbing shoulders with Nazi soldiers, but again, not enough to make the overall story compelling for me.

The acting itself, however, was well-done.

Michael Curtiz directing, but as importantly, Hal Wallis producing. I sometimes think Wallis was the Shakespeare of American movies.

Just a couple of days ago, I watched Ben Mankiewicz (did I get that right?) call it "the best studio movie ever made" on TCM. I tend to agree with him. It's close to the perfect movie, a blend of romance and adventure, heroes and villains, interesting supporting characters, Ingrid Bergman never looking better, a couple of songs, twist ending. Released in fall of 1942, just weeks after the Allied landings in North Africa -- what a context! Won Best Picture Oscar, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay.

Truly one of the best movies ever made. I'd recommend it.

[littlerfish]

Rear Window (1954) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr

My favorite Hitchcock movie. Perfect from stem to stern.

Amen. My favorite Hitchcock, too.

[littlerfish]

"Alien: Romulus" - 2024. Streamed on hotel pay-per-view.

Fede Álvarez directs a cast of folks I've never heard of before in a tired version of "monster hunts teenagers in a haunted house".

I think Scott may be senile, or maybe he's just milking the series. The set design is ludicrously overdone and laughably anachronistic. The plot harks back to old (and better) horror movies. Heck, even "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" would be more entertaining to watch.

Wouldn't recommend it. Go watch "Casablanca", instead.

[yankees60]

If nothing else, watching "Casablanca" makes one part of the educated citizenry who now knows the origin of such iconic phrases as "Here's looking at you, kid".

It's part of American culture. That should be especially important to someone with "yankee" in their screen name.

My "yankee" is New York Yankees, not New England yankee. Though, I do live in New England.

[jjunk]

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin documentary on Netflix. Tells the story of a man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy who lived an unknown life in the video game World of Warcraft that his family only uncovered after his death at the age of 25. As the uncle to twins with Duchenne and a former hardcore WoW player myself, I found this a touching reminder of how digital worlds can bring life to those who might not have one in a traditional sense. Very nice film with some cool storytelling that used his own texts to recreate conversations he had with friends in the game. Recommend.

[roamingzebra]

Just a couple of days ago, I watched Ben Mankiewicz (did I get that right?) call it "the best studio movie ever made" on TCM. I tend to agree with him. It's close to the perfect movie, a blend of romance and adventure, heroes and villains, interesting supporting characters, Ingrid Bergman never looking better, a couple of songs, twist ending. Released in fall of 1942, just weeks after the Allied landings in North Africa -- what a context!

I'll be watching another "Best Movie Ever Made" soon. We'll see if I like it better.

Seriously, I don't question that "Casablanca" is a great film.

I just prefer smaller films with deeper psycholgies. Or else a film with more action or especially a mystery. Hitchcock checks all of those boxes.

"Casablanca" was too crowded for my taste... with soldiers of multiple nationalities, business people, European exiles, miscelaneous locals, etc. In fact, it took me the first quarter of the movie to figure out why everyone was co-existing peacefully with the Nazi soldiers and the Nazi soldiers were not making mass arrests,. That was due to my ignorance of Vichy France and where Morocco fit into the picture.

Anyway, given all the praise for the movie, I kept wondering when it would get "good", then Ingrid Bergman arrived on the scene. That added some welcome depth. But by then the movie was halfway over.

But yes, Bergman's acting was superb...every emotion playing out on her face, through her eyes, no words need be spoken. Bogart was great for that "type" (i.e., jaded) , but I wasn't totally sold on him until he too showed some human feeling.

So I guess I'd say I liked the second half a lot more than the first half.

[littlerfish]

Anyway, given all the praise for the movie, I kept wondering when it would get "good", then Ingrid Bergman arrived on the scene. That added some welcome depth. But by then the movie was halfway over.

Well, a quarter over. She enters 25 minutes in, and the whole thing runs 103 minutes.

[Even though I'm in a hotel, I happen to have a copy of Casablanca with me. Don't leave home without it! ]

[littlerfish]

"King Kong" - 1933. Downloaded on my iPad, watched on the plane.

Merian Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack direct Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot in a fantastical adventure tale about a showman who brings a giant ape from a tropical isle to exhibit in Manhattan. Tragedy ensues.

When I travel, I usually download some movies to watch at down times, as on an airplane. "King Kong" is one of my favorites, I've watched it many times. A masterpiece of stop-action animation by Willis O'Brien and Buzz Gibson, the close-ups of Kong's face are just amazing. The special effects are all top-notch. In the early part of the movie, watching Fay Wray act, emoting like crazy, is just fun. It has inspired many monster movies made after it, and at least two remakes.

[Mr. Rumples]

Quartet (2012) Directed by Dustin Hoffman with an all star cast of great British actors including the late Maggie Smith. About aging well. With an all star cast many of us older folks will remember; many of the supporting actors are identified in the end with their photos from when they were younger.

[Artful Dodger]

"Casablanca" (1942), w/ Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid.

Some things just come down to personal taste, and "Casablanca" just didn't do that much for me.

It sort of reminded me of "Cheers" -- a mix of characters sitting around in a bar/cafe and interacting with each other. In this case it was German soldiers, French soldiers and European exiles biding their time till they can flee to America.

Sure, there's a tragic love story, and the odd spector of an escapee of a Nazi concentration camp rubbing shoulders with Nazi soldiers, but again, not enough to make the overall story compelling for me.

The acting itself, however, was well-done.

Michael Curtiz directing, but as importantly, Hal Wallis producing. I sometimes think Wallis was the Shakespeare of American movies.

Just a couple of days ago, I watched Ben Mankiewicz (did I get that right?) call it "the best studio movie ever made" on TCM. I tend to agree with him. It's close to the perfect movie, a blend of romance and adventure, heroes and villains, interesting supporting characters, Ingrid Bergman never looking better, a couple of songs, twist ending. Released in fall of 1942, just weeks after the Allied landings in North Africa -- what a context! Won Best Picture Oscar, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay.

Truly one of the best movies ever made. I'd recommend it.

Mind blowing good. It’s close to perfect and I’ve seen it probably fifteen times. I’ve got one of the movie posters in my basement family room.

[You Know What I Mean]

Michael Curtiz directing, but as importantly, Hal Wallis producing. I sometimes think Wallis was the Shakespeare of American movies.

Just a couple of days ago, I watched Ben Mankiewicz (did I get that right?) call it "the best studio movie ever made" on TCM. I tend to agree with him. It's close to the perfect movie, a blend of romance and adventure, heroes and villains, interesting supporting characters, Ingrid Bergman never looking better, a couple of songs, twist ending. Released in fall of 1942, just weeks after the Allied landings in North Africa -- what a context! Won Best Picture Oscar, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay.

Truly one of the best movies ever made. I'd recommend it.

Mind blowing good. It’s close to perfect and I’ve seen it probably fifteen times. I’ve got one of the movie posters in my basement family room.

I'm in the majority on this one.

"Casablanca" is one of the greatest of all time. The perfect blend of drama, melodrama, action, romance, and some well-placed humor. Greed, sacrifice, fear, courage, cynicism, duty, torment, and above all, love. Not to mention some of the most memorable dialog in any film. Ingrid Bergman was "luminous." And Bogart the king of cool (when not tormented by his love for "Ilsa"). No fancy special effects or extended fight scenes needed to hold my attention, just a fabulous story beautifully portrayed. And the perfect theme song: "As Time Goes By."
"Here's looking at you, kid" indeed.

[rockstar]

Mind blowing good. It’s close to perfect and I’ve seen it probably fifteen times. I’ve got one of the movie posters in my basement family room.

I'm in the majority on this one.

"Casablanca" is one of the greatest of all time. The perfect blend of drama, melodrama, action, romance, and some well-placed humor. Greed, sacrifice, fear, courage, cynicism, duty, torment, and above all, love. Not to mention some of the most memorable dialog in any film. Ingrid Bergman was "luminous." And Bogart the king of cool (when not tormented by his love for "Ilsa"). No fancy special effects or extended fight scenes needed to hold my attention, just a fabulous story beautifully portrayed. And the perfect theme song: "As Time Goes By."
"Here's looking at you, kid" indeed.

It’s a great movie.

Lots of memorable moments.

[roamingzebra]

The perfect blend of drama, melodrama, action, romance, and some well-placed humor. Greed, sacrifice, fear, courage, cynicism, duty, torment, and above all, love.

I get all of the above in modern TV series, where one gets to know characters in depth... great acting, directing, writing, stories, cinematography. I'm blown away over how great TV productions have become when they used to just be vapid situation comedies and fast-food action shows.

I guess I'm just not cut out for old movies. (Main exceptions being Hitchcock films and "To Kill A Mockingbird".)

I say this even as I'm in the middle of watching the other "best movie ever" -- Citizen Kane. I literally fell asleep in the midde and will resume tonight only to give it one last chance.

I did like the beginning -- the newsreel which succinctly gave some necessary history before the main story began, but it quickly became boring for me, though I admired the dramatic lighting effects. Supposedly there are other innovations too like ultra low camera angles and ultra close-ups -- I did catch the one where the camera zeroed in on Kane's lips as he expired the word "Rosebud" before passing.

But finding out what Rosebud is about is the only suspense, and it's not that suspenseful because the mystery is not the focus of all the action.

Anyway, it was worth a try on these old fims. Maybe I'll eventually find one more to my liking.

[rockstar]

The perfect blend of drama, melodrama, action, romance, and some well-placed humor. Greed, sacrifice, fear, courage, cynicism, duty, torment, and above all, love.

I get all of the above in modern TV series, where one gets to know characters in depth... great acting, directing, writing, stories, cinematography. I'm blown away over how great TV productions have become when they used to just be vapid situation comedies and fast-food action shows.

I guess I'm just not cut out for old movies. (Main exceptions being Hitchcock films and "To Kill A Mockingbird".)

I say this even as I'm in the middle of watching the other "best movie ever" -- Citizen Kane. I literally fell asleep in the midde and will resume tonight only to give it one last chance.

I did like the beginning -- the newsreel which succinctly gave some necessary history before the main story began, but it quickly became boring for me, though I admired the dramatic lighting effects. Supposedly there are other innovations too like ultra low camera angles and ultra close-ups -- I did catch the one where the camera zeroed in on Kane's lips as he expired the word "Rosebud" before passing.

But finding out what Rosebud is about is the only suspense, and it's not that suspenseful because the mystery is not the focus of all the action.

Anyway, it was worth a try on these old fims. Maybe I'll eventually find one more to my liking.

I don’t care for Citizen Kane either.

Some classics I like. Some I don’t. But you gotta watch a bunch to figure out what you like. I suggest looking at the Noir films such as On the Waterfront.

For modern films, I say give A24 films a shot. You can find them in Hoopla and Kanopy, which are both free with a library card.

[Nicolas]

I guess I'm just not cut out for old movies. (Main exceptions being Hitchcock films and "To Kill A Mockingbird".)

Anyway, it was worth a try on these old fims. Maybe I'll eventually find one more to my liking.

I myself love old movies, I think I prefer them. Before giving up on them try watching The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), another Bogie film and my all-time favorite of any film.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040897/?r ... e%2520trea

[yankees60]

The perfect blend of drama, melodrama, action, romance, and some well-placed humor. Greed, sacrifice, fear, courage, cynicism, duty, torment, and above all, love.

I get all of the above in modern TV series, where one gets to know characters in depth... great acting, directing, writing, stories, cinematography. I'm blown away over how great TV productions have become when they used to just be vapid situation comedies and fast-food action shows.

I guess I'm just not cut out for old movies. (Main exceptions being Hitchcock films and "To Kill A Mockingbird".)

I say this even as I'm in the middle of watching the other "best movie ever" -- Citizen Kane. I literally fell asleep in the midde and will resume tonight only to give it one last chance.

I did like the beginning -- the newsreel which succinctly gave some necessary history before the main story began, but it quickly became boring for me, though I admired the dramatic lighting effects. Supposedly there are other innovations too like ultra low camera angles and ultra close-ups -- I did catch the one where the camera zeroed in on Kane's lips as he expired the word "Rosebud" before passing.

But finding out what Rosebud is about is the only suspense, and it's not that suspenseful because the mystery is not the focus of all the action.

Anyway, it was worth a try on these old fims. Maybe I'll eventually find one more to my liking.

You and I seem to be in the distinct minority here. The majority seem to major in the old movies, which is probably less than 1% of my movie watching. I much prefer more modern TV / movies, which could be anything from the 70s to now.

Also, along with you on Citizen Kane. I'd seemingly read about it for decades, about how it was the #1 movie of all time. Therefore, went into it with great anticipation. Ended up greatly disappointed, wondering what was so great about it.

I do, though, think that The Three Stooges are both genius and timeless. They were about the only thing that could make me laugh out loud when I was all by myself.

[Circe]

I am a fan of old movies but Citizen Kane is not a favorite.

TCM had Forbidden Planet from 1956 on a few nights ago. I think I saw it as a little kid but not since. It's in color and is one of the most advanced SciFi movies of its time. A group traveled in a space ship to a planet from another solar system. They met up with an earthling who had landed there 20 years earlier (and his blonde daughter). The planet had been inhabited by a very advanced culture that abruptly disappeared 200,000 years prior.

There's a robot that actually did things and had a personality -- it appeared in later TV programs and movies and was much copied later. Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen were in it. It had the first totally electronic sound track. Apparently it's been considered to be a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

I'm glad that I saw it. A remake may happen in the near future.

[Artful Dodger]

One of my favorite movies as a kid was The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Olivia DeHavilland and Claude Rains. It came out in 1938 and was released in Technicolor. I can still remember seeing it at 5 or 6 years old with one of the opening scenes when Robin strolls into a banquet at Nottingham castle with one of his poached deer and manages to fight his way out of the scene. Directed by Michael Curtiz, who also directed Casablanca. I also have a movie poster of this film in my basement family room.

[Sandi_k]

"All About Eve" (1950), with Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, and a tiny bit of Marilyn Monroe; direction & screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

The IMDb description is a spoiler, so I'll just say... some very interesting personality studies with the backdrop of Broadway.

Theme: ambition, jealousy, duplicity... all the fun human emotions.

I'm gingerly trying out these old black and white movies (which aside from Hitchcock films, I've mostly steered away from), but this one seemed "crisp" if that makes sense. It didn't seem overly dated, and not a dull moment.

I recently saw "Sunset Boulevard" -- another film from the same year. Both films cover how the pursuit of fame (particularly on stage or screen) brings out the darkest of human behavior. But I prefer this one because some of the characters are actually likeable and there is far less melodrama.

Really first rate and deserves the IMDb 8.2 rating.

So my recs for top-notch classic movies:

- The Philadelphia Story
- North by Northwest
- To Catch a Thief
- Rear Window
- African Queen
- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
- Key Largo
- The Maltese Falcon
- Casablanca
- Gaslight
- Roman Holiday
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- True Grit (the OG with Wayne, although the recent one is excellent as well).
- Sabrina
- Wait Until Dark
- Chinatown
- Bringing Up Baby
- His Girl Friday
- 12 Angry Men

[jginseattle]

One of my favorite movies as a kid was The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, Olivia DeHavilland and Claude Rains. It came out in 1938 and was released in Technicolor. I can still remember seeing it at 5 or 6 years old with one of the opening scenes when Robin strolls into a banquet at Nottingham castle with one of his poached deer and manages to fight his way out of the scene. Directed by Michael Curtiz, who also directed Casablanca. I also have a movie poster of this film in my basement family room.

I love that movie.

[yankees60]

"All About Eve" (1950), with Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, and a tiny bit of Marilyn Monroe; direction & screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.

The IMDb description is a spoiler, so I'll just say... some very interesting personality studies with the backdrop of Broadway.

Theme: ambition, jealousy, duplicity... all the fun human emotions.

I'm gingerly trying out these old black and white movies (which aside from Hitchcock films, I've mostly steered away from), but this one seemed "crisp" if that makes sense. It didn't seem overly dated, and not a dull moment.

I recently saw "Sunset Boulevard" -- another film from the same year. Both films cover how the pursuit of fame (particularly on stage or screen) brings out the darkest of human behavior. But I prefer this one because some of the characters are actually likeable and there is far less melodrama.

Really first rate and deserves the IMDb 8.2 rating.

So my recs for top-notch classic movies:

- The Philadelphia Story
- North by Northwest
- To Catch a Thief
- Rear Window
- African Queen
- Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
- Key Largo
- The Maltese Falcon
- Casablanca
- Gaslight
- Roman Holiday
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- True Grit (the OG with Wayne, although the recent one is excellent as well).
- Sabrina
- Wait Until Dark
- Chinatown
- Bringing Up Baby
- His Girl Friday
- 12 Angry Men

Gone With the Wind not on it?

It came out 1938 (?). One of those old, old, old movies I actually like.

I first saw it at The Cinerama with my parents.

[yankees60]

Grade: A-

Amazon Prime:

Eyewitness


A mother and daughter set out on a weekend river rafting retreat, only to encounter three escaped convicts along the way.
26
IMDb 4.4
1 h 26 min
2015
X-Ray
16+
Suspense
•
Action
•
Drama

[turtlebug]

Parenthood (1989) directed by Ron Howard and starring Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest, Jason Robards, Keanu Reeves, Tom Hulce, Rick Moranis, Martha Plimpton, Joaquin Phoenix (as a child, credited as Leaf Phoenix), et al.

Nice little comedy drama with excellent casting (especially Dianne Wiest). She's great in everything!

[roamingzebra]

"On the Waterfront" (1954) - Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Eva Marie Saint

Grim and gritty -- a story that's part of America's past: corrupt union bosses terrorizing longshoreman. Marlon Brando plays the tortured soul who ultimately stands up to them. Not exactly a "fun" movie, but well acted.

The main "con" for me was the one-dimensional villains (the union bosses). They're bullies/thugs with none of the subtlety, cleverness or quirks characteristic of (some) modern villians.

@yankee60, I did like "Gone With The Wind" when I saw it, but that was so long ago. But I imagine Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh are as good as I remember them. And all the drama with buildings ablaze... I think there was a spunky housekeeper/maid as well. Beyond that, I don't remember much.

[zachtede]

Thelma (2024)

A very fun watch. Lightened my mood.

[rockstar]

Let the Canary Sing -- Paramount+

It's a Cyndy Lauper documentary. I enjoyed it.

Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiiisoU8jrw

[Nicolas]

High Sierra (1940) Ida Lupino, Humphrey Bogart, screenplay by John Huston & W.R. Burnett. Directed by Raoul Walsh

Synopsis by IMDb: “After being released from prison, notorious thief Roy Earle is hired by his old boss to help a group of inexperienced criminals plan and carry out the robbery of a California resort.”
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033717/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

A fine (and fun) film, not my first viewing. Excellent performances by Lupino and Bogart. The film that made Bogie a star. Some have said film noir was invented with this film. Recommended.

We streamed it on The Criterion Channel.

[roamingzebra]

"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948); directed by John Huston; starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, Tim Holt

On the face of it, this is an adventure film that follows two American drifters and a wizened prospector as they search for gold in central Mexico. It eventually becomes apparent that it is actually a morality play. One with both tragic and comedic elements.

This is only the second film I've seen starring Bogart, but he is not a romantic figure here. And he goes through some pretty severe character development.

I enjoyed the film a lot. It had enough light touches to laugh at, but also a strong message.

Also enjoyed the local color, especially the interactions with a gentle indigenous culture.

[grok87]

Gladiator II. Meh. Stick to the original.

[yankees60]

Grade: A

https://youtu.be/xKaJgNfjgjA

Scott Adkins In DEATH DROP
- Hollywood Movie | Superhit Fast Action Full English Movie | Free Movies

[roamingzebra]

"Forbidden Planet" (1956), w/ Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen

Per IMDb: "A starship crew in the 23rd century goes to investigate the silence of a distant planet's colony, only to find just two survivors, a powerful robot, and the deadly secret of a lost civilization."

I was amazed at how good this was.

The special effects were actually impressive, not cheesy. (It's the movie poster that's cheesy).

The mystery of the lost Krell civilization and why they disappeared is every bit as compelling as themes in more modern science fiction.

And, Anne Francis may have been wearing short skirts, but needn't have been ashamed to be in this movie.

[swak]

Gladiator II
Hugely satisfying movie, opening with an impressively filmed naval assault and terrific fight choreography in the arena as the lead character fights for his life. Great individual performances by all the main actors involved. Well worth seeing on the big screen.

[LadyGeek]

The Greatest Beer Run Ever on AppleTV+, rated R, Zac Effron, Russel Crowe, DocuDrama, 2022. A man's story of leaving New York in 1967 to bring beer to his childhood buddies in the Army while they are fighting in Vietnam.

It started out as a comedy, but turned serious. The first half wasn't that great, but it was worth watching later on. This movie won an award. Not bad.

If you're interested in the historical background, watch the bonus content.

[RickBoglehead]

Gladiator II
Hugely satisfying movie, opening with an impressively filmed naval assault and terrific fight choreography in the arena as the lead character fights for his life. Great individual performances by all the main actors involved. Well worth seeing on the big screen.

WSJ said it was awful.

[Tubes]

"Forbidden Planet" (1956), w/ Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen

Per IMDb: "A starship crew in the 23rd century goes to investigate the silence of a distant planet's colony, only to find just two survivors, a powerful robot, and the deadly secret of a lost civilization."

I was amazed at how good this was.

The special effects were actually impressive, not cheesy. (It's the movie poster that's cheesy).

The mystery of the lost Krell civilization and why they disappeared is every bit as compelling as themes in more modern science fiction.

And, Anne Francis may have been wearing short skirts, but needn't have been ashamed to be in this movie.

I watch this movie about once per year. It is that good, if viewed in proper context.

The sound was all electronic, and ground breaking. Different than today's digital synths, and unique it its own way.

Don't forget Robbie the Robot. Robbie shows up in other films and TV shows in one form or another for the next 10 years or so. Robbie directly influenced other ideas of robots seen in film.

In Star Trek, you can clearly see the direct influence this movie had on Roddenberry, and other writers who explored the idea of lost civilizations frequently.

[Blues]

"Horizon: An American Saga, Chapter 1"

I love a good western so I couldn't resist since we had just subscribed to a very inexpensive Max offer for six months.

I think it was better than the poor reviews, and not as good as the best reviews...but we both enjoyed it and will look forward to the story continuing with Chapter 2 when it is released.

Beautiful scenery...but nothing really groundbreaking in terms of the acting or screenplay. That said, it kept my interest and I am interested to see how the story comes together, along with the various characters depicted.

[rockstar]

An Inspector Calls (2015) -- BritBox

This is essentially a morality play that's taught in the UK. I thought the acting in this adaptation was good. I would recommend. I haven't read the play, but it's on my TBR for next year.

[yankees60]

Gladiator II
Hugely satisfying movie, opening with an impressively filmed naval assault and terrific fight choreography in the arena as the lead character fights for his life. Great individual performances by all the main actors involved. Well worth seeing on the big screen.

I will never cease to be amazed at how there can be such contrasting opinions of just about everything!

Yours above gives me incentive / motivation to watch it. Maybe tonight!

[yankees60]

Gladiator II
Hugely satisfying movie, opening with an impressively filmed naval assault and terrific fight choreography in the arena as the lead character fights for his life. Great individual performances by all the main actors involved. Well worth seeing on the big screen.

WSJ said it was awful.

I generally don't put much stock in any professional reviews as doesn't it just come down to one person's opinions / tastes, which oftentimes do not at all match up with mine?

I used to laugh when a friend and I would see and love a movie which I'd then follow up to see what the review said. Oftentimes it'd get a D. After that I'd tell him after reading reviews of movies we'd not seen and got grade D's that it was probably our kind of movie.

[yankees60]

Well done.

The only strange things about it, which I've encountered also in the past, was that the CC captioned was not exact to what was being spoken. Sometimes it was not even a close paraphrase!

Grade: A

Amazon Prime

Pimpinero: Blood and Oil


In the desert bordering Colombia and Venezuela, “pimpineros” risk their lives transporting illegal gasoline from one country to another. When Juan, a young fuel smuggler, is forced to work for a mysterious rival, his girlfriend Diana embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets that shroud this no-man’s-land.
IMDb 5.6
2 h 2 min
2024
X-Ray
HDR
UHD
R
Action