Let’s Talk Movies! #31: Pandas, Zombies, Male Models, Superheroes, Greeks and…Caesar!

[Jay42]

I have never been into the whole "superhero" thing but ..... aren't Superman and Batman both 'good guys'? If they are, why are they fighting each other?

They have a history of being antagonistic with each other in the comics. I haven't read a lot of the DC comics, but my brother has and I'm inclined to believe him.

 

[watchthis!!]

Watch: Supercut Highlights 20 Great Homages To Silent Films
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplayl...hts-20-great-homages-to-silent-films-20160304

I'm not sure all twenty examples were really homages or not (or just similarities). What do you think? Interesting to see silent film footage side by side with Star Wars, The Untouchables, Back To The Future, Goodfellas, E.T., etc.

And if you want to go right to the video (which is only three minutes long), here's the direct link:

20 silent films you watched without knowing it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGSW2kL0B2k

I have never been into the whole "superhero" thing but ..... aren't Superman and Batman both 'good guys'? If they are, why are they fighting each other?

From the previews I've seen, it looks like Batman is seeing Superman as an outsider who is doing things in ways that Batman finds objectionable. And maybe Batman is going through a rough patch and is acting a bit pissy??

 

[Cachoo]

I'm actually looking forward to seeing Affleck as an older, somewhat beaten down Batman. You wonder how the years affect these folks---especially the human heroes.

 

[Cachoo]

A choice of movies tonight---Spy or Big Eyes ???? I'm inclined to go with Amy Adams.

 

[Xela M]

I watched "Peeping Tom" with the blindingly handsome and brilliant Karlheinz Bohm (see my above posts about the "Sissi" trilogy). It's a psycho thriller about a serial killer who films his victims whilst he kills them. It's very much in the Hitchcock-style. This film was a huge flop when it came out, from which the director's career never recovered. Since then, it has gained cult-status and it's apparently one of Martin Scorsese's favourite films. It was also voted one of the 20 most important films of all time. Karlheinz Bohm spoke 30 years later about how devastated he had been by the film's terrible reception and that the director never got to find out that the film would become popular with subsequent audiences.

I thought it was extremely well-filmed and very suspenseful, very much like one would expect from a Hichcock thriller.

 

[Artemis@BC]

A choice of movies tonight---Spy or Big Eyes ???? I'm inclined to go with Amy Adams.

Depends what you're in the mood for. Spy is goofy, LOL, tons of fun. Big Eyes is ... harder to describe. Definitely not a fun movie, and I enjoyed the performances more than the movie itself.

 

[Artemis@BC]

I watched Queen of Earth last night. Very stylish, intense little psycho-drama. A must-see for Elisabeth Moss fans, she was amazing -- but so was Katherine Waterston, her co-star. The movie itself is unsettling and inconclusive (intentionally so) so you'd probably have to be in the right mood for it.

Lying in bed last night trying to fall asleep, I was doing a "degrees of separation" for these two actors. I went around the houses a bit til I landed on a very simple one: Katherine Waterston is the daughter of Sam Waterston's, who co-stars with Martin Sheen in Grace and Frankie. And Sheen played Elisabeth Moss's on-screen father in The West Wing.

And I wonder why I have trouble falling asleep when it's things like that I'm thinking about ...

 

[Buzz]

I'm actually looking forward to seeing Affleck as an older, somewhat beaten down Batman. You wonder how the years affect these folks---especially the human heroes.

Affleck as batman = The only reason I am looking forward to B v S is to see Wonder Woman and a lesser extent Aquaman. After a couple dozen superhero movies it is high time we had a female superhero movie in the mix. Too bad we still have over a year before we get one.

 

[Artistic Skaters]

A choice of movies tonight---Spy or Big Eyes ???? I'm inclined to go with Amy Adams.

Make it a double feature! I liked both, but I'm partial to Big Eyes because I like Tim Burton & when I was a kid I used to buy cards of those paintings with my allowance & then take them home & draw them.

 

[orbitz]

I have never been into the whole "superhero" thing but ..... aren't Superman and Batman both 'good guys'? If they are, why are they fighting each other?

Superman is a new arrival to Earth. Many people still regard him at this point as an alien and don't know if he can be trusted. His battle with General Zod in the first film caused great destruction and innocent deaths; Some of the collateral deaths in that battle were Bruce Wayne's friends. The second film will see Batman being angry at this alien being that called himself Superman. Batman will be confrontational to put Superman in his place. Midway through the film will find the two of them - and Wonder Woman - uneasily cooperating together against a super strong common foe set out to destroy earth. The third film after S vs. B will be The Justice League of America and by that time Superman and Batman will be bosom buddies

 

[Jay42]

Affleck as batman = The only reason I am looking forward to B v S is to see Wonder Woman and a lesser extent Aquaman. After a couple dozen superhero movies it is high time we had a female superhero movie in the mix. Too bad we still have over a year before we get one.

I'm in total agreement, although I would say I'm equally as excited about Aquaman. I've been a big fan of Jason Momoa since Stargate: Atlantis. He's also really, really hot. Which you know, definitely helps in my opinion .

I'm kind of excited for the Wonder Woman movie. I'm definitely not going to get too excited until we actually see a trailer for it.

 

[PeterG]

I saw The Revenant last week and it's interesting how having read so many comments of the movie affected my viewing of it. I kinda wished everything that had been posted about it had been in spoiler tags...even though what was written wasn't a spoiler. I think because of this I had over-analyzed the movie before I even saw it. And after having had five days or so to let it sink in...I'm really impressed. I'm happy that Inarittu won best director, he made up for the wacky Birdman with this movie. I do have to admit that I haven't seen The Big Short, Room or Spotlight yet, so maybe my thoughts on his best director win will change eventually. Although The Big Short is not on my list of movies to see... Anyway, I think The Revenant deserves to be in the same category as some of the sweeping epics of the past where the movie really should be seen on the big screen. It is a beautifully shot movie and just the visuals were maybe enough to make me give the movie a thumbs up. The excessive violence that had been mentioned got me doubting whether I should see this movie or not. I was expecting a Tarantino-like bloody splatfest. And I kept expecting for the violence to come on screen where I'd have to hide my eyes. And then I waited some more...and some more... Other than

Spoiler

the bear attack

...I'm not sure what people were talking about! And some of the comments about DiCaprio made me think he would be over-acting and trying so hard...and I didn't see any of that. So much of his performance was

Spoiler

both still (due to him not being able to move) as well as silent [not being able to talk with a hole in this throat...yikes!!)

. Plus there were scenes of his character

Spoiler

offering kindness to people when he was in the midst of (hopefully!!) the biggest challenge of his life...plus the scene when his son has died is heartbreaking...

. So I'm definitely happy with his win, but again, I've only seen The Martian, but plan on seeing Trumbo, Steve Jobs and The Danish Girl eventually. So I'll get back to y'all on both of these Oscar wins.

I'm such a non-movie person, I just now, today, finally watched "Brokeback Mountain".
Awww, Heath

It's never too late to see one of the greatest movies of all time. I'm still watching movies that I added to my To See list from maybe as far back as the 90's. And then there's all the old movies I keep discovering or have recommended to me. Heck, I even have a few more silent films on my list that I need to see!

Kathryn Bigelow & Mark Boal Making a Film on Detroit's Race Riots
http://www.firstshowing.net/2016/kathryn-bigelow-mark-boal-making-a-film-on-detroits-race-riots/

Channing Tatum, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Team for Musical Comedy
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/channing-tatum-joseph-gordon-levitt-862288

Both of these sound like movies I'll very much to see. I'd prefer Bigelow branch out more from doing just intense dramas. I was going to say that at least she's not doing another war drama, but in a way, a movie about race riots IS kind of a war movie. Maybe it's too much to hope she will make a romantic comedy...but maybe a thriller or even a popcorn movie like Kenneth Brannagh did with Thor?

And Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt should make a great team. They both continue to do interesting work and even their movies that aren't as good as their other work are still better than a lot of the other movies out there. Plus they'll probably deliver some great DVD bloopers and outtakes!

 

[Cachoo]

Movies being released this week listed below. The Wave is one I'm looking forward to as it reminds me of the 70's movies I saw as a kid (Earthquake, Towering Inferno, etc.). But now with much better effects! And only three psycho revenge thriller pics this week to choose from (and Camino, Desierto and Road Games). I can only watch so many of this type of movie until I end up feeling really yucky. All three look like well made films, but Camino seems like it might have a better story than the others. Plus it's great to see a woman kicking butt. If anybody sees Desierto or Road Games, I'd really like to hear what you think about them. And last (and certainly least), I dumped "Emelie" to the bottom of the list as it looks like a disgusting idea for a movie. BLECH!! \
March 4th - The Wave (Limited) – Action drama. From imdb.com: “Even though awaited, no-one is really ready when the mountain pass of Åkneset above the scenic narrow Norwegian fjord Geiranger falls out and creates a 85-meter-high violent tsunami. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIr90-aG26Y

The Wave looks scary good.

 

[BigB08822]

Went and saw Deadpool tonight. It was absolutely hilarious. Great movie and by far my favorite comic book movie so far.

 

[olympic]

I finally got my wish and saw 'Carol'. Yay!

First of all, the acting in the movie was stellar: Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara had to take the very subtle and move viewers with it, which they were able to do. I also thought the design, directing, writing and cinematography was spot on and the movie had a perfect ending; no schlock or unreal circumstance. The unspoken was conveyed beautifully. I still can't get over this wasn't in the Oscars' huge list of Best picture nominees, when it was able to win at Cannes and the New York Film Critic Choice awards.

 

[michiruwater]

A choice of movies tonight---Spy or Big Eyes ???? I'm inclined to go with Amy Adams.

Spy was infinitely superior, IMO. I was really disappointed in Big Eyes given the talent of the two leads.

 

[Cachoo]

Spy was infinitely superior, IMO. I was really disappointed in Big Eyes given the talent of the two leads.

I watched "Spy" and was pleasantly surprised. I thought the supporting roles were particularly funny. I didn't know Rose Byrne and Jason Statham had comedic chops. And I liked Miranda Hart and Jude Law as well. I don't know a lot about the man who played Aldo but he was a lot of fun.
It was a good romp.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Saw The Lady in the Van yesterday. One of those very nice British movies about a "mostly true story". Worth seeing just to see Maggie Smith play a batshit crazy old lady. And Alex Jenning as Alan Bennett was very good.

 

[cygnus]

I've mentioned this film before, but I came across it again on youtube and this time with English subtitles. It's the first film of the "Sissi" trilogy. It's about Austria's most beloved Empress Elisabeth of Austria (nicknamed "Sissi"). This film trilogy is absolutely gorgeous, well-made, amazingly acted and surprisingly historically accurate. It's about Sissi's younger years as a Bayern princess and her marriage to her cousin, the Emperor of Austria Franz Joseph II.

This is the best feel-good film of all time and a must see for anyone who hasn't seen it. German-speaking people were literally obsessed with it and hounded Romy Schneiner (who plays Sissi) so much she lived all her life abroad.

She was only 15 when the filming of the first film began and her on-screen mother is played by her actual mother. Emperor Franz Joseph is played by one of the most handsome and brilliant actors of all time - Karlheinz Boehm (http://www.purestars.de/artikel/kar...aus-sissi-filmen-stirbt-mit-86-jahren_a2467/2 ) who in addition was an incredible personality off-screen. (He dedicated his life to charity projects in Ethiopia and moved there with his family).

Anyway, here is the first part of the trilogy in German with English subtitles... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pHlYi3tD0Pw

In my view, one of the best-made historical dramas ever.

It's hard to imagine any historically accurate movie about Sissi being "feel-good", though- her life was (in her own eyes at least) miserable most of the time. Her relationships with her husband, mother-in-law, and children (apart from her youngest daughter) were strained throughout her life She spent most of her time avoiding the stultifying atmosphere of court and her marriage and saw herself as a perpetual victim.

That said- I think I saw the first movie many years ago, and I did enjoy it, although I don't remember much of it. The performances, especially Schneider's were wonderful.

 

[PeterG]

"Afterwards" is a 2009 dramatic mystery thriller, but while I found it somewhat dramatic, and perhaps a little mysterious, I did not find it to be very thrilling. Movies like this make me contemplate whether it was the script or the direction that made the movie flounder. It stars John Malkovich and Evangeline Lilly [Lost and Ant-Man]. Both are fine, so maybe it's the script that's the fault as I never cared much about their story and what might happen to them. Plus the lead character (played by Romain Duris) is a rather unlikeable fellow and I often find it tough to get into a movie with a lead character who I never want to root for. I think it's possible that with stronger direction, the movie might have been better. But unfortunately for this movie, the director is also the movie's co-writer. Luckily I got this movie for free from the library, so I didn't pay a penny for it. An appropriate sum.

Emily Blunt in Talks for Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ Sequel
http://www.slashfilm.com/emily-blunt-as-mary-poppins/

Geez, I'm going to have to get around to watching the original. I probably saw it as a kid and know certain scenes as they get shown often when classic movies are discussed. But it's one of those movies that is definitely overdue for a re-viewing. My first thought about a remake is ACK, but probably the target audience for a new version have pretty much zero awareness of the original. So with a hefty production budget (and an equally strong production budget), this could maybe do quite well??

Are we doomed to disagree on the greatness that is Ingrid Bergman? I suppose we can't all be perfect. Seriously though, Gaslight and Notorious. If you don't enjoy her in Notorious you will at least have Cary Grant.

I haven't given up on Bergman. I have these two movies to see still, plus I need to re-watch Casablanca. I probably haven't seen that since I was a teenager, so it will probably be like seeing it for the first time. If I don't like her in that, then I'm thinking maybe we will have to agree to disagree...

I'm fairly sure most people who saw Green Lantern wish they hadn't. Ryan Reynolds might wish he hadn't done it. His career really started floundering after Green Lantern bombed. Hopefully Deadpool helps thing pick up again for him.

I think you're right, Reynolds might be hired for another job or two after Deadpool.

 

[Artemis@BC]

Geez, I'm going to have to get around to watching the original. I probably saw it as a kid and know certain scenes as they get shown often when classic movies are discussed. But it's one of those movies that is definitely overdue for a re-viewing. My first thought about a remake is ACK, but probably the target audience for a new version have pretty much zero awareness of the original. So with a hefty production budget (and an equally strong production budget), this could maybe do quite well??

I suggest a double-bill: Saving Mr Banks, followed by Mary Poppins.

I re-watched Mary Poppins a couple of years ago after seeing Saving Mr Banks. I was pleased to see that it held up very well -- and even Dick Van Dyke's appalling cockney accent didn't bother me too much. And the music really is excellent. I still can't hear/see "Feed the Birds" without getting a little teary.

As for a sequel ... my initial reaction is "ugh." But they might surprise me.

 

[Xela M]

It's hard to imagine any historically accurate movie about Sissi being "feel-good", though- her life was (in her own eyes at least) miserable most of the time. Her relationships with her husband, mother-in-law, and children (apart from her youngest daughter) were strained throughout her life She spent most of her time avoiding the stultifying atmosphere of court and her marriage and saw herself as a perpetual victim.

That said- I think I saw the first movie many years ago, and I did enjoy it, although I don't remember much of it. The performances, especially Schneider's were wonderful.

Sissi's later life was tragic (as was Romy Schneider's!), but these three films focus on her younger years.

The first film shows her as a freedom-loving 16-year-old who grew up in Bavaria with her eccentric and equally carefree father, far away from the stuffy court of Vienna. It is true that even though her father was a Duke and married to one of the daughters of King Maximilian of Bavaria, his manners were considered to be quite embarrassing. It is also true

Spoiler

that Sissi was never meant to marry Emperor Franz Joseph. He was meant to marry her elder sister Helene, but when her mother went with Helene to meet Franz Joseph and to announce the engagement, she took Sissi along. When Franz Joseph saw Sissi he fell madly in love and chose to marry her over her sister, much to the dismay of his mother.

All of this is shown in the first film and it is so beautifully made with such incredible attention to detail, costuming and to the time, that it's simply gorgeous.

The second film is about the difficult relationship Austria had with Hungary

Spoiler

and how Sissi helped mend it and how she was crowned Queen of Hungary.

It is true that she was absolutely obsessed with Hungary and spent most of her time there

Spoiler

and that she was very close to Count Andrássy (reportedly her lover)

It also shows the strained relationship Sissi had with her mother-in-law and the whole court in Vienna

Spoiler

particularly over her eldest daughter (whom in real life she took to Hungary against the wishes of her mother-in-law where the child died).

The third film continues to depict Sissi's relationship with Hungary and the Viennese court, but also shows other unrest in the Austrian empire. The main focus of the film is

Spoiler

Sissi's illness, which is a historical fact. Her miraculous recovery abroad is also true.

The films are truly amazing in their intricate detail and beauty, but they don't touch upon the tragedies that later befall Sissi.

P.S. Your description of Sissi is not quite accurate either. She was one of the most progressive and emancipated women of her time. She was also incredibly talented and considered to be the most beautiful and influential woman in Europe. Although it's well-known that she grew tired of her husband and had various lovers, Franz Joseph adored her and lost (whatever was left of) his mind when she was killed. She didn't really have a bad relationship with her son either. She adored him and wanted to make him Emperor over her husband. But he was weak and probably had the family's mad streak.

 

[Xela M]

I suggest a double-bill: Saving Mr Banks, followed by Mary Poppins.

I re-watched Mary Poppins a couple of years ago after seeing Saving Mr Banks. I was pleased to see that it held up very well -- and even Dick Van Dyke's appalling cockney accent didn't bother me too much. And the music really is excellent. I still can't hear/see "Feed the Birds" without getting a little teary.

As for a sequel ... my initial reaction is "ugh." But they might surprise me.

Saving Mr Banks was a MUCH better film than Mary Poppins in my view, but I have read the book and seen the infinitely better and more accurate Russian version of the film, so to me the Disney film was almost unwatchable. I can understand why she hated the film

 

[olympic]

I just finished 'Spotlight'. Wow. What a powerful movie. Definitely deserving of all the accolades it has received.

 

[MacMadame]

I read two of the Mary Poppins books when I was a kid and I don't remember her aging in them.

 

[PeterG]

I read two of the Mary Poppins books when I was a kid and I don't remember her aging in them.

Harumph! Sounds like fiction to me!!

 

[Jay42]

I haven't given up on Bergman. I have these two movies to see still, plus I need to re-watch Casablanca. I probably haven't seen that since I was a teenager, so it will probably be like seeing it for the first time. If I don't like her in that, then I'm thinking maybe we will have to agree to disagree...

Well at least there is still hope.

I think you're right, Reynolds might be hired for another job or two after Deadpool.

I mean, anything is possible. At least we know there won't be an R.I.P.D. 2.

 

[watchthis!!]

So with Judy Davis, Julian Sands, Emma Thompson, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters and Hugh Grant all in one movie, shouldn't I have liked Impromptu more than I did? It's basically a poor little rich kids movie. People too weak for being born into a life of poverty, perhaps. And I thought Bernadette Peters stole the movie, which was a big surprise. Fun to see Emma Thompson in an early character role, but her performance was a bit too over the top in my opinion. Worth watching just to see all these talents in one place at one time. But that's about it...

I think you're right, Reynolds might be hired for another job or two after Deadpool.

Of course he'll get another movie or two! Deadpool 2 and Deadpool 3.

 

[PeterG]

Weekend Domestic Chart for March 4th, 2016

Finally a number of strong debuts with Zootopia at #1, London Has Fallen at #2 and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot at #4. Deadpool slipped from #1 to #3. Zootopia made a killing, just over 70 million in box office and internationally…add another 158 million! Zootopia has had time to accumulate that much internationally as it opened in many countries in the middle of February. Maybe there were rave reviews for it on social media from friends in numerous countries around the world, so Americans were lining up to finally get to see it. Zootopia made a strong $18,457 per theatre average, the only other movie to make five figures on average per theatre was the Terrence Malick film Knight Of Cups which made $15,138 per theatre – but opened in only four theatres total! (Compared to Zootopia playing in 3,827 theatres.

London Has Fallen at #2 made 21 million domestically and 12 million internationally on a 105 million budget. Not great numbers to start with. Strange that they gave this sequel a bigger budget than the first movie as Olympus Has Fallen made 150 million on a 75 million budget, so not a lot of profit after publicity. Enough to get some studio head fired? Wait for the tell-all book…

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot at #4 made seven million, no international box office numbers yet. The production budget was 35 million, so things aren’t looking too bright for this one either. DARN YOU, ZOOTOPIA!!!

Other than some old movies, the only big revenue jumps from last week was:

+140% - Spotlight. Hmm. Anybody hear any news about this movie last week?

Box office thresholds passed/reached:

300 million - Deadpool

 

[Nan]

Saw Deadpool tonight. It was a lot of fun.