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

[Artemis@BC]

Critics Awards ceremony ....

BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS -- Jacob Tremblay, "Room"

^ Is that "best young actor" category a regular thing, or something they include when there's an obvious recipient?

 

[Cachoo]

^ Is that "best young actor" category a regular thing, or something they include when there's an obvious recipient?

I believe it is a regular award. He stole the show with his adorable acceptance speech.

 

[Xela M]

I can't say that I have seen a Marlon Brando film which made me say, "I loved it!" Anytime I've watched one of his movies is because the movie was considered a classic and I felt that as a movie lover, it was one that I should see. I'm sure if I re-watched The Godfather I'd be able to say I loved a Brando film (I saw it so long ago I only remember bits and pieces). But maybe I'd think, "the movie was great, but man, did that guy ever over-act"!!

*faints* *hits head hard* *wakes up* *sees PeterG's post* *faints again*

What?!?!?!?! You don't remember the BEST FILM OF ALL TIME and you only saw it once?!?!?! I can't believe it.

Godfather Part I was absolute perfection in every scene. As for Brando's acting, mafia bosses in real life (and all movies ever since) copied his act.

 

[Buzz]

I never saw Godfather. LOL

 

[PeterG]

*faints* *hits head hard* *wakes up* *sees PeterG's post* *faints again*

What?!?!?!?! You don't remember the BEST FILM OF ALL TIME and you only saw it once?!?!?! I can't believe it.

Godfather Part I was absolute perfection in every scene. As for Brando's acting, mafia bosses in real life (and all movies ever since) copied his act.

Okay, so I just put The Godfather on hold and will report back to you. But there's three holds on two copies, so it might be a while. But as for what I remember, The Godfather might be one of those movies I watched on late night TV as a teenager, but fell asleep around 1am...come to think of it, I don't remember how the movie ended... This is what happened with The Way We Were. I'm sure I started watching it at least twice and knew the beginning, but never knew how it ended...because I'm pretty sure I fell asleep. I only got to see the ending in the last five years or so when I realized that I had seen most of it, but not how everything turned out!

 

[Xela M]

I never saw Godfather. LOL

This is an arrestable offence! You risk being sentenced to a lifetime of watching "Heaven's Gate" (and after 30mins of that you may be begging for capital punishment)

Okay, so I just put The Godfather on hold and will report back to you. But there's three holds on two copies, so it might be a while. But as for what I remember, The Godfather might be one of those movies I watched on late night TV as a teenager, but fell asleep around 1am...come to think of it, I don't remember how the movie ended... This is what happened with The Way We Were. I'm sure I started watching it at least twice and knew the beginning, but never knew how it ended...because I'm pretty sure I fell asleep. I only got to see the ending in the last five years or so when I realized that I had seen most of it, but not how everything turned out!

OMG Godfather has 3 parts you know, so have you not seen either of them in full or have you only seen bits of part 1?!?!

All kidding aside, Godfather Part I is my favourite film of all time. Part II is also amazing, but Part III is rubbish (in comparison to the genius of the other two Godfather films).

 

[gk_891]

The first Godfather film was truly extraordinary. I personally wasn't fond of the second one though and found it kind of overrated and overpraised. And I thought the third one was almost unintentionally funny.

 

[gk_891]

This is an arrestable offence! You risk being sentenced to a lifetime of watching "Heaven's Gate" (and after 30mins of that you may be begging for capital punishment)



OMG Godfather has 3 parts you know, so have you not seen either of them in full or have you only seen bits of part 1?!?!

All kidding aside, Godfather Part I is my favourite film of all time. Part II is also amazing, but Part III is rubbish (in comparison to the genius of the other two Godfather films).

Out of curiosity Xela, what other movies would rank as the greatest films of all time in addition to The Godfather (which I agree is one of the greatest if not the greatest film of all time).

 

[Xela M]

The first Godfather film was truly extraordinary. I personally wasn't fond of the second one though and found it kind of overrated and overpraised. And I thought the third one was almost unintentionally funny.

Funny you should say this because many people I know preferred Godfather Part II and I have always thought that Part I was much better, but after countless viewings, I had to admit that Part II was also great in its own way and it followed very well from Part I (the contrast between the approaches of the different heads of families - without giving too much away for people who haven't seen it).

However, Godfather Part I is in my opinion the pinnacle of film making. It's perfect.

 

[Xela M]

Out of curiosity Xela, what other movies would rank as the greatest films of all time in addition to The Godfather (which I agree is one of the greatest if not the greatest film of all time).

Ok... this is very embarrassing because loving "The Godfather" makes me sound more serious than I actually am. I'm (very) ashamed to admit that my second favourite film of all time is "Gone with the Wind". I can't help loving it and even after I have read the novel, I still think the film is extraordinary especially for its time. If not for the poor casting of Ashley Wilkes, it would have been perfect. Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara is still the best performance by a female lead in my view.

However, having recently rewatched "Schindler's List" I think it's a masterpiece that also deserves a "one of the best of all time" rating.

Aside from that, Fellini's "La Strada" is also a film that left an everlasting impression on me.

What's your list?

 

[Artemis@BC]

I'd be hard pressed to pick a single "best of all time," but The Sting would have to be on any "one of the best" lists. And it holds up better than The Godfather does, IMO.

 

[gk_891]

Oh, my list keeps shifting and changing. But in no particular order, I usually include Citizen Kane (my one criticism of it is that there are no memorable lines in the movie but I think it's technically flawless), The Godfather, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Blue Angel, Fellini's 8 1/2, Woman in the Dunes, Rashomon, The Tin Drum, The Seventh Seal, Shame (or Skammen from 1968, not the Fassbender movie), Raise the Red Lantern, and Pixote A Lei Do Mais Fraco. MOvies from this century that that have made a huge impression on me were Mulholland Dr. and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

 

[agalisgv]

I thought Citizen Kane was one of the most boring movies of all time . Still don't get the hype...

 

[Xela M]

Oh, my list keeps shifting and changing. But in no particular order, I usually include Citizen Kane (my one criticism of it is that there are no memorable lines in the movie but I think it's technically flawless), The Godfather, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Blue Angel, Fellini's 8 1/2, Woman in the Dunes, Rashomon, The Tin Drum, The Seventh Seal, Shame (or Skammen from 1968, not the Fassbender movie), Raise the Red Lantern, and Pixote A Lei Do Mais Fraco. MOvies from this century that that have made a huge impression on me were Mulholland Dr. and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

Wow, I haven't actually seen most films on your list, but will have a look. I must admit I didn't "get" Citizen Kane though

 

[Xela M]

I'd be hard pressed to pick a single "best of all time," but The Sting would have to be on any "one of the best" lists. And it holds up better than The Godfather does, IMO.

Love "The Sting", but I don't think it's as good as "The Godfather" to be honest. Great film nonetheless though.

 

[Buzz]

#276

 

[Xela M]

Another film on my "best of all time" list is 'Goodfellas'.

 

[Seerek]

Haven't gotten around to commenting on the TV-movie that aired in December based on Dolly Parton's song, which was also the title of the movie, "Coat Of Many Colors". I loved it. It reminded me of Little House On The Prairie and The Waltons. Just a straight-forward story that's not afraid of having a heart and not afraid of taking a firm stance on what's right and what's wrong. I hope that doesn't sound overbearing, because the movie isn't like that. Some of the films over the last few years that are marketed to a Christian market seem like that, but not this one. The cast, Ricky Schroder, Jennifer Nettles (from the country duo Sugarland) and Gerald McCraney are all top-notch. Coat of Many Colors is basically just a sweet movie in many ways, but one of depth as well. The connections between various characters are very heartfelt but not simplistic. I definitely recommend this one.

I'm slightly surprised the original NBC broadcast was not pushed a little more around the November sweeps period rather than 2nd week of December (it still did very well in any case).

This film works because Alyvia Alyn Lind (Dolly) is fully engaged throughout the film without coming off as precocious.
Alyvia lost to Kirsten Dunst (Fargo) at Critics' Choice Awards yesterday, but it was good to see her performance nominated in the TV movie/mini-series category.

 

[gk_891]

I thought Citizen Kane was one of the most boring movies of all time . Still don't get the hype...

A lot of people don't care for it and I can understand why. Although it's flawless in terms of how it used gloomy dark visuals to portray pieces of the main character's life and how he became such a person, there are no real memorable lines and some found the main character's story to be uninteresting. I remember when I took a film class years ago, I read about how some consider it an 'empty' masterpiece. I can understand the reasoning. Also, with all the hype behind 'the greatest film of all time' title, some are bound to be disappointed no matter what. I certainly felt that way when I first saw it but I changed my mind when I saw it again years later.

 

[gk_891]

Another film on my "best of all time" list is 'Goodfellas'.

Yes, it's an incredible movie!

 

[Artemis@BC]

Love "The Sting", but I don't think it's as good as "The Godfather" to be honest. Great film nonetheless though.

I think at its time The Godfather was probably a better movie. However watching them both now, The Sting holds up better, and The Godfather looks more dated. IMO, anyway.

 

[Artemis@BC]

Timely for this discussion: HBO is doing a 7-hour version of I and II, edited together in chronological order.

http://www.theladbible.com/articles...mmoth-seven-hour-edit-of-the-godfather-180116

Um ... okay then ...

 

[gk_891]

Wow, I haven't actually seen most films on your list, but will have a look. I must admit I didn't "get" Citizen Kane though

A lot of these movies are older and some are silent. But I absolutely love German expressionism. Not only The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (which made a huge impression on me) but also Nosferatu, M, The Last Laugh, Metropolis, and the duo epic film (together known as Die Nibelungen) Siegfried and Kriemhild's Revenge. When I first saw Siegfried and Kriemhild's Revenge many years ago, I was stunned at what Fritz Lang could accomplish at the time. And his influence was clear on directors like Sergei Eisenstein and Leni Riefenstahl.

Other movies that I also love are Autumn Sonata, Cries and Whispers, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Go-Between (1970 version), The Celebration, The Dreamlife of Angels, Elephant, 4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days, The Conversation (another Coppola masterpiece made after The Godfather), The Official Story, City of God, Persona, The Dreamlife of Angels, The Insider (I think it's Russell Crowe's best performance), Goodfellas, and The Face of Another.

 

[watchthis!!]

Movie news.

Wait! George Miller Wants to Make More 'Mad Max'; Has Two Stories
http://www.firstshowing.net/2016/wait-george-miller-is-happy-to-make-more-mad-max-has-two-stories/

Earlier this week there was news that George Miller had said there would be no more Mad Max movies are untrue. News that will make some FSU’ers here pretty happy!


‘Deadpool’ Banned: China’s Censors Won’t Let the Movie Play in Theaters
http://www.slashfilm.com/deadpool-banned-in-china/

We under a month away from seeing the wacky and dangerous Merc with a Mouth take the big screen properly in 20th Century Fox’s Deadpool. And while fans are extremely excited to see the film will all the cursing, violence, and nudity they were hoping for from the officially R-rated comic book flick starring Ryan Reynolds, the censors in China are less than thrilled with the film’s content.

Steve Coogan & John C. Reilly Cast in Upcoming Laurel & Hardy Film
http://www.firstshowing.net/2016/steve-coogan-john-c-reilly-cast-in-upcoming-laurel-hardy-biopic/

This will be a BBC Films production and the article uses this quote:

…their golden era a distant memory, Laurel & Hardy set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. As they set out, crisscrossing the country, attendances are disappointingly low. But they’ve always been able to make each other laugh and as the charm and beauty of their performances shines through their audiences laugh too, and they re-connect with legions of adoring fans, old and new.

Sounds much better than what first went through my head when I saw mention of this project!


Spike Lee & Jada Pinkett Smith Refuse To Attend 2016 Oscars Over Lack Of Diversity Among Nominees
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/we-cannot-support-it-spike-lee-refuses-to-attend-2016-oscars-over-all-white-acting-nominees-20160118?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed

Excerpt of the statement from Spike Lee (who has never received a best director nomination):

As I See It, The Academy Awards Is Not Where The 'Real' Battle Is. It's In The Executive Office Of The Hollywood Studios And TV And Cable Networks. This Is Where The Gate Keepers Decide What Gets Made And What Gets Jettisoned To 'Turnaround' Or Scrap Heap. This Is What's Important.

 

[Vash01]

Highly unlikely, since he wasn't nominated.

He (Jacob Tremblay) has received a ton of attention and accolades though, so no doubt his acting career is well and truly established. Assuming he wants it, of course.

I still haven't managed to see the film, it ran for such a short time here and not in any convenient location for me. But I keep hoping that the Oscar buzz will bring it back.

I loved the book though, so have no doubt that that material + the great acting results in an excellent film.

I kept thinking that Jacob was nominated for an Oscar though he wasn't. I must have confused it with his other nominations. Room is a wonderful movie and I am happy that the Director got a nomination.

 

[Xela M]

Timely for this discussion: HBO is doing a 7-hour version of I and II, edited together in chronological order.

http://www.theladbible.com/articles...mmoth-seven-hour-edit-of-the-godfather-180116

Um ... okay then ...

Noo! It's actually terrible in chronological order!! I've watched it a few years ago.

One needs to watch the Godfather (I and II) the way they were meant to be seen, not in chronological order.

 

[Xela M]

I watched "Consenting Adults" - a thriller with the all star cast of Kevin Kline, Kevin Spacey, Forest Whitaker, Rebecca Miller (Arthur Miller's daughter?), Mary Mastrantonio. The film is much better than its rating suggests and very suspenseful with a sudden twist. The cast is great and unlike in 'The Ref', Kevin Spacey actually had to work at stealing scenes from this cast.

The story is a bit far fetched, but not a bad film and what can go wrong with that kind of ensemble?!

 

[PeterG]

Weekend Domestic Chart for January 15th, 2016

Ride Along 2 kicked Star Wars out of the top spot (it fell to #3), making 34 million and $10,720 per theatre (the best of any movie in the top 20). So in three days, it came close to making back it’s 40 million production budget. The Revenant stayed at #2 and made just under 30 million. The worldwide box office is now at 144 million, so the 135 million production budget has been covered. How much will a best actor win up that box office total?

Debuting at #4 is 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi from director Michael Bay, it made 16 million. Another debut came in at #6, the animated movie Norm of the North, which made almost 7 million. Maggie Smith’s “The Lady In The Van” debuted down at #39, but it played in only four theatres, where it made a healthy $18,066 per theatre.

The 5th Wave has been bumped a week (more afraid of Star Wars or Ride Along??) and two other new movies released last week were nowhere to be seen on this weekend’s chart: A Perfect Day starring Benicio Del Toro & Tim Robbins and The Benefactor (Limited) - Drama with Richard Gere, Dakota Fanning & Theo James. Straight to DVD for these two?

Movies that make big revenue jumps from last week include:

+504% - Room
+360% - Son of Saul (just Oscar-nominated for Best Foreign Language film of the year)
+243% - Lamb (Ross Partridge, Jess Weixler drama)
+67% - Spotlight
+57% - Brooklyn

 

[Wyliefan]

I'll go see Hail, Caesar, though I expect to spend much of it giving Channing Tatum the side-eye and going "Dude. You are SO not Gene Kelly." Of course, no one but Gene Kelly can actually be Gene Kelly, but whatever. I've never been much of a Tatum fan (I know I'm in the minority on that), and though he's a good dancer, for me he can't be more than a weak imitation.

(If they'd gotten Jean Dujardin, now . . . that would have worked so much better.)

But the rest of the movie looks like fun!

 

[Jay42]

*faints* *hits head hard* *wakes up* *sees PeterG's post* *faints again*

What?!?!?!?! You don't remember the BEST FILM OF ALL TIME and you only saw it once?!?!?! I can't believe it.

Godfather Part I was absolute perfection in every scene. As for Brando's acting, mafia bosses in real life (and all movies ever since) copied his act.

I've never seen Godfather either. I don't really plan on to be honest, it just never interested me.

I'd be hard pressed to pick a single "best of all time," but The Sting would have to be on any "one of the best" lists. And it holds up better than The Godfather does, IMO.

I love The Sting! It's one of my favourite movies. The score is just phenomenal and there is so much happening in the movie but it never gets lost or muddled, it's great.

I'll go see Hail, Caesar, though I expect to spend much of it giving Channing Tatum the side-eye and going "Dude. You are SO not Gene Kelly." Of course, no one but Gene Kelly can actually be Gene Kelly, but whatever. I've never been much of a Tatum fan (I know I'm in the minority on that), and though he's a good dancer, for me he can't be more than a weak imitation.

(If they'd gotten Jean Dujardin, now . . . that would have worked so much better.)

But the rest of the movie looks like fun!

I'm in the same boat. But I do like The Coen Brothers and the rest of the cast looks solid so I'm willing to grin and bear it.