Let's Talk Movies #34 - Kingsmen, Murder, Blade Runners and...IT!

[kwanfan1818]

She was the *stah* when she was at Yale School of Drama, as hyped as anyone. She was expected to go make her mark on stage.

Did she sing in Mama Mia? I saw the movie and only remember I liked her and the scenery was grand.

 

[Desperado]

Did she sing in Mama Mia? I saw the movie and only remember I liked her and the scenery was grand.

Yes, she did “The Winner Takes it All” in character and it was her best work of the movie IMHO. IIRC, she also sang at the beginning wearing overalls and acting like an 8-year old (director’s idea I’m sure). That was cringe worthy.

 

[snoopy]

Just saw same kind of different as me. The worst movie I've ever seen.

 

[Wyliefan]

Just saw same kind of different as me. The worst movie I've ever seen.

Really? Do tell!

 

[Vash01]

Pretty sure Meryl did some singing with Lily Tomlin in Prairie Home Companion.

Imo, I think Meryl fares better when she has a strong ensemble/co-lead to feed off of vs having to anchor a movie on her own.

Are you serious? She carried The Iron Lady completely on her own. Many of her great works have been without a co-lead (I assume you mean a female co-lead). Out of Africa, A cry in the dark, and really too many to list. May be you don't like her but at least be fair in stating facts.

 

[Vash01]

I saw 'Only the brave' today because my painting class ended at 4 pm and there was a big shopping mall with newly modeled theatres nearby. Luckily there was a show at 5 pm, so I went in. It was totally unplanned.

I think they did a really good job of telling the story of the Granite Mountain hotshots. The scenes of the fires were fantastic. The movie was slow to get started and dragged a bit from time to time. Still, the intensity toward the end was very high and I was crying, knowing what had happened to those fire fighters. All the places in the movie were familiar to me, though not the areas away from towns and cities.

I don't know if those living outside of Arizona would be as moved as I was. I hope they will be. The Yarnell fire was a very big tragedy in Arizona- the biggest loss of firefighters in the US since 9/11. After the movie ended and the credits rolled, some people (including me) just sat there through the end.

 

[snoopy]

Really? Do tell!

Bad storytelling - told at a very superficial level. No character development, all based on trite tropes. Renee is good hearted rich lady (who was so one dimensional, at one point I wondered if she was supposed to be crazy). Djimon is the brutish but wise and noble savage. Bad dialogue. Bad acting. My SO said it felt like a movie made by a college student. And lo and behold. This is the young director's only second movie.

I'm sure everyone involved in the movie really means well and maybe this was in the voice of rich tawny white people and is meant to speak to them. But oy. Black people, do not go see this movie.

I appreciate that this movie tries to address kindness as there is so little of it these days. It tries to replicate the goodness of a little house on the prairie episode. But Michael Landon did it so much better.

The only bright spot was the credits at the end when you learn the real Ron and Denver raised $65MM for charities supporting the homeless.

 

[Allskate]

I was so annoyed Meryl Streep got nominated over Amy Adams for Arrival. I haven't seen Hello, My Name is Doris although I've heard amazing things.

I haven't really enjoyed seeing Meryl Streep in anything since The Devil Wears Prada. I feel like I'm watching Meryl Streep, not the character and it's extremely distracting.

Perhaps you haven't seen many of her movies since The Devil? If you limited your selection of Amy Adams movies, you probably could say that you only see Amy Adams. But, really, I don't see how you could just see Meryl Streep when watching Florence Foster Jenkins. Or Into the Woods. Or Iron Lady. Or Julie and Julia. These characters are all so different and she embodies the characters. I think Meryl takes on a wider range of characters than a lot of actresses do.

Different strokes for different folks and all that, but I watched "Hello, My Name Is Doris" on DVD and didn't even finish it, though I don't blame Sally Field. I also didn't like FFJ, but again don't blame Meryl Streep. I didn't care much for Arrival, either. It's not always the acting that is to blame, and sometimes great acting can't save a movie for me.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Haven't seen many movies lately but decided last night I should catch up on a classic. So watched 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Well it was certainly interesting to say the least to see what the fuss was about. I think the themes and technology are very well ahead of it's time. And it is brilliantly directed. The most effective scenes were the ones on the space ship when Hal decides to take control. That had the most drama and was very well done. Funny that most of the time I sat there waiting for the iconic scenes - the baby in the womb, "Open the pod Hall", the use of the music. So much of it was familiar because of it's place in popular culture. And it did leave me with a very strong impression. But I kind of was left wondering what it was trying to say.

So worth seeing just to tick off the movie watching bucket list but I don't think I would need to see it again.

 

[Japanfan]

Haven't seen many movies lately but decided last night I should catch up on a classic. So watched 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Well it was certainly interesting to say the least to see what the fuss was about. I think the themes and technology are very well ahead of it's time. And it is brilliantly directed. The most effective scenes were the ones on the space ship when Hal decides to take control. That had the most drama and was very well done. Funny that most of the time I sat there waiting for the iconic scenes - the baby in the womb, "Open the pod Hall", the use of the music. So much of it was familiar because of it's place in popular culture. And it did leave me with a very strong impression. But I kind of was left wondering what it was trying to say.

So worth seeing just to tick off the movie watching bucket list but I don't think I would need to see it again.

I have watched 2001: A Space Odyssey many times and wrote a major paper on it as a Film Studies major.

In terms of what the film was trying to say, I thought it pertained to the evolution of the human species, especially given the powerful opening image of the ape throwing the bone into the air and it turning into a spaceship (with a well-known piece of classical music, don't remember the title). In addition, the astronaut going into space signifies humankind's ceaseless pursuit of the unknown, which impacts evolution.

That said, I still find it difficult clarify the film's primary theme. But complexity and challenge are Kubrick trademarks and one of the reason I like him so much. Another reason is that his films are visually stunning - he is a perfectionist and has been said to have done 100 takes on a certain certain.

I actually even watched 'Barry Lyndon' for the visual beauty - and that was simply an awful film.

Also, IMO 'Eyes Wide Shut' is Kubrick's most masterful work. It vies for my 'best of all time' film.

 

[cocotaffy]

I have watched 2001: A Space Odyssey many times and wrote a major paper on it as a Film Studies major.

In terms of what the film was trying to say, I thought it pertained to the evolution of the human species, especially given the powerful opening image of the ape throwing the bone into the air and it turning into a spaceship (with a well-known piece of classical music, don't remember the title). In addition, the astronaut going into space signifies humankind's ceaseless pursuit of the unknown, which impacts evolution.

That said, I still find it difficult clarify the film's primary theme. But complexity and challenge are Kubrick trademarks and one of the reason I like him so much. Another reason is that his films are visually stunning - he is a perfectionist and has been said to have done 100 takes on a certain certain.

I actually even watched 'Barry Lyndon' for the visual beauty - and that was simply an awful film.

Also, IMO 'Eyes Wide Shut' is Kubrick's most masterful work. It vies for my 'best of all time' film.

I love Eyes Wide Shut and Kubrick's work as a whole. Have you seen Giada Russo SP on Eyes Wide Shut music ? Such an interesting choice.

 

[annie720]

I saw 'Only the brave' today because my painting class ended at 4 pm and there was a big shopping mall with newly modeled theatres nearby. Luckily there was a show at 5 pm, so I went in. It was totally unplanned.

I think they did a really good job of telling the story of the Granite Mountain hotshots. The scenes of the fires were fantastic. The movie was slow to get started and dragged a bit from time to time. Still, the intensity toward the end was very high and I was crying, knowing what had happened to those fire fighters. All the places in the movie were familiar to me, though not the areas away from towns and cities.

I don't know if those living outside of Arizona would be as moved as I was. I hope they will be. The Yarnell fire was a very big tragedy in Arizona- the biggest loss of firefighters in the US since 9/11. After the movie ended and the credits rolled, some people (including me) just sat there through the end.

I saw Only the Brave yesterday as well and thought it was excellent. Loved Miles Teller in this. Josh Brolin and Jeff Bridges were also very good. I am outside of Arizona and thought it was very moving. I expected our artsy theater to be more crowded than it was for the first weekend, and the local AMC just has it in a very small theater, so I hope it gets the attention it deserves. My favorite movie of the year.

 

[Seerek]

Congrats Brooklynn Prince on her performance in The Florida Project. Don't think I've seen a performance from a 7 year old quite like that. And kudos to writer/director Sean Baker on getting that performance out of her (effectively a lead role) without having it come off as too precocious.

 

[Buzz]

Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi responses to IGN comments.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JpTdK2kn6TA

 

[VGThuy]

The buzz that I have always heard about Meryl Streep is that her true talent is as a stage actress and she is wasted in movies. She is meant to be on Broadway.

I always found it odd that Meryl doesn’t do much stage work, but she does so many films that it’s probably hard for her to find the time to commit months to a production. She’ll do like Shakespeare in the Park for like a few days with mixed reviews, possibly due to lack of rehearsal time. Interestingly her contemporaries Jessica Lange and Glenn Close have done a lot of stage work and won awards for them.

 

[Vash01]

I saw Only the Brave yesterday as well and thought it was excellent. Loved Miles Teller in this. Josh Brolin and Jeff Bridges were also very good. I am outside of Arizona and thought it was very moving. I expected our artsy theater to be more crowded than it was for the first weekend, and the local AMC just has it in a very small theater, so I hope it gets the attention it deserves. My favorite movie of the year.

The theatre I saw it in was less than half full, but it is a very big theatre. I also attributed the low attendance to the start time- 5pm. Many people prefer the later time - 7:00pm. I hope this movie gets the respect it deserves. It is a sad movie and that may be a deterrent to some.

 

[Vash01]

Iconic movies set in every state:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/ga...very-state/ss-AAtm9i3?ocid=spartandhp#image=1

Did you find the movie in your state? Do you agree it is iconic?

My state (Arizona) got Thelma and Louise. I don't remember it a whole lot.

 

[Japanfan]

My state (Arizona) got Thelma and Louise. I don't remember it a whole lot.

I sure do! Beautiful footage of canyon country and a memorable ending (IIRC reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde).

Though I think I did see it twice.

 

[Vash01]

I sure do! Beautiful footage of canyon country and a memorable ending (IIRC reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde).

Though I think I did see it twice.

I think I remember only the ending.

Will have to rent it

 

[watchthis!!]

I watched A Man Apart last week. Not sure why I picked it off the shelf of the library, now! Maybe I thought this was one of Vin Diesel's attempts at serious drama, so it could be a nice surprise? And if it just ended up being a dumb action flick, maybe it would be a GOOD dumb action flick? I would say it was an okay dumb action flick. Vin Diesel is recruited into the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)...had to look that up...after growing up on the wrong side of tracks. He is joined by others who were also involved in the drug world into the DEA so as to be able to take down the big guys...but from an insider's perspective. They work towards bringing down a Mexican drugpin, but this has fatal repercussions for Diesel's family. Will he seek out revenge? That just might be what happens, but I don't want to spoil you. There's a number of stupid things in the script, but it's kind of set up that way early on, so when the big whoppers of stupid things start happening, you just kind of go with it. Timothy Olyphant and Larenz Tate (Crash, Ray) also co-star in this one that they might very likely wish was not on their resume.

Trailer for A Man Apart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kY3kk0QQY0

 

[PeterG]

Our Little Sister is a 2015 Japanese film about three sisters who take in their half-sister after the father of all of them passes away. It's a slow film, but much more sweet than it is slow. I did find watching it in multiple sittings was the best way to view this one. The three older sisters meet their younger half-sister at the funeral of their father. Somehow the older sisters know that their half-sister won't be happy living with her mother (who married their father after the two had an affair). The youngest decides to take them up on their offer and move in with them. I remember in high school having our teacher tell us that fiction is always about man vs. nature, man vs. man or man vs. himself. That always stuck with me because I didn't believe all work had to be about people in turmoil as the only storyline. And I think this movie is an example of that. Not that their aren't struggles that each woman is dealing with, but the story is just so much more about good, kind people doing their best to be decent people, exhibit kindness and supporting the people that are in their lives. I found it refreshing to see people who weren't in constant periods of drama. Instead (for the most part) this movie is about people figuring out who they are and being there for others in the best possible way. I recommend this one for anyone who likes how I've described it, but do not to repeat that it is a slower, quieter movie...yet quite warm.

 

[Japanfan]

I think I remember only the ending.

Will have to rent it

Brad Pitt made a notable appearance, before he became famous. I think this film might have been the turning point for him.

Though I preferred him in '12 Monkeys' (anyone remember that mind-bending film?), he had a memorable role as lunatic in the asylum.

 

[annie720]

I sure do! Beautiful footage of canyon country and a memorable ending (IIRC reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde).

Though I think I did see it twice.

Re Thelma & Louise, we just returned from Moab, UT where we visited the little film museum at the Red Cliffs Ranch. The museum has exhibits on the many movies filmed in the area. A lot of Thelma & Louise was filmed there, including the memorable ending. They have a film where someone involved in staging that scene talks about sending all the "convertibles" over the cliff at Dead Horse Point State Park. He refused to use real convertibles, so he ripped the roofs off. Anyway, if you're a film buff and you're in the area, it's worth a stop to visit the museum, especially if you love the old Westerns. It's about 15 miles out of town and the ranch is located in the heart of the beautiful canyon country that John Ford loved.

 

[cocotaffy]

Not that their aren't struggles that each woman is dealing with, but the story is just so much more about good, kind people doing their best to be decent people, exhibit kindness and supporting the people that are in their lives. I found it refreshing to see people who weren't in constant periods of drama. Instead (for the most part) this movie is about people figuring out who they are and being there for others in the best possible way. I recommend this one for anyone who likes how I've described it, but do not to repeat that it is a slower, quieter movie...yet quite warm.

Your description reminds me precisely of Paterson, which I truly enjoyed. Very positive, and never any useless dramas. I did talk about it in this thread at one point. I'll check out this movie, you got me intrigued and now I've checked the director, Hirokazu Koreeda, I don't know how I've missed it. I've seen three movies which are all great: Still Walking, Nobody knows and like father like son. I particularly enjoyed that last one about the meaning of filiation.

Though I preferred him in '12 Monkeys' (anyone remember that mind-bending film?), he had a memorable role as lunatic in the asylum.

Of course, I really loved that movie at the time. Don't know if I would still enjoy it today, movies I liked in the 90's don't always stand the test of time. I thought it was among Brad Pitt's best works. He was also quite funny in Snatch. But otherwise, I don't find him too good an actor, a bit like Clooney. It's as if they're too aware of their own self when they act. As a result, you always end up seeing them rather than the character they're supposed to embody.

 

[watchthis!!]

I needed something less serious to watch, so I picked up a copy of Disney's Tarzan from 1999. It was light fun. Two of the things that stood out to me was the voice work of Rosie O'Donnell as Tarzan's monkey buddy and the music done by Phil Collins. It was very catchy! The movie was good enough that I almost want to search out the sequel, which I think was a direct-to-DVD release. But I fear it might be a weak follow-up so maybe I'll just let the fun of this movie be the last thing in my head about the world of Tarzan. Until I see the live-action version from last year, of course!

 

[Buzz]

Justice League tickets just went on sale in some areas so check your favourite online ticket sellers!

 

[Jay42]

There's around 5 or 6 movies coming out in November & December this year and those are the 2 busiest months I have at work (because retail). It's going to be hard finding time to go to all of them.

 

[Wyliefan]

There's around 5 or 6 movies coming out in November & December this year and those are the 2 busiest months I have at work (because retail). It's going to be hard finding time to go to all of them.

Tell me about it! I want to see The Man Who Invented Christmas, Murder on the Orient Express, The Greatest Showman, Justice League, and The Last Jedi. And also Breathe and Marshall, which are already out.

 

[Jay42]

Tell me about it! I want to see The Man Who Invented Christmas, Murder on the Orient Express, The Greatest Showman, Justice League, and The Last Jedi. And also Breathe and Marshall, which are already out.

I have Murder on The Orient Express, Justice League, Thor: Ragnarok, The Last Jedi, Pitch Perfect 3 and The Shape of Water, although I doubt The Shape of Water will make it here. The hardest one will be Pitch Perfect 3 because it's right before Christmas. I think I'll be able to arrange my schedule so I have one of the weekend days off for The Last Jedi. But the rest will be a wait and see thing. I usually go to movies with my brother so it sort of depends on his schedule too.

 

[PeterG]

Watched It Happened One Night (1934) this weekend. I believe it was the first movie to win all the major awards at the Oscars, but as the Oscars first years was 1929, this movie was only five years into Academy Award history. But it's worthy of the awards it won, best picture, best director for Frank Capra (heard of him? ), writing for Robert Riskin and best actor (Clark Gable) and actress (Claudette Colbert). I haven't seen a lot of Clark Gable movies, I'm stuck with him as Rhett Butler in my head, so it was nice to see him in a snappy comedy like this. I should look into seeing some more of his movies, but I've watched a number of older movies this past year, so will save searching out more of his work for sometime in the future. Same for Claudette Colbert. Our library has only one other movie of hers, 1939's Drums Along The Mohawk, with Henry Fonda. I've put a hold on it. But as much as the two leads performances (and the direction) are top-notch, I think the writing shines just a bit brighter than these other great aspects of this movie. So let's take a little time out to look at the career of....

Robert Riskin

Five Oscar nominations, winning just for It Happened One Night. His other nominations:

1934 - Lady For A Day (don't think I've heard of it....also directed by Capra)

1937 - Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (Capra directing again, starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur) - saw this one, loved it

1939 - You Can't Take It With You (Capra again with stars Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Lionel Barrymore and Ann Miller) - BRILLIANT movie

1952 - Here Comes The Groom (Capra directing with stars Bing Crosby, Jane Wyman and Ellen Corby) - haven't heard of this one...anyone seen it?

Other movies Riskin wrote but did not receive an Oscar nomination for:

1937 - Lost Horizon, starring Ronald Colman, Jane Wyatt

1941 - Meet John Doe, starring Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold and Walter Brennan

1949 - The Thin Man Goes Home, starring William Powell, Myrna Loy

Riskin passed away in 1955 at the age of 58. Here Comes The Groom was his last major screenplay. He died due to complications after having a stroke and left behind three children and his wife, Fay Wray.