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

[Buzz]

I usually just get a coffee and a pretzel.

 

[made_in_canada]

I rarely actually watch movies at the theatre anymore, but that's mostly because our local theatre sucks. The seats are uncomfortable, it's always cold, floors are sticky, it's just gross. They also rarely have movies that aren't blockbusters and those aren't generally the movies that I'm interested in. And we have a pretty kick ass home theatre setup with a projector so I'm okay to wait a few weeks until I can rent whatever I want to see.

 

[watchthis!!]

‘It’ Is Getting an Awards Campaign — Will the Academy Float, Too?
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/11/it-awards-campaign-oscars-academy-1201894279/

Mad Max: Fury Road received an Oscar nomination for best picture. So this year, other genre films are seeing if they could also get some Oscar love. "Get Out" is being marketed for the awards season, as is “Blade Runner 2049,” “Dunkirk,” “Wonder Woman,” and “The LEGO Batman Movie.” The categories for which "It" is being marketed:

Best Picture
Best Director
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Supporting Actress – Sophia Lillis
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Film Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Sound Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Makeup & Hairstyling
Best Original Score

 

[annie720]

Just returned from seeing Victoria and Abdul. I found it enjoyable and very easy to watch. Not a great movie, but I always enjoy Judi Dench, and Ali Fazal is easy on the eyes.

 

[manhn]

I almost never go to the cinema. I so rarely see my friends that I don't want to spend time with them where we can't talk to each other.

I don't really buy concessions, but I don't think the prices are due to the bugdet of movies. It's not like concessions at arthouses are any cheaper.

I always thought that airports should build cinemas (and gyms). Perfect for passengers with long layovers.

 

[Vash01]

I have always preferred seeing movies in theatres. At home I tend to fall asleep, then I have rewind and watch those scenes before seeing rest of the movie. It gets tiring at times. We have some nice movie theatres with reclining seats. Sometimes I take a blanket along, but I rarely fall asleep there (there may be a few movies that do put me to sleep but that is rare).

I never buy concessions. I hate popcorn at movies, and I was never a fan of sodas. So I just carry a waterbottle (hidden).

 

[Jay42]

I love the experience of seeing a movie in theatre. Popcorn, pop, the whole thing. Our Cineplex has prime seating in a few of the screens now so it's more comfortable. I'll deal with the over-priced concession if it means the theatre stays open. When I moved here we had 3 movie theatres and now we only have the one. Plus the people at the theatre here are super nice and 90% competent which doesn't always happen in a chain location with a lot of teenagers on staff.

 

[Wyliefan]

I can't eat popcorn anymore, my teeth are in such bad shape. I miss it. Especially that super-salty movie popcorn. Never cared for butter on it, but oh man, I loved the salt!

 

[Vash01]

I watched the Russian movie 'Anna Karenina this weekend. It is very old so it feels a bit odd how the camera lingers on characters that leave a room, for example, but it Was effective in telling the story.

In the Russian version her husband is much older and a patriarch. She entered a loveless marriage and never experienced love until she met Vronsky, who is better looking, younger, passionate. It was more understandable than ' how could she possibly leave someone like Jude Law for That Vronsky?'

The American movie was a hodgepodge of many stories. I found the Russian one more streamlined but focused on Anna's feelings, and good at how Anna's unconventional actions were taboo those days, for women. The acting, particularly by Tatiana Samuilova (sp?) was very good. The movie ended when Anna threw herself under the train, in the Russian movie. That scene was well done.

 

[PeterG]

I definitely smuggled in snacks when I go to the movies. But lately that's just a few hard candies or something small like that. Although a few times this summer I bought one of the little bags of chocolate whatever...which were more than double the price of the exact same product being sold a few stores over at the Real Canadian Superstore. Never get popcorn, but my friends always do. The only time I get popcorn is when they have an extra coupon for free popcorn. I do enjoy that, especially with those packets of Cheese flavoured salt to pour all over it.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Last night I watched "Whip It" which is about roller derby. Ellen Page, Kristen Wigg, Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern, Juliette Lewis, Drew Barrymore. Really fun movie.

 

[cocotaffy]

I always smuggle sweets for the kids and me (just love them) theater is just so damned expensive so pop corn is for home.

 

[Vash01]

I always smuggle a couple of small cookies, so I don't get hungry during the movie.

 

[PeterG]

Last night I watched "Whip It" which is about roller derby. Ellen Page, Kristen Wigg, Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern, Juliette Lewis, Drew Barrymore. Really fun movie.

Whip It definitely deserve a "hidden treasure" status. The only feature film that Drew Barrymore ever directed. I'd say her real calling in film is directing. So it's a shame that Whip It only made 18 million on a 15 million budget. Although Barrymore has stayed active behind the scenes, but in producing rather than directing. She has 22 producer credits at imdb.com. Whip It works as both a comedy and a drama thanks to a very decent script. Jimmy Fallon and Eve also have small parts in this, as does Zoe Bell, who is more famous as one of world's top female stunts performers. Some of her work in that field include:

Thor: Ragnarok
Iron Man 3
Inglorious Bastards
Grindhouse
Poseidon
Catwoman
Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
...and 66 episodes in Xena: Warrior Princess as Lucy Lawless' stunt person

There was even a documentary about her work in Double Dare along with fellow stunts performer Jeannie Epper, with viewers getting to see their work from two different generations of performers. I recommend that one as well.

My last recommendation for Whip It is the performance of Alia Shawkat, whose name you don't know, but whose face (and work) you do. She's great in this as she is in anything else I've seen her in. She's probably most famous for playing Maeby in Arrested Development. She also did seven episodes of Transparent.

 

[Buzz]

I used to order the kiddie combo minus the toy and ice.

Meanwhile looks like Marvel has another hit on it's hands. Thor made an estimated $122.8m in it's opening weekend in North American for a WW total of about $431m.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/

 

[watchthis!!]

I was really impressed by The Boy. It was released early 2016 and the main star is Lauren Cohan who you might know from The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries, Chuck or Supernatural. The Boy starts out as a drama, then becomes supernatural-y. Then it becomes a scary movie like The Others. And it keeps morphing into a new genre as the movie progresses, which I found really pulled me into the movie more and more. Lauren Cohan's character is of a young woman who leaves America to escape a stalker boyfriend and becomes a nanny for a family who lives in a remote area of England. Cohan does a great job as the lead character, but because I know her from her role as Maggie in The Walking Dead, part of me felt like Maggie should jump out and start kicking ass. But here she is Greta, so I had to start seeing her as this new character. Which was pretty easy actually, thanks to her performance. Handsome Rupert Evans plays the food delivery guy who becomes her only friend and ally once the boy's parents leave for an extended vacation. That's when things start to happen... This one was had a higher level of quality to it than I expected. It's not as good as The Others, but if you liked that movie, I think you'll like this one too.

Trailer for The Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpIbO6HEwr8

 

[Aussie Willy]

My last recommendation for Whip It is the performance of Alia Shawkat, whose name you don't know, but whose face (and work) you do. She's great in this as she is in anything else I've seen her in. She's probably most famous for playing Maeby in Arrested Development. She also did seven episodes of Transparent.

Yes I was trying to remember where I have seen her before. She was really good too.

 

[MacMadame]

The trend in my town is to build/renovate theaters and give them plush seating with arm cup holders and power recliners. There are a lot less seats per theater this way but it's way more pleasant. You aren't being crammed next to someone you don't know and you can put your seat at any angle you want. Plus the seats are designed so there are no bad views.

Not only that, some theaters have reserved seating! So you don't have to go super-early and rush into the theater as soon as it's open to grab your preferred seat.

Because of that, I'm going to the movies more. We usually buy at least some concessions but I do occasionally bring my own water. I know they make money on the concessions but don't always on the ticket so I'm willing to pay a bit to make sure they stay in business. Though the more the prices rise, the less we buy.\

ETA and the new seating arrangements mean I don't have to worry about some tlal dude sitting right in front of me!

 

[Buzz]

I love the new adults only expensive seats! No kids to kick your seat!

 

[Aussie Willy]

One of my local cinemas have recliners. Pretty cool. Nice and spacious and you don't have people knocking into your legs as they are walking past.

Today I saw an Australian movie called Three Summers. About families and performers who every year go to the same festival. It is written and directed by Ben Elton. Bit of a comedy and romance. Has lots of well known Australian actors but the leads I was not familiar with. It was okay but I think the ending let it down.

I am actually a bit surprised that it has a mainstream cinema release. The IMDB entry doesn't even have the main characters listed for the actors that play them.

 

[watchthis!!]

New movie trailers:

Coco (animated Disney Pixar movie – voice work by Edward James Olmos, Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, John Ratzenberger and Cheech Marin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNCz4mQzfEI

Fifty Shades Freed (10 million views in one day – also stars Kim Basinger, Tyler Hoechlin, Marcia Gay Harden and Rita Ora)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJCc5HRPxYA

Pottersville – comedy with Michael Shannon, Christina Hendricks, Judy Greer, Ron Perlman)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqf8h5Uip6U

Swinging Safari – Drama with Guy Pearce, Kylie Minogue, Radha Mitchell and Julian McMahon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVzq99IAAug

 

[Wyliefan]

All of Kevin Spacey's scenes in All the Money in the World have been cut, and are being reshot with Christopher Plummer! I think it may turn out to be a genius move. Seeing a lot of approval on social media, and small wonder. Plummer is beloved, and Spacey is . . . not anymore. The movie probably would have bombed if they hadn't done it; now it might have a chance. I know I really want to see it now!

They're sticking with the December 22 release date, though, so I hope they don't have too much trouble finishing in time.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/08/enter...in-the-world-kevin-spacey-replaced/index.html

 

[gk_891]

I recently watched Blade Runner 2049 and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. I don't regret seeing either film but both could've been edited down a bit further IMO. I was also disappointed with the 'look' of Blade Runner 2049 in some ways. The first movie had amazing visuals even though it was only the early 80s and a much lower budget. I had higher expectations in that regard but maybe they were too high.

 

[PeterG]

Trailers For Movies Released 2017-11-10th
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuI4-fSHhipQED3X0n3G4scVCMeM07uB0


Nov. 10th – Murder On The Orient Express (Wide) – Mystery with Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Kenneth Branagh and Olivia Colman

Nov. 10th - Daddy's Home 2 (Wide) - Comedy with Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, John Cena, Mel Gibson and John Lithgow

Nov. 10th - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (Limited) - Thriller with Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage, Lucas Hedges and Abbie Cornish

Nov. 10th - Bitch (Limited) – Comedy drama with Jason Ritter and Jaime King [Hart of Dixie]

Nov. 10th - Intent to Destroy: Death, Denial & Depiction (Limited) – Documentary. From imdb.com: “Filmmaker Joe Berlinger meets with historians and scholars to discuss the Armenian Genocide and the continuing denial by the Turkish government of it ever happening.”

Nov. 10th - Mayhem (Limited) – Action horror with a new cast & Steven Yeun [The Walking Dead]. From imdb.com: “A virus spreads through a office complex causing white collar workers to act out their worst impulses.”

Nov. 10th - Gold Star (Limited) – Drama with Robert Vaughn and Catherine Curtin [Orange Is The New Black]

Nov. 13th - Genesis: Paradise Lost (Special Engagement) – Documentary. From imdb.com: “If there is one part of the Bible that has undergone more scrutiny and abuse than any other, it is the very beginning-GENESIS. Both from within and without the church, assaults on GENESIS continue to question the Creation and ultimately the Creator…”

Nov. 10th - The Price (Limited) – Drama with a new cast. From imdb.com: “A young Nigerian-American financier struggles with love, family, and a prescription drug dependency as his ambitions steer him down a criminal path.”

Nov. 12th – Miles (Limited) - Sci-Fi with a new cast & Lucy Hale [Pretty Little Liars]. From imdb.com: “The life of a teenage boy is forever altered by a chance encounter with cutting edge military technology.”
…no trailer at youtube…

Nov. 10th - No Greater Love (Limited) – Documentary. From imdb.com: “…explores a combat deployment through the eyes of an Army chaplain, as he and his men fight their way through a hellish tour in one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan and then as they struggle to reintegrate home.”

Nov. 10th - Strong Black Woman Vol. 2 (Limited) – Drama, new cast. From rottentomatoes.com: “Darnell is divorced and looking for answers…he meets a kind black woman who becomes his best friend. Together they navigate through his divorce woes.”

Nov. 10th - Destination Unknown (Limited) – Documentary. From imdb.com: “Destination Unknown blends intimate testimony with immersive archive to bring the stories of twelve Holocaust survivors to the screen”

Nov. 10th - Thelma (Limited) – Mystery romance from Norway. From imdb.com: “A woman begins to fall in love, only to discover that she has fantastic powers.”

Nov. 10th - Santa and Andres (Limited) – Spanish language drama. From imdb.com: “The story of an improbable friendship between a revolutionary country girl and a noncompliant gay writer she has to watch over for three consecutive days.”

 

[Buzz]

Murder On The Orient Express looks and sounds great but unfortunately I saw the earlier movie and can't remember ever feeling so disappointed in a story's ending. Will not go to see this one.

 

[Kasey]

Murder On The Orient Express looks and sounds great but unfortunately I saw the earlier movie and can't remember ever feeling so disappointed in a story's ending. Will not go to see this one.

Yeah, great cast, but I recall reading it and thinking it one of Christie's weakest stories. Some good Poirot moments, but not up to par for me.

 

[cygnus]

Yeah, great cast, but I recall reading it and thinking it one of Christie's weakest stories. Some good Poirot moments, but not up to par for me.

The TV movie with David Suchet was fantastic- a much darker tone to it than other versions I have seen. It's the one I would recommend. I'm not sure about this new one- I'll probably catch it on Netflix, if it comes around.

 

[watchthis!!]

Watched a Winona Ryder movie from a while back called The Last Word. She stars alongside Wes Bentley, who has an online service of writing notes for people who have decided to end their lives. As strong as that sounds, the movie does have some lightness to it, mainly thanks to the supporting cast, which includes Ray Romano. I was wondering while watching this movie if this was the time before she was caught shoplifting and then her career waned out. But this was made in 2008, so years after that infamous 2001 incident. But she looks wonderful and brings a much needed lightness to her role opposite Bentley's character, who suffered abuse in his early life which helps us understand his darker career path. I thought this movie was quite well written and with one exception, avoids the obvious ways we often see movies go, so I appreciated the originality. This movie seemed to have came and went from both theatres and public awareness, but I think it's one worth watching, moreso if you like the cast that I've mentioned.

Trailer for The Last Word: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7SJyrKX64I

All of Kevin Spacey's scenes in All the Money in the World have been cut, and are being reshot with Christopher Plummer

Wow, shocking. Yet not surprising?? (Do I sound confused? ) Wasn't there talk about Spacey being considered for an Oscar for this performance? I did hear on the news that he's gone to a sex addict clinic in Arizona. And that maybe Harvey Weinstein is also there? Weird. By the way, it only costs $55,000 for a 45 day stay and there is hot yoga and art classes.

Murder On The Orient Express looks and sounds great but unfortunately I saw the earlier movie and can't remember ever feeling so disappointed in a story's ending. Will not go to see this one.

I would think they would change the ending so as to surprise the audience. Don't they usually do that when a book is brought to the screen or another film version of a book is made? I will be shocked if the use the same ending that has been used previously.

 

[Wyliefan]

The ending is kind of the big selling point to that story. I don't see them changing it in any substantive way.

 

[kwanfan1818]

I loved "Lady Bird" and think it's a little jewel of a movie. It was beautifully cast and acted.

To an extent the tone was a bit similar to "Juno", at least to start, but it was a different story, aside from having a nice dad figure and a similarly goofy love interest.