Let's Talk Movies #35 – Sparrows and Panthers and Dinosaurs…Oh My!

[Vash01]

Saw the movie 'Before I go to sleep' starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. It is a psychological suspense thriller, and very scary. The suspence was very good. I had to fast forward through some scenes because of violence. I sat through it because I really wanted to see how it ended.

 

[Jay42]

A couple of people I know were able to see A Simple Favor early and they both really liked it. I'm excited, I won't be able to see it until the end of next week because of work though.

 

[Japanfan]

But...you're one of those cranky Americsn conservative Republicans, aren't you??

Oh dear, my secret is out!

 

[LeafOnTheWind]

I went to see The Little Stranger with my friends last night.

It's not scary at all. There were a couple times I jumped but it was startled not scared. There was one point where there was complete silence and then a dog barked loudly. Not really suspenseful at all. Just dumbass tricks to get people to jump.

It wasn't horrible but it was pretty slow overall. Although I did have a problem with them constantly referring to the main actress as not pretty enough. I think the character itself was supposed to be on the "ugly" side of beauty so they could have gotten a different actress or done more of an unattractive makeup job on her. Everytime the reference came up the only thing I could think was that she was far from ugly.

 

[Vash01]

A couple of people I know were able to see A Simple Favor early and they both really liked it. I'm excited, I won't be able to see it until the end of next week because of work though.

I saw the book at an airport. I was looking for something to read, but for $17 I decided to wait and find it elsewhere. Will see the movie.

 

[Buzz]

Henry Cavill is apparently out as Superman because WB is changing focus to a solo Supergirl movie.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/h...rman-warner-bros-dc-universe-shake-up-1142306

 

[watchthis!!]

I watched Tiffany Haddish: She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood, her stand-up comedy special that came out last year. Overall I thought it was pretty good. Kind of awesome for her to be so positive despite all the hardships she has been through. I found a few bits went on too long and she maybe laughed/giggled a bit too much (nervous energy?) but those are just little nitpicky things. She's a very entertaining woman.

Clip from She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEm0MVpFfG4

 

[skatemomaz]

Just after seeing BlacKkKlansman this evening. I don’t think I have seen a more powerful final five minutes of cinema in a long time. Wow.

That last five minutes is a total gut punch. My husband and I were both crying, and he rarely if ever cries at movies.

 

[manhn]

Saw Black Panther finally. It was alright. But was it that good the Oscars had to scramble to come up with a new crappy award? No. Nonetheless, probably my favourite Marvel movie. In terms of comic book flicks, Wonder Woman reigns supreme.

 

[annie720]

Just saw CRA. A Hallmark movie on steroids.

 

[Vash01]

Saw a couple of old movies recently. Really liked 'A patch of blue' (1965) starring Sidney Poitier.
The other was 'It happened one night' starring Clark Gable. It was entertaining but not at the level of 'Patch'.

 

[Buzz]

China’s most famous actress Fan Bingbing is missing. She was accused of tax evasion in May which she denied but has not been seen or heard from in over three months. The authorities in China do not seem overtly concerned and several foreign brands that uses her as a spokeswoman has canceled their contacts with her.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/13/...?action=click&module=Features&pgtype=Homepage

 

[Aussie Willy]

This weekend I saw Crazy Rich Asians and Leave No Trace.

CRA was really good fun and I enjoyed it.

Leave No Trace was one of those quiet movies that make an impact. The two leads Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie were very good. They are a father and daughter living in a forest near Portland. They get found and brought back into society which is the catalyst for where they go after that. There are some very touching moments in the movie so you do shed a few tears. While it won't get a widespread release I think it is worth seeing.

 

[skatesindreams]

Saw a couple of old movies recently. Really liked 'A patch of blue' (1965) starring Sidney Poitier.

A beautiful film; with great performances by all concerned.

It addresses a difficult subject with great sensitivity; particularly for the 1960's.
I can't imagine other actors doing this so well.
The score adds to its' effectiveness.

 

[Vash01]

Saw on dvd An Affair to Remember, probably for the 4th or 5th time. As with all good movies I noticed details that may have missed in the past. It is easy to see why this is such a timeless classic. I have not liked other versions of it, but Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr have such great chemistry! They create magic.

 

[PeterG]

I have to take a break from talking about the movies from the past I've been going through to mention Hannah Gadsby: Nanette. It's a stand-up special by Australian comedian Gadsby and is nothing short of phenomenal. It's hard to define because it's many things. And getting into detail about all that it is could (but probably wouldn't...it's that good) take away from how wonderful this is. Just be open to something which moves from what you expect into something else, but always in a fascinating and moving way. We watched it on Netflix, not sure if it's available elsewhere. Whatever you can do to see it...see it!!!

 

[Jay42]

I have to take a break from talking about the movies from the past I've been going through to mention Hannah Gadsby: Nanette. It's a stand-up special by Australian comedian Gadsby and is nothing short of phenomenal. It's hard to define because it's many things. And getting into detail about all that it is could (but probably wouldn't...it's that good) take away from how wonderful this is. Just be open to something which moves from what you expect into something else, but always in a fascinating and moving way. We watched it on Netflix, not sure if it's available elsewhere. Whatever you can do to see it...see it!!!

Nanette was recorded specifically for Netflix so you probably won't find it anywhere else. At least not without using 3rd party sites.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Nanette is a very special show. She won awards here in Australia for it.

 

[Seerek]

Leave No Trace was one of those quiet movies that make an impact. The two leads Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie were very good. They are a father and daughter living in a forest near Portland. They get found and brought back into society which is the catalyst for where they go after that. There are some very touching moments in the movie so you do shed a few tears. While it won't get a widespread release I think it is worth seeing.

I'd have to think Thomasin McKenzie is going to make some short-lists at the the end of the year, even if the film never really achieved that widespread of a release in North America. As it is, Thomasin's going to have a big 2019 coming up, so I'd say 'Leave No Trace' is a 'watch this space' kind of film for her.

 

[Aussie Willy]

I'd have to think Thomasin McKenzie is going to make some short-lists at the the end of the year, even if the film never really achieved that widespread of a release in North America. As it is, Thomasin's going to have a big 2019 coming up, so I'd say 'Leave No Trace' is a 'watch this space' kind of film for her.

I think they are calling her the next JLaw. She had such a lovely presence in the film.

 

[watchthis!!]

Toronto International Film Festival Award Winners
https://www.tiff.net/the-review/tiff-18-award-winners/

The People's Choice Awards went to Green Book, which stars Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, and is directed by Peter Farrelly. This movie is a change of pace for Farrelly who is most known for directing comedies such as Shallow Hal, Hall Pass and Me, Myself & Irene.

First runner-up: Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk
Second runner-up: Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA


And I'm not sure how this category is different, I think maybe it's for movies a little more fun or a little less serious?

THE GROLSCH PEOPLE’S CHOICE MIDNIGHT MADNESS AWARD

Winner: Vasan Bala's The Man Who Feels No Pain (Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota)

First runner-up: David Gordon Green’s Halloween
Second runner-up: Sam Levinson’s Assassination Nation

 

[Buzz]

I’m crazy for movies but not movie festivals. Go figure!

 

[watchthis!!]

I watched Suburbicion with some friends. Unsure what to say about it! It's probably a movie I should watch again to be able to speak about it properly. I'm just not sure...that it's a movie I want to see again. Maybe in time. It's a dark comedy - and a comment on society. I know that much. But it's strange (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) and the script is detailed and rich/complicated. It's a challenging movie. I guess the thing about this which makes me most want to suggest you see it is the performances. Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Oscar Isaac and a great supporting cast. Plus Noah Jupe as Matt Damon's song is very strong. You might have seen him as the son in A Quiet Place. He also had a small role in Wonder. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a very strong career in front of him.

Trailer for Suburbicon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBezc1S1BAQ

I’m crazy for movies but not movie festivals. Go figure!

You should just skip the festival, but go to all the movies that they show.

 

[Buzz]

A Captain Marvel trailer was released today. Ti already has 13m views on YouTube and is trending at #1.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1BCujX3pw8

 

[Vash01]

I saw 'Guess who is coming to dinner'. I had heard a lot about this movie and it lived up to its reputatation (10 Oscars). Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Houghton were all outstanding. Great humor and a serious subject (interracial marriage). The screenplay was excellent.

 

[PeterG]

Back to the 1930's....

Night Nurse (1931). Barbara Stanwyck and Joan Blondell play friends and nurses. Tough broads who aren't about to take crap from men. Even bad guy Clark Gable, who pushes Stanwyck around...who dishes it right back later in the movie. The movie is about how Stanwyck, as a new nurse, has to stand up to and then out-smart numerous men who are endangering the lives of two young children in order to secure financial gain. Well, Stanwyck isn't about to have any of it. Who do you think is left standing at the end of the picture - all the men in her way...or Stanwyck? (Rhetorical question.) Loved this one!

 

[Japanfan]

I’m crazy for movies but not movie festivals. Go figure!

I too enjoy movies but not film festivals. I attended TIFF once when I was a film student at York University, but I was young and the experience was very exciting.

At this point in time I don't have the energy to attend the film festival - I'm in a Vancouver and we have a big one annually that is taking place now.

You need to strategize to get tickets, often have to wait in line-ups, and then you have to watch the same advertisements before every single film. And transportation is an issue as it's often hard to get parking near the venues and public transit is very time-consuming.

I have friends who have been attending the festival here for years and they are completely preoccupied with it for its duration.

One friend volunteers and gets free films in exchange. She spends hours studying the programme to pick her films and hours after the festival has ended making her list of best movies. It's true that she's retired and needs things to occupy her time.

But, I don't think I'd want all the running around even if I were retired.

Also, I like to savor a good film and reflect on it. So I'd rather not see a slew of movies one after the another. They would all become a blur and you'd forget the most of them.

 

[skatesindreams]

Who do you think is left standing at the end of the picture - all the men in her way...or Stanwyck? (Rhetorical question.) Loved this one

As did I.
Many Pre-Code movies were really terrific.

 

[PeterG]

I'm reading a book write now by Illeana Douglas, who has been in the movies To Die For, Picture Perfect, Alive and Grace of My Heart. She is also the granddaughter of two-time Oscar winner Melvyn Douglas (Hud, Being There). The book is called "I Blame Dennis Hopper" and is sub-titled "And Other Stories From a Life Lived In and Out of the Movies". The book is a collection of stories about her love of movies, whether as a viewer or as having a starring role in. Often both! One of the actors she talks about being such an inspiration to her is Richard Dreyfuss. An inspiration to such an extent that when she was in a play and was floundering, she decided to play the role as if Dreyfuss was playing the role. And the director loved it! She later got to work with Dreyfuss and found out that his role model was Spencer Tracy. She started asking other younger actors if they knew who Spencer Tracy was...and most did not. Chapter six ends with this passage, which I wanted to share:

Richard Dreyfuss said, "I wanted to be Spencer Tracy because I knew I would never be Errol Flynn."

I wanted to be Richard Dreyfuss because I knew I would never be Farrah Fawcett or Christie Brinkley. So my question is, Now do you see why it's so important to know who Spencer Tracy is?

I should have probably included an earlier bit about how, after meeting Dreyfuss, Douglas told Richard about how she had played one of her roles as if Dreyfuss was playing the role. And how in response, Dreyfuss said he had played roles as if he was Spencer Tracy. To which Douglas wondered, "was I really playing my role as Dreyfuss...who was playing Spencer Tracy"?

 

[skatesindreams]

I'm reading a book right now by Illeana Douglas.

She has occasionally appeared on TCM to talk about films and select programming.