Let's Talk Movies #36 - 2020 - Yep it is a new decade

[Judy]

I have been misled by Google maps many times, sometimes it even gave me wrong directions to my home when I was less than five miles from it. Of course I knew those directions were wrong. So I use it only when I know nothing about the area/route. I know Scottsdale pretty well. Didn’t think I would need directions.

Do you have a phone - eg an iPhone?

 

[Vash01]

Do you have a phone - eg an iPhone?

iPhone

Do you really have to ask? I don’t know anyone that doesn’t have a cell phone.

It is My choice whether/when to use google map. It is not always accurate but sometimes it gives me the general idea. I don’t depend on it the way most people do. Usually when it is wrong, either I already know it or I find out after a lot of unnecessary driving.

I am OT. Need to stop this discussion. Initially I had mentioned GMap just to tell about my efforts to see The Conclave, before I wrote about the movie. Let us not discuss google map or iPhone.

Back to Conclave - It was an unusual topic, which I liked. It was a very well made movie but the very last part bothered me. If the book has that, I wish the movie makers had deleted it. May be they wanted to be faithful to the book?

I am planning to stay in Scottsdale a few days later this month to watch some of the movies. I hate the kind of movies they are showing near me.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Box Office Mojo: 2024 Worldwide Top Box Office

I guess this means that they’ll continue to make 383,937,827 sequels to these animated movies.

 

[vgerdes]

not many people have mentioned Jonathan Bailey’s performance in wicked, I watched him last Christmas and binged all of fellow travelers, I cried so much.

He was also awesome in the second season of Bridgerton (he's been in all three seasons, but season 2 was his character's "love story" and he was really exceptional as the romantic lead). Currently one of my favorite actors.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Back to Conclave - It was an unusual topic, which I liked. It was a very well made movie but the very last part bothered me. If the book has that, I wish the movie makers had deleted it. May be they wanted to be faithful to the book?

Why did it bother you? I mean that’s what made the movie. If it wasn’t for that scene in the ending this movie would be a big pass for me.

 

[Allskate]

Why did it bother you? I mean that’s what made the movie. If it wasn’t for that scene in the ending this movie would be a big pass for me.

To me, it really seemed to come out of almost nowhere and it did in some ways divert attention from the broader message of what that person's pivotal speech had been. (I'm sure that some people will think the final twist was gratuitous and PC, but they probably think that of other parts of the movie.) I think the movie would have been very good without that final twist. The acting and intrigue were excellent. Having said that, I think the twist gives a lot of food for thought and discussion and adds to the movie.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Why did it bother you? I mean that’s what made the movie. If it wasn’t for that scene in the ending this movie would be a big pass for me.

To me, it really seemed to come out of almost nowhere and it did in some ways divert attention from the broader message of what that person's pivotal speech had been. (I'm sure that some people will think the final twist was gratuitous and PC, but they probably think that of other parts of the movie.) I think the movie would have been very good without that final twist. The acting and intrigue were excellent. Having said that, I think the twist gives a lot of food for thought and discussion and adds to the movie.

I’m seriously considering buying the book from Amazon. Or maybe the audiobook version from Audible being that’s it’s only eight hours long. I’m wondering, to what extent, the “final twist” and the story itself were better presented in the novel than in the ~ two hours that you only have with a film.

 

[Sylvia]

Found this on Reddit - "Some explanation concerning Conclave as a book reader" (film spoilers included): https://www.reddit.com/r/TheBigPict...me_explanation_concerning_conclave_as_a_book/

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

My mom is a pastor, and it was very interesting discussing this with her, because so many churches passed on her as a leader, and she’s an exceptional, exceptional pastor, but because she is female every church in Chicago and suburbs she applied for they all passed on her because of her female gender. A church way out in the boonies Took my mom basically because no one else was applying out there.

That’s why this movie has special interest to me.

 

[Aussie Willy]

I saw Almodovar's latest movie The Room Next Door with Tilda Swinton and Julieanne Moore. Again another very good movie from one of my favourite directors. Although disconcerting to see an English language film from him. It really is a quiet movie with a subtle music score. I felt the relationship between Swinton and Moore was genuine and natural. As he has grown older he has become like Clint Eastwood in his directional style which is focusing on telling the story without a lot of bells and whistles.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Interesting list and finally someone mentions Jonathan Bailey here.

Heat Vision's Top 10 Movies of 2024

From foreign gems ('Kill') to poignant, animated hits ('Wild Robot') to out-of-this-world body horror ('The Substance'), these were the best genre movies of the year.

Heat Vision's Top 10 Movies of 2024 — The Hollywood Reporter

From foreign gems ('Kill') to poignant, animated hits ('Wild Robot') to out-of-this-world body horror ('The Substance'), these were the best genre movies of the year.

apple.news

I highly highly highly disagree with the number 10, I so badly wanted to walk out of that movie. I think most of you will be happy with the number one choice.

 

[Allskate]

I highly highly highly disagree with the number 10, I so badly wanted to walk out of that movie. I think most of you will be happy with the number one choice.

I forgot I even saw number 10. LOL. It was fine, but I wouldn't expect to see it on anyone's top ten list. For some reason, I've never been tempted to see Dune.

 

[Vash01]

To me, it really seemed to come out of almost nowhere and it did in some ways divert attention from the broader message of what that person's pivotal speech had been. (I'm sure that some people will think the final twist was gratuitous and PC, but they probably think that of other parts of the movie.) I think the movie would have been very good without that final twist. The acting and intrigue were excellent. Having said that, I think the twist gives a lot of food for thought and discussion and adds to the movie.

I too felt that movie would have been very good without the final twist. It really comes out of nowhere, except for the appearance of Benitez, when he is first introduced. There was a hint, but it was so subtle that I realized it only after the movie ended. I think the movie had a chance of winning BP without that twist. With it,the votes will be split. May be they were not shooting for the Oscar. They just wanted to tell the story the way the book did.

I thought that person’s pivotal speech was very good, and that should have been the highlight and the message. The twist that follows distracts from that message. That hurts the movie. May be in the book it does not? I have not read the book.

 

[vgerdes]

Interesting list and finally someone mentions Jonathan Bailey here.

Heat Vision's Top 10 Movies of 2024

From foreign gems ('Kill') to poignant, animated hits ('Wild Robot') to out-of-this-world body horror ('The Substance'), these were the best genre movies of the year.

Heat Vision's Top 10 Movies of 2024 — The Hollywood Reporter

From foreign gems ('Kill') to poignant, animated hits ('Wild Robot') to out-of-this-world body horror ('The Substance'), these were the best genre movies of the year.

apple.news

I highly highly highly disagree with the number 10, I so badly wanted to walk out of that movie. I think most of you will be happy with the number one choice.

I'm very happy with the No. 1 choice. I think Dune Part 2 has been largely overlooked in the awards discussions because it came out so early in the year, but it remains my top movie of 2024. It was epic in every sense.

Fall Guy was pretty good. I liked the homage it paid to Hollywood stunt men/women, and I thought the chemistry between Gosling and Blunt was decent (not top-notch, but it didn't make me cringe at least). Not something I would put on my top 10 list though.

 

[Judy]

I too felt that movie would have been very good without the final twist. It really comes out of nowhere, except for the appearance of Benitez, when he is first introduced. There was a hint, but it was so subtle that I realized it only after the movie ended. I think the movie had a chance of winning BP without that twist. With it,the votes will be split. May be they were not shooting for the Oscar. They just wanted to tell the story the way the book did.

I thought that person’s pivotal speech was very good, and that should have been the highlight and the message. The twist that follows distracts from that message. That hurts the movie. May be in the book it does not? I have not read the book.

I do want to see Conclave but since it was released in October there anre only 2 theatres showing in my city .. 1 a considerable distance from one and 2 is an older theatre. So I will watch it when the rental price drops a bit otherwise it’s 19.99 to rent on Amazon Prime.

 

[Wyliefan]

I do want to see Conclave but since it was released in October there anre only 2 theatres showing in my city .. 1 a considerable distance from one and 2 is an older theatre. So I will watch it when the rental price drops a bit otherwise it’s 19.99 to rent on Amazon Prime.

It's still on Peacock, in case you have that.

 

[Judy]

It's still on Peacock, in case you have that.

I don’t as a Canadian. I’ll probably end up paying the 19.99 though lol.

 

[Vash01]

I do want to see Conclave but since it was released in October there anre only 2 theatres showing in my city .. 1 a considerable distance from one and 2 is an older theatre. So I will watch it when the rental price drops a bit otherwise it’s 19.99 to rent on Amazon Prime.

I noticed the other day how expensive the online options are. I would rather pay the ticket price to see it in a theater. I paid almost $10 though when I went to a movie today.

I am supposed to have Peacock but I am going to need tech support to figure out how to use it. I don’t particularly like watching movies on tv, so I didn’t contact them.

I think Conclave is much better in a theater. Loved the indoor cinematography.

 

[Vash01]

Watched ‘A complete unknown’ in a theater today - a bit ahead of my plans. I had the time and it is playing at a theater near me. So I went to the show at noon.

I was surprised that the theater was less than half filled. May be because it’s a workday.

I thought it was good but not great. It dragged a bit for me.

The acting was very good by everyone. Did Timothee Chalamet sing those songs? He was very good and should receive the Best actor Oscar. I have not yet seen The Brutalist though. I have to wait until Jan 9 for that.

I think Edward Norton was very good in a supporting role as Pete Seeger (sp?). Can he win the Oscar?

I think The Conclave was a better movie, though I have reservations about that too. I have expressed those in my other posts.

 

[Sylvia]

Finished Blitz. I found some of it really compelling and some of it not as interesting. But good acting and production values. Reminiscent of an 80s film called Hope and Glory. And was that Ronan’s real singing voice?

Yes:

Saoirse Ronan Reveals Her New Perspective From ‘The Outrun’ And Her Fear Of Singing In ‘Blitz’: “I Felt Very Exposed”

Saoirse Ronan talks new perspective from 'The Outrun' and her fear of singing in 'Blitz': 'I felt very exposed, it was nerve wracking.'

deadline.com

I liked Hope and Glory so have just started watching Blitz during Apple TV+'s free weekend through Sunday, Jan. 5 (cross-posting here from the TV shows streaming thread):

Enjoy Apple TV+ for free the first weekend of 2025

Apple TV+ is ringing in the New Year by offering an all-access pass to customers all around the world.

www.apple.com

"All you need is an existing Apple ID to sign in on any device where the streaming service is available; no further obligation or subscription is required."

 

[manhn]

I am using my 3 month free subscription, which is up mid February, just before my Asian holiday. Their tv shows are significantly better than their movies. But I have to say, I kinda dug Argyle?

 

[Sylvia]

Their tv shows are significantly better than their movies. But I have to say, I kinda dug Argyle?

I've gotten many TV recs in the other thread. Thanks for letting me know that Argylle is on Apple TV+! Figure skaters that did the stunts in the skating fight scene included Elladj Baldé and Sonja Hilmer in this video:

ARGYLLE UPDATES on Instagram: "Stunt previz for the 'ARGYLLE' oil skating fight scene shared by Micah Moore (@legendofmicah) Truly astonishing work by Brad Allan, Mark Ginther (@carbonfilms), Guillermo Grispo, Micah Moore, @oniceperspectives, Christ

79 likes, 3 comments - argylle2022 on July 18, 2024: "Stunt previz for the 'ARGYLLE' oil skating fight scene shared by Micah Moore (@legendofmicah) Truly astonishing work by Brad Allan, Mark Ginther (@carbonfilms), Guillermo Grispo, Micah Moore, @oniceperspectives, Christopher Troy Gonzalez...

www.instagram.com

Agosto's post on Feb. 3, 2024 includes a photo from the premiere with his wife, Katherine Hill, Jordan Cowan and Alexe Gilles. He lists "our fantastic stunt team including Alexe Gilles, Anastasiia Bardonova, Greg Townley, Haruka Oshima, Luke Scott, Sebastien Zanieseinko, Aliona Savchenko, John Crafoord, Angela Wang. The genius Previs team: Mark Ginther, Sonja Hilmer, Michaela McAlister, Braxton McAlister, Christopher “Troy” Rodriguez, Elladj Balde, Alexa Knierim, Brandon Frazier.":

Ben Agosto on Instagram: "We helped to make a thing… a REALLY BIG THING! Absolutely thrilled to finally see the opening of @argyllemovie . What an amazing experience working on this exciting film with and then to share this premier with Katherine Hil

675 likes, 35 comments - ben_agosto on February 3, 2024: "We helped to make a thing… a REALLY BIG THING! Absolutely thrilled to finally see the opening of @argyllemovie . What an amazing experience working on this exciting film with and then to share this premier with Katherine Hill; Jordan...

www.instagram.com

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Review: Pamela Anderson gives quietly devastating performance in 'The Last Showgirl'

Review: Pamela Anderson gives quietly devastating performance in 'The Last Showgirl' — ABC News

You'll want to cheer for Anderson in this role.

apple.news

The first scene shows Shelly, in a sparkly cap with her makeup cruelly exposed in harsh audition lighting, trying out for a new job that she's clearly aged out of. Gone are the glory days of the Paris Lido spectacles that brought class to the crass nudie revues Shelly decries.

The defiance and vulnerability that Anderson brings to this moment sets the stage for what's to come.

*****

If you're looking for show-stopping bravura, you'll find it in the reliably astonishing Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly's oldest friend Annette, a former showgirl reduced to waitressing in the casino.

Clutching at a parody of lost youth in overdone lipstick and eye shadow, Annette hits rock bottom by jumping on a table to drunkenly belt out her take on "Total Eclipse of the Heart."

** Pamela Anderson is nominated tomorrow for a Golden Globe for best actress. Jamie Lee Curtis is on the long list for the BAFTA award for best supporting actress.

 

[Judy]

I noticed the other day how expensive the online options are. I would rather pay the ticket price to see it in a theater. I paid almost $10 though when I went to a movie today.

I am supposed to have Peacock but I am going to need tech support to figure out how to use it. I don’t particularly like watching movies on tv, so I didn’t contact them.

I think Conclave is much better in a theater. Loved the indoor cinematography.

412 here for theatre ticket but it’s always standard for me to buy a medium sized Diet Coke and medium popcorn .. movie theatres make their money off their concession stands. So it adds up to be about the same .. roughly. It’s been a couple years since I saw a movie so I can’t remember exactly the popcorn prices. Oh you have to pay extra for butter . And extra if you want butter in the middle of it. Yah yah I know .

 

[Vash01]

412 here for theatre ticket but it’s always standard for me to buy a medium sized Diet Coke and medium popcorn .. movie theatres make their money off their concession stands. So it adds up to be about the same .. roughly. It’s been a couple years since I saw a movie so I can’t remember exactly the popcorn prices. Oh you have to pay extra for butter . And extra if you want butter in the middle of it. Yah yah I know .

I never buy anything to eat or drink. I sneak in a water bottle though, and occasionally a small cookie .

 

[Wyliefan]

I haven't bought popcorn since I broke a filling on it once! I miss it, though.

 

[Kasey]

I just came home from taking my mom to see A Complete Unknown. She's a huge Dylan fan, and raved about the movie, and was wowed by Chalamet's voice in the film. I thought it was good, and really liked Edward Norton's role in the movie. But I tend to think that Norton is a genius anyway. Two thumbs up from us.

 

[Vash01]

I just came home from taking my mom to see A Complete Unknown. She's a huge Dylan fan, and raved about the movie, and was wowed by Chalamet's voice in the film. I thought it was good, and really liked Edward Norton's role in the movie. But I tend to think that Norton is a genius anyway. Two thumbs up from us.

I thought the movie was good but I was not blown away by it. Iam not that familiar with Dylan. May be that’s why I was not wowed by it. Tim C. Was very good- acting and singing.

I looked up Dylan’s bio on Wikipedia. There is no mention of his girlfriend played by Elle Fanning in the movie. Was the character created to make the movie more interesting? His wife’s name was Sarah and they divorced after many years. Why was she not in the movie?

BTW the actress who played Joan Baez sang well. I liked the real life JoanBaez as a singer.

ETA- I have always liked Blowing in the wind. I know only a couple other songs by Dylan.

 

[Allskate]

There is no mention of his girlfriend played by Elle Fanning in the movie.

I saw an interview with Elle Fanning. She said that, to respect her privacy, they changed the name of the girlfriend who inspired the character. If I recall correctly, she said that Dylan himself wanted them to do that.

 

[Kasey]

Came home to watch The Substance with Demi Moore. Moore is wonderful in it, but the movie is terrible IMO.