- Awards
- 44
That sounds fun, Willie.
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What was the last film you watched?
- Thread starter Mel O'Drama
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That sounds fun, Willie.
- Awards
- 52
The Amazing Mr Blunden (2021)
I saw the original version of this film about 35 years ago and thought it was pretty good so I was interested to see what this remake was like. Primarily it's aimed at children but people of any age can enjoy it.
Mr Blunden (who we later learn is a ghost) persuades a mother to become the housekeeper of an old property and she, her son and her daughter move to a village in the countryside so they look after the house. While there, 2 ghosts of children visit the son and daughter to ask them to go back in time to save them from a fire which killed them. The film is a fantasy piece which plays out like a fairy story. The score of the film was good and at times reminded be a bit of a tune from Mary Poppins. The film didn't quite have the magic and intrigue of the original but the special effects and the great performances from the cast make up for any shortcomings the film had.
I saw the original version of this film about 35 years ago and thought it was pretty good so I was interested to see what this remake was like. Primarily it's aimed at children but people of any age can enjoy it.
Mr Blunden (who we later learn is a ghost) persuades a mother to become the housekeeper of an old property and she, her son and her daughter move to a village in the countryside so they look after the house. While there, 2 ghosts of children visit the son and daughter to ask them to go back in time to save them from a fire which killed them. The film is a fantasy piece which plays out like a fairy story. The score of the film was good and at times reminded be a bit of a tune from Mary Poppins. The film didn't quite have the magic and intrigue of the original but the special effects and the great performances from the cast make up for any shortcomings the film had.
- Awards
- 52
The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
Four sons return to the birth town to bury their mother and they discover their family ranch is owned by someone else and their mother died penniless. They work together to uncover where all her money went as the fear she was cheated out of her property.
It's really a John Wayne western and even though he only is one of the four brothers he completely dominates the film. He's not a great actor, I've always found his performances to be very much one note, but what he does have is star quality and is a charismatic screen presence and that was very much the case in this film. John Wayne plays the tough, no nonsense but fair oldest brother and Dean Martin is the less serious second brother who is a bit of a loser. The age difference between the eldest Elder son looked like it was about 40 years which does stretch credibility a bit but you can overlook that and just enjoy the film.
Four sons return to the birth town to bury their mother and they discover their family ranch is owned by someone else and their mother died penniless. They work together to uncover where all her money went as the fear she was cheated out of her property.
It's really a John Wayne western and even though he only is one of the four brothers he completely dominates the film. He's not a great actor, I've always found his performances to be very much one note, but what he does have is star quality and is a charismatic screen presence and that was very much the case in this film. John Wayne plays the tough, no nonsense but fair oldest brother and Dean Martin is the less serious second brother who is a bit of a loser. The age difference between the eldest Elder son looked like it was about 40 years which does stretch credibility a bit but you can overlook that and just enjoy the film.
- Awards
- 52
The Lost Daughter (2021)
I've never been a great fan of Olivia Coleman but this film has changed that. She plays a college professor who goes on holiday in Greece to finish writing a book. While there she meet a woman and her young daughter who prompt memories from her of he early motherhood and she secretly becomes obsessed with them. This film was much better than I expected.
I've never been a great fan of Olivia Coleman but this film has changed that. She plays a college professor who goes on holiday in Greece to finish writing a book. While there she meet a woman and her young daughter who prompt memories from her of he early motherhood and she secretly becomes obsessed with them. This film was much better than I expected.
- Awards
- 52
K-PAX (2001)
There may be questions about whether or not Kevin Spacey is a sex predator but one things that isn't questionable is that he is a brilliant actor. Here is plays a character that claims to be an alien from the planet K-PAX and Jeff Bridges is a psychiatrist assigned to cure him of his delusions. This is a wonderful film that is a mystery with unexpected plot twists and a satisfying ending.
There may be questions about whether or not Kevin Spacey is a sex predator but one things that isn't questionable is that he is a brilliant actor. Here is plays a character that claims to be an alien from the planet K-PAX and Jeff Bridges is a psychiatrist assigned to cure him of his delusions. This is a wonderful film that is a mystery with unexpected plot twists and a satisfying ending.
- Awards
- 24
- Awards
- 44
Doctor Sleep (2019)
I rewatched The Shining last year for the first time in decades. I really didn't think it needed a sequel, but this looked far enough removed from the original for me to watch it without too much comparison. As it turned out I was impressed by how the new story managed to work in references to (plus characters and locations from) the original in a way that felt natural and unforced.
I rewatched The Shining last year for the first time in decades. I really didn't think it needed a sequel, but this looked far enough removed from the original for me to watch it without too much comparison. As it turned out I was impressed by how the new story managed to work in references to (plus characters and locations from) the original in a way that felt natural and unforced.
- Awards
- 16
Don't Look Up (2021)
An end of the world drama. A comet is identified as being on a collision course with the world that will wipe out all life on earth when it impacts. It's a serious subject matter made more palatable by having a lot of humour in the film. It's very dark in some places and hilarious in others. The film is packed with Hollywood A-listers and there isn't a weak performance in it. It's a good film, thought-provoking too and well worth watching.
I watched it yesterday. I love these disaster movies with good casting. I didn't even realize that toothy Elon Musk character was Mark Rylance! Terrific actor. This movie is absolutely worth watching.
We may not have a comet hitting us in 6 months, but we have a climate disaster coming. And just like the politicians and TV people in this movie, we too don't take it seriously and wonder "how can we profit from this?" And while we're busy with our lives, we just let the disaster happen.
The "Don't look up!" half in the movie sounds very much like the MAGA people and other climate change denying idiots.
- Awards
- 52
Interesting. I've watched The Shining a couple of times but was never keen on seeing a sequel without Jack Nicholson as he is so closely associated with the film however, your review has sparked an interest is seeing this now.Doctor Sleep (2019)
I rewatched The Shining last year for the first time in decades. I really didn't think it needed a sequel, but this looked far enough removed from the original for me to watch it without too much comparison. As it turned out I was impressed by how the new story managed to work in references to (plus characters and locations from) the original in a way that felt natural and unforced.
- Awards
- 52
Encanto (2021)
This animation has had some great reviews so I thought I'd give it a watch. It's about Columbian family who live in a place called Encanto which blesses every child in their family with a particular gift such as great strength, the ability to look into the future or to make flowers grow wherever they want. They use their powers to benefit their entire community. One member of the family, a young woman called Mirabel, did not receive a gift and always felt inadequate as a result until the powers of the others begin to weaken so she takes it on herself to find out why and if she can stop them from going altogether. It's far fetched story but it is a Disney animation so it's what you expect. Unlike many recent Disney animations which I thought had weak songs, here the songs were good and the whole film felt like it could make a successful stage adaptation. It's a nice film that will appeal to children and adults.
This animation has had some great reviews so I thought I'd give it a watch. It's about Columbian family who live in a place called Encanto which blesses every child in their family with a particular gift such as great strength, the ability to look into the future or to make flowers grow wherever they want. They use their powers to benefit their entire community. One member of the family, a young woman called Mirabel, did not receive a gift and always felt inadequate as a result until the powers of the others begin to weaken so she takes it on herself to find out why and if she can stop them from going altogether. It's far fetched story but it is a Disney animation so it's what you expect. Unlike many recent Disney animations which I thought had weak songs, here the songs were good and the whole film felt like it could make a successful stage adaptation. It's a nice film that will appeal to children and adults.
- Awards
- 44
I had nothing to lose as it was free on Prime (they actually have two versions, with the Director's Cut running 30 minutes longer, but I felt two and half hours was quite long enough).
While I don't think it's as good a film as The Shining, it has quite a different tone and story. It's missing the oppressive, claustrophobic atmosphere, and instead of the psychological element it's more overtly supernatural which I think makes it less frightening. But it's an interesting journey for the main characters and like I said, the way it's linked back to the original film is nicely done.
(It did help, though, that I went in trying not to think of it as a sequel, but as a new story that's partially related).
- Awards
- 8
To Be Or Not To Be
with Carole Lombard (watching on the 80th anniversary of her death…she died just over three weeks after shooting was completed), Jack Benny, Robert Stack and Sig Rumann
thescrewballgirl.com
www.hollywoodreporter.com
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lT65_FHwqbk
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=idw8JLe_r_8
with Carole Lombard (watching on the 80th anniversary of her death…she died just over three weeks after shooting was completed), Jack Benny, Robert Stack and Sig Rumann
Remembering Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard died eighty years ago today. She was returning to Los Angeles from a successful WWII defense bonds tour in Indiana, which was organized by the Hollywood Victory Committee in support …
thescrewballgirl.com
Pearl Harbor Turns 80: Carole Lombard Was Hollywood’s First World War II Casualty
The starlet and wife of Clark Gable perished along with 21 others after a flight on her war bond tour crashed outside Las Vegas, as chronicled in this exclusive excerpt from the new book, 'Hollywood Victory: The Movies, Stars, and Stories of World War II.'
www.hollywoodreporter.com
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lT65_FHwqbk
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=idw8JLe_r_8
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Death of a Salesman (1985)
Dustin Hoffman plays a troubled salesman who has troubles at home and troubles at work. His mental health isn't great either. Dustin Hoffman's performance in this is like an acting masterclass. He totally dominates the film and although John Malkovich shines as his son Biff as does Kate Reid (Aunt Lil from Dallas) but it's Hoffman that you can't take your eyes off. As a film it's ok but I think its format is more suited to the stage.
Dustin Hoffman plays a troubled salesman who has troubles at home and troubles at work. His mental health isn't great either. Dustin Hoffman's performance in this is like an acting masterclass. He totally dominates the film and although John Malkovich shines as his son Biff as does Kate Reid (Aunt Lil from Dallas) but it's Hoffman that you can't take your eyes off. As a film it's ok but I think its format is more suited to the stage.
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Sunshine On Leith (2013)
How did I not know about this film before? It was only by chance that I saw an interview with the actor George MacKay promoting his new film during which he mentioned he had done a musical film. Out of curiosity I got a copy and I'm glad I did. A musical based on the music of The Proclaimers can't be bad. The songs are great and the narrative that stitches them together to form the plot of the film is interesting and entertaining. Two solders decide to return home to Scotland after a stint on active duty and they have to pick up their lives and loves. The film at times is joyous, sad, funny and it even brought a tear to my eye.
How did I not know about this film before? It was only by chance that I saw an interview with the actor George MacKay promoting his new film during which he mentioned he had done a musical film. Out of curiosity I got a copy and I'm glad I did. A musical based on the music of The Proclaimers can't be bad. The songs are great and the narrative that stitches them together to form the plot of the film is interesting and entertaining. Two solders decide to return home to Scotland after a stint on active duty and they have to pick up their lives and loves. The film at times is joyous, sad, funny and it even brought a tear to my eye.
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- 20
We studied the play Death of a Salesman in English class in high school but I don't think I've ever actually seen it either on film or stage.
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I only became interested in seeing the film because I couldn't get a ticket when the play was staged in London's West End. There was an Arthur Miller season and I saw All My Sons and An American Clock but couldn't see Death of a Salesman because it was sold out and then when it moved theatres, it closed early due to the Covid lockdown. Seeing the film made me think it was a shame I didn't see it in the West End as I don't think it worked particularly well on screen but its structure seemed more suited to a stage production.
We studied Macbeth at school and I've had a lasting interest in the play and I've seen many of the film versions, most recently the one with Michael Fassbender in 2015 and I'm planning to see the new version with Denzel Washington tonight.
- Awards
- 52
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
This film has had some great reviews and been nominated for multiple awards but I didn't like it. I've seen many film version of Macbeth, most recently the excellent 2015 version starring Michael Fassbender and what I consider to be the best version, the 1971 version directed by Roman Polanski, so it's hard to see what the point of this version was as it doesn't offer anything particular new or interesting. This is a minimalist telling of the story, the sets are sparse and some scenes and dialogue have been cut and the actors deliver their lines at quite a brisk pace. This is main problem with the film. Unless you are familiar with the story (which I am as I studied the play for my GCSE English literature exam in high school) it's difficult to follow because like a lot of Shakespeare, the language can be challenging and the pace of the film doesn't give you enough time reflect on what has been said to understand it. I wonder whether the actors actually understood everything they were saying as their lines were often delivered in a matter of fact way without the necessary passion and emotion which would have helped in the storytelling. The bare sets provide little help in offering visual clues about what is going on. Like many versions of Macbeth, the actors make no attempt to sound Scottish and the mix of American and English accents seems out of place. The film is atmospheric though and the director of photography did a great job in how each scene was lit and how they created long shadows to give a sense of foreboding. Sadly that was one of the few positives I could take from this film.
This film has had some great reviews and been nominated for multiple awards but I didn't like it. I've seen many film version of Macbeth, most recently the excellent 2015 version starring Michael Fassbender and what I consider to be the best version, the 1971 version directed by Roman Polanski, so it's hard to see what the point of this version was as it doesn't offer anything particular new or interesting. This is a minimalist telling of the story, the sets are sparse and some scenes and dialogue have been cut and the actors deliver their lines at quite a brisk pace. This is main problem with the film. Unless you are familiar with the story (which I am as I studied the play for my GCSE English literature exam in high school) it's difficult to follow because like a lot of Shakespeare, the language can be challenging and the pace of the film doesn't give you enough time reflect on what has been said to understand it. I wonder whether the actors actually understood everything they were saying as their lines were often delivered in a matter of fact way without the necessary passion and emotion which would have helped in the storytelling. The bare sets provide little help in offering visual clues about what is going on. Like many versions of Macbeth, the actors make no attempt to sound Scottish and the mix of American and English accents seems out of place. The film is atmospheric though and the director of photography did a great job in how each scene was lit and how they created long shadows to give a sense of foreboding. Sadly that was one of the few positives I could take from this film.
- Awards
- 20
We studied Macbeth, too, but in that case we were taken to a screening of the Orson Welles version. Don't remember much about it now.
- Awards
- 20
Ghostbusters (2016)
I've seen the first two Ghostbusters movies but I'm not what you would call an aficionado so I was able to approach this one without the rancour that I read about in the lead-up to its release.
Judged on its own merits, this is an enjoyable film. I like the gentle banter between the leads, especially Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy; the effects were good; and the cameos by the original cast were done nicely.
I can sympathise with the fans' disappointment that they were getting a reboot rather that the sequel that they'd been wishing for, but it doesn't deserve the sexist vitriol that's been heaped upon it.
I've seen the first two Ghostbusters movies but I'm not what you would call an aficionado so I was able to approach this one without the rancour that I read about in the lead-up to its release.
Judged on its own merits, this is an enjoyable film. I like the gentle banter between the leads, especially Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy; the effects were good; and the cameos by the original cast were done nicely.
I can sympathise with the fans' disappointment that they were getting a reboot rather that the sequel that they'd been wishing for, but it doesn't deserve the sexist vitriol that's been heaped upon it.
- Awards
- 12
I read the book, which while not as good as The Shining, was very good. I have some trepidations about seeing the movie because of the scene where the torture the poor kid in the beginning. It's one of Stephen King's most disturbing scenes.Doctor Sleep (2019)
I rewatched The Shining last year for the first time in decades. I really didn't think it needed a sequel, but this looked far enough removed from the original for me to watch it without too much comparison. As it turned out I was impressed by how the new story managed to work in references to (plus characters and locations from) the original in a way that felt natural and unforced.