What was the last film you watched?

[Willie Oleson]

This is a very, very good film, but as a theatrical release it seems less accessible and entertaining than Death On The Nile.
The non-stop motion of the train in The Cassandra Crossing underlined the feeling of heading for disaster, running out of time and - most importantly - a very claustrophobic astmosphere.
The Orient Express merely serves as a meeting place and the sets look a bit crammed in that knees-and-elbows kind of way. It's only in Poirot's big reveal that we learn why that meeting was so important.

I didn't remember much of this film except that David Niven was in it, and he wasn't. I have watched the remake a few years (?) ago but apparently it hasn't made much of an impression.
Nevertheless, it isn't very difficult to connect the future murder victim with the Armstrong tragedy, and because it's an execution rather than a wicked murder - regardless of who killed Ratchett - the who-are-these-characters becomes more intriguing than the whodunnit itself.
And indeed, instead of lying about their whereabouts at this or that particular time, they're all trying very hard not to be connected with the Armstrongs.
It's such a brilliant story and watching the film almost feels like reading a book. Therefore I agree with @Crimson that it's probably the best of the Big Four (including The Mirror Crack'd ).

Personally I think Albert Finney's Poirot worked better for this particular setting. If it had been Peter Ustinov then I had expected him to leave the train at some point.
Finney's uncomfortable pose, waddling like Batman's Penguin, tells me that the character doesn't want a lot of exercise.
His voice does get a bit raspy sometimes, I wonder if it had anything to do with faking a continental European accent.
Jacqueline Bisset doesn't get an awful lot to speak and yet her fake accent is the most glaring. She's very watchable but I think Romy Schneider would have been a more suitable casting choice.
Most of the actors get their moment to shine and Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Perkins shone the best. Only Vanessa Redgrave seems a little bit underused but that also puts the stunt in stunt casting.
Wendy Hiller as Princess Dragomiroff is fabulous horror show.

The ending is a bit ambiguous but in the best way possible. On the one hand there's a group of people successfully dealing with their craving for justice, on the other hand - if the situation had been slightly different - they come across as a murderous cult, champagne toasts and benign smiles included.

 

[Seaviewer]

Dr. No (1962)
James Bond's first big screen outing. Haven't seen it in years. It's a little slow by modern standards and definitely not PC, but it still holds up pretty well. It's hard to realise that all those set pieces which have become cliches were fresh once.

 

[Willie Oleson]

A proper whodunnit with a very satisfying ending, although I suspect it was supposed to be dramatic rather than clap-clap-cheer satisfying.
Glenn Close and Gillian Anderson got the best parts, I like the voice of Terence Stamp (it's very similar to Richard Thomas' voice) and the role of Las Vegas-bride "Brenda" seemed so tailor-made for Christina Hendricks that I almost couldn't believe that she was played by Christina Hendricks.
A few characters (and their performers) are a little wasted and it's only in one particular scene that they all get something interesting to say.

Oddly enough, it took me almost an hour to realise that the story was set in the 1950s. I simply assumed they all liked the classic cars and retro-outfits, but I thought it was peculiar that a multi-billionaire would watch his movies on a crappy old TV set.

 

[Willie Oleson]

To be fair, I only chose this movie because I was in the mood for some serious hate-watching.
Perhaps justifiable, that callous plan totally backfired when I got so, so, so much more than I had bargained for.
In order to qualify as "so-bad-it's-good" or "train wreck" entertainment I think there has to be - to whichever degree - an attempt to be successful, and because this sequel film is downright pathetic from start to finish it doesn't leave any room for schadenfreude.

Whereas the survivors of the first POSEIDON film are desperately clawing their way out of their monstrous, sinking grave, the protagonists in BEYOND are going in.
And not in a "mission to locate a legendary ghost ship", no, it's decided on the spot, unequipped and without making any preparations.
Terrifying explosions coming from underwater are being shrugged off and this immediately takes the "disaster" out of the disaster movie.

The scenery becomes ridiculously crowded when another boat shows up, with Telly Savalas in a welcome to Fantasy Island pose.


The dialogue is piss-poor (even by 70s Family TV standards) and often inappropriately used for or completely disconnected from the Disaster Theme.
I guarantee you will not stop shaking your head in utter bebafflement, and it that regard it's almost enjoyable.
The sets are bland and uninspired and worst of all equally lit. Apparently a disaster of this magnitude has no impact on the ship's electricity.

Michael Caine's crew need to find the captain's suite in order to plunder the riches from the characters who had died so tragically in the original story.
How I'm supposed to root for these characters is beyond me.
They discover the suite without any effort but then the safe with all the goodies crashes through the floor, well ceiling. But lookee, because of that crash the safe has opened - note to future burglar: just drop the damn thing - and because they got what they came for in the first place, the story now creates the challenge to get the stuff out of the Poseidon, preferably alive and unscathed, and from this point on it becomes more of a remake.
Shirley Knight reprises the role previously played by Shelley Winters, and they aren't even coy about it.

The other part of the plot is the retcon that the Poseidon was harbouring warfare plutonium, but at the same time I feel it would have been a more interesting angle to set up the story e.g. forcing Michael Caine's crew to enter the ship in order to retrieve the plutonium for villain Stefan Svevo.

I seldom blame the actors for a bad production, however in this case I think the Big Names out to hang their head in shame for becoming involved with this horrible sequel.
I think the movie could have been a little bit more fun if the part of Captain Turner was played by Adrienne Barbeau. Maybe it sounds like strange compliment but she's the actress who knows how to handle seriously bad scripts in her trademark ballsy and unapologetic fashion.
I've always had a dysfunctional relationship with Sally Field: a part of me finds her adorable but another part of me wants to slap her for no particular reason.
The film doesn't have a single redeeming feature at all, except for the link with DALLAS because Svevo's henchwoman looks as sexy and glamorous as JR Ewing's mistress, played by the same Veronica Hamel.

Watching BEYOND has caused me nothing but misery, but at least that provides some schadenfreude for my fellow tellytalkers.
To quote Jack McFarland: "Go on, laugh! Laugh at the sad old clown!"

 

[Angela Channing]

As a kid I watched the Pinocchio animated TV series (Japanese, probably) but apart from the Disney version I had never watched a full length Pinocchio movie.
I was a little disappointed to find out that Prime only offered the dubbed version but luckily it didn't have a negative impact on the viewing experience. It was very well done, actually.
Visually it looks a little unusual for a children's movie and it's a pity that they've opted for that fashionable "doesn't it look realistic?" bleak colour palette.
It appears that this version is closer to the original story and the Pinocchio world looks much more Alice In Wonderland. The only human/animal characters in the Disney movie are Jiminy, Honest John and Gideon (ironically, in this movie Mr. Fox and Mr. Cat aren't the human/animal hybrid).
Despite the eerie make-up I found the wooden boy surprisingly adorable, also because he's very nasty and selfish, which makes the character development all the more satisfying.
There's one minor character who acts annoyingly contemporary (e.g. using hands to emphasize speech) and the Stromboli plot drags a little bit - he isn't even a villain - but overall I think this is an entertaining movie. And also very funny, that was the biggest surprise.

I'm looking forward to seeing this film soon as I saw the Disney live action version earlier this year and was disappointed. Your positive review of the film makes me even more eager to watch it.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Though I have yet to watch Roman Polanski's REPULSION, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that MEN has based some of its elements on the 1960s classic.
The main character is played by Jessie Buckley whom I have recently watched in the fabulous fourth season of FARGO (incidentally, season 5 has already been confirmed - hip hip hurrah!).

I think watching MEN is a great film experience but it's not one of the best stories. I don't mind stories that don't make sense as long as I'm feeling it, and the ending of this film is just too underwhelming - which is a pity because it could have become a cult classic.
The horror goes from eerie in that typical "welcome-but-not-welcome to our English countryside" to a final act that pulls out all the stops.

I don't know what the title means in the grand scheme of things but what I got out of it was exploring the theme of primal urges and desires, and also the inability of men and women to be on the same wavelength. Perhaps that different perspective of victimhood ties in with our current social dilemmas.
But again, that's just my personal interpretation.
I wouldn't dare to recommend this film to anyone but I'm very glad I've watched it.

 

[Willie Oleson]

I was going to say that this seventies movie hasn't aged very well but after some additional consideration I think most if not all dystopian stories suck.
The world has gone to hell and therefore it's already a no-win situation from the outset.
It's hard to believe that the people in this setting would be terribly upset by the reveal of the Big Issue, heavily spoilt by the film poster (although "it" is not exactly happening "that" way).
Another issue I have with dystopian movies is that they never get that world right. Instead of futuristic, most citizens in this film look like characters in a Charles Dickens story. I have no problem with charmingly outdated futuristic gadgets or fashion fiascos, but I can't believe in a world of non-fashion.
I did enjoy the upper class world with its blatant sexist attitude - their women are called "furniture" - and it's so funny that some viewers believe that the film actually supports that attitude hence why they label it as appallingly politically incorrect.

Not only the look of the film but also the pacing is a bit all over the place. Charlton Heston plays a police man/detective and apparently they can do whatever the hell they want but I have no idea why, it's just is the way it is.
It has its moments and will certainly make you appreciate the luxury you take for granted, but this is definitely not a must-see, imho.




A far more sumptuous film than Soylent Green, and the surprise moments are particularly effective - but sometimes also unintentionally funny.
Unfortunately, Warren Beatty's role isn't fleshed out enough to give the dramatic conclusion that much needed transcendence.
The main character even ends up in one of those quirky TV sheriff towns, and a Dukes Of Hazzard scene ensues. Nevertheless, the tension is non-stop and in that regard I think it's a good film.

And then there's this beauty with an awesome soundtrack:

 

[Jimmy Todd]

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The original. A great movie that still holds up to this day. One of the real sci-fi champs.

 

[darkshadows38]

see i watched that a couple years back or whatever the hell year it was? and i didn't think it was a great film i thought it was decent i do think the (1978) film is a far better film though that's not among my favorite films of all time either. i watched 2.

1. Love me or Leave me (1955) with Doris Day and James Cagney a fantastic movie that is worth watching. than i thought what the hell i'm in the mood for a musical.
Love me or Leave me had her singing in it but it wasn't a musical it was a drama with music in it. 10/10

Pagan love song (1950) was a musical and a really bad one at that too with Howard Keel and Esther Williams. the music wasn't anything to write home about either to use an old saying i watched it on a lark but if there is nothing else on tv watch something else hell watch Public access tv with a guy mowing his lawn that's better than this film. 5/10.

 

[Seaviewer]

Love me or Leave me had her singing in it but it wasn't a musical it was a drama with music in it. 10/10

Hard to precisely define what a musical is or should be. The term "musical comedy" was once common but seems to have fallen into disuse.

 

[Seaviewer]

Judy (2019)
Also in the "with songs but not really a musical category."
Also not really a biopic in the usual sense, focusing on the London concerts trip Judy Garland made just months before she died.
Knowing this inevitably overlays a sense of sadness even though they do try to give it a triumphant conclusion.

 

[Angela Channing]

Black Adam (2022)

Not a bad film but not the greatest superhero film either. It tells the story of Teth-Adam, an ancient Egyptian man who received the powers of the Wizard Shazam. He is imprisoned in a tomb from which he is released five thousand years by a group of archaeologists searching for the Crown of Sabbac. However, they are not the only ones looking for the crown which sets up the conflict between those trying to get their hands on the ancient relic.

There is a touch of CGI overkill and many scenes look like they have been filmed in front of a green screen and the imagery was added afterwards. I know this happens for many modern films but here it seemed more obvious than normal to me. The acting was good, the action sequences were exciting and the story, as far as stories go for these types of film, was pretty good. Worth watching but I wouldn't want to see it a second time.

 

[darkshadows38]

i've seen Judy (2019) i thought the movie was shit it was terrible Renee Z. i'm not even going to try and spell her last name was damn good in it though the film was slow and forgettable. i loved the (2001) film about her life much better. i agree that film isn't a musical at all but she does sing in it. young man with a Horn (1950) i watched recently too well worth it and a MUST SEE if nobody's not seen it on here. that's also a huge drama with music in it as well with KIrk Douglass playing the horn
and Doris Day Singing but she's not in the entire film it's his film. and with Love me or Leave Me (1955) reading the trivia on IMDB if this is true Cagney took 2nd billing to Doris Day in the only time in his career after he made it big in the early 30s. he did it cause his Character wasn't the star the the story Day's was and she had more to do than he did i think too even though he did plenty in it and of course was brilliant in it.

i can respect someone who does that too, apparently he suggested her name when they were casting the role or Ruthie because he had worked with her a few years before in The West Point Story (1950) i have not watched that one yet but it is on my list to watch.

 

[Angela Channing]

Hustle (2022)

I used to play basketball when I was younger so I was looking forward to seeing this film. Adam Sandler plays a backetball scount who discovers a talented player while travelling in Spain and brings him back to the USA when he sees his potential to play in the NBA. The film is packed with cameos from basketball royalty including Dr J, Dirk Nowitzki and Doc Rivers.

Adam Sandler has come a long way since starring in films like the Waterboy and proves he is an accomplished dramatic actor too. I liked that the story was told in a straightforward manner without endless flashback and other mechanisms loved by Hollywood to create a more interesting narrative. Although this is primarily a basketball story, it's also about leadership, mentorship and never giving up on a dream, a sort of Rocky for basketball.

 

[Angela Channing]

She Said (2022)

There are some films that are so impactful that you can't stop thinking about it long after you've left the cinema, She Said is such a film. It's about how 2 investigative reporters on The New York Times uncovered the Harvey Weinstein sex abuse story. A film mostly about 2 journalists going around asking different people similar questions might sound a bit dry but the brilliance of the writing made this a gripping drama. It has a bit of a All The President's Men vibe. The film doesn't show any of the abuse and focuses on how the investigative journalists got the women to tell their stories which eventually brought down Weinstein.

 

[Willie Oleson]

I think the best part is the War Room scenes with all its understatement and bickering over trivial stuff. The situation becomes much more clowny in the last part and I didn't find it very funny.

The fact that this is a comedy didn't stop me from worrying about its disaster scenario and in that regard it could be quite frustrating to watch.
Excellent performances by all the actors, but Captain Mandrake was the best.

 

[darkshadows38]

i tried to watch this years ago and i shut it off i was so bored, i do plan on trying to watch it again but i'm not expecting much.

 

[Seaviewer]

The Steam Engines of Oz (2018)
I had thought this must be a sequel to Dorothy's Return and in a sense it is, albeit being set much later at a time when Dorothy's adventures are history.
It's credited as being based on a graphic novel of the same name but it also owes more than a little to The Tin Woodman of Oz, one of Baum's original books. A less than subtle ecological message hangs rather heavily over proceedings but I liked the new steampunk heroine.

 

[darkshadows38]

early this morning i finally finished one called "My Blue Heaven (1950) with Betty Grable plays Kitty, that woman had some skinny legs. nice to but damn where they skinny, anyways Dan Dailey plays Jack and while the music was great other than one or 2 songs that were forgettable. the movie is ass it's a shame too cause it started off really strong course i had stopped it for a couple days and not gone back to it so that may have had something to do with it.

it was a bit different for a movie of it's day and i'm gonna give the film credit on that, it had the lead Character get a Miscarriage which is something you NEVER saw in movies in (1950) it also had a nurse tell her to have a mask on around a new born i've never seen any movie from than or now that told the mother to do this that didn't have anything to do with a virus or anything of the kind. i get the impression that in this world it was something you had to do but i've never heard of it unless you were sick or the baby was in other films and in real life too. David Wayne was in it and he was really good in it with a Military Cut i think he looked so young in it cause well he was. his character i thought was a prick and it was also Mitzy Gaynor's 1st film as well. the cast was good the music was really good as i said other than 1 or 2 songs it had everything going for it but it really did need more work in the script done.

it's about a couple who at the start of the film are doing radio it was (1950) after all or my guess filmed in (1949) around there and about. at the start of the film you had the lead find out she's preggers and she ends up getting a miscarriage than she finds out she can't have anymore kids which i cannot even begin to understand how that must feel at all. but all you can do is listen ya know? anyways, than they tried Adoption and meanwhile are now doing their own tv show. you had the leads be really believable in being love with each other i can see why they did 4 films together! but at one point you had Mitzi Gaynor who was clearly in love with Jack she was the understudy so when Kitty took time off she took over. the last thing i'll say cause i don't want to say everything in this movie is that you had Jack Kiss Mitzi's character
out of nowhere i think the idea was that he missed his wife and needed affection from a woman any woman will do. she shows up and calls him out on it cause he was wearing lipstick at the time. i will give this movie a lot of credit though it did NOT go through the midway halfway break up that a lot of films go through where the couple are happy in the first have than through a serious of events one does something or says something that they end up ending their relationships and let's use When Harry Met Sally (1989) one of my favorite films of all time where they sleep together and until the very end they stopped talking to each other and things were weird with them. that's what i mean My Blue Heaven (1950) did not have that and i'm the most grateful for it too. it may have sounded like a said the entire movie when the answer is no i have not. there is stuff i left out such as how it ended for one. i say watch it once and than report back here and tell me what you think.

my rating is 5/10. the music 9.5 out of 10

 

[Willie Oleson]

It would be easier to describe what doesn't happen in this story, and perhaps the 90s decade was the perfect compromise for a film that needs sufficient technology in order to avoid looking "dated" and at the same time avoids being dominated by too much technology that kills the atmosphere stone-dead.
Scenes that involve a phone booth are inherently suspenseful because there's almost never a good reason to use them.

At first I thought it was an unfortunate decision to have Al Pacino play opposite Robert De Niro (or vice versa) because, well, I tend to confuse them. Similar features, equal Hollywood status.
But as the story progressed it kinda felt as if it was meant to be, because with a charismatic antagonist played by Robert De Niro the story becomes two stories.
It's not completely without emotional manipulation as the narrative acknowledges that the criminals in this story are very good (at being bad) and I guess that's when the villain becomes sort of an anti-hero.
Will they continue to be good or are they going to fail - and that question applies to both Pacino and De Niro.
All I'm going to say is that it takes some contrivance to wrap things up - but even that looks very, very good. I also loved the moody, neo-eighties soundtrack.