Hidden Figures (2016)

Would have seemed a little formulaic with a less talented cast. But Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Costner, a criminally underused Mahershala Ali, and Octavia Spencer give the movie a hefty backbone with wonderful performances. Shoutout to Jim Parsons and Janelle Monae for good turns as well.

.75

Making Waves The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)

Documentary that broke down the history, the work and the people involved with film sound design. Interviews with the Speilberg, Lucas and many others on the many aspects af what's involved and its importance to the experience for the viewer. Learned a lot that I thought I knew and really enjoyed the whole thing from beginning to end.

out of

Trois couleurs: Bleu (1993) - A woman struggles to find a way to live her life after the death of her husband and child.

Trois couleurs: Blanc (1994) - After his wife divorces him, a Polish immigrant plots to get even with her.

Trois couleurs: Rouge (1994) - A model discovers a retired judge is keen on invading people's privacy.

Individually, I'd rate these movies a little lower than I would collectively. Blue is the most serious and critically acclaimed of the three. White is the most lighthearted while Red is more of a thriller. As three chapters to a whole, they make much more of an impact when seen together--and the ending of the third film, Red, is likewise much more rewarding. 4.5/5

sexton said:

Ratatouille (2007) - A rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous restaurant.

I tried watching this with the French audio track and English subtitles and it totally worked as a faux French film. This will be the way I screen this movie going forward. 4.5/5

I didn't like this film, found nothing outstanding with this.

slyjackson said:

EmmaMcG said:

slyjackson said:

I didn't like this film, found nothing outstanding with this.

You have no soul 😂

I don't, but that has nothing to do with me no liking it.

sexton said:

Trois couleurs: Bleu (1993) - A woman struggles to find a way to live her life after the death of her husband and child.

Trois couleurs: Blanc (1994) - After his wife divorces him, a Polish immigrant plots to get even with her.

Trois couleurs: Rouge (1994) - A model discovers a retired judge is keen on invading people's privacy.

Individually, I'd rate these movies a little lower than I would collectively. Blue is the most serious and critically acclaimed of the three. White is the most lighthearted while Red is more of a thriller. As three chapters to a whole, they make much more of an impact when seen together--and the ending of the third film, Red, is likewise much more rewarding. 4.5/5

Really really liked them all. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts though, you're right.

Joe Kidd (1972)

Elmore Leonard story with Clint Eastwood and Robert Duvall, two actors I love. Fan of the genre and Elmore Leonard has written some great stuff BUT this movie felt off. Maybe it was the screenplay, I'm not sure. Still checked off boxes for my biases and Robert Duvall as a bad guy was interesting.

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Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)

Abbott and Costello came from vaudeville with a lot of physical gags and practical special effects. Even worked in a version of the "Who's on First" joke and I see why I enjoyed it so much as a kid.

I need to rewatch the other two Abbott and Costello monster movies because even though they're a bit corny, there were a few jokes/bits that held up.

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[Edited 6/6/20 10:45am]

namepeace said:

Hidden Figures (2016)

Would have seemed a little formulaic with a less talented cast. But Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Costner, a criminally underused Mahershala Ali, and Octavia Spencer give the movie a hefty backbone with wonderful performances. Shoutout to Jim Parsons and Janelle Monae for good turns as well.

.75

I love this movie. If I sm channel surfing and find it I stop and watch it.

Thought about these ladies the other day when Space X launch it's rocket.

gandorb said:

THE HATE U GIVE Had to watch The Hate U Give again given how closely it matches what is going on today. I especially wanted my teenaged kids to see it so they can grasp the unseen emotional impact of racism through the eyes of a teenager, which it did. My daughter was almost militant after the movie. The other thing I really like about the movie is that it shows an intact loving black family in the "hood", which is rarely portrayed. Great movie.

Thanks for posting this. I read the book some time ago; it's an amazing book, but I didn't even know a film had been made from it. I'm going to try and watch it this week.

I rewatched Blackklansman this past weekend and recommend to rewatch considering current events.

This movie is timeless and will be relevant for years to come. IMO, one of the most important films of this decade. Sure, Spike took some dramatic license, but his direct reference to the current racial climate were all on point. The ending footage of Charlottesville still moves me to tears. This was an excellent piece of story telling (Oscar for best Adapted screenplay 2019) and a true wake up call to the reality of racism in the U.S., muchless the world. Driver, Wasington and Grace all turned in terrific performances.

Like "Do the Right Thing," it's almost as if Spike knew the Eric Garner tragedy was coming, and yet he actually was just telling us what has been happening all along. As horrifying as Charlottesville and trumps' reaction to that was, it was just a matter of time before something else profoundly disturbing on the highest scale (George Floyd) would heighten reactions and spark a national and global response..

5/5

From Rotten Tomatoes : " Tony is admitted to a rehabilitation center after a serious skiing accident. Dependent on the medical staff and pain relievers, she takes time to look back on a turbulent relationship that she experienced with Georgio. Why did they love each other? Who is this man that she loved so deeply? How did she allow herself to submit to this suffocating and destructive passion? For Tony, a difficult process of healing is in front of her, physical work which may finally set her free."

https://www.rottentomatoe.../m/my_king

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.

.

A really wonderful, albeit at times a bit slow and boring but still enjoyable watch. It´s a bit sad, often beautiful and very relatable love story about a nightowl named Georgio, played by Vincent Cassel who falls in love with Tony, a lawyer. She doesn´t know about his drug habits and unorthodox ways with women and the movie shows different stages of their crazy relationship.

I really enjoyed this one.

.

These days the market is kind of oversaturated as far as superhero movies go. I still like them but don´t really enjoy them like I used to. It´s often the same old same old, lots of explosions, corny jokes, juvenile humor and predictable storylines and absurdly strong heroes and villains.

But this one is quite different, I have watched it a couple of times already and watched it again last week and I love that Wolverine is not as strong as he used to be and that he is a father....well, kind of.

It´s darker than most superhero movies, it feels like a western and it´s not as over the top as most superhero movies are.

Probably my favorite superhero movie after Nolan´s Batman trilogy.

Loved watching it again.

maplenpg said:

gandorb said:

THE HATE U GIVE Had to watch The Hate U Give again given how closely it matches what is going on today. I especially wanted my teenaged kids to see it so they can grasp the unseen emotional impact of racism through the eyes of a teenager, which it did. My daughter was almost militant after the movie. The other thing I really like about the movie is that it shows an intact loving black family in the "hood", which is rarely portrayed. Great movie.

Thanks for posting this. I read the book some time ago; it's an amazing book, but I didn't even know a film had been made from it. I'm going to try and watch it this week.

If you do, curious to see your take of it given that you have read the book.

Blackthorn (2011)

Story is what would have happened if Butch Cassidy became old in Bolivia and his journey back to America in 1909. It was a decent movie that kept my interest and it checked my irrational bias/love of Western box with the twist of Central and South America locations. Sam Shepard as Butch Cassidy was really good as were the other casting choices.


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Scarface (1932)

Never saw the original but big fan of the 1983 version and I like the genre. It's weird to watch a movie made in 1932 in regards to production values but I could see where Pacino got his inspiration in the main character. The speech and clothes made the movie feel like the 1920s and the story line was based on Al Capone.

Learned that because of censorship and public out cry that it glorified violence and crime, Howard Hughes put it into a vault. It wasn't released (along with the rights) until Howard Hughes passed away 1976.

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[Edited 6/9/20 19:42pm]

Last several movies.

"United 93" One of the greatest movies ever. Stands alone. 10/10

"Maps to the Stars" 8/10; saw this years ago and didn't care for it; watched it again yesterday and like it much, much better. Darkly funny and surprisingly emotional. Quite a balancing act.

"The Disaster Artist" Eh. Nowhere in the league of "Ed Wood" or "Dolemite is my Name" No real struggle. Would prefer to watch "The Room" again. 3/10

"Good Time" Interesting but not quite all there. 6/10

"Uncut Gems" 7/10

"Revenge of the Sith" 10/10

"Phantom Menace" 9/10; give me back the theatrical cut without the extra goofy cartoon-like characters in the podrace and I'll give it 10/10.

"Double Indemnity" 10/10. "Two f's like in Philadelphia. If you know the story?" "What story."

"The Apple" 10/10. Menahen Golan's epic musical. In this case the 10 is for the end result not necessarily the intention. Great entertainment in the year 1994.

"The Wolf Man" 10/10. Lon Chaney. Claude Raines kills his son. Greek Tragedy.

[Edited 6/9/20 20:42pm]

S2DG said:

EmmaMcG said:

S2DG said:

Scarface (1932)

Never saw the original but big fan of the 1983 version and I like the genre. It's weird to watch a movie made in 1932 in regards to production values but I could see where Pacino got his inspiration in the main character. The speech and clothes made the movie feel like the 1920s and the story line was based on Al Capone.

Learned that because of censorship and public out cry that it glorified violence and crime, Howard Hughes put it into a vault. It wasn't released (along with the rights) until Howard Hughes passed away 1976.

out of

[Edited 6/9/20 19:42pm]

There was a plan to do a more conventional remake of Scarface with DeNiro playing Al Capone and Scorsese directing. For one reason or another it didn't happen so Oliver Stone, Brian DePalma and Al Pacino went and made the movie we know today. As much as I love Al Pacino's Scarface, the idea of a mob movie about Al Capone starring Robert DeNiro and directed by Martin Scorsese is an intriguing one.

Interesting, I've not heard that before.

Martin Scorsese would have done a great job but Brian Depalma used Deniro for Capone in the Untouchables (1987) and I love that movie too. It has some cheesey parts with Costner but Deniro and Sean Connery make that movie for me.

Lucky (2017)

Harry Dean Stanton's last movie at 90 years old. Didn't know what to expect but was really moved by this film. Strange thing is, I'll have to watch it a few more times to figure out why because right now I have no idea. The other thing is I'm not sure how much Harry was acting and how much it was just him being a 90 year old man. It really doesn't matter because this film is beautiful on many levels.

out of

S2DG said:

Lucky (2017)

Harry Dean Stanton's last movie at 90 years old. Didn't know what to expect but was really moved by this film. Strange thing is, I'll have to watch it a few more times to figure out why because right now I have no idea. The other thing is I'm not sure how much Harry was acting and how much it was just him being a 90 year old man. It really doesn't matter because this film is beautiful on many levels.

out of

Wow, I'll have to check this out just for that fact alone... Makes me wonder who the oldest actor was who was in a fictional movie role...

onlyforaminute said:

One Nation Under Stress. 3.5/5 In the 1960s, Americans had among the highest life expectancy in the world. Today, the U.S. ranks near the bottom of major developed nations. Despite spending more on healthcare than any other country, America is experiencing decreased life expectancy. In One Nation Under Stress, neurosurgeon and investigative journalist Dr. Sanjay Gupta sets out to discover why.

Thanks for the tip. I´m watching it right now and so far it´s very interesting.

purplethunder3121 said:

S2DG said:

Lucky (2017)

Harry Dean Stanton's last movie at 90 years old. Didn't know what to expect but was really moved by this film. Strange thing is, I'll have to watch it a few more times to figure out why because right now I have no idea. The other thing is I'm not sure how much Harry was acting and how much it was just him being a 90 year old man. It really doesn't matter because this film is beautiful on many levels.

out of

Wow, I'll have to check this out just for that fact alone... Makes me wonder who the oldest actor was who was in a fictional movie role...

Never thought about that...

https://www.oldest.org/culture/living-actors/

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Kevin Costner's directorial debut and I had not watched it since 1990. It feels like one of the first movies to show the humanity of Native Americans and their culture. Authenticity is accurate for both the Sioux culture and time period. It's a masterpiece of cinematography but how they pulled off the scenes with a herd of buffalo running feels like another first in a movie.


out of