DiminutiveRocker said:

namepeace said:

Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are not only essential films, they are forebears of the anti-establishment/anti-hero films the young turks of the 70s would make thereafter. I'd check them out along with The Hustler.

YES!

S2DG said:

namepeace said:

Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are not only essential films, they are forebears of the anti-establishment/anti-hero films the young turks of the 70s would make thereafter. I'd check them out along with The Hustler.

Thank you Namepeace!

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is on deck for this weekend.

Hope you love it.

Haven't seen the whole movie in awhile. Great and very underated Super Hero movie. A great set up for a Superman series with Brandon Routh (unfortunately that never happened). Better cast than Man of Steel movie. Though they could have gotten a better Jimmy Olsen. Wonder what new Krypton would have been? Not a big fan of Lex Luthor but Kevin Spacey nailed it, not going to much over the top (like Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones did). Future movies could have had Dark Seid and Mongul, just to name a few.

kpowers said:

kpowers said:

Haven't seen the whole movie in awhile. Great and very underated Super Hero movie. A great set up for a Superman series with Brandon Routh (unfortunately that never happened). Better cast than Man of Steel movie. Though they could have gotten a better Jimmy Olsen. Wonder what new Krypton would have been? Not a big fan of Lex Luthor but Kevin Spacey nailed it, not going to much over the top (like Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones did). Future movies could have had Dark Seid and Mongul, just to name a few.

And that bulge though

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

As a big fan of Westerns I really liked this movie (thanks Namepeace). Paul Newman and Robert Redford are outlaws on the run in the old west. The chemistry between Newman and Redford really drove this and I now understand the importance of both of these actors who I had only seen late in their careers.

The cinematography was really beautiful while Butch and Sundance were on the run. The sepia tone shots used as a time passing montage and a handful of other film techniques were really interesting and made the movie engaging.

Movie felt kind of long in parts and some of the bits seemed a little over done ("who are those guys") but maybe I just didn't get the humor. The other "distraction" for me in this was the music - modern music for a movie set in the 1800s.

I get why this movie won awards and cemented these actors as legends. Felt like this was a modern take on the western genre for 1969 and I'm not sure that had been done before.



out of

EmmaMcG said:

kpowers said:

Haven't seen the whole movie in awhile. Great and very underated Super Hero movie. A great set up for a Superman series with Brandon Routh (unfortunately that never happened). Better cast than Man of Steel movie. Though they could have gotten a better Jimmy Olsen. Wonder what new Krypton would have been? Not a big fan of Lex Luthor but Kevin Spacey nailed it, not going to much over the top (like Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones did). Future movies could have had Dark Seid and Mongul, just to name a few.

Rather than doing a spin off TV show of the Arrowverse version, they should have just done a TV continuation of this instead. After all, this is a continuation of the definitive big screen version of the character (Christopher Reeve) so it would have made a lot of sense to keep that version of Superman going. I get that Kevin Spacey is out of favour now but they could have recast him. I mean, this version of Lex Luthor was originally played by Gene Hackman so recasting him wouldn't have been the end of the world. I always thought Billy Zane would be a good Lex...

I agree and yeah Billy Zane would make a great choice for Lex Luthor. For the series to work Greg Berlanti has to have ZERO involvement in the series. If you think about it Greg Berlanti ruined Smallville (a series in which he was not involved with). In the cross over episodes he made it that Clark gave up his powers and the Earth where Smallvile occured was destroyed, WTF??? Greg Berlanti is involved with all the CW PC shows, excuse me I meant to say Greg Berlanti is involved with all the CW DC shows. Greg Berlanti was also apart of the horrible Green Lantern movie. I given up all the CW DC shows, just horrible on all levels. What was the best DC show on TV these past few years? Yup, Gotham. a series in which Greg Berlanti was not involved with. Not going to watch Greg Berlanti Superman and Lois series that is coming out this season. As much as I love DC, if Greg Berlanti is ivovled I'm not watching.

I 100% see it

[Edited 8/1/20 9:18am]

Double feature last night...

White Heat (1949)

Can't shake this film noir obsession and I've heard about this movie for a while as I love the genre. This is considered to be one of the best gangster movies of all time and now I understand why.

James Cagney delivers as the boss who is ruthless and agressive but a softy when it comes to his mom. Virginia Mayo plays his girl and is amazing in this movie from beginning to end.

Story had my attention, the technology, clothes and the details of 1949 were fascinating. James Cagney is the obvious standout as he just had such a presence throughout the entire film.

The influence of this movie, from certain lines to inspiring the genre as a whole, was really clear by the end. This movie stands up to time and I only wished I would have watched it a long time ago.


out of

EmmaMcG said:

kpowers said:

Haven't seen the whole movie in awhile. Great and very underated Super Hero movie. A great set up for a Superman series with Brandon Routh (unfortunately that never happened). Better cast than Man of Steel movie. Though they could have gotten a better Jimmy Olsen. Wonder what new Krypton would have been? Not a big fan of Lex Luthor but Kevin Spacey nailed it, not going to much over the top (like Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones did). Future movies could have had Dark Seid and Mongul, just to name a few.

Rather than doing a spin off TV show of the Arrowverse version, they should have just done a TV continuation of this instead. After all, this is a continuation of the definitive big screen version of the character (Christopher Reeve) so it would have made a lot of sense to keep that version of Superman going. I get that Kevin Spacey is out of favour now but they could have recast him. I mean, this version of Lex Luthor was originally played by Gene Hackman so recasting him wouldn't have been the end of the world. I always thought Billy Zane would be a good Lex...

Speaking of Lex Luthor for the 1978 movie I wish they casted actor John Colicos in the part. Trust me he would of been a great Lex Luthor. Shave his head and he looks just like Lex Luthor. He played Baltar on the original Battlestar Galactica and yes he can play the villian like no one else can. He even looks and sounds like the Lex Luthor of the Superfriends TV series. But Gene Hackman was the bigger name.

[Edited 8/2/20 12:50pm]

I like movies about kids coming of age in prep schools and as I was browsing my HBO listings and saw this gem. I had not seen this movie in years and not sure if I have ever seen an unedited version. Maggie Smith won an Oscar for this performance, and deservedly so. Released in 1969 this movie definitley has the vibe of the times, but the themes are timeless. It is a tour de force performance by Dame Maggie, she is a global treasure. Oh. and the muisc won an Oscar also


.5 of 5

Baby Driver (2017)

A fun, extended music video filled with some great action and driving sequences. Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm are good, and Ansel Elgort and Lily James have good chemistry together. Good job by writer/director Edgar Winter.

.25

kpowers said:

Haven't seen the whole movie in awhile. Great and very underated Super Hero movie. A great set up for a Superman series with Brandon Routh (unfortunately that never happened). Better cast than Man of Steel movie. Though they could have gotten a better Jimmy Olsen. Wonder what new Krypton would have been? Not a big fan of Lex Luthor but Kevin Spacey nailed it, not going to much over the top (like Jim Carey and Tommy Lee Jones did). Future movies could have had Dark Seid and Mongul, just to name a few.

It is underrated. Routh was good. I think it aged pretty well, probably because it hewed close to the original Superman: The Movie, which for my remains the GOAT.

S2DG said:

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

As a big fan of Westerns I really liked this movie (thanks Namepeace). Paul Newman and Robert Redford are outlaws on the run in the old west. The chemistry between Newman and Redford really drove this and I now understand the importance of both of these actors who I had only seen late in their careers.

The cinematography was really beautiful while Butch and Sundance were on the run. The sepia tone shots used as a time passing montage and a handful of other film techniques were really interesting and made the movie engaging.

Movie felt kind of long in parts and some of the bits seemed a little over done ("who are those guys") but maybe I just didn't get the humor. The other "distraction" for me in this was the music - modern music for a movie set in the 1800s.

I get why this movie won awards and cemented these actors as legends. Felt like this was a modern take on the western genre for 1969 and I'm not sure that had been done before.



out of

All fair criticisms and so glad you enjoyed it!

I watched a pair of late-period Jean-Luc Godard films last week. Movies from this stage of his career can be challenging to say the least.



Film socialisme (2010) - The passengers on a Mediterranean cruise enjoy their luxuries as a small family struggles with overbearing media attention.

This one I watched twice because the first time I couldn't tell what was going on. The decision to reduce the subtitles to the fewest words possible to convey the barest essence of the dialogue didn't help either. (I read that this is how the movie was screened theatrically.) Viewing it a second time after reading a synopsis made the movie a lot more appealing. But that's like doing well on a test because I saw all the answers first. 3.5/5




Le livre d'image / The Image Book (2018) - Nothing but silence. Nothing but a revolutionary song. A story in five chapters like the five fingers of a hand.

Although this one received more favorable reviews, I didn't like it as much. It's comprised entirely of heavily filtered footage from previous films with scenes juxtaposed in a way that creates a social commentary. Maybe I needed to watch this one twice as well, but I didn't have time before it was pulled from the Criterion Channel website. 2.5/5

namepeace said:

Baby Driver (2017)

A fun, extended music video filled with some great action and driving sequences. Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm are good, and Ansel Elgort and Lily James have good chemistry together. Good job by writer/director Edgar Winter.

.25

It's quite enoyable film, very coo, more style than substance, but good nonetheless.

slyjackson said:

namepeace said:

Baby Driver (2017)

A fun, extended music video filled with some great action and driving sequences. Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm are good, and Ansel Elgort and Lily James have good chemistry together. Good job by writer/director Edgar Winter.

.25

It's quite enoyable film, very cool, more style than substance, but good nonetheless.

true.

sexton said:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

I had forgotten how great this movie is, not having seen it since its theatrical run. With all the stunts, fights, car crashes and crazy tech, it was like a Mission Impossible film, but with superheroes. 4.5/5

It's a great film.

slyjackson said:

sexton said:

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent, Black Widow, to battle a new threat from history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

I had forgotten how great this movie is, not having seen it since its theatrical run. With all the stunts, fights, car crashes and crazy tech, it was like a Mission Impossible film, but with superheroes. 4.5/5

It's a great film.

Ditto

Dracula (1931)

The first sound film adaptation of the Bram Stoker novel featuring Bela Lugosi as Dracula. The clear stand out is Dwight Frye as Renfield, just the noises he made has clearly influenced every version of this story since.

Once I got past the 1931 audio, I found the movie to be pretty amazing for pre-code Hollywood. The story is one I've seen/read more than once but this movie's iconic influence stands up, even with limited special effects. It's always interesting to see people from the past...even acting, hair styles and mannerisms are fascinating to me.

The movie was great not just because it was the first of many movies like it but because it probably was one of the first to scare people in 1931.



out

[Edited 8/4/20 21:16pm]

How Do You Know (2010) - 2.5 stars of 4

I like to mix it up in terms of what type of movies I watch, and I thought I was ready for a romantic comedy since I hadn't seen one in so long. A few nights ago I found a new one with good reviews from 2019, so I decided to give it a chance. I forgot the name, and I found this one by scrolling Netflix and thought this was it. It is a film by James Brooke, who typically is a good director. Throughout the film, I marveled at what a good makeup job to make Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon look younger than they really are. I actually enjoyed the movie even though it was nothing special and wasted Jack Nicholson's talent due to a contrived role. I like to read the reviews on Rotten Tomato after I have finished a movie to see how my perspective matches up with those of other people and critics. Given that I thought this was an acclaimed movie, the first thing I noticed was that both the critics and the public hated the movie. It is not often a rom-com with good actors gets slammed by then public who goes to see it. Then I notice the 2010 date of the film, and I realized perhaps the makeup and the acting (the stars just seemed younger) wasn't as good as I thought. Despite the trite content, Paul and Reese still managed to be charming. However, my mission still remains to identify the movie I meant to see. (sorry for the rambling, but I think I am missing Rodeosho).

gandorb said:

How Do You Know (2010) - 2.5 stars of 4

I like to mix it up in terms of what type of movies I watch, and I thought I was ready for a romantic comedy since I hadn't seen one in so long. A few nights ago I found a new one with good reviews from 2019, so I decided to give it a chance. I forgot the name, and I found this one by scrolling Netflix and thought this was it. It is a film by James Brooke, who typically is a good director. Throughout the film, I marveled at what a good makeup job to make Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon look younger than they really are. I actually enjoyed the movie even though it was nothing special and wasted Jack Nicholson's talent due to a contrived role. I like to read the reviews on Rotten Tomato after I have finished a movie to see how my perspective matches up with those of other people and critics. Given that I thought this was an acclaimed movie, the first thing I noticed was that both the critics and the public hated the movie. It is not often a rom-com with good actors gets slammed by then public who goes to see it. Then I notice the 2010 date of the film, and I realized perhaps the makeup and the acting (the stars just seemed younger) wasn't as good as I thought. Despite the trite content, Paul and Reese still managed to be charming. However, my mission still remains to identify the movie I meant to see. (sorry for the rambling, but I think I am missing Rodeosho).

I worked for the studio that put this out and thought it was literally the wrost movie I'd seen in a looooong time! Forgettable for sure. This film led to the severing of ties between James L. Brooks who'd previoulsy enjoyed a long-term production deal with the studio and produced several hits for them prior to this. Not sure what went wrong because Brooks was known for his writing scripts wiht sharp dialogue and appealing characters.

DiminutiveRocker said:

gandorb said:

How Do You Know (2010) - 2.5 stars of 4

I like to mix it up in terms of what type of movies I watch, and I thought I was ready for a romantic comedy since I hadn't seen one in so long. A few nights ago I found a new one with good reviews from 2019, so I decided to give it a chance. I forgot the name, and I found this one by scrolling Netflix and thought this was it. It is a film by James Brooke, who typically is a good director. Throughout the film, I marveled at what a good makeup job to make Paul Rudd and Reese Witherspoon look younger than they really are. I actually enjoyed the movie even though it was nothing special and wasted Jack Nicholson's talent due to a contrived role. I like to read the reviews on Rotten Tomato after I have finished a movie to see how my perspective matches up with those of other people and critics. Given that I thought this was an acclaimed movie, the first thing I noticed was that both the critics and the public hated the movie. It is not often a rom-com with good actors gets slammed by then public who goes to see it. Then I notice the 2010 date of the film, and I realized perhaps the makeup and the acting (the stars just seemed younger) wasn't as good as I thought. Despite the trite content, Paul and Reese still managed to be charming. However, my mission still remains to identify the movie I meant to see. (sorry for the rambling, but I think I am missing Rodeosho).

I worked for the studio that put this out and thought it was literally the wrost movie I'd seen in a looooong time! Forgettable for sure. This film led to the severing of ties between James L. Brooks who'd previoulsy enjoyed a long-term production deal with the studio and produced several hits for them prior to this. Not sure what went wrong because Brooks was known for his writing scripts wiht sharp dialogue and appealing characters.

Interesting. It had to be cosidered a real turkey if it led to ending the studio's deal with James Brooke. He at least had some intelligent writing in most of his films. but the writing here was awful that the movie relied solely on the charm of the actors.

gandorb said:

DiminutiveRocker said:

I worked for the studio that put this out and thought it was literally the wrost movie I'd seen in a looooong time! Forgettable for sure. This film led to the severing of ties between James L. Brooks who'd previoulsy enjoyed a long-term production deal with the studio and produced several hits for them prior to this. Not sure what went wrong because Brooks was known for his writing scripts wiht sharp dialogue and appealing characters.

Interesting. It had to be cosidered a real turkey if it led to ending the studio's deal with James Brooke. He at least had some intelligent writing in most of his films. but the writing here was awful that the movie relied solely on the charm of the actors.

Agreed ^^

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Enjoyed the first two movies and now this one can be added to the list. The violence is so cartoonish that you kind of forget that it's violence. Not sure how I feel about that morally but as far as entertainment this movie feels more like a video game. Martial arts, knives, guns and 94 total deaths...slightly lower than the 128 in the second movie.

The action is quick and moves the movie from location to location. Great to see Hally Berry in top form kicking ass with two amazing dogs doing their "Dog Fu". Think I fell for Ian McShane during the short run of Deadwood but I love his delivery as an actor. Laurence Fishburne isn't Morpheus but he just carries such a presence, even with the small part here.

Not a thinker movie, more of an entertaining journey like the other 2 movies. Thought this one would have jumped the shark but it did not. Can they keep this quality streak going with JW IV?


out of

[Edited 8/6/20 18:29pm]

Videodrome (1983)

David Cronenberg's film after the movie Scanners. The abdominal slit, the breathing television, the weird sexual energy...not sure WTF was going on in this movie but I liked it. The special effects were pretty amazing for 1983 and they were used just enough that they still hold up today.

Never liked James Woods but I gained a little more respect for him for doing this movie. Debbie Harry's first major role and she was alright. Learned that this is an example of the genre called "body horror and science fiction horror" which I had never heard of of before.

If you like weird movies, this is a cult classic. Cronenberg's other movies that remind me of this movie are Naked Lunch and Existenz. Both are equally bizarre but you can't stop watching them.



out of

S2DG said:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Enjoyed the first two movies and now this one can be added to the list. The violence is so cartoonish that you kind of forget that it's violence. Not sure how I feel about that morally but as far as entertainment this movie feels more like a video game. Martial arts, knives, guns and 94 total deaths...slightly lower than the 128 in the second movie.

The action is quick and moves the movie from location to location. Great to see Hally Berry in top form kicking ass with two amazing dogs doing their "Dog Fu". Think I fell for Ian McShane during the short run of Deadwood but I love his delivery as an actor. Laurence Fishburne isn't Morpheus but he just carries such a presence, even with the small part here.

Not a thinker movie, more of an entertaining journey like the other 2 movies. Thought this one would have jumped the shark but it did not. Can they keep this quality streak going with JW IV?


out of

[Edited 8/6/20 18:29pm]

The whole franchise is so over the top, it's just hilarious, but God isn't so much fun and enjoyable.

slyjackson said:

S2DG said:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Enjoyed the first two movies and now this one can be added to the list. The violence is so cartoonish that you kind of forget that it's violence. Not sure how I feel about that morally but as far as entertainment this movie feels more like a video game. Martial arts, knives, guns and 94 total deaths...slightly lower than the 128 in the second movie.

The action is quick and moves the movie from location to location. Great to see Hally Berry in top form kicking ass with two amazing dogs doing their "Dog Fu". Think I fell for Ian McShane during the short run of Deadwood but I love his delivery as an actor. Laurence Fishburne isn't Morpheus but he just carries such a presence, even with the small part here.

Not a thinker movie, more of an entertaining journey like the other 2 movies. Thought this one would have jumped the shark but it did not. Can they keep this quality streak going with JW IV?


out of

[Edited 8/6/20 18:29pm]

The whole franchise is so over the top, it's just hilarious, but God isn't so much fun and enjoyable.

It really is...

namepeace said:

Baby Driver (2017)

A fun, extended music video filled with some great action and driving sequences. Jamie Foxx and Jon Hamm are good, and Ansel Elgort and Lily James have good chemistry together. Good job by writer/director Edgar Winter.

.25

I fell for this movie just from the opening sequence. That's why I'm such a James Bond fan too...I'm a sucker for a good opening.


The use of the music used together with the movie, was something new and interesting that I'd never seen in a movie before.

S2DG said:

John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

Enjoyed the first two movies and now this one can be added to the list. The violence is so cartoonish that you kind of forget that it's violence. Not sure how I feel about that morally but as far as entertainment this movie feels more like a video game. Martial arts, knives, guns and 94 total deaths...slightly lower than the 128 in the second movie.

The action is quick and moves the movie from location to location. Great to see Hally Berry in top form kicking ass with two amazing dogs doing their "Dog Fu". Think I fell for Ian McShane during the short run of Deadwood but I love his delivery as an actor. Laurence Fishburne isn't Morpheus but he just carries such a presence, even with the small part here.

Not a thinker movie, more of an entertaining journey like the other 2 movies. Thought this one would have jumped the shark but it did not. Can they keep this quality streak going with JW IV?


out of

[Edited 8/6/20 18:29pm]

They killed his dog in part 1. I never got over that.