• Welcome to BellGab.com Archive.
 

The "I'm watching/just watched *movie title* thread....

Started by PhantasticSanShiSan, September 26, 2008, 04:58:26 PM

TigerLily

Quote from: ItsOver on April 24, 2017, 03:13:07 PM
It's OK and I'll watch it, if given the chance, just for the all-star cast.  I definitely could have done without the Chico tag-along character, though.  I just found him distracting and annoying.



Chico was the vaguely similar but not even close to the Toshiro Mifune character in Seven Samurai

SredniVashtar

It's hard to watch many Westerns after you've seen Unforgiven. Not just because it's good but because it's so bleak that you don't want to see another for a while.

ItsOver

Quote from: TigerLily on April 24, 2017, 03:19:53 PM
Chico was the vaguely similar but not even close to the Toshiro Mifune character in Seven Samurai
Yeah, I figured that was the case, TL, but I would have been all for something akin to literary license for the annoying "kid."  Maybe it was just the actor.  He just seemed out of place when compared to rest of the stellar cast.

SredniVashtar

Quote from: ItsOver on April 24, 2017, 03:25:58 PM
Yeah, I figured that was the case, TL, but I would have been all for something akin to literary license for the annoying "kid."  Maybe it was just the actor.  He just seemed out of place when compared to rest of the stellar cast.

Without looking him up,  I don't think English was his native language, it was German.

coaster

The original lonesome dove series was on a few days ago. Duvall and Jones. That is good watching if you're into westerns.

ItsOver

Quote from: SredniVashtar on April 24, 2017, 03:25:11 PM
It's hard to watch many Westerns after you've seen Unforgiven. Not just because it's good but because it's so bleak that you don't want to see another for a while.
"Unforgiven" was indeed bleak, just a little too bleak for me.  So much so, I believe I've only seen it once.  If I'm going with an Eastwood western, I'd much prefer "High Plains Drifter."  Great atmosphere and mystery, especially for a Western.


ItsOver

Quote from: SredniVashtar on April 24, 2017, 03:28:17 PM
Without looking him up,  I don't think English was his native language, it was German.
With a name like Horst Buchholz, I believe that's a safe bet, SV.  ;)   


coaster

Quote from: SredniVashtar on April 24, 2017, 03:25:11 PM
It's hard to watch many Westerns after you've seen Unforgiven. Not just because it's good but because it's so bleak that you don't want to see another for a while.
Watch a movie like the hateful eight. Tarantino tries way too hard. The ending of Unforgiven was, well, perfectly bleak. Folks like Tarantino have always tried to emulate these films. Unforgiven's ending felt all too real. Necessary violence. Retribution. Not a shitty bloodbath with folks in cowboy hats.
Even in Rawhide, Eastwood was awesome. The irony is they said he would never make it as an actor.

ItsOver

Quote from: coaster on April 24, 2017, 03:28:46 PM
The original lonesome dove series was on a few days ago. Duvall and Jones. That is good watching if you're into westerns.
I believe that is the only made-for-TV western series I have on DVD.  The first time I watched it, it took me awhile before I realized the dude under the beard was T. L. Jones.  No doubt one of the greatest duos of any western movie, made-for-TV or otherwise.

coaster

Want a western with humor and Eastwood, try two mules for sister sara.

coaster

Quote from: ItsOver on April 24, 2017, 03:35:55 PM
I believe that is the only made-for-TV western series I have on DVD.  The first time I watched it, it took me awhile before I realized the dude under the beard was T. L. Jones.  No doubt one of the greatest duos of any western movie, made-for-TV or otherwise.
One of my favorites. I'd give Comanche Moon a go too. They continued the series through the years. Oddly enough, that Steve Zahn plays a really good Gus McCrae in his younger years.

Well, I watched 4 movies yesterday.  I'll post a brief snippet about what I thought of each of them.

The Devil's Disciple- 1959- Fun, rousing adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's 1897 American Revolutionary War play with Kirk Douglas as the title character and Burt Lancaster as a parson who go up against Laurence Oliver's British General Burgoyne.  A little bit predictable in the fact that of course Lancaster's comely wife, Janette Scott, becomes infatuated with bad boy Douglas.  My wife saw that coming when she was introduced. Still, a lot of fun. 3.75 stars

The True Story Of Jesse James - 1957 - Nicholas Ray's disjointed adaptation of the legendary famed outlaw largely based on Nunnally Johnson's 1939 screenplay, tweaked to make Jesse, played by Robert Wagner, into more of a baddie than he was in the classic Tyrone Power film.  The film utiizes flashbacks far too much and Wagner's performance is by-the-numbers.  I enjoyed Jeffrey Hunter's portrayal of Frank James but was pretty disappointed in the film.  I expected a much better film from director Ray.  Perhaps it would have been if Ray's original choice for Jesse, Elvis Presley, had been used. Oh and this is no more true than the 1939 original. John Carradine returns this time as Jesse's preacher. Hope Lange is wife , Zee, and Alan Hale Jr. plays Cole Younger. Stick with the original. 2.75 stars.

The Kennel Murder Case - 1933 -  With William Powell's third and final outing as detective Philo Vance, this is a fun little mystery with a great cast.  Robert Barrat plays the nasty uncle of Mary Astor's who get bumped off early in the film.  Barrat seems to be in almost every film I watch from the 1930's.  He was quite a prolific supporting actor usually playing heavies.  The rotund Eugene Pallette is on hand as the police detective assisting Vance.  Fun little fact.  Pallette had been an athlete and lean leading man in the early days of film but gradually got fatter during the 20's.  Ralph Morgan, Paul Cavanagh, and the beautiful Helen Vinson round out the cast. Another excellent outing by director Curtiz who keeps things moving with a funny screenplay by Robert N. Lee and Peter Milne. 4 stars.

The Wild Geese - 1978 -  Lively flick with Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore and Hardy Kruger leading a force of aging mercenaries trying to rescue central African opposition leader Julius Limbani (Winston Ntshona) from a dictator's prison. Nice screenplay from Reginald Rose (12 Angry Men, Man of The West) keeps the action flowing.  Andrew V. McLaglen capably directs and really does a nice job on this film, maybe his best.  This movie is The Expendables of its day but with more brains and a heart.  I was very pleasantly surprised by this film.  All of the leads perform extremely well together with a spirit of camaraderie.   The supporting cast is also excellent with Stewart Granger, Jack Watson, Kenneth Griffith and Ronald Fraser among the familiar faces.  Great popcorn flick.  4 stars.

SredniVashtar

Quote from: ItsOver on April 24, 2017, 03:32:58 PM
With a name like Horst Buchholz, I believe that's a safe bet, SV.  ;)

You can't always judge a Buchholz by its cover, you sarky git. Boris Karloff was as English as me (I.e very English indeed).

ItsOver

Quote from: SredniVashtar on April 24, 2017, 04:05:58 PM
You can't always judge a Buchholz by its cover, you sarky git. Boris Karloff was as English as me (I.e very English indeed).
I cheated. I noted his accent, too. It didn't sound like he was from The Lone Star State. 

ItsOver

Quote from: 21st Century Man on April 24, 2017, 03:44:18 PM
Well, I watched 4 movies yesterday.  I'll post a brief snippet about what I thought of each of them...

The Wild Geese - 1978 -  Lively flick with Richard Burton, Richard Harris, Roger Moore and Hardy Kruger leading a force of aging mercenaries trying to rescue central African opposition leader Julius Limbani (Winston Ntshona) from a dictator's prison. Nice screenplay from Reginald Rose (12 Angry Men, Man of The West) keeps the action flowing.  Andrew V. McLaglen capably directs and really does a nice job on this film, maybe his best.  This movie is The Expendables of its day but with more brains and a heart.  I was very pleasantly surprised by this film.  All of the leads perform extremely well together with a spirit of camaraderie.   The supporting cast is also excellent with Stewart Granger, Jack Watson, Kenneth Griffith and Ronald Fraser among the familiar faces.  Great popcorn flick.  4 stars.
I was surprised by it, too, when I first saw it.  Not bad at all, especially for Saturday afternoon fare.

trostol

Quote from: coaster on April 24, 2017, 03:35:36 PM
Watch a movie like the hateful eight. Tarantino tries way too hard. The ending of Unforgiven was, well, perfectly bleak. Folks like Tarantino have always tried to emulate these films. Unforgiven's ending felt all too real. Necessary violence. Retribution. Not a shitty bloodbath with folks in cowboy hats.
Even in Rawhide, Eastwood was awesome. The irony is they said he would never make it as an actor.

have yet to watch Hateful 8...heard mixed things about it..Django was solid..


Taaroa

Quote from: trostol on April 24, 2017, 04:41:14 PM
have yet to watch Hateful 8...heard mixed things about it..Django was solid..
Certainly not his best film, but it was still enjoyable. I saw one of the 70mm film screenings which had more shots and different editing, but the thing I remember most is a woman going to an usher and complaining about how tall I am after giving me dirty looks for daring to sit in my pre-booked seat.  ::)

Most over-rated director in the history of film. Quentin Tarantino by a mile.  I liked a few of his films like Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and Inglorious Bastards. Absolutely hated Django Unchained. Mixed feelings about Hateful 8.  Hated parts of it and liked other parts but far far too long. He needs a good editor.

Jackstar

Quote from: 21st Century Man on April 25, 2017, 11:59:02 AM
Most over-rated director in the history of film. Quentin Tarantino James Cameron by a mile.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksm5uiG4dwQ



Note that a dead baby is never funny: doubly so in a James Cameron picture.

Quote from: Jackstar on April 25, 2017, 12:03:16 PM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksm5uiG4dwQ



Note that a dead baby is never funny: doubly so in a James Cameron picture.

He was the one I had second to Tarantino.  A mile ahead of the third place finisher. His movies get worse as his career progresses. Terminator was a great film.  Aliens and The Abyss were also pretty good.   With T2, he really starts slipping. Titanic---Jack, my heart can't go on. Avatar was an extremely dumb movie. 

Jackstar

Quote from: 21st Century Man on April 25, 2017, 12:22:58 PM
Jack, my heart can't go on. Avatar was an extremely dumb movie.


Try pumping something other than high-octane hate through your arteries. We were discussing overrated directors. #1) Tarantino isn't overrated in the slightest, he's like a tiny god. #2) James Cameron wrote the script to Avatar when he was seven years old, so it's an accomplishment that he put that dreck on a screen and put asses in seats, but that doesn't necessarily make it 'dumb.'

It does make it overrated. Let's focus on why we're here.



Quote from: 21st Century Man on April 25, 2017, 11:59:02 AM
Absolutely hated Django Unchained.

Is this... is this bait, you cracker hoor?

Quote from: Jackstar on April 25, 2017, 12:36:45 PM

Try pumping something other than high-octane hate through your arteries. We were discussing overrated directors. #1) Tarantino isn't overrated in the slightest, he's like a tiny god. #2) James Cameron wrote the script to Avatar when he was seven years old, so it's an accomplishment that he put that dreck on a screen and put asses in seats, but that doesn't necessarily make it 'dumb.'

It does make it overrated. Let's focus on why we're here.



Is this... is this bait, you cracker hoor?

albrecht

Thanks to "Its Over" I invested in an antenna and so get free movies and channels, in addition to the tripe they call "entertainment" from cable. So, "Let's Get Harry (1986.)" Not a porn but an overlooked gem which somehow I missed, until now. Which even has Robert Duvall and Gary Busey in it! Short synopsis: blue collar worker gets kidnapped in South American country by rebels/leftists/drugdealer his brother and blue collar workers decided, because government won't, decide to rescue him and consult Soldier of Fortune (I miss that mag) advertising to rescue him. High-jinx, explosions, and tests of character happen.
Features:
-corruption, secret diplomacy, etc
-belt knife
-polka
-keg beer (2x times)
-stereotypical Mexicans*
-karate chops
-cigarette smoke in face interrogations
-local boys done good in special operations tactics
-Canadian fisherman
-"rebels" with an Art Bell style radio operation
-old style keg taps
-several GREAT actors and character actors
-a midget henchman
-the old cigarette arson time delay "trick"
-explosions
-jumping from plane
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091400/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

*I use Mexican even though they aren't.

Dr. MD MD

Quote from: albrecht on April 25, 2017, 08:25:21 PM
Thanks to "Its Over" I invested in an antenna and so get free movies and channels, in addition to the tripe they call "entertainment" from cable. So, "Let's Get Harry (1986.)" Not a porn but an overlooked gem which somehow I missed, until now. Which even has Robert Duvall and Gary Busey in it! Short synopsis: blue collar worker gets kidnapped in South American country by rebels/leftists/drugdealer his brother and blue collar workers decided, because government won't, decide to rescue him and consult Soldier of Fortune (I miss that mag) advertising to rescue him. High-jinx, explosions, and tests of character happen.
Features:
-corruption, secret diplomacy, etc
-belt knife
-polka
-keg beer (2x times)
-stereotypical Mexicans*
-karate chops
-cigarette smoke in face interrogations
-local boys done good in special operations tactics
-Canadian fisherman
-"rebels" with an Art Bell style radio operation
-old style keg taps
-several GREAT actors and character actors
-a midget henchman
-the old cigarette arson time delay "trick"
-explosions
-jumping from plane
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091400/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm

*I use Mexican even though they aren't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM6-VeQ_KPk

albrecht

Quote from: Dr. MD MD on April 25, 2017, 08:35:00 PM
Script written by Samuel Fuller (for "Let's Get Harry"?) No wonder it was better than the votes and critics said.

zeebo

Quote from: albrecht on April 25, 2017, 08:25:21 PM
..
Features:
-corruption, secret diplomacy, etc
-belt knife
-polka
-keg beer (2x times)
-stereotypical Mexicans*
-karate chops
-cigarette smoke in face interrogations
-local boys done good in special operations tactics
-Canadian fisherman
-"rebels" with an Art Bell style radio operation
-old style keg taps
-several GREAT actors and character actors
-a midget henchman
-the old cigarette arson time delay "trick"
-explosions
-jumping from plane

This sounds like a Walker Texas Ranger and/or MacGyver episode, enhanced with polka and good acting.  I like it already.

albrecht

Quote from: zeebo on April 25, 2017, 08:49:45 PM
This sounds like a Walker Texas Ranger and/or MacGyver episode, enhanced with polka and good acting.  I like it already.
I will not vouch for acting, even though several recognizable actors and character actors involved. but will vouch for the rest of your comment. A fun movie with good local flavor and you are right in the comparisons. We also can rest safe, despite the political turmoil of the world right now, the local beer drinking boys can instantly become commandos of the first order!

Rix Gins

One of my favorite 'westerns' was the original Westworld.  Yul Brynner was absolutely great in the roll of the cold, calculating, gun-slinging robot.


Taaroa

Quote from: Jackstar on April 25, 2017, 12:03:16 PM
Most over-rated director in the history of film. Quentin Tarantino James Cameron by a mile.
I'd probably say Wes Anderson would be most overrated.

Honourable mentions: Baz Luhrmann, George Miller, JJ Abrams, Joss Whedon.

Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod