Just watched Air Force One last night, and was surprisingly good. I thought it would be good before I watched it, but it was better than my expectations of it.
Quoting scaramanga1:
I agree that Hero is the better of the two films -I just wanted people who have seen CTHD to watch this film -because in my mind the camera work, the fight sequences, score and everything just make it into a true piece of art. On a second viewing I enjoyed Hero even more, and now that I've watched a rented copy and enjoyed it -it is now one DVD I wish to add to my collection.
BTW Tracy have you seen The DUEL? I got this on DVD from Blockbusters for one pound! Its a real fun film and apparently the last in a trilogy. The fighting in this is good fun to watch and Dragon Agent Number 9 thinks of himself as a James Bond type character! http://www.kungfucinema.com/reviews/duel.htm
Thanks for the recommendation, sc1! I'll try looking this one up soon at the local kung-fu video store.
Another fun Jet Li action-comedy is the Legend (I think that's the title in English? Or maybe it's just Fong Sai Yuk?) which has a really creative fights on this structure of bamboo poles among other things. There's a somewhat interesting subplot about protecting revolutionary secret society. I used it as an excuse to write my final paper for world history on verifying the historical accuracy of this film because my teacher doesn't know any Cantonese, and I didn't lend him the dubbed/subtitled version :P. Needless to say, I'm probably the only one who's gotten away with writing about a kung-fu film for her final paper in that class!
Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.
scaramanga1The English RivieraPosts: 845Chief of Staff
Quoting Tracy:
Quoting Tracy: Quoting scaramanga1:
I agree that Hero is the better of the two films -I just wanted people who have seen CTHD to watch this film -because in my mind the camera work, the fight sequences, score and everything just make it into a true piece of art. On a second viewing I enjoyed Hero even more, and now that I've watched a rented copy and enjoyed it -it is now one DVD I wish to add to my collection.
BTW Tracy have you seen The DUEL? I got this on DVD from Blockbusters for one pound! Its a real fun film and apparently the last in a trilogy. The fighting in this is good fun to watch and Dragon Agent Number 9 thinks of himself as a James Bond type character! http://www.kungfucinema.com/reviews/duel.htm
Thanks for the recommendation, sc1! I'll try looking this one up soon at the local kung-fu video store.
Another fun Jet Li action-comedy is the Legend (I think that's the title in English? Or maybe it's just Fong Sai Yuk?) which has a really creative fights on this structure of bamboo poles among other things. There's a somewhat interesting subplot about protecting revolutionary secret society. I used it as an excuse to write my final paper for world history on verifying the historical accuracy of this film because my teacher doesn't know any Cantonese, and I didn't lend him the dubbed/subtitled version :P. Needless to say, I'm probably the only one who's gotten away with writing about a kung-fu film for her final paper in that class!
Well congratulations on your innovative paper!
I have to say that since finding the www.kungfucinema.com site I've been reading up on various martial arts movies -and although there are many poor ones out there -there are also some real gems -it is tempting to buy many of these movies -but I have to refrain from getting too carried away. What I really do like about these movies though is the obvious amount of action but also the depth of subplots that can appear -such as not only affairs of the heart but also of the spirit. It seems that although Eastern cinema is on the up again here in the West thanks to Quentin Tarantino's obvious love for the genre and various console games -the quality of film making has not been lauded as much as it should be. This current Martial arts revival is exciting, and thanks to the effects that are possible when films are made some really beautiful pieces of art such as Hero are now possible. I for one now consider myself a real fan of such movies.
I thought Air Force One sucked. Harrison rushes around the plane with an uncomfortable expression, like the one your cat has when it notices you've happened upon it taking a private dump in a flower bed.
"All we can do now is..."
"Pray"
That and Batman And Robin, two awful films for that year. Face/Off redeemed things a bit.
Thunderheart, directed my Bond vet Michael Apted in 1992 and starring Val Kilmer, Sam Shepherd and a host of Native Americans, including Graham Greene who had just done Dances With Wolves.
In my opinion, an under-the-radar gem. This was the fifth or sixth time I've seen it. The story isn't revolutionary -- continuing malfeasance by whites at the expense of Native Americans -- but it ventures into mystical territory without being hokey. Kilmer and Greene have great chemistry, and Shepherd plays against type well.
If I'm not mistaken, Apted released a documentary about Native Americans at the same time, so apparently this was a subject he felt strongly about at the time.
I finally saw 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and I loved it! The name had always intrigued me. Jack Nicholson was magnificent. It was not what I expected it to be. I used to think it was overrated, but I know now that it is not. Also, Louis Flecther played a great part in Nurse Ratched. She is #1 on my list of the top female movie villians of all time. The movie also launched the careers of several other actors that we all know and love like Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif, and Vincent Schiavelli (Dr. Kaufman from TND). An excellent flick.
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,655MI6 Agent
edited March 2005
Well...over the weekend I re-watched a couple of movies, The Day of the Jackal (1973) and Two for the Road (1967). A big Frederick Forsythe fan, Jackal still holds its own despite the escalation of extreme action movies in the decades that followed. Having poked around the Net about the movie, it's interesting how the two actresses in Jackal are now dead, one from suicide and the other from lung cancer.
Two for the Road was a movie that was so hard to get your hands on during the 80's and 90's, but which now is shown now and then on cable, and copies are readily available for rent or purchase. Anyway, I had/have the biggest crush on Audrey Hepburn, and the first time I watched Two for the Road was when I was single. Now, that I've been married almost as long as Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney's characters (12 years), this movie speaks more to me, becoming more and more charming with repeated viewings, not that my ol lady and I resemble the onscreen melodrama, thank goodness! Though I really loved Albert Finney (Scrooge was one of my first cinema experiences, and remains a holiday favorite), I've read that Michael Caine passed on the role of Audrey's husband due to prior commitments, with him later commenting how he regrets missing this role oppossite Audrey. One of my favorite quotes: "Howard, you're the largest pocket of untapped natural gas known to man."--Mark Wallace (Albert Finney) to the Felix Unger like character, Howard Maxwell Manchester (William Daniels).
In the preceding weeks, I've also watched A Clockwork Orange (1971), To Catch a Thief (1955) and Ai no corrida (1976), otherwise known as In the Realm of the Senses, a Japanese porn film with art movie status. I've also seen a rash of zombie movies, Bond movies (of course!) and look forward for the opportunity to rent Zombi (1979), which is not available in my local library and the usual rental places.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
I do have somewhat eclectic tastes when it comes to movies, so the last movie that I've seen, and enjoyed very much, is a Japanese anime titled Vampire Hunter Bloodlust, which is a sequel to Vampire Hunter D. The film is quite beautifully drawn, and its significance within the Japanese anime genre would probably rank right up there with classics like Akira and Ghost in the Shell.
On a more mainstream level, I've recently watched Cellular, which is an entertaining, taut little thriller.
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
The last movie I watched was... The Man With the Golden Gun! D'oh!
The last movie I watched was All About Eve, about an hour ago. However, the last movie I watched that I hadn't already seen before was The Incredibles.
I just saw Robert Redford's 1972 political satire, The Candidate. Amazing that, after 33 years, the two political parties are saying the exact same things about the exact same issues! Take away the '70s hairdos and wide collars and this could have been filmed last year.
The Incredibles was easily one of my favorite films of 2004. I gave up on identifying all of the Bond references halfway through the film. For some reason I kept seeing all of these weird parallels with OHMSS.
And is it just me, or does Elastigirl vaguely rsemble Diana Rigg :S?
Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.
Quoting ahh mr bond:
I saw Robots last night.Fantastic film!
Ah, so did I. Wasn't as the Brixton cinema was it?
Not crazy about it. Sort of a kids film really, a bit of satire about cosmetic surgery there but too many of the jokes a bit lame. Easy on the eye, with pastel colours though.
Engrossing, enthralling and dreamlike. But gets totally unfathomable and slips into an alternative universe like Donnie Darko. No idea what it's about.
Quoting Lady Rose:
What Lies beneath on TV last night.Love that film. Both Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfieffer are great.
Funny that you should mention Michelle Pfieffer; I literally bumped into her adopted daughter and fell into a rain puddle.
I watched Dr. Strangelove, easily Stanley Kubrick's ultimate chef d'oeuvre, over the weekend. There really isn't a weak part; Peter Sellers in his triple-role performance, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden are absolutely brilliant in this one. I must say that my favorite scene has to be the shooting of the Coca Cola vending machine for phone booth change, though it's very hard to pick just one scene.
Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.
NightshooterIn bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
Dr. STrangelove is such a great movie. Unfortunately, the last movie I watched was FRWL. I just can't get away from Bond! Even in the off topic section, I can;t help but mentioning him...
Apocalypse Now (the redux version). In my view this film deserved its 9 1979 Academy Awards.
FelixLeiter ♀Staffordshire or a pubPosts: 1,286MI6 Agent
edited March 2005
quoting Jakel
Titanic (I will never forgive myself ) )
What was wrong with Titanic!? ?:)
Relax darling, I'm on top of the situation -{
FelixLeiter ♀Staffordshire or a pubPosts: 1,286MI6 Agent
Period 6. Last lesson. Last day of school before the Easter break. About to read possibly the most boring book ever written (The call of the Wind by Jack London), in English.
But instead, our smashing teacher says we can watch:
The Incredibles!
Mr S rocks!
Comments
Thanks for the recommendation, sc1!
Another fun Jet Li action-comedy is the Legend (I think that's the title in English? Or maybe it's just Fong Sai Yuk?) which has a really creative fights on this structure of bamboo poles among other things. There's a somewhat interesting subplot about protecting revolutionary secret society. I used it as an excuse to write my final paper for world history on verifying the historical accuracy of this film because my teacher doesn't know any Cantonese, and I didn't lend him the dubbed/subtitled version :P. Needless to say, I'm probably the only one who's gotten away with writing about a kung-fu film for her final paper in that class!
Well congratulations on your innovative paper!
I have to say that since finding the www.kungfucinema.com site I've been reading up on various martial arts movies -and although there are many poor ones out there -there are also some real gems -it is tempting to buy many of these movies -but I have to refrain from getting too carried away. What I really do like about these movies though is the obvious amount of action but also the depth of subplots that can appear -such as not only affairs of the heart but also of the spirit. It seems that although Eastern cinema is on the up again here in the West thanks to Quentin Tarantino's obvious love for the genre and various console games -the quality of film making has not been lauded as much as it should be. This current Martial arts revival is exciting, and thanks to the effects that are possible when films are made some really beautiful pieces of art such as Hero are now possible. I for one now consider myself a real fan of such movies.
"All we can do now is..."
"Pray"
That and Batman And Robin, two awful films for that year. Face/Off redeemed things a bit.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
In my opinion, an under-the-radar gem. This was the fifth or sixth time I've seen it. The story isn't revolutionary -- continuing malfeasance by whites at the expense of Native Americans -- but it ventures into mystical territory without being hokey. Kilmer and Greene have great chemistry, and Shepherd plays against type well.
If I'm not mistaken, Apted released a documentary about Native Americans at the same time, so apparently this was a subject he felt strongly about at the time.
Two for the Road was a movie that was so hard to get your hands on during the 80's and 90's, but which now is shown now and then on cable, and copies are readily available for rent or purchase. Anyway, I had/have the biggest crush on Audrey Hepburn, and the first time I watched Two for the Road was when I was single. Now, that I've been married almost as long as Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney's characters (12 years), this movie speaks more to me, becoming more and more charming with repeated viewings, not that my ol lady and I resemble the onscreen melodrama, thank goodness! Though I really loved Albert Finney (Scrooge was one of my first cinema experiences, and remains a holiday favorite), I've read that Michael Caine passed on the role of Audrey's husband due to prior commitments, with him later commenting how he regrets missing this role oppossite Audrey. One of my favorite quotes: "Howard, you're the largest pocket of untapped natural gas known to man."--Mark Wallace (Albert Finney) to the Felix Unger like character, Howard Maxwell Manchester (William Daniels).
In the preceding weeks, I've also watched A Clockwork Orange (1971), To Catch a Thief (1955) and Ai no corrida (1976), otherwise known as In the Realm of the Senses, a Japanese porn film with art movie status. I've also seen a rash of zombie movies, Bond movies (of course!) and look forward for the opportunity to rent Zombi (1979), which is not available in my local library and the usual rental places.
On a more mainstream level, I've recently watched Cellular, which is an entertaining, taut little thriller.
I really love watching some of the old great actors in this film, and I can still see why Don Ameche picked up an Oscar for it. A classic.
And is it just me, or does Elastigirl vaguely rsemble Diana Rigg :S?
Ah, so did I. Wasn't as the Brixton cinema was it?
Not crazy about it. Sort of a kids film really, a bit of satire about cosmetic surgery there but too many of the jokes a bit lame. Easy on the eye, with pastel colours though.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Engrossing, enthralling and dreamlike. But gets totally unfathomable and slips into an alternative universe like Donnie Darko. No idea what it's about.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Danny Kaye, Alan Hale, beautiful Elsa Lanchester and shifty Walter Slezak. A heartwarming movie.
Until Unforgiven this was arguably Eastwood's greatest western
Funny that you should mention Michelle Pfieffer; I literally bumped into her adopted daughter and fell into a rain puddle.
I watched Dr. Strangelove, easily Stanley Kubrick's ultimate chef d'oeuvre, over the weekend. There really isn't a weak part; Peter Sellers in his triple-role performance, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden are absolutely brilliant in this one. I must say that my favorite scene has to be the shooting of the Coca Cola vending machine for phone booth change, though it's very hard to pick just one scene.
Titanic (I will never forgive myself
What was wrong with Titanic!? ?:)
But instead, our smashing teacher says we can watch:
The Incredibles!
Mr S rocks!