I watched War of the Worlds. It was a great film. I haven't seen a bad Speilberg film yet. There was that one that was a little below his level though. A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
Iconic tour-de-force performance by John Travolta. Classic music and dance sequences sometimes makes people forget the gritty and serious plotline the movie has
Blast From The Past (1999)
Being a Brendan Fraser fan I suppose I'm gonna like it but I have to say its one of the best films Ive seen in ages! 10/10 xD
Rebecca: normally I'm not very fond of Gothic romances, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. Hitchcok manages to keep the emotional oscillations from getting too sappy or unbelievable. Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine are riviting as the main couple as is the actress playing the menacing housekeeper and the eponymous character's lover/confidante, Mrs. Danvers. George Sanders is delightful as the slick blackmailer and Rebecca's lover. Olivier seems to have really pegged down the tortured romantic hero (see Wuthering Heights). Personally I can't imagine how Rebecca could be even more beautiful that Joan Fontaine! She's terribly likeable as the shy, insecure second wife and manages not to go over the top as her character goes insane by the constant reminders of the "better" Rebecca. The ending was predictable yet still abrupt, but at least the plotline sustains interest up until the very end.
Gaslight: perhaps I've had my fill of gothic supernatural romantic dramas, but if Ingrid Bergman wasn't in it I doubt I would've been able to get past the first half hour. The niece of a famous opera singer (Bergman) quickly marries a mysterious man (Charles Boyer) after her aunt's unresolved murder, and the couple moves back into the house where Bergman's character, Paula, discovered the death. Boyer gives a tremendously enjoyable performance as the insinuatingly evil ne'er do well husband. The incomprehensible part of the film is how Paula, like Kara with Koskov in TLD, manages to believe all of her husband's lies and tricks for a good hour of the film, but Bergman pulls off Paula's slow descent into apparent "madness" beautifully. Paula's final moments with Boyer's character are not to be missed. Joseph Cotton's American accent seems rather out of place in 19th century London, especially considering he's a police detective, but as the only likeable male character in the movie besides his beat cop friend he's definitely a welcome presence. Angela Lansbury as the sharp Cockney parlor maid is not to be missed; she manages to steal the show even from Bergman! It's a decent film if you're able to put up with slowly developing, fairly predictable plots and enjoy good character performances.
Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.
Some problem with the DVD though, the sound quality seemed not quite right. It was a very talky film, and if you have to sort of listen to the dialogue, strain a bit, it's hard work.
A lovely looking film - some great London scenes around Greenwich - but less impressive second time round, I must say. Of course, it's Daniel Craig and he's great (not Bond though) and the director was slated for Casino Royale at one point.
Interesting story about a Nazi officer trying to ship art masterpieces via train from Paris to Berlin and Lancaster's attempts to thwart him. A neat movie, but if I may say so without risking the wrath of cinematic purists, in need of a remake. The black and white filming did little justice to the art, and Lancaster was a bit unbelievable as a French rebel.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,402Chief of Staff
edited July 2005
Madagascar - it's okay, some decent laughs but I don't think it will stand up to repeat viewing.
Generally it's not such a bad flick, but there are certainly things that it could have done without. First of all, it should have cut out the stupid humour. Anyone who paid attention to the first film remembers that the creature picks up and remembers words spoken by it's prey. So this time, he repeats lines such as "Sh*t happens", "mother ******", and "want some candy?". Though some might think this comical, my personal opinion is that it spoils the creature's anonymity from our own world, as well as destroys much of the menace it built for itself in the previous film.
Next of all, there were some bad casting choices. Danny Glover and Gary Busey were good, as always I'm sure, but they were let down by Ruben Blades (who is usually better), Maria Conchita Alonso, and the very annoying Bill Paxton. Kevin Peter Hall was still good in his purely physical role as the 7ft tall creature.
Something I didn't understand was why the film was set in 1997. I can't see any beneficial reason for making the decision to push the time forward only seven years. Still, there are some good action sequences, and plenty of gore to keep people entertained for the duration. It also includes a great chase between Glover and the creature, which, I must say, is a hell of a lot dumber than the creature in the first film.
I totally love this comdey, and this was the only one I hadn't seen and of course I loved it, Eddie invents a toilet time machine in it and calls it the TURDIS!
Beyond the Sea-an entertaining biopic/musical on Bobby Darin although it resolves itself too prettily to be convincing when telling us the "real" life story of the performer. But can Kevin Spacey sing and dance! I'm tempted to get a few songs from the soundtrack.
Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.
Nightmare Alley - with Tryone Power in his best performance ever, in my opinion. Joan Blondell, Colleen Gray, Helen Walker, what an outstanding supporting cast. If you don't know what a carnival geek is - you will by the time this one is over. Listened to it again with the commentary. A killer film to watch. And affordable.
Then I caught Razor's Edge with Power and Gene Tierney. What can I say, Clifton Webb and Herbert Marshall were both outstanding, with Webb playing the prissy snob he excelled at in Laura. He really had a talent for delivery. A two and a half hour film but an engaging story the whole way through. And Anne Baxter won a supporting actress award.
(Reviews for any of the latest dross blockbusters are not available at this time)
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,402Chief of Staff
Sin City. I've wanted to watch this for a while and I wasn't disappointed - an excellent film. Well acted (Mickey Rourke steals the film), tremendously well framed and lit - a real comic-book feel. Looking forward to 2 & 3.
All I can say is, as always, Grace Kelly !
The plot really draws you in, and there are great performances all-round. Superb direction, as ever, from the master of suspense.
Scream is the sort of cliched trite (tripe?) I have seen since the Avengers movie. The whole self-conscious "Let's announce what's about to happen in an ironic twist of events by openly paying homage to other horror movies!" struck me as pathetically predictable rather than clever, and I won't even mention how terrible the acting was. The score gave up on providing any sort of sustainable tension within the first ten minutes. At least it was bad enough so that I had a lot of fun mocking it afterwards with my friends.
Freud would have such a field day analyzing this with all of the really crass sexual references. The Trivial Pursuit New Years Eve party that I last attended seems to be medieval-ages-repressed in comparison to the hedonistic partying that seems to be stereotypical on the big screen of teenagers. It's terribly insulting to one's intelligence and hardly provides any tension.
Flattery will get you nowhere, but don't stop trying.
The acting may not be the best at times. Also, the special effects may not look great by today's standards, however, they were more than good enough at the time to win an Oscar. Make no mistake, this is a wonderful film. The most memorable thing for me are the swan-like Martian machines. How can something that looks so beautiful cause such wanton destruction?
I have not seen the new version of War of the Worlds. For me, it will have to be something special to beat the 1952 version. Judging by the reviews that I have read here and elsewhere, the general opinion seems to be that it's not that special.
Sir MilesThe Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,402Chief of Staff
Ghost Ship. Not too bad, again it's not my favourite genre, but it was watchable.
YNWA 97
scaramanga1The English RivieraPosts: 845Chief of Staff
The Machinist -what an interesting film -Christian Bale's dedication to the part of an insomniac was remarkable -he lost practically half his normal body weight for the part -he looked positively skeletal! The film was harrowing and spooky to some extent -excellent stuff. Also watched SAW - quite well done -although I figured things out before the end.
Quite a good laugh, it's going for a fiver in HMV in Oxford Street. Probably better after a few drinks, nothing too original here, it riffs on the cliche really. Still, Vauhan and Stiller are good.
Hide and Seek. It was alright, interesting twist but I already knew it. The main reason I was disappointed was that my mom was watching, got scared, and asked me to watch it with her...while I was watching Taxi Driver!
The Machinist -what an interesting film -Christian Bale's dedication to the part of an insomniac was remarkable -he lost practically half his normal body weight for the part -he looked positively skeletal! The film was harrowing and spooky to some extent -excellent stuff. Also watched SAW - quite well done -although I figured things out before the end.
Saw this on a plane and if hadn't been for that fact I would have switched it off! Really glad I persevered though,quite compelling and Christian Bale was amazing.Apparently it was a tin of tuna nd an apple a day for 3 months that got him that physique.
Watched 'The Guru' last night.Quite a funny little film.Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Comments
Iconic tour-de-force performance by John Travolta. Classic music and dance sequences sometimes makes people forget the gritty and serious plotline the movie has
3.5/4
Being a Brendan Fraser fan I suppose I'm gonna like it but I have to say its one of the best films Ive seen in ages! 10/10 xD
Gaslight: perhaps I've had my fill of gothic supernatural romantic dramas, but if Ingrid Bergman wasn't in it I doubt I would've been able to get past the first half hour. The niece of a famous opera singer (Bergman) quickly marries a mysterious man (Charles Boyer) after her aunt's unresolved murder, and the couple moves back into the house where Bergman's character, Paula, discovered the death. Boyer gives a tremendously enjoyable performance as the insinuatingly evil ne'er do well husband. The incomprehensible part of the film is how Paula, like Kara with Koskov in TLD, manages to believe all of her husband's lies and tricks for a good hour of the film, but Bergman pulls off Paula's slow descent into apparent "madness" beautifully. Paula's final moments with Boyer's character are not to be missed. Joseph Cotton's American accent seems rather out of place in 19th century London, especially considering he's a police detective, but as the only likeable male character in the movie besides his beat cop friend he's definitely a welcome presence. Angela Lansbury as the sharp Cockney parlor maid is not to be missed; she manages to steal the show even from Bergman! It's a decent film if you're able to put up with slowly developing, fairly predictable plots and enjoy good character performances.
I am going to watch Spiderman 2.
Some problem with the DVD though, the sound quality seemed not quite right. It was a very talky film, and if you have to sort of listen to the dialogue, strain a bit, it's hard work.
A lovely looking film - some great London scenes around Greenwich - but less impressive second time round, I must say. Of course, it's Daniel Craig and he's great (not Bond though) and the director was slated for Casino Royale at one point.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Pretty good watch, not the usual boring medieval recreation stuff you get and had some great music in it too!
Interesting story about a Nazi officer trying to ship art masterpieces via train from Paris to Berlin and Lancaster's attempts to thwart him. A neat movie, but if I may say so without risking the wrath of cinematic purists, in need of a remake. The black and white filming did little justice to the art, and Lancaster was a bit unbelievable as a French rebel.
Generally it's not such a bad flick, but there are certainly things that it could have done without. First of all, it should have cut out the stupid humour. Anyone who paid attention to the first film remembers that the creature picks up and remembers words spoken by it's prey. So this time, he repeats lines such as "Sh*t happens", "mother ******", and "want some candy?". Though some might think this comical, my personal opinion is that it spoils the creature's anonymity from our own world, as well as destroys much of the menace it built for itself in the previous film.
Next of all, there were some bad casting choices. Danny Glover and Gary Busey were good, as always I'm sure, but they were let down by Ruben Blades (who is usually better), Maria Conchita Alonso, and the very annoying Bill Paxton. Kevin Peter Hall was still good in his purely physical role as the 7ft tall creature.
Something I didn't understand was why the film was set in 1997. I can't see any beneficial reason for making the decision to push the time forward only seven years. Still, there are some good action sequences, and plenty of gore to keep people entertained for the duration. It also includes a great chase between Glover and the creature, which, I must say, is a hell of a lot dumber than the creature in the first film.
ITV1, 10:15pm.
I totally love this comdey, and this was the only one I hadn't seen and of course I loved it, Eddie invents a toilet time machine in it and calls it the TURDIS!
Nightmare Alley - with Tryone Power in his best performance ever, in my opinion. Joan Blondell, Colleen Gray, Helen Walker, what an outstanding supporting cast. If you don't know what a carnival geek is - you will by the time this one is over. Listened to it again with the commentary. A killer film to watch. And affordable.
Then I caught Razor's Edge with Power and Gene Tierney. What can I say, Clifton Webb and Herbert Marshall were both outstanding, with Webb playing the prissy snob he excelled at in Laura. He really had a talent for delivery. A two and a half hour film but an engaging story the whole way through. And Anne Baxter won a supporting actress award.
(Reviews for any of the latest dross blockbusters are not available at this time)
All I can say is, as always, Grace Kelly
The plot really draws you in, and there are great performances all-round. Superb direction, as ever, from the master of suspense.
A good perfrmance from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
I watched Troy again, and I liek that movie. Eric Bana for Bond in CR!
The real last movie I watched was TWINE on Spike TV.
Freud would have such a field day analyzing this with all of the really crass sexual references. The Trivial Pursuit New Years Eve party that I last attended seems to be medieval-ages-repressed in comparison to the hedonistic partying that seems to be stereotypical on the big screen of teenagers. It's terribly insulting to one's intelligence and hardly provides any tension.
The acting may not be the best at times. Also, the special effects may not look great by today's standards, however, they were more than good enough at the time to win an Oscar. Make no mistake, this is a wonderful film. The most memorable thing for me are the swan-like Martian machines. How can something that looks so beautiful cause such wanton destruction?
I have not seen the new version of War of the Worlds. For me, it will have to be something special to beat the 1952 version. Judging by the reviews that I have read here and elsewhere, the general opinion seems to be that it's not that special.
Quite a good laugh, it's going for a fiver in HMV in Oxford Street. Probably better after a few drinks, nothing too original here, it riffs on the cliche really. Still, Vauhan and Stiller are good.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Saw this on a plane and if hadn't been for that fact I would have switched it off! Really glad I persevered though,quite compelling and Christian Bale was amazing.Apparently it was a tin of tuna nd an apple a day for 3 months that got him that physique.
Watched 'The Guru' last night.Quite a funny little film.Thoroughly enjoyed it.