What Was The Last Movie You Watched?

[Benzadmiral]

This happened to me with "Citizen Kane." I didn't see it as a kid - for whatever reason, this old-movie-loving kid missed that one. By the time I saw it as an adult, it sat atop all those "greatest movies of all time" lists and I had heard all the commentary about it being "brilliant" and "groundbreaking." When I finally saw it, of course I was disappointed, Jesus did not decent from heaven once while I was watching.

Then, after avoiding it for several years, I saw it again and fell in love with it. I didn't even want to watch it the second time, it just happened and with antipathy going in, I got it and now love the movie.

I had the same problem with the novel of The Maltese Falcon. Tried it when I was 15, didn't get it (I was more an Ellery Queen/Nero Wolfe fan), and gave up close to halfway. Tried again twice more over the ensuing decades, and dropped it each time at about the same point. Then, after seeing the John Huston-Bogart version again, I sat down, determined to finish it. This time I got it and Hammett's technique.

I did the same with The Thin Man. For some novels, a good movie adaptation helps.

 

[Benzadmiral]

For the record, I was a fan of the TV series in the sixties and I HATED this film.

Full disclosure: I hated Guy Ritchie's earlier films too... but I also thought the film did an especially poor job of honoring the TV show.

Other U.N.C.L.E. fans disagree - I'm sure Benzadmiral will come to the movie's defense, and that's fine - but it simply didn't work for me, not a minute of it.

Nah, I refuse to be predictable. At least not that predictable.

 

[Fading Fast]

I had this problem with the novel of The Maltese Falcon. Tried it when I was 15, didn't get it (I was more an Ellery Queen/Nero Wolfe fan) and gave up close to halfway. Tried again twice more over the ensuring decades, and dropped it each time at about the same point. Then, after seeing the John Huston-Bogart version again, I sat down, determined to finish it. This time I got it and Hammett's technique.

I did the same with The Thin Man. For some novels, a good movie adaptation helps.

So much has to do with one's personal history, background, expectations and timing. My only quibble with the Huston "Maltese Falcon" is that I wouldn't cross the street when no cars were coming for Mary Astor in that film.

I was introduced to "The Thin Man" by a cute, blonde girl almost thirty years ago. Love the movies and always think of her when I see one. I was set up to like them.

 

[Fading Fast]

Nah, I refuse to be predictable. At least not that predictable.

I didn't jump in because I was counting on you. Now, I'm too lazy. Maybe I could go back and find my previous "this movie got it right" post and just copy and paste.

 

[Zombie_61]

...My only quibble with the Huston "Maltese Falcon" is that I wouldn't cross the street when no cars were coming for Mary Astor in that film.

I couldn't agree more. Her character was much more likeable, and her chemistry with Bogart far more believable, in Across the Pacific.

 

[Fading Fast]

"Out of the Past," which deserves all the respect it gets. Mitchum is at the top of his game, Douglass, who can sometimes, IMHO, come across as too much of a "movie star" and less of an actor doesn't do that here and Virginia Huston, Jane Greer and Rhonda Fleming are quite the hat trick of women for Mitchum and Douglas to ping on and off of.

I am always surprised that Mitchum dies at the end as he - by code standards - didn't have to as he didn't murder, steal or profit from crime. He did bury the body of someone murdered (but he didn't kill him and he was a mobster who deserved what he got) and played fast and loose with the law in general, but again, thought he could have lived based on the standards of the code.

 

[1mach1]

From Here to Eternity

 

[Worf]

"The 47 Ronin" - This tale has been tackled innumerable times by Japanese film makers... and a few American ones. The last major telling of this film had Keanu Reeves in the lead.... sigh. This version was the 4.5 hour marathon filmed in 1941 before the war got out of hand. Slow, understated... yet not boring at all. Unlike most versions... the actual final attack on the hated Lord Kira, what not shown AT ALL. The only sword play was in the first 5 minutes of the film the remaining 4 hours is filmed with the discussions of the byzantine workings of the Samurai Code and Japanese honor. You'd think I'd be bored to tears.. but I wasn't. Like when someone imbibes a few too many... it grows on you. By the time the last entrails have been spilt, you're sad to see it end.

Worf

 

[DesertDan]

"The Martian"
I finally got around to watching this movie and actually liked it a lot. Very good acting all around and some very funny inside jokes to break up the heavy theme.

 

[Fading Fast]

Staying with "Out of the Past," one darn fine movie: As alluded to in my prior post, three impactful female co-stars bring three different looks, character and personality to keep Mitchum bouncing around all movie.

- Jane Greer as Kate brings the full film noir femme fatale package: arresting looks, seduction, always at-the-point-of-boil sexually, sociopathic immorality and one heck of a wardrobe.

- Rhonda Flemming as Meta is a poor man's femme fatale in this one: she has the looks, sexuality, immorality, et al., like Greer, but on a more manageable scale.

- Virginia Huston as Ann is a femme fatale foil: girl-next-door looks, wholesomeness, morality and a willingness to put others' interests before her own.

You're Mitchum, you live in the "Out of the Past" world - whom do you choose / why?

 

[1mach1]

Batman (1989).

Love that movie.

 

[rocketeer]

Westworld(the original)
Why can't they make syfi like this any more. Minimal special effects, just a great story

 

[Fading Fast]

Batman (1989).

Love that movie.

I liked it and, more importantly, see it as a developmental stepping stone to the outstanding Chris Nolan Batman series. The '89 one turned the dial far away from the late '60s TV kitsch - and Keaton surprised me as I thought he was excellent in the role - but it wasn't until Nolan that they got it really, really right.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

'The Magnificent Seven' (2016) well folks, I was pretty mean about this film on another thread having seen the trailer...........I take it all back I was far too kind. This movie is an utter waste of time. It is devoid of charm, originality & emotion. The script, if one could call it that, is as dull as dried cow dung & about as intelligent, the sets & characters are so artificial, with extras just mooching about obviously under direction, that it resembles a cheap music video, the 'shoot outs' are so badly filmed & edited that it's difficult to know what is happening & the main actors must have left their charisma in their hotel rooms. Since there was no chemistry between the characters, one couldn't care less who died & who survived at the end. The only remotely interesting thing in this mascarade was Haley Bennet's heaving bosom but even that lost it's attraction after a while.(Claudia or Raquel she ain't) It sure was a relief when the end credits started to roll.....................it's difficult to understand just why this movie was made & why such well known actors would agree to work with such a talentless director....special mention for the villian of the piece, ....it's just unconcievable that such an insignificant & colorless person could be become a gang leader, no idea who the actor is but he has a great future behind him in the acting profession........I would give it 1/8 for Bennet & a few hats I liked.

 

[1mach1]

I liked it and, more importantly, see it as a developmental stepping stone to the outstanding Chris Nolan Batman series. The '89 one turned the dial far away from the late '60s TV kitsch - and Keaton surprised me as I thought he was excellent in the role - but it wasn't until Nolan that they got it really, really right.

Agreed. On all points.

 

[1mach1]

'The Magnificent Seven' (2016) well folks, I was pretty mean about this film on another thread having seen the trailer...........I take it all back I was far too kind. This movie is an utter waste of time. It is devoid of charm, originality & emotion. The script, if one could call it that, is as dull as dried cow dung & about as intelligent, the sets & characters are so artificial, with extras just mooching about obviously under direction, that it resembles a cheap music video, the 'shoot outs' are so badly filmed & edited that it's difficult to know what is happening & the main actors must have left their charisma in their hotel rooms. Since there was no chemistry between the characters, one couldn't care less who died & who survived at the end. The only remotely interesting thing in this mascarade was Haley Bennet's heaving bosom but even that lost it's attraction after a while.(Claudia or Raquel she ain't) It sure was a relief when the end credits started to roll.....................it's difficult to understand just why this movie was made & why such well known actors would agree to work with such a talentless director....special mention for the villian of the piece, ....it's just unconcievable that such an insignificant & colorless person could be become a gang leader, no idea who the actor is but he has a great future behind him in the acting profession........I would give it 1/8 for Bennet & a few hats I liked.

Ouch.
However, I figured as much. Thanks for the review. Sounds like one to miss.

 

[AmateisGal]

Two Greer Garson flicks on TCM: Julia Misbehaves (with Walter Pidgeon) and The Law and the Lady. Both fun and enjoyable. I wanted to watch the next one, Strange Lady in Town but had to come in to work for an event tonight.

 

[Touchofevil]

Westworld(the original)
Why can't they make syfi like this any more. Minimal special effects, just a great story

Really enjoyed it as a kid. The mini-series on HBO coming in October (I believe) looks promising.

 

[Touchofevil]

Agreed. On all points.

Did not see it, but none of the previews I have seen helped it to look worth a darn.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

'The Magnificent Seven' (2016) well folks, I was pretty mean about this film on another thread having seen the trailer...........I take it all back I was far too kind. This movie is an utter waste of time. It is devoid of charm, originality & emotion. The script, if one could call it that, is as dull as dried cow dung & about as intelligent, the sets & characters are so artificial, with extras just mooching about obviously under direction, that it resembles a cheap music video, the 'shoot outs' are so badly filmed & edited that it's difficult to know what is happening & the main actors must have left their charisma in their hotel rooms. Since there was no chemistry between the characters, one couldn't care less who died & who survived at the end. The only remotely interesting thing in this mascarade was Haley Bennet's heaving bosom but even that lost it's attraction after a while.(Claudia or Raquel she ain't) It sure was a relief when the end credits started to roll.....................it's difficult to understand just why this movie was made & why such well known actors would agree to work with such a talentless director....special mention for the villian of the piece, ....it's just unconcievable that such an insignificant & colorless person could be become a gang leader, no idea who the actor is but he has a great future behind him in the acting profession........I would give it 1/8 for Bennet & a few hats I liked.

Thanks for this review. I didn't plan on seeing it anyway (see other thread) but you just confirmed it for me! Of course, when this movie just breaks even or even loses money they will blame it on the western genre, making it harder in the future to get a good western movie made. Thanks for your honesty.