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Cop Land (1997)
For some reason I hadn't seen this before, but I'm glad I finally did, it's very good.
Kate & Leopold (2001)
Silly, but half-decent romantic comedy involving time travel, with Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan.
Walk The Line (2005)
A re-watch, finally. Liked it quite a bit this time, too, and I like the music. Joaquin Phoenix (as Johnny Cash) and Reese Witherspoon (as June Carter) were excellent.
3:10 To Yuma (2007)
I love this movie. A great western with a simple story on the surface, but subtle depth in particularly the lead characters. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale form a fab duo (it's sort of a buddy film, really), and they have an excellent supporting cast. Marco Beltrami's score is one of my all time fave scores.
Knight and Day (2010)
A terrible romantic action comedy with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. Mangold is good at doing more adult stuff with characters with depth, he should leave crap like this to hacks like McG.
***
Before going to see Manchester By The Sea, I watched the two other movies KENNETH LONERGAN had directed.
You Can Count On Me (2000)
Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo as sister and brother. This was good.
Margaret (2011)
I found the main character (played by Anna Paquin) to be irritatingly self-obsessed and tiring and the movie unpleasant to watch. I know some people love this, but I didn't.
***
Before and after seeing Manchester By The Sea I saw a bunch of other movies with CASEY AFFLECK. He's great at least at doing quiet, lonesome, socially awkward, troubled characters.
Chasing Amy (1997)
I figured out pretty quickly that the minute or so of Casey was all there was to be of him in this, and I would be stuck with Ben, but of well, watched it anyway. I did think at one point that surely it wasn't going to go the way it seemed to be going, but it was. I just tolled my eyes and shook my head at that. I know this movie isn't universally hated, but I thought it was awful.
Lonesome Jim (2005)
A shoestring budget movie directed by Steve Buscemi. I quite liked it.
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
A re-watch. The source material here is by Dennis Lehane, which means well written stories. That is the case here, too, even if I don't love the movie, and Casey has done better work elsewhere. Michelle Monaghan has the typical frustrating nothing role of pretty girlfriend with nothing much to do or say, and Morgan Freeman does the normal Morgan Freeman role competently as always.
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford (2007)
A re-watch. A slow-moving piece of art crafted by Andrew Dominik and Roger Deakins, with a well-fitting score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Looks gorgeous. (In 2008 Deakins was Oscar nominated for both this and No Country For Old Men, but still... nope... I suspect he needs to get really busy so he can get nominated 5 times the same year in order to actually win. Not that the statuettes are all that important, but it's just ridiculous he doesn't have even one of them.) For weird Hollywood reasons Brad Pitt is considered the lead here and Casey Affleck supporting, though the latter role is bigger and the actual center of attention. One of his best roles, too.
Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013)
A re-watch. David Lowery's interesting little crime drama, with an excellent lead couple in Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara. - The three of them must have liked working together since they just did another movie together called A Ghost Story. I'm looking forward to seeing that one, too.
Out Of The Furnace (2013)
This is a movie that keeps improving for me on re-watches. The cast is fabulous, and the director and a producer agreed how that came about; first you get Christian Bale and then it's easy, because actors want to work with him. That's cool. (Casey was still raving about him when promoting Manchester By The Sea.) Scott Cooper is apparently great with actors - they all always say so, and he gets great performances out of them. This movie has one of my fave performances from all of Bale, Affleck (as brothers) and Woody Harrelson, and everyone else does a really good job, too. The cinematography and score fit perfectly the locations and the grim, painful story.
The Finest Hours (2016)
A based on an amazing true sea rescue story, but kinda meh movie on the whole.
Triple 9 (2016)
John Hillcoat's crime film. It was okay.
Remember seeing this at the cinema and thinking Brosnan would make a great Bond...!
Speaking of which, EoN in my view has a history of casting Bond actors too late in the game. Brosnan is an example. Moore and Dalton as well. I hope they don't make that mistake again. Timing is everything.
They caught Craig and Connery at the right time (in terms of their age and career trajectory).
With Dalton, I disagree, they got him at the right time. They might have got Connery at the right time in '62, but by '71 he looked over the hill. Dalton, in his 40's and 50's, aged far better than Connery did.
There's usually a transition period in the mid to late 40's when people generally start to age fast. Then they get to a resting state with a more 'advanced' look in their 50's into their 60's. Dalton has had that 'older' look for some time now and it suits him. Connery had it for years similarly. I think it's best for a Bond actor not to 'transition' while in the role though, because it's noticeable.
Welcome to New York
I typically love Gérard Depardieu. I haven't seen nearly all his movies, as lots of them are French, but I love him in 1492, My Father the Hero, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Count of Monte Cristo, and, while quite a boundary pusher and a bit weird, even Les Valseuses (Going Places)
So I was excited to see this pop up on Netflix, as it's fairly new and I hadn't seen him in a movie in years. I remember seeing the trailer for this a couple years ago and thought it looked pretty good!
It's about a fat pervy French Diplomat who basically gets accused of rape (it's true) and he gets stopped trying to go home and arrested. That's.... pretty much it.
Not really spoiling much, but long story short we basically follow him sitting in jail, sitting in court, and ultimately getting off just because he's rich.
This movie SUCKED. The only positives were Depardieu's performance as well as a pleasant surprise appearance of Jacqueline Bisset as his wife. I'm ashamed to say I haven't seen her in anything besides 1968's Bullitt so she was very welcome.
Not so welcome was the rape scene itself and subsequent jail strip search, where you get to clearly see Gérard Depardieu's old balls.
THIS mans balls. Just to paint a picture for you.
So if that's on your bucket list, have I got a movie for you!
Otherwise, skip this trashy movie. There's a few movies out there that blatantly have no point, but this is definitely one.
In an odd way, I actually thought Caine himself wouldn't have been bad! Different of course, but not at all bad. (I don't mean in '87 but way earlier, in the 70's) He has a definite coolness about him.
In Fourth Protocol, he's sort of in a 'Bond movie mold'. He is a British agent, who pushes the envelope, often at odds with Julian Glover's character (sort of his version of 'M'). It's ironic that Brosnan is the bad guy here! :))
I know rural America is rough, but please take it easy with the moonshine.
Thirded guys! Went to see it today and I have to say and this maybe controversial? But this has actually become my favourite Marvel franchise! Each actor/character is just brilliant, the humour is even better in this one too. Roll on part 3!
documentaries:
Grizzly Man (2005)
About a guy who lived among the bears and was eventually mauled and eaten by them.
Happy People: A Year In The Taiga (2010)
The title says it. I found this quite fascinating.
Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World (2016)
About computers and how they affect people's lives.
Into The Inferno (2016)
About volcanoes and stuff.
feature films:
Rescue Dawn (2006)
Based on the story of Herzog's friend Dieter Dengler, a German born US Navy pilot who was shot down over Laos in 1966, and managed to escape from captivity. He's played here by Christian Bale. Herzog sounded impressed that he was fine doing the stuff he was asked to do in this, but I'm not surprised the locals were asking the actor why he allowed to be treated that way. I imagine most people voluntarily wouldn't. Actors, seesh... well, some of them, that is. *shakes head* I suppose some people's torture is just some people's new interesting experiences, ugh. Steve Zahn plays another prisoner on the prisoner of war camp in the jungle, and he's wonderful in this, the best I think I've ever seen him, just adored him. Klaus Badelt's score is lovely.
Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans (2009)
This seemed like a regular police film occasionally, and then again it didn't. A surprisingly funny movie, too, I didn't expect that. A quirky story with iguanas and all. Nicholas Cage in the lead role. I liked this, and was laughing out loud a couple of times, which is more than many comedies achieve - some actual comedies are painfully unfunny.
My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? (2009)
This was a weird one in Herzogian way and I liked it. Michael Shannon in the lead role as a weird dude doing weird stuff.
Queen Of The Desert (2015)
For me this was the least interesting of this quartet, though Nicole Kidman, the loacations, scenery and the cinematography provided plenty of beauty. I can't imagine why James Franco even got cast in this, he was boring and not believable in the role, and I was glad when we got rid of him. Damian Lewis was much better, small as his role (as well) was.
Remember seeing this at the cinema and thinking Brosnan would make a great Bond...![/quote]
In an odd way, I actually thought Caine himself wouldn't have been bad! Different of course, but not at all bad. (I don't mean in '87 but way earlier, in the 70's) He has a definite coolness about him.
In Fourth Protocol, he's sort of in a 'Bond movie mold'. He is a British agent, who pushes the envelope, often at odds with Julian Glover's character (sort of his version of 'M'). It's ironic that Brosnan is the bad guy here! :))
Surely you mean Ian Richardson?
;)
Better than average Eurospy with a good Ken Clark and a terrible Helga Liné (my mother warned me against this so-called actress):
In the last couple of days I've done a Dalton double-bill. The first was American Outlaws (poor) but this bleak adaptation of Emily Bronte's famous novel is considerably better. Tim stars as the brooding outcast Heathcliffe in one of his earliest and most distinguished roles. Indeed it is a role that seems to fit him perfectly. While his performance (in my opinion) occasionally lapses into staginess, he certainly captures the angry, tormented nature of the character well.
Anna Calder-Marshall is superb as the conflicted Catherine and the early scene featuring her and Dalton declaring love with a stone is probably one of the best scenes in Dalton's career.
I was surprised at the other Bond connections, namely Julian Glover as Hindley and the opening titles that were designed by Maurice Binder.
(Spoilers)
Funnily enough, while Bloody Mary has its moments, it's my least favourite of the trilogy, as well as my least favourite theme song. But, it's no quarrel among the normal fans to class Lady Chaplin as the best one, despite Orient being a sensational Bond copycat. Next to the EuroSpy OSS117 series, this is my favourite.
OMG, that mistake! We could call it déformation fanatique XD
in addition to Nocturnal Animals & Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans & My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?
Bug (2006)
A psychological horror film directed by William Friedkin, screenplay by Tracy Letts based on his own play. The MVP here is Ashley Judd, she's just great.
The Runaways (2010)
A drama about the rock band, or more specifically about two members of it, played by Kristen Stewart (very good) and Dakota Fanning. As a movie merely okay.
Take Shelter (2011)
A psychological drama written and directed by Jeff Nichols. Jessica Chastain also stars. Intriguing, I liked it a lot.
The Iceman (2012)
A story about a real life hitman. Not a particularly interesting movie, but okay.
Midnight Special (2016)
A science fiction story writen and directed by Jeff Nichols. I liked this one a lot, too. Also stars Joel Edgerton and Kirsten Dunst.
Elvis & Nixon (2016)
Shannon as Elvis, Kevin Spacey as Nixon, based on a true story, and kinda works.
***
I continued going through RYAN GOSLING's filmography, so...
in addition to La La Land
The Believer (2001)
A kinda fascinating based on a true life story about a Jew who's a Nazi.
The Slaughter Rule (2002)
Kinda meh.
The United States Of Leland (2003)
Somewhat interesting, but also messy.
All Good Things (2010)
Good performances by the leads - Gosling and Dunst - but otherwise kinda forgettable, though the story has potential for more.
***
KIRSTEN DUNST
in addition to Hidden Figures & All Good Things & Midnight Special
Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Dunst as a mere kid here is far better here than her famous male co-stars. The movie itself was worse than I remembered, and I thought especially Pitt and Banderas were just awful.
Little Women (1994)
A re-watch. A lovely adaptation of the classic, with an excellent ensemble cast. Dunst is wonderful as the young Amy March.
Wag The Dog (1997)
A re-watch. A political black comedy by Barry Levinson, starring Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Anne Heche. Dunst has a tiny, but good supporting part. The movie still works, but the reality is so bad that any comedy here suffers.
The Devil's Arithmetic (1999)
This was just... seriously bad.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Julia Robertson plays a new teacher in a women's private college in the 1950's. Her students are more interesting than she is, though, for instance Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst. On the whole okay, but nothing special.
Wimbledon (2004)
I suppose on the whole the tennis stuff here was okay, but it started with a male voice-over (one of the leads) about a dream of winning a grand slam tournament while the other lead was shown winning a match - potentially a tournament - at Monte Carlo tennis club. Eh? And professional tennis players attending a cocktail party and fooling around during a grand slam tournament? Men's and women's Wimbledon semis played at the same time, and neither even on Centre court, so what the heck was happening there? On the whole this movie didn't work for me at all - too unconvincing and silly in so many ways relationship-wise and story-wise also on the whole.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
I no longer liked this as much as I used to. Dunst only has a small part, as does Mark Ruffalo, which I didn't even remember. The story is interesting and mostly well told, and I still like Kate Winslet here a lot. Carrey, though, well... I had forgotten he even gets to do the over-acting comedy bit here, too.
Elizabethtown (2005)
Awful. And Orlando Bloom was totally blank and boring as hell.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Sofia Coppola's fresh and original take, which I greatly enjoyed, again, and Dunst is excellent as the title character, it's well acted in general, and visually extra colourful. Anyone wanting a traditional serious costume drama will likely hate it.
Melancholia (2011)
I hadn't seen this Lars von Trier movie before and had assumed it would be depressing, but I didn't find it that way at all. It's a piece of art. It looks gorgeous, and it's well acted, and I liked it a lot. Dunst is perfect as the lead. Apparently she was recommended to von Trier by Paul Thomas Anderson when Penelope Cruz had to drop out... wow. It's interesting how those things happen, and I can't even imagine Cruz in this, and was surprised to learn she had been developing the story together with the director. (I wanted to find out why she was thanked in the credits, so...) The cast also includes Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland, Jesper Christensen, John Hurt, Charlotte Rampling etc.
Upside Down (2012)
An awfully boring sci-fi mess that was also visually just terrible, my poor eyes.
On The Road (2012)
An adaptation of Jack Kerouac's novel. Some actors doing some good work, but the characters' lives lacked structure, and so did the movie, though maybe that was the point. In any case I just didn't find it interesting to watch.
Just love this film but had forgotten just how much. Wonderful cast, great stunt work, zero CGI and a depth that you only realise after 2 or 3 viewings. It really is a gem but few people have it on their radar. Voight at his absolute best IMHO He was nominated for an Oscar but he should have won
Recently watched it. Very fascinating film, violent and real. Jon Voight was absolutely crazy, brilliant performance. Sadly i found it a bit slow and didn't enjoy it that much.
Among the approaches and rationalizations, I introduced the idea from RUNAWAY TRAIN (naming the film of course) to use it as a greasy coating to insulate against the cold. We never came to agreement on our list, but it was satisfying that the concept was recognized by the instructors reviewing the "ideal" solution.