Last Movie you Watched?

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  • edited August 2017 Posts: 3,333
    Strog wrote: »
    Each of THE FRENCH CONNECTION and THE EXORCIST seem devoid of emotional range, choosing to focus instead on evoking from the audience a singular, targeted emotional response centered around one extended performative action (thrills from the car chase in the former, fear from the exorcism in the latter). Here everything centers on the second half trek and seeks to provoke suspense, and it's largely successful due to the direction, wonderful editing, and marvelous sound design.
    I think the things you dislike about French Connection and The Exorcist are what made them groundbreaking, unique and cultural phenomenons at their time of release. The gritty, no-nonsense style of direction was what these movies needed; almost adding a documentary feel to the texture. The dialogue feels plausible, real, as does everything that goes on around them. Of course there's more to the FC than a protracted car chase, otherwise Hackman wouldn't have won an Oscar for Best Actor for his Popeye Doyle role. And the other characters don't emerge because there's no time for them to emerge. Things are happening too fast. This is an extremely fast-paced story that doesn't have time to indulge in whimsical homestead twaddle where we see them continually in confrontation with their spouses. This is what makes FC daring, vibrant and influential.

    What still holds up well for the FC is that it doesn't play on sentiment. This story is about hardened cops in an violent urban landscape dealing with drug traffickers where there's little or no room for naval-gazing or weakness, which has sadly become the currency for modern movies to be thought of as believable all over again. These were violent times and FC, I feel, accurately reflects those.

    The Exorcist follows William Peter Blatty's book faithfully, due mostly to the fact that he wrote the screenplay and produced the movie. It was Blatty that wanted Friedkin over the studio choices of Arthur Penn or Kubrick, who both turned it down anyway. Mostly because he wanted the movie to feel grounded and gritty. If the movie lacks "emotional depth" that's because the book also lacks it. Not that I feel either do. The Exorcist worked (special effects have improved greatly since 73) because the movie felt and looked real. Watch the recent TV show series scene that copies the moment Ellen Burstyn goes up into the attic. A throwaway moment in the book that has none of the dread that was made tense and scary by Friedkin's direction. The TV series can't hold a candle (pardon the pun) to the original, nor can the rip-off Paranormal Activity that copied it shot-for-shot.

    Now what is/was surprising was that Friedkin wanted to remake the French movie Wages of Fear and how it got to be renamed the Sorcerer, clearly a title to cash in on the Exorcist from the studio. Did you know the Sorcerer was originally conceived as a side-project to Friedkin's next major film, The Devil's Triangle about planes disappearing into space in the Bermuda Triangle? Now that was a movie I really wanted to see get made, not so much the Sorcerer. Problem with the remake is that the budget went from modest to big to studio-killing proportions, requiring Universal and Paramount to co-produce the picture. It didn't help that Friedkin lost his most bankable lead in Steve McQueen, who refused to leave wife Ali McGraw's side. McQueen loved the script and even asked if McGraw could be made a producer so that she could accompany him on location, but the request was denied. Friedkin later regretted the decision, believing that with McQueen as the lead the film could have been a hit.

    Sad really, as it destroyed Friedkin and subsequently we never got to see The Devil's Triangle movie that would've starred Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando and Charlton Heston. Rumor has it the story was very close to Spielberg' CEOT3K, which was another reason the movie was eventually shelved.

    Anyway, I've seen both versions. Friedkin's obviously is better filmed due to its phenomenal budget, but the original is a thing of classic beauty. Is it possible to like both versions equally?
  • edited August 2017 Posts: 684
    @Birdleson With all the chat its generated in here, I've definitely been encourage to prioritize WAGES. Something else I need to prioritize is attending more screenings like the ones you described. Never been.

    @bondsum In that paragraph of mine you quoted I ought to have taken time to craft a clearer phrase than "devoid of emotional range," as it does have a more negative effect than what I intended. In the context of these three films, I meant to point to the positive in Friedkin opting not to go for certain emotional responses during this scene here or that scene there when he could have. I think the way he seemingly targets a heightened emotional state in the viewer—fashioned around a focal, cumulative sequence—is a successful and effective approach. As you say of FRENCH CONNECTION, it doesn't play on sentiment, and it's the better for it.

    In fact my intent with that entire paragraph was mostly observational and even, slightly, to point out something positive. My criticism of FRENCH CONNECTION and EXORCIST was basically meant to amount to, "Based on these two films, Friedkin might not be for me" — which is more a statement on myself than Friedkin. Though again, an entirely understandable reading on your part, as my "neither of which impressed me greatly" was again a poor phrase. Something closer to "neither of which connected with me" (or french connected with me — ba dum chh) would have been more on the mark to what I feel. I can recognize the importance of those two films and in no way dismiss what they achieved.

    Now all this said, I do owe those two films a rewatch. So my mind might be changed, as it often has been.
    bondsum wrote: »
    It was Blatty that wanted Friedkin over the studio choices of Arthur Penn or Kubrick, who both turned it down anyway.
    Had no idea either of those two were offered it. Penn would've been interesting.
    Is it possible to like both versions equally?
    Of course! Films aren't better or worse necessarily, mostly just different. ;) Though some can certainly be destructive. Luckily neither of these falls into that category.
  • Posts: 3,333
    It's understandable that sometimes our comments can be hastily written and not actually mean what we really think or mean to say. I've done it myself many times, so I know where you're coming from @Stog. I've also just re-edited my above comment to include a little more about The Devil's Triangle, for those with enquiring minds.

    Personally, I'm a huge fan of both Friedkin's FC and The Exorcist due to his directorial eye. I think the Sorcerer would've been a hit if he'd relented and allowed Ali McGraw to co-produce and accompany him on the location shoot. McQueen's presence alone would've boosted the audience numbers, as would've his presence in Apocalypse Now, another movie that he walked away from, but for different reasons. McQueen also dropped out of Close Encounters, too. I thrown in CEOT3K and Apocalypse Now just in case you're forgetting how big McQuuen was and how every filmmaker always gave him first refusal on their pet projects.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Also check out Friedkin's To Live And Die In LA (1985

    A brutal thriller about two secret service agents who will do anything to get a master counterfeiter. Stars William Petersen and Willem Dafoe.

    Features an incredible car chase down the wrong way of an LA freeway!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    The Exorcist would have made a great theater play.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,960
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Easily one of my favorite action thrillers, as well. The choreography is incredible.
  • QsAssistantQsAssistant All those moments lost in time... like tears in rain
    Posts: 1,812
    A SCANNER DARKLY (2006)
    darkly-posterjpg.jpeg

    I haven t read the original story by Philip K. Dick, so cannot compare, but as usual this deals with philosophy, mind and identity in a very clever way. I dig how the filmmakers have experimented with the medium itself here, too. One of the best and most original movies I have seen. Don t understand how this can have passed under the radar for all these years.

    I really want to see this but I can never find a copy of it to rent or buy. It looks good.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Easily one of my favorite action thrillers, as well. The choreography is incredible.

    Without giving anything away very tense scenes throughout especially the end, the film is stripped down not glorified action like many films around that time make it even better. It's up there with First Blood as one of my personal favourites.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,960
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Easily one of my favorite action thrillers, as well. The choreography is incredible.

    Without giving anything away very tense scenes throughout especially the end, the film is stripped down not glorified action like many films around that time make it even better. It's up there with First Blood as one of my personal favourites.

    Absolutely. Past that opening, it doesn't really rely on grand set pieces or anything like that. Just two highly-skilled men tearing one another to pieces for 90 minutes, with a bit of an emotional connection thrown in. I love it.
  • Posts: 7,405
    Love 'First Blood'! Great action thriller.
    Always wondered what Bond 17 would have been like with Ted Kotcheff at the helm, and Dalton as Bond!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Easily one of my favorite action thrillers, as well. The choreography is incredible.

    Without giving anything away very tense scenes throughout especially the end, the film is stripped down not glorified action like many films around that time make it even better. It's up there with First Blood as one of my personal favourites.

    Absolutely. Past that opening, it doesn't really rely on grand set pieces or anything like that. Just two highly-skilled men tearing one another to pieces for 90 minutes, with a bit of an emotional connection thrown in. I love it.

    I have had the film for years on DVD I really should see if I can get it on BD, I love the build up to the train so many great cat and mouse moments or rather cat and cat.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,960
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Easily one of my favorite action thrillers, as well. The choreography is incredible.

    Without giving anything away very tense scenes throughout especially the end, the film is stripped down not glorified action like many films around that time make it even better. It's up there with First Blood as one of my personal favourites.

    Absolutely. Past that opening, it doesn't really rely on grand set pieces or anything like that. Just two highly-skilled men tearing one another to pieces for 90 minutes, with a bit of an emotional connection thrown in. I love it.

    I have had the film for years on DVD I really should see if I can get it on BD, I love the build up to the train so many great cat and mouse moments or rather cat and cat.

    It wasn't available on blu-ray here in the States, so I grabbed a copy from Amazon Germany for relatively cheap. Only shame is the audio is a bit low, and it only has German subtitles so you really have to crank the volume on it.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Easily one of my favorite action thrillers, as well. The choreography is incredible.

    Without giving anything away very tense scenes throughout especially the end, the film is stripped down not glorified action like many films around that time make it even better. It's up there with First Blood as one of my personal favourites.

    Absolutely. Past that opening, it doesn't really rely on grand set pieces or anything like that. Just two highly-skilled men tearing one another to pieces for 90 minutes, with a bit of an emotional connection thrown in. I love it.

    I have had the film for years on DVD I really should see if I can get it on BD, I love the build up to the train so many great cat and mouse moments or rather cat and cat.

    It wasn't available on blu-ray here in the States, so I grabbed a copy from Amazon Germany for relatively cheap. Only shame is the audio is a bit low, and it only has German subtitles so you really have to crank the volume on it.

    I have two DVD copies the first I got the audio was not synced up correctly with the images, think the DVD's were cobbled together a bit not much effort put in.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,960
    @Fire_and_Ice_Returns, it would seem that all the home video releases for that movie weren't given the proper care and attention, then. They didn't even drop it here in the States, perhaps that's why the others were cobbled together - figured there wouldn't be a market for it.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    @Fire_and_Ice_Returns, it would seem that all the home video releases for that movie weren't given the proper care and attention, then. They didn't even drop it here in the States, perhaps that's why the others were cobbled together - figured there wouldn't be a market for it.

    I remember the film getting zero publicity at the time I watched it purely based on the talents involved, there are a few good movies the slip under the radar that get very little spent on them. If the film does exist on BD it's a almost certainty it will be the DVD transfer.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Love 'First Blood'! Great action thriller.
    Always wondered what Bond 17 would have been like with Ted Kotcheff at the helm, and Dalton as Bond!
    I didn't realize Kotcheff was one of the director choices for B17. First Blood is a bona fide classic. So atmospheric, suspenseful, gritty and 'real'. I personally feel it's only let down by the waterworks at the end, but realize why it was necessary as a sort of catharsis for Rambo.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    None of the Rambo films hold up well today.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited August 2017 Posts: 25,047
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Love 'First Blood'! Great action thriller.
    Always wondered what Bond 17 would have been like with Ted Kotcheff at the helm, and Dalton as Bond!

    Think we would have had some Bond film that's for sure.
    FoxRox wrote: »
    The French Connection and The Exorcist are untouchable classics for sure. Truly legendary films. I haven't seen his other work, but those two films alone make him a noteworthy director.

    MV5BMTI0MjI4ODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI0NjgyMQ@@._V1_UX182_CR0,0,182,268_AL_.jpg

    One of William Friedkin's later films, fantastic gem of a film one of my favourites in the action thriller genre.

    Also check out Friedkin's To Live And Die In LA (1985

    A brutal thriller about two secret service agents who will do anything to get a master counterfeiter. Stars William Petersen and Willem Dafoe.

    Features an incredible car chase down the wrong way of an LA freeway!

    I remember seeing the posters for this film at the time, it's one I missed though definitely on my watch list.

    Edited: Just ordered To Live And Die In LA It's a Arrow release nice.
    bondjames wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Love 'First Blood'! Great action thriller.
    Always wondered what Bond 17 would have been like with Ted Kotcheff at the helm, and Dalton as Bond!
    I didn't realize Kotcheff was one of the director choices for B17. First Blood is a bona fide classic. So atmospheric, suspenseful, gritty and 'real'. I personally feel it's only let down by the waterworks at the end, but realize why it was necessary as a sort of catharsis for Rambo.

    If only they had stuck with the books ending.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    The Saint (TV Movie 2017) well it was just released recently though this film has been sat on the shelf for a few years, it's actually not as bad as I expected and seeing Sir Roger and Ian Ogilvy makes it worthwhile, and The Saint theme tune is always welcome.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,789
    None of the Rambo films hold up well today.

    I disagree- First Blood is still awesome. And I've watched it pretty recently...
  • Posts: 7,405
    It holds up really well! Apart from Stallones blubbing at the end (well he did co write the script!) Its an excellent action movie with first rate production values. Great score from the legendary Jerry Goldsmith.
    Recently caught up with Rambo:First Blood II.
    Now that does not hold up well at all!!
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited August 2017 Posts: 25,047
    Rambo 2 and 3 are too overblown IMO, though Rambo 4 I thought was very good and the closest in tone to First Blood.
  • Posts: 7,405
    bondjames wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Love 'First Blood'! Great action thriller.
    Always wondered what Bond 17 would have been like with Ted Kotcheff at the helm, and Dalton as Bond!
    I didn't realize Kotcheff was one of the director choices for B17. First Blood is a bona fide classic. So atmospheric, suspenseful, gritty and 'real'. I personally feel it's only let down by the waterworks at the end, but realize why it was necessary as a sort of catharsis for Rambo.

    Kotcheff has some odd choices in his resume
    (Weekend at Bernies!!?) But if he had tackled Bond in the same way he handled First Blood we could of had an awesome Bond movie!
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,960
    Speaking of Stallone, the only 'Rocky' film I've ever seen was the newest one. Tried the first one once, felt too cheesy and dated for me.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Speaking of Stallone, the only 'Rocky' film I've ever seen was the newest one. Tried the first one once, felt too cheesy and dated for me.

    I love the Rocky films they are my goto films for training motivation, if you have not seen Creed I highly recommend.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited August 2017 Posts: 23,883
    Rocky 3 is amazing imho.

    I recommend watching the first 3. The first one is a bit cheesy, true, but if you can get through it, the second one isn't bad and then we get Clubber Lang (Mr. T chewing the scenery) in 3.

    The character I can't stand is "Yo Adrian".
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    edited August 2017 Posts: 15,423
    All of the Rocky films except the fifth one are enjoyable, some of them greater than the others, that includes Creed, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

    As for the Rambo films, I have to agree that First Blood: Part II and III are unable to hold up well by today's standards, they are regardless some guilty pleasures of mine. Some people prefer the second over the third, but I actually love the third more, especially the scenes where Rambo has to do some sneaking into the enemy territory and some spying. The action sequences are great in there, in my opinion.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,960
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Speaking of Stallone, the only 'Rocky' film I've ever seen was the newest one. Tried the first one once, felt too cheesy and dated for me.

    I love the Rocky films they are my goto films for training motivation, if you have not seen Creed I highly recommend.

    That's the only one I've seen - I guess it's more of a spin-off, so I should've clarified.
  • Posts: 12,462
    I enjoy the Rocky saga - especially the first and sixth. The fifth is the clear worst. Creed was ok.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,047
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Speaking of Stallone, the only 'Rocky' film I've ever seen was the newest one. Tried the first one once, felt too cheesy and dated for me.

    I love the Rocky films they are my goto films for training motivation, if you have not seen Creed I highly recommend.

    That's the only one I've seen - I guess it's more of a spin-off, so I should've clarified.

    Rocky is very much a series you need to be invested in Rocky himself the films are a mixed bag though I enjoy Rockys journey, though like @ClarkDevlin alluded to Rocky V is tough going even for die hard fans.
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