Last Movie you Watched?

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  • Posts: 12,523
    Prisoners (2013). Terrific film. Highly recommended.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited December 2018 Posts: 23,883
    bondjames wrote: »
    The Getaway (1972)
    DrSLwzu.jpg
    First viewing for me of this Sam Peckinpah directed crime drama. I'm not familiar with his work, but I really enjoyed this film. Steve McQueen & Ali MacGraw are electric together, and their character's relationship complications & trust issues as a result of a shared life of crime feel real. This helps to elevate what is basically a typical 'one last job' heist and chase flick well above the ordinary. The film is gritty and quite violent (for the time), but there are also several unexpected humorous moments which help keep it nicely balanced tonally overall. McQueen's coiled intensity and 'king of cool' screen charisma are off the charts, and MacGraw is incredibly appealing, even after falling out of a garbage truck. Recommended for these two alone, and the film isn't too shabby either. Ben Johnson, Al Lettieri and Sally Struthers co-star.

    It's been three decades since I watched The Getaway so it's vague in the memory, though I highly recommend Sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch.
    Univex wrote: »
    Love The Getaway. Well, I love everything with McQueen. Can't help it. He's just too cool. Papillon being his finest work - won't even bother to watch the remake they've done recently. And The Great Escape is a film to watch once a year for the rest of my life, at least. The Cincinnati Kid is wonderful as well. So is, of course, The Thomas Crown affair.
    Thanks for the suggestions guys. I've not seen anything else of Peckinpah's, so I guess The Wild Bunch and the famous Straw Dogs are on the list.

    I've not seen Papillon or The Cincinnati Kid either. I remember seeing a bit of The Great Escape on telly some years back, and I love The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt and The Towering Inferno (one of my all time faves actually). I'll get to these again soon. McQueen has a sort of laid back ruggedness which comes across very naturally onscreen. He doesn't appear as though he's acting it.
    --

    Play Misty for Me (1971)
    h71Hgqx.jpg
    Speaking of naturally rugged blokes, I had an opportunity to view this Eastwood debut directed thriller for the first time yesterday. This is basically a simple violent stalker flick. Jessica Walter plays the obsessed fan of a local disc jockey (Eastwood) who shows increasingly violent & psychotic tendencies when her advances are not reciprocated in kind. Death and mayhem ensue. The film has a claustrophic feel whenever Walter is onscreen which mirrors her behaviour, which is a bit terrifying - it's almost like being suffocated. I can see how films like Basic Instinct and Fatal Attraction in particular may have been influenced by this. Like McQueen, Eastwood radiates a cinematic cool combined with a coiled strength resting just beneath. He has a bit more emotion on the surface in comparison, but both are all time macho greats. Donna Mills has a small role as the girlfriend.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,255
    Eastwood is the ultimate alpha-male and Play Misty For Me was a cutting edge film and far more influential than it given for.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Prisoners (2013). Terrific film. Highly recommended.

    This one's a real nail biter. One of my favorites of the last five years.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited December 2018 Posts: 23,883
    talos7 wrote: »
    Eastwood is the ultimate alpha-male and Play Misty For Me was a cutting edge film and far more influential than it given for.
    I'd heard of this film, but never knew what it was about. I can see how it's influenced a lot of films since. It's a bit dated, but really good. Eastwood tried to downplay his macho attributes a bit in this film, but it still came shining through. The guy can't help it.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Prisoners (2013). Terrific film. Highly recommended.

    This one's a real nail biter. One of my favorites of the last five years.

    Same here. Great direction, and everything just works and keeps you interested from start to finish.
  • edited December 2018 Posts: 3,333
    As I recall there's a longer cut and the original shorter theatrical cut of Play Misty For Me. The theatrical cut omitted the jazz festival scenes. A much later version I saw, had these scenes reinstalled. I suppose you're aware that long-term collaborative director Don Siegel plays Murphy the barman in this movie as Eastwood wanted him on set to help ease his first transition from actor to movie director @bondjames? Though Eastwood had directed a few TV Rawhide episodes, this was Eastwood using a very different type of camera lens for a feature film. This was a great little thriller when it first came out, and was compared in some quarters to a Hitchcock thriller. At 46-years-old, the movie is allowed to feel dated. A modern approach would never allow such a slow-burn start. Instead, it would probably begin with Jessica Walter's character Evelyn harassing and murdering another victim, before moving onto our unsuspecting hero. Yep, things are that much more telegraphed nowadays, I'm afraid.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited December 2018 Posts: 23,883
    I actually wasn't aware of Don Siegel being in it @bondsum. I do recall the barman though and will do some reading up on it. The version I saw had the jazz festival scenes in it. I was somewhat surprised by this actually, because it was a change of pace, but I like jazz and so enjoyed it. There was also a romantic montage to a song, sort of like what was in OHMSS, Gold and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I suppose this sort of thing was customary back then. I definitely felt a bit of Hitchcock in this film, and even in The Getaway (the train sequence). Overall I liked the pace - it built to the climax nicely.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    @bondjames, if you're a jazz fan (and haven't seen it), you've got to check out Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows. It's a gorgeous French crime film with the legendary Miles Davis performing the soundtrack.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    @bondjames, if you're a jazz fan (and haven't seen it), you've got to check out Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows. It's a gorgeous French crime film with the legendary Miles Davis performing the soundtrack.
    Thanks @Creasy47, I'll be sure to check it out. I read somewhere that Eastwood is a jazz fan too and I'm sure he's incorporated it into his other films, although at the moment I can't think of a specific instance. It's great to see these little moments reflecting an actor's interests or tastes (Richard Gere, for instance will almost always be seen driving a classic Mercedes in one of his films. Another man who shares my tastes).
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    Indeed! I've yet to see his latest film The Mule, but apparently jazz legend Arturo Sandoval did some (or even all) of the score in that, making his film-scoring debut. That heightened my excitement for the film even further.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,214
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    @bondjames, if you're a jazz fan (and haven't seen it), you've got to check out Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows. It's a gorgeous French crime film with the legendary Miles Davis performing the soundtrack.

    Excellent film, early French nouvelle vague that also launched the great Jeanne Moreau’s career.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,602
    Just finished Unbreakable (2000)
    Now I just need to watch Split before Glass next month.
  • Posts: 7,624
    Where Eagles Dare (1968)
    Looking at TV listings for Xmas, it's on about a dozen times, but I always watch it at this time of year and it looks great on blu ray.
    Burton and Clint, rousing score from Ron Goodwin, great stuntwork from legendary Yakima Canutt, great villains in Patrick Wymark and Ferdy Mayne (love his voice, he also stars in my other personal Xmas favourite, 'Dance of the Vampires'), big action set pieces (the cable car fight and the final escape in the bus are terrific) plus Ingrid Pitt in traditional low cut bavarian garb as the cherry on top! Great entertainment, never fails!
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    Such an epic film, that one, @Mathis1. As you said: filled with some grand action set pieces that are simply awe-inspiring, and the tension manages to keep increasing with each passing minute. One of my favorite WWII films, that one.
  • Posts: 7,624
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Such an epic film, that one, @Mathis1. As you said: filled with some grand action set pieces that are simply awe-inspiring, and the tension manages to keep increasing with each passing minute. One of my favorite WWII films, that one.

    Probably my own favourite WWII movie Creasy. Bit of trivia, director John Landis, (An American Werewolf in London, The Blues Brother's) started out behind the scenes on it!
  • Posts: 16,226
    THE MULE (2018)

    I saw Clint's latest yesterday. I must say I rather enjoyed this one. Kind of a light crime drama, with doses of humor throughout.
    Eastwood, at 88 looks pretty good, if not slightly frail. The longer hair really helps, IMO making him look like an aged SUDDEN IMPACT era Dirty Harry.
    I'll probably end up getting a copy of this one once it's released on Blu-ray. Great supporting cast.

    It's difficult for me to rank later era Clint. I certainly preferred this to MILLION DOLLAR BABY, and to a degree, GRAN TORINO, but I have my doubts this would be nominated for Best Picture come Oscar time.
    I never saw TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE, and will eventually get to it.
    Still, I'm glad to have caught this in the cinema. It's rare these days to see a new Eastwood starring film. I certainly hope this wasn't his last.
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Such an epic film, that one, @Mathis1. As you said: filled with some grand action set pieces that are simply awe-inspiring, and the tension manages to keep increasing with each passing minute. One of my favorite WWII films, that one.
    Probably my own favourite WWII movie Creasy.
    Same here! And by far!
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 41,011
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Such an epic film, that one, @Mathis1. As you said: filled with some grand action set pieces that are simply awe-inspiring, and the tension manages to keep increasing with each passing minute. One of my favorite WWII films, that one.

    Probably my own favourite WWII movie Creasy. Bit of trivia, director John Landis, (An American Werewolf in London, The Blues Brother's) started out behind the scenes on it!

    Very cool, I didn't know that at all. That's a damn fine way to get started in the business, that's for sure. Can't go wrong with placing this as your #1 WWII film, either, it's such a great adventure every time I watch it.
  • edited December 2018 Posts: 3,333
    bondjames wrote: »
    I actually wasn't aware of Don Siegel being in it @bondsum. I do recall the barman though and will do some reading up on it. The version I saw had the jazz festival scenes in it. I was somewhat surprised by this actually, because it was a change of pace, but I like jazz and so enjoyed it. There was also a romantic montage to a song, sort of like what was in OHMSS, Gold and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I suppose this sort of thing was customary back then. I definitely felt a bit of Hitchcock in this film, and even in The Getaway (the train sequence). Overall I liked the pace - it built to the climax nicely.
    I think perhaps the reason why a song featured in Play Misty For Me was because Eastwood was playing a radio DJ and it seemed appropriate. It certainly wasn't a trend from that period. Another interesting titbit is this film's title can be seen on a cinema marquee in the beginning sequence of Dirty Harry. I think by choosing Burt Bacharach as the composer for Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, the director and producers knew they'd be getting a classic song in there somewhere. Think "The Look of Love" song in the original Casino Royale. Personally, I always viewed "Raindrops Keep Falling On Your Head" as something of an oddity in the movie, even as far back as the early 70's. A great bit of marketing though.

    If you haven't seen it, you should really check out Eastwood's The Beguiled. The movie was a total failure at the box office, which begs the question why did Sofia Coppola decide to remake it last year? The reason for it's failure can be attributed to Universal Studios poor distribution of the movie, plus audiences didn't really want to see Eastwood as the victim. A brave career move back in 1971 for an actor. As opposed to 2017 where every actor now loves playing the victim, off-screen and on.
  • Posts: 12,526
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Where Eagles Dare (1968)
    Looking at TV listings for Xmas, it's on about a dozen times, but I always watch it at this time of year and it looks great on blu ray.
    Burton and Clint, rousing score from Ron Goodwin, great stuntwork from legendary Yakima Canutt, great villains in Patrick Wymark and Ferdy Mayne (love his voice, he also stars in my other personal Xmas favourite, 'Dance of the Vampires'), big action set pieces (the cable car fight and the final escape in the bus are terrific) plus Ingrid Pitt in traditional low cut bavarian garb as the cherry on top! Great entertainment, never fails!

    One of my all time favourite war movies, never tire of seeing this movie.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Pay more attention to your chef
    Posts: 7,058
    bondjames wrote: »
    The Getaway (1972)
    DrSLwzu.jpg
    First viewing for me of this Sam Peckinpah directed crime drama. I'm not familiar with his work, but I really enjoyed this film. Steve McQueen & Ali MacGraw are electric together, and their character's relationship complications & trust issues as a result of a shared life of crime feel real. This helps to elevate what is basically a typical 'one last job' heist and chase flick well above the ordinary. The film is gritty and quite violent (for the time), but there are also several unexpected humorous moments which help keep it nicely balanced tonally overall. McQueen's coiled intensity and 'king of cool' screen charisma are off the charts, and MacGraw is incredibly appealing, even after falling out of a garbage truck. Recommended for these two alone, and the film isn't too shabby either. Ben Johnson, Al Lettieri and Sally Struthers co-star.
    I enjoyed it too.

    It's a violent film with plenty of physical aggression, but for me, the most disturbing aspect is psychological and has to do with the kidnapped husband. That's upsetting even forty-something years after the film was made.

    There is a moment that's ingrained in my mind. The beginning of this scene:
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=ze9xnzQ5KrY&t=24s

    The payoff itself is good but the buildup with the music and McQueen walking is magnificent. Amazing that just a few years before movies were much more restrained in terms of sex and violence. That's what makes this era very interesting for me.


    ToTheRight wrote: »
    THE MULE (2018)

    I saw Clint's latest yesterday. I must say I rather enjoyed this one. Kind of a light crime drama, with doses of humor throughout.
    Eastwood, at 88 looks pretty good, if not slightly frail. The longer hair really helps, IMO making him look like an aged SUDDEN IMPACT era Dirty Harry.
    I'll probably end up getting a copy of this one once it's released on Blu-ray. Great supporting cast.

    It's difficult for me to rank later era Clint. I certainly preferred this to MILLION DOLLAR BABY, and to a degree, GRAN TORINO, but I have my doubts this would be nominated for Best Picture come Oscar time.
    I never saw TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE, and will eventually get to it.
    Still, I'm glad to have caught this in the cinema. It's rare these days to see a new Eastwood starring film. I certainly hope this wasn't his last.
    I was a bit disappointed at first that the reviews were mixed but then I thought, this is Clint Eastwood, who gives a damn what the critics say? I'm sure it will be a good one. Here it comes out in January. Looking forward to a theater visit.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 4,084
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Such an epic film, that one, @Mathis1. As you said: filled with some grand action set pieces that are simply awe-inspiring, and the tension manages to keep increasing with each passing minute. One of my favorite WWII films, that one.

    Probably my own favourite WWII movie Creasy. Bit of trivia, director John Landis, (An American Werewolf in London, The Blues Brother's) started out behind the scenes on it!

    @Mathis1 I think you'll find it was Kelly's Heroes not Where Eagles Dare that Landis was production assistant on. :)
  • Posts: 7,624
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    Such an epic film, that one, @Mathis1. As you said: filled with some grand action set pieces that are simply awe-inspiring, and the tension manages to keep increasing with each passing minute. One of my favorite WWII films, that one.

    Probably my own favourite WWII movie Creasy. Bit of trivia, director John Landis, (An American Werewolf in London, The Blues Brother's) started out behind the scenes on it!

    @Mathis1 I think you'll find it was Kelly's Heroes not Where Eagles Dare that Landis was production assistant on. :)

    I stand corrected! You're totally right Leonardpine! Considering this and Where Eagles Dare are Director Brian G. Hutttons most famous movies, I got mixed up. Thanks for the correction!
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited December 2018 Posts: 23,883
    bondsum wrote: »
    If you haven't seen it, you should really check out Eastwood's The Beguiled. The movie was a total failure at the box office, which begs the question why did Sofia Coppola decide to remake it last year? The reason for it's failure can be attributed to Universal Studios poor distribution of the movie, plus audiences didn't really want to see Eastwood as the victim. A brave career move back in 1971 for an actor. As opposed to 2017 where every actor now loves playing the victim, off-screen and on.
    I've seen the remake but not the original, although I'd heard of it growing up. The Farrell/Kidman film wasn't bad, but I'm sure the earlier one is better just on account of having Eastwood in the lead.
    mattjoes wrote: »
    bondjames wrote: »
    The Getaway (1972)
    DrSLwzu.jpg
    First viewing for me of this Sam Peckinpah directed crime drama. I'm not familiar with his work, but I really enjoyed this film. Steve McQueen & Ali MacGraw are electric together, and their character's relationship complications & trust issues as a result of a shared life of crime feel real. This helps to elevate what is basically a typical 'one last job' heist and chase flick well above the ordinary. The film is gritty and quite violent (for the time), but there are also several unexpected humorous moments which help keep it nicely balanced tonally overall. McQueen's coiled intensity and 'king of cool' screen charisma are off the charts, and MacGraw is incredibly appealing, even after falling out of a garbage truck. Recommended for these two alone, and the film isn't too shabby either. Ben Johnson, Al Lettieri and Sally Struthers co-star.
    I enjoyed it too.

    It's a violent film with plenty of physical aggression, but for me, the most disturbing aspect is psychological and has to do with the kidnapped husband. That's upsetting even forty-something years after the film was made.

    There is a moment that's ingrained in my mind. The beginning of this scene:
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=ze9xnzQ5KrY&t=24s

    The payoff itself is good but the buildup with the music and McQueen walking is magnificent. Amazing that just a few years before movies were much more restrained in terms of sex and violence. That's what makes this era very interesting for me.
    That's a great and very tense scene. Almost 'western-like' in its setting and approach, and the final shootout similarly. I've read criticisms of Quincy's score, but I quite liked it too.

    Regarding the husband, it was a tragic situation but honestly I found that entire storyline a bit superfluous and a bit 'hick' (for lack of a better word) - like padding. I suppose it's because I was just so engrossed in the plotline of the leads & didn't want any distractions. Al Lettieri was great though.
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Where Eagles Dare (1968)
    Looking at TV listings for Xmas, it's on about a dozen times, but I always watch it at this time of year and it looks great on blu ray.
    Burton and Clint, rousing score from Ron Goodwin, great stuntwork from legendary Yakima Canutt, great villains in Patrick Wymark and Ferdy Mayne (love his voice, he also stars in my other personal Xmas favourite, 'Dance of the Vampires'), big action set pieces (the cable car fight and the final escape in the bus are terrific) plus Ingrid Pitt in traditional low cut bavarian garb as the cherry on top! Great entertainment, never fails!
    Exceptional film and my favourite war entry as well. I think what really makes it work for me is the tinge of espionage flavour that's interspersed with the military elements. It's almost Bondian at times (particularly the fantastic cable car sequence and the opening jump from the plane). Burton and Eastwood are the icing on the cake.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    Posts: 8,231
    Batman-Returns.jpg

    BATMAN RETURNS

    One of my local cinemas screened an original print of this last night, and the inner completist in me couldn't pass up the chance to see it on the big screen, especially after seeing a 70mm print of BATMAN last year.

    A mental piece of work from Burton that, despite its flaws, is still quite a fabulous film. It's extremely exciting to see films on the big screen in their original format after being accustomed to watching them on DVD for most of my life. With the first film last year, the big screen gave me a newfound appreciation for Keaton's performance as Bruce Wayne. With RETURNS, the same thing happened with Pfeifer's Selina Kyle. She's really quite incredible in this film and is still the best Catwoman by quite a margin.

    People say THE DARK KNIGHT is, well.....dark. But even that didn't have a villain plot that would have resulted in the mass genocide of small children. RETURNS is a peculiar piece of work, and while I wish we had gotten a third Keaton film, I do understand why Warner Bros. were crapping their pants about how dark Burton's sequel was. Nevertheless, it remains a favourite of mine and I don't really care if this was originally released in July - this is a great Christmas film.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited December 2018 Posts: 7,214
    I agree Where Eagles Dare is brilliant fun. Dickie Burton is always worth watching but here he gives one of his most energetic performances. I’d say it’s my favourite adventure-war film.

    Favourite war film overall though I think would be Das Boot.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,255
    The Blu-ray of Where Eagles Dare looks phenomenal.

    There is a scene towards the end that involves a momentary absence of sound that is one of the most effective uses of sound to imply an action.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Batman-Returns.jpg

    BATMAN RETURNS

    One of my local cinemas screened an original print of this last night, and the inner completist in me couldn't pass up the chance to see it on the big screen, especially after seeing a 70mm print of BATMAN last year.

    A mental piece of work from Burton that, despite its flaws, is still quite a fabulous film. It's extremely exciting to see films on the big screen in their original format after being accustomed to watching them on DVD for most of my life. With the first film last year, the big screen gave me a newfound appreciation for Keaton's performance as Bruce Wayne. With RETURNS, the same thing happened with Pfeifer's Selina Kyle. She's really quite incredible in this film and is still the best Catwoman by quite a margin.

    People say THE DARK KNIGHT is, well.....dark. But even that didn't have a villain plot that would have resulted in the mass genocide of small children. RETURNS is a peculiar piece of work, and while I wish we had gotten a third Keaton film, I do understand why Warner Bros. were crapping their pants about how dark Burton's sequel was. Nevertheless, it remains a favourite of mine and I don't really care if this was originally released in July - this is a great Christmas film.

    I love it. The best outside the Nolan trilogy.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    INCREDIBLES 2
    mr-incredible-elastigirl-violet-parr-and-dash-in-the-incredibles-2-2018-qc-3840x2160-600x338.jpg

    I liked it well enough. Different from the first.

    Never knew Brad Bird provided the voice for Edna.
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