Last Movie you Watched?

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  • Posts: 380
    Life force is by any normal standards a terrible mess of a film. Appalling dialogue, bad acting and direction that is impossible to believe it's from the same director as Texas Chainsaw Massacre. So why is it so much damn fun to watch. And the arrow blu ray is just terrific if only for the special features.
  • Posts: 7,653
    cooperman2 wrote: »
    Life force is by any normal standards a terrible mess of a film. Appalling dialogue, bad acting and direction that is impossible to believe it's from the same director as Texas Chainsaw Massacre. So why is it so much damn fun to watch. And the arrow blu ray is just terrific if only for the special features.

    So true, I watched the Arrow bluray, international version.
  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou, but I now hear a new dog barkin'
    Posts: 9,026
    Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat

    Lifeboat stands out as a phenomenal and unique film from Hitchcock’s filmography. I think the ensemble cast is why it works; each role feels perfectly casted. I also like how some characters represent political/opposing idealogies. Kovak represents Communism. Rittenhouse represents Capitalism. For me the standout actors are Walter Slezak, William Bendix, and Canada Lee, all three of whom I find to be just brilliant. I like how the film keeps the true intentions of Slezak’s character ambiguous, it isn’t until the final 20 minutes that you realize what he’s really up too. The way they executed the storms as well was quite impressive. I think another big aspect as to why the film works is John Steinbeck’s script. The combination of Hitchcock and Steinbeck seems unlikely, yet produces brilliant results. I’m disappointed they didn’t work together again afterwards, but I think Steinbeck was never interested in writing films for Hollywood, it seemed him writing this for Hitchcock was his way of contributing, in some form, to the allied cause. I think it’s a shame this doesn’t get brought up as much as it should with regard to Hitchcock’s filmography. I think of all the Hitchcock films I’ve seen (somewhere between 12-15), this one stands far and above the others as my absolute favorite.

    Brilliant indeed, although I've forgotten many of the details since watching it for the only time about five years ago or so. But at any rate (and I do not question its justification) it is a propaganda piece and must be taken as such. Walter Slezak's father Leo Slezak, a famous singer, was somehow convicted by the Nazis to pay 100,000 German (Reich) marks because his son Walter played that role.
  • j_w_pepper wrote: »
    Alfred Hitchcock’s Lifeboat

    Lifeboat stands out as a phenomenal and unique film from Hitchcock’s filmography. I think the ensemble cast is why it works; each role feels perfectly casted. I also like how some characters represent political/opposing idealogies. Kovak represents Communism. Rittenhouse represents Capitalism. For me the standout actors are Walter Slezak, William Bendix, and Canada Lee, all three of whom I find to be just brilliant. I like how the film keeps the true intentions of Slezak’s character ambiguous, it isn’t until the final 20 minutes that you realize what he’s really up too. The way they executed the storms as well was quite impressive. I think another big aspect as to why the film works is John Steinbeck’s script. The combination of Hitchcock and Steinbeck seems unlikely, yet produces brilliant results. I’m disappointed they didn’t work together again afterwards, but I think Steinbeck was never interested in writing films for Hollywood, it seemed him writing this for Hitchcock was his way of contributing, in some form, to the allied cause. I think it’s a shame this doesn’t get brought up as much as it should with regard to Hitchcock’s filmography. I think of all the Hitchcock films I’ve seen (somewhere between 12-15), this one stands far and above the others as my absolute favorite.

    Brilliant indeed, although I've forgotten many of the details since watching it for the only time about five years ago or so. But at any rate (and I do not question its justification) it is a propaganda piece and must be taken as such. Walter Slezak's father Leo Slezak, a famous singer, was somehow convicted by the Nazis to pay 100,000 German (Reich) marks because his son Walter played that role.

    Yeah it is propaganda for the Allied cause, but does that lessen its impact? Compared to Hitchcock’s other “wartime” films like Foreign Correspondent, or Saboteur, Lifeboat stands heads and shoulders above both of them. And it’s certainly better than the likes of Marnie, Torn Curtain, and Topaz.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    Se7en

    IMO Fincher's best film. He doesn't put a foot wrong in this brilliantly bleak thriller.

    Love the chemistry between Pitt and Freeman. And of course a wonderful turn from Spacey.

    No matter how many times I see it, the ending is still devastating. Really special score from Howard Shore too.
  • Posts: 16,154
    Se7en

    IMO Fincher's best film. He doesn't put a foot wrong in this brilliantly bleak thriller.

    Love the chemistry between Pitt and Freeman. And of course a wonderful turn from Spacey.

    No matter how many times I see it, the ending is still devastating. Really special score from Howard Shore too.

    Amazing neo noir thriller. I love every frame.
    I saw this in the cinemas back in '95 and although I liked it well enough, didn't appreciate it nearly as much as I do now.
    Great movie.
  • ToTheRight wrote: »
    Se7en

    IMO Fincher's best film. He doesn't put a foot wrong in this brilliantly bleak thriller.

    Love the chemistry between Pitt and Freeman. And of course a wonderful turn from Spacey.

    No matter how many times I see it, the ending is still devastating. Really special score from Howard Shore too.

    Amazing neo noir thriller. I love every frame.
    I saw this in the cinemas back in '95 and although I liked it well enough, didn't appreciate it nearly as much as I do now.
    Great movie.

    Hard movie to watch. I actually don't think I've seen it since that very first time some years after its release. But yes, while I enjoy other films of Fincher's more, this probably is his masterpiece.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited December 2020 Posts: 25,092
    605px-Sator_Square_at_Opp%C3%A8de.jpg
    Tenet I love Nolan's films as much as anyone. The acting and editing in this film is shockingly bad and the plot collapses on itself. Total misfire.

    Edited: I will certainly give it another watch or two to see if I change my opinion.
  • Posts: 2,163
    Wonder Woman 1984 in IMAX.

    Lucky enough to live in an area where cinemas are open and one that has an IMAX screen.

    If there was ever a need for a film that demands the biggest screen and the best, loudest audio, this is it. A fantastic film front start to end, highly enjoyable.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,968
    605px-Sator_Square_at_Opp%C3%A8de.jpg
    Tenet I love Nolan's films as much as anyone. The acting and editing in this film is shockingly bad and the plot collapses on itself. Total misfire.

    Edited: I will certainly give it another watch or two to see if I change my opinion.

    That's exactly how I felt but yes, I'd love to see it once more to see if things change now that my expectations are in check. It's easily his worst film for me, though, after that first viewing.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,092
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    605px-Sator_Square_at_Opp%C3%A8de.jpg
    Tenet I love Nolan's films as much as anyone. The acting and editing in this film is shockingly bad and the plot collapses on itself. Total misfire.

    Edited: I will certainly give it another watch or two to see if I change my opinion.

    That's exactly how I felt but yes, I'd love to see it once more to see if things change now that my expectations are in check. It's easily his worst film for me, though, after that first viewing.

    There is no doubting that Nolan's ability to frame a shot and brilliant technical skill is still on show, though it feels like he is neglecting other aspects of film making.

    I understood what was happening I just did not care by the end of the film, the deterministic nature of the film contributed toward that admittedly. John David Washington performance was odd, his body language during the fight scenes was awkward and I don't think he was
    Inverted
    in all the fights so I can't really use that as an excuse.
  • Posts: 9,846
    Three Films to add

    National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation: each year I like this film less but this time around there was a particular bitterness I found throughout the film.. Like literally no one wants to be there and Clark Griswald is forcing people to stay together.. the bonus subplot is fine enough though the film doesn't follow through on Checkoff's Santa Claus beard (introducing the beard on the first act but not following through on the third) the acting is ok but I watch the film and wonder what the appeal is..

    On Her Majesty's Secret Service: so many discuss whether Die Hard is a Christmas film or not but for me the actual debate is whether Lazenby's one time as Bond is Christmas or not.. well in my household it is and I watch it with my wife once a year around this time. I still say the film would flow better with Bond's wedding ending the film and Tracy's death beginning Diamonds are forever (turning that film into a Death wish styled revenge film before death wish ever came out) as even with the change in actors Connery in a revenge driven films as 007 would not only be amazing but would require some serious acting from him. The other main issue I have for the film is bond being dubbed for a portion of the film. Though overall a fantastic film I will admit it's slightly flawed these days.

    Home Alone 2: Lost in New York: Talk about awash rinse and repeat sequel, but god is this fun. for those who think I don't get physical comedy (based on my review of Christmas vacation) well I laughed hard with the first and second home alone and that is pretty much nothing BUT physical comedy. yet its done really well. Over all next year I will be pushing my wife toward Home Alone 1 and 2 rather then National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.



    Films in 2020
    1. Casino Royale
    2. From Russia with love
    3. Batman Begins
    4. On her majesties Secret Service
    5. Jaws 2
    6. Macgyver lost treasure of Atlantis
    7. It’s the great pumpkin Charlie Brown
    8. When Harry meet sally
    9. Woodstock the movie
    10. Sherlock Holmes a game of shadows
    11. Planes trains and automobiles
    12. Ronin
    13. Fast times at ridgemont high
    14. Valley Girl
    15. Goldeneye
    16. Batman Returns
    17. A Charlie Brown thanksgiving
    18. The breakfast club
    19. Rolling stone Gimmie Shelter
    20. Octopussy
    21. Home alone
    22. The temptations
    23. Home Alone 2 Lost in New York
    24. Stand by me
    25. The Art of war
    26. The Prophecy
    27. Jaws 3
    28. No direction Home
    29. Rise of skywalker
    30. Casino Royale 1954
    31. Nosferato
    32. Pearl Harbor
    33. Little women
    34. National lampoon's Christm,as Vacation
    35. Journey greatest hits live
    36. The Grateful Dead movie


    Bond films
    1. Casino Royale 2006
    2. From Russia with love
    3. Goldeneye
    4. Octopussy
    5. Casino Royale 1954


    Jaws films
    1. Jaws 2
    2. Jaws 3

    Charlie Brown Films
    1. It’s the great pumpkin Charlie Brown
    2. A Charlie Brown thanksgiving

    John Hughes Films
    1. Planes trains and automobiles
    2. The breakfast club
    3. Home Alone
    4. Home Alone 2
    5. National lampoon's Christmas vacation

    Batman Films
    3. Batman Begins
    4. Batman Returns



  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,968
    @Fire_and_Ice_Returns, exact same issue for me: I got the "twists," as poorly telegraphed as they were from the opening moments, and the story as a whole but it did nothing for me.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,173
    I guess Tenet is the sort of film you will have to watch and rewatch a couple of times. I'm not usually a fan of that particular idea. A good film should be entertaining in one way or another right away and if multiple viewings add to the experience and you continue to discover things, all the better. But if multiple viewings are an absolute necessity before we can even discover what the bleep the whole thing is all about, despite being awake and focused the first time, then I'm usually not all the happy about it. Hence, I have good and bad things to say about David Lynch.

    The reason I continue to give Nolan a pass against my better judgement is because this is sort of his 'thing'. Memento, Inception, Interstellar and The Presite are all films that you "kinda" get the first time and then go back to because the puzzle is too intricate to be solved in its entirety the first time, and because you are intrigued and you simply want to learn more.

    Tenet may very well be the first of his films that a great many audience members will just refuse to work for. I bet this will become an expensive "cult" film. He's asking a lot and I can't blame people for not indulging him. As I said, I will give him a pass this time too, but I must admit that I'm not half as enthusiastic this time as I was when I had first seen The Prestige and Inception.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited December 2020 Posts: 25,092
    One small positive I can take from Tenet there was one scene where Pattinson convinced me he may be a good Bruce Wayne.

    I got all the lets say interconnections during the film,
    and the mystery guy became obvious quite quickly and his possible real identity.
    There is an interesting idea in there I just think it was not put together very well and John Davids dad would have been a far more compelling protagonist.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,173
    Ilsa, She Wolf Of The SS

    ilsa-2.jpg

    Dyanne Thorne's passing earlier this year reminded me of this film. I had explored it as a curiosity many years before and have since come to regard it as one of the better examples of the "shocksploitation" genre. My interest in these barely watchable and usually offensive films, preferably from the '70s, has allowed me to build a small but substantial collection of films and books belonging to or dealing with the genre. And every once in a while I return to some of the "classics" as a reminder of exactly how well-deserved their often self-inflated reputation is.

    The Ilsa trilogy -- or is it a quadrilogy? -- exists in that curious little spot where torture horror and pornography intersect. The unholy matrimony between two extremes -- one of pain, one of pleasure -- is set in a Nazi concentration camp, albeit one that looks like a happy-campers gathering compared to the real thing, at least on the outside. Inside, however, cruel experiments involving naked young girls take place while camp commander Ilsa has a good time with a male prisoner chosen as her private man-dish. So there's sex, sadism and swastica's, just because.

    If you have little money, no story and only untalented actors to work with, you have to sell the goods hard and loud. Expect full-frontal nudity, endless lashings and other torments as well as Dyanne Thorne's deliciously exaggerated line-delivery, all packed as something that was begging for controversy from day 1. This film isn't good nor funny, and definitely not "so bad it's actually good", but seeing it 45 years later, one cannot but wonder how modern sensitivities and prudishness would respond to this. In a sense, though, it has lost some of its brutality, not because we have grown used to stronger stuff, but because the production details of this film are so well-documented, and because the film has turned up in so many dissertations and has been subjected to so many analyses, that -- fortunately? -- it has lost much of its effect.

    Unless you're like me, interested in the sewer pits of the horror genre, I'd say don't bother, don't watch this, don't worry about it. If your stomach and good humour can take it, however, sure, give it a try. I'll probably be checking out the sequels next.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited December 2020 Posts: 25,092
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    @Fire_and_Ice_Returns, exact same issue for me: I got the "twists," as poorly telegraphed as they were from the opening moments, and the story as a whole but it did nothing for me.

    Just listening to a Tenet review and break down I missed more than I realised, also I bought the film from Amazon Prime Video Digital Copy 1080p and none of it has the IMAX scenes. Apparently 75% of the film is shot in IMAX so I will order the 4K disk.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,092
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Great movie I bought the Arrow presentation of the film on Bluray several years ago taken from a 4K master.
  • Posts: 7,415
    WHERE EAGLES DARE (1968)
    My annual watch of this fabulous WW2 thriller.
    Its freezing out, and i have a hot whiskey in my hand, what better film to watch.
    Never tire of this. Great cast, Burton and Eastwood (and a shoutout for Ferdy Mayne as a Nazi Colonel, love his voice, he also stars in one of my other favourite yuletide films 'Dance of the Vampires'!) , terrific action set pieces, great location setting, and that famous stuntwork on the cable car! Add in Ron Goodwins music, and this is always a joy to watch! "Broadsword calling Danny Boy?"
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,968
    @Fire_and_Ice_Returns, I bet it looks fantastic on 4K, at least.

    @Mathis1, one of my favorites there, about as epic and exciting as it gets.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Great movie I bought the Arrow presentation of the film on Bluray several years ago taken from a 4K master.

    That's the version I've got. Looks amazing!

    It was more money than I would usually pay but I had to have it! 😁
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,092
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Great movie I bought the Arrow presentation of the film on Bluray several years ago taken from a 4K master.

    That's the version I've got. Looks amazing!

    It was more money than I would usually pay but I had to have it! 😁

    Just looking at my Arrow Bluray now, I forgot it was double disk. Arrow really do fantastic sets, great booklets and the extra's are top notch and I like the reversable cover option. I currently have 9 Arrow Bluray...

    The Wild Geese
    Who Dares Wins
    Remo
    Donnie Darko
    To Live and Die in L. A.
    Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Donald Sutherland)
    Lifeforce
    The Andromeda Strain
    Sisters
  • matt_umatt_u better known as Mr. Roark
    Posts: 4,343
    The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone.

    This new cut is a significant improvement over a film I already love. It's shorter since eliminates unnecessary narrative baggage, with some great new expanded scenes adding more weights to the characters (especially the bittersweet and brief reconciliation with Kay in Sicily) and the big themes that carry the film are clearer. The death of Michael is not a physical death, it's the fallout of him as a human being destroyed by a sense of helplessness, despair and fatalistic resignation. Feels more like a requiem for the Corleone dynasty than an actual sequel compared to Part III, as the new title makes clear. A masterpiece, obviously.
  • edited December 2020 Posts: 16,154
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Nearly 30 years ago I had an uncle who called me from his local bar and asked :

    :......and I quote verbatim..........

    "Did James Bond EVER make a movie called TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.?"

    My initial instinct was to correct him that Bond is a fictional spy and not a movie director. But I resisted and replied.

    "No, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. is not a Bond movie."

    "What is it, then?"

    ".......a crime thriller with Willem Defoe, directed by William Friedkin who did THE EXORCIST."

    "Is it like a Bond movie?"

    "...uh....no, not really".

    "Are you sure?"

    "I'm pretty damned sure."


    "Okay, thanks!!!!!"

    He hung up and proceeded to win a bet. Someone at the bar bet him this was a Bond film.

    To this day I still haven't received my share of the winnings.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,092
    @Creasy47

    Spoilers
  • Posts: 7,415
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Nearly 30 years ago I had an uncle who called me from his local bar and asked :

    :......and I quote verbatim..........

    "Did James Bond EVER make a movie called TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.?"

    My initial instinct was to correct him that Bond is a fictional spy and not a movie director. But I resisted and replied.

    "No, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. is not a Bond movie."

    "What is it, then?"

    ".......a crime thriller with Willem Defoe, directed by William Friedkin who did THE EXORCIST."

    "Is is like a Bond movie?"

    "...uh....no, not really".

    "Are you sure?"

    "I'm pretty damned sure."


    "Okay, thanks!!!!!"

    He hung up and proceeded to win a bet. Someone at the bar bet him this was Bond film.

    To this day I still haven't received my share of the winnings.

    I do remember the late Barry Norman on his Film programme misnaming Friedkins movie "To Live and Let Die in L.A."
  • Posts: 16,154
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Nearly 30 years ago I had an uncle who called me from his local bar and asked :

    :......and I quote verbatim..........

    "Did James Bond EVER make a movie called TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.?"

    My initial instinct was to correct him that Bond is a fictional spy and not a movie director. But I resisted and replied.

    "No, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. is not a Bond movie."

    "What is it, then?"

    ".......a crime thriller with Willem Defoe, directed by William Friedkin who did THE EXORCIST."

    "Is is like a Bond movie?"

    "...uh....no, not really".

    "Are you sure?"

    "I'm pretty damned sure."


    "Okay, thanks!!!!!"

    He hung up and proceeded to win a bet. Someone at the bar bet him this was a Bond film.

    To this day I still haven't received my share of the winnings.

    I do remember the late Barry Norman on his Film programme misnaming Friedkins movie "To Live and Let Die in L.A."

    LOL! That's classic!
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Nearly 30 years ago I had an uncle who called me from his local bar and asked :

    :......and I quote verbatim..........

    "Did James Bond EVER make a movie called TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.?"

    My initial instinct was to correct him that Bond is a fictional spy and not a movie director. But I resisted and replied.

    "No, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. is not a Bond movie."

    "What is it, then?"

    ".......a crime thriller with Willem Defoe, directed by William Friedkin who did THE EXORCIST."

    "Is is like a Bond movie?"

    "...uh....no, not really".

    "Are you sure?"

    "I'm pretty damned sure."


    "Okay, thanks!!!!!"

    He hung up and proceeded to win a bet. Someone at the bar bet him this was Bond film.

    To this day I still haven't received my share of the winnings.

    Great story 😄
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    To Live And Die In LA

    I really enjoy this William Friedkin thriller. It's an unconventional action film with no real hero as such. Special agent Richard Chance (William Peterson) is a difficult character to warm to. He is volatile and reckless in his pursuit of Willem Dafoe's criminal counterfeiter.

    Some great set pieces in this including an incredible car chase culminating in our cops driving the wrong way down a busy freeway!

    One moment in the film has always puzzled me. Willem Dafoe's girlfriend finishes her dance performance walks over to him and they kiss. It's shot from behind her and it's so obviously a man, then it cuts to other side and the character is female. I'm assuming Friedkin wants the viewer to think he's kissing a man and then realise it's actually a woman. But the cut is so awkward it looks ridiculous, and the first shot from behind definitely isn't Debra Feuer!

    That small gripe aside this is a cracking 80's thriller. Great music also from Wang Chung! 😁

    Nearly 30 years ago I had an uncle who called me from his local bar and asked :

    :......and I quote verbatim..........

    "Did James Bond EVER make a movie called TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A.?"

    My initial instinct was to correct him that Bond is a fictional spy and not a movie director. But I resisted and replied.

    "No, TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. is not a Bond movie."

    "What is it, then?"

    ".......a crime thriller with Willem Defoe, directed by William Friedkin who did THE EXORCIST."

    "Is is like a Bond movie?"

    "...uh....no, not really".

    "Are you sure?"

    "I'm pretty damned sure."


    "Okay, thanks!!!!!"

    He hung up and proceeded to win a bet. Someone at the bar bet him this was Bond film.

    To this day I still haven't received my share of the winnings.

    I do remember the late Barry Norman on his Film programme misnaming Friedkins movie "To Live and Let Die in L.A."

    Good old Barry! 😄
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