What movies have you seen recently?

[ODogg]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

You can do whatever you like, I'm just telling you, as an old chap, I think you're going to miss out on a LOT of fantastic movies if you abandon them before their conclusion, even if they seem lame. When I was younger my mom used to watch a lot of movies and since we had one tv I was forced to watch whatever she wanted. That is when I learned that movies that may not seem all that engrossing, yes downright BORING, can end up being some of the best movies ever if you simply give them the opportunity.

Now with that being said you could go back and watch the rest of that movie, or any other movie you have abandoned before it's conclusion, and say the movie sucked and was overrated, but maybe not. However I think your last paragraph is telling, you already have a pre-formed conclusion about the movie based on what others have said and the first half of the movie to give it a fair chance. So it's probably a waste of time to be honest. But I do urge you in the future to be a bit more patient as the payoff can be great.

I've watched a TON of movies in my day and honestly have only seen one that I really wish I could have my time back on. Most movies, no matter how bad, usually have some redeeming value or insight to offer. Even if it's just to laugh about how utterly terrible they were, LOL.

[jeremym480]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

I'm with ODogg on this one, Gran Torino was a GREAT movie.

IMO, of course :o

[ODogg]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

I remember one movie that I begged my mom to change the channel, because it was so freakin' boring, but yet it turned out to be one of my all time favorite movies. That would be "The man who shot Liberty Valance" starring John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart. My mom still reminds me of that movie nowadays "remember that movie you asked me repeatedly to change the channel and I made you watch it and you loved it?" and I always have to begrudgingly say "yes mom, The Man who shot Liberty Valance"..heh heh.

Oh and I apologize for typing Gran Turino...I got Gran Turismo in my subconscious lurking, LOL

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

You crazy 'cause that movie was awesome. Hopefully Raimi does continues to do more horror films.

No way, stupid stupid stupid decisions by the characters.

Spoiler

In the scene where the girl gets attacked by the old woman in the car garage, after she knocks her out of the car, the girl just looks out of the window. WTF? Why wouldn't you either drive away from the crazy old woman or get out and run. Instead she sits there and the the old lady gets back in the car.

Another thing, when she got the button and the coin mixed up..please. You think with an object that holds so much merit you might actually look at it and maybe even feel it and notice its a coin in the envelope and not a button. A button is much thicker then a coin.

I don't know, I know these movies don't use much logic but I thought some parts were good, but overall just a typical dumb horror movies. I guess since Paranormal Activity my expecations of horror movies has risen big time

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

I was surprised how immersed I became in Taken. Really griping movie. Two other great movies I watched for the first time recently were City of God and The Pianist.

I still have a sealed copy of The Pianist on HD-DVD. Will finally get a chance to watch it and some others after we go on Christmas break.

[ODogg]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

I still have a sealed copy of The Pianist on HD-DVD. Will finally get a chance to watch it and some others after we go on Christmas break.

OMG what a fantastic movie, one of my favorites. With that being said, I've only seen it once because it's such a heartbreaking movie to watch.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

OMG what a fantastic movie, one of my favorites. With that being said, I've only seen it once because it's such a heartbreaking movie to watch.

Good to know. I have about 20 HD-DVDs in shrink wrap that I bought for dirt cheap ($3 each) but hadn't gotten around to watching yet.

[daflyboys]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

Adrien Brody's movies seem hit or miss. The Pianist is definitely a great performance by him and an amazing story overall.

[judgejudy]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

Adrien Brody's movies seem hit or miss. The Pianist is definitely a great performance by him and an amazing story overall.

Just recently saw him in The Brother's Bloom, I really enjoyed it and recommend it to anybody who likes movies with quirky characters.

[SPTO]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)

This is easily the most controversial film that Frank Capra ever directed and it's clearly an artifact of its time what with the blatantly racist attitudes towards the Chinese however I understand that and can put a movie in its context.

Here's a very detailed plot summary:

The American missionary Megan Davis arrives in Shanghai during the Chinese Civil War to marry the missionary Dr. Robert Strife. However, Robert postpones their wedding to rescue some orphans in an orphanage in Chapei section that is burning in the middle of a battlefield. While returning to Shanghai with the children, they are separated in the crowd, Megan faints but is saved by General Yen and brought by train to his palace. Along the days, the General's mistress Mah-Li becomes close to Megan and when she is accused of betrayal for giving classified information to the enemies, Megan asks for her life. The cruel General Yen falls in love for the naive and pure Megan and accepts her request to spare the life of Mah-Li against the will of his financial advisor Jones. Meanwhile Megan feels attracted by the powerful and gentle General Yen, but resists to his flirtation. When Mah-Li betrays General Yen and destroys his empire, Megan realizes that to be able to do good works, one has to have wisdom and decides to stay with him while the General drinks his bitter last tea

Barbara Stanwyck (my favorite classic Hollywood actress) was outstanding in her role as Megan and the blossoming love story between her character and General Yen (played by a forgotten actor today by the name of Nils Asther) was done quite well. The romantic aspects wasn't overdone and the downfall of Yen's empire was handled expertly.

I can see a few people today would find the movie a bit detestable due to the racial attitudes but you can substitute the Chinese with any culture and the story would still work IMO.

3 out of 5 stars

[JohnMarshall12]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

I just saw "The Road". It was pretty good but the book was better. I would put this movie in the Schindler's List category for being a movie you need to see, but only once. This one was too depressing and felt it was dragging on too long.

[SPTO]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

Watched another Capra directed film this morning:

American Madness (1930)

It's the 1930s, the Depression era, and the Board of Directors of Thomas Dickson's bank want Dickson to merge with New York Trust and resign. He refuses. One night, Dickson's bank is robbed of $100,000. The suspect is Matt Brown, an ex-convict whom Dickson hired and appointed Chief Teller. Brown, who's very loyal to Dickson, refuses to say where he was that night. He actually has two witnesses for his alibi, Mrs. Dickson and fellow worker Cyril Cluett, but Brown is protecting Dickson from finding out that Mrs. Dickson was with Cluett having a romantic evening. Cluett, who has a $50,000 gambling debt, is actually responsible for the robbery, but lets Brown take the rap. Will Brown's loyalty to Mr. Dickson pay off, or send him back to prison?

This was a great movie and Walter Huston was EXCELLENT as Dickson. In fact a lot of the early scenes of this movie is just as applicable today as it was in 1930. It's a bit shocking and maybe even a little sad that the world still needs more men like Thomas Dickson. Pat O'Brien played Brown and did a great job. His loyalty to Dickson was quite extraordinary and in turn Dickson's faith in the little people in perilous times made him a very likable character.

Cluett was played by a Gordon Gavin who I never heard of but he did a good job with a role that called him to be both charming and despicable almost at the same time. A great example of this is when he is seducing Dickson's wife and gets her into his apartment only to find Brown waiting and wanting to give Cluett a piece of his mind. Cluett turns nasty and tries to get Brown out of there so he can get down with Mrs. Dickson and at one point pulls out a gun to get him out of the apartment.

The last third of the movie with the run on the bank and the added troubles of having the board wanting Dickson to hand over the bank to be merged while also trying to help Brown out of his predicament was handled quite well. Since this was a Capra movie the faith in people that Dickson built up is what saves his bacon and Dickson realized in the end that he'd been neglecting his wife for far too long.

Even if you don't like really old movies you should see it for Huston's acting alone as he gave a tour de force performance.

4 out of 5 stars! Highly recommended.

[jmood88]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

I really don't understand how anyone can like Gran Torino, the story was predictable, the acting was horrible, and it just seemed like an excuse to make as many racist statements as possible. That was a waste of time and money.

[ODogg]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

It was an eloquent story of a man's journey to redemption jmood. That's how.

[snepp]

Re: What movies have you seen recently? Part 1

It was an eloquent story of a man's journey to redemption jmood. That's how.

How goes your quest to convert every non-believer?