Movies/Films/TV - Opinions

[Dickled]

Last night watched "Once Were Warriors" set in New Zealand and focusing on a Maori family and their community.

I first watched it about 25 years ago and it's lost none of its power, and I have to say the lead actor may well be the most frightening character I've seen in movies.

Not fantasy Robert Englund "Nightmare on Elm Street" or Christopher Lee as "Dracula" scary, but a real life nightmare as a fierce and rage filled and often uncontrollably violent man, driven by alcohol, often ready to inflict extreme violence, including on his wife, who he brutally beats up within an inch of her life during the film.

[Chorley]

Last night watched "Once Were Warriors" set in New Zealand and focusing on a Maori family and their community.

I first watched it about 25 years ago and it's lost none of its power, and I have to say the lead actor may well be the most frightening character I've seen in movies.

Not fantasy Robert Englund "Nightmare on Elm Street" or Christopher Lee as "Dracula" scary, but a real life nightmare as a fierce and rage filled and often uncontrollably violent man, driven by alcohol, often ready to inflict extreme violence, including on his wife, who he brutally beats up within an inch of her life during the film.

A brilliant but harrowing film. Probably one of the few that I've had to take a break from and come back to just because of how absolutely brutal and unflinching it is. The female lead is also superb and I think both of them featured in the later Star Wars films?

[catweazle]

Xtreme - Netflix. A made for Netflix movie, originally in Spanish (dubbed pretty well) and set in Barcelona.  Good mafia-type revenge movie, some pretty graphic violence. Worth a watch.

[Ghost89]

Think I mentioned it somewhere here before briefly but Pale Rider. For my money one of the best westerns ever made. “Nothing like a nice piece of hickory!”.

[Ali Katt]

Last night watched "Once Were Warriors" set in New Zealand and focusing on a Maori family and their community.

I first watched it about 25 years ago and it's lost none of its power, and I have to say the lead actor may well be the most frightening character I've seen in movies.

Not fantasy Robert Englund "Nightmare on Elm Street" or Christopher Lee as "Dracula" scary, but a real life nightmare as a fierce and rage filled and often uncontrollably violent man, driven by alcohol, often ready to inflict extreme violence, including on his wife, who he brutally beats up within an inch of her life during the film.

"Uncle fucking bully". There was a lot of great films in the 90s that dealt with real stuff in an adult way. Now it all seems so safe, if it's something serious it's a dull melodrama or worse some nasty b movie

[Chorley]

Think I mentioned it somewhere here before briefly but Pale Rider. For my money one of the best westerns ever made. “Nothing like a nice piece of hickory!”.

This, High Plains Drifter and Unforgiven are my favourties.No accident that they  were directed and starred the legend that is Clint Eastwood. 

[Ghost89]

This, High Plains Drifter and Unforgiven are my favourties.No accident that they  were directed and starred the legend that is Clint Eastwood. 

Apparently John Wayne hated High Plains Drifter. Probably because it threatened his way of portraying the western.

Unforgiven and High plains drifter along with Outlaw Josey Wales all great examples of westerns.

[The Film Director]

Apparently John Wayne hated High Plains Drifter. Probably because it threatened his way of portraying the western.

Unforgiven and High plains drifter along with Outlaw Josey Wales all great examples of westerns.

Good to see you remembered it.    They're all great, of course.

[Chorley]

Apparently John Wayne hated High Plains Drifter. Probably because it threatened his way of portraying the western.

Unforgiven and High plains drifter along with Outlaw Josey Wales all great examples of westerns.

TBH John Wayne can do one as far as I'm concerned.  He was a bang average actor who made some half decent films . He was also  a racist homophobic draft dodger. 

[ulstersubbie]

Classic Double Bill:

Johnny Guitar (1954). Beguiling western that resembles more of a melodrama, this is one of the strangest films ever to emerge from a Hollywood studio. Directed by maverick Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford in one of her most iconic roles.

Lift To The Scaffold (1958). Wonderfully atmospheric "noir", capturing the cool, vibrant Paris of the time. Maurice Ronet and Jeanne Moreau are the illicit lovers who think they have planned the perfect murder. Louis Malle's debut feature that benefits greatly from a soundtrack by jazz legend Miles Davis.

[The Film Director]

He was also  a racist homophobic draft dodger.

Come off the fence. 

I'm not really a 'fan', but he is very good in the Howard Hawks' film Red River.  Apparently when John Ford saw the film he said something to Wayne along the lines of 'I didn't know you could act'!

[The Film Director]

Classic Double Bill:

Johnny Guitar (1954). Beguiling western that resembles more of a melodrama, this is one of the strangest films ever to emerge from a Hollywood studio. Directed by maverick Nicholas Ray and starring Joan Crawford in one of her most iconic roles.

Lift To The Scaffold (1958). Wonderfully atmospheric "noir", capturing the cool, vibrant Paris of the time. Maurice Ronet and Jeanne Moreau are the illicit lovers who think they have planned the perfect murder. Louis Malle's debut feature that benefits greatly from a soundtrack by jazz legend Miles Davis.

Back on more familiar territory, US   Both excellent films - Johnny Guitar, a Western with a woman in the (serious) lead role.  Unheard of - for the time or even now probably.

[ulstersubbie]

Back on more familiar territory, US   Both excellent films - Johnny Guitar, a Western with a woman in the (serious) lead role.  Unheard of - for the time or even now probably.

Excellent point FD. Nick Ray made some great films, a really clever director who had to work within the constraints of the studio system but still produced a quality product.   

[Chorley]

Come off the fence. 

I'm not really a 'fan', but he is very good in the Howard Hawks' film Red River.  Apparently when John Ford saw the film he said something to Wayne along the lines of 'I didn't know you could act'!

Sorry, I know I didn't really speak my mind.  The thing us, I used to live him growing up, but the more I learned about him the less I liked. Having said that, he's excelebr in True Grit.

[Londonpunter30]

Although not the greatest actor, people often overlook who he had to portray.  He had to act out the entire nation an£ it’s values on on screen.  His characters had to be American and all fit into a certain value system.  He could do a Henry Fonda and play the bad guy in Once Upon A Time In The West for instance

[ulstersubbie]

Although not the greatest actor, people often overlook who he had to portray. 

You make a valid point. Hollywood sold Wayne as the ideal embodiment of the American male, and in turn he generated millions for them financially. For me personally one of his best films was his last, The Shootist. When made the US was by that time a very different society, the film reflects this in a way. As Wayne lies dying in the final scene, his "ideals and "values" die with him. You just gotta love the movies! 

[PunterNumber69]

Limetown - episode 1. Not sure about it. Kinda odd. Might watch episode 2 to decide whether to watch the rest of it. Has anyone else watched it? It is worth watching?

[Ali Katt]

You make a valid point. Hollywood sold Wayne as the ideal embodiment of the American male, and in turn he generated millions for them financially. For me personally one of his best films was his last, The Shootist. When made the US was by that time a very different society, the film reflects this in a way. As Wayne lies dying in the final scene, his "ideals and "values" die with him. You just gotta love the movies!

The idea of the American male is sorely lacking in new Hollywood films.

[Googly7]

New Russian series Gold-diggers on All4. Not got into the plot properly but some stunning ladies often without clothing.

[standardpostage]

New Russian series Gold-diggers on All4. Not got into the plot properly but some stunning ladies often without clothing.

Sounds good, cheers 

[The Film Director]

The idea of the American male is sorely lacking in new Hollywood films.

What, even the 'shoot 'em up thrills' types of films (Fast and Furious 27, for example). 

[Ali Katt]

What, even the 'shoot 'em up thrills' types of films (Fast and Furious 27, for example). 

Fast cars and men talking shit at BBQs? It's not as manly as White Line Fever.
External Link/Members Only

[catweazle]

Watched "Ice Road" on Prime over the weekend starring  Liam Neeson.

Basic premise is sort of 'Ice Road Truckers'.  Takes on an emergency job in northern Canada, rushing a drill well head north to try to rescue some trapped miners.

Quite enjoyable, although some things happen far faster than they would in real life (like changing a trailer from one rig to another).

[catweazle]

Another Liam Neeson film watched over the weekend on Prime: "Honest Thief". Bank robber goes straight and tries to hand himself in.  Good story, but wanted to know what happened next at the very end.

[PunterNumber69]

Another Liam Neeson film watched over the weekend on Prime: "Honest Thief". Bank robber goes straight and tries to hand himself in.  Good story, but wanted to know what happened next at the very end.

I agree that was enjoyable.

[Chorley]

I watched Gone Baby Gone on Netflix yesterday. It was Ben Affleck's  directorial debut and stars his brother Casey. I thought it was excellent and has an I testing twist. 

[Dickled]

Presently watching Scott of the Antarctic on BBC2.
Something to take my mind off this unbearably hot weather! 

[The0neAnd0nly]

I watched Gone Baby Gone on Netflix yesterday. It was Ben Affleck's  directorial debut and stars his brother Casey. I thought it was excellent and has an I testing twist. 

Fantastic movie. If you enjoyed that I'd highly recommend Prisoners with Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhall. Both terrific movies 

[Chorley]

Fantastic movie. If you enjoyed that I'd highly recommend Prisoners with Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhall. Both terrific movies 

I've seem Prisoners. Great film. Paull Dano is fantastic. He's massively underrated actor and does a great portrayal of Brian Wilson in Love and Mercy. 

[catweazle]

"Outpost" on Prime. Based on a true story about a US outpost in remote Afghanistan, besieged by the Taliban.  Quite enjoyable in a gung-ho kind of way, but the 'aren't our brave American troops wonderful' jingoism gets a bit wearying.

[Ghost89]

Another classic movie…John Carpenter’s The Thing. With the always excellent Kurt Russell. The practical effects still gruesome and hold up well. A superb movie.

[cotton]

On the subject of social realism , from a few pages back , i recently watched Broken (2012) starring Tim Roth as the father of a diabetic kid and their life amidst their socially dysfunctional neighbours , which apart from the ott final dreamlike sequence when shes in a coma deciding wether to live or die it was pretty ok.
Yesterday watched Ill Manors (2012) starring Riz Ahmed in a well woven and convincing portrayal exploring the complex characters in the london drug world.

[Ali Katt]

On the subject of social realism , from a few pages back , i recently watched Broken (2012) starring Tim Roth as the father of a diabetic kid and their life amidst their socially dysfunctional neighbours , which apart from the ott final dreamlike sequence when shes in a coma deciding wether to live or die it was pretty ok.
Yesterday watched Ill Manors (2012) starring Riz Ahmed in a well woven and convincing portrayal exploring the complex characters in the london drug world.

Saw ill manors about a decade ago. I thought it was well told and well acted, but like a lot of films made in the 15 or so years, there's something about it which is soulless.

[sparkus]

Saw ill manors about a decade ago. I thought it was well told and well acted, but like a lot of films made in the 15 or so years, there's something about it which is soulless.

Found it a bit far-fetched at times, some of the stories just didn't gel for me.  Amusingly it's set in and around Forest Gate, just off the Romford Road beloved of street hookers and their clients on here.

The prostitution plots were like some Guardian writer's fantasy image of trafficking and EEs.  Romford Road location was about the only thing accurate.

[standardpostage]

Summer Of Soul. Documentary / musical. Everyman cinema.
Brilliant 10 out of 10. A foot tapping emotional movie. Set in 1969 New York.
I would see again. 2021 film / documentary.
Two hours long. Stars Stevie Wonder and many other famous singers.
Recommended.

[Dickled]

Summer Of Soul. Documentary / musical. Everyman cinema.
Brilliant 10 out of 10. A foot tapping emotional movie. Set in 1969 New York.
I would see again. 2021 film / documentary.
Two hours long. Stars Stevie Wonder and many other famous singers.
Recommended.

Sounds great. I hope they release a DVD/Blu Ray, or at least release it online so I can buy a permanent copy.

[cotton]

Saw ill manors about a decade ago. I thought it was well told and well acted, but like a lot of films made in the 15 or so years, there's something about it which is soulless.

Yes definitely quite soulless , but then urban life amidst drugs and prostitution can be and is quite soulless. I thought it was very true to life , it was only the Riz Ahmed character who displayed compassion and soulfulness that was slightly out of key but that didnt detract from the film but gave it some added piquancy.
On Sparkus's point about the depiction of the prostitution plots being like some Guardian writers fantasy image of trafficking and EE , im not one to overstate the whole trafficking idea but it does happen , its not a made up fairystory, criminal gangs do forcibly induct girls into prostitution.  The film just incorporated this brutal urban reality into one of its plot threads and that was what the film was about, brutal soulless urban reality, or thats how i took it anyway

[Ali Katt]

Yes definitely quite soulless , but then urban life amidst drugs and prostitution can be and is quite soulless. I thought it was very true to life , it was only the Riz Ahmed character who displayed compassion and soulfulness that was slightly out of key but that didnt detract from the film but gave it some added piquancy.
On Sparkus's point about the depiction of the prostitution plots being like some Guardian writers fantasy image of trafficking and EE , im not one to overstate the whole trafficking idea but it does happen , its not a made up fairystory, criminal gangs do forcibly induct girls into prostitution.  The film just incorporated this brutal urban reality into one of its plot threads and that was what the film was about, brutal soulless urban reality, or thats how i took it anyway

One of the better films I've seen about child trafficking is Lilya 4 ever. It's grim, but not without heart.

[Dickled]

TBH John Wayne can do one as far as I'm concerned.  He was a bang average actor who made some half decent films . He was also  a racist homophobic draft dodger. 

It appears Michael Parkinson wasn't too fond of him....
External Link/Members Only

[Ghost89]

It appears Michael Parkinson wasn't too fond of him....
External Link/Members Only

I never quite got John Wayne either. I found his acting style to be really wooden.

[catweazle]

"I am fear", on Prime. Seriously odd film. Starts off as a good Al-Queda/ISIS terrorism film, then in the last quarter goes wholly weird. Ended up thinking "wtf have I just watched?". (Maybe I should have read the blurb a bit more before jumping in!)

[catweazle]

I never quite got John Wayne either. I found his acting style to be really wooden.

He and Robert Mitchum (once read someone's description of Mitchum's acting style as "he just points his suit at them"(

[MrMatrix]

I never quite got John Wayne either. I found his acting style to be really wooden.

True, he played John Wayne really well. However in the 60's westerns and the such were the main diet of films on TV. Back then I loved JW and didnt give a fuck about his acting ability. And most definately the same for Robert Mitcham, very wooden.

[sparkus]

I never quite got John Wayne either. I found his acting style to be really wooden.

"Get off your horse and drink your milk"

[mr.bluesky]

True, he played John Wayne really well. However in the 60's westerns and the such were the main diet of films on TV. Back then I loved JW and didnt give a fuck about his acting ability. And most definately the same for Robert Mitcham, very wooden.

I also thought of John Wayne's acting to be very wooden and one dimensional until I saw him in the film "The Shootist" about an ageing gunfighter dying of cancer seeking to see out his dying days peacefully but his past lifestyle coming back to haunt him also starring future mega Hollywood director Ron Howard ( of happy days fame) and Lauren Bacall. A film well worth watching 

[cotton]

One of the better films I've seen about child trafficking is Lilya 4 ever. It's grim, but not without heart.

Thanks, im currently working my way through Sex Traffic (2004) starring John Simm so il check Lilya 4 ever out when ive finished that 

[Ali Katt]

Thanks, im currently working my way through Sex Traffic (2004) starring John Simm so il check Lilya 4 ever out when ive finished that 

Sex Traffic is excellent as is Traffick about drug trafficking, both made for channel 4.

[Ali Katt]

True, he played John Wayne really well. However in the 60's westerns and the such were the main diet of films on TV. Back then I loved JW and didnt give a fuck about his acting ability. And most definately the same for Robert Mitcham, very wooden.

People directed the same thing against Jimmy Stewart, said he had a limited range. I've also heard critics say Sean Connery could only do one voice. The thing is John Wayne is more entertaining to watch than say Eddie Redmayne.

[standardpostage]

Crawl. 2019 Horror / disaster. Netflix. 1 hr 27 m. Cert 15.
Stars Kaya Scodelario. Good reviews "but" I thought it was a load of rubbish.
Basically alligators chase humans and kill them or injure them.
I think that I could have made a better film, with a blow up plastic alligator, a few people from the job centre and the camera from my punting phone 

[Ghost89]

People directed the same thing against Jimmy Stewart, said he had a limited range. I've also heard critics say Sean Connery could only do one voice. The thing is John Wayne is more entertaining to watch than say Eddie Redmayne.

I’ll give John Wayne that, he had screen presence. Which is important.
Connery admits himself that he only has only one voice. He doesn’t do accents. Watch The Hunt for Red October to prove that. A Scottish Russian sub commander. Still a good movie though.