Movies/Films/TV - Opinions

[ulstersubbie]

Can't go wrong with Akira Kurosawa.
Especially Rashomon and Seven Samurai.

Very true, the man was a master.   

[Punter S Thompson]

Very true, the man was a master.   

You have great taste.
 

[Dickled]

I see Disney/Star are advertising the final season of the Walking Dead.
I used to love the series once, but began finding it increasingly repetitive, the Negan storyline a bit ridiculous and the final straw was Rick departing.
However, if it really is the final ever series, I may just watch it for old times sake.

[Ghost89]

I see Disney/Star are advertising the final season of the Walking Dead.
I used to love the series once, but began finding it increasingly repetitive, the Negan storyline a bit ridiculous and the final straw was Rick departing.
However, if it really is the final ever series, I may just watch it for old times sake.

I loved it. However it never concluded and just went on for a couple of seasons too long. I gave up in the end. A shame really.

[Ghost89]

Very true, the man was a master.   

Seven samurai is a great movie. My fave of Kurosawa.

[PunterNumber69]

Can anyone recommend a decent drama series?

Thriller or political.

[Waterhouse]

Can anyone recommend a decent drama series?

Thriller or political.

Just started The Innocent on Netflix. Is Spanish with either dubs or subs.  So far so good... very intriguing after episode one.  The first two thirds of ep. 1 was hard to follow, but it wrapped upped well and can’t wait to carry on with it now. Definitely worth sticking with in my view.

[Waterhouse]

Seven samurai is a great movie. My fave of Kurosawa.

Brilliant film.  I highly rate both Yojimbo and Sanjuro too.

Still need to see Throne of Blood.

[Punter S Thompson]

Brilliant film.  I highly rate both Yojimbo and Sanjuro too.

Still need to see Throne of Blood.

And Ran of course.

[The Film Director]

And Ran of course.

TBH, everything I've seen by him is worth seeing.  The early ones Drunken Angel and Stray Dog equally worthy. 

[Punter S Thompson]

TBH, everything I've seen by him is worth seeing.  The early ones Drunken Angel and Stray Dog equally worthy. 

Can't argue with that.

[Gordon Bennett]

Can anyone recommend a decent drama series?

Thriller or political.

The Night Manager
McMafia

People scoff at The Crown but I think it's fantastic. The first season is fascinating as it deals with the dynamic between the government and the monarchy. The next seasons aren't so "consitutional" but still entertaining.

[WDFORTE]

Can anyone recommend a decent drama series?

Thriller or political.

Alice in Borderland - Netflix.

10/10 awesomeness.

External Link/Members Only

[mr.bluesky]

The Night Manager
McMafia

People scoff at The Crown but I think it's fantastic. The first season is fascinating as it deals with the dynamic between the government and the monarchy. The next seasons aren't so "consitutional" but still entertaining.

+1  for The Night Manager . I would add the excellent Chernobyl to that list ( the true story of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster  )

[Chorley]

Alice in Borderland - Netflix.

10/10 awesomeness.

External Link/Members Only

It really is, isn't it? 

[sir wanksalot]

Seven samurai is a great movie. My fave of Kurosawa.

Kurosawa is mostly remembered for his samurai films (Magnificent Seven was based on Seven Samurai) but if you can find it try to watch one of his earlier movies called "Ikiru" about a man who tries to make sense of his life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

[The Film Director]

Kurosawa is mostly remembered for his samurai films (Magnificent Seven was based on Seven Samurai) but if you can find it try to watch one of his earlier movies called "Ikiru" about a man who tries to make sense of his life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Indeed, as Del Boy would say ... it's a mantelpiece. 

[ulstersubbie]

Classic Double Bill:

The Honeymoon Killers (1970). A grim tale of murder and deception that benefits from being shot in b&w and on a fairly modest budget. Genuinely unsettling and garish at times, Shirley Stoler gives a truly monstrous performance as one of the killers. Based on a true story.

Save The Tiger (1973). Harry Stoner just wants one more season, will he get it? A bittersweet tale of middle aged disillusionment in early 70's Los Angeles. For me personally Jack Lemmon's best ever screen performance, a great script as well.

[standardpostage]

Once. Netflix. Very good musical drama love story.
Great acting, brilliant story. 90 minute movie.
From 2007. Recommended. 9 out of 10.
Stars Glen Hansard, Irish song writer. Give an intense performance.

[The Film Director]

Save The Tiger (1973). Harry Stoner just wants one more season, will he get it? A bittersweet tale of middle aged disillusionment in early 70's Los Angeles. For me personally Jack Lemmon's best ever screen performance, a great script as well.

It' a great performance, US in a very fine film.   

As for Lemmon's greatest, I would have to go with that in Glengarry Glen Ross (probably followed by his cameo in Altman's Short  Cuts).

[Ali Katt]

Classic Double Bill:

The Honeymoon Killers (1970). A grim tale of murder and deception that benefits from being shot in b&w and on a fairly modest budget. Genuinely unsettling and garish at times, Shirley Stoler gives a truly monstrous performance as one of the killers. Based on a true story.

Save The Tiger (1973). Harry Stoner just wants one more season, will he get it? A bittersweet tale of middle aged disillusionment in early 70's Los Angeles. For me personally Jack Lemmon's best ever screen performance, a great script as well.

Honeymoon Killers I quite like. I think my perception of it was tainted because I expected a neo noir type film when it's basically a bit like a mockumentary.

Lemmon's best for me is Glengarry Glen Ross, but I'm biased as I really enjoy Mamet's writing. I think even amongst actors his work divides people as none of his stuff is really big on laughs, it's hypermasculine, really heavy dialogue and quick. To me as well it doesn't really feel Brechtian.

Edmond with William H. Macy is worth checking out for a stage play adaptation virtually nobody has seen

[WDFORTE]

Sweet Girl  8.5/10 Netflix

A devastated husband vows to bring justice to the people responsible for his wife's death while protecting the only family he has left, his daughter.

More enjoyable than perhaps it should be, massive twist in final part of the film that I never saw coming.  Jason Momoa (Aquaman) stars. 

External Link/Members Only

[ulstersubbie]

Honeymoon Killers I quite like. I think my perception of it was tainted because I expected a neo noir type film when it's basically a bit like a mockumentary.

Lemmon's best for me is Glengarry Glen Ross, but I'm biased as I really enjoy Mamet's writing. I think even amongst actors his work divides people as none of his stuff is really big on laughs, it's hypermasculine, really heavy dialogue and quick. To me as well it doesn't really feel Brechtian.

Yes Ali, there is a documentary feel to Honeymoon Killers but I think it really works and enhances the film in terms of drama and effect.

Lemmon's performance in GGR is special, he basically acts the rest of them off the screen and that was no mean feat in such a quality film. I personally prefer his performance in STT, but each to their own.

Like you I am a huge fan of Mamet, a tremendous writer who understands characterization and dialogue better than most. Admittedly his films seem more theatrical than cinematic but that doesn't diminish his skills as a scribe. House Of Games, Things Change and Homicide are all fine films in their respective ways. Joe Mantegna is fantastic in all of them.

[sparkus]

Director's Q&A with Julien Temple on 'Absolute Beginners' at the BFI next month, presumably so you can ask him what the fuck he was thinking:

External Link/Members Only

As an aside, Temple's daughter Juno appeared in the Gregg Araki film 'Kaboom' (loads of gratuitous topless scenes, no complaints), what the fuck was that about?

[The Film Director]

Like you I am a huge fan of Mamet, a tremendous writer who understands characterization and dialogue better than most. Admittedly his films seem more theatrical than cinematic but that doesn't diminish his skills as a scribe. House Of Games, Things Change and Homicide are all fine films in their respective ways. Joe Mantegna is fantastic in all of them.

I particularly liked that one, US. ... and if anyone is into 'con men' films then the Argentinian original version of Nine Queens is excellent (as I've previously said on here).

[The Film Director]

Director's Q&A with Julien Temple on 'Absolute Beginners' at the BFI next month, presumably so you can ask him what the fuck he was thinking:

His Dr Feelgood documentary Oil City Confidential was great.

[sparkus]

His Dr Feelgood documentary Oil City Confidential was great.

As his two famous Sex Pistols ones.

[Ghost89]

The original Star Wars Trilogy. Timeless entertainment which I’ve enjoyed since I was 5.

[catweazle]

"The Innocent" - limited (8 episodes) series  on Netflix.  A Netflix original,  based on a Harlan Cobin book. Filmed, in Spanish,  in and around  Barcelona.   Quite well dubbed.  When you get to episode  2, you think  "wtf?" as it seems totally unrelated  to ep.1. Stick with it.

[Ali Katt]

As his two famous Sex Pistols ones.

Trust me who killed Bambi wasn't great. The filth and the fury was and that's as a punk fan

[standardpostage]

Villains. Netflix. Drama / horror / black comedy. 2019 movie. Certificate 15.
Very good / original. 8 out of 10.
Stars Bill Skarsgard.
Fine acting by all. Decent story.
90 minute movie.

[Steve2]

Currently watching "Hit and Run" on Netflix

Keeps you interested but the filming quality is way too dark

[sir wanksalot]

Currently watching Shtisel on Netflix, a drama about Orthodox Jewish life in Israel.

It's non-flashy, not much action and yet strangely soothing to watch

[Ali Katt]

This Sporting Life
I've criticized films for being soulless so it's nice to see one that isn't. Powerhouse performance from Richard Harris and some stunning photography. One of the best seen this year.

[Gordon Bennett]

I gave up on latest season of Baptiste 15mins into Ep2. I enjoyed previous seasons but this was just too drab and the narrative constantly hopping back and forth 14 months was irritating me. Ultimately I couldn't give a toss about any of the characters so I bailed..... no point hanging around to see what befalls people you don't care about is there?

[Waterhouse]

I gave up on latest season of Baptiste 15mins into Ep2. I enjoyed previous seasons but this was just too drab and the narrative constantly hopping back and forth 14 months was irritating me. Ultimately I couldn't give a toss about any of the characters so I bailed..... no point hanging around to see what befalls people you don't care about is there?

Ditto... ditched halfway through ep.3.  The previous Baptiste was okay - the one with Corky from The Night Manager, but even that was nowhere near as good as the two Missing series’ that came before. They were both miles better.

[catweazle]

Watched  the first 3 episodes  of "Nine Perfect Strangers " on Prime. Decidedly  odd, and not sure where it's going.  Had some poor reviews.  Weirdly  compelling, in a "I'll  watch the next one to see if anything happens" sort of way.

[Dickled]

This Sporting Life
I've criticized films for being soulless so it's nice to see one that isn't. Powerhouse performance from Richard Harris and some stunning photography. One of the best seen this year.

Yes, it is a very good film, and Rachel Roberts, I think, is equally as good as Richard Harris.
If you like the film, I'd recommend the book which inspiredthe film, written by David Storey.
An ex-professional rugby league player, he'd been made aware of the brutalizing effect of the game on individuals, and this comes across in the book, as the Richard Harris character struggles to overcome his basic brutishness and the things that have molded him, which in turn stop him expressing the love he feels for his landlady - the Rachel Roberts character.
As an aside, in real life Rachel Roberts appears to have had her share of inner demons......
External Link/Members Only

[cotton]

Classic Double Bill:

The Honeymoon Killers (1970). A grim tale of murder and deception that benefits from being shot in b&w and on a fairly modest budget. Genuinely unsettling and garish at times, Shirley Stoler gives a truly monstrous performance as one of the killers. Based on a true story.

Save The Tiger (1973). Harry Stoner just wants one more season, will he get it? A bittersweet tale of middle aged disillusionment in early 70's Los Angeles. For me personally Jack Lemmon's best ever screen performance, a great script as well.

Watched The Honeymoon Killers (1970) - i dont buy the idea that any film benefits from being shot in b&w but apart from being in b&w it was ok , suitably grisly and the 2 principal characters were well depicted , especially Shirley Stoller as Martha. It was slighly documentary style insofar as it was quite a low key telling of events and letting the horror just speak for itself , if it was in color and they extrapolated the violence then it could have been even better

Tried 1st 2 episodes of Alice in Borderland - recommended by WDForte and Chorley but i thought it was crap. 

Watched Dope (2015), good film about a nerdy black kid living in Inglewood California who inadvertently gets mixed up in a drug deal. Heavy use of the N word so the sensitive be forewarned.  Good film tho.

[Dickled]

Watched The Honeymoon Killers (1970) - i dont buy the idea that any film benefits from being shot in b&w but apart from being in b&w it was ok , suitably grisly and the 2 principal characters were well depicted , especially Shirley Stoller as Martha. It was slighly documentary style insofar as it was quite a low key telling of events and letting the horror just speak for itself , if it was in color and they extrapolated the violence then it could have been even better

Tried 1st 2 episodes of Alice in Borderland - recommended by WDForte and Chorley but i thought it was crap. 

Watched Dope (2015), good film about a nerdy black kid living in Inglewood California who inadvertently gets mixed up in a drug deal. Heavy use of the N word so the sensitive be forewarned.  Good film tho.

It's all about opinions, but in my opinion certain genres of film and when they were made benefit greatly from being shot in B&W, eg Hollywood film noirs of the 1940's and British kitchen sink films made in the 1960's.
But perhaps you're not into those type of films.

[ulstersubbie]

It's all about opinions, but in my opinion certain genres of film and when they were made benefit greatly from being shot in B&W, eg Hollywood film noirs of the 1940's and British kitchen sink films made in the 1960's.

Especially film noirs, no way would they have had the same impact if shot in colour.

[RogerBoner]

I dont buy the idea that any film benefits from being shot in b&w

Colour could have been invented before b&w as a thought experiment..

[standardpostage]

Komornik. Netflix. Gritty, dark drama. Polish with subtitles. Very good.
About a ruthless bailiff / debt collector.
Stars Andrzej Chyra. 2005 movie. 8 out of 10 from me.

[Ali Katt]

Yes, it is a very good film, and Rachel Roberts, I think, is equally as good as Richard Harris.
If you like the film, I'd recommend the book which inspiredthe film, written by David Storey.
An ex-professional rugby league player, he'd been made aware of the brutalizing effect of the game on individuals, and this comes across in the book, as the Richard Harris character struggles to overcome his basic brutishness and the things that have molded him, which in turn stop him expressing the love he feels for his landlady - the Rachel Roberts character.
As an aside, in real life Rachel Roberts appears to have had her share of inner demons......
External Link/Members Only

Thanks for the recommendation. I think Richard Harris height and bodyshape was physically imposing, not to mention that he looked like he could play rugby. That annoyed me in the film they called rugby football and football soccer. It's minor though. He got referred to as an ape on a football field and he was a bit like king Kong with fay wray.

[The Film Director]

Thanks for the recommendation. I think Richard Harris height and bodyshape was physically imposing, not to mention that he looked like he could play rugby. That annoyed me in the film they called rugby football and football soccer. It's minor though. He got referred to as an ape on a football field and he was a bit like king Kong with fay wray.

He always reminded me of Brando in that film.

[Ali Katt]

He always reminded me of Brando in that film.

I never thought of that. Definitely a lot like Streetcar named desire. Another film which could have been shot in colour, but had a much harder edge in monochrome.

[sir wanksalot]

My BFI marathon continues.

Watched "Wings of Desire".

Set in Berlin about guardian angels, one of whom falls in love with a trapeze artist (stick with it).

The dialogue is diatribe though some would say ethereal but it's one of those movies that stay with you. Also stars Peter Falk (Colombo) and the German actor who played Hitler in Downfallen

[ulstersubbie]

Definitely a lot like Streetcar named desire. Another film which could have been shot in colour, but had a much harder edge in monochrome.

+1

[Ali Katt]

My BFI marathon continues.

Watched "Wings of Desire".

Set in Berlin about guardian angels, one of whom falls in love with a trapeze artist (stick with it).

The dialogue is diatribe though some would say ethereal but it's one of those movies that stay with you. Also stars Peter Falk (Colombo) and the German actor who played Hitler in Downfallen

I got a free DVD of it years ago with a newspaper. It's a very sweet film and one of Wim Wenders more accessible films. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I know it's often in top 250 best films lists.

[Rick2468]

I am halfway through Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir which is a science fiction book. The Martian was based on an Andy Weir book and I liked the film but don't tend to read books of films if I have seen the film first. I started reading Armetis by the same author but abandoned it as it was shit and cheesy as fuck. I read a few good reviews of Project Hail Mary so thought I would give it a try and I'm finding it to be a real page turner. It's dialogue heavy and the science is quite heavy as well. Very much enjoying it.