Last Movie You Watched

[Grudunza]

I liked it a lot, but I'm not sure it was better than the first one. I actually thought it was a different person playing Legolas this time. Surprising. There was a lot I really liked, but it also felt a little disjointed, and transitional (as would be expected for the middle film of a trilogy, but I thought Two Towers was better in that respect).

[altersteve]

I watched American Hustle last night, and let me just say this: this movie is, in almost every single way, utterly phenomenal.

 

I'm a big fan of the director (he also did The Fighter and Silver Linings Playbook) and all the main actors in it (Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner), so I knew I was going to experience something incredible -- and this film truly is something special. One of the funniest and most powerfully acted (with Adams giving her strongest performance to date), sharply directed, white-knuckle intense movies I've seen all year. I actually found myself sitting up, leaning toward the screen, and shouting at the screen a handful times (it was only one of my fellow movie theater managers and myself in the theater since we were pre-screening it). In one particular flashback, Bradley Cooper is about to shoot another character -- and yet, even though you know the latter character survives since you see him earlier in the movie and it's, well, a flashback, you really think that for a split second, Cooper's really going to kill him. And you feel your stomach drop for a second and you feel like you're there with him. Cooper freaking owns this movie. And Jeremy Renner is one of the movie's highlights as the charismatic but troubled mayor; there's a depth to his character that slowly unravels throughout the course of the movie. And my goodness, Amy Adams. What a monster of a performance there. This movie, in all its twists and turns, is an exercise in cinematic brilliance. My only gripe is that the ending was a bit rushed and the loose ends were tied up a bit too quickly, but otherwise, this is one of the best movies of 2013.

 

What a ride.

[Garden Girl]

Let's see.... Philomena and American Hustle... two I will have to see on the big screen...  If a movie is supposed to be really good, I like to go to the theatre, otherwise I just wait and rent it.  Certain action movies simply need to be seen on the big screen...

 

GG

[altersteve]

Just so you know, neither Philomena nor American Hustle are action films, but I'd recommend seeing both in the theater if you can.

[Garden Girl]

Just so you know, neither Philomena nor American Hustle are action films, but I'd recommend seeing both in the theater if you can.

 

Thanks altersteve... I do know they aren't action, but when it does come to certain action films there's nothing like seeing them in the theatre to appreciate the full effect.  And some other films that aren't action also as you point out.  Many times I'm paying attention to the wardrobes and sets, i.e., interiors etc. as much as to the characters/story.

I went to the theatre to see National Treasure (Nicolas Cage), and the last scenes of the total treasure as the flames lit up the area brought tears to my eyes... just the possibility of such a find... 

 

GG

[Garden Girl]

altersteve...

I went to the theatre tonight and saw American Hustle...  I agree it was a terrific story but I wasn't as taken with the film as you were... in fact, in the beginning of the  film I thought about getting up and leaving because I could see there was going to be lots of language... but I kept thinking about how much you liked it so I thought it might get better in that sense... it didn't, but by then I was hooked on the story so I stayed... it really was a good story and I agree about the acting and casting... I just wish the film makers didn't find it necessary to use as much language... the story was strong enough...

 

Tell me Philomena doesn't have that level of language... that's coming soon...

 

GG

[Calm]

Thanks altersteve... I do know they aren't action, but when it does come to certain action films there's nothing like seeing them in the theatre to appreciate the full effect.  And some other films that aren't action also as you point out.  Many times I'm paying attention to the wardrobes and sets, i.e., interiors etc. as much as to the characters/story.

I went to the theatre to see National Treasure (Nicolas Cage), and the last scenes of the total treasure as the flames lit up the area brought tears to my eyes... just the possibility of such a find... 

 

GG

I hate it when they destroy irreplaceable artifacts even if they are totally imaginary.  The very thought that this happens in real life and has been happening for eons just makes me weak.  I want the joy of discovery to last forever, not be destroy just as it was coming true.  

[Garden Girl]

I hate it when they destroy irreplaceable artifacts even if they are totally imaginary.  The very thought that this happens in real life and has been happening for eons just makes me weak.  I want the joy of discovery to last forever, not be destroy just as it was coming true.  

 

In National Treasure, the last scenes the fire was designed to light up the area rather than to destroy the artifacts... that's why it was so overwhelming to see all of these beautiful ancient works of art, sculpture from all over the world etc etc that had been hidden since the founding fathers (and Masons)... If you've never seen National Treasure I highly recommend it... it's the story of  Cage's family and their search for this hidden treasure that was rumored to have been brought here to Boston and hidden underground for safekeeping.  It's a fast-paced comedy-drama with some twists and turns... totally enjoyable... and no language, which shows it can be done!!

 

GG

[altersteve]

altersteve...

I went to the theatre tonight and saw American Hustle...  I agree it was a terrific story but I wasn't as taken with the film as you were... in fact, in the beginning of the  film I thought about getting up and leaving because I could see there was going to be lots of language... but I kept thinking about how much you liked it so I thought it might get better in that sense... it didn't, but by then I was hooked on the story so I stayed... it really was a good story and I agree about the acting and casting... I just wish the film makers didn't find it necessary to use as much language... the story was strong enough...

 

Tell me Philomena doesn't have that level of language... that's coming soon...

 

GG

I suppose I should have included a warning about the language. Sorry about that. And no, Philomena does not have that level of profanity, but there are two F-words (one of them is for comic effect, the other is pretty harsh and unexpected). It stays within the confines of its PG-13 rating.

[Calm]

In National Treasure, the last scenes the fire was designed to light up the area rather than to destroy the artifacts... that's why it was so overwhelming to see all of these beautiful ancient works of art, sculpture from all over the world etc etc that had been hidden since the founding fathers (and Masons)... If you've never seen National Treasure I highly recommend it... it's the story of  Cage's family and their search for this hidden treasure that was rumored to have been brought here to Boston and hidden underground for safekeeping.  It's a fast-paced comedy-drama with some twists and turns... totally enjoyable... and no language, which shows it can be done!!

 

GG

Oh yes, that is right.  I was probably confused with National Treasure 2...IIRC, isn't that the Mayan or Aztec temple complex that gets submerged underwater...perhaps they are able to dig it out later, now that I think of it...still having the thing collapse after all those years so they can have a life and death struggle to get out just bugs me...I have only seen them on TV and have only seen them in pieces, so my memory of them is not the best.

 

I don't generally enjoy watching period dramas save for the costumes and scenery.  I was flipping channels the other day and came across Elizabeth...wow to those sets and costumes.

Edited December 21, 2013 by calmoriah

[Garden Girl]

 

I don't generally enjoy watching period dramas save for the costumes and scenery.  I was flipping channels the other day and came across Elizabeth...wow to those sets and costumes.

 

I loved the movie "Elizabeth".... and the sequel "Elizabeth: The Golden Age."  She was an amazing woman...

When my husband and I vacationed in the British Isles for three weeks, we took 3 days for sightseeing in London (including the Crown Jewels).  Of course I saw the National Gallery, but also the Tower of London with its cells, dungeons etc.  There were exhibits of armor and the thing that struck us was how small the men were.  It appears very few were over 5'8"-ish... the doorways of the castles (and the old inn where we stayed) were quite a bit shorter than today's doorways.

 

I found it interesting that Henry VIII desired a son so badly... and worried about an heir to take over after him.  He never got his son, but a daughter by Ann Boleyn... red-headed Elizabeth, who was raised in the country away from court until his reigning daughter by wife Catherine had died, and then Elizabeth was brought to court when she was quite young (early 20's?) for her role as Queen.   

 

Both movies are fascinating for their historical significance, but the sets/costumes are absolutely wonderful...

 

GG

Edited December 22, 2013 by Garden Girl

[thesometimesaint]

I did my once yearly sojourn to A Christmas Carol

 

[Deborah]

I re-watched one of my favorite inspring old movies "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" with Ingrid Bergman. It's based on the true story of Gladys Aylward, who went to China on her own dime because she felt called there and in the process saved 100 orphans when the Japanese invaded. Of course Bergman looked nothing like the real Gladys but the movie retained the spirit and mission of her life. Truly a beautiful story about "not being qualified" yet through determination and faith fulfilling her life's calling.

[Garden Girl]

I did my once yearly sojourn to A Christmas Carol

 

 

I will too, TS... and also "It's A Wonderful Life." 

Right now I just got home from Church... driving home the day was gray with a fine mist rain.... gray and dreary.  But a perfect day to get into some clean flannel jammies, grab my fleece throw and snuggle down in my big wingback chair to watch a movie.  I'm in the mood for "To Kill A Mockingbird." 

 

GG

[thesometimesaint]

I will too, TS... and also "It's A Wonderful Life." 

Right now I just got home from Church... driving home the day was gray with a fine mist rain.... gray and dreary.  But a perfect day to get into some clean flannel jammies, grab my fleece throw and snuggle down in my big wingback chair to watch a movie.  I'm in the mood for "To Kill A Mockingbird." 

 

GG

 

Always a fan of Gregory Peck.

[Deborah]

I re-watched the three Batman movies yesterday. Some really good themes, even if dark. I loved the character of Bane and Tom Hardy was amazing. He had really bulked up for this part and I didn't know it was him until I saw the cast. That scene where Miranda is telling his story and tears were coming out of his eyes was so moving. Never did I feel such sympathy for a bad guy.

[Garden Girl]

Yesterday I was in the mood for a good movie... so I went to my oldies and watched "JAWS"!! 

The DVD that I have has the Bonus Features where Daryl Zanuck and Tom Brown tell through production notes, pictures, and film about the making of the movie... and all the trials encountered, namely, that the Shark didn't work properly until about half way through shooting/production.  They kept filming the movie scenes around the shark... finally they were able to get it to work.  They told how cold the water was when filming the beach/water scenes.  And being unsure of how the movie would be accepted.  They went to a preview screening and with the audience's first scream they knew they had a hit. 

I remember one day my husband and I were walking on the beach... 1975... and there were some little children playing in the surf.  All of a sudden they started shrieking and running, yelling "Jaws!! Jaws!!"

We laughed and said we'd have to see that movie...  

 

GG

[Tacenda]

Went to "The Life of Walter Mitty". Best show ever! Ben Stiller directed it, besides being the leading man. Shirley Mclaine (sp?) played his mother. My son said the critics didn't give it a very high rating, they've got to be kidding.

[strappinglad]

To me , a critic's movie review is a great litmus test. Whatever they like , I know I won't and whatever they pan, I know I will like. A sad but true result from my perversity/ contradictory nature.

[altersteve]

Went to "The Life of Walter Mitty". Best show ever! Ben Stiller directed it, besides being the leading man. Shirley Mclaine (sp?) played his mother. My son said the critics didn't give it a very high rating, they've got to be kidding.

Critics were pretty divided about it. About half positive and half negative. I thought it was a great film, and very funny, heartwarming, and ambitious, but I do understand why some critics gave it a negative review: it does play it a bit safe.

Edited December 26, 2013 by altersteve

[Tacenda]

Critics were pretty divided about it. About half positive and half negative. I thought it was a great film, and very funny, heartwarming, and ambitious, but I do understand why some critics gave it a negative review: it does play it a bit safe.

I re-read my post, the movie was up there, but realize I may have went over board on it being the best movie ever. Anyone actually have a best movie ever?

[Deborah]

I rewatched "While You Were Sleeping" one of the cleanest very funny movies ever. Love the wacky family.

[Tacenda]

I rewatched "While You Were Sleeping" one of the cleanest very funny movies ever. Love the wacky family.

Sandra Bullock had a similar scene in the movie "The Proposal".  Both wacky families.  Both funny and touching!  

[bluebell]

I saw Man of Steel last night and just thought it was o.k.

 

I liked the extended back story and the way they did his childhood in flashbacks, but the fight scenes were waaaayy to long.  I like a movie where the is more plot than scenes of the bad guy and good guy fighting each other.

 

Also watched Fast and Furious 6 and it wasn't as good as i thought it was going to be either.  Of course i knew it was going to be over the top, but it went to far over the top in my opinion.  And the actors didn't really seem to have as good of chemistry as they did in the last one.

 

It was also sad to realize that Paul Walker isn't alive anymore.

[Duncan]

I tried t see that Smog movie but I blacked out in the concessions line, so...I went home. Other then that I typically don't watch movies beyond what my son wants to watch...endless star wars and the like