Saturday Evening Movie Thread 08-12-2017 [Hosted By: TheJamesMadison]

Endings

What do audience’s look for in an ending?

For most, I think, it can boil down to the idea that the plot will reach resolution. That the series of actions that the characters have taken will reach a logical and, perhaps even, satisfying end.

The resolution of plot can be important (your mileage may vary as I don’t quite consider the plot the most important part of a movie so having no resolution doesn’t bother me that much), but there are other factors at play as well. Bringing the thematic content to a head and conveying an intended message can happen in an ending. Simply seeing the full realization of a change in a character is another possibility.

But, have you ever seen an ending that met all of the criteria important to you? Where you wanted to stand up and applaud the creative team for the perfect resolution to everything that came before it? Have you ever seen such an ending and…the movie kept going?

Oh, and fair warning, this post is full of spoilers for some movies, and the comment thread will be too. My rule is, if a movie is older than a couple of years, then it’s ending is fair game in general discussion. Your mileage may vary, hence the warning.

Wait…I thought this was my stop

When I went to college, one of my first classes was a Literature and Film class with a very delightful Englishman as a professor. I remember him saying, on the first day of class, that he had been given the class assignment last minute as the professor who was supposed to teach had dropped it for some reason. My professor also said that he would teach that class for free.

When I was figuring out that there were more movies in the world than Star Wars, that professor was key in helping me to see newer and more interesting movies.

One of the movies we watched in his class (and books we read) was L.A. Confidential by Curtis Hanson, staring Russell Crowe, Guy Pierce, and Kevin Spacey, and based on the book by Elmore Leonard. The movie is a fantastic distillation of the novel’s twists and turns with crisp editing, strong writing, and great acting.

It also has a fantastic ending, followed by about five more minutes of stuff. Watch below (there’s no one clip of the ending on Youtube, but there are two that go together pretty closely):

How great is that first clip? We watch Guy Pierce shoot the corrupt Police Chief in the back because Pierce knows that if the rest of the force arrives then the Chief will get away with the corruption. He sees the Chief hold up his badge, which the Chief doesn’t deserve to do, and call himself a policeman. How does Pierce react? He does the only thing he knows he can do to end it there.

I maintained for a while that the first part of the second clip was a necessary part of the resolution. The plot of the movie is complicated, and it can be hard to figure out where all of the pieces go on a single viewing. But, I think I’m coming around to my professor’s opinion when I think it should end with Pierce standing over the chief’s body as the police cars drive up. All of the information Pierce gives in the scene is in the movie, and going back to rewatch such a great film to figure out some of the more intricate moments is a worthwhile exercise.
But what in the name of God is the second half? It clashes in every way shape and form with the rest of the movie. It’s too bright visually. It’s too happy emotionally. It’s too neat and pat for the journey we just went through.

Click

I saw Click in theaters with a then-girlfriend. I don’t know why we went. I’ve never been a big Adam Sandler fan and Click looked dumb.

Well, I was mostly right. The humor of the movie is largely driven by obvious fart and sex jokes, but there’s a pathos hidden at the movie’s ending.

At the end, Adam Sandler has used his magical remote control to wish the happiest parts of his life away. He’s become a sad, bitter, old workaholic who has no time for his family, and then we see this:

It’s not great cinema, but there he is, old and dying in the street and in the rain as he learns his final lesson that “family comes first”. It’s a nice ending where we see the implications of putting family last.

And then it turns out to be a dream (or not?!?!? *wink*wink*). I was ready to say that Click was a solidly good movie as Sandler died on that road. That opinion quickly changed once I realized that no, Hollywood was not going to have a good, unhappy ending at the end of an Adam Sandler movie. My hope was dashed when the choices the character had made end up not mattering at all because he gets to redo it all.

How unsatisfying…

I’m gonna wreck it!

One of the better computer animated children’s movies of the last few years was Wreck-It Ralph. It was fairly derivative of elements of Toy Story, but the world created was unique enough with enough humor and a wonderful performance by John C. Riley as the titular character.

We watch Ralph go from a disappointed man who goes to Bad Guys Anonymous meetings to help cope with his feelings of inadequacy and rejection from the other members of his game. He wants acceptance, and the mantra of the group ("I’m bad, and that’s good.") is all about Ralph learning to accept who he is. But he can’t quite do it. He doesn’t like being bad, he wants to be a hero, so he "game jumps" into a Call of Duty type game where he hopes to win a medal and prove that he’s that hero. When he messes that up, he ends up in kart racing game based on candy where he befriends a glitchy little character named Penelope. The only way he actually helps is when he’s "bad", that is, when he does what he’s best at, which is causing destruction.

As different plot threads come together at the end (alien bugs from the Call of Duty game, the rogue character who has taken over the candy kart game, and the hero of Ralph’s original game all come to the kart game and cause havoc), it becomes Ralph’s responsibility (because he caused the alien invasion and he’s becoming the hero he wants to be) by going out and punching a giant mountain of Mentos into a Coke volcano (I swear that this movie actually does make sense). When he does that, we get this scene:

It’s a moment that only really lasts about 20 seconds, but I think it’s perfect. I feel like that ending is redeeming for Ralph, touching, and completely earned.

And then Penelope becomes the deus ex machina and saves him, undermining it almost completely.

I get it, it’s a kid’s movie. We can’t have heroes sacrificing everything to save their friends and paying the ultimate price in return in a kid’s movie. What kind of message would that send? No, we need an ending that says that no matter what, there will be no negative consequences whatsoever to your actions. That’ll help bring up well-adjusted children.

So…?

So what does all of this blather on my part come to? Well, I just want to present the question of what constitutes a good ending. Is it when the credits roll? How much more do we need when the characters have finished their journeys? Do we really need to have every loose end explicitly tied up? Can we have sadness at the end of our family movies?

One more example before I go. I Am Legend is a great 70-minute movie that goes on for 100 minutes and degrades into a pretty good movie. It has one of the finest endings of a big budget motion picture before it then introduces two new characters and forces a happy(ish, I guess) ending.

I remember seeing this movie in theaters. I knew that the movie wasn’t going to end with that scene, but if it had, I would have stood up and cheered.

Movies of Today

Opening in Theaters:

Annabelle: Creation
The Glass Castle
The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature

Next in my Netflix Queue:

Ballad of a Soldier
Movies I Saw This Week:
Ivan’s Childhood (Netflix Rating 4/5 | Quality Rating 3/4) Poster blurb: “Stark cinematography and strong performances mark Tarkovsky’s first, most conventional, movie.” [Netflix DVD]
Divorce Italian Style (Netflix Rating 5/5 | Quality Rating 3.5/4) “Very funny pitch black dark comedy.” [Netflix DVD]
The Boss Baby (Netflix Rating 2/5 | Quality Rating 1.5/4) “Manic and unfocused while trying to shoehorn in a touching ending.” [Redbox]
13 Hours (Netflix Rating 4/5 | Quality Rating 3/4) “An often intense and involving portrayal.” [Amazon Prime]

Contact

Email any suggestions or questions to thejamesmadison.aos at symbol gmail dot com.
I’ve also archived all the old posts here, by request. I’ll add new posts a week after they originally post at the HQ.

Posted by: OregonMuse at 08:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 1

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at August 12, 2017 08:02 PM (/qEW2)

2
Somebody once complained about Columbo spoilers. '70s Columbo spoilers. Don't know if he was really serious, but I remember that.

Posted by: publius, the Persistent Poperin Pear at August 12, 2017 08:05 PM (8O3HH)

3 I always wanted Will Smith to play JFK Jr. in "JFK Jr."

The ending could have had Will corkscrewing the Piper into the alien mothership.

Sigh.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at August 12, 2017 08:05 PM (5VlCp)

4 5

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:05 PM (l4OMA)

5 2
Somebody once complained about Columbo spoilers. '70s Columbo spoilers. Don't know if he was really serious, but I remember that.
Posted by: publius, the Persistent Poperin Pear at August 12, 2017 08:05 PM (8O3HH)

======

*Fingers in ears*

Lalalala! I'm not listening!

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:06 PM (Jj43a)

6
I Am Legend should've been a 3 hour movie. They rushed everything. Terrible.

Posted by: Soothsayer & Ric Flair at August 12, 2017 08:06 PM (grMf8)

7 I am legend had nothing to do with the great story.

And boobz. Great way to end any flick.

Posted by: Anon a mouse... at August 12, 2017 08:09 PM (MINbv)

8 I thought James Elroy wrote LA Confidential.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:10 PM (l4OMA)

9 No love for sunset boulevard's ending?

Posted by: Hate me at August 12, 2017 08:10 PM (M0R0B)

10
I thought James Elroy wrote LA Confidential.
--

Ellroy.

And yes, you are correct.

Posted by: shibumi at August 12, 2017 08:11 PM (aT+Bx)

11 8 I thought James Elroy wrote LA Confidential.
Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:10 PM (l4OMA)

======

Bleh...

Of course you're right.

Sorry Mr Ellroy

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:12 PM (Jj43a)

12 Haven't read the post yet, but I'm usually hoping for a realistic twist ending that I don't see coming.

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 08:12 PM (ZcAbN)

13 "Sorry to bodda you..."

Posted by: fluffy at August 12, 2017 08:12 PM (jw2Xw)

14 Oh.
I thought the 2nd L was silent.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:12 PM (l4OMA)

15 9 No love for sunset boulevard's ending?
Posted by: Hate me at August 12, 2017 08:10 PM (M0R0B)

======

Much love for the ending.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:13 PM (Jj43a)

16 I saw LA Confidential at the theater, but can't recall too much. Kim Basinger, right?

Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 08:13 PM (AAbgH)

17 12 Haven't read the post yet, but I'm usually hoping for a realistic twist ending that I don't see coming.
Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 08:12 PM (ZcAbN)

=======

The butler did it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:13 PM (Jj43a)

18
Once Upon A Time In America had a funny ending...

with James Woods taking a swan dive into a rubbish truck!

Posted by: Soothsayer & Ric Flair at August 12, 2017 08:14 PM (grMf8)

19
Was that the ending ending? I don't remember. Maybe it ended with deniro at the cemetery. Lousy movie.

Posted by: Soothsayer & Ric Flair at August 12, 2017 08:15 PM (grMf8)

20 Some of my most satisfying movie endings

Fandango
Shaw Shank Redemption
Moscow on the Hudson
One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest

Posted by: Lemmiwinks at August 12, 2017 08:16 PM (h1jJh)

21 The resolution of plot can be important (your mileage may vary as I don't quite consider the plot the most important part of a movie so having no resolution doesn't bother me that much), but there are other factors at play as well.

++++

A no resolution or ambiguous resolution can be initially irritating, but if the movie was good enough, it can also make you think about what you just saw. On the other hand, the resolution, if bad enough, can turn the viewer against the whole movie. Example: Before I Fell.

That movie is kind of Mean Girls meets Groundhog's Day. It was ok. Slow in parts, certainly not as good as either of the two I used for comparison. But, that ending is nihilistic garbage and made me regret wasting any time on it.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 08:16 PM (pvjTE)

22 IIRC, there was a different original ending to Fatal Attraction that got seen abroad.

When Michael Douglas confronts pregnant Glenn Close in her kitchen she goes crazy and he picks up a kitchen knife to defend himself, leaving prints. He leaves.

She's hell bent on revenge, picks up the knife with a cloth and stabs herself right through her stomach. He's bitchin' framed.

Instead we get the wife killing Glenn Close, defending her nest, and all is right with the World.

Movie was a hit because it was a metaphor for the fear that AIDS would go mainstream. So I like the alternate ending, but it's less Hollywood.

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 08:17 PM (pV/54)

23 On a couple of occasions I met one of the actual Benghazi heroes. He was apolitical, but I had no problem figuring out where he stood on the book's account of the whole story. Have not seen him since the movie came out. Simple facts? Those heroes were hung out to swing, and some 'people' in the previous administration need to be tried for serious crimes.

Posted by: Eromero at August 12, 2017 08:17 PM (zLDYs)

24 g'early evenin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at August 12, 2017 08:18 PM (KCxzN)

25 2001 was a good movie with nothing but loose ends.

Posted by: freaked at August 12, 2017 08:18 PM (BO/km)

26 Do the Guardians of the Galaxy movies have any thing to do with the comics? Or is it just new stories based on those characters?

Posted by: Grump928(c) at August 12, 2017 08:20 PM (LTHVh)

27 18
Once Upon A Time In America had a funny ending...

with James Woods taking a swan dive into a rubbish truck!

Posted by: Soothsayer Ric Flair at August 12, 2017 08:14 PM (grMf

++++

On theory about that movie is that the whole thing was an opium dream of the DeNiro character.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 08:20 PM (pvjTE)

28 rosebud

it was the beginning & the ending!

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:21 PM (AxFdW)

29 Glad to be in The top 20 or so. I love JamesMadisons movie posts. I learn so much after 65+ years after a film degree ( from KU, the center of middle-America). LA Confidntial was perfect on many levels, and Once Upon a Time in America as Henry Fonda's best work ever!!

Posted by: jayhawkone at August 12, 2017 08:22 PM (ZD+J8)

30

Movies. Cool.

Posted by: otho at August 12, 2017 08:22 PM (qGuLD)

31 Vanilla Sky w Tom Cruise. Was hoping the ending at least redeem that dreadful movie. I was wrong. Terrible end, felt like I'd wasted my time.

Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 08:22 PM (AAbgH)

32 Took too long to type!!

Posted by: jayhawkone at August 12, 2017 08:23 PM (ZD+J8)

33 based on the book by Elmore Leonard.

-
James Ellroy, or maybe John Elway

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:23 PM (Nwg0u)

34 spoiler alert

rosebud was his sled!

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:23 PM (AxFdW)

35 I like I Am Legend but then most Will Smith movies I think are good

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:23 PM (pPKG5)

36 Once Upon a Time in America as Henry Fonda's best work ever!!

Once upon a time in the West ?

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:23 PM (l4OMA)

37 Frankly my Dear, I don't give a Damn.

Posted by: ALH at August 12, 2017 08:24 PM (f73RN)

38 it was the beginning & the ending!

She's my daughter and my sister!

Posted by: Faye Dunaway at August 12, 2017 08:24 PM (gIRsn)

39 Japanese movies have tragic endings.
Korean movies have happy endings.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:24 PM (hMwEB)

40 Best movie endings:

Chinatown: Forget it Jake!

Citizen Kane: with the sled.

Usual Suspects: Keyser Sozie for the win!

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 08:24 PM (pV/54)

41 Lots of movies try to have a clever "I didn't see that coming" ending that just fall flat and are stupid.

For some reason, I'm reminded of that dreadful movie with Mickey Rourke (before he turned into Frankestein) and Deniro who played "Louis Cypher".

Get it? Louis Cypher? Get it? Dreadful.

Posted by: weirdflunky at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (Zglkx)

42 Who won the chariot race?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (IqV8l)

43 But, have you ever seen an ending that met all of the criteria important to you? Where you wanted to stand up and applaud the creative team for the perfect resolution to everything that came before it? Have you ever seen such an ending a...the movie kept going?

Full Metal Jacket. Middling second half was a completely different movie that had almost nothing to do with the awesome first.

Posted by: Jeff Weimer at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (17QyB)

44 31 Vanilla Sky w Tom Cruise. Was hoping the ending at least redeem that dreadful movie. I was wrong. Terrible end, felt like I'd wasted my time.
Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 08:22 PM (AAbgH)

=======

I really like Cameron Crowe, but that movie is a complete stinker. He tried to do something different and failed pretty miserably.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (Jj43a)

45 Sister texed to ask if I wanted to see Dunkirk this weekend but didn't hear from her today, she wants to take my dad along so could be the holdup.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (pPKG5)

46 Once Upon A Time In America

Moron Favorite Jennifer Connelly's first role.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at August 12, 2017 08:26 PM (LTHVh)

47 Miracle on 34th Street with Natalie Wood had a good ending.

Posted by: grammie winger - when I was younger so much younger than today at August 12, 2017 08:26 PM (lwiT4)

48 45 Sister texed to ask if I wanted to see Dunkirk this weekend but didn't hear from her today, she wants to take my dad along so could be the holdup.
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (pPKG5)

=======

It's absolutely fantastic, but complex structurally.

3 stories all told at one each covering different amounts of time (1 week 1 day and 1 hour).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (Jj43a)

49 she wants to take my dad along so could be the holdup.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (pPKG5)
======================

Your dad's a robber?

Posted by: grammie winger - when I was younger so much younger than today at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (lwiT4)

50 RE Once upon a time in the West had a cool ending and we finally got to see what the harmonica was about.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (l4OMA)

51 Vanilla Sky w Tom Cruise. Was hoping the ending at least redeem that dreadful movie. I was wrong. Terrible end, felt like I'd wasted my time.

Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 08:22 PM

It required more ambiguity at the end. It was annoying being spoonfed a bunch of exposition explaining every single thing that had happened, even if you had already figured it out. It needed to finish on is it real, or not?

Posted by: otho at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (qGuLD)

52 I don't want to spoil the ending of the movie "America," but let's just say everyone ends up (1) confused about their race and gender, (2) speaking Chinese, and (3) slaves.

Posted by: The Man Who Shot Liberty In The Face at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (qYCgM)

53 The ridiculous add-on ending to AI ruined a very powerful ending.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at August 12, 2017 08:28 PM (LTHVh)

54 Hey everybody. Most recent adds to the qdpsteve movie library:

- Black Hawk Down (birthday gift)
- The Swimmer

...I am also probably going to order Mulholland Drive soon, based on so many of the Horde's recommendations. :-) Criterion has an edition of it.

Oh: and I didn't go apeshit, but I pushed back at some of the shitheads in the comment section at Jeffrey Wells' Hollywood Elsewhere earlier today. Funny story: One guy was an abusive asshole so I was an abusive asshole back to him, and after going around a few times I just blocked him on Disqus. Well THEN I got into it with another guy... but he was at least trying to be mature in the tone of his conversation, so I was mature back to him. THEN the original troll started crying to the more mature commenter: "Why is qdpsteve nice to you but not me?" Made me laugh.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:28 PM (eMKNe)

55 I prefer a movie to have a plot which, seems to me, is the whole point of the story; a reason why there is a moral to the story.

The only movie I am familiar with on your list is 'I am Legend'. It was enjoyable, after a fashion; scary in places, which I don't really like. There was a puzzle to solve, and at the end, hope for a better future.

Posted by: The Buzzer 4625 KHz at August 12, 2017 08:28 PM (m9X4Y)

56 "Shane, come back!"

Posted by: mark1971 at August 12, 2017 08:29 PM (xPl2J)

57 41 -Angel Heart

I actually like that one. But I like movies about the Devil.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 08:29 PM (H5knJ)

58 Blazing Saddles! Because ... Blazing Saddles!

Sheriff Bart and "Jim" riding off in a limo.

Very Pirandello

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 08:30 PM (pV/54)

59 @26 Or is it just new stories based on those characters?
----------------------

New stories using the reboot characters. And there are some changes with the characters, as well. For instance, afaik, Mantis, who's a character who was primarily used in the '70s, has no relationship at all with the Guardians. Ronan from the first movie is a Kree government representative (albeit one generally antagonistic to the heroes), and not a terrorist. And that isn't Star Lord's dad.

Finally, Yondu's appearence is loosely based off of a character with the same name in the original Guardians of the Galaxy, who were mostly a group from the 25th Century who freed Earth's solar system from an alien race called the Badoon (said race doesn't appear much in the comics set in the modern day, and is apparently currently a bit-player in galactic politics).

Posted by: junior at August 12, 2017 08:30 PM (Q6qiA)

60 I also wanted to tell the Horde about this:

https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4551

This edition of The Good The Bad And The Ugly from Kino Lorber contains *both* the original theatrical cut of GBU, and the extended cut, and both are remastered in 4K. Figured it was worth picking up for $20.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:30 PM (eMKNe)

61 There was John Wayne movies all day on TCM but only watched most of She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, normally I can watch westerns all day but they weren't grabbing me.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:31 PM (pPKG5)

62 Angel Heart totally creeped me out. I would never watch it again. Equally, Skeleton Key.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at August 12, 2017 08:31 PM (LTHVh)

63 Who won the chariot race?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (IqV8l)

It was a photo finish between John Kerry and Sarah Jessica Parker

Posted by: TheQuietMan at August 12, 2017 08:31 PM (auHtY)

64 The Usual Suspects. A perfect movie. Also the remake of The Thing,

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 08:31 PM (11H2y)

65 you done good at jeffrey's nuthouse, qdsteve, but its a lost cause as that circlejerk

Posted by: Robert Jenks at August 12, 2017 08:31 PM (VbLoi)

66 36: you're absolutely correct. Fonda's best = "West", not "America!"

Posted by: jayhawkone at August 12, 2017 08:31 PM (ZD+J8)

67 Heaven's Gate was a bad movie in many ways (but had a beautiful soundtrack). One way was the unnecessary coda on that yacht.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:32 PM (Nwg0u)

68 Interesting fact: The Thing from 1982 was written by Bill Lancaster, Burt's son.

Bill Lancaster also wrote The Bad News Bears.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:32 PM (eMKNe)

69 Excellent endings, not in any particular order...

Godfather, Part II
Casablanca
High Noon
Sleuth (1972)
A Clockwork Orange
Amadeus
Bedazzled
Field of Dreams
Judgement at Nuremberg
Network
Patton
Stalag 17
Some Like it Hot
The Hustler

That'll do for now.

Posted by: Evan3457 at August 12, 2017 08:32 PM (4P7OJ)

70 39 Japanese movies have tragic endings.
Korean movies have happy endings.

Old Boy is a Korean movie.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:33 PM (ynUnH)

71 And Honorable Mention for Se7en,

Who coudn't cheer for Gweneth Platrow's head getting put in a box.

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 08:34 PM (pV/54)

72 Black Hawk Down is a gripper, get sucked into it at any point if I catch it on.
Only comment I saw not long ago from a person who was there was there was RPGs were flying everywhere way more than in the movie.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:34 PM (pPKG5)

73 I really like Cameron Crowe, but that movie is a complete stinker. He tried to do something different and failed pretty miserably.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (Jj43a)

Cameron Crowe movies are treacly.

But I like Singles anyway because I'm from Seattle and it came out when I was living abroad. As soon as I was home for a short time, I went and found all the locations, even cafe and the apartments. The fountain was a prop.

Posted by: Jeff Weimer at August 12, 2017 08:34 PM (17QyB)

74 Sorry to go ot. Anyone have CDR M or Mis Hum's email? I have an ont tip

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at August 12, 2017 08:35 PM (hscyr)

75 New blu-ray editions coming out soon, or already released, of the following movies:

American Beauty
Barry Lyndon (Criterion release)
Barton Fink
Blood Simple (Criterion)
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (40th anniv edition)
Escape From Alcatraz
ET The Extra-Terrestrial
Fatal Attraction
A Fish Named Wanda
Lifeboat
The Long Riders
Misery
Once Upon A Time In The West
Passion Of The Christ
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Rebecca (Hitchcock's classic; Criterion edition)
Shaft
Team America: World Police
There Will Be Blood
Three O'Clock High
Vanilla Sky
Wings (1927, first movie to win Best Picture)
Witness
Zodiac

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:35 PM (eMKNe)

76 But, have you ever seen an ending that met all of the criteria important to you? Where you wanted to stand up and applaud the creative team for the perfect resolution to everything that came before it? Have you ever seen such an ending and...the movie kept going?

++++

It's not a movie, but the HBO series Rome was like that. There was a scene, very close to the end, of Octavius riding through the crowds in his chariot for his Triumph. Atia is at his side, looking off in the distance.

She had been cursed by a rival that she would win but that it would all turn to metal and ashes in her mouth. And, it had.

But, the series didn't end there. It had a few more scenes to tie up loose ends, but it just diminished what should have been a powerful ending.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 08:36 PM (pvjTE)

77 Old Boy is a Korean movie.
Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:33 PM (ynUnH)

Never watched it, so it doesn't count.
Plus, spoilers!

*sticks tongue out*

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:36 PM (hMwEB)

78 Bad ghing about Patton ending as he lives after a close call vehicle accident, not what really happened.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:36 PM (pPKG5)

79 @72 Black Hawk Down is a gripper, get sucked into it at any point if I catch it on.
Only comment I saw not long ago from a person who was there was there was RPGs were flying everywhere way more than in the movie.
-------------------

Audiences probably wouldn't believe it, and you'd have so many missed RPG shots that people would probably think that the director was trying to artificially make things more exciting.

Posted by: junior at August 12, 2017 08:36 PM (Q6qiA)

80 seven samurai, yojimbo. hacksaws ridge. Alien.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 08:36 PM (11H2y)

81 I didn't think Penelope saving Wreck-It-Ralph was a deus ex machina, and I didn't think Ralph's sacrifice was lessened by her saving him.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:37 PM (ynUnH)

82 This edition of The Good The Bad And The Ugly from Kino Lorber contains *both* the original theatrical cut of GBU, and the extended cut

-
The theatrical cut made no sense as to why Angel Eyes is suddenly in the Union army when he's out to get the gold. The deleted scene explains why he is there.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:37 PM (Nwg0u)

83 I liked the ending of Memento.

or was it the beginning?

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 08:37 PM (vChNs)

84 Three O'Clock High

Is that the one where midgets on foot
attack each other with hammers ?

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:38 PM (l4OMA)

85 Cool Hand Luke ending is very fitting

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:38 PM (pPKG5)

86 Rome ran out of money for what would have been another season or two, so the last episodes have some great scenes but "rushed" continuity.
A pity as it's a great production.

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 08:38 PM (pV/54)

87 Old Boy is one of those films that I think is very good and I would not advise anyone to see. So is The Talented Mr. Ripley, which showed me that Matt Damon is an incredible actor. At least, I don't want to see them again even though they're brilliant. Maybe The Babadook fits into that category too.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:39 PM (ynUnH)

88 JT, no, it's a late 1980s high school comedy. Student is told by a notorious bully, he's going to confront him after school.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:39 PM (eMKNe)

89 the most powerful ending in my experience was rubric's "paths of glory". after all the characters' journeys, simply the humanity and gut wrenching.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:39 PM (AxFdW)

90 62 - Skeleton Key is another good one. Creepy, chilling horror is seldom well done. But Skeleton Key was solid.

I prefer supernatural horror to the slasher films that seem to predominate.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 08:39 PM (H5knJ)

91 86 Rome ran out of money for what would have been another season or two, so the last episodes have some great scenes but "rushed" continuity.
A pity as it's a great production.
Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 08:38 PM (pV/54

======

They had a plan for 4 or 5 seasons and got cancelled halfway through production of the second. They rushed everything to end the show where they originally planned.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:39 PM (Jj43a)

92 kubrick not rubric. damn splchk.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (AxFdW)

93 90 I prefer supernatural horror to the slasher films that seem to predominate.

I second that.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (ynUnH)

94 Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:28 PM (eMKNe)

===============

Saw "The Swimmer" in elementary school and didn't understand it but always marveled about the guy (played by Burt Lancaster) swimming through pool after pool in his neighborhood on his way home.

Saw it about five years ago as an adult ... and it brought me to tears.

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (ZcAbN)

95 But I like movies about the Devil.

--

Race with the Devil, Warren Oates and Peter Fonda. Not terribly scary, but a very good 70s thriller.

Posted by: Lady in Black - Death to the Man Bun at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (mQ0Mc)

96 Supernatural horror, hmm.

I still want to get a copy of The Ninth Configuration.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (eMKNe)

97 I saw Babadook & Mr. Ripley. Mr. Ripley was ok.
Babadook was unforgettable and really scared the crap out of me.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (hMwEB)

98 I prefer supernatural horror to the slasher films that seem to predominate.

I second that.
Posted by: Jim S

Me too. The original The Haunting is the best.

Posted by: Blutarski-esque 0.0 at August 12, 2017 08:41 PM (Y6JzV)

99 97 I saw Babadook & Mr. Ripley. Mr. Ripley was ok.
Babadook was unforgettable and really scared the crap out of me.
Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (hMwEB)

=====

Ba-ba-ba-dook-dook-dook

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:41 PM (Jj43a)

100 68- thx for that wonderful factoid, confirming my conviction that everything produced by Burt Lancaster was prime superfine.
BTW, John Milius makes some damn fine film. I joined the Theodore Roosevelt Society because of The Wind and the Lion.
BTW, The Man Who Would be King. Awesome.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 08:41 PM (11H2y)

101 ShainS, yeah. Everything I've read about it says "art movie, but with characters and situations actually rooted in the real world." And I've known people who basically were deluded enough to believe they could just basically backstroke their way through life.

I am also intrigued by how it ends. It actually sounds like a tale with a conservative sensibility at heart.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:42 PM (eMKNe)

102 And the endings of Angel Heart and Skeleton Key fit this thread well in my opinion - perfect for those movies.

But you have to enjoy Lovecraftian Horror, where the good guys seldom prevail, to enjoy those films.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 08:42 PM (H5knJ)

103 There's a particular scene, not the ending, of the Babadook that just breaks me. I've tried to describe it to people and I can't even do it. It was a brilliant film, but I don't think I can watch it again because of that scene.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:43 PM (ynUnH)

104 IMHO Picnic At Hanging Rock has a great ending, even though I also understand why it drives most people crazy.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:43 PM (eMKNe)

105 Race with the Devil, Warren Oates and Peter Fonda.

That's the one with the Winnebago, yes? I actually paid to see that at the theater, not just a sneak into the drive-in.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at August 12, 2017 08:43 PM (LTHVh)

106 Anybody here ever see Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia?

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (eMKNe)

107 Thank you, qdpsteve for the heads up re: 50th anniversary of GBU. Christmas present for SW jr.

Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (Y/UW5)

108 Excellent endings, not in any particular order...

---

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (vChNs)

109 Citizen Kane was garbage.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (0mRoj)

110 I caught The Swimmer on TMC, thought it was a good but sad movie.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (pPKG5)

111 squeakywheel, you are welcome!

It's available right now for pre-order at Amazon, the price I have including shipping is just over $21.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:45 PM (eMKNe)

112 Best movie ending:

Jaws "Smile you Son of a Bitch!"

Posted by: jmel at August 12, 2017 08:45 PM (OeWgo)

113 How about The Devil and Max Devlin? Anyone? Anyone?

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:45 PM (ynUnH)

114 When I went to college, one of my first classes was a Literature and Film class

Color me shocked.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 08:45 PM (iMxBJ)

115 Citizen Kane was garbage.

Don't hold back;tell us how you really feel !

:;

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (l4OMA)

116 Excellent endings, not in any particular order...

---

Mr. Roberts
Rocky
Bad News Bears

hmmm...might be theme there

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (vChNs)

117 What was the one where those two women drove off the cliff at the end? Now's that's how you end a movie.

Posted by: freaked at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (BO/km)

118 Another Lancaster movie I love with a traject ending is The Train

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (pPKG5)

119 106 Anybody here ever see Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia?
Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (eMKNe)

=====

Good stuff. Pretty weird.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (Jj43a)

120 88 JT, no, it's a late 1980s high school comedy. Student is told by a notorious bully, he's going to confront him after school.
Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:39 PM (eMKNe)

It's a fun movie.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (0mRoj)

121 Skip, yup.

And how many 'art films' can you name that had a Joan Rivers cameo? (Not a joke.)

Although I've read (a), she wasn't playing herself and (b), she was young and *extremely* confused about her role; Burt Lancaster and the director Frank Perry, Katy's deceased uncle, gave her completely different advice about how she should play it.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:47 PM (eMKNe)

122 Speaking of the Duke, the ending to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was perfect. After Rance tells the tragic story of how he accidentally stole Tom's valor, he thanks a rai!road porter who replies that nothing is too good for the man who shot Liberty Valance.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:47 PM (Nwg0u)

123 I thought The Swimmer was a Ted Kennedy bio.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 12, 2017 08:47 PM (89T5c)

124 115 Citizen Kane was garbage.

Don't hold back;tell us how you really feel !

:;
Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:46 PM (l4OMA)

Heh. That was the summarized and sanitized version.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:47 PM (0mRoj)

125 Ok, thanks.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (l4OMA)

126 "we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when..."

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (AxFdW)

127 The Devil's Advocate with Al Pachino and Keanu Reeves was pretty good.

Posted by: The Buzzer 4625 KHz at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (m9X4Y)

128 The Return of the King's ending was one of those where they let it run on for too long. I think there are three different spots where you think, "Okay, they're ending the movie here." And then it keeps on going. I understand they wanted to fit stuff in from the book (even though they cut the Raising of the Shire). But it got annoying real fast.

Posted by: junior at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (Q6qiA)

129 My son really liked Babadok and recommended it but knowing how I am at scary movies, said I really shouldn't watch it.

Posted by: abby at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (HBU7W)

130 34 spoiler alert

rosebud was his sled!
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:23 PM (AxFdW)

A twofer. Also a Colombo Spoiler.

Posted by: Gorilla gone fishing at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (2zIj5)

131 gdpsteve and ShainS re: the Swimmer -have you read the short story the Swimmer is based on?

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (11H2y)

132 I Am Legend: didn't this have a completely different ending, one much more true to the spirit of the book? And then it was pulled because test audiences hated it?

I saw the original ending on YouTube at some point, and although I can see why the test audiences hated it, I think it was a better ending.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (iMxBJ)

133 musical jolly chimp: you know what's really creepy?

In the context of the moral universe of Dr. Strangelove, the ending is *happy.*

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (eMKNe)

134 >>> IMHO Picnic At Hanging Rock has a great ending, even though I also understand why it drives most people crazy.

I don't recall the ending, but we may have turned it off before we got there.

Posted by: fluffy at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (jw2Xw)

135 Babadook ....turned it off after the dog...well.

Great ending? How about Miracle? You know how it's going to end, but still....

Speaking of miracles, the last episode of Turn is on tonight. I think we're gonna win this thing. Redoubts 9 and 10 should be on everyone's travel list.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (a9ov1)

136 106 Anybody here ever see Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia?
Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (eMKNe)

=====

Good stuff. Pretty weird.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone

Peckinpaw. It' really like a gritty western, just set in the , what, 1970's? I also liked Peckinpaw's Ride the High Country with Joel McCrea, Randolph Scott AND Warren Oates.

Posted by: Blutarski-esque 0.0 at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (Y6JzV)

137 vivi, I have not, but I would like to do so. I should probably pick up a collection of Cheever's short stories.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (eMKNe)

138 128 The Return of the King's ending was one of those where they let it run on for too long. I think there are three different spots where you think, "Okay, they're ending the movie here." And then it keeps on going. I understand they wanted to fit stuff in from the book (even though they cut the Raising of the Shire). But it got annoying real fast.
Posted by: junior at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (Q6qiA)

======

I see it as the ending to an 11 hour fun. It can take a half hour to wind down.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (Jj43a)

139 112 Best movie ending:

Jaws "Smile you Son of a Bitch!"
Posted by: jmel at August 12, 2017 08:45 PM (OeWgo)

---

Screw You!

Posted by: Matt Hooper coming up for air at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (vChNs)

140 How about M. Night Shyamalan endings? I liked Sixth Sense, LOVED Unbreakable, enjoyed Signs and The Village, and then lost interest.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (ynUnH)

141 The original ending of I Am Legend was amazing and it was absolutely consistent with the intent of the author in the book. Unfortunately, a test audience didn't like it and they reshot the ending and we were left with he mess that hit the movie screen. The original ending is available on DVD as the "alternate ending." Will Smith's acting in that was the best I have seen him do. The scene was emotionally powerful and I highly recommend it to anyone who loved the first 70 minutes of the film and then felt let down.

Posted by: Waingrow at August 12, 2017 08:50 PM (Slvi/)

142 Babadook didn't work for me. I got bored and not very scared. It Follows was a better scare, IMO

Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at August 12, 2017 08:50 PM (oAY8z)

143 For me, the criterion of a good ending is simple: does it tie things up? If so, I'm likely to be happy. If it leaves dangling threads, and therefore seems sloppy and not thoughtful, they lose me.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 08:50 PM (iMxBJ)

144 I am also intrigued by how it ends. It actually sounds like a tale with a conservative sensibility at heart.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:42 PM

============

Indeed.

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 08:50 PM (ZcAbN)

145 Supernatural horror, when done properly, creeps me out more than slasher or monster horror. Something that has an explanation in physical reality can be more readily resisted or killed, whereas demons and spirits cannot.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:50 PM (0mRoj)

146 I go thru phases where I want to watch scary spooky movies at night by myself.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:50 PM (hMwEB)

147 140 How about M. Night Shyamalan endings? I liked Sixth Sense, LOVED Unbreakable, enjoyed Signs and The Village, and then lost interest.
Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (ynUnH)

=======

Well, he crawled up his own ass for about a decade. That didn't help.

Split, though, might be his best movie.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:51 PM (Jj43a)

148 The stuff I watch--I would probably be worried if anyone wanted to watch with me, votermom. =P

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 08:51 PM (CcUfv)

149 Yes, the extra ending of I Am Legend is better and more faithful to the original story. Basically, he realizes that the vampires are the new dominant species, and he's essentially the boogeyman.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:51 PM (ynUnH)

150 I have a dream that one day the mu.nu software will be able to handle an em-dash.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 08:51 PM (CcUfv)

151 The original Invasion of the Body Snatchers and of course Psycho

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (vChNs)

152 Great, chilling ending:

Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (eMKNe)

153 23 On a couple of occasions I met one of the actual Benghazi heroes. He was apolitical, but I had no problem figuring out where he stood on the book's account of the whole story. Have not seen him since the movie came out. Simple facts? Those heroes were hung out to swing, and some 'people' in the previous administration need to be tried for serious crimes.
Posted by: Eromero at August 12, 2017 08:17 PM (zLDYs)

Great movie. And you are absolutely correct. They were willing to let 30 plus people die. It was sickening.

Posted by: moki at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (V+V48)

154 Anybody here ever see Bring Me The Head Of Alfredo Garcia?

Featured Gisela Vega in a Playboy spread titled "Viva Vega".

Hey, I was at an impressionable age.

I did later see the movie.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (gIRsn)

155 confirming my conviction that everything produced by Burt Lancaster was prime superfine.

-
Don't know if he produced it but the ending to Seven Days In May referencing Judas was great.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (Nwg0u)

156 I have to say I've never seen a movie tie up all the threads as well as L.A. Confidential. Plus it's a hell of a film.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (0mRoj)

157 I don't want to spoil the ending of the movie "America," but let's just say everyone ends up (1) confused about their race and gender, (2) speaking Chinese, and (3) slaves.
Posted by: The Man Who Shot Liberty In The Face at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (qYCgM)

If numbers two and/or three happen, one won't be confused about their gender.

Posted by: I'm A Traveling Man at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (bbfO2)

158 That's the one with the Winnebago, yes?

--

You are correct, sir.

Posted by: Lady in Black - Death to the Man Bun at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (mQ0Mc)

159 Jaws and the Shawshank Redemption have probably the two of the most satisfying endings I've ever seen.

Posted by: Kreplach at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (9A6UB)

160 102 And the endings of Angel Heart and Skeleton Key fit this thread well in my opinion - perfect for those movies.
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 08:42 PM (H5knJ)

Didn't see Skeleton Key, but for Angel Heart, I agree wholeheartedly. One of the best endings ever.

An ending that really annoyed me was the one for that backwards movie. Memento, maybe? Anyway, I was enjoying the movie until I found out at the end that the basis for all the events was ridiculously trivial. It was as though the movie told me at the end that I had just wasted the prior 2 hours.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (iMxBJ)

161 Just popped into my head for some reason: memorable but sand ending -- "The Sand Pebbles" (1966) with Steve McQueen.

"I was home. What happened? What the hell happened?"

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (ZcAbN)

162 Great movie. And you are absolutely correct. They were willing to let 30 plus people die. It was sickening.
Posted by: moki at August 12, 2017 08:52 PM (V+V4

13 Hours left me in a cold rage.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (0mRoj)

163 Well, he crawled up his own ass for about a decade

Shoulda made a movie of THAT.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (l4OMA)

164 M Night Shamalamadingdong gets bad reviews often but I like the Sixth Sense. Other movies I have seen of his are not as impressive

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:54 PM (pPKG5)

165 I liked Sixth Sense. Then he got too predictable about being all about the twist at the end.
But I always watch his movies coz he usually sets it near Philly.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:54 PM (hMwEB)

166 - thx for that wonderful factoid, confirming my conviction that everything produced by Burt Lancaster was prime superfine.

Burt Lancaster had the acting ability of a 2x4 and deserved across his commie skull.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at August 12, 2017 08:54 PM (auHtY)

167 my parents saw "dr strangelove" when it came out and said the ending was devastating. the lights went on and nobody moved.

i think it's the contrast of the shock of the bomb against the humor preceding the ending. kind of the opposite of "paths of glory", where that anti-war film shows injustice, murder, hopelessness, and ends with a coda of simplest human tenderness. a powerful contrast.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 08:55 PM (AxFdW)

168 The ending of The Babadook is that you realize the monster is grief. It is grief over her husband's death years before that is haunting her and her son. And her son's heartbreaking line, "I know you don't love me. The Babadook won't let you." And they don't get rid of the monster, because you don't get rid of grief: you learn to live with it.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:55 PM (ynUnH)

169 164 M Night Shamalamadingdong gets bad reviews often but I like the Sixth Sense. Other movies I have seen of his are not as impressive
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:54 PM (pPKG5)

======

The Sixth Sense was nominated for Best Picture. It's the one movie if his almost everyone likes.

Of course, it didn't win Best Picture because Hollywood is filled with racists who hate Indians.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:55 PM (Jj43a)

170 Split, though, might be his best movie.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone

Yes, I saw that at the theater with my kids (they're grown men). Pretty riveting and terrifying, without being really graphic.

Another movie that, for some reason, I always like the ending.
"The Long Goodbye", with Eliot Gould as Philip Marlowe.

And Jim Bouton (Ball Four!) as an actor. Pretty good movie.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 08:55 PM (S6Pax)

171 164 M Night Shamalamadingdong gets bad reviews often but I like the Sixth Sense. Other movies I have seen of his are not as impressive
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:54 PM (pPKG5)

Uh, that's pretty much what the reviews say.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 08:55 PM (iMxBJ)

172 ghost of hallelujah, so It Follows is good?

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:56 PM (hMwEB)

173 168 The ending of The Babadook is that you realize the monster is grief. It is grief over her husband's death years before that is haunting her and her son. And her son's heartbreaking line, "I know you don't love me. The Babadook won't let you." And they don't get rid of the monster, because you don't get rid of grief: you learn to live with it.
Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:55 PM (ynUnH)

=======

It's such a wonderfully assembled picture.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:56 PM (Jj43a)

174 I'm not crazy about The Sixth Sense but for some reason prefer Signs. Swing away,Merrill.

Posted by: dantesed at August 12, 2017 08:56 PM (88xKn)

175 172 ghost of hallelujah, so It Follows is good?
Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 08:56 PM (hMwEB)

=====

Well, I loved it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:57 PM (Jj43a)

176 First saw Hitchcock's "The Birds" when I was about 10. Absolutely pissed off at the end. Now that I'm (ahem) 19 years older, I understand why it ended the way it did because Hitchcock, but I remember being so invested in the story that I couldn't believe they never explained WHY.

Best endings: The Searchers, Stalag 17, The Incredibles

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at August 12, 2017 08:57 PM (YidHP)

177 Toy Story III had a great ending. They really sell the "THEY'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" thing.

And then there's an almost literal Deus Ex Machina (or a Machina Ex Deus, maybe?) but it's been so beautifully set up for THREE movies, you can't help but love it.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 08:57 PM (CcUfv)

178
I caught The Swimmer on TMC, thought it was a good but sad movie.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:44 PM (pPKG5)
.John Cheever's short stories will caste a pall over the sunniest day. Do not read when depressed. If you decide to ignore the good advice, have the suicide hotline on speed dial.

Posted by: browndog at August 12, 2017 08:57 PM (bGMOs)

179 Peckinpaw

-
I didn't like the ending to Cross of Iron, an otherwise great movie. Max Schell and James Coburn shoot at advancing Russian but never resolve their conflict.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:57 PM (Nwg0u)

180 117 - Thelma & Louise

I like that one (despite its quasi-feminist outlook).

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 08:58 PM (H5knJ)

181 174 I'm not crazy about The Sixth Sense but for some reason prefer Signs. Swing away,Merrill.
Posted by: dantesed at August 12, 2017 08:56 PM (88xKn)

======

Signs is well done. I think I may one day do a post on The Village. Its ending is out of order, which I find interesting.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:58 PM (Jj43a)

182 I'm not crazy about The Sixth Sense but for some reason prefer Signs. Swing away,Merrill.
Posted by: dantesed

I watch Signs almost every time I find it on. And it's on a lot.

Posted by: Blutarski-esque 0.0 at August 12, 2017 08:58 PM (Y6JzV)

183 156 I have to say I've never seen a movie tie up all the threads as well as L.A. Confidential. Plus it's a hell of a film.

OK, don't laugh, but I know a movie that has a bunch of loose threads that are all beautifully resolved. You ready?

Holes. Starring Shia LaBeouf in his first movie role.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:59 PM (ynUnH)

184 180 117 - Thelma & Louise

I like that one (despite its quasi-feminist outlook).
Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 08:58 PM (H5knJ)

======

I'm a Ridley Scott fanboy and apologist, and I don't like that movie.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:59 PM (Jj43a)

185 138 I see it as the ending to an 11 hour fun. It can take a half hour to wind down.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:49 PM (Jj43a)

Yeah, but slide show? Really?

I'd definitely have gone to see a fourth movie: The Scouring of the Shire. Besides being essential to the overall arc of the books, it could have been great.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 08:59 PM (iMxBJ)

186 8 I thought James Elroy wrote LA Confidential.

Posted by: JT

No, James Ellroy did.

Don't mind me: I'm just pissed you got in there first.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (0ecq3)

187 .John Cheever's short stories will caste a pall over the sunniest day. Do not read when depressed. If you decide to ignore the good advice, have the suicide hotline on speed dial.
Posted by: browndog

Well, he did play for the other team. Probably fought off a lot of depression all his life. Really great short story writer.

I remember reading "Bullet Park" in high school.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (S6Pax)

188 183 156 I have to say I've never seen a movie tie up all the threads as well as L.A. Confidential. Plus it's a hell of a film.

OK, don't laugh, but I know a movie that has a bunch of loose threads that are all beautifully resolved. You ready?

Holes. Starring Shia LaBeouf in his first movie role.
Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 08:59 PM (ynUnH)

=======

I've always heard that Holes is really good. Never seen it myself, though.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (Jj43a)

189 Spoilerage ahead:

The original Bad News Bears (with Matthau and Tatum O'Neal) has a great ending: the team actually LOSES the Big Game.

Posted by: Trimegistus at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (nxttm)

190 165 I liked Sixth Sense. Then he got too predictable about being all about the twist at the end.
But I always watch his movies coz he usually sets it near Philly.

---

A coworker had twin blonde daughters (Chloe & Syndey) that together shared a part in The Village. Filmed about 7 miles from my house.

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (vChNs)

191 I thought the 2nd L was silent.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 09:01 PM (l4OMA)

192 Spoilerage ahead:

The original Bad News Bears (with Matthau and Tatum O'Neal) has a great ending: the team actually LOSES the Big Game.

Welp, scratch that one for tonight.

Posted by: Blanco Basura at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (IcT7t)

193 Also, No Country for Old men went on for twenty minutes too long.

If it had simply faded to black when Anton killed Carla Jean it would probably have been one of the best films I had seen in 20 years but, like Hillary, it persisted.

Posted by: Kreplach at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (9A6UB)

194 189 The original Bad News Bears (with Matthau and Tatum O'Neal) has a great ending: the team actually LOSES the Big Game.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (nxttm)

That could work.

Posted by: Rocky at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (iMxBJ)

195 I watched Bad News Bears original in its entirety the other weekend, hadn't seen it in a very long time.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (pPKG5)

196 There's a couple of more recent movies I enjoyed - Hero, with (sigh) Sam Elliott,...a story about an actor basically at the end of his career and taking stock of his life.
Tulip Fever, a costume drama written by Sir. Tom Spofford. really clever spin on "young wife of aging rich husband has affair" set in Amsterdam at the height of the Tullp Bubble.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (11H2y)

197 Holes is great. Saw it in the last year for the first time.

Reminds me of the old Disney adventure films I saw as a youngster (70s and 80s).

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (H5knJ)

198 I watched maybe be first half of Doctor Zhivago, but stopped when the doctor got to cheating on his wife with the blonde "slut" (as one of her earlier lawyers called her).

It seems common to Russian stories (I think DrZ's original author was a Russian) to have their women going on a Paolo hunt.

Besides that it was great, up to then. Pretty scary how a country goes full Venezuela so quickly. "This house belongs to the people!" - posted on an old house's ruin.

now, they want that for London. They want those "Britons" who can't find affordable lodging (read: Asians) to go shack up in the expensive houses that are "underutilised".

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (6FqZa)

199 I've always heard that Holes is really good. Never seen it myself, though.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone

Sigourney Weaver is a really bad girl.

Based on a pretty good "juvenile" kids book.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:03 PM (S6Pax)

200 I read the book, it was good.

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 09:03 PM (l4OMA)

201 ~~lawyers~~ lovers.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at August 12, 2017 09:03 PM (6FqZa)

202 I didn't like the ending to Cross of Iron, an otherwise great movie. Max Schell and James Coburn shoot at advancing Russian but never resolve their conflict.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:57 PM

That's how the book ends. They need each other to get out alive, or they're both going to die anyway. It's not the time or place to turn on each other.

Posted by: otho at August 12, 2017 09:03 PM (qGuLD)

203 I've always loved the ending of "Life of Brian". Singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" while up on a cross is funny but also makes you think.
https://youtu.be/jHPOzQzk9Qo

Worse things happen at sea, you know.

Posted by: Prince Ludwig the Deplorable at August 12, 2017 09:03 PM (MhsgV)

204 "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn," isn't really the ending of GWTW. It's the last spoken line but it's followed by Scarlet's narration.

This is significant, I think, because if you think Rhett ends the movie, then you see Scarlet as getting her comeuppance after her years of remarkably narcissistic behavior.

But the narration! It shows she hasn't learned ANYTHING (except maybe that Rhett really IS the man for her), which is kind of awesome in its own way, and indicative of her indomitable (if somewhat batty) spirit.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:03 PM (CcUfv)

205 131 gdpsteve and ShainS re: the Swimmer -have you read the short story the Swimmer is based on?

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (11H2y)

==============

No, wasn't aware of that -- will track it down. Thanks!

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 09:04 PM (ZcAbN)

206 the movie "Holes" was proto SJW, and the producers went on to do "Hoot" which went full SJW. So I didn't bother with "Holes" after that.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at August 12, 2017 09:04 PM (6FqZa)

207 Scarlett O'Hara is a pitbull in a crinoline.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 09:04 PM (hMwEB)

208 194 189 The original Bad News Bears (with Matthau and Tatum O'Neal) has a great ending: the team actually LOSES the Big Game.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (nxttm)

That could work.
Posted by: Rocky at August 12, 2017 09:02 PM (iMxBJ)

----

*cough* COMMENT 116 *cough*

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 09:04 PM (vChNs)

209
13 Hours left me in a cold rage.
Posted by: Insomniac at August 12, 2017 08:53 PM (0mRoj)

Yep. I was surprised that Michael Bay could have the self control to do this film. Not too explodey, and good characters. Granted, he had real people to portray, so that makes it a little easier, but still.

I like Signs and the Village, but the others by M. Night? Not so much. And for you history buffs, if you haven't seen Anthropoid, queue it up. It's about the assassination attempt on Heydrich in Prague, and it's very well done.

Posted by: moki at August 12, 2017 09:05 PM (V+V48)

210 "Endings of Despair" is almost a genre to itself:

Soylent Green

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the Donald Sutherland one, haven't seen the original)

With Folded Hands (OK, that's not a movie, but it should be, it's a great story)

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:05 PM (iMxBJ)

211 193 Also, No Country for Old men went on for twenty minutes too long.

If it had simply faded to black when Anton killed Carla Jean it would probably have been one of the best films I had seen in 20 years but, like Hillary, it persisted.

I just had a thought: what it faded to black before Anton killed Carla Jean? With her telling him "It's not the coin, it's just you and your decision, and you'll be responsible for it." And then, credits. Like John Carpenter's The Thing.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:05 PM (ynUnH)

212 My favorite ending is occuring on the other thread where a confection-named commenter is outing himself as anything but a libertarian or conservative.

Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (AAbgH)

213 I think most people don't get "No Country For Old Men". I imagine the Coens don't care.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (CcUfv)

214 Well, he did play for the other team. Probably fought off a lot of depression all his life. Really great short story writer.

I remember reading "Bullet Park" in high school.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:00 PM (S6Pax)

I agree, he's great short story writer. And I've no doubt that his demons contributed to his writing style.
That said, I can't read his stories anymore, too dangerous to my mental health.

Posted by: browndog at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (bGMOs)

215 "Dr. Zhivago" was a novel written by Boris Pasternak.

The Soviets wouldn't let him out of the country to get his Nobel Prize for literature.
The book had a silent sponsor, the CIA, getting the smuggled manuscript published.

When the US did real psyops against our enemies.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (S6Pax)

216 150 I have a dream that one day the mu.nu software will be able to handle an em-dash.
Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 08:51 PM (CcUfv)

Ha

I hear you singing, "You might call me a dreamer but ......"

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (ZTRlp)

217
I prefer Carol Burnette's Scarlett. In the drape dress with the rod still attached.

Posted by: publius, the Persistent Poperin Pear at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (8O3HH)

218 208 *cough* COMMENT 116 *cough*
Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 09:04 PM (vChNs)

Huh. Adrian, we're out. The commenters here are too smart.

Posted by: Rocky at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (iMxBJ)

219 #twoweeks

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (6FqZa)

220 There is a house on the main line near Philadelphia that they were making a movie at and I have always thought it might have been the Sixth Sense. The large house had scaffolding around 1/2 with tarps over and tractor trailers lined the side street for a month. I was driving past it every day for a yesr.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:07 PM (pPKG5)

221 Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 08:48 PM (11H2y)

=================

Check that. Now that I've searched for it, I HAVE indeed read it on the suggestion of someone else (maybe you!) per suggestion from some other website (maybe the IMdB comment section -- so disappointed they've eliminated that, as I learned so much from good commenters).

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 09:07 PM (ZcAbN)

222 Ive seen the same complaint about LA Confidential at The AV Club, of all places, and let's be honest, it's nitpicky. It's a great movie either way. I like the denouement. But then, I never read the book.

Posted by: Sensitive new age guy at August 12, 2017 09:07 PM (mYDmK)

223 215 "Dr. Zhivago" was a novel written by Boris Pasternak.

The Soviets wouldn't let him out of the country to get his Nobel Prize for literature.
The book had a silent sponsor, the CIA, getting the smuggled manuscript published.

When the US did real psyops against our enemies.
Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:06 PM (S6Pax)

======

Apparently book and movie are quite different.

My dad was assigned the book in school to read. It was apparently very obvious that he was the only one to read the book instead of just watching the movie.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 09:07 PM (Jj43a)

224 The Birds is based on the book by Daphne Du Maurier. I saw The Birds when I was about 8. My parents took me to see it. It was the first movie I saw in a movie theatre (my husband says that explains a lot). The book is set in England and the ending is the same. No explanation about what causes the birds to revolt. They drive off into the sunset.

Posted by: abby at August 12, 2017 09:08 PM (HBU7W)

225 No explanation about what causes the birds to revolt.

The pineal gland!!

Posted by: every weird-tales author of the 1920s at August 12, 2017 09:09 PM (6FqZa)

226 222 Ive seen the same complaint about LA Confidential at The AV Club, of all places, and let's be honest, it's nitpicky. It's a great movie either way. I like the denouement. But then, I never read the book.
Posted by: Sensitive new age guy at August 12, 2017 09:07 PM (mYDmK)

=====

The argument isn't that the extra ending makes it less of a movie, just that it's a bad ending that doesn't for the rest of the movie.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 09:09 PM (Jj43a)

227 Anthropoid was powerful. I love Cillian Murphy.

Another movie he was in recently that had an interesting ending was Free Fire. I think I mentioned it before, but it is one of those movies that is not a comedy but is weirdly funny. The entire movie is a violent shoot out. Entertaining.

Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 09:09 PM (Y/UW5)

228 I love Dr Zhivago, the misery of Communism is fascinating, and its a good movie.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:10 PM (pPKG5)

229 i've said it before in the context of payoff for your film-going investment (brought up here some time ago), that spielberg gives big returns. jaws, close encounters, indiana jones (1 & 3) all pay off big time.

it's one of his real contributions to movies after decades of movies purposefully disappointing audiences with equivocations and failure in the name of naturalism.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 09:10 PM (AxFdW)

230 227 Anthropoid was powerful. I love Cillian Murphy.

Another movie he was in recently that had an interesting ending was Free Fire. I think I mentioned it before, but it is one of those movies that is not a comedy but is weirdly funny. The entire movie is a violent shoot out. Entertaining.
Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 09:09 PM (Y/UW5)

He is really coming into his own now. Dunkirk should net him a nomination of some sort. The first I saw of him was in Batman Begins, as Scarecrow.

Posted by: moki at August 12, 2017 09:11 PM (V+V48)

231 No explanation about what causes the birds to revolt.
Posted by: abby

Clearly it's Climate Change. Models predict 75% increases in organized avian attacks over the next 50 years.

Posted by: Al Gore at August 12, 2017 09:11 PM (MhsgV)

232 Amending my comment 176, I loved the ending of "Ratatouille". The Incredibles was a great movie, but I thought Ratatouille was inspired, despite the presence of the execrable Patton Oswalt. Yes, we're Brad Bird fans around here. At least until he does somet SJW stunt to piss me off.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at August 12, 2017 09:11 PM (YidHP)

233 re: He is really coming into his own now. Dunkirk should net him a nomination of some sort. The first I saw of him was in Batman Begins, as Scarecrow.

Loved him in In Time with Justin Timberlake. Murphy's character as the time keeper was the only one with integrity, even though he was trying to thwart the main character throughout the movie. So good.

Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 09:12 PM (Y/UW5)

234 Dr. Zhivago -- didn't like it as much as Larry of Arabia but damn, that guy could make a 3+ hour film where you got up at the end said, "I could watch MORE of that!"

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (CcUfv)

235 229 i've said it before in the context of payoff for your film-going investment (brought up here some time ago), that spielberg gives big returns. jaws, close encounters, indiana jones (1 & 3) all pay off big time.
Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 09:10 PM (AxFdW)

Good point. How do you end a film after the frickin' Ark of the Covenant has been found? "Top Men" and the warehouse as the last scene was absolutely an epic answer to that hard question.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (iMxBJ)

236 232 Amending my comment 176, I loved the ending of "Ratatouille". The Incredibles was a great movie, but I thought Ratatouille was inspired, despite the presence of the execrable Patton Oswalt. Yes, we're Brad Bird fans around here. At least until he does somet SJW stunt to piss me off.
Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at August 12, 2017 09:11 PM (YidHP)

======

Tomorrowland would probably fit your definition.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (Jj43a)

237
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold was on today. Talk about an upbeat ending. And another spy movie with a rather downer of an ending was On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Not what you'd expect from a Bond film but very well done

Posted by: TheQuietMan at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (auHtY)

238 Holes. Starring Shia LaBeouf in his first movie role.

-
I could be wrong but I had the impression Shia LaBeefaroni wasn't completely crazy then.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (Nwg0u)

239 "It's for me."

The Lives Of Others ended as satisfying as anything I've ever seen.

Posted by: BuddyPC at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (ulnyA)

240 Been off of the electronic box all day. What's up with all this "White Nationalist" stuff I'm seeing now?

Posted by: Malcolm Tent at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (oFlMR)

241 A movie with a real twist at the end, was "Deja Vu", with Denzel Washington.

SPOILER!!!

He's with the ATF, and investigating a terrorist bombing of a car ferry.
The McGuffin is that this secret investigative unit has a device that allows them to look back in time.

Denzel's character falls in love with one of the victims, and ends up going back in time and saving her and preventing the bombing, which had killed hundreds. But the "back in time" Denzel gets killed by the perp in the effort of stopping him.

When they reach the other side (ferry ride), the Denzel who never went back in time (new time line) shows up to investigate the whole thing (aborted explosion and terrorist act), and you could tell that the young woman had fallen in love with the Denzel that went back into the past, but the Denzel in the new timeline has no idea who she is.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:14 PM (S6Pax)

242 I loved the ending of "Ratatouille". The Incredibles was a great movie, but I thought Ratatouille was inspired

Oh yeah! They took one of the most irredeemable characters in film, redeemed, and then gave everyone what they wanted minus the fame and respect. Beautiful.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:14 PM (ynUnH)

243 228 I love Dr Zhivago, the misery of Communism is fascinating, and its a good movie.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:10 PM (pPKG5)

++++

Yep. Gorky Park also did a good job of depicting Communism's dreary corruptness.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 09:14 PM (pvjTE)

244 Oh, and what the f*ck is a white nationalist? Is that our new boogeyman name? I guess alt-right sounded like gay Republican?

Posted by: Malcolm Tent at August 12, 2017 09:14 PM (oFlMR)

245 "The Way We Were" was changed b/c the original audience did not like it.

So the Filmmakers cut out some scenes & the audience the next night loved it.

The original story has James Woods informing to the McCarthy Commission about Streisand. Fallout from that is why Redford & she split, b/c his career is over otherwise; he'd be blacklisted. That makes way more sense to me than what
was actually released - a love story.

The original was about a relationship strained & broken apart my politics & govt., informers, etc. Which to me is a way more interesting movie. Especially in today's climate.

Anyway, it's talked about in the DVD. Unfortunately, they do not show the scenes they edited...which I would love to see...so I'm guessing they are gone.

That movie never made sense to me until I found all this out.

Posted by: Gorilla gone fishing at August 12, 2017 09:15 PM (2zIj5)

246 Clearly it's Climate Change. Models predict 75% increases in organized avian attacks over the next 50 years.

-
Better act now or we'll have ostriches coming through the windows.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 09:15 PM (Nwg0u)

247 LA Confidential:
A better ending would have had the Chief falling down and then grabbing a throwaway and shooting him dead. They would then cut to a graveside service where the Chief is eulogizing two officers killed while fighting against corruption within the department. Which would be true.

Click:
Adam Sandler dies bitter and lonely. Would eclipse Citizen Kane ending.

But I'm a sucker for happy endings.

Posted by: Headless Body of Agnew at August 12, 2017 09:16 PM (e1mEI)

248 I have said and some others have agreed the most beautiful movie ever is Last of the Mohicans and thd ending is awesome, might put Lawrence of Arabia as the 2nd most beautiful movie.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:16 PM (pPKG5)

249 Larry of Arabia

Did Moe and Curly wear burkas ?

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 09:16 PM (l4OMA)

250

Kiss Me Deadly

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 12, 2017 09:16 PM (IqV8l)

251 I tried to explain the ending of Deja Vu to a friend of mind who'd never thought about time travel before (or after -- that's how it works). He couldn't get it. "But he died!

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:16 PM (ynUnH)

252 C'mon, you want epic ending? I submit Animal House. All the loose ends are tied ....and then slashed.....

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:17 PM (89VjS)

253 224 . The story was also dramatized on radio, pre Hitchcock film. Compelling.

Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 09:18 PM (AAbgH)

254 Two movies that end at the beginning: Memento and Twelve Monkeys.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:18 PM (ynUnH)

255 I watch a lot of Russian movies, exploring their misery in the communist era is almost a given.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:18 PM (pPKG5)

256 Sister texed to ask if I wanted to see Dunkirk ...
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 08:25 PM (pPKG5)

=======

It's absolutely fantastic, but complex structurally.

3 stories all told at one each covering different amounts of time (1 week 1 day and 1 hour).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 08:27 PM (Jj43a)

I thought it was nicely filmed and it took me a bit to realize that we were seeing the various story lines intersect, but the film didn't really capture me emotionally. I thought the best story line involved the RAF pilots.

A curious feature of the movie is that it never explicitly tells the audience that "The Enemy" are the Germans.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at August 12, 2017 09:18 PM (5Yee7)

257 The ending of Sunset Blvd. where you realize the film's being narrated by a dead guy.....

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:18 PM (89VjS)

258 Same thing I look for at the beginning and middle of a movie...

tittehs!

Posted by: garrett at August 12, 2017 09:19 PM (qM5lD)

259 Michael Mann is one of those guys like Martin Scorsese: I just don't like him very much. Respect the talent, sometimes (though often not) dig the subject matter, and find myself utterly bored in the film.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:19 PM (CcUfv)

260 I have said and some others have agreed the most beautiful movie ever is Last of the Mohicans and thd ending is awesome, might put Lawrence of Arabia as the 2nd most beautiful movie.
Posted by: Skip

I agree with "The Last of the Mohicans", a beautifully shot movie, with a great story and ending.

I have started to come to loathe "Lawrence of Arabia", as they made TE Lawrence kind of an incipient homosexual.

There are really weird things in that movie, and although I used to like it, I kind of don't anymore.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:19 PM (S6Pax)

261 I don't like 'Old Yeller endings. Even if the story is good.

Posted by: Derptastic at August 12, 2017 09:19 PM (DB16e)

262 ending of Sunset Blvd. where you realize the film's being narrated by a dead guy.....

Europa Report when one of the crew's interview tapes flicker, and you realise that it's been filmed on the ship from Europa's surface... because there isn't any more recent footage...

Posted by: every weird-tales author of the 1920s at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (6FqZa)

263 re: I have said and some others have agreed the most beautiful movie ever is Last of the Mohicans and thd ending is awesome

Agreed. So sad that the first time I saw that movie--when it was released in the theaters--I said I wouldn't see it again. But I did, because Daniel Day Lewis.

Last of the Mohicans theme is the ring tone on my phone.

Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (Y/UW5)

264 Also, I loved "Memento" and "Insomnia" and since then, Nolan's left me kinda...meh.

I'll see "Dunkirk" but I'll probably not be blown away.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (CcUfv)

265 /socque.

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (6FqZa)

266 Elmore Leonard is the second most popular author in the US, lagging behind only JK Rowling. That said, LA Confidential is an awesome flick. But the ending is only semi-satisfactory, as the system still wins in the end. Realistic? Yeah. That's what sucks.

I don't mind an ambiguous ending, such as Blade Runner, just don't be depressing. I've got life for that.

Posted by: GnuBreed at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (7Pc75)

267 A slightly different medium, but the final episode of Breaking Bad. the investment in the years of watching that series was perfectly rewarded. I enjoyed it so much I watched it three times then went to the homes of friends to see it again...and to watch how they reacted to it. Every loose end tied up and then some.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (11H2y)

268 I never have got tired of watching Wreck It Ralph, either with my Daughter over the last few years, or by myself when I happen upon it.

My Little Girl just loves that movie, and though she is now 10, she is the same as me.

We both think it is perfect, and just love being able to enjoy such a sweet movie together.

And glitchy little Venelope Von Schweetz is such an adorable little character.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (ZtlPF)

269 255 I watch a lot of Russian movies, exploring their misery in the communist era is almost a given.
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:18 PM (pPKG5)

=====

Watching them with the understanding that they're supposed to, at least on some level to get funding from the Soviet government, demonstrate the glories of communism is interesting.

Because they're so filled with misery and abject poverty.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 09:20 PM (Jj43a)

270 236. Tomorrowland would probably fit your definition.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 09:13 PM (Jj43a)

-----------------

I heard about that (never saw the movie). Was hoping it was more Clooney's influence than Bird's choices, but I'm always expecting to be disappointed. Years ago, John Nolte (possibly when he had his own blog before joining Breitbart) described the phenomenon as "the kick in the back of your seat." You're watching a film and suddenly an SJW political or social statement is inserted that has nothing to do with the movie subject matter and jolts you out of the film. I have never forgotten that description.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at August 12, 2017 09:21 PM (YidHP)

271 I see The Swimmer mentioned earlier.

Was Ned just getting out of the looney bin when he decided to swim home?

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at August 12, 2017 09:21 PM (5VlCp)

272 152 Great, chilling ending:

Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer.

I saw that movie and felt the weight of an amoral universe bearing down on me for a week. I don't like movies like that, even if they are well done. The ending was chilling indeed, but so was the rest of it.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:21 PM (ynUnH)

273 Anyone see Detroit? Compelling, disturbing but a tad too preachy.

Posted by: The Gimp at August 12, 2017 09:21 PM (jdWK0)

274 Hate to mention this but Vanderbilt professor was convinced the Alt-right would rise up or something and predicted it 15 years ago.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:22 PM (pPKG5)

275 Elmore Leonard is the second most popular author in the US, lagging behind only JK Rowling. That said, LA Confidential is an awesome flick.

Are you trying to trick me into mis-spelling
James Ellllroy again ?

Posted by: JT at August 12, 2017 09:23 PM (l4OMA)

276
And another Carol Burnett character based on Norma Desmond: "Nora" Desmond, with Harvey Korman as Max.

Many of the skits are on Youtube.

Posted by: publius, the Persistent Poperin Pear at August 12, 2017 09:23 PM (8O3HH)

277 259 Michael Mann is one of those guys like Martin Scorsese: I just don't like him very much. Respect the talent, sometimes (though often not) dig the subject matter, and find myself utterly bored in the film.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:19 PM (CcUfv)

++++

Heat; Goodfellas...

How can you be bored? The only thing that would make them more interesting to me is if the characters literally stepped out of the screen and kidnapped me.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 09:23 PM (pvjTE)

278 Hairyback Guy: hmmm, don't know.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:23 PM (eMKNe)

279 If you want a bleak ending, you're rushed for time, and you're into speed metal, see the video for Spit Out the Bone by Metallica.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:23 PM (ynUnH)

280 Jim S., yeah, Henry is a downer.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:23 PM (eMKNe)

281 Rosebud

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:24 PM (kUfFq)

282 The Gimp: I am frankly surprised Detroit ever even got released, especially as a summer flick.

Dreary, depressing, no happy ending.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:24 PM (eMKNe)

283 Re: Dr. Strangelove...

I first saw that movie on the late show on TV while Mom and Dad were away. I was 12. It scared the crap out of me.

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at August 12, 2017 09:25 PM (rJUlF)

284 Every loose end tied up and then some.
Posted by: vivi

Actually, I thought there was a substantial amount of ambiguity at the end.

Walter White is still out there.....somewhere.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:25 PM (S6Pax)

285 271 I think he was swimming and his brain snapped erasing his actual life putting himself back 15 years or so.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:25 PM (pPKG5)

286 Oh, forgot to mention another movie coming out in October on blu-ray:

Problem Child, with John Ritter. Maybe not the smartest movie in the world, but I've heard it's really funny.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:25 PM (eMKNe)

287 286 Problem Child, with John Ritter. Maybe not the smartest movie in the world, but I've heard it's really funny.
Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:25 PM (eMKNe)

Beg to differ.

Not really, haven't seen the movie, just could not resist the John Ritter reference.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (iMxBJ)

288 Skip: hmm, never thought of that.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (eMKNe)

289 Hate to mention this but Vanderbilt professor was convinced the Alt-right would rise up or something and predicted it 15 years ago.
Posted by: Skip
----------

Who is the 'Alt-right'? And, why do I hear no reference to an 'Alt-left'?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (OdK9v)

290 Hate to mention this but Vanderbilt professor was convinced the Alt-right would rise up or something and predicted it 15 years ago.
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:22 PM (pPKG5)

=======

A Vandy Perfesser saw that there was a class of people that would tire of having boots on their necks and one day begin to shove them off? Well, that was prescient.

Posted by: GOULD at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (lCt1V)

291 OMG. The Impostors. A wonderfully funny movie full of slapstick but made in 1998. Every loose end tied up. Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt team up (stan and Ollie, get it?) and hilarity ensures, a happy ending and a wonderful bit at the end over the credits. This is a movie to watch if you feel sad!

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (11H2y)

292 N**** the Valiant and I watched Citizen Kane when he was home on leave. We agree that it's a "Great Movie." It's just not a "good" movie.

Posted by: Charles the Simple at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (w7U7L)

293 Splunge, I admit I'm a bit of a fan of John Ritter.

I'd also like to get Hero At Large, and Americathon. As I recall, both came out the same summer in 1979; one was for the family, the other... not so much.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:28 PM (eMKNe)

294 Ridley Scott's first movie The Duelist had a great ending. Written by Joseph Conrad.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at August 12, 2017 09:28 PM (hyuyC)

295 271 I think he was swimming and his brain snapped erasing his actual life putting himself back 15 years or so.
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:25 PM (pPKG5)

Thanks qdp and Skip. I can't remember. Guess I have to go watch it again.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at August 12, 2017 09:28 PM (5VlCp)

296 Mulholland Drive had about the worst ending ever. If I wanted to supply the ending myself, I'd have shot the fucking thing myself.

*kicks Lynch in the nads*

Posted by: GnuBreed at August 12, 2017 09:28 PM (7Pc75)

297 To understand Detroit, I read Paul Kersey's books on the topic.

Not interested in Blame Whitey books or movies. And if the mainstream won't give it to me, and if the mainstream conservatives won't give it to me, then I'll find that information from people who will.

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at August 12, 2017 09:29 PM (6FqZa)

298 Hate to mention this but Vanderbilt professor was convinced the Alt-right would rise up or something and predicted it 15 years ago.
Posted by: Skip
-------------

Pfft. McCarthy was convinced the Left were creeping into every corner of the government 60 years ago. Oh, wait...

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:29 PM (OdK9v)

299 speaking of movies, funny how They Live so describes current media

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 09:29 PM (hMwEB)

300 Race with the Devil, Warren Oates and Peter Fonda. Not terribly scary, but a very good 70s thriller.
Posted by: Lady in Black - Death to the Man Bun at August 12, 2017 08:40 PM (mQ0Mc)

Got my own copy (along with "Dirty Mary Crazy Larry") SERIOUS guilty pleasure.

Posted by: The Gimp at August 12, 2017 09:29 PM (jdWK0)

301 Another Denzel movie with a good twist ending is Fallen.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 09:30 PM (FUu/Z)

302 Book might shed more light but I would guss not. Would read that.

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:30 PM (pPKG5)

303 Weird ending: Carnival of Souls.

Posted by: 1921 C DRUM at August 12, 2017 09:30 PM (h7sWp)

304 Fallen had a great ending.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 09:31 PM (hMwEB)

305 291 OMG. The Impostors. A wonderfully funny movie full of slapstick but made in 1998. Every loose end tied up. Stanley Tucci and Oliver Platt team up (stan and Ollie, get it?) and hilarity ensures, a happy ending and a wonderful bit at the end over the credits. This is a movie to watch if you feel sad!

----------------

That is a hilarious movie! The ending dance sequence is really cute.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at August 12, 2017 09:31 PM (YidHP)

306 Two movies that end at the beginning: Memento and Twelve Monkeys.

--

Hah, Twelve Monkeys ending at the beginning. Yep. It was a time travel movie, and that was a good way to end it.

Posted by: The Buzzer 4625 KHz at August 12, 2017 09:31 PM (m9X4Y)

307 I am a huge Coen Brothers fan, but except for Raising Arizona and O Brother Where Art Thou, I'll be darned if I can remember most of the endings. Liked those two endings though, very fitting.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:32 PM (iMxBJ)

308 Anon--

I don't have an explanation; it's just the way it is.

I saw "Goodfellas" recently, just to confirm it. And, yeah. Not my cuppa chai.

http://moviegique.com/index.php/2017/05/01/goodfellas-1990/

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:32 PM (CcUfv)

309 Who is the 'Alt-right'? And, why do I hear no reference to an 'Alt-left'?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:27 PM (OdK9v)

=======

This is my question as well.

Who gets to define who this group is, aside from political opposition to the decidedly leftward direction of the Country?

Posted by: GOULD at August 12, 2017 09:32 PM (lCt1V)

310 OK, Fargo. Perfect ending.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:32 PM (iMxBJ)

311 Weird ending: Carnival of Souls.
Posted by: 1921 C DRUM

I like the part where the Souls go on the Tilt-a-Whirl ride, then get sick afterward. ;-)

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:33 PM (eMKNe)

312 Another movie that had a very disturbing ending (Cold war era) was "On the Beach".

In the end, everyone is dead.

A nuclear war has release enough radiation in the atmosphere that it has killed everyone in the Northern Hemisphere. Gregory Peck commands a US attack sub, that ends up in Australia. They think they might be survive, but then determine that the radioactive cloud is going to spread into the Southern Hemisphere.

In the end, a lot of people are thinking of elaborate ways to commit suicide. Peck's submarine crew vote to go home (and die there). The closing scene was a replay of a religious revival scene, with everyone gone. The sign over the street has blown down, and what you can read says "There's still time......"

Cha-cha-cha. It's a message.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:33 PM (S6Pax)

313 In the book LA Confidential, crooked cop Dudley Smith survives and appears again in one of my favorite hard boiled detective novels, White Jazz.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 09:33 PM (Nwg0u)

314 Also thinking about it Ned as he is traveling his lifes unraveling follows his travel

Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:33 PM (pPKG5)

315 Endings?

Woody Allen, "Match Point."

Robert Altman, "The Player."

And of course, "Casablanca."

Posted by: Les Kinetic at August 12, 2017 09:33 PM (DddIh)

316 306 Hah, Twelve Monkeys ending at the beginning. Yep. It was a time travel movie, and that was a good way to end it.
Posted by: The Buzzer 4625 KHz at August 12, 2017 09:31 PM (m9X4Y)

Agreed. It was excellent. A glimpse of normal from before everything got really weird. Having that official in there was a perfect extra touch.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:33 PM (iMxBJ)

317 The ending of the Coen's "Burn After Reading" was freaking hilarious. J.K. Simmons. Nuff said.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:34 PM (ynUnH)

318 The ending of the original Total Recall is interesting. It's a sort of strange fade out or fade to black, but it gave me the idea that I had just witnessed the end of the Total Recall product and Quaid would wake up in the chair where he supposedly popped his memory cap. So in effect, most of the movie was the bought and paid for Total Recall experience.

Re watching it there were some subtle clues that sort of suggest that.

Posted by: Blutarski-esque 0.0 at August 12, 2017 09:36 PM (Y6JzV)

319
The Planet of the Apes (196

Chuck Heston on the beach damning us all to hell.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at August 12, 2017 09:36 PM (auHtY)

320 I think Twelve Monkeys was a disturbing ending. It's a time loop of sadness. That should be the name of a band: Time Loop of Sadness.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:36 PM (ynUnH)

321 yes, Burn After Reading was surreal and wonderful.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:36 PM (11H2y)

322 307 I am a huge Coen Brothers fan, but except for Raising Arizona and O Brother Where Art Thou, I'll be darned if I can remember most of the endings. Liked those two endings though, very fitting.

Posted by: Splunge at August 12, 2017 09:32 PM (iMxBJ)

++++

Blood Simple had a cool ending. M. Emmet Walsh lying under the sink with the water dripping on his head, laughing.

BTW, he is almost always fun to watch. Brings the character to "character actor".

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 09:37 PM (FUu/Z)

323 heh. Speaking of Warren Oates. 'Two Lane Blacktop'. A movie so vapid that they couldn't find a way to end it. Here's the ending (15 seconds or so), F/F to 2:10 to save yourself most of the pain. http://tinyurl.com/ybtvj7ux

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:37 PM (OdK9v)

324 307 -- Oh, man, Splunge, so many great endings...

Blood Simple -- M. Emmet Walsh lying on the floor bleeding to death laughing because Frances McDormand has NO IDEA what's going on.

A Serious Man -- He finally gives in to sin only to see a tornado coming his way.

True Grit -- Grown up girl comes by to see Cogburn...

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:38 PM (CcUfv)

325 "Special Bulletin" probably should have ended... right after the NEST team failed in their mission.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:39 PM (eMKNe)

326 I am a huge Coen Brothers fan, but except for Raising Arizona and O Brother Where Art Thou, I'll be darned if I can remember most of the endings. Liked those two endings though, very fitting.

Posted by: Splunge

The ending of True Grit is like the book and nothing like the John Wayne (pbuh) version. To say more would be to spoil it for you. But it's good.

Posted by: Blutarski-esque 0.0 at August 12, 2017 09:39 PM (Y6JzV)

327 309 . It's ctrl-left. Alt-right is just jargon designed to name and shame anti-commies

Posted by: kallisto at August 12, 2017 09:39 PM (AAbgH)

328 OT, but police in Charlottesville say the driver who drove into the crowd may not have had malicious intent--but was scared as he had been punched in the face at the rally.

James Fields
Oh, but he is a registered Republican.....

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:39 PM (89VjS)

329 I think Twelve Monkeys was a disturbing ending. It's a time loop of sadness.

I liked it. The message, different from the TV series, is that the past can't be changed.

Posted by: Grump928(c) at August 12, 2017 09:39 PM (LTHVh)

330 Book might shed more light but I would guss not. Would read that.
Posted by: Skip at August 12, 2017 09:30 PM (pPKG5)

Great Idea!.....Thanks again.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at August 12, 2017 09:40 PM (5VlCp)

331 Burn After Reading

The end is wonderful; that debrief is our government in action in a nutshell.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 12, 2017 09:40 PM (H5knJ)

332 A few classic perfect endings:

My Favorite Wife (1941) "Merry Christmas!"
The More the Merrier (1944)
Stagecoach
Planet of the Apes (the '60's original)
White Heat

Posted by: Sal at August 12, 2017 09:40 PM (hA4a+)

333 230 227 Anthropoid was powerful. I love Cillian Murphy.

Another movie he was in recently that had an interesting ending was Free Fire. I think I mentioned it before, but it is one of those movies that is not a comedy but is weirdly funny. The entire movie is a violent shoot out. Entertaining.
Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 09:09 PM (Y/UW5)

He is really coming into his own now. Dunkirk should net him a nomination of some sort. The first I saw of him was in Batman Begins, as Scarecrow.

Posted by: moki at August 12, 2017 09:11 PM (V+V4

================

Highly recommend the TV series "Peaky Blinders" where Cillian Murphy is fantastic, along with numerous other actors -- including a brief stint by the talented and memorably Tom Hardy.

Posted by: ShainS at August 12, 2017 09:41 PM (ZcAbN)

334 Meant to say his car was surrounded and he was menaced by the crowd. He'd been punched earlier....
So all the folks who invoked Reginald Denny, you were on to something....

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:41 PM (89VjS)

335 One of the things I liked about 12 Monkeys is how they kept misinterpreting the past.

Posted by: votermom pimping great books! at August 12, 2017 09:41 PM (hMwEB)

336 27 18
Once Upon A Time In America had a funny ending...

with James Woods taking a swan dive into a rubbish truck!

Posted by: Soothsayer Ric Flair at August 12, 2017 08:14 PM (grMf

++++

On theory about that movie is that the whole thing was an opium dream of the DeNiro character.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous

I once read a theory about Apocalypse Now (From John Nolte I think). Its that Martin Sheen's character actually committed suicide at the beginning of the movie (where he is drunk and losing his marbles in his room. remember, he had his gun in his hand). The rest of the movie is him descending into hell like Dante's Inferno. That theory has a few holes but I like it.

Posted by: Puddleglum at August 12, 2017 09:41 PM (aELIg)

337 Who is the 'Alt-right'? And, why do I hear no reference to an 'Alt-left'?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.

Their official name is 'Ctrl-left'.

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at August 12, 2017 09:42 PM (/qEW2)

338 I didn't mind the "the past can't be changed" message in Twelve Monkeys. What struck me as tragic was (SPOILER) the main characters lifelong nightmares being his witnessing a man being shot to death, and that the man in question turns out to be him grown up. It's a tragic life that goes on forever in a loop of sadness.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:42 PM (ynUnH)

339 heh. Speaking of Warren Oates. 'Two Lane Blacktop'. A movie so vapid that they couldn't find a way to end it. Here's the ending (15 seconds or so), F/F to 2:10 to save yourself most of the pain. http://tinyurl.com/ybtvj7ux

Favorite car movie. Tube axle gasser with that M-22 whine.

Posted by: 1921 C DRUM at August 12, 2017 09:43 PM (h7sWp)

340 My parents saw Dr. Strangelove when it came out and they were howling throughout the whole thing. My Dad was a Minuteman missile silo commander at the time and the wrongness of almost all the technical details and the humor had them rolling whereas everyone else who didn't live with nukes in their lives the way my folks did for years was petrified.

They'd also lived through the Cuban Missile Crisis in a way much differently than most citizens. Mom working as a nurse with my older sister at home, waiting to see if the world would end. Dad down in The Hole waiting to see if he would be ordered to "turn the key".

The crisis ended October 28, 1962. I was born precisely 9 months and 1 day later.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 12, 2017 09:43 PM (ZtlPF)

341 As a writer, endings are hard.

They're hard for stories, for books, for scripts, for movies... Heck, walk behind the cars in a parking lot sometime. Endings are hard.

So it's not surprising a lot of them are bad.

There are different kinds of good endings though. Rogue One had a "good fanservice ending," if a fan of the series thinks the rest of the movie was mediocre, the ending makes up a *lot* of ground.

Batman Rises had a lot of flaws, and the ending was *two* cliches, *but* it was so well done that hardly anyone cared.

Twelve Monkeys was just mentioned - totally self-referential joke ending that IME at least half the audience never got. So many people I had to explain that to. Maybe a touch too subtle, or maybe they just didn't hear her say she was in insurance?

Terminator 2 - I cried like a baby, I'm tellin' ya.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at August 12, 2017 09:44 PM (wB8Tg)

342
I do not avoid women, but I do deny them my essence.

Posted by: Gen. Jack D. Ripper at August 12, 2017 09:44 PM (8O3HH)

343 Blood Simple (Coens' first, I believe) is good. Raw, but you can see the talent

Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at August 12, 2017 09:45 PM (oAY8z)

344 There's also a theory that the end of The King Of Comedy is all a fantasy of Rupert's.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:45 PM (eMKNe)

345 OT, but police in Charlottesville say the driver who drove into the crowd may not have had malicious intent--but was scared as he had been punched in the face at the rally.

James Fields
Oh, but he is a registered Republican.....

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:39 PM (89VjS)

I can almost imagine the headlines

Posted by: TheQuietMan at August 12, 2017 09:45 PM (auHtY)

346 Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:32 PM (CcUfv)

Ah, you're one of those who just doesn't like movies about bad guys. You're not alone, but I am not with you.

How about The Last Waltz?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077838/

No bad guys, though some may argue that Neil Young is one.

Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at August 12, 2017 09:46 PM (pvjTE)

347 83
I liked the ending of Memento.

or was it the beginning?

Posted by: Buzzsaw90 at August 12, 2017 08:37 PM (vChNs)

Yes, it was.

Posted by: Leonard at August 12, 2017 09:46 PM (XoldI)

348 Since we got crosswise right up front about Elmore Leonard, and someone said if you want to really understand Detroit, I'll recommend any of his novels set there, but the finest is his "Up in Honey's Room," set in the Motor City during WWII.

Detroit was rich and vibrant in the roaring 20s, but so was everywhere else. In full war-production mode, though, the place was really kicking, and Leonard's novel is a paean to his hometown at its absolute nadir.

Posted by: Les Kinetic at August 12, 2017 09:46 PM (DddIh)

349 I think Barton Fink has a decent ending. How else would you wrap that one up?

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 12, 2017 09:47 PM (Lqy/e)

350 apogee

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 09:47 PM (AxFdW)

351 Anyone see a film called Night on Earth? a series of short films, all set in the back of cabs in cities around the world..Paris, NYC, LA, Oslo, Rome. I think Jim Jarmusch directed it. Amazing range. he Oslo segment is one of the saddest I've ever seen - everyone the theatre was sobbing. Another one, set in Rome, was hilarious (Roberto Benigni, of course). It was so funny I not only laughed till the tears came...I came dangerously close to wetting my pants. I never looked at lambchops the same way.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (11H2y)

352 There's also a theory that the end of The King Of Comedy is all a fantasy of Rupert's.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:45 PM

Indeed. It's possible.

Posted by: otho at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (qGuLD)

353 Question - I have always wondered what that weird bulge is on Val Kilmer's elbow in Heat. Most of the time he's wearing a brace, but in one scene you see his elbow and looks effed up.

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (1+lvt)

354 Another movie that had a very disturbing ending (Cold war era) was "On the Beach".

In the end, everyone is dead.
----------

Yeah. But worst of all, Fred Astair's Ferrari 750 Monza is left to rot away in the garage.

That car has an interesting history. It was purchased by 20th Century Fox to be used in the movie. Price? $7,000, though it had a significant racing history.

It sold at auction in 2005 for $1,540,000. The moral? Hold on to you Ferrari's. Oh, wait, dammit, I don't have a Ferrari.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (OdK9v)

355 If you want an ambiguous ending, watch The Sarah Conner Chronicles; time travel, changing the past changes the future, and John Conner ends up in the future but no one knows who he is.

And I think the terminators were created by aliens or were aliens.

Posted by: The Buzzer 4625 KHz at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (m9X4Y)

356 Notsothoreau: I always found it interesting that the *very last thing you see* in Barton Fink is...

a seagull hitting the water.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (eMKNe)

357
122 Speaking of the Duke, the ending to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was perfect. After Rance tells the tragic story of how he accidentally stole Tom's valor, he thanks a rai!road porter who replies that nothing is too good for the man who shot Liberty Valance.

Posted by: I'm Anonosaurus Wrecks and I approved this message at August 12, 2017 08:47 PM (Nwg0u)

We had this discussion on an earlier movie thread, but Jimmy Stewart's character was a thoroughly dishonorable shit. Because it WASN'T an accidental theft of Tom's valor. He wasn't comfortable with it, but he never fessed up, and he reaped the benefits while Tom was destroyed.

That ending is perfect because Ranse KNOWS he's a shit, and is shamed because he knows that admitting his dishonor is the right thing to do, but he's too weak to force the issue and admit it publicly when the newspapermen decline to publish the truth.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 12, 2017 09:49 PM (iFZVz)

358 Memento was pretty cool.

The color parts had the timeline going backwards, the black and white parts had the timeline going forward, and the two meet at the movie's end.

Posted by: Leonard at August 12, 2017 09:49 PM (XoldI)

359 How bout the "endings" of Dirty Mary Crazy Larry and The Vanishing Point?

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:49 PM (89VjS)

360 Detroit was rich and vibrant in the roaring 20s, but so was everywhere else. In full war-production mode, though, the place was really kicking, and Leonard's novel is a paean to his hometown at its absolute nadir.
Posted by: Les Kinetic at August 12, 2017 09:46 PM (DddIh)

Wait, I thought nadir was the low point?
Apogee?
Zenith?

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at August 12, 2017 09:50 PM (Nk0mq)

361 Remember "Melancholia" from back in 2011. Lars von Trier.

I hated the story and every single character that by the end I was standing and cheering the rogue planet to hasten the fuck up and destroy earth, already!!!!

Posted by: Sharkman at August 12, 2017 09:50 PM (ZtlPF)

362 re: Highly recommend the TV series "Peaky Blinders" where Cillian Murphy is fantastic

Thanks ShainS! I'll check it out.

Posted by: squeakywheel at August 12, 2017 09:50 PM (EjI9g)

363 Sharkman, oh yeah. About a woman who insists on getting married, even though the world is about to end.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:50 PM (eMKNe)

364 How bout the "endings" of Dirty Mary Crazy Larry and The Vanishing Point?
Posted by: JoeF.

The end was really.....the end!

I had a friend in college years ago that thought that was the greatest movie ever made.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 09:51 PM (S6Pax)

365 'Charlottesville' would be an awesome movie, but the ending will be unsatisfying if the thing with the copter isn't solved.

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at August 12, 2017 09:51 PM (/qEW2)

366 Melancholia needed to be played on fast-forward.

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at August 12, 2017 09:51 PM (6FqZa)

367
Yes, nadir is the low point, the opposite of zenith.

Posted by: Gen. Jack D. Ripper at August 12, 2017 09:51 PM (8O3HH)

368 The Crying Game is a trap.

Posted by: Widespread Pepe at August 12, 2017 09:52 PM (XFue2)

369 Ralph Nader had a hand in Detroit's nadir.....

Posted by: JoeF. at August 12, 2017 09:52 PM (89VjS)

370
Favorite car movie. Tube axle gasser with that M-22 whine.
Posted by: 1921 C DRUM
--------

Heh. 'Rock Crusher' tranny. See? I couldn't say that on the ONT without touching off a lot of vulgar remarks. We're more sophisticated here.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:52 PM (OdK9v)

371 >> The Crying Game is a trap.

So it's gay, then.

Posted by: Gen. Jack D. Ripper at August 12, 2017 09:53 PM (8O3HH)

372 Anon -- That was my thinking, too, and it's not (precisely) wrong, in that I can't think of a movie with a genuinely bad guy as the hero that I love. Usually, there's some redemptive quality.

BUT! How the hell does that explain "Hugo"? I should've LOVED "Hugo". My era, adored subject matter (multiple, really, with silent film, automata, WWI) and...

I was boooooooorred.

Also, just saw the original "Cape Fear" and loved it while I thought the remake was just "meh" at best.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:53 PM (CcUfv)

373 Great endings:

Truman Show -- "what else is on?"
Places in the Heart -- communion of the saints
The Third Man -- she just keeps walking
Monsters Inc.: "Kitty!"
Master and Commander: lovely musical tribute to seafaring
Shawshank Redemption
Wizard of Oz
Fail-Safe

Posted by: SloPitch Whiffer at August 12, 2017 09:53 PM (qiqGr)

374 367
Yes, nadir is the low point, the opposite of zenith.
Posted by: Gen. Jack D. Ripper
------

Next up: Prograde/Retrograde

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:53 PM (OdK9v)

375 Parallax!

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at August 12, 2017 09:54 PM (Nk0mq)

376 Remember "Melancholia" from back in 2011. Lars von Trier.

I hated the story and every single character that by the end I was standing and cheering the rogue planet to hasten the fuck up and destroy earth, already!!!!

Posted by: Sharkman

Well, we do tend to be pro-SMOD around here. There are some feats not even Jack Bauer could pull off.

Posted by: Steve and Cold Bear at August 12, 2017 09:54 PM (/qEW2)

377 The ending of The Shining is pretty good.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:54 PM (eMKNe)

378 congress/progress?

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 09:54 PM (AxFdW)

379 The ending of 1993's Stalingrad is a very stark ending to a very dark movie.

The movie tries to have you find sympathy for the average German soldier but I never found too much in my heart. Knowing too much, I guess, about the War in the East.

Posted by: Sharkman at August 12, 2017 09:54 PM (ZtlPF)

380 Nood.

Posted by: Aetius451AD Work Laptop at August 12, 2017 09:55 PM (Nk0mq)

381 Team America: World Police had a sophisticated ending...

"You had me at dicks fuck assholes." "Fuck yeah." "Fuck yeah."

Posted by: davidt at August 12, 2017 09:55 PM (XoldI)

382 Shit, Melancholia was the downiest downer movie ever. They should track down every copy and burn them. Not a single appealing character in the bunch. ew

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:55 PM (11H2y)

383 ... sorry, that should be progress/congress.

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at August 12, 2017 09:55 PM (AxFdW)

384 Pericynthion or periselene.

Posted by: Gen. Jack D. Ripper at August 12, 2017 09:55 PM (8O3HH)

385 By the way, meant to tell everyone: besides "Chappaquiddick"...

There's also a movie coming out called The Death Of Stalin. Yes, it takes place in the Kremlin in 1953 when the shitstain himself actually died.

And, it's supposed to be a comedy.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:56 PM (eMKNe)

386 I kind of liked "Melancholia," though it works best if you understand it as the output of a madman, or perhaps just a total shit.

The first half of the movie is how people see depressives. The second half of the movie is how depressives see reality. If you're depressed, you feel like the world is coming to an end, while everyone is cheerfully trying to live their lives.

But the thing is, the movie says "Yes, depressives, you ARE right, and the world is going to be destroyed and you will be JUSTIFIED!"

That's effed up right there. Pretty 4K slow-mo intro, though.

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:56 PM (CcUfv)

387
353 Question - I have always wondered what that weird bulge is on Val Kilmer's elbow in Heat. Most of the time he's wearing a brace, but in one scene you see his elbow and looks effed up.

Posted by: Quilter's Irish Death at August 12, 2017 09:48 PM (1+lvt)

If I remember correctly, that was an actual injury from just before shooting started. Yeah, it's kind of freaky-looking.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 12, 2017 09:56 PM (iFZVz)

388 And, it's supposed to be a comedy.
Posted by: qdpsteve
--------

The Producers

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 12, 2017 09:57 PM (OdK9v)

389 SloPitch -- Nice list!

Posted by: moviegique at August 12, 2017 09:57 PM (CcUfv)

390 An ending that's always sounded kind of depressing to me is the ending to "Dogville."

Which Lars Von Trier *admits* was an anti-American film.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:57 PM (eMKNe)

391 Mike Hammer: What can I say?

I'm just a prisoner of love!
;-)

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:58 PM (eMKNe)

392 Yes, SloPitch, very nice list.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 09:58 PM (ynUnH)

393 oooh parallax...wild movie, really creepy. DIdn't Robert Redford do a similar movie...he's a librarian and gets caught up in Heavy Doings? It was also a great travelogue to how NYC looked and felt in the 70's.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 09:59 PM (11H2y)

394 Cillian Murphy is also in The Wind That Shakes the Barley, a small budget movie about the 1920s Irish Civil War that won the Big Prize at Cannes,

And yes, Peaky Blinders is great. Murphy is the Godfather of 1920s Birmingham. Tom Hardy steals the show in later seasons as an Hasidic gangster in London.

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 09:59 PM (pV/54)

395 vivi: Three Days Of The Condor?

It's one of those movies screenwriting teachers are always raving about.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 09:59 PM (eMKNe)

396 F*ck Lars Von Trier. Major asshole

Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at August 12, 2017 09:59 PM (oAY8z)

397 oooh parallax...wild movie, really creepy. DIdn't Robert Redford do a similar movie...he's a librarian and gets caught up in Heavy Doings? It was also a great travelogue to how NYC looked and felt in the 70's.
Posted by: vivi

Three Days of the Condor? He's a reader for the CIA, steps out to get coffee or something, and comes back and everyone at the CIA station in NYC has been shot.

Hilarity and Faye Dunaway, the "spy fucker" ensues.

Posted by: Bozo Conservative....lost in America at August 12, 2017 10:01 PM (S6Pax)

398 As soon as progressives started using the phrase "alt-right" descriptively, I knew it was a motte and bailey. A small extreme group and a vast right wing conspiracy simultaneously, and deliberately to tar with a broad brush. By this logic the connotation of white nationalists might be used on anyone to the right of Howard Dean.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 12, 2017 10:01 PM (rnAwa)

399 Lars Von Trier is, I believe, the asshole who was defending Hitler at one of his press junkets.

Then when he saw everyone wanted him to just shut up, he said something like "Okay fine. I AM Hitler!!"

He had to really grovel to be allowed back into the brotherhood of leftist filmmakers.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 10:01 PM (eMKNe)

400 396 F*ck Lars Von Trier. Major asshole
Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at August 12, 2017 09:59 PM (oAY8z)

======

I swore to never watch another if his movies after Antichrist.

He also had said that he likes what Hitler stood for. Literally.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison's Phone at August 12, 2017 10:02 PM (Jj43a)

401 Thx dgpsteve, that's the one. and hey, Ghost, you took the um, keys right off of my keyboard(?). F**< that Trier guy

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 10:03 PM (11H2y)

402 TJM, yup, that's it.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 10:03 PM (eMKNe)

403 I was just earler watching a show about Marfa, where Giant was filmed. Giant had a good ending, although now it might seem too PC.

Posted by: stace--domestic security threat at August 12, 2017 10:03 PM (B7Uun)

404 stace, as I understand it, there's a lot more to Marfa now than there was in 1955. Don't know though.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 10:04 PM (eMKNe)

405
I have a perverse liking for the ending of the Eli Roth-produced "Aftershock". Otherwise, it's standard slasher-type horror movie crap.

Annoying hipster douchebags party in Valparaiso, Chile. Massive earthquake hits the city and thousands die. Tsunami sirens wailing and the hipsters try to make it to high ground.

Local prison walls fall down and the inmates escape. And since the whole city is in chaos, they go on a rampage of theft, rape and murder. Including nearly all the hipsters. *happy face*

The last girl barely survives, and comes out of a cave onto the beach and collapses. Gets up just in time to see the tsunami roaring in......

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at August 12, 2017 10:04 PM (iFZVz)

406 ITC, sounds like she picked a bad week to stop sniffing glue. ;-)

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 10:05 PM (eMKNe)

407 okay, looks like we're all agreed that if there were an Olympics for Assholism, Trier medals in several categories. but then Michael Moore hasn't been heard from yet.

Posted by: vivi at August 12, 2017 10:07 PM (11H2y)

408 Holy crap, no one's mentioned Gattaca yet! That ending is amazing! The first time I saw it I couldn't believe that the main character wasn't stopped somehow. And the music is just incredible.

Posted by: Jim S. at August 12, 2017 10:08 PM (ynUnH)

409 vivi, LOL!

Michael Moore's Broadway show actually got a *bad* review, from the freakin' New York Times!!

Even *they* thought it was a bunch of self-serving bullshit and masturbatory leftist word salad. OMG. It must be mindbendingly bad.

Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 10:08 PM (eMKNe)

410 Another great movie ending is The Searchers. Ethan brings Debbie home, and then gets shut out because he's a living anachronism.

It's on TMC right now.

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, the big battle in the most recent episode is an homage to John Ford's Westerns. It's set in a place that looks suspiciously like Monument Valley and the Dothraki fight like Apaches,

Posted by: Ignoramus at August 12, 2017 10:09 PM (pV/54)

411 A very large bright blue planet on a collision course with Earth is literally worse than Hitler.

Don't tell SMOD I said that.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at August 12, 2017 10:10 PM (rnAwa)

412 Nood ONT

Posted by: PaleRider at August 12, 2017 10:12 PM (8qFZP)

413 404 stace, as I understand it, there's a lot more to Marfa now than there was in 1955. Don't know though.
Posted by: qdpsteve at August 12, 2017 10:04 PM (eMKNe)
Hey Steve, yeah, part of our ranch is on the edge of town there, though most of it is farther east. It's a small arts center because of Donald Judd and it's not unusual to hear NYC accents there.
When Giant was being filmed on another ranch nearby, my parents visited filming on the set where the house facade was. Elizabeth Taylor had to stand on a box to be in the same frame with Rock Hudson.

Posted by: stace--domestic security t at August 12, 2017 10:19 PM (B7Uun)

414 410 Another great movie ending is The Searchers. Ethan brings Debbie home, and then gets shut out because he's a living anachronism.
.....
Yep and one thing that bothers me is that the story, based on real events, takes place in my area of Texas, but it's filmed in fucking Monument Valley, UT. Oh well, still a great movie.

Giant was filmed in TX during our drought of record, when it didn't rain for years. It was a terrible time, and I was born at the end of the drought. Good omen, eh?

Posted by: stace--domestic security t at August 12, 2017 10:24 PM (B7Uun)

415 Very disappointed I missed this because its one of my pet peeves, where you have a great movie ruined by a bad ending.

For example, there are dozens of cop movies that are great, interesting stories with smart mysteries unfolded, intriguing characters, and... then the last 20 minutes are them killing all the suspects, destroying all the evidence, and eliminating every chance of a case.

Or the film that begs for a tragic ending, but has to tack on an upbeat one, just to make sure people leave the theater happy.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at August 12, 2017 10:31 PM (39g3+)

416 If you're a Game of Thrones fan, the big battle in the most recent episode is an homage to John Ford's Westerns. It's set in a place that looks suspiciously like Monument Valley and the Dothraki fight like Apaches

Nearly every single scene in Game of Thrones is, er, borrowed from other sources and historical events.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at August 12, 2017 10:32 PM (39g3+)

417 One of my fav 80's films "To Live and Die in LA" has an alternate ending that was even dumber than LA Confidential's. The studio suits were worried that killing off William Petersen would hurt the box office. The studio filmed an alternate ending complete with credit roll:

https://youtu.be/cD3mErQjNX0

Friedkin cut it.

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at August 12, 2017 10:42 PM (TdCQk)

418 398 Yeah--alt.right is embraced by some but also used by the commies as a way to try and smear Bannon and lump Trump voters in with that pos David Duke.

Similarly, you never used to hear "ultra-left", only "ultra-right".

It works in reverse, too. They invented "socialist" to hide the communism.

Posted by: The Gipper Lives at August 12, 2017 10:43 PM (Ndje9)

419 That scene in the Searchers where the family knows they're doomed. Shudder.
That was life for many of the families in this area for decades. Those folks were far tougher than most nowadays.

Posted by: stace--domestic security threat at August 12, 2017 10:49 PM (HaNEn)

420 Shamalamadingdong was always our family's name for M. Night. That being said, I've gone to every one of.his films. They are always unique, if not original.

Posted by: jayhawkone at August 12, 2017 11:15 PM (ZD+J8)

421 I'm way too late for the thread - but I thought the ending of Body Heat with a young Kathleen Turner was great.

Pro tip: First time you get to see her nude in the movie notice what she is doing with her hand - which is why she is laughing; kind of sums up the whole movie for you.

Posted by: An Observation at August 12, 2017 11:31 PM (+2ZEU)

422 Best movie ending line, better than Casablanca or GWTW is in The Professionals.

Ralph Bellamy to Lee Marvin: "You bastard!"

Reply from Lee Marvin: "Yes sir. In my case, an accident of birth. But you sir, you are a self made man".

Posted by: MichiCanuck at August 13, 2017 12:16 AM (y9C7q)

423 419 Stace that now famous doorway shot of Ethan in the final scene has another meaning.

Western star Harry Carey, Wayne's mentor and close friend, died in 1947. Director John Ford cast Carey's wife (Olive Carey) as Mrs. Jorgensen (the mother) and Carey's son (Harry Carey Jr.) as one of the sons (Brad) as a tribute to Carey.

In the closing scene with John Wayne framed in the doorway, Wayne holds his right elbow with his left hand in a pose that Carey fans would recognize as one that he often used. Wayne later stated he did it as a tribute to Carey. Off-camera, Olive watched.

Day-um.

Posted by: Shanks for the memory at August 13, 2017 12:30 AM (TdCQk)

424 I've never been able to enjoy Kathleen Turner. She once bragged that any man who did not want her was gay; it was haughty in a very unattractive way. The extreme loss of her looks as she aged . . . it's hard to not see it as justice.

Posted by: Curmudgeonly Ex-Clerk at August 13, 2017 12:41 AM (H5knJ)

425 Ending of Cinema Paradiso had me crying tears of joy.
(Spoiler) A successful movie director has returned to his childhood home to attend the funeral of the projectionist of the local movie theater. (He was befriended by the projectionist as a small child and developed a love for movies as his assistant in the projection booth...he left town for a better life and future in his teens). Unknown to the boy and us, the audience, the projectionist had, over the years, saved many small pieces of film that had been cut out of movies at the insistance of the local priest as being too racy...mostly actors kissing. Just before dying he spliced all of those clips together in single reel of film....which became a posthumus gift to the now-grown director. The final scene is the director watching this reel of film, seeing dozens and dozens of kisses, embraces, etc..remembering the years of his childhood spent with the projectionist.

Posted by: john at August 13, 2017 01:23 AM (um06a)

426 Cinema Paradiso won Oscar for best foreign film on 1988(?).
Music by Ennio Morricone.

Posted by: john at August 13, 2017 01:35 AM (um06a)

427 " ... I met one of the actual Benghazi heroes. He was apolitical, but I had no problem figuring out where he stood on the book's account of the whole story. ...Those heroes were hung out to swing, and some 'people' in the previous administration need to be tried for serious crimes. "

Those at Benghazi were who really "died in darkness" and the MFM helped cover it up.

Posted by: FOAF at August 13, 2017 01:46 AM (p0JMG)

428 Ending of City Lights with Charlie Chaplin is wonderful.

+1 for the ending of Lives of Others

I also loved the ending of "Flight". "Its as if I had reached my lifetime limit of lies".

Posted by: 2ndAmendmentTexan at August 13, 2017 03:13 AM (l8afS)

429 The Sixth Sense completely got me. I had to watch it again immediately and it was so obvious I couldn't believe I had missed it the first time. Nowadays I can't imagine the ending not being spoiled before the movie hit the netflix phase, but that was a huge surprise ending that made perfect sense.

The Thing has also been mentioned, that's a great ending.

Posted by: Gem at August 13, 2017 03:34 AM (uaHyk)

430 "there will be no negative consequences whatsoever to your actions"

Christian mystics claim you suffer and are redeemed by (God, Jesus, Spirit). That you have no one to change but self. And when you change self everyone and everything in your life changes. Deuteronomy 32:39 "I kill, I make alive. I wound, I heal."

ie Job is correct. Sh*t Happens.

Posted by: Mudd at August 13, 2017 07:02 AM (WAzyc)

431 When I read the novel "Presumed Innocent" by Scott Turow, the ending really surprised me. So, of course, I didn't care about the movie because I already knew the twist.

Posted by: Mike at August 13, 2017 07:08 AM (oGI1N)

432 How about "Once Upon a Time in America"? Was it all a pipe dream?

Great James Woods and De Niro, Tuesday Weld, Joe Pesci, Elizabeth McGovern, young Jennifer Connelly and Richard Bright who later became Al Neri.

When I was first introduced to this film by a friend, I watched it to death. My wife would see me watching it and say, "Are you watching that again?" 'Course she says the same thing about "The Godfather".

Posted by: Henry Lee at August 13, 2017 07:33 AM (c/+wS)

433 Pet peeve. The movie The Natural. They changed the ending of Malamud's novel (he struck out) to a Hollywood happy ending (he hits a homer) utterly changing the entire meaning of the story.

Posted by: Hulegu at August 13, 2017 07:34 AM (03ucD)

434 Psychologically we put too much emphasis on endings. Look at how we view an actor's career like Eddie Murphy. He made a few great movies, was a staple in the Shrek franchise and had a killer stand up routine for years. Now people consider him a bad joke. There are dozens of actors like this who are in films that are part of our culture who are often viewed as pathetic because they latter part of their career they either did B movies or couldn't find work. I've always looked at these actors based on their best work, because those great movies they were in are part of my life and our culture. But it's a testimony to how hard it is to be part of great projects or great products. How many of us were part of great teams that brought great products to market, where our ideas were crucially important to the overall success, and then never get those opportunities again? A bad ending can screw up a movie, but I think these examples of movies given happy endings are minor inconveniences based on Hollywood's lack of faith in American (now global) audiences. "In Her Majesty's Secret Service" is playing on cable now and I watched most of it in large part because I had hiked up the Schilthorn where some of the movie was shot. In that case, the happy ending was wrecked in such an abrupt manner that it was jarring. The movie was a mess in a lot of way, but the ending felt unlike any other Bond Flick.

Posted by: IanDeal at August 13, 2017 08:27 AM (qcIL3)

435 You might not call it a "great" ending, but Hope and Glory has to have the happiest ending I've ever seen. Shows up for the first day of school, and it's been hit by a stray bomb. "Thank you, Adolph" says one of the other kids.

Master and Commander has a terrific ending; as does Rules of the Game.

I've never gotten into Fatal Attraction; I'm older, and Play Misty for Me was just better. It also points to a degradation in our culture. When Douglas hit Close, audiences cheered. When Eastwood hit Walter - who had it coming just as much - there was shocked silence. Heroes just didn't hit women.

Note on politics: it's called "alt-right" as short for "alternative." There is no "alt" left because there is really only one left; they've been much more monochrome at least since the 1930s, when Marxism became the only option. Those who tried to sustain a alternative left are mostly read by conservatives (George Orwell, Sidney Hook).

Back to movies: My wife likes M Knight Simoleons OK, but he NEVER surprises her. She figured out the trick in the 6th Sense from the commercial. Same thing for the Village. She's magic. (I did figure out Fight Club, and she didn't. My only win. Unless you count Band of Brothers, where I said to her "I don't want to spoil it for you, but we win.")

Finally, one trouble with going on with Rome is that they run into I, Claudius. And despite better production values, Rome is going to lose. I like Polly Walker, but neither she, nor any of the other women, can match Livia and Antonia, either as the characters were written or as they were played. (One of my problems with Game of Thrones is how feeble the women are compared to Livia, who'd fit right in. The best is Diana Rigg, but I cannot look at her without regret; Emma Peel was my pubescent passion back in the day.)

And that's all I've got to say about that.

Posted by: George LeS at August 13, 2017 08:29 AM (+TcCF)

436 Tagged on happy endings are annoying and apparently compulsory in H'wood. Remember, the first movie version of Moby Dick had Ahab killing his whale and returning home to his happy wife and kids.

Blade Runner didn't need that happy driving up the coast (missing only daba-daba music) ending.

OTOH, Clockwork Orange left out the last sort-of-making-peace ending of the book.

Fight Club also left out the last chapter. Probably assuming that theater audiences would already have had all the confusion they could stand.

We won't discuss LoTR and how that turned out.

Posted by: Ronzoni at August 13, 2017 02:23 PM (yIVBh)

Processing 0.05, elapsed 0.0593 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0192 seconds, 445 records returned.
Page size 227 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.