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Saturday Evening Movie Thread 11-21-2020 [TheJamesMadison]

Robert Zemeckis and the Nightmare Faces

zemeckis1.jpg

Robert Zemeckis started his feature film career as a protege to Steven Spielberg, having forced his way into Spielberg's office and showing him a copy of a short film he had made which impressed Spielberg enough that Spielberg started pushing for Zemeckis at Universal Studios. His career started sluggishly with a pair of well-received films from critics that gained no real wide audience until he was hired to make Romancing the Stone which became a sleeper hit and saved his career. Following that up with Back to the Future, Zemeckis became the next wunderkind that Hollywood had hoped from him and he ended up feeling like he could do no wrong for almost twenty years.

Then Zemeckis made a movie where he had to shut down production for a full year so that Tom Hanks could lose weight, changing his physical appearance completely, Cast Away. It'll be hard to convince me that that experience and the fact that his next movie started his love affair with performance capture in The Polar Express aren't related. Suddenly he could cast Tom Hanks in five separate roles, including as the main character, a twelve-year-old boy, and it wasn't a problem. There was no waiting for Tom Hanks to de-age, or for makeup, or for even costumes. He could have Hanks in any role, no matter what the character looked like, and all he needed was Hanks in a warehouse in a silly looking suit. Computers would fill in the rest of the gaps.

It's easy to see how appealing that is to a director, a controlling personality that doesn't want to wait for silly little things like Nature or reality.

So, Zemeckis made his performance capture trilogy, and they're rather interesting time-capsules into a changing cinematic landscape as well as of a talented director going down a rabbit hole that everyone seems to agree he shouldn't have gone down at all. The three movies were The Polar Express, Beowulf, and A Christmas Carol.

The Uncanny Valley

zemeckis2.jpg

So, pretty much the first, and often the only thing, people talk about when these three movies comes up is their placement in the Uncanny Valley. The Uncanny Valley is a concept that describes the increase or decrease of an audience's comfort with the look of non-human characters as they get closer to and further away from resembling reality. The graph is above, obviously. There's a point where, if the characters are too close to real but still not close enough, that audiences begin a rapid rejection of acceptance. Here are pictures of the main characters in all three films:

zemeckis3.png

Now, it's easy to see that Hero Boy (I hate that they never gave him a name and I have to call him Hero Boy) in The Polar Express is off. Even still, without motion, he seems plasticky with textures on his face that are simply too smooth, and yet the effort is obviously towards photo-realistic effects. The lack of fine detail in the face seems to be the main problem, making it feel like we're watching a robot instead of a human child. In motion, it becomes worse. The eyes feel dead, like a doll's eyes. There is an effort to move them around naturally, but it's far from enough. Most of the time the eyes just stare ahead, and it feels off.

That technology got better in Beowulf. I believe I'm in the minority on this one, but the characters in this second motion-capture film don't sit in the Uncanny Valley for me. They've emerged on the other side. They're still not quite real with a certain rubbery feel to them, but the eyes feel much better. Here the biggest problem is the mouths, a problem that it shares with The Polar Express. The mouths don't move quite right. The sounds of the letter O, for instance, produce mouths that are just too roundly perfect. So, they're not quite human, but, for me, they're human enough.

In A Christmas Carol, Zemeckis finally pulled away slightly from the effort to be photo-realistic and real-life. The character designs have moved from an effort at looking like real people to more exaggerated forms. That's best exemplified by Scrooge himself. His nose is so long and his chin along with it, that he feels more cartoonish than any of the characters in the previous two films. That is combined with an effort for more detailed textures (that includes the teenage version of Scrooge having pimples) for a better place on the graph above. This is a combination of more realistic technology supporting a less realistic look, and it actually works really well. This probably should have been how Zemeckis approached character design from the beginning.

Spectacle

zemeckis4.jpg

So, Zemeckis could make movies with any actor playing any role and, according to what he told the screenwriter who rewrote Neil Gaiman's script to Beowulf, anything he chose to film would cost no more than one million dollars per minute to film. Whether sitting in a chair or fighting a dragon flying through the air on its back, it was going to cost about one million dollars per minute. So, what did Zemeckis do with this incredible freedom? He made roller coaster rides.

This is most evident in The Polar Express. For most of the running time, the nice little story about a boy re-engaging with his innocence gets shoved aside for what amounts to loud nonsense. The worst part, to me, is when the train meets an iced over section of the track. The engine guides the rest of the train over the ice, swerving back and forth, as the ice breaks behind it into the water below, until the train and every single one of the wheels lands hard and precisely on the tracks on the other side of the ice. The spectacle of the sight is well done, but it serves nothing in the story and would feel more at home in a 3D ride at Universal Studios.

The most natural fit for the spectacle of this kind of filmmaking is in Beowulf. Adapted (heavily) from the Old English poem about a Geat warrior who kills a series of monsters in modern day Denmark and Sweden, it feels like the kind of story that fits spectacle really easily. The fight multiple fights with Grendel, Beowulf's stories of his past heroism, and the final fight with the dragon are gussied up greatly from the original poem and given a modern Hollywood sheen, but it actually fits. Beowulf has to fight Grendel, so while the fight between the two may be outrageous, it's actually part of the story. Beowulf has to fight the dragon, so while the fight between the two may be outrageous, it's actually part of the story.

A Christmas Story is where the fit between the smaller storytelling elements and the larger bombastic sequences is most uneasy. In The Polar Express the bombastic elements vastly outweighed the smaller narrative. In Beowulf it was a natural fit. In A Christmas Carol the bombastic elements don't fit, but they're a smaller part of the story. There's the Ghost of Christmas Past, for instance, where the entire sequence is told extravagantly but the focus never wavers off of Scrooge and his past until the whole thing is over and Scrooge casts away the spirit. Suddenly, Scrooge is riding the spirit's extinguisher cap over the rooftops of London, gets launched over the clouds to silhouette the moon, and comes crashing all the way back down to appear in his bed. The worst offender, though, is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, where Zemeckis turns the stationary spirit with a finger that gets Scrooge to finally admit the full error of his ways through revelation into an absurd chase sequence that sees Scrooge shrinking, crawling through pipes, and hanging on his bed curtain rings in miniature.

The Draw
zemeckis5.jpg

So what was it about these stories that appealed to Zemeckis. The technique of the process is obvious enough, it provided him with greater control, but what about the stories themselves. This is going to delve directly into mind reading on my part, but let's have at it.

I've read the handful of interviews that Zemeckis gave about The Polar Express and he almost exclusively talks about the technology and the visual design. He loved the look of the original book, thought it could never be made properly until ImageMovers showed him how they could replicate the look of the book digitally. He also talks about how the shoot was the easiest he ever had since he could do anything he wanted and it was just about showing up in a warehouse with his actors or telling his animators to add a tree in a particular spot without argument. So, he seems to have really liked the source material and found it a great excuse to explore this new technology that let him do whatever he wanted. I think that is evident based on what actually went on screen.

Beowulf feels like a direct reaction to the critical opinion of The Polar Express. I cannot find any interviews with Zemeckis about this movie beyond a very short little video where he says about three sentences he talks about the movie's themes and never mentions the technology of making the film and a short Q&A he did after a screening at USC on the Blu-ray disc. In that Q&A he talks about his draw to the script, how he held onto the rights for a decade, and how he felt that performance capture was the right medium for the script while making The Polar Express. I also found this interview with his producer, Steve Starkey, where Starkey talks extensively of the ease of using the production techniques of motion capture from set design to actor schedules, but all of that was true of The Polar Express. Zemeckis obviously loved the freedom of the technique, but what was it about Beowulf specifically? One thing's for sure: The script for Beowulf is more adult than the one for The Polar Express. Beowulf feels like a conscious effort to counter arguments that the technique was limited and "animated" and for children. He objected to the idea that The Polar Express could be nominated for Best Animated Picture at the Oscars because he didn't see it as animated but digitally rendered (an important distinction to him). Beowulf was Zemeckis telling the world that his new digital capture technique wasn't limited to children's movies, but that it had a wider potential use.

A Christmas Carol, reading interviews with Zemeckis about it (there are extensive interviews available for this one, the best I found was this), appealed to Zemeckis most from a story perspective. He loves Dickens and he loves the written A Christmas Carol in particular. Seeing it as a good mesh of material and technique, he jumped at the opportunity to make it. The way Zemeckis talks about this movie, it feels like The Polar Express and Beowulf were opening acts to A Christmas Carol for him, like this was the movie he considered the performance capture medium to be built for. And, to be honest, outside of the rather wild extraneous stuff, I agree with him. The use of the technology to transform Jim Carrey into Scrooge as well as the three spirits makes for some rather great visuals. The technology that captures and renders the performances digitally are advanced enough to show interesting subtleties not possible in the earlier films.

Another quite side note: Zemeckis is one of those directors that enjoys doing commentaries on the DVD releases of his films. From his first film through Cast Away, he did commentaries on each of them except Romancing the Stone. However, he just stopped at The Polar Express and hasn't done one for a new release since.
And then...

zemeckis6.jpg

And then Robert Zemeckis tried to get a new version of The Beatle's The Yellow Submarine off the ground using the same technology, it fell apart, and he's been doing live action films again ever since. There was Flight, The Walk, Welcome to Marwen, and The Witches. His next movie will be a live-action version of Pinocchio for Disney.

Zemeckis saw the future of event filmmaking that gave filmmakers the freedom to do whatever they wanted, and...no one came along with him. The three movies weren't bombs by any measure, but they were never nearly successful enough to inspire the kind of new wave he was expecting.

I don't really lament the lack of blockbuster success for the films in question. I enjoy them all to a certain degree, and he's gone on to make better movies since. However, I still feel like the technique shows a lot of promise, but there's a lot of danger to it. It's just too easy for filmmakers to do whatever they want, falling to indulgences that they otherwise couldn't explore, as Zemeckis showed rather clearly himself.

Movies of Today

Opening in Theaters:

Freaky

Movies I Saw This Fortnight:

Romancing the Stone (Rating 3/4) Full Review "Romancing the Stone is far from a challenging work, but it's both of its time and works as a fun little adventure movie outside of it. It's a good thing that audiences appreciated it in enough numbers, because if they hadn't the rest of Zemeckis' career might have never happened." [Library]

Back to the Future (Rating 4/4) Full Review "It's energetic, fun, and expertly crafted. This is Zemeckis and Gale have a ball and inviting the audience along for the fun." [Personal Collection]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Rating 4/4) Full Review From the technical performances to the narrative, this film is a joy to watch. Zemeckis took on a difficult job and made it seem almost effortless." [Personal Collection]

Back to the Future: Part II (Rating 2.5/4) Full Review "It's a near miss for me overall, though. The first act just feels way too disassociated from the rest of the film, feeling more like a precursor to Part III rather than the final two-thirds of Part II, for me to ignore. There's definitely fun to be had, for sure, but I just hoped for more." [Personal Collection]

Forrest Gump (Rating 3/4) Full Review "It's an appealing journey that's easy to sit through and often quite funny, but it also seems to ride heavily on nostalgia that I don't share, limiting its impact on me and potentially anyone else who doesn't share in the same outlook on the 60s." [Personal Collection]

Contact (Rating 4/4) Full Review "This is a great film, and it may be the best Zemeckis ever made." [Personal Collection]

Flight (Rating 4/4) Full Review "This is a wonderful character study of a broken man forced to face the reality of his own faults through an act of heroism and its aftermath. This is the work of a skilled technical director using the medium to craft an emotional product of a truly human situation." [Library]

Welcome to Marwen (Rating 1.5/4) Full Review "This is Robert Zemeckis hitting the bottom of the hole in his pursuit of excuses to use motion capture in filmmaking. I doubt it will be his last foray (he is signed on for a Disney live-action remake of Pinocchio that will surely use the technology), but I have little doubt that it will remain his least successful for the rest of his career." [Library]

Contact

Email any suggestions or questions to thejamesmadison.aos at symbol gmail dot com.
Follow me on Twitter.
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: Open Blogger at 08:00 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Movie sign!

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:03 PM (Ojki1)

2 See what we have here first

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:04 PM (9sWOw)

3 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein on Svengoolie.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (oVJmc)

4 2 See what we have here first
Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:04 PM (9sWOw)

=========

Nothing worthwhile.

Just skip to the comments.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (LvTSG)

5 Hi errybody

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (OX9vb)

6 Hey TJM,

Did you see where they pushed Dune back until October, 2021? Bummer.

Posted by: I am President-Elect Shadout Mapes, the...President-Elect! at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (PiwSw)

7
What's this about remaking SCROOGED?

(Yes, it's gonna be a "black" version)

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (aAFjn)

8 ...he is signed on for a Disney live-action remake of Pinocchio that will surely use the technology...

I saw there is already talk of it going Disney+, which I imagine will effect the budget for the film.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (Ojki1)

9 Read the content. Didn't know all of those movies were connected. Huh. Neat.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (wCgji)

10 6 Hey TJM,

Did you see where they pushed Dune back until October, 2021? Bummer.
Posted by: I am President-Elect Shadout Mapes, the...President-Elect! at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (PiwSw)

========

Yeah, that happened a few weeks ago.

Gotta get that real movie theater money, they assume.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (LvTSG)

11 Sometimes I wish I watched movies, just so I can contribute something here.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (TdMsT)

12 extra butter on my popcorn please

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (iTXRQ)

13
The plan is to "remake" everything.
I believe it's all part of the Great Reset/Agenda 21.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (aAFjn)

14 11 Sometimes I wish I watched movies, just so I can contribute something here.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (TdMsT)

========

I feel unduly pressured by this.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:07 PM (LvTSG)

15 Polar Express isn't bad but even first time watched the whole movie though the animations were creepy.

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:09 PM (9sWOw)

16 (Yes, it's gonna be a "black" version)


-

The most offensive part of that is it will be a "black" version by incorporating stereotypes so that everyone can easily identify it as the "black" version.

Is there a Cosby Show these days, twenty odd years past the age of horrible racism when it was on TV and hugely popular?

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at November 21, 2020 08:10 PM (wCgji)

17 Zemeckis experience with Crispin Glover might also explain some of his desire for a cast he can swap at will as well.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:10 PM (Ojki1)

18 agree on Flight and Contact

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (iTXRQ)

19 Poster child for uncanny valley: Mark Zuckerberg.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (9hauA)

20 17 Zemeckis experience with Crispin Glover might also explain some of his desire for a cast he can swap at will as well.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:10 PM (Ojki1)

========

Heh.

He did bring Glover back into the fold with Beowulf where Glover played Grendel.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (LvTSG)

21 Speaking of Beowulf AOSHQ is that mead hall, a pinprick of light in the howling wilderness

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (lgiXo)

22 Did hear some movie coming out soon was a duel theater and private release ( straight to DVD I guess)

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (9sWOw)

23
I feel unduly pressured by this.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:07 PM (LvTSG)


Oh, dahlin, don't be pressured. I just can't sit still long enough. And any violence whatever disturbs me for weeks.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (TdMsT)

24 7
What's this about remaking SCROOGED?

(Yes, it's gonna be a "black" version)
Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (aAFjn)

As long as the lead gives a damn, as in rewatch it is crystal clear Murray would like to be anywhere but on set.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (Ojki1)

25 I've never liked Back to the Future.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (H5knJ)

26 Screw Hollywood.

Posted by: jbspry at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (ATe9j)

27 Willpwed, since i type slowly.

609 525 Um, OregonMuse, how should I reach you?
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 07:50 PM (TdMsT)

Laydl,

You and OM have mail.
Posted by: BifBewalski AOS Moron at November 21, 2020 08:07 PM (VcFUs)

Posted by: BifBewalski AOS Moron at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (VcFUs)

28 Sometimes I wish I watched movies, just so I can contribute something here.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (TdMsT)

Lol, me too. I will observe the 100 comment rule before posting my willowed dream comment here.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (9hauA)

29 22 Did hear some movie coming out soon was a duel theater and private release ( straight to DVD I guess)
Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (9sWOw)

========

Wonder Woman 1984 is going to theaters and HBO Max same day around Christmas.

Studios have been doing this for a few years with some smaller releases that no one's heard of, but this is the first time for a big budget release.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (LvTSG)

30 Just got home from the theater. We went and saw Let Him Go. There's not too many actors I will pay money to see but Kevin Costner is one of them. And Diane Lane still looks great. Good movie.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:13 PM (nxdel)

31 Yeah, that happened a few weeks ago.

Gotta get that real movie theater money, they assume.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (LvTSG)

After the Zoom meeting on Thursday with the hysterical Karens I am unfortunate enough to work with that may be a mountain for studios to get to.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:13 PM (Ojki1)

32 Did hear some movie coming out soon was a duel theater and private release ( straight to DVD I guess)

Wonder Woman is going to streaming and theaters the same day.

Which means theaters are screwed.

Probably a contractual requirement, but they know theaters are dead.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:13 PM (oVJmc)

33 I've been binge watching YouTube videos about Hammer horror movies. They sound more interesting than I thought.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at November 21, 2020 08:13 PM (lgiXo)

34 I tried to watch Beowulf recently

Didn't like the story changes

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:14 PM (nUhF0)

35 34 I tried to watch Beowulf recently

Didn't like the story changes
Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:14 PM (nUhF0)

=========

I think of it as an adaptation of a thesis paper about Beowulf rather than an adaptation of the poem itself.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:14 PM (LvTSG)

36 I liked Romancing The Stone, and Jewel Of The Nile too.

Posted by: Eromero at November 21, 2020 08:15 PM (XhWtx)

37 Heh.

He did bring Glover back into the fold with Beowulf where Glover played Grendel.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (LvTSG)

Interesting as there was an article recently about the 2 still battling over BttF II.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:15 PM (Ojki1)

38 And Diane Lane still looks great. Good movie.
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:13 PM (nxdel)

I always liked Diane Lane.

Her eyes seem to wander all over me when you see her in a flick.

Which is a good thing.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 21, 2020 08:15 PM (R/m4+)

39 So Netflix has this WWII show that started, it seems to have been shot normally then they added this half assed animation over it for some reason. I love WWII stories but I refuse to watch it because of this strange format. Do you know what this is called?

Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at November 21, 2020 08:16 PM (E4Ltn)

40 watched a silly fun old movie yesterday on prime:
Sundown (1989)
David Carradine is a reformed vampire that set up fake blood drinking community in the west (desert)
A very young skinny Bruce Campbell is van Helsing

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:16 PM (nUhF0)

41 Danny Glover as Beowulf would be fantastic.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Biden loves young people at November 21, 2020 08:16 PM (wCgji)

42 Watched #alive this week. Decent dystopian zombie movie filmed in Korea. Dubbed in english.

Cut the cable officialy this week. Saved $150, and doubled my internet speed.

Currently enjoying the Grit channel OTA, and the military history channel on Pluto.

Posted by: BifBewalski AOS Moron at November 21, 2020 08:17 PM (VcFUs)

43 I recently watched a YT video with a guy reciting Beowulf in a recreation of a mead hall. I found it fascinating.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at November 21, 2020 08:17 PM (lgiXo)

44 For me, an ardent lover of Christmas movies, "Polar Express" is creepy and depressing. Reminds me of the video versions of "Thomas and the Tank Engine." But thank you, Josh Groban.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:17 PM (HgGBT)

45 37 Heh.

He did bring Glover back into the fold with Beowulf where Glover played Grendel.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (LvTSG)

Interesting as there was an article recently about the 2 still battling over BttF II.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:15 PM (Ojki1)

=========

I think that got resolved at some point in the nineties.

There are conflicting stories around why Zemeckis and Gale didn't bring Glover back as Marty's dad, but they mostly revolve around Glover asking for too much money.

Zemeckis used another actor with prosthetics to make him look like Glover, filmed him upsidedown and in the background, and used a lot of footage from the first film. SAG was so pissed by the move that all actors have it in their contracts that directors can't do that sort of thing anymore.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:17 PM (LvTSG)

46 22 Did hear some movie coming out soon was a duel theater and private release ( straight to DVD I guess)
Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (9sWOw)

I believe Universal just negotiated with a theater chain on how long theater exclusivity would be. Think it was like 21-27 days.

This would be a good time not to invest in theater company stock.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:17 PM (Ojki1)

47 27 Willpwed, since i type slowly.

609 525 Um, OregonMuse, how should I reach you?
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 07:50 PM (TdMsT)

Laydl,

You and OM have mail.
Posted by: BifBewalski AOS Moron at November 21, 2020 08:07 PM (VcFUs)
Posted by: BifBewalski AOS Moron at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (VcFUs)


Thank you, Bif. I just responded.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:17 PM (TdMsT)

48 Do you know what this is called?
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby

Liberator

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:18 PM (nUhF0)

49 ladyl, you have mail. . .

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:18 PM (Rvt88)

50 I can watch the Pixar shorts "Lifted" a thousand times.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:18 PM (xCkpU)

51 >>I think of it as an adaptation of a thesis paper about Beowulf rather than an adaptation of the poem itself.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:14 PM (LvTSG)

OK, buy don't call it "Beowulf."

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:19 PM (HgGBT)

52 Thank you TJM. I had no idea the same director did all of these. I really appreciate your insight into movies.

As a family that LOVES LOVES LOVES the Polar Express book the movie an abomination. *spits*

My husband would read The Polar Express every Christmas Eve to our DDs (dear daughters) and choke up every time at the end.

Posted by: Iris at November 21, 2020 08:19 PM (6lKe4)

53 29 22 Did hear some movie coming out soon was a duel theater and private release ( straight to DVD I guess)
Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:11 PM (9sWOw)

========

Wonder Woman 1984 is going to theaters and HBO Max same day around Christmas.

Studios have been doing this for a few years with some smaller releases that no one's heard of, but this is the first time for a big budget release.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (LvTSG)

And Pixar's Soul is going directly to Disney+ on Christmas I believe without any additional purchase like Mulan was.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:19 PM (Ojki1)

54 33 - I'm a big Hammer horror fan. The movies vary in quality quite a bit. I think most would consider even the better ones to be B movies. But I love them.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 08:19 PM (H5knJ)

55 And now for the stupidest scene ever in a movie, the apes awake to a huge black cellphone in their midst. From 2001 A Space Oddiity.

Posted by: Eromero at November 21, 2020 08:20 PM (XhWtx)

56 The animation in The Polar Express freaked me out. Stopped after five minutes.

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (U2p+3)

57 42 Watched #alive this week. Decent dystopian zombie movie filmed in Korea. Dubbed in english.

==

that was good
I think it's based on a French movie that's on prime
drawing a blank on the title

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (nUhF0)

58 49 ladyl, you have mail. . .
Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:18 PM (Rvt8


Thank you, dahlin!

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (TdMsT)

59 Contact was interesting but slow - very slow. I get the story was a bit philosophical but...slow. Did I forget to say slow?....Slow!

Posted by: Boswell at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (w2LAm)

60 By the way, love "Romancing the Stone," in spite of how utterly preposterous it is. (Or perhaps because of it.)

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (HgGBT)

61 59 Contact was interesting but slow - very slow. I get the story was a bit philosophical but...slow. Did I forget to say slow?....Slow!
Posted by: Boswell at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (w2LAm)

=========

*slides over copy of original Solaris*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:22 PM (LvTSG)

62 Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 21, 2020 08:15 PM (R/m4+)

She has this wonderful unassuming charm about her. I've always been a fan.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:22 PM (nxdel)

63 I've never liked Back to the Future.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (H5knJ)

I liked it when it first came out. But at this point I've seen it so many times I kind of hate it.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:22 PM (XPH0Y)

64 Romancing the Stone is great, holds up how many years later. DeVito was hilarious. "He made you think it was your idea, ya sap!"

Castaway is so sad (but so good) I don't care to watch it again.

I'm not a fan of the Christmas Carol or Polar Express movies. Uncanny valley, indeed.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 08:22 PM (WrOrt)

65 *slides over copy of original Solaris*


Ha.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:23 PM (oVJmc)

66 60 By the way, love "Romancing the Stone," in spite of how utterly preposterous it is. (Or perhaps because of it.)
Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (HgGBT)

I still say 'there are schedules to be maintained', and 'look at those choppers'

Posted by: BifBewalski AOS Moron at November 21, 2020 08:23 PM (VcFUs)

67 >>> 60 By the way, love "Romancing the Stone," in spite of how utterly preposterous it is. (Or perhaps because of it.)
Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (HgGBT)

"Joan Wilder? The Joan Wilder?!"

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at November 21, 2020 08:23 PM (02b6n)

68 Romancing the Stone, "look at those choppers"

Posted by: Braenyard at November 21, 2020 08:24 PM (CZm2G)

69 I'm a big Hammer horror fan. The movies vary in quality quite a bit. I think most would consider even the better ones to be B movies. But I love them.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 08:19 PM (H5knJ)

Christopher Lee was great as Dracula.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at November 21, 2020 08:24 PM (lgiXo)

70 I liked Flight, but I don't think I'd watch it again.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 08:24 PM (t+qrx)

71 Thank you very much TJM. One strange thing about Romancing the Stone. The story held up, after many years, but I think I remember the music seeming really dated? Strange as most movies I do not notice such problems.

Watched Run Lola Run last night. One of my favorite movies because I am really interested in the role of chance and luck in life. There are all kinds of subtle parts of the story that come out...in the telling. And there are some things that I have not figured out yet.

Every six months or so, I am going to recommend the foreign film headhunters. It is an adaptation of a Jo Nesbo film. And is one of my favorites.

Watched a Korean tv series called Love in the Moonlight. Spunky poor girl, who disguises herself as a young man, meets the prince. Hard to get, for me, except as a DVD. Enjoyed it a lot.

Posted by: MikeM at November 21, 2020 08:25 PM (OqsNP)

72 Christopher Lee was great as Dracula.
Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at November 21, 2020 08:24 PM (lgiXo)


His Dracula with no talking was the best Dracula of all movies.

Posted by: DR.WTF at November 21, 2020 08:25 PM (AiZBA)

73 Helena Handbasket, hugs. When the pigs come back I'll call you.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:25 PM (xCkpU)

74 I thought the line was "look at those snappers"?

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (WrOrt)

75 Maybe not movies but the new TV shows are all COVID crap. STFU! I just want to watch a new show. Not a bunch of aholes running around telling me how bad covid is. Then I read read the new Michael Connely Lincoln Lawyer book, a few slams on Trump supporters and covid crap. I thought I was reading fiction. No escape from the libtards. Sigh.....

Posted by: JerseyDevilRider at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (XEfn8)

76 I don't think I love any of the Zmeckis films I've seen. Possibly the closest would be Back To the Future.

I like his films, I don't love them.

Christmas Carol is worth seeing, I think. For those who haven't.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (hku12)

77 I used to really love Contact. I don't know if it holds up for me anymore - plus there's that anti-science right wing terror bomber thing that low key grates on me.

Although the shot of her running up the stairs but you're in the mirror is an instant classic, and a bit of creative genius that outpaces what one might see in entire seasons of a TV show.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (c6ma9)

78 I remember watching Romancing the Stone with my parents, and my dad laughing his ass off at the "campfire" scene. Dad was a pothead.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (XPH0Y)

79 "My little mule"

Posted by: Braenyard at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (CZm2G)

80 *slides over copy of original Solaris*

-
I'm in the middle of watching that. So far, so good bur definitely slow.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (+y/Ru)

81 74 I thought the line was "look at those snappers"?
Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 08:26 PM (WrOrt)

Hook, line, and sinker.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (HgGBT)

82 {{{Ben}}}

That could be a while - bet you gave them good scare!

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (02b6n)

83 Agree, saw RtS back in summer and hadn't seen it since it came out, was still good.

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (9sWOw)

84 80 *slides over copy of original Solaris*

-
I'm in the middle of watching that. So far, so good bur definitely slow.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (+y/Ru)

==========

*slides over copy of Andrei Rublev*

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (LvTSG)

85 finished season one of Patriot
need a break before season 2

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (nUhF0)

86 So I watched Money Plane. RLM kind of hit the main points, missed a few. It is so cheap that combined with its lead, Adam Copeland (WWE's Edge) I was shocked it isn't a WWE project. It isn't the cheapest film you will ever see, and some of what RLM bashed is kind of implicit in the film (why did Grammar's character hire Edge's team to steal his own painting-so when they failed he could pressure them that they had to hit the Money Plane, which without the pressure they would likely have never done).

It sadly feels like what it is- a film with 2 name "stars" Kelsey Grammar is and Edge kind of is, that was made to hopefully get streamed somewhere (I saw it on Hulu) and then get dumped into a $7 Bluray $5 DVD bin and forgotten along side Bruce Willis' latest film.

It is strictly "B" level and maybe "B-" at that, and isn't even entertainingly bad for that sake. It just kind of "is".

Semi related- if you are a hopeful actor who signed to do a direct to video project, how bad does your heart sink when they tell you they signed Bruce Willis to be your costar knowing he'll drag ass through it and likely be a nightmare to work with (from reports).

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:28 PM (Ojki1)

87 I really liked Flight...the actors were great, the story was really every good, and there was a lot to chew on afterward.

My wife hated it. Absolutely, unadulterated-ling hated it. She thought the acting was wooden and the story contrived to produce unbelievable conflict and drama.

Side note - we're still married...

Posted by: Boswell at November 21, 2020 08:28 PM (w2LAm)

88 I am watching As Above So Below. Creepy

Posted by: Jmel at November 21, 2020 08:28 PM (bVhJi)

89 First

Posted by: Mr. Fool Brownie Blackie at November 21, 2020 08:28 PM (vrBaR)

90 Maybe not

Posted by: Mr. Fool Brownie Blackie at November 21, 2020 08:29 PM (vrBaR)

91 >>> Sometimes I wish I watched movies, just so I can contribute something here.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:06 PM (TdMsT)

======

Heh. I feel the same way with Weasel's Gun Thread. Ya know, except owning a firearm instead of watching movies.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:29 PM (240Sf)

92 My kids went through the typical phase where every Christmas movie was watched a hundred times over.

They never made it more than 15 minutes into Polar Express. I think we may own the DVD and none of us has watched it to even halfway

Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at November 21, 2020 08:30 PM (oAY8z)

93 Vmom I loved that Patriot but we stopped for no reason around episode 6. Was it good...?

Check out Perpetual Grace if you haven't seen it. The only problem is it's canceled and the story does NOT resolve in any way shape or form.

They claim they will do a movie to wrap it up. It's a shame... awesome show. The dude behind these two shows should be more well known.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 08:30 PM (uEbPt)

94 Currently watching Faulty Towers.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (xCkpU)

95 Um...that's Fawlty Towers...

Posted by: FriscoYoda at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (+56GQ)

96 sorta off topic, unless we are talking about fiction.

Mark Levin posted this about an hour ago

This is how Wikipedia added to Judge Brann's biography on its page just now: "He became briefly famous when he presided over a case which was part of President Trump's attempt to steal Pennsylvania's presidential electors."

Posted by: spypeach at November 21, 2020 08:32 PM (Up/Jb)

97 Frisco, yeah I noticed that just about the time I hit post. Need more wine.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (xCkpU)

98 Watched Run Lola Run last night. One of my favorite movies because I am really interested in the role of chance and luck in life. There are all kinds of subtle parts of the story that come out...in the telling. And there are some things that I have not figured out yet.


Posted by: MikeM at November 21, 2020 08:25 PM (OqsNP)

I haven't seen this one in a few years, but it's one of my favorites, too. Thanks for the reminder!

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (OX9vb)

99 94 Currently watching Faulty Towers.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (xCkpU)

95 Um...that's Fawlty Towers...
Posted by: FriscoYoda at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (+56GQ)

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

Faulty Towers is a comedy about a couple of guys who own a computer repair shop.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (CAJOC)

100 Um...that's Fawlty Towers...
Posted by: FriscoYoda at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (+56GQ)


Que?

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (hku12)

101 Flight was a terrific movie with better performances.

Posted by: Dr Spank at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (CkgfG)

102 99
Faulty Towers is a comedy about a couple of guys who own a computer repair shop.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (CAJOC)

==========

It's a mash up of Fawlty Towers and The I.T. Crowd.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (LvTSG)

103 Currently watching Faulty Towers.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (xCkpU)

Good stuff!

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (XPH0Y)

104 Ben Had...yeah, I hate when that happens!

Posted by: FriscoYoda at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (+56GQ)

105
And now for the stupidest scene ever in a movie, the apes awake to a huge black cellphone in their midst.

With a dead battery.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (63Dwl)

106 It's a mash up of Fawlty Towers and The I.T. Crowd.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (LvTSG)

I would watch the hell out of a show like that.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (XPH0Y)

107 15 Polar Express isn't bad but even first time watched the whole movie though the animations were creepy.
Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:09 PM (9sWOw)

The whole thing, book and movie felt like a money grab.

And this is when I started to intensely dislike Tom Hanks.

Posted by: Louis Leakey at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (BgMrQ)

108 >>> My kids went through the typical phase where every Christmas movie was watched a hundred times over.

They never made it more than 15 minutes into Polar Express. I think we may own the DVD and none of us has watched it to even halfway
Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at November 21, 2020 08:30 PM (oAY8z)

======

My kids were youngin's when that came out. They never got into it. Something felt off about it. After reading TJM above, I get why it felt that way. The Fantastic Mr. Fox is another stop-motion film my kids never watched more than once. I didn't blame them.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:35 PM (240Sf)

109 spypeach @96, wikipedia makes people stupid. In the reformation, it's gotta go.

Posted by: Eromero at November 21, 2020 08:35 PM (XhWtx)

110 Um...that's Fawlty Towers...


You mean Flowery Twats?

Or Watery Fowls?

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:35 PM (oVJmc)

111 What's amazing to me is how TV has caught up to movies. There was a time when the gap was impassible. We loved "Gunsmoke," but no one ever confused it with "The Searchers," which is art. This is no longer the case. It can be seen with "24," to start. Not sure there is any qualitative difference between it and your standard movie.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:35 PM (HgGBT)

112 And Diane Lane still looks great. Good movie.
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:13 PM (nxdel)

Laurie Darlin'...

Posted by: Louis Leakey at November 21, 2020 08:36 PM (BgMrQ)

113 You mean Flowery Twats?

Or Watery Fowls?
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:35 PM (oVJmc)

Farty Towels.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:36 PM (XPH0Y)

114 Faulty Towers is a comedy about a couple of guys who own a computer repair shop.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (CAJOC)


And spend years conning a guy by pretending to fix his computer, so he can play his copy of game, Myst.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:36 PM (hku12)

115 PS, I am the only one who didn't know the actress who played Polly was American?

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (XPH0Y)

116 With a dead battery.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (63Dwl)

Took the battery out to fill it with stars

Posted by: A dude in MI at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (/6GbT)

117 Also- Watched VFW today. Great cast, a decent twist on "How do we make a zombie film without the zombies" but overall I can't say I would recommend it to anyone. The low light, quick cut and heavy grain/blur motion almost gave me a headache, and watching them try to piece it into a coherent film with brushed over logic just didn't work overall. It isn't terrible, but it isn't memorable either.

Also finally saw Crimson Tide, which I remember wanting to see in 90 when it came out but didn't. Eh. Didn't live up to either Hunt for Red October or Das Boot for me, and yes I know it is a different film but I just didn't buy in. Maybe a re-watch someday in a different mood will help, but this watch did nothing for me.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (Ojki1)

118 This is how Wikipedia added to Judge Brann's biography on its page just now: "He became briefly famous when he presided over a case which was part of President Trump's attempt to steal Pennsylvania's presidential electors."
Posted by: spypeach at November 21, 2020 08:32 PM (Up/Jb)

Oh yes, when history is allowed to be written by seven year old children - or press people, same same.

This world is reaping the unhealthy results of sheltering youth against reality and having those youthful journalism degrees be gateways to expressing what is truth - tutored by editors that couldn't hold a job at an Orange Julius in a now defunct mall.

Posted by: Boswell at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (w2LAm)

119 Must be a real slow night on tv/hallmark channel. Wife is watching White House Down while working on her puzzle. Blame the boys for getting her used to action flicks. Plus side, James Woods, one of my favorite villains.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (240Sf)

120
in rewatch it is crystal clear Murray would like to be anywhere but on set.
Posted by: Bete

=========

He always gives me that impression, hah! Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation, Rushmore.

And sorry for the politics but the Guatemalans are finally burning down their Parliament building.

https://twitter.com/Sandra_Cuffe/
status/1330247549953912832

For once, it looks like they're taking their fight to the right place, namely their own damn gov't instead of American border guards (although I suppose another caravan is imminent).

Anyway sorry, just saw that on Twitter and couldn't resist.

Back to Bill Murray. I wonder what he's like irl.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (G51Gf)

121 Polar Express isn't bad but even first time watched the whole movie though the animations were creepy.
Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 08:09 PM (9sWOw)

The whole thing, book and movie felt like a money grab.

And this is when I started to intensely dislike Tom Hanks.
Posted by: Louis Leakey at November 21, 2020 08:34 PM (BgMrQ)

For me, it was when he started beejing Obama at every turn

Posted by: ghost of hallelujah at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (oAY8z)

122 My kids went through the typical phase where every Christmas movie was watched a hundred times over.

Not a Christmas movie but I bet I watched Annie a hundred times. GAH!!

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (nxdel)

123 And spend years conning a guy by pretending to fix his computer, so he can play his copy of game, Myst.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:36 PM (hku12)

I just found out that Cyan Inc. is about 30 minutes away and has open houses and such. I geeked out HARD. That's the first thing I'm doing when WuFlu is over.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (XPH0Y)

124 I would say TV caught up to movies only in the 2010's. And in some ways it surpassed it.

Funnily enough the implementation and acceptance of wider aspect ratios probably has more to do with it than we'd think on first inspection.

It's a real challenge to be cinematic in 4:3.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 08:39 PM (DmyoW)

125 /off anthropologist sock

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 08:40 PM (BgMrQ)

126 >>> Also finally saw Crimson Tide, which I remember wanting to see in 90 when it came out but didn't. Eh. Didn't live up to either Hunt for Red October or Das Boot for me, and yes I know it is a different film but I just didn't buy in. Maybe a re-watch someday in a different mood will help, but this watch did nothing for me.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (Ojki1)

=======

Let's show how the military command is all too excited to nuke the world.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:40 PM (240Sf)

127 I had to laugh when someone who had only seen The Wire told me he couldn't watch Luther because of Idris Elba's "phony British accent".

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (DmyoW)

128 >>Not a Christmas movie but I bet I watched Annie a hundred times. GAH!!
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (nxdel)

Funny! My wife suffered through "My Man Godfrey" a hundred times with the kids and now cannot watch it, but because I was always at the office it's still one of my favorite movies.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (HgGBT)

129 Just finished Unforgiven. Have decided I know what the title means.

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (iTXRQ)

130 https://tinyurl.com/y35j8kzf

3rd hour today of Bannon and Warroom.org

Recap of latest legal work and analytical work as of Saturday afternoon.

Updates of actions that Progda is completely ignoring.

It's like there is another world in America the Progda machine denies even exists.

Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (sy5kK)

131 Back to Bill Murray. I wonder what he's like irl.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (G51Gf)


He's known for doing things that one might not expect a celebrity to do, like show up at someone's wedding when as a lark they invite him, or applying for a job at an airport PF Changs (I think).

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (hku12)

132 93 Vmom I loved that Patriot but we stopped for no reason around episode 6. Was it good...?

==

yes - but it's a cliffhanger of sorts

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (nUhF0)

133 126
>>> Also finally saw Crimson Tide, which I remember wanting to
see in 90 when it came out but didn't. Eh. Didn't live up to either Hunt
for Red October or Das Boot for me, and yes I know it is a different
film but I just didn't buy in. Maybe a re-watch someday in a different
mood will help, but this watch did nothing for me.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (Ojki1)



=======



Let's show how the military command is all too excited to nuke the world.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:40 PM (240Sf)

Meh. All I remember is the forced feeling it got putting the DW as the sanctimonious hero against the overwrought GH character.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 08:42 PM (KnJdm)

134 >And sorry for the politics but the Guatemalans are finally burning down their Parliament building.



we should do that here

I kid
that comment was a parody

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (iTXRQ)

135 Also finally saw Crimson Tide, which I remember wanting to see in 90 when it came out but didn't. Eh. Didn't live up to either Hunt for Red October or Das Boot for me, and yes I know it is a different film but I just didn't buy in. Maybe a re-watch someday in a different mood will help, but this watch did nothing for me.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (Ojki1)

The HFRO v CT is the next

Mary Anne v Ginger confrontation for the Horde.

For the record HFRO is 1 on the Scogg Dogg scale!

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (BgMrQ)

136 And spend years conning a guy by pretending to fix his computer, so he can play his copy of game, Myst.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:36 PM (hku12)

I just found out that Cyan Inc. is about 30 minutes away and has open houses and such. I geeked out HARD. That's the first thing I'm doing when WuFlu is over.
Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (XPH0Y)


Probably the only computer game I geeked out on. At a certain point though I got frustrated and gave up. Not sure why. Just one day I woke up and said "enough."

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (hku12)

137 124
It's a real challenge to be cinematic in 4:3.
Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 08:39 PM (DmyoW)

==========

I can see where that attitude might come from, but the Academy ratio was standard until the 60s.

Television has mostly been dialogue based with fewer locations which has limited its visual scope for decades. Episodic television also limited the types of stories one could tell on network television. You had to hit specific beats in specific timeframes to match commercial breaks, which limit storytelling potential and are inherently anti-cinematic. When HBO put real money into stuff like The Sopranos, allowing for serialized stories without commercial breaks, the gap between movie and television really began to disappear then.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (LvTSG)

138 Blame the boys for getting her used to action flicks.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (240Sf)

Action flicks are the best.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (9hauA)

139 Sounds like the counter attack has started. Look who Donald is replying to.

https://tinyurl.com/yxmheff5

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (ZLI7S)

140 Not a Christmas movie but I bet I watched Annie a hundred times. GAH!!
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (nxdel)


Our oldest daughter LOVED that movie we even took her to a stage production of it. Coincidently, it was on last night and I watched it. I must say that Albert Finney impresses me greatly. He ranged from Daddy Warbucks to Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express. Versatile indeed.

Posted by: DR.WTF at November 21, 2020 08:44 PM (AiZBA)

141 that's Fawlty Towers...
----------------
"Basil! Where are you going?"
(With lawn gnome underarm) "I'm going to see Mr. O'Reilly dear."

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at November 21, 2020 08:45 PM (HBlzO)

142 we should do that here

I kid
that comment was a parody
Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (iTXRQ)


Yeah no, but really...

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:45 PM (hku12)

143 Also finally saw Crimson Tide, which I remember wanting to see in 90 when it came out but didn't. Eh. Didn't live up to either Hunt for Red October or Das Boot for me, and yes I know it is a different film but I just didn't buy in. Maybe a re-watch someday in a different mood will help, but this watch did nothing for me.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (Ojki1)


It is universally accepted to be simultaneously the worst Navy movie and the worst submarine movie in the history of ever. Don't bother re-watching.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 08:45 PM (t+qrx)

144 >>> By the way, love "Romancing the Stone," in spite of how utterly preposterous it is. (Or perhaps because of it.)
Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:21 PM (HgGBT)

=====

I enjoyed it for several reasons. Not the least of which was, at my age, Kathleen Turner was the epitome of a Milf/Cougar.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:45 PM (240Sf)

145 110 Um...that's Fawlty Towers...


You mean Flowery Twats?

Or Watery Fowls?
Posted by: Mr. Peebles

Best hidden in plain sight jokes ever!

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:45 PM (Rvt88)

146 Wonder Woman 1984 is going to theaters and HBO Max same day around Christmas.

Studios have been doing this for a few years with some smaller releases that no one's heard of, but this is the first time for a big budget release.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:12 PM (LvTSG)

And Pixar's Soul is going directly to Disney+ on Christmas I believe without any additional purchase like Mulan was.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:19 PM (Ojki1)

They should make a super-hero movie about Hillaroid. They could call it, "Blunder Woman".

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 21, 2020 08:46 PM (6HUM8)

147 we should do that here

I kid
that comment was a parody
Posted by: DB- just DB.

that reminds me of my favorite scene in Mars Attacks

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 08:46 PM (nUhF0)

148 I had to laugh when someone who had only seen The Wire told me he couldn't watch Luther because of Idris Elba's "phony British accent".
Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (DmyoW)

LOL.

But man, was he hot in The Wire.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (9hauA)

149 I enjoyed it for several reasons. Not the least of which was, at my age, Kathleen Turner was the epitome of a Milf/Cougar.
Posted by: Swingin' for the downs

She was no slouch in 'Body Heat' either.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (Rvt88)

150 I am stunned.

All of that verbal diarrhea and you completely IGNORE his greatest artistic achievement???!?!

Is this not a moron site? AFTER ALL THIS, HAVE YOU NO DECENCY, SIR??!!!??!

How can you completely disregard Used Cars????

I denounce you, sir. I denounce you.

Posted by: Baron Munchausen at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (C1NyB)

151
He always gives me that impression, hah! Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation, Rushmore.

Back to Bill Murray. I wonder what he's like irl.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (G51Gf)

He lost the fight to have Ground Hog Day be more philosophical than slapstick to director Harold Ramis. It caused a major rift between the two that lasted til near Ramis' death (Murray claims they made up some time before that event).

When Murray doesn't care it can really show. Related- apparently he didn't "get" Ghostbusters until halfway through shooting (interview was on the 4K set release) and looking back you kind of can see scenes where he looks checked out there as well.

I imagine he'd come across like Bruce Willis does these days if he was just making movies to make movies, rather than just making movies (seemingly) when Wes Anderson or a friend call him up.

Also of note- He made Garfield cause he though the writer was Joel Coen of the Coen brothers, but it was the unrelated Joel Cohen. *Heh*

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (Ojki1)

152 Forrest Gump was OK but I hated Jenny.
Contact would have been much better with a different actress. Gary Busey was perfect in his role though.
Never saw the appeal of Roger Rabbit.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at November 21, 2020 08:48 PM (HBlzO)

153 150 How can you completely disregard Used Cars????

I denounce you, sir. I denounce you.
Posted by: Baron Munchausen at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (C1NyB)

===========

Well...

https://tinyurl.com/y53d3u3v

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:48 PM (LvTSG)

154 Used cars was a favorite of mine as a child. Must have watched it 50 times. Have not seen it since.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 08:48 PM (H5knJ)

155 Television has mostly been dialogue based with fewer locations which has limited its visual scope for decades. Episodic television also limited the types of stories one could tell on network television. You had to hit specific beats in specific timeframes to match commercial breaks, which limit storytelling potential and are inherently anti-cinematic. When HBO put real money into stuff like The Sopranos, allowing for serialized stories without commercial breaks, the gap between movie and television really began to disappear then.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (LvTSG)


I don't know where we are with this (and I'm not sure anyone else knows either). I'm finding the Amazon shows to have had a significant dropoff in quality lately.

Maybe the sets and all that are still top notch, but the writing is starting to stink, like they're hiring too many people with an episodic teevee background.

So many shows have such limited teevee type storylines, I get bored real fast.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (hku12)

156 chique, I agree but I thought he would have better taste in his women.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (xCkpU)

157 100 Um...that's Fawlty Towers...
Posted by: FriscoYoda at November 21, 2020 08:31 PM (+56GQ)


Que?
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (hku12)

Don't mention the war!

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (TdMsT)

158 Never saw the appeal of Roger Rabbit.
Posted by: AshevilleRobert

"I'm not bad, they just draw me bad'!!?

It's gold Jerry!!

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (Rvt88)

159
we should do that here

I kid
that comment was a parody
Posted by: DB- just DB.

=======

No, no... I have to admit, I found that sight... inspiring.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (G51Gf)

160 149 I enjoyed it for several reasons. Not the least of which was, at my age, Kathleen Turner was the epitome of a Milf/Cougar.
Posted by: Swingin' for the downs

She was no slouch in 'Body Heat' either.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (Rvt8


THAT was a good movie. Sex, but it wasn't gratuitous.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 08:50 PM (TdMsT)

161 Faulty Towers is a comedy about a couple of guys who own a computer repair shop.
Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 21, 2020 08:33 PM (CAJOC)

sure it's not about that woke engineering school in Florida?

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 21, 2020 08:50 PM (6HUM8)

162 Used Cars is nothing short of a cinematic masterpiece

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:50 PM (iTXRQ)

163 84 80 *slides over copy of original Solaris*

-
I'm in the middle of watching that. So far, so good bur definitely slow.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (+y/Ru)

==========

*slides over copy of Andrei Rublev*
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future!



i remember the first time I watched the original 'Solaris'. It was on TCM and I had heard about it. It was one of those movies that is very thoughtful and intelligent with a great story. There was a sense of dread and doom throughout the whole movie (its a Ruskie movie based on a book written by a Pole) that keeps you uneasy through out the film. It's an early 70s Soviet Union flick so special effects were slightly below 70s era Dr Who. Still, I loved the movie but I admit the first time I saw it the ending baffled me. I have watched it a few more times and 'got it'. It made sense but since its a Russian movie, it can be a bit complex and WTF did I just watch? the first time around.

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 21, 2020 08:50 PM (z0bxT)

164 He made Garfield cause he though the writer was Joel Coen of the Coen brothers,


THAT would have been....something.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (oVJmc)

165 6 Hey TJM,

Did you see where they pushed Dune back until October, 2021? Bummer.
Posted by: I am President-Elect Shadout Mapes, the...President-Elect! at November 21, 2020 08:05 PM (PiwSw)

========

I'm okay with this. It gives me time to reread the series.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (Dc2NZ)

166 Forrest Gump is the ultimate Zeitgeist movie. A hundred years from now, if Joe Biden lets us live that long, people will be wondering what in hell all the fuss was about.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (HgGBT)

167 140 Not a Christmas movie but I bet I watched Annie a hundred times. GAH!!
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 21, 2020 08:38 PM (nxdel)

Local theater in town I grew up would have a Christmas Eve free showing of a couple films. I seem to recall Annie was always/almost always in the rotation.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (Ojki1)

168 155
I don't know where we are with this (and I'm not sure anyone else knows either). I'm finding the Amazon shows to have had a significant dropoff in quality lately.

Maybe the sets and all that are still top notch, but the writing is starting to stink, like they're hiring too many people with an episodic teevee background.

So many shows have such limited teevee type storylines, I get bored real fast.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (hku12)

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

I think it's a talent pool thing. The best writers are already working on other things, along with the best actors and directors, so when Amazon or Netflix starts a new show, they don't have a great pool of resources to pull from.

Plus, white men may not apply, so there goes a whole bunch of prospective talent.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (LvTSG)

169 chique, I agree but I thought he would have better taste in his women.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:49 PM (xCkpU)

Heh, when he got married, there was a huge wail of sorrow in my various WhatsApp groups.

Really good looking men don't always pick the hottest wives or gfs.

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (9hauA)

170
My appreciation of Tom Hanks ended with Big.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (pNxlR)

171 Also of note- He made Garfield cause he though the writer was Joel Coen of the Coen brothers, but it was the unrelated Joel Cohen. *Heh*
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (Ojki1)


That's pretty funny. You gotta wonder how high he was to think Joel Coen was involved.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (hku12)

172 Forrest Gump was OK but I hated Jenny.

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at November 21, 2020 08:48 PM (HBlzO)

I liked the book better than the movie. But I guess you could say that about the majority of books made into movies.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 08:52 PM (XPH0Y)

173 Also finally saw Crimson Tide, which I remember
wanting to see in 90 when it came out but didn't. Eh. Didn't live up to
either Hunt for Red October or Das Boot for me, and yes I know it is a
different film but I just didn't buy in. Maybe a re-watch someday in a
different mood will help, but this watch did nothing for me.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:37 PM (Ojki1)



It is universally accepted to be simultaneously the worst Navy movie
and the worst submarine movie in the history of ever. Don't bother
re-watching.

Posted by: hogmartin

------------------
You mean it's not about Alabama football???

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at November 21, 2020 08:52 PM (HBlzO)

174
He lost the fight to have Ground Hog Day be more philosophical than slapstick to director Harold Ramis. It caused a major rift between the two that lasted til near Ramis' death (Murray claims they made up some time before that event).

When Murray doesn't care it can really show. Related- apparently he didn't "get" Ghostbusters until halfway through shooting (interview was on the 4K set release) and looking back you kind of can see scenes where he looks checked out there as well.

Posted by: Bete

=======

Ghostbusters, that was the other one I was trying to think of. Yeah, he always looks a little checked out to me. It's his style of comedy.

It's funny, it seems to me Groundhog Day is plenty philosophical. there are a few comic scenes that fall flat for me because the other actors aren't working for me, but I consider that a unique comedy.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:53 PM (G51Gf)

175 sub movies could be a sub-genre

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 08:53 PM (iTXRQ)

176 Plus, white men may not apply, so there goes a whole bunch of prospective talent.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (LvTSG)


Ok, that makes sense, and probably explains a LOT.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:53 PM (hku12)

177
He's known for doing things that one might not expect a celebrity to do, like show up at someone's wedding when as a lark they invite him, or applying for a job at an airport PF Changs (I think).
Posted by: BurtTC

======

Sounds a little weird tbh!

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:53 PM (G51Gf)

178 177
He's known for doing things that one might not expect a celebrity to do, like show up at someone's wedding when as a lark they invite him, or applying for a job at an airport PF Changs (I think).
Posted by: BurtTC

======

Sounds a little weird tbh!
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:53 PM (G51Gf)

=========

He co-owns the Charleston Riverdogs, the Low-A Minor League baseball team.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:54 PM (LvTSG)

179 Quint: "The thing about a Boy Hero is its eyes. They're black and dull. Like a doll's eyes . . . "

Hooper: "We all live in a Yellow Submarine! . . . "

*sound of Boy Hero's head, crashing against the side of the boat*

Chief Brody: "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"



Spielberg: "Damnit! Back to Re-Write!!"





(I have no idea why this is is funny to me)

Posted by: Sharkman at November 21, 2020 08:54 PM (1YlHz)

180 I'm hooked on "Hunter/Killer" as my new favorite sub movie.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:54 PM (xCkpU)

181 I never saw Crimson Tide, but always had the impression it was an imitation of The Bedford Incident.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:55 PM (oVJmc)

182 Ridley Scott > Robert Zemeckis

Posted by: Duncanthrax at November 21, 2020 08:55 PM (DMUuz)

183 Speaking of Bill Murray, if you haven't seen "Dead Don't Die," by Jim Jarmusch, don't bother. You'd almost expect there to be some kind of magic, lots of comedic talent involved, but sadly I think Murray is mostly responsible for it being such a dud.

I understand being dead pan, Bill, but come on, the dead are more alive than you.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:55 PM (hku12)

184
You mean it's not about Alabama football???
Posted by: AshevilleRobert


Forrest Gump had more Alabama football in it that Crimson Tide.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 08:55 PM (pNxlR)

185 Robert Zemeckis and the Nightmare Faces

Just slap masks on them. The sheeple will love it and no one will know the difference.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 21, 2020 08:56 PM (3P/5p)

186 We watch The Polar Express every Christmas Eve. While kids are watching I make hot chocolate and serve it to them during the hot chocolate serving scene.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 08:56 PM (cMXNt)

187 He's known for doing things that one might not expect a celebrity to do, like show up at someone's wedding when as a lark they invite him, or applying for a job at an airport PF Changs (I think).
Posted by: BurtTC

I heard a tale of him sitting down with a lone diner in a restaurant (uninvited), taking a bite of his food and then leaning over and telling the guy: "No one will ever believe you.", and then leaving.

On the way out, he pays the guys tab.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:56 PM (Rvt88)

188 *slides over copy of Andrei Rublev*
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 08:27 PM (LvTSG)


*slides over copy of Stalker*

Posted by: I am President-Elect Shadout Mapes, the...President-Elect! at November 21, 2020 08:57 PM (PiwSw)

189
Speaking of Bill Murray, if you haven't seen "Dead Don't Die," by Jim Jarmusch, don't bother. You'd almost expect there to be some kind of magic, lots of comedic talent involved, but sadly I think Murray is mostly responsible for it being such a dud.

I understand being dead pan, Bill, but come on, the dead are more alive than you.
Posted by: BurtTC

==========

Thanks for the tip. And if you haven't seen Lost in Translation, skip the fuck out of that.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:57 PM (G51Gf)

190 He's known for doing things that one might not expect a celebrity to do, like show up at someone's wedding when as a lark they invite him, or applying for a job at an airport PF Changs (I think).
Posted by: BurtTC

======

Sounds a little weird tbh!
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:53 PM (G51Gf)


Well yeah. It probably depends on which version of Bill Murray shows up. I can imagine he's more than once been a total jerk toward regular folks.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:58 PM (hku12)

191 180 I'm hooked on "Hunter/Killer" as my new favorite sub movie.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:54 PM (xCkpU)

The above water action stuff didn't quite work for me.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:58 PM (Ojki1)

192
I heard a tale of him sitting down with a lone diner in a restaurant (uninvited), taking a bite of his food and then leaning over and telling the guy: "No one will ever believe you.", and then leaving.

On the way out, he pays the guys tab.

Posted by: Tonypete

========

w 0 W.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:58 PM (G51Gf)

193 Tom Hanks in "Road to Perdition" was pretty good. I liked the movie more than I thought I would.

Posted by: Puddleglum at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (z0bxT)

194 Forrest Gump had more Alabama football in it that Crimson Tide. Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM)
-----
Touche...

Posted by: AshevilleRobert at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (HBlzO)

195 Bete, I'm easily pleased. It's that or U-571

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (xCkpU)

196 OT: Waffle House CEO on the incredible harm lockdowns inflict on working-class people. (Business Insider)

Those pushing for harsh restrictions are almost all credentialed-class elites who don't suffer personal professional consequences from lockdowns.

https://tinyurl.com/yyrhr5sf

Posted by: Not as fast on the grill as he once was at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (BBWrU)

197 >>> The above water action stuff didn't quite work for me.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 08:58 PM (Ojki1)

======

Yep. Barely made it through once. But YMMV.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (240Sf)

198 I watched The Liberator and wasn't sure at first with the effects, but I really came to like it.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (r+sAi)

199 Laurie Darlin'...

Got to be the best made for tv movie ever.

Posted by: dartist at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (+ya+t)

200 I loved Bill Murray's cameo in "Zombieland."

Posted by: nurse ratched at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (U2p+3)

201 Contact? Ummmm, outside of the initial contact. No, just no.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (nmRVs)

202 >>Tom Hanks in "Road to Perdition" was pretty good. I liked the movie more than I thought I would.

Me too.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (ZLI7S)

203 Sex, but it wasn't gratuitous.

-
It never is.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Tyrannosaur Wrangler at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (+y/Ru)

204
Well yeah. It probably depends on which version of Bill Murray shows up. I can imagine he's more than once been a total jerk toward regular folks.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:58 PM (hku12)

It is reported that even directors tend to hold their breath as to whether Bill will actually show up for filming or not. (I imagine Wes Anderson is not one he has ever shafted though).

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (Ojki1)

205 183- Yeah, Bill Murray phoned it in on "The Dead Don't Die" but it was a pretty dumb movie from start to finish. I just a 90's version of Hamlet (set in NYC in the 90's) and Bill Murray played Polonius. He was pretty good. He played him as a doting and attentive dad to Ophelia and Laertes. He was pretty good.

Posted by: vivi at November 21, 2020 09:01 PM (USW1s)

206 189
Speaking of Bill Murray, if you haven't seen "Dead Don't Die," by Jim Jarmusch, don't bother. You'd almost expect there to be some kind of magic, lots of comedic talent involved, but sadly I think Murray is mostly responsible for it being such a dud.

I understand being dead pan, Bill, but come on, the dead are more alive than you.
Posted by: BurtTC

==========

Thanks for the tip. And if you haven't seen Lost in Translation, skip the fuck out of that.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 08:57 PM (G51Gf)

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

There was a show, I think on Netflix, called A Very Murray Christmas. I'm not quite sure what it was supposed to be, but I gave up on it about 15 minutes in. It was not good.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 21, 2020 09:01 PM (CAJOC)

207 195 Bete, I'm easily pleased. It's that or U-571
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (xCkpU)

U-571 is on the list of things to watch, though to be fair it is a sizable list.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:01 PM (Ojki1)

208 181 I never saw Crimson Tide, but always had the impression it was an imitation of The Bedford Incident.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 08:55 PM (oVJmc)

-------

What's his face was a little too self righteous in that movie, the black guy.

I can see that character moving up in the DoD and becoming part of the Deep State.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:02 PM (cMXNt)

209 >>> Tom Hanks in "Road to Perdition" was pretty good. I liked the movie more than I thought I would.
Posted by: Puddleglum at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (z0bxT)

=======

Agreed. W/ Paul Newman.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:02 PM (240Sf)

210 Romancing the Stone was a good movie.

Posted by: G'rump928(C) belabors the obvious at November 21, 2020 09:02 PM (i9ZF7)

211 I thought Lost in Translation was excellent.

Dives pretty deep in to midlife crisis, or in Murray's case, a bit past midlife. Shows regret, resignation, and oddly, a bit of hope. Scarlett Johansson was still normal then, not yet a pink-hat wearing feminist screamer.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:03 PM (WrOrt)

212 I liked 'Bridge of Spies" with Hanks.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:04 PM (xCkpU)

213 183 Speaking of Bill Murray, if you haven't seen "Dead Don't Die," by Jim Jarmusch, don't bother. You'd almost expect there to be some kind of magic, lots of comedic talent involved, but sadly I think Murray is mostly responsible for it being such a dud.

I understand being dead pan, Bill, but come on, the dead are more alive than you.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 08:55 PM (hku12)
---

I actually saw that in the theater. What a pile of fecal matter.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:04 PM (Dc2NZ)

214 196 OT: Waffle House CEO on the incredible harm lockdowns inflict on working-class people. (Business Insider)

Those pushing for harsh restrictions are almost all credentialed-class elites who don't suffer personal professional consequences from lockdowns.

https://tinyurl.com/yyrhr5sf
Posted by: Not as fast on the grill as he once was at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (BBWrU)

-----

What? You mean not everyone can call a lid on it at 9:30 am and retreat to the basement?

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:04 PM (cMXNt)

215 Yeah, Bill Murray phoned it in on "The Dead Don't Die" but it was a pretty dumb movie from start to finish. I just a 90's version of Hamlet (set in NYC in the 90's) and Bill Murray played Polonius. He was pretty good. He played him as a doting and attentive dad to Ophelia and Laertes. He was pretty good.
Posted by: vivi at November 21, 2020 09:01 PM (USW1s)

I think that's a big reason why it was so dumb. Seems like Jarmusch basically turned on the camera and told Murray "be funny," and either Bill simply refused to try, or he thought the dead pan was hilarious.

It's interesting seeing Adam Driver try to engage with him, and I almost want to believe when the camera turned off they had a hard time keeping Adam from wanting to punch the snot out of him.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (hku12)

216 What's his face was a little too self righteous in that movie, the black guy.

I can see that character moving up in the DoD and becoming part of the Deep State.
Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:02 PM (cMXNt)

Denzel.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (5FCda)

217 >I thought Lost in Translation was excellent.



the theme of meeting the right person at the wrong time struck a chord with me

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (iTXRQ)

218 210 Romancing the Stone was a good movie.
Posted by: G'rump928(C) belabors the obvious at November 21, 2020 09:02 PM (i9ZF7)

-----

It was a better Indiana Jones movie than Temple of Doom!

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (cMXNt)

219 TJM

Are you up to a deep dive on Denzel?

I notice you've only review two movies that he's in.

I would love to read your thoughts on American Gangster at the very least.

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (BgMrQ)

220
Faulty Towers is a comedy about a couple of guys who own a computer repair shop.
Posted by: No One of Consequence

sure it's not about that woke engineering school in Florida?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon


That was Altered Bridge

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (63Dwl)

221 Sounds like the counter attack has started. Look who Donald is replying to.

https://tinyurl.com/yxmheff5
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (ZLI7S)


Who is Marc Elias?

Posted by: President-elect LASue at November 21, 2020 09:06 PM (Ed8Zd)

222
Tom Hanks in "Road to Perdition" was pretty good. I liked the movie more than I thought I would.
Posted by: Puddleglum


Okay. "Big" and "Road to Perdition" make my "watchable Hanks" list.

Watching "There Will Be Blood". Gah. Upton Sinclair, on whose work it is based, must be a truly ghastly author.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 09:06 PM (pNxlR)

223 216 What's his face was a little too self righteous in that movie, the black guy.

I can see that character moving up in the DoD and becoming part of the Deep State.
Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:02 PM (cMXNt)

Denzel.
Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (5FCda)


-----

Yeah.

They ought to have a sequel where he is the SecDef and undermines the President because he knows better.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (cMXNt)

224 browndog, I loved it.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (xCkpU)

225 219 TJM

Are you up to a deep dive on Denzel?

I notice you've only review two movies that he's in.

I would love to read your thoughts on American Gangster at the very least.
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (BgMrQ)

=========

I don't really follow actors. I find directors to be a more interesting window into the world of movies.

That being said, I will do a Ridley Scott run at some point, so I will actually review American Gangster. Short version, though: It's one of Scott's best films and Denzel is rather very good in it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (LvTSG)

226 the theme of meeting the right person at the wrong time struck a chord with me
Posted by: DB- just DB

Yup. That is the regret part. The resignation part is when Bill's character does the right thing (painfully) and goes home to his disinterested wife.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (WrOrt)

227 170
My appreciation of Tom Hanks ended with Big.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (pNxlR)

I thought it a sweet movie.

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (BgMrQ)

228 You'll never convince me that the problem with any Jim Jarmusch film isn't Jim Jarmusch.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 09:08 PM (H5knJ)

229 149 I enjoyed it for several reasons. Not the least of which was, at my age, Kathleen Turner was the epitome of a Milf/Cougar.
Posted by: Swingin' for the downs

She was no slouch in 'Body Heat' either.
Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (Rvt8

-----

I spent many, many nights in the bunk with Joan Wilder.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (cMXNt)

230 The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned From A Mythical Man (201 is pretty amusing.

Posted by: G'rump928(C) at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (i9ZF7)

231 228 You'll never convince me that the problem with any Jim Jarmusch film isn't Jim Jarmusch.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 09:08 PM (H5knJ)

========

Yeah, I've never really been able to get into his work.

I always feel like his movies are an obligation more than something to enjoy.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (LvTSG)

232 My favorite undersea action show: Marine Boy!

Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (KAi1n)

233 We talked about Meg Foster on the Chess thread, but we never mentioned her best movie,-

"Shrunken Heads" (1994).

SH is a very oddball superhero origin story via horror movie tropes directed by Richard Ellman (Danny Elfman's brother) for Full Moon Entertainment.

Think about all that for a a second.

"Shrunken Heads" lives up to every single molecule of meaning in that sentence.

I don't want to oversell SH. It is not a good movie, however it is a very, VERY entertaining movie.

There story concerns three teenage boys who cross the local mafia and are murdered.

Their friend, a local newspaper seller is also a voodoo priest who kinda sorta brings them back to life as superpowered shrunken heads to get revenge on the mafia and mafia boss, played by Meg Foster.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Meg Foster plays a lady mafia boss in what surely must have been the tail end of her movie career.

As you might expect, being dead and superpowered and a bodiless shrunken head is more like a curse than a rousing hero saga.

And Elfman does manage to mix some sorrow and pity into all the common superhero tropes, as our heroes seek revenge -

all to a dynamite "Batman"-like movie score written by brother Danny Elfman.

Why this movie never gained popularity as a cult midnight movie is a mystery.

But, you- Yes! you! - can see it now via Prime streaming or buying the DVD.

This movie needs a nice blu-ray version. Perhaps Criterion can do it.

Check it out.

Posted by: naturalfake at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (dWwl8)

234 199 Laurie Darlin'...

Got to be the best made for tv movie ever.
Posted by: dartist at November 21, 2020 09:00 PM (+ya+t)

***fist bump***

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (BgMrQ)

235 My favorite Zemeckis flick?

Contact, with Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaghey.

Yeah, I know, many of you may not care for it, but I liked it a great deal. I saw it the night of release, 11 July 1997.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (lE1L7)

236 >>> My appreciation of Tom Hanks ended with Big.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (pNxlR)

I thought it a sweet movie.
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (BgMrQ)

======

"I'm on top!"

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:10 PM (240Sf)

237 I would love to read your thoughts on American Gangster at the very least.
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (BgMrQ)

Probably Denzel's best movie, plus it starred Russell Crowe, one of my all time faves.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 09:10 PM (5FCda)

238 235 My favorite Zemeckis flick?

Contact, with Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaghey.

Yeah, I know, many of you may not care for it, but I liked it a great deal. I saw it the night of release, 11 July 1997.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (lE1L7)

=========

It's at the top of my ranking of his films as well.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:10 PM (LvTSG)

239 Watching "There Will Be Blood". Gah. Upton Sinclair, on whose work it is based, must be a truly ghastly author.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 09:06 PM (pNxlR)


That one will likely always be paired with "No Country For Old Men."

One is a brilliant but cynical story of how decisions have consequences, even if we have no idea why we decide what we do.

The other is a boring story about an oil man who likes milkshakes.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:10 PM (hku12)

240 My appreciation of Tom Hanks ended with Big.
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 21, 2020 08:51 PM (pNxlR)

Bosom Buddies. I liked the blonde guy better.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 21, 2020 09:11 PM (R/m4+)

241 >>Who is Marc Elias?

The Perkins Coie lawyer who was paid by Hillary Clinton to hire Christopher Steele to start the Russia hoax. The same asshole who spent the last couple years trying to change election laws around the country to fuel the crap we are dealing with right now.

Pretty sure Trump know all of this.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:11 PM (ZLI7S)

242 She was no slouch in 'Body Heat' either.

Posted by: Tonypete


That shimmy,shake she does to entice Hurts character, then he smashes the window... yumpin, yimminie.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:11 PM (nmRVs)

243 I thought Lost in Translation was excellent.



the theme of meeting the right person at the wrong time struck a chord with me
Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:05 PM (iTXRQ)


Is that what it was about ? I vaguely remember it. I enjoyed the cinematography.

Posted by: runner at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (zr5Kq)

244 Tsk, tsk, tsk, no mention of Memento or What Lies Beneath.

Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (l3+k2)

245 Better call it, have a good night all

Posted by: Skip at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (9sWOw)

246 >>> Sounds like the counter attack has started. Look who Donald is replying to.

https://tinyurl.com/yxmheff5
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 08:43 PM (ZLI7S)

======

The first time I loaded that link Twatter told me the tweet was "unavailable to you". I refreshed and it finally loaded.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (240Sf)

247 A couple months ago, someone here recommended both the Longmire and Justified tv series. Thank you to whomever that was! We watched the entire series of Longmire, which got better each season, and we're just now getting in to season 2 of Justified.

I wish Longmire had been filmed about ten years earlier, though. Robert Taylor was a bit past prime by the time they began filming. I saw a clip of him in that Vertical Limit movie and holy smokes he went downhill fast.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (WrOrt)

248 I'm not a big Jody Foster fan, but I did like her in Contact.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (cMXNt)

249 224 browndog, I loved it.
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:07 PM (xCkpU)

Everytime AG is on TV, I get caught up in it.

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (BgMrQ)

250 >>Pretty sure Trump know all of this.
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:11 PM (ZLI7S)

Forecast? (And please try not to break our hearts...)

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (HgGBT)

251 244 Tsk, tsk, tsk, no mention of Memento or What Lies Beneath.
Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (l3+k2)

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

I forgot about Memento.

Posted by: No One of Consequence at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (CAJOC)

252 244 Tsk, tsk, tsk, no mention of Memento or What Lies Beneath.
Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (l3+k2)

========

Why mention a Christopher Nolan movie in a thread about Bob Zemeckis' animated movies?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (LvTSG)

253 U-571 was a good movie. I usually enjoy Navy movies. Well, duh.

Posted by: Eromero at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (XhWtx)

254 Why mention a Christopher Nolan movie in a thread about Bob Zemeckis' animated movies?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:12 PM (LvTSG)


oh shit...

Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (l3+k2)

255
Contact, with Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaghey.



Came out right about the same time as Gattaca.

It struck me how strange it was to have two intelligent science-fiction movies come out within a few months of each other.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (oVJmc)

256 Thank goodness for TCM.

Saw two good ones (recorded): The screwball comedy "Ball of Fire", about a jazz club singer and gangster's moll (Barbara Stanwyck) assisting an English professor (Gary Cooper) with his modern lexicon (she's fluent in jivey slang).

The other was "Come Next Spring", about an ex-alcoholic who returns home to win back his abandoned family. It sounds depressing but it was actually funny and uplifting.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (Dc2NZ)

257 You'll never convince me that the problem with any Jim Jarmusch film isn't Jim Jarmusch.
Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 09:08 PM (H5knJ)

========

Yeah, I've never really been able to get into his work.

I always feel like his movies are an obligation more than something to enjoy.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:09 PM (LvTSG)


Hmmm, I'd have to give it more thought. I think I've generally enjoyed everything of his I've seen, but don't think I can remember much about any of them.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (hku12)

258 196 OT: Waffle House CEO on the incredible harm lockdowns inflict on working-class people. (Business Insider)

Those pushing for harsh restrictions are almost all credentialed-class elites who don't suffer personal professional consequences from lockdowns.

https://tinyurl.com/yyrhr5sf
Posted by: Not as fast on the grill as he once was at November 21, 2020 08:59 PM (BBWrU)

Clickbait Insider (FIFY)

Not to mention: remember, the Waffle House CEO has NOT WORKED A DAY IN HIS LIFE, unlike the "working class". The idea of using the phrase "working class" is to make it easier and desirable for you to torture and kill the CEO.

(About 99% of people, in fact, work, so :"working class" is a stupid, stupid phrase that MUST be destroyed.)

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:14 PM (lE1L7)

259 browndog, I have it on DVD so I frequently rewatch it.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:14 PM (xCkpU)

260 How can you completely disregard Used Cars????

I denounce you, sir. I denounce you.
Posted by: Baron Munchausen at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (C1NyB)

Used Cars was great until the big parade of cars at the end, most of which dragged. It is funny.

"These prices are too f*cki' high!" BOOM!
"Look Ma! Bare TiTS!"
"What are you, a parrot?"

Posted by: JM in Florida - I search w DuckDuckGo at November 21, 2020 09:14 PM (HCeRP)

261 But man, was he hot in The Wire.
Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland

so true

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 09:14 PM (nUhF0)

262 "I'm Roy L. Fuchs, godammit!"

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (iTXRQ)

263 Finally watched Tenet, way too high concept, and the always just below the surface soundtrack consisting of hornets fighting a Wolverine in a garbage can and then an angry elephant comes along and kicks the garbage can started to grate halfway through the film.


And what was with the barely intelligible dialog?


Most of the time it was either muffled or just not audible at all.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (qEjZn)

264 Also I like that actor that played Jody Foster's character's father in Contact.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (cMXNt)

265 >>Forecast? (And please try not to break our hearts...)

A hard fight but one we both need to win and can win.

I also think President Trump is way ahead of all of us.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (ZLI7S)

266 Has anybody seen Russell Crowe's new movie "Unhinged"? I kind of want to see it because I'm a fan of his, even if it's a B movie.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:16 PM (Dc2NZ)

267 Used Cars is my favorite Zemeckis movie.

There Will Be Blood is a brilliant piece of technical filmmaking, but it is very cold and robotic. No Country For Old Men is much more entertaining. The Coens put on a master class in building tension, and Roger Deakins is at the top of his game.

Posted by: radar at November 21, 2020 09:16 PM (gMJhZ)

268 A lot of you liked "Contact". That's nice.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:16 PM (nmRVs)

269 And what was with the barely intelligible dialog?


Most of the time it was either muffled or just not audible at all.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (qEjZn)

No one can seem to convince Nolan people want to hear the dialogue for whatever reason.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:17 PM (Ojki1)

270 Dudes, Crispin Glover totally freaked out on Letterman. He must've been on all the drugs: red ones, blue one, uppers, downers, roofies, pot, crack.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:17 PM (cMXNt)

271 If I had to choose only one movie it would be "Man On Fire"

Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (xCkpU)

272 260 How can you completely disregard Used Cars????

I denounce you, sir. I denounce you.
Posted by: Baron Munchausen at November 21, 2020 08:47 PM (C1NyB)

Used Cars was great until the big parade of cars at the end, most of which dragged. It is funny.

"These prices are too f*cki' high!" BOOM!
"Look Ma! Bare TiTS!"
"What are you, a parrot?"
Posted by: JM in Florida - I search w DuckDuckGo at November 21, 2020 09:14 PM (HCeRP)

I read "Used Cars", and i think of the scene in Breaking Away. (another sweet film)

The father (who's a used car dealer) has a nervous breakdown due to his son taking back a sold used car:

REFUND...REFUND!!!

YMMV...

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (BgMrQ)

273 269
No one can seem to convince Nolan people want to hear the dialogue for whatever reason.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:17 PM (Ojki1)

==========

I still haven't seen Tenet, but I've never had trouble understanding his dialogue before. Tenet seems to be particularly troublesome, apparently.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (LvTSG)

274 Great Scott, Marty!

Posted by: Doc Brown at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (wPVhA)

275 Rudy - We had nuns protesting out there today!
Jeff - Nuns?
Rudy - Yeah, I had to have Jim turn the fire hose on them.
Jim - And I knocked them motherfuckers right on they ass, too!

Posted by: radar at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (gMJhZ)

276 Also I like that actor that played Jody Foster's character's father in Contact.
Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (cMXNt)

David Morse.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (5FCda)

277 @267

No Country for Old Men would have been a masterpiece if it had simply faded to black after Shigur kills the woman at the house, instead it went on for another 15 minutes and become merely a good film with a crappy ending.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (qEjZn)

278 Coming in late on the thread, but last night I re-watched "Free State of Jones".
A very good movie. Tough to watch, but very good.

Posted by: navybrat, the intransigent at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (w7KSn)

279 Thank goodness for TCM.

Saw two good ones (recorded): The screwball comedy "Ball of Fire", about a jazz club singer and gangster's moll (Barbara Stanwyck) assisting an English professor (Gary Cooper) with his modern lexicon (she's fluent in jivey slang).

The other was "Come Next Spring", about an ex-alcoholic who returns home to win back his abandoned family. It sounds depressing but it was actually funny and uplifting.
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (Dc2NZ)


Ooh, "Ball Of Fire" is an all-time favorite of mine!

I don't care much for Cooper in general, but as a stuck up college perfesser type, he was perfect.

The film is very very modern in its storyline, and what is wonderful in particular is the collection of old college eggheads. Just wonderful. Particularly the scene where one of them mentioned his (deceased) wife's name was Genevieve, and then all the rest of start singing the song, "Sweet Genevieve." And then sing it again.

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by that.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (hku12)

280 The father (who's a used car dealer) has a nervous breakdown due to his son taking back a sold used car:
REFUND...REFUND!!!
YMMV...
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (BgMrQ)

A classic.

I love it when he's in bed resting and wakes up hollering "Refund!" to the doc.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (R/m4+)

281 Great Mart, Scotty!

Posted by: Captain James T. Kirk at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (oVJmc)

282 >There Will Be Blood is a brilliant piece of technical filmmaking, but it is very cold and robotic.

there's a scene in there I'd like to know more about-

it's when Plainfield goes to the revival meeting and prostrates himself- 'I've abandoned my child!' and all that. At the end of the scene he goes up to that pain in the ass preacher and leans in close and speaks some words in his ear, and the guy's reaction is pure terror. I'd like to know what Plainview said to him.

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (iTXRQ)

283 David Morse.
Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (5FCda)


Also George Washington in the HBO "John Adams" series.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (t+qrx)

284 282 there's a scene in there I'd like to know more about-

it's when Plainfield goes to the revival meeting and prostrates himself- 'I've abandoned my child!' and all that. At the end of the scene he goes up to that pain in the ass preacher and leans in close and speaks some words in his ear, and the guy's reaction is pure terror. I'd like to know what Plainview said to him.
Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (iTXRQ)

==========

"Your fly was open the whole time."

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (LvTSG)

285 271 If I had to choose only one movie it would be "Man On Fire"
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (xCkpU)

Ooooh, tough call...

First Equalizer holds up to multiple viewing too.

Amer Gang...MOF...Equalizer.

Why not all

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:21 PM (BgMrQ)

286 >>You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by that.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (hku12)

I rate this recommendation a "10."

Posted by: Little Nell at November 21, 2020 09:21 PM (HgGBT)

287 Plainview

I misspoke, but it was in pixels

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:21 PM (iTXRQ)

288 >>> Also I like that actor that played Jody Foster's character's father in Contact.
Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (cMXNt)

======

I liked that guy, who was in "16 Blocks", with Bruce Willis. That Mos Eisley dude was pretty good in it too, considered I'd never seen him in anything before other than The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:21 PM (240Sf)

289 John Adams has the best opening credit sequence, imho.

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:21 PM (WrOrt)

290 263 Finally watched Tenet, way too high concept, and the always just below the surface soundtrack consisting of hornets fighting a Wolverine in a garbage can and then an angry elephant comes along and kicks the garbage can started to grate halfway through the film.


And what was with the barely intelligible dialog?


Most of the time it was either muffled or just not audible at all.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:15 PM (qEjZn)

I rather enjoyed The Critical Drinker's review of this.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:22 PM (lE1L7)

291 Here is my question of the day about films. James "mega-budget" Cameron is shooting his 3 or 4 sequels to Avatar, but the theater experience may have been destroyed by covid. Are the number of sequels being reduced?

Posted by: Darth Randall at November 21, 2020 09:22 PM (wFHOj)

292
Finally watched Tenet, way too high concept, and the always just below the surface soundtrack consisting of hornets fighting a Wolverine in a garbage can and then an angry elephant comes along and kicks the garbage can started to grate halfway through the film.


And what was with the barely intelligible dialog?


Most of the time it was either muffled or just not audible at all.
Posted by: Thomas Bender

========

Bill Melugin, a reporter for the Los Angeles Fox affiliate, tweeted after he saw that movie:

Just saw #Tenet, first time at the movies in 8 months. I love Christopher Nolan films, Inception & Interstellar are my two favorite movies ever, but I can honestly say I didn't understand a single minute of this movie. Really cool film, but was confused literally every second.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (G51Gf)

293 Liz Cheney wants POTUS to concede
I guess she's part of the war profiteers

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/
1330327620148465664

Sorry Liz, can't accept the results of an election with hundreds of thousands of fraudulent votes cast, enough to easily flip the Election. You're just unhappy that I'm bringing the troops back home where they belong!

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (nUhF0)

294 A lot of you liked "Contact". That's nice.
Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:16 PM (nmRVs)

LOL

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (KuT6N)

295 U-571 was fantastic, not good. "TANK, FIRE RIGHT NOW OR WE DIE!" I just re-watched that scene. Compelling

Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (KAi1n)

296
Came out right about the same time as Gattaca.

It struck me how strange it was to have two intelligent science-fiction movies come out within a few months of each other.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (oVJmc)

I do need to see Gattaca.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (lE1L7)

297 A classic.

I love it when he's in bed resting and wakes up hollering "Refund!" to the doc.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at November 21, 2020 09:20 PM (R/m4+)

Exactly!!!

I have a friend who owns a Chevy Dealership, and it's a standard greeting between us:

REFUND!!!

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (BgMrQ)

298 I am at that point in life where I really do not care to watch anything too complicated or sad regardless of movie quality. I want light comedy or love stories with happy endings or perhaps an action comedy film. Favorites are I Know Where I'am Going (an oldie), RED, Broken Trail, and loooove the tv series Monarch of the Glen. Simple stuff. Nothing complicated.

Posted by: FloridachickTrump WON at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (1a8bK)

299 >>> If I had to choose only one movie it would be "Man On Fire"
Posted by: Ben Had at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (xCkpU)

=====
The mom was hawt, even though seemed to be lacking in morals, IIRC. It's been a while.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (240Sf)

300
Bill Melugin, a reporter for the Los Angeles Fox affiliate, tweeted after he saw that movie:

Just saw #Tenet, first time at the movies in 8 months. I love Christopher Nolan films, Inception & Interstellar are my two favorite movies ever, but I can honestly say I didn't understand a single minute of this movie. Really cool film, but was confused literally every second.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia

=========

Oh, meant to add that ace often posts on Melugin reports. The guy is hot.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (G51Gf)

301 No love for Bill Murray in Moonlight Kingdom?

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (ZLI7S)

302 John Adams has the best opening credit sequence, imho.
Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:21 PM (WrOrt)


You're not wrong.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (t+qrx)

303 291 Here is my question of the day about films. James "mega-budget" Cameron is shooting his 3 or 4 sequels to Avatar, but the theater experience may have been destroyed by covid. Are the number of sequels being reduced?
Posted by: Darth Randall at November 21, 2020 09:22 PM (wFHOj)

=========

Nope.

Hollywood can't let the theatrical experience die.

This may be a play on their part to bankrupt the independent theaters and then buy them up themselves. With the DOJ announcing the end of the Paramount Decrees, it's suddenly legal for studios to own their own theatrical distribution for the first time in about 70 years.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (LvTSG)

304 I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to like Contact. And it wasn't the alien part of it, it was the over the top acting throughout and the governmental hearing at the end. It served no purpose other then having a dramatic speech scene.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (4thlk)

305 Speaking of inaudible dialogue, I recently saw Kill List, a horror film with a cult following, I'm told. It was filmed in Stereophonic Mumblevision. Apparently, the director/screenwriter thought the dialogue was so meaningless or wretched that having it all mumbled would lend an air of mystery. Except for MyAnna Buring, who shrieks at least 50 percent of her lines.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (H5knJ)

306
Sorry Liz, can't accept the results of an election with hundreds of thousands of fraudulent votes cast, enough to easily flip the Election. You're just unhappy that I'm bringing the troops back home where they belong!
Posted by: vmom Trump Won!

=========

Liz Cheney also defended Vindman. She's a bit confused.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 09:25 PM (G51Gf)

307 Liz Cheney wants POTUS to concede
I guess she's part of the war profiteers



She's a pedigreed swamp creature.

Posted by: Captain James T. Kirk at November 21, 2020 09:26 PM (oVJmc)

308 304 I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to like Contact. And it wasn't the alien part of it, it was the over the top acting throughout and the governmental hearing at the end. It served no purpose other then having a dramatic speech scene.
Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (4thlk)

It was a testament about faith, which is what the movie was about every bit as much as what would happen if humanity made contact with other intelligent life. I had no problem with that bit. I thought it tied up everything rather well.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:26 PM (lE1L7)

309 Roku's got Blade Runner : Final Cut.

Leon just cheated on the Voight-Kampf test.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 21, 2020 09:26 PM (3P/5p)

310 Who is Marc Elias?

Posted by: President-elect LASue at November 21, 2020 09:06 PM (Ed8Zd)

Long-time Clintonista and guy responsible for the Consent Decrees in GA, and possibly elsewhere that set the stage.

Waterboard him.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (KnJdm)

311
REFUND...REFUND!!!

YMMV...
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (BgMrQ)

I love Breaking Away. I believe it is ageless and works on several levels.

Posted by: JM in Florida - I search w DuckDuckGo at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (HCeRP)

312 I guess I'm a little on the weird side. I like most of Jim Jarmusch's movies.

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (OX9vb)

313 I do need to see Gattaca.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (lE1L7)


This is easily one of my top five favorite movies. Absolutely everything about it. Story, sets, camera, acting, aesthetic... also the score. Especially the score.

https://youtu.be/ldkSV0gElxg

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (t+qrx)

314 The film is very very modern in its storyline, and what is wonderful in particular is the collection of old college eggheads. Just wonderful. Particularly the scene where one of them mentioned his (deceased) wife's name was Genevieve, and then all the rest of start singing the song, "Sweet Genevieve." And then sing it again.

You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by that.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (hku12)
---

Oh, I teared up at that scene. So sweet!

What a terrific lineup of character actors in this movie.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:28 PM (Dc2NZ)

315 >>> Liz Cheney wants POTUS to concede
I guess she's part of the war profiteers


She's a pedigreed swamp creature.
Posted by: Captain James T. Kirk at November 21, 2020 09:26 PM (oVJmc)

======

The one thing they will never be able to take away from Trump. Because of him, we now know who is really on our side.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:28 PM (240Sf)

316 Wasn't there some federal statute or rule about having to maintain the ballots for 22 months after an election?

Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 09:28 PM (KAi1n)

317 295
U-571 was fantastic, not good. "TANK, FIRE RIGHT NOW OR WE DIE!" I just re-watched that scene. Compelling


Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (KAi1n)

It was OK. Typical Hollywood overly dramatized, but otherwise a decent story, from a time before everything was LGBTBBQd to death.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 09:28 PM (KnJdm)

318 277 @267

No Country for Old Men would have been a masterpiece if it had simply faded to black after Shigur kills the woman at the house, instead it went on for another 15 minutes and become merely a good film with a crappy ending.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:19 PM (qEjZn)


Hmmm, not sure what bothered you about it.

Both men had to be shown to not be done with their stories, although the one was going to be a relentless killing machine, and the other was going to be a fading non-entity, filled with boredom and regret.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (hku12)

319 Liz Cheney now belongs in my category of turncoat GOP members, along with Mitt, Jeb, Colin Powell, Mike Bloomberg, and other worthless backstabbing a**holes.

Posted by: navybrat, the intransigent at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (w7KSn)

320 Kurt Russel buying a political office in Used Cars.

Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (l3+k2)

321 Watched Fellini film, 'La Strada' last night, for the second time. Is there any Fellini film which leaves one feeling better for having watched it?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (830x5)

322 Sidney is just dropping bombs on Newsmax right now.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (ZLI7S)

323 I kind of liked the polar express.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (9Om/r)

324 309 Roku's got Blade Runner : Final Cut.

Leon just cheated on the Voight-Kampf test.
Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 21, 2020 09:26 PM (3P/5p)
---

He gave it his best shot.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (Dc2NZ)

325 321 Watched Fellini film, 'La Strada' last night, for the second time. Is there any Fellini film which leaves one feeling better for having watched it?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (830x5)

=========

The White Sheik

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:30 PM (LvTSG)

326
Here's a problem I had with Contact. Jodie Foster playing a heterosexual. She is so gay she cannot do a convincing job of lying in bed if a guy happens to be in it. Love scenes with Matt McConnaauhhaughheyeuughyy (sp?) were a bust.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 09:30 PM (G51Gf)

327 This is easily one of my top five favorite movies. Absolutely everything about it. Story, sets, camera, acting, aesthetic... also the score. Especially the score.

https://youtu.be/ldkSV0gElxg
Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (t+qrx)

Had some pretty cool cars in it, too.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at November 21, 2020 09:30 PM (6HUM8)

328 Has anybody seen Russell Crowe's new movie "Unhinged"? I kind of want to see it because I'm a fan of his, even if it's a B movie.
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:16 PM (Dc2NZ)

I want to see it, too. Have you seen The Nice Guys? That's a good movie. It came out a month before my dad died. I wish he would've seen it, because he would've loved it.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (KuT6N)

329 >>> REFUND...REFUND!!!

YMMV...
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:18 PM (BgMrQ)

I love Breaking Away. I believe it is ageless and works on several levels.
Posted by: JM in Florida - I search w DuckDuckGo at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (HCeRP)

======

I have to say, these are two, among many movies, I would have never seen had they not been in the standard rotation of HBO in the early-mid 80's.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (240Sf)

330 @292

It's multiple factors. As I said, way to high concept.

You can suspend disbelief, but the movies logic breaks down as the film goes on to the point at the end you just say to yourself, what did I just watch.

The recorded dialog is substandard, the characters talk over one another and the intrusive score does not help matters at all. It becomes grating.

The only other film that had a soundtrack that grated worse was Night Crawler.


The film had action to spare and is visually stunning but the action and beauty was in service to nothing.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (qEjZn)

331 For some reason the Polar Express creeps me out.
I think it might be that the characters have a cold robotic feel to them.
Also, Tom Hanks is annoying in it. I watch it every year trying to like it, but I always end up disliking it more than before.

Posted by: redridinghood at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (NpAcC)

332 I finally saw Ender's Game.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (KnJdm)

333 It was a testament about faith, which is what the
movie was about every bit as much as what would happen if humanity made
contact with other intelligent life. I had no problem with that bit. I
thought it tied up everything rather well.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33



I saw as the poor super duper smart woman being ground down by self serving, condescending, power hungry white men. Oh, and her male staff discovers ET.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (nmRVs)

334 Sidney is just dropping bombs on Newsmax right now.

Posted by: JackStraw

I hope her ordnance is different from Swalwell and Nadler.

Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (KAi1n)

335 Speaking of movies, don't wait for the movie...

Can't wait to read O'Reilly's book about Fauci.

Posted by: klaftern at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (RuIsu)

336 Also: After March '19 threw a curveball, I finally finished the Rocky movies.

4 is fine til the end speech, which was Stallone in peak full of himself.

5 is a mess. Not sure what anyone involved was thinking other than "Oh hey, we can get a Don King like character in this" and "We can talk about fatherhood, biological and mentor type, but not really explore it with a goal in mind". After 4 and 5 it is easy to see why the franchise was considered dead for years.

Rocky Balboa is so much better than 5 (and 4), it is amazing the franchise went dark again for as many years as it did as we finally got back to a character piece. OK, the fight is hoaky pretending a 50 something year old Rocky could stay in the ring with the heavyweight champ (but that is why the champ broke his hand...yeah, no). Still the message was good and almost forgives 5's existence.

Creed is amazing. It balances both the new lead and the returning Rocky in a supporting role to fantastic effect. If it had a flaw it is where it mirrors the original film a little too much, but given Rocky is such an amazing film I'll forgive it.

Creed II is...fine. Maybe a bit better than fine. It builds some where it needs to, not as much in some places I wish it would. And it plays things so safe with Drago's son and the events there with Creed it kind of disappoints, but its weaknesses kind of are more pronounced because of the first Creed film's strength and I imagine if I watched the films farther apart I wouldn't have felt as much let down. That said, I am glad the 3rd film has a different director, even if it being Michael B Jordan's directorial debut has me wondering where things will go.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:32 PM (Ojki1)

337
This is easily one of my top five favorite movies. Absolutely everything about it. Story, sets, camera, acting, aesthetic... also the score. Especially the score.



It does a great job of creating a minimalist, retro-future. Good effective use of the budget.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:32 PM (oVJmc)

338 I want to see it, too. Have you seen The Nice Guys? That's a good movie. It came out a month before my dad died. I wish he would've seen it, because he would've loved it.
Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (KuT6N)
--

LOVED it.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:32 PM (Dc2NZ)

339 Judge Jeanine is really good tonight. She's a fighter for Trump.

Posted by: redridinghood at November 21, 2020 09:32 PM (NpAcC)

340 Roku's got Blade Runner : Final Cut.
-------

So, you've seen things we wouldn't believe?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (L47aO)

341
Long-time Clintonista and guy responsible for the Consent Decrees in GA, and possibly elsewhere that set the stage.



Really? Carpet-bomb the fucker.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (oVJmc)

342 "It was a testament about faith, which is what the movie was about"


Yeah I got that, I just couldn't get past the way they used a government hearing to do it. It made no sense. Why would there be a hearing for her to answer what she experienced? The premise is stupid.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (4thlk)

343 >>> I do need to see Gattaca.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 09:23 PM (lE1L7)

This is easily one of my top five favorite movies. Absolutely everything about it. Story, sets, camera, acting, aesthetic... also the score. Especially the score.

https://youtu.be/ldkSV0gElxg
Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:27 PM (t+qrx)

======

I find it difficult to reference this movie in my circle, as few people have seen it. I fear it will be prophetic.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (240Sf)

344 326
Here's a problem I had with Contact. Jodie Foster playing a heterosexual. She is so gay she cannot do a convincing job of lying in bed if a guy happens to be in it. Love scenes with Matt McConnaauhhaughheyeuughyy (sp?) were a bust.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 09:30 PM (G51Gf)

--------

Jody Foster's character was a Mary Sue for Carl Sagan who wrote the book Contact.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (cMXNt)

345 Gattaca is a fine movie.

Much better than Jonah Hex, which I just watched mainly on the basis of Megan Fox. But she's barely in the film. Absurd.

Posted by: .87c at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (HfwWb)

346 @RichHiggins_DC 3m

Sidney Powell is great. She told Newsmax that the reason DOJ has not dealt with the vote fixing is that the problem is too big. For people who have worked with DOJ they know the old adage is:

Big Cases => Big Problems

Small Cases => Small Problems

Also:

Trump campaign statement on the ruling in PA today...

https://tinyurl.com/y46g4plc

Posted by: Tami at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (cF8AT)

347 342 "It was a testament about faith, which is what the movie was about"


Yeah I got that, I just couldn't get past the way they used a government hearing to do it. It made no sense. Why would there be a hearing for her to answer what she experienced? The premise is stupid.
Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (4thlk)

=========

Because Congress loves a show.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (LvTSG)

348 Came out right about the same time as Gattaca.

It struck me how strange it was to have two intelligent science-fiction movies come out within a few months of each other.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:13 PM (oVJmc)


Interstellar and Arrival came out very close. I think I heard that Denis Villeneuve changed Arrival's ending because both movies were about the nature of time and originally had similar endings.

Posted by: DR.WTF at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (AiZBA)

349 Can't wait to read O'Reilly's book about Fauci.
Posted by: klaftern
------

'Killing Fauci'?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (L47aO)

350 >>Is there any Fellini film which leaves one feeling better for having watched it?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:29 PM (830x5)

No.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (HgGBT)

351 I only got a few episodes into Patriot. I should try again.

And, "#91
Heh. I feel the same way with Weasel's Gun Thread. Ya know, except owning a firearm instead of watching movies."

I used to be really into movies, but alas, children and a spouse that works instead of sitting around to watch tv/videos... I haven't kept up.

I had to read Beowulf in college, and even then, I could not follow along. I was so glad that I didn't have to write a paper about it. I would have to read a few kids versions before reading the real thing. That worked well for tackling the Odyssey.

Happy Saturday Night, everyone.

Posted by: sassy at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (tUGnI)

352 Sidney Powell bringing it on Newsmax.

Posted by: IrishEi at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (sGotD)

353 It does a great job of creating a minimalist, retro-future. Good effective use of the budget.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:32 PM (oVJmc)


Any future where you go to space in a gray double-breasted suit is OK with me.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (t+qrx)

354 326
Here's a problem I had with Contact. Jodie Foster playing a heterosexual. She is so gay she cannot do a convincing job of lying in bed if a guy happens to be in it. Love scenes with Matt McConnaauhhaughheyeuughyy (sp?) were a bust.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia, now 90% news-free! at November 21, 2020 09:30 PM (G51Gf)

Thank You!!!

That "relationship" just felt skeevy to me. There was no chemistry, and no way to fake it either.

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (BgMrQ)

355 No love for Bill Murray in Moonlight Kingdom?

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (ZLI7S)


Moonrise...

One of Anderson's best. Murray is terrific, but then so is everybody else. The kids are superb.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (hku12)

356 Sidney just referenced Lin Wood's suit. And the 166 page attached affidavit. That mentioned Dominion multiple times.


Huh.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (3P/5p)

357 Well crap, I somehow deleted the last line of the tweet:

Big Cases => Big Problems

Small Cases => Small Problems

No Cases => No Problems

Posted by: Tami at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (cF8AT)

358 301 No love for Bill Murray in Moonlight Kingdom?

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:24 PM (ZLI7S)

Yes! Love that movie. And Grand Budapest Hotel.

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:35 PM (OX9vb)

359 I've only seen one Zemeckis film: Castaway.

Is Back to the Future worth watching? I hear about it a lot.

Posted by: .87c at November 21, 2020 09:35 PM (HfwWb)

360 >>I hope her ordnance is different from Swalwell and Nadler.

You should look for her interview and listen for yourself. She's a serious person, she wouldn't be saying what she is right now without evidence.

She just blew up Hillary in 2016 about Bernie and then went on to say this crosses party lines.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:35 PM (ZLI7S)

361 331 For some reason the Polar Express creeps me out.
I think it might be that the characters have a cold robotic feel to them.
Also, Tom Hanks is annoying in it. I watch it every year trying to like it, but I always end up disliking it more than before.
Posted by: redridinghood at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (NpAcC)


I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

362 The White Sheik
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------

Noted.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (L47aO)

363 @318

I wanted Shugar to get away clean as an unstoppable force of evil, instead he gets hit by a car and is no longer that, also I thought Toms speech at the end was too drawn out.


Now having said that, I did not read the book so I'm imagining the film is faithful to the book.


But as I said, I would have liked it to have ended when Shugar left the house and it simpy faded to black with him standing on the porch.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:37 PM (qEjZn)

364 Holy shit that was incredible.

Sidney Powell is either insane or she has the goods.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:37 PM (ZLI7S)

365 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

That's another movie I liked until they ruined it with the whole "24 hours of A Christmas Story" bullshit on TBS or whatever.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (KuT6N)

366 362 The White Sheik
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
------

Noted.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (L47aO)

=========

The thing about Fellini is that he started in the Italian neo-realist school right after World War II with people like Vittorio de Sica. These were a defeated people trying to make movies in a ruined nation.

Fellini, though, wasn't interested in the ruin, he was interested in the intersection between the sacred and the profane. He saw the world as a circus. He was...different, but at the center of it all, he was still the product of a defeated nation that had lost its glory thousands of years before.

Those contrasts (he builds in a few more consistently, especially around women) are what drive his storytelling and what makes him fascinating.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (LvTSG)

367 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor
is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to
tears.

Posted by: Ladyl

Crosses Ladyl off nice list.

Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (nmRVs)

368 I love Polar Express as a Christmas movie and never noticed the stuff talked about above, though I see what you mean.

I have never desired to see Beowulf.

I watched Christmas Carol once but never cared about it because in my mind, the only version worth watching is the one starring George C. Scott.

Posted by: katya the designated driver at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (TqblR)

369 >>I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

Amen. Let the denunciations commence.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:39 PM (HgGBT)

370 >>> Thank You!!!

That "relationship" just felt skeevy to me. There was no chemistry, and no way to fake it either.
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:34 PM (BgMrQ)

=====

Jodie Foster's "relationship" with the pinball machine in The Accused was more realistic.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:39 PM (240Sf)

371 holy shit

toomey just stabbed the President right in the back

of course I'm not surprised really but... wow.

what. a. dick.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:39 PM (j9HX3)

372 "Because Congress loves a show."

And it wasn't even that, it was an everyone in government hearing. The James Wood character wasn't even in Congress. And everyone in government knew the audio tape was like eight hours, so why were they pretending to grill her? The whole thing made no sense to me, but even before that the over dramatic aspect of every scene took me out of it.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:39 PM (4thlk)

373 Rudy thanks the 'Obama judge' for getting to the point quickly. They fully expect the lower courts to flip them off. This is pointed straight to SCOTUS as far as they're concerned.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (oVJmc)

374 If they made a movie about Jodie Foster they'd have to find somebody more convincing to play her.

Posted by: klaftern at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (RuIsu)

375 367 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor
is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to
tears.

Posted by: Ladyl

Crosses Ladyl off nice list.
Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (nmRVs)

As a former Clevelander, I watch it for the scenery.
The story bores me...

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (BgMrQ)

376 Particularly the scene where one of them mentioned his (deceased)
wife's name was Genevieve, and then all the rest of start singing the
song, "Sweet Genevieve." And then sing it again.

My ma's name was Genevieve Rosemary and she hated it. If i ever get a boat it'll be named the Genevieve Rose. Always liked that name.

Posted by: dartist at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (+ya+t)

377 Hogmartin!!!

How are you???

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (TdMsT)

378 Amen. Let the denunciations commence.

Posted by: Caliban


Gonna be skipping a LOT of houses this year!

Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (nmRVs)

379 >>Moonrise...

>>One of Anderson's best. Murray is terrific, but then so is everybody else. The kids are superb.

The whole movie was filmed in and around my town.

Everyone who met Murray said he was a great guy.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (ZLI7S)

380 372 "Because Congress loves a show."

And it wasn't even that, it was an everyone in government hearing. The James Wood character wasn't even in Congress. And everyone in government knew the audio tape was like eight hours, so why were they pretending to grill her? The whole thing made no sense to me, but even before that the over dramatic aspect of every scene took me out of it.
Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:39 PM (4thlk)

========

In the scene before the grilling, Woods gives up his position as NSA. He runs for Congress and wins a seat in a line of dialogue. There's a movement of time of at least a few months between when Ellie finishes her trip and the hearings start.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (LvTSG)

381 Holy shit that was incredible.
Sidney Powell is either insane or she has the goods.
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:37 PM (ZLI7S)
~~~~~

It was great! She's got the goods--you know she does. And then Alan Dershowitz the big wet blanket. Sheesh.

Posted by: IrishEi at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (sGotD)

382 Here's video of Powell on Newsmax....6:30 mins of it.

Looking for more.

https://tinyurl.com/y6cpbt9s

Posted by: Tami at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (cF8AT)

383 345 Gattaca is a fine movie.

Much better than Jonah Hex, which I just watched mainly on the basis of Megan Fox. But she's barely in the film. Absurd.
Posted by: .87c at November 21, 2020 09:33 PM (HfwWb)

Jonah Hex is a film that doesn't know what it wants to be. It is a comic book movie about a western setting at a time when comic book movies were still considered nerd fare and few people though westers could be legit...and then throw in many (most?) comic aren't exactly into westerns and Hex is a B level (at best) character and you wind up with that mess of a film.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (Ojki1)

384 Hogmartin!!!

How are you???
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (TdMsT)


OK, thanks, you?

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (t+qrx)

385 And then Alan Dershowitz the big wet blanket. Sheesh.

He's a Democrat, so....

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:42 PM (WrOrt)

386 >>> Rudy thanks the 'Obama judge' for getting to the point quickly. They fully expect the lower courts to flip them off. This is pointed straight to SCOTUS as far as they're concerned.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (oVJmc)

======

As I was coming home I heard the top of the hour news report on the radio regarding the judge's ruling. You could hear the giddiness in the reporter's voice.

Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:42 PM (240Sf)

387
Roku's got Blade Runner : Final Cut.

Leon just cheated on the Voight-Kampf test.
Posted by: deplorable unperson


Is he getting LARGER?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 21, 2020 09:42 PM (63Dwl)

388 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

Oh, my, same here! And so much 40s drab, once was enough for me. Boring, AND depressing.

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (OX9vb)

389 Pedo Island Dershowitz has doubts.



*wank wank wank*

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (3P/5p)

390
Crosses Ladyl off nice list.
Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (nmRVs)

As a former Clevelander, I watch it for the scenery.
The story bores me...
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (BgMrQ)


There is a real cult following of that movie up towards Cleveland.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (TdMsT)

391
Those contrasts (he builds in a few more consistently, especially around women) are what drive his storytelling and what makes him fascinating.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
-----------

Having watched 'La Strada' twice now, I took the time to look into Giulietta Masina. She certainly earned her pay in that move.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (pK7cg)

392 336 Also: After March '19 threw a curveball, I finally finished the Rocky movies.

4 is fine til the end speech, which was Stallone in peak full of himself...

5 is a mess....

Rocky Balboa is so much better than 5 (and 4), it is amazing the franchise went dark again for as many years as it did as we finally got back to a character piece...

Creed is amazing...

Creed II is...fine.
------------------

Agreed on just about all counts. I saw Rocky 6 as almost an apology for #5, and a much better close-out for the series. Loved how they captured video of tourists running the steps for the credits. Related, a running group took Rocky's Philly run from #2, spliced it together, and came up with a route - more like 25 miles, IIRC, but there is or was an event to cover most of the route.

Creed/Creed2 - loved them both. Thought it was a great way to pass the torch, but Rocky certainly isn't in the background. Great way to keep things going with the same magic, without stretching belief that Rocky's still throwing punches himself.


Posted by: Mike at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (/A6g2)

393 in PA they are saying this judge is a Repub not Obama appointee?

and Toomey just congratulated Biden and Harris and basically said "that's it, PA went Biden, we're done here"

wow

again - WHAT A TOOL

he announced his "retirement" before the election - that was strategic. he is a snake.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (j9HX3)

394 The director failed to understand Ender's Game. Not bad but misses the point.

Posted by: WOPR at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (J70i0)

395 I would watch the hell out of "Muppet Beowulf".

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (Dc2NZ)

396 "I've always disliked "Christmas Story."


I don't think I've ever watched it though, never grabbed me. I think the Walton Christmas TV movie was a lot better. I still watch that every few years at Christmas.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (4thlk)

397 391
Those contrasts (he builds in a few more consistently, especially around women) are what drive his storytelling and what makes him fascinating.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
-----------

Having watched 'La Strada' twice now, I took the time to look into Giulietta Masina. She certainly earned her pay in that move.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (pK7cg)

========

She got the role by sleeping with the director.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (LvTSG)

398 The director failed to understand Ender's Game. Not bad but misses the point.
Posted by: WOPR at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (J70i0)


They can't all be Starship Troopers.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (t+qrx)

399 just - be aware - PA is going to certify this weekend or Monday - everyone is going to push VERY HARD for concession

hold fast!

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (j9HX3)

400
As I was coming home I heard the top of the hour news report on the radio regarding the judge's ruling. You could hear the giddiness in the reporter's voice.



It's funny how little they understand their enemies.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (oVJmc)

401 I would watch the hell out of "Muppet Beowulf".
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (Dc2NZ)


Tell me this exists.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (t+qrx)

402 Yes! Love that movie. And Grand Budapest Hotel.
Posted by: April
I am sure you saw:
Darjeeling express? The life aquatic?
What about this short video, Castello Cavalcanti?
https://tinyurl.com/y6fnd6be

Posted by: MikeM at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (OqsNP)

403
There is a real cult following of that movie up towards Cleveland.
Posted by: Ladyl
-------

Wasn't it filmed in Toronto?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (pK7cg)

404 Is Back to the Future worth watching? I hear about it a lot.
Posted by: .87c at November 21, 2020 09:35 PM (HfwWb)


Hmmm, one of those movies I just assume literally "everybody" has seen.

It's a time travel story, with some light-hearted incest.

No but seriously, if you like Michael J Fox going around doing his thing, with a good supporting cast, and a tight enough storyline, it's fun and entertaining.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (hku12)

405
Crosses Ladyl off nice list.
Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:38 PM (nmRVs)


Watch your step, big fat guy.

I know where you live.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (TdMsT)

406 >>The thing about Fellini is that he started in the Italian neo-realist school right after World War II with people like Vittorio de Sica. These were a defeated people trying to make movies in a ruined nation. Fellini, though, wasn't interested in the ruin, he was interested in the intersection between the sacred and the profane. He saw the world as a circus.


Doesn't matter. The movie has to stand on its own.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:45 PM (HgGBT)

407 Contact Toomey here:

https://www.toomey.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-toomey

Posted by: President-elect LASue at November 21, 2020 09:45 PM (Ed8Zd)

408 I don't think certification is gonna matter.

Read a bit of Title 50 this weekend.
This is not gonna be settled in the courtroom.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 21, 2020 09:45 PM (3P/5p)

409 I would watch the hell out of "Muppet Beowulf".
Posted by: All Hail President Eris
---------

Would you give your right arm?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:45 PM (pK7cg)

410
Wasn't it filmed in Toronto?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (pK7cg)

It may have been. But they used a house in Cleveland for the movie.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:45 PM (TdMsT)

411 Wow, lotta Jodey Foster hate.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (Dc2NZ)

412 406 >>The thing about Fellini is that he started in the Italian neo-realist school right after World War II with people like Vittorio de Sica. These were a defeated people trying to make movies in a ruined nation. Fellini, though, wasn't interested in the ruin, he was interested in the intersection between the sacred and the profane. He saw the world as a circus.


Doesn't matter. The movie has to stand on its own.
Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:45 PM (HgGBT)

=========

His movies do stand very well on their own.

It's just an explanation for his tone and general approach as well as contextualizing him for his place in history.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (LvTSG)

413 Moonrise...

>>One of Anderson's best. Murray is terrific, but then so is everybody else. The kids are superb.
------------
The whole movie was filmed in and around my town.

Everyone who met Murray said he was a great guy.
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (ZLI7S)


I hope you own an umbrella and some good rubbers.

Everything looks wet all the time.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (hku12)

414 >>Contact Toomey here:

Toomey knows. He's retiring.

He's meaningless.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (ZLI7S)

415 There is a real cult following of that movie up towards Cleveland.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (TdMsT)

Of that, I have no doubt.

Just for the downtown scenes alone.

When I was a wee knipper, we always went downtown to shop at Halles and Higbees at Christmas time.

I have very vivid memories of those days.

That and running out of a taping of Mr. Jingling in tears...I got stage fright!

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (BgMrQ)

416 They can't all be Starship Troopers.
Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (t+qrx)


Best thing about it is how much it pisses off the people who read the book.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (hku12)

417
No but seriously, if you like Michael J Fox going around doing his thing, with a good supporting cast, and a tight enough storyline, it's fun and entertaining.



It's slightly above a simple romp, but it ain't no Gone With The Wind.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (oVJmc)

418 Which reminds me - gotta see "Fatman" when it comes out. Mel Gibson is Santa, and Walton Goggins is Skinny Man, sent to assassinate the jolly old elf.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (Dc2NZ)

419 Wasn't there some federal statute or rule about having to maintain the ballots for 22 months after an election?
Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 09:28 PM (KAi1n)


They be more like guidelines, matey!

Posted by: Commissar-Elect Hrothgar - I Have Earned, And Deserve, Different Rules! at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (2C38g)

420
She got the role by sleeping with the director.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
--------

Well, at least he was decent enough to marry her. Wait...they were married, no?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (pK7cg)

421 374
If they made a movie about Jodie Foster they'd have to find somebody more convincing to play her.

Posted by: klaftern at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (RuIsu)

Kristen Stewart
/sarc

Posted by: President-Elect anchorbabe fashion cop at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (ufFY8)

422 Was Moonrise Kingdom the one with the two thirteen years olds running away together?

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (WrOrt)

423 I know where you live.

Posted by: Ladyl


HO! HO! HO! And other model train gauges.

Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (nmRVs)

424 411 Wow, lotta Jodey Foster hate.
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (Dc2NZ)

I sure don't get it.

Call me, Jodie.

Posted by: John Hinckley at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (Ojki1)

425 420
She got the role by sleeping with the director.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison
--------

Well, at least he was decent enough to marry her. Wait...they were married, no?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (pK7cg)

========

Yeah, they were married for a very long time.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (LvTSG)

426 Best thing about it is how much it pisses off the people who read the book.
Posted by: BurtTC at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (hku12)


I love the book and I love the movie. They have nothing in common besides the name.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (t+qrx)

427 yeah why bother contacting toomey he's a piece of crap

and liz cheney just called for concession too

they're going to use this ruling and the upcoming PA cert to push hard for the President to concede.

he needs to just stay the course. I know he will. and we need to, as well.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (j9HX3)

428 @bennyjohnson

Attorney @SidneyPowell1 on @Newsmax: "Georgia is probably going to be the first state I'm going to blow up"... says filing in the state "will be Biblical".

2 min. video:

https://tinyurl.com/y66urb8x

Posted by: Tami at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (cF8AT)

429 Jim Jarmusch's finest film is Night on Earth. Five vignettes set in taxicabs in NYC, LA, Paris, Rome and Oslo. At one end, the one set in Rome, with Roberto Begnini was so funny I almost wet my pants laughing in the theater; at the other, the one set in Oslo was so sad I was sobbing. Great actors, too - Giancarlo Esposito, Gina Rowlands, Winona Ryder...

Posted by: vivi at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (USW1s)

430 384 Hogmartin!!!

How are you???
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:40 PM (TdMsT)

OK, thanks, you?
Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:41 PM (t+qrx)


Doing well, but miss you.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (TdMsT)

431 yeah Toomey is a fucking feckless corrupt fuck

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 09:49 PM (nUhF0)

432 I've been wanting to see an old Jody Foster film from yesteryear called Candleshoe.

p.s. A Christmas Story sucks cock by choice.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 09:49 PM (H5knJ)

433 @371

It all makes sense once you understand, they are all in on the heist.


You notice a lot of GOP won down ballot but a meat puppet who didn't campaign got more votes than any candidate in the history of the country.


The Uniparty is the Deep State.

The Deep State is the Uniparty.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:49 PM (qEjZn)

434 >Wow, lotta Jodey Foster hate.
Posted by: All Hail President Eris,


I like her. I keep telling you people to see The Brave One.

Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:49 PM (iTXRQ)

435 There is a real cult following of that movie up towards Cleveland.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (TdMsT)

Yet, the author was from Hammond, IN, I believe.
Cleveland is a stand-in for NW Indiana.

Posted by: Occupier of the President-Elect Office Deplorable Ian Galt at November 21, 2020 09:49 PM (ufFY8)

436 I work in this field,. Zemeckis has walked away from straight performance capture, the technology has developed to the point that almost all high-end fantasy or sci-fi movies use some mix of live film and performance capture. Pirates of the Caribbean is a good example, along with Avatar and Lord of the Rings.

Posted by: motionview at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (pYQR/)

437 I thought Jean Shepeard was based in Gary, Indiana, not Cleveland.

Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (l3+k2)

438
That and running out of a taping of Mr. Jingling in tears...I got stage fright!
Posted by: browndog

Mr. Jingling didn't bug me at all but Barnaby!? Jeebus!!

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (Rvt88)

439 She got the role by sleeping with the director.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (LvTSG)


You sound like you think there is something wrong with that?

Posted by: Commissar-Elect Hrothgar - I Have Earned, And Deserve, Different Rules! at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (2C38g)

440 422 Was Moonrise Kingdom the one with the two thirteen years olds running away together?
Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (WrOrt)

A Little Romance - Laurence Olivier, and Dianne Lane with some French kid

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (BgMrQ)

441 @279 "Sweet Genevieve." You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by that.

Well this is terrible, but you just don't see the name "Genevieve" pop up that often out of a clear blue...
The 1953 British comedy "Genevieve" is one of the greatest car movies ever made, and it is about the car scene from before any of us even got a start. It is set in the London-to-Brighton classics run, one of the damnedest things that happens in this sad old world. Story is by William Rose, who also wrote "The Ladykillers" (original also a great car movie -- Studebaker Hawk in England!) and Mad Mad Mad Mad World.

Has the absolutely shit-hot Kay Kendall, who was married to Rex Harrison, and Kenneth More, who was in just about everything good in Britain for 25 years or so (A Night to Remember). It has nothing in common with all these other films at all except that the name came up.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (zMFmR)

442 Jodie Foster was good in Maverick with Mel Gibson.

Posted by: vivi at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (USW1s)

443 ...and liz cheney just called for concession too
Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (j9HX3)
~~~~~

I used to like Liz Cheney. What a huge disappointment she's become.

Posted by: IrishEi at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (sGotD)

444 They can't all be Starship Troopers.
Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (t+qrx)

So pistols at dawn I see.

Posted by: WOPR at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (J70i0)

445 "Wow, lotta Jodey Foster hate."


Should have quit after The Silence of the Lambs.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:51 PM (4thlk)

446
Just for the downtown scenes alone.

When I was a wee knipper, we always went downtown to shop at Halles and Higbees at Christmas time.

I have very vivid memories of those days.

That and running out of a taping of Mr. Jingling in tears...I got stage fright!
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (BgMrQ)


I had similar childhood Christmases in Columbus.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:51 PM (TdMsT)

447 Doing well, but miss you.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (TdMsT)


I was considering going to the Ohio MoMe, but that's a heck of a drive. Eight hours round trip. AltonJackson has been trying to get something going mid-way, Toledo-ish, Put-In-Bay, something like that. That could be manageable.

Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:51 PM (t+qrx)

448 Which reminds me - gotta see "Fatman" when it comes out. Mel Gibson is Santa, and Walton Goggins is Skinny Man, sent to assassinate the jolly old elf.
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:47 PM (Dc2NZ)

Oh yes! Looking forward to that one.

Posted by: Jordan61 - 2020 TX MoMe Bacon Wench
TRUMP WON
at November 21, 2020 09:51 PM (KuT6N)

449 His movies do stand very well on their own. It's just an explanation for his tone and general approach as well as contextualizing him for his place in history.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (LvTSG)

I agree if you mean that they stand on their own as cinematic art. But if you mean they are not depressing...well. watch the movies.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:52 PM (HgGBT)

450 HO! HO! HO! And other model train gauges.
Posted by: Santa at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (nmRVs)


Well done!

Posted by: Commissar-Elect Hrothgar - I Have Earned, And Deserve, Different Rules! at November 21, 2020 09:52 PM (2C38g)

451 AltonJackson has been trying to get something going mid-way, Toledo-ish, Put-In-Bay, something like that. That could be manageable.
Posted by: hogmartin

Do it please!

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 09:52 PM (Rvt88)

452 I used to like Liz Cheney. What a huge disappointment she's become.
Posted by: IrishEi at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (sGotD)

She is her father's daughter, and good old dad never saw a foreign country he didn't dream of having an excuse to bomb.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 09:52 PM (Ojki1)

453 The last thing Toomey is going to do is let it be known what a corrupt shithole he's been running.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 09:52 PM (oVJmc)

454 Posted by: MikeM at November 21, 2020 09:44 PM (OqsNP)

MikeM, I have not seen Darjeeling Express, and didn't like Life Aquatic that much. I also didn't make it through The Royal Tannenbaums. So I'm not totally a Wes Anderson fan, but Moonrise Kingdom and Grand Budapest Hotel are two of my faves.

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:53 PM (OX9vb)

455 436 I work in this field,. Zemeckis has walked away from straight performance capture, the technology has developed to the point that almost all high-end fantasy or sci-fi movies use some mix of live film and performance capture. Pirates of the Caribbean is a good example, along with Avatar and Lord of the Rings.
Posted by: motionview at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (pYQR/)

==========

Yeah, but he really was excited by the use of it to deliver an entire movie.

The way he described the ideal project for the technique was something that was too tough to do with real actors because of ages or scope (as he put it), but also something you don't want to do with traditional animation. He lands with the graphic novel as a good comparison point.

He's still trying to use it as seen in Welcome to Marwen, but I guess the falling apart of The Yellow Submarine along with the bomb that was Mars Needs Moms (that he produced) and the less than hugely successful result of A Christmas Story just made it financially impractical for him to gather the funds together for another go.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:53 PM (LvTSG)

456 453 The last thing Toomey is going to do is let it be known what a corrupt shithole he's been running.


he runs nothing and does NOTHING

he's a non-entity

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:53 PM (j9HX3)

457
I was considering going to the Ohio MoMe, but that's a heck of a drive. Eight hours round trip. AltonJackson has been trying to get something going mid-way, Toledo-ish, Put-In-Bay, something like that. That could be manageable.
Posted by: hogmartin at November 21, 2020 09:51 PM (t+qrx)


Maybe on a Sunday, sometime? Saturday morning and early afternoon is difficult for me.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (TdMsT)

458 Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:51 PM (TdMsT)


You got your email link figured out

Posted by: buzzion at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (vMCab)

459 449 His movies do stand very well on their own. It's just an explanation for his tone and general approach as well as contextualizing him for his place in history.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:46 PM (LvTSG)

I agree if you mean that they stand on their own as cinematic art. But if you mean they are not depressing...well. watch the movies.
Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:52 PM (HgGBT)

==========

Well, that depends on the movie.

Fellini Satyricon is...confusing?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (LvTSG)

460 388 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

Oh, my, same here! And so much 40s drab, once was enough for me. Boring, AND depressing.
Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (OX9vb)

^^Sisters!! yes, I wanted to like it, but no could NOT do it.

Posted by: Iris at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (6lKe4)

461 Anyone else like Fantastic Mr. Fox?

Even my white hot hatred for George Clooney and Meryl Streep doesn't diminish my love for this movie.

*snaps fingers*

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (WrOrt)

462 Hey everybody! Yay movie thread! Sorry I'm late.

TJM, I see you agree with everyone else that Marwen is horrible. I kind of wanted to see it until I read the reviews. Bleah.

Also, wasn't Contact meant by Carl Sagan to be a pro-atheism story? (I could be wrong about that of course.)

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (L2ZTs)

463 Mr. Jingling didn't bug me at all but Barnaby!? Jeebus!!
Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (Rvt8

Cleveland was into Elves before Elves were cool

I loved the Cleveland TV kids shows: Capt Penny, Woodrow the Woodsman.

Fvck Capt Kangaroo, and Miss Barbara

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (BgMrQ)

464 the PA judge was an Obama appointee btw

recommended to Obama by...

Pat Toomey

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (j9HX3)

465 I used to like Liz Cheney. What a huge disappointment she's become.
Posted by: IrishEi at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (sGotD)

Trump's tweet I posted upthread said Liz is just upset the troops are beung brought home

meanung she's part of the endless war industry
a chip off the old Dick

Posted by: vmom Trump Won! at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (nUhF0)

466 he runs nothing and does NOTHING*
he's a non-entity
Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:53 PM (j9HX3)


* but I'd bet he has very sweet bank accounts, mostly off-shore!

Posted by: Commissar-Elect Hrothgar - I Have Earned, And Deserve, Different Rules! at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (2C38g)

467 462 Also, wasn't Contact meant by Carl Sagan to be a pro-atheism story? (I could be wrong about that of course.)
Posted by: qdpsteve at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (L2ZTs)

========

I've never read the book, so I don't know how much changed in the adaptation. It wouldn't surprise me, though.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (LvTSG)

468 442 Jodie Foster was good in Maverick with Mel Gibson.
Posted by: vivi at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (USW1s)

Again, it just didn't ring true...

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (BgMrQ)

469 in PA they are saying this judge is a Repub not Obama appointee?



and Toomey just congratulated Biden and Harris and basically said "that's it, PA went Biden, we're done here"



wow



again - WHAT A TOOL



he announced his "retirement" before the election - that was strategic. he is a snake.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (j9HX3)


I really think scum like him are happier to surrender more than anything else.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (FHq2j)

470 @443

She's a Chip of The Old War Mongers Block.

They can't wait for the War Machine to start Cranking again if Trump is defeated.

They are all bastard flavored bastards covered in bastard sauce.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (qEjZn)

471 I loved the Cleveland TV kids shows: Capt Penny, Woodrow the Woodsman.

Fvck Capt Kangaroo, and Miss Barbara
Posted by: browndog

And Ghoulardi!

Okay, different demographic slice but still. . .

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (Rvt88)

472 Sidney Powell just put her professional career and maybe her life on the line to say that not only does she have evidence that Trump won this election but Hillary used the same system to cheat Bernie in 2016 and Bernie knows it.

It's not that we don't know this but now Trump's legal team is saying this in the middle of a fight for the presidency.

We are in totally uncharted waters.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (ZLI7S)

473 "Anyone else like Fantastic Mr. Fox?"


Never heard of it.


Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (4thlk)

474 Why the hell would anyone want to remake "Yellow Submarine"? The great thing about "Yellow Submarine" is the groovy Peter Max-style acid trip animation.

It is very much a snapshot of the time and that is its charm.

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (Dc2NZ)

475 460 388 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

Oh, my, same here! And so much 40s drab, once was enough for me. Boring, AND depressing.
Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (OX9vb)

^^Sisters!! yes, I wanted to like it, but no could NOT do it.
Posted by: Iris at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (6lKe4)



It has a few quotable moments and that's really it for me. I never understood the fascination with it to the point of TBS and TNT needing to run it for 24 hours on Christmas.

Posted by: buzzion at November 21, 2020 09:57 PM (vMCab)

476 >>Fellini Satyricon is...confusing?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (LvTSG)


"Satyricon" is one of the most dispiriting movies I have ever seen. To its credit, that makes it just like the book.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 09:57 PM (HgGBT)

477 And Ghoulardi!

Okay, different demographic slice but still. . .
Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (Rvt8
---

Parma!

Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:57 PM (Dc2NZ)

478 Sagan was an atheist, and his views are bound to bleed over, but having read Contact, I don't think it was intended as a pro-atheism book in the sense of trying to advance that view or propagandize.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at November 21, 2020 09:57 PM (H5knJ)

479 ...and liz cheney just called for concession too


Posted by: BlackOrchid at November 21, 2020 09:48 PM (j9HX3)



She can shove her concession up her ass. It's long past time to clean the Quislings out of the party.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at November 21, 2020 09:58 PM (FHq2j)

480 474 Why the hell would anyone want to remake "Yellow Submarine"? The great thing about "Yellow Submarine" is the groovy Peter Max-style acid trip animation.

It is very much a snapshot of the time and that is its charm.
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (Dc2NZ)

========

Zemeckis loves the Beatles, and he would have done some trippy stuff with the visuals, I'm sure.

He'd gotten sign off from Apple, that owns the Beatles' library, for the songs he wanted to use. They were pretty much ready to go, and then Disney pulled the plug. Then Zemeckis went off, made Flight, and hasn't gone back to animation since.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:58 PM (LvTSG)

481
Fvck Capt Kangaroo, and Miss Barbara

Posted by: browndog




Miss Florence flashed our five o'clock anchor.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:58 PM (nmRVs)

482 472
Sidney Powell just put her professional career and maybe her life on the
line to say that not only does she have evidence that Trump won this
election but Hillary used the same system to cheat Bernie in 2016 and
Bernie knows it.



It's not that we don't know this but now Trump's legal team is saying this in the middle of a fight for the presidency.



We are in totally uncharted waters.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (ZLI7S)


Didn't the DNC rob Bernie in 2020, Nevada primary/caucus I think, with hinky software, Shadow App or something?

Posted by: davidt at November 21, 2020 09:58 PM (l3+k2)

483 468 442 Jodie Foster was good in Maverick with Mel Gibson.
Posted by: vivi at November 21, 2020 09:50 PM (USW1s)

Again, it just didn't ring true...
Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 09:55 PM (BgMrQ)

I think that was fine in Maverick, considering everyone was duplicitous. It didn't need to ring true, because is was layers of deceit anyway. You couldn't believe anybody!

Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:59 PM (OX9vb)

484 Just thought I'd add that my handle is 'motionview' as I thought '15 years ago I thought 'motioncapture' was a bit too on the nose.

Posted by: motionview at November 21, 2020 09:59 PM (pYQR/)

485 477 And Ghoulardi!

Okay, different demographic slice but still. . .
Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 09:56 PM (Rvt8
---

Parma!
Posted by: All Hail President Eris, Benevolent Dictatrix at November 21, 2020 09:57 PM (Dc2NZ)

Turn blue Ghoul...

I've told the stories before of my dad treating Ernie Anderson for throat issues.

Funny guy.

I think his son is part of the Horde...

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 10:00 PM (BgMrQ)

486 I like her. I keep telling you people to see The Brave One.
Posted by: DB- just DB. at November 21, 2020 09:49 PM (iTXRQ)

She makes a great vigilante.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 10:00 PM (5FCda)

487 Updates of actions that Progda is completely ignoring.


It's like there is another world in America the Progda machine denies even exists.


Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at November 21, 2020 08:41 PM (sy5kK)


The South American papers are all toeing the AP line as well, for all they are EFE feeds.

Posted by: Kindltot at November 21, 2020 10:00 PM (WyVLE)

488 Uncharted waters for real.

Posted by: Jmel at November 21, 2020 10:00 PM (bVhJi)

489 Fellini Satyricon is...confusing?
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future!

"Satyricon" is one of the most dispiriting movies I have ever seen. To its credit, that makes it just like the book.
Posted by: Caliban


Salvador Dali's Un Chien Andalou - wow, I just couldn't unsee that.

Posted by: Tonypete at November 21, 2020 10:00 PM (Rvt88)

490 The very first HISHE was Beowulf.

https://youtu.be/QFeRN19Blr4


Posted by: BourbonChicken at November 21, 2020 10:01 PM (LxTcq)

491 I though Beowulf actually worked quite well, other than that you spent the whole first quarter of the movie hoping you didn't see his Beo-pup swinging around. Why he decided to go that literal and exact with naked burly men leaping around was mystifying.

Beowulf is an interesting story but ultimately pretty sad and disappointing because its a story of human corruption no matter how great you are.

And I agree, as much as I want to like Maverick, it just didn't work.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 21, 2020 10:01 PM (KZzsI)

492 The James Madison what do you think the long term implicatins are on box office? Are movies going to be mostly direct to streaming going forward?

Posted by: cintas at November 21, 2020 10:01 PM (sVmYZ)

493 Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:53 PM (LvTSG)

I knew you'd pull me up on the 4:3 thing.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:01 PM (10GAF)

494 TJM, Zemecki's first major picture was a complete Beatles tribute:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
I_Wanna_Hold_Your_Hand_(film)

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (L2ZTs)

495 I wonder how much of what's going on politically involves people directly involved casting about and calling in "favors" from wherever they can get them; in this case, getting Republican politicians to cave and support Biden. So, somebody in Tier 1 starts calling in favors (blackmail, especially of the pedophile kind) and in casting about, one of those favors is from someone in Tier 2, and then he's in the same situation so he starts pulling whatever blackmail he can to get more people supporting Biden, etc.

Posted by: SFGoth at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (KAi1n)

496 It has a few quotable moments and that's really it
for me. I never understood the fascination with it to the point of TBS
and TNT needing to run it for 24 hours on Christmas.

Posted by: buzzion at November 21, 2020 09:57 PM (vMCab)

Gives most everyone a day off.

Posted by: Occupier of the President-Elect Office Deplorable Ian Galt at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (ufFY8)

497 OANN Investigates starting now.

Posted by: IrishEi at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (sGotD)

498 491 I though Beowulf actually worked quite well, other than that you spent the whole first quarter of the movie hoping you didn't see his Beo-pup swinging around. Why he decided to go that literal and exact with naked burly men leaping around was mystifying.

Beowulf is an interesting story but ultimately pretty sad and disappointing because its a story of human corruption no matter how great you are.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 21, 2020 10:01 PM (KZzsI)

===========

The Austin Powers thing in that fight was a mistake that Zemeckis should have seen coming a mile away.

Unless he saw the movie as a comedy overall, which is entirely possible.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (LvTSG)

499 I didn't think Contact was some kind of Aethism tract it was just overlong and boring. Sagan was not as smart as he or his fans thought

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (KZzsI)

500 Not that I've given it a great deal of thought but I hope the long term impact of plandemic is that Hollywood dies a slow and torturous death.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (10GAF)

501 493 Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 09:53 PM (LvTSG)

I knew you'd pull me up on the 4:3 thing.
Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:01 PM (10GAF)

=========

Well, I am an asshoe.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (LvTSG)

502 442 Jodie Foster was good in Maverick with Mel Gibson.

******

That is one of my all time favorite feel good movies. And Mel will make anyone straight!! And she went on to cast him in her own movie a few years later when he was blacklisted. So they got along well.

Posted by: sassy at November 21, 2020 10:03 PM (tUGnI)

503 >>Didn't the DNC rob Bernie in 2020, Nevada primary/caucus I think, with hinky software, Shadow App or something?

So much stuff for so many years. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle now.

How great is it to have a president who fights?

Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 10:03 PM (ZLI7S)

504 Again, it just didn't ring true...

Posted by: browndog


Rock Hudsons old movies seem strange now.

Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 10:04 PM (nmRVs)

505 Yeah Jodie Foster has always been a big fan of and defender of Mel Gibson whose worst sin was being drunk and using a slur he shouldn't have. Like nobody else in Hollywood has done that, the batch of pathetic hypocrites.

They hated him for The Passion of Christ, which they blamed for Bush winning in 04, somehow.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 21, 2020 10:04 PM (KZzsI)

506 I've read "Beowulf" many times in many translations (can't read olde English), and I'm still not sure it's "about" anything, in the sense that "Hamlet" is "about" something, or "The Iliad." Unless we mean the fear of the village of monsters in the woods.

Posted by: Caliban at November 21, 2020 10:04 PM (HgGBT)

507 Rocky Balboa is so much better than 5 (and 4), it is amazing the franchise went dark again for as many years as it did as we finally got back to a character piece...

Rocky Balboa is as good as the first, and his speech to his son about being a man is one for the ages. I haven't seen Creed, but I've heard good things.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 21, 2020 10:05 PM (KZzsI)

508 460 388 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

Oh, my, same here! And so much 40s drab, once was enough for me. Boring, AND depressing.
Posted by: April at November 21, 2020 09:43 PM (OX9vb)

^^Sisters!! yes, I wanted to like it, but no could NOT do it.
Posted by: Iris at November 21, 2020 09:54 PM (6lKe4)

I just never cared for A Christmas Story or have seen what's so special or quotable about it.

The BEST Christmas movie is STILL Die Hard.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 10:06 PM (lE1L7)

509 So much stuff for so many years. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle now.

How great is it to have a president who fights?
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 10:03 PM (ZLI7S)

***************

Absolutely wonderful.

I hope he'll win - and I think he will. Then we may be able to smoke out many, if not all, the scofflaws in the DoJ, CIA, and other departments/agencies.

Posted by: Sasquatch, the Original trans-Wookie at November 21, 2020 10:06 PM (xxG/v)

510 yes. with Mel, it is all hate for Passion.

Posted by: sassy at November 21, 2020 10:06 PM (tUGnI)

511 I liked Beowolf. Only saw it once though, in a theater. Didn't want to see it again and spoil it, as with Contact, I can only suspend my disbelief with movies so much.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 10:07 PM (4thlk)

512 If you like Rocky and Rocky Balboa see Creed.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 10:07 PM (Ojki1)

513 Apropos of absolutely nothing I've recent become super aware of a thing I very specifically detest about the left. They love to view themselves as *gatekeepers* to a higher life and for some reason it has really been cheesing me off lately.

You can see it sometimes in "reality" TV shows with judges... not all of them... but a bunch. Where the judges act as a keyholder to the special throne where only chosen asses of a certain smell and taste ever get to sit.

It's something I've always seen unconsciously but become particularly attuned to now. It runs right along their anti-freedom jag. You have no chance to move past a certain point unless you are specifically sanctioned by *them*.

In this you find their arrogance, haughtiness, atheism, authoritarianism and envy all rolled into one.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (10GAF)

514 Well, apparently somebody from the Uncanny Valley shot 8 people in a mall in the Milwaukee 'burbs yesterday, because there have been no arrests, the prep is still at large and nobody seems to be able to give a good description of him besides white male in his 20's (or maybe 30's).

This mall is rather upscale. My sister's friend had just stepped into a Banana Republic to make a return when she heard shots right behind her and ran to the back of the store. The guy shot 8 people (none fatally, thank goodness) and then successfully fled, perhaps in the midst of others who were also fleeing the mall. There isn't even agreement on what he was wearing - either a gray hoodie, a red hoodie or a black trench coat. So over 24 hours later, he's still at large. Jeez, were the security cameras not working?

Cops think it was a targeted shooting. My sister said, "If he knew the people, why couldn't they tell the cops who he was?" I said, "Maybe it was a targeted shooting of strangers."

I found myself wondering if he came in, some Karen yelled at him for not wearing a mask, and that set him off. He went back to his car and came back with a mask - and a gun....in 2020, that's a plausible scenario.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (HabA/)

515 yes. with Mel, it is all hate for Passion.
Posted by: sassy at November 21, 2020 10:06 PM (tUGnI)

I just sat still in the theater for a while after it ended. Very powerful.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (5FCda)

516 504 Again, it just didn't ring true...

Posted by: browndog


Rock Hudsons old movies seem strange now.
Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 10:04 PM (nmRVs)

Apples / Oranges

The Rock - Doris day comedies were just that, comedies.

Maverick was a re-make of the TV show, and I felt it was a plastic imitation of the James Garner original. It tried way too hard on all fronts.

The Donald would be moved to say: fake movie...very sad!

Posted by: browndog at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (BgMrQ)

517 Damn... if that 1 was a N, I would submit this hash for the AoSHQ Hash Hall of Fame.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:09 PM (10GAF)

518 510 yes. with Mel, it is all hate for Passion.
Posted by: sassy at November 21, 2020 10:06 PM (tUGnI)

I firmly believe that minus that film Hollywood would not have blacklisted him like they did when he had his stupid moments. Plenty of other actors have been horrible and been able to redeem themselves, but that film scared him as Whoreywood hated that Gibson showed there was an audience for a religious film that wasn't mocking, which Whoreywood had been trying to sell the rubes didn't exist for decades.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 10:10 PM (Ojki1)

519 the prep is still at large and nobody seems to be able to give a good description of him besides white male in his 20's (or maybe 30's).

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (HabA/)

Oh are we allowed to give "race" in descriptions anymore? I guess only if they're white.

I notice now the local orders tell you to pay mind to the height weight and "complexion" of a perpetrator. Like, "Oh yes officer, he was 6'2", 205, and needed to exfoliate".

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:10 PM (10GAF)

520 508 460 388 I've always disliked "Christmas Story." The humor is weak and contrived. The movie feels forced to me, and it bores me to tears.
Posted by: Ladyl at November 21, 2020 09:36 PM (TdMsT)

I thought it was mildly clever and funny the first time I saw it. The Depression era drabness was well captured. But I had no desire to see it again, and certainly not every Christmas season.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:11 PM (HabA/)

521 Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (HabA/)


By the way Donna I hope you are hanging in and doing okay. It's nice to see you around. Not that I've been around much.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:11 PM (10GAF)

522 Oh are we allowed to give "race" in descriptions anymore? I guess only if they're white.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:10 PM (10GAF)

You know the media and the Dem pols have to be praying he's a disgruntled Trump supporter.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:12 PM (HabA/)

523
I found myself wondering if he came in, some Karen yelled at him for not wearing a mask, and that set him off. He went back to his car and came back with a mask - and a gun....in 2020, that's a plausible scenario.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:08 PM (HabA/)

Given how Northridge died I wonder if Mayfair will survive.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 10:12 PM (Ojki1)

524 re Maverick, I never saw the original tv show, so it was just a fantastic action/gambling/old west movie.

I also love Pillow Talk, one of my favorites too, but I do giggle when there is a bit about the love interest being less than a man. It is a thousand times funnier now, knowing that he was closeted at the time too. I guess that is mean. Boo

Posted by: sassy at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (tUGnI)

525 Funny that 'ettes don't like A Christmas Story too much. Too much of a boy's childhood story?

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (oVJmc)

526 By the way Donna I hope you are hanging in and doing okay. It's nice to see you around. Not that I've been around much.
Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:11 PM (10GAF)

Thanks. I still feel kinda terrible, but I'm trying to act "as if" As if I am doing just fine.

I can't bear to watch or read too much news right now.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (HabA/)

527 Gotta hand it to Mel Gibson though, even after the powers that be tried to ruin him, he's still makes good movies as a director and is still in demand as an actor. How many guys his age and time in the business can say that.

Posted by: lowandslow at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (4thlk)

528 You know the media and the Dem pols have to be praying he's a disgruntled Trump supporter.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:12 PM (HabA/)

Of course. And you know damn well it's 99% he loves Bernie and hates Trump.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (10GAF)

529 Nood

Posted by: squeakywheel at November 21, 2020 10:14 PM (WrOrt)

530 Donna&&&&&V -if you need someone to talk to WI has 3 peer respites, 2 for sure that are doing support over the phone. Not sure if Menomonee is still limiting calls to people from 715 area code or not.

Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 10:14 PM (Ojki1)

531 315 >>> Liz Cheney wants POTUS to concede
I guess she's part of the war profiteers


She's a pedigreed swamp creature.
Posted by: Captain James T. Kirk at November 21, 2020 09:26 PM (oVJmc)

======

The one thing they will never be able to take away from Trump. Because of him, we now know who is really on our side.
Posted by: Swingin' for the downs at November 21, 2020 09:28 PM (240Sf)

Trump DOES need to concede, because the people have forfeited the confidence of the government. Let's unite behind the new President as he issues instructions for us to follow TO THE LETTER for how we can get the confidence of the government back.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 10:14 PM (lE1L7)

532
503 >>Didn't the DNC rob Bernie in 2020, Nevada primary/caucus I think, with hinky software, Shadow App or something?

So much stuff for so many years. There's no putting the genie back in the bottle now.

How great is it to have a president who fights?
Posted by: JackStraw at November 21, 2020 10:03 PM (ZLI7S)


--------

Well Bernie bros were pointing out the mathematically impossible wins Hillary had in the 2016 primaries. Exactly the same stuff too. Bernie with seemly insurmountable numbers yet late vote counting going all to Hillary to turn the tide.

Posted by: MAGA (stop the steal link in this nic) at November 21, 2020 10:14 PM (cMXNt)

533 Rock Hudsons old movies seem strange now.
Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 10:04 PM (nmRVs)

I STILL hear a old friend of mine cussing about how offended he was that Mr. Hudson was the President in the NBC two-part miniseries World War Eye-Eye-Eye.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 10:16 PM (lE1L7)

534 Given how Northridge died I wonder if Mayfair will survive.
Posted by: Bete at November 21, 2020 10:12 PM (Ojki1)

Doubtful - who's going to feel comfortable shopping there now? If you would have told anybody 15 years ago that they might be shot while coming out of Nordstrom's or Williams-Sonoma ...

Southridge (where my mother practically lived at during the '70's) is still hanging on, but it's like a ghost town now.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:17 PM (HabA/)

535 Thanks. I still feel kinda terrible, but I'm trying to act "as if" As if I am doing just fine.

I can't bear to watch or read too much news right now.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (HabA/)

Definitely don't! I can't either. I can barely read about it. Not that I much loved the news this last four years anyway. All we talk about is what the Left wants us to talk about.

I also constantly remind myself that while Satan runs this world, God is in control. I know it sounds dramatic but it's true. There's no videos of us crying... none of us setting fires or sky screaming.

They can't break us and they never will. Trust me it kills them. They wallow in misery and nothing can ever fix that. I'm not saying it doesn't suck that we have to live with them. It does. I'm also not saying this time doesn't suck. It does. This is probably all cold comfort but just know you're not alone.

Incidentally, I also think if anyone can pull this off, Trump can. If not, life will go on. I will continue to pay a whoooole lot less attention to the "news" which is all a mindfuck anyway. Trying to give over more time to creative endeavors. Anyway you are being thought about.

Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:19 PM (10GAF)

536 I liked Christmas Story, it was nothing deep but it was a slice of life.
And everyone in the family cared. I think that was the biggest thing. They were all messed up but they cared and were focused on each other, not on their misery like all the modern flics

Posted by: Kindltot at November 21, 2020 10:20 PM (WyVLE)

537 Posted by: ... at November 21, 2020 10:19 PM (10GAF)

Thank you.

Posted by: Donna&&&&&V at November 21, 2020 10:20 PM (HabA/)

538 525 Funny that 'ettes don't like A Christmas Story too much. Too much of a boy's childhood story?
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at November 21, 2020 10:13 PM (oVJmc)



I'm a guy and I don't care for it.

Posted by: buzzion at November 21, 2020 10:23 PM (vMCab)

539
I saw as the poor super duper smart woman being ground down by self serving, condescending, power hungry white men. Oh, and her male staff discovers ET.
Posted by: Some rat in the swamp at November 21, 2020 09:31 PM (nmRVs)

It was 1997 and that was NOT Brie Larson!!!

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 10:27 PM (lE1L7)

540 Wasn't here last week, but wanted to thank TJM for his great review of "Friendly Persuasion". One of my top movies.

Posted by: Sal at November 21, 2020 10:28 PM (KTdeA)

541 Bush lied, people died.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at November 21, 2020 10:33 PM (LxTcq)

542 499 I didn't think Contact was some kind of Aethism tract it was just overlong and boring. Sagan was not as smart as he or his fans thought
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 21, 2020 10:02 PM (KZzsI)

I never thought Dr. Sagan was partucularly smart as much as he was good enough to engage the public about science and he felt the general public was smarter than given credit for. And the original Cosmos was spectacular (and seen by me at a very formative age).

He definitely was confused about a lot of things. Love space exploration but balked at human spaceflight. For starters.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 21, 2020 10:39 PM (lE1L7)

543 Dolph Lungren had 50 lbs on Stallone.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at November 21, 2020 10:48 PM (LxTcq)

544 Where is this idea that "Christmas Story" is set in the Depression?
It's late 1940's. It was an era of plenty. The Depression was over.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at November 21, 2020 11:01 PM (zMFmR)

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MuNuvians
MeeNuvians
Polls! Polls! Polls!

Real Clear Politics
Gallup
Frequently Asked Questions
The (Almost) Complete Paul Anka Integrity Kick
Top Top Tens
Greatest Hitjobs

The Ace of Spades HQ Sex-for-Money Skankathon
A D&D Guide to the Democratic Candidates
Margaret Cho: Just Not Funny
More Margaret Cho Abuse
Margaret Cho: Still Not Funny
Iraqi Prisoner Claims He Was Raped... By Woman
Wonkette Announces "Morning Zoo" Format
John Kerry's "Plan" Causes Surrender of Moqtada al-Sadr's Militia
World Muslim Leaders Apologize for Nick Berg's Beheading
Michael Moore Goes on Lunchtime Manhattan Death-Spree
Milestone: Oliver Willis Posts 400th "Fake News Article" Referencing Britney Spears
Liberal Economists Rue a "New Decade of Greed"
Artificial Insouciance: Maureen Dowd's Word Processor Revolts Against Her Numbing Imbecility
Intelligence Officials Eye Blogs for Tips
They Done Found Us Out, Cletus: Intrepid Internet Detective Figures Out Our Master Plan
Shock: Josh Marshall Almost Mentions Sarin Discovery in Iraq
Leather-Clad Biker Freaks Terrorize Australian Town
When Clinton Was President, Torture Was Cool
What Wonkette Means When She Explains What Tina Brown Means
Wonkette's Stand-Up Act
Wankette HQ Gay-Rumors Du Jour
Here's What's Bugging Me: Goose and Slider
My Own Micah Wright Style Confession of Dishonesty
Outraged "Conservatives" React to the FMA
An On-Line Impression of Dennis Miller Having Sex with a Kodiak Bear
The Story the Rightwing Media Refuses to Report!
Our Lunch with David "Glengarry Glen Ross" Mamet
The House of Love: Paul Krugman
A Michael Moore Mystery (TM)
The Dowd-O-Matic!
Liberal Consistency and Other Myths
Kepler's Laws of Liberal Media Bias
John Kerry-- The Splunge! Candidate
"Divisive" Politics & "Attacks on Patriotism" (very long)
The Donkey ("The Raven" parody)
News/Chat