Last Movie You Watched

[VonStupp]

The Giver (2014)
Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep
Alexander Skarsgård, Katie Holmes

Let's not forget an appearance by Taylor Swift...

My daughter finished Lois Lowry's The Giver quartet of books, so to the movie we go.
VS

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Had never seen it before, but I really enjoyed it.

Thought that it was pretty neat that François Truffaut was an actor in the film.  And apparently (according to Wiki), Dreyfuss was not the first choice for RN and had to keep pestering Spielberg to be cast in the role. 

PD

[Karl Henning]

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Had never seen it before, but I really enjoyed it.

Thought that it was pretty neat that François Truffaut was an actor in the film.  And apparently (according to Wiki), Dreyfuss was not the first choice for RN and had to keep pestering Spielberg to be cast in the roll. 

PD

It was a bit funny. They'd just worked together on Jaws and were pretty good friends. Spielberg had Dreyfuss read the new script for feedback. Dreyfuss loved it and wanted to play Neary. Spielberg consulted Dreyfuss, "what about this actor, what about this other actor," and Dreyfuss kept telling him, "no, he's not right for the part." I think at the last, Dreyfuss said something to the effect of, "you need an adult who can also be a child," and Spielberg at last said, "you've got the part."

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It was a bit funny. They'd just worked together on Jaws and were pretty good friends. Spielberg had Dreyfuss read the new script for feedback. Dreyfuss loved it and wanted to play Neary. Spielberg consulted Dreyfuss, "what about this actor, what about this other actor," and Dreyfuss kept telling him, "no, he's not right for the part." I think at the last, Dreyfuss said something to the effect of, "you need an adult who can also be a child," and Spielberg at last said, "you've got the part."

I just noticed that there are actually three discs in the set that I borrowed--including the "director's cut".  I don't know if I have the stamina (nor want to invest all of the time) watching the other two discs.

Interesting scene where Dreyfuss is literally chucking bushes, dirt, bricks through the kitchen window!  The kids get involved/ducks were involved/neighbors/wife, etc.!

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

@Karl Henning  I think that the ducks were quacking "You're doing us wrong buddy!  Whatever did we do to you?"

PD

[brewski]

The Tree of Life (2011, dir. Terrence Malick). Stunning. As a Malick fan, can't recall how I missed this first time around.

Was fortunate to see it in ideal conditions: on a big screen at the Philadelphia Film Society, with an immaculate print and fantastic sound. Lots of classical music on the soundtrack — Bach, Gorecki, Brahms, Mahler, among others. Excellent work by Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, and the photography by Emmanuel Lubezski is a key part of Malick's bravura filmmaking. Haven't seen anything of his since revisiting Days of Heaven, maybe a decade ago.

-Bruce

[Karl Henning]

The Tree of Life (2011, dir. Terrence Malick). Stunning. As a Malick fan, can't recall how I missed this first time around.

Was fortunate to see it in ideal conditions: on a big screen at the Philadelphia Film Society, with an immaculate print and fantastic sound. Lots of classical music on the soundtrack — Bach, Gorecki, Brahms, Mahler, among others. Excellent work by Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, and the photography by Emmanuel Lubezski is a key part of Malick's bravura filmmaking. Haven't seen anything of his since revisiting Days of Heaven, maybe a decade ago.

-Bruce

Gotta watch that one!

[Karl Henning]

Watching Independence Day, this time with commentary.

[NumberSix]

Civil War

I would say that between this film and Kinds of Kindness, Plemons should finally get an Oscar nom. I didn't think either film was great, but he was superb in both.

[Wanderer]

There's a new 4K director's cut of Tarsem's The Fall (a masterpiece, in my opinion, which hasn't aged a day) and it is to be shown "on the biggest screen in the UK" (the BFI IMAX) on 28 September. I'd definitely go if I were in London! Not sure if there are plans for wider theatrical distribution, but I'd certainly welcome an eventual physical release in 4K UHD.

[LKB]

I just noticed that there are actually three discs in the set that I borrowed--including the "director's cut".  I don't know if I have the stamina (nor want to invest all of the time) watching the other two discs.

Interesting scene where Dreyfuss is literally chucking bushes, dirt, bricks through the kitchen window!  The kids get involved/ducks were involved/neighbors/wife, etc.!

PD

The theatrical cut was what could be finished in time for the initial release.

The so-called " Special Edition " was demanded by Columbia Pictures, and was disavowed by Spielberg.

The Director's Cut is all you really need. 

[relm1]

The Tree of Life (2011, dir. Terrence Malick). Stunning. As a Malick fan, can't recall how I missed this first time around.

Was fortunate to see it in ideal conditions: on a big screen at the Philadelphia Film Society, with an immaculate print and fantastic sound. Lots of classical music on the soundtrack — Bach, Gorecki, Brahms, Mahler, among others. Excellent work by Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, and the photography by Emmanuel Lubezski is a key part of Malick's bravura filmmaking. Haven't seen anything of his since revisiting Days of Heaven, maybe a decade ago.

-Bruce

He's quite an introspective filmmaker.  I just saw his "The New World" and wrote up a post about it but deleted it without sending for some reason.  I quite like his films and his very hymnal/meditative slow style.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

It was a bit funny. They'd just worked together on Jaws and were pretty good friends. Spielberg had Dreyfuss read the new script for feedback. Dreyfuss loved it and wanted to play Neary. Spielberg consulted Dreyfuss, "what about this actor, what about this other actor," and Dreyfuss kept telling him, "no, he's not right for the part." I think at the last, Dreyfuss said something to the effect of, "you need an adult who can also be a child," and Spielberg at last said, "you've got the part."

The theatrical cut was what could be finished in time for the initial release.

The so-called " Special Edition " was demanded by Columbia Pictures, and was disavowed by Spielberg.

The Director's Cut is all you really need. 

I've already watched the released version.  Is there really a huge difference between that and the director's cut (and don't go into much detail)?

PD

[LKB]

I've already watched the released version.  Is there really a huge difference between that and the director's cut (and don't go into much detail)?

PD

I wouldn't say huge, just a bit more family angst and mystery. It's 99% the same story.

[DavidW]

A couple of rewatches for me. Funny enough, Friday the 13th is way tamer than Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom—enslaving children, body horror, possession, bugs... and chilled monkey brains! I doubt a movie with such racism and sexism would be made today, but having grown up with it, I still like it. I'll just admit that it is a strange and weak Indiana Jones movie.


 

[relm1]

Yesterday I watched Indiana Jones and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).  I remember back then thinking damn, he's getting old.  Now in hindsight I realize he was looking fine back then but now is really getting old for this character at least.  Overall, the film is weak.  Poor characters, lazy special effects, direction and story but wonderful score. 

Imagine story telling like this: "They nervously enter the dimly lit room. They find a secret door and find a trick method to open the door.  It slowly creeps open revealing a room.  They nervously enter the dimly lit room. They find a secret door and find a trick method to open the door.  It slowly creeps open revealing a room.  They nervously enter the dimly lit room. They find a secret door and find a trick method to open the door.  It slowly creeps open revealing a room." 

You see what I mean about lazy story telling.  Also, how could the sfx be so bad considering this was a product of Spielberg/Lucas?  I guess everything about this film seems phoned in (except score).

[Karl Henning]

A couple of rewatches for me. Funny enough, Friday the 13th is way tamer than Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom—enslaving children, body horror, possession, bugs... and chilled monkey brains! I doubt a movie with such racism and sexism would be made today, but having grown up with it, I still like it. I'll just admit that it is a strange and weak Indiana Jones movie.

For all its flaws, I do enjoy Temple of Doom.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

A couple of rewatches for me. Funny enough, Friday the 13th is way tamer than Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom—enslaving children, body horror, possession, bugs... and chilled monkey brains! I doubt a movie with such racism and sexism would be made today, but having grown up with it, I still like it. I'll just admit that it is a strange and weak Indiana Jones movie.

I loved the first one and had fun with the third one, but I must admit that the second one....  Karen Black's character:  great!  Independent, smart, etc. Kate Capshaw's:  upset when she breaks a fingernail.  Sigh....

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

The Tree of Life (2011, dir. Terrence Malick). Stunning. As a Malick fan, can't recall how I missed this first time around.

Was fortunate to see it in ideal conditions: on a big screen at the Philadelphia Film Society, with an immaculate print and fantastic sound. Lots of classical music on the soundtrack — Bach, Gorecki, Brahms, Mahler, among others. Excellent work by Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn, and the photography by Emmanuel Lubezski is a key part of Malick's bravura filmmaking. Haven't seen anything of his since revisiting Days of Heaven, maybe a decade ago.

-Bruce

I'll have to look into that one.

I wouldn't say huge, just a bit more family angst and mystery. It's 99% the same story.

Thanks.  I might watch that one (if time allows before I need to return it).

PD

[Wanderer]

For all its flaws, I do enjoy Temple of Doom.

It's my favourite Indiana Jones film.