What was the last movie you saw?

[beccabear67]

Yeah I thought the parade was interesting. There are a few low budget movies that use those 76' parades for scenes. Can't imagine them now--they would be pelted with rocks or something.

Also Betty Thomas as a waitress.

I can see why it isn't well known though--even as a Tommy Lee Jones movie (compared to Rolling Thunder)--because it's not like a regular exploitation car ride story. It's very bleak--negative despite having some goofball characters like the sheriff and deputies. Also notice how the cops in the small town were dressed entirely in black. But I thought Mimieux was very convincing--traumatized for much of the story. Was it about how a character grows or learns from a tragic situation? The ending doesn't tell us.

I just saw Tommy Lee Jones in a very different role in the '70s tv series Family from around this same time. Betty Thomas and Howard Hesseman in small parts were a nice surprise. There were a lot of films like this made in the late '60s and most of the '70s, but yes, definitely bleak and nihilistic with somehwta dead-end 'endings'. The Last Picture Show, The Rain People, Nashville, Wanda, Up The Down Staircase, Alice Doesn't Live Here, even Spielberg's Duel... better than some obvious sort of test audience concocted 'happy' ending.

 

[paranoid marvin]

Dungeons & Dragons

I was wrong. This was a great movie, and most of the jokes were well timed and funny. D&D roleplaying is fun; it isn't meant to be deadly serious, and it pokes fun at itself from time to time, with intentionally cliched settings or characters. This movie does the same, although maybe too much for some.

The bit that made it for me was the cartoon Dungeons & Dragons team trapped in a cage at the centre of the maze; that showed a deeper level of understanding from the team that made the movie and was a really nice Easter egg.

I was hoping for a cameo from Minsc & Boo, but sadly not to be. Hugh Grant was very good in this movie too.

 

[Jeffbert]

The Nutty Professor (1963) I was hesitant to watch this because I feared it might ruin my pleasant memories of Jerry Lewis' films from my younger years. I had an idea that it would be just too silly.

It did have a few really over the top gags, but other than those, I really enjoyed it.

So, there is this loser college chemistry professor, obviously the inspiration for THE SIMPSONS' Professor Frink. A total loser with women, clumsy, wimpy voice, etc. One day he decides to improve himself, after seeing an ad for muscle-building in a magazine (why does this ad remind me of the Python animation on the same subject? ). So, after sadly realizing that normal methods simply do not work for him, he goes the way of Jekyll & Hyde, Griffin, etc., and experiments on himself. He transforms into an egotistical lady-killer, who thinks of himself as God's gift to women. He then goes to the club where all his students hang out.

Buddy Love! what a name!

Unlike J&H, this guy turns from his transformed Mr. Cool to Mr. awkward loser in public; with his voice as the 1st thing that betrays his alter-ego. The female student he likes Stella Purdy (Stella Stevens) is actually attracted to both of his identities, a thing that he might have known earlier, if he had just a bit of confidence.

8/10


Almost forgot: so many recognizable cigarette brands in this film! When Buddy Love makes his debut at the PURPLE PIT, all mouths hang open, all eyes are on him, & the cigarette girl just spills her wares on the floor. PALL MALL, WINSTON, SALEM, VICEROY, lucky strike, ETC.

Coca-Cola's glass bottles are easily recognized, but the words ROYAL CROWN COLA are seen several time. Does the brand even still exist?

 

[KGeo777]

NEWMAN'S LAW - 1974 - One of those typical 70s cop corruption movies although with George Peppard as the star, this is a complete contrast to Banacek in that he is an underpaid slob being run down by his job. Allegedly was to be a tv-movie and put into theaters (50 years ago last week) instead. Not sure about that given the violence and few outbursts of profanity.

 

[alexvss]

A hat trick of just-released K-movies:

Citizen of a Kind (2024). After being scammed via vishing, a single mom takes the matter into her own hands.

I only ended up watching this one because I’m interested in the themes of cybercrime, especially fraud committed online. It’s a decent enough film.


Mission: Cross (2024). An agent-turned-househusband has to do a last mission to avenge his murdered subordinate (only this time, his wife joins him).

A Netflix original. It’s something like a Korean Mr. and Mrs. Smith. One of the best balances of comedy and action that I’ve seen recently. Strongly recommended.


The Roundup: Punishment (2024). Don Lee (and his left hooks) go after a group of gambling scammers that operate overseas.

Fourth installment in the franchise, and like the previous three movies, it’s based on facts. And it does everything just like the other movies.

 

[CupofJoe]

Dungeons & Dragons
The bit that made it for me was the cartoon Dungeons & Dragons team trapped in a cage at the centre of the maze; that showed a deeper level of understanding from the team that made the movie and was a really nice Easter egg.

I loved that bit. It was only a second or two but just enough.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Marvin, not seen the D&D film but it seems generally to have surprised people on the upside.

Sadly, the film was shafted by WotC having their OGL lunacy at the worst possible time, which I think dramatically undermined potential support.

 

[Randy M.]

The Nutty Professor (1963) I was hesitant to watch this because I feared it might ruin my pleasant memories of Jerry Lewis' films from my younger years. I had an idea that it would be just too silly.

It did have a few really over the top gags, but other than those, I really enjoyed it.

So, there is this loser college chemistry professor, obviously the inspiration for THE SIMPSONS' Professor Frink. A total loser with women, clumsy, wimpy voice, etc. One day he decides to improve himself, after seeing an ad for muscle-building in a magazine (why does this ad remind me of the Python animation on the same subject? ). So, after sadly realizing that normal methods simply do not work for him, he goes the way of Jekyll & Hyde, Griffin, etc., and experiments on himself. He transforms into an egotistical lady-killer, who thinks of himself as God's gift to women. He then goes to the club where all his students hang out.

Buddy Love! what a name!

Unlike J&H, this guy turns from his transformed Mr. Cool to Mr. awkward loser in public; with his voice as the 1st thing that betrays his alter-ego. The female student he likes Stella Purdy (Stella Stevens) is actually attracted to both of his identities, a thing that he might have known earlier, if he had just a bit of confidence.

8/10


Almost forgot: so many recognizable cigarette brands in this film! When Buddy Love makes his debut at the PURPLE PIT, all mouths hang open, all eyes are on him, & the cigarette girl just spills her wares on the floor. PALL MALL, WINSTON, SALEM, VICEROY, lucky strike, ETC.

Coca-Cola's glass bottles are easily recognized, but the words ROYAL CROWN COLA are seen several time. Does the brand even still exist?

I came across something a few years ago that said this movie annoyed Frank Sinatra, who felt Jerry was using him as template for Buddy Love. And, yeah, that seems likely.

 

[Randy M.]

Doctor Strange(2016) dir. Scott Derrickson; starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen; Tilda Swinton

Enjoyable origin story for the titular master of the mystic arts. Probably one of the better uses of CGI I've watched. Cumberbatch is a good choice for the doctor, though the movie has the usual drawback of Marvel movies: Knowing it's one part of a larger story, the actions in this fomenting future adventures which foment future adventures which ... so that the movie can't really provide full closure.


Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise (2007) dir. Robert Harmon; starring Tom Selleck, Viola Davis, Kohl Sudduth

The body of a pregnant high school girl is found by a lake. She had been drugged and drowned, her body weighted by cement blocks and only a sloppy knot revealed her. Also a sub-plot about an abusive husband. I'm not sure exactly what appeals to me in this series of made-for-TV movies. Some of it is that Selleck has evolved from his Magnum days, no longer energetic with bright answers; Jesse Stone is a stoic alcoholic, about as clipped in speech as any pastiche of Gary Cooper, and the older Selleck offers a gravitas I wouldn't have expected from him 40 years ago. These are also true mysteries as opposed to thrillers (though there is some of that in their makeup, too), taking their time to impart character of the suspects and those connected to the mystery, build the recurring characters and to pull together the pieces that solve the mystery. Part of it is the setting, a beautiful New England ocean-side town with rolling hills, stretches of pasture, farm land and wilderness. Part of it is cinematography that captures the landscape and manages to make Stone appear both lonely and heroic without being too obvious about it, and theme music that underscores the ruminative, melancholy nature of the title character. And there's Viola Davis, who worked very well with Selleck. This is the last one she was central to before her career took off; in the next one, she's peripheral and Kathy Baker -- no mean actress herself -- joins the cast. And it doesn't hurt that a favorite actor of mine from the '80s and '90s is a recurring character: Stephen McHattie.

 

[Cthulhu.Science]

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Great fun. Like the last Mad Max movie by George Miller it was a great example of filmmaking. The movie is about what you think it is about. That's not the point. It is a type. But it is an excellent example of the genre. The plot is clear. You know who all the characters are. You understand their motivations. The action sequences are great and you always know where everyone is relative to each other, what their doing, who's fighting whom, etc. Lots of practical effects. There was one choice that was somewhat surprising. Instead of the standard montage Miller used a time-lapse sequence to great effect.

Good fun. This is a great example of the genre.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

I came across something a few years ago that said this movie annoyed Frank Sinatra, who felt Jerry was using him as template for Buddy Love. And, yeah, that seems likely.

Hmm. I always thought Buddy Love was based on his former partner Dean Martin.

In later years, Lewis sort of turned into Buddy Love.

 

[Toby Frost]

D&D roleplaying is fun; it isn't meant to be deadly serious, and it pokes fun at itself from time to time, with intentionally cliched settings or characters. This movie does the same, although maybe too much for some.

I think D&D has done a smart job of carving itself a niche in recent years: it no longer feels like just a cheesy Tolkien knock-off (although the influence of Tolkien on it is vast), and this film was smart to use a caper-type plot to show off all the different character types. Hugh Grant pretty much reprises his character from Paddington 2. There are some nice jokes and quirky ideas (the fat dragon amused me). It managed to do the whole "flashy rogues get into trouble" thing without becoming really irritating, which Hollywood seems to find difficult. Good quality fun.

 

[Randy M.]

Hmm. I always thought Buddy Love was based on his former partner Dean Martin.

I'm not certain Martin was ever that egotistical. I think maybe Sinatra could be.

In later years, Lewis sort of turned into Buddy Love.

Yes.

But he could also revert to earlier Jerry Lewis at times: I was surprised a few years ago to re-watch an episode of "Mad About You" and in the out takes watch him give ordinarily stone-faced Steven Wright a fit of giggle just by looking at him.

 

[KGeo777]

There are stories that the "Oh Frankie!" swooners at his concerts were paid.

From what I heard, Dean Martin was more depressed than egotistical.

Lewis was funny with his telethon persona.
If you watched them--when it looked like he had broken a record near the end of the show, he would get really smug---unless it suddenly looked like they weren't getting enough--and then he would get nervous and fawning to the audience.

 

[Parson]

Does the brand even still exist?

Yes. I see it in the store all the time. It is produced by the Keurig, Dr. Pepper company. It's been around forever and has always been the very distant third place cola in the United States. ---My opinion is that it is a poor imitation of one or the other of them. I hated it when my mom would sometimes get it instead of Coke.

Wikipedia

What I did not know is that it comes in flavors?!! Cherry Cola, Orange, Lemon Lime, with these variants: RC No Sugar Royal Crown Cola, Mighty Rain, RC Q, RC Refresher, Double Caffeine, Rad Rain, RC Neo, RC Flavor Collection, RC Cherry Cola, RC Diet Cola.

AND .... Keurig owns this? Yikes, talk about what appears to be a really marginal acquisition.

 

[Jeffbert]

I came across something a few years ago that said this movie annoyed Frank Sinatra, who felt Jerry was using him as template for Buddy Love. And, yeah, that seems likely.

Yeah, the TCM host said something about Dean Martin having the same feelings about it; esp. since the breakup of Martin & Lewis.

 

[Jeffbert]

There are stories that the "Oh Frankie!" swooners at his concerts were paid.

From what I heard, Dean Martin was more depressed than egotistical.

Lewis was funny with his telethon persona.
If you watched them--when it looked like he had broken a record near the end of the show, he would get really smug---unless it suddenly looked like they weren't getting enough--and then he would get nervous and fawning to the audience.

Yesterday I watched Hold On! (1966) in this film, the manager of HERMAN'S HERMITS, Dudley (Bernard Fox; Colonel Crittendon on Hogan's Heroes) pays three, count 'em, 3 young women the fake fainting just when the TV cameras are on them.

Anyhow, The American Space Agency wants to name its newest space capsule after the band. The band, for their part, just want to mingle with the American youth. Dudley, does his best to foil their efforts. Herman indulges in several fantasies.

Much more entertaining than that film I watched a few months ago, starring the Dave Clark Five.

7/10

 

[Jeffbert]

The Deep (1977) David Sanders (Nick Nolte) & Gail Berke (Jacqueline Bisset) are scuba diving off Bermuda, & find a tiny bottle containing a yellow liquid. Checking with the local expert on things found under water, Romer Treece (Robert Shaw) who brings in his friend Adam Coffin (Eli Wallach; ), who is the only survivor of a wrecked German ship, who identifies it as morphine.

Yet, Henri 'Cloche' Bondurant (Louis Gossett Jr.) learns of it, and wants more to make it into & sell as heroin in the USA, & he plays rough. The shipwreck, contains munitions and medicine, and has been the death of several other divers, which causes Treece to decide against diving.

Oops, there was a very old 16th century artifact that was found near the wreck, & it turned out that the WWII ship was resting atop a 16th century Spanish ship, suggesting that there may be more such artifacts to be found.

Spoiler

wanting to deny Cloche the morphine, Treece rigs the wreck for detonation, which as a tense ending has Treece and Sanders underwater fighting the villain and his henchmen, etc., all the while the 3 minute fuse is burning down, Sanders surfaces before the explosion, but Treece does not. He is presumed dead, which, given the incompressibility of water, vs. the soft human body, he certainly should have been dead. But, this is a movie, and he emerges alive, and even has the artifact that will prove the legitimacy of the find as 16th century Spanish Royalty, etc.

Except for the ending, as noted in the spoiler, I would rate this 8/10; given that ending, 7/10.

 

[KGeo777]

OPERATION : LOVEBIRD 1965 - Danish spy comedy about a joke novelty salesman mistaken for a spy. It has some cleverness and the humor doesn't feel forced although it's a You Only Watch Once kind of film.

 

[Lady of Winterfell]

Doctor Strange(2016) dir. Scott Derrickson; starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen; Tilda Swinton

Enjoyable origin story for the titular master of the mystic arts. Probably one of the better uses of CGI I've watched. Cumberbatch is a good choice for the doctor, though the movie has the usual drawback of Marvel movies: Knowing it's one part of a larger story, the actions in this fomenting future adventures which foment future adventures which ... so that the movie can't really provide full closure.

I agree Benedict Cumberbatch makes a great Dr. Strange. I think Marvel has done an excellent job with casting overall, so hats off to Sarah Halley Finn their casting director.

We watched Catching Fire. My daughter recently finished The Hunger Games trilogy books and now we're going through the movies on our weekly family movie night. She commented that so far the movies have been pretty faithful to the books.