movies What's the last film you watched? And rate it!

Chris, that was my take on Homestead. It got too preachy in the last act.
Otherwise a good movie. I'm big a fan of McDonough - one of those great
character actors who elevates any project he's in.
 
I really (really) liked September 5 , partly I'm sure because I'm a big fan of Peter Sarsgaard, who plays then-head of ABC Sports Roone Arledge in the movie. I also remember very clearly when this attack on the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics took place, so it may not resonate for younger viewers the way it did for me.

It's got a claustrophobic feel as it focuses on the decisions the ABC Sports team were forced to make with no background in covering news and as they realize that they can be impacting the same events that they're covering. And the importance of their German translator - the only one on site who speaks the language and one of the very few women - becomes clear, even as some of the guys send her for coffee because, hey woman = secretary/coffee fetcher, right?

I had an opportunity to watch a screener Film Independent; it has a wider release mid-January. I doubt it will do all that well with a wide audience, but I recommend taking a look if/when you have a chance.
 
The Union with JK Simmons, Halley Berry, Mark Whalberg is listed on Netflix as a Comedy first, Action second.

There's not a single fucking joke. Not a single fucking comedian. And it's listed as a comedy.

Then I tried to watch Jamie Foxx new standup special "What happened was..." and it's a dark, somber ted talk about his brain bleed that led to a stroke, again, this is not a fucking comedy.

Netflix has burned me twice back to back I just wanted to watch something funny.
My opinion of netflix management has just plummeted.
 
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sfoster said:
Netflix has burned me twice back to back I just wanted to watch something funny.
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This is something I've noticed in multiple streamers & also awards/nominations: things that are, by 99% of the population's criteria, drama, are labeled as comedy. It absolutely drives me nuts, as much when I want a drama as when I want a comedy.

The first time I remember being really aware of it was with Nurse Jackie , a series starring Edie Falco post-The Sopranos. It's listed first as a comedy and 2nd as a drama. It won multiple Emmy Awards, both for the series and for her, as a comedy. IT'S NOT FUNNY.
Is it good? Sure, if you're into dark dramas about a nurse who's addicted to prescription drugs and whose marriage is failing.

Clearly there's a part of the TV world that sees it as comedy because it won awards...as comedy. I don't see it and I find it very annyoying.
 
I watched two meditations on motherhood

Babes with broad city star ilana glazer


Nightbitch with Amy Adams embracing extra pounds for the role


I hoped Nightbitch would be enigmatic like a david lynch movie, but it was more relatable instead, and does an amazing job portraying the suffocating impact a baby can have on your lifestyle, it would definitely make some people think twice about becoming a mother!!!

Babes is more optimistic and upbeat.
 
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Just watched “Past Lives” directed by Celine Song. I thought it was a beautiful film. I’d say solid 8.7/10. More of a case study on a relationship than a story but loved that about it.
 
Netflix's Cunk on Life


What a fucking one-liner.
[In British accent]
Although if you lined up 10 dogs and started shooting them one at a time, by the fourth dog I imagine the rest of 'em would have a pretty good idea of whats coming.

It's not all gold like that, but I enjoyed this cunkerful addition to her repertoire.

I watched It Happened One Night on new years eve.
Great film, been a while since I've seen it, this was my second time watching.
 
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I've been interested in seeing Lee since I first heard of it several years ago. It's a biographical drama (not a documentary) about fashion model turned fashion photographer turned World War 2 photographer Lee Miller. I found it mesmerizing and definitely recommend it.

Kate Winslet stars as Miller, and also produced it; she was apparently the driving force behind the movie being made.

It was also fascinating to see long time Saturday Night Live cast member Andy Samberg in a low key performance as Miller's long-time colleague and Life magazine photographer Davy Scherman. The rest of the terrific supporting cast includes Alexander Skarsgård, Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, and Josh O'Connor.

It's streaming on many services, including Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.

9/10
 
Presence
7/10

Steven Soderbergh directed this; he was also the DP (credited as Peter Andrews) and edited it. The budget was reportedly under $2 mil (1 location and a small cast so I can believe that) and it was shot in 11 days. Run time is a wonderfully tight 85 minutes.

It's a little bit slow and the camera work made me a bit dizzy until my eyes adjusted, but I like the story and the short run time means it really didn't drag. All of the characters are a bit screwed up in their own ways, which I definitely appreciate. Plot questions are intentionally left unanswered and the bottom line can be summed up as "don't be an asshole." :)

The only name actor is Lucy Liu, who I've always liked.

Presence
 
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Last night, I watched The Great Dictator a 1940, Charlie Chaplin comedy/satire, (restored HD from DVR of TCM). Then watched Dr. Strange and The Multiverse of Madness IN 3D (3D BluRay manufactured by Sony from Japan 2024). The differences in visual & audio story telling and technologically was jaw dropping. But the perspective(s) of 'fascism' with 82 years separating the creation behind both films - wow! I would not, and do not mean to imply that both films are 'masterpieces', but the reasoning behind both stories were interesting.

The night before, I wrapped up Netflix's The Night Agent, was entertaining but very derivative, (banks/streamers currently love to invest in spy stories with soap appeal). Ad Nauseam. Finished The Landman the night before, far too soapy and Taylor Sheridan's material and productions (while well done in pace and solid casting) are getting too redundant for me. Night before that, Gladiator 2, a waste of solid talent and quality production. Story took me no where NEW. I watch and follow where human culture goes and sometimes grows. Lately, don't have a lot of positive hope for better. But there are surprises from time to time. MOVIES are a business. Money for productions with the gambling on good returns, win out more often than "take me somewhere I have not been before". My honest 2 cents, so take it for what its worth, laughing, probably a lot less than 2 cents... Hollywood gives awards to such -- because people do watch. But I do continue to search for something really, really good.
 
Watched this Sandy flick The Unforgivable that apparently came out three years ago.
The movie has a lot of heart, especially in the latter half, and it sticks the landing.

She was in jail for killing a cop, and the film makes it seem like the ENTIRE WORLD is against her because she killed a cop. I know for a fact that usa cops are a divisive issue!! Some people (not everyone just some) would high-five her in the USA, so the movie seemed a bit out of touch showing the entire country unified against her, like it was written 30 years ago instead of reflecting modern reality.

 
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