What movies have you been watching?

[slackmax]

I want to see "The Fablemans" but apparently it's already come and gone from US theaters?!

The Fablemans is 'coming soon' to my local arts theater .  Don't panic, lol. 

[slackmax]

The ads I saw for Banshees of Inisherin made in seem like a sappy maudlin thing, and I was happy to ignore it, but apparently it isn't.

I'm going to take my girl friend to it, just for the Irishness. Psyched.  Thanks, Malcat.

Took a date and saw it. Liked it. The first half had some  humor in it. The second half was pretty weird and unbelievable. But, hey, it's just a movie, right?

I found the plot interesting, part of which was that two friends grow apart when friend 1, a music composer,  decides friend 2 is just too far beneath him intellectually, to bother with, since friend 1 will waste friend 2's time, and detract from his ability to contribute to the world's body of great Irish folk music. 

Friend 2 turns out to be a mental case, and I won't say what he does when friend 1 refuses to be unfriended.

My date cried near the end of the movie when an animal got killed.

Lots of good acting from the 2 friends. Lots of lonely bleak and beautiful Irish coastline scenery.

But too much unbelievable schayut going on. Well, it was on a remote island. But I kept thinking 'why isn't anyone doing anything about the weird stuff going on here?'   A microcosm of life in general, lol ?   

 

[slackmax]

Anyone seen White Noise? It stars Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle. About a contemporary family.   Looks interesting.

[wenchsenior]

Anyone seen White Noise? It stars Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle. About a contemporary family.   Looks interesting.

I'm interested. Currently reading the book, which is considered a cult classic. It's incredibly boring and overrated. I might still see the movie though...we'll see what reviews are like.

[Fresh Bread]

My date cried near the end of the movie when an animal got killed.

Had to check on https://www.doesthedogdie.com/ Ok, it's not a dog, I can probably still watch.

People, if a dog dies, please you can include this very important detail in your review.

[Metalcat]

My date cried near the end of the movie when an animal got killed.

Had to check on https://www.doesthedogdie.com/ Ok, it's not a dog, I can probably still watch.

People, if a dog dies, please you can include this very important detail in your review.

Lol, if you've seen Banshees of Inisherin, this is actually a funny comment.

I've decided in retrospect that I really like that I've seen that movie. I won't say I liked the movie, it's not what I would even call a likeable movie, but I find myself smiling and chuckling quite a bit about it when I think about it, and it's certainly made its way into mine and DH's cultural reference fabric and clearly is meant to stay there.

Also, DH's step father died the week we saw it. He was an old, crusty Irishman, and he and DH had a long, contentious, but weirdly touching relationship. The last thing he said to DH was "YOU'RE A BUGGER AND YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A BUGGER!" and DH loved it. Throw in that one of the nephews is going through a suicidal crisis, and it's been a pretty hardcore dark few weeks (he'll be fine, I'm on it).

I cannot overstate how fucking dysfunctionally deranged my husband's fucked up Irish family is. Their patent inability to address conflict or really talk about anything, has created a multi-generational weirdness about absolutely everything. You could write books about what they won't talk about. Oh wait, one of the cousins *did* write a book just about what wasn't talked about in their grandparent's generation, and that was insane enough. The things DH doesn't know about his own life are insane. He doesn't know what his own father died of in his 50s.

So seeing that Gonzo fucking deranged Irish nonsense where conflict escalates to absolute insanity because they're unable to address it in a sane way was so fitting and timely for the buckets of Irish bullshit that were to come shortly afterwards.

I know it sounds like I'm angry or frustrated. I'm actually not. Nothing entertains DH and I more than watching the whackiness that is his family navigating interpersonal conflict.

Let's just say, the movie makes *perfect* sense to me. To DH, it was like one allegorical poem about his family's cultural experience.

[wenchsenior]

A Call to Spy, a little indie British [ETA: I guess it's an American production with a mixed cast, more Brits] movie on Netflix that got good reviews but almost no press. Very solid and enjoyable, about the early days of the British recruiting women to train as spies to aid the WW2 French resistance. Based on true events/people (some extremely remarkable).

[EscapeVelocity2020]

...
My date cried near the end of the movie when an animal got killed.
...

Barely related, but someone recommended 'Home for Christmas' on Netflix.  Sounded cute, based in Norway, romantic comedy - so I started watching with DW.  Not too bad...  until it goes about full blown porno in the middle of the third episode!  We thought maybe it was a brief scene, but no, it seemed to go on and on... 

[Log]

Banshees of Inisherin

I was very excited to see this since In Bruges is one of my favourite movies of all time and this movie had incredible reviews. I had no idea what it was about going in, DH said "it's about friends who stop being friends" and I was like "uh, okay, cool."

Anyhoo, it...is...um...about friends who stop being friends. That is basically the plot. It's absolutely nothing like In Bruges, and it's EXTREMELY Irish. If you have old school Irish grand parents, you will understand exactly what this movie is about. If you don't??? Oof, um...yeah...it's something.

DH is Irish Catholic from a family in a remote, rural mining town on the ocean, so he was lit up by the end just saying "That was the most Irish thing I've ever seen. That was amazing."

I am NOT Irish. I come from cheerful, aristocratic Danish city folk, and I came away from it thinking "WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK WAS THAT????"

Like all fucking highly rated fucking movies these days, this movie is slow as fuck. There's a whole lot of beautiful shots of Ireland and moody, stilted conversations.

Then there's a key turning point where the movie continues with the same panoramic shots, the same moody, stilted conversations, but the plot just goes past the point of no return where you're just like "welp, I guess this is the kind of movie I'm watching and I just have to accept that"

Anyhoo, is it good? I don't know. It might be. Maybe it's absolutely genius. The acting is superb, it's very original, the scenery is beautiful, and I believed every second of it, which is saying a lot of you know what the key plot elements are.

Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY NOT! It was one of the more unpleasant cinematic experiences I've ever had.

So if you're into The Power of The Dog type movies where you like things being slow and uncomfortable, then this movie is aces for you.

If you're thinking "Fuck yeah! I loved In Bruges! I love Brendan Gleeson movies! This should be fun!"

It is not. It is not fun. It is brilliant. It is a cinematic experience. It has some VERY funny moments. But it is not fun.

Just want to put out there for others that if the description of "slow as fuck" and "unpleasant cinematic experience" have squashed your interest (as it would mine), I think there's a lot to be enjoyed here if you go in with the right expectations—mostly, I think Banshees has a sort of veil of surrealism about it. Most negative reactions I've seen seem to come from people having more literal expectations and not quite getting on board with the tone. It presents itself as a very small story about two (former) friends on a tiny Irish island, but is in fact a very big story about universal human struggles with messy social dynamics and the outrageous escalation of petty squabbles. Expect allegory and absurdity rather than taking it at face value and it's excellent.

---

Unrelated recent endorsements from me for The Fabelmans (probably my favorite movie of the year thus far, though it might not resonate as much with non-artsy people), and Glass Onion.

[slackmax]

Banshees of Inisherin

I was very excited to see this since In Bruges is one of my favourite movies of all time and this movie had incredible reviews. I had no idea what it was about going in, DH said "it's about friends who stop being friends" and I was like "uh, okay, cool."

Anyhoo, it...is...um...about friends who stop being friends. That is basically the plot. It's absolutely nothing like In Bruges, and it's EXTREMELY Irish. If you have old school Irish grand parents, you will understand exactly what this movie is about. If you don't??? Oof, um...yeah...it's something.

DH is Irish Catholic from a family in a remote, rural mining town on the ocean, so he was lit up by the end just saying "That was the most Irish thing I've ever seen. That was amazing."

I am NOT Irish. I come from cheerful, aristocratic Danish city folk, and I came away from it thinking "WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK WAS THAT????"

Like all fucking highly rated fucking movies these days, this movie is slow as fuck. There's a whole lot of beautiful shots of Ireland and moody, stilted conversations.

Then there's a key turning point where the movie continues with the same panoramic shots, the same moody, stilted conversations, but the plot just goes past the point of no return where you're just like "welp, I guess this is the kind of movie I'm watching and I just have to accept that"

Anyhoo, is it good? I don't know. It might be. Maybe it's absolutely genius. The acting is superb, it's very original, the scenery is beautiful, and I believed every second of it, which is saying a lot of you know what the key plot elements are.

Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY NOT! It was one of the more unpleasant cinematic experiences I've ever had.

So if you're into The Power of The Dog type movies where you like things being slow and uncomfortable, then this movie is aces for you.

If you're thinking "Fuck yeah! I loved In Bruges! I love Brendan Gleeson movies! This should be fun!"

It is not. It is not fun. It is brilliant. It is a cinematic experience. It has some VERY funny moments. But it is not fun.

Just want to put out there for others that if the description of "slow as fuck" and "unpleasant cinematic experience" have squashed your interest (as it would mine), I think there's a lot to be enjoyed here if you go in with the right expectations—mostly, I think Banshees has a sort of veil of surrealism about it. Most negative reactions I've seen seem to come from people having more literal expectations and not quite getting on board with the tone. It presents itself as a very small story about two (former) friends on a tiny Irish island, but is in fact a very big story about universal human struggles with messy social dynamics and the outrageous escalation of petty squabbles. Expect allegory and absurdity rather than taking it at face value and it's excellent.

---

Unrelated recent endorsements from me for The Fabelmans (probably my favorite movie of the year thus far, though it might not resonate as much with non-artsy people), and Glass Onion.

Yeah, 'Slow as fuck' ness  (props to Malcat !) never entered my mind watching this movie. 

I might watch it again, if it comes back to that nice theater I saw it in, but then I will wear the headphones they have, with Bluetooth, to amplify the sound.  I could hardly understand anything, with my awful hearing plus the Irish accents. I wanted subtitles!   

Speaking of 'slow as fuck' movies  I didn't want to see 'Power of the Dog' because I couldn't imagine Benedict Cumberbatch in a cowboy role.  How does he do? Anyone see it?   

[Fresh Bread]

Oh no, I watch everything with subtitles now. I haven't been to the cinema in so long - I think I'll struggle watching anything without them let alone Irish mumbling!

[slackmax]

Oh no, I watch everything with subtitles now. I haven't been to the cinema in so long - I think I'll struggle watching anything without them let alone Irish mumbling!

Hey Fresh, this theater also had a subtitle playing device you could use in your seat, at eye level. So the subtitles would not be on the big screen, but on this little viewer that you position somewhere convenient in front of you!  For free.

I might try it sometime, but I would sit in the back row, so as not to distract any other moviegoers, lol.   

[Fresh Bread]

Oh no, I watch everything with subtitles now. I haven't been to the cinema in so long - I think I'll struggle watching anything without them let alone Irish mumbling!

Hey Fresh, this theater also had a subtitle playing device you could use in your seat, at eye level. So the subtitles would not be on the big screen, but on this little viewer that you position somewhere convenient in front of you!  For free.

I might try it sometime, but I would sit in the back row, so as not to distract any other moviegoers, lol.

Thanks, I will look for theatres with that!

[chaskavitch]

My husband and I are doing our annual(ish) rewatch of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, extended version.  We're up to 4 nights / movie, haha, we both keep falling asleep.  I love the movies, but now that we have 2 little kids who keep interrupting us everything takes forever.

Speaking of 'slow as fuck' movies  I didn't want to see 'Power of the Dog' because I couldn't imagine Benedict Cumberbatch in a cowboy role.  How does he do? Anyone see it?   

I think he did pretty well as a cowboy, surprisingly.  The movie was well done, but I won't say I loved it.  Too depressing overall for me right now.  I've been in the mood for more upbeat movies lately.

[Metalcat]

[quote author=Log link=topic=85609.msg3088827#msg3088827

Yeah, 'Slow as fuck' ness  (props to Malcat !) never entered my mind watching this movie. 

I might watch it again, if it comes back to that nice theater I saw it in, but then I will wear the headphones they have, with Bluetooth, to amplify the sound.  I could hardly understand anything, with my awful hearing plus the Irish accents. I wanted subtitles!   

Speaking of 'slow as fuck' movies  I didn't want to see 'Power of the Dog' because I couldn't imagine Benedict Cumberbatch in a cowboy role.  How does he do? Anyone see it?   

To be fair, I find a lot of things slow. I can't even listen to audiobooks or recorded lectures at regular speed, they need to be at least 1.25-2X speed for me to not get aggravated.

So this current trend of movies with slow talking, extremely long pauses, and long sweeping cinematic views just kills me. I actually find it physically uncomfortable when consuming slow media.

[wenchsenior]

I realize that many people are long-familiar with this as a holiday classic, but I'd never heard of it until recently:

Remember the Night, with Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. SO GOOD!  Two thumbs up!

Last year we had seen Double Indemnity for the first time, and I was skeptical of how these two would do in a much more naturalistic movie, with less stylized acting. They were terrific. Script (by Preston Sturges) was excellent and surprising in subtle ways while sticking to a kind of typical, heartwarming plot. This is definitely going into regular holiday rotation (along with Shop Around the Corner, our big 'holiday' find from last year).

Random note:

I clearly am getting better at catching the Code-era signals for off-screen sex, since I caught it in this movie instantly, but not in Double Indemnity last year LOL.

[Moonwaves]

...
My date cried near the end of the movie when an animal got killed.
...

Barely related, but someone recommended 'Home for Christmas' on Netflix.  Sounded cute, based in Norway, romantic comedy - so I started watching with DW.  Not too bad...  until it goes about full blown porno in the middle of the third episode!  We thought maybe it was a brief scene, but no, it seemed to go on and on...

LOL. I mentioned it on the "what series" thread. I have to admit, I thought that sex scene was one of the best sex scenes I've seen for ages. People who actually look like they're having fun and enjoying themselves while having sex FTW.

[EscapeVelocity2020]

...
My date cried near the end of the movie when an animal got killed.
...

Barely related, but someone recommended 'Home for Christmas' on Netflix.  Sounded cute, based in Norway, romantic comedy - so I started watching with DW.  Not too bad...  until it goes about full blown porno in the middle of the third episode!  We thought maybe it was a brief scene, but no, it seemed to go on and on...

LOL. I mentioned it on the "what series" thread. I have to admit, I thought that sex scene was one of the best sex scenes I've seen for ages. People who actually look like they're having fun and enjoying themselves while having sex FTW.

Probably just a reflection of what a puritanical society we live in, but we just weren't in THAT mood so it kinda killed the romantic vibe... LOL  A very different reaction I had vs. DW (reinforced a lot of stereotypes)...  Show is generally very charmingly Norwegian otherwise, so thanks for the recommendation!

[slackmax]

Oh no, I watch everything with subtitles now. I haven't been to the cinema in so long - I think I'll struggle watching anything without them let alone Irish mumbling!

The last two theaters I went to had devices to show captions to an individual. They give you a flexible tube with the caption display on top. You just jam the base into the cup holder on your armrest, and twist the thing around until you can see it where you want it. For free.

I actually tried it out at the second theater. I loved it!  You can't see the captions unless you are in the line of sight, so no one behind you is going to be annoyed by seeing it.

[iris lily]

Oh no, I watch everything with subtitles now. I haven't been to the cinema in so long - I think I'll struggle watching anything without them let alone Irish mumbling!

The last two theaters I went to had devices to show captions to an individual. They give you a flexible tube with the caption display on top. You just jam the base into the cup holder on your armrest, and twist the thing around until you can see it where you want it. For free.

I actually tried it out at the second theater. I loved it!  You can't see the captions unless you are in the line of sight, so no one behind you is going to be annoyed by seeing it.

I saw Banshees last night. I liked it very much, Had ironic humor in the first half. Going into it I figured I would miss about a quarter of the dialogue because at home I watch almost everything with subtitles. I wonder if this theater has those close caption devices? Interesting I will check that out for the future.

 I was pleased that the movie started right on time with absolutely no trailers. None at all. It just plunged right in with the film.

Malcat’s characterization of her DH’s family’s inability to handle conflict rationally is a funny outtake from this film so yeah, talk about people who are unable to handle conflict in a rational way, these guys are it. Oy.

The acting was superb. I expected Gleason and Farrell to be very good, but the young actor who played Dominic gave a moving performance. He had a deep understanding of his fellow island dwellers. He didn’t make his own misery as the two lead actors did and in that he provided such a contrast to them. Here they were, escalating conflict and acting in an insane way when they didn’t have to. And poor Dominic born with limitations into a household that abuses him… Maintained his sweet soul and his niceness, because niceness was mentioned a lot here.

Brendan Gleeson wrote the music himself to the song Banshees of Infershirin and he performed it. I had to sit through all of the credits at the end of the film to find that out.

[slackmax]

Finally saw Power of the Dog. Good movie. Good acting. Good soundtrack, discordant western fiddle. Sad. Cumberbatch did a very good job portraying a neurotic and troubled cowboy. The scenes with him in chaps make him look ridiculous, and I suppose they just couldn't fix that problem, but his acting is superb.  And Kirsten Dunce was very good.   

[Serendip]

Anyone seen White Noise? It stars Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Don Cheadle. About a contemporary family.   Looks interesting.

I'm interested. Currently reading the book, which is considered a cult classic. It's incredibly boring and overrated. I might still see the movie though...we'll see what reviews are like.

Watched this at a film festival recently..seeing it on a big screen might've added to the experience but we thought the film was great--I knew nothing about it going in though.
It was odd, interesting and irritating but also fantastic. The film festival director said that on their opening night screening people either thought it was a masterpiece or garbage.

And that critics in Europe loved it but that Americans didn't as much (maybe too close to home for the humour?)

[iris lily]

Finally saw Power of the Dog. Good movie. Good acting. Good soundtrack, discordant western fiddle. Sad. Cumberbatch did a very good job portraying a neurotic and troubled cowboy. The scenes with him in chaps make him look ridiculous, and I suppose they just couldn't fix that problem, but his acting is superb.  And Kirsten Dunce was very good.

Oh my man, no. Just…no.

Cumberbatch strolling around in chaps is a super sexy sight to behold.

[chaskavitch]

Finally saw Power of the Dog. Good movie. Good acting. Good soundtrack, discordant western fiddle. Sad. Cumberbatch did a very good job portraying a neurotic and troubled cowboy. The scenes with him in chaps make him look ridiculous, and I suppose they just couldn't fix that problem, but his acting is superb.  And Kirsten Dunce was very good.

Oh my man, no. Just…no.

Cumberbatch strolling around in chaps is a super sexy sight to behold.

I didn't love that they were FUZZY chaps.  Every time I saw them it just threw me off so badly. Maybe the specific chaps are ridiculous, not that Benedict Cumberbatch is wearing them :)

[iris lily]

Golden Globes nominations came out yesterday and Bansheeshad the most nominations of any film. Eight in total.

[uniwelder]

Happytime Murders on Netflix. We originally watched it a few years ago at the local theater, and for a second time tonight. It’s hilarious, raunchy, crude humored fun with puppets. Created by Jim Henson’s son as Henson Alternative, and not appropriate for the whole family. Reviews have been quite negative, but my wife and I loved it.

[charis]

Happytime Murders on Netflix. We originally watched it a few years ago at the local theater, and for a second time tonight. It’s hilarious, raunchy, crude humored fun with puppets. Created by Jim Henson’s son as Henson Alternative, and not appropriate for the whole family. Reviews have been quite negative, but my wife and I loved it.

lol, yep - very weird and fun.

[mspym]

I was in the mood for some real candy and The Lost City hit just right.

[midweststache]

I was in the mood for some real candy and The Lost City hit just right.

Oh jeez, the purple jumpsuit throughout that film was just everything. This movie was straight cotton candy fluffy, which was what I needed when I watched it a few weeks ago.

I also adore Daniel Radcliffe as a completely inept, unhinged villain. This is twice now he's fit that bill wonderfully (also in Now You Don't, what Now You See Me 2 OBVIOUSLY should have been titled). Harry Potter who?

[charis]

I was in the mood for some real candy and The Lost City hit just right.

Oh jeez, the purple jumpsuit throughout that film was just everything. This movie was straight cotton candy fluffy, which was what I needed when I watched it a few weeks ago.

I also adore Daniel Radcliffe as a completely inept, unhinged villain. This is twice now he's fit that bill wonderfully (also in Now You Don't, what Now You See Me 2 OBVIOUSLY should have been titled). Harry Potter who?

I mindlessly enjoyed the Lost City (and enjoy Daniel Radcliffe in almost everything he's done since HP), including the age gap between to the two leads until my (smart arsed) 14-year-old cousin asked, "why is [Channing Tatum] with that old lady?"  And I realized the newest PG-13 generation is not familiar with the delights of Sandra Bullock.

[wenchsenior]

I was in the mood for some real candy and The Lost City hit just right.

Oh jeez, the purple jumpsuit throughout that film was just everything. This movie was straight cotton candy fluffy, which was what I needed when I watched it a few weeks ago.

I also adore Daniel Radcliffe as a completely inept, unhinged villain. This is twice now he's fit that bill wonderfully (also in Now You Don't, what Now You See Me 2 OBVIOUSLY should have been titled). Harry Potter who?

I mindlessly enjoyed the Lost City (and enjoy Daniel Radcliffe in almost everything he's done since HP), including the age gap between to the two leads until my (smart arsed) 14-year-old cousin asked, "why is [Channing Tatum] with that old lady?"  And I realized the newest PG-13 generation is not familiar with the delights of Sandra Bullock.

We also really enjoyed Lost City, definitely a throwback to the days when decent rom-coms were more common.

We recently watched Miracle on 34th Street (original), which I'd never seen. Really delightful, esp Natalie Wood (to whom I related just a little bit too much LOL).

ETA why can't I construct sentences today?

[GuitarStv]

I was mentally picturing the late '90s 'Dark City' every time someone mentioned 'Lost City' and the last few comments were very confusing.

[mspym]

I was mentally picturing the late '90s 'Dark City' every time someone mentioned 'Lost City' and the last few comments were very confusing.

Dark City is what started my life long Rufus Sewell crush.

[Vashy]

We watched “The Banshees of Inisherin” (so?) and while the acting and landscape are really great, the film lost me about halfway through. Mr Vashy continued onwards. Seems the film is something of a metaphor for the Irish Civil War, and I guess it works on that level, but I skipped out because it was very slow, and wholly depressing. Also I have a weird thing about hands getting mauled.

[Metalcat]

I was mentally picturing the late '90s 'Dark City' every time someone mentioned 'Lost City' and the last few comments were very confusing.

Lol, same!

[Metalcat]

Yesterday we hunkered down in the weather bomb and watched the new Christmas Story Christmas movie. I hadn't seen the original until last year, so it was good timing for me.

I did not know what to expect from the original and was not exactly prepared for how bizarre it was. I really haven't seen many Christmas movies and since it's a "classic" I thought it would be some schmaltzy, heartwarming thing. Instead it was a fever dream of strangeness.

I can imagine the new one would be tremendously nostalgic for people who loved the original years ago. So many of the original cast are in it. Since I just saw the original last year, it was pretty low impact.

Overall it was fun, a little more depressing than I expected as I mentioned, DH *just* lost his step dad, his last remaining parent, so the movie starting out with dad death before Christmas was a bit on the nose, especially for a movie that we expected to be goofy and silly.

Overall it was fun and funny enough for even me to watch and I don't like Christmas movies.

After we watched the new Knives Out movie, Glass Onion, and I really enjoyed it. It was the perfect campy, funny follow up. I was already in an absurd, silly mood, so I thoroughly enjoyed it, even more than the original.

Although I'm not sure that is a comment on the two movies or my mood going into them...?

Regardless, I didn't know anything about it or who was in it except for Daniel Craig, so the cast was a very pleasant surprise, especially since early on they have so much buildup about the eccentric billionaire the plot revolves around and I was downright delighted to see him played by Edward Norton.

The whole thing is just a colourful, silly, over-acted, confection of a mystery movie, with a cast who is more than up to challenge of making each character patently ridiculous. It's to the point that Katheryn Hahn's performance is one of the most subtle, lol.

If you are in the mood for stylistic silliness, this is the movie to watch.

[slackmax]

Babylon. A movie about early Hollywood.  Can't recommend it. It was what I thought it would be,  unfortunately. I had to pick a movie to see, though, and this was the best possibility I found, except for The Menu, which was just too far away, lol.

I was all splash and flash, some decent acting, huge sets, lots of hammy overacting (on purpose?). Lots of  scenes of debauchery.

And 3 hours long.    I got in free on some movie card, so at least I didn't have to pay for it, lol.

I have hope for The Menu. Anyone see it yet ? Like it?
   

[Michael in ABQ]

We just watched Home Alone 2. Kind of funny to see the cameo from Donald Trump way back in 1992. It's still a pretty good movie and the kids enjoyed it. We have 6 kids so could definitely identify with some of the sibling dynamics since it's a big family (5 kids I think, plus some another 5 cousins) I know they made a few more sequels but only the first two really count.

[Log]

Babylon. A movie about early Hollywood.  Can't recommend it. It was what I thought it would be,  unfortunately. I had to pick a movie to see, though, and this was the best possibility I found, except for The Menu, which was just too far away, lol.

I was all splash and flash, some decent acting, huge sets, lots of hammy overacting (on purpose?). Lots of  scenes of debauchery.

And 3 hours long.    I got in free on some movie card, so at least I didn't have to pay for it, lol.

I have hope for The Menu. Anyone see it yet ? Like it?
 

I'll counter-balance with a hearty endorsement for Babylon. I found it absolutely hilarious and, through all the debauchery, rather heartwarming. While it lambasts the excesses and callousness of Hollywood, it really highlights the beauty of the friendships borne of artistic collaboration and being a part of something big together, especially through Pitt's character. There's a scene later in the movie where Pitt's character, aging and feeling rather wistful, has a very sweet exchange with an old veteran makeup artist while shooting on a beach—it's those sorts of moments that really made me enjoy this movie for more than the laughs (which again, were plentiful).

[slackmax]

'Moon, 66'.  I liked it. 

It's a Greek movie about a father and daughter. Upper middle class. In Greece. English subtitles.   

Father and daughter are alienated. For many years. But daughter decides to take care of her dad when he gets MS.

No one else in the family wants to be his caretaker. No nannies seem right. So the daughter steps up. 

Tender warm moments with the kind but tough daughter initiating closeness with her dad during the time she spends caring for him.  He finally accepts her affection.

[BicycleB]

If you've had enough politics, skip this.

"Pelosi in the House" (HBO) was fascinating.

[Metalcat]

If you've had enough politics, skip this.

"Pelosi in the House" (HBO) was fascinating.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

[alcon835]

Haven't updated my movie watching in a bit, so here are a couple of films I've seen recently:

Nope - interesting flick. I enjoyed it, but it didn't feel like it lived up to the hype for me. I probably needed to see this one on the big screen for it to really hit. Still a very enjoyable flick from beginning to end. 

Thor: Love and Thunder - I'm way behind the eight ball here, but I finally saw the new Thor film and it was mediocre at best. Didn't really like it at all.

Bullet Train - fun movie that needed a few rewrites. Its exactly what you think it is in all the good and bad ways.

Bodies Bodies Bodies - this was a surprise treat. Probably the best in the list. It's a horror movie and somewhat violent at parts. It is also really sexualized in the beginning (but no nudity). Still, the story was really good and the ending made the whole thing worth it. The meta commentary throughout is just...brilliant. I'll probably re-watch this one soon with the ending in mind.

See How They Run - A really enjoyable murder mystery. Hits every beat exactly like it should. Could have been great if it deconstructed the genre a bit more, but it really doesn't need too.

Black Adam - this was not good. They tried so hard to say something meaningful, but back off every time their toe even pretends to dip into controversial waters.

For the long weekend I want to watch The Whale, Don't Worry Darling, and either Wakanda Forever or The Banshees of Inisherin!

[EscapeVelocity2020]

'White Noise' on Netflix - WTF was that?  I'd probably enjoy reading the book, seemed like it had a lot of social commentary that I just can't get in to when I'm watching in movie form and incredibly distracted by Adam Driver's 'transformation'...  really goes off the rails, or maybe someone slipped some Dylar into my water when I wasn't watching.

[Metalcat]

Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Really enjoyed this. After seeing Pig, I now have a profound love for Nicholas Cage, and this movie just played off of that same gonzo, self-aware schtick he's got going on right now.

It was fun, well paced, silly, stupid, and clever. I really liked it. And I now kind of want to watch Paddington 2. Lol.

I can't really describe it more because it's so self-referential. But if you have any love for Nicholas Cage, or even if you have ever loved mocking Nicholas Cage, this movie is a good time.

Hustle

This is a REALLY FUNsports movie. Wow, what a good time. It's no Any Given Sunday, the plot is 100% predictable, and it's spoon-fed to you like pablum, but not in a bad way, just in an earnest way that the movie does actually pull off.   

What a frickin' gem they found in Juancho Hernangomez though, the Cinderella of the movie.

I am not a basketball fan, but my DH is an avid player and follows it casually. I had no idea going into the movie that he's actually a pro player, currently with the Raptors, I just thought he was a little known Spanish actor who was maybe a former college level basketball player and could pull off the athletics enough to be convincing with some movie magic. Nope, he's a pro baller and total unknown actor.

But man does he have a great screen presence. I bought his sweet, hard done by character completely and just loved him from his first scene. He has this adorable giant thing going on, with a heavy emphasis on sweetness. It's hard to have that kind of presence and chemistry on screen for a non-actor. I would love to see a making-of to see the process of casting the role.

There are too many cameos to count, so again, if you're a basketball person at all, it will be fun to see everyone. Plus you get the sense that they had a lot of fun making the movie.

It's been awhile since I saw a sports movie this well-paced and genuinely fun...okay, I'm saying "fun" a lot, I know, but it is. And Adam Sandler and Queen Latifah have a surprising amount of chemistry for a pair that I would NEVER expect it from.

Overall, even as a non sports person who particularly dislikes basketball and didn't recognize any of the very famous cameos in the movie except for Marc Cuban (he's in everything), the fact that I really, really liked it is saying a lot.

Although, I do like sports movies even though I don't like sports...so I guess it's not actually saying much after all?

[RWTL]

Last night, DW and I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" which at one point was an annual tradition for us.  As I watched it last night, it certainly was enjoyable and nostalgic, but I was left with a different feeling today than in the past.

I was struck by the fact that George is abusive to his friends and family throughout almost the whole movie.  There are certainly misogynistic and racial undertones throughout. He and his uncle don't run their business well, and if it weren't for his wife - he would have been a train wreck - which is partially the point of the movie.   His wife offers up the family money to save his business, she remodels the home and takes care of the kids during George's meltdown, and she rally's the town to help save him in the end. 

Maybe a better title would be "It's a wonderful wife"?

[wenchsenior]

'White Noise' on Netflix - WTF was that?  I'd probably enjoy reading the book, seemed like it had a lot of social commentary that I just can't get in to when I'm watching in movie form and incredibly distracted by Adam Driver's 'transformation'...  really goes off the rails, or maybe someone slipped some Dylar into my water when I wasn't watching.

I just read the book, which I found very boring and overrated. I was actually hoping the movie would be better...

[slackmax]

'The Menu'.  I liked it. Ralph Fienes is what I liked best about it. He did a great psycho.  The plot is unbelievable, but that's OK.  Self-absorbed yuppies, some of whom are criminals, are held captive in Fienes's restaurant, on an island, and are tormented by Fienes for their sins. Interesting interactions among the guests, too. 
Social commentary.   

[Log]

Other recent 2022 catch-up included The Whale, Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, and RRR. The Whale was by far the strongest of the bunch, but I would only half-heartedly recommend it. GDT’s Pinocchio was a big disappointment—perhaps a good kids’ movie, but it felt very shallow to me. RRR is a massive action spectacle that just drags on for way too long. I do not have the patience to spend 3 hours with a movie where the primary intended takeaway is “hell yeah that was badass!”

As it currently stands my top 5 of year would be The Fabelmans, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, Glass Onion, and Cha Cha Real Smooth, with Babylon and The Batman sitting just on the outside. I intend to watch After Yang soon, and based on the premise and how much I loved the director’s previous film (Columbus), I think it’s very likely to make it into that top 5.

[wenchsenior]

In the tradition of: Let's watch this movie where everyone has a much worse New Year's Eve than we are having, I watched The Poseidon Adventure for the first time. Given that it was the year's (1972) biggest hit and nominated for a bunch of Oscars, it was not very good (though some of the performances were fine). I did enjoy all the upside-down sets.