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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 14, 2017 18:00:52 GMT -5
Now that I've seen the last batch of films I picked out, what bears notation:
The Phantom Creeps (1939) Bela Lugosi-Feature Length edit from the 12 part serial
Absolutely horrible. Bela is an evil scientist and seeks revenge against everyone for the death of his wife. He has built a Z-Ray pistol, a belt that turns him invisible, a lumbering robot with a monster face, mechanical spiders that explode etc, etc. He calls everyone fools and has a chubby henchman. Square-jawed government men and a blonde plucky girl reporter chase him around. Every cliche imaginable can be found in this tedious film. And to think, this is the 75 minute version of the 4 1/2 hour long serial. Plus the DVD quality is atrocious, damaged film stock, washed out images and a loud hiss throughout.
For Me And My Gal (1942) Judy Garland,Gene "Don't Call Me Grace" Kelly-Been on a Judy Garland kick lately . Excellent and a decent storyline too One Minute To Zero (1952) Robert Mitchum, Anne Blyth- Korean War action . Decent enough
Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1942) Edward G. Robinson, Margaret O'Brien .Great slice of Americana. Always liked Margaret O'Brien as a little tyke. Good to see Robinson in something besides a gangster or wise guy
Only The Valiant (1951) Gregory Peck, Lon Chaney Jr, Ward Bond- Cowboys 'n Indians Most of the film is quite interesting with Peck in charge of a decrepit fort, hundreds of Indians soon to arrive and only about 8 other men to assist him-all looking for a chance to kill him first
Pennies From Heaven (1981) Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters- So Bizarre and such a great musical parody
Once Is Not Enough (1974) Kirk Douglas, David Janssen, George Hamilton, Alexis Smith, Melina Mercouri, Brenda Vaccaro-Kitschy 70s Jacqueline Suzanne potboiler.Watch it when wearing a leisure suit or loungewear
Paint Your Wagon (1969) Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin- Yes, it's really them singing. Much better than what I expected after reading some bad reviews
Only The Lonely (1991) John Candy Bittersweet comedy.Maureen O'Hara steals the film as the dominating, prejudiced mom. And you see a midnight picnic in old Comisky Park in Chicago right before the baseball stadium is demolished
Red Sonja (1985) Brigitte Nielsen, Ahnold Pretty bad. Nielsen at this point is a bad actress. 5 minute sequence of battling a giant rubber ducky.
Ruggles Of Red Gap (1935) Charles Laughton Fantastic with a capitol F. One of the funniest films I've seen from the 1930's. And Charles Laughton, 40 pounds lighter than his later films I remember, has the greatest facial expressions throughout the movie. A must see Passage To India (1984) Alec Guinness Director David Lean The first hour tended to drag. And Alec Guinness playing an Indian was wrong, wrong , wrong
People Vs Larry Flint (1996) Woody Harrelson, Edward Norton, Courtney Love Very entertaing and funny despite the sordid subject
Play Misty For Me (1971) Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter- Fatal Attraction prequel. An old fav of mine and still holds up
Off to the library tomorrow for my next batch
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2017 8:45:44 GMT -5
Meet the Parents (2000) - I guess this was popular and a lot of people find it funny, but it makes me roll my eyes a lot. It's quite a few very good actors doing their best with a comedy script that's not actually very funny. It's not boring, it's just very pointless and stupid. My biggest problem with the movie is that Ben Stiller's character is such a horrible person that I think DeNiro (as the overprotective, ex-CIA father) is actually right to dislike him so much. Ben Stiller's character puts the cat outside when he's been told not to because the cat is an inside cat and doesn't have the instinct to survive on the street. And then, Ben Stiller's character causes a fire in the backyard because he's a careless smoker. So DeNiro is probably right to be worried that his future son-in-law might be irresponsible, and he doesn't want his grandkids to die in a house fire. It has its moments. The cat actually has a few cute scenes. I completely agree with you and matter of fact it is one of the stupidest comedy film that I ever seen in my lifetime. I saw it once and never saw it again. I'm not a Ben Stiller fan at all.
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,706
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Post by shaxper on Feb 15, 2017 9:32:07 GMT -5
Paint Your Wagon (1969) Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin- Got to see these guys sing
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 15, 2017 23:12:40 GMT -5
A few more viewed:
A new one, just released on DVD. Masterminds with Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson and Kristin Wiig. Zach is an armored car guard who transports millions of dollars. He's seduced by Kristin to pull an inside job. I found it extremely funny
The Power Of The Whistler (1945) Richard Dix, Janis Carter I've never seen any of the Whistler films before. They are B-movie quasi-noir and The Whistler (at least in this particular movie) never physically appears and is just the narrator. Janis Carter is sympathetic to a man she meets suffering from amnesia and helps him, through the clues found in his pocket of various items, find out who he is. It's pretty good for a B-movie
Pursuit Of Happiness (1971) Michael Sarrazin, Barbara Hershey, Robert Klein, E.G. Marshall, Arthur Hill, William Devane
Sarrazin, a hippie college student, accidentally runs over and kills an old lady who's crossing the street in the pouring rain. His driver's license expired, outstanding parking tickets and his long hair gets him sentenced to hard labor in prison. Comedian Robert Klein plays Sarrazin's buddy- a Maynard G. Krebbs type. Barbara Hershey is a hippie's dream girl. Randy Newman provides the soundtrack which I'm sure I would have enjoyed if the rented DVD was not defective- there was no sound and I had to rely on subtitles. Still a fine film
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 15, 2017 23:26:37 GMT -5
My library excursion this week netted me the following:
Pearl Of Death (19420 Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce A Sherlock Holmes film I've yet to see The Phenom (2016) Johnny Simmons, Paul Giamatti, Ethan Hawke A Baseball Film. Perfect timing with the opening of spring training camps Piranha (2010) Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Christopher Lloyd, Richard Dreyfuss Saw the original The Pride Of St. Louis (1952) Dan Dailey, Joanne Dru Another baseball movie. The Dizzy Dean story Princess O'Rourke (1943) Olivia DeHavilland, Robert Cummings, Charles Coburn, Jack Carson, Jane Wyman A rom-com Pretty In Pink (1986) Molly Ringwald, John Cryer Have not seen this since it's release Paris Blues (1961) Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Sidney Poitier, Louis Armstrong, Diahann Carroll Not familiar with this but a great cast Plymouth Adventure (1952) Spencer Tracy, Gene Tierney, Van Johnson, Dawn Addams, Lloyd Bridges Story of the Mayflower pilgrims Finian's Rainbow (1968) Fred Astaire, Petula Clarke, Tommy Steele It's about time I saw this
Plus another library has the new Jack Reacher film waiting for me to pick up
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Post by Prince Hal on Feb 16, 2017 10:04:03 GMT -5
The Pride Of St. Louis (1952) Dan Dailey, Joanne Dru Another baseball movie. The Dizzy Dean story I love this movie! It's corny, sentimental, flirts with fact, and relies on the charms of Dan Dailey (and Richard Crenna as Diz's brother Daffy) and the understanding that, "Shucks, ballplayers are just big kids" to carry it. In other word, it's everything an old baseball movie should be. Dailey is great, btw, and has three particularly effective scenes among many: the conference at the mound in a tight spot in a big game; his apology on the radio; and the final scene. A guilty pleasure, for sure! Can't wait till it's on TCM after Oscar season!
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Post by Pharozonk on Feb 18, 2017 17:16:27 GMT -5
God damn Mario Bava, you magnificent madman. You may not have had me over the moon with Black Sunday, but Danger: Diabolik (1968) is already one my all time favorite movies and it's only been a few hours since I watched it! This is a wonderful blend of unabashed camp, groovy 60's psychedelia, and a sensuality that's damn near tangible. John Phllip Law's sharp blue eyes could cut diamonds with every glance he throws at the camera and he's probably the most charismatic villain as protagonist I've seen on the silver screen. His chemistry with Marisa Mell crackles in every scene they have together, even in scenes with little to no dialogue. That takes some some damn good directing, Mr. Bava. Greatest comic book movie of all time? I think so. Eat your heart out, Nolan.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 18, 2017 18:16:39 GMT -5
The Pride Of St. Louis (1952) Dan Dailey, Joanne Dru Another baseball movie. The Dizzy Dean story I love this movie! It's corny, sentimental, flirts with fact, and relies on the charms of Dan Dailey (and Richard Crenna as Diz's brother Daffy) and the understanding that, "Shucks, ballplayers are just big kids" to carry it. In other word, it's everything an old baseball movie should be. Dailey is great, btw, and has three particularly effective scenes among many: the conference at the mound in a tight spot in a big game; his apology on the radio; and the final scene. A guilty pleasure, for sure! Can't wait till it's on TCM after Oscar season! Having watched it last night, I'm in total agreement. And by the way, does every old time baseball movie begin with the opening credits accompanied by "Take Me Out To The Ballgame"? Sure seems so
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 20, 2017 3:04:25 GMT -5
Some movie comments on the recently viewed The Phenom (2016) Johnny Simmons, Ethan Hawke, Paul Giamatti A highly touted baseball rookie pitcher (Simmons) suddenly can't find the plate and enlists a sports psychologist (Giamatti) to help him figure out what is wrong . Is it issues with his upbringing from his abusive convict father (Hawke)? Less a baseball film and more a psychological case history. With the exception of pitching yips, Simmons plays the character as very calm and collective despite his father being the biggest d'bag this side of Ty Cobb. It made me wonder if Simmons needed a shrink instead of a new release point. The subplots don't go anywhere and the movie ends abruptly and inconclusively. Kind of like a rainout before 5 innings are played. Not an official game. Go home. Paul Giamatti's father was in real life the baseball commissioner who banned Pete Rose from the game Princess O'Roarke (1943) Olivia DeHaviland, Robert Cummings, Jack Carson, Charles Coburn Olivia is a princess of a Nazi-conquered European country in the USA. While posing as an ordinary woman, she meets and falls in love with pilot Cummings. He proposes marriage without knowing her background, which she must refuse since she's obligated to marry royal blood. It's a fun film even if the plot is well worn. Coburn plays her royal advisor, Carson is Cumming's pilot pal and the cast makes the film work. And President Roosevelt's dog, Fala, plays a key role in the last half hour.
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Post by brutalis on Feb 20, 2017 11:27:08 GMT -5
Watched the much maligned musical menagerie of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club last night. Call me odd but i enjoyed it when it premiered and still enjoy it today. It is a chronicle of the time: the 70's was coming to a close as the even stranger 80's were about to emerge. Peter Frampton and the Bee Gee's made quite a musical team redoing/updating the Beatle's tunes very well for the upcoming generation that may not have known or cared about the Beatle's. Is the movie a strange oddity even as a musical? Yes, but still it was all a part of a simpler time when movies could be silly and fun without setting out to do anything more than to entertain. Watch it as a concert of superstar 1970's musicians and it isn't all that horrible!
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Post by Hoosier X on Feb 20, 2017 18:17:56 GMT -5
God damn Mario Bava, you magnificent madman. You may not have had me over the moon with Black Sunday, but Danger: Diabolik (1968) is already one my all time favorite movies and it's only been a few hours since I watched it! This is a wonderful blend of unabashed camp, groovy 60's psychedelia, and a sensuality that's damn near tangible. John Phllip Law's sharp blue eyes could cut diamonds with every glance he throws at the camera and he's probably the most charismatic villain as protagonist I've seen on the silver screen. His chemistry with Marisa Mell crackles in every scene they have together, even in scenes with little to no dialogue. That takes some some damn good directing, Mr. Bava. Greatest comic book movie of all time? I think so. Eat your heart out, Nolan. I got this from Netflix a few years ago and yup its pretty awesome. I think my favorite Bava film is Hercules in the Haunted World.
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Post by Hoosier X on Feb 20, 2017 18:22:06 GMT -5
The Power Of The Whistler (1945) Richard Dix, Janis Carter I've never seen any of the Whistler films before. They are B-movie quasi-noir and The Whistler (at least in this particular movie) never physically appears and is just the narrator. Janis Carter is sympathetic to a man she meets suffering from amnesia and helps him, through the clues found in his pocket of various items, find out who he is. It's pretty good for a B-movie I love the Whistler movies! I've seen three or four of them. (Including this one! It's GREAT!) The main selling point is actor Richard Dix. His acting style is mesmerizing. Somewhere between Victor Mature and Lon Chaney on the Ham-Fisted Acting Scale.
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Post by Hoosier X on Feb 20, 2017 18:28:42 GMT -5
I have a really bad cold and part of my recovery involved watching The Adventures of Hajji Baba (1954) this morning. It's about as good as you could possibly have any right to expect from a 1954 movie called The Adventures of Hajji Baba starring Elaine Stewart and John Derek. I enjoyed it. Fast-paced and wondrously silly. It's dangerous to go through the pass to Mershad because of the predations of a group of female bandits called the Turcomen women. When they finally show up, they are hilarious! Elaine Stewart is pretty awesome. And John Derek is much less out of place in this film than he is in Knock on Any Door.
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Post by Hoosier X on Feb 20, 2017 18:34:51 GMT -5
IFC showed Meet the Fokkers (2004) last week and I went ahead and DVRed it because I saw the first one so recently. I liked the sequel quite a bit more than the first. I thought that throwing Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman into the formula had a pretty good chance of being interesting, even if it wasn't very good. And it was not bad, not bad at all. DeNiro's character is still really awful but they made Ben Stiller's character quite a bit more sympathetic even if he is still more than a bit of an ass.
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Post by Ish Kabbible on Feb 20, 2017 22:15:31 GMT -5
A musical can be fun and uplifting when it clicks, silly or wretched when it doesn't. Finian's Rainbow (1968) with Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Steele and Al Freeman Jr falls in to the silly section for me.
Astaire and Clark are father and daughter who left Ireland and come to an integrated southern backwoods poor village. Along with their phony Irish brogue they possess a stolen pot of gold from the Leprechauns. The gold pot can grant wishes, such as turning the racist governor of that state into a black man. Al Freeman Jr plays a botanist trying to invent homegrown mentholated tobacco. Tommy Steele is an annoying Leprechaun who is intent on getting the gold back
Fred Astaire was 68 years old when this was filmed and for that age I applaud him for still being on his feet but obviously he has lost a few steps. It's the last musical he would try to dance in. I was unaware of any of the songs in this musical and for good reason-they are forgettable.
Francis Ford Coppola was the director. That's right. Let's just say, visually, it's not as interesting as The Godfather and needs to sleep with the fishes
Finian's Rainbow-Lots of Blarney
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