Latest Movie That You Watched!

[skimom2]

My full review of St Vincent from Dec '14:
Vincent is an ageing curmudgeon. He lives alone, drinks too much, smokes too much, has money problems and a weekly assignation with a pregnant Russian hooker. A single mother and her son move in next door, and Vincent finds himself in the role of reluctant babysitter to her young son.

St Vincent is strongly billed as a comedy, which it certainly isn't. That's not to say that it's not funny, although I would regard it more as gently amusing throughout rather than laugh-out-loud funny. But there is as much drama as there is humour, with four of the five central performances being outstanding. Only Chris O'Dowd doesn't get the chance to do much other than deliver some juicy lines: his role is primarily functional. The others – Melissa McCarthy shows, again, that her main strength lies elsewhere than in being Crass Fat Woman, Jaeden Lieberher is a genuinely likable and real 10 year old, Naomi Watts' Russian hooker is both funny and believable, and Vincent himself may well have been the role that Bill Murray was born to play (after Peter Venkman, of course).

Both Vincent and his new neighbours are beset with problems and this film, to my delight, does not throw glib resolutions at those problems. The problems are not ignored, but they don't drive the film either. Rather, they are simply part of life and, as we find out more about Vincent (slightly ahead of young Oliver) we come to understand why he is the way he is. There is a moment about halfway through which had me in tears, and the film as a whole is touching and often moving. I greatly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.

Thank you!

 

[HollyGolightly]

My full review of St Vincent from Dec '14:
Vincent is an ageing curmudgeon. He lives alone, drinks too much, smokes too much, has money problems and a weekly assignation with a pregnant Russian hooker. A single mother and her son move in next door, and Vincent finds himself in the role of reluctant babysitter to her young son.

St Vincent is strongly billed as a comedy, which it certainly isn't. That's not to say that it's not funny, although I would regard it more as gently amusing throughout rather than laugh-out-loud funny. But there is as much drama as there is humour, with four of the five central performances being outstanding. Only Chris O'Dowd doesn't get the chance to do much other than deliver some juicy lines: his role is primarily functional. The others – Melissa McCarthy shows, again, that her main strength lies elsewhere than in being Crass Fat Woman, Jaeden Lieberher is a genuinely likable and real 10 year old, Naomi Watts' Russian hooker is both funny and believable, and Vincent himself may well have been the role that Bill Murray was born to play (after Peter Venkman, of course).

Both Vincent and his new neighbours are beset with problems and this film, to my delight, does not throw glib resolutions at those problems. The problems are not ignored, but they don't drive the film either. Rather, they are simply part of life and, as we find out more about Vincent (slightly ahead of young Oliver) we come to understand why he is the way he is. There is a moment about halfway through which had me in tears, and the film as a whole is touching and often moving. I greatly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.

That sounds wonderful - thanks Neil! I always like your reviews and tend to agree with you. I might watch this one tonight. I like Naomi Watts and Bill Murray - I have to tell you - I've never watched a Melissa McCarthy movie. Those movies are just not my style. On my scale of funny movies: The Birdcage is a ten, The Hangover is a 1. I did like Joe Dirt though, so I can be wild sometimes.

 

[HollyGolightly]

BTW, I'm not picking on her about her weight here--couldn't care less and have too much of a glass house to throw any stones at anyone. It's that SHE makes it the focus of so many performances, when she has more to offer.

I agree - it's like how John Belushi was always the gross fat guy. And many, many others. Sounds like St. Vincent might be my kind of movie.

 

[danie]

That sounds wonderful - thanks Neil! I always like your reviews and tend to agree with you. I might watch this one tonight. I like Naomi Watts and Bill Murray - I have to tell you - I've never watched a Melissa McCarthy movie. Those movies are just not my style. On my scale of funny movies: The Birdcage is a ten, The Hangover is a 1. I did like Joe Dirt though, so I can be wild sometimes.

I'm about halfway through Spy with Melissa McCarthy. She has her moments.

 

[ghost19]

Just finished watching Jeremiah Johnson....every time that damn movie comes on I end up watching it. One of my all time favorites.

 

[danie]

I'm about halfway through Spy with Melissa McCarthy. She has her moments.

Finished this movie. It was okay. Jude Law made it worth it.

 

[FlakeNoir]

Last night I (re)watched Knocked Up. It's a fun and (mostly) funny movie...

 

[Grandpa]

Just finished watching Jeremiah Johnson....every time that damn movie comes on I end up watching it. One of my all time favorites.

I run so hot and cold with that one. Watched it when it was first out. Enraptured. Tuned it in 30 years later. Bored the snot out of me. Watched a bunch of it again recently. Thought a bunch of it was high (nyuk) art.

Robert Redford really did a nice job with that one. But Will Geer stole the show.

 

[Neil W]

Everest - gripping, spectacular, worth catching in 3D
Macbeth - Fassbender and Cotillard in a visually striking but strangely dispassionate version
The Intern - trailed as a comedy, this is a pleasant if undemanding drama with smiles

 

[Neesy]

The Volcano - a French movie with subtitles about a divorced couple going to their daughter's wedding in Greece.

I missed the beginning and was going to change the channel, but I liked the female character. (It helps that I can understand a bit of French, too).

A good comedy with a bit of action on the way to the wedding.

 

[80sFan]

Did you see The Babadook? That kid absolutely blew me away!

We watched this the other night. That boy can ACT. I was creeped out. The ending left me a little confused, but overall I enjoyed the suspense.

 

[skimom2]

Aside from my daily horror movie (lol), The Man and I watched King Creole for the billionth time. Was there ever anyone more beautiful than Elvis Presley at 23? My favorite of his movies; most of them were cheesy garbage, but this one had an actual story and real acting. That man should have been a blues singer, not pop tripe; so many genuinely good songs in this movie are a pretty good indication of what he could have been.

 

[80sFan]

Was there ever anyone more beautiful than Elvis Presley at 23?

Not that I can think of. He was absolutely gorgeous.

 

[kingricefan]

Not that I can think of. He was absolutely gorgeous.

I'm right here! Stop talking about me behind my back! Gawd!

 

[danie]

Was there ever anyone more beautiful than Elvis Presley at 23?

I'd have to say no.

 

[Sarah25]

Dark Places - based on Gillian Flynn's novel which I thought was very, very good. This movie was okay. Pretty good performances. I'm glad I watched it since I like Flynn's work.

Angela's Ashes - I put off watching this forever because I was afraid it would be too depressing. It is very sad and moving but I enjoyed it and wish I had given it a chance sooner.

Joe - This one I found to be depressing. Well done film and all the actors turn in great performances. Very sad though. But realistic.

The Edge of Heaven - lovely and sad foreign film.

 

[Neesy]

Dark Places - based on Gillian Flynn's novel which I thought was very, very good. This movie was okay. Pretty good performances. I'm glad I watched it since I like Flynn's work.

Angela's Ashes - I put off watching this forever because I was afraid it would be too depressing. It is very sad and moving but I enjoyed it and wish I had given it a chance sooner.

Joe - This one I found to be depressing. Well done film and all the actors turn in great performances. Very sad though. But realistic.

The Edge of Heaven - lovely and sad foreign film.

I enjoyed the book "Angela's Ashes" - have you ever read it?

 

[danie]

Angela's Ashes - I put off watching this forever because I was afraid it would be too depressing. It is very sad and moving but I enjoyed it and wish I had given it a chance sooner.

I enjoyed the book "Angela's Ashes" - have you ever read it?

I was just getting ready to ask that question! Great book, Sarah, if you haven't read it.

 

[Sarah25]

I enjoyed the book "Angela's Ashes" - have you ever read it?

I was just getting ready to ask that question! Great book, Sarah, if you haven't read it.

I haven't read it, but I think I might give it a shot now that I enjoyed the movie so much. Thank you ladies.

 

[danie]

I haven't read it, but I think I might give it a shot now that I enjoyed the movie so much. Thank you ladies.

It's really beautifully written. His second book about his teaching ('Tis) is good too.