Latest Movie That You Watched!

[Connor B]

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) Directed by J. Lee Thompson Rating: **1/2
Fourth movie in the original Apes saga follows Cornelius and Zira's son, Milo, now named Caesar, as he leads his fellow enslaved simians to revolt against their masters in a police state America. Fast-paced entry holds viewer's interest while it lasts, but it's often hammy and not particularly subtle in the delivery of its message. Yes, we get it, Caesar: we humans are a rotten bunch. Followed by Battle for the Planet of the Apes, also directed by Thompson.

St. Ives (1976) Directed by J. Lee Thompson Rating: ***
Charles Bronson is Raymond St. Ives, a former crime reporter turned struggling novelist, who is hired by a wealthy senior citizen (played by John Houseman) to retrieve stolen ledgers of some importance. From there, things get tricky, but therein lies the fun of this slick mystery-thriller with comic touches and a surprisingly easygoing attitude. Charlie has never been more at ease on screen, and he's ably supported by Maximillian Schell and Jacqueline Bissett. Robert Englund and Jeff Goldblum appear as muggers that Charlie makes short work of.

Extreme Justice (1993) Directed by Mark L. Lester Rating: *1/2
Loose cannon cop Lou Diamond Phillips is recruited to a special unit within the LAPD, led by shady old partner Scott Glenn, that specializes in stalking violent repeat offenders before killing them in the act. Naturally, when he witnesses the unit's methods firsthand, Phillips starts to have second thoughts. The normally reliable Glenn can't fully save this unpleasant cop thriller that is needlessly profane and violent. How many times do we have to see innocent people getting mowed down in the crossfire?

 

[swiftdog2.0]

IT Part One (2017)

Finally got around to watching this one.

"Meh" is the best I can say.

 

[Neil W]

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again - the cast returns in a pleasingly sunny revisitation to the Abba back catalogue
Mission Impossible: Fallout - Ethan Hunt and friends pick up from the previous film: much plot and outrageous action, entertaining too
Hotel Artemis - distinctly odd action thriller

 

[Dana Jean]

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

This was an extremely odd movie. Starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell minor role for Alicia Silverstone , it has these surreal qualities in the way it is filmed, the way the actors communicate with each other -- stiff and stilted and lacking emotion. Robotic, alien. Like they just came to this planet and now must learn how to be human. And they don't do it well. The family dynamic is off the charts sterile and fact based. Blunt, cold, and again, emotionless

The sex scenes between Colin and Nicole -- that's some weird sh*t right there when Nicole's character asks, "General anesthesia?" creepy. Nicole performing a certain act on another doctor for information. All very analytical, business-like, no embarrassment, no regrets. It must be done.

The kid at the center of all this does a fantastic acting job.

Based on the Greek play Iphigenia at Aulis by Euripides.

Just the opening scene lets you know, this ain't your typical film. Not by anything dramatic happening. It is the quality of the film, something about the film itself was different. And the angle of the camera and the conversation happening. Devoid of animation.

Definitely a think piece. As the movie progressed, it seemed I was a science project to it -- for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For the very un-human-like things happening on the screen, I was giving a very human reaction. Almost trying to will these people to act "normal."

 

[Grandpa]

Red Sparrow

Good spy yarn. Enjoyed it. I'm not as much of a fan of Jennifer Lawrence as her fame level says I should, but we enjoyed her performance in this one.

Not one to take the kids to. But we liked it.

 

[Gerald]

Did anyone here who played the recent Tomb Raider games like the Alicia Vikander film?

I can't decide whether to get or not. It seems to follow the story of the recent games and take place in the same location, but it mostly doesn't have the characters from the games (or the comics which take place in between the two reboot games and which are real good).
In that sense it's no different than most videogame adaptations, I guess. The tendency with videogame-adaptations for some reason seems always to take some random elements from the game(s) and just rather randomly mix them together into something new - which obviously as a rule doesn't amount to anything very impressive.
I hope this is an exception of course, but it doesn't feel that way. Also, there are disappointingly little extras on it.

 

[Gerald]

Actually when you look at the rating (it has a 6.4 on IMDb) it seems to be at least above average. A lot of videogame-adaptations are rated lower (including the earlier Tomb Raiders with Angelina Jolie). It's possible of course the rating will go lower over time, which is often the case with films which aren't particularly loved - I think early on a lot of people vote high without having seen it, just based on expectation.

Of the Jolie films I only really like the first. The second was not bad and it actually looked bigger and more expensive, but it also was kind of flat compared to the first one (flat in terms of story, not Lara's famed bodily assets of course).

 

[kelliblue]

The last movie I watched was Capote. Philip Seymour Hoffman did a spot-on impression of Truman. It's sad the way Philip's life ended. He was so talented and a very underrated actor.

 

[Tim D.]

Actually when you look at the rating (it has a 6.4 on IMDb) it seems to be at least above average. A lot of videogame-adaptations are rated lower (including the earlier Tomb Raiders with Angelina Jolie). It's possible of course the rating will go lower over time, which is often the case with films which aren't particularly loved - I think early on a lot of people vote high without having seen it, just based on expectation.

Of the Jolie films I only really like the first. The second was not bad and it actually looked bigger and more expensive, but it also was kind of flat compared to the first one (flat in terms of story, not Lara's famed bodily assets of course).

I bought this the other day and watched it. Overall its pretty decent but nothing spectacular. I would say it is grittier and more realistic than the Jolie films and the action scenes are good, but it also has a somewhat generic action movie feel. It is a decent time passer and worth a watch but its really something you won't want to watch more than once.

 

[Gerald]

I bought this the other day and watched it. Overall its pretty decent but nothing spectacular. I would say it is grittier and more realistic than the Jolie films and the action scenes are good, but it also has a somewhat generic action movie feel. It is a decent time passer and worth a watch but its really something you won't want to watch more than once.

Thanks! The way you describe it is kind of what the trailers feel like too. Okay, but nothing special. Might wait til it drops in price.

I wonder why it's so hard to make decent videogame-adaptations. After so many failed and weak ones, could you conclude that videogame characters are too superficial to make good films of? That even compared to comics which can make good films, the characters in videogames are too shallow? Videogame characters are essentially characters that are created purely for action - what makes it fun is that the player can decide what actions they will take with them.
There is nearly always a very shallow feel to videogame-adaptations, even the ones that are better received like Silent Hill. Videogame characters seldom seem to become flesh and blood the way comic characters can.
I was hoping this Tomb Raider might change that, since the reboot game itself already tried to make the character more real and gritty. It's even as if videogames themselves acknowledge that their characters are superficial: there is this trend to make the characters and stories of videogames more real and gritty - like the Tomb Raider reboot games, but also Last of Us for example. Hopefully if the games become more real, the films will too. But I fear this film is not yet an example of that.

 

[Tim D.]

To me it has always felt like the people who make these adaptations really don't really have enough respect for the material to develop it much beyond a superficial level. They just want to capitalize on the name and make a quick buck. Your theory is valid as well. Whatever the reason these movies haven't really worked out well so far.

 

[Coolallosaurus]

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

This was an extremely odd movie. Starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell minor role for Alicia Silverstone , it has these surreal qualities in the way it is filmed, the way the actors communicate with each other -- stiff and stilted and lacking emotion. Robotic, alien. Like they just came to this planet and now must learn how to be human. And they don't do it well. The family dynamic is off the charts sterile and fact based. Blunt, cold, and again, emotionless

The sex scenes between Colin and Nicole -- that's some weird sh*t right there when Nicole's character asks, "General anesthesia?" creepy. Nicole performing a certain act on another doctor for information. All very analytical, business-like, no embarrassment, no regrets. It must be done.

The kid at the center of all this does a fantastic acting job.

Based on the Greek play Iphigenia at Aulis by Euripides.

Just the opening scene lets you know, this ain't your typical film. Not by anything dramatic happening. It is the quality of the film, something about the film itself was different. And the angle of the camera and the conversation happening. Devoid of animation.

Definitely a think piece. As the movie progressed, it seemed I was a science project to it -- for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For the very un-human-like things happening on the screen, I was giving a very human reaction. Almost trying to will these people to act "normal."

I didn't know The Killing of Sacred Deer was based on Iphigenia. Have you seen The Lobster (written and directed by the guy who did the screenplay for Scared Deer) It's is just as weird, but more of a dark comedy that deals with the theme of humanity and loneliness. It's not necessarily a movie I would want to watch again, but it was interesting.

 

[Tery]

The Magnificent 7 (remake). Pretty good throwback to an old-fashioned Western. Good cast, of which Denzel and Pratt are stand-outs. Beautiful scenery in New Mexico. I loved how the music (by the later James Horner) paid homage to the Elmer Bernstein iconic theme.

Funny story - that theme was my H.S. fight song. No lyrics? No problem! "Dum" and "da" work just fine.

Anyway, good film. Imminently watchable.

 

[kingricefan]

The last movie I watched was Capote. Philip Seymour Hoffman did a spot-on impression of Truman. It's sad the way Philip's life ended. He was so talented and a very underrated actor.

Every time I do a re-watch of The Talented Mr. Ripley I realize just how great an actor PSH was. He gave his character some really cool subtle nuances that you don't pick up on with the first viewing. If you ever watch it (or re-watch it) notice what he does with his hands throughout his scenes. He even had fun with breathing, too. Very interesting!

 

[morgan]

Watched Tumbledown (2015) last night. It involved writing and Maine, so thought I'd give it a shot. It was interesting to see Jason Sudeikis try to tackle a dramatic role, but was a bit awkward to watch. I think he will vastly improve as he delves into more substantial roles. The movie wasn't great (so many terrible attempts at Maine accents). Rebecca Hall and Blythe Danner were the most impressive IMO.

 

[Gerald]

To me it has always felt like the people who make these adaptations really don't really have enough respect for the material to develop it much beyond a superficial level. They just want to capitalize on the name and make a quick buck.

That seems certainly true of a number of them - certainly the ones Uwe Boll did. It was only about money for him. But I'm also surprised the Resident Evil adaptation spawned so many sequels, they're so poor and have so little the atmosphere of the games, yet apparently they made enough money to go on with them so long.

On a more positive note, I thought Warcraft was really done quite well, and could also be followed (although you have to pay attention) without knowing a lot of the games. Probably fantasy RPG's have a little more going on in terms of story compared to action games - I would love a Dragon Age adaptation done well.

 

[fljoe0]

Every time I do a re-watch of The Talented Mr. Ripley I realize just how great an actor PSH was. He gave his character some really cool subtle nuances that you don't pick up on with the first viewing. If you ever watch it (or re-watch it) notice what he does with his hands throughout his scenes. He even had fun with breathing, too. Very interesting!

He was amazing. Even if I don't like a movie he's in, the movie is always worth watching just to watch his performance.

 

[Dana Jean]

I didn't know The Killing of Sacred Deer was based on Iphigenia. Have you seen The Lobster (written and directed by the guy who did the screenplay for Scared Deer) It's is just as weird, but more of a dark comedy that deals with the theme of humanity and loneliness. It's not necessarily a movie I would want to watch again, but it was interesting.

No, I haven't seen that but I am definitely intrigued. May have to hunt that down. is it available on any of the streaming services?

 

[Coolallosaurus]

No, I haven't seen that but I am definitely intrigued. May have to hunt that down. is it available on any of the streaming services?

Yes, it's on Amazon Prime. It used to be on Netflix, but I don't see it there anymore. If you end up watching it let me know what you think. Definitely a super strange film, but it has some interesting themes.

 

[morgan]

Watched The Gift (2015) on Netflix. I adore Jason Bateman and he definitely played a character that isn't the norm for him. Happy to see him tackle meatier roles lately (like in Ozark). Rebecca Hall was very good as well. IMDb rated this movie 7.1/10.