Here's what I've watched over the last few weekends:
In The Heart of the Sea - starring Chris Hemsworth and based on the true story that inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick. I regret not seeing this in cinemas and I do not understand why this was a box office dud. Once you get past Hemsworth's dodgy accent at the beginning of the film, it's truly an epic story. I read up on the actual events, and there were some elements that were even left out (nothing to the detriment of the film though). If any of you haven't seen this, please do. I've love to talk about it some more.
Annihilation - a terrific sci-fi film that proves 1) you don't need over-the-top action and CGI overload to sell a story, and 2) guess what Hollywood? "Chicks" actually can headline more than just rom-com films. Also, the fact that this was released on Netflix after a limited theatrical run poses some big questions for the future of cinema, but I"ll probably start a separate thread on that topic.
Baby Driver - cool little action flick. A lot of people loved it. To me, it was just an interesting way to pass two hours.
I was on a Dracula kick recently. Watched the Gary Oldman film for like the zillionth time. I love everything about this film and I have even become more tolerant (but not accepting) of Keanu Reeves' awful acting. I then watched the original Nosferatu on YouTube, which I never saw before. I loved it. After, I watched the 70s remake. Terrible. Should I check out the 1979 film starring Frank Langella?
Excalibur - never saw this before. I was a kid when it came out and my sisters wouldn't let me watch it with them cause it had nekkid people. It took a little while to get used to the jarring, 80s-style of acting with everyone's staccato delivery (William Shatner/Star Trek style). Once you get past that, it really is an ambitious story. I was only passing familiar with the Arthurian mythos as a boy, so this was my first "complete" introduction to the entire story. Is director John Boorman still in the business today? If so, I would love if he tackled this in mini-series format, as there is so much story that can be fleshed out (the Lady of the Lake, for instance, seems to merit a film all on her own). And it was a pleasant surprise to see early appearances by some of today's favourite actors such as Patrick Stewart and Liam Neeson (man, Neeson can't seem to make a movie without threatening to kill someone, can he?). Oh yeah, and there were some nekkid people too.
Now I know there are way too many films/shows based on Arthur & Merlin, so I need some recommendations from you goodly folk. What other films/mini-series should I check out that you all think are required viewing? (and please, don't suggest the recent Guy Ritchie film - I hate when period films are done in modern-day action style with the characters using contemporary slang, etc. That's not my thing).