Movie Thread

[movingtarget]

The Lighthouse (2019) psych/drama with great performances from Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. Visually outstanding and a little weird. Two men stuck in a lighthouse begin to unravel.

Ghostbusters :Frozen Empire (2024) simply awful. Didn't make it to the finish. Franchise film making at it's worst.

 

[movingtarget]

Radioactive (2019) a biopic about the life of the scientist Marie Curie. Pretty good but probably would have worked better as a mini series, with so much ground to cover. Good performances from Rosamund Pike and Sam Riley as well as some interesting visuals.

 

[movingtarget]

Hereditary (2018) Horror/drama : the slow burn of the first hour of drama was more effective than the switch to supernatural thriller in the second half. Nice performances from Gabriel Byrne and Toni Collette but the story got very convoluted and less effective. Not bad.

 

[Unchained]

Kinda Pregnant 2025

Amy Schumer produced by Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler.. Has all the stuff of his other succe$$ful comedy hits, just not funny , Schumer is terrible 5\10

You're Cordially Invited 2025

Will "Formula" Ferrill and Resse Witherspoon.. Something left out of formula, just not funny 5\10

Babygirl 2024

Nicole Kidman plays a Amazon caliber CEO and despite sex, love and everything, I mean everything, she has a chance encounter with young intern as he tours her corporate office and within minutes everyone has clothes off, and 20 year old immediately senses that billionaire Kidman likes being dominated and is told what to do for 6-8 months.. Guess it sort of fits in with her other sex movies, Tom Cruise is gone
9 and a Half Weeks could have been used as reference material..5\10

Pigen med Halen Girl w the Needle 2024

In black and white.. Woman finds herself inside of strange, dark, dangerous adoption ring..she is an over the top dedicated, deranged, depressed employee.. Worth seeing..7\10

 

[Theyellowjersey]

Lock stock and two smoking barrels.

(crime caper based on four Ineos riders looking to do what they can to stay alive in east London)

 

[movingtarget]

Oppenheimer (2023) a good film that dragged in the final third. The first two thirds were very good. Probably 30 minutes too long at 3 hours running time and too much time was spent on Oppenheimer's enquiry. Very well acted especially by Robert Downey Jnr and Cillian Murphy. Worth seeing but I prefer some of the earlier Nolan movies.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Conclave (2024) - Lots of buzz surrounding this movie before the Oscars, I thought it was quite absorbing and interesting. I think I'm in the minority in that I actually did not enjoy Ralph Fiennes' performance too much though, I thought his demureness seemed rather forced and artificial.(Reminded me of an Oprah Winfrey performance in a movie that seemed equally fake.) The final reveal and ending were kind of a letdown and unfulfilling, I think this movie could easily come up with a sequel because there are many questions left unanswered. But up until then I really enjoyed the movie - great cast!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Dang, Gene Hackman, what bizarre circumstances of his and his wife's death. Investigation is underway, and I wonder if/how they will remember him at the Oscars tonight.

 

[Unchained]

Dang, Gene Hackman, what bizarre circumstances of his and his wife's death. Investigation is underway, and I wonder if/how they will remember him at the Oscars tonight.

He has too much of everything!! Guy did everything!! Including comedy.. His resume had to be one of the most prestigious there is.. Circumstances sound terrible.. Including a dead pet!!!

 

[Unchained]

Flight Risk 2025
Mark Wahlberg plays a toupee wearing hit man w pilot skills. Tired plot but still watchable.

Greedy People 2024
Rookie cop accidentally kills a woman, few minutes before hit man was to do same thing, find a bag of money and chaos ensues when everyone comes looking for it.. Dark comedy.

Companion 2025
Can't tell who is human and who is a robot, multiple reprogramming has tables turning on who is in control.. Pretty good.. Few good twists

 

[Tricycle Rider]

He has too much of everything!! Guy did everything!! Including comedy.. His resume had to be one of the most prestigious there is.. Circumstances sound terrible.. Including a dead pet!!!

I enjoyed Hackman in virtually every movie I've ever seen him in, he was such a well-rounded actor! My fave roles of his were of course Popeye Doyle in the French Connection and French Connection II, and Sen. Kevin Keeley in The Birdcage. His resume is just so accomplished...

Speculation is rife, but from what I've been able to read is there were evidently no reported gas leaks in his area, so that would rule out CO poisoning. So how even the dog died while in a kennel while the other two dogs who were allowed to roam free survived is a mystery for the autopsy people.

 

[movingtarget]

Sadly sounds like suicide was involved but it seems that the circumstances are odd and the autopsy should tell them more. The one dog dying sounds like it might have been an oversight from someone under stress.

As for Hackman's performances., my favourites were from Unforgiven, French Connection. The Conversation, Scarecrow, Downhill Racer, Young Frankenstein, The Poseidon Adventure, Bonnie and Clyde and Another Woman but there were so many others. I'm sure there will be some interesting written biographies to come. Highly respected but according to many, not the easiest to work with which isn't uncommon with talented people ! But the results made it worthwhile.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Sadly sounds like suicide was involved but it seems that the circumstances are odd and the autopsy should tell them more. The one dog dying sounds like it might have been an oversight from someone under stress.

As for Hackman's performances., my favourites were from Unforgiven, French Connection. The Conversation, Scarecrow, Downhill Racer, Young Frankenstein, The Poseidon Adventure, Bonnie and Clyde and Another Woman but there were so many others. I'm sure there will be some interesting written biographies to come. Highly respected but according to many, not the easiest to work with which isn't uncommon with talented people ! But the results made it worthwhile.

Did you catch the Oscars this evening? I only caught bits and pieces because I was working on a home improvement project at the same time... from what I did see there was lots of politics talk because Hollywood just can't help itself, but I thought the tribute to Hackman was fairly understated yet respectful. Makes sense, seeing as the details of his and his wife's death aren't known yet (maybe a murder-suicide? <----- that's a wiiiild speculation not based on any facts!!) it's probably for the best not to go gushing about his career too much yet.

Having said that the "In Memoriam" at the Oscars reminded me that besides Hackman we lost a lot of great actors and actresses due to age this past year, seems like Morgan Freeman is one of the few still left standing from that generation. So I thought it was appropriate he was the presenter of the In Memoriam.

 

[movingtarget]

Did you catch the Oscars this evening? I only caught bits and pieces because I was working on a home improvement project at the same time... from what I did see there was lots of politics talk because Hollywood just can't help itself, but I thought the tribute to Hackman was fairly understated yet respectful. Makes sense, seeing as the details of his and his wife's death aren't known yet (maybe a murder-suicide? <----- that's a wiiiild speculation not based on any facts!!) it's probably for the best not to go gushing about his career too much yet.

Having said that the "In Memoriam" at the Oscars reminded me that besides Hackman we lost a lot of great actors and actresses this past year, seems like Morgan Freeman is one of the few still left standing from that generation. So I thought it was appropriate he was the presenter of the In Memoriam.

No I haven't watched any of the awards ceremonies for years now. I lost interest . My brother was watching some so I saw a few bits. I used to watch all of the awards including the Grammy's, the Golden Globes and also the Emmy's even the BAFTA's . The In Memoriam was always interesting though but they never include everyone which pizzes some people off.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

No I haven't watched any of the awards ceremonies for years now. I lost interest . mt brother was watching some so I saw a few bits. I used to watch all of the awards including the Grammy's, the Golden Globes and also the Emmy's even the BAFTA's . The In Memoriam was always interesting though but they never include everyone which pizzes some people off.

Same. The last time I got excited about the Oscars and other award shows was about 40 years ago when I was still a teen. Nowadays I find Hollywood specifically to be very self-congratulatory and detached from reality, and I don't care about what the ladies are wearing because I can always catch a recap of the most hideous gowns on youtube later. Only thing I do still find useful about the Oscars is the show lets me know about movies and documentaries I hadn't heard of and I might want to see in the future, I guess judging by the awards it received last night Anora might be worth a looky.

 

[movingtarget]

Same. The last time I got excited about the Oscars and other award shows was about 40 years ago when I was still a teen. Nowadays I find Hollywood specifically to be very self-congratulatory and detached from reality, and I don't care about what the ladies are wearing because I can always catch a recap of the most hideous gowns on youtube later. Only thing I do still find useful about the Oscars is the show lets me know about movies and documentaries I hadn't heard of and I might want to see in the future, I guess judging by the awards it received last night Anora might be worth a looky.

Yes Anora seemed to be getting mainly good reviews so did Conclave.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Yes Anora seemed to be getting mainly good reviews so did Conclave.

Conclave in particular seems to be very timely right now seeing as Pope Francis appears to be on his last legs health-wise, so it's good and interesting to know just how they go about selecting a new Pope. (While the film is fine I think documentaries on youtube are probably better for that, though.)

I didn't realize Anora is supposed to be a raunchy rom-com till I googled it, so now I'm not sure about it because rom-coms just aren't my thing...

 

[Unchained]

Conclave in particular seems to be very timely right now seeing as Pope Francis appears to be on his last legs health-wise, so it's good and interesting to know just how they go about selecting a new Pope. (While the film is fine I think documentaries on youtube are probably better for that, though.)

I didn't realize Anora is supposed to be a raunchy rom-com till I googled it, so now I'm not sure about it because rom-coms just aren't my thing...

Anora is not a rom-com it is raunchy as written, it's like Pretty Woman with tons of nudity, elicit language and gratuitous female exploitation sex. I thought the movie was entertaining, good, worthy of any type of award, no chance on earth!!
Conclave had a bunch of bizarre omissions in the script, A film like Spotlight w Michael Keaton hits on similar subjects and does so more effectively.
It's weird how strippers and sex workers are such a Hollywood lure!! Bill Maher, Real Time made a joke about how often actors are nominated for awards as sex workers, including Jon Voight!! Pretty funny
I tried to watch some of the awards, too much down time.. And because I watch more movies than anyone else I know.. I found most of considered excellence to be average or below.. Films that I considered really really good were hardly mentioned..
And most foreign films I found entertaining were majority comedy and few dramas. Conan O'Brien did OK

 

[movingtarget]

Sisu (2023) crazy Finnish movie, one part Tarantino war movie, one part samurai movie one part gory fantasy. The Germans are pulling out of Finland in WWII and happen to pick a fight with the wrong guy. Absurd but very entertaining.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

The Clovehitch Killer (2018) - A quiet, slow-burner thriller loosely based on the BTK serial killer that is incredibly suspenseful, I actually had to fast-forward a bit because I just couldn't handle the tension! Dylan McDermott was nearly unrecognizable, and he played a right bastard.

This movie is more Hitchcock than any kind of horror gore, I would highly recommend if you want to squirm in your seat for a couple of hours.

 

[Unchained]

A few really good things.. All fun to watch start to finish..
Novocaine..2025
Not high art..kinda super non hero.. No Marvel budget.. cool concept and funny, tons of action, even when it's predictable it's good. A movie people will watch for years.
And Mrs.. 2024
A rom com about a woman who wants to marry her dead husband, played by Colin Hanks, Tom Hanks son..it's got really really bitter dark humor and based in London. And because I have been there many times, don't know how they found what feels like endless sunny days for almost every scene!! I loved the original and remake of Death at a Funeral.. This has all the good parts.

 

[Nomad]

Val Kilmer has passed at age 65 from pneumonia.

One of my favorite actors that I grew up with. I thought he was outstanding in "The Doors" playing Jim Morrison and in "Tombstone" where he played the legendary "Doc Holliday." (I've probably watched Tombstone at least a dozen times over the years). It was a travesty that he wasn't at least nominated for an Oscar in either film.

Tombstone is one of the best Westerns I've ever seen. Kurt Russell & Kilmer worked great together in this film:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/prE9KgRligM?si=RrOHDajosqZoyWjV

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Val Kilmer has passed at age 65 from pneumonia.

One of my favorite actors that I grew up with. I thought he was outstanding in "The Doors" playing Jim Morrison and in "Tombstone" where he played the legendary "Doc Holliday." (I've probably watched Tombstone at least a dozen times over the years). It was a travesty that he wasn't at least nominated for an Oscar in either film.

Tombstone is one of best Westerns I've ever seen. Kurt Russell & Kilmer worked great together in this film:

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/prE9KgRligM?si=RrOHDajosqZoyWjV

I think had had some throat cancer in the past, but still, 65 is much too young to go.

You mentioned some good movies he had been in and I'd also like to add his unforgettable Iceman in Top Gun. (I actually remember him more than Tom Cruise in Top Gun.)

RIP, Val Kilmer

 

[Unchained]

I had a friend that worked for Volvo and Val Kilmer did a bunch of promotional work with the car company!
Kilmer made a movie titled The Saint in 1997 and Volvo was supposed to roll out a new model that was to be tied to the movie, production problems made it so movie came out, car was used in the movie, but wasn't available in dealers for many months after the movie came and went..
My friend has a photo of Val Kilmer with his arm around him.. He explained that Val took the same amount of time with dozens of people who wanted photos,
Top Gun was filmed in San Diego and I was not able to see any of the filming, but have drank beer and ridden bicycles in many of the locations you see in the movie.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Kilmer was battling with throat cancer since 2014, it was nice how Top Gun Maverick incorporated it into the movie and he got the chance to be on screen one more time for the franchise that helped launch his career. His performance in Heat and Batman were also good. I thought it was a terrible April Fool’s joke since I’d been busy at work the last 5 days and only saw it on Facebook. Hopefully he passed peacefully.