Movie Thread

[Maxiton]

Since we will never be able to answer the question, I'll just go on with the nominees.


Two classic movies, no computers, no tricks - but just epic and bombastic nevertheless.

Mutiny on Bounty

This version of Mutiny on the Bounty is one of my favorite films - mostly because of the storyline, Marlon Brando, and the grandeur of a clean 70mm print on the correspondingly wide, huge screen. That really is what movie making is all about. Nothing at home can touch it.

 

[Ruby60]

Just watched my favorite movie of all time..."The Man Who Would Be King".
Sean Connery and Michael Caine. Great story, and stick something in about the intrigue of Free Masonry and I'm enthralled! Check this one out.

 

[Maxiton]

Since we will never be able to answer the question, I'll just go on with the nominees.


Two classic movies, no computers, no tricks - but just epic and bombastic nevertheless.

Mutiny on Bounty

This version of Mutiny on the Bounty is one of my favorite films, largely because of the storyline, Marlon Brando, the sweep - epic - of the settings, and the grandeur of a clean, 70mm print projected onto an appropriately super-wide, huge screen. Shot in something called Ultra Panavision 70, the actual projected image had an aspect ratio of 2.76:1 and looked like this

only, imagine the above image being so large that it fills your entire field of vision. Some cinemas that showed these films were called Cinerama. These were even better in that the giant screen was slightly curved, thereby accounting somehow for peripheral vision. One of my other favorite films, 2001: A Space Odyssey, was also shot in 70mm and was sometimes shown in Cinerama.

This really is what movie making is about. Nothing at home can touch it. (No matter how well equipped home is.) The movie industry would be well advised to stop coming up with (or dredging up) gimmicks like 3D and instead bring back 70mm.

Here are a couple of links about it

http://cinemagumbo.squarespace.com/journal/2011/11/5/70mm.html

http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/

 

[search]

they screened it in 70mm at the Berlinale some years ago. The copy wasn't perfect but it was amazing nonetheless - Kino International (the former GDR premieres-cinema) + Mutiny on the Bounty in 70mm, a perfect combination).

I can just recommend everyone to use the rare possibilities of watching movies in 70mm. It's a totally different cinema-experience, far superiour to a regular 35mm screening (and of course a million times better than every crappy digital screening)

I always wanted to visit the Widescreen Weekend at the Bradford filmfestival (where they screen a bunch of 70mm copys) but didn't manage it so far. Maybe next year.

 

[Maxiton]

they screened it in 70mm at the Berlinale some years ago. The copy wasn't perfect but it was amazing nonetheless - Kino International (the former GDR premieres-cinema) + Mutiny on the Bounty in 70mm, a perfect combination).

Was it in 2009?

http://www.in70mm.com/news/2009/berlinale/index.htm

I can just recommend everyone to use the rare possibilities of watching movies in 70mm. It's a totally different cinema-experience, far superiour to a regular 35mm screening (and of course a million times better than every crappy digital screening)

+1

I always wanted to visit the Widescreen Weekend at the Bradford filmfestival (where they screen a bunch of 70mm copys) but didn't manage it so far. Maybe next year.

Didn't know about this. Here's a link to it, though:

http://www.in70mm.com/pictureville/index.htm

Thanks for the heads up. A good reason to go to the UK.

And one more link:

http://www.in70mm.com/index.htm

I hope 70mm becomes the "next big thing".

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Cinematography, sound and score wise, I prefer the Roger Donaldson version of the Bounty. I think it's a vastly underrated and unfairly criticized film.

As to 70mm, I fully agree. I'd love to see more films in 70mm, and less, I mean no films in 3D. It pains me to hear that the remake of The Great Gastby will be in 3D. For the love of God, why???

Some 25 years ago I saw a 70mm print of Days of Heaven. My understanding is that most of that film was shot on 35mm, with several of the grand landscape shots on 70mm, with only a handful of 70mm workprints in existence, so I was very fortunate to see what I did. It was like nothing I've ever experienced in a theater.

Another thing about 70mm. I'm no film snob. I'm an advocate of digital filmmaking. I think it's the future, and in many instances excellent for the present, especially independent filmmaking. It's versatile, and one day will be superior to IMAX. Having said that, I'd much, much rather see more grand films shot in 70mm than much of anything else, be that digital at 5k, 35mm, 3D, sensurround or scratch and sniff. When shot right, treated right, and presented right, there's nothing like 70mm.

 

[BroDeal]

After suffering through Evil Bong 3D (a terrible terrible Charles Band movie), I finally got around to watching Before the Devil knows You're Dead, which was excellent. I did not care for the non-chronological ordering at the first of the film, but the script and performances were great.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

BroDeal (or anyone!)- Have you seen Two Headed Shark Attack? I notice it's now out on Blu Ray. I was a bit disappointed by Swamp Shark, and am hoping this is "better".

 

[search]

Was it in 2009?

http://www.in70mm.com/news/2009/berlinale/index.htm

yes, must have been in 2009

they had the 70mm Retrospective special that year, Tati's Playtime in 70mm was awesome as well

 

[Amsterhammer]

Anyone thinking of seeing The Counselor (Ridley Scott, Fassbender, Cruz, Diaz, Pitt, Bardem) should really read this brilliantly written review first.

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/26/meet_the_worst_movie_ever_made/

 

[BroDeal]

BroDeal (or anyone!)- Have you seen Two Headed Shark Attack? I notice it's now out on Blu Ray. I was a bit disappointed by Swamp Shark, and am hoping this is "better".

Looks like I missed this post. But, yeah, I saw two Headed Shark Attack. It delivered. If I recall correctly it was directed by Fred Olen Ray's son. It was about equivalent to Swamp Shark.

I just watched Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, which was made for about one third of a percent of what Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter cost. Pretty cheesy.

 

[nowhereman]

Anyone thinking of seeing The Counselor (Ridley Scott, Fassbender, Cruz, Diaz, Pitt, Bardem) should really read this brilliantly written review first.

http://www.salon.com/2013/10/26/meet_the_worst_movie_ever_made/

Absolutely agree with that review. I saw the film, and now it can't be undone.

 

[BigMac]

May contain spoilers.

I watched Star Wars for the first time. At first i wanted to watch episodes IV, V and VI first, to follow the actual timeline the films were released, but decided to watch the prequels first.

Oh dear.

The first three episodes (the prequels) are, in fact, against popular belief, the good ones. The acting is O.K and the dialogues make sense, along with the storyline. Please bear in mind i didn't take Visual Effects onto comparison, due to the years gap between episodes 4, 5, 6 and 1, 2, 3.

Episodes IV to VI are easily the silliest films i have ever watched. A complete borefest from the first minute until the pathetic ending (I turned the TV off after Vader killed Sidious the way he did). The acting is outrageously bad, lacking emotions and any efforts to make the whole thing look real. They are simply spiting the argument over you during the film.

Also, after watching Anakin Skywalker, i never expected Darth Vader to look like that - ugh - he should have stayed there to burn in lava.

Got to give credit to Lucas for creating such a wonderful universe. Afterall it was just a crew casting error.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I don't consider opinions on movies/film to be any different from opinions on music...

We all differ in our preference in what we are looking for/prefer. And that is okay. (A Michael Bay movie [with lots of gratuitous explosions] may be your kind of escape, it is not mine.)

Anyhoo...

Traffic (2000) - Watched it again... hate the gimmicky camera lens color changes, but otherwise I think the movie this still speaks. I mean, the "War on Drugs", wtf?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Well, "Lawrence of Arabia" just died. Rip.

Luckily we still have Batman, Spiderman and Hulk....

Anyway, I shall now be looking forward to seeing Lean's movie on the telly again.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Well, "Lawrence of Arabia" just died. Rip.

I loved him in "Masada", way back when.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081900/

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I loved him in "Masada", way back when.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081900/

at 81, the rebel got a full life. Great actors, musicians always leaves something behind for us mortals.

Now I will have to drink a good bottle of red wine.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

at 81, the rebel got a full life. Great actors, musicians always leaves something behind for us mortals.

Now I will have to drink a good bottle of red wine.

Save this fancy red bottle you have and see if you can auction it off. With the possible money you get set up a fund for actors who may be as serious (and as talented) as Peter O'Toole was.

Otherwise, I'll just be happy to share this cheap bottle of chardonnay I'm drinking right now with you.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Save this fancy red bottle you have and see if you can auction it off. With the possible money you get set up a fund for actors who may be as serious (and as talented) as Peter O'Toole was.

Otherwise, I'll just be happy to share this cheap bottle of chardonnay I'm drinking right now with you.

I understand, but that wouldn't be in the spirit of O'Toole. I'm toasting him right now.

As for supporting artists, I'm not doing enough, but I also think I've been let down quite a bit lately.

Sadly I don't think we are at the bottom yet.

 

[Echoes]

O'Toole's death saddens me more than Mandela's.

His role in Cristiada, the magnificent film about the Cristeros War was awesome, I didn't know he acted in the aforelast year of his life...

"Lawrence of Arabia" is my all time favourite. How many remaining cast members are there now, Sharif aside?

 

[Echoes]

RIP Joan Fontaine (1917-2013). Wonderful in Hitchcock's Rebecca and Suspicion.

Damn I was rooting for her in her battle with her sister Olivia but Olivia survived her.

 

[hrotha]

BigMac: You shouldn't have watched them in that order, as the prequel trilogy assumes knowledge of the original trilogy. By watching them in that order, you're effectively ruining the original films for yourself.

The right order is IV, V, I, II, III, VI.
Or the Machete Order: IV, V, II, III, VI.
http://static.nomachetejuggling.com/machete_order.html

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I'm on a "cheesy sci-fi flicks from the past" kick at the moment, so to start things off...

Logan's Run (1976) - Bad hair, bad clothes, bad sets... what is there not to love? Some movie buffs might think, given the year it came out, the flick is substandard, but I think it's just delightfully cheesy.

Next up (before these movies are no longer available on Netflix) - THX 1138, Soylent Green, Quintet.

All of those I've already seen at least once before, but, what the hell. I need some lighthearted fun.

 

[Oldman]

Saw Wolf of Wall Street last night...til this morning. Totally unprepared for a 3 hour ego piece by Scorcese's adopted son.
There was much well appreciated nudity to break up the pacing, however.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Saw Wolf of Wall Street last night...til this morning. Totally unprepared for a 3 hour ego piece by Scorcese's adopted son.
There was much well appreciated nudity to break up the pacing, however.

Dude, I'm assuming you paid full price for your movie ticket. How much is it up there yonder in WA State nowadays?

Down here in Eugene it's at least $8.50, $6.50 for a matinee.

(I remember the days when a matinee used to be $2.25...)