Rate the Last Movie You Saw

[Sock Monkey]

I had some really depressing news that sent me into a funk, so I did what I did the last time I was depressed like this, and retreated into Middle-Earth! I decided to FINALLY watch the extended editions of THE HOBBIT trilogy, and that's how I've occupied the past four nights, probably wrapping up tonight.

Still too long and padded? Yes. I would love to see someone edit these three films down to a close approximation of the book. But the scenes put back into the extended editions really did add a lot to the films. The dwarves are better fleshed-out and more individual, there's more Christopher Lee, which is always a good thing, and there's even a whole new storyline about Thorin's missing father and the dwarf and elf rings. The over-reliance on CGI, especially for the orcs, makes much of the film look like a really nice video-game cut scene, but it's hard to deny that these are some gorgeous films. And be still my heart, there is even a wild Goblin King musical number that was a real show-stopper. Glad I took the time to revisit these films. It didn't change my overall opinion that they are a bloated swing-and-a-miss, but it's been a fun few nights, and it took my mind off of my troubles for a few hours each day.

I know I saw the first two HOBBIT films, but I don't think I ever watched the third. I think the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy is fantastic--any thoughts on the extended versions of those?--but the HOBBIT trilogy left me a little cold. I think two films would have sufficed. I think that the making of the HOBBIT films is fascinating, though, as it seems to have been rather troubled. If I remember correctly--and I could be wrong--but I remember seeing a making-of that discussed how the second film ground to a halt due to not having a detailed plan for the final battle, which in turn formed the genesis for the third film. Like I said, I could be misremembering this, but if that's the case, I can't imagine the pressure on Jackson and company.

[dannyboy121070]

I had some really depressing news that sent me into a funk, so I did what I did the last time I was depressed like this, and retreated into Middle-Earth! I decided to FINALLY watch the extended editions of THE HOBBIT trilogy, and that's how I've occupied the past four nights, probably wrapping up tonight.

Still too long and padded? Yes. I would love to see someone edit these three films down to a close approximation of the book. But the scenes put back into the extended editions really did add a lot to the films. The dwarves are better fleshed-out and more individual, there's more Christopher Lee, which is always a good thing, and there's even a whole new storyline about Thorin's missing father and the dwarf and elf rings. The over-reliance on CGI, especially for the orcs, makes much of the film look like a really nice video-game cut scene, but it's hard to deny that these are some gorgeous films. And be still my heart, there is even a wild Goblin King musical number that was a real show-stopper. Glad I took the time to revisit these films. It didn't change my overall opinion that they are a bloated swing-and-a-miss, but it's been a fun few nights, and it took my mind off of my troubles for a few hours each day.

[Ben Staad]

Attempted to watch "Wicked Little Letters" on Netflix. Made it 28 minutes and had enough. 1 out of 5 stars.

The film looked nice. The dialogue, character actions, and plot, did not fit the time period. The story was supposed to be comical but I found it lacking in humor or intelligence. There wasn't anything in this one for me or my wife.

 

[Sock Monkey]

My wife reminded me that we have a B&N about 12 miles away versus the ~30 I was thinking of.

So I took my duplicate copy of The Others back and picked these up:

• Twister 4k (not a Criterion but the price was better than Amazon (which isn't even in stock on Amazon)
• Thief
• Perfect Days
• Underground Railroad

Very nice. I've been eyeing THIEF for a long time. I want to work my way through Mann's filmography in chronological order, but just haven't committed to it yet. I wound up buying absolutely NOTHING. I was going to pull the trigger on a couple of titles, then Arrow announced the J-Horror Rising box set with NOROI: THE CURSE (which is fantastic if you enjoy Asian horror and/or found footage/mockumentaries) included and that sent me into a period of self-doubt as to what to buy.

[Sock Monkey]

I'd really like to see the new Deadpool in a theater, but this is exactly why I will probably not go. I remember walking out of the last Dr. Strange due to the constant distractions by others. If I ever found a theater that actually ushered people out for using their phones or being obnoxious, I would be a regular attendee for sure! I'm guessing that will never happen due to short staffing/hiring kids and not wanting to turn off potential future business. That being said, I attended Maxxxine last month and had no issues whatsoever; so, maybe the obnoxiousness comes with these big tentpole movies.

I feel the exact same way. Frankly, the fact that people thought it was okay to bring RABBITS in with them to a movie--and that the theater staff was so unaware that they did not notice--as related in dannyboy's post just boggles the freaking mind. Never mind that even without the rabbits, other people couldn't stay off their phones for two hours. I do think that the type of movie attracts a certain type of audience, but I think, especially with these tentpole films, is that you get a lot of people who aren't just casual fans of film but those that are there not for the act of watching the film but to have said they have watched the film. I understand that short staffing/cost may be an issue that prevents having an usher inside the theater to address issues at all times at all films, I do think this could be implemented in a strategic manner. Movies that draw an younger or more casual crowd should be staffed to ensure issues are not a problem. That weird French film that only the most diehard film aficionados are attending, probably not. My local Regal is charging $18,99 and $22.99 for matinee and evening showings of the new Deadpool film. I'm not payihg $40-45 to tempt fate and get an audience that would rather post on social media about being at a film than watch the film itself (or talk incessantly about whatever is on their mind, or bring barnyard pets in with them. No offense to rabbits. I love rabbits. I own a rabbit, who happens to live in our living room and is rather nonplussed about sound from our surround sound system. However, I still wouldn't take him to the theater.) I'd rather wait for it to be released on blu-ray and I'll watch it then.

[sholloman81]

I despite the people on my left side constantly turning on their phone flashlights and the family on my right each having A FUCKING RABBIT WITH THEM. This kind of shit is why I have nipped my former habit of going to the movies every week and now going a few times a year. People don't know how to act, and the theaters don't care to teach them.

I'd really like to see the new Deadpool in a theater, but this is exactly why I will probably not go. I remember walking out of the last Dr. Strange due to the constant distractions by others. If I ever found a theater that actually ushered people out for using their phones or being obnoxious, I would be a regular attendee for sure! I'm guessing that will never happen due to short staffing/hiring kids and not wanting to turn off potential future business. That being said, I attended Maxxxine last month and had no issues whatsoever; so, maybe the obnoxiousness comes with these big tentpole movies.

[TacomaDiver]

Today's the last day of the 50% off sale there are other items on my wishlist so I could return my duplicate The Others and get something else. If I didn't cash in all of my rewards to buy this one (and Pat Garret) I would just order something on-line now since B&N isn't close by to me and I don't know returns/refunds work when the rewards were used.

My wife reminded me that we have a B&N about 12 miles away versus the ~30 I was thinking of.

So I took my duplicate copy of The Others back and picked these up:

• Twister 4k (not a Criterion but the price was better than Amazon (which isn't even in stock on Amazon)
• Thief
• Perfect Days
• Underground Railroad

[TacomaDiver]

I really need to pull the trigger on that Lonestar Criterion disc before the sale ends. Probably will be picking up One False Move as well and make it a 90s double feature. Maybe I'll get ambitious and pick up Red Rock West and make a tripe feature!

What I picked up this time during B&N's sale:

• Girlfight
• Lone Star
• Anatomy of a Fall
• Pat Garret and Billy the Kid
• The Others (which I just realized I already own!! Dammit!)

I think we are going to give The Others a spin tonight. I haven't seen it since the original DVD release and my wife hasn't ever seen it.

Today's the last day of the 50% off sale there are other items on my wishlist so I could return my duplicate The Others and get something else. If I didn't cash in all of my rewards to buy this one (and Pat Garret) I would just order something on-line now since B&N isn't close by to me and I don't know returns/refunds work when the rewards were used.

[dannyboy121070]

I watched the Nic Cage movie ARCADIAN on Shudder the other night, and realized hours afterward that I still had no idea why it was called "Arcadian". Good film, though...strong performances, interesting creature design and effects, and a strong ending. Good stuff.

Despite fucking HATING Ryan Reynolds and disliking the first two films intensely, I took my family to see DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, mainly because of Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine. We all loved it. Jackman was phenomenal, the in-jokes were great, and the cameos were off the hook. A good time at the movies, despite the people on my left side constantly turning on their phone flashlights and the family on my right each having A FUCKING RABBIT WITH THEM. This kind of shit is why I have nipped my former habit of going to the movies every week and now going a few times a year. People don't know how to act, and the theaters don't care to teach them.

[dannyboy121070]

I've been on a TCM jag lately. I watched Scorsese's NEW YORK, NEW YORK last week, and I made it though 90 agonizing minutes before fast-forwarding the last hour and watching the end. This seemed to have been intended as some sort of romantic comedy, but De Niro plays what just may be the most insufferable prick in cinematic history, and the plodding, leisurely pace certainly didn't help any.

Next was Corman's THE RAVEN, which was fun just because of the actors involved: Vincent Price, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and Jack Nicholson. Corman really made the most of his budget, with gorgeous sets and matte paintings. I had a good time.

I finally got around to watching HAROLD & MAUDE, which wasn't nearly as funny as I had been led to believe. Great performances by Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort, and the end was really heartfelt, but the 90 minutes dragged.

[Sock Monkey]

Been on a movie kick after work recently (which is good because I miss watching movies, and it's been too damn hot to do anything, so sitting in the basement is a nice reprieve.)

To cross-reference the Netflix thread, we did watch the latest Beverly Hills Copy movie - Axel F - BUT first we had to watch BHC II and III. The second one wasn't bad, didn't capture the magic of the first (so few sequels do), but compared to the third, it was a masterpiece. The third one just wasn't very good, but oddly enough my wife had seen it before but assumed it was a "Die Hard movie . . ."

The Axel one was better than the third, not as good as the second. Completely unnecessary to make the movie other than to cash in on nostalgia (like so much of our media today.) As far as nostalgic movies goes, it was better than the latest Ghostbusters movie. I was so bored.

Other movies we've watched recently:

• Civil War - I appreciate the vagueness as to who the good guys and bad guys were. After all, it was about war journalists. My wife was very uncomfortable with a bit of the subject matter because it hits close to reality at times.
• Girlfight - I saw this AGES ago and really wanted to revisit it, so it was fortuitous that Criterion was releasing it. Holds up well and still enjoyable.
• Anatomy of a Fall - we tried watching this on Hulu but the subtitles didn't work right for me (the movie is in English and French, but I couldn't get subs just for French, I could either have none or descriptive hearing). Not sure if it was me, Hulu or what. So I bought the Criterion bluray. Once I figured out those subs (no clue why I struggled with this!). Very dramatic. And I completely understand the praise thrown on Snoop (Messi) the dog. Did she do it?
• The Beekeeper - Jason Statham. Retired "something outside the law". Beekeeper. You know exactly what you're getting and it doesn't disappoint. It was a nice change of pace from some of the more dramatic movies we've been watching.
• Lone Star - another recent Criterion acquisition. I literally bought this because I know of the artist that did the cover. Really enjoyed this even though I have questions about the ending. Quite the slow burn. Felt like a play at times with some of the transitions. Also had a serialized feel to it.

No movies tonight - we have soccer!

Man, Beverly Hills Cop III is mess. I believe that John Landis has complained that Murphy was difficult on the film and that Murphy wanted Axel to be more mature in the film, which is pretty much what audiences don't want. I did catch part of Axel F and I just couldn't finish it. All the jokes seemed to fall flat for me and I kinda got tired of Axel's daughter constantly yelling at him. I very rarely quit a film, but this one I had to tap out on.

I really need to pull the trigger on that Lonestar Criterion disc before the sale ends. Probably will be picking up One False Move as well and make it a 90s double feature. Maybe I'll get ambitious and pick up Red Rock West and make a tripe feature!

[Sock Monkey]

Saw Long Legs the other night.

I liked it, though I don’t think it lives up to the hype as the scariest movie since Hereditary.

The beginning was genuinely creepy, though the creepiness wore off in the second half as the story became more convoluted.

On the plus side, Nicholas Cage was excellent as the lead villain. He played it over the top and hammy, and pulled it off wonderfully.

B

Â

I'll be honest, I don't think any movie can ever live up to the hype as the "scariest movie since" whenever. I think giving a movie that label instantly sets it up to fail at reaching that benchmark. What is and is not scary is so specific to the individual watching and oftentimes, in my opinion, how scary you find something as so many external factors to it beyond the film itself, including the viewer's mood going into the film, their personal receptivity to the themes evoking the fear, the viewing atmosphere, and their own expectations of the film itself. I almost tend to like going in cold to a film. I go with an open mind and try to meet the film on its own terms.

As far as this film itself, I'm excited to see it as I really like Oz Perkins's other films--though I've yet to see the Hansel and Gretel retelling--even though I find Nicholas Cage to be incredibly hit or miss.

[brlesh]

That is one I want to watch. Worth going to the theater for this one?



 

I think so, but then, when given the opportunity, I prefer to see movies in a theater.

Emily at readjumpscares.com provides a much more in depth analysis of the film that may help your decision.

B

[Ben Staad]

That is one I want to watch. Worth going to the theater for this one?

Saw Long Legs the other night.

I liked it, though I don’t think it lives up to the hype as the scariest movie since Hereditary.

The beginning was genuinely creepy, though the creepiness wore off in the second half as the story became more convoluted.

On the plus side, Nicholas Cage was excellent as the lead villain. He played it over the top and hammy, and pulled it off wonderfully.

B

 

 

[brlesh]

Saw Long Legs the other night.

I liked it, though I don’t think it lives up to the hype as the scariest movie since Hereditary.

The beginning was genuinely creepy, though the creepiness wore off in the second half as the story became more convoluted.

On the plus side, Nicholas Cage was excellent as the lead villain. He played it over the top and hammy, and pulled it off wonderfully.

B