Topic: The Movie Thread

@RogerRoger Yeah, for whatever reason my mum saw them on Sky Movies so we’re watching the series when there’s nothing on TV. I reckon we’ll stop at the Chris Pine one though, I’ve seen that once and probably wouldn’t watch it again. Somewhat scuppered my hopes of getting onto the next movies on my list though, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein!

Ace in the Hole (1951) - A reporter in New Mexico finds a guy trapped in a cave and turns it into a giant media circus because he's desperate for a big scoop. I would recommend this one. It's pretty sad how relevant this movie is, although at least we have the internet so we can do better fact checking (there's still plenty of gullible people out there though). Kirk Douglas plays the reporter and his character's a real piece of ****. He'll do anything to get and keep his story. There's several other scumbags that take advantage of the situation as well. To be honest, Douglas' performance is the reason this movie is worth watching. As far as Billy Wilder films go, it's not quite on the level of something like Sunset Boulevard, but it's just a notch below along with the likes of The Lost Weekend and Stalag 17 (for the record I haven't seen any of his comedies).

Also watched Deliverance last night. Seen this one before but it's pretty solid stuff. The real highlight is the Appalachia scenery and the movie gets pretty tense in parts. Not the best thriller out there, but it doesn't really need to be.

@nessisonett If it helps, Sinbad has some action scenes so if want to find some common ground. In all fairness though, the Registry jumps all over the place as far as genres go if you go alphabetically.

@LN78 I've just seen this:

Interesting to hear what he said it is the uncut version, which apparently has never been released before.

@LN78 Yeah you are bang on with the cuts, he explains that's what they are in the vid. It seems like you can buy this separately too, wonder if that will be the same for the rest of the films in the box set?

So I just watched IGN's little documentary about the production of the scrapped film adaptation of Batman: Year One

I love Darren Aronofsky but this sounds like one of those "R rated stuff for the sake of an R rating" kinds of films and I'm glad we got Batman Begins instead

The graphic novel is dark and really grounded and gritty but it never went as far as having Batman torture someone or throw a Batarang at a goon's crotch

This sounds absolutely terrible.

@LN78 Do I sense a hint of sarcasm?

@LN78 Oh yeah saw about The Exorcist. I think they do it just to wind us up.

@RogerRoger Do you even have VHS player?! 🤣

A few films I've seen recently:

Men in Black International. It was all right I suppose. I kind of feel like the series is still trading off the first film a little bit, but this passed an hour or so. Rafe Spall is always good, and the two leads kept the whole thing afloat, just about. Best bit was when Hemsworth picked up the hammer.

Angry Birds 2. Wanted to hate it, but it did make me laugh a couple of times. It also made my soul weep a couple of times too, so swings and roundabouts. The kids were all over it.

The Irishman. I had issues with this film. The de-aging of De Niro, Pacino and co is all very well, but they still move like old men. So a scene involving De Niro kicking the yeast out of a baker who has annoyed him ends up looking like an outtake from Steptoe and Son. It meant the more actiony bits were sapped of all their drama. The rest of the film was good though. Everyone was on form; Joe Pesci was superb and Ray Romano was surprisingly good. Al Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa was a joy to watch.

Ad Astra. Has anyone on here seen this film? Because I kind of want to discuss the ending, but I'm not going to bother rambling on if no-one knows what I'm on about. Anyway, good film, I think. Brad Pitt seemed to be having fun moping about in space, while Tommy Lee Jones was ace as his father. Should have been called Dad Astra.

Joker. This felt like Joachim Phoenix had a full-on breakdown and someone decided to film it, so convincing was his performance here. Some more De Niro again (I've been spoiled this week) somehow looking younger than his de-aged self in The Irishman. Always good to see the legend Marc Maron popping up too. Good film, and a far cry from the BIFF!s and POW!s of Cesar Romero. I'd quite like to see a dimension-hopping sequel where Phoenix and Romero's Jokers go head-to-head.

@LN78 I'm going to write a script for The Godfather Part III where the characters go on a road trip across America in a winnebago which is haunted by the ghost of Marlon Brando, who constantly despairs at Andy Garcia's reckless driving.

With hilarious results, of course.

@LN78 Not sure if it is my memory playing tricks, but do you remember a version of Temple of Doom when the main villain rips someone's heart out? I seem to remember seeing it on VHS but then on repeat views be it on TV, DVD or Blu ray it has been cut massively.

@RogerRoger @LN78 @JohnnyShoulder I definitely remember the Kalima scene but it could have been added in the DVD?

That is the one @LN78! I had the trilogy on DVD and it wasn't on there either. Ties up with what you say about it being added for the blu Ray release. Lord knows how I managed to see it, probably some dodgy copy my dad got hold of! Cheers also @nessisonett and @RogerRoger

@JohnnyShoulder @LN78 @nessisonett @RogerRoger Every U.S. version of Temple of Doom has the heart ripping part, I believe. I don’t think it was edited out anywhere that I know of other than maybe when shown of network television. I’ve always found that scene to be a little ridiculous anyways, since a person does have rather stout protection there in the form of a sternum and ribs. Maybe evil black magic turns bones into soup so his hand could pass so easily in there.

I don't remember the beating heart scene ever being removed (or cut down) in Temple of Doom, but I'm in the US so that may have something to do with it.

On the topic of this (as well as the Back to the Future talk), it's instances like this that make me love 80's movies. It seems like they were trying to push the PG rating as hard as they could (and once PG-13 came around, it seems like they were testing what was acceptable under that), which makes watching the movies interesting, because you're never quite sure what you'll see.

Today it seems they've gotten the "formula" of a PG-13 movie down to an exact science, and there's a certain homogeony to everything nowadays, if that makes sense.

@RR529 oh yeah, I believe there is a rather formulaic approach to the ratings, where a PG13 movie can have the F-word only so many times (once or twice?) for example. So literally they just have made it as objective as possible by counting words, scenes, etc. Obviously there is a judgement call to violence and the like, but yes — some older PG’s have full nudity, violence, and a few things that might even be R now.

@Th3solution It’s especially obvious with the Marvel movies. I hated Deadpool though, that felt like they were just chucking ‘bad words’ to appeal to those edgy 15 year olds who were at baby’s first adult movie. The language used should reflect the action on screen, there’s no way people wouldn’t shout ‘holy sh*t’ when giant aliens come out of the sky in New York.

What are the best animated DC comic based movies? Especially if I am a newb to the genre. I’ve seen nearly all the DC output as far as live action feature films (still need to watch The Joker and Birds of Prey, but I have seen the new Justice League stuff, the Nolan Dark Knight trilogy, the older Keaton Batmans, etc).
I’m considering getting into the animated shows, but it’s overwhelming knowing where to start and which are inter-related.

@Th3solution Make sure to watch All Star Superman, Batman: Under the Red Hood, Batman: Gotham Knight, both parts of The Dark Knight Returns, Green Lantern: First Flight, Superman: Unbound, Teen Titans: The Judas Contract, Justice League: The New Frontier and Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

essential watches imo