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Lifeboat (1944)
Hitchcock takes one set, a small group of people and weaves magic. For some reason people thought this was propaganda for the Nazis when it was released, but it's actually an indictment of all of humanity.

I think anything made in 1944 would have been viewed through the lens of the war -- quite inappropriately, no doubt.

My problem with political movies was summed up in my review of The Battle Of Algiers. In that film the director took a stance, yet tried to appear as if he was making a non-biased film all the while giving away his bias with musical manipulation.

Hmm, I took it the opposite way. I felt Pontecorvo was clearly biased in favor of the Algerians throughout (they did help make the movie, after all), and revealed his sympathy for both sides through the music. Every time there's a bombing, you get the same sad music playing afterward, no matter who's dying in that particular scene.
 
As usual, full reviews can be found at,

Bill's Movie Emporium
http://billsmovieemporium.wordpress.com/

The Strangers (Unrated) (2008)
The Strangers unfortunately suffers from the gore horror backlash that has been taking place among non-horror fans for a few years now. The funny thing, The Strangers isn't even close to gore. I had to read a few reviews and listen to one idiot whose name has a Rope in it declare The Strangers nothing but another entry in the useless torture porn genre. Apparently nowadays a horror film that focuses on the suspense and actual scares and doesn't show hardly any violence, no gore and one scene that is more tame than anything you'll ever see on Wednesday nights on CBS is torture porn to the extreme. Idiotic breakdowns of this film aside, the Strangers is actually a good little horror flick. It's a bit predictable, but I did like the way the suspense was built, how they held back on the gore and blood, but I had a problem with a few key points near the end. Still, a fun horror flick that is not torture porn in any way.
Yea, this is one I really like too. Can't imagine it was referred to as torture porn. I'm assuming that's a reference to hostel and Saw type movies, which while I love horror movies, those type are definitely not for me.


Lifeboat (1944)
Hitchcock takes one set, a small group of people and weaves magic. For some reason people thought this was propaganda for the Nazis when it was released, but it's actually an indictment of all of humanity. The tight cloistered feel could have been tedious, but Hitchcock keeps the suspense flowing and the ending is a nice call-back to the beginning and a finale on the allegorical meaning that Hitchcock was getting at all film long.
My lover and I both saw this as kids, and we picked it up recently for a good price (haven't had a chance to watch yet, it's in the "need to watch pile") and we've been wondering we would like it as much as adults. Nice to hear you praise it, gives me hope we will like it as adults also.

Arsenic And Old Lace (1944)
Cary Grant runs all over the place hamming it up to the nth degree, sometimes to the detriment of the film. When he's not doing that the movie is very funny, the aunts are hilarious, Teddy is funny if a bit overkill while Raymond Massey is a great Frankenstein. I had a lot of fun.
Don't really like Cary Grant at all, matter of fact, his prescence in movies generally ruins it for me, however, this is one where he doesn't annoy me at all, perhaps because he isn't displaying his usual arrogant airs, a very darkly macabre funny movie, and yes, the aunts are absolutely fabulous
 
Hmm, I took it the opposite way. I felt Pontecorvo was clearly biased in favor of the Algerians throughout (they did help make the movie, after all), and revealed his sympathy for both sides through the music. Every time there's a bombing, you get the same sad music playing afterward, no matter who's dying in that particular scene.

I don't recall there being any sympathetic music played when the French were the victims, that was one of my main beefs with the film. Maybe I'm wrong, but it is a film I plan on going back to at some point so I'll look more into that the next time.

Yea, this is one I really like too. Can't imagine it was referred to as torture porn. I'm assuming that's a reference to hostel and Saw type movies, which while I love horror movies, those type are definitely not for me.

It was local critic and former host of At The Movies, Richard Roeper who referred vehemently to The Strangers as just another torture porn entry. I tend to hate torture porn, so that's why I got all defensive about this one because it's not even close to torture porn.

Don't really like Cary Grant at all, matter of fact, his prescence in movies generally ruins it for me, however, this is one where he doesn't annoy me at all, perhaps because he isn't displaying his usual arrogant airs, a very darkly macabre funny movie, and yes, the aunts are absolutely fabulous

I'm actually the opposite, I tend to really like Grant's arrogance and am not so much a fan of when he hams it up.
 
I don't recall there being any sympathetic music played when the French were the victims, that was one of my main beefs with the film. Maybe I'm wrong, but it is a film I plan on going back to at some point so I'll look more into that the next time.

I could be wrong too, but my history prof made us watch it two or three times; I think it's the same music.
 
Thanks for bringing my attention to The Stranger. As a big fan of the genre I'm always on the look out for something new.

I got my new Jazz Icons DVD box set in the mail (a continuing series of DVDs with performance footage of legendary jazz musicians from primarily the 60s). This one has Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Roland Kirk, Nina Simone, Lionel Hampton, and Oscar Peterson.

Last night I watched The Gathering. Yep, I've started to embark on yet another viewing of our favorite show. Like listening to Back in Black by AC/DC or drinking Swiss Miss hot cocoa, sometimes it's nice to just revisit an old favorite.
 
Okay, I'm about to tout another film on Turner Classic Movies. Coming up Tuesday morning, 4:30 am EDT, is The Bed Sitting Room It's not available on DVD, and is very rarely shown on TV. Made in 1969, directed by Richard Lester, the man who directed A Hard Day's Night, Help, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, How I Won The War, and several more fine, innovative films. This film is VERY weird. It is SO weird, that no one would let Lester direct again for 4-5 years! It is a surrealist, post-apocalyptic film, staring lots of British comedy greats, like Peter Cooke, Spike Milligan, Dudley Moore, Roy Kinnear, and more.It is sort of like Waiting For Godot, re-imagined by Monty Python. The title comes from the strange mutations that take place. One character transforms into a bed-sitting room! So, if you can, take this rare opportunity to check it out. I look forward to seeing it again, and adding it to my DVD collection... :D

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064074/
 
Last night I watched The Gathering. Yep, I've started to embark on yet another viewing of our favorite show. Like listening to Back in Black by AC/DC or drinking Swiss Miss hot cocoa, sometimes it's nice to just revisit an old favorite.

Just mid way through season 1 again myself. Back in Black is probably my fav post-Scott DC album, with higway as best. Fairly traditional choices
 
do i detect antipathy for Johnson? for shame.

enjoying B5 myself too, but i never stop watching it anyway.

Brian Johnson is cool, but he doesn't hold a candle to Scott.
Yes when it comes to rock 'n' roll, I'm that guy that always glorifies the early years, the original, the first. So poo-poo on Sammy Hagar as well :)
 
Brian Johnson is cool, but he doesn't hold a candle to Scott.
Yes when it comes to rock 'n' roll, I'm that guy that always glorifies the early years, the original, the first. So poo-poo on Sammy Hagar as well :)

these days Hagar comes across as the real rocker and Roth just seems like a sad old man, but i'll agree on Roth being awesome way back when.

completely disagree on AC/DC, Johnston rules.

another example, as great as Glenn Danzig was during The Misfits early years, my fave album is American Psycho and that was during the Graves era.
 
I think the band improved thier sound a LOT during Johnston's era, but Scott's voice on Highway has such a raw edge.

I have nothing personal against Johnston, he still sounds hot on Black Ice.
 
Hey, guys, this is supposed to be about watching, not music. That has its own thread... :p

If anyone took my advice and tried to record The Bed Sitting Room, they may have missed the last two minutes, due to TCM changing the length of of its timeslot in the guide at the last minute. :rolleyes:

I got it though, as I also did a manual program slot for it. :D
 
As usual, full reviews can be found at,

Bill's Movie Emporium
http://billsmovieemporium.wordpress.com/

Gone Baby Gone (2007)
I really did love this movie. I liked Ben Affleck's direction, he didn't do anything spectacular, but he kept me engaged in what was happening and there were certain scenes, like the late night rock incident, where I thought he showed a real director's flair. Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, et al were very good, but Amy Ryan was fantastic and all kinds of scummy. Morgan Freeman needs to do something else though, this was the 89th movie of his where he plays the same exact character.

The Philadelphia Story (1940)
I suppose that the biggest problem of a film that boasts Jimmy Stewart, Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant as its leads is that the other actors have a tall order to keep up with. Every other actor in The Philadelphia story was up to the task sans one, John Howard. I found him far too weak when compared to Grant and Stewart to be any sort of believable third option in a love triangle. Otherwise this was funny throughout, with a great story about finding redemption or changing yourself for the better.

All About Eve (1950)
Pretty great, although I don't think I was taken with it as much as others were. My only real problem, and it was a big one was the conversation in front of the Shubert Theater, such a fake backdrop and the moment they started walking it was so bad I realized I was watching a movie. Other than that, really good dialogue, good acting, a well made film, but man, that one scene just kills it.

Tenkû No Shiro Rapyuta (Castle In The Sky, 1986)
Great animation, a lot of fun, cool characters, deep messages, great action, I can't say anything bad about this film. Yet another gem from Miyazaki, a really cool movie that plays across so many genres and should be fun for anyone.

C’era Una Volta Il West (Once Upon A Time In The West, 1968)
If pressed I would pick this as Leone's best film, slightly edging out The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. This for me is the film that really showcases Leone's abilities as a director, his excellent framing choices, how he introduces characters and locales and more. It's still slick and full of great dialogue, and some truly excellent acting from Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson and Jason Robards, with the classic Leone showdown, but more than anything I saw this as Leone showing his prowess as a director.

Scanners (1981)
I realize most Cronenberg fans love this movie and that I as a huge Cronenberg fan should as well, but I never have. Unrealized is what I get every time I watch Scanners, a man full of brilliant ideas that in this case failed to fully realize them on screen. Instead of a great movie we are left with a series of interesting ideas that never form a cohesive whole or go beyond the idea stage.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
A pretty good opening twenty minute set-up is never followed up on, after that it's bland "person disappears, another person disappears, scream a lot, look at the camera crazy, scream some more, look crazy again, run for it." I wasted an hour and a half on a movie where nothing happens.

I Was A Male War Bride (1949)
Cary Grant in drag, lots of funny stuff, some works, some doesn't, I enjoyed it, that's all there is.

Employee Of The Month (2004)
Jenna Fischer plays an awesome prostitute and I always have a lot of fun with this movie. But, it's pretty darn mediocre bordering on downright bad, yet for some reason I always enjoy it.

Havoc (2005)
I laughed and laughed at this, but I don't think I was supposed to. Anne Hathaway and Bijou Phillips are all kinds of hot and get naked, but that's the only positive to be found here. Otherwise it's like every bad stereotype and caricature you can think of, and as someone who grew up near gangs and interacted with them on a regular basis it's quite hilarious to watch this and think the film maker was trying to be serious.

One, Two, Three (1961)
That James Cagney sure is funny and he plays manic paced comedy better than anyone. One, Two, Three also had some Billy Wilder touches in regards to social issues at the time and Wilder's sardonic way of looking at things. A few scenes fell short, but I really enjoyed this.

Ninotchka (1939)
It's still weird to see Greta Garbo in a comedy, but she is very good as the incredibly straight Soviet who is funny based on her outlook on life alone and how they defines her demeanor. The supporting cast was also very good, and the film had a sweet vibe to it. Only problem was it went on too long, trying to stretch out the ending when it didn't need to.

Dumbo (1941)
A lot of fun and really sweet, but it did feel like it was missing something. Maybe it was the lack of depth to the story and characters or the running time, but for all its charm it felt a little hollow.

Witness For The Prosecution (1957)
Great court drama, Charles Laughton was especially great. The twist is well handled and Marlene Dietrich is masterful in helping to pull that off. Some comedic moments as well, and I was engaged throughout. Tyrone Power was a bit off in his acting and there were a few other problems, but a very enjoyable movie.

Gerry (2002)
A movie that is definitely not for everyone. If you had problems with the stark nature of Elephant and Paranoid Park for instance I can easily see you hating Gerry. I loved it, I love Van Sant's style and how every moment of his movies are designed to make you think.
 
That dream sequence used to frighten the crap out of me!

... I was three at the time. I still occasionally hum "Pink elephants on parade..."
 
I was a little kid when I first saw it, and it reminded me of the hallucinations I had when I was given ether as an anesthetic for an operation, which I found scary...
 
As usual, full reviews can be found at,

Bill's Movie Emporium
http://billsmovieemporium.wordpress.com/



Tenkû No Shiro Rapyuta (Castle In The Sky, 1986)
Great animation, a lot of fun, cool characters, deep messages, great action, I can't say anything bad about this film. Yet another gem from Miyazaki, a really cool movie that plays across so many genres and should be fun for anyone.


CelI would like your take on these if you have seen them.
Princess Mononoke (my favorite in Japaneese with English sub titles).
Grave of the fire flies.
Only Yesterday.
Last two can't find in DVD
I like most Studio Ghibli films
Thanks.
 
Oh ya forgot just watched Sin noticias de Dios (Don't Tempt Me) with Penelope Cruz. Not Bad, strange ending.
 
I've been watching Anime since before it was called Anime. It used to be called "Japanimation." But, most of it, I don't care for. I particularly dislike that most of the lead characters have identical faces. Ugh! That said, Grave of the Fireflies is a great film. Princess Mononoke is pretty much typical Anime, but better than a lot.
 

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