What are You Watching? [2023] Please Rate 1-5

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Jun 9, 2018
4,389
14,108
England
The first time I watched this I just didn't get it.

Then I watched it a few weeks ago and yes, it is indeed a great film. Uncle Monty was a real hoot.

Jay.
Yeah, a film about two out of work actors going to the countryside for the weekend doesn't sound great on paper, but it's all about the characters and dialogue.

The ending, where Withnail recites a soliquy from Hamlet, alone, in the rain, with only the wolves as an audience, is truly tragic. Always brings a tear to my eye and it's a brilliant way to end the movie.

The only reason the film got made, was because George Harrison from The Beatles liked the script and used his production company Handmade Films, to produce it. They also made all the Monty Python films and The Long Good Friday. All brilliant movies.
 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,676
8,250
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
Last night I watched a film from 2021 called simply 'Land'.

It's the tale of a woman (Robin Wright, who also directed) who has suffered some traumatic episode in her life (only revealed at the end) and decides to abandon city life and go to live in a remote cabin up in the mountains.

She struggles with everyday tasks but somehow muddles though. Then a guy appears who has also experienced a traumatic event (amazingly exactly the same as the woman's......[yawn]).

It's meant to be a bit of a tearjerker and as such is pretty predictable in its storylines. However it was well done and the scenery was to die for.

I'll give it a 3.5/5.

Jay.
 

brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
10,025
16,070
Was rewatching one of Clint's most underrated films, True Crime. I've seen it a few times over the years (have all of his movies on DVD). Really like this one a lot.

It's an unusual role for him...an old school investigative reporter whose only interest and instinct is to get at the truth...has no political agenda and isn't on any kind of moral crusade...just has a nose for the story that tells him something stinks...while his company man editor just wants him to do a "human interest" piece and spin it in the usual normie fashion and not make any waves.

James Woods and Denis Leary are really good in it too...perfect for their roles. These kind of story movies don't much get made any more. 4.5/5

 
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mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,676
8,250
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
After being somewhat disappointed with a couple of Coen Brother's films I was encouraged by member @brian64 to watch their 'No Country For Old Men' film.

This I bought in a triple boxset and I watched it last night. Brian, you were 100% right, it was nothing at all like the 2 I already watched. It was a lively crime drama with some great action. I loved that weirdo's novel method of unlocking doors....very imaginative of the writers I thought.

One thing niggled me from start to almost the end. The lady who played matey's wife I recognised from something else I've seen but for the life of me I couldn't figure out what. Just before the end I got it....I'm certain that's the lady who played Nucky Thompson's wife in Boardwalk Empire....I'd put money on it!

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and rate it 5+/5.

Jay.

BTW, one of the other films in the boxset is True Grit, and when I read the blurb on the DVD case I realised I'd enjoyed watching that on TV some years ago so look forward to watching that again. The other film is Shutter Island, a total mystery to me that I'll watch tonight.
 

brian64

Lifer
Jan 31, 2011
10,025
16,070
After being somewhat disappointed with a couple of Coen Brother's films I was encouraged by member @brian64 to watch their 'No Country For Old Men' film.

This I bought in a triple boxset and I watched it last night. Brian, you were 100% right, it was nothing at all like the 2 I already watched. It was a lively crime drama with some great action. I loved that weirdo's novel method of unlocking doors....very imaginative of the writers I thought.

One thing niggled me from start to almost the end. The lady who played matey's wife I recognised from something else I've seen but for the life of me I couldn't figure out what. Just before the end I got it....I'm certain that's the lady who played Nucky Thompson's wife in Boardwalk Empire....I'd put money on it!

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the film and rate it 5+/5.

Jay.

BTW, one of the other films in the boxset is True Grit, and when I read the blurb on the DVD case I realised I'd enjoyed watching that on TV some years ago so look forward to watching that again. The other film is Shutter Island, a total mystery to me that I'll watch tonight.
I'm glad you liked it Jay (and a little relieved...I was going to have to start worrying about you if you didn't :LOL:).

True Grit is a remake of the 1969 John Wayne version...or more accurately, the Coens' adaptation of the novel. I can't say I liked it better than the JW version, but I enjoyed it just as much. It's another of the few serious movies the Coens have done. Another is one you have...Blood Simple...which was their film debut and a really good one. If you haven't watched it yet, I'm sure you'll like it.
 

mawnansmiff

Lifer
Oct 14, 2015
7,676
8,250
Sunny Cornwall, UK.
Last night I watched another film from my triple boxset, this time it was Shutter Island.

The name didn't ring any bells but after about 10 minutes I realised I had seen it before on TV but couldn't remember if I'd enjoyed it.

I'm no huge fan of Di Caprio but I persevered. Eventually everything fell into place and I sort of enjoyed it. Ben Kingsley's character was the high point for me, both smooth and wicked at the same time.

I'll be bold and give it 3.5/5.

Just one more film to go, the remake of True Grit which I know is good.

Jay.
 
Jun 9, 2018
4,389
14,108
England
Just watched the new trailer for "The Iron Claw".

It's about the 5 wrestling brothers the Von Erichs, who were huge in the 1980's. 4 of the brothers died young - for various different reasons. Anyone who knows their wrestling will know all about the Von Erich clan. Looks promising.

 
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Jun 9, 2018
4,389
14,108
England
Watched a BBC documentary someone has uploaded to YouTube about John Cooper Clarke.

Punk poet and all round legend who also performs his poetry with accompanying music. One of which - Evidently Chickentown - was used to great effect at the end of a brilliant Sopranos episode.

If you like John and his work then it's well worth a watch. 70+ and still going strong.

5/5

Full documentary:
 
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My wife and I are still watching Sopranos together, but when she isn't home, I am watching Doom Patrol on Max. It is not a typical super hero show, more like a special needs super hero show. They are all f'd up severely, but in an interesting way. It is based on DC stuff, but besides mentioning Batman and such, you'd never know it,
3/5 stars. It is interesting. but lacks some... je ne sais quoi.
 

Streeper541

Lifer
Jun 16, 2021
3,175
20,149
44
Spencer, OH
Ascension (2014) on Amazon Prime
6 part mini-series. Part murder mystery, part science project, part space opera.

It started out well and had an interesting twist. Had a lot of potential, but the ending fell flat. Needed at least one more episode to tie everything up. Decent story and premise, but left me wanting more. (3/5*)
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