Re: Last Movie Watched
Posted: April 10th, 2017, 1:51 am
Batman (1966). Though cheesy, I liked the series as a kid but had never seen the movie until now. Not great but camp and funny! C+
I liked the prequels, especially ROTS. And, I liked Rogue One. So I do think there will be more SW movies that I like and consider good. I'm sure a great one will come up at some point. I certainly hope one comes along that you appreciate.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 7th, 2017, 2:54 am The last good Star Wars film was ESB, and that was a long time ago, in cinemas far, far away. We shall not see its like again.
I'll clarify that I'm not saying one needs the other or doesn't make sense without the other, just that they are now very much linked in my mind such that I'll want to see them back to back. I will be thinking of the one when I see the other. With ANH, I've always acknowledged it as a great movie. It just wasn't as interesting to me as ESB and others. The most fascinating part of ANH for me, by far, was the back story we hear from Obi-wan, references to the Clone War, and Vader hunting the down the Jedi, and the rest.I take you at your word, but I cannot fathom how it can be. All the same, I can still imagine watching ANH without Rogue One, and shall watch it without it in the future, and shall not think about it while I watch it.
To provide entertainment would be another. Before you say it, I know, you weren't entertained. But I was.A film needs to be made for some reason, and a need to supply important information is a good reason. To fill a glaring gap is another good reason.
That's fair. It was the first and needed to set up a lot. But from a plot standpoint, its not complicated. So I think its unfair to wave aside Rogue One for having an easily summed up plot, when its the same for ANH.No, it couldn't have been done in two sentences. It's the beginning, it's the foundation upon which all subsequent films in the series are reared.
This is the Chris Pratt/Jennifer Lawrence sci-fi movie, right? Been sorta interested in seeing it, but heard it wasn't especially good.The last film I saw was Passengers. Good, but not great. Too much reminiscent of Titanic, and way too many technical howlers. To avoid too much in the way of spoilers for those who might not have seen it: Radiation. It's a thing. But apparently not in the universe of this film. Either that or BIG GIANT FLAMING HOWLER! (And not the only one, by far.) Still, the characters were likable. Ending was slapdash. After that much corn, I expected a better crop.
I'm sorry I missed replying to this! To tell you the truth, I don't remember all of the original music, it has been along time since I watched the original. I did hear there is some new music and Celine Dion does have a new one.borgmatrix wrote: ↑March 30th, 2017, 9:17 amWell, yeah, there's the facial hair. But definitely the "smart-assery". And the physical injury that starts him on the path to becoming something more.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑March 26th, 2017, 3:11 am The facial hair, perhaps. Otherwise, nothing jumps out at me, unless a little bit the smart-assery.
I've been wanting to see this, as its my favorite animated Disney movie. But I've also worried about it just being live-action replication with nothing new.RedMirax wrote: ↑March 27th, 2017, 3:37 pm Beauty and the Beast- A
It was great! And the cast! Obi-Wan, Magneto/Gandalf, Matthew from Downton Abbey, Penge from Victoria, Hermione, Sybil Trelawney, just to name a few! I'm not sure why I was so sentimental and cried through several songs. I really enjoyed it.
Is the music the same? That I do hope for.
No problem. Just occurred to me to look on Spotify, and they've got the soundtrack/score. I'll give it a listen.
Exactly the problem I had. Saw it years ago, and have had zero interest in revisiting it because I hated LaMatta so much.
Wow. I've only seen the movie once. Though I have watched the Vader segment at the end numerous times on YouTube.Star Wars: Rogue One. Wow, just fucking wow. Saw it 4 times in the theater, and 3 times in the last day since buying the DVD.
Yeah. This was a tough watch too. My issue was that it felt like everything just fell apart for him too quickly. Felt sort of manufactured, or forced.The Wrestler. Very good, very very good.
borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 10th, 2017, 9:08 amI liked the prequels, especially ROTS. And, I liked Rogue One. So I do think there will be more SW movies that I like and consider good. I'm sure a great one will come up at some point. I certainly hope one comes along that you appreciate.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 7th, 2017, 2:54 am The last good Star Wars film was ESB, and that was a long time ago, in cinemas far, far away. We shall not see its like again.
Understood. There is one thing that might creep into my mind while I'm watching ANH in the future, arising from having seen R1: the amazing inconsistency in Vader's abilities from the "earlier" film to the "later" film.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 10th, 2017, 9:08 am I'll clarify that I'm not saying one needs the other or doesn't make sense without the other, just that they are now very much linked in my mind such that I'll want to see them back to back. I will be thinking of the one when I see the other. With ANH, I've always acknowledged it as a great movie. It just wasn't as interesting to me as ESB and others. The most fascinating part of ANH for me, by far, was the back story we hear from Obi-wan, references to the Clone War, and Vader hunting the down the Jedi, and the rest.
Well, one takes as a given, though I sometimes wonder, that a film is meant to entertain, certainly from major studios with this scale of budget and no cause to push. But then other reasons must be considered, at least, in order to determine what can be made within a franchise, to entertain without damaging the extant works and/or the fanbase opinion. I don't think they gave those considerations adequate attention.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 10th, 2017, 9:08 amTo provide entertainment would be another. Before you say it, I know, you weren't entertained. But I was.A film needs to be made for some reason, and a need to supply important information is a good reason. To fill a glaring gap is another good reason.
I thought I made the opposite argument... It was a film the function of which was easily dealt with forty years earlier in two sentences, obviating the need for elaboration. Then, when it was decided to elaborate it, rather than rendering a clean, direct story as in ANH, they delivered a needlessly convoluted and inessential romp through multiple grim, grungy locations and assorted splatters of digital effects, some with two legs, faces, and doing disservice to the memory of the characters and actors preceding them.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 10th, 2017, 9:08 amThat's fair. It was the first and needed to set up a lot. But from a plot standpoint, its not complicated. So I think its unfair to wave aside Rogue One for having an easily summed up plot, when its the same for ANH.No, it couldn't have been done in two sentences. It's the beginning, it's the foundation upon which all subsequent films in the series are reared.
I don't know. The original film laid out the back story, introduced all the principle characters, rescued the princess, destroyed the Death Star, and created an entire fictional milieu in under two hours. This film didn't do half that, and ran two hours and fifteen minutes. That's at least sluggish, if not lackluster, but sluggishness is a leading cause of lacking-luster in films, i.e., slow pacing. It gave me much too much time to get bored.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 10th, 2017, 9:08 amI didn't find anything lackluster about the way it unfolded. Again, it didn't feel great to me. But I thought it was good.
Affirmative. It's not an undying treasure of the cinema, but it is a good, lightweight entertainment. Don't expect spectacle, don't expect epic, or even a great deal of logic at all points. But it tells a straight forward story about two appealing characters, at a fairly good pace, with a minimum of BS. A rarity from Hollywood, these days.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 10th, 2017, 9:08 amThis is the Chris Pratt/Jennifer Lawrence sci-fi movie, right? Been sorta interested in seeing it, but heard it wasn't especially good.The last film I saw was Passengers. Good, but not great. Too much reminiscent of Titanic, and way too many technical howlers. To avoid too much in the way of spoilers for those who might not have seen it: Radiation. It's a thing. But apparently not in the universe of this film. Either that or BIG GIANT FLAMING HOWLER! (And not the only one, by far.) Still, the characters were likable. Ending was slapdash. After that much corn, I expected a better crop.
I'm certainly glad they didn't stick to the piss-poor "fighting" we got from him in ANH. But, I loved that Vader's moves at the end of Rogue One were all within the range of what we've seen him do in the OT. Force choking, Force lifting/throwing/pulling, and with lightsaber movements that were tight to the body and within a restricted range. And, of course, within tight quarters against Force-less soldiers with nowhere to run. No somersaulting off walls or newfound agility.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 13th, 2017, 2:01 pm There is one thing that might creep into my mind while I'm watching ANH in the future, arising from having seen R1: the amazing inconsistency in Vader's abilities from the "earlier" film to the "later" film.
This feels like it would have been a safe way to restart the movies under Disney and provide nostalgia fans have been hungry for. I wish they'd gone for this first to allow more time for a better thought out Episode VII. Rogue One feels like the perfect way to deliver something of a blast from the past in a way that's appropriate (its set before ANH), and which could have allowed for the repackaged ANH as TFA to be avoided. That's maybe one big reasons why I liked it a lot. For me, it was a better beginning to the SW movies under Disney's banner, and I kind considered it that way and as something of a palate-cleanser after my disappointment in the creative choices in TFA.Well, one takes as a given, though I sometimes wonder, that a film is meant to entertain, certainly from major studios with this scale of budget and no cause to push. But then other reasons must be considered, at least, in order to determine what can be made within a franchise, to entertain without damaging the extant works and/or the fanbase opinion. I don't think they gave those considerations adequate attention.
Actually, I did have a chance to see it, and posted my thoughts right above your last post. Had requested it at the library, and it finally came up for me two days ago. I agree with your "lightweight" assessment.Affirmative. It's not an undying treasure of the cinema, but it is a good, lightweight entertainment. Don't expect spectacle, don't expect epic, or even a great deal of logic at all points. But it tells a straight forward story about two appealing characters, at a fairly good pace, with a minimum of BS. A rarity from Hollywood, these days.
Where's the inconsistency? Vader was the swiftest and he pulled all punches to retrieve the plans and the abilities he used were pretty much the same as in the OT-movies. I'd say that he comes the closest to what we see in TESB in this movie: Both as far as his fighting style against the (non-Jedi) Rebels to him deflecting bolts back at them (instead of just deflecting them into walls as in TESB). I think this was something that was needed for Vader: To be shown off as a truly terrifying character.Lord Tesla wrote:Understood. There is one thing that might creep into my mind while I'm watching ANH in the future, arising from having seen R1: the amazing inconsistency in Vader's abilities from the "earlier" film to the "later" film.
Tesla, I got a digital copy a couple of weeks ago; but I think the physical discs came out Tuesday.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 9th, 2017, 4:43 pmIs that already available on disc? I was interested in seeing it, but I wanted to read the novel first. Have the novel, but haven't started it, yet. But I'm about to polish off one of the books I'm reading, so I might start...
Well, it was a more visually rewarding display in RO, and he had demonstrated the same techniques in the OT, but with nowhere near the same sense of speed and shall we call it, "determination"? Everything later was much lower energy, much less intense, almost casual. The difference between a highly skilled technician and a force (no pun intended) of nature.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 13th, 2017, 2:30 pmI'm certainly glad they didn't stick to the piss-poor "fighting" we got from him in ANH. But, I loved that Vader's moves at the end of Rogue One were all within the range of what we've seen him do in the OT. Force choking, Force lifting/throwing/pulling, and with lightsaber movements that were tight to the body and within a restricted range. And, of course, within tight quarters against Force-less soldiers with nowhere to run. No somersaulting off walls or newfound agility.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 13th, 2017, 2:01 pm There is one thing that might creep into my mind while I'm watching ANH in the future, arising from having seen R1: the amazing inconsistency in Vader's abilities from the "earlier" film to the "later" film.
You may be on to something there; but, for me, Rogue One would have had to be a considerably different movie. Chief among the differences, the excision of the Jyn Erso story. I did not like it. It bored me. A straight-up military story would have been far preferable to that bit of malodorous melodrama. The debate among the commanders and the space battles were the only things I found remotely interesting in the film. And the big robot.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 13th, 2017, 2:30 pmThis feels like it would have been a safe way to restart the movies under Disney and provide nostalgia fans have been hungry for. I wish they'd gone for this first to allow more time for a better thought out Episode VII. Rogue One feels like the perfect way to deliver something of a blast from the past in a way that's appropriate (its set before ANH), and which could have allowed for the repackaged ANH as TFA to be avoided. That's maybe one big reasons why I liked it a lot. For me, it was a better beginning to the SW movies under Disney's banner, and I kind considered it that way and as something of a palate-cleanser after my disappointment in the creative choices in TFA.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 13th, 2017, 2:01 pmWell, one takes as a given, though I sometimes wonder, that a film is meant to entertain, certainly from major studios with this scale of budget and no cause to push. But then other reasons must be considered, at least, in order to determine what can be made within a franchise, to entertain without damaging the extant works and/or the fanbase opinion. I don't think they gave those considerations adequate attention.
Yep, I saw that, when it was too late. Sorry 'bout that. It would definitely have improved the film if they'd spared us the up-front reveal on the damage. But...I'm beginning to believe there is a broad, deep case of stupid loose in Hollyweird. They just don't notice these things. Or, if they do, they don't understand the importance. They might be able to orchestrate the people and the technology needed to get images on the screen, but they don't seem to have the brains to detect and eliminate inconsistencies, errors, pacing failures, and jaw-dropping stupidities in the stories contained in those images.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 13th, 2017, 2:30 pmActually, I did have a chance to see it, and posted my thoughts right above your last post. Had requested it at the library, and it finally came up for me two days ago. I agree with your "lightweight" assessment.
Determination, more than speed. The latter also felt true to what we'd seen from Vader before. If you look at the initial several moves of his, its all within a few steps. He sends their blaster bolts back at them, lifts the one guy up to the ceiling. Cuts down another. Then he slices up at the ceiling, and is only just past him. I think, like you said, its more the sense of purpose and determination. The overall comparison would probably be more towards Vader at the end of ESB than in ANH. And even in ESB, there wasn't much urgency from him as he was toying with Luke early on. Later, when Luke emerges from that tunnel and Vader comes out suddenly, swinging wildly, its maybe closer to R1.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑April 23rd, 2017, 8:42 pm Well, it was a more visually rewarding display in RO, and he had demonstrated the same techniques in the OT, but with nowhere near the same sense of speed and shall we call it, "determination"?
I've still only seen the movie once, so I need to revisit it, see if it still holds up for me. I liked seeing Vader in his various scenes. Same for Tarkin and that other imperial guy under him.You may be on to something there; but, for me, Rogue One would have had to be a considerably different movie. Chief among the differences, the excision of the Jyn Erso story. I did not like it. It bored me. A straight-up military story would have been far preferable to that bit of malodorous melodrama. The debate among the commanders and the space battles were the only things I found remotely interesting in the film. And the big robot.
Right. Someone on another forum had suggested the movie might have worked better/differently if they'd reordered things, and started with Jennifer Lawrence instead. And, of course, that would have preserved much of the mystery. Actually, surprising that they didn't go that route, especially given her popularity.But...I'm beginning to believe there is a broad, deep case of stupid loose in Hollyweird. They just don't notice these things. Or, if they do, they don't understand the importance. They might be able to orchestrate the people and the technology needed to get images on the screen, but they don't seem to have the brains to detect and eliminate inconsistencies, errors, pacing failures, and jaw-dropping stupidities in the stories contained in those images.
Having seen long stretches over the weekend when TNT had their marathon (and TBS as well?), I think you're right, and it is much closer to Vader as he was in ESB, and therefore not nearly as far from the canonical Vader as I first thought. It's been a frightfully long time since I saw all the OT films start to finish. I need to get to work on that.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 24th, 2017, 9:08 am Determination, more than speed. The latter also felt true to what we'd seen from Vader before. If you look at the initial several moves of his, its all within a few steps. He sends their blaster bolts back at them, lifts the one guy up to the ceiling. Cuts down another. Then he slices up at the ceiling, and is only just past him. I think, like you said, its more the sense of purpose and determination. The overall comparison would probably be more towards Vader at the end of ESB than in ANH. And even in ESB, there wasn't much urgency from him as he was toying with Luke early on. Later, when Luke emerges from that tunnel and Vader comes out suddenly, swinging wildly, its maybe closer to R1.
I'm still at one showing, myself. I need to get another look at it. I had issues with Vader's voice--James Earl Jones just doesn't sound the way he used to, which makes Vader continuity difficult to maintain--but I'm thinking Vader was better than I though initially, as we discussed above. On the other hand, I didn't like the digital zombies of Tarkin and Leia, and I didn't like Director Cranberry, or whatever the hell they called him. Neckcrink? Kneecrack? Eh, I'd better stop, before I write something obscene.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 24th, 2017, 9:08 amI've still only seen the movie once, so I need to revisit it, see if it still holds up for me. I liked seeing Vader in his various scenes. Same for Tarkin and that other imperial guy under him.
Me too. I almost bought the complete collection recently when Amazon/BestBuy/Walmart had it on sale for $58. Wish I had. I'll have to wait a bit longer to watch them all. Though, when I do own 'em, I'd like to watching them all starting with episode I.Lord Tesla wrote: ↑May 9th, 2017, 4:12 pm It's been a frightfully long time since I saw all the OT films start to finish. I need to get to work on that.
My reaction to it was not to blame JEJ, but more the processing to create the through-the-mask effect. The mechanical aspect felt different and wrong to me more than JEJ did.I had issues with Vader's voice--James Earl Jones just doesn't sound the way he used to, which makes Vader continuity difficult to maintain--but I'm thinking Vader was better than I though initially, as we discussed above.
I had no problem with Tarkin on the big screen, and was thrilled to see him back and in a sizable role. I wonder if that'll change when I see it again at home. Leia I did have an issue with. What surprises me the most there was that there didn't seem to be any reason to go there and risk it. Tarkin had a big role. But for Leia, they could have stuck with showing her from behind and the side. That, to me, would have been perfect. Maybe have the soldier walk in, we see her standing there, and the door closes behind them as he approaches her.On the other hand, I didn't like the digital zombies of Tarkin and Leia...
Revenge sure had a lot more action, fight scenes, and intensity, but Empire will probably always come first to me due to the nostalgia and the lifelong love ever since seeing it in 1980. I may have to admit that I now enjoy Revenge more due to the story content, but Empire stays due to the nostalgia I suppose.borgmatrix wrote: ↑April 25th, 2017, 6:18 pmInteresting. Might be my top 3 also, though I'd have Revenge at the top.
If I'm doing a best/greatest list, Empire is definitely at the top. If its favorite, then Revenge.toVor wrote: ↑May 16th, 2017, 3:51 pm Revenge sure had a lot more action, fight scenes, and intensity, but Empire will probably always come first to me due to the nostalgia and the lifelong love ever since seeing it in 1980. I may have to admit that I now enjoy Revenge more due to the story content, but Empire stays due to the nostalgia I suppose.