View Full Version : Now Screening - What Are You Watching Right Now?
Started watching season 2 of this... Never saw the original but this is pretty damn good :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/pjdowns/image_zps760f7c89.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pjdowns/media/image_zps760f7c89.jpg.html)
It's a superb series Paul, the missus and I are hooked. The standard of acting from the entire cast is top notch as are the scripts and production values, I like the theme tune too ;)
I watched Enders Game yesterday evening and whilst it has its faults I enjoyed it immensely, a great twist at the end too :)
http://www.frontrowreviews.co.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/endersGame_DVD_poster.jpg
True Detective. What a series!
Just finished watching this and it was pretty good :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/pjdowns/image_zps10eacf4b.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pjdowns/media/image_zps10eacf4b.jpg.html)
and watched this earlier and it was excellent :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v514/pjdowns/image_zpsa7854251.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/pjdowns/media/image_zpsa7854251.jpg.html)
'Secrets and Lies'
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XWBVHBS5L._SY445_.jpg
A Mike Leigh's film, so raw, gritty but ultimately life-affirming.
'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen'
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/819VnlLrp7L._SL1500_.jpg
Decent film made of the quirky novel of the same name. Starring the lovely Emily Blunt and Kristin Scott Thomas.
I watched Enders Game yesterday evening and whilst it has its faults I enjoyed it immensely, a great twist at the end too :)
It was always one of my favourite books and the film is not a bad interpretation at all, in the manner of Starship Trooper compared with that book.
istari_knight
13-04-2014, 14:08
Watched "Searching For Sugarman" t'other night. Highly recommended !
walpurgis
13-04-2014, 14:22
Watched "Searching For Sugarman" t'other night. Highly recommended !
Anything to do with Amstrad? :)
Divergent
Part Brave New World, part 1984, a reasonably intelligent take on a future world designed to avoid the errors of a past world war, but falling foul of the usual human desire to rule and control. Thought provoking, as are all good SF films, and very well played by the unknown Shailene Woodley in the lead part. I enjoyed it.
istari_knight
13-04-2014, 16:00
Anything to do with Amstrad? :)
:D Thankfully not or it would have been slung. Its a "rockumentary" if you've not seen it.
The Grand Wazoo
13-04-2014, 17:18
Watched "Searching For Sugarman" t'other night. Highly recommended !
I was given a DVD of this at Christmas and have yet to watch it, though I will be doing so later this week.
Watched 'No Country For Old Men' last night after reading the positive comments about it on here. It is a little depressing in parts and the ending is a bit odd but having said that it gripped me from beginning to end and I thoroughly enjoyed it, And from the Cohen brothers I went from the sublime to what I thought might be the ridiculous, except it wasn't. My stepdaughter bought Frozen on DVD last week and I watched it with the missus this evening. This is Disney back on top form and frankly Frozen is a bit of a masterpiece. Fabulous songs drive Disney's take on Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen and the result is a rollickingly good animated feature full of witty humour, clever dialogue and even some slightly darker moments. Loved it, big kid that I am... :D
True Detective
Having just finished S1, this ranks very highly for me as TV drama. While necessitating a degree in cryptographic decoding (ok, the southern US dialogue is pretty hard to follow), the performances of Matthew McConnaughey and Woody Harrelson are exceptional and realistically portrayed. They, and the supporting cast, are truly believable. Many scenes, while they slowly piece together the puzzle and track the perpetrators down, are grim and the whole feel is dark and menacing, especially in the deepest countryside and stark forested areas. Oh, and the soundtrack, featuring T Bone Burnett, is also very good.
The finale was one of the most gripping, unsettling and menacing I have seen for a long time. Roll on S2.
I was given a DVD of this at Christmas and have yet to watch it, though I will be doing so later this week.
Its a great film Chris, be interested in a report back on what you thought of it?
istari_knight
15-04-2014, 19:08
Its a great film Chris, be interested in a report back on what you thought of it?
+1
Spectral Morn
17-04-2014, 10:22
Went and saw Divergent yesterday. Logun's Run meet Hunger Games comes to mind, not a bad film but a bit too long imho and lacking a bit in action. 6.5 out of 10
Regards Neil
MikeMusic
24-04-2014, 09:34
Boss is back on TV.
Series 2.
Kelsey Grammar showing how evil he can be as Mayor of Chicago
Politics as she is almost certainly politicked
For me, good TV watches at the moment are Game of Thrones (epic), Revolution, The Blacklist, Person of Interest and Suits.
Spectral Morn
26-04-2014, 10:54
For me, good TV watches at the moment are Game of Thrones (epic), Revolution, The Blacklist, Person of Interest and Suits.
Suits is very good, Revolution and I parted a season back (boring) and Game of Thrones is so contrived and derivative I can't be bothered + all the characters are nasty bits of work, no one to like or root for so again I am passing on it.
Regards Neil
Wow - Cersei is so evil she's brilliant (the gorgeous Lena Headey) and Tyrion is a good guy. Derivative? I don't see that at all.
Spectral Morn
26-04-2014, 11:14
The Winter Soldier
Excellent film if you like hero movies, good story, great acting and excellent action scenes. Goes a wee bit deeper into characters as well, so not as 2 dimensional as some of this type of thing can be.
8 out of 10
Regards Neil
Spectral Morn
26-04-2014, 11:16
Babylon 5 on Watch (Sky TV)
Just beginning a second run of all 5 seasons and what wonderful stories these are, well worth repeated viewing.
Regards Neil
Spectral Morn
26-04-2014, 11:20
Wow - Cersei is so evil she's brilliant (the gorgeous Lena Headey) and Tyrion is a good guy. Derivative? I don't see that at all.
The whole story is a reworking of French history during the 100 year war + a very strong dose of Michael Scott Rohan's Forge in the Forest books and Dune is lurking in there too. Highly overrated in my opinion.
Regards Neil
Each to their own, Neil. I think it's the best drama on TV and ranks with the all-time greats.
I forgot to add The Following and Mad Men to my list.
dantheman91
26-04-2014, 15:41
Last Shop Standing
On Sky Arts 1 now
Truly excellent
Dodgeball on channel 5
'Separating the awkwardly feminine from the possibly Canadian' :D
The Barbarian
05-05-2014, 16:03
From yesterday ' Charade' {Carry Grant/Audrey Hepburn etc}
Babylon 5 on Watch (Sky TV)
Just beginning a second run of all 5 seasons and what wonderful stories these are, well worth repeated viewing.
Regards Neil
+1 for babylon 5.
Watched it religiously when it was shown originally, still dip into it when the mood takes.
Great characters well acted.
Story arc with the Shadow War one of the best in TV.
Each to their own, Neil. I think it's the best drama on TV and ranks with the all-time greats.
I forgot to add The Following and Mad Men to my list.
Have to agree with Martin here, currently watching Season 4.
And that Theme....epic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7L2PVdrb_8
Gordon Steadman
05-05-2014, 17:09
Babylon 5 on Watch (Sky TV)
Just beginning a second run of all 5 seasons and what wonderful stories these are, well worth repeated viewing.
Regards Neil
Yes indeed, I have all five seasons... watched the first three episodes last week. Its just about the only series where strange looking aliens don't just look stupid. Don't know how they managed it as some of them are pretty daft looking really!! Good acting I thought.
Spectral Morn
05-05-2014, 19:50
Yes indeed, I have all five seasons... watched the first three episodes last week. Its just about the only series where strange looking aliens don't just look stupid. Don't know how they managed it as some of them are pretty daft looking really!! Good acting I thought.
I know what you mean, probably because they are for the most part 3 d well fleshed out characters, with interesting cultures, history and quality actors playing the parts.
When Sleeping in Light had finished its first showing I was emotionally drained as that was the end, never before or since have I been so emotional drained over the end of a TV series.
Regards Neil
Watching Hemlock Grove on Netflix.
Great show, kind of a True Blood vibe about it, but more serious.
Also, will be watching futuristic cop show called Almost Human. Starring Karl Urban of Trek, Dredd and a million other cool things, has almost a Robocop/Blade Runner vibe to it.
Pilot was excellent, have more episodes to watch.
Its starting on "Watch" tonight 9PM (Virgin 124, Sky 109)
Catch it if you can, great show.
Also, will be watching futuristic cop show called Almost Human. Starring Karl Urban of Trek, Dredd and a million other cool things, has almost a Robocop/Blade Runner vibe to it.
Pilot was excellent, have more episodes to watch.
Its starting on "Watch" tonight 9PM (Virgin 124, Sky 109)
Catch it if you can, great show.
Thanks for the heads up Gary, enjoyed that (Mackenzie Crook gets about a bit doesn't he!)
Docu about Lindsay Lohan on TLC channel.
Sweet...
Lindsay has a 'Sober Coach' - WTF?
No wonder the poor girl is so screwed up. And she can't leave her hotel because of the paparazzi. She should come and stay here the paps would be too scared to leave their hotel. Not that there are any hotels round here...
The Barbarian
15-05-2014, 17:03
Gandidni Juggling
FIVpzODVS8E
Spectral Morn
16-05-2014, 19:30
Godzilla 2014 - epic fail :(
Regards Neil
Knowing your a big fan of the genre Neil and without going into spoilers (seeing it tomorrow), what went wrong?
Spectral Morn
16-05-2014, 20:22
Knowing your a big fan of the genre Neil and without going into spoilers (seeing it tomorrow), what went wrong?
No Godzilla - oh he is in it just not much and the battles between the monsters are poor. Don't get me wrong the effects are good, Godzilla is himself (not that Roland Emmerich rubbish, that Toho Studios now call Zilla and killed off in Final Wars) looks great very much like the more recent Toho version but there just isn't enough, not enough battling, not enough destruction and the new creatures look like the Cloverfield monster.
Just poor in my opinion and as for the humans who cares, no connection with them at all.
This could have been great but it misses the mark big time in my view and the holes in the plot are massive.
Regards Neil
Effects-led films just leave me cold. If the story and acting aren't strong, I just don't care.
Compare Cloud Atlas with, say, Battleship (an extreme example, I know).
One was a superb piece of cinema, thought provoking and with lasting images that haunt and demand watching two or three times more. The other was an utter piece of crap which should have had no more than £25 spent on it.
jollyfix
16-05-2014, 21:38
Gandidni Juggling
FIVpzODVS8E
Yawn Gandini, I worked with sean years ago, he has done some great shows, but i thought this one ( when to see it the other week), was just another 50min show which if condensed to 10 mins would be fantastic.
'Hoarders' on CBS Reality channel.
I thought I was bad with my cd players and empty boxes but these folk are batting in a whole different league. If you think you have problems throwing stuff away then watch this show it will make you feel a whole lot better.
The Barbarian
24-05-2014, 15:53
Don't watch TV can never get a look in
:rolleyes:
Carry on Follow That Camel .............love it:lol:
MikeMusic
30-05-2014, 08:32
A very good film
http://www.containsmoderateperil.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Night-Of-The-Demon-UK-Poster.jpg
The Barbarian
04-06-2014, 22:59
:youtheman:
mr sneff
05-06-2014, 05:09
Great film!
Night of the Demon - one of the best films ever, that is.
Night of the Demon - one of the best films ever, that is.
Might watch the American version tonight - 'Curse of the Demon' (it's on the same DVD), 12 minutes shorter but has extra scenes :scratch:
The Barbarian
06-06-2014, 19:36
Might Watch the first 'Planet Of The Apes' movie in bed tonight, i bought the six DVD box set with the five 60's/70's movies + bonus disc a while back at a give away price, you can still get it cheap now
http://www.dvdcollections.co.uk/forums/discussion/185/planet-of-the-apes-2-discs-spec-edition-299/
Hard to believe Pierre Boulle also wrote 'Bridge Over The River Kwai' novel..
Might Watch the first 'Planet Of The Apes' movie in bed tonight, i bought the six DVD box set with the five 60's/70's movies + bonus disc a while back at a give away price, you can still get it cheap now
..
It's a brilliant film but I can't watch it now without thinking of the Troy Maclure musical: 'Stop The Planet of The Apes, I Want To Get Off' :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUkYHcK3FfY
Gordon Steadman
08-06-2014, 06:34
Leading on from Al's Mac woes elsewhere, we watched 'Jobs' last night.
What a load of old tosh. Must be the worst biopic I have ever seen. Whatever you think of the man, whoever wrote this seems to have left all the important bits out on purpose. All the characters were cardboard cutouts and the jumps between time made it look as though Steve had also cracked time travel too (or at least, one of his technical people had).
Just made to cash in on his death. Utter crap.
Gordon Steadman
08-06-2014, 09:37
Oh my gawd,
Just had a quick look at Noah:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:: eek:
Not sure I shall bother watching after the first ten minutes of utter tripe.
It looked bad from the trailers which is always a warning sign.
Gordon Steadman
08-06-2014, 09:59
It looked bad from the trailers which is always a warning sign.
Film makers seem to think that if you make it moody enough, with enough special effects to impress, then you can get away with nonsense dressed up as meaningful and acting to make the Ents look wooden, together with a script that is basically a series of grunts. They have some of the Ents in here helping to build the ark too. I think, on balance, just, I prefer the Ents in Lord of the Rings but they didn't quite manage to live up to the image I had of them from reading the books.
So thats two out of two that get zero points from the French jury.
Gordon Steadman
10-06-2014, 18:36
We have just watched Alien resurrection.
Thoroughly enjoyed it, by far the best of the follow ups. Could never beat the original but a bloody good effort.
The pair of us were holding hands whilst we watched (all together now:lol:) but we had to let go as we were leaking a bit - I don't sweat and Ronnie just glows of course.
Great.
PaulStewart
12-06-2014, 23:33
Just watched Thor on Netflix on the new Virgin Tivo, the Dolby Digi plus came over really well also, the Mrs. Had a marathon and watched both series of the US House of Cards over three days :eek: Really like the Tivo good video and audio quality.
Watched the restored version blueray of the African queen again...have to say it is probably the best restoration I've ever seen. Simply stunning
Latest restration is To Kill A Mockingbird.....part of Universal's 100th anniversary celebrations. this is the film's 50th anniversary edition, and very good it is...love B & W restores, and was always one of my fav films and books.....
Yes, very good book, I've read it a few times. Gregory Peck in the film IIRC - actor or cockney rhyming slang?
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q9SK7NJ8L._SY300_.jpg
A thought-provoking film: hilarious and troublesome at the same time.
Wot else ya been watchin' folks? :)
Marco.
Rabbit-proof Fence
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31iJjc3KzOL.jpg
One of the most shocking and moving films I have seen for a long time.
The Grand Wazoo
01-07-2014, 22:51
It's an utterly brilliant piece of film-making isn't it?
It's an utterly brilliant piece of film-making isn't it?
Yes it certainly is. I first saw it a few years ago, but seeing it again tonight on BBC4 made me realise what a powerful fim it is.
Shocking, for revealing the totally misguided and racist policy practised in Australia, only to be discontinued as late as the 1970s. And moving - well, I was close to tears watching it again!
The Grand Wazoo
01-07-2014, 23:27
I didn't know it was being shown tonight, or I would have watched or recorded it.
I didn't know it was being shown tonight, or I would have watched or recorded it.
And we rely on you to alert us to what's being shown on TV. :lol:
The Grand Wazoo
01-07-2014, 23:42
And we rely on you....
Surely you should know by now that it would be very foolish to rely on me for anything!
'Colin's Sandwich', brilliant Mel Smith sitcom
last night I was mostly watching Star Trek - The Not Very Good Generation.
I concluded that I would put Counseller Troy right up there with the worlds most annoying fictional characters. And I'm talking about the likes of Jah Jah Binks and Scrappy Doo here. Proper first division stuff.
Aye, and she crashed the Ship too, wimmin drivers...
last night I was mostly watching Star Trek - The Not Very Good Generation.
I concluded that I would put Counseller Troy right up there with the worlds most annoying fictional characters. And I'm talking about the likes of Jah Jah Binks and Scrappy Doo here. Proper first division stuff.
Finally getting around to watching Breaking Bad.
:doh: where have I been?
(still not as good as the Wire though...)
Bit of 'Still Game'
vEfGgs-ZIhY
Spectral Morn
29-07-2014, 09:01
Dawn of The Planet of The Apes
Its not often, if at all that a reboot surpasses the original (Conquest of the Planet of the Apes) but Rise of The Planet of The Apes certainly did and was a bit of a surprise back in 2011 as it came pretty much out of nowhere.
With this latest film taking over pretty much where the last ended - 10 years have passed - I had concerns as to whether or not it would be as good as Rise or a flop. The reality is its as good as Rise and in many ways better, though its a tad too long in places and could have been punchier with a bit more control exercised. However I am nit picking and the film is an excellent way to pass a few hours.
9 out of 10
Regards Neil
Spectral Morn
02-08-2014, 07:24
Noah
Somewhat controversial in that it plays fast and very loose with the source material, in fact rewriting the story in significant ways and perhaps dangerous ways but this is a film review not a discourse in old Testament Theology, in saying that though the following stood out as being very off.
Firstly Fallen Angels fell because they rebelled with Lucifer and were cast out, not that they wanted to help humanity, opposite in fact they want to destroy humanity. Fallen Angels did not help Noah build the arc. They also were not hobbled, punished by being fused with rock. the giants mentioned are the Nephilim the product of humans breeding with fallen angels.
Noah did not try to kill any newly born children as none were born on the arc - as far as we know only after the flood.
Tubal Cain did not stowaway on the arc, nor did anyone outside Noah's family and there are other issues but...... all in all the film makers still managed to get the gist and spirit of the story right, with some lovely touches and despite many hating this film I actually enjoyed it.
Parable, myth or historical fact - most cultures world wide have a flood story similar in many details and its a shame the story was not retold as was, but that's Holywood for you.
You can read the story here http://www.dltk-bible.com/genesis/chapter6-kjv.htm
The film 7 out of 10
Regards Neil
Probably not the place for a theological discussion but the Bible does play fast and loose with the Sumerian source material so you can hardly blame Hollywood for continuing the tradition ;)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/02/urumuqa7.jpg
Digitally restored blueray version...very good print it is and a classic
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/08/02/urumuqa7.jpg
Digitally restored blueray version...very good print it is and a classic
Oh yes - a classic indeed. :)
on to a more modern classic now; The good, the bad and the ugly; remastered blueray........hoping the picture will be as good as the hype....A long but fabulous Leone masterpiece
Edit.. Very good remastering . perhaps too good at times for a small screen. Bet it'll look fantastic on a big screen...the audio has been done to and overall a worthwhile addition to my special edition DVD.
Currently watching the Blueray version of Cassablanca ......Looks to be an excellent print, and another classic movie. contrasts are fabulous.
Spectral Morn
04-08-2014, 22:15
on to a more modern classic now; The good, the bad and the ugly; remastered blueray........hoping the picture will be as good as the hype....A long but fabulous Leone masterpiece
Edit.. Very good remastering . perhaps too good at times for a small screen. Bet it'll look fantastic on a big screen...the audio has been done to and overall a worthwhile addition to my special edition DVD.
Love that Trilogy of films about the only westerns I do like.
Regards Neil
Currently watching the Blueray version of Cassablanca ......Looks to be an excellent print, and another classic movie. contrasts are fabulous.
"Could be the start of a beautiful friendship"
"Could be the start of a beautiful friendship"
:lol: enoyed that.....well, as i have set myself the task of watching a dvd a night to revisit my collection( gonna take a long time me thinks) my next one has been interrupted by "the boy" giving me his latest to watch...that Russell Crowe biblical epic, NOAH :rolleyes: .....nothing ventured as they say so will report my findings.
WELL!!! an epic indeed. Struggled but made the end. Get a bit of loose woven material and give it a ragged edge and hey presto, a biblical outfit is created. now how can people who can make nuts, bolts and wonderful hardened steel axes, hammers, knives and farming equipment not manage to make a hem?
wooden acting, and a pedetrian script did not help matters. sad to say this is supposedly a success at the box office :mental: Thank god for the likes of Cassablanca, and think we can blame Cain and eve for this masterpiece.
Tonights cinema classic is Howard Hawkes 1932 making of Scarface, starring Paul Muni.....they don't make 'em like this no more.:)
Screenwriter Ben Hecht was a former Chicago journalist familiar with the city's Prohibition-era gangsters, including Al Capone. During the filming Hecht returned to his Los Angeles hotel room one night to find two Capone torpedoes waiting for him. The gangsters demanded to know if the movie was about Capone. Hecht assured them it wasn't, saying that the character Tony Camonte was based on gangsters like "Big" Jim Colosimo and Charles Dion O'Bannion. "Then why is the movie called Scarface?" one of the hoods demanded. "Everyone will think it's about Capone!" "That's the reason," said Hecht. "If you call the movie Scarface , people will think it's about Capone and come to see it. It's part of the racket we call show business." The Capone hoods, who appreciated the value of a scam, left the hotel placated.
Al Capone reputedly liked it so much he procured his own copy of the film.
Edit: well I thoroughly enjoyed that, and as much as I like the 80's remake, I still think this is the best version.
Remember reading that George Raft(this was his first big film I think) saying that all the New York gangsters used to come to him for tips on how to behave etc....He was of course brought up with some of America's biggest gangsters.
Tonight's main feature is Mountains of the Moon starring Patrick Bergin and Iain Glen. This is the film version of Burton & Speke's search for the source of the Nile, beautify shot by Roger Deakins.
Edit; great watch, I have not seen it for years...very good story, and great acting.
Not that anyone is reading, :) but tonight's movie is the Universal Studios 100th Anniversary blueray remaster of Harvey(1950); originally a play by Mary Chase. Joshephine Hull played her role in both the play and film. She also won the film's only oscar.
Tonight's main feature is Mountains of the Moon starring Patrick Bergin and Iain Glen. This is the film version of Burton & Speke's search for the source of the Nile, beautify shot by Roger Deakins.
Edit; great watch, I have not seen it for years...very good story, and great acting.
Haven't seen that for thirty years!
Don't think its been on telly lately Barry. Its a pity too because its a fine film. If you want to watch it you can.
Haven't seen that for thirty years!
Harvey was superb.....how they remaster these so well I'll never get my head around.:scratch: certainly worth the purchase price.
Harvey was superb
Is that the one with the six foot invisible Rabbit? ages since I've seen it. Quirky and interesting, on a par with 'The Million Pound Note'.
Thats the one Roy....6' 31/2" was the actual height I believe, although Jimmy Stewart was 6' 4" so technically would have been looking down, so I think he wanted to make it 6' 8" lol.
Yip, it is a great film and I think, his favorite.
One of my favourites, of comparatively modern 1960 vintage, is 'The Apartment' with Jack Lemmon & Shirley MacLaine, might pop it on in a bit.
A fab film Roy...I have it as well....love Jack and as you say one of the great humorous Billy Wilder films, but with a definite dark side.
& Shirley looks delicious 'ring a ding ding'
destroysall
09-08-2014, 06:42
Watching a few episodes currently of Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee with my brother. I love Jerry Seinfeld and loved his show from the 90s. This new show he has is just as fun to watch I feel. :-)
http://www.thevideoink.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/comediansincars.jpg
Chris.
Tonights later than usual evening screening is the Powell & Pressburger film... One of our Aircraft is Missing (1942); I think it was their first major collaboration. It stars Bernard Miles(to become Sir), Geoffrey Tearle, Eric Portman and Emrys Jones, who was cast as a raf crew and a football star(which he was in real life).
The crew that made this were snapped up by Noel Coward for his film In Which We Serve as he was so impressed by their ability to do so much, with so little in such a short time:eyebrows:
Spectral Morn
09-08-2014, 22:15
@Grant
I am reading this thread but nothing much to contribute at the minute.
I was watching the pilot to Buck Rogers earlier on you tube. I can see why I had a thing for Princess Ardala ( Pamela Hensley) and not Wilma Deering (Erin Grey) back in the day ;)
Regards Neil
I remember Pamela, Neil...that would be Buck Rogers in the 25th Century......she was also Agent 36 in the Nude Bomb, and specialised in episodes of American Dramas etc...Think she was also in Marcus Welby MD...very striking woman and don't blame you for having a fancy for her.:eek:
National Lampoon's Vacation on TCM HD (theme tune by Lindsey Buckingham indeed)
@Grant
I am reading this thread but nothing much to contribute at the minute.
I was watching the pilot to Buck Rogers earlier on you tube. I can see why I had a thing for Princess Ardala ( Pamela Hensley) and not Wilma Deering (Erin Grey) back in the day ;)
Regards Neil
Mmmm... Erin Grey..... But let's face it you wouldn't kick either of them out of bed on a dark night. Neither of them holds a candle to Ornella Muti in the Flash Gordon film, though. And whoever it is who plays Wilma in the old thirties serial is pretty cute too.
Jean Rogers was in that..She was a doll
Jean Rogers - that's her. How could I forget. She'd be over a hundred years old now, hard to believe. I suppose the casting couch was in regular use back then so a high standard of babe was pretty much inevitable...:)
They don't show them on the telly any more but you can watch all of the old Flash Gordons and Buck Rogers on u-tube
Yes Martin, she could have been recumbent on my couch any time :lol:
Must revisit those some day. Thanks for the utube tip. I always forget about that
PS just looked her up and she died in 91. Born in 1916.
Spectral Morn
10-08-2014, 13:30
Jean Rogers - that's her. How could I forget. She'd be over a hundred years old now, hard to believe. I suppose the casting couch was in regular use back then so a high standard of babe was pretty much inevitable...:)
They don't show them on the telly any more but you can watch all of the old Flash Gordons and Buck Rogers on u-tube
There was a quality, a look to women back then, that frankly is lacking these days.
The BBC used to show those during the summer holidays when I was much, much younger, along with things like the Flashing Blade, The Whirly Birds and White Horses.
Regards Neil
Spectral Morn
10-08-2014, 13:35
I remember Pamela, Neil...that would be Buck Rogers in the 25th Century......she was also Agent 36 in the Nude Bomb, and specialised in episodes of American Dramas etc...Think she was also in Marcus Welby MD...very striking woman and don't blame you for having a fancy for her.:eek:
Yes that was it, a TV series was commissioned out of the film, with good moments but equally at times quiet dire and certainly more so as it went on and ran out of steam, ideas and money.
Just done a check and she hasn't appeared in anything since 1984, I was still in school when Buck Rogers started - school boy crush.
Regards Neil
Well, since we've be a talkin' sifi, tonights feature will be Hammer's 1967 version of Quatermass and the Pit starring Andrew Keir and the delectable Barbara Shelley. sifi in 60's did not get much better than this, even though the effects are pretty crumby, it is a very atmospheric film still.
Just watched that recently it still stands up. No horror film setting is scarier than the London Underground.
too true Martin.. did you notice the Sony reel to reel video player sitting on the desk. remember them from the 60's...Sony's first vcr.lol ... good film and worth watching for Babs alone.
Spectral Morn
11-08-2014, 00:02
Well, since we've be a talkin' sifi, tonights feature will be Hammer's 1967 version of Quatermass and the Pit starring Andrew Keir and the delectable Barbara Shelley. sifi in 60's did not get much better than this, even though the effects are pretty crumby, it is a very atmospheric film still.
Fantastic film, the end with the credits rolling over a destroyed London and the main protagonists shattered and drained after surviving is a moving and haunting ending and one of the best of its type imho. I think the effects still work even now.
The BBC original TV serial is worth watching as well.
Yes I agree re Barbara Shelley, lovely.
Regards Neil
Spectral Morn
11-08-2014, 00:05
Red Cliff - awesome Chinese epic.
On Channel 4 now.
Regards Neil
Tonight's movie is the Homer Odyssey O Brother Where Art Thou? starring George Clooney(without Coffee but with Pomade):eyebrows: Released in the millenium year, and as successful as it was, the soundtrack outstripped it by selling over 5 million copies(mine included). Clooney practised singing religiously for the Soggy Bottom Boys but his voice was not up to it and Dan Tyminski did the voice over for the song.
Great film, its Bona fide! :)
I'm George Nelson; I'm gonna go off like a Roman candle :lol: Thoroughly enjoyed as per.....one of my all time favourites...I've got the film *2, the soundtrack and the concert down from the mountain.
Clooney had a relative from the Kentucky area, and sent him tapes of him saying his lines to see if the accent was right. the guy would send them back with comments but all the bad language had been deleted...lol ...bible belt
One of the Coen brothers better films. I too have the soundtrack as a separate CD.
The down from the mountain concert is fabulous; well worth the watching if you like this kinda music.
Spectral Morn
12-08-2014, 10:22
Guardians of the Galaxy
Fantastic film :)
Regards Neil
Season 2 of Hannibal.
great TV.
Sitting on the fence about Guardian's Neil...will get myself over to see it. :)
Agreed with you on Godzilla btw.
Spectral Morn
12-08-2014, 18:22
Season 2 of Hannibal.
great TV.
Sitting on the fence about Guardian's Neil...will get myself over to see it. :)
Agreed with you on Godzilla btw.
Go see it Gary, its a lot of fun the time flies by and when its over you want more - well I did.
Yes could have been so much more - shame.
Regards Neil
My movie tonight is Val Guest's 1961 end of the world thriller, The Day The Earth Caught Fire starring Leo Mckearn, Ed Judd and Janet Monro as the sex interest :lol: sorry...shame overload!!
The theme is the aftermath of the US and Russia both detonating nuclear devices at same time knocking the earth off its axis.....Damn fine film.
So Man has sown the wind - and reaped the whirlwind. Perhaps in the next few hours, there will be no remembrance of the past, and no hope for the future that might have been. All the works of Man will be consumed in the great fire out of which he was created. But perhaps at the heart of the burning light into which he has thrust his world, there is a heart that cares more for him, than he has ever cared for himself. And if there is a future for Man - insensitive as he is, proud and defiant in his pursuit of power - let him resolve to live it lovingly; for he knows well how to do so. Then he may say once more: Truly the light is sweet; and what a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the Sun.
they got their diseases wrong and I saw a glimpse of a very young Michael Caine I think. other than that its a super film and shows what this country could do without the advantages the US film industry has.
Loved that film.
Had a "spark" that formulaic American fodder at the time didn't have...the buzz of Fleet street, interaction between the (obviously) strong actors....
...and Leo McKearn.
First time I saw it as a kid I had just realised how smart "The Prisoner" was and this was the same Actor that was in it.
That got me involved, but even then, I got the message the film was trying to convey and I felt really smart lol.
Oh to be a kid again with that open mind... :)
Just watched the latest incarnation of Carrie (2013), with Julianne Moore and I have to say I really enjoyed it :)
Loved that film.
Had a "spark" that formulaic American fodder at the time didn't have...the buzz of Fleet street, interaction between the (obviously) strong actors....
...and Leo McKearn.
First time I saw it as a kid I had just realised how smart "The Prisoner" was and this was the same Actor that was in it.
That got me involved, but even then, I got the message the film was trying to convey and I felt really smart lol.
Oh to be a kid again with that open mind... :)
But you are really smart Gary:eyebrows:
But you are really smart Gary:eyebrows:
Cheque's in the post Grant :)
Spectral Morn
13-08-2014, 18:21
My movie tonight is Val Guest's 1961 end of the world thriller, The Day The Earth Caught Fire starring Leo Mckearn, Ed Judd and Janet Monro as the sex interest :lol: sorry...shame overload!!
The theme is the aftermath of the US and Russia both detonating nuclear devices at same time knocking the earth off its axis.....Damn fine film.
Agreed a classic
Regards Neil
Tonight's movie is Sydney Pollack's 1972 western drama, Jeremiah Johnston starring Robert Redford.....probably his best role, even if it is little known these days. I cannot remember the last time it was on tv. Pity too as it is what all good films should be. Beautiful scenery and camera work along with fabulous script and acting to rival any Oscar winner. Alas it was not even nominated.
His name was Jeremiah Johnson, and they say he wanted to be a mountain man. The story goes that he was a man of proper wit and adventurous spirit, suited to the mountains. Nobody knows whereabouts he come from and don't seem to matter much. He was a young man and ghosty stories about the tall hills didn't scare him none. He was looking for a Hawken gun, .50 caliber or better. He settled for a .30, but damn, it was a genuine Hawken, and you couldn't go no better. Bought him a good horse, and traps, and other truck that went with being a mountain man, and said good-bye to whatever life was down there below.
Have not watched that for some time, and after watching it I must say I've been missing out. Forgot how good it was; timeography errors aside, its still some film. Shot mostly in Utah, where Redford lived coincidently, so he was able to help with location selection.
The film was a loose biography of mountain man John Johnston and the book Crow Killer. Actually Redford was a pallbearer at Johnston's funeral.....:mental: might sound such, but after the film Johnston was disinterred from a Los Angeles cemetery and reburied in Wyoming .
Canetoad
13-08-2014, 23:07
Tonight's movie is Sydney Pollack's 1972 western drama, Jeremiah Johnston starring Robert Redford.....probably his best role, even if it is little known these days. I cannot remember the last time it was on tv. Pity too as it is what all good films should be. Beautiful scenery and camera work along with fabulous script and acting to rival any Oscar winner. Alas it was not even nominated.
His name was Jeremiah Johnson, and they say he wanted to be a mountain man. The story goes that he was a man of proper wit and adventurous spirit, suited to the mountains. Nobody knows whereabouts he come from and don't seem to matter much. He was a young man and ghosty stories about the tall hills didn't scare him none. He was looking for a Hawken gun, .50 caliber or better. He settled for a .30, but damn, it was a genuine Hawken, and you couldn't go no better. Bought him a good horse, and traps, and other truck that went with being a mountain man, and said good-bye to whatever life was down there below.
Excellent movie! I have it on DVD. The wife doesn't get it though... :rolleyes:
Excellent movie! I have it on DVD. The wife doesn't get it though... :rolleyes:
No, mine doesn't either tbh, but give her Brookside or the likes :doh:
Tonight's movie is the Walter Matthau classic comedy Hopscotch (1980). Directed by Ronald Neame, one of my favourite Photographers but also a very successful director. Matthau wangled the script be changed to a comedy and also got his son and daughter parts in the film. Glenda Jackson, Sam Waterston and Ned Beatty make up the other principles.
Allan Cuthbertson(remember himplaying Major Daintry in Roger of the Raj; one of the ripping yarns. Yolanda King (Martin Luther's daughter) had her debut role as a waitress I think.
This evening it is Paul Newman in Shadow Makers(1989) with Dwight Schultz as Oppenheimer. Not a bad film, although has some factual errors tbf. Best quote I like form this movie are from Gen Groves "It's all about ass, isn't it? Either you kick it... or you lick it". , and from Richard Schoenfield, "Hey Oppenheimer! Oppenheimer! You oughta stop playing God, 'cause you're no good at it, and the position's taken!"
‘I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds’
That film is still with me.. It leaves it's imprint on your soul. It is an interesting conundrum as to whether the dropping of those bombs were indeed necessary or whether it was just power play......or maybe a case of , well, we have em, lets see what they can do.
probably a bit of all three tbh, although, my dad was in the region and fightingfor his existance so it may have saved his life, and thus mine.
Thought provoking Grant.
I am trying to write a poem about two men who fight over the contents of a stream that separates their two properties. In the end the bigger one wins and beats the other so badly that he and his family all have broken bones. He tells his defeated neighbour to 'give up' and promise never to enter the river again. The defeated man refuses, so the winner tells his sons to get petrol and pour it on the defeated man's children. They do and set two of his children alight. The defeated man then surrenders.
Very apt Andrei....I like it;)
Very apt Andrei....I like it;)
Thanks Grant, killing is a touchy subject for me ... can't go into it on a public forum. I would love to complete the poem because I feel I have "something to say". Rhyme no problem, but what rhythm can you possibly have for Hiroshima, Nagasaki and killing of children?
Tonight's movie is Robert Wise's si-fi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951). Based on Harry Bates novella of the same name(originally called Farewell to the Master) and starring Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal.....oh, and GORT (Lock Martin):eek:
Thought to be a "just another saucer movie" by most including Pat Neal, who stated that she thought is so silly that she could barely say her line without laughing (you can actually see that she is often stifling the desire to laugh out loud). Pat had a short affair with Gary Copper and always loved him saying he was a lovely man(something Gary's wife did not appreciate :lol:). she married Roald Dahl and had 5 children, one of whom died of complications due to measles.
The seamless opening was produced by puttying up the cracks and over painting so that the door appeared from nowhere..closing it was just a matter of reversing the film. Music for the film is scored for 2 Theremins among other instruments. The Theremin is a hands free instrument that has 2 attenna that the musician waves his hands at to produce the sounds. one is for volume and the other for pitch. both were tuned slightly different to achieve the eerie effect.
My dvd is the Cinema Reserve tin box version with all the knobs on. PS: none of the cast were ever in Washington DC. Body doubles and backdrops were used instead.... The speeding up of the scene when the saucer lands was done because the extras could not run away properly (and people say dont work with animals:doh:)
Enjoy.......... well, I will.
A film I first watched age about five with my father who was a big sci-fi fan. It scared me so much I couldn't bring myself to watch it again until I was in my twenties. I think it was mainly GORT plus those Theramins - nothing sounds weirder than a Theramin.
Fine film, and Gort scored with Patricia AGAIN..lucky robot.....God, she was a sexy beast.:eyebrows:
I can understand that Martin at age 5 in those bygone days it must have been a shock :lol: kids of 5 usually did not see films like that..it still has a 12 rating . Think I would likely have been a teenager first time.. he was 7' 7" although quite weedy and not at all strong. He found the suit too heavy and hot and could not pick up or carry Pat Neal unaided. they used wires and dummies . he had 2 suits as well...one that laced up the back and the other up the front. Was a very tender guy apparently who loved kids.
Spectral Morn
17-08-2014, 09:27
Tonight's movie is Robert Wise's si-fi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951). Based on Harry Bates novella of the same name(originally called Farewell to the Master) and starring Michael Rennie and Patricia Neal.....oh, and GORT (Lock Martin):eek:
Thought to be a "just another saucer movie" by most including Pat Neal, who stated that she thought is so silly that she could barely say her line without laughing (you can actually see that she is often stifling the desire to laugh out loud). Pat had a short affair with Gary Copper and always loved him saying he was a lovely man(something Gary's wife did not appreciate :lol:). she married Roald Dahl and had 5 children, one of whom died of complications due to measles.
The seamless opening was produced by puttying up the cracks and over painting so that the door appeared from nowhere..closing it was just a matter of reversing the film. Music for the film is scored for 2 Theremins among other instruments. The Theremin is a hands free instrument that has 2 attenna that the musician waves his hands at to produce the sounds. one is for volume and the other for pitch. both were tuned slightly different to achieve the eerie effect.
My dvd is the Cinema Reserve tin box version with all the knobs on. PS: none of the cast were ever in Washington DC. Body doubles and backdrops were used instead.... The speeding up of the scene when the saucer lands was done because the extras could not run away properly (and people say dont work with animals:doh:)
Enjoy.......... well, I will.
Fabulous film and one Holywood should have left alone - the recent remake is a travesty of the quality original.
Regards Neil
Fabulous film and one Hollywood should have left alone - the recent remake is a travesty of the quality original.
Regards Neil
+1! It was doomed from the start by casting Keanu Reeves!
IMO most Hollywood remakes are a travesty: 'Psycho'; 'The Lady Killers' (what were the Coen brothers thinking of?) and 'Wings of Desire', to name a few.
I think if you took the remade one on its own, and had not known of its connection to the classic then it is a well enough made film. I actually have it, although did not buy it.cannot think of a remake of a classic that was anything but a poor relation up to dire. The ones mentioned are great examples of this. The Old Dickens films are a case in point also.
Scarface, The Thing, Invasion of The Bodysnatchers (1979). All pretty good remakes. I actually prefer the remake of The Thing to the original version. Most of them are lousy though, I'll give you that. Ever seen the Michael Winner remake of The Big Sleep? Robert Mitchum takes the Bogart role and it is set, bizzarely, in London. Really lame.
I,ll give you Scarface and Body Snatchers . the Sutherland one is rather good actually. Still prefer the Muni version of Scarface though, and I have both. Nearly watched the original Body Snatchers last night actually. Not seen The Thing for years, either version . I never really liked either of them that much
Quite fancy a thriller tonight and there was no one better at it than Alfred Hitchcock, so it will John Steinbeck's The Lifeboat (1944). Set in a life-raft, the survivors of a torpedoed ship struggle with more than survival, having taken onboard a German sailor played by Walter Slezak (who also played the role of Stossel in The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm in the 60's). Although playing a German, he was actually Austrian.
Tallulah Bankhead, who would have been in her early 40's always climbed the ladder up to the water tank (the set) every morning and it was noted by the crew with much pleasure that she never wore any underwear. They used to give her a round of applause every time :lol: When Hitchcock was informed of this he stated "I don't know if this is a matter for the costume department, makeup, or hairdressing.":eek:
A much underrated Hitchcock film, and tends not to get shown much, it is possibly one of his best. The cast all suffered dreadfully especially Tallulah, who got pneumonia twice.
....Looking forward to watching this along with the extras. my copy is the Cinema Reserve 2 disc tin box version.
I have to say I am currently hooked on Californication (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0904208/), compelling viewing and some great music too - have picked up a few new artists and some great new music :)
http://static.cinemagia.ro/img/db/movie/02/01/13/californication-823582l.jpg
( oh and all the nude women running around is not too shabby either! )
Werner Berghofer
17-08-2014, 20:59
Tim,
I have to say I am currently hooked on Californication (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0904208/), compelling viewing and some great music too […]
it’s a great and funny show. I saw all seven seasons and I think it was a good decision to stop the show. Unfortunately at least the last half of season 7 was most of the time very close to brainless slapstick.
Werner.
I'm on season 3 at the moment Werner, so it's still working for me - some of the women are truly glorious, does that make me a bad person :scratch:
Werner Berghofer
18-08-2014, 04:52
Tim,
some of the women are truly glorious, does that make me a bad person :scratch:
no, not at all! Embeth Davidtz as Felicia Koons, the Dean’s wife, is phantastic in season three. Actually the women and the occasional shots of Hank Moody’s vinyl based stereo system are what makes this show worth seeing ;-) Of course there are a lot of really great one-liners in the dialogues too.
Prepare for even heavier visual female narcotics and major boobage in the upcoming seasons.
Werner.
Back to Si Fi tonight with a cracker... Soylent Green which was based on the book by Harry Harrison called "Make Room! Make Room!" ...at least I think it was.:scratch: Made in 1973, directed by Richard Fleischer(who directed the American part of the classic Tora Tora Tora) and starred Charlton(get your hand off my gun) Heston and Edward G Robinson(who was pretty ill and deaf as a post). In fact his deafness, was more of a problem than his cancer as he could only hear anyone if they shouted directly in his ear. This caused some problems, but old trouper that he was, he turned in a stellar performance again. This was his 101st and last film and he died a week or so later. There is a lot of nice classical music from the likes of Grieg, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to soothe the sences, and at times the sences need a soothing. Soylent is a film that much of its content is very close to home now, as it represented our now; what we take for granted, and much of which our great grandkids could easily miss out on. Nowadays we don't seem to know or care what our governments and corporations are up to. Maybe its time we took the planet back before its too late. ;)
Loved Robinson's reply to Heston's remark of I know, Sol, you've told me a hundred times before. People were better, the world was better......Ah, people were always lousy... But there was a world, once; I was there, I can prove it. When I was a kid, you could buy meat anywhere. Eggs they had, real butter, not this... crap!!!!
This was the last film shot at MGM Studios back-lot on Overland Boulevard, as it was demolished and turned into housing. Going to really enjoy this as not seen it for a while. This thread has given me new life and vigour and along with my 160 restoration, a desire to live on for as long as I can get pleasure from it...So get your old films out folks and enjoy them...you know they are better than SKY:eek:
A classic film but a little sad. If you really want to depress yourself watch Silent Running straight after.
A classic film but a little sad. If you really want to depress yourself watch Silent Running straight after.
I don't have that one Martin.....probably as well; trying to keep happy :lol: quite enjoying it.... not too depressing, its a bit like Coen songs...makes you say, Hell, my life aint so bad:eek:
now watching Red Dwarf iv.....my favorite series'
Back to Si Fi tonight with a cracker... Soylent Green which was based on the book by Harry Harrison called "Make Room! Make Room!" ...at least I think it was.:scratch: Made in 1973, directed by Richard Fleischer(who directed the American part of the classic Tora Tora Tora) and starred Charlton(get your hand off my gun) Heston and Edward G Robinson(who was pretty ill and deaf as a post). In fact his deafness, was more of a problem than his cancer as he could only hear anyone if they shouted directly in his ear. This caused some problems, but old trouper that he was, he turned in a stellar performance again. This was his 101st and last film and he died a week or so later. There is a lot of nice classical music from the likes of Grieg, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to soothe the sences, and at times the sences need a soothing. Soylent is a film that much of its content is very close to home now, as it represented our now; what we take for granted, and much of which our great grandkids could easily miss out on. Nowadays we don't seem to know or care what our governments and corporations are up to. Maybe its time we took the planet back before its too late. ;)
Loved Robinson's reply to Heston's remark of I know, Sol, you've told me a hundred times before. People were better, the world was better......Ah, people were always lousy... But there was a world, once; I was there, I can prove it. When I was a kid, you could buy meat anywhere. Eggs they had, real butter, not this... crap!!!!
This was the last film shot at MGM Studios back-lot on Overland Boulevard, as it was demolished and turned into housing. Going to really enjoy this as not seen it for a while. This thread has given me new life and vigour and along with my 160 restoration, a desire to live on for as long as I can get pleasure from it...So get your old films out folks and enjoy them...you know they are better than SKY:eek:
The film is so far removed from the book that Harrison disassociated himself from the film. In the book the future is suffering terribly from overpopulation due to the Catholic Church's prohibition of contraception. It seems the film's producers baulked at this idea - but came up with another similarly shocking, but idiotic, suggestion that the foodstuff of the future, "Soylent Green", is partly made of reprocessed human flesh of the recently dead. This is obviously nonsense, since the name, invented by Harrison, is derived from soybeans and lentils; far more plausable in a future which through necessity would be largely vegetarian.
Soylent Green is IMO one of the least plausable visions of a dystopian future - better ones, though none are easy viewing, are 1984, THX1138, A Boy and his Dog, A Clockwork Orange and possibly Videodrome.
walpurgis
19-08-2014, 08:39
'Soylent Green' is an all time Classic, you could parallel 'Logans Run' too, both of the same era and both movies struck a chord at the time depicting post apocalyptic humans finding their heritage and the awful truth of the conspiracies around them. Soylent Green is in my collection of movies. (Farenheit 451 with springs to mind too as a futuristic Classic)
Ah yes, I had forgotten about Farenheit 451; an excellent book and a reasonably good film.
I thought Logan's Run, naive and implausable; its viewing only ameliorated through the presence of the cute Jenny Agutter.
Sure I read somewhere some of the main reasons for changing the plot was their desire not to offend the catholic church and financial as always...I mean cannibalism is a bigger seller than lentil eating.
To be honest, I sometimes get the hump myself when good books are butchered but they are trying to make money and entertain. Most films of books are thus changed and many quite unrecognisably. A magnum for schneider/callan was pretty close while one of my favourite books the four feathers was unrecognisable.
walpurgis
19-08-2014, 09:42
Ah yes, I had forgotten about Farenheit 451; an excellent book and a reasonably good film.
I thought Logan's Run, naive and implausable; its viewing only ameliorated through the presence of the cute Jenny Agutter.
None were great films, but they were fun!
The only movie that stands out for me really from back then is the slightly earlier, 'Cool Hand Luke'. Totally different context of course, but just marvellous and probably my favourite film of all, though I have many of those.
(years later Newman made 'Nobody's Fool' and portrayed a rather similar character beautifully. Not a well known movie, but so good and essential in a decent collection)
I would in general agree with you wholeheartedly: most of the stories by P. K. Dick have been badly translated to cinema, for example Paycheck and of course Total Recall. Whether this is down to the poor writing of the screenplay, or whether it is because some books have to have their content severely pruned to fit a two-hour film, I don't know. But as a counter example, one film based on a P. K. Dick novel Blade Runner differs so greatly from the book (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) that one wonders how it could have been successful. Yet it is IMO one of the best sci-fi films ever made (and no, I don't want to get into heated debate over which version was better).
Having said that I didn't think Minority Report was a bad film either.
Spectral Morn
19-08-2014, 10:10
Back to Si Fi tonight with a cracker... Soylent Green which was based on the book by Harry Harrison called "Make Room! Make Room!" ...at least I think it was.:scratch: Made in 1973, directed by Richard Fleischer(who directed the American part of the classic Tora Tora Tora) and starred Charlton(get your hand off my gun) Heston and Edward G Robinson(who was pretty ill and deaf as a post). In fact his deafness, was more of a problem than his cancer as he could only hear anyone if they shouted directly in his ear. This caused some problems, but old trouper that he was, he turned in a stellar performance again. This was his 101st and last film and he died a week or so later. There is a lot of nice classical music from the likes of Grieg, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to soothe the sences, and at times the sences need a soothing. Soylent is a film that much of its content is very close to home now, as it represented our now; what we take for granted, and much of which our great grandkids could easily miss out on. Nowadays we don't seem to know or care what our governments and corporations are up to. Maybe its time we took the planet back before its too late. ;)
Loved Robinson's reply to Heston's remark of I know, Sol, you've told me a hundred times before. People were better, the world was better......Ah, people were always lousy... But there was a world, once; I was there, I can prove it. When I was a kid, you could buy meat anywhere. Eggs they had, real butter, not this... crap!!!!
This was the last film shot at MGM Studios back-lot on Overland Boulevard, as it was demolished and turned into housing. Going to really enjoy this as not seen it for a while. This thread has given me new life and vigour and along with my 160 restoration, a desire to live on for as long as I can get pleasure from it...So get your old films out folks and enjoy them...you know they are better than SKY:eek:
Yes that's the book, wonderful film but horrifying. Not seen it in a few years though.
Regards Neil
Keeping up the Si Fi theme, tonight it is the 1956 MGM blockbuster The Tempest Forbidden Planet directed by Fred Wilcox(who's claim to fame before this was interestingly the Lassie films, so I guess he liked working with animals). This was the first big budget si fi and reputedly the inspiration for Gene Roddenberry's star trek. A good strong cast including Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Earl Holliman and Robbie the Robot who stole the film.... One useless bit of info is Altaira's garden is a reuse of the Munchkin Village set from The Wizard of Oz 17 years earlier so was shot on the same set.
Spectral Morn
19-08-2014, 19:28
Keeping up the Si Fi theme, tonight it is the 1956 MGM blockbuster The Tempest Forbidden Planet directed by Fred Wilcox(who's claim to fame before this was interestingly the Lassie films, so I guess he liked working with animals). This was the first big budget si fi and reputedly the inspiration for Gene Roddenberry's star trek. A good strong cast including Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen, Earl Holliman and Robbie the Robot who stole the film.... One useless bit of info is Altaira's garden is a reuse of the Munchkin Village set from The Wizard of Oz 17 years earlier so was shot on the same set.
Excellent film
Regards Neil
Where would we be without the Krells :D
walpurgis
19-08-2014, 21:15
Forbidden Planet.
Yes, that was a brilliant film!
Anne Francis was a doll.....legs that went all the way to yaya:eek:
UP POMPEII......ah!!! good old fashoned 70's sexism at its best.....nowt to touch it...love Frankie:lol:
UP POMPEII......ah!!! good old fashoned 70's sexism at its best.....nowt to touch it...love Frankie:lol:
nay nay...
"I wont play the sap for you!" ...the movie tonight is John Huston's The Maltese Falcon (1941) starring Humphrey Bogart and Mary Astor...The movie that spawned a genre, and still as powerful today as it ever was.
Mary Astor got the role as she was notorious as a drunk, and had been married several times, something frowned upon in those days (and probably still should:eyebrows: )A newspaper had serialised her diary that had been stolen by a maid.
Bogey himself only got the role after George Raft turn it down...something Bogey gained from many times as Raft turned down High Sierra and Casablanca as well. Sydney Greenstreet was so large the chair he sat on had to be specially made.
My copy is the 2 disc W Bros special edition.....what else can I say except use bogey's Shakespearian paraphrase that its "The stuff that dreams are made of"
Must have watched it thirty times at least over the years. Funny how when I was young I never fancied Mary Astor in it. Couldn't work out what he saw in her. It was only when I got older I realised it's because she's a baaaad girl :)
"I hope they don't hang you, precious, by that sweet neck. Yes, angel, I'm gonna send you over. The chances are you'll get off with life. That means if you're a good girl, you'll be out in 20 years. I'll be waiting for you. If they hang you, I'll always remember you".
rarely does Bogie disappoint, a Fabulous actor and screen icon to this day.....just like me:lol:
Last nights viewing..
Collusus: The Forbin Project
Intelligent Science Fiction about the danger of mans reliance on technology.
Scared the bejezus out me as a kid, left me a bit quiet when I watched it again.
Not look at the display on my Dac the same way again!
http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/Clipboard01.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/user/gazjamster/media/Clipboard01.jpg.html)
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Tonight it is Ron Howard's Apollo 13 (1995) starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bil Paxton, Gary Sinese and Ed Harris. Not much can be saidabout this, as I'm sure you've all seen it on several occasions. Won 2 Oscars and thankfully Brad Pitt turned down an offer to star in this film and chose, instead, to star in Se7en (snigger).Going to be using the 2 disc special edition with all the extras which are as good as the film(maybe better).
Jim Lovell wore his old navy captain's uniform in the scene where he greets the astronauts aboard the Iwo Jima. When Ron Howard asked Lovell if he'd like to be in the film as the ship's admiral, Lovell agreed but pointed out, "I retired as a captain; a captain I will be."
Marlyn Lovell commented in the extras that Tom Hanks exactly portrays Jim Lovell's mannerisms and style of movement. Though not noted on screen, Marilyn Lovell's "premonition" of an accident on her husband's flight was triggered by her seeing the movie Marooned. After the premiere of the film, Ron Howard asked the audience members to write reviews of the film. While most of the reviews were positive, one review stated that there was no way the crew would have survived the mission. :doh: Apparently, the person who wrote it did not know the film is based on a true story.
Last nights viewing..
Collusus: The Forbin Project
Intelligent Science Fiction about the danger of mans reliance on technology.
Scared the bejezus out me as a kid, left me a bit quiet when I watched it again.
Not look at the display on my Dac the same way again!
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Not seen that ons Gary, but will see it on-line sometime soon...looks interesting.
Hello, Houston, this is Odyssey; lt's good to see you again.:eek: ............. Never thought they'd make it!!
Tonight it is Ron Howard's Apollo 13 (1995) starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bil Paxton, Gary Sinese and Ed Harris. Not much can be saidabout this, as I'm sure you've all seen it on several occasions. Won 2 Oscars and thankfully Brad Pitt turned down an offer to star in this film and chose, instead, to star in Se7en (snigger).Going to be using the 2 disc special edition with all the extras which are as good as the film(maybe better).
Jim Lovell wore his old navy captain's uniform in the scene where he greets the astronauts aboard the Iwo Jima. When Ron Howard asked Lovell if he'd like to be in the film as the ship's admiral, Lovell agreed but pointed out, "I retired as a captain; a captain I will be."
Marlyn Lovell commented in the extras that Tom Hanks exactly portrays Jim Lovell's mannerisms and style of movement. Though not noted on screen, Marilyn Lovell's "premonition" of an accident on her husband's flight was triggered by her seeing the movie Marooned. After the premiere of the film, Ron Howard asked the audience members to write reviews of the film. While most of the reviews were positive, one review stated that there was no way the crew would have survived the mission. :doh: Apparently, the person who wrote it did not know the film is based on a true story.
An excellent film - one which shows how in desparate measures, ingenuity can come to the rescue.
As a retired engineer, I am always impressed by the scene where the guys in Houston have to explain to the astronauts how to improvise an air filter, given the only items the astronauts have with them on Apollo 13. One of these items is the check-list folder with a cardboard binder; not something that would immediately come to mind, but it too is used in the construction. So to with the scene where they have to work out the start up sequence so that the total current drawn remains within capacity of the supply and the circuit breaker doesn't trip out.
NASA had some fantastic talent at their disposal Barry, that's for sure. They way they got those extra amps was nothing short of a brainwave. Gene Kranz summed it up perfectly. We've never lost an American in space, we're sure as hell not gonna lose one on my watch! Failure is not an option.
Tonights movie is St Martins Lane aka sidewalks of London (1938) Directed by Tim Wheelan and starring Charles Laughton, Vivien Leigh and Rex Harrison. and featuring Larry Adler as Consintine Dan and Tyrone Guthrie; later to become Sir, playing Gentry.
Charles Laughton is one of my favorite actors and is on top form here as Charles Staggers, a street viruoso and besotted by Liberty (Vivien Leigh), and who wouldn't be. She goes on to great things while he, who helped and guided her is left in the gutter (familiar??):lol:
Erich Pommer, who produced Metropolis and Jamaca Inn, Co produced after coming to England to flee Hitler.
Loved the line from Leigh whem Laughton asks her to marry him.....Marry you, Joe? Have you gone out of your mind? I mean you had better look in the frying pan, hadn't you? ;) and one from Laughton which still holds true....There ain't no answer. You're after justice and logic. There ain't no justice, and there ain't no logic. The world ain't made that way. Everything's luck, see. And good temper. And if you can take a joke..... The whole of life's a joke.:eyebrows: shot on 35mm in B&W it is a rarely shown gem.
Viv Leigh shows up well and is an accomplished singer and especially dancer. She went pretty much straight on to Gone with the wind, 21 days and Waterloo Bridge. A rare talent but never outshined Charles Laughton who was by far the senior star of the film then.
Now watching Ice age 1......one of my guilty secrets.:eek:
Ah, but Viv Leigh's a bit easier on the eyes than Charles Laughton!
(The bells...) :)
Ah, but Viv Leigh's a bit easier on the eyes than Charles Laughton!
(The bells...) :)
She was a doll Gary....stunningly beautiful. talent + beauty are rare; sure she never need the casting couch.:eyebrows:
Spectral Morn
23-08-2014, 09:31
Apollo 13 - agreed excellent film.
Regards Neil
Spectral Morn
23-08-2014, 09:47
Lucy http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2872732/trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv
Went and saw this yesterday and well I am not sure. Its in places very good, in other places dire and in others just completely bonkers. I think this is Luc Besson's attempt to make a 2001 typed film.
Its a weird mishmash of oriental crime/action film and sci fi, which involves a young lady getting involved in a drug smuggling ring, becoming a human drug smuggling mule in which an assault leaves her exposed to the drugs within her body - with dire consequences.
Where its plain crazy is the way no one - in particular the police - try to arrest her for murdering a number of innocent people in cold blood - never mind the bad guys. Where its different to lots of sci fi movies in the past is the way in which the scientists don't bring the army in to deal with Lucy, credible probably not, but refreshing.
The action scenes are good but clichéd, we have seen it before in many Asian action movies but Luc does try to do a number of newish things but sadly they end up looking like the Matrix meets 2001.
Acting is ok but again I think the film fails to show what a super evolved human would be like.
One very annoying aspect is the way the audience is treated every so often to Sheldon Cooper typed explanation of science, evolutionary theory and reproduction :doh: it was very patronising and not really required in my opinion and certainly not as clips of a documentary nature - plain weird.
Oh yes, very sudden ending which leaves one going is that it :scratch:
Overall 5 out of 10
Ah Scarlett Johansson is rather charming, but have heard that its a bit of a mix Neil. Nice write up and saves me watching it as the boy will likely want it.
walpurgis
23-08-2014, 10:07
Ah Scarlett Johansson is rather charming
If you like short girls with large behinds (bit like Penelope Cruz, but she comes with a moustache too). I think Scarlett may have lost a bit of weight lately though.
Spectral Morn
23-08-2014, 10:29
Scarlett Johansson is pleasant on the eye, sort of, not really my type but in regards to her acting frankly its workman like but not particularly inspired, someone much better was required but I am not sure who :scratch:
Frankly I think this needed to be longer, which would have allowed the themes to be given more space to develop and the massive plot holes and crazy oversights in how the police would have reacted in a situation like this could have been addressed and explored more.
Regards Neil
I'll say it twice..charming, charming;)
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Tonight's film isn't a film but a 2 part Star Trek TV episode of the Next Generation first transmitted in 1992. Taken from the Fan Collective box set; Time Travel, the episodes are Times Arrow pt 1 & 2. Stars the usual suspects plus Jerry Hardin as Mark Twain. A role he like so much he created a one-man touring show about him. This was also Gene Roddenberry's last episode as Exec Producer to mark his death a year before.Set in 1893 in San Francisco. All the exterior scenes in San Francisco were shot on location, like the historic Pico house and along Olvera Street, the restored area near the first mission in old Los Angeles.
next up; Red Dwarf 5....we're the posse party ;)
Tonight it is Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) directed by Sergio Leone, and starring Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale(one of the most beautiful women ever), Jason Robards and ol blue eyes himself, Henry Fonda in his first baddy role.
This Leone film was, again shot using the Techniscope process which gave the advantage of being able derive the 2.35:1 aspect ratio while shooting with spherical lenses which avoided the distortion created by anamorphics during certain camera moves and extreme close-ups (such as those used by Sergio Leone). This film, together with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)(also directed by Leone and shot by Tonino Delli Colli) are now considered masterpieces in the use of the Techniscope system.
The original script called for Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach to be the trio gunned down at the train station. Eastwood, whose star was rising in Hollywood, did not want to be seen as a villain and objected. When he did, Wallach backed out as well.
Although mostly shot in Andalucia, some of it was shot at Monument Valley, Arizona where Leone's hero John Ford shot Stagecoach and The Searchers.
Tonight it is Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) directed by Sergio Leone, and starring Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale(one of the most beautiful women ever), Jason Robards and ol blue eyes himself, Henry Fonda in his first baddy role.
This Leone film was, again shot using the Techniscope process which gave the advantage of being able derive the 2.35:1 aspect ratio while shooting with spherical lenses which avoided the distortion created by anamorphics during certain camera moves and extreme close-ups (such as those used by Sergio Leone). This film, together with The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)(also directed by Leone and shot by Tonino Delli Colli) are now considered masterpieces in the use of the Techniscope system.
The original script called for Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach to be the trio gunned down at the train station. Eastwood, whose star was rising in Hollywood, did not want to be seen as a villain and objected. When he did, Wallach backed out as well.
Although mostly shot in Andalucia, some of it was shot at Monument Valley, Arizona where Leone's hero John Ford shot Stagecoach and The Searchers.
I have Ennio Morricone's soundtrack - not bad, not bad at all. I hope you can have sound via your speakers and not the TV.
I have Ennio Morricone's soundtrack - not bad, not bad at all. I hope you can have sound via your speakers and not the TV.
yes I can if I wish Andrei, although at night I don't....its nice to run it through the Yamaha soundbar downstairs, but tonight just through the tv.
well, my alltime favourite film never lets me down, and this was no exception. The final scene with train and Claudia handing out the water is so evocative of the making of America, and the main theme music running through it makes for a stunning finale...the best I know....think I'll watch it all over again:eyebrows:
God, Cardinale is so gorgeous :wow: .
Leone is my favourite director of all time. He is only in the past few years getting the credit he deserves. Critics have always looked down their noses at his films and it didn't help that his long films were often cut to ribbons for cinema and TV. Like Kubrick he understood that film is primarily a visual medium and you don't need acres of dialogue to set the scene when you can do it with one or two clever shots. Never afraid to let the camera linger. And linger...I like that. But...this is not as good a film as Once Upon a Time in America, even if it does have the admittedly handsome Ms Cardinale in it ;)
Funny that. But on Once upon a time the American one was my favourite Leone film but the West overtook it in my estimation a while ago for some reason out with Claudia:) ...I think it might have been the hope portrayed in the west(unrealised admittedly) in comparison to the drearier yet more beautifully shot America. Not much in it, or the gbu for that matter. And I've yet to mention Duck ya sucker/ fistful of dynamite/once upon a time in the revolution coming soon to a cinema near me:lol:
Those blue eyes...
Who'da thunk he'd a been a murderous villain!
Mr Fonda's idea to do that...so Im told. :)
In memory of Dickie Attenborough, tonight's offering will be his first screen role, Noel Coward's In Which We Serve(1942). Written by Noel and directed by David Lean(his first) and starring Coward himself, Celia Johnson(her screen debut), John Mills(reputedly, his role was written in by his friend Coward to give Mills a job), Bernard Miles, and in a fairly minor role Richard Attenborough(his first too). his part, although small was important to the story and he played it superbly. needless to say he went on to make over 70 films and collected 2 oscars.
Lean got the job on a recommendation of Mills, who thought him to be the best editor he knew. John Mills character in the film had a baby(well his wife did) :lol: that was played by his daughter Juliet.
When dive bombers fire on the survivors clinging to a life raft, the effect of the strafing fire hitting the water was achieved by blowing gusts of air into submerged condoms. These would then float to surface after the director had shouted cut.
Tragically, Chief electrician Jock Dymore was killed by an exposion while setting up an explosion effect. Coward, who was a close friend of churchill spared no one on the set and sacked William Hartnell on the first day for being late. He also built a full-size replica of a destroyer to represent HMS Torrin in the Denham Studios outside London.
During filming, stories would continually appear in the Daily Express, ridiculing the production. The paper's proprietor, Lord Beaverbrook, couldn't understand how an effete actor like Noel Coward could possibly portray a Mountbatten-type character. Coward got his own back by including a shot of one of the paper's more infamous headlines from 1939, proclaiming "No War This Year".
will be watching the digitally remastered Carlton version which is in decent nick. The film originally was dedicated to the Royal Navy, "whereon under the good providence of God, the wealth, safety and strength of the Kingdom chiefly depend." , but tonight it is dedicated to Dickie, and I hope he is watching.;)
Spectral Morn
25-08-2014, 18:22
In memory of Dickie Attenborough, tonight's offering will be his first screen role, Noel Coward's In Which We Serve(1942). Written by Noel and directed by David Lean(his first) and starring Coward himself, Celia Johnson(her screen debut), John Mills(reputedly, his role was written in by his friend Coward to give Mills a job), Bernard Miles, and in a fairly minor role Richard Attenborough(his first too). his part, although small was important to the story and he played it superbly. needless to say he went on to make over 70 films and collected 2 oscars.
Lean got the job on a recommendation of Mills, who thought him to be the best editor he knew. John Mills character in the film had a baby(well his wife did) :lol: that was played by his daughter Juliet.
When dive bombers fire on the survivors clinging to a life raft, the effect of the strafing fire hitting the water was achieved by blowing gusts of air into submerged condoms. These would then float to surface after the director had shouted cut.
Tragically, Chief electrician Jock Dymore was killed by an exposion while setting up an explosion effect. Coward, who was a close friend of churchill spared no one on the set and sacked William Hartnell on the first day for being late. He also built a full-size replica of a destroyer to represent HMS Torrin in the Denham Studios outside London.
During filming, stories would continually appear in the Daily Express, ridiculing the production. The paper's proprietor, Lord Beaverbrook, couldn't understand how an effete actor like Noel Coward could possibly portray a Mountbatten-type character. Coward got his own back by including a shot of one of the paper's more infamous headlines from 1939, proclaiming "No War This Year".
will be watching the digitally remastered Carlton version which is in decent nick. The film originally was dedicated to the Royal Navy, "whereon under the good providence of God, the wealth, safety and strength of the Kingdom chiefly depend." , but tonight it is dedicated to Dickie, and I hope he is watching.;)
Must say Grant I am really enjoying reading your posts.
This is one of my favourite war time war films and one of the finest made, and along with Das Boat and the Cruel Sea one of the finest naval war films. Great choice Grant.
Regards Neil
Great film, and top performances from all tbh, with The Captains speech at the end a grand finale and stiff upper lip moment. Kathleen Harrison (from Mrs Thursday fame) stealing the show with her telegram scene...fabulous spot of acting and very realistic. Always liked her cockney style, even though she was from Lancashire I believe.
The film won a number of awards beating the likes of Casablanca,; in fact the only people that didn't like it was the Admiralty who nicknamed it In Which We Sink:eyebrows:
Must say Grant I am really enjoying reading your posts.
This is one of my favourite war time war films and one of the finest made, and along with Das Boat and the Cruel Sea one of the finest naval war films. Great choice Grant.
Regards Neil
Thanks Neil; glad you enjoy it.:eek:
The Eagle Has Landed. Classic men on a mission effort from 1976 and sort of a quasi-remake of Went The Day Well. The twist is the men on the mission are Germans attempting to kidnap Churchill. Lots of good actors at the height of their powers including a young Jenny Agutter...
I've seen this a few times before over the years. It's interesting how of the actors playing the Germans Michael Caine and Anthony Quayle opt for a 'BBC' English accent, Donald Pleasance (as Himmler) goes for North London bus conductor with occasional lapses into a comic book German accent, and Robert Duval plumps for the full comic book German accent.
Still a good film though.
Great flm Martin...Everyone plays their roles well, and Sutherland as the Irish rebel with a slightly soft heart is milked for all its worth. Michael Caine was supposed to play this role but declined and chose the German Steiner.
I never knew that. He did audition for the part of Hook in 'Zulu' but they had pretty much already cast it but as he was leaving they asked him if he could do a 'posh' accent. He could and got the role of Bromhead which made him a major star.
He did audition for the part of Hook in 'Zulu' but they had pretty much already cast it but as he was leaving they asked him if he could do a 'posh' accent. He could and got the role of Bromhead which made him a major star.
Ah, Touche !! :eyebrows: Just as well or the film would 've been the worse for it...and we wouldn't have had "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!!" :lol:
Tonight its comedy and mayhem as Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis take to skirts in "Some Like it Hot" directed by Billy Wilder and featuring a pregnant and troublesome Marilyn Monroe, George Raft playing "Spats Colombo" and the show being stolen by Joe E Brown as "Osgood Fielding III".
Jerry Lewis was originally offered Lemmon's roe but turned it down as he did not want to dress as a woman; Lemmon used to send him chocolates every year as a thank you!
Marilyn Monroe required 47 takes to get "It's me, Sugar" correct, instead saying either "Sugar, it's me" or "It's Sugar, me". After take 30, Billy Wilder had the line written on a blackboard. Another scene required Monroe to rummage through some drawers and say "Where's the bourbon?" After 40 takes of her saying "Where's the whiskey?", 'Where's the bottle?", or "Where's the bonbon?", Wilder pasted the correct line in one of the drawers. After Monroe became confused about which drawer contained the line, Wilder had it pasted in every drawer. Fifty-nine takes were required for this scene and when she finally does say it, she has her back to the camera, leading some to wonder if Wilder finally gave up and had it dubbed. Almost all the publicity pics of her were of body doubles with her head inserted later(sorry folks)....and supposedly when Orry-Kelly, who did Monroes gowns, was measuring all three stars for dresses, he half-jokingly told Marilyn Monroe, "Tony Curtis has a nicer butt than you," at which point Monroe pulled open her blouse and said, "Yeah, but he doesn't have tits like these!":lol:
One of the few American movies ever given a "Condemned" rating by the Roman Catholic Legion of Decency.(Psycho and Sparticus are 2 others I can remember) and Kansas state banned it explaining that cross dressing was too much for Kansans(poor delicate souls):eek:
Tonight at the Movies is James Fenimore's Last of the Mohicans directed by Michael Mann (1992) and starring Daniel Day Lewis as Hawkeye, Russell Means as Chingachgook and Madeleine Stowe as Cora Munro. Mostly shot at George Vanderbilt's North Carolina estate, Lewis spent months living in the wilderness, living off the land to prepare for the role(as is his bent).
Hawkeye's real name in the novel is Natty Bumppo, but was changed to Nathaniel Poe for the film for obvious reasons :lol: and the rifle he carries is an authentic Pennsylvania long rifle with beautifully carved "tiger" maple stocks.(fabulous craftmanship).
Some excellent music composed by Randy Edelman and Trevor Jones make this a delight to listen to as well....I think Clannad did the finale as well.
a nice extra, story was as many long nights were spent filming the siege scenes, and due to the expansive area involved, loudspeakers were installed around the battlefield and fort so directions could be easily given to the hundreds of cast and crew. One night after many long hours, Mann was heard to shout over the speakers, "What's that orange light? Turn out that orange light!" After a pause another voice came over the speakers stating, "That's the SUN, Michael.":doh:
Really enjoyed that.....the bombardment of the stockade was superb, as are the fight scenes. Those gunstock battle clubs are/were awesome things.
Currently The Simpsons series 4. One of the best, and when Simpsons' meant something...even got the Yamaha soundbar giving me the full treatment.
Currently The Simpsons series 4. One of the best, and when Simpsons' meant something...even got the Yamaha soundbar giving me the full treatment.
Ah, Golden Age Simpsons, not the ersatz rubbish they churn out now. I think my personal favourite, The Krusty Comeback Special, is in that series.
Think it is Martin. Near the end I think so probably disc 4. I don't watch the newer stuff but have the first 13 series. Alas even the last 3 of those are a bit patchy but have enough decent stuff to warrant buying. Currently on another crusty classic...camp crusty. Down Tijuana way!
The Simpsons Movie was originally going to be a longer version of the 'Camp Krusty' episode.
I never knew that. Quite like the movie now, though it took a while to grow on me.
I'm not keen on the movie at all, but I did expect it to be a huge dissapointment.
In any case South Park and Family Guy have long since replaced the Simpsons in my affections.
Tonight's big movie is the Gene Wilder/Mel Brooks collaboration, Young Frankenstein(1974) starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Khan, Teri Garr, Peter Boyle as the monster and of course the irrepressible Marty Feldman as Igor.
Gene Wilder's favourite film(of his own), he had numerous struggles with Mel Brooks to get it to the box office the way it is today. Originally Columbia pictures were to be the makers but balked at the thought of making a B&W film, so off Mel went to Fox and Alan Ladd Jr who was more than happy to make it. The original cut was nearly 3 hours and was in both Mel and Gene's words, Terrible...recut with all the bad jokes removed(the ones no one laughed at) it is now a masterpiece and one of my alltime favourite comedies.
When Mel Brooks was preparing the film he found that Ken Strickfaden, who had made the elaborate electrical machinery for the lab sequences in the Universal Frankenstein films, was still alive in the Los Angeles area. He visited Strickfaden and found that he had saved all the equipment and had it stored in his garage. Brooks made a deal to rent the equipment for his film and gave him screen credits. He had not got any in the original Frankenstein films(nice touch I thought).
The Blind Man's parting line "I was gonna make espresso" was not in the script, but was ad-libbed by Gene Hackman during shooting. This is the reason for the immediate fade to black as the crew immediately erupted into fits of laughter. Hackman was uncredited when the movie was originally released in theatres.
Apparently Aerosmith's "walk this way" was due directly to them watching the film. The song was a big hit and helped the group cement their place in Rock history....unfortunately:eyebrows:
Love the Madeline's singing in the scenes with both the monster, then Gene as the monster....real class that:lol: Teri Garr was originally to play that role but fortunately hey got it the right way round and the rest is comedy.
You "Puttin' on the Ritz" tonight Grant? :)
Tonight's big movie is the Gene Wilder/Mel Brooks collaboration, Young Frankenstein(1974) starring Gene Wilder, Madeline Khan, Teri Garr, Peter Boyle as the monster and of course the irrepressible Marty Feldman as Igor.
Gene Wilder's favourite film(of his own), he had numerous struggles with Mel Brooks to get it to the box office the way it is today. Originally Columbia pictures were to be the makers but balked at the thought of making a B&W film, so off Mel went to Fox and Alan Ladd Jr who was more than happy to make it. The original cut was nearly 3 hours and was in both Mel and Gene's words, Terrible...recut with all the bad jokes removed(the ones no one laughed at) it is now a masterpiece and one of my alltime favourite comedies.
When Mel Brooks was preparing the film he found that Ken Strickfaden, who had made the elaborate electrical machinery for the lab sequences in the Universal Frankenstein films, was still alive in the Los Angeles area. He visited Strickfaden and found that he had saved all the equipment and had it stored in his garage. Brooks made a deal to rent the equipment for his film and gave him screen credits. He had not got any in the original Frankenstein films(nice touch I thought).
The Blind Man's parting line "I was gonna make espresso" was not in the script, but was ad-libbed by Gene Hackman during shooting. This is the reason for the immediate fade to black as the crew immediately erupted into fits of laughter. Hackman was uncredited when the movie was originally released in theatres.
Apparently Aerosmith's "walk this way" was due directly to them watching the film. The song was a big hit and helped the group cement their place in Rock history....unfortunately:eyebrows:
Love the Madeline's singing in the scenes with both the monster, then Gene as the monster....real class that:lol: Teri Garr was originally to play that role but fortunately hey got it the right way round and the rest is comedy.
"I thought your hump was on the other side"
"Hump? What hump?"
You "Puttin' on the Ritz" tonight Grant? :D
"Puiinin on da reeez!
"Hump? What hump?" :lol:
I ain't got no body, and nobody cares for me. Yakka tak ta a yakka tak ta ha!
one of those special films that has it all, and people remember quotes, songs etc from...stood the test of time too:D
now on to Carry on Cleo......Luv me carry-ons.......the old sets for the blockbuster Cleopatra were used for this when they were abandoned...Sid James is also wearing the suit Richard Burton wore.
Arab eh? I believe they are intense lovers....naturally, they do everything in tents.:lol::lol:
Currently watching Hobson's Choice (1954) ..John Mills, Brenda De Banzie and Charles Laughton...class act
FRIDAY night at the Movies will be the Director's 1997 cut of DAS BOOT written as a novel by Lothar G. Buchheim and directed by Wolfgang Petersen. Running at 200 minutes(51 mins longer than the standard but still shorter than the original mini series), this is the best and most manageable version available, and has the best picture and sound. Starring Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer(who's look of terror at times is marvellous), Hubertus Bengsch and my favourite, Erwin Leder as Johann.
One of the crew, Jan Fedder(playing Pilgrim) was swept off the bridge during a shot and broke ribs and had concussion. Petersen on hearing a colleague shout man overboard, shouted, GREAT IDEA, unaware that it was not a stunt thought up on the spur of the moment.The part was kept though and Fedder was brought on a stretcher to the filming every day from hospital to play an edited role in his bunk. His pain was apparently real.
The Uboat models built for this film were also used on the RAIDERS of the lost ark film. Petersen filmed in the models without removing the side to produce the claustrophobic feeling that runs through the film(a brilliant idea and it really worked).The film was thus filmed silent and the dialogue added due to noise.
The full scale model was just a shell and sunk in a storm, breaking in two. It was later recovered and repaired for the final sequences.
The bombing of the ship at the end had some footage supplied from the Battle of Britain film added.
The film was nominated for 6 oscars(the most any foreign language film had achieved) but won none if my recollection is correct.I remember watching the mini series when broadcast(I think on bbc2) with my brother and being glued to the screen.
Spectral Morn
29-08-2014, 18:11
FRIDAY night at the Movies will be the Director's 1997 cut of DAS BOOT written as a novel by Lothar G. Buchheim and directed by Wolfgang Petersen. Running at 200 minutes(51 mins longer than the standard but still shorter than the original mini series), this is the best and most manageable version available, and has the best picture and sound. Starring Jurgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer(who's look of terror at times is marvellous), Hubertus Bengsch and my favourite, Erwin Leder as Johann.
One of the crew, Jan Fedder(playing Pilgrim) was swept off the bridge during a shot and broke ribs and had concussion. Petersen on hearing a colleague shout man overboard, shouted, GREAT IDEA, unaware that it was not a stunt thought up on the spur of the moment.The part was kept though and Fedder was brought on a stretcher to the filming every day from hospital to play an edited role in his bunk. His pain was apparently real.
The Uboat models built for this film were also used on the RAIDERS of the lost ark film. Petersen filmed in the models without removing the side to produce the claustrophobic feeling that runs through the film(a brilliant idea and it really worked).The film was thus filmed silent and the dialogue added due to noise.
The full scale model was just a shell and sunk in a storm, breaking in two. It was later recovered and repaired for the final sequences.
The bombing of the ship at the end had some footage supplied from the Battle of Britain film added.
The film was nominated for 6 oscars(the most any foreign language film had achieved) but won none if my recollection is correct.I remember watching the mini series when broadcast(I think on bbc2) with my brother and being glued to the screen.
Fabulous film and mini series. I was looking at the Blu ray earlier, I might stick it on later tonight.
Regards Neil
Absolute gem of a film....It's a long way to Tipperary, it's a long way to go.....or in this case La Spezia.:rolleyes:
now onto Ice Age 2.. the meltdown......one of my guilty secrets :eyebrows:
Canetoad
30-08-2014, 01:47
I have a DVD copy of this. Herbert Grönemeyer's music is pretty good too. I was introduced to him by my wife who is German. :)
AGAIN!!!!??? :)
Yep! I watch the first 3 all the time..best films of their type ever...:eek:
The music is very good Bernie. Very atmospheric ..some of the best soundtracks sometimes are not noticed, but take it away and the film dies.
Tonight we are taking a comedic look at a POW camp , and the getting back to Blighty, of a VERY IMPORTANT PERSON(1961); namely James Robertson Justice, a Scientific Boffin that accidentially got sucked out of a bomber over Germany and Winston Churchill wants back at any cost.
Directed by Ken Annakin of The Battle of the Bulge fame(and also did Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines)..... and also starring a who's who of British comedy, it is one of the most stellar casts possible in a comedy drama and VIP delivers comedic gold by the spadeful.
John Le Mesurier, Richard Wattis, Eric Sykes, Leslie Phillips, Stanley Baxterand Jeremy Lloyd, who went into writing shows like Are you Being Served and Allo Allo.
Stanley Baxter plays the dual roles of prisoner Jock Everett and Kommondant Stamfel. his wonderful reply to Stamfel's line calling him an "English Swine" was "Scottish Swine" :lol:
James Robertson Justice was a tremendous linguist and spoke, among others, fluent German, and ad libbed a line in German to antagonise the Commandant, which translates as " You can kiss my arse, you filthy Nazi " . This, if known would never have been allowed, by either the director/studios, or got past the censors mindful of insulting Germans etc. Justice was on safe ground as no one spoke any German and he got away with his bit of revenge. JRJ always claimed to be Scottish, but he wasn't (Born and died in London actually).
This is one of the last of the great British comedies before the world changed, and it is as fresh today as it ever was. If you get the chance to watch it again, DO!!:eyebrows:
walpurgis
30-08-2014, 18:14
Yes, good old film.
Really enjoyed that...JRJ, Stanley and Leslie made a few films if memory serves....vaguely remember one with a car and a daughter. not sure if Philips was in it or not..
anyways, now watching Ice age 3. Dawn of the dinosaurs ....did say I'm and addict:lol:
vaguely remember one with a car and a daughter. not sure if Philips was in it or not..
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055977/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Thanks Roy. Thats the one.....the fast lady..aint seen it in years.....I wonder if Amazon has it at a good price?
Talking of cars in films remember this one?
http://www.austin-eight.com/Movies/1939%20Austin%20Eight%20in%20School%20for%20Scound rels,%20Movie,%201960-530.jpg
walpurgis
30-08-2014, 21:56
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055977/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
I remember that too. Wasn't Terry (Absolute Shower) Thomas the dodgy car dealer?
He was great in so many films. 'Too Many Crooks' and 'School for Scoundrels', etc.
(just thinking. It could have been Dennis Price)
I found it and beside it was another one with the 3 ...A father came too....dont remember as much about this one but must have seen it....it has a young Ronnie Barker in it.
I remember that too. Wasn't Terry (Absolute Shower) Thomas the dodgy car dealer?
He was great in so many films. 'Too Many Crooks' and 'School for Scoundrels', etc.
(just thinking. It could have been Dennis Price)
Terry Thomas wasn't in the Fast Lady but was in the film I posted the still from (& Dennis Price & Peter Jones were the car dealers - painting treads on tyres)
Terry Thomas wasn't in the Fast Lady but was in the film I posted the still from (& Dennis Price & Peter Jones were the car dealers - painting treads on tyres)
That was school for scoundrels...Used to have that one. was it Ian Carmichael that turned the tables on Thomas? a Tennis game springs to mind.
got one on my hard drive to watch at moment actually with the three principles I think in it...Crooks anonymous.
That was school for scoundrels...Used to have that one. was it Ian Carmichael that turned the tables on Thomas? a Tennis game springs to mind.
Indeed it was. Would like to watch that now, wonder if I could find that video tape?
YgN9KpbyICo
walpurgis
30-08-2014, 22:20
They don't make 'em like that any more. Great stuff!
'The Horse's Mouth', 'Passport to Pimlico', 'The Mouse That Roared', 'Heavens Above', 'I'm Alright Jack', etc.
By the way 'The Man in The White Suit' was on the box today.
I like the more serious sixties b&w films too. 'The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner', 'The 'L' Shaped room', 'This Sporting Life', 'Saturday Night & Sunday Morning' and so many more.
They don't make 'em like that any more. Great stuff!
'The Horse's Mouth', 'Passport to Pimlico', 'The Mouse That Roared', 'Heavens Above', 'I'm Alright Jack', etc.
By the way 'The Man in The White Suit' was on the box today.
I like the more serious sixties b&w films too. 'The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner', 'The 'L' Shaped room', 'This Sporting Life', 'Saturday Night & Sunday Morning' and so many more.
I recently got the restored version of Kind Hearts and Coronets. Alec Guinness played 8 roles and co starred Dennis Price and Valerie Hobson...might watch that tomorrow actually. think they restored Pimlico as well but not got it yet. It featured Les Norman and his Bethnal Green Bambinos....lol... if memory serves it was a pun on the name of the producer.
walpurgis
30-08-2014, 22:49
I recently got the restored version of Kind Hearts and Coronets. Alec Guinness played 8 roles and co starred Dennis Price and Valerie Hobson...might watch that tomorrow actually. think they restored Pimlico as well but not got it yet. It featured Les Norman and his Bethnal Green Bambinos....lol... if memory serves it was a pun on the name of the producer.
Kind Hearts and Coronets was a masterpiece. Absolutely brilliant and clever, loved the ending and Joan Greenwood was so pretty when she was young.
She was nice...Liked her in Whisky Galore....that voice, I can hear right now......
decided to watch Crooks anon....Stanley Baxter was such a talent and Wilfrid Hyde-White, he always looked the same, no matter the film. Must have been born that age.:eyebrows:
That was school for scoundrels...Used to have that one. was it Ian Carmichael that turned the tables on Thomas? a Tennis game springs to mind.
You can get it on DVD, I've got a copy. There is a whole Ealing series. I've got 'In The Dead Of Night' too, which is well worth having. The real star of School for Scoundrels is Alistair Sim who teaches the Carmichael character all of the 'tricks' he needs to overcome cads like Thomas and get the girl. Only things don't quite work out as planned. Sim was a genius comic actor, brilliant in everything he is in. He adopted George Cole who was an orphan living on the streets and raised him as his own. If you watch Cole's performances in shows like Minder it is uncanny how much of Sim there is in him even though they were not blood relations. He even resembles him physically and in 'A Christmas Carol' with Sim as Scrooge, Cole plays the part of Scrooge as a younger man.
walpurgis
31-08-2014, 09:51
I've got 'In The Dead Of Night' too, which is well worth having.
Michael Redgrave's depiction of the possessed puppeteer, with his monstrous 'Hugo' was unbelievably good. Really made the hair on the back of your neck stand up!
'Night of the Demon' was another hugely atmospheric and brilliantly done horror movie of its time. Niall McGuiness was great as the baddie. The whole film is nicely creepy.
Yes both of those films are all the better for being in black and white, too. They knew how to do creepy back then, horror on a psychological level instead of the hack and slash, blood and gore that is the modern version of the genre.
walpurgis
31-08-2014, 10:39
Look what I found. Redgrave 'finishing off' Hugo. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86v2N-GffQM
Didn't work with my tablet..is that the one with the ventriloquist ?, if it is that was creepy!
walpurgis
31-08-2014, 11:02
Yes.
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