Movie Talk
Okokokok said:
Un frosted with Jerry Seinfeld and Melissa McCarthy on Netflix if you want a laugh.
It had a nice review in the Times but looks dumb to me. What did you think?
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
It had a nice review in the Times but looks dumb to me. What did you think?
I thought it was very funny, I laughed through the whole movie, but again, it riffed on my generational culture.
I enjoyed Unfrosted it because it took me back to the joy of happening upon a box of Pop Tarts (Apple/Cinnamon or Strawberry) in the closet as a child and practicing self control by only eating a third of them. Never toasted them.
Also, I had no idea Marjorie Merriweather Post built Mar-a-Lago.
TC Boyle wrote about Kellog's weirdness in The Road to Wellville, which is a good book adapted into a bad movie. Unfrosted didn't really touch on his oddballery.
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
Last night, for no discernable reason, I decided to re-watch FLIGHT, with Denzel Washington. Aside from the fact that just about anything with Denzel Washington is worth re-watching, it's a very engaging film, full of dramatic, frightening and comic scenes. Kudos to John Goodman for his rather hysterical cameo. Melissa Leo, one of my favorite actors, also makes an appearance in a small but powerful role at the end. I'm not usually a fan of director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, a film I continue to loathe) but he doesn't go overboard on this one with effects, just some great airplane disaster action. And what comes next. Highly recommended for a weeknight amusement. On Prime.
Love the scene in Flight when Denzel struts out of the hotel room on his way to testify after the visit from Goodman. The walk is classic Denzel to Feelin' Alright.
I saw the newest Planet of the Apes epic last night: Kingdom of.
The design and look of the film are fabulous, although not a significant change from the prior movies. The plot is okay, if wholly illogical, but the action is top shelf. The makeup is phenomenal although sometimes it's hard to understand what the characters are saying underneath all that rubber. If you like this kind of thing, go see it.
dave said:
I enjoyed Unfrosted it because it took me back to the joy of happening upon a box of Pop Tarts (Apple/Cinnamon or Strawberry) in the closet as a child and practicing self control by only eating a third of them. Never toasted them.
Also, I had no idea Marjorie Merriweather Post built Mar-a-Lago.
TC Boyle wrote about Kellog's weirdness in The Road to Wellville, which is a good book adapted into a bad movie. Unfrosted didn't really touch on his oddballery.
There was a 5-minute story on NPR over the weekend where 2 "Pop Culture Happy Hour" reporters absolutely savaged this film.
I you're interested:
What 'Pop Culture Happy Hour' thinks of Jerry Seinfeld's Pop-Tart movie 'Unfrosted' : NPR
Excerpt:
THOMPSON: I wanted to touch on one of the things that bothered me about this film. We've talked about how many people in this film are not only good comic performers, but good actors. Jerry Seinfeld is many things, but he is not a good actor. And to have him sort of playing the, like, comedic lead in this film - oh, I just found him so stiff.
HOLMES: Yeah. I am prepared to say, despite the fact that I know how many people will disagree - but I do think, since "Seinfeld" ended, there's a lot of kind of talking about Jerry Seinfeld that's like, what a great scholar of comedy. And I feel like I'm constantly being asked to admire how much Jerry Seinfeld thinks about comedy. But in the end, the result, to me, is just not there other than the fact that he made one very successful sitcom and certainly had a style, like, in the '90s.
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
dave said:
I enjoyed Unfrosted it because it took me back to the joy of happening upon a box of Pop Tarts (Apple/Cinnamon or Strawberry) in the closet as a child and practicing self control by only eating a third of them. Never toasted them.
Also, I had no idea Marjorie Merriweather Post built Mar-a-Lago.
TC Boyle wrote about Kellog's weirdness in The Road to Wellville, which is a good book adapted into a bad movie. Unfrosted didn't really touch on his oddballery.
There was a 5-minute story on NPR over the weekend where 2 "Pop Culture Happy Hour" reporters absolutely savaged this film.
I you're interested:
What 'Pop Culture Happy Hour' thinks of Jerry Seinfeld's Pop-Tart movie 'Unfrosted' : NPR
Excerpt:
THOMPSON: I wanted to touch on one of the things that bothered me about this film. We've talked about how many people in this film are not only good comic performers, but good actors. Jerry Seinfeld is many things, but he is not a good actor. And to have him sort of playing the, like, comedic lead in this film - oh, I just found him so stiff.
HOLMES: Yeah. I am prepared to say, despite the fact that I know how many people will disagree - but I do think, since "Seinfeld" ended, there's a lot of kind of talking about Jerry Seinfeld that's like, what a great scholar of comedy. And I feel like I'm constantly being asked to admire how much Jerry Seinfeld thinks about comedy. But in the end, the result, to me, is just not there other than the fact that he made one very successful sitcom and certainly had a style, like, in the '90s.
I respect that review and think it's largely accurate. I also think people are probably being too demanding of a movie about Pop Tarts. I liked TC Boyle's novel about Kellog more, but not by that much.
drummerboy said:
Has anyone seen The Fall Guy?
Seeing it Tuesday morning in Montclair. Will Report!
rcarter31 said:
Seeing it Tuesday morning in Montclair. Will Report!
It's a romp! An homage to stunt people. Supposedly a love story/murder mystery all weak. Great string of stunts! Both in the "Movie "being made in this movie and this movie. Don't walkout on the credits as there is a wonderful cameo worth waiting for plus you get to see the real stunt people who did all the stunts. The first of it's two hours is slow, even with some great stunts! I paid $5.00 for my seat. I would not have paid $12!
rcarter31 said:
It's a romp! An homage to stunt people. Supposedly a love story/murder mystery all weak. Great string of stunts! Both in the "Movie "being made in this movie and this movie. Don't walkout on the credits as there is a wonderful cameo worth waiting for plus you get to see the real stunt people who did all the stunts. The first of it's two hours is slow, even with some great stunts! I paid $5.00 for my seat. I would not have paid $12!
Actually two famous cameos... Won't spoil!
Making Of THE FALL GUY - Best Of Behind The Scenes, Creating Stunts & Set Visit With Ryan Gosling
HBO is playing Iron Jawed Angels with Hillary Swank. The best film to cover the protests, jailing and force feeding of the women who protested which led to voting rights for women. Of course, African American women waited decades for the Voting Rights act to exercise their right to vote but the film touches on the topic with a woman demanding to participate in the march. Song by Lauryn Hill Everything is Everything is background music to the opening of the march in this clip. There truly was the woman on the horse in the original parade. I got to show the film to my students and brought in yellow roses for the girls to pin on the male students to support the vote. Love this film
Morganna said:
HBO is playing Iron Jawed Angels with Hillary Swank. The best film to cover the protests, jailing and force feeding of the women who protested which led to voting rights for women. Of course, African American women waited decades for the Voting Rights act to exercise their right to vote but the film touches on the topic with a woman demanding to participate in the march. Song by Lauryn Hill Everything is Everything is background music to the opening of the march in this clip. There truly was the woman on the horse in the original parade. I got to show the film to my students and brought in yellow roses for the girls to pin on the male students to support the vote. Love this film
was this4+ minute clip a preview of the HBO film? Or is this it?
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
was this4+ minute clip a preview of the HBO film? Or is this it?
A clip of the film. It was a 2004 film.
Watched "I Came By" on Netflix. Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) plays the bad guy. If you liked Little Reindeer, you might like this. That's all I'll say. It's a 1'50" film, not a series.
Creepy, yes. Let me know what you think.
The Fall Guy was a ton of fun! Saw it twice over last weekend (took advantage of the $20 rental). I really wish it hadn't been pulled from most theaters as it's definitely a big screen experience.
We also saw American Fiction on Amazon last night, which was smart, funny, and insightful. I'll pretty much watch anything Jeffrey Wright is in, and he's wonderful in this one.
After a long streak of movies I've raved about, last night we rented Drive-Away Dolls, Ethan Coen's comedy about two friends who happen to be lesbians, renting a drive-away car from Philly to Tallahassee without knowing what's in the trunk. It has all the ingredients of a funny, raunchy, running-from-the-mob comedy, and while it is raunchy in places, it's not really as funny as it could be. Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan are good in it, but the writing isn't punchy enough for me.
ridski said:
The Fall Guy was a ton of fun! Saw it twice over last weekend (took advantage of the $20 rental). I really wish it hadn't been pulled from most theaters as it's definitely a big screen experience.
Agreed. We got to see it a couple weeks ago at SOPAC. I thought it was a solid two hours of entertainment and worth the price of admisssion.
They are also doing screenings of older movies, some for specific anniversaries. Others just for fun. Right now they are working their way through the Studio Ghibli ouevre. But today we went for the 45th anniversary showing of The Muppet Movie. (Later this summer is Rear Window.) It was awesome to see the amazing cameos they had. I’m not sure you could do that nowadays.
The only complaint I had is they don’t seem to know how to handle different aspect ratios. It was kinda like watching a 4:3 ratio movie on a 16:9 screen. Everyone was a little stretched out.
Did not love the recent Dune movies. They're watchable, even beautiful in terms of production values, but they're so morose as to be boring at times. Heads and shoulders above the 80s version by David Lynch, which IMO is the worst big budget sci fi movie ever made, but not great.
For those who get the Movies! channel, tomorrow 6/4 is showing High Anxiety at 8 AM, followed by Young Frankenstein, two of Mel Brooks' classic comedies. Later at 3:40 watch The Cheap Detective, and next The In Laws, followed by a rarely shown classic, What's Up Doc.
Wednesday at 8 PM, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
I don't know of anyone who couldn't use a good laugh right now. These are among my favorites, not a disappointing film among them.
Morganna said:
For those who get the Movies! channel, tomorrow 6/4 is showing High Anxiety at 8 AM, followed by Young Frankenstein, two of Mel Brooks' classic comedies. Later at 3:40 watch The Cheap Detective, and next The In Laws, followed by a rarely shown classic, What's Up Doc.
Wednesday at 8 PM, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
I don't know of anyone who couldn't use a good laugh right now. These are among my favorites, not a disappointing film among them.
Young Frankenstein is probably his best movie.
I am a fan of WWII movies. This one has a strong connection to New Jersey! 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.
On Netflix:
Morganna said:
For those who get the Movies! channel, tomorrow 6/4 is showing High Anxiety at 8 AM, followed by Young Frankenstein, two of Mel Brooks' classic comedies. Later at 3:40 watch The Cheap Detective, and next The In Laws, followed by a rarely shown classic, What's Up Doc.
Wednesday at 8 PM, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
I don't know of anyone who couldn't use a good laugh right now. These are among my favorites, not a disappointing film among them.
A great nervous-homebuyer double feature: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and George Washington Slept Here.
What’s Up Doc and High Anxiety are two I remember laughing at as a young viewer during their original theater runs.
Fun list.
rcarter31 said:
I am a fan of WWII movies. This one has a strong connection to New Jersey! 70% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Interesting. I'm a fan of Viet Nam War movies (and books). Platoon, Coming Home, Apocalypse Now, Deer Hunter, Full Metal Jacket, etc. All fantastic.
One of my favorite books about that period is "A Prayer For Owen Meany." I'm not a huge John Irving fan but this is a Great American Novel.
Hasn't been much to see on this topic the last few years.
DaveSchmidt said:
A great nervous-homebuyer double feature: Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and George Washington Slept Here.
What’s Up Doc and High Anxiety are two I remember laughing at as a young viewer during their original theater runs.
Fun list.
And add a more recent nervous home buyer film, The Money Pit with Tom Hanks.
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
Interesting. I'm a fan of Viet Nam War movies (and books). Platoon, Coming Home, Apocalypse Now, Deer Hunter, Full Metal Jacket, etc. All fantastic.
One of my favorite books about that period is "A Prayer For Owen Meany." I'm not a huge John Irving fan but this is a Great American Novel.
Hasn't been much to see on this topic the last few years.
Love those films as well, and unfortunately, Coming Home is rarely shown.
The_Soulful_Mr_T said:
Interesting. I'm a fan of Viet Nam War movies (and books). Platoon, Coming Home, Apocalypse Now, Deer Hunter, Full Metal Jacket, etc. All fantastic.
One of my favorite books about that period is "A Prayer For Owen Meany." I'm not a huge John Irving fan but this is a Great American Novel.
Hasn't been much to see on this topic the last few years.
Have you seen Hamburger Hill? Came out around the same time as Platoon and FMJ, and not quite as good as either, but I really digged it at the time.
Un frosted with Jerry Seinfeld and Melissa McCarthy on Netflix if you want a laugh.