The Man With No Name
Footballguy
Yeah, I saw that this year. Not great, but decent.
Filmed when skydiving wasn't very well known about.
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FBG Movie Club: We're Getting the Band Back Together: Metallica vs Nina Simone Movie Docs (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Ilov80s
- Start date
Filmed when skydiving wasn't very well known about.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I just saw that as well and sounds like I liked more than you guys. The skydiving scenes were really done well and Hackman + Lancaster was fantastic. They could have use a better actor for the 3rd diver though. He got totally washed away by how great Gene and Burt were.
Eephus
Footballguy
The skydiving sequences were excellent but I didn't find the earthbound story to be that interesting. The late 60s-early 70s was a period of transition for Hollywood (although maybe not in the Gospel according to Quentin); The Gypsy Moths seemed firmly planted in the Sixties in its style and attitude.
saintfool
Dead sexy
for me, Hackman's Harry Caul is all fear, paranoia, and repressed emotion. he can't reconcile his own feelings about himself - much less how he feels about the rest of the world - because of his craft. he's so frightened by people, including himself, that he hides and simply observes. those little authentic moments he gets caught up in - the prospect of lovers in the park, meeting the good time girl at the tradeshow, his vanity about his skills in his craft - all kind of betray him time after time. he's so private, so scared that he can't trust anyone; let alone himself. The scene at the end, for me, is just perfect. It captures the character perfectly, tragically in the end.
Coppola's does some of his best work both as a writer and director here in assembling a kind of Jenga-ish puzzle of a story. it's just superb.
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Ilov80s
Footballguy
Yeah it wasn’t the best film for sure but for a movie I had never heard of and that was a total flop, I liked it. I do see how the earthbound plot was early Hollywood and out of step with the transition. Also I think OUATIH is very much about that transitioning of Hollywood- perhaps with regret that it did change.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
With all the Gene talk, I am firing up The Conversation tonight...I I forgot this movie also had the great Walter Murch (sound) and Dean Tavoularis(production design) involved. What an incredible cast in front of the camera and behind. This might be THE movie of the 70s. Not necesarily the best, but just so representative of 70s movies, 70s themes and full of so many people who made 70s films great.
saintfool
Dead sexy
Ilov80s
Footballguy
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
I watched The Conversation and enjoyed it quite a bit. I do have a few things to mention which I will wait for as they are spoilerish.
It's funny how a little thing in a movie can sometimes really distract me. The coat that Gene Hackman wore throughout this film was driving me crazy. I believe it was meant to look like a trench coat but several times I could see right through it and it was fairly obvious how unsubstantial the coat was. It looked like it was made from the same material as an emergency poncho you would bring on a hiking trip in case of rain. I found myself wondering if this was due to budget or was that a cool coat in the early 70s?
Anyway other than that I liked this lick. I was pleasantly surprised that a young Cindy Williams was in this. She was one of my boyhood crushes when she was on Laverne and Shirley.
It's funny how a little thing in a movie can sometimes really distract me. The coat that Gene Hackman wore throughout this film was driving me crazy. I believe it was meant to look like a trench coat but several times I could see right through it and it was fairly obvious how unsubstantial the coat was. It looked like it was made from the same material as an emergency poncho you would bring on a hiking trip in case of rain. I found myself wondering if this was due to budget or was that a cool coat in the early 70s?
Anyway other than that I liked this lick. I was pleasantly surprised that a young Cindy Williams was in this. She was one of my boyhood crushes when she was on Laverne and Shirley.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Were you high while watching this?I watched The Conversation and enjoyed it quite a bit. I do have a few things to mention which I will wait for as they are spoilerish.
It's funny how a little thing in a movie can sometimes really distract me. The coat that Gene Hackman wore throughout this film was driving me crazy. I believe it was meant to look like a trench coat but several times I could see right through it and it was fairly obvious how unsubstantial the coat was. It looked like it was made from the same material as an emergency poncho you would bring on a hiking trip in case of rain. I found myself wondering if this was due to budget or was that a cool coat in the early 70s?
Anyway other than that I liked this lick. I was pleasantly surprised that a young Cindy Williams was in this. She was one of my boyhood crushes when she was on Laverne and Shirley.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
The emergency rain slicker? I believe that was a deliberately uncool garment the filmmakers had Cawl wear as a comic way to point out that their protagonist would never be caught unawares by San Francisco weather, no matter how conspicuously ridiculous it made him look.I watched The Conversation and enjoyed it quite a bit. I do have a few things to mention which I will wait for as they are spoilerish.
It's funny how a little thing in a movie can sometimes really distract me. The coat that Gene Hackman wore throughout this film was driving me crazy. I believe it was meant to look like a trench coat but several times I could see right through it and it was fairly obvious how unsubstantial the coat was. It looked like it was made from the same material as an emergency poncho you would bring on a hiking trip in case of rain. I found myself wondering if this was due to budget or was that a cool coat in the early 70s?
Anyway other than that I liked this lick. I was pleasantly surprised that a young Cindy Williams was in this. She was one of my boyhood crushes when she was on Laverne and Shirley.
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prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
prosopis
Arizona Chupacabra
saintfool
Dead sexy
Hackman's character is named Harry Caul. A "caul" is a thin translucent protective membrane than can cover a newborn baby's head. The slicker Harry wears is a translucent protective layer. Directors like FFC don't make choices like that without a reason.prosopis said:I watched The Conversation and enjoyed it quite a bit. I do have a few things to mention which I will wait for as they are spoilerish.
It's funny how a little thing in a movie can sometimes really distract me. The coat that Gene Hackman wore throughout this film was driving me crazy. I believe it was meant to look like a trench coat but several times I could see right through it and it was fairly obvious how unsubstantial the coat was. It looked like it was made from the same material as an emergency poncho you would bring on a hiking trip in case of rain. I found myself wondering if this was due to budget or was that a cool coat in the early 70s?
Anyway other than that I liked this lick. I was pleasantly surprised that a young Cindy Williams was in this. She was one of my boyhood crushes when she was on Laverne and Shirley.
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KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Just made me think of one of the first times I got high in a long time a few years ago, watched Ghostbusters, and was obsessed with how red S.Weaver's hair looked. That's all.prosopis said:
Ilov80s
Footballguy
I don’t mind the pace but I can see how it’s jarring next to modern movies. I think The Conversation has to be slow- most of the movie is in his head: paranoia, worry, debating whether to get involved or not get involved, etc. A cautious man slowly breaking down his guard and realIzing that all his efforts to shelter himself were futile.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
hmmmm. this revelation actually syncs with the 'movie aint about what you think it's about' theory i'm dropping on y'all the twelf
saintfool
Dead sexy
"Enemy of the State" is a lively analog to "The Conversation". It's a fun riff on the theme and features Hackman in a similar role.
wikkidpissah
Footballguy
impatience is not a virtue
Eephus
Footballguy
I watched The Conversation last night in bed. A lot of movies lose something when viewed on an iPad and headphones but this one didn't. The headphones really made me appreciate the artistry of sound editor Walter Murch. There's an incredible amount of detail in the audio track without the bombast of most modern productions.
I think I've seen the film four or five times. This was definitely the most intimate viewing but a couple of others were more memorable. We took the kids to see an outdoor showing in Union Square the late 2000s. It was metacool to watch the movie in the same location where the most important scene was shot but traffic noise drowned out some of the more quiet parts. I also attended a screening with Francis Coppola in Madison, WI in 1980. He was in town to direct a multimedia campaign rally for Jerry Brown. It did not go well at all. But a couple of days prior, he screened his personal print of the movie in a high school auditorium on the West side. He talked about what he was going to do at the rally, showed the movie and took a few audience questions. I don't remember anything he said other than the questions weren't very good and Coppola answered them with torrents of words.
I think I've seen the film four or five times. This was definitely the most intimate viewing but a couple of others were more memorable. We took the kids to see an outdoor showing in Union Square the late 2000s. It was metacool to watch the movie in the same location where the most important scene was shot but traffic noise drowned out some of the more quiet parts. I also attended a screening with Francis Coppola in Madison, WI in 1980. He was in town to direct a multimedia campaign rally for Jerry Brown. It did not go well at all. But a couple of days prior, he screened his personal print of the movie in a high school auditorium on the West side. He talked about what he was going to do at the rally, showed the movie and took a few audience questions. I don't remember anything he said other than the questions weren't very good and Coppola answered them with torrents of words.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Was reading a bit about The Lives of Others and found out all the spy machinery they used were actual Stasi equipment borrowed from a museum (unlike Tarantino they treated it well). The prop master was imprisoned the Stasi and thus wanted complete authenticity. Also the movie set the German Film Awards record with 11 nominations. Quite an impressive feat from a debut director.
rockaction
Footballguy
Heh. I haven't watched either and sort of can't see myself sitting down to do this. These movies seem right up my alley, too.
*sighs*
I hope I can muster up the wherewithal. Sounds like a great discussion to be had.
*sighs*
I hope I can muster up the wherewithal. Sounds like a great discussion to be had.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
whoknew
Footballguy
While we are waiting for spoilers, I've seen the following German movies in my life. I really liked all of them. Except for the first one - don't remember that.
- Das Boot - saw it years ago. Far too many years ago to remember.
- Lives of Others - Discussed here.
- Run Lola Run - Edge of your seat, non-stop energy. Really fun movie.
- Goodbye Lenin - Really funny movie. Highly recommend if you've not seen it.
- The Counterfeiters - Very, very good movie and a cool story.
- Schultze Gets the Blues - Maybe my favorite German movie that I've seen. I'm sure its not the highest rated, but it just really resonated with me. Loved it.
krista4
Footballguy
Interesting, as I've seen everything you named except the one you said might be your favorite. Hmmmm, must watch!
I can't do a "[country] movie" thing since I watch so much foreign, but I'm wondering...you have never seen what is actually (probably) my favorite movie of all, Wings of Desire?
whoknew
Footballguy
krista4
Footballguy
Please watch!! There is a "sequel" (used loosely), which I like but isn't nearly the same.
I don't know a lot about your taste in movies. It's not a lot of action! It's a meditation, gorgeously done.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
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wikkidpissah
Footballguy
Echoing that Wings & Downfall are the two biggies not on this list (RIP Herr Ganz)whoknew said:
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wikkidpissah
Footballguy
It leaves a lot of people flat but, if it catches you at the right time, Wings of Desire will become part of your heart. Just dont rave too much around here iF it does or certain FFA cinephiles will swamp you with New German Cinema from the 70s and then you're done for...
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Hopefully I get to finish it. On family vacation now and got through the 1st hour of LoO this morning. Will try to get the rest watched tonight or tomorrow.
Loving it so far..
Loving it so far..
Ilov80s
Footballguy
That rain coat stole the showJust finished The Conversation and liked it more than i thought I would. First thing Mrs. O commented on was Gene Hackman’s vinyl semi-transparent trench coat/raincoat/modified poncho. Lol. Admittedly, I kept fixating on it throughout the film.
Also, why didn’t you think you were going to like it?
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Osaurus
Footballguy
I thought I was going into this like last month where I watched The Magnificent 7 first and then Hateful 8 second and ranked them in that order. I thought a lot about similarities and contrasts between this month’s movies whereas last month I did not so that says a lot. Great pair. I’m hopeful every month is like this.
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Ilov80s
Footballguy
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
I guess depends what you are hopeful about - you liking both movies or there will be a connecting theme. Not trying to burst bubbles, just being honest - that's not going to happen for either case, but we are trying our best and putting thought into it.
Maybe I am speaking too much for him, but I think @Ilov80s would say similar. We are trying our best to get pairings that have a connection, BUT mostly having movies we think could produce an interesting discussion will trump that. Also, the connection could be themed, but it could be something more like: movies from the same director, Oscar winners, etc. Keep in mind we are trying to keep our selections to the main streaming options: Prime, NF, and Hulu and I will try to refrain from going on a rant about those services.
We have also said that we are open to suggestions. This is about movie geeks wanting to talk about movies with other movie geeks. Yes, we have threads about what we have watched, but it's more fun to watch the same thing. If we get through a few months of this and the discussion is better when we have certain connections (ie themed ones work best), we will revisit and try to steer more in that direction. However, I think to do that we might need to have a talk about if people are willing to spend a little more to do this: either rent a movie through Prime/Vudu or add a channel like the Criterion streaming.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Just got lucky since neither of us had seen LoO. Honestly, I thought we were coming out too soon with the foreign selection.
I am interested to read if there are people in here that normally shy away from the foreign movies, but tried it for this.
Osaurus
Footballguy
I was thinking more along the lines of quality. June’s pair were okay, but July’s film caliber was on another level imo.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Gotcha. For sure we can't guarantee that. Part of this is pushing us to watch new stuff, so we wont always know what we are getting into. I can say there probably wont be a Michael Bay pairing or anything like that.
