Recently viewed movie thread - Rental Edition (3 Viewers)

[Time Kibitzer]

Vertigo

This is supposed to be the best film ever made? Yikes. I get that the movie has a lot going on so the story isn't everything, but that plot is so inconceivable I'd pretty much disqualify it from any 'best of' list on principle. I also thought the film was disserviced by having the climax happen so early, made the last third of the film drag imo.

All in all it was still OK, but it was definitely my least favourite Hitchcock film I've seen, not that I've seen all that many. I'd say his masterpiece came 4 years earlier in Rear Window.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Vertigo

This is supposed to be the best film ever made? Yikes. I get that the movie has a lot going on so the story isn't everything, but that plot is so inconceivable I'd pretty much disqualify it from any 'best of' list on principle. I also thought the film was disserviced by having the climax happen so early, made the last third of the film drag imo.

All in all it was still OK, but it was definitely my least favourite Hitchcock film I've seen, not that I've seen all that many. I'd say his masterpiece came 4 years earlier in Rear Window.

Haven't seen this in many years. I remember thinking that Shadow of a Doubt was a better film.

 

[El Floppo]

RIP PSH

Ever since I first saw it, Ive thought PSH's best performance (and probably my favorite) was in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. It would now seem like in that role, he was more or less playing himself than in any other of his roles.

Brilliant actor. Loved him. My favorite roles were Owning Mahoney and Boogie Nights.

Not sure I have a favorite but I thought he was hilarious in Charlie Wilson's War.

The truly special thing about him was his range, he was convincing in virtually any role.

I got to see him on broadway in True West (with John C Reilly)... just amazing. Totally agree about how he completely transformed into whatever character he became.

But wow... that was a lot of junk for one guy.

 

[hxperson]

RIP PSH

Ever since I first saw it, Ive thought PSH's best performance (and probably my favorite) was in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. It would now seem like in that role, he was more or less playing himself than in any other of his roles.

Brilliant actor. Loved him. My favorite roles were Owning Mahoney and Boogie Nights.

Not sure I have a favorite but I thought he was hilarious in Charlie Wilson's War.

The truly special thing about him was his range, he was convincing in virtually any role.

I got to see him on broadway in True West (with John C Reilly)... just amazing. Totally agree about how he completely transformed into whatever character he became.

But wow... that was a lot of junk for one guy.

(that's what she said)

 

[snogger]

RIP PSH

Ever since I first saw it, Ive thought PSH's best performance (and probably my favorite) was in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead. It would now seem like in that role, he was more or less playing himself than in any other of his roles.

Brilliant actor. Loved him. My favorite roles were Owning Mahoney and Boogie Nights.

Not sure I have a favorite but I thought he was hilarious in Charlie Wilson's War.

The truly special thing about him was his range, he was convincing in virtually any role.

Really enjoyed him in "Before the knows you're dead" ..

 

[cstu]

Vertigo

This is supposed to be the best film ever made? Yikes. I get that the movie has a lot going on so the story isn't everything, but that plot is so inconceivable I'd pretty much disqualify it from any 'best of' list on principle. I also thought the film was disserviced by having the climax happen so early, made the last third of the film drag imo.

All in all it was still OK, but it was definitely my least favourite Hitchcock film I've seen, not that I've seen all that many. I'd say his masterpiece came 4 years earlier in Rear Window.

Haven't seen this in many years. I remember thinking that Shadow of a Doubt was a better film.

Vertigo is technically a great film, but story did nothing for me.

I prefer all of his movies below to Vertigo.

Hitchcock films rated 8+ on IMDB:

Psycho

Rear Window

North by Northwest

Vertigo

Rebecca

Notorious

Dial M for Murder

Strangers on a Train

Rope

The Lady Vanishes

Shadow of a Doubt

 

[snogger]

Vertigo

This is supposed to be the best film ever made? Yikes. I get that the movie has a lot going on so the story isn't everything, but that plot is so inconceivable I'd pretty much disqualify it from any 'best of' list on principle. I also thought the film was disserviced by having the climax happen so early, made the last third of the film drag imo.

All in all it was still OK, but it was definitely my least favourite Hitchcock film I've seen, not that I've seen all that many. I'd say his masterpiece came 4 years earlier in Rear Window.

Haven't seen this in many years. I remember thinking that Shadow of a Doubt was a better film.

Vertigo is technically a great film, but story did nothing for me.

I prefer all of his movies below to Vertigo.

Hitchcock films rated 8+ on IMDB:

Psycho

Rear Window

North by Northwest

Vertigo

Rebecca

Notorious

Dial M for Murder

Strangers on a Train

Rope

The Lady Vanishes

Shadow of a Doubt

Not sure why, maybe because I was late to the game on watching it so knew the "surprise", but Psycho never held any staying power with me

Love:

Rear Window

North by Northwest

Dial M for Murder

Strangers on a Train

and enjoyed Vertigo enough that I'll re-watch it from time to time but not one of my favorites.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Field of Dreams

Wow. I'll try to be nice here, because I assume a lot of people love this movie. This just is not good. Corny writing, an uneven tone, and scenes that really don't work at all. Costner movies generally don't hold up well. I liked Dances With Wolves 24 years ago, but it didn't age well. Dreams and Bull Durham are two very overrated movies.

watched it a few years ago and really disliked that experience.

 

[Daywalker]

Great BS Report with William Goldman.

Goldman is 82 years old. One of the coolest guys I've ever listened too. Can't believe I didn't know more about him before listening to this. 82 and as sharp as anyone, moreso.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman talk. A lot on Hollywood. Goldman did screenplay for Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, All the President's Men and novels for Marathon Man and Princess Bride. What a treat. A must for a movie buff.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/grantland/player?id=10403954

 

[Daywalker]

Am I the only one puzzled by the glut of Kevin Costner movies pounding us? It's like they are trying to strike Liam Neeson-gold.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Field of Dreams

Wow. I'll try to be nice here, because I assume a lot of people love this movie. This just is not good. Corny writing, an uneven tone, and scenes that really don't work at all. Costner movies generally don't hold up well. I liked Dances With Wolves 24 years ago, but it didn't age well. Dreams and Bull Durham are two very overrated movies.

watched it a few years ago and really disliked that experience.

Just look at this one scene. It's a microcosm for the movie: the ghosts of dead baseball players are showing up on Costner's property, and he comments, "This is interesting." Really? That's the way the script wants to convey a sense of awe and wonder? Terrible.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Am I the only one puzzled by the glut of Kevin Costner movies pounding us? It's like they are trying to strike Liam Neeson-gold.

I want to see the new Jack Ryan movie. I wonder if it's good.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Day of the Dolphin

Did Mike Nichols really make a suspense movie about talking dolphins? Did Buck Henry really write a screenplay with dialogue for dolphins? Did George C. Scott and Paul Sorvino really think this was a good idea? Actually, weird as this movie is, it works. While the movie was likely meant for adults in 1973, it would work well with young teens. Hard to compare this movie to anything I've ever seen, but it's worth a rental.

 

[Copeman]

I enjoy Kevin Costner movies. What's everyones issue with the guy?

 

[Copeman]

Escape Plan

Sylvester and Arnold. Nuff said. Seriously, it wasn't the greatest, nor the worst ever. It's about what you would expect. Decent action, acting on the level that these types of movies with these guys usually give you. Worth a cheap rental/watch on a cold miserable night I guess.

2.5/5

 

[IC FBGCav]

I enjoy Kevin Costner movies. What's everyones issue with the guy?

I think he did great work in the Big Chill. He should take more of those roles, he really excels there.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

I enjoy Kevin Costner movies. What's everyones issue with the guy?

He's likable but very limited in his acting range.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Watched Bad Grandpa last night.

Yes, its raunchy but had some hilarious moments, including the best fart joke in movie history.

 

[Copeman]

I enjoy Kevin Costner movies. What's everyones issue with the guy?

He's likable but very limited in his acting range.

A couple of his westerns and a couple of his baseball movies are some of the best of those genre.

 

[Chaka]

Day of the Dolphin

Did Mike Nichols really make a suspense movie about talking dolphins? Did Buck Henry really write a screenplay with dialogue for dolphins? Did George C. Scott and Paul Sorvino really think this was a good idea? Actually, weird as this movie is, it works. While the movie was likely meant for adults in 1973, it would work well with young teens. Hard to compare this movie to anything I've ever seen, but it's worth a rental.

One could also ask "Did jdoggydogg really watch Day of the Dolphin?"

However if Buch Henry is writing then I am instantly intrigued.

 

[Chaka]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

cant think of many movies of his that I really like. maybe Bull Durham and Tin Cup?

 

[Chaka]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

cant think of many movies of his that I really like. maybe Bull Durham and Tin Cup?

Not surprised but you seem to have more negative than positive reviews on movies in general. Although not liking Fandango or No Way Out is surprising to me (and Silverado is about as fun of a western as I think I have seen).

Tin Cup certainly had moments and might be worth a repeat viewing for me.

 

[Chaka]

BTW I was not trying to be insulting KP just an observation that you seem to be a tough movie critic. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[James Daulton]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

While far from high art, I find Waterworld an enjoyable action flick. Didn't like The Postman though. Actually, looking at imdb, his resume is real solid.

 

[Chaka]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

While far from high art, I find Waterworld an enjoyable action flick. Didn't like The Postman though.

I enjoy Waterworld as a campy action film with a lot of unintentional humor, and I will gladly watch it through that lens. However I also know that it was intended to be a Hollywood blockbuster wrapped around a thoughtful meditation about the dangers of over consumption of fossil fuels. And when viewed through that lens it is a laughably awful film.

 

[Copeman]

I liked The Postman. In fact, I can't think of one Costner movie I didn't like. Maybe I have a mancrush.

 

[joffer]

Bull Durham is much better than Field of Dreams

 

[Bogart]

I think if the price tags for Waterworld and The Postman are never made public knowledge, Costner takes lots of less heat than he does. The PR around those two movies destroyed him.

 

[Chaka]

I think if the price tags for Waterworld and The Postman are never made public knowledge, Costner takes lots of less heat than he does. The PR around those two movies destroyed him.

I kind of agree. Although reading some of the trivia from the IMDB on Waterworld makes it seem like Costner may not be too pleasant to work with as well.

 

[Chaka]

Some of the IMDB trivia about Waterworld is pretty interesting.

Kevin Costner was put up, at a cost of $4,500 a night, in an oceanfront villa with a butler, chef, and his own private swimming pool. In contrast, crew members were forced to live in uninsulated condominiums that were subject to temperature swings of up to 50 degrees. This inequity of accommodations contributed to on-set hostility and low morale.It is rumored that director Kevin Reynolds and Kevin Costner had a huge squabble over the film, resulting in Reynolds walking off the project and left Costner to finish it. Reynolds was quoted as saying that "Kevin should only star in movies he directs. That way he can work with his favorite actor and favorite director".

Kevin Costner insisted that his friend Kevin Reynolds be given the director's position, or he would quit. Later, Costner had a falling out with Reynolds over the film's direction.

Kevin Costner personally invested $22 million of his own money into the film.

The script underwent 36 different drafts which involved six different writers.

Joss Whedon flew out to the set to do last minute rewrites on the script. He later described it as "seven weeks of hell".

Gene Hackman, James Caan and Gary Oldman all turned down the role of the Deacon.

Samuel L. Jackson turned down the role of Deacon in order to be in Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995).

Gary Busey and Laurence Fishburne also turned down the part of the Deacon.

Widely considered to be one of the biggest box-office bombs of all time. Although it grossed $255 million from a $175 million production budget, this does not factor in marketing and distribution costs, or the percentage of the gross that theaters keep (which is up to 45% of a film's box office takings). The film came to be nicknamed "Kevin's Gate" after Heaven's Gate (1980) and "Fishtar", after Ishtar (1987), two previous mega bombs.

Fishtar

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

That's a good list. Be sure to add Open Range which is one of the best Westerns in the past decade or so.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Day of the Dolphin

Did Mike Nichols really make a suspense movie about talking dolphins? Did Buck Henry really write a screenplay with dialogue for dolphins? Did George C. Scott and Paul Sorvino really think this was a good idea? Actually, weird as this movie is, it works. While the movie was likely meant for adults in 1973, it would work well with young teens. Hard to compare this movie to anything I've ever seen, but it's worth a rental.

One could also ask "Did jdoggydogg really watch Day of the Dolphin?"

However if Buch Henry is writing then I am instantly intrigued.

The wife saw it as a kid and liked it, so we rented it for the boy.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

I love The Untouchables. Can't beat Brian DePalma.

Just saying that some of Costner's other films aged very poorly.

 

[Chaka]

Yeah I never got the disdain for Costner.

Fandango, Silverado, American Flyers, The Untouchables, No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances With Wolves are all really enjoyable films (they may not be high art but they are entertaining) he did between '85-'90, after that it becomes significantly more spotty until Hatfields & McCoys which I thought was top notch.

Good for him getting another shot at being a leading man.

I love The Untouchables. Can't beat Brian DePalma.

Just saying that some of Costner's other films aged very poorly.

I hear that a lot in reference to Dances With Wolves but I just don't see it. Field of Dreams, I guess, but I think the intent was always to be more saccharine over substance. I also think people always held that one in far too high esteem, it's enjoyable but people used to talk about it as if it held the keys to life.

 

[Chaka]

Fandango and Silverado hold up perfectly. I wish Costner had taken more roles as irreverent characters but he went into this stoic mode that is definitely a bit one note.

No Way Out is still excellent too.

 

[jdoggydogg]

No Way Out is still excellent too.

I remember liking that quite a bit.

 

[KarmaPolice]

BTW I was not trying to be insulting KP just an observation that you seem to be a tough movie critic. Nothing wrong with that.

No problem, I realize I come off as a negative old fart a bit. honestly, it is not my intention. I do love movies, and they consume most of my free time. I would be curious to see, but I still feel my scores are mostly average or above, even if i do tend to point out things that didn't work for me. probably should work on that- could see how that would be grating.

I am sure part of my problem with Costners resume is that westerns might be my least favorite genre to watch. did like untouchables, and would also add JFK to my list as well.

 

[simey]

I enjoy Kevin Costner movies. What's everyones issue with the guy?

I like some of his movies, especially Fandango and A Perfect World.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I enjoy Kevin Costner movies. What's everyones issue with the guy?

I like some of his movies, especially Fandango and A Perfect World.

Dammit, forgot about perfect world too. guess I like more of his movies than I thought..

 

[Papa Georgio]

Just finished Spike Jonze's short titled "I'm Here". It's only 30 min long and worth your time. It's hard to say too much about it since it is so compact but it is loosely based on the book The Giving Tree. Its a simple and delightful movie (not sure how else to describe it).

 

[jdoggydogg]

Just finished Spike Jonze's short titled "I'm Here". It's only 30 min long and worth your time. It's hard to say too much about it since it is so compact but it is loosely based on the book The Giving Tree. Its a simple and delightful movie (not sure how else to describe it).

Where did you see it? I tried to add it to my Netflix queue but it's not available.

 

[Daywalker]

Tin Cup is a classic IMO. Just an entertaining/funny pic. Not easy.

 

[Daywalker]

Spectacular Now:

Very good coming-of-age movie where a partier meets up with the quiet girl over the summer. A lot of my love for the movie had to do with the performance of the lead actress - hard not to fall for her and want her to be happy. My main knock on the movie was kind of what I had with Perks of Being a Wallflower - seems like they knew what the target age of the movie might be and seemed to back off a couple hard issues that the characters were dealing with. There are some serious issues touched on, but felt they were glossed over in the end. Still a good movie. 7/10

I actually like how they didn't try to comment on the alcohol issues. Thought the restraint worked. The scenes with K. Chandler were great.

Also loved the way the way they dealt with the ex-girlfriend. Avoided all the cliches.

The lead actor Miles Teller is going to be a big star.

It's not a must watch but I enjoyed the refreshing tone.

6/10

 

[jdoggydogg]

Extras on the set of SPARTACUS (circa 1959) with their assigned numbers in case Stanley Kubrick needed to address one individual while working with the entire group

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Bull Durham is much better than Field of Dreams

This is correct.

 

[NCCommish]

Day of the Dolphin

Did Mike Nichols really make a suspense movie about talking dolphins? Did Buck Henry really write a screenplay with dialogue for dolphins? Did George C. Scott and Paul Sorvino really think this was a good idea? Actually, weird as this movie is, it works. While the movie was likely meant for adults in 1973, it would work well with young teens. Hard to compare this movie to anything I've ever seen, but it's worth a rental.

One could also ask "Did jdoggydogg really watch Day of the Dolphin?"

However if Buch Henry is writing then I am instantly intrigued.

I liked this movie but I haven't seen it in a long time.

 

[NCCommish]

No Way Out is still excellent too.

I remember liking that quite a bit.

Good film

 

[El Floppo]

Extras on the set of SPARTACUS (circa 1959) with their assigned numbers in case Stanley Kubrick needed to address one individual while working with the entire group

rules.

 

[jdoggydogg]

Interesting:

RoboCop: wanted for serious crimes against cinema

José Padilha's remake, like 2012's Total Recall and the planned Starship Troopers reboot, don't just miss the point of Paul Verhoeven's films. They embody the very things he satirised