# Movies you've seen recently (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [September 29, 2014, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906 "2014-09-29T21:53:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 324
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6477 "2023-04-24T15:44:20Z")
_Petulia_ from 1968 with George C. Scott and Julie Christie (and a host of recognizable 60s actors). Started off with a bang – Big Brother and the Holding Company performing at a swank charity do. Heartbreakingly young Janis Joplin. At first, I didn’t think I was going to like it, but it pulled me in. You have to get beyond the somewhat offputting “kookiness” of Christie’s character, and then it becomes very sad. Directed by Richard Lester but not _A Hard’s Night_ at all. Lots of flash forwarding and flash backing, but not confusing. It might have been more confusing to a 60s audience, but the fragmentation of the storytelling emphasised the fragmentation of the characters’ lives. Sort of an _homage_ to anomie. Oh, and the Grateful Dead also make an appearance. It’s set in San Francisco and makes glorious use of the city. There’s a wonderful sequence where Scott is playing with his kids in Fort Point. It must have been before it was opened to the public, because it was atmospherically decrepit and rusty, and there was a glimpse of sign saying something like Military Personnel Only. I’m halfway through _Dead Ringer_ with Bette Davis and Karl Malden. Made only four years before _Petulia_ but it feels like 20 years earlier. Karl Malden is only about four years younger than Davis, but looks a lot younger. A bit klunky. But there’s a scene showing Figueroa and Temple where you can see a lot of construction cranes in the background. I was wondering if it was when they were building the Music Center. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6478 "2023-04-24T16:33:48Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > _Petulia_ from 1968 with George C. Scott and Julie Christie (and a host of recognizable 60s actors). Julie Christie is hearbreakingly beautiful in her early films (Darling, Dr. Zhivago, Petulia, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6479 "2023-04-24T16:49:07Z")
She was still gorgeous as an older woman. Just stunning in any time. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6480 "2023-04-24T22:21:47Z")
**First Love** Yes, I’ve been watching Takashi Miike’s movies a lot lately, not including Audition and Ichi the Killer. A disappointment. Nothing about this movie stands out as particularly memorable. Despite being a Takashi Miike movie, it feels almost 90% generic and none of his film-making uniqueness comes out in the final product. Mostly a dull plot, acting is minimally effective. Skip it. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6481 "2023-04-25T01:39:52Z")
Disney’s _The Black Hole_. Every so often I get the urge to rewatch it. The effects are terrible compared with today’s wizardry at times, and yet it’s still amazing (ok, the ending and the robot target game are weird and skippable). Worth seeing if you haven’t done it yet. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6482 "2023-04-25T02:08:21Z")
Granddaughter and I saw the Mario Bros. movie in IMAX. Me: “It was loud and colorful. I had to crank down the hearing aids twice during the movie. The villain was appropriately villainous. Good guys, team tactics, and resilience carried the day.” Did I mention it was loud? Granddaughter (age 10): “That was great.” (She was familiar with all the game action). Both: “The previews got progressively louder.” We guessed it was to prepare us for the actual movie. The dialogue was fine, not distorted, probably due to the IMAX setup. Rating (for youngsters) A For us old farts (leave the hearing aids off or behind) C ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6483 "2023-04-25T19:02:07Z")
_Marcel the Shell with Shoes On_. I’m a big fan of Jenny Slate. I’ve been aware of this character for a bit. Wasn’t really interested in seeing a movie based on the character. But the reviews finally got to me. A reasonably okay film. Some nice touches. The voice is indeed irritating to some extent. Oh, well. Story is more or less workable. Bonus Point: Isabella Rossellini. Something to watch when you don’t have anything better in the queue. Give it 3 tennis balls. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6484 "2023-04-25T23:16:58Z")
**The Equalizer** - (2014) Not recommended for the most part. 1. This movie mostly sucked. Boring, to be honest. 2. The final 30 minute showdown in the Home Depot was well done, though it has been done better. 3. This movie is apparently based on The Equalizer TV show, though I watched that as a kid and it was nothing like this. Didn’t that guy reach out to those in need and help them get justice? He did this…just barely…in the last 5 seconds of the movie. Anyway, Denzel Washington barely acted in this movie despite being the lead. Could have been any actor in Hollywood. Just said lines, emoted a bit, no real impact. I read he did this for the money and God bless him, good for him. I’d be in 10 Equalizer movies for the money he must have received for this. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2023, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6485 "2023-04-27T00:01:37Z")
**Scream 6** **Not really recommended, but not that bad.** **Me up to now:** Every Scream movie is crap except for the first one, which was OK. **Me now:** Ok, the 6th one is OK as well. An improvement on the previous sequels, but still not all that great. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2023, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6486 "2023-04-29T17:53:27Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Since Cocaine Bear is on Peacock now, Mrs. solost and I watched it last night to see what all the buzz (heh) was about. My opinion was pretty much ‘meh’. Just watched this. Literally every character in this movie except Keri Russell is a moron, and that was the only source of “comedy,” which is just lazy, shitty writing. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2023, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6487 "2023-04-29T18:23:39Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Just watched this. Literally every character in this movie except Keri Russell is a moron, and that was the only source of “comedy,” which is just lazy, shitty writing. Not that I had hugely high hopes, but this was a disappointment. Is Elizabeth Banks kind of a hack director? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6488 "2023-04-29T18:27:40Z")
Her directorial efforts include Charlie’s Angels and a segment of Movie 43, so I’m going to say yes, very much so. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6489 "2023-04-29T21:40:31Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Her directorial efforts include Charlie’s Angels and a segment of Movie 43, so I’m going to say yes, very much so. From the SF Chronicle review: “Cocaine Bear” was directed by American Conservatory Theater alum Elizabeth Banks, and it’s a rare thing to watch a movie that is this terrible and yet gives the impression that it would be fun to hang out with the director. “Cocaine Bear” isn’t funny, but the fact that Banks apparently _thinks_ it’s funny at least indicates a lively personality. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2023, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6490 "2023-04-29T22:08:29Z")
Her character in the Pitch Perfect series is quite fun, so that aligns. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6491 "2023-04-29T22:43:17Z")
She was pretty charming in _Zack and Miri Make a Porno_. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6492 "2023-04-30T02:49:59Z")
And as J. Jonah Jameson’s secretary in the early _Spider-Man_ movies. Mrowwwr. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6493 "2023-04-30T11:10:50Z")
_Sherlock Holmes and the Scarlet Claw._ Decent, but it wasn’t an original Holmes story and it shows. No wonder Rathbone got tired of playing him. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6494 "2023-04-30T12:23:18Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > She was pretty charming in _Zack and Miri Make a Porno_. > [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > And as J. Jonah Jameson’s secretary in the early _Spider-Man_ movies. Mrowwwr. Oh, she’s great as an actress. I liked her in the Hunger Games movies. My inquiry was strictly about her lack of directing success. I have not seen all her movies, but general consensus is that she is not great. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6495 "2023-04-30T14:20:23Z")
I don’t know if _Cocaine Bear_ was a poorly directed flick as much as it was a ridiculous premise. But my director rating skills aren’t particularly well developed. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2023, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906/6496 "2023-04-30T15:52:40Z")
Although I am a fan of Toni Collette I hadn’t seen her big breakthrough film _[Muriel’s Wedding](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110598/)_. Last night I corrected this omission. Yeah, it lives up to the hype and then some. Funny, sad, weird, etc. nicely mixed together. Rachel Griffiths was a hoot and a half, until, er., it wasn’t. The idea of Toni Collette as being kind of ugly was a bit hard to swallow. I bravely watched it without subs. It was fairly understandable except for the father and some of the “girlfriends”. Note that Abba music is used. A _lot_. And I am definitely not a fan. It worked fairly well for most of the movie but later on it got really annoying,. And in the feeling old department, the movie came out in 1994. That’s mumble, mumble years ago. Give it 4.5 Porpoise Spits. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906.md?page=323) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-1/699906.md?page=325)