Orbiter 9. Wonderful movie (originally in Spanish) and a superb soundtrack. Available on Netflix.
Vivarium (2019)
A couple find themselves trapped in what should be an idyllic suburban home. Perfect movie for quarantine 
I didn’t enjoy the movie when I watched it, but in retrospect, I think it’s good film. I know that’s a funny thing to say, but the reasons I say that are:
- It’s stylistically very original and this helps to keep you unsettled throughout.
- I kept thinking about it for days after. After reading an interview with the director, the story made a lot more sense. I’ve put a “heads up” in a spoiler box below; the heads up is not a spoiler but I know some people might prefer not to even hear that.
[spoiler]
- The cuckoo at the start of the movie is easy to forget, but actually is the theme of the movie. Keep this in mind.
- The director wanted to make a film based on modern fears; we don’t fear monsters any more, what do we fear?[/spoiler]
Detective Heart of America: The Final Freedom (2015). It’s available free on YouTube. Do not turn it off after the first few minutes because it is too stupid. You must open your mind and embrace the stupidity to appreciate this awesome masterpiece.
2018, sci-fi thriller on Netflix. If I answered the above I think I’d ruin it for people.
I caught *Freaks *too. I thought it was pretty well done. I was pretty damn confused for most of the movie, but I think that was by design. They did a nice job wrapping everything up.
Last night I watched a completely underrated movie starring Robin Williams and Walter Matthau - The Survivors (1983). A completely coked up Williams plays a recently fired yuppie who breaks down goes full on survivalist. Matthau is his sad sack friend met through circumstance. Jerry Reed is that circumstance, having robbed them in a diner. There’s a silly little plot where Jack (Jerry Reed) figures out where Don (Williams) and Sonny (Matthau) live so there ends up being a stand off at a survivalist camp where the leader is not who he seems. So, yeah, there’s nothing really original here, nor compelling, outside of every line being delivered masterfully … a lot of it is in your face but much of it is subtle and the whole thing cracks me up. It’s free on PlutoTV right now.
Sitnam, what are you talking about? Are you saying that there is a movie called 2018 that fits your description? I can’t find it. Are you saying that there is a movie that came out in 2018 that fits your description? A lot of movies came out in 2018. What are you talking about? I don’t know of any movie that resembles Freaks.
FYI, when most people mention a film named Freaks, they are thinking of a 1932 film directed by Tod Browning.
Sitnam, what are you talking about? Are you saying that there is a movie called 2018 that fits your description? I can’t find it. Are you saying that there is a movie that came out in 2018 that fits your description? A lot of movies came out in 2018. What are you talking about? I don’t know of any movie that resembles Freaks.
No, I wasn’t asking about the 1932 Tod Browning film Freaks. Of course I know that film. I’ve seen it. I was asking about Sitnam’s post #1426 in which he said that the same topic had been overdone in the current decade. I was asking which film he was talking about.
Sorry about the duplication in the last post.
He’s is talking about the 2018 sci-fi movie called Freaks.
(Seriously, was it *that *hard? It’s the first result for “Freaks” that comes up at IMDB.)
I caught that film in the theater and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked it! You’re right, it’s one that is better to go in not knowing the plot.
O.K., I understand now. It would have helped if Sitnam had simply said in post #1426 that he wasn’t talking about the 1932 film (which is the one that anybody who has been seeing films for a long time would immediately think of) but about one from 2018 that hasn’t actually been seen by that many people. The 2018 one only grossed $335,050 worldwide. I haven’t seen it and can’t comment on it.
Sorry it didn’t do anything for you. My favorite Miyazaki film is Laputa: Castle in the Sky - an exciting, fast-paced, quasi-steampunk adventure with lots of laughs and a nice dash of romance. Check it out - you may like it better than Spirited Away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cos8fmZraIE
My latest five:
Antony and Cleopatra
A filmed National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s play, with Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo as the doomed lovers. Great cast and interesting modern staging (including a pirate submarine!), but it dragged a bit at times.
Terminator 2
Still a sf action masterpiece, and one of Ahnuld’s all-time best movies, I’d say.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Another favorite; I was glad to introduce my youngest son to it. Great stuff and an amazing cinematic achievement, despite a few nitpicks that I won’t inflict on you.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Ditto on all counts, although the first is my favorite of the trilogy.
Quiz Show
Fifties TV’s greatest scandal breaks as a rigged game show is exposed. A fine cast (John Turturro is the standout, as an ill-used contestant who decides to get revenge), sharp dialogue and impressive period costumes, cars, sets, etc.
Regarding that last movie, Herb Stempel, who was played by John Turturro in Quiz Show, died about two months ago, although his obituary didn’t appear in The New York Times until Monday this week.
Speaking of Quiz Show, Herb Stempel only died recently and Charles Van Doren only died a year ago.
That was my exact thought watching that movie. Volume=/=good acting.
I also recently saw Vast of Night on Amazon. Interesting movie, more for the director’s skill than the acting or plot. I did almost turn it off in the first few minutes because of the lead actor trying to talk with a cigarette in his mouth when it was obvious this was not something he ever did. Couldn’t enunciate.
First time director who looks like he’ll eventually be very good. There’s a truly great tracking shot that goes almost 5 minutes.
Watched Salt of the Earth the other night, the 1954 dramatization of the 1951 zinc mine strike in New Mexico that went on for many months. When the men were out of options, the women stepped in and took over the picket line. A lot of unknown and never seen again actors, with the exception of a younger Will Geer as the sheriff. He’s one of those actors like Walter Brennan who always seemed old.
I watched She over the weekend, the 1965 version with Ursula Andress. It was about what I’d expected, although somewhat boobier. (still PG)
I think they could have cut some time out of the trek through the desert, the dance scene, and some of the battles, maybe adding in some more creepiness. Decent though, and with some good bits for the MST3K treatment.
I also watched a lot of Ready Player One, which was pretty to look at, but couldn’t get to the end.
I was underwhelmed, despite the amazing visuals, but did finish it.
Recently watched Horse Girl on Netflix. Like most people probably I watched it because of Alison Brie, who plays the lead. I can’t in good faith recommend it, but still I’m glad I finished the movie (took me a few tries). Only watch it if you feel that you might like this kind of thing. It’s rather slow-moving.
It’s about a girl leading a rather lonely, disconnected life, who seems to lose her grip on reality. It’s very much focusing on feelings, with a few elements of sci-fi/horror atmosphere thrown in. Don’t watch it if you want action or clear plot, rather go in for experiencing what it is like to be, or getting closer to, a person such as the principal character. The first few minutes give you a good feel of the general tenor of the movie.
Just watched Ready or Not (2019) on HBO. The first horror movie that I’ve enjoyed in a long time, probably because it’s also campy and fun. Highly recommended.