We just got in from the cinema, after seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen.
Even after forty years, and innumerable viewings, it still holds up.
Next week, it’ll be Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, then a trip to the Melbourne IMAX the following weekend for the OT Star Wars marathon*, and then on the weekend after that we’ll see Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
I feel like we should be getting some sort of medal for geeking out above and beyond the call of normalcy.
*Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi
That brings back memories. When I lived in Salt Lake City they had a Science Fiction Film Festival at the Hansen Planetarium that featured a marathon of all three Star Wars films (all that there were at the time), followed by an Indiana Jones “marathon” of both films (Last Crusade hadn’t come out yet). It was hosted by Orson Scott Card and the film critic from the Salt Lake Trib.
Now theaters are closing down around us, although the Mendon Drive-In is having winter shows. They’ve got Wonder Woman 84 and Aquaman on one screen, The Thing and Halloween at another.
I wholeheartedly agree. One of my all-time favorite movies. A few summers ago I saw it screened outdoors with the score performed live by the local orchestra - just a wonderful experience.
Really liked this movie except for the final closure. A small town tight-knit Church-going community where everything seems tranquil has a dark past. Ten years earlier a serial killer tortured and killed numerous women and has not been brought to justice. This secret is about to be revisited in a shocking turn of events.
This was really gripping because unlike many serial killer movies there is practically no blood or gore. It is more of an unravelling of identity crisis as the protagonist uncovers evidence that shakes his world and the killer who has been hiding in plain sight has a scapegoat who he can easily pass the blame too should it occur. From there the movie becomes a case of who blinks first as impulses of fantasy vs reality kick in. This was all superbly done but ending was underwhelming because it was the only time in the film where it made no sense logically.
Daddy Day Care: A movie with fun moments that explores the shifting roles of parent hood. It is not ground breaking in anyway, but it was not meant to be.
Grand Daddy Care: Another fun movie which explores what has become to a certain extent, the unwanted older population. It came out in 2019 and given the current Pandemic, although it is played for laughs it does show the value that our parents and grand parents can have.
The original is better than the tangentially related sequel, but both are ones you can enjoy watch with your family.
Yesterday, I watched The Little Things, a crime drama starring Rami Malek and Denzel Washington, on HBO Max. It was OK; but that sort of film isn’t my favorite. I probably would not have paid to see it in the theaters.
And now I’m watching The Dig, on Netflix, starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, about the discovery of the Sutton Hoo treasure, just prior to the Second World War. This one I might have paid to see in the theaters.
I 100% agree about the Clovehitch Killer. Great movie, ending was a huge letdown. They probably discussed multiple ways the final confrontation and resolution could play out, but they ended up choosing one that did not work for the movie.
We watched this one this weekend as well. Tremendously acted and well-written - I was fascinated by both subject matter and storytelling in it. I highly recommend it.
The Golden Turkey (that’s how they introduced it) The Conqueror was on TCM last night. Watched it for the scenery. Every bit as bad as advertised. Even Cecil roasted it in an article in the way-back. I can check that off the list now, Ja-MOO-guh.
Let us revel in the romance!
Guy marries girl after knowing her for one day.
Guy meets girls parents, insults them and burns down their house, skips town.
Parents get marriage annulled.
As soon as guy is home, he reconnects with girlfriend, says nothing about the marriage a mere week earlier.
Guy gets cryptic letter from maternity hospital on the eve of his wedding, leaves to visit said hospital, leaving bride to be alone on her freakin wedding day.
Sees former bride, says he never stopped loving her, then steals the baby she just delivered.
Guy continues to prove hisself to be a moron by misunderstanding every baby book he reads while trying care for infant in a hotel room he cannot pay for.
Guy proposes marriage to hotel maid so that he can keep the bay. Tries to have Justice of the Peace marry them and is dismayed that he has to wait 3 days.
Then abandons fiancé for former bride who inexplicably wants him despite him being a doofus and a douchebag.
Finally, FINALLY, I got to sit down and watch The Last of the Mohicans (Daniel Day-Lewis/Madeleine Stowe). Beautifully photographed, action packed, marvelous acting, love story kept to a minimum. An hour and 54 minutes have never flown by so fast; I’m going to have to watch it again. Plus, I’ve been to one of the places they filmed the ending melee.
Calm with Horses ( Netflix) was pretty good. An Irish movie about an exboxer who works as a thug in a small town and tries to be a good father to his autistic son. The main character plays the strong silent type, but still manages to act the hell out of the role when it matters, which is no easy task for any actor.
I liked The Young Offenders and Bad Day for the Cutin the Irish-crime-drama category a bit more, but I’m glad I watched it.
