# Movies you've seen recently (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [August 27, 2024, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288 "2024-08-27T05:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/381 "2024-10-21T17:18:00Z")
**Dream Scenario** , Recommended I love love love the premise. Nicolas Cage’s character starts appearing in other people’s dreams. At first he’s just lurking in the background observing, and when the phenomenon goes viral because it’s happening to a lot of people, everyone is amused by it. Then it turns ugly when, in the dreams, he starts attacking the dreamers and doing unspeakable things to them even though in real life he’s obviously harmless, even to the point where he’s largely ineffectual in sticking up for himself. So if you want some kind of commentary or “meaning,” there’s stuff about the “fifteen minutes of fame” thing. And I think Nic is great in it. But I have a feeling that it leaves something on the table, so to speak, in exploiting the premise as fully as it might, mainly in terms of the final act. I’m not sure how or why or what is is that’s missing. Just a vague feeling that there could have been just a little more of something. Maybe that’s just my expectations messing me up, though. **Halloween** , Recommended John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, starring Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut. This one, I think, has achieved a status that pretty much has it standing outside of anything someone in a forum like this might say about it, if for no other reason than its influence. In any case, I will, in this forum, say it’s a good watch during the run-up to Halloween, which was why I brought it to the screen in my living room last night. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2024, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/382 "2024-10-21T17:53:19Z")
**Woman of the Hour** about Rodney Alcala’s appearance on the Dating Game (with some minor artistic license taken). Previous iterations of feminists have held that a culture of casual misogyny encourages men who are inclined to rape women. This logic squares with lived experience. Anna Kendrick, as a fourth wave feminist, holds all men responsible for those men inclined to murder women. If that might reduce or eliminate the murder of women, it’s a logical fiction worth carrying. But perhaps monsters, both men and women, comprise their own species; unconstrained by any cultural norms. And why was it necessary to change Jim Lange’s name? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/383 "2024-10-22T08:47:06Z")
**The Apprentice** If you just aren’t getting enough Trump in your daily life, this is the film for you. The crux of the film is the relationship between Trump and his mentor Roy Cohn from beginning to end, and how it shaped him. Note that this is neither a parody nor satire, and if you know anything about his life and what has been reported by friends, family and others there is little in this film that will surprise you. Despite the claims of Trump’s more ardent supporters, it has no need to be a hit piece - merely presenting the reality suffices. That said, despite Sebastian Stan’s spot-on performance (which if anything is understated, and one can see so many of the little tics developing that modern-day Trump has), it’s Jeremy Strong’s Roy Cohn that is the mesmerizing figure in the film. Strong’s dead-eyed fixer (but self-professed patriot) really drives this film, and every scene with him in it crackles. Sadly, the scenes when he’s not there feel a bit limp, although that is no slur against Stan. Strong really ought to be an Oscar contender here. Maria Bakalova does a similarly sterling job as Ivana, although very much a supporting player in this Trump-Cohn story. One comes away with the understanding that she was a driven and ambitious businesswoman herself, but one with more humanity than her husband. (And it’s best not to think about how she ended up - it will just make the whole thing even sadder). And Martin Donovan does a pretty good Fred Trump Sr too. Again: if you know anything about Trump’s life, this is unlikely to tell you anything new. But it does fit all the pieces together into a narrative that explains quite a lot about the man he is today. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/384 "2024-10-23T15:34:06Z")
The Firm 1993, with Tom Cruise, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Hal Holbrook, Holly Hunter etc. Great cast. It starts slowly, I like the chemistry between Cruise and Tripplehorn. They’re so excited when he lands the big job at the Firm. The optimistic hope for their future. His well paying career is assured. Gradually Cruise discovers the truth. It’s an unusual role for Tom. I’ve watched it several times since it came out. It’s on Paramount+. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/385 "2024-10-23T15:37:54Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Maria Bakalova does a similarly sterling job as Ivana, although very much a supporting player in this Trump-Cohn story. One comes away with the understanding that she was a driven and ambitious businesswoman herself, but one with more humanity than her husband. Just for context, Maria Bakalova was also the actress in the second Borat film who was in the hotel room with Rudy Giuliani when he decided to “tuck in his shirt”. The poor woman can’t get away from the Trumpsphere (although she also voiced Cosmo the Space Dog in GotG 3 and the Xmas special). ---
**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:** [October 23, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/386 "2024-10-23T17:45:56Z")
**Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery** Recommended. I haven’t seen this in 20 years. You know what? It’s cute. I don’t know if everything holds up; in facts, many of the jokes are too lame for me now. But overall, it’s actually quite fun and light-hearted. Dr. Evil is a great comedic performance from Mike Myers and Austin is actually a pretty fun character as well. I love the bits with Scott Evil and Dr. Evil. I think the therapy scene is one of the best in the movie. I was surprised to realize that was Carrie Fisher as their therapist. Anyway, cute. Not amazing, but cute. I laughed a few times, but smiled quite a bit. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/387 "2024-10-23T18:27:13Z")
It is very amusing isn’t it? I find it has a certain charm to it and is all good natured fun. “Who throws a shoe?!” And somewhat of a collector’s item: an actual funny Will Ferrell film, even if he does just have a bit-part. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/388 "2024-10-23T18:55:48Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > And somewhat of a collector’s item: an actual funny Will Ferrell film, even if he does just have a bit-part. He is. I have only seen a handful of his other movies and I agree he is mainly in unfunny projects. I did see Elf years ago and it was cute and he was good in it. Old School, The Other Guys, Bewitched, Eurovision, Anchorman, Land of the Lost…all of these were unfunny and bad. Lego Movie is fun! Edit: Oh, he was in Quiz Lady, a very funny movie. He was bland in it, though. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2024, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/389 "2024-10-23T19:33:13Z")
He wasn’t that great in _Barbie_, either. The only movie of his I liked him in was _Stranger Than Fiction._ Another Mike Meyer film that mostly holds up as well is _Wayne’s World._ Stupid, but often LOL funny. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/390 "2024-10-23T20:43:30Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Anyway, cute. Not amazing, but cute. I laughed a few times, but smiled quite a bit. You didn’t mention the music, which is awesome throughout, including the closing credits song “BBC” by Myers’ fake band Ming Tea, which features Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet (who just had a stroke, poor guy). ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/391 "2024-10-23T22:56:15Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Another Mike Meyer film that mostly holds up as well is _Wayne’s World._ Stupid, but often LOL funny. **So I married an axe murderer** was good fun too, and had an actual genuinely funny scottish impression (NOT like the Austin Powers comedy scotsman) ---
**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:** [October 23, 2024, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/392 "2024-10-23T23:25:21Z")
**Austin Powers -The Spy Who Shagged Me** Not recommended. I had only seen this one once and thought it was pretty bad. I agree with my assessment at the time. This is a pale sequel that relies on the exact same jokes, or minor variances on those same jokes. I smiled a bit, laughed once or twice, but it is mostly lame. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/393 "2024-10-24T09:39:27Z")
I agree on your analysis of the first Austin powers movie, and the second, and the third being possibly worse than the second, even. Mini-me is about the only decent idea in the sequels. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2024, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/394 "2024-10-24T13:44:26Z")
I’m enjoying the third one a bit more than the second. It is fair to say this was a one-movie gag that he copied over for two more movies. The 2022 commercial was fun. It had Dr. Evil, Scott Evil, Number Two, and Frau Farbisina. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/395 "2024-10-24T14:05:15Z")
If only had Mitchell and Webb in as writers, their [Evil Genius/Space Karen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgX6JFoV0TM) videos are very much in tune with the Doctor Evil Mutated Sea Bass sequences. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/396 "2024-10-24T19:10:15Z")
Susannah Hoffs and Matthew Sweet collaborated on an album of cover songs a few years back. Of particular note was their acoustic cover of _[Different Drum](https://youtu.be/TVZEIf6x194?si=HQ8Yq5tqyjL_9lUD)_, the Linda Ronstadt/Stone Ponies classic. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/397 "2024-10-24T19:31:05Z")
**Brothers** (2024). Included with Amazon Prime. Starring Peter Dinklage, Josh Brolin, Brendan Fraser and Glenn Close. A watchable comedy. If you have Prime the price is right. Dinklage and Brolin are ‘twins’ from a low-life criminal family. Brolin (who kept reminding me that John Cena must have had a schedule conflict for this film…) tries to go straight while his brother does jail time. Caper ensues. Glenn Close is actually pretty good in this. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2024, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/398 "2024-10-24T19:51:45Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Susannah Hoffs and Matthew Sweet collaborated on an album of cover songs a few years back. Indeed, I think they actually made _three_ of those cover albums! ---
**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:** [October 24, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/399 "2024-10-24T21:40:08Z")
They did. ---
**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:** [October 24, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288/400 "2024-10-24T21:55:56Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Matthew Sweet Thought I’d mention, he had a stroke recently while on tour, and set up a funding campaign. Only 60 years old! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-youve-seen-recently-part-2/1006288.md?page=21)