Rewatched Beverly Hills Cop, which holds up pretty well. I started to watch Eddy Murphy’s version of The Nutty Professor, and while I enjoyed seeing him doing all of those family characters (especially grandma), I didn’t make it through to the end.
I enjoyed part two more than you, but my thoughts are pretty much the same. Wicked part one was wonderful, I loved everything about it and gave it 5 stars. For Good I’d give 3.5.
Cynthia sings the hell out of “No Good Deed” (my audience gave a lot of applause after that song) but the film just highlights all the book and plot problems that were already in the second act of the musical. Most fans of the stage show agree the first act is better. Adding two new subpar ballads doesn’t help.
Splitting the story into two separate films was alway going to end in disappointment, though I’m sure it’ll make bank and that’s the only reason they did two in the first place.
Speaking of films split in two, Kill Bill is being re-released in two weeks in a single edit, with a new anime sequence added. Already got my tickets, easily my most looked-forward-to movie this December.
Wicked: For Good. Basically what everyone else said - this was all about getting the story over the finish line (and squeezing in the Wizard of Oz story around the edges). I actually thought Grande was better in this one, though.
I read the book years ago and it’s so much darker that it amazed me that anyone even considered it good material for a musical.
I mean, they made Cats. They will try anything.
I read the book but barely recognized any of the story when I saw the stage musical.
I liked Cats the musical - it’s a song-and-dance show. Something the film fundamentally failed to understand.
I watched Rio Bravo 1959 and El Dorado 1966 in the same night.
I wanted to compare the two John Wayne Westerns.
Rio Bravo includes costars Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan.
El Dorado includes costars Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, and Arthur Hunnicutt.
It’s interesting to compare how the actors approached their similar characters.
The major difference is Wayne portrays the sheriff in Rio Bravo. He does an excellent job as a lawman under silent attack that could be killed at any moment. I felt the tension increase steadily as the story progresses.
El Dorado is a good film. But Robert Mitchum’s battle is alcoholism and his role as sheriff is secondary. Howard Hawkes didn’t take as serious a tone in El Dorado. The dramatic tension never rises like it does in Rio Bravo.
I never liked Rio Lobo very much and the story is much different.
Anyone else get Ricky Nelson (in Rio Bravo) and Audie Murphy mixed up? I wish Audie had been cast as the young gunslinger. I think he would have been excellent.
My favorite part of that movie is Dino and Ricky singing My Rifle, My Pony, and Me. Dino is on the cot with his hat pulled over his eyes, his leg crossed over his knee, and a cigarette in his hand. He takes a couple of puffs while Ricky is singing! 
I like the next song they sing too - CIndy.
It was a longstanding joke in Hollywood about trying to adapt Cats. I mean, it is stage impressive, but not something you put to screen.
And now we know that is indeed the case.
I saw a film called Beldham ( Prime rental). It’s billed as psychological horror but I’d say the drama aspect is just as strong.
It stars Patricia Heaton ( this ain’t no Debra Barrone), Corbin Bersen ( I didn’t recognize him for a good 15 min.) and Katy Parker, who is amazing as usual. It was even better on the second viewing. Highly recommended to those who like a slow burn.
I didn’t recognize the name so I checked IMDb and… IMDb didn’t recognize the name either. Apparently it’s Katie, not Katy.
(And once I found her actual credits, I do know her from the Mike Flanagan Netflix shows.)
Borrowing from a past post in the TV series thread:
Thanks to the wonders of in-flight entertainment, I have now been able to see La Grande Maison Paris with English subtitles! I can report that it’s basically more of the same as the TV series (only with considerably more French bc set in Paris), but more of the same is exactly what I was after so I’m happy. (Also, I have now learned of the existence of Japanese “straw grilling” for searing/smoking meats, so that was interesting.)
I’m surprised there’s been no mention of Bugonia yet, since I know there are Yorgos Lanthimos fans here, including me. This is his latest and it’s now available for home viewing but at a cost – it’s not streaming yet. A sci-fi black comedy that stars Emma Stone who apparently shaved her head for the role. I haven’t seen it yet but will probably watch it sometime in the next few days and provide my feedback here.
I’m a Lanthimos fan. Bugonia didn’t appear in my local theater, and it just now hit streaming for $20, which…I can wait, really. I’ll see it eventually.
I loved Bugonia. I really would like to see it again if I can fit it in.
Yes, surprising.
Forgive me! In my defense, that was way back in October and I guess I just missed it because I didn’t visit the thread until about 12 days and many posts later. I was expecting to see something recent due to its current availability for home viewing.
OK, in the words of the great Emily Littella, “Never mind!” 
I’m halfway through it. I’ll reserve thoughts until I see how it ends.
Alien 1979 and Aliens 1986
I usually watch these films during the holidays. Watched both tonight.
Both are excellent and I highly recommend them. The two stories flow together and I recommend watching them on the same night or two nights in a row.
My only criticism is the depiction of the Marines. They’re acting like Frat boys during the mission briefing. I don’t believe special forces would be that unprofessional.
It’s a nitpick, but also they’re unprepared for what’s waiting on the planet.
I still enjoyed the movie.