I don’t mention a lot of people who were in that film. I have nothing against Ms. Wong, and agree that she is one of the highlights of the film.
The film was a retelling of Anabasis. I took a deep dive into Greek Lit after seeing that film and learning that many years ago.
Scrooged 1988 Bill Murray
I usually watch it every year at Christmas. I like the scenes with Murray and the Ghosts best. Murray and Carol Kane are very funny together.
I think the early scenes showing Murray as a mean, self-absorbed TV producer run a little long.
The Dickens story spends less time showing Scrooge at the office and berating the housekeeper at home.
The number of cameos is astonishing. 115 acting credits on imdb. Robert Goulet, Buddy Hackett, Lee Majors, three of Bill Murray’s real brothers are in the film.
I enjoy the movie and look forward to seeing it again next year
I remember reading about this. The studio really wanted a sequel and Joe Dante negotiated complete control over the project. He wanted to do a satire and made it very meta and self referential. Maybe a little too much, imo, but it’s a fun movie.
A couple of recent movies that I watched:
Empire Records. Somehow, I missed this the first time around and I’m not sure how. It takes place at an independent record store where a wide range of employees hang out and resolve a number of issues. It’s a fun movie, it has a good soundtrack, and it feels very, very 90s. I felt a little overwhelmed by how much is all happening in one day but much of it is based on writer Carol Heikkinen’s experiences working in a record shop.
Singles. I remember this showing on HBO a lot when I was in college and yet I don’t remember sitting all the way through it from beginning to end. Directed by Cameron Crowe, it revolves around a number of singles in Seattle. A lot of Seattle grunge is in this and the movie features Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and members of Pearl Jam.
Carry-On: A fairly tense thriller that takes place in an airport. Kind of a clunky ending, but if you’ve got nothing else to do, it’s entertaining. On NFLX.
I Care A Lot, 2020, Netflix (as of now). Rosamund Pike reprises her Gone Girl persona in this film about two evil people who go after each other.
I would have liked this movie had it not pulled its punches at the very, very end. It’s like a really long, dirty joke which has everyone rolling along and then, right at the punchline… “Oh, and then the man and woman lived happily ever after, Hi, Grandma! Look, everyone, Grandma is here!”
Just a damned shame. Would have been much better had the last sequence not been included.
No Country for Old Men 2007
On Paramount+
I know it’s critically acclaimed. 93% on Rotten Tomatoes
I agree it’s well made. The story kept my eyes riveted to the screen. Yet, I feel so disappointed and dissatisfied.
What’s the point of watching a story with no winners or even a conclusion? No heroics? A guy finds a satchel of money, he’s chased, and probably 15 or more people are senselessly killed. The End
I guess it’s supposed to reflect real life. Violence is senseless and there’s no winners.
I don’t mind violent movies. But I expect something to come from it. Perhaps a character learns something or they simply survive. Movies are fantasy. They’re supposed to have a conclusive ending.
YMMV with this movie. That style isn’t for me.
I liked it. Liked, not loved. Most Cohen Brother movies are like that for me. I loved Barton Fink, most of the others are solid, but not amazing.
This was my first Cohen brother movie. I wasn’t prepared for their approach to characters and story.
The viewer expects the bounty hunter and the sheriff to be the protagonists. Yet they contribute almost nothing to the story.
That’s a very odd approach to narrative structure.
People can watch No Country for Old Men and draw their own conclusions.
It’s not my favorite Coen Bros film, but I liked it quite a bit. I get bored with good guy wins/bad guy loses predictable plots. It’s not interesting to me. I’d rather watch something that makes me feel something rather than forgettable studio pap.
Just saw it, and: same. My daughter actually gasped.
Interesting use of blur as a motif, though presumably to signify the protagonist’s lack of moral clarity.
The sheriff is interesting. He basically says (to his friend) that Anton Chigur is too dangerous.
The sheriff’s choices are to die quickly or a lingering, slow death in retirement; over run with cats. There’s a hint of a third choice in the motel room.
I won’t spoil it for anyone.
Tommy Lee Jones is very good. He always makes the most out of his roles.
I agree with your summary…I found it compelling to watch, but so heavy-handed on the messaging and unfulfilling that I ultimately came down on the “dislike” side.
Robo Cop 1987
I’ve seen it several times. The last was about 20 years ago. Watched tonight on Max.
Still holds up well. I don’t think it’s dated looking and something from the 80’s. I think todays generation would enjoy it.
I recommend the original.
The 2014 remake is also on Max. I’ll watch it in a day or so. I’m curious what they’ve changed.
Replacing Petter Weller’s empathetic performance won’t be easy. Robocop discovering his humanity makes the film special.
The remake is awful. The CGI effects are better, but the story loses a lot in the retelling. The original is a masterpiece of dark humor.
They shouldn’t remake Veerhoeven swcience fiction films. The remake of Total Recall was also a disaster.
Maybe if they remade Starship Troopers so it’s more faithful to the book…
Would you buy it for a dollar?
Think I may have mentioned on this thread before (I’m not on commission I promise!), there is an excellent 4-part documentary on Prime called Robo Doc. If you enjoy Robocop I think you’ll enjoy that a lot too.
Couldn’t agree more.
Erm… Doesn’t she get shot and killed by someone she screwed over?
After all this time and all the hype, Barbie finally showed up on Netflix.
Meh.
Visually stunning, but rather tedious. A 114-minute commercial for Mattel.