What DVD / Video did you watch last night? (pt3)

[Orang Utan]

Starwars 2: Attack Of The Clones. Really really bad. It doesn’t even look good. It looks TERRIBLE.
Dunno how Lucas manages to get such atrocious performances out of so many great actors. Only Christopher Lee manages to get away with it.
So many pointless scenes that don’t do anything. So many terrible flat lines that someone talented could at least have punched up to give the script some life.
And wtf is the point of Jago Fett and Boba Fett in that film? Why did Jago Fett go all the way to Coruscant and pay another even shitter bounty hunter to do a job he could have done himself and possibly succeeded? I stopped asking such questions after a while as there were just too many nonsensical plot developments.
Worst of all though, was the relationship between Amidala and Annekin. Annekin is well ick in it, employing pick up artist behaviour to woo her and though she bristles at first, she suddenly falls for him. Ugh.

Can’t wait for Revenge Of The Sith.

i’ve blazed through Sith, Hope, Back, Ewok and Awakens. Awakens is the best so far, though it’s essentially just an improvement of Hope. Sith or Clones are the worst.
Only Last Jedi and Rise Of Skywalker to go.
ok, there’s Solo and Rogue One too.

One of the things I liked about Force Awakens was how funny it is. C3PO and Chewy are especially funny. (C3PO is perhaps the saving grace of Clones)
My favourite moment of Force Awakens is Harriet Walter as a Doctor tending Chewy and telling him how brave he is.

 

[Orang Utan]

And Empire Strikes Back does have some great moments but it’s the only one that bored me in places.

One major criticism of all of it is the dreadful storytelling, dialogue and the character arcs. Loads of it is nonsensical and there are so many aborted threads. Much of this is because of the retconning probably. It’s not all Lucas’ fault either, judging by the Force Awakens, which has many of the the other films’ faults too.

 

[T & P]

i’ve blazed through Sith, Hope, Back, Ewok and Awakens. Awakens is the best so far, though it’s essentially just an improvement of Hope. Sith or Clones are the worst.
Only Last Jedi and Rise Of Skywalker to go.
ok, there’s Solo and Rogue One too.

One of the things I liked about Force Awakens was how funny it is. C3PO and Chewy are especially funny. (C3PO is perhaps the saving grace of Clones)
My favourite moment of Force Awakens is Harriet Walter as a Doctor tending Chewy and telling him how brave he is.

Don’t agree with some of your ‘best in franchise’ list order choices, but that’s absolutely fine of course, and you’d be hard pressed to find many people whether die hard fans or casual watchers, who might match one’s choices anyway.

But I look forward out of sheer curiosity to hear your assessment of your next one, The Last Jedi- by far the most Marmite film in the SW universe, with many in the ‘didn’t like’ camp not just criticising it but despising it with a slightly disturbing intensity. While some of the ‘liked it’ camp described it as by far the best since the original trilogy if not the best of them all. I myself must be one of a small minority who doesn’t class it at either extreme end of the spectrum but somewhere in between.

 

[Orang Utan]

Don’t agree with some of your ‘best in franchise’ list order choices, but that’s absolutely fine of course, and you’d be hard pressed to find many people whether die hard fans or casual watchers, who might match one’s choices anyway.

But I look forward out of sheer curiosity to hear your assessment of your next one, The Last Jedi- by far the most Marmite film in the SW universe, with many in the ‘didn’t like’ camp not just criticising it despising it with great passion. While some of the ‘liked it’ camp described it as by far the best since the original trilogy if not the best of them all. I myself must be one of a small minority who doesn’t class it at either extreme end of the spectrum but somewhere in between.

I thought it was Rise Of Skywalker that was the most divisive?

 

[T & P]

I thought it was Rise Of Skywalker that was the most divisive?

Split opinions on that one as well, but nowhere as much. At least in the rabbit hole that is social media and message boards, or any film website that displays ratings from Joe Public.

It is deeply flawed in several respects, but at the same time a far more original and less formulaic script than the other two films in the sequel trilogy.

 

[Orang Utan]

I like the notion that all the films in the saga have got the wrong titles:

Every Star Wars Movie in the Skywalker Saga Has the Wrong Title

A Star Wars fan on TikTok reveals why the movie titles are all wrong, and which titles should actually go with which episodes.

www.cbr.com

The ‘correct’ titles:
Episode I: The Rise of Skywalker

Episode II: Revenge of the Sith

Episode III: Attack of the Clones

Episode IV: Return of the Jedi

Episode V: The Force Awakens

Episode VI: The Last Jedi

Episode VII: The Empire Strikes Back

Episode VIII: A New Hope

Episode IX: The Phantom Menace

 

[Orang Utan]

About an hour into The Last Jedi and I’m bored as fuck, even though I’ve just witnessed the obligatory bar/cantina/casino scene with many weird species, which is usually my favourite bits of these films.
Gonna sack it off and go to bed. Will finish another time, but I didn’t even do this for the prequels.

 

[T & P]

And Then There Were None (2015 three-part miniseries). Brilliant. One of the best adaptations of Christie’s works I’ve seen, dark as fuck as any adaptation of this novel ought to be, and with an ensemble cast.

A couple of small differences and it lets out the reason the killer dispatched their victims in the way they did, but overall a very competent adaptation.

 

[Orang Utan]

I finished The Last Jedi and it got a hell of lot better, it just drags for the first bit.
I enjoyed the casino planet scenes, but weird looking aliens have always been my favourite element of these films.
The Skellig Michael scenes bored me silly. One sequence reminded me of those unneccessary and interminable trip sequences you get in games like Far Cry and Fallout 4, that add very little to the experience.
The final battle on the red salt/white snow planet is probably the best action sequence of the entire saga.
Snoke was wasted, but his lair looked amazing as did his henchmen, though they reminded me of a clockwork tableau, so stylised was their look and movement.
I enjoyed all the intrigue within the resistance, though a lot of it didn’t make much sense. Best not to question such things too closely else they fall apart, as none of the films make logical sense.
One of the best in the saga for sure.
I now remember the fuss about it when it came out, but that was mostly from incels and racists, though there was plenty of whinging from the middle-aged fanboys who’d imprinted on Star Wars Trilogy as the greatest films ever made but also couldn’t realise that the new films weren’t made for them but for newer and younger audiences.

 

[Orang Utan]

only Rise Of Skywalker to go, barring Solo & Rogue One. Not particularly keen on seeing it for some reason. Saw it when it came out, but I remember nothing of it. Saw the trailer last night and none of it triggered any memories.
IIRC people were not happy with it, but I may have confused the reception of it with that of The Last Jedi. I listened to a bunch of Nick Helm podcasts in lockdown and he hated it. Can’t remember why though.

Thinking of checking some of the tv shows out though, as I like all the planet-based stuff with lots of aliens. I enjoyed the Mandalorian and think I saw the Boba Fett series, though I can’t remember anything about it.

 

[T & P]

I finished The Last Jedi and it got a hell of lot better, it just drags for the first bit.
I enjoyed the casino planet scenes, but weird looking aliens have always been my favourite element of these films.
The Skellig Michael scenes bored me silly. One sequence reminded me of those unneccessary and interminable trip sequences you get in games like Far Cry and Fallout 4, that add very little to the experience.
The final battle on the red salt/white snow planet is probably the best action sequence of the entire saga.
Snoke was wasted, but his lair looked amazing as did his henchmen, though they reminded me of a clockwork tableau, so stylised was their look and movement.
I enjoyed all the intrigue within the resistance, though a lot of it didn’t make much sense. Best not to question such things too closely else they fall apart, as none of the films make logical sense.
One of the best in the saga for sure.
I now remember the fuss about it when it came out, but that was mostly from incels and racists, though there was plenty of whinging from the middle-aged fanboys who’d imprinted on Star Wars Trilogy as the greatest films ever made but also couldn’t realise that the new films weren’t made for them but for newer and younger audiences.

Mary Poppins Leia flying in space, and the stupid wacky races slow chase because low fuel were for me two cringeworthy issues. But I liked many other aspects of it. As I said before, at least its narrative is quite original compared with the other two films in the trilogy.

 

[DotCommunist]

I won't likely watch it again but Rogue 1 is interesting as a SW film regardless. Its not the triumphalist happy ending, and of course Vader is at his most violently menacing in it.

 

[Orang Utan]

Mary Poppins Leia flying in space, and the stupid wacky races slow chase because low fuel were for me two cringeworthy issues. But I liked many other aspects of it. As I said before, at least its narrative is quite original compared with the other two films in the trilogy.

I find it hard to get exercised about ludicrous plotting when it’s already a ludicrous premise.

 

[Orang Utan]

I won't likely watch it again but Rogue 1 is interesting as a SW film regardless. Its not the triumphalist happy ending, and of course Vader is at his most violently menacing in it.

Isn’t Rogue One supposed to be one of the highest rated SW movies?

 

[DotCommunist]

Isn’t Rogue One supposed to be one of the highest rated SW movies?

I know it was very well received at the time yeah, certainly its a cut above solo

 

[Orang Utan]

Just remembering some funny moments from The Last Jedi. The milking scene made me laugh, though I reckon Rian Johnson must be a vegan, judging by the plaintive look the birdy tit walrus gives Rey after Luke steals its milk.

 

[redsquirrel]

Powell and Pressburger season by Melbourne Cinematheque
Some old classics I've seen before and some new films that it was good, or at least interesting, to see. A good collection.

A Canterbury Tale - Probably my personal favourite P&P film, and one of my top films of all time. Everything about this is glorious and brilliant. I know it is not as good a film as The Red Shoes, A Matter of Life of Death or Colonel Blimp but there is something magical about it. The two minute summary of the plot is mad - three people try to solve who’s pouring glue into women’s hair - but it goes beyond that. The relationships that develop between the characters - Alison and Colpepper, Bob and Peter are subtle but deep. I love it Portman and Sims are both great.

Edge of the World - Not seen this before, in pairs nicely with A Canterbury Tale, both of them with that connection to land/country that Powell was interested in. And like ACT looking great even in black and white. Also worth it for seeing John Laurie as a relatively young man (though not looking that much different to as he did in Dad's Army). Also watched Return to the Edge of the World, available free on the BFI Player.

Black Narcissus - Obviously an absolute classic, but I'd seen it relatively recently so decided to skip this and instead watch, which was new to me
Gone to Earth - Glorious technicolour melodrama, again with the focus on the land. The plot is pretty slight and Jennifer Jones does not really manage to carry off the main role, but it looks great. Not in the top tier of P&P but still worth your time.

Thief of Baghdad - Again a new one for me (and not really P&P as Powell was only one of several directors). Interesting to compare and contrast with the Douglas Fairbanks version. Both look fantastic, and are worth catching for historical perspective, while neither quite completely gels together. This is probably the better version with a little more characterisation and being shorter and less bloated. Some of the set pieces are wonderful - the opening of this film alone makes it worth watching.

Bluebeard's Castle - Tales of Hoffmann is not one of my favourite P&P, probably because I'm just not a fan of opera, so was not super excited by the thought of this. I doubt it is a film I'll come back to but I'm glad I've seen it as looks absolutely amazing, the sets are like a set designer for the classic Doctor Who has been given some LSD. The colours are brilliantly lurid and filthy at the same time. It's so unusual and distinctive that it is worth checking out.

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp - I've seen this more than once before, but like all great films you get something new from it every time. The pathos Roger Livesey manages to imbue the character with is great.

 

[T & P]

Isn’t Rogue One supposed to be one of the highest rated SW movies?

Rogue One is at the very least the fourth greatest SW film in the franchise. Anyone who disagrees with that basic threshold can be safely dismissed as a complete fool, or alternatively a child who grew up thinking the prequel trilogy was awesome.

I would further argue that Rogue One is in fact superior to Return of the Jedi, but welcome further discussion on it. But it 100% pisses all over every other film outside the original trilogy, and by a considerable margin at that.

 

[Orang Utan]

I might watch that next instead of Rise Of Skywalker. I also can’t remember much of it from the first watch, but I suspect that’s due to my own unreliable memory

 

[T & P]

I might watch that next instead of Rise Of Skywalker. I also can’t remember much of it from the first watch, but I suspect that’s due to my own unreliable memory

Rogue One shouldn’t have worked or even been commissioned on paper- a spinoff SW film (the first one at that) based on a single line from the scrolling credits at the beginning of A New Hope telling about a group of Rebels stealing some blueprints that nobody had asked to be made. And to add to the initial skepticism, stories leaked during production revealing the first cut was a complete mess, leading to up to 40% of the film being reshot.

And yet against all odds, the finished product turned out to be the Star Wars film we didn’t know we needed. I hesitate to use the expression Star Wars for grown-ups because of the obvious retort, but basically yes/Stsr Wars for grown-ups, and superbly shot, directed and acted for good measure.

 

[Nanker Phelge]

I know it was very well received at the time yeah, certainly its a cut above solo

I enjoyed Solo. It just didn't need to be about Han Solo. It was a great episode of Firefly.

 

[redsquirrel]

Love's Confusion - 1959 East German romantic comedy by Slatan Dudow. The plot is based around the romantic exploits of two couples, with a medical student Dieter in a long term relationship with art student Sonja developing an infatuation (or more) with Siegi, who's boyfriend Edy starts to spend time with Sonja. The film has it weaknesses, it is dated and the Edy character (and to a lesser extent Siegi) could have been developed more fully. But it is a pretty decent example of the genre, certainly damned sight better than the sort of crap Richard Curtis produces. Sonja is a particularly good character. And as a piece of cinema and history it is worth your time.

 

[inva]

Honor Among Lovers
1931 romantic drama directed by Dorothy Arzner. In a very pre-code love triangle, secretary Julia is presented with the unenviable choice between her pushy lecherous boss Jerry who fires her when he learns she got married, and Philip, the man she marries - a sleazy stock market scammer who tries to frame her for attempted murder. For some reason it apparently must be one or the other of them and you’d have to say Julia makes the better choice but the plot is pretty ropey and unconvincing.

Despite that I ended up quite enjoying the film, it takes a few mildly satirical jabs at financial speculators in the wake of the Wall Street crash as well as at the expectations and restrictions of womens’ roles in the workplace and the home and where the script falls short on plotting it is stronger on sharp lines of dialogue. The main highlight though is Claudette Colbert’s performance as Julia which is really wonderful and compelling and just breezes through any plot difficulties, she even manages to convince in her relationship with the two creeps particularly Fredric March as Jerry who she has a good chemistry with.

 

[T & P]

Wicked Little Letters. A comedy based on real events (though taking a few liberties with the plot) set in 1920s Britain about a meek, deeply religious woman who starts to receive the most foul/mouthed anonymous hate letters imaginable. Suspicions immediately fall on her outspoken Irish next door neighbour, and the whole thing develops into a national scandal.

A lot better than I had expected. Rather than being a full auntie-friendly Calendar Girls-type Sunday film, it is more fleshed than that and boasts great acting talent, including Olivia Colman.

I had never heard of the story before, and whereas some details are embellished, apparently this really became the biggest story in the country for a while. 7/10,

 

[inva]

The Kiss Before the Mirror
1933 crime/courtroom drama directed by James Whale about the jealous murder of a woman by her husband and its contagious after effects. The European setting of Vienna, the director being known for horror films and the cinematography by Karl Freund who worked on German expressionist films in the 20s gives some interesting gothic/horror flourishes and the whole film is stylish and visually impressive.

I’ve seen the film described as misogynistic and although I ended up being a bit unsure of what the intent actually was I think it’s a fair description. There is a very central theme of women as inherently duplicitous and it leans heavily on the eye rolling metaphor of the ‘vanity table’. It does undercut this a bit though primarily through the minor character of a lawyer played by Jean Dixon (who seems to be coded as a lesbian portrayed surprisingly positively) who provides sardonic commentary on the plot which introduces some ambiguity to the narrative.

Bit of a frustrating film because it has some interesting elements and it looks good and has a pretty strong cast but doesn't work so well overall. The sexism ends up derailing the jealousy plotline which could otherwise have been explored more deeply.

 

[Idris2002]

Storm in a Teacup

30s comedy romance with Rex Harrison and Vivien Leigh. Fascism and Scottish nationalism are satirised in this tale of a campaigning journalist and his struggle to save an Irish "tinker" woman's pet dog (it's slated to be put down because she can't afford the licence fee).

I'd never heard of it, but it's a genuine lost classic, as good as any of the Ealing comedies.

On YouTube.

 

[DaveCinzano]

I watched Halloween: H20 last night, which despite flaws is the best of the Halloween sequels, thanks to a great performance by Jamie Lee Curtis, picking up the character of Laurie Strode where she left her 18 years earlier.

Just what is LL Cool J doing in this ?

Probably the same reason Bobby Mason was in Ben Disraeli: Freedom Fighter

Sorry, I haven't seen that one.

Nothing groundbreaking, but worth a hundred minutes of your time on a wet Wednesday afternoon. Gently mirthmaking.

I really should have clarified that Ben Disraeli: Freedom Fighter is a film-within-a-film in Hollywood satire The Deal (2008).

Belated apologies, mea culpa etc.

 

[inva]

Love & Friendship
2016 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Lady Susan directed by Whit Stillman. I liked this the first time I saw it and since then I’ve read the book so I was curious to watch it again, and I maybe enjoyed it slightly more second time around. Kate Beckinsale is very good gleefully scheming in the lead role plotting to foist marriage to a rich idiot on her daughter in order to set herself up for some carefree widowed fun. A great little film.

 

[DotCommunist]

Peresopolis on internet archive. Incredible film, both the artwork and the telling. Was due an early night but got hooked instead. Inevitably I'll have to buy the graphic novel now when funds allow. 10/10

 

[T & P]

The new Beverly Hills Cop sequel comes out on 3 July. Even though it actually has Eddie Murphy in it, I fear the worst