What DVD have you just watched?

Yes, that's a terrific film Tony. I saw it at the cinema, must rent it and watch it again.

The last Hard Men

Western made in 1976 starring Charlton Heston and James Coburn.

The movie is set towards that end of the West, as modern technology and approaches are overtaking the day of an independent lawman.

Two committed performances from the leads in a classic revenge formula. The movie is lifted not only be the leads but by the productions gritty choices; including a rape scene, which is not in any sense gratuitous.

M

Prompted by Mr Underhill's earlier watching of Flags of our Fathers, I thought I'd watch it's counter-part about Iwo Jima from the defender's perspective.  It requires sub-titles but is all the more authentic for it.  Recommended.

Mike 

The Other Son. A Palestinian and an Israeli family discover that their two teenager sons were mistakenly switched at birth.

Both movies are fantastic productions. I found the subtitled 'Letters' more powerful. Few in the industry have the clout to endeavor in such a pairing of films and I give a nod to Clint for this venture. Perhaps currently underappreciated, I think these will stand the test of time as outstanding in the war movie genre. 'Letters' is right up there with 'Saving Private Ryan' for its intense, primal scenes of warfare and personalizing the choice made by a soldier to pull the trigger.

Mike / Joe

Got this on my living room table to be watched, thought I would give it a couple of weeks gap from FOOF.

M

Hombre

Paul Newman stars as a white man raised by the Apache, and far more at home in their world.

This is a western that I really enjoyed, with the exception of his final choice that I felt was out of keeping with all his previous choices, I believe this was more of a sop to the social mores of the target audience.

Of the 'ism's the race card is the one that is most obviously examined, and to some effect. I truly enjoyed the outsiders perspective on the norms of 'civilised' society, and the hypocrisy that underlay it.

This is a movie that I will be watching again.

M

A long time since of seen that and then it was on TV. Agree it's one of the best westerns. Must get it on DVD. Good tip.

Mike 

Hi Mike,

There are certain screen actors who I find are just interesting to watch, Paul Newman is certainly on that list. I was trying to think of a bad film he starred in .....can't think of one, think I'll head over to IMDB.

M

The Quick and the Dead

This is a film that I have a avoided although it boasts a great cast and idiosyncratic director ....have I missed something?

The basic setup is a revenge story in which a female gunfighter joins in a competition in order to get her chance at the bad guy, played with gusto by Gene Hackman. The acting is generally good, with the surprising exception of Leonardo Decaprio, looking VERY young.

I quickly came to the conclusion that the film is an homage that verges on being a parody. I loved some of the directorial flourishes, all the great Leone touches are present, not to mention some Hitchcockian - the Vertigo effect is used a number of times in one gunfight.

Have a missed something? While this does have some great moments ultimately it left me cold as I never engaged with the protagonists. The style of the film distanced me from their plight and so Hackman's bombast, for instance, struck me as technique rather than as genuine emotion; he far more effectively used these skills as Bill in Unforgiven.

For me this was definitely a curate's egg, and one where some very good parts did not add up to a wholesome meal.

M

I think you should tell us what you really think of the film Kevin - Haha! 

I admit to falling asleep before the end and I love these CGI super hero flicks. 

I think it was Film 4 that showed these back to back some time ago. I recorded & watched them both and really enjoyed them. I admit I do seem to have an interest in world war 2 films. I think it comes from reading those old Battle & Commando mini books as a kid. 

Watched this over the weekend - excellent film.

If you haven't seen "Mystery Men" its pretty funny.  If you like Watchmen you'll enjoy it.

Since I got my Oppo I had to watch this again.  It had been awhile, and I had not watched it since my parents died.  I found myself completely blown away, spontaneously bursting into crocodile tears at a few of the songs.

Predetermination

Screenplay by Tom Stoppard.

Henry Fonda's casting in this was interesting as he doesn't normally play the villain. 

I do like Fonda here quite a lot. As well as  the act of Paolo Stoppa into unusual shoes (at 0:25 in the clip)

"What do we do with this one, Frank?" <subtle change of Frank's expression> "Well, now that you called me by name..."

 Who are you?

....and the unmistakable Henry Fonda walk.