What DVD have you just watched?

Ok even more impressive, had thought given the critical comment that it would be the usual beautification of the story by Hollywood ....

The beautification of Hollywood is the killing of the Iraqi sniper which took place only in the movie.

Another 2001 would never get the nod from the big hollywood studios. Sad but true. 

Two teenage friends in London during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. 

2001 was a marvellous piece of film-making and worth watching for that alone. But it's underlying strength was the story by Arthur C Clarke. One of the great Sci Fi writers in my view. His book Childhood's End being another masterpiece.

Mike

It would, if in return that director would film the first step of mankind on Mars

I watched Schindler's List again today, for about the 4th time I think. God knows why, I cry every time I see it.

While a superb film I find I tend to avoid it because I find it just so drepressing in parts. Testament to the story and film-maker I guess. 

Mike

I just saw that image from the DVD box and remembered the girl in the red coat. I stretched the image on the iPad to see what was written in front of the hands. That sent a shiver running down my spine. A powerful film indeed. If only we could learn from it. 

That's a film i could only watch once. 

In my top three, too - but unlike films like, say, The Pianist, I find Schindler's List to have a sentimental streak and a human warmth (in Neeson and Kingsley, mostly) to offset the horror, which makes it more than watchable, and not just an important but also a great film.

EJ

Watched this last night have bought the Bluray a month or two ago. Stylish but for a 'thriller' I'm afraid I found the plot and ending all too predictable.  

Mike

Mike,

I thought Ex Machina was good with some great scenes but, overall, I preferred The Machine; a film that was made to a budget but one that made me care for the protagonists ....have you seen it?

M

I watched Whiplash last night on DVD, courtesy of Lovefilm.  A film that tells a story about a music teacher (well played by J K Simmons) who abuses his power over his young pupils.  It is, at times, quite painful to witness, and having seen the rapturous review strap lines, overall the film left me feeling rather cheated.  This film is flawed and not much fun - it's all about J K Simmons remarkable performance, otherwise there's not much else here;

No, M. I haven't seen that one.  Will look it out.  

Apart from the predicable plot, one of the things with Ex Machina that didn't work for me was the implausibility of the creator and programmer of the androids seemingly falling to build in safety protocols.  Here's a programming genius that has made billions, preferring to live alone in a high security, remote location and wanting to create AI. He deliberately programmes in a range of human emotions, including sexuality, yet seemingly hasn't heard of or has ignored Asimov's basic laws for artificial intelligence.  And then is surprised at the result......Left me a bit cold I'm afraid.

Mike   

+1, interesting in places and no doubt designed to make you think but implausable in places and the end was disappointing. 

Tomorrowland

Well executed with excellent acting and production values, but ultimately feels a bit flat and anti-climatic. The initial set up is first rate, and the second act is intriguing. It is in the third act that the tension, for me, simply fizzled away.

I am glad I watched it, but it won't feature on my viewing list again.

M

I watched that last week and agree with your view. I also thought Hugh Lawrie's acting was a little wooden too

Watched this again last night. This film has quickly become one of my favourites.  Cumberbatch's performance is excellent and I also particularly enjoy Mark Strong's as the head of newly created MI6.

Funny, I thought it was dreadful, with Cumberbatch playing himself rather than Turing. 

Hmm. A rather different Cumberbatch from the one in Star Trek - Into Darkness, I thought. 

Dreadful it was.

There was a lot going on but I hadn't a clue what it was about & fell asleep despite the noise.

A while since I've watched this. The Life of B..b..b...b.wian.  A timeless classic.  So many memorable lines.  When I saw this at the cinema, like most of the audience, I struggled to regain my composure after the stoning scene.  Absolutely wonderful.    

Thanks Haim! I will!