What DVD have you just watched?

Among recent young adult films, which on average I feel is a pretty weak genre in terms of artistic or entertainment value at least when you're not smack in the middle of the target audience (I watch these things to evaluate whether my kids could watch this), this stands out to me as especially dire.

Cheers,

EJ

rackkit posted:

Now I've finally sorted out my cinema set up connection problem, I'm really looking forward to watching this at the weekend - in glorious surround sound!  

(but not in 3D) 

Had a change of plan and watched this instead. The missus loves Marvel stuff. Think it's the muscle bound blokes she likes most TBH. 

The neighbours were away too so it was nice to give the system some extra volume. Enjoyed the film too though I've no idea why they cast Martin Freeman as a Yank. Either let him play a Brit or just use an American actor? 

Last night I watched The Death Of Stalin, on DVD courtesy of Cinema Paradiso.

It was very dark at times, and considering the horrors committed by some of the characters being portrayed, not least Stalin himself and the serial rapist and murderer in chief, Beria, it could easily have become uncomfortable viewing, so it's a testament to how well done it was that I found it riveting viewing from start to finish. There are touches of comedy genius in this film. Highly recommended.

Filmed in his native New Zealand, this comedy from writer-director Taika Waititi follows 11-year-old Boy and his younger brother, Rocky, whose rich fantasy lives are stopped cold when their father returns home after years away.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESD3mlgpSwM

Duran Duran - There’s Something You Should Know - BBC iPlayer.

Even though I grew up in the 80’s I was never that much of Duran Duran fan while they were at their height of stardom, although my wife was a committed Duranny and still has the vinyl albums - and CDs! After watching this doc i’m going to revisit their albums, esp now that teen frenzy (influencing opinion) is a distant memory. They talk candidly about their highs and lows and their creative ambition within the confines of hyper fan hysteria. Highly recommended for 80’s young teens, I found this a fascinating reminder of the time. 

EDIT: There’s also a companion doc “A Night In” where they discuss their influences.

Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/...hing-you-should-know

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/...ran-duran-a-night-in

Wind River

Jeremy Renner plays a hunter who works and lives on an Indian Reservation shooting predators that attack livestock. Whilst on a hunting expedition he finds the body of a young woman who he knows. This leads to the arrival of an FBI agent played by Elizabeth Olsen.

This is far more of a character study than a murder mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The dire depths of the situation in which these people find themselves is presented in a way that  seldom uses a sledgehammer to drive home its message, although I felt the ending was far more Spaghetti Western than a procedural drama. The genuine and ongoing pain that is carried by the central protagonist, and the evolving understanding of the FBI agent is enough to carry the film.

Recommended

M

Drikus posted:

Am watching this tonight. 

Mr Underhill posted:

Wind River

Jeremy Renner plays a hunter who works and lives on an Indian Reservation shooting predators that attack livestock. Whilst on a hunting expedition he finds the body of a young woman who he knows. This leads to the arrival of an FBI agent played by Elizabeth Olsen.

This is far more of a character study than a murder mystery, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The dire depths of the situation in which these people find themselves is presented in a way that  seldom uses a sledgehammer to drive home its message, although I felt the ending was far more Spaghetti Western than a procedural drama. The genuine and ongoing pain that is carried by the central protagonist, and the evolving understanding of the FBI agent is enough to carry the film.

Recommended

M

Good film 

Beirut 

With the right cast and a better screenplay this film could have been really excellent but unfortunately it was just average.

Great Movie! Plummer was made for this part. What a great "second" choice he turned out to be, he definitely nailed it with the little time he had to prepare himself. Another pleasant surprise was Wahlberg, I've never seen him acting this good before. Highly recommended!

Bob the Builder posted:

Drikus posted:

Am watching this tonight. 

Hope you enjoy it more then I did.

Perhaps because the film is a play adaptation, the unrealistic final scene where the company commander is busy hugging a dying fellow officer instead of leading his men in the trenches who are under a brutal German attack kind of spoiled it for me. Anyway, well acted and worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkDTlxBOBtM

Drikus posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Drikus posted:

Am watching this tonight. 

Hope you enjoy it more then I did.

That was a dark, dark film, the best thing about it was PJ Harvey singing 'An Acre of Land'.

rackkit posted:

rackkit posted:

Now I've finally sorted out my cinema set up connection problem, I'm really looking forward to watching this at the weekend - in glorious surround sound!  

(but not in 3D) 

Had a change of plan and watched this instead. The missus loves Marvel stuff. Think it's the muscle bound blokes she likes most TBH. 

The neighbours were away too so it was nice to give the system some extra volume. Enjoyed the film too though I've no idea why they cast Martin Freeman as a Yank. Either let him play a Brit or just use an American actor? 

 

Niether film lived up to the expectation or the hype for me but the Blade Runner score was very good though.

Luke Cage - Season 2

I thought that season 1 was deeply flawed. The first half I found compelling, the second half fizzled out rather disappointingly. This season handles things more effectively being a cohesive whole that builds throughout, and I found far more satisfying. True, there is nothing original, but that is not really the point, it is well told. If you care for the characters you will be engaged, and I was.

For me:

Jessica Jones (1 & 2)  > Luke Cage (2) >> Luke Cage (1) >>>>>> Iron Fist (1) & Defenders (1)

M

The Expanse

I believe the authors of the books also write the shows, and the quality shines. This is good science fiction. For me one of the joys of Dune was the well drawn politics, something which The Expanse shares. The story opens with two well established power blocks, Mars and Earth, and a nascent third estate currently used by both as an exploited underclass, the Belters.

The rivalry between Mars and Earth is on the verge of a shooting match and into this explosive mix is introduced a discovery that is the subject of a secret development, a weapon of game changing proportions.

If you haven't looked at this please do, it is excellent. The first three seasons were produced by the SciFy channel who dropped it this year, for it to be picked up by Amazon, thank goodness.

If you are like me you will end up reading the books as it is rather compelling.

M

Last night I watched I, Tonya on DVD courtesy of Cinema Paradiso.

Compelling viewing, if somewhat gruesome at times; Allison Janney who plays Tonya Harding's mother, might have stolen the show if it wasn't for Margot Robbie playing the lead so convincingly. A real surprise, and highly recommended. 

The Hateful Eight. Streamed via Netflix.

Quentin Tarrantino’s latest. Missed this at the cinema and finally got the chance to stream the movie. A really interesting film. The pluses… The unique, eight exaggerated main characters. The beautifully designed Minnie's Haberdashery. Tense, exciting set pieces. Witty dialogue. The Morricone score. And, its a lot of fun in a darkly comic way. The one main flaw… Its way too long and self indulgent - editor required! Despite the excessive running time, overall, I thought it one of his better films.

The Limehouse Golem. Streamed via Netflix.

This film has a real air of nostalgia and homage to the golden age of gothic Hammer movies about it. Beautifully designed and lit, rather gruesome in places (its a horror film) and a tremendous performance from the wonderful Bill Nighy. Plus, for art & design bods, there’s an interesting visual placement of “The Ghost of a Flea” by William Blake (one of my favourite paintings). Overall its pretty solid Grand Guignol, although the whodunnit is honkingly obvious from about a third of the way in. A nice reminder for the young Baby Boomers who were allowed to stay up and watch the BBC2 late night Horror double bill back in the 80s!

Highly entertaining spy movie. Great story, believable surprises/plot twists and Jennifer Lawrence naked, what more can one wish for...

The Hateful Eight

I thought it was his best film since Pulp Fiction.

Yetizone posted:

The Limehouse Golem. Streamed via Netflix.

This film has a real air of nostalgia and homage to the golden age of gothic Hammer movies about it. Beautifully designed and lit, rather gruesome in places (its a horror film) and a tremendous performance from the wonderful Bill Nighy. Plus, for art & design bods, there’s an interesting visual placement of “The Ghost of a Flea” by William Blake (one of my favourite paintings). Overall its pretty solid Grand Guignol, although the whodunnit is honkingly obvious from about a third of the way in. A nice reminder for the young Baby Boomers who were allowed to stay up and watch the BBC2 late night Horror double bill back in the 80s!

Coincidentally, we watched this last night too. Very well staged, interesting characters. 

Watched this again last night. I was prompted by the prospect of the RAF centenary fly-past in London tomorrow which may include the new F35s, and a F35 features towards the back end of this movie.  

Of the Die Hard series I obviously like the original best - my favourite Christmas movie - but this is the best of the sequels.