What DVD have you just watched?

Recently watched for the first time:

Crash - hmmm, obviously a very good film very well shot and executed. Would I watch it again? Probably. Would the wife? Definitely not - too dark for her.

Apocalypto - Originally wasn't really up for this seeing as it wasn't in a language I understood, but BOY what a brilliant movie. Very well put together, beautifully shot and thoroughly gripping storyline. Fairly predictable ending but entertaining and worth watching nonetheless. probably one for the collection.

The Holiday - chick flick about girls who find love on an exchange holiday to get away from the boys. I'm a sucker for a chick flick so I really enjoyed this. in the vein of Love Actually and 4 Weddings without the acting. I enjoyed this a lot.

Last night we watched "A River Runs Through It". An extremely well-made film, with a fly-fishing theme which was part of its appeal to me. Robert Redford has turned in a very good director, and some of the photography is gorgeous. An early Brad Pitt starring role, and he did very well with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Cyrene:

quote:

Originally posted by Gianluigi Mazzorana:
Tonight a fantastic cartoon

Was that a preface to Belleville Rendevous Gianluigi?

Hi Cyrene!
"Belleville Rendezvous" should be the English version's title of the movie.
Did you see it?
Very good imho!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/202-1839115-33...omet+&Go.x=10&Go.y=8

As an ex racing cyclist --- I loved it!

The Big Sleep - Robert Mitcham

The Family Man

Nicholas Cage, Tea Leoni.
NC plays a man who has everything in his life - apart from any real human contact.
Very Frank Capra. Depending on your life viewpoint I suspect you'll either find this a life/family affirming film, or a piece of saccharine schmalz.

Me? I'm a sucker for this kind of thing and so enjoyed it.


When Eight Bells Toll

Anthony Hopkins, Robert Morley, Jack Hawkins.
Last saw this on TV when I was about 14!
Music is very 007 derivative, but the style as more Palmer than Bond - and is all the better for the grittier edge.

Film quality is OK, sound is mono.

M

I watched Sunshine the other night, it's just out on DVD - anyone else seen it?
Personally I was very disappointed, I was hoping it would have more of the good qualities of the films it references, 2001, silent running, solaris etc.
And the camera work is just plain irritating, and seems an excuse for the lack of content.

mat

"The Contract" with Morgan Freeman and John Cusack. A decent, if predictable, thriller. Mr Freeman has never been less than watchable in any role in which I have seen him.

An Inconvenient Truth

Very well presented.

I'm going to buy five copies and give them to friends in the hope I can start a pyramid distribution as gifts!

M

Last night we watched Inland Empire, David Lynch's most recent.
Wow. On many levels.

quote:

Last night we watched Inland Empire, David Lynch's most recent.
Wow. On many levels.

I really like Lynch's films as well, especially Mullholland Drive, thanks for the recommendation, it will be next on my list.
But first I have a DeNiro boxed set, and a Claude Chabrol boxed set to get through.

mat

I got 'Barry Lyndon', one of Kubriks masterpieces the other day. It's the first time I've seen since in the cinema some 30 years ago and I was as fascinated as I remember being the last time!

The only let down is that the DVD is in 4/3 format, disapointing on a film that's so heavily based on tremendously beautiful photography (including being made without artificial lightning, if a scene is lit by three candles there is only that, three candles lits the scene).

Recomended anyway.

JohanR

quote:

Originally posted by mjamrob:
I watched Sunshine the other night, it's just out on DVD - anyone else seen it?
Personally I was very disappointed, I was hoping it would have more of the good qualities of the films it references, 2001, silent running, solaris etc.
And the camera work is just plain irritating, and seems an excuse for the lack of content.

mat

I agree Mat, a very disappointing film. And I was really looking forward to it! Boring and derivative.

Much was copied from "Event Horizon", which I think is an excellent film with absolutely massive bass, great for giving the subs a good workout!

The Good Shepherd.
Reminded me in lots of ways of Syriana; the pace of the movie and the general to and fro battle for commodities (intel/oil).
Worth seeing.
And mjamrob.... bear in mind lots of Inland Empire is improvised!

Inland Empire is the only film I have ever seen at a cinema and walked out of. My die hard Lynch friend walked out too. Emperors and new clothes etc.

Just watching Lynch's Dune.

Much I like - and an equal amount I dislike.

I've just ordered the extended, 3 hour, version; which will hopefully fix some of the exposition - if not some of the characterisation.

M

quote:

And mjamrob.... bear in mind lots of Inland Empire is improvised!

Cyrene, I am certainly intrigued! The Good Shepherd also sounds interesting.

quote:

I agree Mat, a very disappointing film. And I was really looking forward to it! Boring and derivative.

Much was copied from "Event Horizon", which I think is an excellent film with absolutely massive bass, great for giving the subs a good workout!

tonym, glad I'm not the only one then, and yes I also enjoyed Event Horizon, it's inventive and keeps you watching from start to finish.

quote:

Just watching Lynch's Dune.

Much I like - and an equal amount I dislike.

I've just ordered the extended, 3 hour, version; which will hopefully fix some of the exposition - if not some of the characterisation.

I really like that film, the spacecraft interiors and costumes are really well designed to give a spooky/eerie feel, and add a lot to the enjoyment of an unusual Sci-Fi film. I will have to try the 3hr version, I think mine's shorter.

mat

quote:

Originally posted by mjamrob: I will have to try the 3hr version, I think mine's shorter.

mat

Mat,

I'd wait - I'll post a short review when I've watched it. From what I've read it fixes non of the issues, and the film quality is worse than the standard theatrical release.

There is much in Dune I really like - such as the casting and the sets. I really don't like just how 'off the wall' Lynch made the Harkonnens, the voice weapons and I hate the rain at the end.

If Lynch had been given the ability to make his version of Dune as a TV series it would have been excellent.

M

Hi Mr Underhill,

Thanks very much for the warning - yes transfer quality is important to me, especially with a film like Dune, where the visual spectacle is so important to the overall enjoyment.
I will wait with interest for your report.

regards,

mat

Heaven Can Wait

I have never seen this film, odd as it is the sort of romantic nonsense that I actually enjoy!

Film is the story of a US football player who gets collected for heaven before his time. By the time the error is recognised his body has been cremated, from which we can understand that God is as subject to time as we are!

The heavenly minions then try to assist our main protagonist, Joe, to get back into life by allowing him to step into the shoes of someone who IS going to die just before they do. To us he looks like Joe, to those around him he looks like the person who has 'died'.

This is a vehicle starring, written and produced by Warren Beatty. It has moments of fun, romance and pathos. Predictable stuff but if you like such things as 'Sleepless in Seattle', 'The American President' and Capra fare I think you'll lap this up.

Soundtrack = Mono; PQ = OK.

Series 5 of "Spooks", up to episode 5.5. Was going to watch the David Gilmour set but got outvoted! Not easy in a 2 person household!

Munch
I'll be making a start this evening. Can't wait!

quote:

Originally posted by Mr Underhill:
Heaven Can Wait

[QUOTE] I have never seen this film, odd as it is the sort of romantic nonsense that I actually enjoy!

I liked it too. The way Julie Christie stares into Beatty's eyes - phwoar!

Queen

I quite enjoyed it, my wife hated it.

I would say that your attitude to the film will vary depending on your attitude to Diana; but both of us feel that the general population went totally OTT over Diana - so that doesn't work!

Juliette felt the film portrayed The Queen as hard and unsympathetic; I don't agree, I believe she is shown as being out of step with a country that has become emotionally effusive, or pehaps stopped being emotionally constipated - depending on your viewpoint.

Worth watching, but not one I'll be buying.