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Topic: What Are You Watching Tonight (Read 2,516 times)
dvdjunkie I could do Larry's job! member is offline
Joined: Sept 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 4,917 Location: Wichita, Kansas
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #180 on Oct 26, 2009, 8:57am »
The H1N1 isn't available around here yet, so this was just the regular flu shot. I had never bought into these shots, but for some reason this year I thought it would be a good thing. I was told that you get a mild case of the flu from the shot, but I guess I was open for whatever came with it, and ended up with a full blown case of the flu. I am over it now, and Beverly is in the last days of it with that horrible cough. It is all behind us now, and we can get on with our holiday shopping and getting ready for the ghosts and goblins of Halloween this Saturday night.
Watching a lot of movies in the last few days, including "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, along with my favorite scene-stealer Betty White. Very funny movie, and worth every minute of the time it takes to watch this one. Also watched "Monsters vs. Aliens" with the grandkids and had a ball. Watched "Transformer Revenge of the Fallen", the second of the Transformers movies, also directed by Michael Bay. Watching a lot of Disney movies, and late at night I delve into my 'film noir' classics.
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #181 on Oct 26, 2009, 5:40pm »
Monsters Vs. Aliens, for some reason.
The plot isn't great and sci-fi doesn't appeal to me on its own, but it's a fun film about some nice friendships - something I'm a sucker for - and centered around a woman who becomes powerful. In one really brilliant scene, the bad guy thinks he has her in a safe cage and that he's in total control, but she is completely unimpressed by his trap, breaks free and chases him through the spaceship! Why weren't there more films like that when I was a kid? Lets see: I had Aladdin, where Jasmine first tries to seduce the enemy before being captured, Beauty and the Beast - which is okay I guess, although women who have experienced spousal abuse might see dark undertones in Belle's relationship with the Beast, I had Little Mermaid, Aristocats, Robin Hood, Snow White, The Lion King, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan. Oh, and Mulan and Anastasia. Those two were great. I also fled to history. Queen Christina stimulated my imagination.
Girls do enjoy having adventures. Action heroines were always a lot more fun to play. Of course I loved the other princesses too.
Yesterday I also saw A Special Day, a great, downtoned movie by Ettore Scola, set in fascist Italy during the 30's. I'm looking forward to exploring the classic era of Italian cinema more.
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #182 on Nov 1, 2009, 3:23pm »
I hope you're feeling better, Bill! I'm sorry I missed that you said you had flu, how awful!
Midge wrote:
Quote:
Hedvig, that was an interesting review of Chaplin. I haven't seen it, but in those types of films they usually distort the truth a bit for the sake of drama. I also have an old VHS of Snow White!
Is it the 1993 reissue? This is the one Disney classic I really want in a good restored version. Well of course it would be nice to have them all but if I could pick one... re. Chaplin, is that sort of thing inevitable do you think? I thought it was slightly unnecessary to make certain characters his enemies when they really were not, he certainly had a number of real antagonists who would have provided the drama. Of course, originally the film was supposed to be longer, with more room for nuance.
The Bride of Frankenstein - the sequel, supposed to be better than the original Frankenstein movie from 1932.
I don't really agree with that. Bride was like the original, but with the level of hysteria ten times higher. They made the monster talk, in what I thought was a very stereotypical way - when does Hollywood caveman-speak ever sound authentic? Everything was overblown. The phrase "it/she/he's alive" was repeated very many times in different contexts, because it was so famous in the last film I guess. Everyone was at the pinnacle of some strong emotion all the time, Elisabeth and the blind man standing out for overplaying it extra much.
On the other hand, Colin Clive was really good I thought, not overacting although he could have. Dr Pretorius was a fun character, so exaggerated in his evilness. The exaggerations made this movie really entertaining, actually. It established all the conventions, but did any movie ever again present them with such spirit as this one? It's well made, as a film, and intelligently made and written too. I get the sense that it's funny because it was supposed to be, not because it's old and corny. Some of the serious parts are melodramatic rather than dramatic, but on the whole the pacing is good. There is never a dull moment.
I rather liked The Bride, it was a fun film, but I think the more understated original was better - perhaps one dosage of the monster is all I need?
Joined: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 15,077 Location: San Francisco
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #183 on Nov 1, 2009, 8:03pm »
Yes, Hedvig, the Snow White I have on VHS is the 1993 version. Your comments on Young Frankenstein were interesting. I think it is Mel Brook's greatest comedy, but if you aren't into that sort of humor it would seem overdone, I guess. The original Bride of Frankenstein is my favorite horror movie of all time.
dvdjunkie I could do Larry's job! member is offline
Joined: Sept 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 4,917 Location: Wichita, Kansas
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #184 on Nov 2, 2009, 10:01am »
Halloween movies were at the top of the list Saturday, and we started the day off with the original Frankenstein and followed that with Bride of Frankenstein. While we were still in our 30's spooky movie mindset we also watched my favorite of the Frankenstein movies, House of Frankenstein. Then we got a little more up to date and delved into my Hammer Horror Film collection and watched Horrors of Dracula (1958) starring Peter Cushing as Doctor Van Helsing and Christopher Lee as Count Dracula. This considered one of the best of the Hammer Films. Then we followed it up with a visit to two 1970 Hammer hits Taste The Blood of Dracula and The Scars of Dracula. Both films featuring Christopher Lee as the evil Count Dracula.
We took a little break by watching some Halloween cartoons from Warner Bros. and Disney, and then back to the movies. Next on the bill of fare was Abbott & Costello Meet The Killer, Boris Karloff, a very funny movie with more laughs than scares. Then it was the classic Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein, in which Lou has been hand picked to have his brain put into the Frankenstein monster, in the film played by Glenn Strange. The other Universal monsters are along for the ride, Lon Chaney as The Wolf Man, and Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula.
We only had about thirty trick or treaters, so we do have a lot of left over candy, but I am sure the grandkids will help it keep from getting to stale.
Our evening Halloween fare included the original Night of The Living Dead and my favorite film from 1981, Venom starring Nicole Williamson, Sterling Hayden (in his screen role), Klaus Kinski, Oliver Reed and Susan George. Very creepy movie about an attempted kidnapping that goes very wrong, and involves a Black Mamba Snake. And our final movie of the night was one of the favorites from the past few years, 2006's Comedy/Horror masterpiece Snakes on A Plane starring Samuel L. Jackson and Julianna Marguilles. Just 90 minutes of fun 20,000 feet in the air when a killer arranges for a load of poisonous snakes to be turned loose in the cabin of the plan that is carrying the only witness to a crime he committed. What I like about this movie is that it never takes itself to seriously, and there are lots of laughs between the screams and the jumps. Over 60 percent of the snakes are CGI, so that in itself tells you that this is a fun movie. Some very pointed dialogue, most of which cannot be repeated here, but Samuel L. Jackson has the best line in the movie.
That was our Halloween fare for Saturday, October 31, 2009.
Joined: Jul 2008 Gender: Female Posts: 321 Location: DarkCity, New York
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #185 on Nov 6, 2009, 8:29am »
Hi! Diner Members... I plan to check out a couple of recommended films for the first time viewing this weekend...Starting with the Bela Lugosi Collection,( In this boxset I have only watched The Raven. In The Valley of Elah, and two films from the The Forgotton noir boxset...FBI Girl and Tough Assignment and the 20th Century Fox film RoadHouse. starring R.Widmark, I.Lupino and C. Wilde. (This will be my 4th time watching this film, but my first time on a dvd...The previous times that I viewed it was on Fox Movie Channel.) (I can't wait to open and watch this film in order to listen to author Eddie Muller's commentary on the DVD.)
Diner Members, I hope that all have a pleasant, weekend too!
Quote of the Day From The 1941 Film "The Maltese Falcon"... Joel Cairo:(P.Lorre) "You always have a very smooth explanation." Sam Spade:(H.Bogart) "What do you want me to do, learn to stutter?"
Joined: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 15,077 Location: San Francisco
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #186 on Nov 6, 2009, 4:05pm »
Thanks, Dee Dee. The same to you!
Last night I watched an early Merchant-Ivory production called Roseland (1977). All the action takes place in the famous Manhattan ballroom which went into a slow decline after the end of the Big Band era. The movie is a series of three bittersweet vignettes of people who come to Roseland looking for love or just a simple human connection.
I have to say that I found the film to be slow, talky and episodic, but what a cast! There's the aging Teresa Wright (she was 59 at the time of the filming), Lou Jacobi as Wright's emotionally constipated dance partner; and a young Christopher Walken, who is the paid companion of an elderly rich woman but who pines for the gentle, luminous Geraldine Chaplin. Walken was a year away from his breakout role in The Deer Hunter, which would make him a star.
I stuck through to the end because of the cast and the soundtrack of Big Band standards, but I can't really recommend this movie.
gina1975 I sit beside Gladys now! member is offline
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 1,052 Location: Missouri, USA
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #187 on Nov 13, 2009, 6:34pm »
This is SO sad...About the only thing that I get to watch anymore is educational children's shows on the Disney, Nick Jr and PBS Sprout. If you would like info on shows like Sesame Street, Elmo's World, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Mickey mouse club house, Yo Gabba Gabba, or Handy Manny then I'm your gal.
I did get to see a little of a show on a Persian mummy this morning on the science channel, then Tora got up and it was play time, running errands and house work.
I might get to watch something about midnight tonight when she is asleep and things are done if I don't fall asleep.
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #188 on Nov 19, 2009, 5:08pm »
Oh dear, I sympathize with you! It'll be a bit more fun when you can progress to Disney movies... Do you enjoy classic films? That might be a pleasant thing to watch, they're often kid-friendly even though a lot of the sophistication goes over children's heads. Obviously Tora is too young for that now, but it might be a pleasant thing for you two to watch later on.
This is SO sad...About the only thing that I get to watch anymore is educational children's shows on the Disney, Nick Jr and PBS Sprout. If you would like info on shows like Sesame Street, Elmo's World, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Mickey mouse club house, Yo Gabba Gabba, or Handy Manny then I'm your gal.
I did get to see a little of a show on a Persian mummy this morning on the science channel, then Tora got up and it was play time, running errands and house work.
I might get to watch something about midnight tonight when she is asleep and things are done if I don't fall asleep.
Hey girl if Tora is too much for you Larry and I will be glad to take her off you hands........ .....I would love to have someone to watch all my Disney movies....
Hey girl if Tora is too much for you Larry and I will be glad to take her off you hands........ .....I would love to have someone to watch all my Disney movies....
She is never too much for me after 11 years of taking care of half our counties children. Just didn't realize how much the "age appropriate networks" repeated themselves. The old daycare lady in me wants to write them and remind them that too much repeats is as bad as watching junk. The only reason that I even let her have TV time is because the shows she watches are educational, with the exception of spongebob squarepants.
Oh dear, I sympathize with you! It'll be a bit more fun when you can progress to Disney movies... Do you enjoy classic films? That might be a pleasant thing to watch, they're often kid-friendly even though a lot of the sophistication goes over children's heads. Obviously Tora is too young for that now, but it might be a pleasant thing for you two to watch later on.
I like some of the classic films although I have never seen Casablanca or more modern classics like Titanic or Saving Private Ryan mostly because I have come to realize that I am put off by all the praise that the movies get. I have seen a few films that are highly acclaimed because I have read the books first or have had family tell me about them and know that I would be interested. I would have to say that my favorite classic movie is It's a Wonderful life. I like just about anything that James Stewart is in.
I like some of the classic films although I have never seen Casablanca ....
WHAT!?!?!?!?!
Oh my God! Gina, I never realized, after all these years, that you haven't seen Casablanca! I am shocked .... devastated .... appalled .... crushed .... traumatized .... embalmed, er, oops, wrong adjective!
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,326 Location: australia
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #192 on Nov 23, 2009, 1:01am »
We bought a multi pack of DVDs of old detective shows - there's really nothing much to watch at certain times. Last night we watched Burkes Law - we could remember the music and that he was a bit of a playboy, if nothing else. It was so enjoyable - back in the times when cop shows didn't take themselves so seriously. I noticed there are a few episodes of Checkmate - I can vaguely remember it but I suppose I will when I watch it. Does anyone remember these shows?
Joined: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 1,326 Location: australia
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #193 on Nov 23, 2009, 1:05am »
Just reading Bill's post - I just love that movie Venom - I will have to dig it out. I have it on VHS and haven't seen it for years. I know the fact that the little boy had the black mamba was a mistake but what kid nowadays would be allowed in a taxi with a snake!!!
Joined: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 15,077 Location: San Francisco
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #194 on Nov 23, 2009, 2:08am »
Diane, I remember Checkmate better than Burke's Law and, though I wasn't a regular viewer of either program. I hadn't thought of Checkmate for years until you mentioned it. Sebastian Cabot made a huge impression on me, no pun intended. I also remember that I was impressed by the bold chess board graphics in the credits.
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #195 on Nov 23, 2009, 1:38pm »
Quote:
I like some of the classic films although I have never seen Casablanca or more modern classics like Titanic or Saving Private Ryan mostly because I have come to realize that I am put off by all the praise that the movies get. I have seen a few films that are highly acclaimed because I have read the books first or have had family tell me about them and know that I would be interested. I would have to say that my favorite classic movie is It's a Wonderful life. I like just about anything that James Stewart is in.
Then you've got good taste! I also love It's a Wonderful Life. Amazing, and surprisingly dark performance. I can sympathize with you not seeing Titanic or Saving Private Ryan. Sometimes it's hard to make yourself watch a movie you don't feel like watching when everyone says you should, the hype often has the opposite effect! However,
You should probably at least watch Casablanca before you die.
Joined: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 15,077 Location: San Francisco
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #197 on Nov 25, 2009, 3:24am »
You're a busy hard-working student, Hedvig. I've been busy, too, getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner and preparing for a house guest this weekend. There hasn't been much time for movies. I did get to see an early Hitchcock film from 1929, Blackmail. That is the one with the famous dinner table scene. The conversation is muffled except for the shrill voice of a woman who keeps repeating the word "KNIFE!"
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #198 on Nov 27, 2009, 6:49pm »
Oh, Blackmail! It's one of those rare films you can actually find in stores here. I saw it years ago when I was new to classic films. The same scene you mentioned is the one I can remember the most strongly. I know it was such an early talkie, there were definitively technical limitations, the sound was far from perfect - although some of that might have to do with my cheap DVD - but he still came up with those creative, psychological scenes. I think Hitchcock's movies are involving in a different way than many other classic films of the golden age in Hollywood. He had fun with point of view shots with the camera, and managed to create some very special, memorable scenes with that, like the scene where the woman passes out on the train station in My Lady Vanishes for instance.
Joined: Mar 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 15,077 Location: San Francisco
Re: What Are You Watching Tonight « Reply #199 on Nov 27, 2009, 8:47pm »
Hitchcock was so creative as a visual storyteller. I agree, the sound in Blackmail is pretty bad. It appears to me that some of the scenes may have been silent but had audio dubbed over them later. It's especially noticeable when the characters sometimes speak but they're facing away from the camera you can't see their lips move. I read in Hitchcock's Women that all of Anny Ondra's dialogue had to be dubbed because of her accent.
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