Recently Watched Movies 2024

[nwhoopfan]

"The General's Daughter" on Amazon Prime. I remember it from whenever it came out. I'm pretty sure I never saw more than bits and pieces of it. Adapted from a Nelson DeMille novel, which quite frankly I'm surprised there haven't been more of those. Anyway, at times a nasty and disturbing film. Strong cast--John Travolta, James Cromwell, James Woods, Timothy Hutton, Madeleine Stowe. It kept my attention, but it's not a great film. Definitely not promotional material for the U.S. Military. Travolta and Stowe are investigators for the Army working a bizarre murder case.

 

[storrsroars]

I got a nice surprise scrolling thru Paramount+'s movie selection this morning. Finally, after years of only being able to watch on a premium cable service, "Gone Baby Gone" is now available to stream without an uprgrade. Loved Lehane's book, loved the movie when I first saw in a theatre, and have been wanting to rewatch for years. That time has come. It's held up well and still, IMHO, remains the most "true-to-Boston" flick out there, even moreso than "The Town" or "The Departed". Ed Harris is so good in everything. Amy Ryan was skanky as all get out as the neglectful mom, Casey Affleck more than held his own with the material. I'll probably watch it again in a month or so. Wish there were more Kenzie/Gennaro screenplays.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Set It Up (Netflix) is what a romcom is supposed to be. Fun, funny, original enough to not be boring but not complicated that I have to give it 100% of my attention. Glen Powell and Zoey Deutch are good in the lead roles. They are fun, not intimidating, and seem like regular people. Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu are entertaining as their cartoonishly horrible bosses. Unlike a lot of romcoms, where I realize I can't stand one or both of them and am rooting for them NOT to get together (i.e. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days), Powell and Deutch are simply likable, which is an underrated quality in an actor, and it makes their characters likable.

It doesn't matter that the plot is completely predictable, because if you are watching this movie, you are not looking for a thriller. Good movie to have on in the background if you are working late.

 

[nwhoopfan]

"The Road Dance' is well done, but not a happy feel good movie. Set in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland during WW1. Strong performance from lead actress Hermione Corfield. I've seen her a few times, she's had a varied career thus far. Some good supporting performances as well. I was gonna do a brief plot synopsis, but that wouldn't sell it very well. I guess look it up if you're interested.

 

[storrsroars]

"The Batman" (2022). As I've stated a billion times here, I'm not a fan of MCU or most movies made from comics characters. Batman has always been an exception as he's not graced with superhuman powers. He's just rich and can afford fancy toys.

Anyway, I've never really considered watching this one as I felt enough was enough and I didn't think anything could top "The Dark Knight". What was even the point of another director taking this on? Then the other day I heard a radio host I somewhat enjoy say that he thought this latest Batman might even be better as it focuses more on detective work than explosions and outrageous villains. So I watched it. And I found it to be pretty damned good and definitely worth making. I liked that the Penguin was just a guy and that the Riddler wasn't in a goofy green suit. The thing had substance to it. I still consider Ledger's "Joker" to be the sine qua non of villains, but I do like the way Reeves handled Penguin and Riddler (and Joker for his minute of screentime).

 

[CL82]

"The Batman" (2022). As I've stated a billion times here, I'm not a fan of MCU or most movies made from comics characters. Batman has always been an exception as he's not graced with superhuman powers. He's just rich and can afford fancy toys.

Anyway, I've never really considered watching this one as I felt enough was enough and I didn't think anything could top "The Dark Knight". What was even the point of another director taking this on? Then the other day I heard a radio host I somewhat enjoy say that he thought this latest Batman might even be better as it focuses more on detective work than explosions and outrageous villains. So I watched it. And I found it to be pretty damned good and definitely worth making. I liked that the Penguin was just a guy and that the Riddler wasn't in a goofy green suit. The thing had substance to it. I still consider Ledger's "Joker" to be the sine qua non of villains, but I do like the way Reeves handled Penguin and Riddler (and Joker for his minute of screentime).

I watched like five minutes of it and turned it off.

 

[storrsroars]

I watched like five minutes of it and turned it off.

It did start very slowly and depressingly. I actually paused the thing as I wasn't sure I wanted to invest in it, then went back to it couple of days later when it got good.

 

[HuskyHawk]

It did start very slowly and depressingly. I actually paused the thing as I wasn't sure I wanted to invest in it, then went back to it couple of days later when it got good.

It had mixed reviews because it simply doesn't have the pace and action of some of these movies, but has a lot more depth of character and is a pretty good movie as a result.

 

[storrsroars]

Watched a pretty interesting Korean flick last night - "Escape from Mogadishu" (Prime). Based on the true story of both the South Korean and North Korean embassy personnel being trapped in Mogadishu as civil war breaks out in the streets and everything goes to hell in a hand basket. It starts a bit slow, but once the city's systems and security break down the pace and tension quicken as both the South and North Korean ambassadors are compelled to work together to get out of Dodge. It may remind one of Argo, but IMHO it's much more intense as the total chaos in the streets seems vividly real thanks to the settings, the convincing cast of hundreds who play the rebels, and Ryoo Seung-wan's direction. If there's a complaint, it's that the Somali rebels and even the army shoot worse than Star Wars storm troopers. That said, I'll likely seek out another of Ryoo's films as I was very impressed with his skills in making this film. It's in Korean, but English subtitles are built-in, so no need to turn on subtitles.

 

[Waquoit]

We just watched Oppenheimer. I didn't expect it to be so entertaining. Should be an easy Oscar winner.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I haven't seen the original "Highlander" in forever. I remember that was pretty cool when I was a kid. It's on Amazon Prime. Hasn't exactly held up well. It's dated of course which it can't help, but the acting is pretty bad and the sword play is laughable. But Beatie Edney (Highlander's girlfriend in Scotland) was a cutie, at least it has that going for it.

 

[mussels]

Watched “Saint of Second Chances,” last night. It’s a Netflix documentary on Mike Veeck, son of Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck.

Starts off with his disastrous promotion “disco demolition night” where disco hating fans were invited to bring a disco record to the Cominsky park where they would all be blown up in the outfield between games of a scheduled double header. 50,000 showed up, and after the demolition, maybe 20,000 of them stormed the field went wild and stole the bases. (Sox had to forfeit 2nd game)

Bill sold the team shortly after, and the documentary follows Mike’s return to baseball as the owner of a series of minor (minor, minor, minor) league teams. Covers a series of absolutely crazy promotions he came up with (my favorite was “no fan” night where he chained the gates of the stadium closed, but still had the concession guys and ushers at their stations. Fans could watch the game by looking over the fence from outside the stadium.)

To give you some insight into the mind you’re dealing with, he named his son Night Train, figuring all things being equal, a guy named Night Train would make the roster before a guy named Joe.

Hilarious, and poignant at parts. Highly recommend.

 

[Deepster]

We just watched Oppenheimer. I didn't expect it to be so entertaining. Should be an easy Oscar winner.

I rented it Sunday. Fell asleep a half hour in. Tried again last night, fell asleep maybe 45-50 minutes in. Now the rental has expired. Oh well.

 

[nwhoopfan]

"Along Came a Spider" (2001), the second movie w/ Morgan Freeman starring as Alex Cross. I hadn't seen it in forever. Decent thriller. I'd pretty much forgotten about Monica Potter, she disappeared. Centers around an abduction of a senator's daughter from her school, played by Nika Boorem. I've seen her in several things when she was a bit older. Kinda stunned when I recognized one of her classmates as Anton Yelchin, when he was around 12. Didn't realize he started acting that early.

Probably will rewatch the other Freeman/Alex Cross move, "Kiss the Girls." I remember that one being kinda creepy. Both are on Amazon Prime.

 

[Waquoit]

I rented it Sunday. Fell asleep a half hour in. Tried again last night, fell asleep maybe 45-50 minutes in. Now the rental has expired. Oh well.

I think your body is trying to tell you something. Maybe try Nugenix, it's totally tested and works for the Big Hurt.

 

[HuskyHawk]

"Along Came a Spider" (2001), the second movie w/ Morgan Freeman starring as Alex Cross. I hadn't seen it in forever. Decent thriller. I'd pretty much forgotten about Monica Potter, she disappeared. Centers around an abduction of a senator's daughter from her school, played by Nika Boorem. I've seen her in several things when she was a bit older. Kinda stunned when I recognized one of her classmates as Anton Yelchin, when he was around 12. Didn't realize he started acting that early.

Probably will rewatch the other Freeman/Alex Cross move, "Kiss the Girls." I remember that one being kinda creepy. Both are on Amazon Prime.

If I recall, they are all pretty good, not great, but better than a lot of crap coming out now.

 

[ZooCougar]

Dune 2:

Awesome

Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan are the best filmmakers and it’s not even close.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Dune 2:

Awesome

Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan are the best filmmakers and it’s not even close.

I rewatched Dune 1 last night in anticipation.

 

[ZooCougar]

If I recall, they are all pretty good, not great, but better than a lot of crap coming out now.

You won’t be disappointed.

I’m not posting a review or anything because I don’t want to spoil anything.

 

[nwhoopfan]

You won’t be disappointed.

I’m not posting a review or anything because I don’t want to spoil anything.

They disappeared off Prime before I had a chance to watch the other one. I have seen, but it was a long time ago.

 

[Dove]

Infinite Storm (2022) - I had no idea I was watching Naomi Watts star in this movie. But I knew the lead actress was somebody.

Anyway, almost didn't make it through this one but its a boring Friday night. Watts plays a volunteer search and rescue person in the White Mountains. While hiking up to My Washington stumbles onto a guy half frozen to death. She gets him back down the mountain to safety.

Based on a true story. Watts does a great job. You get a lengthy full body nude scene as she slooooowly enters a bath tub.

 

[Dove]

I rented it Sunday. Fell asleep a half hour in. Tried again last night, fell asleep maybe 45-50 minutes in. Now the rental has expired. Oh well.

Same. My wife was beyond bored. I was in agreement. Maybe we got halfway into it.

 

[KembaSlice]

Dune 2:

Awesome

Denis Villeneuve and Christopher Nolan are the best filmmakers and it’s not even close.

Dune 2 was simply amazing. The acting, cinematography, soundtrack, set pieces ...Everything is 10/10

 

[nwhoopfan]

Well, Dune 2 opening weekend was double Dune 1. $81.5 mil, by far the best opening for a movie in months, I would guess the best of 2024 so far. Box office has mostly been anemic this year.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I watched Enough Said (2013) for the first time on Hulu. This movie got great reviews, and it was a good movie, not great. The acting carried a spotty plot. I really like Katherine Keener as an actress, and Gandolfini was decent, although the reviews were a bit overblown. There wasn't much to his part, so it was not deserving of awards despite what reviewers said right after he died. Despite the plot problems, it kept my attention. Although, it suffered from a common problem with romcoms, which is for the plot to work, one or both of the leads has to do things that are not nice, and I end up turning on the character when they do.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is really good at playing a very unpleasant narcissist, so that is what she does every time. And that was my problem with this movie. By the end, you don't want JLD's character to find happiness, because she is a rotten person at her core. I don't know if that was deliberate, or JLD played it that way which made me hate her by the end of the movie.