Recently watched movies 2025

[nomar]

Also, I recently watched like half of Wicked. Again, not great but you can see how it would've been funny with Kristin Chenoweth as Glenda

Couldn't get through Wicked. I did see it on Broadway with Chenoweth and Idina Menzel and thought it was good. I'm not really a musical guy.

As someone who's fairly ambivalent about Dylan and didn't know a ton about that period other than going electric at Newport, I enjoyed it. At least Chalamet wasn't miscast as some alpha male. Agree that Norton was superb.

Speaking of Mangold, I'd never watched Girl, Interrupted until last night. I don't know why I even decided to watch it, but I'd just finished the first two episodes of MobLand oIn Paramount and it showed up as one of the next things to watch. While Winona Ryder's lead was well played, Angelina Jolie stole the show. It wasn't One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in quality, but there was enough there to make the institution seem a terrible place to spend a year as a young adult, even without true villain like Ratchet on staff. Not really the type of movie I'd seek out, but glad I finally watched it.

I thought a Complete Unknown was great, a top-notch biopic, which are generally much hokier. Chalamet was a great too, as he always is. And he sang. Which, OK, I know he wasn't hitting notes like Beyonce, but he really sounded like Dylan.

Dylan diehards, of which I am not one (although I like Dylan) seem to love the movie, which says a lot.

 

[CL82]

. Editing Star Wars so Han Solo clearly doesn't shoot first (it was arguable in the original)? No. Han's not a white hat guy. He's a space pirate at this point. Don't try to change him to the hero he becomes later, because that's the journey we need to see him take.

This is a great observation about the "hero's journey." Hans' journey is an integral part of the story and parallel to the one happening with Luke.

For what it's worth, if I recall correctly, the original book says that everyone in the cantina knew bounty hunter guy was dead as soon as he let solo, get his hands under the table. So, not only was it not a purely self-defense move, it was entirely consistent with his known character at the time.

 

[CardiacAndre7]

Couldn't get through Wicked. I did see it on Broadway with Chenoweth and Idina Menzel and thought it was good. I'm not really a musical guy.



I thought a Complete Unknown was great, a top-notch biopic, which are generally much hokier. Chalamet was a great too, as he always is. And he sang. Which, OK, I know he wasn't hitting notes like Beyonce, but he really sounded like Dylan.

Dylan diehards, of which I am not one (although I like Dylan) seem to love the movie, which says a lot.

Agreed, I thought it was a terrific biopic.

 

[CL82]

I thought a Complete Unknown was great, a top-notch biopic, which are generally much hokier. Chalamet was a great too, as he always is. And he sang. Which, OK, I know he wasn't hitting notes like Beyonce, but he really sounded like Dylan.

Dylan diehards, of which I am not one (although I like Dylan) seem to love the movie, which says a lot.

Lol, to be fair Dylan never "hit notes like Beyoncé" either.

I thought this movie was very good as well. Sometimes in a biopic, there is a desire to make the lead character, heroic, or noble. What I loved about it was that it fully showed Bob Dylan's considerable warts alongside his considerable talent. I think that's a big part of what made it excellent.

I am not a Timothée Chalamet fan and felt he was miscast in the Dune series. He does an excellent job here, though.

I'll throw in two other quick comments. Having stayed in the Viking motel in the late 70s I can confirm that they nailed those interiors.

I've always loved the Joan Baez song, Diamonds and Rust and vaguely knew that it was about her relationship with Dylan. This movie helps to put it into context. Often songs about remembering past relationships, idealize things. Diamonds and Rust does not, and I always appreciated the way it looked at the good and the bad.

 

[nomar]

Lol, to be fair Dylan never "hit notes like Beyoncé" either.

That was my point -- I wasn't saying Chalamet was an amazing singer, because he had to imitate Dylan, not Beyonce. But he did a great job with that.

 

[Palatine]

Cedar Rapids (2011)

You might have missed this quirky little gem about a midwestern insurance convention. I did. Saw it recently. Simply and inexpensively shot, it is almost a "B" movie. But the producers wisely choose to spent the money on Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Sigorney Weaver, Kurtwood Smith, Steven Root, Ali Shawkat and they deliver a very funny, sweet, silly, offbeat comedy with real heart and a mean edge. Helms is the naive newbie stepping up in class with a cadre of backstabbing, double dealing, corrupt, competitors and a few genuine good guys. I loved it. Three stars.

 

[storrsroars]

Cedar Rapids (2011)

You might have missed this is quirky little gem about a midwestern insurance convention. I did. Saw it recently. Simply and inexpensively shot, it is almost a "B" movie. But the producers wisely choose to spent the money on Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Sigorney Weaver, Kurtwood Smith, Steven Root, Ali Shawkat and they deliver a very funny, sweet, silly, offbeat comedy with real heart and a mean edge. Helms is the naive newbie stepping up in class with a cadre of backstabbing, double dealing, corrupt, competitors and a few genuine good guys. I loved it. Three stars.

Good to hear this. I really didn't know anything about this movie before your post, other than every time I saw it in my streaming options, I passed by it solely due to the stupid graphic of Helms looking like a dork on a white background. Helluva cast there, will check it out.

 

[Lafayette]

This is a great observation about the "hero's journey." Hans' journey is an integral part of the story and parallel to the one happening with Luke.

For what it's worth, if I recall correctly, the original book says that everyone in the cantina knew bounty hunter guy was dead as soon as he let solo, get his hands under the table. So, not only was it not a purely self-defense move, it was entirely consistent with his known character at the time.

Joseph Campbell did indeed influence Lucas on the Hero's Journey. Good call out.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Cedar Rapids (2011)

You might have missed this is quirky little gem about a midwestern insurance convention. I did. Saw it recently. Simply and inexpensively shot, it is almost a "B" movie. But the producers wisely choose to spent the money on Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Sigorney Weaver, Kurtwood Smith, Steven Root, Ali Shawkat and they deliver a very funny, sweet, silly, offbeat comedy with real heart and a mean edge. Helms is the naive newbie stepping up in class with a cadre of backstabbing, double dealing, corrupt, competitors and a few genuine good guys. I loved it. Three stars.

Saw this years ago, barely remember it although I think I liked it. I used to get Ed Helms and Jason Sudeikis mixed up, although their careers have obviously gone in very different directions.

 

[Stagnant]

A Complete Unknown. I liked Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez a lot. I thought her singing was wonderful.

 

[ZooCougar]

I found it (Conclave) very entertaining, I'm not sure any brisker would have been better with this one. I find the slower paced movies are better in the theater. Less distractions helps me get into the groove.

Conclave was on the cusp of being great. The problem is that it was too obvious. Of course that guy was going to end up being Pope. Least surprising thing ever. As for the you know what. Hollywood just can't help themselves. Trying to be spoiler free here.

 

[ZooCougar]

Cedar Rapids (2011)

You might have missed this quirky little gem about a midwestern insurance convention. I did. Saw it recently. Simply and inexpensively shot, it is almost a "B" movie. But the producers wisely choose to spent the money on Ed Helms, John C. Reilly, Anne Heche, Sigorney Weaver, Kurtwood Smith, Steven Root, Ali Shawkat and they deliver a very funny, sweet, silly, offbeat comedy with real heart and a mean edge. Helms is the naive newbie stepping up in class with a cadre of backstabbing, double dealing, corrupt, competitors and a few genuine good guys. I loved it. Three stars.

This is the very definition of a movie that you watch on a plane. Good enough.

 

[nomar]

Leaving this here

 

[nomar]

Conclave was on the cusp of being great. The problem is that it was too obvious. Of course that guy was going to end up being Pope. Least surprising thing ever. As for the you know what. Hollywood just can't help themselves. Trying to be spoiler free here.

Yes, you knew he'd be Pope. But did you know he'd be _________?

I didn't get it until a moment before he said it.

 

[nomar]

Leaving this here

Putting aside our personal politics and thoughts on the Catholic Church, you really have to wonder to what extent watching the movie influenced the cardinals' votes. It's no great secret that everyone is susceptible to the power of suggestion. And the movie clearly takes a side as between those favoring inclusivity vs the hardliners.

At the very minimum, we do know that many cardinals watched it to get a sense of the process. It's really difficult to think of a (fictional) film having such immediate and significant relevance!

Although some people are comparing Jordon Hudson to Anora, so there's that, too!

 

[superjohn]

Putting aside our personal politics and thoughts on the Catholic Church, you really have to wonder to what extent watching the movie influenced the cardinals' votes. It's no great secret that everyone is susceptible to the power of suggestion. And the movie clearly takes a side as between those favoring inclusivity vs the hardliners.

At the very minimum, we do know that many cardinals watched it to get a sense of the process. It's really difficult to think of a (fictional) film having such immediate and significant relevance!

Although some people are comparing Jordon Hudson to Anora, so there's that, too!

I sure hope not, the movie was ridiculous.

 

[Waquoit]

Putting aside our personal politics and thoughts on the Catholic Church, you really have to wonder to what extent watching the movie influenced the cardinals' votes. It's no great secret that everyone is susceptible to the power of suggestion. And the movie clearly takes a side as between those favoring inclusivity vs the hardliners.

At the very minimum, we do know that many cardinals watched it to get a sense of the process. It's really difficult to think of a (fictional) film having such immediate and significant relevance!

Although some people are comparing Jordon Hudson to Anora, so there's that, too!

It sounds like the new guy was a surprise, just like the movie. And the former Pope seems to have a bond with him, like the movie.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Putting aside our personal politics and thoughts on the Catholic Church, you really have to wonder to what extent watching the movie influenced the cardinals' votes. It's no great secret that everyone is susceptible to the power of suggestion. And the movie clearly takes a side as between those favoring inclusivity vs the hardliners.

At the very minimum, we do know that many cardinals watched it to get a sense of the process. It's really difficult to think of a (fictional) film having such immediate and significant relevance!

Although some people are comparing Jordon Hudson to Anora, so there's that, too!

The Politico story was absolute nonsense. It had no impact.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Die Alone. 2025. Carrie Ann Moss and Douglas Smith. This is a horror/post apocalyptic zombie/virus film. Smith plays Ethan, who flees the virus with his Dr. wife Emma. There's a car accident and he wakes up and has amnesia. He meets a survivalist named Mae (Moss) who helps him. The virus is turning people into plant like zombie type creatures. There's a lot of flashbacks and Ethan struggles to remember Mae or what transpires. We get a lot of memories of Emma however. There's a twist here and it was entirely predictable for me. Is it good? It's ok. A bit sad really.

 

[nomar]

The Politico story was absolute nonsense. It had no impact.

A. How would you know (a) nobody watched it and (b) if they did, it had zero effect on them? B. The eventual Pope absolutely watched it.

Pope Leo played Wordle, watched 'Conclave' before his historic election, brother says

Pope Leo, he's just like us -- in some unexpected, refreshingly ordinary ways.

www.nbcchicago.com

 

[nomar]

I sure hope not, the movie was ridiculous.

Putting aside the ending, I'd like to know what you thought was "ridiculous," given your vast experience in papal conclaves.

 

[HuskyHawk]

A. How would you know (a) nobody watched it and (b) if they did, it had zero effect on them? B. The eventual Pope absolutely watched it.

Pope Leo played Wordle, watched 'Conclave' before his historic election, brother says

Pope Leo, he's just like us -- in some unexpected, refreshingly ordinary ways.

www.nbcchicago.com

My wife works for the church and our Pastor spent many years in that same group in Rome that Prevost ran. So he knows those guys and told us it was going to be very quick. Said most of them never watched the movie. Do you really think they learned how to run a conclave from the movie and not the other way around? It's silly to even suggest that. He got over 100 votes out of 133. This was an easy one.

 

[superjohn]

Putting aside the ending, I'd like to know what you thought was "ridiculous," given your vast experience in papal conclaves.

They made the cardinals out to be a bunch of immoral snakes. This was a movie/book about American politics masked as a movie about The Church. They top it off with the cardinal who came in from Afghanistan (never would've been allowed at a real papal conclave) and then they vote him in as Pope over the traditionalist who they portray as a racist right winger who thinks Muslims are animals. Oh and the cardinal who is voted in as Pope has a uterus.

It never would've seen the light of day in Hollywood if Islam or Judaism was portrayed/mocked this way.

 

[nomar]

My wife works for the church and our Pastor spent many years in that same group in Rome that Prevost ran. So he knows those guys and told us it was going to be very quick. Said most of them never watched the movie. Do you really think they learned how to run a conclave from the movie and not the other way around? It's silly to even suggest that. He got over 100 votes out of 133. This was an easy one.

Wow, you should have bet on it, with that inside info that nobody else seemed to have when he was on a list of 20 possibilities. Everyone else in the world seemed to be stunned, including by how quickly the consensus emerged after the wings' preferred candidates didn't get enough traction.

I didn't say anyone learned how to run a conclave from watching the movie. I said cardinals watched it to get a sense of the process, given that the report simply stated that (a) a number of cardinals had watched it and (b) a number of the participants had never gone through a conclave before.

 

[nomar]

They made the cardinals out to be a bunch of immoral snakes. This was a movie/book about American politics masked as a movie about The Church. They top it off with the cardinal who came in from Afghanistan (never would've been allowed at a real papal conclave) and then they vote him in as Pope over the traditionalist who they portray as a racist right winger who thinks Muslims are animals. Oh and the cardinal who is voted in as Pope has a uterus.

It never would've seen the light of day in Hollywood if Islam or Judaism was portrayed/mocked this way.

First of all, use the spoiler filter. Second, wow, you sound like an altar boy.

It's a movie but if you think the men who have managed to rise to the top of the Catholic Church have done so solely on the basis of their devotion to God, oh man.

Yeah, Islam gets a free pass from Hollywood. Definitely not the terrorist in every movie.