Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
 

Come on it is hard to watch a good movie all 7 days a week :lol:

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2024

Amazon digital rental

A mini Boardwalk Empire reunion with Michael C Pitt, Steve Buscemi, and Jack Huston the disfigured guy on the show directing and you get a rare Joe Pesci appearance and Ron Perlman as the trainer.

I think boxing is the best sport to cover when it comes to movies.

I hope Pitt has cleaned up his act and maybe this role was close to his own personal life in some ways and he has talent and can still bring the goods.

If Jack Huston wants to direct more movies I am in.

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Hard Eight…an oft forgot about Paul Thomas Anderson classic. I love heist and card movies. They are just so deceptive and interesting. I loved it the first time I saw and definitely loved it this time.

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https://images.static-bluray.com/mov...g?t=1557699367

Rider On The Rain Kino Lorber Blu-Ray
Charles Bronson. Directed by Rene Clement. 1970
After a young woman is raped, a mysterious investigator appears on the scene. His motives become increasingly difficult to understand as he becomes more involved in the case.

"Rider On The Rain" was a big International hit for Charles Bronson, setting up the lucrative Later Stage of his career. This is one of those films that was actually shot twice, -with scenes performed in English and then again in French. I remember it playing for years on double and triple bills, but this is the first time actually I've watched it.

"Rider On The Rain" is an interesting film, though a bit oddly structured. It begins with Marlene Jobert being viciously raped by a "Home Invader". Eventually she gets the drop on him and shoots him dead. Rather than call The Police, she hides the body and the evidence, never telling her Husband or Mother what happened. Twenty-five minutes into the running time Charles Bronson enters the film as an American Military Investigator. He just happens to be looking for the dead rapist, who is connected to an unrelated theft. He quickly suspects Jobert of killing the man, and he just has to get her to confess and lead him to the body and (possibly) the money.

Basically, the film becomes a "Columbo" story, where the audience knows who committed the crime (though it was clearly self-defense) and it's a game of "Cat-and-Mouse" with Jobert and Bronson trying to outsmart each other. The film is as much of a Relationship Story as it is a Thriller. Jobert is belittled and underestimated by her Mother and Husband; she comes across as a bit of a little girl avoiding consequences. Through her dealings with Bronson, she eventually grows a bit of a backbone. Charles Bronson is surprisingly charming in the film, with a Cheshire Cat grin and a real chemistry with Jobert.

The picture quality is satisfactory for the most part. This is one of those transfers that leans on the "teal", and white clothing or white surfaces read as a soft blue-green.

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Bought this on February 21 when Amazon was selling it for $14.99. Finally received it March 15. Great release!

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The Housemaid Lionsgate Blu-Ray
Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried. Directed by Paul Feig. 2025
Millie is a struggling parolee who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina and Andrew, an upscale, wealthy couple. She soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own.

"The Housemaid" opened in third place Box-Office-wise, but it made a slow, steady profit, probably because of its appeal to the Female audience. The film was a hit for Lionsgate and a success for Sydney Sweeney, at a time when they both could use one.

Paul Feig is generally considered a Comedy director, having helmed "Bridesmaids" and other Melissa McCarthy ventures, including the unfortunate 2016 "Ghostbusters". However, he did a really nice job with the "Trashy Novel" adaptation "A Simple Favor" and he returns to the sub-genre with his adaptation of "The Housemaid". Feig has a real knack for this type of film, perhaps because he takes his Camp seriously and never winks at the audience. I've seen the movie described as an Erotic Thriller, but if you're looking for "Basic Instinct" you're going to be disappointed, even though Sweeney and Brandon Sklenar show some skin.

Sydney Sweeney plays "Millie", a recent parolee who hides her past to get a job with a wealthy couple, Nina and Andrew. Though it seems like a lucky break for Millie, Nina is prone to erratic, destructive behavior and puts the blame on Millie. It becomes clear that Nina just might be off her rocker, but Andrew seems to brush it off. It's clear that there are secrets in lurking in the house (and a quietly scary house it is). "The Housemaid" is almost a Modern re-vamp of a Sixties Gothic Horror, something Robert Aldrich might have directed. It certainly uses Horror Movie Logic, where plot-turns make sense in the moment, but leave you scratching your head a little later.

I'm not squeamish but there are some gruesome scenes of self-harm that made me look away for a moment. Nonetheless, I fell for this film hook, line, and sinker. It's very entertaining.

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F1 (AppleTV) 4.5 stars for me. Good movie. Had me on the edge of my seat there at the end.

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David Angel Studios Blu-Ray
Brandon Engman. Directed by Brent Dawes. 2025
Beyond the giant's shadow, the shepherd boy embarks on a journey to show his people that true power lies not in kingship, but in faith and freedom.

"David" from Angel Studios wants very much to be "Prince of Egypt" but it isn't quite as lush or has its emotional power. It is a generally entertaining film, though, and is suitable for Families that are in the mood for an inoffensive Bible Story. The film tells the story of David aa a young shepherd, his defeat of the giant Goliath, his conflict with King Saul, who doesn't want to lose his crown, and David accepting his own destiny. For the more Adult complications of his later life, there are plenty of flamboyant Live-Action films like "King David" with Richard Gere.

I didn't really care for the animation at first, -the characters had the look of stop-motion puppets with large eyes and sculpted hair. The animals are on the cartoony side. However, as the movie progressed the look of the film grew on me. The songs are more Pop than Broadway; they're all perfectly listenable, though I couldn't bring a single one to mind as I type this.

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The Strangers Shout! Factory 4K
Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman. Directed by Brian Bertino. 2008
Three mysterious strangers terrorize a young couple in a remote house after they return from a wedding.

"The Strangers" did well enough to generate a sequel ("Prey at Night") as well as Renny Harlan's misbegotten three-film reboot. None of them lives up to the original, which is a transgressive and disturbing film on a par with "Last House on the Left" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". The film recognizes that there's nothing more terrifying than what's just outside your door. Home Invasion is a real fear of mine, and this film really tapped into that.

The film is wonderfully ambiguous. All we have is James and Kristen's sad, messy story on this one particular night, and we're really given very little of that. The film doesn't get bogged down in specifics and that just makes everything seem more real, and random and cruel.

I really loved the sound design of the film. The slams and the knocks and the small mysterious noises are all amped up and seem to be coming from every direction. It genuinely upped the Creep Factor and gave my sound system a workout. I'm not particularly a fan of Scott Speedman or Liv Tyler, but their low-key energy sold the vulnerability of the couple. I couldn't see Scott becoming Bruce Willis or Liv a "Girl Boss" and their just seemed no way out for them

Brian Bertino really delivered with "The Strangers". This film is just mean and I loved it. I'm going to have to look up his follow-up films like "The Monster" and "The Dark and the Wicked".

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Invasion U.S.A....this was not a good movie. but wanted to honor Chuck.

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I remember seeing the trailer for "Invasion USA" and I was very excited. It really had that "Exploitation" vibe, -"Terror Strikes The Heartland", that kind of thing, with Chuck Norris and Richard Lynch for good measure. And this was right after "Code of Silence", which was (for me, anyway) one of Chuck's best films. So I was very hyped and I saw it on opening day, -and I was really disappointed. It just felt cheap and it really didn't exploit the premise. Setting it in Florida (as I recall) lost all that EveryTown USA warm fuzzies that would be replaced by Shock! went it was destroyed by the Foreign Invaders). It really needed to be "Red Dawn" with a mature lead and more ass-kicking. Also, Andrew Davis ("Code of Silence") knew how to work with "limited" actors (surrounding Chuck with Character Actors who do all the talking)) and Zito didn't have a clue. Still, I guess the film has its moments.

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Is This Thing On? Hulu
Will Arnett, Laura Dern. Directed by Bradley Cooper. 2025
As their marriage quietly unravels, Alex seeks new purpose in the New York comedy scene while Tess confronts the sacrifices she made for their family — forcing them to navigate co-parenting, identity, and whether love can take a new form.

I had my doubts when I saw the trailer for Bradley Cooper's third film as Director, "Is This Thing On?". Will Arnett is fine in small doses as a comedic actor and Lego Show host, but I didn't really see him pulling off Stand-Up Comedy. That's a different set of muscles. Much to my surprise, I underestimated Arnett and he's quite likeable and sincere in the film. I don't know that he could actually make a living on the circuit, but I was buying what the film was selling ...for a while, anyway.

I enjoyed watching Arnett as "Alex", discovering "Open Mike Nights" and honing his craft "live" while he was working the crowd. However, Stand-Up is just a storytelling device in the film, and that plotline is pretty much resolved two-thirds of the way in. The Final Act is just a lot of Relationship Drama. It feels a little too close to the bone and specific, as if the writers (which include Arnett and Cooper) were working out their own personal stuff on the stage.

Laura Dern is typically fine in her co-starring role as Arnett's rather unfulfilled wife. There's quite a large cast of colorful supporting characters and Cooper tries to satisfy them all with sub-plots and additional scenes. "Is This Thing On?" is an enjoyable film for the most part, but I was ready for it to go long before it left the stage.

Re: Last Movie You Watched Thread
 

The Devil’s Advocate…trashy, but fun nonetheless.

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Project Hail Mary (2026) — Never read (or heard of the book but not much of a book reader aside from crime-thrillers) so I don't know anything about it, but thought this was a lot of fun with heart and Ryan Gosling was great. Hampering my experience was a girl next to me trying to get every drop of her slushie and the last 30 minutes having a full bladder not to mention the really warm theater. I was in a D-BOX seat which was well utilized. I'll check it out again once it gets to 4K. Still, solid sci-fi drama. ****/*****

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https://images.static-bluray.com/mov...g?t=1767138535

All The President's Men Warner Bros 4K
Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman. Directed by Alan J Pakula. 1976
Washington Post reporters uncover the details of the Watergate scandal that set the stage for President Nixon's eventual resignation.

Here's another film I haven't watched in a few decades. I went in thinking "All The President's Men" won Best Picture in '76, having entirely forgotten that the winner was "Rocky". Personally, my choice was and remains "Taxi Driver". ATPM remains an engrossing film, which is surprising since the script is just about all expository dialogue. Credit, I suppose, goes to William Goldman, whose script shaped the film; he dropped the second half of the book that followed the various trials. Of course, being Hollywood, everyone sought an on-screen Writing credit, including Robert Redford. Carl Berstein and then-girlfriend and future ex-wife Nora Ephron even submitted a draft of the script that clearly flattered Carl.

My favorite element of the film is the wonderfully detailed Washington Post set. It's a real Time Machine, taking us back to Reporting in 1976. There are manual typewriters, AP wire machines, phones with dials, smoking in public, handwritten notes, and those wonderful fashions like checkered shirts. Most importantly, people still read newspapers and newspapers were worth reading. The film features a magnificent cast filled with familiar faces, many in small roles; they range from old pros like Jason Robards and Martin Balsam to up-and-comers like Jane Alexander, Linsay Crouse, and F Murray Abraham.

"All The President's Men" is a film that really captures a moment.

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The Game
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie

-with a grandson by his request.

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Mercy Amazon Prime
Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson. Directed by Timur Bekmambetov. 2026
Set in the near future, a detective accused of murdering his wife has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an advanced AI judge.

For a minute there, I was considering seeing "Mercy" in the theater. I had seen the 3D trailer for the film in front of "Avatar", and I was impressed with the look. Then the reviews came out, and I'm seeing it for the first time on Prime on a Sunday afternoon.

The overused joke on "Mercy" is that it's "Temu 'Minority Report'" and that wouldn't be wrong. Its about a Cop being tried for the murder of his wife and he claims to be innocent. He's being tried by an infallible AI Justice Program called "Mercy" which has access to all Public and Private data, and he has 90 minutes to prove his innocence or be immediately executed. "Mercy" also has features the latest advances from The Affordable Dystopia Store, including omnipresent drones, bodycams, and flying Police motorcycles.

Chris Pratt is Detective Chris Raven and he's seated in a high-tech rig for most of the film. Rebecca Ferguson is (by necessity) a "talking head" as his Vulcan-like AI Judge. Pratt eventually gets out of his chair for a fight scene but most of the action, -a kidnapping, a truck chase, explosions and whatnot, -are observed through drone cameras and the body cams of secondary characters.




Overall, I found the film passably entertaining, though I found most of the characters, -except for maybe the AI Judge, -harsh and unpleasant

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Ready or Not: Here I Come (2026) — Fun time at the movies for sure and Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton are good together, but this does pale in comparison to the first as that film's final 5 minutes and its twist was fantastic, though everything leading up to it was also great as well. But with that twist, this one loses some of the luster and the writing was weaker. Yet still I was entertained and some of the fight scenes were great. It's also nice seeing Sarah Michelle Gellar in a prominent role. ***½/*****

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Dear Evan Hansen - I came into this only having heard a few of the songs and knowing the basic beginning premise of the musical.

It was a bit creepy as the story unfolded, but as it went on it smoothed out.

Good performances all around.

Some of the topics hit close to home and made me tear up a time or two.

Hug those closest to you and really listen to them. Don’t judge. Just be there.

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2025

Amazon digital rental

"Based on true events, The Ritual follows two priests -- one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino) -- who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms."

Maybe not breaking new ground when it comes to exorcism movies though Pacino was good in the role as the priest.

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Amazon Prime

2025

"Two couples arrive at a countryside mansion they booked unknowingly together. They discover strange occurrences during stay."

Kind of a bore though James McAvoy gave a good performance and he is screwing all or most of his co-stars.

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I own this

I wished they used the original Drew Stuzan poster artwork for the 4k though it is on the standard Blu-ray


It seems there is something in every Tom Hanks movie that makes you cry.


Still holds up and maybe if there was some revisionist history it might have won best picture and beat American Beauty which now has kind of a ick factor with what Kevin Spacey did.

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan, Michael Jeter, Harry Dean Stanton, and Dabbs Greer who played the Hanks character when he was older.

Barry Pepper was getting a lot of good roles back then but went MIA in the last 2 decades.

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https://images.static-bluray.com/mov...g?t=1766025346

The Thing With Feathers Universal Pictures Blu-Ray
Benedict Cumberbatch. Directed by Dylan Southern. 2025
A father and his two young sons deal with the sudden death of their wife and mother.

I'd never heard of "The Thing With Feathers" until it showed up at The County Library. As a disc it barely exists, with a menu that lists only "Play" and "Subtitles". Even the film itself is shot in the small 1:33:1 ratio, with the image being swallowed up by black bars on each side. There's only one audio option. Is this disc some sort of contractual obligation for Universal?

The story concerns a grief-stricken "Dad" (Benedict Cumberbatch in a devastating performance), -a published illustrator, -who is consumed with despair after the death of his wife, and he doesn't know how to deal with his two young sons. His grief manifests itself in the form of a giant crow (portrayed by a performer in a stylized costume) that taunts and belittles him, haunting his dreams at night and his sketchbook while he's awake.

One could describe "The Thing With Feathers" as Psychological Horror, I suppose. Or perhaps it is Grief Therapy in screenplay form. I was reminded of "The Babadook", where the emotions portrayed are so real and so close to the bone that the story is difficult to watch. The film is sincere, imaginative and deeply felt, but if it didn't offer at least a hint of light at the end of the tunnel I couldn't recommend it all.