Recently watched movies

[Hikari]

14 hours ago, Carol the Dabbler said:

 

You're apparently at least half right about that.  This is from Wikipedia:

Harry's surname "Hole" translates to "Hill" in English and is the name of a historic Norwegian town (Hole, Norway) with a heritage that goes back to the Viking Age. The name is derived from Old Norse Hólar, the plural form of hóll, meaning "round and isolated hill." The word is pronounced as two syllables, with stress on the first (HOO-leh). In The Bat, the Australian police call him "Harry Holy."

Critics link the personality of Harry Hole to those of the famous literary detectives such as Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Jules Maigret, and Nero Wolfe. According to Jo Nesbo himself, the character is inspired by and a tribute to Michael Connelly's character Harry Bosch.

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Thanks for that interesting factoid.  The English-language cast pronounces it as it looks, but 'HOO-leh' would have added more authentic flavor.  I imagine that the great majority of English-speaking readers who have only read Jo Nesbo in translation have been calling his hero 'Hole' for years and would have been confused if he'd been addressed as Detective Inspector HOO-leh in the movie.

I haven't read any Jo Nesbo, though I have a few of his books languishing in my TBR pile, including Snowman, I think.  Nordic noir has just mushroomed as a genre since Steig Larsson scored such a hit with his series.  Before Lisbeth Salander, we had Kurt Wallander, who is another Scandi detective I am more familiar with onscreen, having watched all three of the television Wallanders do their take on the role.  I've got Henning Mankell's novels in a pile as well.  I don't know if it's a lost-in-translation thing or is an accurate reflection of the Scandinavian mindset, but I find Scandi prose for the most part extremely heavy and slow.  Very wordy, as it seems to be a custom to refer to their sprawling casts of characters by their full given and surnames each time, and as a group they seem to dive deep into incredibly detailed, mind-numbingly so, descriptions of various interiors of a house, the brand-name furnishings, the designer labels being worn by the characters or descriptions of restaurant decors and meals that go on for pages.  As a travelogue of Scandinavian design aesthetic, it is interesting, but it tends to take the air right out of a dramatic narrative *action* story.  So, despite the best of intentions, and having enjoyed many film adaptations of these works ('enjoyed' seems a bit wrong to use when the content can be very grisly), I've yet to slog though a lot of these Nordic noir bestsellers.  I would like to read Nesbo, to see if I can detect a difference in attitude between a Norwegian author and the Swedish ones  I have read more of.  Swedish authors seem to insert a lot of references to class--which suspects or colleagues hail from 'aristocratic' families, and how much money they have and what their standard of living is like.  The Swedes at any rate seem to really enjoy expensive things and can be positively rhapsodic about food.  

It is said that Norwegians & Danes think that Swedes are stuck up.  Swedes and Danes think that Norwegians are dumb, and Norwegians and Swedes think that Danes are frivolous.  I wonder if these stereotypes are reflected in their fiction.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

3 hours ago, Hikari said:

they seem to dive deep into incredibly detailed, mind-numbingly so, descriptions of various interiors of a house, the brand-name furnishings, the designer labels being worn by the characters or descriptions of restaurant decors and meals that go on for pages. 

Once in the misty past, I read the historical novel Quo Vadis, which had a similar effect on me.  A character would walk into a room, then apparently freeze in his tracks while the narrator described the contents and occupants of the room in some detail, before the character was allowed to walk any further or say even hello.  I've always assumed that was a Victorian thing (the book was written in the 1890s), and it may well be -- but upon looking up the book for that link back there, I noticed that it was written in Polish (therefore what I read was a translation).  So maybe it's a European thing?

Thank goodness Victorian quasi-European Arthur Conan Doyle didn't write that way!

 

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

Maybe not right thread, but close enough!

With many sequels, remake, blablabla nowadays that we never ask for (Avatar 🙄, Ice AgeS, ShrekS, Ocean Eight is probably the worst star-studded movie I had ever seen),

do you guys actually have sequel or remake that you want to be made? Or TV movie adaptation?

One of my favorite Scifi is Moon, starring Sam Rockwell. It's not everyone's cup of tea, but the story is intriguing at its time and still, and I really want to know what happens next. I actually just found out there is a sequel! But from careful search (I don't want to be spoiled) there seems to be not many information about it. However, I have become weary that it would not live up to the original and taint it.

I also don't mind seeing a sequel to Truman Show, and not-exactly-welldone but I like it, The Island starring Scarlett Johansson and Ewan Macgregor, I want to know what happen. But it's a fine line between good sequel script and horrible cliche. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

16 minutes ago, Van Buren Supernova said:

I also don't mind seeing a sequel to Truman Show

Me too!  They had just gotten to the good part, and the movie was over!  

There was serious talk of a third "Three Men and a ..." movie ("Three Men and a Bride"), but things have now dragged out for so long that I doubt it's ever gonna happen.  Too bad.

And there was a good bit of talk about a (movie) remake of "Christmas in Connecticut" with Jennifer Garner.  She was so funny in "Thirteen Going on Thirty" that I was really looking forward to that one as well.  But that was fourteen years ago, so I ain't holding my breath.

 

[Fantasy Lover]

It's not really a movie, but I'd like to have a season 2 of Good Omens.

[Fantasy Lover]

I've just seen wonder woman 1984 and I have issues with it: namely the way Steve Trevor came back, the slow paced beginning and the fact that Wonder Woman became a Mary Sue and suddenly gained the power of flight and making things invisible dispite using it ONCE for coffee cup for crying out loud. This video highlights some other issues I have with the movie: namely people being stupid and things being convenient, it has spoilers btw. Anyway, I give it a 4/10.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

On 3/2/2021 at 1:35 PM, Fantasy Lover said:

I've just seen wonder woman 1984 and I have issues with it: namely the way Steve Trevor came back, the slow paced beginning and the fact that Wonder Woman became a Mary Sue and suddenly gained the power of flight and making things invisible dispite using it ONCE for coffee cup for crying out loud. This video highlights some other issues I have with the movie: namely people being stupid and things being convenient, it has spoilers btw. Anyway, I give it a 4/10.

We haven't seen it yet -- I sure hope we like it better than you did!

Anyhow, thanks for not posting any major spoilers, and for warning us about spoilers in the video.

 

[Fantasy Lover]

I hope so too, I hope you will post your review here, I'm curious to know what you think about it. You're welcome btw, I know some people really hate spoilers because it ruins the experience for them because they what will happen. I don't hate spoilers, in fact, sometimes I'm glad they exist. Take A star is born for example, I was spoilered about 

 

Bradley's Cooper character committing suicide

and because of that I refuse to watch it because it's a huge trigger for me, the same goes to 13 reasons why and Prayers for Bobby.

 

Anyway I watched Coming 2 America, the reveal that 

 

Akeem has a illegemate son

is interesting but the way they reveal it is slightly problematic and LAME! Also once again, the ruler of Zamunda forgot he has the power to change the rules therefore causing the movie's conflict that could have been avoided. The fact that the majority of the original cast was able to reprise their roles was nice, also how is it possible that barely anyone aged? I swear almost everyone looks the same despite being 30+ years older, are POC are secretly vampires or do they just have great genes? I give it a 4/10 as well.

[Artemis]

On 2/4/2021 at 9:35 PM, Van Buren Supernova said:

I also don't mind seeing a sequel to Truman Show, and not-exactly-welldone but I like it, The Island starring Scarlett Johansson and Ewan Macgregor, I want to know what happen.

Ditto!  "The Truman Show" is one of my faves.

On 3/2/2021 at 12:35 PM, Fantasy Lover said:

the fact that Wonder Woman became a Mary Sue and suddenly gained the power of flight and making things invisible dispite using it ONCE for coffee cup for crying out loud.

That was one thing (of many) that bugged me about the latest "Star Wars" trilogy.  In universe, most Jedi train from toddlers to use the Force and fight with a saber.  But Rey could do both almost immediately with no practice?  Come on. 

 

[Artemis]

My local theater finally dropped its mask requirement for the vaccinated, so back to the theater I went!  I saw "A Quiet Place 2" on Wednesday afternoon and I was the only one in the showing.  It was great just to be at the theater again, I missed it.  It felt familiar but also a little strange.  It's been too long.

The movie was good.  If I had to choose I'd say I prefer the first one, but this was almost as good and I hope there will be a Part 3 to round it all out.

There are more and more new movies coming out so I'm excited to return.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

8 hours ago, Artemis said:

My local theater finally dropped its mask requirement for the vaccinated, so back to the theater I went!  I saw "A Quiet Place 2" on Wednesday afternoon and I was the only one in the showing.

I bet there have been a lot of people sitting alone in a movie theater over the past year -- wearing a mask!

Strange times.

 

[Artemis]

2 hours ago, Carol the Dabbler said:

I bet there have been a lot of people sitting alone in a movie theater over the past year -- wearing a mask!

Strange times.

Probably, in other places.  Not so much here; they were completely closed down for a long time.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

8 hours ago, Artemis said:

they were completely closed down for a long time.

Our movie theaters were also closed down a good bit of this past year -- but then they'd be open, then closed again.  It's a wonder they're still in business.

 

[Artemis]

8 hours ago, Carol the Dabbler said:

It's a wonder they're still in business.

I’m a little concerned for them myself.  I hope they will make it through this, I’d hate to lose them.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

4 hours ago, Artemis said:

I hope they will make it through this, I’d hate to lose them.

Me too.  Though in my case it's currently more of a "nice to know they're there" sort of thing.  There isn't much in my personal movie queue at the moment, barring an Enola Holmes theatrical (or DVD) release.

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

On 6/8/2021 at 2:06 AM, Artemis said:

My local theater finally dropped its mask requirement for the vaccinated, so back to the theater I went!  I saw "A Quiet Place 2" on Wednesday afternoon and I was the only one in the showing.  It was great just to be at the theater again, I missed it.  It felt familiar but also a little strange.  It's been too long.

The movie was good.  If I had to choose I'd say I prefer the first one, but this was almost as good and I hope there will be a Part 3 to round it all out.

There are more and more new movies coming out so I'm excited to return.

 

I miss theater but wouldn't touch them now, especially I don't trust the health protocol around me. I have kind of giving up.

But I just watched The Quiet Place II from the convinience of my home, and it's decent. I thought I like the first one better, but when I give it another thought, maybe the first one lose more points. I put in spoiler box, as I'm about to go nuts with it. @Artemis, let me know what you think for those details.

The protags are lousy lousy borderline maybe not so borderline horrible parents!!

1. They have the whole town pharmacy in their disposal, why on earth *%@%#$ they procreate? Safe sex people!! Or no! Seriously. Of all the cliche we heard 'I don't want to bring a baby in this messed up world', this is the ULTIMATE messed up world. *Shake fist to the sky* (pardon me, sometimes I go a litttleee bit too nuts for movie plot). And what, because they have just lost their other kid??? SEE NUMBER TWO!!

2. In every, every single type of team 'expedition', sweeper is very important and sometimes even more important than leader, sweeper being last person and leader being first. I am not in military, can't speak for it but very sure it's applicable as well. I was just active in some wilderness exploration stuff and recretional team exploration, this is one of the most important things. You don't walk in line with weakest person in the back, HEY lousy parent! Sweeper should be second or strongest person. They keep watch of tribe safety. It's very idiotic to walk in line like that like somekind of evolution phase in T shirt. See what happens?? See now??? Huh???

3. Stay near the frigging waterfall then!! Goodbess gracious! Gah!!!!

 

Those for the first one, if it's not obvious, I actually like the movie.

 

For second movie:

1. The  boat and island stuff is probably the most criticism I have. So that creature swaying and chilling in the boat instead of pursuing protag on the row boat. You see how fast they finish their work. No time to leap to them?? O-Okay. 

I am not really clear, so I could be wrong. Why don't the government or whoever fight the creature? The know they can't swim. They have limited leaping ability apparently. Yes they have armors and their weakness was still unknown. Armors are not impenetrable, they can attack from air and water, with heavy duty armor. No?? Let the creature thrive??

2. For the baby that require air tank, no spare eh? Good thinking!!

 

Now for the good:

1. It's not easy ro concentrate when an actor is too well known. Hey, Cillian Murphy. Bet he is going to play major role. But I like him and looking forward to that. There is one subtle scene in the dock, when he realizes what the worthless human guy has in mind. It was a very good scene and most scene with him kind of elevate the whole movie for me. I find him very believable when he is crazy and mean as shit and when he is kind and heroic. Tsk, scarecrow.

2. The overall actings and settings are really good. Set aside movie trope with candles that so powerful to light up every settings well.

3. I imagine myself as the aliens,  who seems to crash landing into earth, dealing with their misfortune and headaches, and "Good God!! What a noisy hideous place! Can't take it! Shut up!!!!!"

All they want is peace and quiet, you all. Is that too much to ask??

I remember getting out of theater on the first movie to have lunch, and there were many families letting their kids run around and scream. At that time, I really want the aliens to appear.

Well, long enough for now.

 

[J.P.]

Well, the most movies are like lessons how NOT to do stuff. Otherwise the s**t needed for a story wouln't happen.

[Van Buren Supernova]

On 7/4/2021 at 12:16 AM, J.P. said:

Well, the most movies are like lessons how NOT to do stuff. Otherwise the s**t needed for a story wouln't happen.

I wouldn't mind it for crappy movies, or as I understand, most of horror movies.

 

But when the characters make smart decision for others, and do one or two extremely glaring stupidity, it's way too distracting.

Especially when it is against the value that is portrayed as something super important to them and emphasized throughout the movie, in this case "protecting family", without much explanation why the stupidity happens or makes it believable. Not to mention that they had actually survived for a while.

Yah! And of course it's completely understandable to hammer a nail upward and leave it there.   Again, if it's not obvious, I actually like the movies.

[J.P.]

The Dig.
Surprisingly moving, great cast.

[besleybean]

Have fancied this...

[J.P.]

It's a little, quiet movie. Very… gentle, for lack of a better word.

[Fantasy Lover]

Black widow

I'm kind of disappointed in this movie, it didn't feel like an solo movie more like an orgin story for her replacement. The intro drags on too long, it's nice cover of an existing song but the whole time I like got on with it! Plus the amount of plot armour is just insulting, I give it a 6/10.

[DistantView]

I'm a cinephile and I sometimes take part in monthly film challenges on another board I"m on. Well, this month one of the themes is action/adventure and I took it upon myself to (re)watch every Bond film in anticipation of the new film coming in November. I grew up in the Roger Moore era and I was surprised that I didn't like as many of those on rewatch as I thought I would.

Thunderball is still my favorite; Connery still my fav Bond. I really like Daniel Craig though. Loved all his movies, with the exception of Quantum of Solace, which was middling, but still not bad imho. Think Skyfall is my 2nd fav, with Casino Royale and Goldfinger highly ranked as well.

 

 

What is your favorite 007 film?

[T.o.b.y]

On 8/27/2021 at 2:15 PM, DistantView said:

What is your favorite 007 film?

The very first one.  I think it's hilarious and iconic and the franchise didn't take itself too seriously yet. 

I watch movies mostly for entertainment and relaxation. People in my extended family or acquaintances who don't know me that well often seem to think of me as some kind of cultured intellectual and give me arthouse films on DVD that end up sitting on the shelf forever while I fry my brain with high school comedies, kids' movies and musicals. 😅

The last in any way objectively "good" movie that I really enjoyed was "The Shape of Water". I liked the fairly tale feel of it. Old fairy tales like those in the brothers Grimm collection or Anderson are dark and weird too, after all. 

[DistantView]

On 8/28/2021 at 8:32 AM, T.o.b.y said:

The very first one.  I think it's hilarious and iconic and the franchise didn't take itself too seriously yet. 

Yep, I agree. Dr. No is pretty cool. I don't thin the franchise ever took itself too seriously though... if the Roger Moore films are any indication.   Having said that, the Craig reboot films do seem to have a more serious tone to them...