I like the Death Star analogy. To calm myself I’ve been binge-watching the Star Wars movies and I’ve started thinking of him as Darth Rumpus myself. Which raises the question, where is the exhaust port we need to target to take him down and where is the X Wing fighter pilot to do it? Maybe Seal Team 6…
I like the Death Star analogy. To calm myself I’ve been binge-watching the Star Wars movies and I’ve started thinking of him as Darth Rumpus myself. Which raises the question, where is the exhaust port we need to target to take him down and where is the X Wing fighter pilot to do it? Maybe Seal Team 6…
There's only one of those movies worth watching more than once (the one released back in 1977). They've become what Scorsese has termed "international audio-visual corporate entertainment content." As a screenwriter, the stories past the first two are an embarrassment that someone went to an expensive school to learn to write such drivel. (I say that as an actual S-F writer who wrote an S-F "cult classic" movie, and former member of SFWA - before the field became recycled comic books) Anything on TCM is better, like the restored director's cut of "New York, New York" now being shown with the 30 minutes that gave the movie its heart restored. If this version had been what got released in 1977, Liza Minelli would have won Best Actress in a role where she topped her mother.
I agree they have many flaws but there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Return of the Jedi. It’s not great cinema but it’s fun. Right now I need the movie equivalent of cotton candy and that’s what these provide. I could spend all day agreeing with you about the flaws in the prequels and the lack of focus or cohesion in the last three, with a story line that twists more than a rope. But as escapism, well, it fills a niche for me. I’m more a reader than a movie watcher but I’m having trouble focusing on serious stuff right now and between the heat wave where I am and the news, the visual equivalent of cotton candy is what gets me through the night, literally, as we have no AC so I’m sleeping all day under fans and watching movies all night. When I’m feeling less grim I’ll watch something more meaty, such as The Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption, which I started last night but realized wasn’t going to suit the mood.
sounds like a plan. Do check out New York New York. It has this terrible critical history from the first release, then there was a restoration of 20 minutes of the original cut done in the 80s with a one-time release and critics said Oh, it's not as bad as I remember. Then this final restoration and you find a Scorsese masterpiece.
Manhattan born baby here. 1977/8 were desperate, tragic years for me. I love Liza Minnelli and even enjoyed New York, New York in its first release. The promise of a re-cut with ‘its heart restored’ is a promise of redemption for both me and Scorsese. Thanks for this information.
That is one of my absolute favorite movies, and Stephen King's novel is incredible, and the movie adaptation is so well done. The movie, in particular, gives the best snippet I have ever seen of what a coward with a badge looks like. It is also a cracking good story.
Wow, I am feeling and acting in the same way Sioux! For me it’s been mystery series on Acorn TV, especially those with lovely English villages and landscapes!
Sounds like you know what you’re talking about TC. I respectfully request your top 10 list of must watch movies. I’ll settle for your top five if you don’t have the time. Many thanks in advance.
Well, I did spend 40 years in Hollywood learning something. :-)
In no particular order - all available on streaming at MGM+ or TCM - I'll catch these any time they're available:
"1900" (only the director's 5 hour cut - which doesn't seem like that long when you're watching) - the rise and fall of fascism in Italy.
"The Bridges at Toko-ri" (Everybody told me if I did this movie I wouldn't have a career - but I already didn't have a career" - Mickey Rooney. Best aviation movie ever)
"Singing in the Rain" - best "Hollywood movie" ever
"Casablanca" - best movie ever
"Full Metal Jacket" - best Vietnam movie.
"Lonely Are The Brave" - Kirk Douglas' favorite Kirk Douglas movie - mine too,.
"Chinatown" - because it's great
"Godfather" - I and II together.
"Aliens" - best sequel ever
"Band of Brothers" - the 10 best war movies ever made
When I was first here in Hollywood, I "educated" myself by writing articles for movie magazines in order to meet Hollywood people doingthings thsat interested me. Fortunately, I have excellent interviewing skills. Steven Spielberg wouldn't spend 30 seconds with Tom Who? but he once spent 90 minutes of a scheduled 45 minute interview with Tom Cleaver from Starlog Magazine talking about Indiana Jones and told me at the end he'd never done that with another interviewer.
Among the people I interviewed was Julius J. Epstein, who with his brother Phillip and Howard Koch wrote "Casablanca." He was still actively at work at age 93, and it took him six weeks to find the time to meet with me. He told me the best story about writing Casablanca.:
As is well known, the writers were a day ahead of production throughout the project. One Sunday, they were desperately trying to come up with a line that would explain the way the cops in Casablanca worked. The Epstein brothers were driving down Sunset Boulevard, headed over to the Warner studio on Formosa in West Hollywood where they worked, and were arguing about lines. They got stopped at the traffic light on Cherokee, just up from the Hollywood Athletic Club. Phil looked out at the people on the sidewalk (the only difference between then and now being hair styles, clothing and vehicles); he snapped his finger, turned to Julius and said "Round up the usual suspects!"
Thank you. I see him as barreling through the universe causing death with everything he touches, a giant festering cancerous blob on the body politic. We watch a lot of various series on streaming services. And we read. It has been over a 100 here the last couple days, so we can't be outside and relegated to the AC, and very thankful we have it. I have been getting out early to pick berries when the temps are lower, but the humidity is higher.
I like the Death Star analogy. To calm myself I’ve been binge-watching the Star Wars movies and I’ve started thinking of him as Darth Rumpus myself. Which raises the question, where is the exhaust port we need to target to take him down and where is the X Wing fighter pilot to do it? Maybe Seal Team 6…
There's only one of those movies worth watching more than once (the one released back in 1977). They've become what Scorsese has termed "international audio-visual corporate entertainment content." As a screenwriter, the stories past the first two are an embarrassment that someone went to an expensive school to learn to write such drivel. (I say that as an actual S-F writer who wrote an S-F "cult classic" movie, and former member of SFWA - before the field became recycled comic books) Anything on TCM is better, like the restored director's cut of "New York, New York" now being shown with the 30 minutes that gave the movie its heart restored. If this version had been what got released in 1977, Liza Minelli would have won Best Actress in a role where she topped her mother.
I agree they have many flaws but there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Return of the Jedi. It’s not great cinema but it’s fun. Right now I need the movie equivalent of cotton candy and that’s what these provide. I could spend all day agreeing with you about the flaws in the prequels and the lack of focus or cohesion in the last three, with a story line that twists more than a rope. But as escapism, well, it fills a niche for me. I’m more a reader than a movie watcher but I’m having trouble focusing on serious stuff right now and between the heat wave where I am and the news, the visual equivalent of cotton candy is what gets me through the night, literally, as we have no AC so I’m sleeping all day under fans and watching movies all night. When I’m feeling less grim I’ll watch something more meaty, such as The Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption, which I started last night but realized wasn’t going to suit the mood.
sounds like a plan. Do check out New York New York. It has this terrible critical history from the first release, then there was a restoration of 20 minutes of the original cut done in the 80s with a one-time release and critics said Oh, it's not as bad as I remember. Then this final restoration and you find a Scorsese masterpiece.
Manhattan born baby here. 1977/8 were desperate, tragic years for me. I love Liza Minnelli and even enjoyed New York, New York in its first release. The promise of a re-cut with ‘its heart restored’ is a promise of redemption for both me and Scorsese. Thanks for this information.
It's a very nice surprise. You can get it on streaming at TCM (in Max streamer)
Had no idea, thanks
The Green Mile helped me through a long flight back to the US. I actually stayed awake.
That is one of my absolute favorite movies, and Stephen King's novel is incredible, and the movie adaptation is so well done. The movie, in particular, gives the best snippet I have ever seen of what a coward with a badge looks like. It is also a cracking good story.
Wow, I am feeling and acting in the same way Sioux! For me it’s been mystery series on Acorn TV, especially those with lovely English villages and landscapes!
Sounds like you know what you’re talking about TC. I respectfully request your top 10 list of must watch movies. I’ll settle for your top five if you don’t have the time. Many thanks in advance.
Well, I did spend 40 years in Hollywood learning something. :-)
In no particular order - all available on streaming at MGM+ or TCM - I'll catch these any time they're available:
"1900" (only the director's 5 hour cut - which doesn't seem like that long when you're watching) - the rise and fall of fascism in Italy.
"The Bridges at Toko-ri" (Everybody told me if I did this movie I wouldn't have a career - but I already didn't have a career" - Mickey Rooney. Best aviation movie ever)
"Singing in the Rain" - best "Hollywood movie" ever
"Casablanca" - best movie ever
"Full Metal Jacket" - best Vietnam movie.
"Lonely Are The Brave" - Kirk Douglas' favorite Kirk Douglas movie - mine too,.
"Chinatown" - because it's great
"Godfather" - I and II together.
"Aliens" - best sequel ever
"Band of Brothers" - the 10 best war movies ever made
others may differ
TC...have to agree about Casablanca which I can watch again and again.
I've lost count of how many times.
When I was first here in Hollywood, I "educated" myself by writing articles for movie magazines in order to meet Hollywood people doingthings thsat interested me. Fortunately, I have excellent interviewing skills. Steven Spielberg wouldn't spend 30 seconds with Tom Who? but he once spent 90 minutes of a scheduled 45 minute interview with Tom Cleaver from Starlog Magazine talking about Indiana Jones and told me at the end he'd never done that with another interviewer.
Among the people I interviewed was Julius J. Epstein, who with his brother Phillip and Howard Koch wrote "Casablanca." He was still actively at work at age 93, and it took him six weeks to find the time to meet with me. He told me the best story about writing Casablanca.:
As is well known, the writers were a day ahead of production throughout the project. One Sunday, they were desperately trying to come up with a line that would explain the way the cops in Casablanca worked. The Epstein brothers were driving down Sunset Boulevard, headed over to the Warner studio on Formosa in West Hollywood where they worked, and were arguing about lines. They got stopped at the traffic light on Cherokee, just up from the Hollywood Athletic Club. Phil looked out at the people on the sidewalk (the only difference between then and now being hair styles, clothing and vehicles); he snapped his finger, turned to Julius and said "Round up the usual suspects!"
Missed Full Metal Jacket and Lonely are the Brave… otherwise, that’s my favorite list also!
You like the 5-hour 1900? That makes you one of the few people cool enough to even know about it! :-)
Chinatown - happens to be my all time favorite. Thank you TC
Maybe Field Team 6: https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Thank you. I see him as barreling through the universe causing death with everything he touches, a giant festering cancerous blob on the body politic. We watch a lot of various series on streaming services. And we read. It has been over a 100 here the last couple days, so we can't be outside and relegated to the AC, and very thankful we have it. I have been getting out early to pick berries when the temps are lower, but the humidity is higher.