What Was The Last Movie You Watched?

[Fading Fast]

"The Band Wagon" 1953 starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse

• Fred Astaire movies are the Elvis movies of that generation
  • Thin plots that are all, basically, the same
  • The singing and dancing are where the fun is
  • Style - setting, clothes, good-looking people - over substance is the guiding principal, and if you're in the mood for formulaic escapism, they work

• This is a second-tier one in the Astaire oeuvre, but Charisse lifts it up a bit with dancing skills that hold up to his and a youth-vibe that's fun

• The cringe-worthy "Hey kids, let's put on a show" line and all its variations that have been used in so many movies should be banned forever from future use

 

[Benzadmiral]

The recent Oscar hit La La Land, with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Yeah, I know, a musical, but wait: Aside from an opening sing-and-dance number set in a traffic jam on an LA freeway, and another song bit with Emma and her roommates as they plan to go out for the evening, the music is mostly set in clubs, or sung in an everyday-person fashion by Ryan and Emma. They have chemistry together, and there is a sort of 1930s-1940s song-and-dance movie feel to the film (though sometimes you have to look hard for it).

I thought I would hate or be bored by the film, but overall I liked it.

 

[Fading Fast]

The recent Oscar hit La La Land, with Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Yeah, I know, a musical, but wait: Aside from an opening sing-and-dance number set in a traffic jam on an LA freeway, and another song bit with Emma and her roommates as they plan to go out for the evening, the music is mostly set in clubs, or sung in an everyday-person fashion by Ryan and Emma. They have chemistry together, and there is a sort of 1930s-1940s song-and-dance movie feel to the film (though sometimes you have to look hard for it).

I thought I would hate or be bored by the film, and overall I liked it.

Like you, I was skeptical going in but liked it.

My thoughts when I saw it: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...ovie-you-watched.20830/page-1168#post-2244981

 

[Doctor Strange]

I watched it twice, but didn't like it. I admire the level of craft involved (the sunset shooting in real time at actual locations, Gosling learning to play piano, etc.)... but didn't find a single thing that happened in it remotely believable. And for a musical, it only has about one and half good songs. It skirted by entirely on Stone and Gosling's chemistry and appeal.

And of course, it was insanely overpraised and honored by Hollywood, because they can't resist any self-aggrandizing, romantic advertising for themselves. (See recent Oscar wins for The Artist, Argo, etc.)

 

[Fading Fast]

I watched it twice, but didn't like it. I admire the level of craft involved (the sunset shooting in real time at actual locations, Gosling learning to play piano, etc.)... but didn't find a single thing that happened in it remotely believable. And for a musical, it only has about one and half good songs. It skirted by entirely on Stone and Gosling's chemistry and appeal.

And of course, it was insanely overpraised and honored by Hollywood, because they can't resist any self-aggrandizing, romantic advertising for themselves. (See recent Oscar wins for The Artist, Argo, etc.)

While I enjoyed it overall, this is spot on:

And of course, it was insanely overpraised and honored by Hollywood, because they can't resist any self-aggrandizing, romantic advertising for themselves. (See recent Oscar wins for The Artist, Argo, etc.)​

 

[Worf]

Finally got around to watching "Alien Covenant" - Errrr.... it sucked! While I found "Prometheus" interesting and was looking forward to a sequel where we lean about the engineers all I get was a whopping big hole in that narrative train where what paltry information I do get is done in a flashback. The entire film consists of folks I've no real knowledge of or personal stake in getting munched, dismembered, shish kabbobed and face hugged. I didn't know who was who and by the end the easily foreseen "twist" was a joke. I think this one will finally put the nail in the "Alien" franchise... what a joke.

Worf

 

[Worf]

Like you, I was skeptical going in but liked it.

My thoughts when I saw it: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/thre...ovie-you-watched.20830/page-1168#post-2244981

Puddin' who LOVES musicals (they know her by name on Broadway) she saw "Prince of Broadway" some weeks ago.... HATED this movie with a passion. She never even finished it. When I asked her why she gave up on it she simply said "they just can't sing!" I didn't even try myself. She could stomach "Les Miserables" and "Moulin Rouge" but couldn't take this one.

Worf

 

[LizzieMaine]

"The Band Wagon" 1953 starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse

• Fred Astaire movies are the Elvis movies of that generation
  • Thin plots that are all, basically, the same
  • The singing and dancing are where the fun is
  • Style - setting, clothes, good-looking people - over substance is the guiding principal, and if you're in the mood for formulaic escapism, they work

• This is a second-tier one in the Astaire oeuvre, but Charisse lifts it up a bit with dancing skills that hold up to his and a youth-vibe that's fun

• The cringe-worthy "Hey kids, let's put on a show" line and all its variations that have been used in so many movies should be banned forever from future use

I got to screen this off an original Academy Archive 35mm IB Technicolor print from 1953 this past summer before a very musical-oriented audience, and it went over really well. I think Astaire did his best work in the 1930s, but given that he was 54 years old when he made the picture it was still mighty impressive. The "Shine On Your Shoes" number is a major hoot. And it's always a treat to see Oscar Levant in anything -- I'm a big fan of his from "Information Please" on the radio, and seeing him try to act in a movie with that whole cynical manic-depressive schtick is fascinating.

Seeing a picture like this on the big screen from an original print is a real treat -- there is nothing like real IB Technicolor to give you that deep, oversaturated, IT'S A REALLY BIG SHOW FOLKS feeling.

I saw "La La Land" twice as well -- once right after it came out with one of the kids, right after something very bad had happened in said kid's life and in mine, and it's hard to separate the film from the emotion of that particular time. But I saw it again when we screened it at our place in June, with a clearer head, and it was good but not GOOD. I got the feeling it was made by people who learned about musicals from watching old musicals, and not from any real stage or performance background -- with the effect that it was like watching a photocopy instead of the genuine article.

 

[Fading Fast]

I got to screen this off an original Academy Archive 35mm IB Technicolor print from 1953 this past summer before a very musical-oriented audience, and it went over really well. I think Astaire did his best work in the 1930s, but given that he was 54 years old when he made the picture it was still mighty impressive. The "Shine On Your Shoes" number is a major hoot. And it's always a treat to see Oscar Levant in anything -- I'm a big fan of his from "Information Please" on the radio, and seeing him try to act in a movie with that whole cynical manic-depressive schtick is fascinating.

Seeing a picture like this on the big screen from an original print is a real treat -- there is nothing like real IB Technicolor to give you that deep, oversaturated, IT'S A REALLY BIG SHOW FOLKS feeling.

Agreed - kudos to Astaire dancing like that in his 50s (and he seems like a smoker which takes its toll on your wind). "Shine on Your Shoes" is the best number in the movie (I've seen that number probably more times in retrospective, greatest hits clips, etc., than in the movie itself).

It's funny you said that about Levant as he clearly was doing his own thing versus trying to play it as a normal role. And, yes, the technicolor was in full-on power mode - emphasized by the exaggeratedly colorful sets and clothes. I'm not proud of myself, but I find my toe tapping away to "That's Entertainment" every time they used it and its obviously trying so hard to please.

The Elvis comparison only came to me as another station was playing an Elvis movie at the same time, but once it hit me, it seemed obvious.

 

[Fading Fast]

Puddin' who LOVES musicals (they know her by name on Broadway) she saw "Prince of Broadway" some weeks ago.... HATED this movie with a passion. She never even finished it. When I asked her why she gave up on it she simply said "they just can't sing!" I didn't even try myself. She could stomach "Les Miserables" and "Moulin Rouge" but couldn't take this one.

Worf

I liked it as noted, but the biggest reason was Gosling and Stone and their incredible chemistry. None of the music / numbers stood out and, and this says a lot about a musical, I have no passion to see it again.

 

[Benzadmiral]

Puddin' who LOVES musicals (they know her by name on Broadway) she saw "Prince of Broadway" some weeks ago.... HATED this movie with a passion. She never even finished it. When I asked her why she gave up on it she simply said "they just can't sing!" I didn't even try myself. She could stomach "Les Miserables" and "Moulin Rouge" but couldn't take this one.

Worf

Right, which is why I said most of the singing was in an "everyday person" kind of style -- barely carrying the tunes (to my uneducated ears) -- not a Broadway "belting out the song" technique. Ah, what the heck, Emma's super-cute, and their silent dance number at Griffith Park (?) at sunset was charming.

 

[AmateisGal]

The Lady Eve. I adore Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck together!

 

[Fading Fast]

The Lady Eve. I adore Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck together!

Great pairing, but at that moment in time, IMHO, Stanwyck was at the top of her craft; whereas, Fonda was still learning (he's good, but not the great actor he was to become). She drives the movie / owns the screen / makes the movie what it is - he helps, but IMHO, it's her movie.

Stanwyck seems to have been birthed as a fully formed actress as she never gives a false performance and elevates any material they give her (and they gave her plenty of junk early on). Her pre-code work is incredible / her when-the-code-was-enforced work is incredible / her post-movie-TV work is incredible - what I'm trying to say is she was an incredible actress her entire career.

 

[scottyrocks]

I caught most of Strategic Air Command (1955) this morning. I have seen it in its entirety previously.

This movie was perfect for James Stewart. By this point he was a firmly established actor with major stature in Hollywood, and his character, Dutch Holland, was a match - a firmly established military and baseball personality of stature.

The movie is kind of a nod to both the actor and character, and Stewart was able to do what he does best - play the extremely confident, but personable, warm and friendly person he does so well.

It is also a nod to the United States Air Force, and showed, in some detail, how an AFB, and its personnel, work (at that time), which was featured more prominently than the actual plot. Although this sounds potentially boring or backwards, it worked extremely well here.

The love story was cute, too. Sally Holland (June Allyson) was about as perfect a mate as one could hope for, and you (I) just couldn't help loving their relationship.

 

[scottyrocks]

I watched it years ago and felt depressed for days afterwards. Not even sure why as I don't remember the plot line that well, but it just hit a very sad note with me.

I thought RtP was one of the best modern GE films I have ever seen. Hanks, the plot, the pacing, and the settings, props and costumes were superb. Yes, the ending was depressing, but that's part of why it was so good - the effect it had after it was over.

 

[scottyrocks]

I finally got around to watching Wonder Woman. OH MY GOODNESS, I LOVED IT!!!! It had feels, it had thrills, it was smash and bash awesome! Easily one of my favorite superhero movies I've ever seen.

I was completely underwhelmed with it. I want superhero movies to move like superhero comic books. WW was much lacking in that regard. Very slow and ponderous.

 

[Fading Fast]

I thought RtP was one of the best modern GE films I have ever seen. Hanks, the plot, the pacing, and the settings, props and costumes were superb. Yes, the ending was depressing, but that's part of why it was so good - the effect it had after it was over.

Agreed and well said - a modern GE film - yes.

 

[AmateisGal]

Great pairing, but at that moment in time, IMHO, Stanwyck was at the top of her craft; whereas, Fonda was still learning (he's good, but not the great actor he was to become). She drives the movie / owns the screen / makes the movie what it is - he helps, but IMHO, it's her movie.

Stanwyck seems to have been birthed as a fully formed actress as she never gives a false performance and elevates any material they give her (and they gave her plenty of junk early on). Her pre-code work is incredible / her when-the-code-was-enforced work is incredible / her post-movie-TV work is incredible - what I'm trying to say is she was an incredible actress her entire career.

Barbara Stanwyck is probably my favorite actress of the Golden Era. Maybe that's because she reminds me so much of my grandmother. They even look a bit similar! But maybe that's just me.

 

[LizzieMaine]

What makes her career even more interesting is that for a good part of that time she was married to a vicious, alcoholic, physically abusive, thoroughly loathsome man -- the notorious stage comedian Frank Fay. They were only married from 1928-35, but she carried the psychological scars of that relationship for the rest of her life in a strong case of what might be called "Stockholm Syndrome." That she managed to decouple all of that from her work on the screen is nothing short of miraculous.

 

[ton312]

Saw Justice League...should've seen Thor a second time instead...Trailer for Infinity Wars looks incredible!!!!!