What Movies Did You Watch In November 2019?
- Thread starter vamp2syd
- Start date
The Boy (2015)
Horror: No, this is not the one with the doll..... a 9 year old boy has to deal with the loneliness of living at an off the beaten path motel with his father. Great cast with Rainn Wilson playing a serious character.... the kid did an amazing job as well. Dreary and unsettling.... 6.0/8
Horror: No, this is not the one with the doll..... a 9 year old boy has to deal with the loneliness of living at an off the beaten path motel with his father. Great cast with Rainn Wilson playing a serious character.... the kid did an amazing job as well. Dreary and unsettling.... 6.0/8
PantherProud
Well-known member
decided to take the day off work and do a sort of movie marathon mix of new movies and streaming.
The Shining: 4.5/8
Decided to finally watch this so that I was caught up for if and when I watched Doctor Sleep. While I've never read the book, I can see why Stephen King isn't a fan of his book adaptation Perhaps its another one of those movies where you'd feel different about it if you saw it when it came out as opposed to 39 years later, but IMO this one doesn't hold up. I feel like it's likely remembered more for its iconic moments, than actually being a great movie. There's some truly cringe-worthy acting in the movie, mostly by Shelley Duvall, and some parts of the plot just make no sense. Also, at no point is Nicholson believable as a father.
Off to the theaters
21 Bridges: 6/8
I thought this movie was a blast. Was something I had been looking forward to. Great cast, though Sienna Miller would have been better off without trying to pull off a New York accent. The plot is slightly predictable, but still a lot of fun, and the predictability of the main twist helps distract you from a smaller twist that happens after. Definitely worth a watch.
Zombieland 2: Double Tap - 5/8
Not sure it's quite as good as the original, but still a fun movie with plenty of laughs and some good action bits. I'd say the first has a better story, but this one has better action. This one may be slightly funnier.
Ford v Ferrai: 6.75/8
Both Damon and Bale are expected to be up for Lead Actor, I'd give it to Bale between the two. I wasn't dying to see this film, but heard great things about it, and the acting. I tend to like racing films even though I'm not really a racing fan (MMA is the same way for some reason), and I knew nothing about the story going in, which I think helped. Found it very engaging and the racing scenes kept me on the seat of my toes since I didn't know what was going to happen. For all I knew Bale could crash at any moment.
Back home on Amazon Prime Video:
Brittany Runs A Marathon: 5/8
My wife had been excited to see this, so we turned it on for our Friday night viewing. I've never been much of a fan of Jillian Bell as an actress, but this movie was good overall, even though for many points in this film her character wasn't even likable. The story overall is good though, and apparently based on a true story. I'll give her credit, she did end up probably losing about 40lbs for the role.
The Shining: 4.5/8
Decided to finally watch this so that I was caught up for if and when I watched Doctor Sleep. While I've never read the book, I can see why Stephen King isn't a fan of his book adaptation Perhaps its another one of those movies where you'd feel different about it if you saw it when it came out as opposed to 39 years later, but IMO this one doesn't hold up. I feel like it's likely remembered more for its iconic moments, than actually being a great movie. There's some truly cringe-worthy acting in the movie, mostly by Shelley Duvall, and some parts of the plot just make no sense. Also, at no point is Nicholson believable as a father.
Off to the theaters
21 Bridges: 6/8
I thought this movie was a blast. Was something I had been looking forward to. Great cast, though Sienna Miller would have been better off without trying to pull off a New York accent. The plot is slightly predictable, but still a lot of fun, and the predictability of the main twist helps distract you from a smaller twist that happens after. Definitely worth a watch.
Zombieland 2: Double Tap - 5/8
Not sure it's quite as good as the original, but still a fun movie with plenty of laughs and some good action bits. I'd say the first has a better story, but this one has better action. This one may be slightly funnier.
Ford v Ferrai: 6.75/8
Both Damon and Bale are expected to be up for Lead Actor, I'd give it to Bale between the two. I wasn't dying to see this film, but heard great things about it, and the acting. I tend to like racing films even though I'm not really a racing fan (MMA is the same way for some reason), and I knew nothing about the story going in, which I think helped. Found it very engaging and the racing scenes kept me on the seat of my toes since I didn't know what was going to happen. For all I knew Bale could crash at any moment.
Back home on Amazon Prime Video:
Brittany Runs A Marathon: 5/8
My wife had been excited to see this, so we turned it on for our Friday night viewing. I've never been much of a fan of Jillian Bell as an actress, but this movie was good overall, even though for many points in this film her character wasn't even likable. The story overall is good though, and apparently based on a true story. I'll give her credit, she did end up probably losing about 40lbs for the role.
Last edited:
Thavoice
Well-known member
Is that prequel a true story? Or base d on one?
Other than saving Private Ryan, I prefer true events. SPR was so well done.
This is one of my all time favorites and you are right about when watching it..... anyhow, everything was meant to be the way it was in the movie including the acting.... fact, they purposely wore out Duvall to the point she was hospitalized in order to get that stale performance. The movie is meant to be unsettling and uneasy as well as many different takes as to what is happening.
Did Jack molest Danny?
--- Look at the magazine Jack is reading when they come get him for the tour.... it is a playgirl with an article about incest, specifically fathers having sex with their kids....
--- Jack has a picture of naked boys in his bedroom
--- Danny has a picture of bears over his bed and later in that strange scene we see a man in a bear suit uh.... well you know what is going on there...
--- Danny becomes traumatized and is sucking his thumb wearing a sweater with a spaceship on it ..... symbolizes???
--- Danny is never comfortable talking to Jack when it is just him in the room.... Did you notice the strange scene where for a split second Jack stares at the camera when leaving....
Was it real?
--- Did what we see was real or just the fictional story that Jack was writing while at the hotel?
--- Items are placed differently within scenes, Danny's big wheel or whatever it is slightly changes in scenes. The typewriter is also slightly different.... one set of events happening in real time and others in the fictional story?
Did Jack go crazy or is the place really haunted?
Was Jack always the caretaker?
I watched this one back in the day and honestly did not care for it but over time it has become a favorite of mine and a must watch when it comes on....
Purplemojo
Well-known member
Wild Bunch (1969) - Great film.
7/8
The Battle of Midway (1942) - Ok, this is a little hard to follow but in the new movie Midway, there is a scene that includes John Ford showing up on the island of Midway to film whatever might happen, not being aware of the battle that is brewing. It is a wonderful little scene and then as the Japanese bombers attack the island, they keep flashing back to John Ford trying to record the assault on the island as it unfolds. So, TCM showed John Ford's documentary this weekend. Just 1/2 hour, it does a good job of capturing the attack, in color no less. John Ford made quite a contribution to the war effort as a naval officer.
5/8
7/8
The Battle of Midway (1942) - Ok, this is a little hard to follow but in the new movie Midway, there is a scene that includes John Ford showing up on the island of Midway to film whatever might happen, not being aware of the battle that is brewing. It is a wonderful little scene and then as the Japanese bombers attack the island, they keep flashing back to John Ford trying to record the assault on the island as it unfolds. So, TCM showed John Ford's documentary this weekend. Just 1/2 hour, it does a good job of capturing the attack, in color no less. John Ford made quite a contribution to the war effort as a naval officer.
5/8
Last edited:
PantherProud
Well-known member
Insightful stuff, thanks. And what's up with Jack being in the picture of the 1921 party?
PantherProud
Well-known member
The Mule: 5/8
Not sure what to say about this one. It's not great, but it's far from bad. It's kinda just...there. The story is good, but you don't ever really get too deep into any of the characters and their backstory. I think it could have done with another interaction betwee Eastwood and Cooper's characters, which I think would have given a little more depth to both of their characters background and loose connection (as far as putting work before family).
Rocketman: 5.5/8
I've never been a big Elton John fan and probably know less than 10 of his songs, so I was probably behind the 8 ball going in. Seeing as this is the same director who took over Bohemian Rhapsody filming, I have to say I preferred Rhapsody's story telling format. In Rhapsody, the songs are incorporated in a linear fashion in how they are written and created. Rocketman on the other hand incorporates the songs into the narrative. So for example in one scene a 7 year old Elton is singing one of his songs that he would write later in life. It just didn't work for me. All that said, taron Egerton is brilliant in the role and deserving of an Oscar nomination. Comparing the two, I'd say Bohemian Rhapsody is the better movie, but as great as I thought Rami Malek was, Egerton's performance may be slightly better.
Not sure what to say about this one. It's not great, but it's far from bad. It's kinda just...there. The story is good, but you don't ever really get too deep into any of the characters and their backstory. I think it could have done with another interaction betwee Eastwood and Cooper's characters, which I think would have given a little more depth to both of their characters background and loose connection (as far as putting work before family).
Rocketman: 5.5/8
I've never been a big Elton John fan and probably know less than 10 of his songs, so I was probably behind the 8 ball going in. Seeing as this is the same director who took over Bohemian Rhapsody filming, I have to say I preferred Rhapsody's story telling format. In Rhapsody, the songs are incorporated in a linear fashion in how they are written and created. Rocketman on the other hand incorporates the songs into the narrative. So for example in one scene a 7 year old Elton is singing one of his songs that he would write later in life. It just didn't work for me. All that said, taron Egerton is brilliant in the role and deserving of an Oscar nomination. Comparing the two, I'd say Bohemian Rhapsody is the better movie, but as great as I thought Rami Malek was, Egerton's performance may be slightly better.
NewOldBlood
Well-known member
Doctor Sleep (2019) 6.5/8 I thought this was really good. I recently watched The Shining and I thought this was a much better movie. Granted, I was a little more than a baby when The Shining came out and it scared the crap out of me when I was a kid, but I just thought it was weird when I watched it a few weeks ago. McGregor is really good as Danny and though it is a long movie, I thought it moved along really well and didn't seem to drag out. The lady who played Rose the Hat was also creepy enough and hot enough to make her interesting. Not sure why it has had so many bad reviews.
Omar
Well-known member
The Irishman- 7.25/8. Excellent movie, DeNiro and Pacino were in top form, but Pesci topped them. Unfortunately, given the age of everyone involved, I’m not sure we’ll see another movie like this again. In terms of the Scorsese mob movies, I’d put it behind Goodfellas and ahead of Casino.
irish_buffalo
Well-known member
Irishman - 5.5/8 Scorsese is great but he dropped that ball here trying to use all of his old friends. I love DeNiro, one of my all time favs, but there were times when he was referred to as "kid", implying he was 30-40 years old and no make-up, angles, or CGI could make him look younger than 55. I will admit, Pecsi out did em all.
Zero mention of Bobby Charo.
Zero mention of Bobby Charo.
Last edited:
PantherProud
Well-known member
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: 5.5/8
I’d seen parts of it throughout the years, but never the whole movie in one setting. A quality comedy that keeps you in your toes with the twists.
El Camino, A Breaking Bad Story: 4.5/8
The first thing that stuck out to me is how much I’ve forgotten from the final season of the show. I completely forgot Jesse was kidnapped. Not sure how I feel about it being a mix of a sequel and a flashback. I think I would have preferred a story that was all sequel, leaving the past in the past.
Frozen 2: 6/8
Certainly darker than the first, and IMO a better story. That said, the songs I felt were much more blatant in this film. IMO in the first the songs flowed more naturally into the plot. The sequel is full on musical.
Dora, The Explorer: 4.5/8
Better than it had any business being. I respect that they leaned full in to the weirdness of the character, and that instead of breaking the fourth wall, she’s interacting with strangers around her. Also had more than a handful of genuinely funny moments.
I’d seen parts of it throughout the years, but never the whole movie in one setting. A quality comedy that keeps you in your toes with the twists.
El Camino, A Breaking Bad Story: 4.5/8
The first thing that stuck out to me is how much I’ve forgotten from the final season of the show. I completely forgot Jesse was kidnapped. Not sure how I feel about it being a mix of a sequel and a flashback. I think I would have preferred a story that was all sequel, leaving the past in the past.
Frozen 2: 6/8
Certainly darker than the first, and IMO a better story. That said, the songs I felt were much more blatant in this film. IMO in the first the songs flowed more naturally into the plot. The sequel is full on musical.
Dora, The Explorer: 4.5/8
Better than it had any business being. I respect that they leaned full in to the weirdness of the character, and that instead of breaking the fourth wall, she’s interacting with strangers around her. Also had more than a handful of genuinely funny moments.
PantherProud
Well-known member
Breakdown: 5/8
I vaguely remember seeing part of this movie way back when. A nice little thriller. An east coast couple driving out west have car trouble. A trucker stops to help and takes the wife to call a tow truck at the next town, but she never shows up. Things unfold from there.
I vaguely remember seeing part of this movie way back when. A nice little thriller. An east coast couple driving out west have car trouble. A trucker stops to help and takes the wife to call a tow truck at the next town, but she never shows up. Things unfold from there.
eastisbest
Well-known member
For All Mankind: (7/8) Reviews I read, were early and complained slow pace. They were waiting for the lib movement and the women. My problem with most alternate history is they change one thing then force what they want to happen because of that change. FAM I think did it right. By taking their time, I felt as if I were watching history unfold naturally. The characters all have different voices, cliches are avoided while still hitting social topics of that day and today. It probably doesn't champion some of those as ardently as some of the complainers would want but I feel it does champion them at a pace society would have permitted. No forced drama (though ending of last episode brings some concern), everything unfolding naturally with an eye to society building and with a sense of humor. I feel the writers understand they types of people involved in these endeavours, instead of treating them like the average Joes and Josephines. My one point off is the side story, an illegal family raising a pyromaniac apparently destined to be the next great space generation. THAT, seems forced.
Hi Bob.
Hi Bob.
NewOldBlood
Well-known member
The Irishman (2019) 7.5/8 I though this was great, but I agree with what someone posted earlier about trying to make Deniro younger. I thought is flowed well for being 3.5 hours long and honestly I didn't know a lot about Hoffa so a lot of the story was new to me. Definitely worth watching and one of the best mafia/gangster movies to come out in a while.
Angle Has Fallen (2018) 4/8 I saw this in the theater and then again on DVD. (My wife loves these movies.) Not bad for the third in the series and definitely better than the second one. A little outrageous even for an action movie, but not bad.
The Predator (2018) 2/8 Definitely the worst of these movies so far. I'm guessing it was an attempt to reboot the franchise, buy not a good one.
Angle Has Fallen (2018) 4/8 I saw this in the theater and then again on DVD. (My wife loves these movies.) Not bad for the third in the series and definitely better than the second one. A little outrageous even for an action movie, but not bad.
The Predator (2018) 2/8 Definitely the worst of these movies so far. I'm guessing it was an attempt to reboot the franchise, buy not a good one.
Nov/Dec
Knives Out: 6.56/8 or 8.2/10 This was very entertaining and will keep you wondering how things will play out until the very end. I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone, but if you talk about the movie afterward and pick it apart you may find yourself saying: "maybe I should watch it again". I will watch it again. The movie may jump to a 9/10, or better, upon a second viewing.
The Irishman: 5.76/8 or 7.2/10 It is entertaining. It is not worth spending 3.5 hours of viewing time in one sitting. It was like a lot of mob movies. It is suggested it is a biography. Keep in mind it is Charles Brandt movie portrayal of the life and times of Hoffa, Frank Sheeran.... I will say, if the portrayal of Hoffa is accurate, I have to wonder how he lasted so long.
Knives Out: 6.56/8 or 8.2/10 This was very entertaining and will keep you wondering how things will play out until the very end. I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone, but if you talk about the movie afterward and pick it apart you may find yourself saying: "maybe I should watch it again". I will watch it again. The movie may jump to a 9/10, or better, upon a second viewing.
The Irishman: 5.76/8 or 7.2/10 It is entertaining. It is not worth spending 3.5 hours of viewing time in one sitting. It was like a lot of mob movies. It is suggested it is a biography. Keep in mind it is Charles Brandt movie portrayal of the life and times of Hoffa, Frank Sheeran.... I will say, if the portrayal of Hoffa is accurate, I have to wonder how he lasted so long.