Thread: What was the last film you watched?

Yesterday saw Shadow of a Doubt for the first time. Damn it if this isn't the finest Hitchcock film I've ever seen.

I don't watch a lot of films but this is a cool little Japanese film that people here might like:

fish-story-poster1.jpg

The subtitle is true, a punk song does save the world, but that doesn't give much away, you have to watch it. WARNING contains John Cagian questions on the nature of music.

Watched War Horse on DVD last night. Bit of a curate's egg, really. Some typically 'big' scenes from Spielberg, along with some plot improbabilities (hero horse charging around the trenches) lush photography, Devon somehow made to feel like Ireland (grr!) and the unavoidable sentiment - yes, I got moisty-eyed at a couple of points.

Somehow, the parts didn't quite add-up to a great movie.

Originally Posted by MacLeod

Watched War Horse on DVD last night. Bit of a curate's egg, really. Some typically 'big' scenes from Spielberg, along with some plot improbabilities (hero horse charging around the trenches) lush photography, Devon somehow made to feel like Ireland (grr!) and the unavoidable sentiment - yes, I got moisty-eyed at a couple of points.

Somehow, the parts didn't quite add-up to a great movie.

I thought War Horse was pretty good. This type of sentimental sweeping epic is old hollywood style, it somehow worked quite well in its intentions. The general idea for the film seems based right from farmer peasant soldier character from the novel All Quiet on the Western Front.

I generally don't get very emotional with films anymore, especially with many of them seeking to disurb and shock these days. 'The Grey' with Liam Neeson really hooked me with the ending, it made an ok film into a very very good film imo.

I think Spielberg is one of the most overrated directors ever. Most of his movies are junk, the one exception being Jaws which is a great film.

Originally Posted by Xaltotun

Yesterday saw Shadow of a Doubt for the first time. Damn it if this isn't the finest Hitchcock film I've ever seen.

no, Rear Window is the best Hitchcock, followed by Vertigo... but SoaD is certainly very good.

Originally Posted by Clovis

I just purchased 'Cache' via Amazon. Hopefully I'll get it within a week?

Clue: Watch the last scene, very very closely...

Originally Posted by Jeff N

I think Spielberg is one of the most overrated directors ever. Most of his movies are junk, the one exception being Jaws which is a great film.

I also liked The Sugarland Express, ET, Empire of the Sun, and Schindler's List. None, however, appear anywhere near my Top 20.

Originally Posted by Jared

no, Rear Window is the best Hitchcock, followed by Vertigo... but SoaD is certainly very good.

My two Hitch faves are To Catch a Thief, and Dial M for Murder.

Originally Posted by Jeff N

I think Spielberg is one of the most overrated directors ever. Most of his movies are junk, the one exception being Jaws which is a great film.

I think claiming that x is overrated is the most overrated kind of criticism ever! Having said that, everyone should be able to form an opinion based on their own viewings, not on viewings coloured by reputation. I remember when I first sat down to watch a Hitchcock on TV - I was 10 or 11. I knew nothing about him, but I knew the film was going to be special because the whole family sat to watch and my parents burbled on about him.

It was special, and I've enjoyed his films ever since. However, having watched several of them many times over, I can see how poorly made (technically) some of them are, and occasionally, how wooden the acting. Much of Rear Window is very talky, though quite gripping all the same, and, like Spielberg, Hitchcock has an eye for certain visual compositions that the whole film is arranged around, never mind whether they are physically possible, or logical. (Think of the scene in Rear Window where James Stewart blinds the murderer with a succession of flash bulbs; or in Saving Private Ryan where Tom Hanks 'shoots' the tank.)

Nevertheless, despite their weaknesses, I would argue their greatness because they rarely fail to move the audience with their visual flair; both are knowingly manipulative of their audience.

(gets off soap-box)

As for Cache, a startling and thoughtful film, with one particularly shocking scene - but not one I want to go back to like Close Encounters or Jaws.

Originally Posted by MacLeod

I think claiming that x is overrated is the most overrated kind of criticism ever! Having said that, everyone should be able to form an opinion based on their own viewings, not on viewings coloured by reputation. I remember when I first sat down to watch a Hitchcock on TV - I was 10 or 11. I knew nothing about him, but I knew the film was going to be special because the whole family sat to watch and my parents burbled on about him.

It was special, and I've enjoyed his films ever since. However, having watched several of them many times over, I can see how poorly made (technically) some of them are, and occasionally, how wooden the acting. Much of Rear Window is very talky, though quite gripping all the same, and, like Spielberg, Hitchcock has an eye for certain visual compositions that the whole film is arranged around, never mind whether they are physically possible, or logical. (Think of the scene in Rear Window where James Stewart blinds the murderer with a succession of flash bulbs; or in Saving Private Ryan where Tom Hanks 'shoots' the tank.)

Nevertheless, despite their weaknesses, I would argue their greatness because they rarely fail to move the audience with their visual flair; both are knowingly manipulative of their audience.

(gets off soap-box)

As for Cache, a startling and thoughtful film, with one particularly shocking scene - but not one I want to go back to like Close Encounters or Jaws.

My opinion is based off both my own viewings of Spielberg's movies and my knowledge of his reputation. I think it's totally fair for me to say that I judge him overrated based on the amount of critical acclaim his films have garnered because I personally don't find his movies particularly special. I think most of them are just standard blockbuster, special effects showcases without much emotional depth or complexity. Being able to "manipulate" an audience with big explosions and blood and guts doesn't amount to greatness, for me.

Originally Posted by Jeff N

I think Spielberg is one of the most overrated directors ever. Most of his movies are junk, the one exception being Jaws which is a great film.

I agree although didn't like Jaws not my thing.

The Statement starring Michael Caine as a former Nazi collaborator being hunted down 50 years later. It was very good.

Das Boot {with English subtitles}, via Netflix.

Originally Posted by Jeff N

My opinion is based off both my own viewings of Spielberg's movies and my knowledge of his reputation. I think it's totally fair for me to say that I judge him overrated based on the amount of critical acclaim his films have garnered because I personally don't find his movies particularly special. I think most of them are just standard blockbuster, special effects showcases without much emotional depth or complexity. Being able to "manipulate" an audience with big explosions and blood and guts doesn't amount to greatness, for me.

Ah, well, that's a little better than just 'they're junk'.