What was the last movie you saw?
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Guttersnipe
mortal ally
Val (2021), a documentary about the life of American actor Val Kilmer. I had no idea of how well-versed in acting he is, having only seen him in a handful of films. He was interested in the field since a very young age. What happened to his brother was quite sad. His current situation has inspired me to have another go at trying to quit smoking.
JunkMonkey
Lord High Vizier of Nowt
I thought Belly of an Architect was the least interesting of his films I've seen - Drowning by Numbers and The Draughtsman's Contract were superb.
Last film I watched: Il ne faut jurer... de rien! a French historical rom com which I watched without any subtitles as part of my plan to learn French by immersion. I almost understood what was going on... almost....
Barbarella (1968) dir. Roger Vadim; starring Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law, Milo O'Shea, Anita Pallenberg
From a decade awash in silly sci-fi movies ... I haven't watched this in years and I think that was an edited version.
Reviewing Jane Fonda's early career can be dizzying. From the relatively wholesome Barefoot in the Park to the smarm of Barbarella (by way of another movie) to two of the better movies of the time period They Shoot Horses, Don't They? to Klute. I wonder how many acting careers foundered on less ridiculous movies?
Anyway, if Barbarella is about anything it appears to be a female coming-of-age movie, if coming of age is only about learning about sex. It recounts the adventures of Earth agent, Barbarella, tracking the lost scientist, Duran Duran -- which may help explain some of the '80s, too -- and, takes place in a hep, groovy '60's psychedelic recreation of 1930's Flash Gordon sets. The cast does their best and Fonda almost sells being Bridget Bardot (who was originally asked to play the part, as was Sophia Loren, according to the introduction by Ben Manckiewicz) but lava lamp-like effects, and an appearance by David Hemming (who seems to enjoy himself) cannot redeem a silly script and bland direction. Note: The movie may have been predictive in one thing -- the inside of Barbarella's ship, if not covered in fur, then seems to anticipate the '70s fascination with shag carpeting.
From a decade awash in silly sci-fi movies ... I haven't watched this in years and I think that was an edited version.
Reviewing Jane Fonda's early career can be dizzying. From the relatively wholesome Barefoot in the Park to the smarm of Barbarella (by way of another movie) to two of the better movies of the time period They Shoot Horses, Don't They? to Klute. I wonder how many acting careers foundered on less ridiculous movies?
Anyway, if Barbarella is about anything it appears to be a female coming-of-age movie, if coming of age is only about learning about sex. It recounts the adventures of Earth agent, Barbarella, tracking the lost scientist, Duran Duran -- which may help explain some of the '80s, too -- and, takes place in a hep, groovy '60's psychedelic recreation of 1930's Flash Gordon sets. The cast does their best and Fonda almost sells being Bridget Bardot (who was originally asked to play the part, as was Sophia Loren, according to the introduction by Ben Manckiewicz) but lava lamp-like effects, and an appearance by David Hemming (who seems to enjoy himself) cannot redeem a silly script and bland direction. Note: The movie may have been predictive in one thing -- the inside of Barbarella's ship, if not covered in fur, then seems to anticipate the '70s fascination with shag carpeting.
I watched a so-so "movie" --- Dr. Thorne. It was presented and written by Julian Fellows of Downton Abbey fame. --- 2 stars
I also watched Goya's Ghosts an interesting look at early 19th century Spain through the eyes of the famous Spanish painter. Although he is the "main" character the story is more about the people in his life than about him. ---- 3.5 stars
I also watched Goya's Ghosts an interesting look at early 19th century Spain through the eyes of the famous Spanish painter. Although he is the "main" character the story is more about the people in his life than about him. ---- 3.5 stars
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Conan the Barbarian (2011) - Sub Xena acting and direction in this pretty awful take on Conan. Starts off with blood soaked hands lifting a baby Conan, lion king style, accompanied by the most bathetic shout imaginable, and goes down from there. Stick to Arnies version.
JunkMonkey
Lord High Vizier of Nowt
Grinds teeth.... Milo O'Shea's character is Durand Durand! The band got it wrong. Right, that's that out of my system...
One of my favourite movies - a pretty true to the source material too though containing less nudity. (The comic book was retouched with added clothing for the movie tie-in reprint.)
They should have used Conan The Road of Kings by Karl Edward Wager as the basis for the film or Queen of the Black Coast by Robert E Howard .
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Frankly, given the cast, any of the original REH stories would have been butchered beyond belief. I agree that either of those stories would be fantastic if adapted correctly, however, Jasaon 'The Plank' Momoa could never play Conan properly. Just look at the travesty that Aquaman is. I know, Aquaman is 
, but he made it ridiculous in the extreme.
, but he made it ridiculous in the extreme.Frankly, given the cast, any of the original REH stories would have been butchered beyond belief. I agree that either of those stories would be fantastic if adapted correctly, however, Jasaon 'The Plank' Momoa could never play Conan properly. Just look at the travesty that Aquaman is. I know, Aquaman is
You'd have to get producer and director who is a fan of Conan . He's not a great actor But that said. I actually liked Aquaman. Thought him as Aquaman was a bit of a stretch.As for him doing Conan , not a great fit at all but with right director and story he could be at least serviceable in that role.
Victoria Silverwolf
Vegetarian Werewolf
Casino Royale (2006)
James Bond film as serious drama.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
James Bond film as generic action film.
That's oversimplified, but it'll do.
James Bond film as serious drama.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
James Bond film as generic action film.
That's oversimplified, but it'll do.
No. That's pretty accurate. Rather than wait until a writers' strike was over, they plowed ahead and Quantum... was disappointing. Skyfall, though was an improvement.
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Lake Mungo (2007)
A girl drowns in a lake, and her family come to suspect that her ghost is haunting them.
This is a very low-key Australian film, shot as a mock-documentary, with a lot of bits of found footage. It's probably got too many twists, despite being pretty short, but has a sad, eerie quality. It all feels very restrained and grown-up, and the acting is very good. Well worth a look, but don't expect fireworks.
A girl drowns in a lake, and her family come to suspect that her ghost is haunting them.
This is a very low-key Australian film, shot as a mock-documentary, with a lot of bits of found footage. It's probably got too many twists, despite being pretty short, but has a sad, eerie quality. It all feels very restrained and grown-up, and the acting is very good. Well worth a look, but don't expect fireworks.
CAPTAIN NEMO AND HIS UNDERWATER KINGDOM 1969 -- G-rated adventure that I had seen before and got mixed up with another film. This is the one with the cat as a stowaway--the one with the chicken Herbert is War Gods of the Deep (not to be confused with Warlords of Atlantis or CITY BENEATH THE SEA which is a 1971 tv pilot turned into a movie--which seems to have taken a few ideas from this Nemo films, such as gold as a plot element).
The highlight is the arrival of Mobula, a giant stingray kind of thing which is sometimes cheap-looking but overall not bad. This, like WarGods and Warlords, was made in the UK and uses a lot of locals for them. It seems like there are less underwater kingdom movie set in the North American region. If City Beneath the Sea is any example to go by for quality, then it is best they be made across the pond.
The highlight is the arrival of Mobula, a giant stingray kind of thing which is sometimes cheap-looking but overall not bad. This, like WarGods and Warlords, was made in the UK and uses a lot of locals for them. It seems like there are less underwater kingdom movie set in the North American region. If City Beneath the Sea is any example to go by for quality, then it is best they be made across the pond.
Captain Nemo payed Robert Ryan and , Chuck Connors was in it too . It was a decent film .
City Beneath the Sea was original supposed to be a tv series in 1968 with Jim Hutton in the lead( you can find it on Youtube , Irwin Allen did a Short demo pilot. The networks didn't pick up. The second Pilot had Stewart Whitman and Robert Colbert. Given how bad the story and film was, Im not surprised that the Network didn't pick it up. And Allen to save costs , recycled props from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea( The Flying Sub) and The Jupiter 11 was sed as the top a building outside the President's office.
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GOLIATH AWAITS, the 1981 mini-series which I had not seen in almost 40 years (the same amount of time the ship survivors were underwater). All I remembered about it was Emma Samms peering through a port hole and somebody--maybe John Carradine, with a scarf around his neck. My recollection was right on. But I had totally forgotten what a big role Christopher Lee has in this--he is practically the star. Mark Harmon-- I kept imagining he was like Perry King genetically spliced with Tom Cruise and wondering why John Ratzenberger was in England before going to Cheers. Despite the presence of Robert Forster, Eddie Albert--and the rest--under the direction of Kevin Connor, there is a sense of prolonged waiting which is not entirely satisfying. I guess commercial breaks helped provide some variety. Frank Gorshin at times seemed to be doing an exaggerated Robert Shaw-Quint impression which provided extra amusement but I don't think I have the patience to wander the decks of Goliath again anytime soon.
Ive seen Goliath Awaits, John Carradine was in it . He played an old time Hollywood film star. Goliath Awaits was one of his last roles.
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I remember seeing this as a kid and it made quite an impression on me, although I don't remember to much about it. Although I remember the scene you mention well. Quite a shock at the time. I imagine the movie hasn't aged well but I think i'd still enjoy it.
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