Amph What was the last movie you saw? (Ver. 2)

Black Diamond Express (1896) – James H. White

In this snippet, the Black Diamond Express train comes down the track toward the camera and then turns just as it gets close. This is one of those “people run screaming out of the theater” pictures from the early days of cinema, I reckon, and this one spawned, believe it or not, a genuine franchise of Black Diamond train movies. And you thought the Friday the 13th franchise was terrible. 0 stars.

tl;dr – train comes directly at camera; not as thrilling as it was in 1896. 0 stars.

 

What, no spoiler tags, R1.5?

 

One Hour Photo. A pretty depressing movie, but Robin Williams is pretty good in it, as always. Also very unusual to see him play the villain.

 

Firestarter

Entertaining 80's flick with a good cast. Lots of neat explosions and many shots of, well, fire.
George C. Scott plays a creepy, manipulative villain. Martin Sheen does good work too. Drew Barrymore carries the film with a nice performance as the Firestarter.

It's got some flaws, namely in the editing and some dialogue. I'd never seen this one before, but would definitely watch it again. The 80's synth score was fun to hear.

 

Oh, Geoffrey Ho.

Perhaps as compensation for having to work stupid hours between today and Thursday I’ll watch on Friday night after mom goes to sleep. Stupid works as stupid watches. Or something. I would say do not wait for me considering my serious lag in watching new movies lately.

 

He also played a creepy villain in an episode of Law & Order: SVU.

 

Also in Insomnia with Al Pacino. But otherwise Williams mostly played good guys.

 

Robin Williams wasn't typecast as many comic actors are in their film roles. You could probably count on a single hand how many have actually shifted from only comedies to dramatic and/or thrilling roles.

 

No, I never saw him as a comedian, he played some tragic or partly tragic roles as well, like Good Morning Vietnam, World's Greatest Dad, Good Will Hunting and many I can't remember now. He was never strictly a comedian to me. What I meant was that he mostly played the good guy, rarely villains.

 

Like Owen Wilson when he was in "No Escape" and Armaggedon.

 

homecoming: a film by beyonce. this movie was invigorating. i don't even love a lot of her music, but her stage show is just incredible. it will give you life.

 

That's a movie that I still haven't ever seen. Should probably remedy that.

EDIT: That was in response to Crouching Tiger... not that I wouldn't watch Homecoming

 

You should, even if you are not into "martial arts" movies. And the soundtrack is really great, as someone already said. Very nice and beautiful photography as well!

 

In addition to the more serious/dramatic roles already brought up here that Robin Williams played, I'd also mention Awakenings.
He is brilliant in that film. One of my favorites. I rewatched Awakenings and Good Will Hunting the night he passed away.
RIP RW.

 

I think Crouching Tiger might be the greatest feminist action movie I've ever seen.

 

As a result of watching Looney Tunes: Back in Action yesterday, I know know what one of my favorite pieces of music from the old LT cartoons is. Google 'Power House B' - guaranteed you'll recognize it.

 

October Sky. It’s not exactly a subtle film; it hits the whole conflict with the father thing pretty hard and it feels formulaic. But who can argue with Joe Johnston, the fifties, rockets, Chris Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal, Laura Dern, and a science-fair climax?

 

American Falls from Above, American Side (1896) – James H. White

This short film is actually kind of cool. The cameras are continuing to venture farther and farther out of the studio and this one is a shot of Niagara Falls from the American side and maybe it’s just that I love Niagara Falls and had a really great vacation there, but I thought this was actually kind of neat. ½ star.

tl;dr – a true natural wonder captured briefly. ½ star.

 

“The Avengers”, it was great and looking forward to watching more like it

 

Avengers Endgame.

 

The Florida Project

Thoughtful and realistic film details what life is like for some families who can barely make ends meet while living in cheap motels just outside of Disney World.

The cast seemed to be right at home with the improvisatory vibe to several scenes, while delivering intense performances when on script. Kudos to the director, dp, and production designer to create so much realism on such a low budget.

Great cast, especially the mother and daughter leads. And Willem Dafoe gives one of his best performances.

Sensitive, and well meaning, the film is quite depressing tbh, highlighting a part of society that those in Mar a Lago and elsewhere would prefer remained shrouded in darkness.

 

Personally, I would say that about Zhang Yimou’s wuxia more than this film. If you’re not into martial arts, but love gorgeously shot, character driven, period films Zhang’s output is stunning (Hero, House of Flying Daggers). Cannot wait for Shadow next month.