What movie have you seen today?

[Richard]

Oh my god...

Suzy (1936) Stars Cary Grant and Jean Harlow. Not a very good movie.

The Freshman (1990) It was alright. I liked it. Not really that funny on Matthew Broderick's part, but Marlon Brando was great. A nice start with TCM's run of college movies.

The Nutty Professor (1963) Ugh. I feel the same way about this movie just like I do with the remake. I think this is my first Jerry Lewis picture I've seen and he's not too bad. The Freshman is better, though.

Where The Boys Are (1960) This movie is really good. It also has a song by Connie Francis called "Where The Boys Are". Such a great song. It really enriches the mood of the film. It's about a group of college girls and boys who take a trip for spring break to Fort Lauderdale.

Mogambo (1953) My first Ava Gardner picture, unless you count that comical disaster Earthquake. Mogambo is good. It also stars Clark Gable and Grace Kelly.

Ivanhoe (1952) Corny. Not even Elizabeth Taylor could've increased my reactions towards this movie. Watching this film reminded me of The Princess Bride, which is far more superior. This picture was considered big when it was released back in 52', it was even nominated for a couple Acadamy Awards, I think.

Clear And Present Danger (1994) I don't like Jack Ryan. I like Harrison Ford, but I don't like Jack Ryan. The Hunt For Red October and The Sum Of All Fears were better. And I have no interest in reading the books.

Horse Feathers (1932) A Marx Brothers movie. They're pretty funny, but you all know that. Not quite as great as Duck Soup, but still good.

There's No Business Like Show Business (1954) A good, underrated musical. This film was fun to watch and there's a nice dance number with Donald O' Connor about mid-way into the film. Marilyn Monroe and Ethel Merman also co-star. Merman's an awful loud woman, isn't she?

I Was A Male War Bride (1949) A little disappointing seeing it stars Cary Grant and director Howard Hawks in a comedy. There were some good jokes here and there but the majority were just lame. However, this film would've been more disappointing if Cary Grant chose not to star in it. Hawks's direction and Grant's impeccable comedic timing saved it.

Smokey And The Bandit (1977) This movie was a stinker. I don't mean to step on anyone's toes to whoever thinks this picture is a classic. I just don't see it. The comedy is very bad and the entire movie seemed to be one long meaningless pursuit.

Garbo: A TCM Documentary (TV) (2005) Garbo is fascinating. Everything Shaun has said I agree with.

... I watched a lot of movies this week.

[Cate]

Haha wow Richard... that is a lot of movies I haven't seen Male War Bride since I was little... I should check it out again. I always like Cary Grant movies (my favorite being To Catch a Thief -- of course next to BUB).

Labyrinth - I don't know if I already put this down because I watched it a week or two ago... but a friend of mine wanted to watch it and hadn't seen it (!!!). I remember seeing this when it first came out -- or maybe a couple years after since I was five when it came out -- and falling in love with it. It seemed to be a lot more dreamy and believable when seen through the eyes of a child... I had a huge crush on David Bowie as well. Jim Henson was a genius.

Desk Set - Again.

[Shaun]

To Kill a Mockingbird This was a good film; I certainly understand why it has been labeled a classic. The score was great and Gregory Peck and Mary Badham's performances were legendary. I do, however, have a few bones to pick with it; several events and characters were left out; but, I'm biased because To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite book. Overall, 4 stars.

[Richard]

Splendor In The Grass (1961) I never realized how beautiful Natalie Wood was and Warren Beatty's performance in this was just exceptional considering it was his first starring role. The movie is great. It's now one of my favorites. Oh, if anybody knows the name of that song Bud's sister Ginny was singing during that cabin scene where she was drunk in front of a fireplace, please tell me. I like it, and I can't find it anywhere.

The Truth About Youth (1930) I only considered to watch this picture because of Myrna Loy who played a supporting character. It was one of her early roles too. The movie is kinda boring though, and Myrna, sadly, was the one and only highlight for me.

Solaris (2002) The one question I keep asking himself is how I can possibly like '2001: A Space Odyssey' and not have any interest in this movie. Kubrick, perhaps? I hate this movie. I don't know why. It was stale, dull, boring, and everything similar along those words. And you know what, I'm not even gonna beat myself up over it, because it's just not worth it. Not this movie. Maybe I dont have the mentality for it? What!?! How can I possibly say that if I liked 2001. No, it's the movie, I blame the movie. There seems to be an original made back in '72... I hope that's better.

Spartacus (1960) A really great movie. What's so spectacular about this epic (and the other landmark epics made during that time) is that Kubrick had to assembly and arrange the combat scenes which took thousands of extras and weeks to film. Nowadays, with the growing advancement of CGI, everything would have been digitally inserted. That's what makes movies like these memorable and unlikely to ever be surpassed.

Amelie (2001) Never underestimate the French. This movie is just magnificent. Near perfection I'd say. It's a big step for me too, I'm finally in love with a woman who's alive, Audrey Tautou is purrty. And Jean-Pierre Jeunet is starting to become one of my favorite directors. The picture is so admirable and the comedy so genuine that by the time you finish the movie you're left with the thought of why movies like these don't come around so often. The best feel good movie I've seen in a long time.

[Cate]

AMELIE is one of the greatest. Congratulations, Richard, on liking a person from our lifetime ;D

[Richard]

I'm much too lazy to comment on these movies individually right now, but here are the movies I watched over the past week. Follow The Fleet with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; Alfie from 1966 with Michael Caine; Stablemates with Mickey Rooney; and Tomorrow Is Forever with Orson Welles.

I also watched on AMC The Color Of Money and Wall Street. Both are pretty good.

In my film class we watched Darren Aronofsky's Pi. Such a weird movie, but beneath it all it was a pretty decent film.

Killer's Kiss (1955) This isn't the best of Kubrick's early work, but it's interesting to watch the development of his craftsmanship. The last 15 minutes is probably what fans will remember. It's the best part, really.

American Beauty (1999) Firstly, I'd like to say thank you Catherine. I could just hug this movie, it's that amazing. A great feature film debut for Sam Mendes. It has everything for everyone. Like Roger Ebert said on his review, "...it's funny because we laugh at the hero's problems. And a tragedy because we can identify with his failure."

A Simple Plan (1998) I cried towards to end of this movie. Go see this if you haven't already. It's got great performances by almost all the actors. It's funny, it's sad, and it's one of the best films of 1998.

[Cate]

Richard, I'm glad you liked American Beauty ;D I never read that Ebert quote (I hardly ever read reviews because, for the most part, I never agree with what they say). But he is right. I think I have a greater appreciation for critics now that I have been delving into film more over the past couple of years. It seems like I look for the same features in movies as these so-called film experts because of my ex-roommate who is studying acting. She turned me on to a lot of films I had never heard of and began to appreciate ones I had heard of even more. For instance Nights of Cabiria by Fellini. Such a beautiful movie... Anyone seen that one? Anyway, I am rambling now.

I will definitely check out A Simple Plan since you watched American Beauty. ;D

As for movies in the theater, has anyone seen What the Bleep Do We Know??

[Cate]

Requiem for a Dream - Oh my GOD. What a depressing, trippy movie. I saw pieces of it before but I actually watched in full last night with friends. Seriously one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen but at the same time one of the best. Jennifer Connelly is amazing... I want blue fingernails. So towards the end I was in a huge cloud of smoke (not my doing I swear) which made the movie even more seriously disturbing. I don't think I've ever felt so sad and paranoid at the same time.

[Cate]

The Aviator - Cate Blanchett's part was more annoying the second time around. I just can't get past it... It's like she's trying so hard to sound like her that she forgets about the acting part at times. Maybe it's just me. That is a pretty hard role to live up to... But anyway, I still like the movie even if some of it is fictional. ;D

The Last Temptation of Christ - OK, I'm by no means religious but I still like learning about different religions. One of my friends used to be a "devout Catholic" turned Christian and wanted me to see this movie... so I watched it last night. After finding out Martin Scorsese directed it, there was little doubt that at was a well-made movie. So... it actually captivated me. I never knew Willem Dafoe ever played Jesus... and Harvey Keitel Judas? Barbara Hershey as Mary Magdalene... I was amazed. Anyway, I like that they showed Jesus as more of a human being with fear and anger rather than the perfect creature many thought he was. Of course that was the point of the movie...

[smith]

Catharine

Could you please email me ?

Cheers

smith

[Richard]

Over the past week I watched The Big Sleep with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, For A Few Dollars More with Clint Eastwood, Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1941) with Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman, Libeled Lady with Myrna Loy, Jean Harlow, William Powell, and Spencer Tracy.

Risky Business (1983) I love this movie. Really, it's a movie every teenage boy should see.

Little Women (1949) I like this version much better than the '33. The amount of detail alone in this film makes everything more beautiful and its got a great cast.

Ray (2004) Ray deserved every Oscar it took home. And after seeing this and Collateral, Jamie Foxx is one of the best breakout actors I've seen in recent years. I may not be the biggest fan of Ray Charles, but Foxx's performance was the finest I've seen in a biopic since Gary Busey in The Buddy Holly Story.

Million Dollar Baby (2004) Finally. But I don't believe this was the best picture of 2004. It's great though, and I thought the film flowed at a great pace. I do believe Clint Eastwood is a fine filmmaker, however.

[karina]

Oh Richard - how can you prefer the 1949 version of Little Women? OK, it's pretty good and I'll go so far as to put it in 2nd place as far as film adaptations of this novel go. But... Kate is just so perfect in the role of Jo that I can't see there'll ever be a better film of this book made.

As a child, I never could get into Lousia M Alcott's style of writing and I wasn't keen on a TV serial of Little Women that was shown at the time. But when I saw the 1933 film version (when I was 20 or so), I changed my opinion completely - a rare case of the film being better than the book!

Regarding the title of this thread though, yesterday I watched:
Girl With A Pearl Earring - I'd read the book and was wary of seeing the film, as film versions can often be disappointing, but was pleasantly surprised. Very impressed with Scarlett Johansson's restrained acting style (and Colin Firth looked gorgeous!!)

Collateral - quite good, seeing I'm not usually much of a Tom Cruise fan

[Cate]

It looks like everyone's on a Tom Cruise kick. I just saw Rainman a couple nights ago... Such a classic. Dustin Hoffman is one of the best. I'm not much of a Tom Cruise fan either... I never did get the fascination over him.

I loved Girl With a Pearl Earring. I'll have to read the book...

[Richard]

Marathon Man (1976) This movie was weird. Actually, the best word to describe this picture is bizarre, and I loved it. Hoffman was amazing and the entire film is done with style.

The Caddy (1953) A screwball comedy starring the then popular on-screen duo Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin. It was alright.

Chicago (2002) Chicago, in fact, took me by surprise. It's actually a great musical, and though the dance numbers are no Busby Berkeley they're done really well. Some decent songs, and a few memorable ones too. If the actors real voices were used for the singing, then Catherine Zeta Jones can sing, and sing well.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) I didn't particularly like the story, but the performances (as this film is highly regarded for) are award winning. And they did too, I believe. But it was really good.

[Cate]

I saw Chicago at the Ziegfeld in New York on opening night. That in itself made it a great experience. The line to get in went completely around the block. We waited for probably half an hour and ended up getting balcony seats. I think I was more excited about seeing a movie at the Ziegfeld than the actual movie itself since I'm not a huge musical person (Evita is probably my favorite but that's a biased conclusion because I am a Madonna fanatic). But this one I did like. Queen Latifah is awesome and Catherine Zeta-Jones was good (I'm not a huge fan of hers).

I need to see Marathon Man. I keep forgetting about it when I'm trying to think of movies to watch.

Saw this one a while back:

New York Minute: Yeah, you read right. OK, so it was late at night and a friend and I were bored... and this one was on. I just wanted to see the Olsen twins in acting mode since I hadn't actually seen them since Full House. It started off "OK just for like, the first 10 minutes then we'll change it" and then it was like "Wait! They'll have shots of New York and I can reminisce!" So.... we watched it till the end. I probably don't need to give my critique on this one because I'm sure it's assumed.

Somewhere in Time: I was in the mood for an over-the-top romantic movie and this was perfect. I LOVE this movie!! I'm usually not one for extreme romance in movies but I love the story. It's about a guy (Richard Collier, played by Christopher Reeve) who travels back to 1912 from 1979 to meet a woman (Elise McKenna, played by Jane Seymour) he became obsessed with after seeing her photograph at the hotel in which he was staying. Such sweetness. Jane Seymour was absolutely beautiful.