What was the last film you watched?
- Thread starter Mel O'Drama
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Those People Next Door (1953)
A nice little time capsule, allowing a view to a simpler time, but one where the threat of death was a fact of life (it's set in 1941) and social standing affected who you fell in love with.
Manchester-based, there are a lot of Corrie-esque elements to it, with a similarly acerbic quick wit. Regarding a neighbour constantly borrowing sugar, coffee, jam, etc., mother Mary Twigg quips that the Emma's borrowed so much stuff Mary feels more at home in Emma's house than her own.
There's a Romeo & Juliet/Bobby and Pam element when the working class Twigg daughter, Anne, falls for the son of a titled family, with the regal Lady Stevens arriving on the doorstep to make her displeasure known.
The name Patricia Cutts (the actress playing Anne) was familar to me, and after a quick search online I realised it's because I've seen it associated with Corrie. She was the first actress to play Blanche Hunt, but committed suicide after only two episodes. Here's the future Blanche being confronted by her parents:
A nice little time capsule, allowing a view to a simpler time, but one where the threat of death was a fact of life (it's set in 1941) and social standing affected who you fell in love with.
Manchester-based, there are a lot of Corrie-esque elements to it, with a similarly acerbic quick wit. Regarding a neighbour constantly borrowing sugar, coffee, jam, etc., mother Mary Twigg quips that the Emma's borrowed so much stuff Mary feels more at home in Emma's house than her own.
There's a Romeo & Juliet/Bobby and Pam element when the working class Twigg daughter, Anne, falls for the son of a titled family, with the regal Lady Stevens arriving on the doorstep to make her displeasure known.
The name Patricia Cutts (the actress playing Anne) was familar to me, and after a quick search online I realised it's because I've seen it associated with Corrie. She was the first actress to play Blanche Hunt, but committed suicide after only two episodes. Here's the future Blanche being confronted by her parents:
- Awards
- 44
Dead Fred (2019)
The premise is very promising indeed. Dirty Den's posh mistress Jan is in it, along with Sandra Dickinson. Sadly the film itself is nowhere near as good as you might expect.
I struggled with the frequent Americanisms in the script (having looked, seems it's written by an American, but performed primarily by older, middle class English ladies so the "fights" and "crazys" and "fish sticks" and "...right?s" and "go f**k yourself"s sounded plain wrong).
Also, most of the younger secondary players were terribly am-dram-ish (especially the daughter, but also her partner and the social worker type who dropped in).
The premise is very promising indeed. Dirty Den's posh mistress Jan is in it, along with Sandra Dickinson. Sadly the film itself is nowhere near as good as you might expect.
I struggled with the frequent Americanisms in the script (having looked, seems it's written by an American, but performed primarily by older, middle class English ladies so the "fights" and "crazys" and "fish sticks" and "...right?s" and "go f**k yourself"s sounded plain wrong).
Also, most of the younger secondary players were terribly am-dram-ish (especially the daughter, but also her partner and the social worker type who dropped in).
- Awards
- 44
The Glass House (2001)
Apart from this I've only seen Leelee Sobieski in Road Kill (AKA Joy Ride), which was made and released around the same time as this. I've long thought she was really good in it, so it's good to check out some of her other work. She's a very engaging actress, and can cry very effectively at just the right moment without coming across as a victim.
The Glass House apparently has poor reviews, but with expectations fairly low I really enjoyed it.
Apart from this I've only seen Leelee Sobieski in Road Kill (AKA Joy Ride), which was made and released around the same time as this. I've long thought she was really good in it, so it's good to check out some of her other work. She's a very engaging actress, and can cry very effectively at just the right moment without coming across as a victim.
The Glass House apparently has poor reviews, but with expectations fairly low I really enjoyed it.
- Awards
- 52
A Place In The Sun (1951)
I'm currently reading a book about the relationship between Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor and this film was referenced many times so I thought I'd give it a watch. I hadn't previously seen any of Montgomery Clift's films and he is really good in this. He has a great screen presence and brings an intensity and realism to his role in this film. In it he gets his girlfriend pregnant and contemplates killing her because he's started another relationship with the character played by Elizabeth Taylor. It's a really good film and both the leads are superb in it.
I'm currently reading a book about the relationship between Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor and this film was referenced many times so I thought I'd give it a watch. I hadn't previously seen any of Montgomery Clift's films and he is really good in this. He has a great screen presence and brings an intensity and realism to his role in this film. In it he gets his girlfriend pregnant and contemplates killing her because he's started another relationship with the character played by Elizabeth Taylor. It's a really good film and both the leads are superb in it.
- Awards
- 44
Ideal Home (2018)
Unbelievably, I don't think I've ever watched Steve Coogan in anything. I've decided he's hilarious and will be keeping my eyes peeled for more of his stuff.
Unbelievably, I don't think I've ever watched Steve Coogan in anything. I've decided he's hilarious and will be keeping my eyes peeled for more of his stuff.
- Awards
- 52
He's a surprisingly good actor with far more depth to his performances than you would expect from seeing him as Alan Partridge and Pauline Calf.
- Awards
- 44
I haven't even properly seen him as Alan Partridge, though of course I'm aware of the character through reputation (plus the occasional clip and soundbite).
Since it looks like such a broad comedy, the film surprised me with how touching it was at times and it's to Steve's credit that he pulled off the moments of pathos or warmth really well.
- Awards
- 52
Indiscretion of an American Wife (1953)
Jennifer Jones plays a married American woman who has an affair with Montgomery Clift's character while visiting her sister in Rome. This is the second Montgomery Clift film I'm watch recently but sadly this one was no where as good as A Place In The Sun. It's not bad though and there are some great scenes and some real suspense and both Monty and Jennifer Jones are on top form but the film never really takes off and at times is slow and a little bit dull.
Jennifer Jones plays a married American woman who has an affair with Montgomery Clift's character while visiting her sister in Rome. This is the second Montgomery Clift film I'm watch recently but sadly this one was no where as good as A Place In The Sun. It's not bad though and there are some great scenes and some real suspense and both Monty and Jennifer Jones are on top form but the film never really takes off and at times is slow and a little bit dull.
- Awards
- 52
I never really warmed to Alan Partridge so I used to have a low expectation of any film with Steve Coogan until I saw him in Stan and Ollie (2018) and thought he was very impressive in it. Then I saw him in Philomena (2013) with Judi Dench and he was every bit as good as she was which saying something considering her status as a national treasure.
(I have subsequently listened to his latest podcast as Alan Partridge and found it really funny and I now think that character works better on radio than on TV or film).
- Awards
- 44
That is high praise. I'll consider those two recommendations for me to check out at some point. In fact, Stan and Ollie popped up as a suggestion after watching Ideal Home.
Oh interesting. And I can understand that might be the case considering the radio origins of the Alan Partridge character.
- Awards
- 52
I'm continuing watching films with Montgomery Clift and this one was next
Judgment At Nuremberg (1961)
Wow. This is as near to being perfect as any film I've seen. It's a gripping courtroom drama of a group of German judges who aided the Nazi regime during the time when Hitler was in power. It's the kind of film that stays with you long after you have finished watching it. I watched it last night and I'm still thinking about it today. The acting is first class and Montgomery Clift gives one of his best performances ever. He's only in the film for once scene but he mesmerising for his brief screen time. Judy Garland also gives a stunning performance. In fact there isn't a weak performance anywhere and the film is pack full of big Hollywood name. The film is nothing short of sensational.
Judgment At Nuremberg (1961)
Wow. This is as near to being perfect as any film I've seen. It's a gripping courtroom drama of a group of German judges who aided the Nazi regime during the time when Hitler was in power. It's the kind of film that stays with you long after you have finished watching it. I watched it last night and I'm still thinking about it today. The acting is first class and Montgomery Clift gives one of his best performances ever. He's only in the film for once scene but he mesmerising for his brief screen time. Judy Garland also gives a stunning performance. In fact there isn't a weak performance anywhere and the film is pack full of big Hollywood name. The film is nothing short of sensational.
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- 17
I hate making suggestions cause we all have different tastes obviously but one movie with him that I’ve always enjoyed is From Here To Eternity. I’m not sure if you’ve seen this one yet but I think it’s his finest performance. All star cast and a great story. I was never a big fan of war movies to be honest but I’m definitely a fan of this one.
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- 52
Thanks, it's already on my list after I Confess. I knew very little about Monty and his films a week ago but I'm now a big fan of his work.
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- 4
Masters of the Universe
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- 52
I Confess (1953)
A great Hitchcock film about a priest who hears the confession of a murderer but because of his vows can't tell anyone even when he is put on trial for the murder himself. Monty does the tortured angst man so well.
A great Hitchcock film about a priest who hears the confession of a murderer but because of his vows can't tell anyone even when he is put on trial for the murder himself. Monty does the tortured angst man so well.
- Awards
- 44
The Changeling (1980)
It's a treat to stumble upon a classic horror/thriller I've not watched and about which I know absolutely nothing apart from the title.
I think part of the reason it's taken this long to watch was that the title suggested to me that it was a sci-fi thriller about an alien metamorph. Thankfully, it's not. I love how grim it feels, helped by the late Seventies low budget feel that makes it feel raw and somehow more real.
The story itself reminded me of a number of other films (a couple of which came some time after this one, but with which I'm more familar): there are perhaps the obvious similarities with The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist. Plus the infanticide and substitution from The Omen. And it has What Lies Beneath's cry for justice from the grave.
I found myself invested in the story, and was even more chilled to learn it's partly based on true events.
I was so captivated by the fact that Trish Van Devere's vocal delivery and inflections made her sound uncannily like Victoria Principal that I didn't twig until this morning that I recently watched her play a terrific killer in Columbo.
It's a treat to stumble upon a classic horror/thriller I've not watched and about which I know absolutely nothing apart from the title.
I think part of the reason it's taken this long to watch was that the title suggested to me that it was a sci-fi thriller about an alien metamorph. Thankfully, it's not. I love how grim it feels, helped by the late Seventies low budget feel that makes it feel raw and somehow more real.
The story itself reminded me of a number of other films (a couple of which came some time after this one, but with which I'm more familar): there are perhaps the obvious similarities with The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist. Plus the infanticide and substitution from The Omen. And it has What Lies Beneath's cry for justice from the grave.
I found myself invested in the story, and was even more chilled to learn it's partly based on true events.
I was so captivated by the fact that Trish Van Devere's vocal delivery and inflections made her sound uncannily like Victoria Principal that I didn't twig until this morning that I recently watched her play a terrific killer in Columbo.
- Awards
- 18
I heard an interesting titbit about Montgomery Clift the other week, When entering a scene on a film or TV set, actors are usually given "marks", i.e., something on the floor to let them know where they need to end up standing to accommodate the camera. The tricky bit is to hit the mark without looking down - unless you're Clift, who apparently made a habit of incorporating the search for his mark into his performance, by looking moodily down at the ground until he reached his spot.
Including the roles that gave Frank Sinatra his great comeback, Miss Ellie 2 her Oscar, and Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster their iconic beach snog!