What was the last film you watched?

[Mel O'Drama]

I don't think I've ever watched an Indiana Jones movie, or at least not in its entirety.

Me neither.

I think I must have seen the first two films in their entirety at some point - probably on TV when I was younger - but I can't remember doing so. Actually, my main memory of Temple Of Doom is (repeatedly) reading the Marvel Comics adaption. I still have the comics somewhere.

The last two films I'm much cloudier on, so I don't think I've seen them. I know Sean Connery is in at least one. My main memory of Crystal Skull is of finally stumbling on the "Nuke The Fridge" sequence on around forty different screens in a TV showroom a couple of years ago.

I'm certain I've never watched all four films in order. Since all four are free on Prime, it seems this December is the time to remedy that. I've thoroughly enjoyed the first two.

 

[DallasFanForever]

Sean Connery was in the third one which was The Last Crusade. I remember it coming out in the summer of 1989 and all my teenage friends couldn’t wait to see it. I had no interest cause I had never seen the first two at that point. I just saw most of Last Crusade one night recently and again, for whatever reason, I still can’t get into this franchise. And that might be odd cause I am a huge Harrison Ford fan. I need to go back and watch the first two from the early 80s from start to finish. Maybe then I’ll feel differently

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Sean Connery was in the third one which was The Last Crusade. I remember it coming out in the summer of 1989

Lord - over three decades ago. I still think of this film as being new because I can clearly remember what felt like a very long time before it when there were only two films.

I had no interest cause I had never seen the first two at that point. I just saw most of Last Crusade one night recently and again, for whatever reason, I still can’t get into this franchise. And that might be odd cause I am a huge Harrison Ford fan. I need to go back and watch the first two from the early 80s from start to finish. Maybe then I’ll feel differently

It's funny how this happens. There are a number of film series I've had this experience with. Some clicked with me later on. Others I still haven't got into. Star Wars is one. All my peers at school were obsessed with the films*. I watched the original Star Wars on telly in the early Eighties and just didn't get it, so I never felt the need to watch any more.

I have a feeling I could probably love the series if I gave it a chance (like you, I really rate Harrison Ford as an actor) but I've never got round to doing so.



* Actually, some of the buzz where people rave over films can be incredibly off-putting to me. At the back of my mind is that it could never live up to the hype. And even if it could, there's a snobby part of me that would hate myself a little for buying into a current mainstream fad (even if it's a fad because it's so good).

 

[DallasFanForever]

I totally get where ur coming from with the star wars movies @Mel O’Kalikimaka. I loved them as a kid and I also loved the prequels that started coming out in 1999. And I even enjoyed the last three that Disney did to reboot the franchise but I can understand how you feel. I know a lot of people that feel the same way you do

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I totally get where ur coming from with the star wars movies @Mel O’Kalikimaka.

Thanks. It's not that I dislike them. It's really just that the one I watched didn't hit the spot at that point in my life. I do hope to watch all of them at some point. I'm certain that I'd love the "space opera" element. Even though some of the big twists are too well-known to be a surprise now, I'd still enjoy seeing them in context. And of course there's always Harrison Ford, which is no bad thing.

Out of interest, do you have a preferred viewing order when watching them? Part of me thinks when I get around to it I should view them in chronological order, starting with The Phantom Menace. But the purist in me wonders if I shouldn't just watch them in order of production, starting with 1977's Star Wars (or A New Hope as it's now known).

 

[Willie Oleson]

I don't think I've ever watched an Indiana Jones movie, or at least not in its entirety.

But I also can't remember if this was a conscious decision or not. If it was then it was because I'm not a fan of the "adventure" genre.
Anything can happen in an adventure movie - and that's great - but at the same time it doesn't promise me anything specific. At least with The Mummy I knew there was going to be a mummy.

Since all four are free on Prime, it seems this December is the time

Absolutely. I think I'm going to watch my Cinderella and Alice In Wonderland DVDs (the live action versions).

Others I still haven't got into. Star Wars is one

I feel there's something inaccessible about the epic scope of Star Wars. As with most sci-fi stories it's a fantasy that I have to buy into from the very start, it's not something I could learn to love. (I guess the same applies to Doctor Who with all its universes and hierarchies and story-rules) and I'm sure it helps if you like all the iconic creatures.
Having said that, Star Wars is something I would love to love because it's a seventies cult hit and I'm kinda intrigued by the Darth Vader character.
I've watched one of the Star Wars movies but for whatever reason my brains failed to absorb and process it, and it's just such a frustrating experience.
Same with JAWS, I didn't hate it but I could not see what made that movie so special, and I feel a bit sad that I can't be part of the Jaws-love.
Oh well, there are a trillion other movies to enjoy (but they're not Jaws or Star Wars )

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I feel there's something inaccessible about the epic scope of Star Wars. As with most sci-fi stories it's a fantasy that I have to buy into from the very start, it's not something I could learn to love.

Yes. I hear what you're saying. Part of me feels I could learn to love this world if I spent some time there, but perhaps that's because there's part of me that is enticed by certain elements of the story: the soapy revelations and light versus darkness and whatnot.

But you're right: chances are if I get through one film and don't enjoy it, chances are the franchise wouldn't be for me.

(I guess the same applies to Doctor Who with all its universes and hierarchies and story-rules)

Another series I feel guilty about not watching in full. I've loved what I've seen (the end of Tom Baker's era when I was young. The first few episodes of the entire series plus Jon Pertwee's first full season when I was in early adulthood).

As well as all the rules of the series the fact that the universe and lore are so expansive - by sheer volume of filmed episodes - is off-putting. I'd feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of starting. I feel similarly about the Marvel Cinematic Universe with all its crossovers and chronology. It's a big commitment.

Perhaps there's an element of that with Star Wars. It's more intimidating to begin a series that runs for twenty hours than a two hour film or even a six and a half hour trilogy. Names of characters from different eras - plus spin offs and animated thingies - have lodged in my brain by osmosis, making everything seem so complicated and confusing.

Same with JAWS, I didn't hate it but I could not see what made that movie so special, and I feel a bit sad that I can't be part of the Jaws-love.

Yes - I'm coming at that one from the other side because I've watched it so many times and devoured behind-the-scenes material and writings of the series like a hungry shark. I could tell you very scientifically what's great about it, but the bottom line is that the film had a huge impact on me the first time I watched. The spark was there. If that hadn't happened, no amount of re-watches or study could have made it meaningful to me and I'd be obsessed with another film that had that spark for me.

 

[DallasFanForever]

My advice would be if you’re going to start watching the Star Wars movies one night start with New Hope in 1977. I’m kind of a traditionalist with these things myself and I prefer to watch in order of production as opposed to chronological order. And I think this is especially true with this particular franchise because to me the original three are still the best movies. If you watch chronologically you may give up before you get to the best ones. Just my opinion but I do know people that disagree with me on that

 

[Willie Oleson]

I could tell you very scientifically what's great about it

Well, we did discuss it and when you put it in writing it all made sense to me. And sometimes I do change my opinion when someone offers an angle I hadn't considered before.
But it's not easy to copy someone else's personal feelings and interpretations - that certain "je ne sais quoi" often based on external circumstances - and then "paste" them on the actual viewing experience itself.
As with music, we can hear the same notes and process them in a different way.
My biggest movie disappointment was The Haunting 1963, an iconic movie beloved by forum members with interests very similar to mine.
I just didn't see it and I thought I was doing something wrong.

As well as all the rules of the series the fact that the universe and lore are so expansive - by sheer volume of filmed episodes - is off-putting. I'd feel a little overwhelmed at the thought of starting

I believe that the intimidating complexity of these fantasy/sci-fi universes isn't something that you can kind-of-like. You love it or you don't.
Hence why the hardcore sci-fi geeks can't stop discussing the possibilities of that complex structure, in the same way I can't stop discussing the minutiae of the soap operas to see if there's something meaningful about it.
The difference is that soap opera is about life and people, I don't think I could ever apply the same fanaticism to fictional universes with ficitional logic and fictional rules.

and I prefer to watch in order of production as opposed to chronological order.

A prequel is a prequel for a reason, it's not meant to be Part I. I'm sure that the impact of the prequels and sequels is based on the angle of the very first production.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

My advice would be if you’re going to start watching the Star Wars movies one night start with New Hope in 1977. I’m kind of a traditionalist with these things myself and I prefer to watch in order of production as opposed to chronological order.

A prequel is a prequel for a reason, it's not meant to be Part I. I

Now that I read this, yes. Normally I would just watch in the order they were made (I've done that with the Indy films, even though the second film takes place before the first).

What threw me with Star Wars was that they're now all neatly numbered by "episode". And it feels a little messy to be starting with the fourth, knowing I'll go back to watch the first three after episode six.

But I like the idea of having the same journey as the audience who began watching in the Seventies or Eighties, and making sense of the prequels in my head already having seen the "future" of these characters.

I think this is especially true with this particular franchise because to me the original three are still the best movies.

Oh, that's interesting. Even though I have nothing to pin this on, I suspect I'd feel the same way.

I believe that the intimidating complexity of these fantasy/sci-fi universes isn't something that you can kind-of-like. You love it or you don't.

Yes. They're for enthusiasts.

The difference is that soap opera is about life and people, I don't think I could ever apply the same fanaticism to fictional universes with ficitional logic and fictional rules.

Having been very much into comics all the way through my childhood (and into adulthood), the appeals are broadly the same. The rules are different, but then the fictional universes of soap operas also have their rules. And the rules of American prime time soap are different to daytime. Which are different to those of UK or Aussie soaps. It all requires suspension of disbelief. As long as the universe stays true to its own rules, I can be in it. And even some soaps have been guilty of not doing that. But yes, I also totally get that sci-fi and fantasy push those limits, and the fiction-within-fiction isn't for everyone.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Oh - and my last film was:

 

[Seaviewer]

it was great so see Glenn Close in a lead role again.

I had to give that picture a double take - what's happened to Any Adams? Then I realised that for some reason the actresses appear in the reverse order to their billing.

I don't think I've ever watched an Indiana Jones movie, or at least not in its entirety.

I've seen the first one but have never been inspired to watch it again or see the rest. With Star Wars I've seen the first one a couple of times and the immediate sequels as well. I've tried to watch the rest as they've come onto TV but fell asleep with #1 and haven't seen #2 or #3. #7 and #8 haven't been too bad; I'll watch #9 when I get the chance.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Easily the weakest of the four films for me. The plot was mostly fine - even the infamous "nuke the fridge" scene worked for me. But the overreliance of CGI greatly spoilt the film and made it feel cheap. And I hated that his dull new sidekick (don't even get me started on that twist) was pretty much a superhuman. My least favourite sequence in the film combined these two flaws and had the sidekick doing the splits between two speeding jeeps, swashbuckling like Billy-O before swinging through the trees like Tarzan, apparently faster than the flat out vehicles. Also there were too many double-agent double crosses which got tedious.

On the plus side, Harrison Ford was as good value as ever; it was wonderful to see the return of Karen Allen; Cate Blanchett was great fun; and John Hurt is always good news, isn't he?

 

[Seaviewer]

The Blues Brothers
One of those films I've heard a lot about but never got around to watching before.
It's basically a succession of musical performances punctuated by explosions and car crashes. Innocuous enough but I don't get why it's a popular as it seems to be.

 

[Sarah]

Unhinged (Russell Crowe looking very unhinged indeed!)

Blackbird (Susan Sarandon) - absolutely fantastic.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

It starts strong, but did get a bit silly as it progressed (during one scene of panic, I half expected a pair of boobs to jiggle in front of the camera à la Airplane). A few of the twists can be seen coming without the aid of radar. And the SFX-laden action sequences in the latter part of the film served against it.

All the same, there are some nicely tense scenes. Harrison Ford and Gary Oldman are terrific. And Glenn Close is in it.

 

[J. R.'s Piece]

Ronald Reagan, Patricia Neal, Richard Todd, Anthony Nicholls and Howard Marion Crawford in The Hasty Heart. Uncredited appearance by Sam Kydd.

The Hi-jackers. With Anthony Booth, Jacqueline Ellis, Derek Francis, Ronald Hines and Patrick Cargill.

Floods of Fear with Howard Keel, Anne Haywood, Cyril Cusack and Harry H Corbett.

Cash on Demand. Starring Peter Cushing, Andre Morell and Richard Vernon.

Clash By Night. Starring Terence Longdon, Jennifer Jayne, Harry Fowler, Alan Wheatley, Peter Sallis, John Arnatt

Psyche 59. With Patricia Neal, Curt Jurgens and Samantha Eggar.

Thunderstorm. Starring Carlos Thompson, Linda Christian and Charles Korvin.

Fort Algiers. Starring Yvonne De Carlo, Carlos Thompson, Raymond Burr, Leif Erickson, Anthony Caruso, John Dehner and Henry Corden.

Tomorrow at Ten. Starring John Gregson, Robert Shaw, Alec Clunes, Alan Wheatley, Kenneth Cope, Harry Fowler and guest star William Hartnell.

Tread Softly Stranger. Starring Diana Dors, George Baker, Terence Morgan and Patrick Allen.

The Small Back Room .(Powell/Pressburger). With David Farrar, Jack Hawkins and Kathleen Byron.

Whistle Down the Wind

Stardust. With David Essex, Adam Faith and Larry Hagman.

One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing (Powell/Pressburger).

 

[Ukdallasfan]

The Prom on Netflix with Merck Streep, James Corden and Nicole Kidman to name but a few. Film adaptation of a successful Broadway musical that I’d never heard of. Enjoyable fun

 

[Seaviewer]

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years (2016)
Semi-official documentary directed by Ron Howard with the cooperation of Paul, Ringo, Yoko and Olivia (Harrison).
It's hard to know the intended audience. There was some footage I hadn't seen before but not much in the way of new information, or, in some cases, old information, with sequences which seemed to lack proper context.
Probably works better as nostalgia for old fans than as an introduction for newbies.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

Catch Me If You Can (2002)

I'd never seen it, and it was very low down on my radar of films to watch one day. In fact I wasn't planning to watch last night, but it came on TV and, before I even knew what I was watching, I was drawn in by the Saul Bass style opening credits:

I really enjoyed it, though I'm quite shocked to find it's almost two decades old. I thought it was far more recent. For much of the film I was impressed that they were making Leo DiCaprio look decades younger, whereas actually he was decades younger.

It's quite a Christmassy film as well. Another nice surprise.​