The film thread.

[davidf]

Never really got on with Withnail and I.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Never really got on with Withnail and I.

I can see why it's not everyone's cup of tea, but we love it. I've probably seen it more often than any other film, and have seen it screened twice at Sleddale Hall, which is the rather grand name of Monty's 'horrible little shack' in The Lakes. Seeing almost all the places used in the making really does add another dimension to a film - the company was called Picnic Cinema, IIRC.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The Outlaw Josey Wales on a German blu ray - strangely with English as first language. Good, albeit not one of his finest westerns. Dodgy score though. Great black depth for a blu ray though.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

The Magnificent Seven on DVD - we're away at the mo and I tend to take stuff I haven't bothered to buy in a better format, as the TVs tend to be some way south of ours. Good, if not great. Will remain in the collection as a DVD only!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Ice Cold in Alex on blu ray - still love it. I'm sure the first couple of times I saw it, I missed the first half an hour or so - so Anson's drink problem was a bit of a mystery to me. Alas quicksand doesn't behave as is shown - just read something in Science Focus about it. It's hard to genuinely sink in quicksand apparently, as the lungs make the torso noticeably less dense than water. Apparently the worst that can happen is you get stuck and then the tide comes in, which sounds like a horrible way to go.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Guest House Paradiso on blu ray - love it, but then we love Bottom and their SOH in general. The wider public thought otherwise. The special effects ingenuity shown in extremely low budget films always impresses me though.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Best in Show on blu ray - the creative team behind This is Spinal Tap, and an even better film, for me at least. Trailer doesn't really do it justice.

View: https://youtu.be/94y9n9lNy2Y

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Jaws on 4k - lovely brightness to the outdoors. Still a great film, with some wonderful interpersonal bits - Brody's kid mimicking his movements at the dinner table, Quint and Hooper's exchange of stories etc.

Will be watching the bonus stuff, as I'm really keen to see how they did the barrels. Hoping that's in there.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Ferris Bueller's Day Off on 4k - definite step up from blu ray in detail and HDR. Not that I paid full price...

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Another Round from C4 - not sure entirely what I made of it (which often turns out to be a good thing). The story of four Danish teachers who've rather lost their mojo and decide to spend their working lives in states of controlled inebriation, in accordance with the views of a now-discredited Danish psychiatrist. The results are somewhat mixed, so it's funny, tragic, uplifting and thought-provoking.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Leon on 4k - not sure that Natalie Portman ever quite lived up to the potential acting talent she showed as a child.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Gladiator on 4k - not sure if I have a favourite director, but Scott would definitely be in the running. I've said it before, but any director would be happy to have this, Alien, Blade Runner or Thelma & Louise in their back catalogue. To have them all...

 

[davidf]

Leon on 4k - not sure that Natalie Portman ever quite lived up to the potential acting talent she showed as a child.

Just watching it for the first time on 4K disc - looks great. Criminal that we've never had a sequel, about an older Matilda growing into her role as a cleaner. Could make a great Anime series.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Just watching it for the first time on 4K disc - looks great. Criminal that we've never had a sequel, about an older Matilda growing into her role as a cleaner. Could make a great Anime series.

I think the theatrical version is better - the extended drags just a little in places.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

12 Years a Slave - incredibly powerful stuff, and it feels slightly odd to remark that amidst all the brutality and cruelty, it's a beautifully-shot piece.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Leon on 4k - not sure that Natalie Portman ever quite lived up to the potential acting talent she showed as a child.

Have you seen Black Swan?

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Have you seen Black Swan?

I have. Thought it was pretty good, but didn't feel a great desire to see it again. She's a game of two halves in V For Vendetta - partly brilliant, partly rather less so!

 

[Fandango Andy]

I have. Thought it was pretty good, but didn't feel a great desire to see it again. She's a game of two halves in V For Vendetta - partly brilliant, partly rather less so!

As we are a few months away from a quarter way through the century, I have been thinking about my favourite films of that time. I think Black Swan will make my top ten.

I haven't seen V for Vendetta in ages, possibly time for a re-watch.

I thought Portman was excellent in Jackie, but I didn't particularly like the film.

 

[Gray]

As we are a few months away from a quarter way through the century, I have been thinking about my favourite films of that time.

You made me think.
I honestly don't think I've watched a single film in that time (and very few before).
How many people can say that?

(It's OK, I know I'm strange).

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

(It's OK, I know I'm strange).

I think you'd get away with 'helpful, but strange'!

 

[Gray]

I think you'd get away with 'helpful, but strange'!

That's the headstone inscription sorted, thanks 😆

 

[davidf]

Have you seen Black Swan?

Love the dark, Giallo undertones to the movie.

 

[Fandango Andy]

You made me think.
I honestly don't think I've watched a single film in that time (and very few before).
How many people can say that?

(It's OK, I know I'm strange).

I averaged two movies a week at the cinema from 1998 until covid. since then I'm down to just over one a week.

 

[Gray]

I averaged two movies a week at the cinema from 1998 until covid. since then I'm down to just over one a week.

Wow, how many people could say that?!
You're the other extreme.
You must've spent a fortune.

When I worked for Rank Leisure I had access to free Odeon tickets.
If anyone deserves some free tickets it's you!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Uncle Buck on blu ray - loved John Candy's stuff.