What did you watch today?

[Davy_Lee]

M (First viewing, YouTube) - 9/10
I have been on the fence about buying the blu-ray because this is an early sound film which, I thought, should have serious flaws in its sound design. I was wrong!
I like silent films but not early talkies, which is the reason why I haven't added M into my collection. Granted, M doesn't have any musical score to accompany the scenes, which I have always thought would bore the audience, but strangely the fact proves to be the opposite. I was glued to the screen for almost the entire run time. Another surprising aspect of M is that, despite having a very serious theme, it is peppered with light humour in many of the scenes.
Initially, I was curious to find out why this detective thriller has received so many positive reviews from film scholars. Now I know why and couldn't agree more. This is one of the early talkies that deserves very high recommendation.

Have not seen it yet (assume you're referring to the Lorre 1931ish german film?), but have always heard good things about it. Re sound, the best films use sound (or lack of) to accentuate what is happening on screen. Many films for me have been ruined by music that signposts what is coming, whilst others use lack-of-music to great effect; Gravity is a good example of the latter.

That era was probably the best era of German cinema; to me it was the premier cinema industry of the world (1920s-early1930s, before the Nazis stomped in and ruined it). Other great films of then is METROPOLIS (pleased we finally have a complete version available), NOSFERATU (whilst not a great movie in itself, it is one of the best vampire films; for me the best vampire film ever is VAMPIRE HUNTER D: BLOODLUST), etc.

Yes Chris, it's the 1931 film that Fritz Lang directed. For some reasons, early talkies don't appeal to me. But M is an exception partly because of the plot which incorporates these interesting elements: child murderer, police investigations, kangaroo court and thriller. Other notable factors include Peter Lorre's performance, cinematography and of course Lang's direction. For a film of the 30's, it's phenomenal. However, this may not be your cup of tea as one's preference for movies very much depends on various factors.

After M, I may watch Lang's two other works too - Dr. Mabuse and The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, which belong to the detective thriller genre.

[Chris_Xa]

For a film of the 30's, it's phenomenal. However, this may not be your cup of tea as one's preference for movies very much depends on various factors.

To say the least. But any film that lasts the test of time is a good film; the fact that you enjoyed M 80+ years after its release attests to that. The fact I still enjoy METROPOLIS (1927, for I've seen nothing like it since it was made) - and even Moroder's 70s version for its music - also attests to that. Believe that people will still be watching JAWS, STAR WARS ep4-6, SUPERMAN 1 & 2, GREAT ESCAPE, BEN HUR, TEN COMMANDMENTS, RIFIFI, CASABLANCA, ENFANTS DU PARADIS, DIE HARD 1, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST, GOOD BAD UGLY, 3 COLOURS trilogy, LOTR trilogy, BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy, 39 STEPS (1935), REAR WINDOW, VERTIGO, TO CATCH A THIEF, and many more in 50+ years time because of their timelessness and quality entertainment (assuming of course Western civilisation does not go the way of the Roman/British/Chinese/etc Empires, and all that art and knowledge is lost yet again).

After M, I may watch Lang's two other works too - Dr. Mabuse and The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, which belong to the detective thriller genre.

Thanks for the heads-up - will add them to my to-watch list, assuming I can find a good quality rental.

[Ain_Uussaar]

All Is Lost

[Vincent_Bouche]

Mafiosa: Season 5 (TV) Among the best, and probably the best, season of this French series about corsican mob, and in which the godfather is a godmother

One of the most memorable Mafia series I've seen is The Octopus (La piovra, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086779 , and its follow-ons obviously). Sure there's much melodrama there, but I can't remember many Italian films etc that don't have melodrama (part and parcel of the culture?)... Haven't watched the entire series and is on my to-finish-watching list, if I can find the whole lot.

Don't know this one ; there's also Romanzo Criminale, but I've seen season 1 only.

Batman Returns (UK Blu)
Surprisingly, I found this transfer (video and audio) to be much better than the one of the first episode. Indeed, this is clearly a notch above "Batman", with many memorable scenes and characters. Darker, deeper, gothic, less manichean, this is arguably Tim Burton's best film - 9/10

Grand Piano (TV)
All right thriller with Elijah Wood, but nothing really special - 6/10

[Chris_Xa]

Don't know this one ; there's also Romanzo Criminale, but I've seen season 1 only.

The only ROMANZO CRIMINALE I'm aware of is the 2005 film. Until I just looked it up from what you wrote, didn't realise they made a 2008 series. Some of the character names seem familiar (but not attached to the same actors); wonder if it's a "reboot" of the film/story...

Batman Returns (UK Blu) Surprisingly, I found this transfer (video and audio) to be much better than the one of the first episode. Indeed, this is clearly a notch above "Batman", with many memorable scenes and characters. Darker, deeper, gothic, less manichean, this is arguably Tim Burton's best film - 9/10

Don't know if it's his absolute best (perhaps Beetlejuice, but Sleepy Hollow and Dark Shadows are also very good), but it was the best Batman film for me before the some from the Nolan trilogy (DARK KNIGHT is probably my best ever Batman film now). However, The Animated Series is the best Batman of any format for me.

[Vincent_Bouche]

Don't know if it's his absolute best (perhaps Beetlejuice, but Sleepy Hollow and Dark Shadows are also very good), but it was the best Batman film for me before the some from the Nolan trilogy (DARK KNIGHT is probably my best ever Batman film now). However, The Animated Series is the best Batman of any format for me.

Well we don't have the same preferences, since I would have said Edward/Batman Returns first... followed by Ed Wood/Sleepy Hollow/Sweeney Todd I think.
Haven't watched the animated series of Batman.

Lethal Weapon 2 (UK Blu)
More pace and more fun than in the first one, but I personnaly prefer the first episode for its more violent/gloomy tone (and I'm no big fan of Joe Pesci here) - 7/10

Mars Attacks (UK Blu)
Clearly not my favorite Burton movie, but always funny to rewatch - 7/10

[Ain_Uussaar]

RoboCop (2014)

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

For the last 2 weeks watched so many titles [Blu], including these ones:

Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (with Kevin Kostner) 1/10 (One of the worst movies ever, everything was done on the lowest level possible, so to speak. And Blu is very poor quality, which totally fits the movie.)
Gettysburg 8/10 (a total lack of blood and guts doesn't make this movie realistic enough, just watch Patriot. And it's too sentimental.)
Machete 9/10 (very cool)
Machete Kills 9.6/10 (can't wait for Machete Kills Again)
Public Enemies (2009) 9.1/10 (poor character development, but still great work)
Heat 10/10 (enough said about this one, though video quality could be better)
Speed 10/10 (classic)
Kingdom of Heaven 9.5/10 (I expected a bad film, but really enjoyed this one, which happens rarely)
New World 2/10 (plain boring with really bad acting)
Braveheart 8.2/10 (good, but could be much better)
Paul 10/10 (incredibly funny with terrific cast perfomances)

[Ain_Uussaar]

Machete Kills 9.6/10 (can't wait for Machete Kills Again)

... In Space!

[Davy_Lee]

THE HONORARY CONSUL (First viewing, Swiss dvd) - 5.5/10

This political drama only played for few days at the cinemas. Now I know why. I bought the dvd because Michael Caine is in it. But this didn't make my day because the plot turned out to be rather contrived. Heck, the US trailer made it look like an exciting poltical thriller!

The fact that it has an alternate title shows that the producers, or whoever made the call, thought that the film would not have sold very well if it had been marketed under the original title. Under the alternate title released in the US, the film still did not receive positive reviews.

Richard Gere plays Dr. Eduardo Plarr, an Anglo-Paraguayan doctor who unwittingly gets entangled in the kidnapping plot of an American consul by a novice group of Paraguayan rebels in exchange for ten of their imprisoned comrades.

The plan goes awry as the rebels mistakenly kidnap his new friend instead - Charley Fortnum (Michael Caine), a British honorary consul who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Complicating the matter, the doctor falls head over heels in love with Charley's young wife, Clara (Elpidia Carrillo) - an ex-prostitute who has the same feelings toward him.

Meanwhile, the police have tracked down the rebels hide-out and are closing in. With his life at stake, he is forced to decide between betraying his love or friendship.

Sounds interesting, right? Sadly, it is not. The main problem is that the characters are not likeable. Gere's character is a doctor who lusts after his friend's wife. Caine's is a heavy drinker who often creates problems than solves them while Carrillo's is a fickle-minded woman who can't decide who is best for her life.

The title itself "The Honorary Consul" does not fit into the main plot, which is more about Gere's character than Caine's. Even less fitting is the alternate US title "Beyond the Limit".

This is one of three John Mackenzie's films that I have watched and also the most unconvincing because of its tepid performances, contrived plot and ending, and lacklustre direction. Only worth a rental or for Caine's die-hard fans.

[Ain_Uussaar]

The LEGO Movie

[Vincent_Bouche]

Broken City (TV)
Another one of these OK but soon forgotten thrillers... - 6/10

Lethal Weapon 3 (UK Blu)
Second episode was better than this one, still entertaining, but a bit too "smooth" : the first episode with the suicidal Riggs is very far - 6/10

[Noor_Razzak]

Don Jon - watched on Netflix some funny moments, well made first director effort from Joseph Gordon Levitt, 7/10.

[Ain_Uussaar]

Wanted
Seven Minutes in Heaven

[Ain_Uussaar]

Rising Sun
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid
Marley & Me: The Puppy Years
Banana Joe
Double Trouble (Non c'è due senza quattro)

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

Recently watched:
Don Jon 2/10 Boring and pointless
Prometheus 6/10 Unoriginal and predictable, average acting

[Vincent_Bouche]

Corpse Bride (UK Blu)
Still pleasant, but not my favorite kind of animation movie - 7/10

[Ain_Uussaar]

Caged Fury (1990)

[Jim_Mcdonaugh]

Ben-Hur [Blu] 4/10 but only for scale, the acting and script are piss poor. But picture restoration is 10/10 - simply stunning, didn't expect such quality. The sound is Ok.
Spartacus (Kirk Douglas) [Blu / 50 Anniversary Edition] 2/10 simply terrible. Both A/V quality are dreadful. Just look at Ben-Hur...
Alexander Revisited [Blu France] 1/10 you all know how bad it is...

[Ain_Uussaar]

Heartbreak Ridge
Firefox - Extended Cut