Which movie did you watch today and how would you rate it?

Apartment 7A

It's a prequel to Rosemary's baby. It's beautifully filmed. well acted, and establishes a solid creepy atmosphere. Unfortunately, it's also a very uneven movie that didn't need to be made. If you've seen Rosemary's baby, you know how this one has to end, which diminishes the journey despite it being genuinely uncomfortable and disturbing at times. Somewhere along the way though, it misses the boat (along with the predictable ending).

Horror Scale: 6.5/10
Non-Horror Scale: 6.5/10

https://www.imdb.comtle/tt0104952/

Storyline​

Bill Gambini and Stanley Rothenstein are two friends from New York University who just received scholarships to UCLA. They decide to drive through the South. Once they arrive in Alabama, they stop at a local convenience store to pick up a few snacks. But, no sooner than they leave the store, they are arrested. They had thought that they were arrested for shoplifting, but they were arrested for murder and robbery. Worse, they are facing execution for this crime. Bill and Stan do not have enough money for a lawyer, so the good news is that Bill has a lawyer in his family, his cousin, Vincent Laguardia Gambini. The bad news is that Vinny is an inexperienced lawyer who has not been at a trial. So, Vinny has to defend his clients and battle an uncompromising judge, some tough locals, and even his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito, who just does not know when to shut up, to prove his clients' innocence. But he will soon realize that he is going to need help.—John Wiggins

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We've watched "My Cousin Vinny" at least 2 or 3 times previously, but hadn't seen it in years, so we watched it last night and enjoyed it very much. Marisa Tomei won an academy award for best supporting actress in this film and it's probably her best performance in any film afaik. Perhaps I loved it a lot because it includes a lot of both NYC culture and Southern culture. Having lived in both areas, I could relate to a lot of that. Great acting and directing with a good cast. The link includes a lot more information if you've never seen the movie and you want. to watch a good comedy with a different theme from most.

southernhybrid said:

https://www.imdb.comtle/tt0104952/

Storyline​

Bill Gambini and Stanley Rothenstein are two friends from New York University who just received scholarships to UCLA. They decide to drive through the South. Once they arrive in Alabama, they stop at a local convenience store to pick up a few snacks. But, no sooner than they leave the store, they are arrested. They had thought that they were arrested for shoplifting, but they were arrested for murder and robbery. Worse, they are facing execution for this crime. Bill and Stan do not have enough money for a lawyer, so the good news is that Bill has a lawyer in his family, his cousin, Vincent Laguardia Gambini. The bad news is that Vinny is an inexperienced lawyer who has not been at a trial. So, Vinny has to defend his clients and battle an uncompromising judge, some tough locals, and even his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito, who just does not know when to shut up, to prove his clients' innocence. But he will soon realize that he is going to need help.—John Wiggins

Click to expand...

We've watched "My Cousin Vinny" at least 2 or 3 times previously, but hadn't seen it in years, so we watched it last night and enjoyed it very much. Marisa Tomei won an academy award for best supporting actress in this film and it's probably her best performance in any film afaik. Perhaps I loved it a lot because it includes a lot of both NYC culture and Southern culture. Having lived in both areas, I could relate to a lot of that. Great acting and directing with a good cast. The link includes a lot more information if you've never seen the movie and you want. to watch a good comedy with a different theme from most.

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Fred Gwynn was great too.

When I saw Austin Pendleton in The Front Page, it looked like the guy hadn't aged a day between that in 1974 and My Cousin Vinny in 1992. Granted, it is only 18 years, but it was weird.

My Cousin Vinny is a perfect comedy / trial film, it couldn't have been improved in any way. Perfectly casted, well acted, well written. The resolution scene when Tomei testifies is one of the most satisfying scenes ever put on film. There is so much grief over her winning that Oscar, but she wore that role like a suit.

hurtinbuckaroo said:

southernhybrid said:

https://www.imdb.comtle/tt0104952/

Storyline​

Bill Gambini and Stanley Rothenstein are two friends from New York University who just received scholarships to UCLA. They decide to drive through the South. Once they arrive in Alabama, they stop at a local convenience store to pick up a few snacks. But, no sooner than they leave the store, they are arrested. They had thought that they were arrested for shoplifting, but they were arrested for murder and robbery. Worse, they are facing execution for this crime. Bill and Stan do not have enough money for a lawyer, so the good news is that Bill has a lawyer in his family, his cousin, Vincent Laguardia Gambini. The bad news is that Vinny is an inexperienced lawyer who has not been at a trial. So, Vinny has to defend his clients and battle an uncompromising judge, some tough locals, and even his fiancée, Mona Lisa Vito, who just does not know when to shut up, to prove his clients' innocence. But he will soon realize that he is going to need help.—John Wiggins

Click to expand...

We've watched "My Cousin Vinny" at least 2 or 3 times previously, but hadn't seen it in years, so we watched it last night and enjoyed it very much. Marisa Tomei won an academy award for best supporting actress in this film and it's probably her best performance in any film afaik. Perhaps I loved it a lot because it includes a lot of both NYC culture and Southern culture. Having lived in both areas, I could relate to a lot of that. Great acting and directing with a good cast. The link includes a lot more information if you've never seen the movie and you want. to watch a good comedy with a different theme from most.

Click to expand...

Fred Gwynn was great too.

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I had a hard tiime not seeing him as Herman Munster. Kind of half expected him to say from the bench,

"Now Eddie, don't forget to bring the leash when you take Spot out for a walk. Last time, he got away and ate the neighbor's poodle"

I see why movie producers are concerned about typecasting.

Jimmy Higgins said:

My Cousin Vinny is a perfect comedy / trial film, it couldn't have been improved in any way. Perfectly casted, well acted, well written. The resolution scene when Tomei testifies is one of the most satisfying scenes ever put on film. There is so much grief over her winning that Oscar, but she wore that role like a suit.

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Time proved the naysayers wrong.
This film, then not appreciated enough by myself, really stood the test of time.

A Glitch in the Matrix

I've heard about simulation theory for a while, but hadn't taken a deep dive into it by any means. I was hoping this would be a good primer that would spark more curiosity about this theory.

It wasn't and it didn't.

If the basic deductive practice of If-Then logic were able to view this turd, it would jump off the highest cliff it could find. Therefore, If-Then really can jump off a cliff in another universe! Yes, this is how trashy this thing was.

One dipshit recalls a childhood memory of being in an empty mall. Therefore, we live in a simulation. Some other asshole can imagine that Minecraft characters exist when he's not there and that when his avatar does appear, that he's a god perceived by them as one of them (???). Therefore, simulation. Yet another equally insufferable douche says that thinking about something or someone and then coming across that thing or person proves we live in a simulation.

And Phillip K. Dick said that his writing was inspired by pieces of dreams, which there's no reason to doubt, but he said that proves we live in a simulation. God, what a .... Dick.

The many cults that come and go have more substance to them. If this movie bases itself on what are supposed to be the foundations of simulation theory, then it's the laziest most egocentric cult I've ever seen. Essentially, it allows every individual to be the leader of a cult consisting of just themselves.

Fuck Off/10

The Shape of Water

I remember this one being an aggravating experience the first time around. The cinematography, sets, and score are fantastic, and the actors did the best with what they were given, but I found it as unwatchable now as I did then.

The main villain has less depth than Snidely Whiplash. The protagonists are perfect angels. MESSAGE is constant throughout. I happen to agree with every MESSAGE in the movie but Christ, how about some effort at subtlety/nuance? For me, it's a frustrating watch because with some skilled writing it could've been a true classic.

10/10 for technical awesomeness.

0/10 for everything else.

Therefore, 5/10

Decided to finally watch Midnight Cowboy, which I've avoided.

I can wholeheartedly say that it deserves the acclaim it received. After decades of films featuring superhuman heroes who fly and flip and twirl through the air and fight on top of trains and hang upside down from helicopters firing pistols held sideways and never get hit by a single shot when being fired upon by a hundred presumably trained stormtroopers from three feet away, it is fantastic to see a film featuring ordinary people who make big mistakes and bad life decisions, who don't know where their next meal is coming from, and who basically live lives full of tragedy and suffering and disappointment. This may sound ironic, but I think high art should reflect life in all its infinite variety, it should show warts and all, especially novels and film. The writing and performances were excellent, and the whole depressing turn of events is redeemed by a subtly pathetic and moving finale, which saddens and disappoints, because that's what fits in this film.

9.5/10

WAB said:

Decided to finally watch Midnight Cowboy, which I've avoided.

I can wholeheartedly say that it deserves the acclaim it received. After decades of films featuring superhuman heroes who fly and flip and twirl through the air and fight on top of trains and hang upside down from helicopters firing pistols held sideways and never get hit by a single shot when being fired upon by a hundred presumably trained stormtroopers from three feet away, it is fantastic to see a film featuring ordinary people who make big mistakes and bad life decisions, who don't know where their next meal is coming from, and who basically live lives full of tragedy and suffering and disappointment. This may sound ironic, but I think high art should reflect life in all its infinite variety, it should show warts and all, especially novels and film. The writing and performances were excellent, and the whole depressing turn of events is redeemed by a subtly pathetic and moving finale, which saddens and disappoints, because that's what fits in this film.

9.5/10

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I saw Midnight Cowboy when it fist came out, 1969, when I was 20, and it made an impression. I still recall many scenes from it.

It seems like there were a lot of good movies made back around those times, late sixties into the seventies. I remember enjoying Bonnie and Clyde too, but that could be because I grew up in Dallas and Bonnie and Clyde are part of the muthos of that city. I'm sure there are good movies being made today and I'm just not paying attention.

Grimcutty

It's about a supernatural killer who forces young people to harm themselves and others. It sound simplistic and shallow on the surface, and it's not a great movie, but what is admirable is that it's a parable for the real harm being caused to young people by technology and social media. It also portrays the anxiety and hopelessness that so many parents feel about not being able to control what's happening to their kids.

It's intended audience appears to be young people and what I liked about that is that the ending is conciliatory by suggesting to kids that their parents have legitimate concerns and that maybe young people should take their parents a little more seriously than they are when it comes to the online world. It also suggests that parents take their kids problems more seriously and try to handle it better than they do.

Again, it's not a great movie but at least it tried to do something relevant. For that alone...

6.5/10

Nuremberg (Netflix)

It's mostly Herman Goering and the American psychiatrist that analyzes him prior to the Nuremberg trials. Crowe is great as Goering. He simply outclasses every other actor in the room. OTOH, Rami Malek is the same as he is in every other role he's ever played. I know it sounds juvenile, but I truly hate that guy's face. I can't stand watching him. Oh, but a shoutout to Michael Shannon. He was great and seems to be great in everything he does.

The movie threatens to go off the rails in one scene, but then gets back on track and pulls you back in before finally crashing into a fake tunnel painted by Wiley Coyote.

Some of the writing is solid, too much of it drew countless groans from me. Overall, it's one of those movies that is just decent enough to keep you watching, but when it ends you wish you wouldn't have ever started watching it in the first place. IOW, it's one of the most annoying type of movie.

Watch it or not.

4.5/10

Chopper, 6/10; Stars Eric Bana as notorious Australian gangster Mark Read. Released in 2000 you would hardly recognize Bana as the chunky Read. The movie is based on the biography of Read's life. It's a dark and violent story of Read's criminal activities. An interesting, crazy and violent man who spent much of his life in prison. Bana's performance is excellent.

Primate

Chimp somehow gets rabies and goes on crazy killing spree in a house where young people are hanging out.

This one should've been a horror comedy. It had all the right beats, a pretty bad monkey suit, over the top practical effects, and even grossly misinforms the audience about the relationship between hydrophobia and rabies in order for it to make any kind of sense.

This one got a decent amount of hype in the horror community so I was looking forward to seeing it. I did watch the whole thing though, but only because I was entertained by the somewhat So Bad It's Good factor. Rifftrax could do this one justice.

Horror Score: 6/10
Non-Horror Score: 4/10

I watched The Lady Vanishes a few nights ago. I'm sure I saw it many years ago and I know I didn't notice then how much of it was pure slapstick.

Then last night I watched A Matter of Life and Death. I had seen the last hour a few years ago and was playing catchup. I could have sworn the whole thing was B & W.

From the look of it, and one throwaway line, I suspect it dates to the very start of Technicolour. Does anyone know anything about that?

Open Water, 6/10; A low budget movie released in 2003 that actually did quite well at the box office. The plot is that a couple go on a scuba dive outing on a boat with 20 or so other people. The boat goes out to sea and people go scuba diving. Boat returns to shore but the couple are still in the water because the captain made an error when doing a headcount. The couple return to the surface and are a bit shocked to find out the boat has gone. For a low budget movie it is well filmed. Not really much in the way of action but it's still an interesting and entertaining watch. I thought this movie sounded familiar and figured out it was loosely based on a true incident that happened in Australia in 1998.

Ready or Not

A very wealthy family has a ritual during which new bride must survive the night as they hunt her.

It's intended to be a comedy and parts of it are funny and entertaining. There are some great moments and scenes, but it misses the mark. It's not supposed to be plausible, but at least half a dozen saved at the last second scenes and some really cringey expository dialogue had me reaching for the remote. It's too because it could've been a really good movie. Also Samara Weaving carries this movie from start to finish. There are some good cast members, but without her this movie wouldn't have been worth the watch.

Horror Rating: 6.5/10
Non-Horror: 5/10

James Bond, No Time To Die, 6/10; Released 2021 and stars Daniel Craig as 007. It was okay most of the time but at two hours running time it was a bit too much and could have been a bit shorter. Action scenes are entertaining enough. The plot is silly even by Bond standards.

Project Hail Mary. Loved the book and loved the movie. I would recommend.