Author Topic: DSigs What I'm Watching  (Read 41873 times)

Mustrum_Ridcully

  • Guest
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #45 on: June 19, 2012, 12:09:44 AM »
So .. there are 2 of use.  Must account for the full box office numbers it made <G>

DSig
3 actually. It has Lea Thompson and a stop motion monster. Either one would have been enough for me... ;-)
But then I never read the comic, so I didn'lt get upset by the liberties the writers took.
Make that 4.
I even prefer it to the sequels of BttF.

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #46 on: June 19, 2012, 01:05:30 AM »
That is really cool .. i couldn't have imagined there would be 4 of us <G>  Thank got for the internet

Dsig
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #47 on: June 19, 2012, 02:15:00 AM »
    Bell, Book and Candle: Columbia Classics (1958/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Columbia TriStar Home Video (United States)
Director:Richard Quine
Writing:Daniel Taradash (Screenwriter), John Van Druten (Original Material By)
Length:103 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles:English, Spanish

Stars:
James Stewart (1908) as Shepherd Henderson
Kim Novak as Gillian Holroyd
Jack Lemmon as Nicky Holroyd
Ernie Kovacs as Sidney Redlitch
Hermione Gingold as Bianca De Pass

Plot:
Meet Gillian Holroyd (Kim Novak), Greenwich Village's most seductive sorceress. Powerful, glamrous, and a wee bit bored, Gillian knows that witches can't fall in love. But they can have fun...especially if their lover belongs to another woman! So when Gillian discovers handsome new neighbor Shep Henderson (James Stewart) is the fiance of an old college nemesis (Janice Rule), she promptly puts the befuddled publisher under her spell. But while her sex may have heated up Shep's heart, it has also unthawed her own, leading to a romantic compilation that not even Pyewacket – Gillian's mind-reading cat – could have foreseen.

Presented in an eye-popping Technicolor® transfer that beautifully captures James Wong Howe's stunning cinematography, BELL, BOOK and CANDLE – co-starring Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Hermione Gingold and Elsa Lanchester – is "a delightful spoof on witchcraft with the cast members at their very best. ***" (The Motion Picture Guide)!

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **
(click to show/hide)


Extras:
  • Scene Access
  • Feature Trailers
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Production Notes
  • Closed Captioned
  • Vintage Advertising


My Thoughts:
'Bell, Book and Candle' (1958) is an offbeat romantic comedy  written by Daniel Taradash ('From Here to Eternity' (1953), 'Don't Bother to Knock' (1952), 'Picnic' (1955) and others) and directed by Richard Quine whose credits include 'The World of Suzie Wong' (1960), 'The Notorious Landlady' (1962) among others.

Stars include James Stewart (Shepherd 'Shep' Henderson), Kim Novak (Gillian "Gil" Holroyd), Jack Lemmon (Nicky Holroyd), Ernie Kovacs (Sidney Redlitch) and Elsa Lanchester (Aunt Queenie Holroyd). In supporting rolls are Hermione Gingold (Bianca de Passe), Janice Rule (Merle Kittridge) and Howard McNear as (Andy White).

James Stewart stared in such classics as 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', 'The Philadelphia Story', 'Harvey', 'It's a Wonderful Life', 'Rear Window', 'Rope', 'The Man Who Knew Too Much', 'The Shop Around the Corner', 'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' and 'Vertigo' plus many many more.

Kim Novak stared in 'Picnic' (1955), 'The Man with the Golden Arm' (1955), 'Pal Joey' (1957), 'Vertigo' with James Stewart (1958), 'Strangers When We Meet' (1960), 'The Notorious Landlady' (1962), 'Boys' Night Out' (1962) and 'Of Human Bondage' (1964) among others.

Jack Lemmon was just coming off 'Cowboy' (1958) with Glenn Ford and had done 'Mister Roberts' (1955) just 3 years earlier.

This is a great romantic comedy from the era ('50s and '60s) that gave us some great ones. The writing is tight and the characters are quirky and even has 'beatnik' like jazz.

I have not seen this one for a very long time, probably when it first came out on VHS. I love the characters in this ... even Elsa Lanchester who is the archetype for crazy Aunt Claira in 'Bewitched'.

This is a very fun watch who anyone who likes good entertainment .. period pieces.

Rating: 4of5 stars
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:52:37 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #48 on: June 20, 2012, 01:30:18 AM »
     Back to the Future: The Complete Trilogy (1985/United States)
Wikipedia

Universal Home Entertainment (United States)
Director:
Writing:
Length:342 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio:
Subtitles:

Stars:


Plot:
Presented by filmmaking legend Steven Spielberg, directed by Oscar® winner Robert Zemeckis, and starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the phenomenally popular Back to the Future films literally changed the future of the adventure movie genre. Now, this unprecedented Back to the Future DVD Trilogy immerses you in all the breathtaking action, groundbreaking comedy and sheer movie-making magic of one of the most brilliantly inventive, wildly entertaining motion picture triumphs in Hollywood history!

From Wikipeida:

Back to the Future (1985)
Seventeen year old Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time from 1985 to 1955 in a time machine built from a DeLorean by eccentric scientist Emmett "Doc" Brown, when attacked by Libyans from whom Brown stole the plutonium which gives the flux capacitor the 1.21 gigawatts needed for time travel. Upon arriving in 1955, Marty inadvertently causes his mother Lorraine to fall in love with him, rather than with his father George McFly, beginning a paradox that would cause Marty to disappear from existence. With no additional plutonium to power the time machine, Marty must find the 1955 version of Doc Brown to help him reunite his parents and return to 1985. The efforts of Biff Tannen, George's bully and future employer, further complicates Marty's situation, until Marty successfully causes his parents to fall in love and simultaneously convinces George to finally stand up to Biff. Returning to the future via a 1.21 gigawatt lightning strike that jumpstarts the machine, Marty discovers a vastly improved future for the McFly family, as Biff is now their auto detailer rather than George's boss. Despite Doc's insistence on not knowing details of the future, a note Marty leaves in his pocket in the past saves him from being killed by the terrorists. However, in the film's final moments, Doc Brown appears in a modified version of the Delorean, and tells Marty that he must travel to the future to undo some situation caused by Marty's children.

Back to the Future Part II (1989)
The series continues as Doc Brown travels with Marty to the year 2015 where he has discovered Marty's family is in ruins. Marty buys a sports almanac containing the outcomes of 50 years worth (1950–2000) of sporting events. However, Doc catches him and throws the almanac in the trash, where the aged Biff Tannen finds it. While Marty and Doc are at Marty's future house, Old Biff steals the DeLorean time machine and gives the book to his younger self just before he goes to the dance at the end of the first movie. When Doc and Marty return to 1985, they find that Biff has used the almanac's knowledge for financial gain, which allows him to turn Courthouse Square into a 27 story casino, take over Hill Valley, get away with the murder of Marty's father, and later marry Marty's mother. Marty learns that Biff was given the book by old Biff on November 12, 1955, so he and Doc go back to that date in order to steal the almanac from Biff before he can use it to destroy their lives. They accomplish this in a complex fashion, often crossing their own past-selves' paths. When the duo are about to travel back to 1985, a lightning bolt strikes the DeLorean and activates the time circuits, sending Doc back to 1885 and leaving Marty stranded once again in 1955.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)
After finding out that Doc Brown is trapped in 1885, Marty sets out to find the 1955 Doc to help him fix the DeLorean (which has been waiting for him in a mineshaft for 70 years) and restore it to working order. Learning that Doc gets shot in 1885 by Biff's Great-Grandfather, Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen, Marty travels back in time to save Doc (who has become a blacksmith) and bring him back to the future. Unfortunately, an arrow has ripped a hole in the fuel line, emptying the gas tank and rendering the DeLorean engine useless. Furthermore, Doc falls in love with schoolteacher Clara Clayton, and considers staying in 1885. Marty must convince Doc to come back with him and find a way to get back to his time before it's too late. After several dramatic action scenes involving a speeding locomotive, Marty returns to 1985 in the restored DeLorean. It appears on a train track as planned, and Marty jumps out just in time to see the DeLorean time machine destroyed by a modern train. He worries that Doc has been lost in the past forever, when suddenly Doc Brown appears in a new time machine, modeled after a locomotive. He introduces Marty to Clara (to whom he is now married) and his two sons, Jules and Verne. When Marty asks if Doc and his family are going to the future, Doc replies that he's "already been there." The locomotive flies across the sky and disappears, ending the trilogy.

Extras:


My Thoughts:
The 'Back to the Future' (franchise) consists of 3 action/comedy scifi films written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis (both of whom worked on many films together). Bob Gale was also one of the producers and Robert Zemeckis was the director. There are 3 films which are 'Back to the Future' (1985), 'Back to the Future Part II' (1989) and 'Back to the Future Part III' (1990) with the last 2 films being filmed back to back.

All 3 films star 'Michael J. Fox' (Marty McFly, Marty Mcfly, Jr and Marlene McFly in 'Back to the Future Part II' and Seamus McFly in 'Back to the Future Part III'), Christopher Lloyd (Dr. Emmett Brown), Lea Thompson (Lorraine Baines and Maggie McFly in 'Back to the Future Part III'), Thomas F. Wilson (Biff Tannen in all 3, Griff Tannen in 'Back to the Future Part II' and Buford "Mad Dog" Tannen in 'Back to the Future Part III').

Also in multiple roles are Elisabeth Shue (Jennifer Parker) who took the role over for 'Back to the Future Part II' and 'Back to the Future Part II', James Tolkan (Mr. Strickland in 'Back to the Future Part' and 'Back to the Future Part II') and (Chief Marshal James Strickland in 'Back to the Future Part III').

I just got the trilogy in a box set and sat down and watched all 3 of them in a row. I don't think they have lost a thing since they came out. Michael J. Fox and Christoper Lloyd are great together. The three movies have great acting, writing and directing and a lot of action in the last one. Luckily there is no real need for special effects to what there is isn't overly done. I have to give this a 4of5 stars for the ingenuity of the series and just plain fun.

Rating: 4of5
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #49 on: June 20, 2012, 04:01:04 AM »
    Where the Wild Things Are (2009/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Warner Home Video (United States)
Director:Spike Jonze
Writing:Spike Jonze (Screenwriter), Dave Eggers (Screenwriter)
Length:101 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles:English, Spanish

Stars:
Max Records as Max
Pepita Emmerichs as Claire
Max Pfeifer as Claire's Friend
Madeline Greaves as Claire's Friend
Joshua Jay as Claire's Friend

Plot:
Nine-year-old Max runs away from home and sails across the sea to become king of a wondrous realm of gigantic fuzzy monsters – but being king may not be as carefree as it looks! Filmmaker Spike Jonze directs a magical, visually astonishing film version of Maurice Sendak's celebrated classic exploring the joyous and wild rumpus of the time and place we call childhood.

** Complete Plot **
(click to show/hide)


Extras:
  • Featurettes
  • Closed Captioned


My Thoughts:
'Where the Wild Things Are' (2009) is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak's 1963 children's book 'Where the Wild Things Are'. With the screenplay by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers and Directed by Spike Jonze who directed the quirky comedy 'Adaptation' (2002) and the great film 'Being John Malkovich' (1999).

Staring Max Records (Max) and the voices of James Gandolfini (Carol), Lauren Ambrose (K.W.), Chris Cooper (Douglas), Forest Whitaker (Ira), Catherine O'Hara (Judith), Paul Dano (Alexander) and Michael Berry, Jr. The Bull). Also with Catherine Keener (Connie), Pepita Emmerichs (Claire), Mark Ruffalo (Connie's boyfriend) and Steve Mouzakis (Mr. Elliott).

I remember reading this to my daughter when she was young and loving the characters. The movie, tho not completely like the book, does carry the flavor of the book in characters and style although it may seem a little more 'depressed' or dark. It was given a PG rating for mild violence. Although I don't think it should be particularily scary for children .. it does have monsters and they roar etc so parents be aware. I really like this movie. The story and imagery are fascinating.

 I heartily recommend this to everyone.

Rating: 4of5 stars
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:51:52 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David

Offline Achim

  • Mega Heavy Poster
  • *******
  • Posts: 7179
  • Country: 00
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #50 on: June 20, 2012, 06:20:35 AM »
The movie, tho not completely like the book, does carry the flavor of the book in characters and style although it may seem a little more 'depressed' or dark.
I never read the book, but seeing how it was clearly based on a story for children I was quite surprised how dark or at least sad some of the parts were. In a certain way it also got quite scary around the climax... Since the moral is still aimed at children it made me wonder if the film missed its target audience a bit by making it too dark :hmmmm:

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #51 on: June 20, 2012, 05:24:50 PM »
<G> from an interview in 2009 ..

"The main goal," says Jonze, "wasn't to make a children's movie. I wanted to make a movie about childhood."
Bob Thompson, Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, October 17, 2009

The wikipedia article is pretty good on this.  A lot of review information and Jonze's thinking on the subject.  'Where the Wild Things Are'

DSig
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #52 on: June 20, 2012, 06:21:50 PM »
    Breakheart Pass (1975/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

MGM Home Entertainment (United States)
Director:Tom Gries
Writing:Alistair MacLean (Writer)
Length:95 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital: Mono, French: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles:French, Spanish

Stars:
Charles Bronson as Deakin
Ben Johnson (1918) as Pearce
Richard Crenna as Governor Fairchild
Jill Ireland as Marcia
Charles Durning as O'Brien

Plot:
Charles Bronson ('The Magnificent Seven', 'Death Wish') is at his dynamic, heroic best in this suspenseful, action-packed mystery/western based on the best-selling novel by Alistair MacLean ('Where Eagles Dare'). With a powerful cast that includes Ben Johnson ('The Last Picture Show'), Richard Crenna ('First Blood'), Jill Ireland ('Death Wish II') and Charles Durning ('Tootsie'), 'Breakheart Pass' throws open the throttle for run-away excitement!

At the height of the frontier era, a locomotive races through the Rocky Mountains on a classified mission to a remote Army post. But one by one, the passengers are being murdered! Their only hope is John Deakin (Bronson), a mysterious prisoner-in-transit who must fight for his life — and the lives of everyone on the train — as he uncovers a deadly secret that explodes in a torrent of shocking revelations, explosive brawls and blazing gun battles.

** Complete Plot **
(click to show/hide)


Extras:
  • Scene Access
  • Feature Trailers
  • Closed Captioned
  • Interactive Menus


My Thoughts:

'Breakheart Pass' (1975) is directed by Tom Gries ('Will Penny' (1968), 'Breakout' (1975) also staring Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland) and 'Helter Skelter' (1976). It was written by Alistair MacLean ('The Guns of Navarone' (1957), 'Night without End' (1959), 'The Satan Bug' (1962) and many others.

'Breakheart Pass' stars Charles Bronson (Deakin), Ben Johnson (Pearce), Jill Ireland (Marica), Richard Crenna (Governor Fairchild) and Charles Durning (O'Brien).

Charles Bronson is probably best known for his roles in 'Once Upon a Time in the West' (1968), 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960), 'The Dirty Dozen' (1967), 'The Great Escape' (1963), 'The Mechanic' (1972), 'Mr. Majestyk' (1974) and the popular Death Wish series. I really like this movie. It is a Charles Bronson movie so there is a lot of hitting, shooting and killing. Not always a lot of plot and the acting is usually not the greatest. But I do enjoy him.

And the other actors aren't bad. I liked Richard Crenna in 'And the Sea will Tell' (1991) a great made for tv movie, among other things. Ben Johnson and Charles Durning are great character actors and do a good job here. Jill Ireland married Charles Bronson and appeared in several of his movies. She always appears 'stiff' to me but usually does a find job.

Once again simple entertainment .. not designed to cause one to think a lot.

Rating: 3of5 stars
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:51:27 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #53 on: June 21, 2012, 05:02:29 PM »
    Firewall: Widescreen Edition (2005/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Warner Home Video (United States)
Director:Richard Loncraine
Writing:Joe Forte (Writer)
Length:105 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles:English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Harrison Ford (1942) as Jack Stanfield
Virginia Madsen as Beth Stanfield
Carly Schroeder as Sarah Stanfield
Jimmy Bennett as Andy Stanfield
Gail Ann Lewis as Bank Employee #1

Plot:
It's an ordinary day at Landrock Pacific Bank – ordinary for everyone but I.T. expert Jack Stanfield. His wife and children are held hostage at home. Their kidnappers have one demand: Jack must heist $100 million from the ultra-secure system he designed. And they'll be watching every move he makes.

Showing the Everyman vulnerability, strength and resourcefulness that make him one of film's most appealing heroes, Harrison Ford portrays Stanfield in this cyber-edged race against time. Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code) co-stars as an ice-blooded crime mastermind. And Virginia Madsen (Sideways) plays Stanfield's wife, who disregards her own terror to protect her children. The criminals' plan is airtight. They figure they can't lose. But they overlook one thing: the desperation of a man with everything to lose.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **
(click to show/hide)

Extras:
  • Scene Access
  • Feature Trailers
  • Bonus Trailers
  • Featurettes
  • Interviews
  • Closed Captioned


My Thoughts:
'Firewall' (2006) is a thriller written by Joe Forte (this is his only writing film credit to this point) and directed by Richard Loncraine (the very funny 'The Missionary' (1982) among others).

It stars Harrison Ford ('American Graffiti' (1973), 'Star Wars Episode Trilogy (first 3) (1977, 1980 and 1983), 'The Frisco Kid' (1979) one of my favorites with Gene Wilder, and the Indiana Jones trilogy ('Raiders of the Lost Arc' (1981), 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989) and 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008) plus many many more) and Paul Bettany ('A Knight's Tale' (2001) with Heath Ledger, 'A Beautiful Mind' (2001), 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World' (2003), 'The Reckoning' (2003), 'Dogville' 2003 and 'Legion' (2010) among others.

This is an action thriller and overall I like this movie. I am a Harrison Ford fan but sometimes he seems to just play himself. Paul Bettany is a very very good bad guy in this. He has the menacing thing down pat. Although the formula of the movie is 'standard' it does watch well with a few twists.

I recommend this to Harrison Ford fans and anyone who likes thrillers.

Rating: 3of5 stars
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:51:02 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #54 on: June 21, 2012, 05:48:44 PM »
    Nine ½ Weeks: Original Uncut, Uncensored Version! (1986/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Warner Home Video (United States)
Director:Adrian Lyne
Writing:Elizabeth McNeill (Original Material By), Patricia Knop (Screenwriter), Zalman King (Screenwriter), Sarah Kernochan (Screenwriter)
Length:117 min.
Video:Widescreen 1.85:1, Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles:English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Mickey Rourke as John
Kim Basinger as Elizabeth
Margaret Whitton as Molly
David Margulies as Harvey
Christine Baranski as Thea

Plot:
Elizabeth (Academy Award® winner* Kim Basinger) is a Soho gallery worker, romantically uninvolved since a painful divorce. John (Mickey Rourke) is a wealthy commodities broker, emotionally alone no matter who he's with. A chance meeting draws them into each other's worlds. Obsession takes them further into a mutual world of eroticism and emotional awakenings.

With visual flair, director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, 1998's Lolita) explores extremes of passion and surrender in 9½ Weeks, presented in an expanded version with footage not seen in U.S. theatrical release. Passion fades. But something John and Elizabeth will always carry inside is the impact of their 9½ Weeks.

*1997: Best Supporting Actress for L.A. Confidential.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **
(click to show/hide)
Extras:
  • Scene Access
  • Feature Trailers
  • Closed Captioned
  • Additional Footage


My Thoughts:
'91/2 Weeks' is directed by Adrian Lyne ('Foxes' (1980), 'Flashdance' (1983), 'Fatal Attraction' (1987), 'Jacob's Ladder' (1990), 'Indecent Proposal' (1993), 'Lolita' (1997) and 'Unfaithful' (2002) very good and very erotic movies).

It stars Mickey Rourke (John Grey) ('Diner' (1983), 'Desperate Hours' (1991), 'Wild Orchid' (1989), 'Sin City' (2006) and 'The Wrestler' (2008)) and Kim Basinger (Elizabeth McGraw) ('Mother Lode' (1982), 'Never Say Never Again' (1983), 'The Natural' (1984), 'Nadine' (1987), 'Bless the Child' (2000), 'The Door in the Floor' (2004) among many more. Also staring are Margaret Whitton (Molly), David Margulies (Harvey), Christine Baranski (Thea) and Karen Young (Sue).

This is an erotic drama about chance meetings and abusive relationships. Although it wont be for everyone it is very well done in acting, direction and script. If you like this type of movie (how will you know until you see it) then I recommend that you watch it.

Once again, this is not for everyone.

Rating: 3.5of5
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:50:29 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #55 on: June 22, 2012, 01:06:34 AM »
    American Psycho: Uncut Version: Killer Collector's Edition (2000/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

(United States)
Director:Mary Harron
Writing:Bret Easton Ellis (Original Material By), Mary Harron (Screenwriter), Guinevere Turner (Screenwriter)
Length:102 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital EX: 5.1 (Matrixed 6.1), English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles:English, Spanish

Stars:
Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman
Justin Theroux as Timothy Bryce
Josh Lucas as Craig McDermott
Bill Sage as David Van Patten
Chloë Sevigny as Jean

Plot:
Patrick Bateman ('Christian Bale') is a Wall Street yuppie, obsessed with success, status and style, with a stunning fiancée ('Reese Witherspoon'). He is also a psychotic killer who rapes, murders and dismembers both strangers and acquaintances without provocation or purpose. Based on the controversial novel by Bret Easton Ellis, the film offers a sharp satire to the dark side of yuppie culture in the '80s, while setting forth a vision that is both terrifying and chilling.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **
(click to show/hide)

Extras:
  • Scene Access
  • Audio Commentary
  • Feature Trailers
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Featurettes
  • Closed Captioned


My Thoughts:
'American Psycho' (2000) is a psycho thriller from Director Mary Harron ('I Shot Andy Warhol' (1996), 'The Notorious Bettie Page' (2006) and 'The Moth Diaries' (2011) and written by Mary Harron and Guinevere Turner based on the book of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It stars Christian Bale ('Empire of the Sun' (1987), 'Shaft' (2000), 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin' (2001), 'Reign of Fire' (2002) and 'Batman Begins' (2005), 'Dark Knight Rises' (2012) among many others). Among the co-stars are Willem Dafoe (Donald Kimball), Reese Witherspoon (Evelyn Williams) who had a very small role here, Chloë Sevigny (Jean), Jared Leto (Paul Allen), Justin Theroux (Timothy Bryce), Josh Lucas (Craig McDermott), Cara Seymour (Christie), Samantha Mathis (Courtney Rawlinson), Guinevere Turner (Elizabeth), Bill Sage (David Van Patten) and Matt Ross (Luis Carruthers).

This movie is a psycho sexual thriller which is primarily from the perspective of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale). I believe it is supposed to be satirical in nature, about the excesses of the '80s, but i don't think it worked very well on that level.  It is an interesting portrait of a man over the edge of madness.

I really like these types of movies .. the path of a man going man (possibly the best one i have seen is 'Falling Down' (1993) staring Michael Douglas). The collapse of an otherwise intelligent person stepping into the depths of insanity i have always found interesting. But the story here doesn't really give us anything on the character. What caused the journey .. what was the precipitating event??

I think it was well acted, especially by Christian Bale. The direction and filming is good. I just wish there was more to the character. I would love to understand him. I would recommend this to anyone who likes the genre.

Rating: 3of5 stars
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:49:45 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David

Offline Achim

  • Mega Heavy Poster
  • *******
  • Posts: 7179
  • Country: 00
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #56 on: June 22, 2012, 06:38:03 AM »
This movie is a psycho sexual thriller which is primarily from the perspective of Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale). I believe it is supposed to be satirical in nature, about the excesses of the '80s, but i don't think it worked very well on that level.
Yes, I believe it was meant as satire. Problem for me was that as a European I didn't know many of those references, yet some stuff is still rather funny to watch (like the name card sequence).

Quote
But the story here doesn't really give us anything on the character. What caused the journey .. what was the precipitating event??
I think that was the point though, it is also the same in the book if I remember correctly. Bateman's behavior is shown, but not explained. He is somewhat unhinged to begin with and then simply goes completely off the rails as the story unfolds. As always, the scarier psycho killers in movies are the ones without a particular motivation.

Offline Jimmy

  • Mega Heavy Poster
  • *******
  • Posts: 6756
  • Country: ca
  • Yes this is me...
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #57 on: June 22, 2012, 06:51:15 AM »
As always, the scarier psycho killers in movies are the ones without a particular motivation.
Just like in real life, nothing scarier than someone who kills just for the hell of it :fingerchew:

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #58 on: June 22, 2012, 04:49:58 PM »
Quote
But the story here doesn't really give us anything on the character. What caused the journey .. what was the precipitating event??
I think that was the point though, it is also the same in the book if I remember correctly. Bateman's behavior is shown, but not explained. He is somewhat unhinged to begin with and then simply goes completely off the rails as the story unfolds. As always, the scarier psycho killers in movies are the ones without a particular motivation.
But the flip side of that is that it is hard to vest anything in a character like that.  You can only watch

DSig
Thank you
David

Offline DSig

  • Heavy Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1110
    • View Profile
Re: DSigs What I'm Watching
« Reply #59 on: June 22, 2012, 09:14:29 PM »
    The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance: Widescreen Collection (1962/United States)
IMDb | Wikipedia

Paramount Home Entertainment (United States)
Director:John Ford
Writing:James Warner Bellah (Screenwriter), Willis Goldbeck (Screenwriter), Dorothy M. Johnson (Original Material By)
Length:123 min.
Video:Anamorphic Widescreen 1.66:1
Audio:English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles:English

Stars:
John Wayne as Tom Doniphon
James Stewart as Ransom Stoddard
Vera Miles as Hallie Stoddard
Lee Marvin as Liberty Valance
Edmond O'Brien as Dutton Peabody

Plot:
Ranking with Stagecoach as one of the greatest of its genre, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is the modern-day western to beat all westerns. John Ford, whose very name is synonymous with "westerns," directed the ideal cast. Jimmy Stewart plays the bungling but charming big-city lawyer determined to rid the fair village of Shinbone of its number one nuisance and bad man: Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin). And as if all that weren't enough, the biggest star that ever aimed a six-shooter plays the Man of the title: John Wayne. Super sincere Stewart and rugged rancher Wayne also share the same love interest (Vera Miles). One gets the gunman, but the other gets the gal.

** Complete Plot (with spoilers) **
(click to show/hide)
Extras:
  • Scene Access
  • Feature Trailers
  • Closed Captioned


My Thoughts:
'The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance' (1962) is directed by John Ford ('The Grapes of Wrath' (1940), 'The Quiet Man' (1952), 'Stagecoach' (1939), 'The Searchers' (1956) and also 'Wee Willie Winkie' (1937) with Shirley Temple) among many others. It was written by James Warner Bellah (who worked on many John Ford films) and Willis Goldbeck ('Young Dr. Kildare' (1938) and 'Ten Tall Men' (1951) among others) from a story by Dorthy M. Johnson (she wrote 2 additional great stories that would become movies 'A Man Called Horse' (1950) and The Hanging Tree (1957)).

It stars John Wayne, James Stewart and Vera Miles. It features Lee Marvin, Edmond O'Brien, Woody Strode, Andy Devine, John Carradine and Lee Van Cleef. This is a great western and a good drama. James Stewart plays a lawyer who doesn't understand that the gun had a place in 'law and order' in the west even during the 1870's. John Wayne plays .. well John Wayne (actually Doniphon (Donovan) in them movie). Vera Miles plays the love interest for John Wayne but she is interested in James Stewart.

This is a good sound movie, filmed in black and white. The film had to be filmed on the sound stages of Paramount studios. Since Ford couldn't use the scenery in building ambiance for his film he use black and white and shadows to do the work. The script is good, the acting is good and overall I think it is a 4 star movie.

Rating: 4of5 stars
« Last Edit: June 24, 2012, 05:49:12 AM by DSig »
Thank you
David