[Judgement Day]

"Nightfighters" (1960) at long last I tracked down a copy of this rare movie - it only ever made it to VHS and never appears for sale these days. The movie is set in Ireland in 1941 with the IRA coming back to life in anticipation of a Nazi invasion of England. With a star studded cast including Robert Mitchum, Richard Harris, Cyril Cusack, Dan O'Herlihy etc., etc. it's a pleasing enough way to spend 90 minutes. Robert Mitchum does his duty for the cause before his conscience gets the better of him. What it lacks in special effects is made up for by quality acting and attention to detail. Filmed at Ardmore Studios and in County Wicklow.

[bnt]

Hamlet (2000): Ethan Hawke as Hamlet, Kyle MacLachlan as Claudius, Diane Venora as Gertrude, Julia Stiles as Ophelia, Liev Schreiber as Laertes, Bill Murray as Polonius, and Sam Shepard as the ghost of Hamlet's father. Ambitious, abridged version set in modern day New York, where Denmark is a corporation and their castle is a luxury hotel.

Mostly positive, it did a very good job of telling the central story in a clear manner. It served to highlight a couple of things I hadn't quite copped on to in the past, such as the difficult position Ophelia was put in. The Branagh Hamlet (1996) left me with the impression that her downfall was all Hamlet's fault, but this version shows the influence of her protective brother (Laertes) and father (Polonius) in causing her hang-ups about Hamlet. Laertes gets just a bit too close to her for her (and the audience's) comfort at one point, coming across as a little creepy and incestuous. Any wonder she's screwed up?

However, this is where Bill Murray lets the film down a bit. There's a scene in which he confronts Gertrude (Hamlet's mother) and Claudius (Hamlet's uncle, Gertrude's new husband) about Hamlet's craziness, and tells them to tell Hamlet to stay away. Polonius should be angry, emotional, highly concerned about his daughter - but Murray doesn't have the "method" range to look more than slightly annoyed. Polonius' death is also, shall we say, underwhelming.

Not all the modern-day updating makes perfect sense e.g. in the play, Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern take Hamlet to England, carrying orders to "England" that Hamlet is to be killed. Hamlet changes the orders to have them killed ... by editing a text file on a laptop. Just who are these people in England, that Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern are executed on that basis? If it was Mob connections, that aspect could have been explored further.

But this is a modern Hamlet, one who ponders life and death while wandering through a New York video store at 4am, wearing a silly woollen hat, with a gun in his pocket. Had the film been made a few years later, he would be keeping a blog, the dust from the World Trade Center would be everywhere, Claudius would watch Hamlet's accusatory video montage on YouTube, instead of in an art house cinema.

[GAAman]

Originally Posted by Judgement Day

"Nightfighters" (1960) at long last I tracked down a copy of this rare movie - it only ever made it to VHS and never appears for sale these days. The movie is set in Ireland in 1941 with the IRA coming back to life in anticipation of a Nazi invasion of England. With a star studded cast including Robert Mitchum, Richard Harris, Cyril Cusack, Dan O'Herlihy etc., etc. it's a pleasing enough way to spend 90 minutes. Robert Mitchum does his duty for the cause before his conscience gets the better of him. What it lacks in special effects is made up for by quality acting and attention to detail. Filmed at Ardmore Studios and in County Wicklow.

You mind me asking where you got it? Sounds like a film I would like

[Finneen]

Rancho Notorious - excellent Western about a man who tracks the killers of his girl and joins Marlene Dietrich's posse to track him down. Lots of good songs too. The best Westerns were made back in the 1950s.

[Bubblefett]

Watched Time Travellers Wife hoping for a nice bit of romantic fluff (on the suggestion of a friend).
While I will say it kept me watching and interested in what was going on, I found it a bit weak and forgetable. Not the epic romance I was in the mood for.

[hungoverbunny]

Originally Posted by Birneybau

You Wha'?

I think hes talking about this film

[mikemac1]

Bang Bang Club

Follows a group of four photographers during a troubled time in South Africa. Some vicious acts from both sides, very nasty
There was a short part in Sudan too

Was good

[Birneybau]

Originally Posted by hungoverbunny

I think hes talking about this film

Really?

[hungoverbunny]

Originally Posted by Birneybau

Really?

well maybe not im doubting myself now because usually i've no idea what he was talking about but a google of that john carter throws up that disney film

[That_Guy]

The Adventures Of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn:

Visually it was quite interesting and looked decent enough. The story is ok but it seems very fast paced without any real character background. I watched Tintin the odd time when I was younger and knew he was a journalist but for those seeing a Tintin related film for the first time would be quite confused as it doesn't delve into his background.

As I say, the story is very fast paced. One minute you're in the market in the opening scene and boom, you're whisked away and you're now on a boat.

I don't mind that it's so fast paced and straight to the point but I really didn't find the story that engrossing. It had a few nice set pieces but nothing too breathtaking bar Spoiler: towards the end when they're chasing the eagle with the third scroll. That was quite impressive looking.

Other than that it wasn't my cup of tea at all.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Remake):

Thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. I hadn't seen the original film so had no idea what it was about. Was enthralled throughout and I loved Rooney Mara in this.

The runtime is quite long but it didn't feel like it at all and the story never wained and was enough to keep the viewer entertained. Quite enjoyable and would highly recommend.

[Odaise Gaelach]

My housemate and I tried to watch Happiness this evening. I think you have to be in a certain mindset to watch it. It being a lazy Saturday evening, we definitely weren't in that mindset.

Halfway through Happiness we gave up and watched Frost/Nixon instead.

[CharAdriel]

Saw The Lorax on Friday. I think they finally got Dr. Seuss right. Great environmental message, too.

[Patsy fyre]

Seen orphan last night on channel four. Proper scary, freaky freaky film!

[Sindri]

Paprika.

A pretty horrendous Anime that I'm not recommending in the Anime thread.

Disgraceful stuff!!!

Miyazaki is Anime done well. There's so much ****e Anime out there it's unbelievable.

[barone]

Originally Posted by Brendog

I watched "Michael".

Absolutley creepy. Couldn't help spend the entire next day running the fact that this could be happing in any house I walk past.

where did you watch it? gf is looking to watch it and has me plagued..


went to john carter.. too long but enjoyable enough, geared up for the sequels no doubt