Topic: The Movie Thread

@JohnnyShoulder Oh thank goodness! I've had this import blu-ray for years -

but the subtitling options completely ruin all the scenes with the ice-cream seller. All timer OST as well.

I intended to run through the whole series before Dominion dropped on home media, so that I could watch it right away and be up-to-date. Shows how much I agree with your sentiment, that I've only just cleared JP3 nearly a year later. I'll get 'em done eventually, but I'm not in any hurry.

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@sorteddan You're in for a treat. It really was that good. If they can maintain anywhere close to the same level of quality for the third movie, it'll be unprecedented. Real lightning-in-a-bottle stuff.

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@nessisonett Oh no, I had no idea about the behind-the-scenes details! That's a shame (particularly since it's a classic movie that I didn't have to brace myself for as a modern viewer; its sensibilities and attitudes hold up remarkably well). You're right, the remaster was stunning, even moreso coming fresh from Mary Poppins and its cavalcade of composite shots.

Any other gems from that era you'd recommend?

@RogerRoger There’s probably several different criteria I could recommend based on what you enjoyed most.

For dancing quality/choreography - 42nd Street is older and the talking bits aren’t as engrossing but the final number is fantastically choreographed, chances are you’ve seen pastiches of Busby Berkeley somewhere over the years. Anything Astaire/Rogers, especially Top Hat which also doubles as a great screwball comedy.

For breezy comedy - Anything Marilyn Monroe, criminally underrated for her actual comedic ability. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot are brilliant. On The Town is probably the funniest of that era of dance/song heavy musicals with a great cast.

For Marlon Brando being the original Pierce Brosnan - Guys and Dolls. Noticeably cannot hold a tune compared to the rest of the cast.

Make sure to watch the Fosse ones if you haven’t either, All That Jazz and Cabaret are amazing and Chicago might only have been made into a movie after he died but it’s a really well done adaptation of his style.

@nessisonett Thank you, that's a real comprehensive and helpful breakdown! Means I'll be able to pick and choose based on my mood (because I'll admit, musicals aren't usually my thing, so I either need to be in the right headspace for "something different" or have some kind of hook, like a satirical plot or particular performance). That being said, I find myself really looking forward to In the Heights, which has been on my watchlist for a while, but that's obviously way more modern.

Quite a few of the titles you've mentioned are things I've known I should get around to (most notably Some Like it Hot and Guys and Dolls) but others I've never heard of before. Will check 'em out!

If you had to pick just one, which'd be your favourite?

@RogerRoger @nessisonett Singin' in the Rain is truly spectacular! Meet Me in St. Louis is also one of the finest musicals of the technicolor era. It's a visual treat - particularly the exquisite, saturated colours. The whole thing thoroughly lovely, too. Judy Garland sparkles.
Although many other 1940s and '50s musicals have some problematic elements (a product of the attitudes of the era), I still love them. I watched a lot of classic musicals with my mum and sister growing up, and it kind of stuck.

Cabaret is quite dark. The setting gives provides an effective underlying menace, which builds to a crescendo by the end. Berlin was quite sexually liberated for its time and I like how the film taps into those themes, particularly given homosexuality was still taboo when the film was made. On the whole I like that it's not chipper and works very well as a satire, The use of shadows and light gives it a unique visual tone and it's also quite uniquely choreographed. It's a go-to favourite of mine, depending on mood.

@mookysam @RogerRoger @nessisonett I sometimes dabble in musicals, but here’s a few of the ones I’ve liked:

Modern:
Hamilton (excellent)
In the Heights (great)
The Hugh Jackman collection 😜 — Les Miserable and The Greatest Showman (very good)
Into the Woods (meh, okay. Has some catchy tunes)

Oldies:
Sound of Music (fantastic classic)
Fiddler on the Roof (really good)
7 Brides for 7 Brothers (outdated concept but really fun musically)
Music Man (mostly liked it)

And of course both West Side Story versions. Both probably a tad over-rated but really great music.

Those come to mind. Definitely I’d start with Hamilton if you have a passing interest in US History.

Oppenheimer - One of the best films I’ve ever seen. A truly mature and accomplished work from one of the best filmmakers on the planet clearly at the top of his game. I was fortunate to see it it in all of its 70mm glory which did not disappoint. A masterpiece.

Across the Spiderverse - @RogerRoger Couldn’t agree more! This one managed to blow my expectations out of the water. An incredible artistic accomplishment. As an aside, I’d highly recommend checking out the sequel to Marry Poppins should the mood for more strike. I found it to be an exceptionally pleasant film.

Beau is Afraid - When it comes to media, I generally attempt to keep my more negative opinions to myself, choosing to focus my mental efforts in more positive endeavours but as a big fan of Aster’s previous work, I’m baffled by this effort and felt it worthwhile to potentially prepare others in a similar frame of mind of the mess that awaits them. Despite ‘getting’ the film, appreciating the skill and craft involved and even acknowledging the many moments that teeter on sheer genius, I’ve rarely been left after a film with such a crushingly, overwhelming feeling of: Why!? Proceed with caution.

@RogerRoger I really really love Cabaret, it’s moody and totally captures the chaos of 30s Berlin while still being playful and having great songs. For a lighter watch then I would probably lean towards Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Both the Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend sequence and the ridiculous bit with the attempts to flirt with the entire US Olympic team are highlights!

@Th3solution I adore Fiddler on the Roof. It's really quite funny, and I like how it contextually integrates background historical events without it being the focus of the story. That said, it never fails to make me tear up, particularly at the end.
Another favourite is Oliver! My mum used to deliberately embarrass me by randomly singing “It’s a Fine Life” (in the vocal styling of Nancy) when we were in Waitrose. Especially if I misbehaved. 😅

The Sound of Music has truly exquisite cinematography. It's beautifully shot and takes full advantage of the location filming. The last time I watched it I hadn't seen it for quite a few years and was quite taken aback by how great it looked on Blu-Ray.

I'm not a huge fan of some modern adaptations of West End/Broadway musicals, such as Into the Woods or Sweeney Todd, as I can't help but compare them to the original recordings and concerts.Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd is painful viewing, particularly given the feeble vocal performances of the leads. I don't blame studios for wanting to attach big names to them, but if they're not great singers it does the material a disservice. The Les Misérables film gave me a bit of a headache. I didn't think it was bad per se, it was more a full on barrage on my senses, which is odd because I love the absolutely chaotic Moulin Rouge. I still need to see Hamilton. I think it's on Disney Plus?

@mookysam Yes, in the US it’s on Disney+. It helps to know some of the historical characters, which I’m not sure how detailed UK and European courses get into it, but even just for those who like musical theater and dancing, I think it’s quite good.

@RogerRoger I'm surprised to hear In the Heights has been on your watchlist for so long after admitting you're not usually into musicals! That's a very sing-songy adaptation, so seems like a hard sell normally if it's not your cup of tea. I loved the movie myself though, so I'm not advocating for you not to watch it. Definitely do if it interests you! Is it the Lin-Manuel Miranda connection that changes things? I'm personally not a big fan of his work in acting or songwriting generally (though I have not seen Hamilton), but that movie is the exception to the rule. Breathe in particular is an incredible song, but Carnival Del Barrio, 96,000 and No Me Diga in particular are great numbers too.