The "I'm watching/just watched *movie title* thread....

[albrecht]

i acquired a tolerance for Meghan Gallagher when she was on Hill Street Blues. Those were the days, weren't they Lou? Damn right they were. That was when justice was most effectively administered in sweltering windowless rooms under hot lights with rubber hoses and a phone book instead of a courtroom, where the deck was always stacked against you with high priced mouthpieces and liberal judges who would have let Son of Sam off on a technicality.

The world has passed us by Lou, and I get down on my knees every day and thank God for my pension and the time share in Branson where the welcome mat is always out for you and Karen between the 9th and 23rd of November. As if you needed any more incentive, I have a copy of the Millenium episode with the group of demons in the diner complaining about the weird guy who can see them in their true form when they're passing for humans.

Great show and GREAT theme song, I'm waiting for one of the 'free' good (old) tv channels to replay it.

[albrecht]

What could be better for a Sunday night than Columbo, followed by Kolchak? .

Nope!

[Dr. MD MD]

Nope!

Nope?! What are you? Some sort of communist?! 

[albrecht]

Fog of War - Eleven Lessons from the life of Robert S. McNamara

2003 documentary that won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fog_of_War


20 hours of taped interviews cut down and edited to 2. Pretty interesting. Still digesting what I just watched.

I want Criterion, or somebody, to release the full 20 hours of interviews with Robert STRANGE McNamara!

ps: I have this pulp book in my collection of various anti-commie and pro-commieanarchy and "government commissions" reports on racial violence, hippies, etc cheap paperbacks from the time.
https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Strange-McNamara-Strangebob-Special/dp/B0057MFF88/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488517181&sr=1-2&keywords=robert+strange+mcnamara

[21st Century Man]

I watched Salem's Lot for the 3rd time in my life.  It scared the crap out of me when I was a kid.  It scared me (but not as much) when I was in my 20's.  Now at 46, I can still say that movie still gives me the creeps.  The scene that struck me most as a youth was the one where the brother is floating outside the window.  It still bothers me today. LOL!  I think it's a film that holds up after all these years. 

That scene gave me nightmares as a kid.  I insisted on heavy curtains and shades on my bedroom windows after I saw that.  I still insist on that.  I've seen it since and it was still disturbing to me.  Not many movies effect me in that way.  I had some problems sleeping after watching The Godfather and The Omega Man too.

[21st Century Man]

Ah, excuse me, sir. I really hate to bother you but if I could just ask you a couple quick questions about that?

[Dr. MD MD]

That scene gave me nightmares as a kid.  I insisted on heavy curtains and shades on my bedroom windows after I saw that.  I still insist on that.  I've seen it since and it was still disturbing to me.  Not many movies effect me in that way.  I had some problems sleeping after watching The Godfather and The Omega Man too.

[21st Century Man]

Never saw Phantasm though I do have a dvd of it that I plan to watch at some later date.

[zeebo]

That scene gave me nightmares as a kid.  I insisted on heavy curtains and shades on my bedroom windows after I saw that.  I still insist on that.  I've seen it since and it was still disturbing to me.  Not many movies effect me in that way.  I had some problems sleeping after watching The Godfather and The Omega Man too.

I had a similar time after Poltergeist.  The scene with the tree outside freaked me out.  And don't even ask about the under-the-bed clown.

[Dr. MD MD]

Never saw Phantasm though I do have a dvd of it that I plan to watch at some later date.

It might seem hokey to me now but as a kid I remember thinking it was creepy.

[albrecht]

That scene gave me nightmares as a kid.  I insisted on heavy curtains and shades on my bedroom windows after I saw that.  I still insist on that.  I've seen it since and it was still disturbing to me.  Not many movies effect me in that way.  I had some problems sleeping after watching The Godfather and The Omega Man too.

"Salem's Lot" was, like lots of neat "movies" during those decades a "tv movie," as I recall. So younger folks could see but also has to be careful of the censors and networks. It is interesting, actually, how many "sensitive" subjects were done on tv in the 70's and 80's, even totally designed towards children. After-school specials, movie of the weeks, etc. Some are actually pretty darn good or funny, now. But some of the horror ones are good because of they had to go more suspense/unknown than slasher or CGI torture like many movies now.

[21st Century Man]

"Salem's Lot" was, like lots of neat "movies" during those decades a "tv movie," as I recall. So younger folks could see but also has to be careful of the censors and networks. It is interesting, actually, how many "sensitive" subjects were done on tv in the 70's and 80's, even totally designed towards children. After-school specials, movie of the weeks, etc. Some are actually pretty darn good or funny, now. But some of the horror ones are good because of they had to go more suspense/unknown than slasher or CGI torture like many movies now.

Right.  Psychological horror is usually the best type of horror and TV was perfect since the films of the cinema at the time were gore-fests.  High marks must be given to Tobe Hooper, Salem's Lot director,  who had a background in such cinema.  He showed he had the chops to make a great psychological horror.  I also like a film that he made called Lifeforce.  Patrick Stewart had a role in that one.

[21st Century Man]

It might seem hokey to me now but as a kid I remember thinking it was creepy.

Looks kind of creepy to me.  I'll check it out.

[albrecht]

Right.  Psychological horror is usually the best type of horror and TV was perfect since the films of the cinema at the time were gore-fests.  High marks must be given to Tobe Hooper, Salem's Lot director,  who had a background in such cinema.  He showed he had the chops to make a great psychological horror.  I also like a film that he made called Lifeforce.  Patrick Stewart had a role in that one.

Thought Tobe also could do the 'shock' (with also lots of psychological horror and interesting filming angles, lighting, and general creepiness) like in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre." I recall "Lifeforce" but no details, need to revisit.

For some reason "Audrey Rose" and "Magic" really creeped me out. (I had nightmares about the car crash deal in "Audrey.") As did "Let's Scare Jessica To Death." The more psychological ones always did it for me.

[21st Century Man]

Thought Tobe also could do the 'shock' (with also lots of psychological horror and interesting filming angles, lighting, and general creepiness) like in "Texas Chainsaw Massacre." I recall "Lifeforce" but no details, need to revisit.

For some reason "Audrey Rose" and "Magic" really creeped me out. (I had nightmares about the car crash deal in "Audrey.") As did "Let's Scare Jessica To Death." The more psychological ones always did it for me.

Have yet to watch Audrey Rose but have seen bits of Magic over the years.  Another horror story involving a ventriloquist's dummy.  That became a popular plot device starting with the great Dead of Night with Michael Redgrave in the 40's, then  used in the Twilight Zone and any number of other programs.

I have copies of both those films now and plan to watch them when I'm in the mood for being creeped out.

[albrecht]

Have yet to watch Audrey Rose but have seen bits of Magic over the years.  Another horror story involving a ventriloquist's dummy.  That became a popular plot device starting with the great Dead of Night with Michael Redgrave in the 40's, then  used in the Twilight Zone and any number of other programs.

I have copies of both those films now and plan to watch them when I'm in the mood for being creeped out.

There is a time, age, and mood. Sometimes you rewatch and it is "not as good." Now, obviously, you know what is going to happen (or can recall mostly) but also you and time changes. I haven't rewatched "Audrey" in a long time so curious. There are other movies that "get better" with rewatching but, generally, I find those to be comedies or dramas, especially. Though sometimes with "horror" movies also.

[zeebo]

.... some of the horror ones are good because of they had to go more suspense/unknown than slasher or CGI torture like many movies now.

One which made an impression on me was the original Japanese version of The Ring (I think it's called "Ringu").  As I remember it's not really graphic or anything but it just has this slowly increasing sense of dread that gave me the creeps.

[21st Century Man]

There is a time, age, and mood. Sometimes you rewatch and it is "not as good." Now, obviously, you know what is going to happen (or can recall mostly) but also you and time changes. I haven't rewatched "Audrey" in a long time so curious. There are other movies that "get better" with rewatching but, generally, I find those to be comedies or dramas, especially. Though sometimes with "horror" movies also.

I recently watched Battle of the Bulge and was less than impressed with it.  I loved that film as a kid but now that I know many of the historical details, it seemed highly inaccurate.  There was too much blue sky and they appeared to film most of it on a rather arid, parched desert in Spain.  Very little in the way of woods, inclimate weather and such in the film.  All the lead characters were fictional and that shouldn't be the case what with the generals and higher-ups playing large roles in the film.  A better film needs to be made on that battle.  That said,  the actors were great in their roles and were a joy to watch especially folks like Robert Shaw, Robert Ryan, Telly Savalas and Charles Bronson. 

[albrecht]

One which made an impression on me was the original Japanese version of The Ring (I think it's called "Ringu").  As I remember it's not really graphic or anything but it just has this slowly increasing sense of dread that gave me the creeps.

Yeah. No spoilers but yeah.

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

We may take you up on that Branson offer this year.

The nightmares are back - about that dead kid we found in the abandoned boxing gym near St. Benedict's.   It's been tough going the last few weeks.

When Karen asks what's eating at me, I tell her it's just old ghosts, catching up to the living dead (the living dead being the "retired") - and just part of wearing the "police pentagram."  Nothing a little whiskey can't fix.  Father McBride would get a big kick out of that - if he could hear me saying "police pentagram."  Rest his soul.

Karen, says, "Hey, Mickey! You big goof!"

I'd be lying if I told you that the nightmares caused by spending thirty thankless years of putting our lives on the line scraping inconsequential scum off the street while serving and protecting the real criminals who run this stinking city ever go away. I owe you and Father McBride that much, Lou. If it weren't for our pensions, your impressive model HO railroad layout, and my time share, we wouldn't have anything else except family. So give my little sister a big hug from the big goof! See you in early November!

[yumyumtree]

Never saw Phantasm though I do have a dvd of it that I plan to watch at some later date.

Phantasm is good, for what it is. It's one of those films where kids pretty much fend for themselves, without a lot of adult supervision.

[yumyumtree]

Liked La-La Land, Arrival and Hacksaw Ridge. Was underwhelmed by Hell or High Water, though I normally like Jeff Bridges. Would have liked to have seen Mel Gibson get the Oscar, but I guess his comeback is going well enough without it.

[ShayP]

Rented Arrival this evening.  I liked it overall, but expected more.  Funny thing is I didn't know what to expect. 

[Zetaspeak]

I wanted to see Arrival in the theater but could never got around to actually go. There was always one reason or another things fell through.

There have been some good stuff on TV recently. Shawshank Redemption was on AMC, whenever that movie is on TV and I flip by it I always end up watching it, one of my favorites. Also Watched Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, I remember watching it a few times in my household back in the 90s as it was a favorite of my family, Morgan Freeman is in everything!  Also watched Unbreakable, I am amazed it's been 17 years since that was released.

[zeebo]

...There have been some good stuff on TV recently. Shawshank Redemption was on AMC...

Shawshank is one of those rare movies for me that actually changed the way I saw life.  A truly powerful film which lingers with you.  Some great lines in it too, like this one:  On the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook.

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

The Way to Eden, the Star Trek TOS episode where the Enterprise encounters the space hippies, on MeTV. "Headin' out to Eden, yeah, brother!"  Be there, or be square, Herbert.

[zeebo]

The Way to Eden, the Star Trek TOS episode where the Enterprise encounters the space hippies, on MeTV. "Headin' out to Eden, yeah, brother!"  Be there, or be square, Herbert.

"It begins to chime."    If you look closely, at the very end.  I could swear there's a moment where Kirk says his uptight-sounding closing line, and Spock looks at him and seems to be thinking .. "What a Herbert".

[Dr. MD MD]

"It begins to chime."    If you look closely, at the very end.  I could swear there's a moment where Kirk says his uptight-sounding closing line, and Spock looks at him and seems to be thinking .. "What a Herbert".

It's always the ultra-straight ones you gotta watch out for. 

[GravitySucks]

Travelers - Netflix/Showtime

Time travelers from the future come to our present to prevent a catastrophic event.

Not too bad of a series for free. They got approved for season 2 so all there is right now is season 1. 12 episodes ending with a major cliff hanger.

It is slow to develop and not really what I would call action packed. Good cast. The lead is the guy that played Will in Will & Grace (Eric McCormack)

Time travel makes my head hurt. This plot line almost has a "Dead Like Me" feel to it. Lots of time travelers sent back to this time frame and they do it by entering a person's body right before their death. Causes some plot twists when they don't have all the information on someone they plan to use for a "host".

Here is a review I found that kind of explains it. You almost need to read the wiki article or a detailed review like this one. The storyline develops too slow to understand the premise if you don't.

http://io9.gizmodo.com/netflix-s-travelers-has-the-most-ethically-messed-up-ti-1791131050

[Robert Ghostwolf's Ghost]

"It begins to chime."    If you look closely, at the very end.  I could swear there's a moment where Kirk says his uptight-sounding closing line, and Spock looks at him and seems to be thinking .. "What a Herbert".

The hippies getting killed by eating bad acid at the end is even more ironic than the finale of Polynesiantown! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXW5F6hzcMQ