All Things Movie/Documentary Reviews/Recommendations Thread

[Slim Tubby]

Okay, you got me. I hadn't heard about this at all. I'll have to give it a look. Thanks for the heads up!

Seeing Andrew McCarthy reminds me of one of my favorite movies from that genre, a LITTLE less heralded. "Class", with Rob Lowe. Jacqueline Bisset was just fantastic in that movie, one of the first MILFs

"Less Than Zero" was also a phenomenal movie with McCarthy, Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Gertz and James Spader. Such a dirty movie in so many ways with RDJ living out his character "Julian" in real life.

Spader has always been a favorite of mine and his pairing with Shatner in "Boston Legal" was pure gold.

 

[coolhandgopher]

Okay, you got me. I hadn't heard about this at all. I'll have to give it a look. Thanks for the heads up!

Seeing Andrew McCarthy reminds me of one of my favorite movies from that genre, a LITTLE less heralded. "Class", with Rob Lowe. Jacqueline Bisset was just fantastic in that movie, one of the first MILFs

I was in 6th grade when Class was released-the movie poster was ingrained in my mind as puberty hit, but I never watched the movie until last year. While I wouldn't put it among my favorites of the genre (perhaps because I watched it well after its release date and my teenage/college years), it was remarkable for its casting. It was Lowe's second feature film (following The Outsiders, same year) and not only was it the first credited role for McCarthy, but also Virginia Madsen and Casey Siemaszko, John Cusack's first credited feature film and Alan Ruck's second credited role (Bad Boys, the Sean Penn version, also in 1983). If you hop over to IMDB and check out the casting directors, there are a couple of heavyweights who brought the actors on board, but surprisingly no connection with John Hughes, given his placing of Cusack, McCarthy, and Ruck in some of his most memorable films. I like the idea of Hughes sitting in the movie theatre and pinpointing which teenage actors he wanted to feature in his upcoming films.

 

[Ope3]

I was in 6th grade when Class was released-the movie poster was ingrained in my mind as puberty hit, but I never watched the movie until last year. While I wouldn't put it among my favorites of the genre (perhaps because I watched it well after its release date and my teenage/college years), it was remarkable for its casting. It was Lowe's second feature film (following The Outsiders, same year) and not only was it the first credited role for McCarthy, but also Virginia Madsen and Casey Siemaszko, John Cusack's first credited feature film and Alan Ruck's second credited role (Bad Boys, the Sean Penn version, also in 1983). If you hop over to IMDB and check out the casting directors, there are a couple of heavyweights who brought the actors on board, but surprisingly no connection with John Hughes, given his placing of Cusack, McCarthy, and Ruck in some of his most memorable films. I like the idea of Hughes sitting in the movie theatre and pinpointing which teenage actors he wanted to feature in his upcoming films.

The connection with a lot of the actors you mention was that it was filmed in Chicago and they filled out the cast for a lot of supporting roles with locals including Cusack, Ruck & Madsen. Most of Hughes productions were also in Chicago.

Another big name with a bit part in Class was Lolita Davidovich.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Was looking for movies (typically watch series on the weekends) last night and landed on "The Housemaid" with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. Because, well, why not.

I have to admit, it was a pretty decent movie. I had just moderate expectations going in and my expectations were exceeded. I'd feel okay giving it 1.5 thumbs up out of 2.

 

[Ope3]

If Sinners had not been nominated for Best Picture, I doubt I would have watched it.

I get the nominations, but the mult-genre film just isn't my cup of corn whiskey. I wasn't up for the 2nd act big shift.

It's well acted and shot, as I would expect Coogler/Jordan joint to be. I'm glad Delroy Lindo's efforts are recognized.

The highlight of the film for me, was actually the extended post-credit scene by using a real life Blues Legend to play one of the characters as an older version in the sunset of their life.

Great touch.

 

[Slim Tubby]

If Sinners had not been nominated for Best Picture, I doubt I would have watched it.

I get the nominations, but the mult-genre film just isn't my cup of corn whiskey. I wasn't up for the 2nd act big shift.

It's well acted and shot, as I would expect Coogler/Jordan joint to be. I'm glad Delroy Lindo's efforts are recognized.

The highlight of the film for me, was actually the extended post-credit scene by using a real life Blues Legend to play one of the characters as an older version in the sunset of their life.

Great touch.

As a horror movie buff, I loved it, but I can see how the plot transition midway through the movie could turn some people off. I thought the soundtrack was amazing, too.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Did recently watch Shelter, another Jason Statham movie and also Mercy starring Chris Pratt. Neither were anything special. Can't recommend them.

 

[Ogie Ogilthorpe]

Did recently watch Shelter, another Jason Statham movie and also Mercy starring Chris Pratt. Neither were anything special. Can't recommend them.

Hey! We watched Shelter this weekend and we liked it. A slight departure from typical Statham movies with the introduction of the young girl he was trying to protect. I thought she was great, knocked it out of the park. I went in with reasonable expectations, I'll say that; entertaining, action, basically your typical Statham movie and we both liked it. No, it's not award material, but we definitely liked it.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I showed this to my wife and my birthday is coming up. Fingers crossed.

 

[Ope3]

The Secret Agent took me a longer than normal to figure out if I was all in. By the 2nd Act/Chapter, I got it. Luckily there was still close to 2 hours left. It's really good.

Perhaps it took me a minute because I was not super familiar with the political climate of Brazil, though seeing I'm Still Here last year was extremely helpful in getting a sense of what was going on. It in Portuguese with English subtitles.

While the story of this political thriller is quite intense, there are some humorous touches to offset the morbid surroundings.

While it may be recency bias, I would cast my vote for Wagner Moua as Best Actor. It's a loaded category. No problem with any of the nominees winning having now seen all 5 performances.

 

[Ope3]

I have seen 6 of the 10 films, and hope to see the other 4 prior to the Awards, as they seem worth the effort at least.

Here is how I would rank them:

One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Hamnet
F1
Bugonia
Marty Supreme


Pending:

Frankenstein
The Secret Agent
Sinners
Train Dreams

Up to seeing 8 of the 10 nominees here are my rankings:

One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
F1
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
Sinners

 

[coolhandgopher]

I have a couple long flights coming up, hoping to be able to watch some of the nominees. I have only seen OBAA and Sinners thus far, and while I liked Sinners more than you, OBAA is definitely preferable for me-the others have quite a bar to clear to bump it from the lead.

 

[Ope3]

I have a couple long flights coming up, hoping to be able to watch some of the nominees. I have only seen OBAA and Sinners thus far, and while I liked Sinners more than you, OBAA is definitely preferable for me-the others have quite a bar to clear to bump it from the lead.

What's interesting is the juxtaposition of my reactions to The Secret Agent and Sinners.

The Secret Agent, I had trepidation early on, wound up loving it. Sinners I was all aboard until nightfall, and then I fell off the bandwagon.

I would be totally interested in a prequel centered on Smoke & Stack during their WW1 experience as well as working for the Chicago Outfit.

Neither here nor there, but why do they represent themselves as "cousins" at first, while pretty much everyone knows that they are identical twin brothers?

 

[Ope3]

Up to seeing 8 of the 10 nominees here are my rankings:

One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
F1
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
Sinners

I saw Frankenstein last night and will slide it in middle.

Visually as one would expect from a Del Toro film it's just stunning to look at in all aspects. Sets, costumes, hair/make-up and cinematography are all amazing. Watching it, it had the same cold/chill effect as when I saw The Revenant.


One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
F1
Frankenstein
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
Sinners


Frank would rank higher for me, but...been there done that with the story.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Watched Crime 101
Lots of holes in the story line. Had that Michael Mann feel to it. Still love Halle. It was okay.

 

[Ope3]

For movies in which "Nature" is a supporting or lead character, Into the Wild and A River Runs Through It top my list of favorites. Train Dreams is their class. It's a fantastic piece of work, best seen in a theater.

Much like A River Runs Through It with Robert Redford, it also has a very strong Narrator, Will Patton.

It's a shame there isn't room for a 6th Best Actor Nominee, as Joel Edgerton is every bit as deserving. William H Macy, Felicity Jones and Kerry Condon also have wonderful supporting roles.

Condon along with F1 is in two Best Picture nominated films.

Nick Cave's end credit song hits all the right notes.

 

[Ope3]

I was able to take in all 10 Best Picture Oscar nominees. Here is my ranking:


One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
Train Dreams
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
F1
Frankenstein
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
Sinners

 

[coolhandgopher]

I saw Frankenstein last night and will slide it in middle.

Visually as one would expect from a Del Toro film it's just stunning to look at in all aspects. Sets, costumes, hair/make-up and cinematography are all amazing. Watching it, it had the same cold/chill effect as when I saw The Revenant.


One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
F1
Frankenstein
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
Sinners


Frank would rank higher for me, but...been there done that with the story.

So, during my recent flights I watched Sentimental Value, Bugonia, F1, Train Dreams and re-watched Sinners. I’ve seen One Battle After Another twice. Here are my rankings:
OBAA
Sinners
Sentimental Value
F1
Bugonia
Train Dreams

I will say, not a dog in the bunch, all were interesting in their own way. However, I’ll start with Bugonia first-really liked the premise, thought the acting was superb, but the final act (which I suspected was coming) took a really interesting film about a man unraveling due to his anger at a big company and just turned it farcical. F1 was a great popcorn movie, with Pitt at his devil may care best and I’ll happily re-watch it, but just doesn’t feel like a Best Picture to me. Train Dreams was a nice, contemplative movie that I could see myself revisiting and moving up the list (great source material with Denis Johnson’s novella). It might also languish in last place right now because I immediately watched it after the adrenaline rush of F1.

The re-watch of Sinners has me on the bandwagon that it might sneak out Best Picture. As with OBAA, it’s electric-and upon second watch, the vampire storyline couched within the struggle of racism in the Deep South and beyond comes through so cleverly and compellingly. Also on the re-watch, their identification as cousins at the beginning was only as a smart ass response to the racist owner of the mill they were buying.

 

[coolhandgopher]

Wedged between the Oscar nominees, I found Secrets & Lies as an offering on a flight and leapt at the opportunity to watch a movie I’ve been wanting to see since 1996, when it was a Best Picture nominee. It was jarring to watch a movie that shot its actors so realistically-I can’t ever recall a movie where the cast looked so like they weren’t in a movie which lent itself well to the storyline and plot, which was engrossing and made the 2+ hours move along rapidly. Brenda Blethyn was a well deserved nominee for Best Actress-she was funny, exasperating, empathetic through her portrayal of the mother. I need to seek out some more Mike Leigh movies.

 

[Ope3]

I saw Frankenstein last night and will slide it in middle.

Visually as one would expect from a Del Toro film it's just stunning to look at in all aspects. Sets, costumes, hair/make-up and cinematography are all amazing. Watching it, it had the same cold/chill effect as when I saw The Revenant.


One Battle After Another
Sentimental Value
The Secret Agent
Hamnet
F1
Frankenstein
Bugonia
Marty Supreme
Sinners


Frank would rank higher for me, but...been there done that with the story.

Frankenstein just won Oscars for both Costume Design as well as Hair & Makeup.

No argument there. No brainer.

No pun intended.

 

[Ope3]

One Battle After Another gets my highest recommendation. I strongly encourage anyone to go see it on as big of a screen as possible.

Leonardo. Sean. Benicio. All 3 give as good of performances as I have ever seen them in. No hyperbole. That great.

Amazing soundtrack and score.

One Battle After Another won the Best Casting Oscar. That's only surprising because I didn't even know was a thing, just added this year.

Tough category, but it would have gotten my vote.

Buddy Guy in Sinners and George Gervin in Marty Supreme not enough to sway me otherwise. One would think a film in which the Harlem Globetrotters appear, The Ice Man would would have gotten one of those roles. Instead he played a Ping Pong Parlor proprietor.

 

[Ope3]

One Battle After Another gets my highest recommendation. I strongly encourage anyone to go see it on as big of a screen as possible.

Leonardo. Sean. Benicio. All 3 give as good of performances as I have ever seen them in. No hyperbole. That great.

Amazing soundtrack and score.

Sean Penn wins Best Supporting Actor in absentia. Can't argue with that, but I would have voted for Benicio del Toro.

He was great in The Phoenician Scheme as well, but Best Actor is a beast of nomination field.

 

[Ope3]

One Battle After Another gets my highest recommendation. I strongly encourage anyone to go see it on as big of a screen as possible.

Leonardo. Sean. Benicio. All 3 give as good of performances as I have ever seen them in. No hyperbole. That great.

Amazing soundtrack and score.

Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Adapted Screenplay, well done. I was surprised he had been Nominated 13 times before without winning.

Great concise speech.

 

[Ope3]

If Sinners had not been nominated for Best Picture, I doubt I would have watched it.

I get the nominations, but the mult-genre film just isn't my cup of corn whiskey. I wasn't up for the 2nd act big shift.

It's well acted and shot, as I would expect Coogler/Jordan joint to be. I'm glad Delroy Lindo's efforts are recognized.

The highlight of the film for me, was actually the extended post-credit scene by using a real life Blues Legend to play one of the characters as an older version in the sunset of their life.

Great touch.

Ryan Coogler take home Best Original Screenplay. Also a great concise speech. Sets up a showdown with One Battle After Another for Best Picture.

 

[Ope3]

Frankenstein just won Oscars for both Costume Design as well as Hair & Makeup.

No argument there. No brainer.

No pun intended.

Frankenstein also pulled in Best Production Design. It's a film meant for the theater.

 

[Ope3]

If Sinners had not been nominated for Best Picture, I doubt I would have watched it.

I get the nominations, but the mult-genre film just isn't my cup of corn whiskey. I wasn't up for the 2nd act big shift.

It's well acted and shot, as I would expect Coogler/Jordan joint to be. I'm glad Delroy Lindo's efforts are recognized.

The highlight of the film for me, was actually the extended post-credit scene by using a real life Blues Legend to play one of the characters as an older version in the sunset of their life.

Great touch.

Sinners win Beat Original Score. No issue with that because the music is what kept me at least engaged throughout the film.

I would have gone One Battle After Another though. It was so effective.

 

[Ope3]

2 things I am definitely NOT a fan of are Jerry Bruckheimer productions and Formula 1 Racing (really any motor sports).

Despite that, I rather enjoyed F1. Took a chance that something involving Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem & Kerry Condon would have value. It does.

It's Rocky, but on wheels and making hairpin turns. It was filmed very well, I felt I was next to the engine or in the pits. Seemed like very little to no CGI at all on this globe trotting adventure.

Probably has to set some sort of cinematic record for product placement, but that tracks given the subject matter. If anything, it made it seem more real.

F1. Best Sound. Kudos.

 

[Ope3]

Sinners win Beat Original Score. No issue with that because the music is what kept me at least engaged throughout the film.

I would have gone One Battle After Another though. It was so effective.

Each pick up another trophy, Sinners for Cinematography and One Battle After Another for Editing.

 

[Ope3]

When I arrived for a Sentimental Value screening, I came in with ultra-high expectations based on reviews as well as the last film that star Renate Reinsve & Director Joachim Trier put forth in 2021. That was The Worst Person in the World, which I have firmly in my Top 25 for this Century.

This new film did not disappoint. It's a tremendous piece of work beginning to end in all aspects. Reinsve is just a flat out star playing actress/daughter of an accomplished film Director played by Stellan Skarsgård.

It's a complicated relationship and the story weaves through multiple generations. While the plot and mood is mostly quite serious, there is some levity to offset. It's also shot brilliantly.

I find it fascinating how the story was told in 3 languages, pretty seamlessly. Language itself is also a plot point, with Elle Fanning playing an American screen siren involved with the Director's current film project which he sees as an opus, perhaps his last.

It's right up there with One Battle After Another for my favorite film of 2025.

Sentimental Value takes the Best International Oscar. Great Choice, I co-sign.

Amazing achievement in film in Norwegian, Swedish and English are all spoken for significant portions of the movie.

I think we are down to the Big 4 categories.

 

[Ope3]

Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Adapted Screenplay, well done. I was surprised he had been Nominated 13 times before without winning.

Great concise speech.

PTA didn't have to wait long for Oscar #2, Best Director.

A loaded category.

Another great speech.