#iownthis — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #iownthis, aggregated by home.social.
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I have now completed @cstross’s “The Jennifer Morgue.” I see now the purpose of the James Bond Trope structure, and it is perfect. Sending it up, certainly, but also pointing out its class- and gender-based weaknesses.
I do worry about the characters, given the end of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’
I also wonder about @Menhit’s reaction to the climactic scene.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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I have now completed @cstross’s “The Jennifer Morgue.” I see now the purpose of the James Bond Trope structure, and it is perfect. Sending it up, certainly, but also pointing out its class- and gender-based weaknesses.
I do worry about the characters, given the end of “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.’
I also wonder about @Menhit’s reaction to the climactic scene.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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Truly one of the great works of cinema, I was lucky enough to see this in the theatre upon its initial release.
Based on “The Tragedy of King Lear,” Kurosawa shows the failure of family to come together in times of challenge. Wanting to enjoy retirement while still having the honour of his office, Lord Hidetora cannot have his cake and eat it too.
A visual and dramatic masterpiece.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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Truly one of the great works of cinema, I was lucky enough to see this in the theatre upon its initial release.
Based on “The Tragedy of King Lear,” Kurosawa shows the failure of family to come together in times of challenge. Wanting to enjoy retirement while still having the honour of his office, Lord Hidetora cannot have his cake and eat it too.
A visual and dramatic masterpiece.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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This Neo-#Noir starts out slowly, but once it is up to speed in the third act it never slows down.
Everything about it is classic noir: everyone’s out for themselves, no one really has morals, and there’s even a ‘hard G’ in Los Angeles.
Sex, money, gutter-living; it’s all here, and presented with a wonderful script and performances.
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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This Neo-#Noir starts out slowly, but once it is up to speed in the third act it never slows down.
Everything about it is classic noir: everyone’s out for themselves, no one really has morals, and there’s even a ‘hard G’ in Los Angeles.
Sex, money, gutter-living; it’s all here, and presented with a wonderful script and performances.
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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Despite the nearly immaculate picture and sound quality thanks to an excellent restoration, the real reason to see this is the rock-solid story.
Greatly told in narration, the twists and turns of the tale fit so perfectly together, it could be compared to a Swiss watch. Likewise, the characters are perfect noir performances: hard-living, life is nearly gone from them, their enthusiasm long ago spent.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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Despite the nearly immaculate picture and sound quality thanks to an excellent restoration, the real reason to see this is the rock-solid story.
Greatly told in narration, the twists and turns of the tale fit so perfectly together, it could be compared to a Swiss watch. Likewise, the characters are perfect noir performances: hard-living, life is nearly gone from them, their enthusiasm long ago spent.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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When Jules Dassin was blacklisted, he said to himself “████ them, I’m going to France and make movies there.” So he did. This is the result.
A classic noir — no one wins, everyone dies, people double cross each other, there’s oodles of money involved — and everyone is dressed beautifully.
There’s tension galore: despite me seeing it several times before, I was on the edge of my seat to the end.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★☆
#Reviews #CineMastodon #Noir #CriterionCollection #Film #IOwnThis
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When Jules Dassin was blacklisted, he said to himself “████ them, I’m going to France and make movies there.” So he did. This is the result.
A classic noir — no one wins, everyone dies, people double cross each other, there’s oodles of money involved — and everyone is dressed beautifully.
There’s tension galore: despite me seeing it several times before, I was on the edge of my seat to the end.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★☆
#Reviews #CineMastodon #Noir #CriterionCollection #Film #IOwnThis
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I’ve been slowly working my way through this as a light way to finish an evening off.
Star Trek can get a bit too full of itself sometimes and this is definitely a fine cure for that. Some bran for the brand, if you will.
However, I do have one continuing question: why are they so obsessed with koalas…‽
★★★★☆
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I’ve been slowly working my way through this as a light way to finish an evening off.
Star Trek can get a bit too full of itself sometimes and this is definitely a fine cure for that. Some bran for the brand, if you will.
However, I do have one continuing question: why are they so obsessed with koalas…‽
★★★★☆
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My goodness, this is equal parts fascinating, frustrating, and beautiful. The randomness of the rooms you can select from to add to the house layout is incredibly challenging, but not entirely insurmountable.
The art is gorgeous, its look balancing pen & ink with watercolour wash, giving it a mixture of book illustration and blueprint / technical drawing (an obviously conscious choice there).
The puzzles and story are fascinating. Mr Ros has clearly poured his heart into this, and his experience with and love of both puzzles and cine- and still photography have been perfectly combined here.
I haven't been this impressed (and frustratedly determined) with a game since Myst. This is easily the best game purchase I have made in a very long time.
★★★★★
#review #VideoGame #Steam #IOwnThis #Mac #PS5 #Windows #XBox
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I watched this because I have no internet connection this evening. Technicians are investigating, apparently. So, it was time to dip into the Blu-Rays on my shelf.
Louis Malle’s first film, shot in late-‘50s Paris, starring Jean Moreau in an incredible performance, with a score by #MilesDavis, a Mercedes 300SL W198 “Gullwing,” and an interrogation scene which is nothing but three people with jet black surroundings and heavy top light… CAN IT GET ANY COOLER THAN THAT?
It’s slow and quiet, but do not let that dissuade you. Pay attention, let things unfold, and it’s only 91 minutes, for goodness sake!
It’s so good.
But those croissants M Tavernier insists on having lots more of are clearly… well, you can tell those are bad. There’s no flakiness at all! Bah. What an awful item. Go somewhere else, Julien!
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
#review #CineMastodon #Noire #FilmNoir #IOwnThis #CriterionCollection
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I watched this because I have no internet connection this evening. Technicians are investigating, apparently. So, it was time to dip into the Blu-Rays on my shelf.
Louis Malle’s first film, shot in late-‘50s Paris, starring Jean Moreau in an incredible performance, with a score by #MilesDavis, a Mercedes 300SL W198 “Gullwing,” and an interrogation scene which is nothing but three people with jet black surroundings and heavy top light… CAN IT GET ANY COOLER THAN THAT?
It’s slow and quiet, but do not let that dissuade you. Pay attention, let things unfold, and it’s only 91 minutes, for goodness sake!
It’s so good.
But those croissants M Tavernier insists on having lots more of are clearly… well, you can tell those are bad. There’s no flakiness at all! Bah. What an awful item. Go somewhere else, Julien!
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
#review #CineMastodon #Noire #FilmNoir #IOwnThis #CriterionCollection
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Wow. Just… wow.
Saucy, silly, sexy, and… erm…did I mention silly?
Clearly not her best work, I know Ms Fonda has no fond memories of her relationship with / manipulation by Mr Vadim, so this is merely an oddity in her career.
Still, there is an hypnotic sensuality to this picture, and it’s certainly better than other films which try to do this; “Zardoz,” “Nude on the Moon,” or “Moon Zero Two,” for example.
David Hemmings’ Rebel Leader ‘Dildano’ is an hilarious addition with their ineffectual rebellion. I wish we had more of him in the plot, frankly.
Taking this picture seriously is not a smart viewing tactic. Merely sit back and let the ridiculous scenes and costumes take you somewhere far away.
Recommended.
★★★☆☆
#review #CineMastodon #SF #IOwnThis
[ edited to use poster for the 1968 release ]
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I started this evening with the 102-year-old classic I have a copy of, then realized I wasn’t in the mood for it despite its brilliance.
So, I turned to the Clement/Waititi masterpiece to slake my need for silliness.
I regret neither decision.
Watch them. Watch them now!
★★★★★ for both
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Because I now own copies of both “The Wizard of Oz” and Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon,” it seemed inevitable that I would create the so-called “Dark Side of the Rainbow” for myself.
The number of amazing coincidences are vastly out-weighed by the number of non-events.
Maybe you need to be stoned.
Everyone probably does this once. That much is enough for me.
★★☆☆☆
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Whilst watching “Lynch / Oz” three weeks ago, I realized that not only did I not own a copy of this, I hadn’t seen it since I was in Grade School. So I fixed that.
My goodness, the number of films this has influenced is nearly incalculable. The message of how you lack for nothing if you only look within yourself is excellent. If you haven’t seen it lately — or even if you have — do so.
Mandatory viewing, no matter your age or cinema viewing experience.
★★★★★
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Whilst watching “Lynch / Oz” three weeks ago, I realized that not only did I not own a copy of this, I hadn’t seen it since I was in Grade School. So I fixed that.
My goodness, the number of films this has influenced is nearly incalculable. The message of how you lack for nothing if you only look within yourself is excellent. If you haven’t seen it lately — or even if you have — do so.
Mandatory viewing, no matter your age or cinema viewing experience.
★★★★★
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And, yes: #iOwnThis now.
I could have rented it from iTunes for $5. I chose to purchase it for… $5.
The chance of me watching it a second time is pretty slim, but if I decide to do that… then I am covered.
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After last night’s viewing, I had to see this as well.
The problem with the cult status of the first film is that the casting of the second becomes a series of celebrity cameos. This is a shame, as lesser-known actors could have shone in parts given to Cult Film Stars.
The story is a bit formulaic, but expecting this picture to plough new ground is a fool’s errand. It’s still fun, though.
Pretty good.
★★★☆☆
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I mean, REALLY esoteric: he mentions Victoria Wood and this Anglophile had to look her up. The politicians and areas of the country referenced were all (sadly) well known to me, but none of that should dissuade any of you from handing over $1 (rental) or $5 (purchase [which is what I did (you’re welcome, Nish)]) to watch this fabulous set of comedy.
More tags #iOwnThis #AppleTV #comedy #giveNishKumarANobelPrizeNow
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I have often enjoyed the comedy of Nish Kumar during his appearances on the podcast “The Bugle.” Hearing that his latest special was available for LEGAL PURCHASE on all platforms WORLD-WIDE, I said to myself ‘right, it’s time to hand this guy some money.’
It’s lefty, extremely profane, usually un-relatable (I’m white and almost 60), and very esoteric at some moments.
Absolutely fantastic; it will change your life (for the better) and reinforce your faith in humanity (ibid).
★★★★★
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Given this picture is almost 30 years old, it’s held up remarkably well! Given it’s mostly cultural satire with Science Fiction as the outer wrapper for the story, this is a minor miracle!
Even most of the SFX look decent!
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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Given this picture is almost 30 years old, it’s held up remarkably well! Given it’s mostly cultural satire with Science Fiction as the outer wrapper for the story, this is a minor miracle!
Even most of the SFX look decent!
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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Stumbled on a copy of this yesterday and am giving it a first listen. Quieter than likely for an original pressing but it will benefit from a more thorough cleaning. More subdued than I was expecting but it’s setting a proper mood for a leisurely stat holiday morning…
#LP
#Vinyl
#Music
#MyVinyl
#IOwnThis
#NowPlaying
#VinylRecords
#NowSpinning
#VinylCollection
#MastodonMusic
#MyRecordCollection
#VinylRecordCollector -
Stumbled on a copy of this yesterday and am giving it a first listen. Quieter than likely for an original pressing but it will benefit from a more thorough cleaning. More subdued than I was expecting but it’s setting a proper mood for a leisurely stat holiday morning…
#LP
#Vinyl
#Music
#MyVinyl
#IOwnThis
#NowPlaying
#VinylRecords
#NowSpinning
#VinylCollection
#MastodonMusic
#MyRecordCollection
#VinylRecordCollector -
The more I watch this the more I appreciate all of the careful layering of information and details as the story unfolds. The most audacious aspect is that the first half is nothing but unnecessary set-up. We think we know what we’re watching, but — like “Parasite” — we do not. All we are getting is misdirection; or, as #Hitchcock termed it, a MacGuffin. None of it matters, except to put one character in a certain place for a certain thing to happen.
★★★★★
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This is a work of breathtaking genius. Watching this is transcendent, because it is not merely a film, it is poetry, dance, and thrilling discovery of the most exciting things just barely in our capacity to imagine.
To communicate — to really understand one another — truly is the best implement available to anyone, no matter the political view, gender, or geographic origin. If we can do that, we can do anything.
Stop reading this toot & watch this film.
★★★★★
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The line between paranoia is crossed many times in this film, and the empty frame has never been as terrifying as it is here. Elisabeth Moss’ performance is as masterful as Leigh Whannell’s direction and script.
This is suspense, thriller, and horror. Having seen this before, I expected to merely watch the pieces be assembled, but there was one spot I thought ‘how could I have FORGOTTEN THIS‽’
This is an incredible picture.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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I saw this a few weeks ago and was so impressed with this that I got a copy as part of a gift card I won through work. Last night’s was as well, plus probably the next two evenings’ films.
Anyway; this really holds up upon rewatching. The story builds well, there’s some humour plus some worthwhile social commentary about what we allow to happen because it doesn’t effect us or we simply do not care enough about our fellow humans.
Highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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I was lucky enough to see this in the cinema when it was in its first run. The theatre was a grand, art nouveau temple to film called The Stanley. It’s a live stage venue now, but it still shines as a jewel box. Walking out of there after the film ended was a shock once you hit the sidewalk, because modern life hit you in the face like a wet slap.
The dialogue, art direction, and cinematography are just as fresh now as it was that night.
Recommended.
★★★★☆
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I was lucky enough to see this in the cinema when it was in its first run. The theatre was a grand, art nouveau temple to film called The Stanley. It’s a live stage venue now, but it still shines as a jewel box. Walking out of there after the film ended was a shock once you hit the sidewalk, because modern life hit you in the face like a wet slap.
The dialogue, art direction, and cinematography are just as fresh now as it was that night.
Recommended.
★★★★☆
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I have seen this picture many times. There’s always something that I’ve forgotten, or maybe I hadn’t appreciated quite as fully, or maybe I put the parts together in my mind a little more tightly.
There is VERY LITTLE CGI in it; anything you see is done the old way in the camera, or it’s forced perspective, or it’s a model. But, as if that’s not enough, the story is old SF solid.
It’s such an incredible film.
Very highly recommended.
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I have seen this picture many times. There’s always something that I’ve forgotten, or maybe I hadn’t appreciated quite as fully, or maybe I put the parts together in my mind a little more tightly.
There is VERY LITTLE CGI in it; anything you see is done the old way in the camera, or it’s forced perspective, or it’s a model. But, as if that’s not enough, the story is old SF solid.
It’s such an incredible film.
Very highly recommended.
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I’ve see this before — hell, #IOwnThis, but I streamed it in the hopes Ms Johannson gets some more money that way — but I kept getting references to it in other films and I couldn’t remember it well enough.
There’s a solid sense of learning about the person inside the character, despite her inclination to shut out the rest of the world and keep her own counsel.
Really excellent story-telling here about ‘family.’
Recommended.
★★★★☆
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I’ve see this before — hell, #IOwnThis, but I streamed it in the hopes Ms Johannson gets some more money that way — but I kept getting references to it in other films and I couldn’t remember it well enough.
There’s a solid sense of learning about the person inside the character, despite her inclination to shut out the rest of the world and keep her own counsel.
Really excellent story-telling here about ‘family.’
Recommended.
★★★★☆
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This second novel in @cmpriest’s ‘Booking Agent’ series is a solid, entertaining read. She’s a great author, and is one of my favourites, making this series especially great as its balance of humour and pathos being right up my alley.
The characters and set-up are realistic and enjoyable.
If I wasn’t feeling so tired right now I would bounce up and down and rant about how great this book is & how you must read it.
Please imagine me doing that.
★★★★☆
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This second novel in @cmpriest’s ‘Booking Agent’ series is a solid, entertaining read. She’s a great author, and is one of my favourites, making this series especially great as its balance of humour and pathos being right up my alley.
The characters and set-up are realistic and enjoyable.
If I wasn’t feeling so tired right now I would bounce up and down and rant about how great this book is & how you must read it.
Please imagine me doing that.
★★★★☆
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Quite possibly the best bio-pic / documentary / overview of an artist’s work I have ever seen. It’s as much a work of art as the material from which it draws and reflects.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
#review #EndemicPandemic #film #documentary #IOwnThis #music #Bowie
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Quite possibly the best bio-pic / documentary / overview of an artist’s work I have ever seen. It’s as much a work of art as the material from which it draws and reflects.
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
#review #EndemicPandemic #film #documentary #IOwnThis #music #Bowie
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So… the biggest differences here are the insertion of the scene in the 2nd image instead of a brief one where Marlow drops off Carmen at the door with the Butler. Then the replacement of the brief scene in the 3rd image with the lengthy, iconic one in the 4th image. There’s also a lengthy scene gone involving Marlow explaining things to the police which explains a few things to us.
I wish there was a blending of both.
…/more
★★★★☆
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For my tastes, this has just one too many twists which do not have sufficient explanatory narrative. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good twisty plot, it just needs to have supporting reasons. One suspects that the script was run through an early Cuisinart to get the full run of the novel’s high points.
Great acting, great dialogue, excellent cinematography, please fire the focus puller.
Despite all that, still highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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For my tastes, this has just one too many twists which do not have sufficient explanatory narrative. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good twisty plot, it just needs to have supporting reasons. One suspects that the script was run through an early Cuisinart to get the full run of the novel’s high points.
Great acting, great dialogue, excellent cinematography, please fire the focus puller.
Despite all that, still highly recommended.
★★★★☆
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I’ve read the novel which was adapted for this film and found it far more rewarding than the picture. There are more twists and surprises to be had there.
Still, there’s little wrong here. Fritz Lang employs his usual long takes involving silences to great success, making the suspense build quite handily. I wish the climax involved more chase and/or answers than we get here.
Recommended.
★★★★☆
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #noir #CineMastodon #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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I’ve read the novel which was adapted for this film and found it far more rewarding than the picture. There are more twists and surprises to be had there.
Still, there’s little wrong here. Fritz Lang employs his usual long takes involving silences to great success, making the suspense build quite handily. I wish the climax involved more chase and/or answers than we get here.
Recommended.
★★★★☆
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #noir #CineMastodon #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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This motion picture is full of wonderful characters, action, and plot twists.
Without a doubt, one of most satisfying endings in cinematic history, too.
I’m not sure how Mrs Stroud stays with her husband, as he clearly hasn’t much of a home life. Somehow she continues to stand by him. Lord only knows why.
If you haven’t seen this — or haven’t seen it in awhile — I highly recommend doing so.
★★★★★
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I’ve seen this multiple times, but DAMN is this ever a great picture! Tonight was the first time I’ve seen the British adaptation (discovered in the BFI’s voluminous collection) and it’s surprisingly faithful, despite lacking the original’s haunting final line.
No matter which, you should see this incredible film.
Mandatory viewing.
★★★★★
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #CineMastodon #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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This show paved the way for “The West Wing,” “Irresistible,” “Wag the Dog,” and “Bob Roberts.” The blurring of a line between satire and reality has always been fuzzy at times but here it’s really tough to distinguish.
The acting in this is really good, as well as the editing. Owing to using early ENG equipment, the image is less than stellar, but HBO is to be commended for funding the thing in the first place.
Worthwhile.
★★★★☆
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #TV #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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This arrived in the post today. Also arriving today was word that #PotUS 45, ████ is running for 2024’s election. Thus, this evening’s fare is the Robert Altman / Garry Trudeau collaboration about US Presidential politics in the immediate post-Reagan era. So far, I have seen three episodes. Goodness, what a simpler time it was then. And yet, how so very much things have not changed one jot. People are still as stupid as they were.
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #TV #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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Damn, is this ever satisfying! I wish I knew how, but this hangs together better than “Noir,” by @TheAuthorGuy which I loved very much and is in the same world. Perhaps it’s easier due to a more linear narrative and less of a necessity of world-building, owing to it being the 2nd. Who knows? Who cares?
Very highly recommended.
★★★★★
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I understand why Howard Hughes watched this so frequently: everything is in the right place and supports everything else. As an engineer, he would appreciate that. It’s not exciting, but it’s very well crafted.
Not ‘must see,’ but worth the time.
Solid ★★★☆☆
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Like “The Killers,” this stars Lancaster and is directed by Siodmak. Possibly the original ‘armoured truck heist’ picture. Includes butler to The Bat Man, as well as funicular railway. Lacks Los Angeles with ‘hard g.’
★★★★☆
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Despite the problematic nature of the lead actor, this film is an incredible tapestry of an experience. It’s a picture one comes away from asking ‘what just happened?’ and feeling elated.
★★★★★
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #film #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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An interesting interpretation of the previous version which adapted a short story for its first scene. Great performances, but FAR TOO BRIGHTLY LIT THROUGHOUT, owing to it being intended for television.
★★★☆☆
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #film #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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Thinking I hadn’t seen this yet, I bought it on sale via Apple Movies for, I think, $10. A worthy ending to the run of James Bond films, with many inside references.
I would have preferred “007 will return” as a closing.
★★★★★
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The dialogue is clunky, some of the performances are too far over the top, and the action is occasionally predictable, but WOW does this picture REALLY COOK!
The thing it misses is Los Angeles with a hard-G.
★★★★★
#review #NeverEndingPandemic #film #CriterionCollection #IOwnThis
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A few months ago, I started thinking about Desmond Bagley’s “The Snow Tiger,” and started hunting my shelves, as well as my parents’. Having to buy a copy, along with “Night of Error”was an excellent result. Grand stories, both.
★★★★★
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Having seen the film “Dark Waters” starring @MarkRuffalo (watch that as well!), I was interested in knowing more about the legal battle with DuPont about PFOA/C8 contamination of water and land. This book is a GREAT READ‼️
★★★★★