Movies that surprised you!

[Vijy]

On 5/1/2022 at 9:38 PM, zen said:

Fu Manchu series released in the 60s & starring Christopher Lee. There are 5 films of which I have watched first 2. The first 3 are supposed to be good for time pass when you are in the mood for a B film (may not be for everyone). Listing the first 3 below: 

 

The Face of Fu Manchu 

The Brides of Fu Manchu

The Vengance of Fu Manchu 

 

 

On a somewhat related note, Hammer films with Christopher Lee were great fun

Edited May 3, 2022 by Vijy

[zen]

6 minutes ago, Vijy said:

On a somewhat related note, Hammer films with Christopher Lee were great fun

 

Many are getting or got restored so great news for fans! 

[Vijy]

20 minutes ago, zen said:

 

Many are getting or got restored so great news for fans! 

yep, great news! some of them are genuinely great, while others are campy but still a lot of fun.

[zen]

Bravados (1958) starring Gregory Peck … an intense western 

[Vijy]

On 5/7/2022 at 9:10 AM, zen said:

Bravados (1958) starring Gregory Peck … an intense western 

haven't seen peck in many westerns, but I think he is a good fit for the genre.

[zen]

Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow (1963) & Marriage Italian Style (1964) ... The two films starring Sophia Loren & Marcello Mastroianni, and directed by Vittorio De Sica (Bicycle Thieves). 

 

These two films are cut from the same cloth, coming off like 4 stories told over two films. Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow (Kal, Aaj, aur Kal) is an anthology of 3 stories - Adelina of Naples, Anna of Milan, & Mara of Rome. Marriage Italian Style can be viewed as the story of Filumena of Naples. Of the 4 stories, my favorite is probably Adeline of Naples, followed by Filumena of Naples, Mara of Rome, & Anna of Milan.

 

Edited June 7, 2022 by zen

[coffee_rules]

On 5/15/2022 at 10:46 AM, Vijy said:

haven't seen peck in many westerns, but I think he is a good fit for the genre.

You should watch - MacKenna’s Gold, was very popular in India. He’s a fine actor, our Dev sahab’a  idol.

[zen]

On 5/3/2022 at 6:45 PM, Vijy said:

On a somewhat related note, Hammer films with Christopher Lee were great fun

 

I watched the Hound of Baskervilles (1959) with Cushing (as Holmes) & Lee (as Henry Baskerville) ... The story has been told on screen multiple times but this one still turned out to be a good timepass. Like the atmosphere that Hammer creates!

[bharathh]

I loved Top Gun Maverick... Didn't go in thinking id like it as much as I did. Awesome action and a fun movie

[Vijy]

10 hours ago, zen said:

 

I watched the Hound of Baskervilles (1959) with Cushing (as Holmes) & Lee (as Henry Baskerville) ... The story has been told on screen multiple times but this one still turned out to be a good timepass. Like the atmosphere that Hammer creates!

in the movies, my fav is the one with the great basil rathbone. poor adaptions at times, but his acting was spot on

[Yoda-esque]

You should watch - MacKenna’s Gold, was very popular in India. He’s a fine actor, our Dev sahab’a  idol.

To be honest, Dev Anand embarrassed himself trying to act like peck..it was hilarious to watch

[Vijy]

4 hours ago, Yoda-esque said:

On 6/7/2022 at 9:08 PM, coffee_rules said:

You should watch - MacKenna’s Gold, was very popular in India. He’s a fine actor, our Dev sahab’a  idol.

To be honest, Dev Anand embarrassed himself trying to act like peck..it was hilarious to watch

I never cared for dev's aping of peck at times. worked well in some movies, but not in others.

[coffee_rules]

4 hours ago, Yoda-esque said:

On 6/7/2022 at 11:38 AM, coffee_rules said:

You should watch - MacKenna’s Gold, was very popular in India. He’s a fine actor, our Dev sahab’a  idol.

To be honest, Dev Anand embarrassed himself trying to act like peck..it was hilarious to watch

 Apart from the popular ones, he was a good actor till the 70s , uske baad sathiyagya 

[zen]

I Confess (1953) ... Directed by Hitchcock, and starring Montgomery Clift & Anne Baxter. 

 

Usually with Hitch you are taken on a suspenseful adventure. However, this is a different type of Hitch film as you already know what the outcome would be, therefore, the film is more about the journey. And what a journey it is - beautifully shot in B&W in Quebec, touches upon the dilemma of handling a confession from a priest PoV esp. in the filmy sense (in the real world, it would pan out differently), and of course the romantic angle. The film presents a new type of tension for a Hitchcock film. 

 

I watched Strangers on a Train (1951) and this after a long time. While Strangers on a Train came off as a regular Hitchcock film, I Confess stood out more because of its position as a different type of Hitchcock film. In the past, I may have preferred Strangers on a Train more. WIth time, the tastes change. 

 

Similarly, Marnie (1964), which is unique too as it tries to explore the mind of the eponymous character played by Tippi Hedren through Sean Connery's character. This is a psychological drama enhanced by the brilliant Bernard Herrmann score, their last collaboration iirc. To enjoy this more, folks have to understand that they are venturing into the "different type of Hitchcock film" territory. 

 

It is good that Hitchcock experimented once in a while to not stick to his regular style all the time or we could have had more or less similar types of Hitchcock films. 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2022 by zen

[Vijy]

5 hours ago, zen said:

I Confess (1953) ... Directed by Hitchcock, and starring Montgomery Clift & Anne Baxter. 

 

Usually with Hitch you are taken on a suspenseful adventure. However, this is a different type of Hitch film as you already know what the outcome would be, therefore, the film is more about the journey. And what a journey it is - beautifully shot in B&W in Quebec, touches upon the dilemma of handling a confession from a priest PoV esp. in the filmy sense (in the real world, it would pan out differently), and of course the romantic angle. The film presents a new type of tension for a Hitchcock film. 

 

I watched Strangers on a Train (1951) and this after a long time. While Strangers on a Train came off as a regular Hitchcock film, I Confess stood out more because of its position as a different type of Hitchcock film. In the past, I may have preferred Strangers on a Train more. WIth time, the tastes change. 

 

Similarly, Marnie (1964), which is unique too as it tries to explore the mind of the eponymous character played by Tippi Hedren through Sean Connery's character. This is a psychological drama enhanced by the brilliant Bernard Herrmann score, their last collaboration iirc. To enjoy this more, folks have to understand that they are venturing into the "different type of Hitchcock film" territory. 

 

It is good that Hitchcock experimented once in a while to not stick to his regular style all the time or we could have had more or less similar types of Hitchcock films. 

 

 

my fav Hitchcock film is very unlike him too - The Wrong Man (1959)

[zen]

The Blue Max (1966) ... Blue Max is the highest royal Prussian order of bravery ... The film is about a German pilot during WW1 based on the novel by Jack Hunter. 

 

Among the good things about this film are its brilliant the aerial combat sequences. The WWI atmosphere, along with the locations in Ireland, is nicely captured. In fact, the cinematography is pretty good with rich colors, highlighting the magic of films shot on film (versus today's digital). ... However, it is also an inconsistent film where you have to deal with some bad acting by Ursula Andress. If you liked her in Dr. No, you might change your mind after seeing her acting here   ... But the good parts of the film are quite good to tolerate the inconsistencies.

 

The film will interest those who like the WW1 era aircrafts and the military atmosphere:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 18, 2022 by zen

[bharathh]

On 6/18/2022 at 10:48 AM, zen said:

The Blue Max (1966) ... Blue Max is the highest royal Prussian order of bravery ... The film is about a German pilot during WW1 based on the novel by Jack Hunter. 

 

Among the good things about this film are its brilliant the aerial combat sequences. The WWI atmosphere, along with the locations in Ireland, is nicely captured. In fact, the cinematography is pretty good with rich colors, highlighting the magic of films shot on film (versus today's digital). ... However, it is also an inconsistent film where you have to deal with some bad acting by Ursula Andress. If you liked her in Dr. No, you might change your mind after seeing her acting here   ... But the good parts of the film are quite good to tolerate the inconsistencies.

 

The film will interest those who like the WW1 era aircrafts and the military atmosphere:

 

 

 

 

 

Is this about the Red Baron? 

[zen]

4 hours ago, bharathh said:

Is this about the Red Baron? 

Not about the Red Baron but his character makes a special appearance. 

Edited June 20, 2022 by zen

[I6MTW]

The Truman Show

 

 

 

[zen]

Witness for the Prosecution (1957) … Based on the book by Agatha Christie …  Memorable performances by Laughton, Dietrich, & Power … One of the best court room drama films