Due to how easy it is with the advent of the various streaming services I’ve been watching films lately that for one reason or another I didn’t get round to first time, not always ones that are considered classics but sometimes they pop up on Netflix etc and I decide to give them a go.
Two of these are the following
The Beach - not sure why I’d never seen it as I’m sure it’s been on tv loads and as a fan of Trainspotting the fact that it’s a Danny Boyle film should’ve drawn me to it. In all honesty I thought it was ok but definitely of its time.
Empire of the Sun - Gave it a go as I wanted to see what Christian Bale’s acting was like as a kid. Decent film which I wish I’d seen a lot earlier.
Anyone else find themselves doing this lately?
Comments
The Harry Potter films, watched the first one or two when they came on TV years ago, watched them all back to back and loved them. Thats something that doesn't need a reboot, beautifully done
Ben Hur and Spartacus they always seemed to be on TV on a Sunday, chalked both of these off and Lawrence of Arabia in the last 12 months
The first Blade film, went to watch the second and third ones at the cinema but never saw the first one, which is probably the best one Wesley Snipes and Kris Kristoferson or however you spell his surname were brilliant
Still haven't seen the Godfather films, but love casino and goodfellas
Good thread
I did in the end make it most of the way through but whilst they have watered down some of the brutality and bleakness its still horrible. Don't watch it is my advice!
Not so much from streaming, but more that at Christmas a lot of films are shown on TV, and I invariably record them on my PVR and never get round to watching them until months or years later.
I only saw the original Top Gun recently. Cack, but could see why everyone other than me had seen it.
On topic - I've never seen a single episode of The Sopranos but my wife and I intend to remedy that by binging on them during the coming winter months.
Nightmare on Elm Street
Rococo
The Terminator
Hellraiser
Jaws 1 and 2
Halloween
One of the Evil Dead Films
If there was a film a kid shouldn't have watched, me and Andrea watched it.
Granted Nightmare on Elm Street shit me up a bit, a lot in fact. Freddie Krueger is a fucking amazing original baddie but none of them stayed with me as long term as watership down did!
No film got to me for ages after my whirlwind introduction to bloodshed until I went to the cinema, with a woman, to watch 28 Days Later. I am amazed I didn't shit in my pants watching that, I might as well have done, lost all my dignity jumping out if my skin several times and we were given such a gentle introduction too with the close up of Cillian Murphys uncut penis
I also recently re-watched an ealing film made during the war called The Halfway House. Not many know of it, but it's better than I remember it.
I have to agree about the Godfather films for me the 2nd one is the best film ever.
Watched On the waterfront not too long ago for the first time. Belter of a film. Peak Brando. The man was spellbinding in that movie.
"You shouda looked after me Charley. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody. Instead of a bum, which is what I am. let's face it, It was you, Charley."
Each and every Scorsese film
The Godfather 1-3 (these were rewatches but I just have to list them here as they are simply the best of the best)
Dog Day Afternoon
A Bronx Tale - this one was so good I couldn't believe it was Robert De Niro's directorial debut.
Apocalypse Now - I always assumed Marlon Brando was the main character so I was surprised that he only appeared for the last 30 minutes or so of the film but nevertheless this was a masterpiece.
JFK, Platoon - probably the best works by Oliver Stone
In the Name of the Father - I was shocked to find that Daniel Day Lewis had won three Oscars for Best Leading Actor but having watched this one, My Left Foot, and before those two, The Age of Innocence, Gangs of New York (which I'd watched many years ago) I finally realised why he was regarded so highly as an actor by so many people.
Carlito's Way
...And Justice for All
A few slight disappointments/not as great as I thought they'd be:
Reservoir Dogs
1900/Novecento
Once Upon a Time in America
The Deer Hunter
Scarface
But of course those above are still much better than the majority films being made these days. I've come to the conclusion that I'd rather spend 2 hours watching an old classic than waste time on some mediocre new film.
By the way, if you like The Godfather trilogy, I'd like to recommend this sublime performance of the soundtrack. It's one of the best things I've seen on YouTube. If you can't watch it at work, please add it to your YouTube Library and watch it when you're home, with your headphones or speakers. I was moved to tears the first time I watched it. It really is a must-see video for every Godfather fan.
I really wanted to like Once Upon a Time in America - I don't mind long films at all. Just the adult characters' part of it was a bit disappointing. And the rape scene between De Niro and McGovern was a big shock and very uncomfortable to watch...
I'm sure most people loved the films that I mentioned as disappointments because they are all highly rated films. I'd give each of them 4/5 instead of 5/5.
I watched Heat recently, too, for the second time. I first watched it back in the early 2000's. It still looks so great today.
I to my discredit have never read the godfather but Scorsese obliviously had. Bloke is a genius of a director as is Francis Ford Coppola, but for Martin as you say didn't see it true to life, or at least one he knew and grew up with, more street like as in Mean streets (awesome film btw).
Great thing about the Godfather films is that it became more a piece on family and loyalty rather than a straight up gangster film. Had heart and you could relate to the characters. Coppola can master that and so much more. Apocalypse Now and the Conversation prove that.
As for films, I never watched the Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption as I was a Stephen King fan as a youth and read everything he wrote for years. But I've seen them both in the last few months and they are brilliantly done for the big screen (something a lot of King's books never achieved).
And yeah, Nightmare on Elm Street. I saw it at the cinema when it was new, and then tried to watch it alone at night a few years ago. Slunk off to bed after about half an hour as I was losing it badly.