What Are You Watching - Page 78

mlewis78 · 08-18-2023, 02:35 AM

Wednesday afternoon I saw Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan, director) at a theater. I was the only person in the viewing room. Good movie. I'd just finished reading the book American Prometheus the day before.

If I hadn't read the book I wouldn't have understood the scenes of the hearings for Lewis Strauss's confirmation (or not confirmed, as it turned out) as commerce secretary in 1959. They kept changing between that scene and the 1954 hearings where Oppenheimer lost his security clearance, and earlier scenes in Oppenheimer's life.

The soundtrack music was too loud (a lot of people disagree with me about that, I think), but at least it didn't drown out the dialogue. It competed with it though.

This was my first time at a movie theater since 2019.

Hitch · 08-18-2023, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davtay

The movie Sahara (2005) with Mathew McConaughey

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0318649/

I freely admit, I thought that the original Clive Cussler/Dirk Pitt book was a lot better, but the movie isn't bad. Nobody could be further, in physical description, from Dirk Pitt than McConaughey, but that natural charm definitely cuts him a lotta slack. And the comedian dude is NOT Giordino, either, but again..hey.

:-)

Hitch

davtay · 08-18-2023, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

I freely admit, I thought that the original Clive Cussler/Dirk Pitt book was a lot better, but the movie isn't bad. Nobody could be further, in physical description, from Dirk Pitt than McConaughey, but that natural charm definitely cuts him a lotta slack. And the comedian dude is NOT Giordino, either, but again..hey.

:-)

Hitch

Having never read the Cussler books, I didn't have anything to compare to. But to my questionable memory from almost 20 years ago...I remembered it as a fun adventure movie. Sometimes it is better to not have read the books, can't be let down in that way.

Hitch · 08-18-2023, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davtay

Having never read the Cussler books, I didn't have anything to compare to. But to my questionable memory from almost 20 years ago...I remembered it as a fun adventure movie. Sometimes it is better to not have read the books, can't be let down in that way.

I actually think that the movie was okay. Clive Cussler got more and more "out there" plot-wise as his books proceeded; from the very first Dirk Pitt waaaaaaaaay back to Sahara, and some of the others well... first he started writing himself in, in cameo appearances (not kidding--he'd "meet" Dirk somewhere in the book for heaven's sake) and then you had old ships showing up in the middle of the Sahara...it made Raise the Titanic look tame.

I think McConaughey carried the movie pretty well. It also had Bill Macy which never hurts. I think expecting action-adventure escapism to simultaneously be "intellectual" is the way to insanity. It's mindless escapism--as it ought to be. The Nick Cage moves, National Treasure, etc....perfect examples of same.

Hitch

Rumpelteazer · 08-18-2023, 05:34 PM

Tonight I first watched Ghostwatch, still love it.

Then I decided to watch The Lost Boys, I've never watched it before. Loved it, but you can't get much more 1980s. Also, Dianne Wiest as a hippy mother and Edward Hermann as a vampire were a total surprise.

Hitch · 08-19-2023, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Tonight I first watched Ghostwatch, still love it.

This was the UK's version (by which I mean, similar event, not the same topic or show) of the US's War of the Worlds broadcast by Orson Welles from the 30's right? It was actually banned?

Yowzers.

Quote:

Then I decided to watch The Lost Boys, I've never watched it before. Loved it, but you can't get much more 1980s. Also, Dianne Wiest as a hippy mother and Edward Hermann as a vampire were a total surprise.

You've never seen that one? It's become a classic--not just a cult classic, but a downright classic. Ha!

Hitch

Rumpelteazer · 08-19-2023, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

This was the UK's version (by which I mean, similar event, not the same topic or show) of the US's War of the Worlds broadcast by Orson Welles from the 30's right? It was actually banned?

Yowzers.

Not banned, but it was never aired again in the UK, it has been broadcasted in other countries.

The BBC did air it under their "drama" banner, but people didn't notice that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitch

You've never seen that one? It's become a classic--not just a cult classic, but a downright classic. Ha!

Hitch

I've been aware of it. I know I saw it in the video rental store. But for whatever reason never watched it, which is strange because I've always loved horror, even in my early teens.

I must confess I've also never seen The Outsiders, again, one that's right up my alley. I'll watch it in the next couple of days.

pdurrant · 08-19-2023, 04:29 PM

I've just watched the sixth episode of series three of Staged. Utterly brilliant.

poohbear_nc · 08-20-2023, 05:49 PM

In honor of Hurricane Hilary, I re-watched The Day After Tomorrow ....

Fbone · 08-20-2023, 07:26 PM

Doc Martin Season 10 episode 6

Rumpelteazer · 08-21-2023, 02:07 AM

Last night I watched Landscapers on HBO. A quirky "based on true events" mini series with Olivia Colman and David Thewlis as a couple who murdered/covered up the murder of her parents.

Rumpelteazer · 08-28-2023, 02:33 AM

Currently watching City on Fire. The first couple of episodes were a bit chaotic and confusing. But after six episodes it's starting to come together, and I think I have the twist figured out. There are two more episodes to go and I'm hoping it comes to a nice conclusion since it wasn't renewed.

poohbear_nc · 08-30-2023, 12:33 PM

Season 2 of the Chelsea Detective (on Acorn) - new sidekick - not yet sure if I like her.

@Hitch - another persistent annoying trope - the divorced detective that still wears their wedding ring and still associates/collaborates with the ex.

Rumpelteazer · 08-30-2023, 05:34 PM

The ending of City on Fire was satisfying enough. The main story line is finished, some threads weren't finished, but that's okay.

Tonight I watched episode 5 of season 10 of Midsomer Murders. When I don't know what to watch I usually end up watching either MSM or X-Files.

mlewis78 · 08-31-2023, 01:31 AM

I've been watching Who Is Erin Carter? on Netflix. Just started episode 5 but need to turn this off and go to bed. I've been doing other things tonight while it is on. It's mostly action, chases, shoot-em-up but seemed to be something else when I started watching.

A few nights ago I watched Love & Mercy (2015) about Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. I'd recorded it on DVR from my PBS station. I think it's on Amazon Prime. I heard their music a lot in my pre-teen and high school years. Never knew anything about their personal lives or that Brian wrote the songs.

08-18-2023, 02:35 AM	#1156
mlewis78 Guru Posts: 910 Karma: 6449772 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York City Device: Kindle Oasis 2 (7"); HDX 8.9"; Ipad2	Wednesday afternoon I saw Oppenheimer (Christopher Nolan, director) at a theater. I was the only person in the viewing room. Good movie. I'd just finished reading the book American Prometheus the day before. If I hadn't read the book I wouldn't have understood the scenes of the hearings for Lewis Strauss's confirmation (or not confirmed, as it turned out) as commerce secretary in 1959. They kept changing between that scene and the 1954 hearings where Oppenheimer lost his security clearance, and earlier scenes in Oppenheimer's life. The soundtrack music was too loud (a lot of people disagree with me about that, I think), but at least it didn't drown out the dialogue. It competed with it though. This was my first time at a movie theater since 2019. Last edited by mlewis78; 08-18-2023 at 11:31 PM.

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08-18-2023, 05:34 PM	#1160
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,342 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Tonight I first watched Ghostwatch, still love it. Then I decided to watch The Lost Boys, I've never watched it before. Loved it, but you can't get much more 1980s. Also, Dianne Wiest as a hippy mother and Edward Hermann as a vampire were a total surprise.

08-19-2023, 04:29 PM	#1163
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 74,066 Karma: 315160596 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	I've just watched the sixth episode of series three of Staged. Utterly brilliant.

08-20-2023, 05:49 PM	#1164
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,611 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	In honor of Hurricane Hilary, I re-watched The Day After Tomorrow ....

08-20-2023, 07:26 PM	#1165
Fbone Is that a sandwich? Posts: 8,297 Karma: 101697116 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Nook Glowlight Plus	Doc Martin Season 10 episode 6

08-21-2023, 02:07 AM	#1166
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,342 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Last night I watched Landscapers on HBO. A quirky "based on true events" mini series with Olivia Colman and David Thewlis as a couple who murdered/covered up the murder of her parents.

08-28-2023, 02:33 AM	#1167
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,342 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Currently watching City on Fire. The first couple of episodes were a bit chaotic and confusing. But after six episodes it's starting to come together, and I think I have the twist figured out. There are two more episodes to go and I'm hoping it comes to a nice conclusion since it wasn't renewed.

08-30-2023, 12:33 PM	#1168
poohbear_nc Bah! Humbug! Posts: 63,611 Karma: 135239851 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	Season 2 of the Chelsea Detective (on Acorn) - new sidekick - not yet sure if I like her. @Hitch - another persistent annoying trope - the divorced detective that still wears their wedding ring and still associates/collaborates with the ex.

08-30-2023, 05:34 PM	#1169
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,342 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	The ending of City on Fire was satisfying enough. The main story line is finished, some threads weren't finished, but that's okay. Tonight I watched episode 5 of season 10 of Midsomer Murders. When I don't know what to watch I usually end up watching either MSM or X-Files.

08-31-2023, 01:31 AM	#1170
mlewis78 Guru Posts: 910 Karma: 6449772 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New York City Device: Kindle Oasis 2 (7"); HDX 8.9"; Ipad2	I've been watching Who Is Erin Carter? on Netflix. Just started episode 5 but need to turn this off and go to bed. I've been doing other things tonight while it is on. It's mostly action, chases, shoot-em-up but seemed to be something else when I started watching. A few nights ago I watched Love & Mercy (2015) about Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. I'd recorded it on DVR from my PBS station. I think it's on Amazon Prime. I heard their music a lot in my pre-teen and high school years. Never knew anything about their personal lives or that Brian wrote the songs.