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Weekend Movie MarathonCelebrity Birthdays: January 17-23After 2 weeks without watching any movies to speak of... I decided it was time to hit some movies this weekend. I felt I wanted a theme as I haven't done one in a while. But at the same time I felt that I wanted lots of freedom... lots of choices to choose from. Whether I seen them before... or out of my unwatched pile. So I decided to see which celebrities had birthdays this past week... and choose something that I have with them in it in my collection. I figured that would give me lots of choices.
Celebrity Birthdays: January 17-23January 17: - Aaliyah
- John Hamilton
| January 18: - Jason Segel
- Kevin Costner
- Danny Kaye
- Cary Grant
- Oliver Hardy
| January 19: - Drea de Matteo
- Dolly Parton
- Tippi Hedren
- Jean Stapleton
| January 20: - Skeet Ulrich
- Lorenzo Lamas
- Bill Maher
- Patricia Neal
- DeForest Kelly
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January 21: - Wolfman Jack
- Geena Davis
| January 22: - Piper Laurie
- Bill Bixby
- John Hurt
- Linda Blair
- Balthazar Getty
| January 23: - Randolph Scott
- Gil Gerard
- Rutger Hauer
- Mariska Hargitay
- Tiffani-Amber Thiessen
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Movies to Choose From:
BOLD titles are titles in my Unwatched pile.
- The 10th Kingdom (Rutger Hauer)
- 3000 Miles to Graceland (Kevin Costner)
- Alien (John Hurt)
- Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) (Drea de Matteo)
- Batman Begins (Rutger Hauer)
- Beetlejuice (Geena Davis)
- Big City Blues (Balthazar Getty)
- The Birds (Tippi Hedren)
- Blood Angels (Lorenzo Lamas)
- Bone Eater (Gil Gerard)
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Rutger Hauer)
- Can't Hardly Wait (Jason Segel)
- Captain Kidd (Randolph Scott)
- Carrie (Piper Laurie)
- Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (Rutger Hauer)
- Contact (John Hurt)
- The Craft (Skeet Ulrich)
- Cutthroat Island (Geena Davis)
- Darkwolf (Tippi Hedren)
- Death of The Incredible Hulk (Bill Bixby)
- Dogville (John Hurt)
- Dracula III: Legacy (Rutger Hauer)
- Dragonfly (Kevin Costner)
- Earth Girls are Easy (Geena Davis)
- EdTV (Bill Maher)
- Eulogy (Piper Laurie)
- The Exorcist (Linda Blair)
- The Faculty (Piper Laurie)
- Flash Gordon: Space Soldiers Conquers The Universe (John Hamilton)
- The Fly (Geena Davis)
- The Flying Deuces (Oliver Hardy)
- From Dusk till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen)
- The Guardian (Kevin Costner)
- Gung Ho! (Randolph Scott)
- Hard Cash (Balthazar Getty)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (John Hurt)
- Hell Night (Linda Blair)
- Hellboy (John Hurt)
- Hellboy II: The Golden Army (John Hurt)
- Hemoglobin (Rutger Hauer)
- His Girl Friday (Cary Grant)
- House 2: The Second Story (Bill Maher)
- I Love You, Man (Jason Segel)
- In Harm's Way (Patricia Neal)
- The Incredible Hulk Returns (Bill Bixby)
- The Inspector General (Danny Kaye)
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (John Hurt)
- Jocks (Mariska Hargitay)
- John Q (Bill Maher)
- Judge Dredd (Balthazar Getty)
- King Ralph (John Hurt)
- Lack Placid (Mariska Hargitay)
- Ladder 49 (Balthazar Getty)
- The Long Kiss Goodnight (Geena Davis)
- Lost Souls (John Hurt)
- Love Story (Gil Gerard)
- Marnie (Tippi Hedren)
- Merlin (Rutger Hauer)
- Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (Dolly Parton)
- Motel Hell (Wolfman Jack)
- Mr. Holland's Opus (Balthazar Getty)
- Open Range (Kevin Costner)
- Operation Pacific (Patricia Neal)
- Queen of the Damned (Aaliyah)
- Rage at Dawn (Randolph Scott)
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Kevin Costner)
- Romeo Must Die (Aaliyah)
- Salem's Lot (2004) (Rutger Hauer)
- Scream (Skeet Ulrich, Linda Blair)
- Scream 3 (Skeet Ulrich)
- Shriek if You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen)
- Silverado (Kevin Costner)
- The Skeleton Key (John Hurt)
- Spaceballs (John Hurt)
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture (DeForest Kelly)
- Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (DeForest Kelly)
- Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (DeForest Kelly)
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (DeForest Kelly)
- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (DeForest Kelly)
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (DeForest Kelly)
- Summer of Fear (Linda Blair)
- Surviving the Game (Rutger Hauer)
- To the Last Man (Randolph Scott)
- Transylvania 6-5000 (Geena Davis)
- Trial of the Incredible Hulk (Bill Bixby)
- Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner)
- You've Got Mail (Jean Stapleton)
- V is for Vendetta (John Hurt)
- Zorro's Black Whip (John Hamilton)
As usual... if there is something in the above list that you would like me to watch... feel free to post about it. No guarantees I will get to it this weekend... but I will try. There is a fairly nice selection above that I would like to watch this weekend already. Some of which I seen before... others that I never seen.
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Mr Holland's Opus
Alien
The Fly
Indiana Jones...
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boy... didn't take long for someone to spot Mr. Holland's Opus in the list... did it? :P
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Pete - Mr Holland's Opus is a wonderful movie - please give it a chance.
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I have nothing against giving it a chance... well maybe one thing (Richard Dreyfuss)... but I will have to see whether or not I can get myself in the mood for it. You have to understand if I am to give it a fair chance I have to be in the right mood to get the most out of it.
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I have nothing against giving it a chance... well maybe one thing (Richard Dreyfuss)... but I will have to see whether or not I can get myself in the mood for it. You have to understand if I am to give it a fair chance I have to be in the right mood to get the most out of it.
Agreed on the mood-thing...
But.....you don't like Dreyfuss..? He is a very solid actor! I have liked him since I first saw him in Jaws. I don't Ho around searching every one of his films, but he is far from a reason not o with one.
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I don't know why... for some reason I never could stand him. I don't even think it has anything to do with his acting.... Some reason some people I just dislike from the first time I see them... and for some reason he is one of those for me. Not saying it makes sense... just is what it is. :P
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Eulogy
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Dreyfuss and Music? :o
Ah, well, I suppose Mr. Holland's Opus on paper is probably the worst movie you can imagine! But actually, two wrongs make a right. Two negatives, a positive. They'll cancel each other out and you'll love it! :P
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:laugh: I hope you are right Jon! :P
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Eulogy
Second this one. Very underrated comedy and I enjoyed despite the fact I dislike most of the cast.
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/I4/I4A948108323286D4.3f.jpg)
Title: The Fly
Year: 1986
Director: David Cronenberg
Rating: 18A (Canadian)
Length: 96 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: DTS: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono, Commentary: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Stars:
Jeff Goldblum
Geena Davis
John Getz
Joy Boushel
Les Carlson
George Chuvalo
Plot:
The gritty, realistic performances of Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis are at the heart of this terrifying tale of a transformation too horrifying to bear...and too relentless to stop! Goldblum's experimental scientist has created a miraculous device...but in the course of testing it, he finds that his DNA is slowly bringing about a metamorphosis which will forever trap him in the body of a hideous monster...the Fly!
Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Closed Captioned
My Thoughts:
I decided to watch this one today because today (January 21) is Geena Davis' 55th birthday.
This is an enjoyable movie. It is a bit on the disturbing as well as on the disgusting side. But I think it updated the Vincent price classic well. I can't say that I prefer the original or the remake because even though it has the same basic story — both movies are such a different style from one another that I enjoy each one pretty much the same amount for each of their particular styles. When I want the classic atmosphere of storytelling the Vincent Price version will more then satisfy. But this one is the one I want to see when I want a more disturbed... dark version of the story.
This movie came in a boxset with the sequel that I bought cheap from a friend in Canada. Which is the reason for the Canadian rating. I really enjoyed this set... especially for the price I paid for it. But if there is one thing that could have been done better... it is the amount of extras. This movie only has a commentary track. Sure that is cool... but I would have liked to seen more stuff added.
My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/01/012236171850f.jpg)
Title: Eulogy: Widescreen
Year: 2004
Director: Michael Clancy
Rating: R
Length: 85 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, English: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround
Subtitles: Spanish
Stars:
Zooey Deschanel
Micole Mercurio
Girls in Dorm RoomLucy Boyle
Tania Gunadi
Plot:
When three generations of a deliciously dysfunctional family gather to bury the family patriarch, the beloved granddaughter of the deceased is given the task of delivering the eulogy. In the days leading up to the funeral, family secrets are revealed, old grudges resurface and the household erupts with renewed vigor.
Extras:
Scene Access
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Closed Captioned
My Thoughts:
This is one of the many movies that was given to me recently. Before it was given to me I never even heard of it before. Which is kinda surprising since it has so many familiar faces in it. After watching this one I am still trying to decide just how much I liked it. I definitely enjoyed it. Eulogy is a different kind of comedy. A dark comedy for sure. Not something you are going to sit in front of and literally laugh out loud at. I felt some scenes worked better then others... but over-all definitely worth watching. I think Zooey Deschanel was great in it. This is only the second thing I got to see her in. This and Elf... which I also liked her in. But I was really able to appreciate how good she is in this one. If you get the chance this movie is definitely worth checking out.
My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5
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Glad you enjoyed it.
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But if there is one thing that could have been done better... it is the amount of extras. This movie only has a commentary track. Sure that is cool... but I would have liked to seen more stuff added.
The canadian two disc special edition is loaded with extras as you can see below
(http://img37.imagefra.me/i51l/aesp_pres/gods_c7e_ua0eg.jpg)
and the second part is as full, but they cost me more than 30$ each when I got them in the store.
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The canadian two disc special edition is loaded with extras as you can see below and the second part is as full, but they cost me more than 30$ each when I got them in the store.
There an equivalent US release, although looking at you back cover it seems not to be the same. The best feature on that is a near-three-hour documentary about the production, which is not boring for a bit. (I upgraded the film to blue, but need to keep the DVD for the special features.)
I think Pete got these for cheap, so that's why he has this release.
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It's probably because I don't keep the slip cover, I think the cover was black :shrug:
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Now that is a special edition! :thumbup:
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/71/717951003096f.jpg)
Title: Mr. Holland's Opus
Year: 1995
Director: Stephen Herek
Rating: PG
Length: 143 Min.
Video: Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1
Subtitles: English
Stars:
Richard Dreyfuss
Glenne Headly
Jay Thomas
Olympia Dukakis
W. H. Macy
Alicia Witt
Plot:
Acclaimed star Richard Dreyfuss gives the performance of a lifetime (1995 Academy Award™ Nominee, Best Actor—Mr. Holland's Opus) in this uplifting hit cheered by audiences everywhere! Glenn Holland (Dreyfuss) is a passionate musician who dreams of composing one truly memorable piece of music. But reality intrudes when he reluctantly accepts a "day job" as a high school music teacher to support his family. In time, however, Mr. Holland realizes that his real passion is teaching, and his legacy is the generations of young people he inspires. Also featuring Glenne Headly (2 Days In The Valley) and Olympia Dukakis (Mafia!) — you're sure to find this electrifying motion picture both entertaining... and unforgettable!
Extras:
Scene Access
Featurettes
Closed Captioned
My Thoughts:
As most of you know... I am not a fan of music in general. And if that is not enough I never liked Richard Dreyfuss. So you must understand that I was more then concerned about enjoying this movie. Thankfully this isn't actually a musical. More of a drama that just happens to be about music. So that was definitely a plus for me. As for Richard Dryfuss... I am still not a fan., He just kinda bugs me whenever I see him on the screen. I don't know why. It is something I know is irrational... but it is what it is. So his presence was no help for me what so ever. But it is a good story about a teacher and how much he cared for his students and teaching them what he loves so much. I especially enjoyed the storyline of his relationship with his son. It showed he wasn't a perfect person. And I felt it helped balance the character. It is a good movie that is definitely worth watching... even if it is a little on the long side.
My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5
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Great review Pete. I am impressed about the rating, considering the handicap thus film had with you...
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Thanks... and yeah I even think it would have gotten a bit of a higher rating if Dreyfuss wasn't in it. I know that isn't fair but he does take a bit of the enjoyment away for me.
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:clap:
Well done, Pete! Although not a musical (otherwise I wouldn't have liked it) it is about the essence of music. One of my favourite moments was when he taught his students about classical, by demonstrating how rock music was using the same melodies. Fantastic.
But I think your rating is spot on. It is over-long and a bit melodramatic, so whereas you may have an irrational anti-Dreyfuss thing going on let alone your difficulty with music, your conclusion is realistic and a fair assessment for anyone interested in seeing it.
I'm not interested in sport in general, but I can easily watch a sports film, because I do respect people who show a passion and intelligence for what they do, and we can learn a lot from that. Perhaps you got the same from this.
Good job, sir. :D
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Thanks Jon... and yes that is what I got from this one. You were able to easily say what I couldn't put into words for some reason. :thumbup:
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/02/024543077589f.jpg)
Title: The Death of the Incredible Hulk
Year: 1990
Director: Bill Bixby
Rating: NR
Length: 95 Min.
Video: Full Frame 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: Mono, Spanish: Dolby Digital: Mono
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Stars:
Bill Bixby
Lou Ferrigno
Elizabeth Gracen
Philip Sterling
Barbara Tarbuck
Anna Katerina
Plot:
The Death of the Incredible Hulk is the fascinating finale of the hugely popular TV series about a scientist, Dr. David Banner (Bill Bixby), who transforms into a mighty, larger-than-life beast called the Hulk (Lou Ferrigno) when he gets angry. Desperately trying to rid himself of his monster-like alter ego once and for all, Banner sneaks into a government research lab run by Dr. Ronald Pratt (Phillip Sterling), hoping to find a solution. When Pratt discovers Banner's plight, he offers to help. But a beautiful spy (Barbara Tarbuck), who's out to steal Pratt's ideas for terrorists, forces Banner to choose between love and loyalty, good and evil, and ultimately, life and death.
Extras:
Scene Access
Bonus Trailers
Closed Captioned
My Thoughts:
I decided to watch this one today (January 22) because today is Bill Bixby's birthday. He would have been 77 today.
This one has to be my least favorite of the reunion movies. But wanted to watch it because it is all I had left to watch in the Incredible Hulk Marathon thread. I still did enjoy it... it just wasn't quite as enjoyable as the first two movies. Unlike the first two there was no other guess superhero. And I just found parts of the storyline to be a little too slow. This is the only reunion movie that didn't have Jack McGee chasing after stories of the Hulk. Apparently they couldn't get Jack Colvin to appear for one reason or another. I keep going back and forth on how I would have wanted the story to end. David finding a cure or finding death. But in the end I think they went the right way.
My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/78/786936242638f.jpg)
Title: Ladder 49
Year: 2004
Director: Jay Russell
Rating: PG-13
Length: 115 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: French, Spanish
Stars:
Joaquin Phoenix
John Travolta
Jacinda Barrett
Robert Patrick
Morris Chestnut
Billy Burke
Plot:
Academy Award®-nominated stars Joaquin Phoenix (Best Supporting Actor, Gladiator, 2000) and John Travolta (Best Actor, Pulp Fiction, 1994) ignite the intense action in this heroic tale of ordinary men with uncommon courage! As part of a tightly knit brotherhood of skilled firefighters, Jack Morrison (Phoenix) grows from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran as he faces a dangerous job that makes him a hero to strangers but often shortchanges his wife (Jacinda Barrett – The Human Stain) and kids. Then, when he becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, the things Jack holds most important – family, duty, courage – come sharply into focus.
Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Bonus Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Music Videos
Closed Captioned
THX
My Thoughts:
I been wanting to fit this one in for a while now... as I have enjoyed firefighting movies in the past. I have to say... it has been a while since I watched any other movies about firefighting... so I have a hard time comparing it to any of the others. But I enjoyed every second of this movie! It has lots of great firefighting action in it as well as a good story of their private lives that keeps you just as interested as all the action sequences. I normally don't care much for flashbacks in movies... but this movie did it right. They were done so well that during the scenes that took place in the present I was looking forward to the next flashback to learn more about this brave firefighter's life. I think I personally would have preferred the movie to end differently. It is still a powerful ending... I would just rather have seen it be different. Either way... this is definitely a movie I would recommend.
My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5
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I loved Ladder 49. Better than Backdraft IMO.
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Backdraft... Thank You! that is the one I was trying to remember. I haven't seen it in years. I may have to see if I can get that one on DVD here soon! I remember very little about that movie really... but I do remember enjoying it at the time.
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(http://www.invelos.com/mpimages/08/086162000751f.jpg)
Title: Alien: 20th Anniversary Edition
Year: 1979
Director: Ridley Scott
Rating: R
Length: 117 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, English: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: Dolby Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Music Only: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Other: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Stars:
Bolaji Badejo
Helen Horton
Tom Skerritt
Sigourney Weaver
Veronica Cartwright
Harry Dean Stanton
Plot:
"Alien" is the first movie of one of the most popular sagas in science fiction history, and introduces Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the iron-willed woman destined to battle the galaxy's ultimate creature.
The terror begins when the crew of the spaceship Nostromo investigates a transmission from a desolate planet and makes a horrifying discovery -- a life form that breeds within a human host. Now the crew must fight not only for its own survival, but for the survival of all mankind.
Extras:
Scene Access
Audio Commentary
Feature Trailers
Deleted Scenes
Gallery
Outtakes/Bloopers
DVD-ROM Content
Closed Captioned
THX
Isolated Production Track
My Thoughts:
Looking at my list of movies to watch I see that somehow I haven't watched this movie since 2004. Could that be right? Has it really been 7 years since I seen this movie? Well that is what DVD Profiler tells me so I guess so. Anyway... I thought I need to fix that problem here today. I am not sure what I can say about this movie that hasn't already been said... so I will keep this short and sweet. If you are a sci-fi fan... a horror fan... or both... in my opinion this movie is a must see. It is just a well done movie... it keeps you glued to your seat watching... even after multiple viewings. I couldn't recommend this movie high enough!
My Rating:
Out of a Possible 5
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Awesome. One of my all time favourites. And just think, Pete, in 2004 you wouldn't have given this 5 stars! :tease:
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:laugh: I don't know... this one could very well have been an exception to the rule. :P
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I think I am done with movies for this weekend. Not to bad though... I fit in 4 of the 5 requested movies this weekend. :)