Seen any good films lately?

[White Knight]

Via Netflix, W., with Josh Brolin and Richard Dreyfuss {as George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, respectively}. A surprisingly sympathetic portrait of our 43rd President, especially coming from Oliver Stone. Although I am not a fan of President Bush, I nevertheless came away with a deeper understanding of some of the personal demons he had to battle--such as measuring up to both his famous father and his expectations of him--and how these influenced his take on issues and how he chose to deal with them. Overall, W. comes off as basically a nice guy who craves love, and would be a person I wouldn't mind sitting down with to discuss baseball over a couple of brewskis. However--like Sarah Palin--whom I find very attractive--neither would ever get my vote. Dreyfuss's portrayal of Cheney is also spot on.

 

[White Knight]

Via Netflix, Up In The Air, starring George Clooney, Anna Kendrick and Jason Bateman. A not so comedic portrayal of a man {clooney} who is basically unwilling and/ or unable to make any lasting personal commitments in his life. Thus, the movie's title serves as a kind of double entendre, describing both its name and the state of Clooney's life.

 

[teddy]

Falling Down - with Michael Douglas

A study of a man slipping into insanity, and doing some of the things we would all love to do on the way.

teddy

 

[teddy]

The Natural - with Robert Redford

read the book while on holiday in Spain when I was nineteen. Worth reading and worth seeing the film whether you are a baseball fan or not

teddy

 

[White Knight]

The Natural - with Robert Redford

read the book while on holiday in Spain when I was nineteen. Worth reading and worth seeing the film whether you are a baseball fan or not

teddy

NY Knights is such a great name for a baseball team! Too bad it only exists in a fictional setting

 

[teddy]

NY Knights is such a great name for a baseball team! Too bad it only exists in a fictional setting

You could always start a team, White Knight

teddy

 

[White Knight]

Via Netflix, Bigger Than Life, with Barbara Rush, James Mason and Walter Matthau. A story which depicts the always present, and deep-seated angst lying just underneath the seemingly otherwise pleasant veneer of suburban life, circa 1956. Somewhat reminds me of a precursor--perhaps--to Revolutionary Road, but with a Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde ​flavor to it, especially during the broken bathroom mirror scene with James Mason. Kudos to the cast and director Nicholas Ray for producing such a powerful film.

 

[White Knight]

You could always start a team, White Knight

teddy

All's I would need is a lot of the green stuff, especially these days! :banghead:

 

[teddy]

All's I would need is a lot of the green stuff, especially these days! :banghead:

If you build it they will come. :smirk:

teddy

 

[White Knight]

I'm sure they would, Teddy.

 

[White Knight]

Mountains of the Moon {Netflix}, ​with Iain Glen, Delroy Lindo and Patrick Bergin. Portrays the true life 1854 expedition {s} of British explorers Richard Burton and John Speke to find the Nile's source. Despite overcoming numerous harrowing incidents in Africa, the two former allies become bitter enemies whilst back in England due to a sensationalist publisher. A quite sad ending, indeed, especially for Lieutenant Speke.

 

[White Knight]

On Netflix, Tracker, with Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison, as two culturally opposed forces (Western vs Maori) whose humanity in the final analysis causes them to become allies instead of enemies. A tremendous job by both actors, and the sheer beauty of the New Zealand country side is truly magnificent. Kudos all around on this one. :trp:

 

[teddy]

Thats one I want to see Steve.

teddy

 

[White Knight]

Thats one I want to see Steve.

teddy

Teddy, I highly recommend that you do. I know you like Ray Winstone, and now so do I; he is one helluva an actor!

 

[teddy]

Have you seen NIL BY MOUTH yet Steve. Harrowing, but with a happy ending.

teddy

 

[White Knight]

Teddy, Nil By Mouth is one of the movies in my Netflix "hopper" which I intend to see soon.

 

[teddy]

Make it soon Steve. Music by Eric Clapton and some of the best acting you will see anywhere. It was the first acting experience of Laila Morse and Cathy Burke is incredible. The scene where she is celebrating her birthday by dancing alone in her kitchen really tore my heart strings.

teddy

 

[White Knight]

It will be the next film I order.

 

[teddy]

The Wicker Man with Edward Woodward. The full length version which sets the scene so well with Woodwards character. Some nice music as well. For a film which could not originally make up its mind what it really was (horror/musical?) it has certainly become a cult piece.

teddy

 

[White Knight]

Via Netflix, Taking Sides, starring Harvey Keitel and R. Lee Ermey. This film goes into the de-Nazification process started by the victorious Allies in Germany after they occupied it upon having won the war. The story concerns german conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler, who chose to stay once the Nazis gained power, instead of leaving, as so many of his colleagues chose to--or, in the case of many Jewish musicians--had to. Explores the parameters of art, politics, and the individual conscience, and, whether they in fact can be "separated", as Maestro Furtwangler repeatedly maintained. An interesting foray into all of these questions. Sidenote: Basically, all of the charges against Furtwangler being in league with Hitler and his thugs were dropped in the end. Well done and quite thought provoking.