Which Film(s) Have You Seen Recently?

[Rob Houghton]

As soon as Rob is eligible for an o.a.p bus pass I will try and cadge an invite for a film viewing for us!

Only a few months to wait then Rob.

Yep!

The film we watched tonight - another 1953 musical in my collection - 'So This Is Love' - the Grace Moore story - staring Kathryn Grayson as the operatic singer Grace Moore. I'd never seen this one before, and I was impressed. probably one of the better biopics.

I'm just proving to all those who didn't realise it, that I'm a musical film nerd!

[Darrell71]

Are you two ladies deliberately winding each other up here?

Guilty. We usually restrict this to Whatsapp though.
We've gone over this at least a 100 times, and it always ends in us agreeing to disagree.

(I do have an auntie who loves watching Bollywood films and indeed Chinese films, but I suspect it's entirely because of the so-bad-they're-good factor. )

Every non Indian I know who watches Bollywood films, (except Maria Esther), watches them exactly for that reason, Courtenay. Of course there are some really good performances, but it's rare.

[Courtenay]

Some years ago, I went to a school production (in Melbourne) of A Midsummer Night's Dream in Bollywood style — absolutely no change to Shakespeare's wording, but with all the characters in Indian costume and an authentic Bollywood dance sequence inserted into every scene. It was hilarious!! (And it actually made the play itself make more sense somehow, too... )

[KEVP]

I think every country produces mostly bad movies, with a handful of good movies. It is unfair to compare the best movies of Hollywood with the "average" Bollywood movie. Yes, some of the Hollywood stars are incredibly talented, but the "average" Hollywood movie is actually pretty bad.
And of course Hollywood has so much money that often they can afford to hire out the best actors from other countries!

[number 6]

That's a fair point, KEVP! I do think that there's a lot of bad acting in modern day Hollywood films, that compensate the audience by including a multitude of explosions/grisly murders, etc, to mask the lack of talent on screen. It seems that the more violent a film is, the more people rave about it. I think this is why I prefer older films.

[Darrell71]

I think every country produces mostly bad movies, with a handful of good movies. It is unfair to compare the best movies of Hollywood with the "average" Bollywood movie. Yes, some of the Hollywood stars are incredibly talented, but the "average" Hollywood movie is actually pretty bad.
And of course Hollywood has so much money that often they can afford to hire out the best actors from other countries!

That's true, of course, but on the contrary, I'm comparing the average Hollywood movie with the 'best' Bollywood movies. I live in India, so I do know what I'm talking about.

I do think that there's a lot of bad acting in modern day Hollywood films

I think, as in any other country, Hollywood has its fair share of both good and bad, even in modern day movies, though I think in general the average standard is still good. In Bollywood, and in Indian culture in general, there is a lot of emphasis on animated facial expressions, hand waving, enthusiastic gestures, etc. It's simply the way they're supposed to act for it to be considered 'good' acting. That's why I tend to think of it as over acting.

... but with all the characters in Indian costume and an authentic Bollywood dance sequence inserted into every scene. It was hilarious!! (And it actually made the play itself make more sense somehow, too... )

I would kill to watch that.

[Machupicchu14]

That's a fair point, KEVP! I do think that there's a lot of bad acting in modern day Hollywood films, that compensate the audience by including a multitude of explosions/grisly murders, etc, to mask the lack of talent on screen. It seems that the more violent a film is, the more people rave about it. I think this is why I prefer older films.

Totally agree with you! That's why I prefer watching older Hollywood movie, because those are the ones that contain the best acting and actors!
Nowadays, being completely covered by Hollywood and American soap operas , I think Hollywood has really gone down on acting and have very few movies that can be classified as "good" or "excellent". Also I think it's crazy that people actually enjoy that extreme violence, sex and frivolity

[Darrell71]

Also I think it's crazy that people actually enjoy that extreme violence, sex and frivolity

I mean, there are pros to everything.
I dunno though, I don't really have any argument here, except personal choice. I very much enjoy new Hollywood movies, even more so than most old movies. In my opinion though, the best and most iconic Hollywood movies were those in the early 2000s.

[Rob Houghton]

In my opinion, the best and most iconic movies were made 1933 - 1953. With a few exceptions.

[Eddie Muir]

I totally agree, Rob, especially the latter half of this timeline.

[Rob Houghton]

My favourite era is 1930's and 40's.

[Machupicchu14]

In my opinion, the best and most iconic movies were made 1933 - 1953. With a few exceptions.

I totally agree as well

[Machupicchu14]

I did not get the chance to write but a few weeks ago for at week in my school we were taken to the cinema o watch "One flew over the cuckoo's nest". I am sure many of you have seen it already, because it is such an amazing classic movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it yet I was brought to tears at the sad ending. One of the best movies I have seen this year.

[Rob Houghton]

I love One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - we watched it when we studied the book in 'A' Levels. Its very thought-provoking but also quite amusing and tense, as well as touching.

[Darrell71]

I haven't watched it, but I do know that it was filmed and set in Oregon, which makes me very happy