MOVIES ~ Any of ya'll seen any good (or shitty) movies in recent weeks/months? Post reviews, feedback, movie news, trailers, recommendations, etc ...

[blackbull1970]

The French Connection
1971

8/10

I watched this one last night on the road on MAX.

The last time I watched it was back in the 1980s on network TV.

It’s a classic crime drama that surprisingly won 5 Academy Awards.

It’s a somewhat slow burn film that deals mainly with the investigation work of the main character Popeye Doyle played by Gene Hackman. It’s slow, but has enough to keep your eyes glued to the screen.

It has two good classic suspense scenes with Popeye following the main criminal and another involving a car chasing a NYC elevated subway train for another criminal.

The film was filmed on location in NYC. One of the interesting backdrops is getting a few views of the World Trade Center under construction and seeing the cranes on top of the towers.

Another thing of the film is seeing a lot of items and things that is no longer available today. For instance seeing a small lounge area in the rear of a Boeing 707 and a Norelco tape recorder (they only make cordless razors today). See if you can spot other non-defunct items thru out the film.

The film has a recognizable Black actor from his younger years. See if you can spot him in the Black bar scene.

There is a sequel involving the main bad guy of the film returning. It’s on MAX and I plan on watching it soon.

Synopsis

 

[DC_Dude]

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Mikey Madison Nipple Pokies and Cleavage on The Tonight Show!

Mikey Madison looking beautiful and showing nipple pokies and cleavage while making an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon!

www.thenipslip.com

 

[playahaitian]

Glenn Close reveals her best onscreen kiss: 'I only got to kiss him once'

Glenn Close is revealing which of her leading men she shared the best onscreen kiss with. She says they only shot one take… maybe two.

ew.com

 

[playahaitian]

this was SUPPOSED to be called the construction worker! IT aint THAT hard!

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Glenn Close reveals her best onscreen kiss: 'I only got to kiss him once'

Glenn Close is revealing which of her leading men she shared the best onscreen kiss with. She says they only shot one take… maybe two.

ew.com

I need to circle back to her series DAMAGES one day (co-starring Rose Byrne). Really enjoyed what I saw in season 1 back in the late-2000s or so.


The supporting cast was no joke too.



Damages is an American legal thriller television series created by writing and production trio Daniel Zelman, Glenn Kessler, and Todd A. Kessler. It premiered on July 24, 2007, on FX and aired for three seasons before moving to the DirecTV channel Audience Network in 2010, airing for two further seasons, and concluding in 2012.[1][2]

The plot revolves around the brilliant, ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and her newest protégée, recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). Each season features a major case that Hewes and her firm take on, while also examining a chapter of the complex relationship between Ellen and Patty. The first two seasons center on the law firm Hewes & Associates in New York City, while later seasons focus more on Patty and Ellen's relationship and Ellen’s attempts to distance herself from Hewes & Associates, both personally and professionally.

The series is known for its depiction of season-long cases, from the point of view of both the law firm and an opponent. It is also noted for the technical merit of its writing, including its effective use of plot twists and non-linear narrative. It has received critical acclaim and various award nominations, with Close and Željko Ivanek winning Primetime Emmy Awards for their performances. Other established actors in the cast include Ted Danson, Tate Donovan, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Timothy Olyphant, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, John Goodman, Ryan Phillippe, Dylan Baker, Janet McTeer, and John Hannah.

 

[playahaitian]

I need to circle back to her series DAMAGES one day (co-starring Rose Byrne). Really enjoyed what I saw in season 1 back in the late-2000s or so.


The supporting cast was no joke too.



Damages is an American legal thriller television series created by writing and production trio Daniel Zelman, Glenn Kessler, and Todd A. Kessler. It premiered on July 24, 2007, on FX and aired for three seasons before moving to the DirecTV channel Audience Network in 2010, airing for two further seasons, and concluding in 2012.[1][2]

The plot revolves around the brilliant, ruthless lawyer Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) and her newest protégée, recent law school graduate Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne). Each season features a major case that Hewes and her firm take on, while also examining a chapter of the complex relationship between Ellen and Patty. The first two seasons center on the law firm Hewes & Associates in New York City, while later seasons focus more on Patty and Ellen's relationship and Ellen’s attempts to distance herself from Hewes & Associates, both personally and professionally.

The series is known for its depiction of season-long cases, from the point of view of both the law firm and an opponent. It is also noted for the technical merit of its writing, including its effective use of plot twists and non-linear narrative. It has received critical acclaim and various award nominations, with Close and Željko Ivanek winning Primetime Emmy Awards for their performances. Other established actors in the cast include Ted Danson, Tate Donovan, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, Timothy Olyphant, Martin Short, Lily Tomlin, John Goodman, Ryan Phillippe, Dylan Baker, Janet McTeer, and John Hannah.

I LOVED THAT SHOW!

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

I LOVED THAT SHOW!

Quick funny story for you, Playa.

I was recording Damages on VHS at that time and watching it with mom when visiting her. She didn't have the Showcase network that aired it in Canada.

I was also watching BREAKING BAD on VHS tape. I didn't have AMC, but my pops read about the show and was like - "Yeah, you've gotta see this. It's the dad from Malcolm in the Middle"

He would lend me his VHS tapes before either of us had DVRs. Watched some of that with mom too.

 

[playahaitian]

It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This​

 

[DC_Dude]

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Count the number of sequels listed.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

From feel-good family films to a zombie horde sequel: The most anticipated movies of 2025

Whether you go to the movies to laugh, cry or escape reality, 2025 looks primed to offer up something for everyone. CTV film critic Richard Crouse has put together a list of some of the most anticipated films.

www.ctvnews.ca

 

[DC_Dude]

Count the number of sequels listed.

That's wild...I didn't notice that, but almost every last one LOL

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

That's wild...I didn't notice that, but almost every last one LOL

I was listening to one of my entertainment podcasts the other day and one of the hosts was rattling off sequel after sequel.

I had to start laughing.

I joke with pops that Hollywood's happy to do Halloween 14, and Nightmare on Elm Street 22.

Fuck an original idea, lol.

 

[playahaitian]

Count the number of sequels listed.

you not wrong BUT

you also have to acknowledge that there are HUNDREDS of movies released EVERY YEAR.

569 movies were released in the United States and Canada in 2024. This is an increase from 2023, when 506 movies were released, but still lower than the 792 movies released in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.

and not THAT many sequels as you may think.

Top movie sources in the U.S. & Canada from 1995 to 2024, by total box office revenue​

Published by Laura Carollo, Dec 10, 2024

Between 1995 and 2024, movies based on original screenplays earned more than 116 billion U.S. dollars at the so-called North American box office, which comprises Canada and the United States. This is almost as much as the second, third, fourth, fifth, and six-placed sources grossed altogether. Films based on games earned over 3.13 billion dollars within that period, surpassing play-based movies – which as of 2021 no longer made it to the top 10.

U.S. & Canada: top source materials for films by revenue 2024 | Statista

Between 1995 and 2024, movies based on original screenplays earned more than 116 billion U.S.

www.statista.com

U.S. & Canada: total number of film releases by source material 2024 | Statista

Between 1995 and 2024, almost nine thousand movies based on original screenplays were released across the United States and Canada.

www.statista.com

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

you not wrong BUT

you also have to acknowledge that there are HUNDREDS of movies released EVERY YEAR.

Thank you for the links, Playa.

I am going to check them out shortly.

I am currently watching Fast and the Furious 12, and gonna head out to the theater later to see Alien 9.

I'll holla.

 

[Simply Sickenin']

A Real Pain




PRAISE: As soon as the characters David (Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) meet up at the airport i could tell there was turmoil brewing between the two.The story of two cousins traveling to a place where unspeakable pain was inflicted on humankind does a slow reveal of the aforementioned turmoil, which contains envy and and sorrow,which are part of the movies title. Eisenberg and Culkin display all the right amounts of raw emotion as they go on their journey with James (Will Sharpe) that also includes four other travelers played by Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egiywan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes. Each speak of their own pain and regret and at times there's an uneasiness that leaps off the screen especially when the characters are charmed into awkward moments. Blended in are moments of humor,and losing touch with who you once were either out of being more responsible or being bogged down by depression. Some can brush off pain or just deal with it inwardly and some must display whether through tears or angry outbursts and I think writer and Director Jesse Eisenberg does an excellent job of bringing the aforementioned laced with some tough subject matter to the screen. In the end Eisenberg left me with wondering if the characters will make peace with their pain.

PROBLEMS: NONE

Scale of 1 to 10 a 10

Glad you really liked it too, JBlaze. Well crafted story in just over 1 hour, 20 minutes. Culkin and Eisenberg play those particular character types well in general, and the fellow tour group members were believable too.

Can't agree more with the high praise. It's only January and this is already my favorite movie of the year. Already else is getting graded on a curve, cause this movie just set the standard.

On top of all the before mentioned great acting, I honestly learned a lot during the movie. I just watched read Midnight in Chernobyl & watched the HBO Chernobyl miniseries. Those lead me to learning some stuff about the USSR and WWII.

This movie is shot all over Poland and at a point I was thinking the city looks EXACTLY the same as Pripyat. Down to the parks and building colors. Cotdamn I never realized just how much the USSR built cities to a uniform design.

All the history of the Jewish people was heartbreaking. At the point a tour guide says I won't have to talk much here, cause this shit speaks for itself. And that shit SPOKE for it itself loudly!

10/10*

No spoilers, but I'd be interested to know what y'all who've seen it, thought about the ending. I loved it, but I could see it not hitting for some in the more general audience.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Can't agree more with the high praise. It's only January and this is already my favorite movie of the year. Already else is getting graded on a curve, cause this movie just set the standard.

On top of all the before mentioned great acting, I honestly learned a lot during the movie. I just watched read Midnight in Chernobyl & watched the HBO Chernobyl miniseries. Those lead me to learning some stuff about the USSR and WWII.

This movie is shot all over Poland and at a point I was thinking the city looks EXACTLY the same as Pripyat. Down to the parks and building colors. Cotdamn I never realized just how much the USSR built cities to a uniform design.

All the history of the Jewish people was heartbreaking. At the point a tour guide says I won't have to talk much here, cause this shit speaks for itself. And that shit SPOKE for it itself loudly!

10/10*

No spoilers, but I'd be interested to know what y'all who've seen it, thought about the ending. I loved it, but I could see it not hitting for some in the more general audience.

Well said, SS.

Glad you liked it too!

Very impressive for Eisenberg and hopefully he has more writing / directing projects ahead of him as he's still young, and we've mostly known him for his acting the past 20+ years.

As for Culkin ... little did we know that Macaulay Culkin's younger bro from 30+ years ago in Home Alone would be winning awards off the backs of Succession & A Real Pain in the mid-2020s!

Regarding the Chernobyl miniseries ... yeah ... that one was great.

I thought that scene was very effective too, especially with Culkin having said to him earlier you don't have to narrate everything / we know you know your stuff ... just let the moment breathe.

If I remember correctly ... Eisenberg noted in his interview on The Treatment that the house was within his family's history back in the day. I'll see if I can direct link that interview, @Simply Sickenin'

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg breaks down ‘A Real Pain’ | The Treatment

Actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg celebrates the ease of working with co-star Keiran Culkin in his new film “A Real Pain.”

www.kcrw.com

The Treatment | Film Television and Arts Interviews | KCRW

In-depth interviews with the most innovative & influential people in entertainment, art, and pop culture. Hosted by film critic Elvis Mitchell, at KCRW.com.

www.kcrw.com

Jesse Eisenberg, Chris Douridas, and Zoë Kravitz on The Treat

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes writer, director, and actor Jesse Eisenberg who does all three in his new movie A Real Pain. The film also stars Kieran Culkin. Then, KCRW’s own Chris Douridas stops by to celebrate the late Quincy Jones’ many contributions to film and television. And...

www.podbean.com

 

[Simply Sickenin']

Filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg breaks down ‘A Real Pain’ | The Treatment

Actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg celebrates the ease of working with co-star Keiran Culkin in his new film “A Real Pain.”

www.kcrw.com

The Treatment | Film Television and Arts Interviews | KCRW

In-depth interviews with the most innovative & influential people in entertainment, art, and pop culture. Hosted by film critic Elvis Mitchell, at KCRW.com.

www.kcrw.com

Jesse Eisenberg, Chris Douridas, and Zoë Kravitz on The Treat

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes writer, director, and actor Jesse Eisenberg who does all three in his new movie A Real Pain. The film also stars Kieran Culkin. Then, KCRW’s own Chris Douridas stops by to celebrate the late Quincy Jones’ many contributions to film and television. And...

www.podbean.com

I didn't know he directed the movie.
One of the things I love most about the movie is that any other movie would have had another scene or two.

Just one more scene to really wrap things up neatly. This shit faded to black and said directed by Jesse Eisenberg and I said WHAT!?!?!

I instantly respect you as a director for know how to let the end of a movie breathe. Life & family doesn't have a neat bow on at the end. Sometimes life just keeps it moving.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

I didn't know he directed the movie.
One of the things I love most about the movie is that any other movie would have had another scene or two.

Just one more scene to really wrap things up neatly. This shit faded to black and said directed by Jesse Eisenberg and I said WHAT!?!?!

I instantly respect you as a director for know how to let the end of a movie breathe. Life & family doesn't have a neat bow on at the end. Sometimes life just keeps it moving.

Exactly. In a world of movies that are routinely running 2 - 2 hours, 45 minutes ... it was kind of refreshing to have it get in & get out in under 90 minutes. It told its story, and then it was over ...



A Real Pain is a 2024 buddy comedy-drama film written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg.[7] An international co-production between Poland and the United States, it stars Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as mismatched Jewish American cousins who travel to Poland to honor their late grandmother. The cast also includes Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2024. It was acquired by Searchlight Pictures, who gave it a limited theatrical release in the United States on November 1, 2024. A Real Pain received positive reviews and the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute named it one of the top ten films of 2024. Its accolades include four nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, where Culkin won Best Supporting Actor.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

National Board of Review - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

National Board of Review: Top Ten Films - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

2024:

• Wicked[11]
• Anora
• Babygirl
• A Complete Unknown
• Conclave
• Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
• Gladiator II
• Juror #2
• Queer
• A Real Pain
• Sing Sing

 

[playahaitian]

Thank you for the links, Playa.

I am going to check them out shortly.

I am currently watching Fast and the Furious 12, and gonna head out to the theater later to see Alien 9.

I'll holla.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Alien 9 was THE SHIT!!!!!!!!


Instant classic.


Can't wait for Alien 10 next year!

 

[benny_negro]

To me Conclave was absolutely outstanding

100

 

[benny_negro]

BEST MOVIES OF 2024


1.CONCLAVE
2.HIT MAN
3.ANORA
4.WE LIVE IN TIME
5.NOSFERATU
6.THE SUBSTANCE
7.THE ORDER
8.THE WILD ROBOT
9.Deadpool and Wolverine
10. Kingdom of the Planet of Apes

Still working through my list

Re: shit I haven’t seen - top of that list is NICKEL BOYS and THE ROOM NEXT DOOR and I guess this BRUTALIST shit lol

Plan on finishing EMILIA PEREZ and I missed some of THE ORDER so gotta go back to that one but it’s still already on my “best of”

WILD ROBOT got by me too so gotta catch that one

for now —

CONCLAVE - 100%

STRANGE DARLING - 100%

BLINK TWICE - 90%

?WICKED? - ehh lol (watched it at mostly 2x speed lol so maybe 55%)

REBEL RIDGE - 80%

THE ORDER?? - 80%

Jacques A. — EMILIA PEREZ???

another flick from earlier in year I missed called KNEECAP is apparently on Netflix so I’ll hopefully enjoy that

DIDI and THELMA still also on list/finish

Sure there are some others I’ve forgotten and barely watched any foreign language this past year so far

Low key - I might honorable mention TERRIFIER 3

 

[benny_negro]

Filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg breaks down ‘A Real Pain’ | The Treatment

Actor and filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg celebrates the ease of working with co-star Keiran Culkin in his new film “A Real Pain.”

www.kcrw.com

The Treatment | Film Television and Arts Interviews | KCRW

In-depth interviews with the most innovative & influential people in entertainment, art, and pop culture. Hosted by film critic Elvis Mitchell, at KCRW.com.

www.kcrw.com

Jesse Eisenberg, Chris Douridas, and Zoë Kravitz on The Treat

This week on The Treatment, Elvis welcomes writer, director, and actor Jesse Eisenberg who does all three in his new movie A Real Pain. The film also stars Kieran Culkin. Then, KCRW’s own Chris Douridas stops by to celebrate the late Quincy Jones’ many contributions to film and television. And...

www.podbean.com

Shout to The Treatment and Elvis. Gotta check out how he ran the show last year. Think last one I caught may have been ROBERT TOWNSEND on the anniversary and criterion release of Hollywood Shuffle

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Still working through my list

Re: shit I haven’t seen - top of that list is NICKEL BOYS and THE ROOM NEXT DOOR and I guess this BRUTALIST shit lol

Plan on finishing EMILIA PEREZ and I missed some of THE ORDER so gotta go back to that one but it’s still already on my “best of”

WILD ROBOT got by me too so gotta catch that one

for now —

CONCLAVE - 100%

STRANGE DARLING - 100%

BLINK TWICE - 90%

?WICKED? - ehh lol (watched it at mostly 2x speed lol so maybe 55%)

REBEL RIDGE - 80%

THE ORDER?? - 80%

Jacques A. — EMILIA PEREZ???

another flick from earlier in year I missed called KNEECAP is apparently on Netflix so I’ll hopefully enjoy that

DIDI and THELMA still also on list/finish

Sure there are some others I’ve forgotten and barely watched any foreign language this past year so far

Low key - I might honorable mention TERRIFIER 3

Very good list, Benny.

I still need to see a number of the ones you listed - but I'm familiar with them all having listened to podcast reviews, etc.

I really enjoyed Didi some months back. The movie feels real / lived in, and credit to the director as he only recently turned 30. He had been working on the idea / script for a number of years, and it feels authentic.

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Shout to The Treatment and Elvis. Gotta check out how he ran the show last year. Think last one I caught may have been ROBERT TOWNSEND on the anniversary and criterion release of Hollywood Shuffle

I've been listening to more of his shows in my podcast rotation the past year. I appreciate his interviews as he's knowledgeable, and the guests often commend him for the thought-provoking questions. He gets real answers out of people, instead of the formulaic cut and paste routine that many interviewers have.

The Wild Card podcast on NPR is good for that too ...

https://www.npr.org/podcasts-and-shows/

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren Heading For Divorce

Jessica Alba and Cash Warren's marriage hasn't just hit a rocky patch, they're about to call it quits with a divorce filing ... TMZ has learned.

www.tmz.com

Jessica Alba's Estranged Husband Could Get $2M Annually In Divorce

Jessica Alba's marriage to Cash Warren may be coming to an end, and the couple's divorce may be quite expensive.

theblast.com

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

The Real Dracula Is a Detective Story

Forget what you think you know about the ur-vampire story. Bram Stoker’s masterpiece was a sprawling, radical detective novel.

getpocket.com

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

‘Endless Summer’ star, local surf icon dies in Encinitas

Mike Hynson, 82, parlayed his passion for waves into a lifetime of sand and sport on beaches across the globe

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

@Simply Sickenin'


Speaking of Eisenberg ... time flies ... this debuted over 25 years ago ...


I'm probably gonna rewatch this series (only aired for 1 season) at some point. Enjoyed it back in the late-90s and caught the bulk of the season.

Get Real (American TV series) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Get Real is an American teen comedy-drama television series that aired on the Fox Network and ran from September 1999 to April 2000. It follows the fictional Green family headed by parents Mitch and Mary and consisting of three teenagers – Meghan, Cameron, and Kenny. It stars Eric Christian Olsen, Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Debrah Farentino, and Jon Tenney.[1] The series marked both Hathaway and Eisenberg's onscreen debuts.[2] Hathaway and Olsen portrayed the older siblings to Eisenberg's central character.

No. of episodes	22 (2 unaired)

 

[Helico-pterFunk]

The Worst Movies of 2024

We watched so you can skip.

getpocket.com

https://www.vulture.com/article/best-actress-oscars-nominations-2025-cage-match.html