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| Movie: |
Elmo does the Barack-a-Shaka! Now: The King of Comedy, My Man Godfrey, Au Revoir Les Enfants, 3:10 to Yuma (2007) . . . All-Time: |
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Now: Jerry Lewis... All-Time: |
| Director: |
Robert Altman Kenneth Branagh Frank Capra Joel & Ethan Coen Clint Eastwood John Ford Ron Howard John Huston Mervyn LeRoy Robert Redford Martin Ritt Billy Wilder |
| Quote: |
Harry's brain: She's Ron's sister. But she's ditched Dean! But she's still Ron's sister. I'm his best mate! That'll make it worse. If I talked to him first -- He'd hit you. What if I don't care? He's your best mate! . . . |
Elmo congratulates Kate Winslet. Kate Winslet lets Elmo touch her Oscar. A note to all the good people on my friend list. I did not choose my top 30 friends. I have always refused to do that because I consider all my friends to be "top" friends. Flixster now chooses the list for me. How? I have no idea. This quote feature unquote, if it can actually be called that, is one huge piece of borat. I would rather see any friend who's online bubble to the top of the list. More happily my flixster `ohana -- although some are long gone from flixster now, and I miss them -- lives in Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Finland, Hogwarts -- really : ), Ireland, New Zealand, Oz -- again, really -- you can't make stuff like this up, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, the US, and Wales -- and I totally apologize if I've left your "home" out of my flixster `ohana list. Please let me know. A hui ho! |
Lanning's Recent Reviews
Ghost Town
PG-13
Geez, does Greg Kinnear suck, or what? How the hell does he keep getting work?Sorry, I had to get that off my chest. The premise here is beautiful. Survive a near death experience, and all of a sudden you're eligible for communication with the dead who have unfinished business here on earth. You become the liaison, finishing what needs to be finished in order for the dead to rest easily.
Ah yes, it is a great premise, but this movie spends too little time exploring it. Mostly what we have is Ricky Gervais in a verbal sparring match with Kinnear. Did I say "match"? I use the term way too loosely. Kinnear couldn't deliver a pizza from the pan to his mouth, let alone any lines that demonstrate anything beyond rote memorization and over-practiced inappropriate gestures. Man he sucks hard. If only the powers that be had spent more time on Gervais and Tia Leone. The heart of the story missed -- a highly commercialized Hollywood tradition.
Man cheng jin dai huang jin jia (Curse of the Golden Flower)
R
Wow, what a visually amazing work of cinematography. And talk about your proverbial cast of thousands. The climactic battle scene is just beyond epic. I don't think I've ever seen war portrayed quite this way. A very fluid mass of humanity pours across the screen, like two liquids, oil and water maybe, jockeying for position.I love both Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li, and they do not disappoint as the two heavyweight fighters exchanging power punches in a battle of wills. Love and hate, jealousy, intrigue, poisoning, murder, incest, fratricide -- this is Greek tragedy, this is Shakespeare, this is all kinds of hallmark tragic traditions rolled into one pretty tight script. Definitely worth seeing.
The King of Comedy
PG
As a huge fan of De Niro, this is one I always wanted to see but hadn't until now. No surprise to me here: What a beautiful movie. I'm not a big Scorsese fan, as you may know by reading my past comments about his work. Have to say, however, this is a masterful directing effort that draws outstanding performances out of all the actors involved.And speaking of folks for whom I'm not planning to join a fan club, Sandra Bernhard . . . she's a problem. But she's wonderful here.; I kid you not.
But I've saved the best for last. I think I actually might have sensed this before, but because Jerry Lewis often plays to type, it's very difficult to determine whether he has innate ability. I've now decided the question -- at least for me myself. Jerry Lewis is a very good actor. This may be the best work he's ever done. Astonishing. Maybe this is the one that convinced the French to name him the greatest American actor of all time. See this just for the great ensemble effort. I really do have to give Martin Scorsese kudos for this work. I never thought I'd say that about him.
Thinking about it as I'm typing this, I'm struck by the fact that one of the great emotional beauties of this film is that it reads pretty much like classic tragedy from the beginning. Rupert Pupkin is destined to fail. You know it by every single one of the signposts along the way. Flaw after flaw after pathetic flaw. But he doesn't fail. Amazingly, he succeeds; he is a winner. It's tragedy turned on its head. Actually, in the end, this truly is classic comedy.
A Face in the Crowd
Unrated
So I'm watching this with my sister last night, who's visiting from England, and I tell her it's a powerful performance by Andy Griffith. This is my Robert Osbornean intro to a movie that truly grips me. As we get into the film, she's talking about how great it is that Elia Kazan, a sellout to the Committee on Un-American Activities, she reminds me, can so beautifully capture small town America, but that Andy Griffith is wrong for the part.Well, I beg to differ with my one and only dear sister, but Andy Griffith, I believe, is perfect for this part.
My sister maintains that Griffith is not sinister enough to play the part of Lonesome Rhodes. This, I think, is a carryover of the whole Mayberry syndrome. I believe that Griffith is perfectly sinister for this part, and his acting job here shows how much range he has beyond Sheriff Andy Taylor. You watch it, and you tell me. Do you agree with my sister, or do you agree with me?
One thing we do see eye to eye on is that the script here is a gem.
Macbeth
Unrated
Hor-rors. This may be the worst version I've ever seen. To reiterate, this is my favorite of Shakespeare's plays, so I'm most critical when I watch a production. Worse still for Orson Welles, I was just iPoding the Arkangel recording while I was walking the Great Wall in China last week, so the play's all the more fresh in my mind.It's as if Welles thinks he's always doing Citizen Kane -- don't get me started. You don't have to emote, okay, you have to deliver. The words carry enough drama all by themselves, all right? Yet one more reason why Welles will never make either my favorite actor or my favorite director lists.
My Man Godfrey
Unrated
One of those rare near perfect films. The more I see of William Powell, the more I wish I could have sat down and had a beer with him. An extraordinary actor with an amazing range. He is never overstated, always choosing under the top delivery combined with perfect, subtle gestures. Even in the most comedic films of his I've seen -- the Thin Man series, for instance -- he is never overly broad.I hope I never live to regret this statement via further research, but I can't help but believe that Bill Powell must have been an upstanding and all-embracingly decent human being. Truly, if he was not a wonderful person, I would really rather you not disabuse me of my happy ignorance.
The term "Everyman" might be used too much. But not by me. Powell is the epitome on screen of that proverbial -- to the point of becoming cliche -- Everyman.
This one is an amazing love story on top of a supremely gifted acting display. And yes, it is funny.
Mr. Powell, not only are you on my all-time favorite actor list, but with every film I discover, you are rising to the top of that very small, very revered group. I look forward to living long enough to see every single movie you've ever made.
Lanning's Favorite Movies
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(100) | Create a MovieBoard
1.
Witness
R
Great performances by Ford, McGillis, and young Lukas Haas, but this is Danny Glover's film. Scary! When Haas identifies Glover as the killer from the photo in the glass display case, I still get chicken-skin. Danny, please play more villains.Kelly, what up? Man I miss her--and I'm not saying that Top Gun was any kind of compensation for my loss.
2.
Zorba the Greek
Unrated
When Zorba's son dies, everyone else cries. Zorba? He dances. If Quinn had only done one film, this film, his contribution to the history of movies would have been enormous and his place in that history assured. Life, death, comedy, tragedy, love, hate, nastiness, compassion . . . this movie encompasses every aspect of existence. I'm not sure if Bates and Quinn ever did another movie together, but what great chemistry. To live life no matter what may come, the "philosophy" behind this movie, makes more and more sense the older you get. And when all else fails, eat, drink, laugh, and dance . . .
3.
The African Queen
Unrated
I never met a Bogart movie I didn't like. This is surely one of the most idiosyncratic love stories ever to hit the silver screen--and I'm not talking about Bogart and his boat--although that relationship is pretty kinky. Bogart won a best actor Oscar for this, and Hepburn, playing the passionate missionary as if she were born to the part, was barely outmuscled for best actress by Vivien Leigh in Streetcar. Only Casablanca comes in higher on my Bogart movie list.
4.
Age of Consent
R
Michael Powell's last directorial endeavor, the resurrection of James Mason's career, and the role that put Helen Mirren on the map. This beautiful little film is a must-see for a stunning Mirren alone, although it is a great comment on the 60s. Thinking about it now, as Powell's last, I see parallels with Shakespeare's The Tempest and even, perhaps, with Faulkner's The Reivers. I say again, flixster friends, this is a true must-see.
5.
American Graffiti
PG
A movie I should see every year to remind me of how good movies can be. Lucas was on top of his game when he came up with this idea. A beautiful job of capturing a bygone era that speaks to the end of innocence in every age. A must see for all Ron Howard fans, for Richard Dreyfuss fans, for Paul Le Mat fans, and for anyone who remembers a moment in life when music and lived experience were inextricably intertwined.If you blink, you might miss Harrison Ford.
6.
The Apartment
Unrated
I have a friend named Guy who's always wondering whether older generation actors were really good or were only "famous" because the public made them famous. Man, I am really missing Jack Lemmon. If not his best movie, this one is certainly right up there. A great love story, and a great comment on the moral evolution of corporate America. I can never look at a tennis racquet without thinking about this movie.
Lanning's Movie Scrapbook
Lanning's Talk
View All (3158)
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I recommend you see...
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Ice Age 3)
by Filmposted 7 hours ago -
I recommend you see...
The Fountain
by AndhikaTHE FOUNTAIN to me is a 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY for this millenium. It is visually stunning,and, makes me try to think the meaning of the film,by the end credit.Yes,it is a kind of movie that is gonna create a discussion after you watched it.many will hate it,but definitely,there are some that gonna love it,and i'm fall into the latter category.Pure Beauty...
Hey, you should really see this!
a very underrated piece of art
just try to watch it with an open mindposted 1 day ago -
I recommend you see...
Public Enemies
by MarkDecent historical crime drama about John Dillinger and the efforts of J. Edgar Hoover's developing FBI to stop him. Classy production design beautifully recreating the 1930s is undermined by a less than compelling plot. It ultimately builds to an interesting climax, but most the action before that is rather spiritless. Unquestionably an improvement over Michael Mann's last film Miami Vice. Also of note is actress Marion Cotillard as Dillinger's girlfriend Billie Frechette.
Unquestionably an improvement over Michael Mann's last film Miami Vice.
posted 2 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Bride Wars
by FilmWOW i loved this film even more than the adverts its a brilliant chick flick and really won't disappoint fans!
its brilliantly acted and Hathaway and Hudson were brilliant and made it that much funnier!!
This movie is funny, not as predictable as you may think it was quite a surprise ending and just kept my loving the film really its a brilliant movie left me in hysterics in some parrts!!
Its just about two best friends who have dreamed of a wedding at a special venue all there lives and when the moment arrivees there both very happy but when theres a cockup and they are booked on the same day they end friendship and become arch nemises and then theres so many funny sabotages throughout the movie, will they become nest friends and both marry and live happily ever after? you'll have to watch, really worth a watch!!!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 5 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Bride Wars
by Film
WOW i loved this film even more than the adverts its a brilliant chick flick and really won't disappoint fans!
its brilliantly acted and Hathaway and Hudson were brilliant and made it that much funnier!!
This movie is funny, not as predictable as you may think it was quite a surprise ending and just kept my loving the film really its a brilliant movie left me in hysterics in some parrts!!
Its just about two best friends who have dreamed of a wedding at a special venue all there lives and when the moment arrivees there both very happy but when theres a cockup and they are booked on the same day they end friendship and become arch nemises and then theres so many funny sabotages throughout the movie, will they become nest friends and both marry and live happily ever after? you'll have to watch, really worth a watch!!!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 5 days ago -
Come see this movie with me...
The Wild One
by NicolaïToday you see allot of these kind of films where motorcyle gangs ruin a town but non of them is as good as The wild one. Marlon Brando has a great performance together with Lee Marvin, the story and screenplay where both great, also the directing was. The best thing in the movie must be Marlon Brando's rebbelious character which he performances very natural, he hasnt allot of lines but you can tell by looking at his face how he feels.
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 5 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
by KevinQuite simply one of the best Woody Allen films I have ever set my eyes on! Thats saying alot,the guy is a movie legend. I would rank this up there with Annie Hall,which is often regarded as his best film.
First off I love how the movie opens up. The scene in the resurtant when Javier Bardem's character suggests that Vicky( Rebecca Hall) and Christina( Scarlett Johanson) should fly to Spain with him and perhaps going site seeing and afterwords "make love" I love how he was so causal about the whole situation and how appualed Vicky was by the suggestion. At the same time Christa embrasses the opportunity. That scene says so much about all three characters and sets up the story perfectly. You can defentitly tell that Allen has complete control over this film.
From there on you see the relationship unfold. It has a very seductive feel to it. So incredibly sexy and provocative these scenes are.Spain was the damn near perfect place to set this film,it really does a great job and seduces the viewer,very effective! It plays this very thin line on relationships. Just how long can a relationship last? How do you know if its meant to be? Can love be free or must it be contained. These are some very important and controversial issues that the film adresses.
As for the performances,well one might say that Penelope Cruz steals the movie. And you know what I think she does,however I was surprised that she didnt come into the movie until the fifty minute mark. It was also nice to see Javier Bardem play a more sane character. He has so much range in this film,through his facial expression one could tell that he had seduced these young girls. Scarlett Johansson didnt wow in this film,probualy the weakest link. Rebecca Hall though,she was in her element. With this and Frost Nixon she has had quite the breakout year.
Overall you cant go wrong with this sophisticated love story. For all you guys out there who might not give this film a chance because its a " chick flick",well shame on you.
Juan Antonio: Maria Elena used to say that only unfulfilled love can be romantic.Check out this sophisticated love story,with jaw droping performances.
posted 5 days ago -
Come see this movie with me...
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
by NicolaïIt would be a good movie if you didnt compare it to the first one, which is impossible because its a sequel so the movie fails.
When the movie began i tought it was a trailer for another movie but it wasnt, just a bad opening. The editing was bad, very bad like for example; they are all liying down under a table, then you see the enemy and then you see them all standing up and walking like they never laid down, there are allot of those scenes.
They also fucked up with the cinematography, you dont see them transform nicely anymore like you did in the first, now its all close-up.
The sound effects where still great.Hey, you really should not see this!
If you would like to see the sequel of Transformers then you better shouldnt cuz this one actually ruins the first one to with the change of the characters.
I don't know why i rate it 2.5 stars but i think 2 stars are not enough. I never really was good in rating moviesposted 6 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Chi Bi (Red Cliff)
by JosThis review is referring to the version of the movie released in the west (a compressed amalgamation of Red Cliff I & II).
Ostensibly this is an adaptation of one section of the enormously famous (and generally enormous) historical opus The Romance of the Three Kindgoms. If you claim to be from Asia and don't know this novel, then you aren't from Asia. It's that famous. Written during the Ming dynasty it recreates a turbulent period of Chinese history at the end of the Han dynasty in the 3rd century. The impact of the novel is felt today, since a number of common idioms in the Chinese language are taken from this book.
So, in other words, this is a film that many people in Asia may enter with preconceived ideas and high expectations.
And if you want to make a Chinese film that any chance of acheiving them, you'd better cast Tony Leung. Which they did. Along with the same-old actors you find in all these films: Zhao Wei, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Chan Cheng. They're all here. All in glorious dub-o-vision.
Er... why? Tony, for one, is quite capable of speaking Mandarin. Why is he dubbed?
Anyway. does it work as a whole?
Meh.
It's okay.
There are a number of minor irritations: the focus puller doesn't always keep his position as tightly as he might, the CG is at times way too distracting, there is one singularly terrible cut in the print I saw, and, as one-of my friends who was being overly pedantic pointed out, the music is not authentic (the flute in the film is not Chinese, for example).
More problematic is that the cinematography is too self-consciously derivative of certain Hollywood blockbusters. And the star-actors detract from the story (particularly Takeshi Kaneshiro, who looks altogether too smug here). China is not a country short of potential actors (well, okay, this is largely shot with people from Hong Kong, who are a tad more limited). Why don't they test some new talent?
This all sounds a little negative, and, in a film like this, I think a little too pedantic. I should add the film didn't bore me either. It's a reasonably decent production that has inspired me to go back to the source material again. It serves as a great introduction to an episode in Chinese history (albeit in a novelised form, and most Westerners will be unfamiliar with its context). I am keen to see the longer cut of it, and I'll reserve judgement on the final film 'til then.
I just hope it doesn't have the growling English narration the Western release opens with.Well, to be frank, I'm not sure this film will rivet everyone to their seats in any edit, but, hey, maybe it'll be an interesting glimpse of one of a famous event in Chinese history.
posted 6 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
by MarkSci-Fi actioner is a loud, chaotic mess, occasionally reaching sublime heights of ridiculousness. Confusing plot concerns evil Decepticon Transformers pursuing our hero Sam Witwicky for a shard of the "All Spark", while being protected by the good Autobot Transformers. One's enjoyment of the film will be inversely proportional to your demands for a sensible, well plotted film. Virtually every supporting character is such a crudely written caricature, it's laughable. Whether this humor is intentional, is unclear, but it is riotously funny at times, and that should count for something.
Whether the humor is intentional, is unclear, but it is riotously funny at times, and that should count for something. Right?
posted 6 days ago -
Come see this movie with me...
Les Quatre Cents Coups (The 400 Blows)
by NicolaïThe first movie ive seen from François Truffaut, i expected a style like this and i wasnt dissapointed at all. A movie that shows that screenplays based on the character can be as good our even better then the ones based on the story.
Hey, you should really see this!
I'm back from Italy and i had a great time there,
ive seen allot and enjoyed allot of things.
I will defenitly go back to that beautifull country, alltho not everything is as beautifull as you see in movies.
Well, it's great to be back and i read allot of great reviews you sent me while i was away :-).
NicoAposted 7 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Thriller
by SarahThe greatest music video ever . Little recomendation from me in memory of Michael Jackson R.I.P
I'm not exactly a fan just an admirier of his music, mainly from the 1980's. Thriller is one I love.
1958-2009
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 8 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Stardust
by MarkAbsorbing fantasy about a young man in search of a fallen star he promises to bring back to win the heart of his true love. Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn's script is breathtaking in its ability to masterfully weave multiple storylines in creating an otherworldly universe that will delight, amuse and enchant.
Very much in the tradition of films like "The Princess Bride" and "Willow" comes this criminally overlooked fantasy that is an absolute delight.
posted 11 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Righteous Kill
by Filmi actually really enjoyed this movie!! it keep me on the edge of my seat and on tenderhooks throughout the movie as it keeps you guessing right till the end! De niro and pacino are two of the best actors alive and although this may not by the best movie they certainly are the best on top form in this movie!!
Really worth a watch and enjoy!
they are trying to find a poet killer who eventually kills 14 people but they are all badguys soon they start to suspect that its former cop who is doing and then strong evidence is leading to Robert do niros character but something isnt adding up!
this movie is fantastic and really intirguing!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 12 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Kidulthood
by FilmI Really enjoyed this movie!! suprising really because i dont normally like movies like this i guess you can compare it to this is england an other london movies based on poorer and gangster children who turn to crime.
But this movie is brilliant and enlightening, i like the story and the acting and the portrayal of london children and being poor efects you.
Apart from the anoying chav language of 'yh blood' 'your goin to mash um up' and all of that i fiind annoying but looking past the dialog it really is a fantastic movie!!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 13 days ago -
I recommend you see...
The Proposal
by MarkCute romantic comedy about a she-devil of a book editor who blackmails her persecuted assistant into marriage in order to avoid being deported to Canada. You'll guess every plot point before it happens in this predictable story. However, Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds exhibit genuine chemistry and their romance is appealing enough to carry the film. Betty White steals every scene she's in as Grandma Annie.
Won't win any awards for originality, but Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds exhibit genuine chemistry and their romance is appealing enough to carry the film.
posted 15 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Four Christmases
by FilmI Really love this movie, i saw it at christmas and is a really fantastic christmas movies and i get a bit worried when it comes to christmas movies because there are terrible ones such as christmas with the kranks and many others but this movie is hilarious, great christmas spirit and true when it comes down to family!!
Fantastic acting by Reese and Vince as well!
They play a couple who always go away for christmas so they dont have to spend it with there familys and as there familysw are divorced its 4 christmases in one day!
The storyline is brilliant and the humour keeps you laughing all the way through!!
Well worth a watch completely!!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 17 days ago -
I recommend you see...
The Hangover
by FilmFucking FANTASTIC!!
this movie is hilariously funny that left me laughing for ages afterwards!!
its fantasticly written and acted and really good story!!
its about doug and hes getting married so for his bachelor party they go to las vegas and get absolutely smashed but when they wake up in the morning they cant remember shit and theyve lost the groom! We follow them in a hunt of trying to remember things and trying to find the groom before his wedding and it is hilarious you'd have to have no sense of humour not to find this hilarious so worth a watch!!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 17 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Australia
by FilmOMG i absolutely loved this movie!
its probably my favourite ive watched this year by far!!
I thought nicole kidman being australian doing an english accent might be quite amusing but she pulled it of so it shows that she really is a fantastic actress!
This movie is brilliant for the first 1 hour 30 mins of the movie its hilarious and you see nicole kidman in another light and shes fantastic i love her!
i like it even more because the story is about kidman going to australia to see her husband who owns a load of cattle but he ends up being called so kidman takes over but everything isnt wot it seems because the cattle are being stolen so kidman and jackman and others take the cattle across the desert and places themselves but when they succed they together have to fight bigger battles and harsher problms to tend with!
This film really cant be put into a genre because theres romance comedy drama and action so this is a film to please everyone, even though this movie is nearly 3 hrs long it doesnt leave you bored at all!!
really worth a watch completely!!Hey, you should really see this!
posted 17 days ago -
I recommend you see...
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
by MarkAstonishing performance from Maggie Smith highlights this somewhat stuffy character study about a forward thinking schoolteacher who refuses to follow the school's curriculum. Miss Jean Brodie's liberated views of love, politics and art are too much for a conservative girls' school in 1930s Scotland. Maggie Smith's tour de force performance deservedly won an Oscar for the title role, however actress Pamela Franklin is also memorable as Sandy, the student who becomes her biggest threat.
I could be the hundredth person to recommend "The Hangover" (which is indeed a hilariously good movie), OR I could champion an older film that you may not have seen.
What makes this film so extraordinary is Maggie Smith's performance. If not for her, I doubt I would have found this film so interesting. A character that is complex: deeply flawed and inspiring all at the same time.posted 17 days ago
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