Perhaps the most fitting eulogy for Mr Norris are the jokes, so here are a few of my favs:

Chuck Norris doesn’t do push-ups, he bench-presses the earth…

How many push-ups can Chuck Norris do?  All of them…

If Chuck Norris had been on the Titanic, the iceberg would have sank in the ocean…

The boogeyman checks under his bed at night for Chuck Norris…

Chuck Norris doesn’t swim - the water pushes him along out of fear…

Rest in peace sir - you will be missed…:-(

Well then you’ve come to the right place.  I watch a lot of movies - some good, some bad, many “ok”, and a few great.  My focus in this thread will be to primarily spotlight some great movies, with an emphasis on “off the beaten path” films that you may not have heard of. 

Commentary is welcome (and encouraged), just be respectful and remember - we all have our own tastes. Here’s to hoping that my own may align with some of yours.

My maiden offering is the 1999 Mel Gibson film Payback.

This film is a delightful mix of crime, drama, sardonic humor and suspense. Aside from the masterful story, the most intriguing feature of this film is it’s cinematography. It is shot in a muted, almost sepia style that reinforces the mood of the film.  Outstanding supporting performances from William Devane (Interstellar, Dark Knight Rises), Kris Kristofferson (Blade) and Lucy Liu (Kill Bill) round out this gem of a film, that has a nice twist.

Enjoy!

http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Main_Page

I'm reading Keith Richard’s autobiography, “Life” on Kindle.  It was just a few bucks, so I thought, why not. 

I'm only about 20% in but it’s not bad.  The style is a sort of fireside reminiscing – it reads like he’s sitting in a rocking chair and telling the stories of his youth and life.

But it got me to watch the Rolling Stones “Sympathy for the Devil” documentary on Amazon Prime.  Made in 1968 and directed by Godard it’s a mess; interspersed with social commentary in the form of long goofy vignettes that make up half the film.  I just fast forwarded through those bits.  But there’s no getting around the inexplicable pulp-porn background narration.    

The rest is the Stones rehearsing ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ at the studio.  We get a fleeting glimpse into their song writing process, but not much, just a few minutes of scattered jam sessions over a couple days.  A missed opportunity – if Godard had just stuck to documenting their time in the studio, we might have learned something.   

The most interesting part was watching Brian Jones.  They all seem to get along fine but he's soon relegated to his own little sound booth where we see him wholeheartedly strumming his “rhythm guitar” part during all the rehearsals – for all the world, he looks like he’s putting in more effort than anyone else.  But it’s obvious his mic isn’t picking up anything.  And it’s just as obvious he has no idea.  It’s both sad and funny.  He doesn’t seem very stoned, or worse than anyone else, anyway.  It just looks like they’re trying to keep him happy and make him feel like he’s still a part of it.  Funny enough, on the final recording, he’s actually credited with “rhythm guitar – inaudible.”

/gh

It's fab!

What movies do you find overrated? 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2020/09/08/oscar-best-picture-hopefuls-must-meet-new-inclusion-standards-2024/5753230002/

 Two of the four following standards must be met in order to qualify for eligibility for the best picture award beginning with the 96th Oscars in 2024:

On-screen representation, themes and narratives:

The first requirement requires that at least one of the following criteria be met, including hiring "at least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors" that belongs to a marginalized population -- Asian, Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American, Indigenous/Native American/Alaskan Native, Middle Eastern/North African, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander or another "underrepresented race or ethnicity."  Similarly, 30% or fewer "secondary and more minor roles" must be occupied by women, people in the LGBTQ+ community or a "racial or ethnic group," as well as those "with cognitive or physical disabilities, or who are deaf or hard of hearing."  The first standard also requires that storylines focus on the same underrepresented groups.  This standard dictates that a number of behind-the-scenes professionals must come from such underrepresented populations as well.  At least two "creative leadership positions and department heads" must be filled by those belonging to underrepresented groups, including the "casting director, cinematographer, composer, costume designer, director, editor, hairstylist, makeup artist, producer, production designer, set decorator, sound, VFX supervisor and/or writer."

Additionally, at least six other crew positions must be filled by those belonging to underrepresented groups. Such "positions include but are not limited to first AD, gaffer, script supervisor" and more. Production assistants are excluded.

Industry access and opportunities:

"The major studios/distributors are required to have substantive, ongoing paid apprenticeships/internships inclusive of underrepresented groups ..." the release explained.  Such positions must be available in several departments: Production/development, physical production, post-production, music, VFX, acquisitions, business affairs, distribution, marketing and publicity.  "Mini-major or independent studios/distributors" are required to have two such apprenticeships or internships in the "production/development, physical production, post-production, music, VFX, acquisitions, business affairs, distribution, marketing [or] publicity" departments.

Additionally, the film's "production, distribution and/or financing company" must offer "training and/or work opportunities for below-the-line skill development" to people belonging to underrepresented populations.

Audience Development:

Perhaps the most straightforward, but demanding, of the standards, "audience development" requires a studio or company to have "multiple in-house senior executives from" the outlined underrepresented groups.

It's a free world (for now), and if Netflix has enough interest in their audience for this drivel, then more power to them - I'm not angry, more sad, because I know what they are capable of, and I stand perplexed that they have sold themselves so far down the river of "woke culture".  Or maybe it's just me...

Found three 8 mm  bell & howe projectors which all work, slide projectors, three different camcorders from different eras, at least a hundred VHS tapes with movies on starting from 1980. Also, ton of audio gear from the 70s and 80s.

Found my mother's wedding on 8mm film from 1955. I purchased a Magnavox VHS to DVD converter and have burned about 25 DVD' so far.

I'm also looking at the wolverine 8 mm machine that will convert 8 mm tape to a flash drive.

I heard that machine is very slow. Are there any other machines that will convert 8 mm film to DVD like the machine I have for VHS?? I have not found anything yet.

My mother will be tickled pink when she sees all these videos especially her wedding. 

I relish movies/series that can make me physically uncomfortable (think the dinner scene in American History X), and this one delivers. I can’t wait to see how it ends.... 

a showtime series, but it’s available on Prime.

It it took me a couple of episodes to “let go” of my visions of Harrison Ford and Alec Baldwin as Dr Ryan, and embrace John Krasinski in the role. I’ve just started season 2, and as someone who’s read more than a few of Clancy’s books, I can say that THIS is how the stories of Jack Ryan’s adventures should be told on the screen.  I’ve always thought that Clancy’s books were just too detailed and in-depth to translate effectively into a 2 hour film. The 8-10 hours afforded by a season format on one of the streaming services (Prime in this case) is the ideal format. 

The production is well done, with a very good mix of action, drama and character development. It’s gritty when it needs to be, violent when it needs to be, and presents a few ethical dilemmas that are salient and thought provoking. It also steers clear of taking a political stand, which is challenging given the content. The real gem, in my opinion, is the chemistry between Ryan and Grier. Acting is solid throughout, and it’s leaving me wanting more. 2 seasons so far, with more planned. This could be a real “brand builder” for Prime. Highly recommended!

But then.... You guessed it - it’s the 2015 remake... Ugh... back to the surfing(pun) for something else.

what are your LEAST favorite remakes? You know, the ones thatNEVER should have been made?

A brief warning - it does start slow. However, after the first 3-4 episodes (consider that time character building), things start to really take off. I find the premise intriguing, to say the least: in the series (set in the early ‘60s) the US lost WWII, and Germany controls everything east of the Rockies, and Japan everything West. The Rockies are the “neutral zone”, and more or less free. The acting and character development are superb, and there are some flat-out flooring reveals. The fourth (and final) season releases on Nov 15th. I can’t wait. 

A SyFy channel adaptation of the Arthur C. Clarke novel; they did a fair job

I feel woefully ignorant of the events that transpired during this tragedy, and I feel horrible that I chuckled at the occasional joke about this event when I was younger.

Not only is this series an outstanding testament to the courage and selflessness of so many brave souls, it is an outstanding primer on the technical knowledge of the RBMK reactor.

There some honest-to-god heroes showcased in this series who quite possibly saved the world - literally.  

Well worth your time. 

But the music is incredible.  I had to dig out the soundtrack I had purchased back then.  I dare you to listen to this through to the end.  Flugelhorn anyone?

This series just keeps getting better!  The third installment raised the bar yet again - new and creative fight scenes and locations, fleshing out of supporting characters, just the right amount of humor, and impeccable sound and cinematography...

Highly recommended!