Of the movies I’ve seen that are in contention, here is how I rank them
Manchester by the Sea
Florence Foster Jenkins (I know, I know, not up for best pic, but I thought it was better than a lot that were)
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Lion
Moonlight
Fences
Saw Hidden Figures last night. Outstanding! Great story, great acting, great movie. It is on our list of movies worth buying on DVD and enjoying once in a while. The scene with the mechanical pencils made me tear up.
Finally saw La La Land. I thought they did some fun stuff with the musical genre, but I just could not bear Emma Stone’s singing. I thought Ryan Gosling was better. I really wasn’t that impressed with the choreography or the dancing. Some good bits, but it really doesn’t hold a candle to the old 1930s and 1940s musicals.
Probably the last one on this thread to see La La Land. Okay, not great. Saw it with DD. I said the ending was too long; she said the beginning was too long. And the middle kind of sagged/was repetitive. But not unpleasant.
Question: where do you all get info about movies before you go see them? Did many of you rely on Siskel & Ebert for years? Then Roger Ebert until he died? Not sure now what reviews to read. Thanks
just saw lala land too this week! it was . . . not what i expected. I liked parts of it though.
but i’m here to comment on @TatinG 's comment several days ago - about the OJ series on Netflix. It’s GOOD! i’m hooked, my husband is hooked. They even showed the “dancing judge Itos”. Anyone remember that on jay leno?
daughter wants to see hidden figures so we will on her spring break.
@Classof2015 Rotten Tomatoes fan here. One stop shopping.
I still have not seen La La Land. Based on all I’ve read and heard, I doubt I’ll be a big fan and I think I’ll remain a holdout until I can watch it at home.
I saw Deepwater Horizon on DVD this weekend, and I was really impressed with everything about it, especially the way it told a complex technical story through narrative. Visually really beautiful, striking. The fact that you pretty much knew what was going to happen didn’t make it drag at all, it just let you savor the knowledge of how evil John Malkovich’s character really was, when he didn’t seem to understand he was evil at all. It was directed and co-written by Peter Berg, who was responsible for the original Friday Night Lights movie and produced the TV show. He also directed Patriots Day, which is in release right now.
Also saw Moonlight, that blew me away with how good it was.
We have a Landmark Theater near us. I affectionately call it “The Art House”. It’s where I was able to catch Moonlight when it first came out, & where I saw The Eagle Huntress. Although they do play some mainstream films, it’s my go-to place for “something different”.
I usually read a little about the film at the theater’s web site, maybe watch a trailer, and based on that, not on reviews, I decide whether or not to give it a shot.
In the past, we were lucky enough to catch The Lunch Box, and Wild Tales; two films I’m not sure would have made it on our radar if not for being shown at Landmark.
I’m hoping to catch Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts and Oscar Nominated Live Action at Landmark as well. In the past, I’ve just LOVED watching the Animated Shorts on the big screen.
@JHS I also really liked Deepwater Horizon. Agree, didn’t really matter that you already knew what would happen. In that regard, it reminded me of Perfect Storm. Love that movie. My sister and I took my mother (she is gone now) to see it when it came out. As we were walking out, she sadly said to us, “I really thought they were going to make it.” She was a sweet person, but a little naive!
And I am not giving away anything about Deepwater Horizon in referencing Perfect Storm!
D17 saw La la land and didn’t care for it. We have similar tastes and from what I’ve heard, I really have no interest to see it. Still have Hidden Figures on my list - oh if only I had time to get to the movies! I will probably have to wait until it’s out at home.
I’m still a big fan of La La Land, also Manchester by the Sea.
My DH thought “La La Land” was written for creative types and people who have a passion and drive to do something specific in life (and that describes him). He loved it but allowed that some people might not connect with it. I liked the costumes and the dancing but I found it uneven.
We just saw (2 years late) “Selma.” What a good movie - even though parts of it were very difficult for me to watch. Should be required viewing IMHO.
Oh, did you guys see Sully? I finally saw it, it was really good.
+1 to Sully and Deepwater Horizon.
I did see Sully and really enjoyed it, but knew there was more of an investigative slant to it. It’s one of those movies I was glad to wait for the DVD.
@doschicos --Thanks! I will check out Rotten Tomatoes!
@Midwest67 – that sounds like a good way to assess a film. Appreciate the tip.
I have so many movies to catch up on – Moonlight, Hidden Figures, Fences, Loving. Plus saw a preview for one I’d like to see: The Zookeeper’s Wife. Love Jessica Chastain.
@JHS – will add Deepwater Horizon to my list.
I saw “I.T.” on the plane recently (until Delta lost connection). Pierce Brosnan, Anna Friel. You can learn as much from a bad movie as a good one.
Agree with all the recommendations for Hidden Figures.
Another great film from last year is Captain Fantastic. Viggo Mortensen, who stars in the film, received a best actor nomination for his role in it. I believe you can get the movie from Netflix.
@doschicos Also a Rotten Tomatoes fan. I say, “Don’t leave home without it.”
To anyone new to it, I focus on the reviews from top critics from top media sources.
Doctor Strange, Hidden Figures, Fantastic Beasts, Rogue One and Florence Foster Jenkins were all VERY different movies but I enjoyed them all.
@HImom I will need to see Florence Foster Jenkins, because I really liked all the others you mentioned.