I found Arrival interesting and thought provoking. It spurred me to read the original story and other short stories by the same author. That was also thought provoking, but the emphasis in the short story was on some different concepts from the movie. I actually liked the movie better, because the alien language part and the response of the rest of the world was more fleshed out.
Lately, no interest in seeing so many of these. Too creepy or too violent or too freaking sad or tormented. And I can’t do cartoons.
Anyone else see Great Wall? H wanted to see it and it was amazing to see such an enormous cast and all the lovely costumes and sets. Good CGI too.
I really love Zhang Yimou, the director of The Great Wall, but not all of his films are equally wonderful. The idea of a Chinese historical fantasy/epic starring Matt Damon really hit me the wrong way, the previews made the movie look idiotic, and the reviews I have read have been withering in their scorn. So I had written it off. If it’s really beautiful, I may have to write it back on. Still: Why Matt Damon? Why monsters?
Yes, I think they put Matt Damon in to attract a US audience (fail). It’d best not to examine the plot too closely, but the costumes and acrobatic moves of the actors were impressive to me. It had a HUGE cast and the credits listed quite a few medics, as some of the stunts looked pretty dangerous.
The monsters in Great Wall were to give the characters something huge and evil to fight together. I don’t think it deserves the harsh reviews.
@mathmom – appreciated the premise meaning I gave them credit for the, um, how do you say it without spoiling it? “Self-sustaining” nature of the enclosed society inside the train. Haven’t see that exact combo before. Plus the train hurtling around the world, going nowhere, fast, but in constant motion – because to stop is to die – that’s what civilization has ground down to – depressing but interesting, if that makes sense.
@doschicos – I know what you mean about Foxcatcher – but I was looking through lists of top movies for that year, and it was less bad than many others. I should have qualified my praise.
Oh another one I liked which should be readily available on Netflix or Amazon was Half Nelson with Ryan Gosling. Sort of an updated version of To Sir with Love.
@Classof2015 I thought there were several good movies that year. I really Liked Whiplash, The Imitation Game and Boyhood.
Great Wall was fun but was not a great film by any definition. Once is enough.
Most if the movies I’ve seen are fun but BUT great and not things I’d view again any time soon. I did see Inside Out and UP! again and enjoyed them.
@doschicos – you’re right – I actually mentioned Whiplash in my meet up profile – I forgot about the Imitation Game (was that the “Breaking the Code” movie with the Sherlock Holmes actor?) I found the bullying scenes so hard to watch. And I didn’t see Boyhood. I had a solid 2 years devoted to a long drawn out awful divorce. So now I have a lot of catching up to do 
@Classof2015 Yes, the one with Benedict Cumberbatch. Whiplash was intense but the acting was great, the pace was great, and it was a movie I found myself thinking about for awhile which to me is the mark of a good movie.
La La Land can be viewed as a sequel to Whiplash. (Largely the same creative team.) Or Whiplash as the prequel to La La Land, which was written first. Miles Teller was even supposed to play the male lead for a long time, opposite Emma Watson, until someone decided they wanted bigger stars in the movie.
Love Whiplash. I’ve watch the ending performance sequence about 12 times.
Last night, really, really enjoyed seeing the Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films, then staying for the Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films. It’s like Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors. How do you choose? Each one is so different!
@Midwest67 I love that analogy! And yet I find myself drawn to same genres, over and over again. Like always order vanilla with sprinkles 
After reading the review of “Get Out” on Slate http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/movies/2017/02/get_out_jordan_peele_s_horror_movie_reviewed.html
I kind of want to watch horror films --especially those like Martha Marcy May Marlene which toggle back and forth between normal, creepy, normal, creepy. Not the ones where the cute blond babysitter hears a sound in the basement and goes down there to check it out (while everyone in the audience screams “noooo”).
@Classof2015 you might enjoy Joss Whedon’s take on the horror genre: The Cabin in the Woods.
Just finished watching “Becoming Warren Buffett”, the HBO documentary. I have loved him since reading The Money Masters in grad school and my admiration has only grown from watching this very interesting film.
Going to see Hidden figures tonight with some neighbors at one of those “movie dine-in tavern” reserved seating theater places. Figured going the night before the Oscars was a good idea.
@mathmom – thank you! I will check it out.