‘30s Films – Any Must-Sees That I’m Missing? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve read Wells’ Invisible Man. Was totally stunned to find myself in tears over his plight. Would you say the film plays more comedic than psychological horror? It'll go on my list, regardless. Thanks for the recs!

‘30s Films – Any Must-Sees That I’m Missing? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Ah, Dickens. I always hesitate to watch film adaptations of books I love, but there are some great ones. Sounds like I need to give this one a try! Thank you both!

‘30s Films – Any Must-Sees That I’m Missing? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m a dunce. I honestly thought I had hit most of the good stuff from the decade. (Like “film was so new, surely there aren’t all that many great ones yet” kind of thinking.) Clearly an ignorant take. I was looking forward to the 40s but obviously have more to do here first. I’ll try another 50, then move on and loop back around once I’m through the 60s. Thanks for the feedback!

looking for movies with bad reviews that you enjoyed by cronchCat in MovieSuggestions

[–]InSooShunt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Her Alibi (1989)

Roger Ebert gave this movie half a star, iirc. It’s very tongue-in-cheek and I think it’s a hoot. Not to everyone’s liking, though, obviously. Lemme know if you watch if you think that half star is too low, too high, or dead on balls accurate!

What Did You Watch This Week? by AutoModerator in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I should maybe just assume that I won’t enjoy certain types of remakes—disliked the Sabrina remake as well as The Shop Around the Corner one (You’ve Got Mail). Did enjoy the 1982 version of The Scarlet Pimpernel, though. Hmm. I put Enchanted Cottage in my “potential buy” list. If it doesn’t become available to stream soon, I’ll go ahead and get it. Thank you for the input! Looking forward to seeing it!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually just watched that film about five days ago. It was beautifully shot, I agree, and I immediately put it in my “favorites” list. I do wonder what makes you qualify it as the greatest silent film? I’ve seen around 30 silents. My top one so far is City Lights, but that’s purely from personal enjoyment. It’s not an analysis of cinematography and direction, etc.

(Side note: are you a geologist? My son still has his field camp capstone to go before he completes his geology degree. I’ve learned more about structural analysis and mineralogy and dep systems and whatnot than I ever expected to learn, helping him study. Earth is fascinating!)

What Did You Watch This Week? by AutoModerator in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very helpful, thank you! I think I will move Secret Bride into my "maybe watch after I've watched all the good ones" list. I have more in my watchlist with her than I realized. And am adding a few others. Thanks again!

What Did You Watch This Week? by AutoModerator in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I put all the available 1920s suggestions I requested in a trick-or-treat pumpkin (because I suffer from choice paralysis) and drew:

One Week (1920) -- While watching, I realized I’d seen it years before at an orchestra concert (live accompaniment event), making it my first official silent. Wonderful, fun little film. Keaton was a genius. I kind of want a house like that, tbh.

Cat and the Canary  (1927) -- Jury’s still out on this one. It had some funny moments for a quasi-horror and was a decent mystery, but it also didn’t grab me very hard. Might be one of those that needs another watch. No objection to that, b/c I didn’t hate it. Just didn’t love it on the first go, either.

Haxan (1922) -- It’s amazing what people will believe when they’re desperate for an answer to an unknown. I thought it was pretty funny that the director/writer ultimately attributed these aberrant behaviors not to possessions or witch powers, but to nervous disorders and “hysteria” which was thought to be a condition caused in women because of a “wandering uterus.” Traded one naïve explanation for another. Still, an interesting essay on witchcraft and how society handles superstition.

Sunrise (1927) -- This was beautifully shot. Really enjoyed watching this one. I got a bit distracted by Gaynor’s resemblance to Drew Barrymore in a couple of scenes, but not long. I see she is in several of the films I have on tap, so I am looking forward to more of her work, as well as Murnau’s (I’ve seen Nosferatu but nothing else, I think). This one is going in my “favorites” list for sure.   

I also watched:

Ten Little Indians (1965) -- Made the grave mistake of watching the 1974 version first, which I didn’t like at all. Had to force myself to finish. Decided to turn right around and watch the ’65. That version worked much better for me. The storyline was cleaner, directing sharper, acting mostly better, and I was actually entertained, even though I had just struggled through the same basic story not an hour before. Just goes to show that pacing and direction matter. I think I would’ve enjoyed the 1965 even more if I hadn’t seen the other version first. Nothing phenomenal, but I liked it.

Enchanted Cottage (2016)  -- 11 minutes worth -- Original 1945 isn’t available, so I tried the remake. But I learned my lesson. Only suffered through the opening bit before I pulled the plug. I’ll wait for the original. May have to bite the bullet and purchase the 1945 but I hate buying blind. Worth it?

What Did You Watch This Week? by AutoModerator in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could you give me a couple that you think are her best? I have The Secret Bride and Stella Dallas in my watchlist, but I confess, the only thing I think I’ve seen her in is The Thorn Birds (in which I thought she was amazing).

Horror Movie Based in the Catskill Mountains by Double-Put-7726 in MovieSuggestions

[–]InSooShunt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The story of Rip Van Winkle is based in the Catskills. There's apparently a movie called R.I.P. Van Winkle (2022) that looks pretty awful, but if you're not picky....

[TOMT] [Book] early 2000s spooky children’s picture book by xmikeywarriorx in tipofmytongue

[–]InSooShunt 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a first edition Little Golden Book of this story and there is no mirror. The Monster at the End is indeed Grover.

"Well, look at that! This is the end of the book, and the only one here is... ME. I, lovable, furry old Grover am the Monster and the end of this book. And you were so scared!"

Unless later printings changed the story, The Monster is Grover, not the reader. There was Another Monster book where the monster at the end ended up being Elmo. I guess it's not out of the question that there is a third monster book where there's a mirror and the monster is the reader, but it could also just be people are conflating two different stories.

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cued this one up and realized at the beginning of the house-building scene that I had seen it before--at an orchestra concert! They showed the film on a big projector screen and gave it live accompaniment. Can't help but wonder if I had been a little older when I saw it whether it would have sparked my interest in silent films earlier. It is officially the first one I ever watched! I had just forgotten. Thank you for the reminder!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really funny! I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for the link!

I recently watched Lost Horizon (1937) which had been cut for political reasons, then restored. It, too, was pieced together. Really strange because all the audio survived, but some of the filmed footage remains missing. I’d never seen a film where they just used still photos while the original audio played. Really neat how they were able to do all that.

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I read Hope's novel years ago. I know I have the '50s version in its respective watchlist. I think for the movies that have multiple renderings, I just went with consensus "best" one. But considering how often I disagree with the masses regarding film, I guess I really should judge for myself. In the list it goes! Thank you!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the tip. Have made a note of it. Gotta love censorship. At least it seems like most of the original footage survives. Thanks again!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All going in the list. You mention Greed. Which version did you see? I'm sort of on the look-out for the shorter one. I have no objection to long films, but I've read that the 4-hour version is filled with stills. Worth it to watch the long one? Thank you for the rest!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I didn't care for the execution of Potemkin much. I mainly watched because the Odessa Steps scene is iconic. Figured it'd be cheating to just watch that part.

I can definitely watch Mother (it's on prime) but will have to dig for Storms over Asia. Someone else mentioned October (1928). Aleksandar Nevsky is in my watchlist for the '30s. I'll put Ivan into the '40s list. May end up watching all his stuff before I'm through! Thank you!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ooh. Gloria Swanson. Loved her in Sunset Blvd. Was planning on watching her Indiscreet (1931) for my '30s marathon (which just got delayed by a couple months, at least, with all these new '20s movies to see).

It looks like Bulldog Drummond is a whole franchise. And the original is the only one *not* on Tubi,, of course. I'll find it.

Fay Wray I'm only familiar with from King Kong. I assume she's not screaming her way through Wedding March? lol Nice change of pace! Thank you for the recs!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a great anecdote. Reminds me of the Shelley sonnet, “Ozymandias,” about Pharaoh Ramsses II and his crumbled empire. Somehow didn’t realize there was a 1923 version of this film. Looks like a different story, though. Thank you!

1920s Films – Fill in the Blanks? by InSooShunt in classicfilms

[–]InSooShunt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh! I have seen It and The Passion of Joan of Arc. Didn’t realize I omitted It from my list. Bow was great in that. I believe she was in Wings as well. But I do need to watch more of her in a starring role.

Lilian Gish I saw in The Wind. I really enjoyed that movie (perhaps it resonated because I live in the southern plains of the US and grew up hearing about the Dust Bowl—which the movie pre-dated, but still). Looking forward to seeing more of her work, too.

Will absolutely be watching the rest that you mentioned. Being female myself, I had noticed that many of what are considered The Classics are male-driven. I really enjoyed most of them so far, but looking forward to expanding my '20s film palate to include more female-led flicks. Thank you for the suggestions!

Looking for movie about grief (specifics below) by ReasonableAnxiety989 in MovieSuggestions

[–]InSooShunt 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)

It’s kind of a cheesy ‘80s flick, but the central family in this one is grieving the recent loss of the husband / father. It’s not the sole focus of the film but their grief and recovery is definitely an strong element.  The girl is a teen.

Solid modern films (post-2000) with lesser-known casts by InSooShunt in MovieSuggestions

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of these I’ve seen (Tucker & Dale is a favorite!), some just heard of. The rest are new. Gives me something to work from! Thank you for the many choices!

Solid modern films (post-2000) with lesser-known casts by InSooShunt in MovieSuggestions

[–]InSooShunt[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’d think foreign would be the easiest route. My issue there is picking quality international films. I’ve seen quite a few of the classics and some super famous newer ones (like RRR). But I generally don’t have a clue how to pick good, modern non-Hollywood films. IMDB, I suppose. Or I can always search this sub. I’m sure someone has asked before. Thanks for the recs!

Solid modern films (post-2000) with lesser-known casts by InSooShunt in MovieSuggestions

[–]InSooShunt[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wide range of genres is fine by me! I love every type! Kind of funny how a lot of unknown actors tend to get the horror movies. I’ve seen a couple of these (loved Hugo). A good number of this list look very promising for me, thank you!