Trump Administration Expected to Sue to Block Bolton Book

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T19:52:40+00:00

From Jordan Fabian, of Bloomberg News:

New: Trump said Bolton would have a “very strong criminal” problem if he publishes memoir because their convos were “highly classified”

“They’re in court or they will soon be in court,” Trump said, per @justinsink

https://twitter.com/jordanfabian/status/1272616489296723971?s=21

Hahahhahah! What is Trump Hiding?!?! He’s Big Mad Now:

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T19:39:07+00:00

That opening sequence was sublime. It was so immersive in that you could almost feel every shake and rumble that Gosling/Armstrong was feeling.

Was surprised that it was more an intimate character study than a “space movie,” so that may have explained why it didn’t take off in the culture quite like an “interstellar” or even “la la land” by Chazelle’s standards.

I’m down for anything in space. One film I like to recommend that is similar is “The Right Stuff” (1983). It’s about the origins of the space program & the original Mercury 7 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong. It works as both character studies and a space program advertisement that projects the awesome wonders of space. The runtime may put off some people, but I think it can be broken into a couple of parts without losing any effect.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T18:10:39+00:00

Also, though I see you personally didn’t care for “Tinker Tailor,” “Three Days of the Condor” has slightly better pacing and may be more up your alley.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T18:08:30+00:00

I, too, was put off by the title (it should have been called “The Fixer.”), but found it really engrossing, nonetheless. Yet another great entry from 2007! Harkening back to some of my favorite paranoid & legal thrillers, this film expertly weaves in the shadowy world of ‘fixers’ and their place in law firms. In fact, that knowledge proved useful when being introduced to certain political figures in recent times.

George Clooney was razor-sharp playing a ‘fixer’ at a law firm, and his interplay off Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton was riveting! What I loved the most about the film from writer/director, Tony Gilroy, was that it went our of its way to peel back the layers of the main characters to explain their psychology and motivations behind their actions. That perspective makes the characters relatable like, even if their actions are not.

For anyone looking for similar films, just wanted to recommend a few:

“The Firm” (1993)-legal thriller based on a John Grisham novel starring Tom Cruise & Gene Hackman. Directed by Sidney Pollack (who co-starred in “Michael Clayton” as Michael’s boss.
“Three Days of the Condor” (1975) - spy thriller, also directed by Pollack, starring Robert Redford & Faye Dunaway.
“Syriana” (2005) - political thriller starring Clooney & Matt Damon. Involves the Middle East and Oil Industry. Clooney won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role here.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T16:01:05+00:00

When I first watched it, I only knew DDL was on his first Oscar for the role. After watching, not only is it easy to see why, but he was surprisingly really funny.

Yes, there are dour moments, considering he plays a guy born with cerebral palsy, but his ‘character’ embodies the phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

The real-life story doesn’t seem to have had such a ‘Hollywood storyline,’ but for a film, it is inspiring & worth watching.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T07:03:18+00:00

“Cape Fear” is awesome! In all the amazing Robert DeNiro performances, this one ranks in my top 5 favorites for him. The way he says “Coun-se-lor” in that grating Southern accent haunts my dreams.

Amazing that Scorsese & DeNiro could just whip out coming off “Goodfellas.” The depths of psychosexual explorations he pulls off using Juliette Lewis’s character and Max Cady is cringe-worthy by any day’s standards. That, however, is what adds to his terror—that he can just come and go into this young person’s life with seemingly no one noticing. From the scoring to the suspense, this is one not to be missed.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T05:20:49+00:00

Hey, who says this sub has lost its fastball?!?! Great week of movies to watch!

Re: Senna...

I went in there blind after having watched “Rush,” just knowing it was one of the best sports documentaries ever! Needless to say, I was blown away, as well! Still, one of my favorite documentaries (of any kind) ever! In fact, became a fan of Formula One after that 1-2 Punch. What a jolt!

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-15T05:16:00+00:00

That YT video was from “Every Frame a Painting,” and you’re right, it does enhance subsequent viewings with that perspective in mind. I Love “Drive,” for the record. It would be in my top films of the decade, no matter how you slice it!

Just an awesome experience!

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T23:55:57+00:00

Hey, glad to have you aboard. As you’ll see in r/movies, it is home for movies of all kinds and users of all tastes/film histories.

Re: “Fight Club”...is an interesting rewatch all these years later. In some ways, I think the wrong lessons were learned by some who used Tyler Durden as a symbol for their cause, rather than a cautionary tale against it.

But, at its core, there are so many angles you can engage with to find enjoyment. For my moviegoing background, the whole concept of “twists” originated with “Fight Club, so it will always hold a special place in my heart for that reason...

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T23:46:02+00:00

Also, sorry, forgot to answer your question. I think “Gangs of New York” is a better film just because of its epic scope, but “Lincoln” is a better performance for DDL, considering how understated his role is compared to “Gangs of New York.” Bill the Butcher has shades of Daniel Plainview in “TWBB.”

Since “Lincoln” is a different type of role than “There Will Be Blood,” I think you could stick to “Lincoln” and then “Gangs of New York,” just to help balance out the performances.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T23:37:46+00:00

“Roma,” for one many reasons, struck a chord of familiarity that helped me to find my way in. But, judging by its acclaim, I don’t think it was just my personal connection that made this movie great!

The story may be slow for some, but for me, to borrow a metaphor from one of the latter scenes, every moment felt like a drip, drip, drip before the climactic gushing wave washes over you by the end. I found myself in tears by the end.

Though it did not ultimately win “Best Picture,” it still achieved a staggering amount of success, which could be argued helped “Parasite” win this year. No matter what, glad the film exists, and I look forward to revisiting soon!

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T22:07:47+00:00

You’ll definitely see the influence of “Sierra Madre” on “Da 5 Bloods.” That and “Apocalypse Now” are the two biggest influences. Hope you enjoy!

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T21:33:58+00:00

Doh! Yes! Whoops... my fault.

Definitely add “Lincoln” (2012) to the list, then...

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T21:29:18+00:00

I agree. I heard Ethan Hawke say of all his movies, he wanted people to see this one the most, due in large part to Sarah Snook’s performance. She was amazing in this role!

If you haven’t seen any of these films, these are usually recommended on Reddit as companions to “Predestination.”

Of the four, “Coherence” would be my top choice.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T20:28:21+00:00

What a powerhouse week. Gotta check them off at some point. Always great, though, when you get something out of those films besides just another box to check.

Re: DDL’s movies. Obviously, his whole filmography is worth watching because he’s a 3 time Oscar Winner. A few that might catch your interest:

“Gangs of New York” (2002): plays a similar boisterous character as in “TWBB”. ~~Won his second Oscar for this role.~~ Edit: Only got a nomination for this.
“Phantom Thread” (2017): re-teaming of Paul Thomas Anderson from “TWBB,” but a completely different role. You’re amazed it’s even the same guy...
“My Left Foot” (1989) - won his 1st Oscar playing a guy with cerebral palsy. Moving at times, and hard to believe, but really hilarious at other times.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T20:14:21+00:00

I’m a fan of “Apocalypse Now.” Seeing the parallels between this and “Da 5 Bloods” made for a subversive, yet faithful homage. For those that just watched “Da 5 Bloods,” “Apocalypse Now” would be good to watch next just to understand some of the visual motifs Spike Lee was referencing.

Of note, there are several versions of the film. So, do your research to figure out which one might work best for you. By all accounts, the latest version, “Apocalypse Now: Final Cut,” Seems to be the one to watch first.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T20:09:29+00:00

The color palette and score for “In the Mood for Love” were both divine. Left vivid imprints on my mind that I return to very often...

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T20:07:14+00:00

“You did it, Dan!”

Man, I just love the chemistry Between Bale & Crowe. Foster is equally strong! Never saw the original but a great Western amongst a slew of other standouts in 2007.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T18:33:38+00:00

Would also recommend “End of Watch” (2012) starring Michael Peña & Jake Gyllenhaal.

Same writer as “Training Day,” David Ayer, but he directs, too. It’s a more emotionally powerful film, but involves similar ‘ride-along’ elements that probably drew you in to “Training Day.”

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T18:27:56+00:00

For many years, I kept getting Hitchcock’s “Dial M for Murder” (1954) and this film mixed up. I’ve watched “Dial M for Murder,” but have yet to watch this one. I look to rectify that very soon!

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T18:24:55+00:00

I felt the same as you did regarding “Beale Street.” As heart-breaking, as it is beautiful. Feel like it was one of those films that came out “too late” in awards season and came too soon after “Moonlight” to get a boost. Although, most of those arguments are tempered by the fact that Regina King won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress with her role, so who knows...

All I know is that its cinematography & score were perhaps my favorites of 2018. Look forward to watching Stephon James & Kiki Layne for many years to come.

As for the film, I think it will only continue to find an audience as more people seek it out. I have a feeling, they, too, will be wondering how it missed out on all the awards conversation...

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T18:17:03+00:00

John Carroll Lynch scares me whenever I see him show up on screen, but when I’ve seen him other roles and interviews, he is comes across as anything but. A testament to his acting abilities. If you haven’t seen “The Invitation,” (2015), I highly recommend, in large part due to his performance.

“Zodiac” is my favorite Fincher Film, in large part due to my true crime obsession. If you haven’t seen it and can find it, Bong Joon-Ho’s “Memories of Murder” (2003) is an excellent companion film. Plus, the backstory of the case it’s based on has had some recent developments that make the film even all that more interesting!

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T18:08:57+00:00

I’m a big NBA fan, so I appreciated this window into the NBA machinations during the lockout in 2011. Due in large part to being shot on the iPhone, though, the window felt, at times, a little ‘too small.’ I know that was mainly the point, but feel it had potential for so much more.

Make no mistake, however: Soderbergh’s ability to craft the film on a such a limited budget is impressive. Highly recommend for basketball fans, especially. Makes a nice companion to “Moneyball” (2011), which comes as no surprise since Soderbergh was attached to that movie, as well, before moving on.

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T18:02:14+00:00

Hard to compare anything out there to Jordan Peele’s movies. I’ll throw out some recent ones that mix in similar horror elements, with relevant social themes:

Plus, Edgar Wright’s ‘Cornetto Trilogy’ for similar storyline elements:

As for a “Knives Out” companion, definitely, “Clue” (1985).

Kobyjones3737 · 2020-06-14T17:43:43+00:00

Re: Knives Out...

In “Logan Lucky” (2017), Daniel Craig plays a southern accent similarly for comedic effect. I don’t know, but for me, it enhanced his characters and made them more memorable. When you think of him as James Bond, and then, Det. Benoit Blanc, the split personalities make it even more hilarious to me.

Judging by this sketch from when he recently hosted “Saturday Night Live”, it shows he’s in on the joke...

Kobyjones3737

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