Even when Lee Marvin was a minor character in his earliest outings, usually playing a thug, he stole the scene from whoever was playing opposite: see "The Wild Ones,"  "The Big Heat,"  and "Bad Day at Black Rock." And yes, those films you mentioned are all-time Lee Classics. He was also great as a Chicago PD detective in the  60's TV series "M Squad."

Lee Marvin was A Man and a Half, for sure!

22 hours ago, JimmyJ said:

 

 

For me the film where Jarmusch got it all together is "Mystery Train". Very enjoyable (especially the 1st episode with the Japanese couple at the Elvis museum).

(Haven't seen "Ghost Dog").

 

I watched about 15-20 minutes of "Paterson".

For me this was the worst of his films - I didn't like the acting/direction/the guy's poetry/dialogue/the dog.

It all seemed totally artificial and was one of those films where one feels the film crew just out of frame. Not one original or lifelike moment.

Of course I didn't give it much of a chance, but after not liking anything about it I gave up hope.

 

Jarmusch often seems terminally hip, but in this case just seemed out of it.

 

I do like a lot something Jarmusch said in an interview once, which I've thought about many times,  and I'll paraphrase accurately - "In a Hollywood film, Joe says to Bob "Let's go over to Bill's place".

Cut. And they're at Bill's house.

I want to know what happened in between - what did they talk about, did they drive or take a bus, what they saw on the way."

 

That's one reason I like films in the style of Romanian New Wave/Dogme95 (Scandinavian/Euro filmmakers) - the films are very naturalistic. There's a great deal of "what happened in between". A lot more like life.

Jarmusch made up an international (comedic, satiric) organization called "Sons of Lee Marvin", in which guys all over the world who feel drawn to the onscreen persona of the late/great L.M. can claim to be his spiritual (or even actual, physical!) offspring. As Jim J. described it in a conversation with some TV interviewer, I instantly knew what he was talking about. Sure, you can go on and on  about how all time "cool" was Steve McQueen, but who would you rather have on your side in a firefight? Steve might be checking to see if his cigarette was hanging properly while you are getting pounded. But old Lee would be right there with you, making those bad guuys wish they'd never got up that day.

It helps, if like Jarmusch and myself, you bear a physical resemblance to the old Marine (WW2 combat veteran), but if you feel like "one of us," you can always say you look like your mom, one of the thousands of Lee's romantic encounters. To brush up on essential "Lee-ness", check out "Hell in the Pacific", "The Dirty Dozen", or "The Big Red One."

R.I.P., Father Lee!

Paterson (SPOILERS)

I have always enjoyed the films of Jim Jarmusch, which seem to come along every eight years or so. They are original and unpredictable. Only an occasional dog ("Dead Man"), but then, a true masterpiece, such as "Ghost Dog", starring the always great Forrest Whitaker as a modern day samurai/pigeon fancier (??!!)

I wonder how hard it must have been for Jarmusch to obtain funding for this film, in which there is no violence, tender love instead of raw sex, a story about a simple anonymous ex-Marine named Paterson, the same as the downtrodden city where he drives a bus, writes gentle poetry, has a quiet beer a day, and loves his wife.

IMDB classes this film as a "comedy," but I can't see why. It's just a week in the life of this gentle soul. One gets the feeling that this is how life will be for this character forevermore.

There's one scene that for me made the whole picture worthwhile, and that is the quiet encounter between Paterson and a Japanese tourist/poet, who has come to "PassinNa'juzzy" to honor his favorite poet, hometown physician William Carlos Williams. The film is sprinkled with references to other famous people from the beaten little city: Lou Costello, ReubenHurricane Carter, and Sam, of soul duet Sam and Dave <"Soul Man">)

It's a sweet little film, and I liked it a lot. It will lose money, but will further secure Jarmusch's position as a great American film maker.

TEN. Loved the dog and the beautiful persian wife, too.

12 hours ago, JB300 said:

Can somebody please tell me what the Man in the High Castle was all about?

Large part of my job is working from home & tend to have these kind of TV shows on in the background but normally good at keeping up with the main plot & this one lost me, seemed pretty pointless [Deleted this part as it would be a spoiler & give the "plot" (sic) away]

So will ask instead if Series2 is worth bothering with?


In a similar vain I went through the whole of Colony Series 1 (whilst working) the other day, quite enjoyed it so watch 1st couple of episodes of S2 & looks good

The Man in the High Castle

Good question, JB...

I've watched all of the episodes twice, and still don't know what it's about. I enjoyed the style of it,  the originality. What if the Axis powers had won the war? It's a question well worth pondering, and for a time in 1942-43 the odds were in favor of just such an outcome. We owe the Soviet Union an eternal debt of gratitude for destroying the German wehrmacht, at a cost of over twenty million lives.

The favored geographic position on the USA allowed "us" to keep cranking out weapons, ensuring that "we" would be clearly the Top Dog at the conclusion of hostilities. It also helped a great deal to have cracked the Japanese codes, and to lure Japan into a disastrous trap at the Battle of Midway.

Clearly, this show is in the category of fantasy/speculation, which I don't usually enjoy, but I was hooked, and look forward to future episodes.

TEN, if you like such things.

In the Heart of the Sea

Watched this one last night, and was very pleased. Learned a lot about the awful 19th century whaling trade, in which grizzled old sailors spent months at sea, in pursuit of magnificent sea mammals, only to extract fat, rendered down to oil, to light the world with whale oil lamps. What an abominable crime against nature. Amazing that it took so long for mankind to figure out that petrolium, much more easily extracted from the earth, was far superior to whale oil, for any purpose. Talk about the World's Most Dangerous Jobs!

No mention of whether whale oil also served as an effective lubricant for the machines of the early Industrial Revolution. Seems like it would be too light, and making grease was also an impossibility (?)

IMDB says the budget for this film was ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS! Surely a misprint. Anyway, it failed by miles to recoup the investment.

BIG TEN! Thar she Blows!

2 hours ago, Ace of Pop said:

Got a bit stuck for something to watch so I clicked on Wild Hogs .It was that awful I watched it to the end its was so bad.


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

This is one of the very worst films ever made. Like you, Fellow Sufferer, I watched it all the way through, and it just got more and more putrid, Still, I couldn't force myself to turn away!

Jay Leno's Garage (Youtube)

I never cared much for the "Tonight Show," no matter who the host was. It was a tired concept, with the host sitting at a desk, interviewing an endless parade of celebrities, while a sychophantic  2nd banana spouted banalities from the sofa, occasionally rescuing the host if the guests proved too stupid. They kept this going for 50 years, with Jack Paar, Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, and Leno.

After he retired, Leno was able to indulge his passion, collecting and restoring classic automobiles, motorcycles, and other mechanical oddities such as a working steam engine from the early 19th Century.  His collection contains almost 200 cars, from every category. With a personal fortune estimated at over 300 million $$$, he has access to the best of the best, with a steady stream of owner/entusiasts appearing on the show with their unique rides.  For a few years now he has shared his collection with us, the gearheads who never grew up. His knowledge of all things automotive is truly impressive, and he brings on guest experts to augment what little he doesn't know.

The highlight of every show is Jay, having a ball test driving the vehicle out on the road. His enthusiasm is contagious. ""Yeah!", he says, putting the pedal to the metal, "she goes pretty good! Let's see if she'll do a burnout ! "

It's a great show, in high rez on Youtube. Happy Motoring, with Jay!

TEN, redlined to the max!

Unforgotten, Season 2

I really enjoyed the first season of this fine show, and Season 2 looks like there will be no letdown in quality of acting or script. Nicola Walker is one of my favorite British actresses. She's got a great "careworn" face, and really cares about obtaining closure and justice in cold missing persons cases.

There are so many recognizable actors here from other British "cop shows."  Walker and Adeel Aktar were principal characters on "River," my favorite "police procedural", and young Joseph Altin, also from River, plays a very similar role here. Also in the cast are the guy who played the rat b------d police commissioner who did my darling Keely Hawes wrong in Line of Duty. Several other cast members also look very familiar, so I've been cross-reffing IMDB to see where I "know them" from.

I'd really like to see the return of Stellan Skarsgard as River, but meanwhile he is fantastically good in the Norski film "In Order of Disappearance." That film is one of the best I've seen in quite a while.

Anybody know when Line of Duty will return? These British police dramas are SO much better than the American ones! And it's great the way they wrap things up in 6 or 8 episodes, always leaving us hungry for more.

TEN

American Honey

I should have known better than to invest any time or attention to any film starring Shy-a LaBeef, one of the very worst of the overrated young actors today. This picture is mentioned in nearly every noted film critics' "Ten Best Films of 2016."  Why? WHY?

 I can't imagine what must have been said to obtain financing for this utter mess. Two and a half hours worth of vulgar nothingness, featuring endless scenes inside a van of lowlife castoff kids uttering nonsense, singing along with bad "music", hanging out at bad motels, drinking, toking, etc.

I can't believe there was any sort of a script for this, except perhaps in some scenes featuring the principal characters. It all added up, for me as a possible

THREE, being generous.

In Order of Disappearance

An earlier poster on here recommended this film, and I just want to say THANKS! Great unpredictable script, action aplenty, as well as great helpings of dark humor. Great acting by all, especially by the always great Stellan Skarsgård, Bruno Ganz as the Godfather of the Serbian crime family, and the young wildman boss of the Norwegian gang, played by Pal Sverre Hagen.

I was thinking while watching this film that this is the kind of movie that all too often gets a Hollywood re-make. And then, I read on IMDB that this is exactly what is currently in the works, with Liam Neeson replacing Skarsgard in the title role. (Bad move, made only in hopes of stoking box office.) The original director, Hans Petter Moland, is doing the remake. I can't think of any film that was ever bettered or improved by doing this.

If you are not bothered by subtitles, and are in the mood for something completely different, have a look at this one.

TEN

Shut Eye

If I don't care for a series or a film, I usually won't bother writing about it. However...Shut Eye, from Hulu is a special case. I watched all ten episodes because the writing seemed fresh and original, and I had hopes that at least one of the main players might do a moral turnaround. That didn't happen. Give it credit in having just enough suspenseful twists to hold my interest.

This show is as close to pornography as anything I've ever seen on "premium cable." The only thing missing was an appearance by Porno SuperStar Ron Jeremy, but I guess he's now too old for such work. At least, with his dark looks, he might pass as Roma, unlike most of the actors on this show, particularly Isabella Rossellini as the GodMom of the Marks Clan. Ridiculous.

The depiction of the Roma community (once called 'gypsies') is unflattering, to say the least. I'm sure that community, which has battled oppression everywhere, will be mightily offended by their portrayal here.

If you're looking for lots of ultra-violence, gratuitous sex, and non-stop cons and double crosses, this might be for you. I didn't save it for a second viewing, and won't be waiting for its sequel.

SIX

Good points, OP. Anyone thinking this is nothing to worry about, you might want to google "Legionaires disease."

Think: flying rodent, no cleaner than the earthbound variety.

On 12/3/2016 at 1:49 PM, Brer Fox said:

After a while people wake up. Tops is the most expensive of the large supermarkets. Much more expensive than Foodland. So if other options are available nearby that's where they go.

As for the Tops bakeries the products there are disgusting. Just to look at some items almost makes me want to vomit. Especially the donuts being gnawed at by rats.

This post goes to show how different folks' perceptions can be about the same person/place/event. I am completely satisfied with the Tops market Chotana branch, sandwiched between Hotel Mercure and the Miracle cabaret, off Chang Phuak Rd. The prices seem about the same to me as Rimping at least, and the cleanliness seems more than cursory. Not "cheap", needless to repeat. I think they have been boosted immensely this year by the hordes of Chinese attending the Cabaret shows by the busload every night. Around 8:00 PM the place was packed (not sure about lately), and sales are brisk. They seem to be stocking up heavily on products unavailable (?) in the PRC. I like the bakery, and it seems they always have items that I need.

I's like to put in a word for the Green Store Grocery, a delightful little place run by a lovely lady name Khun Sai. It's in the Nakornping Condo off Huay Kaew Road. She carries almost all of my necessities, and will gladly try to get special request items, as long as they are not too obscure.

As for rats, they are everywhere, especially when the rains drive them from their homes. Fact of life here in Funky Town.

On 12/5/2016 at 9:54 AM, giddyup said:

Watched The Accountant with Ben Affleck last night, highly entertaining.

Yes Indeed! Ben Affleck is superb in his portrayal of someone with severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In fact, this film might open peoples eyes a bit to how devastating OCD, ADHD, PTSD, can be, and their affect on families. There's action enough to please even hard core Jason Statham fans, although the story borders on absurd (but always interesting).

TEN

On 12/3/2016 at 9:00 AM, welsh1 said:

http://123movies.net/watch/Nx4nZqdz-sas-who-dares-wins-season-1.html

 

http://123movies.net/watch/yd67QRv7-sas-who-dares-wins-season-2.html

 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5189220/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

Five ex-Special Forces soldiers recreate the SAS's secret selection process and put 30 men through it, in the ultimate test of their physical and - more importantly - psychological resilience.

Oh INDEED! Great Show! I'm addicted to these true life training shows of Navy Seals, Ghurkas, SAS, Rangers, Delta Force, French Foreign Legion, Spetznatz, etc.  In the case of this one week of Hell, I would have turned in my arm patch in the first hour! Mama!!! But it's fun to watch young tough guys get broken down and severely abused, while I eat milk and cookies in the comfort of my room.

Seriously, I have the greatest respect for these warriors, and for average service folks in all of the armed forces of the world. Semper Fidelis!

The Fall...it's over

Finally made it to the end of The Fall. As someone else wrote, the conclusion was quite satisfactory. Gillian Anderson (such a classically beautiful woman) and Jamie Dornan were fantastic in their roles. I wonder if it messed with JD's mind to play such a deeply disturbed man.

I can't say I'll miss it, but it played just long enough (3 sets of 6 episodes) and went dark when there was no more to say.

Now, when is Line of Duty coming back?

10/10

John Adams (HBO)

This series, which has taken me three months to finish the first three episodes, gets my vote as the slowest series ever produced. Great cast, decent script. Giamatti is excellent as always, but what a yawner! Altogether too reverent, this portrayal of the struggles in establishing our beloved (former) republic., as seen through the eyes of the most perfect and upright American to ever come outta Massachusetts, at least.

SEVEN...Don't Tread on ME

I had a couple of basal cell carcinomas removed at McCormick, all for far less than 50Kbt. One had to be done twie=ce, as there was still some cancerous tissue. I love funky old McC, the hospital with the big heart. If they can't do it, they will refer you to whoever (whomever?) can.

I can't think of a better way to honor His Majesty than a huge launch of lanterns, wafting heavenwards. As for fireworks, parades, and beauty pageants, these all seem more dispensable at this time.

The Thailand Postal System is by far the best governmental-based organization in the Kingdom. The Post Offices are all neat and clean, and the take-a-number system works quite well, allowing one to sit down in comfort, not worrying that "I'm ALWAYS in the wrong line!"  I have gone in on busy afternoons to find 30 or more people ahead of me, but am always surprised that the wait is not long at all.

Prices to ship things out of the country can be quite high, especially if EMS is used, but quick and safe, trackable delivery is guaranteed. Mailing within the country is quite cheap, and it blows my mind that you can even ship machinery and motorcycles.

Thailand Post = FIVE STARS! (*****)

Versailles

Read an article about this series, stating that BBC had paid 20 MILLION (Pounds, Dollars, Euro, I can't remember) on it. Why??

I must be getting puritanical in my old age, because I found this "show" to be vile in every way. Morally, it is a sewer. What is the historical basis for the script? How much of the story is "true?"

Two episodes were all I could take, before fleeing back to the more "innocent" 18th Century as depicted in Poldark, now in its 2nd season on BBC. Love that series, may it go on for years. Wolf Hall, even more so.

I don't usually post anything if I don't like a show, but this one...I couldn't hold back. 

On 9/2/2016 at 2:24 AM, JSixpack said:

Suits winding down a relatively weak season.

Weakest season yet by far. So many sub-plots. Got extremely tired of the "Frank" character menacing Mike all the time. Just drop a dime to Michael Kenneth Williams over at Rikers, whose Danbury Bros will make short work of Frankie. Ditto the endless joust between Harvey and Sean Cahill. Collusion! Can you imagine?

Let's get Mikey outta that too-clean prison, send him to night school for his law degree, and get back to prevailing in interesting cases, with entertaining villains like Hardman and Eric Roberts, and bring back Logan, Rachel's old flame.

Naturally, his brief time in prison will give him PTSD, which will adversely affect his always precarious relationship with Rachel. At least Megan Markle has become a better actress after six years on this show.

I hear they're going to revive "LA Law"  soon. Can't have too many lawyer or doctor shows, a staple of mass entertainment since earliest days of radio and films.

One other show that needs extensive remodeling in the off-season is Ray Donovan. Bring back Ann Biderman.