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Zac Clark recommended Black Narcissus (1947) in Movies (curated)

 
Black Narcissus (1947)
Black Narcissus (1947)
1947 | Classics, Drama, Drama
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"The most beautiful movie ever made. The face of an aging nun, photographed in an extreme close-up, has the same power and emotional weight as a lush landscape of the matte-painted mountains of India. Powell and Pressburger understand that both the face and the mountains are landscapes, interior and exterior. Erotic tension has never bubbled under the surface of a movie as well as it bubbles here. When it explodes, it is genuinely insane. Only Isabelle Adjani in Possession comes close to matching Kathleen Byron’s portrait of unhinged madness. To watch Black Narcissus is to know the limits of ecstasy."

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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Jul 11, 2020  
Stephanie Raffelock stops by my blog today to discuss her inspirational self help book on aging titled A DELIGHTFUL LITTLE BOOK ON AGING. Check it out, and enter the GIVEAWAY to win a signed hardcover of the book and/or a set of 50 pocket inspirations!

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/07/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-delightful.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
All around us, older women flourish in industry, entertainment, and politics. Do they know something that we don’t, or are we all just trying to figure it out? For so many of us, our hearts and minds still feel that we are twenty-something young women who can take on the world. But in our bodies, the flexibility and strength that were once taken for granted are far from how we remember them. Every day we have to rise above the creaky joints and achy knees to earn the opportunity of moving through the world with a modicum of grace.

Yet we do rise, because it’s a privilege to grow old, and every single day is a gift. Peter Pan’s mantra was, “Never grow up”; our collective mantra should be, “Never stop growing.” This collection of user-friendly stories, essays, and philosophies invites readers to celebrate whatever age they are with a sense of joy and purpose and with a spirit of gratitude.
     
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
2014 | Comedy, Drama
Great acting (1 more)
Visually Stunning
Plot is lacking (0 more)
Not quite worth all the awards, but great cast
What a strange film. It basically entails Michael Keaton's character, an aging, flailing theatre actor, who is basically having a nervous breakdown and hallucinates throughout the movie.

While the cast is absolutely incredible (Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts), and the acting is equally top-class, the film itself feels like it falls short.

The cinematography is quite stunning, especially the dream sequence with the bird itself. But I am slightly baffled to how this was put up for so many Oscars. A good film, but not a great one.
  
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Death Becomes Her (1992)
1992 | Comedy, Sci-Fi
An ageless Black Comedy
Helen is a struggling Writer who has gone with her Fiance, successful Plastic Surgeon Ernest Menville, to see an old friend/enemies Theatrical Show. The friend in question is an aging starlet by the name of Madeleine. Backstage, Madeleine and Ernest have an instant chemistry and despite reassuring Helen otherwise, Ernest and Madeleine eventually get Married; which sents Helen into a spiral of severe depression and overeating.

7 years later... Madeleine is middle aged and in an unhappy Marriage with the now Undertaker Ernest. Things are at an all time low when they recieve an Invitation to Helen's Book Party... the title of her book being "Forever Young". Desperate and in need of some rejuvenation, Madeleine goes to her usual clinic for some anti-aging therapy, and explodes in anger when they have no further options for her. This is when the Boss of the Spa approaches Madeleine and gives her the business card of Lisle Von Rhuman and explains that only a select group of people can consult with this woman. Madeleine brushes the whole incident off... until she sees Helen at the party. Helen is vibrant, more skinny and more beautiful and, shockingly, looks much younger than Madeleine. Madeleine is furious and, upon discovering her young bit on the side is sleeping with a younger woman, pays Lisle Von Rhuman a visit. Who is this mysterious woman and what exactly can she offer to Madeleine as a miracle cure to aging? And could this also be Helen's secret to her youth? Also, what are Helen and Ernest plotting behind Madeleine's back? And what will the disasterous condequences be when they finally confront each other?

I saw Death Becomes Her as a kid and was really taken with it; I loved the mysterious, '40s Starlet ways of Lisle Von Rhuman, I loved how elegant the Movie looks whilst also delivering on the Horror and the (very Black, very tongue in cheek) Comedy. It's so stand apart, I've never ever seen another like Death Becomes Her and it's a Movie I hope is enjoyed for generations to come. It's wonderful.
  
Gemini Man (2019)
Gemini Man (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Smith v Smith
The script for this movie has been languishing in development hell for nearly 20 years I believe and having finally made it to the big screen it's nothing short of a disappointment.

First the de-aging process applied to Will Smith's to create his younger self is poor to say the least,it looks like someone is wearing a cut out plastic mask of smith.The story itself feels rushed and the script is horrible and the flaws are easily noticed.The action scenes are predictable,though the sequence on the motorbikes was fairly good.

Add to that a pretty mediocre and predictable ending and this is a really disappointing film.
  
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Peter Sarsgaard recommended The Dresser (1983) in Movies (curated)

 
The Dresser (1983)
The Dresser (1983)
1983 | International, Drama
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Here’s another one I really like. I really like the relationship and the acting in a movie called The Dresser with Tom Courtenay and Albert Finney. Albert Finney is an aging Shakespearean actor who’s falling to pieces in his mind, and Tom Courtenay’s whole career depends on dressing this guy and he’s the only one who can get him through the show. You see all the people who depend on this guy to be able to do it, you know, in order for them to have their lives, and how important the theater is to them. I’ve always really been into the theater, even before I was an actor. And I love Tom Courtenay."

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Our Souls at Night (2017)
Our Souls at Night (2017)
2017 | Drama
Heartwarming... but kind of pointless
Of course always love seeing screen legends together again; however, they really didn't have much to do in this film.

When an aging woman decides to spice up her life by asking her neighborhood infamous fellow senior to come spend the night at her house, they become the talk of the small town. Both reveal intimate details of their lives to each other as their friendship grows. Soon, her grandson comes to live with her and the three of them enjoy each other's company.

I was never bored while watching this film, but afterwards I kind of felt it was missing a point. If you enjoy slice of life films you will love this one.

  
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Trackie (153 KP) rated Polar (2019) in Movies

Jan 27, 2019  
Polar (2019)
Polar (2019)
2019 | Action, Crime
Lots of excitement (1 more)
A good action adult film
Polar
This is definitely not for the faint of heart. This is a brutal but fantastic film. You just can’t turn away.

If you're not a fan of gratuitous, over-the-top violence, lengthy sex scenes, and gory detail, stay away from this movie.

If such things don't bother you, or you see such things as essential in a good action movie, Polar is the film for you! Evocative of Tarantino, Charlie's Angel's, and any number of violent, Hitman-style films, Polar earns its place among the classics, with gusto.

An aging hitman on the verge of retirement, our protagonist finds himself hunted by his former employers, they get more than they bargain for.
  
Angel Has Fallen (2019)
Angel Has Fallen (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Thriller
Surprisingly, Nick Nolte. (0 more)
This wasn't bad at all, in my opinion. More of the same as the first two films - that is to say, a big action movie with lots going on. Was the plot semi-ridiculous? Sure, although the plot point that had Gerard Butler's aging Mike Banning popping pills and receiving ominous warnings from his doctor about his physical condition seemed very apropos (art imitating life, perhaps?). I pretty much got exactly what I expected to get from this movie: a decent action movie for a Friday night date-night-on-the-couch.

The hidden jewel of this film for me was Nick Nolte as Banning's estranged father - believable and relatable, and he had some truly great lines.
  
Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure
The CG in this movie looks really good for the most part. There are a few parts where it looks really fake but the de-aging CGI was extremely well done. (0 more)
Brie Larson felt a bit flat in this movie when she was with the more dull parts of the cast. When she was with the more major parts of the cast tho she was fantastic. (0 more)
Not my favorite marvel movie but not my least favorite.
I went into this movie with lowered expectations because of the critic reviews. And I was plesently suprised by it. It's a fun movie with a strong female lead. The CGI is grwat and about 90% of the acting is fantastic. The beginning of the movie before they get to earth is a bit slow and boring, but after that it picks up and is very enjoyable.