What did you watch today? v 33.0

[The Professor]

Welcome to version 33, the Egg McMuffin of discussions. 

 

The first post in this thread will be # 14,394. 

 

The ghost of George Sanders reminds you to link your films, and that one should feel free to move on if bored. 

[Nerves]

Brother Orchid (1940)

3/5 Stars

By the end of the 30's Warner Brothers, in compliance with the Hays Code, began to tone down the violence in their films and so here you have Edward G. Robinson playing a gangster with a soft side in this comedy. It certainly gives Robinson a chance to play a character with more depth than the usual ruthless roles he played and he is quite funny. Good cinematography and lighting and the image is very sharp. The commentary is fairly interesting and gives insight into the movie industry and Warner Brothers in the late 30's along with a lot of trivia about the stars and especially the bit players.

[Sevorin]

No studio was better situated than Warner Brothers to make a satire of gangster movies.

[eviltimes]

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy   IMDb   2011   R   128 min   BD with no extras     

Brit/FR/GER production directed by Tomas Alfredson, whose only previous claim to fame was the Swedish version of "Let the Right One In". I have to admit up front that I've practically memorized the 1979 Brit TV mini-series and worship it's greatness. But I haven't seen it in about 5 years so I think I could approach this new film version with an open mind. How can you pull off this book or copy the 290 minute TV show with a pinch over 120 minutes? Here they have cut out half the story - and on top of that watered it down even more. Much screen time is wasted in scenery shots, etc. Then very important plot points are slipped in via audiotape or radio pieces playing in the background while the main characters are talking about something else. Many scenes that were described in the TV show are shown - if briefly - while scenes that were shown in the TV show are quickly mentioned. This film is extremely bright, with indoors brightly lit and most outdoor scenes taking place in the daytime. Spies brightly lit? What?

OTOH: Gary Oldman is brilliant as George Smiley. Colin Firth, Mark Strong - hell, everybody - even the walk ons are all in top form. Even Kathy Burke shines as Connie Sachs. The parts of the story that have been included are outstanding - one of the screenwriters died during production and the film is dedicated to her - with good reason - the writing of those scenes is spectacular.

But, overall - OK, I'm feeling less creepy today than usual - an 8/10 for the parts and the players. I can't stand that they changed the ending ever so slightly - but most people would never notice anyway... Most people didn't see this film, and would probably only give it a 6/10 if they were fans of Cold War spy thrillers.

Seriously - the original has been released on Blu Ray and NF has it (very long wait - probably 2 copies). Watch Alec Guinness and all the "lovely boys" as Connie would say. That one is a masterpiece. 

[eviltimes]

I have since learned that the Blu Ray version has a terrible picture, and you should watch this in the 7 episode original BBC version that runs 315 minutes.

[Snorii]

Gary Oldman is brilliant as George Smiley.

I wholeheartedly agree.

[Ando]

NF has the original streaming???!!!

[Ando]

No. Damn. 

[Sevorin]

Requiescat in pace

[Pihk]

Too young!

[Mr. Bad]

Borg 7 of 9

 

[eviltimes]

Shame for posting fakes, Guy.

[Sevorin]

Fakes, my ass.

 

Even Ernie woulda lapped this one up.