The Lemon Fool

Recently watched these films on Netflix. They were all pretty good, and although I think they were all released several years ago, I've only just caught up with them.

3.10 to Yuma
Christian Bale, Russell Crowe
Well produced Western with CB as a poor rancher helping escort a charismatic gang leader (RC) to the prison train - the 3.10pm to Yuma Prison. I found the ending a bit unconvincing.

Zodiac
Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhal, Robert Downey, Jr
I rate this one the best. Follows real life events and so doesn't have that neat Hollywood story arc. Long movie. About tracking down a serial killer in late 1960s/1970s. The gory scenes are few and not the main focus of the film, so don't be put off if you dislike that stuff.

The Prestige
Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale
About two magicians at war with each other, set in Victorian times. Entertaining, exciting. Cameo role for David Bowie!

Mudbound
Sad film, set in 1940s Deep South USA. Sad because it's the much visited area of harsh segregation. Good film but depressing and it has the characters that usually seem to crop up: decent black people massively disadvantaged; ordinary whites who just go along with the system; nasty white KKK types; good but flawed white loner trying to help a hopeless situation. Pretty downbeat, not only plot wise, but also visually, I struggled to actually see what was happening in some scenes they were so dimly lit.

I've seen the 3:10 to Yuma, and found it so-so. Depends on taste I suppose.
Not seen Zodiac.
The Prestige; yes, I very much enjoyed that. Especially Michael Caine.
Mudbound - read the book, which was good. Not seen the film.

GrahamPlatt wrote:I've seen the 3:10 to Yuma, and found it so-so. Depends on taste I suppose.
Not seen Zodiac.
The Prestige; yes, I very much enjoyed that. Especially Michael Caine.
Mudbound - read the book, which was good. Not seen the film.

I agree, 3.10 to Yuma wasn't great, though visually it was good.
Mudbound: films of the book are usually disappointing, luckily I hadn't read the book. Lord of the Rings trilogy probably the exception. Watched the Hunt for Red October just after completing the book, brought home to me how much gets left out even if the broad plotline is adhered to.

The Dig is well worth watching, no gunfights or car chases though.

John

redsturgeon wrote:The Dig is well worth watching, no gunfights or car chases though.

John

Agreed, I should have added that to my list. Enjoyable acting. One of those "based on true stories" which turns out to be not quite, it's actually based on a novel. Worth watching.

Agree that the Dig is a somewhat unheralded gem. A very good British movie that harks back to the era of John Mills, Kenneth More, Kay Kendal etc.

T7