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SMB Film Thread 2025

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Watched the last 2 Audrey Hepburn films I hadn't seen yet, both directed by Stanley Donen.

Funny Face [1957] 8/10
A shy Greenwich Village book clerk is discovered by a fashion photographer and whisked off to Paris where she becomes a reluctant model.

The type of musical I like - only about a third of the film is songs. Great costumes and set design. The only thing letting it down is Fred Astaire being 30 years older than Hepburn and them lacking chemistry.

Two For the Road [1967] 8/10
On the way to a party, a British couple dissatisfied with their marriage recall the gradual dissolution of their relationship.

Wonderfully edited film across 4 different timelines. Great performances by Hepburn and Albert Finney. Certainly no lack of chemistry between them (they had an on-set affair).
But it's a tiny bit too long and Finney's character is a d**k.

Neither film hit the heights of the other Hepburn/Hitchcock Donen film, Charade, but what a trio of films they made together.
 
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I haven't seen that but I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that anything Peter Bradshaw raves about is probably going to be a let down. If I'd have read his review of A Real Pain before seeing it I would have been disappointed.
 
Ad Vitam (2025). Netflix. French action movie. One word review. Merde! 1/10 and that is for the use of Airport by The Motors in a bar scene.
 
Cockney Mackem said:
5 stars for The Bikeriders, man
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I've not see that movie, but I know that's wrong without watching it.
craigypants said:
Ad Vitam (2025). Netflix. French action movie. One word review. Merde! 1/10 and that is for the use of Airport by The Motors in a bar scene.
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Do Netflix make any good original content movies? To me their's are the straight to vhs brand...
 
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Michael Clayton (2007) 7/10
George Clooney delivers one of his mumbling, serious performances as a fixer for a law firm. Convoluted story about an evil corporation covering up a scandal. Tilda Swinton is brilliant. Sydney Pollack, in one of his last roles, seems to be going through the motions - unsurprising, as he was struggling with cancer.
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Oblivion (2013) 6/10
Ridiculous story offset by breathtaking visuals. Tom Cruise doing his action hero thing.
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Shanghai Express (1932) 9/10
As with the previous film, a ridiculous story offset by breathtaking visuals. In this case, the visuals are provided by Josef von Sternberg, who transforms a Hollywood lot into a believable rendition of 1930s China. Incredible chiaroscuro photography.
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A Simple Plan (1998)

Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton are the brothers who find 4.5 million dollars in a crashed plane. Then want to keep it but can they cover their tracks?

The snow-covered small town setting is perfect for the bleak futility of their plans. Paxton is a great loss to films.

8/10
 
errant said:
I've not see that movie, but I know that's wrong without watching it.

Do Netflix make any good original content movies? To me their's are the straight to vhs brand...
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Netflix have made some really excellent movies, but such is the ridiculous volume of content they've produced in the last 5+ years the ratio of good to shite is massively skewed.

I reckon you have to sift through at least 4 absolute turds to find 1 half decent film.
 
Speakeasy said:
Netflix have made some really excellent movies, but such is the ridiculous volume of content they've produced in the last 5+ years the ratio of good to shite is massively skewed.

I reckon you have to sift through at least 4 absolute turds to find 1 half decent film.
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IMHO very few of the streaming originals made directly for Netflix are any good. Like all of them (Amazon, Apple) their best originals are the ones someone has gone and made but then Netflix buys the distribution rights instead of someone picking it up to put in cinemas.
 
Key Witness (1947)

John Beal is a mild-mannered inventor working as a draughtsman. His wife insults his meekness and lack of achievement, and he hasn’t had a raise for years. He randomly wins a decent amount at the races. It sets off a chain of events involving a murder and a fresh start.

Curious proto-noir with a mixed tone throughout. For a B-movie, it raises a few interesting ideas, even though they’re logically absurd. At only 67 minutes, though, I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. It’s breezy and economical, and even though the acting is a bit am-dram in places, the main character is likeable. The farcical elements are both satisfyingly predictable and mildly amusing.

6/10, but in terms of enjoyment I’d rate it a notch higher.
 
Northman, thought this was very good. Extremely violent viking/mystic tale of revenge. Atmospheric and brutal right to the end, 7/10
 
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