Yes! Great choice! Living was a genuinely fantastic film. And Ikiru! I've always adored Kurosawa, but that one had flown under my radar, so I was glad to finally see it. Cinematic beauty.
Ok this is my favorite aesthetic arrest yet. I absolutely loved listening to the interview with John Le Carre and the Audio documentary about the Honky Tonk Nun. I was sad to hear about Paul O’Grady since I hadn’t learned he had died. We loved his show with the rescue dogs. Your Substack brings to light so many people who live such extraordinary lives that so many of us know so little about. Thank you!
Awww, thank you so much for that comment. It really means a lot for us to have your very touching feedback. Thank you, truly appreciated. Yes, we were very sad about Paul O'Grady. Such a lovely man who brought so much laughter and joy to so many.
Any good movie recommendations of something you've seen recently?
Thank you so much, Brenda! Your feedback means a lot. Also happy to hear you checked out our links. We *loved* that last interview with John Le Carre and that great audio documentary. Paul O'Grady will be so missed.
I'm going to recommend three films because it's hard to select just one, and nowadays there are so few that aren't "re-make of a classic."
I'll start out with "The Silent Partner." 1978 Eliiott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannak York.
Story about a clever banker at Christmas time who inadvertently becomes entangled in a mall Santa Claus robber’s scheme to rob a bank, but there's a twist.
The second & third are by the same writer / director, Jordan Peele, known for his non-formulaic unpredictable psychological thrillers. Intelligent, surreal and entertaining with twists and turns leading to a completely unexpected ending. Peele, is a genius!
Ooh! I haven't seen The Silent Partner, but what a cast! We adore Christopher Plummer in everything. (Also, his General Chang might be my favorite Star Trek villain ever, rivaled only by his daughter Amanda's latest role as Vadic in Star Trek: Picard! By the way, are you watching the new season of Star Trek: Picard? Amanda Plummer is simultaneously campy and terrifying!)
I'll be watching Stephen Fry: Willem & Frieda - Defying the Nazis this weekend, this sounds intriguing. I finished binge-watching documentary "Hunting Hitler" about his escape to South America, an investigation conducted by ex-seals and law enforcement. I was glued. Had an IV of Haagen Dazs running in me.
I haven't been to a movie theater since before the pandemic. However, I have streamed many movies in the last few years and not a lot of them have stuck in my head. One movie I have never gotten out of my head goes way back to 1972---Slaughterhouse-5, a scifi movie based on a book by Kurt Vonnegut. Most movies based on a book are disappointing to me if I have previously read the book, but this movie has stayed with me and I highly recommend the book as well.
I love the book but I've never actually seen the film! Thanks for the recommendation! I'm usually disappointed by the film versions as well. I'll have to check this one out!
Slaughterhouse-5! I remember seeing this film with my dad when I was a kid in the 70s. Riveting film. Funny enough, I've actually never read the book, so I guess maybe I'd better revisit it. Great recommendation, thank you!
Honestly, I’m not really much of a movie watcher, I enjoy documentaries more. However, the last movie I watched that I liked was “Carnival of Souls”.
I watched it while I was still recovering from a car accident, which if you know anything about the movie, brought on a rather interesting perspective to the film itself.
Oh my, yes, Carnival of Souls is a classic! I can't imagine watching it after you'd been in a car accident, how brave! Obviously, we're documentary watchers as well. Thank you for the shout-out of Carnival of Souls, one of my favorites for sure. The soundtrack alone...
I can’t think of a recent movie that just stuck with me it was so good but one of my go to favorites when I just want a good laugh and cry is For Roseanna with Jean Reno and Mercedes Ruehl. I still tear up at the end even thought I have watched it so many times.
Movies, movies, movies! I watched The Fablemans a couple of weeks ago and it was actually quite lovely. I've also been on a wildly entertaining Yorgos Lanthimos bender(between seeing Olivia Colman in Empire of Light and Colin Firth in The Banshees of Inisherin, I couldn't help myself). I will tell you what--there is nothing better than Olivia and Garry Mountaine singing "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" in the Lobster....Nothing!
Thanks for the recommendations! I admit to being a bit skeptical about The Fabelmans, but I trust your taste in films, so we will definitely have to check it out. LOVE Yorgos Lanthimos, especially The Lobster and The Favourite! (And of course all things Olivia Colman.) The Banshees of Inisherin was another good recent one! Great picks!
I totally was too, but I needed a PG-13 film to watch with my mom (the woman can handle violence, sex, all kinds of nefarious hijinks, but she will not tolerate cussin'!)...and I was more than pleasantly surprised. It's worth it for Judd Hirsch's cameo alone. :D
What a great question! I watch a lot of TV and Docs and not many movies anymore. Movies used to be my THING. It has zero to do with quality of what’s available (how would I know if I’m not watching?) and more about the experience I want to have. Movies require my attention in a way that TV Shows and Docs don’t. “Emily the Criminal” with Aubrey Plaza blew my mind. I never knew what was going to happen next and the style was that kind of gritty realism that’s uncomfortable.
Totally agree. In the last few years it seems we're watching *a lot* more documentaries and TV compared to movies. Which is the exact opposite of about ten years ago or so, when we pretty much only watched movies and high-profile documentaries, with the occasional TV show binge-watch here and there. And thanks for the recommendation! Aubrey Plaza is utterly *fabulous* and we haven't seen this one yet.
I think it's that the craving for movies isn't the same as it used to be. It used to be an event. I have a million memories of the event of watching films, even lame ones, because it was a whole experience. Even renting them was an event. TV was always personal time. Docs were about discovery. And now, what do I crave that a movie would satisfy? Regarding story, I'm into characters. I don't appreciate special effects or explosions so the whole blockbuster boom does nothing for me. So I just don't find myself craving a movie. I feel like I need an arts chiropractor to realign me with the medium *CRACK-POP* I studied film for christ's sake. That's how much I love it.
It's so true. Especially going to the movie theater, which was such a huge part of our childhoods. It was magical. I think we find ourselves watching a lot more foreign films and old classic films we missed. And I think I just need an actual chiropractor!!!
I'll get the party started! The last great movie I saw that blew me away was Living, starring Bill Nighy, screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro (adapted from Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru). We talked about it on a recent podcast: https://epicureanvagabonds.substack.com/p/aesthetic-arrest-podcast-wayne-shorter#details
How about you?
Yes! Great choice! Living was a genuinely fantastic film. And Ikiru! I've always adored Kurosawa, but that one had flown under my radar, so I was glad to finally see it. Cinematic beauty.
I'm going to choose Empire of Light, directed by Sam Mendes and staring Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Colin Firth and Toby Jones. We talked it about on our podcast here: https://epicureanvagabonds.substack.com/p/aesthetic-arrest-podcast-mythological#details
Ooohhh, yes! I loved that film. Olivia Colman can do anything, I swear. Brilliant film!
I drool over Firth!
Ok this is my favorite aesthetic arrest yet. I absolutely loved listening to the interview with John Le Carre and the Audio documentary about the Honky Tonk Nun. I was sad to hear about Paul O’Grady since I hadn’t learned he had died. We loved his show with the rescue dogs. Your Substack brings to light so many people who live such extraordinary lives that so many of us know so little about. Thank you!
Awww, thank you so much for that comment. It really means a lot for us to have your very touching feedback. Thank you, truly appreciated. Yes, we were very sad about Paul O'Grady. Such a lovely man who brought so much laughter and joy to so many.
Any good movie recommendations of something you've seen recently?
Thank you so much, Brenda! Your feedback means a lot. Also happy to hear you checked out our links. We *loved* that last interview with John Le Carre and that great audio documentary. Paul O'Grady will be so missed.
I'm going to recommend three films because it's hard to select just one, and nowadays there are so few that aren't "re-make of a classic."
I'll start out with "The Silent Partner." 1978 Eliiott Gould, Christopher Plummer, Susannak York.
Story about a clever banker at Christmas time who inadvertently becomes entangled in a mall Santa Claus robber’s scheme to rob a bank, but there's a twist.
The second & third are by the same writer / director, Jordan Peele, known for his non-formulaic unpredictable psychological thrillers. Intelligent, surreal and entertaining with twists and turns leading to a completely unexpected ending. Peele, is a genius!
Oh, the Silent Partner! I think I saw that when it came out in the 70s. We'll definitely have to revisit it now and drink in the high jinx!
I saw it for the first time in 2018. Before that I had never heard of it.
Ooh! I haven't seen The Silent Partner, but what a cast! We adore Christopher Plummer in everything. (Also, his General Chang might be my favorite Star Trek villain ever, rivaled only by his daughter Amanda's latest role as Vadic in Star Trek: Picard! By the way, are you watching the new season of Star Trek: Picard? Amanda Plummer is simultaneously campy and terrifying!)
General Chang, YES! He's an interesting actor and I like his choices.
I'll be watching Stephen Fry: Willem & Frieda - Defying the Nazis this weekend, this sounds intriguing. I finished binge-watching documentary "Hunting Hitler" about his escape to South America, an investigation conducted by ex-seals and law enforcement. I was glued. Had an IV of Haagen Dazs running in me.
It's really quite brilliant and very moving.
I haven't been to a movie theater since before the pandemic. However, I have streamed many movies in the last few years and not a lot of them have stuck in my head. One movie I have never gotten out of my head goes way back to 1972---Slaughterhouse-5, a scifi movie based on a book by Kurt Vonnegut. Most movies based on a book are disappointing to me if I have previously read the book, but this movie has stayed with me and I highly recommend the book as well.
I love the book but I've never actually seen the film! Thanks for the recommendation! I'm usually disappointed by the film versions as well. I'll have to check this one out!
Slaughterhouse-5! I remember seeing this film with my dad when I was a kid in the 70s. Riveting film. Funny enough, I've actually never read the book, so I guess maybe I'd better revisit it. Great recommendation, thank you!
Honestly, I’m not really much of a movie watcher, I enjoy documentaries more. However, the last movie I watched that I liked was “Carnival of Souls”.
I watched it while I was still recovering from a car accident, which if you know anything about the movie, brought on a rather interesting perspective to the film itself.
~ Christina
Oh my, yes, Carnival of Souls is a classic! I can't imagine watching it after you'd been in a car accident, how brave! Obviously, we're documentary watchers as well. Thank you for the shout-out of Carnival of Souls, one of my favorites for sure. The soundtrack alone...
That soundtrack! Just got chills thinking about that eerie pipe organ . . .
I can’t think of a recent movie that just stuck with me it was so good but one of my go to favorites when I just want a good laugh and cry is For Roseanna with Jean Reno and Mercedes Ruehl. I still tear up at the end even thought I have watched it so many times.
Oh, we've never seen For Roseanna, so we'll have to check it out! I love Mercedes Ruehl, such a great actress. Thank you for the recommendation!
Movies, movies, movies! I watched The Fablemans a couple of weeks ago and it was actually quite lovely. I've also been on a wildly entertaining Yorgos Lanthimos bender(between seeing Olivia Colman in Empire of Light and Colin Firth in The Banshees of Inisherin, I couldn't help myself). I will tell you what--there is nothing better than Olivia and Garry Mountaine singing "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" in the Lobster....Nothing!
Thanks for the recommendations! I admit to being a bit skeptical about The Fabelmans, but I trust your taste in films, so we will definitely have to check it out. LOVE Yorgos Lanthimos, especially The Lobster and The Favourite! (And of course all things Olivia Colman.) The Banshees of Inisherin was another good recent one! Great picks!
I totally was too, but I needed a PG-13 film to watch with my mom (the woman can handle violence, sex, all kinds of nefarious hijinks, but she will not tolerate cussin'!)...and I was more than pleasantly surprised. It's worth it for Judd Hirsch's cameo alone. :D
That's hilarious! No Quentin Tarantino films for your mom then. :-) I've also added The Fabelmans to the new movie queue!
What a great question! I watch a lot of TV and Docs and not many movies anymore. Movies used to be my THING. It has zero to do with quality of what’s available (how would I know if I’m not watching?) and more about the experience I want to have. Movies require my attention in a way that TV Shows and Docs don’t. “Emily the Criminal” with Aubrey Plaza blew my mind. I never knew what was going to happen next and the style was that kind of gritty realism that’s uncomfortable.
Totally agree. In the last few years it seems we're watching *a lot* more documentaries and TV compared to movies. Which is the exact opposite of about ten years ago or so, when we pretty much only watched movies and high-profile documentaries, with the occasional TV show binge-watch here and there. And thanks for the recommendation! Aubrey Plaza is utterly *fabulous* and we haven't seen this one yet.
I think it's that the craving for movies isn't the same as it used to be. It used to be an event. I have a million memories of the event of watching films, even lame ones, because it was a whole experience. Even renting them was an event. TV was always personal time. Docs were about discovery. And now, what do I crave that a movie would satisfy? Regarding story, I'm into characters. I don't appreciate special effects or explosions so the whole blockbuster boom does nothing for me. So I just don't find myself craving a movie. I feel like I need an arts chiropractor to realign me with the medium *CRACK-POP* I studied film for christ's sake. That's how much I love it.
It's so true. Especially going to the movie theater, which was such a huge part of our childhoods. It was magical. I think we find ourselves watching a lot more foreign films and old classic films we missed. And I think I just need an actual chiropractor!!!