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Catch-22 (2019)
Nice Adaption
I used to read Catch 22 over and over, and it was my favorite book for the longest time, so for you English major nerds, I used 'nice' purposefully in the title (yes I know some argue that it's not a real word, but I can live with the 'vapid' interpretation). It is a decent adaption of a fantastic book, so I had no expectation that it would do the book justice. That it gets some some of the episodes close and some of the feel of the time through the sepia filming worked for me. I miss the ending from the book, but maybe that is season 2. My image of the book (a surreal colony where catch 22 governs the lives of all) has not changed and I think this mini-series is way better that the 70s movie of same. Enjoy it for what it is.
When She Says No (1984)
A movie that asks a serious question
I saw this movie when it first came out in 1984, and was truly struck by it. It is not necessarily the best acted or directed, but clearly asks questions about what constitutes rape. Initially, I thought that the main character led the men on and could have left at any time. However, after I discussed this movie with some coworkers the following day, I talked to people on both sides of the argument. I moved away from my black and white 'no it wasn't rape', to a much more open viewpoint that it could have been. The movie does a good job of not providing the answer and depending on how it has aged, think the questions it raised then are as valid today.
La planète sauvage (1973)
A great adult animation
I first saw this movie in back the '70s after cracking my ribs and having to take an enforced break from work. One afternoon I wandered into a movie theater and sat down to one of the most absorbing, memorable animations that I have ever seen. With the dawn of the internet, this was one of the first movies I looked up, to see if I could buy it.
The philosophy may be shallow; downtrodden rise to overcome oppressors, but getting there is full of memorable tidbits. I loved the innocent child carelessly playing with the little Omm, I loved the society of the superior people with it's focus on intellectual pursuit, yet it's vulnerability to the oppressed little people that they generally underestimate and ignore. The fact that this was done as a cartoon helps not hinders. I have always remembered the blue people, and the music is well scored.
This movie is for adults, who like the off-beat, and enjoy a little thought provoking entertainment.
Dark Star (1974)
One of my all-time favorites
I first saw this movie back in the '70s and thought it was great even back then. I've never changed my mind, and now watch it on DVD.
Yes it's low budget, but the beach ball alien is still endearing yet even a little scary, when it is trying to kill one of the astronauts. How many multi-million dollar budget movies can get those kind of mixed feelings across.
Yes the movie is paced really slowly, but that just captures the idea of going through endless space for years on end, with the same couple of faces day-in, day-out, with no interaction from outsiders.
The off-beat characters all work for me, and discussing phenomenology with an intelligent bomb is just classic.
In summary, it's low budget, has cheesy effects and is slow paced. Somehow this all works for me and I rate it as one of my favorite movies.