HBO Max Recommendations

[dookeyXXX]

If you’re into cheesy Christmas movies the Christmas Story sequel is pretty good.

A few new-run movies are on there too like Amsterdam, and don’t worry darling.

You may very well cry “SACRILEGE!!!,” but I have never seen the original A Christmas Story all the way through. Not sure how this has come to pass as it’s one of my dad’s favorites…that said, the sequel would most likely be lost on me.

As for both Amsterdam and Don't Worry Darling, I saw them both in the theater and enjoyed each of them; they are among my favorite films I have seen in 2022 and I highly recommend them if you haven’t seen them.

[MontuckyFried]

NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND
This 1984 post-apocalyptic anime owes a few debts to the likes of Fantastic Planet, Heavy Metal, Wizards, and Dune, yet it’s still a unique vision of wonderfully realized animation.
Pretty timely still, given climate change and ongoing wars, too.
But really it’s the richly colored images and trippy landscapes that wil hold your attention.

That's a family favorite in my house. I grew up watching that one in the 80s. Read the manga series in the 90s. Outstanding story and beautifully animated. Disney redubbed it at some point, and they actually did a really great job with it. Great cast including Patrick Stewart, Edward James Olmos, Uma Thurman, Shia Labeouf, and Mark Hamill. Didn't know it was on HBO though! That's rad. We have it on home video. Highly recommended if you haven't seen this one already.

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[Dantheman]

I'm Sorry was hilarious and an unfortunate COVID cancellation.

Minx is good, but probably not for those who find dongs triggering.

His Dark Materials is a solid film adaptation of Philip Pullman's novel trilogy. On the surface it's kids/teen fantasy, but like Chronicles of Narnia there are decidedly adult themes at play, though at the opposite end of the ideological spectrum. There's heavy criticism of organized religion and the plot is ultimately about God being an imposter and a war to assassinate him. The 2007 mega-flop
The Golden Compass really watered down the controversial parts of the story and the Catholic League still threw a shit fit. HDM stays true to the source material and pulls no punches.

We Own This City is outstanding. Story of the rise and fall of the Baltimore PD's comically/tragically corrupt Gun Trace Task Force produced by David Simon.

It recently occurred to me that I never saw the final season of Boardwalk Empire so I've been working my way through that. Arguably Steve Buscemi's finest work.

[toast2266]

As for both Amsterdam and Don't Worry Darling, I saw them both in the theater and enjoyed each of them; they are among my favorite films I have seen in 2022 and I highly recommend them if you haven’t seen them.

Ah, dang, I just skipped Amsterdam last night because online reviews were tepid. Now I'll have to check it out.

In lieu of Amsterdam, I watched the Banshees of Inisherin, which is a great dark comedy. I used to consider Colin Farrell to be fairly hit or miss, but over the last few years he's been consistently great, from what I've seen.

[toast2266]

How new to HBO are you? I mean, if you haven’t watched The Wire and The Sopranos yet… well, let’s just say you’re in for a treat. Not to mention Curb your Enthusiasm. And, as stated already, Succession and The White Lotus are pretty good too.
edit: I second the peacemaker and if you like that kind of show, Doom Patrol is worth watching too.

Add to that season 1 of Westworld, and season 1 of True Detective. Those 2 are both in my top 5 for tv shows. Subsequent seasons are... less great.

[Hott Butt Mud]

These I have re-watched: Veep, Eastbound and Down, Curb Your Enthusiasm

Also good: Silicon Valley, White Lotus, Game of Thrones, Succession, Barry, so many more

[BC.]

HBO Max Recommendations

I’m currently binging The Wire..

[dookeyXXX]

DON’T WORRY DARLING
Wrapped in bright spring/summer colors and brimming with MCM design flourishes, DWD, on the surface, comes off like a cross between The Prisoner and The Stepford Wives.
Creating a nice sense of unease from the outset, the story unravels at a steady pace using nightmare flashes, slyly menacing dialogue, and creepy music to fuel the mysterious going’s on.
Granted, when the reveal-slash-twist is delivered in Act III, it’s a mild letdown, but only momentarily, as director Olivia Wilde amps up the finale with a white-knuckle chase and an enigmatically dark conclusion.
Sure, there are plot holes aplenty which manifest themselves during post-screening reflection, but the film is fun and immensely engaging while the frames are whizzing by your optical receptors in the darkened theater.

RIYL
Beyond the Black Rainbow; Dollhouse; The Prisoner

[dookeyXXX]

AMSTERDAM
In the context of the film, "Amsterdam" is a metaphor for an idyllic utopia where racial equality and artistic freedom are the norm. Sadly, like most romantic ideals, it's not something likely to be long lasting if ever fully realized, which ultimately makes this largely comedic romp all the more sad and somber in the end.
Part war buddy bromance, part mystery, part conspiracy theory David O. Russell's latest effort chugs along like a streamlined and less whimsical Wes Anderson ensemble piece. While largely light and breezy with a number of great comedic turns from those involved, it does get bogged down with slightly heavy-handed socio-political commentary in the third act. This nefarious revelation draws an all-too-obvious correlation to the current state of American affairs and almost renders the brevity of the previous two acts moot. Thankfully, the sheer chutzpah of all involved saves the day.
The cast here is stellar. Bale, Washington, and Robbie are supported with a veritable roll call of thespian luminaries, some recognizable, others lurking under wonderful make-up and elaborate costumes.
And the story? It's like a vintage Hitchcockian thriller with it's twists and turns and everyday people thrust behind the cloak and dagger curtain.
Unbeknownst to me, the film is actually based on a somewhat obscure and alleged conspiracy event called "The Wall Street Putsch," which occurred in 1933 (look it up because it's fascinating and crazy enough to make even the most stalwart intellectual consider the existence of myriad other conspiracy theories).
The film is getting slagged by the critics. Not sure if they all saw a different cut than me, but I enjoyed it. A former colleague of mine recently remarked that the sign of a good movie is one that makes you forget that you're sitting in a strange chair in a dark room that's not in your house. If you squirm, fidget, or feel the need to get up numerous times to go to the bathroom or get a snack, then the film sucks. I was glued firmly to my seat all the way through the final credits.
So, yeah, I enjoyed it.
But YMMV.

[nickwm21]

HBOs hit rate is significantly higher than any other network IMO… shit maybe 70%+ of what they produce would fall in the “great” category….

I recently started I May Destroy You. Strong, powerful drama about sexual assault… with some dark humor in there. So far so good.


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[dookeyXXX]

SPIELBERG
I saw The Fablemans this past Monday.
It’s Steven Spielberg’s latest film and a fictionalized autobiography of his formative years growing up in Arizona. It got me thinking of not only all of his films I’ve seen over the years (as well as all the ones I haven’t), but also how much of the events portrayed in The Fablemans were real or just how close they were to reality.
That’s how I stumbled upon this solid documentary, which is pretty much a career retrospective up to 2017.
The clutch is that Spielberg talks about his films, his family, and career along with augmented interviews and commentary from his contemporaries (Lucas, Scorsese, DePalma, Coppola) as well as folks he has worked with over the years.
Lottsa cool insight on his films and his filmmaking style. And it makes me want to go see The Fablemans again. It also makes me regret not having seen Saving Private Ryan on the Big Screen. And makes we want to see Lawrence of Arabia again, too.
If you love movies and grew up on Spielberg’s seminal films like ET, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and appreciate the likes of Schindler’s List, then this is totally worth watching.
It certainly gives me a new appreciation for his work.

[toast2266]

AMSTERDAM
...

Watched it last night. Liked it. I think the general gist of some of the criticisms is accurate, albeit overblown, the script felt a little distracted at times, and deniro was phoning it in. But ultimately it was engaging throughout the runtime and a fun watch. And yeah, a crazy story to the extent that it's historically accurate.

[dookeyXXX]

Watched it last night. Liked it. I think the general gist of some of the criticisms is accurate, albeit overblown, the script felt a little distracted at times, and deniro was phoning it in. But ultimately it was engaging throughout the runtime and a fun watch. And yeah, a crazy story to the extent that it's historically accurate.

Consider checking out See How They Run.
It, too, is a fun ensemble piece that while better reviewed than Amsterdam, still kinda flew under the radar when it was in theaters.

[dookeyXXX]

SEE HOW THEY RUN
Evoking Hitchcock by way of DePalma (albeit without the latter’s twisted sexual tension and hyper violence), Woody Allen by way of Wes Anderson, and embracing Agatha Christie with both reverence and tongue-in-cheek, this is a deliciously delightful romp that is a film lover's wet dream.
It's a slick and snarky whodunnit brimming with a wonderful ensemble cast, punchy dialogue, a fantastic score, and lots of cinematic chicanery.
Above all else, it's just a fun film.

RIYL
Knives Out; Bullet Train; Amsterdam

[Supermoon]

I think I liked Amsterdam better than See How They Run. The middle of SHTR dragged a bit, and I literally fell asleep for a quick minute in the middle when I was watching it. The ending paid it all off, though.

I like myself a good who-done-it, so I'm happy all the Agatha Christie-type movies are getting made.