What Classics Did You See Last Week (November 9–November 15)
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Rufus-T — 4 months ago(November 19, 2025 05:47 AM)
Frankenstein (2025)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1312221/
At first, I don't understand Guillermo del Toro want to remake a Frankenstein movie. Then I heard somewhere that it is a project he wanted to do in decades. Having seen many of his film, I can imagine what his Frankenstein will be like. I expected it to be visually striking, beautiful and grisly at the same time, and that is what it was. I don't think it follow the book closely, not to the extend of the Kenneth Branagh abomination in the 1994. It has a better gothic story than that one, but not frightening. The film broke into two parts, from Victor Frankenstein's perspective and from the creature's perspective. There was an overlong prologue took place in the artic. Oscar Isaac was decent as Victor Frankenstein. Jacob Elordi also was decent as the creature though nothing like the iconic Boris Karloff. Mia Goth played the love interest. The behavior for her role was a bit inexplicable to me. Just feel she was miscast too. The story turned the table to make Victor Frankenstein more like the villain. Interesting idea, but not well written. Still much better than the 1994 version, but not as good as the James Whale version.
Collateral (2004)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369339/
This could be the most underrated Michael Mann movie. Taking over a night, a cab driver picked up a passenger turned out to be hit man. The hit man forced the driver to bring him to different destiny. Jamie Foxx was outstanding playing the cab driver, who I consider a lead, but got a supporting actor nomination at the Oscar. Tom Cruise equally or better as the hit man. I think this may be the only time Tom Cruise played a villain. He could have gotten an nomination too. Jada Pinkett Smith played one of the passenger the cab driver picked up earlier, who turned out to be important to the story later on. This is an exceptional suspense slow burn thriller. I love it the first time saw it back then, and it still hold up very well.
Match Point (2005)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416320/
I am a big fan of Woody Allen movie. Of all the comedies he made, my favorite turned out to be this suspenseful thriller revolved around a British tennis tutor went into London befriending a student who comes from a rich family, started dating his sister. However, fell for the friend's American girlfriend. The theme was very much like that of Woody Allen's other movie Crime and Punishment, but I thought this was better executed and smoother style. Opera sprinkled throughout the movie as the soundtrack. The cast was outstanding with Jonathan Rhys Meyers played the lead. Matthew Goode as the person he befriend. Emily Mortimer played the sister of his friend. Scarlett Johansson could not be more seductive as girl he fell for. The movie gives much food for thought. -
spiderwort — 4 months ago(November 20, 2025 01:57 AM)
Rufus, I haven't seen any of your titles. I was considering watching
Frankenstein
when I had a chance, but based upon your thoughtful comments I think maybe I'll just stick with the James Whale version of that one.
And the others sound interesting, and I appreciate your evaluations of them, but they're probably not things I would watch right now. I've been watching a lot of old things these days. But I'll keep them in mind, especially
Match Point
, which sounds like a real departure for Allen.