grudlian.

That's the one thing I liked in this was the music. There was some artist I didn't recognize at all. Was Jimmy Cavallo a big name in early rock? Or was he one of those "big for the month this movie was filmed so he lucked out being in this". Was he friends with Stan Freed (or a payola person)? I had at least heard of almost all the other bands in this. It seemed strange that Jimmy Cavallo got a couple songs in this movie.

Yeah. Both parents? That seems like some overkill.

I'd there's one thing kids these days like, it's this rock and roll music. If there's two things kids like, it's banking!

I never listened to it because I don't have Stitcher Premium. But now it's been so long since I've seen it, I won't have anything to say.

That's what made me think Tempest too. Long songs about real people/events and death as a pretty strong theme. But it doesn't sound anything like that album. Maybe that's why it wasn't released? Or he just left off a great song for no reason again? I kind of wish I didn't know this was old because it probably means it's not a direction he's going in. I'm just glad this takes my mind off of how disappointing the new Pearl Jam album is.

It's great. I appreciate that it's original take on JFK and turning toward music/art in uncertain times. It's also unlike anything in his career except maybe Dogs Run Free (except good). I've been wondering a lot this year what is Dylan's next move after three straight albums of standards. This definitely fits into Dylan just dropping something unexpected out of nowhere but a 17 minute single on JFK definitely wasn't a direction anyone was going to pick, right? I'm very curious when this was recorded. I'm guessing around Tempest but that's just a shot in the dark.

It's not that anything especially amazing has happened but just a bunch of little things. I was able to refinance my house when mortgage rates were seriously low, get money out and buy a brand new car cash. Plus my job is 'essential' and we've been working stupidly long hours. So my next couple paychecks will be really big. The CFO said in an offhand way he might double our bonus. So, financially things are really good right now. I actually go into work (but self quarantining otherwise) so I'm not stuck at home for weeks going crazy in isolation. So, my biggest complaint right now is that a concert I really wanted to go to is probably never happening. But I know a bunch of people who don't have jobs anymore or are, at best, in limbo because I worked in the movie theater industry for nearly 20 years. And with unemployment so high, I know places where they could easily transition to (like the service industry) aren't hiring either. I doubt many, if any, can go months without any income. So, it feels weird to be like "yeah, things are pretty good right now".

I remember back when the imdb message boards were a thing. Some user tried making a case that the movie would have been improved if it ended with Henry Fonda smirking at the end as though he were in on it. Talk about completely missing the point.

Yeah, my only criticism of this is the jury doesn't seem to work that way (as almostaghost confirms). Just the idea that Henry Fonda is doing, apparently, all the work of the defense attorney is kind of silly. I also think it's kind of silly that, through mostly calm, rational discussion converts the entire group. But this movie is pretty undeniably great even with the knife scene. I'd definitely include it on the list.

I don't feel guilty exactly. I've been on the opposite side where my life has been shitty and friends' lives are going great. It hasn't bummed me out to hear their good news but I still feel kind of awkward when I'm on the good end of it.

Things have been weirdly good for me and it feels strange talking about it since I know a few people who lost their jobs and a coworker's cousin has Covid-19. So, I'm kind of like "maybe don't say anything."

I agree with all this and never realized how close this was to the Tet offensive or its specific place in time relating to Vietnam War. I really appreciate this as a time capsule both visually and is mentality. I just don't really enjoy it. I think I appreciate what this movie is trying to be but I don't think it accomplishes its goals. In the hands of a better writer/director, this might have been a better movie but it also might have felt less authentic/immediate. So, we get this kind of a mess.

I have Headquarters but I've also listened to it maybe twice in my life. My recollection is that it was fine but wouldn't have made a splash at all without all the baggage/fame of being The Monkees. I don't remember anything on it being nearly as good as their hits (which isn't a totally fair comparison when you have some of the biggest songwriters of all time writing your music). The best Headquarters music was maybe on par with the album cuts from their first two albums and even that's kind of a big maybe. I see both sides of why they wouldn't get into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame. Of course, plenty of hugely famous, respected singers never wrote a song or barely played instruments get in. So, why not a "fake" band who have several hits to their name? But let's be honest, the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame doesn't recognize the true value of The Monkees.

I don't know about other bands, but The Monkees, or maybe just Michael and Peter, actively wanted to write and perform music. It's been presented they Peter and maybe Michael genuinely thought they would be a proper band when they signed on (that seems pretty farfetched but they've said it). Then, once they were really dragged in public about it, went out and actually did record their own album with Headquarters. They did play live. So, I think they deserve at least a little bit more respect even if they didn't play on any of their hits. Of course, once they had more control, they flopped. Headquarters isn't a great album. Head is generally considered a not good movie. So, it's a mixed bag in how much acclaim they deserve.

Yeah. I didn't rewatch this but I saw it maybe 15 years ago. It's a bad movie. The are some bits I remember vaguely liking or liking the premise even if it didn't work. But, overall, big no from me. I would recommend at least checking out an episode or two of the show which was very different. It was much goofier and funnier (but that might be my nostalgia from loving the show as a kid). From what I understand, the movie basically killed their careers. The show was kind of losing its popularity a bit and was mostly a kids or tweens show. The movie was rated R so their entire fanbase couldn't see it. So, it bombed hard and, coupled with the waning ratings going down, that was kind of it for the group (there was also fighting in the group and with management for a number of reasons that didn't help).

The only sensible answer.

As a potential replacement for rabbit for HDTGM Classics, has anyone used netflixparty.com? I haven't used it and I'm not sure what HDTGM movies are on Netflix at the moment. It might be our next best option.

The Crazies was a plague right? It wasn't really focused on a virus/disease as I recall but probably fits on a technicality. Omega Man definitely has its charms but I really recommend Last Man On Earth with Vincent Price which is based on the same book. It seems mostly forgotten but I loved it the first time I saw it.

I kind of have to disagree with Paul on the boyfriend who objects to violence in movies having to just suck it up and watch it. My immediate reaction to hearing this was that this person is maybe justified in their reaction (obviously, we need more information on how specifically they reacted). For all we know, this person has some past trauma they aren't comfortable discussing yet with their SO. I'd say this is something they need to talk about before just telling them they need to just go along with watching a violent movie even if it's semi-cartoonish like Harley Quinn is.

I'd probably copy your list but move Rear Window to the top. It's one of my favorite Hitchcock movies. I agree with what Paul said that it kind of sits in the middle of what Hitchcock does best and might not be the best representation of his career for this list.

Someone I follow on Letterboxd just logged Contagion. I can't avoid it even there.

Would Felicity move across the country for Scott Stapp? I think not! They are totally different!

Paul & Amy enlist for 1970's groundbreaking Robert Altman war comedy M*A*S*H! They work to separate the film from the iconic TV show, dissect a controversial scene with Sally Kellerman, and explore how this film was a precursor for 70s comedy to come. Plus: Tom Skerritt (Duke Forrest) explains how Altman made his career.