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#1
Good Movies / Re: Recent Viewings, Part 2
Last post by M.10rda - Today at 10:51:36 AMTHE WHISPER MAN (2026):
This engrossing thriller probably represents the Platonic ideal for shrewd Hollywood producers (in this case the Russo Bros of AVENGERS-verse fame): find a compelling and provocative plot, embellish it w/ strong direction and technical craft, inject a couple of quality performances from A-list actors, and then just hope the viewers pay little attention to the inherent lack of logic of the finished project!
I will spare any real plot discussion as it's only a couple weeks old on Netflix. I will acknowledge that Robert DeNiro, who doesn't need to do anything other than collect a paycheck and often does just that, is really committed and exciting to watch here; and Michael Keaton, though using most of the familiar tools in his Michael Keaton toolbox, nevertheless delivers an outstanding, loathsome performance as a really disturbed and disturbing character. The direction is by James Ashcroft, who made two horror films that I haven't seen yet I know people admire. Ashcroft seems to take all his cues from David Fincher's recently discussed ZODIAC, which I think is a superb model for this kind of movie. Everything plays out with chilly, understated dread - which makes the three or so actual scares in the film legitimately very upsetting!
The screenplay grabs from ZODIAC, SE7EN, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and even THE SIXTH SENSE w/ both hands. That's fine - I don't expect my thrillers to be original. The major issue w/ WHISPER MAN is that even as you're watching it, small plot holes begin to occur to you - and then as twists pile upon twists in the final 45 minutes, the very providence for the main character and his son even being in the location and situation that they end up in appears implausible and inexplicable at best, impossible at worst.
In spite of this major flaw, though - we did enjoy ourselves! 3.5/5
This engrossing thriller probably represents the Platonic ideal for shrewd Hollywood producers (in this case the Russo Bros of AVENGERS-verse fame): find a compelling and provocative plot, embellish it w/ strong direction and technical craft, inject a couple of quality performances from A-list actors, and then just hope the viewers pay little attention to the inherent lack of logic of the finished project!
I will spare any real plot discussion as it's only a couple weeks old on Netflix. I will acknowledge that Robert DeNiro, who doesn't need to do anything other than collect a paycheck and often does just that, is really committed and exciting to watch here; and Michael Keaton, though using most of the familiar tools in his Michael Keaton toolbox, nevertheless delivers an outstanding, loathsome performance as a really disturbed and disturbing character. The direction is by James Ashcroft, who made two horror films that I haven't seen yet I know people admire. Ashcroft seems to take all his cues from David Fincher's recently discussed ZODIAC, which I think is a superb model for this kind of movie. Everything plays out with chilly, understated dread - which makes the three or so actual scares in the film legitimately very upsetting!
The screenplay grabs from ZODIAC, SE7EN, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and even THE SIXTH SENSE w/ both hands. That's fine - I don't expect my thrillers to be original. The major issue w/ WHISPER MAN is that even as you're watching it, small plot holes begin to occur to you - and then as twists pile upon twists in the final 45 minutes, the very providence for the main character and his son even being in the location and situation that they end up in appears implausible and inexplicable at best, impossible at worst.
In spite of this major flaw, though - we did enjoy ourselves! 3.5/5
#2
Off Topic Discussion / Re: Random Statements About So...
Last post by Alex - Today at 10:06:05 AMI blame Brian Ferry for my apparent unreasonable childhood expectation that adulthood would involve dancing in castles and falcons a lot more than it turned out to have. Formal drill, guns, concrete fortifications and drones aren't quite as romantic, even if they are the modern equivalent.
#3
Off Topic Discussion / Re: Random Statements About So...
Last post by Trevor - Today at 09:36:27 AMQuote from: indianasmith on September 06, 2026, 04:10:31 PMMy weight has dropped from 273 in June to 248 earlier this week! (249 this morning because we had ribs for supper last night, LOL!).
Still, 25 pounds is making a difference. Next stop, 30 pounds down!
Congrats ☺️😊🐢
#5
Games / Re: Answer the question with a...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 09:03:15 AMWhat do you think of when I mention England?
#7
Entertainment / Re: What have you been listeni...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 08:58:35 AM
#8
Off Topic Discussion / Re: Random Statements About So...
Last post by Rev. Powell - Today at 08:47:01 AMQuote from: indianasmith on Today at 07:53:08 AMQuote from: Rev. Powell on September 06, 2026, 04:43:03 PMQuote from: indianasmith on September 06, 2026, 04:10:31 PMMy weight has dropped from 273 in June to 248 earlier this week! (249 this morning because we had ribs for supper last night, LOL!).
Still, 25 pounds is making a difference. Next stop, 30 pounds down!
This is the one case where I'll say less Indy is a good thing!
Thank you, Rev!
Back down to 248 this morning. Hoping to hold it in the 240's all week and celebrate with a cheeseburger on Friday!
I lost about 40 pounds almost a decade ago and have kept it off. But I have to keep tracking my calories and exercising daily to do it.
#9
Off Topic Discussion / Re: Random Statements About So...
Last post by indianasmith - Today at 07:53:08 AMQuote from: Rev. Powell on September 06, 2026, 04:43:03 PMQuote from: indianasmith on September 06, 2026, 04:10:31 PMMy weight has dropped from 273 in June to 248 earlier this week! (249 this morning because we had ribs for supper last night, LOL!).
Still, 25 pounds is making a difference. Next stop, 30 pounds down!
This is the one case where I'll say less Indy is a good thing!
Thank you, Rev!
Back down to 248 this morning. Hoping to hold it in the 240's all week and celebrate with a cheeseburger on Friday!
#10
Off Topic Discussion / Re: And I quote...
Last post by indianasmith - Today at 07:50:49 AMFrom my time in the US Navy (1982-86), the Sailor's Prayer:
"Now I lay me out to sea,
to teach the Russians democracy.
If I should die before with berth,
Nuke them suckers off the earth!"
"Now I lay me out to sea,
to teach the Russians democracy.
If I should die before with berth,
Nuke them suckers off the earth!"