What is the last movie you saw? and rate it.

[xman]

I saw 300 recently and it's actually pretty good. Snyder has a great hand for bringin the world of the graphic novel to the screen. I hope he does equally well with his next project, Watchmen.

X

[Serenata]

I just saw Happy Feet. Penguin dances to his own tune and gets kicked out of the penguin community. A story of growing-up and being true to yourself.

8/10

[manolia]

manolia, Yes, what great actors. Love Boggie in "African Queen", "Casablanca", and many, many more.

Nice movies both. Boggie is one of my favourite actors - tough guys.




I Love Huston, too - he was a great actor and what a wonderful director. I studied him in college.


Nice thing to study directors in college. My University - lessons were quite different and sometimes dull. I like very much what i studied and i like my work very much..but you know these artistic studies are something different.

[Niamh]

Ok i know this isn't a movie or a tv drama but its the last thing i watched anyway.

Best of Most Haunted Live 3- Pendle Hell. WOW is all i'm saying!

[Janine]

Nice movies both. Boggie is one of my favourite actors - tough guys.

Yes, I always try to get thier films and any other old films that look appealing. I have two out right now from my library. Can't wait to view them. Going there again tonight to return 4 things and get two more CD's to download. Can't have enough movies or music!



Nice thing to study directors in college. My University - lessons were quite different and sometimes dull. I like very much what i studied and i like my work very much..but you know these artistic studies are something different.

manolia, Yes, it really was fun. But I went to college (Philadephia College of Art) in the 70's and it was pre-video days. We watched actual films on screens - not real large, but projected, nice. It was one of my most favorite and fun classes. I loved it. Art school was a blast - I had all different type classes relating to art and the arts. Now my school is the Philadelphia University for the Arts - can you even imagine what it is like now (?) - includes dance and theater, etc. I would have been in my glory. But, I had a good film teacher and I learned about the all time greats - Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, W.C. Fields, Capa, Houston, Ford, and all the other guys who paved the way for today's directors and producers. So, I was truly blessed and it gave me this avid and broad interest in all types of films.

[Janine]

Really? Someone i know went to the same school as him and told me that. Maybe they were pulling my leg!(which is not nice if they were!:( )

Naimh, I think they were pulling your leg, but I will look up his biography again for our satisfaction. By the way, I keep a whole folder of photos of the guy. I have a bunch of film stars I like in a bigger file.
It would have been nice if he were an identical twin so we could both have one to keep. :lol::D :lol:

[Niamh]

Naimh, I think they were pulling your leg, but I will look up his biography again for our satisfaction. By the way, I keep a whole folder of photos of the guy. I have a bunch of film stars I like in a bigger file.
It would have been nice if he were an identical twin so we could both have one to keep. :lol::D :lol:

Ok so lets pretend we cloned him them!:D that way there is enough of him to go around!:lol: (oh dear..i'm starting to become a groupy:( )

[Janine]

Ok so lets pretend we cloned him them!:D that way there is enough of him to go around!:lol: (oh dear..i'm starting to become a groupy:( )

Oh, I have been one (a groupy) for sometime now! Yes, cloning Joseph sounds reasonable. He should be cloned and more than once. He was so darn sexy in those bedroom scenes in "Shakespeare in Love" - that guy is gorgeous.

[manolia]

Last movie i saw was "The passion of Christ" 5/10. I didn't like it. It was a violent movie with Christ beaten to death (almost) in every scene. In fact i think it is a boring film. A slow paced film and although i generally like slow paced films i was bored with this one. And was it really necessary to have such a bloodbath? It made me sick:sick:

[kiz_paws]

Nice movies both. Boggie is one of my favourite actors - tough guys.

Woo, I agree totally -- I love Bogie!

We rented that silly movie, Borat last night.... hmmmmm, I really did NOT like this movie one bit. Too slap-stick for me, I guess, did anyone else see it? I give it a 1/10.

[Janine]

Woo, I agree totally -- I love Bogie!

We rented that silly movie, Borat last night.... hmmmmm, I really did NOT like this movie one bit. Too slap-stick for me, I guess, did anyone else see it? I give it a 1/10.

kiz-paws,
:) I like Bogie, too. What was the name of that film where they introduced Laren Bacall? I like that one. I have seen it a couple of times but never can recall the title. He fell for her in that film. She was really young, built incredible and was so sexy, no wonder he fell head over heals. She was really sultry.;)

My friend, Lynne, and I never agree on films. She loved "Miss Sunshine", I really did not. I knew she was going to tell me about "Borat", and I have no desire to see this silly, stupid film. It looks too cras for me. I would not waste my time on it. So glad you wrote this post, kiz-paws. I am sure I would agree if I saw it (1/10), but I won't even bother.

[Adolescent09]

The last movie I watched was The Usual Suspects: In the aftermath of a ship, conflagurating and sinking on the open ocean, presumed to be carrying a host of notorious drug dealers and buyers, initiating millions of dollars worth of illegal trade, only one survivor of the catastrophe may tell the story in his own words. When the rest of the survivor's underground crew are discovered to have died on the drugged ship except the arch-leader, Keaton, an official team interrogates the survivor and pushes him to great lengths to tell the tale. The movie consummates on a beautiful twist, after sending the viewer through a joyride of heart thumping scenes which may or may not have been the complete facts---

9.5/10

[Adolescent09]

Last movie i saw was "The passion of Christ" 5/10. I didn't like it. It was a violent movie with Christ beaten to death (almost) in every scene. In fact i think it is a boring film. A slow paced film and although i generally like slow paced films i was bored with this one. And was it really necessary to have such a bloodbath? It made me sick:sick: You and I have conflicting views. Mel Gibson directed that film flawlessly in my opinion.

[Scheherazade]

The last movie I watched was The Usual SuspectsOne of my all-time favorites!
:thumbs_up

[Janine]

You and I have conflicting views. Mel Gibson directed that film flawlessly in my opinion.

I agree, I liked the movie. Yes, I think Mel Gibson did a wonderful job in his meticulous directing of the film. I especially liked the ending with the nail marks on the risen Christ's hands. I thought Jim Caveizel did a fine job of acting in that film. He has a introspective quality and wonderfully expressive eyes. I felt he fit the Christ image well. I do think other versions of 'the Passion' are a bit cleaned up. Yes, the whipping scene was awful, but that is in the bible. I really did not know what all the fuss was about the film, when it first came out - all the negative contraversy. The violence was no worse than "Lord of the Rings Trilogy" or the new film "300" and people eat that stuff up. If it is real life they seem not to tolerate it. Go figure that one out....

[kiz_paws]

To reply to Janine - Yes, the first film ever for Bacall was "To Have and Have Not", 1944, and she was lucky enough to be cast in a role with our Bogie **swoon** :lol:

She was 19. There is this special boxed set of the four films that were done by Bogie and Bacall ("To Have and Have Not" - 1944, "The Big Sleep" -1946, "Dark Passage" - 1947, and "Key Largo" - 1948) that I would love to get my paws on, too!

I have only seen Key Largo of this series -- but I used to watch the 'oldies' on a movie station when baby-sitting, and would often not even catch the titles of the movies. One Bogie movie that intrigued me was this one with he being an escaped prisoner (I think) and he held captive a group of normal citizens, can't recall all the details, but some of his lines were quite amusing, I must say. Do you know which this one was?

Of course, my favorite Bogie movie was Casablanca (how boring of me, eh, lol!)

As for Little Miss Sunshine, I kind of liked this movie, it had corny moments, to be sure (and downright ridiculous, lol), but the story line had its moving moments, despite some of the swearing. LoL about the "Nine Steps", what a loser!

[Riesa]

One of my all-time favorites!
:thumbs_up

Me too! great great great...:thumbs_up

[manolia]

You and I have conflicting views. Mel Gibson directed that film flawlessly in my opinion.

Not necessarilly. I give the usual suspects 10/10. See we agree on that one, who knows about the rest?
As for "The passions of Christ" i guess i was not prepared for the film. It's Easter time here and our tv network broadcasts religious movies all day. They are pretty much the same and i guess i was caught off guard with this one. Besides, i do not like these genre (religious films) so much. And the violence seemed a bit excessive to me.
As for Caviezel he did an excellent Job. He was the only reason that i kept on watching the film.
Janine it's not the violence that bugged me. I have seen plenty of violent films (thrillers, horror, war films) but i guess i didn't expect this one to be violent.

[manolia]

Woo, I agree totally -- I love Bogie!

We rented that silly movie, Borat last night.... hmmmmm, I really did NOT like this movie one bit. Too slap-stick for me, I guess, did anyone else see it? I give it a 1/10.

Another Boggie admirer! :thumbs_up

I guess Borat was silly. It didn't make me laugh at all. Besides there were some parts where i felt very awkward (with the elderly Jewish couple for example). I agree with you. To give him some credit there were some very clever parts, though.

[Mark F.]

Borat was deinitely 10/10 for me, hilarious and pointed out so many things that are wrong with people today.

[JBI]

Borat was just plain stupid for me, though it did do a fine job at mocking Americans and showing how silly and ignorant you people really are.

[kiz_paws]

Borat was just plain stupid for me, though it did do a fine job at mocking Americans and showing how silly and ignorant you people really are.

Hmmmmm, permit me to say so, JBI, but that is an unsavory attitude that is thankfully not reflected by too many Canadians. It was ONLY a movie for goodness sake! **sheesh!!**

[Janine]

One of my all-time favorites!
:thumbs_up

"The Usual Suspects"

Scher, I will have to see this movie. Quite a few people are raving about it. It is now on my must see :thumbs_up list. Thanks!

[Janine]

Another Boggie admirer! :thumbs_up

I guess Borat was silly. It didn't make me laugh at all. Besides there were some parts where i felt very awkward (with the elderly Jewish couple for example). I agree with you. To give him sone credit there were some very clever parts, though.

Cool another Boggie admirer - you have good taste, manolia!

Well after I saw the man who directed Borat make a total "A double scribble" (fool - gentler word) of himself at the Golden Globe Awards, I vowed I would not see this film if my life depended on it. Also, the clips they showed really turned me off. They certainly did not entice me to run out and rent the film or see it in a theater.

[Janine]

Borat was just plain stupid for me, though it did do a fine job at mocking Americans and showing how silly and ignorant you people really are.

As an American, thanks for the compliment!

[Janine]

To reply to Janine - Yes, the first film ever for Bacall was "To Have and Have Not", 1944, and she was lucky enough to be cast in a role with our Bogie **swoon** :lol:

She was 19. There is this special boxed set of the four films that were done by Bogie and Bacall ("To Have and Have Not" - 1944, "The Big Sleep" -1946, "Dark Passage" - 1947, and "Key Largo" - 1948) that I would love to get my paws on, too!

I have only seen Key Largo of this series -- but I used to watch the 'oldies' on a movie station when baby-sitting, and would often not even catch the titles of the movies. One Bogie movie that intrigued me was this one with he being an escaped prisoner (I think) and he held captive a group of normal citizens, can't recall all the details, but some of his lines were quite amusing, I must say. Do you know which this one was?

Of course, my favorite Bogie movie was Casablanca (how boring of me, eh, lol!)

As for Little Miss Sunshine, I kind of liked this movie, it had corny moments, to be sure (and downright ridiculous, lol), but the story line had its moving moments, despite some of the swearing. LoL about the "Nine Steps", what a loser!

Kiz_Paws, I am finally getting around to responding to your post. Ah, leave the best to last....;)
First off - I saw "To Have and Have Not" - 1944 (several times now), and I knew some of the history of the film and Bacall. I always watch the extras on a DVD. I am not sure if I saw "Key Largo" - 1948, but if I did not, I surely desire to, along with "The Big Sleep" -1946, "Dark Passage" - 1947. Wow, what a line-up! Yes, I love Casablanca, too. Well, I think that Ingrid Bergman is luminous and has a complete beauty, inside and out. Those old films have that quality of luminosity - like the mist scene at the airport. Who could ever beat that for drama, atmostphere?

This next part is for everyone,
Well, some people were saying how special and unique "Little Miss Sunshine" was; I thought this film would be better. I felt cheated and disappointed after viewing it. If anything, I thought the child would be great and she was good, but I think she could have had a better script. I hated the old man cursing and using too many 4 letter words - I found it tiresome and offensive afterawhile. I did not think it his best performance by far. There seemed little point to all that excessive language and his comments.
My sister is bipolar and has been hospitalised, she has friends who tried to commit suicide. No one who tries to commit suicide is let out immediately from the hospital, nor could they deal with what this poor guy was put through; first being roomed with a adolescent who had not talked to anyone for 6 months, has war posters on his bedroom walls. Nor could this man endure a long road trip with a disfunctional family. Ok, this turned me off right away.
Second the kids parading at the end made me feel sad when I thought of the real Jon Bennet Ramsey child who was murdered. The children playing the contestants sort of made me feel ill.
Everyone says the road trip is unique. I have seen a film not long ago that was much better and it also involved the VW bus and a long road trip over the desert. I can't recall the name now, but it was a black comedy and I laughed and laughed.
The dead relative in the van also has been done before and better in "Vacation" with Cheevy Chase. The aunt dies enroute to CA in the desert and they tie here body to the roof. It is quite hysterical. So this new film totally bored me. I could see elements of other better films I have seen before. Maybe if you had not seen them, you might think this film was unique or fresh, but I did not see it from that perspective.
Probably enough said now on the subject of "LMS"! Simply not my taste.

[Amorphous]

"Glory"(1989)

I thought it was fantastic, and Denzel Washington in particular shone. I struggled a bit with Matthew Broderick playing a military officer though, I kept seeing him as Ferris Bueller, and imagined how he would handle his situation then :lol:

[Janine]

"Glory"(1989)

I thought it was fantastic, and Denzel Washington in particular shone. I struggled a bit with Matthew Broderick playing a military officer though, I kept seeing him as Ferris Bueller, and imagined how he would handle his situation then :lol:

Amorphous, saw this fine film years ago and loved it. I really should watch it again sometime. I love Denzel Washington and Matthew Broderick was great then, too. Two very fine performances and an intense film.

[Shalot]

I saw The Reaping today with Hilary Swank. It was quite the thriller. 9/10. I didn't leave the theater once.

[Adolescent09]

Just saw: To Kill a Mockingbird--10/10 starring Gregory Peck, The Grapes of Wrath---9.5/10 starring Henry Fonda, A Tale of Two Cities---8/10 starring Ronald Colman and The Count of Monte Cristo---6/10 (the 2002 version) starring James Caviezel and Guy Pearce. (All of these movies were seen after reading the books they were based on, two times or more.)

I'm a clumsy writer but I'll do my best to sum this all up...:
As in most cases (perhaps slightly in exception to To Kill a Mockingbird), the movies are nowhere near as good as as their literary counterparts. But then you have to say to yourself... How could they be? How is it even remotely possible to to condense 300+ paged profoundly detailed classics into films which don't exceed two and a half hour time rates? It is considerably unrealistic to contrast cinematized visualizations of literary works to their book formats simply because every viewer has a specific mental interpretation of the book which will never be comprimised by little special effects projected on a wide screen. Actors can only define themselves in a movie, in their own individualistic styles and therefore can't incorporate the powerful senses and moods of the characters in literature they endeavor to portray. Out of all the classic films I've seen including the ones I listed, I will say that there has been only one truly outstanding performance which forces me to initially question whether the "books-are-always-better-than-movies" ideology, bears full truth, if any at all... Gregory Peck visually personifies Harper Lee's memorable Atticus Finch in a way that is truly immaculate in my opinion. I could honestly say that his histrionic portrayal of Atticus Finch, was far clearer than the image of Atticus Finch I had mentally conceived and gave the character a whole new definition. From the mere way in which he presents his character with a dogged visage, and piercing gaze to his charismatic defence of his Negro client, Gregory Peck did a fine job of mastering the meticulous details of the book's Atticus Finch..

[Janine]

Very articulate and well put, Adolsecent. I can't believe you thought you were a clumsy writer. You are far from it.
I too agree about trying to condense a book into a film, but I am a big film buff, so I try to appreciate each one and let them stand alone, most times. Of course. one always does compare and evaluate according to the original written word. I too thought that "Gregory Peck visually personifies Harper Lee's memorable Atticus Finch". He was amazing in the role - one of his all time greats.
I was wondering if you liked the "Grapes of Wrath". I thought that a good adaptation - such a totally sad film though and so hopeless at the end. I felt Fonda did a good job in the role and the other characters, as well.
I have never seen this older version of "A Tale of Two Cities", so I can't honestly judge. I do think the newer Masterpiece Theater Presentation version was great and happened to see it a few night ago, for about the 4th time. It really sticks to the original plot and the characters fit their roles well. Also, it is a miniseries, so the director and screen writer took the time to include more details than could have been achieved in a mere two to three hour movie.
I saw the "Count of Monte Cristo" - the newer version you speak of. I happen to like Jim Caveizal very much, but I don't have a clear recollection of that film now. I think it was a little deviant of the original plot and a little Holywood. There have been several discussions on this thread about this particular film. I saw the Richard Chamberlain film years back. I think that one was longer and closer to the original story, but terribly sad. That also has been mentioned earlier on the thread - maybe a few pages back. You might want to check out the former comments on both.

[Bakiryu]

I was forced today to watch Zoom (by my insane 5-year-old cousin).

Why does Hollywood actually want kids to watch such annoying, clichey superheroe blabber.

Children's movies should have a message.

In a numbe rout of ten, it is a -5.

[kiz_paws]

I was forced today to watch Zoom (by my insane 5-year-old cousin).

Why does Hollywood actually want kids to watch such annoying, clichey superheroe blabber.

Children's movies should have a message.

In a numbe rout of ten, it is a -5.

LoL, but maybe your cousin got something out of it? Sometimes kids just need nonsense? something like that... :)

[Bakiryu]

Yes, she started thinking she wanted to be a supperhero, hid in places and jumped on me! Usually landing on my back, which now hurts.

She might have gotten something from it, but all i got was pain.

[Themis]

"Don Camillo". I think the third part of those films but I'm not sure. I'm talking about the 'original' where Don Camillo was played by Fernandel and Peppone by Gino Cervi.
I love those films! They are my absolute favourites. :D 10/10

[kiz_paws]

Yes, she started thinking she wanted to be a supperhero, hid in places and jumped on me! Usually landing on my back, which now hurts.

She might have gotten something from it, but all i got was pain.

LoL, sorry I find that amusing, but what can I say -- kids'll be kids? :lol:

You are a good sport, Bakiryu, and maybe someday you will have kids and then think of how much better you will understand them, I think? Welcome, too, I don't believe that I welcomed you! :)

[Bakiryu]

maybe someday you will have kids and then think of how much better you will understand them, I think? Welcome, too, I don't believe that I welcomed you! :)

I'll put them on a leash....(or get health insurance)

Thanks for the welcome.

[jon1jt]

The Wind That Shakes the Barley. it's about two brothers who serve with the Irish Republican Army who allow the politics of peace to come between what matters most to them, each other. great flick, highly recommend for DVD.

[vheissu]

Closer
I found the dvd at a very low price so thought that since I missed it when it was out at the cinemas I should give it a try. It was only at the credits that I found out it's based on a play, which I'm suspecting must be better than the film...Overall I didn't quite get the meaning of it all, so I might have to see it again in hope of better understanding it! But it was a good portrayal of 4 different characters in modern age and the way they face their relationships.

7/10

[Mark F.]

Borat was just plain stupid for me, though it did do a fine job at mocking Americans and showing how silly and ignorant you people really are.

I would agree with you if you had written "how silly and ignorant people really are"...

[Janine]

Closer
I found the dvd at a very low price so thought that since I missed it when it was out at the cinemas I should give it a try. It was only at the credits that I found out it's based on a play, which I'm suspecting must be better than the film...Overall I didn't quite get the meaning of it all, so I might have to see it again in hope of better understanding it! But it was a good portrayal of 4 different characters in modern age and the way they face their relationships.

7/10

vheissu, you know I saw "Closer" about two years ago - I rented it, and usually (when everyone is raving over the film) when I do rent it, I end up disappointed. In this case again I was feeling that way. I am not sure exactly why. I don't know if I care to see it again. I found the film pretty pointless, as well, or could not get through to the meaning, like you. Maybe a second viewing would help. I just did not feel I liked any of the characters or even cared what happened to them in the end. I, too, would give it about the same number rating and agree on all you said. I did hear it was taken from a play.

[Adolescent09]

2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick---starring Gary Lockwood--10/10. I would consider it easily the greatest film I've ever seen in my life in exception to.. perhaps.. The Godfather.

Review: For all those bewildered by the length and pace of this film ("like, why does he show spaceships docking for, like, 15 minutes?"), here's a word you might want to think about:

Beauty.

Beauty is an under-rated concept. Sure, you'll often see nice photography and so on in films. But when did you last see a film that contains beauty purely for the sake of it? There is a weird belief among cinemagoers that anything which is not plot or character related must be removed. This is depressing hogwash. There is nothing wrong with creating a beautiful sequence that has nothing to do with the film's plot. A director can show 15 minutes of spaceships for no reason than that they are beautiful, and it is neither illegal nor evil to do so.

'2001' requires you to watch in a different way than you normally watch films. It requires you to relax. It requires you to experience strange and beautiful images without feeling guilty that there is no complex plot or detailed characterization. Don't get me wrong, plots and characters are good, but they're not the be-all and end-all of everything. There are different KINDS of film, and to enjoy '2001' you must tune your brain to a different wavelength and succumb to the pleasure of beauty, PURE beauty, unfettered by the banal conventions of everyday films.

"All art is quite useless" - Oscar Wilde.

[Janine]

Madame Butterfly - Puccini (1995)

Starring: Ying Huang, Richard Troxell
Director: Frédéric Mitterrand

Opera on DVD counts, right? I have seen this production more than once before and I love it. It only gets better on continued viewings. The film is beautifully photographed and the direction is flawless. All of the characters can sing wonderfully and not only that they can act! It is such a touching film and so emotional and very dramatic. The subtitles are nice and are not overdone to outdo the filming and the music. You hardly notice they are there. I like that. The words are like a long beautiful poem and if you let yourself be swept away by the music it is so enjoyable experiencing this wonderful Puccini music and the poetic libretta. It is the best of all worlds, visually beautiful and artistic and lyrically poetic and a score and singing that is unparrelleled.
Oddly enough the producer of this fine film is Martin Scorese. Far cry from his mobster movies. Definitely a 10/10 in my opinion. I am looking into buying this film on DVD. It is a Sony Classical Film.

[Adolescent09]

I've never heard of the film, Janine, but it sounds like an enthralling expierience. I'll look it up :)

[Niamh]

Oh my god! just been to imdb looking up Philip Pulman Northern lights because someone told me they'd finally started filming. But apparently the release date is this summer in U.K! And Nicole Kidman is Lyras mother in the movie! was looking at the pictures and yes i'm looking forward to it! just thought i'd mention it.

[Janine]

Oh my god! just been to imdb looking up Philip Pulman Northern lights because someone told me they'd finally started filming. But apparently the release date is this summer in U.K! And Nicole Kidman is Lyras mother in the movie! was looking at the pictures and yes i'm looking forward to it! just thought i'd mention it.

Niamh, I never heard of this new film, but I will have to check it out. Sounds interesting. I like the title.

N, Did you see the listing on Amazon for the opera? I did not look on imbh yet, just Amazon since I wish to buy it someday - waiting till I see a good price and good seller. It is very enthralling. Butterfly is so delicate and beautiful, like a butterfly, china doll. The male star is very appealing, too and he is young...so many opera singers are not. He is blondish/light brown hair, also. :lol:Well, of course not as cute as our Joseph Fiennes (wow, if he could sing we'd have something!).:D
You can listen to Ying Huang's CD's on Amazon. She has an amazing voice. The CD of the film is a bit expensive. She has another CD that I sampled, but I would love to have the "Madame Butterfly" one. I will probably buy the DVD; it is cheaper than the CD.
Lately, I have been getting more and more interested in these operas. It takes time, but it is part of the arts and very rewarding. It is as Adolescent pointed out about 2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick....very much the same concept. Sit back, relax and let it happen. It takes you into another world, sweeps you away to another time and place. If you can read Adolescent's entry right before mine - it is so well written. He is a very expressive writer.

Adol, Niamh, and everyone else, too, Have a Happy Easter! :)

[Niamh]

Niamh, I never heard of this new film, but I will have to check it out. Sounds interesting. I like the title.

N, Did you see the listing on Amazon for the opera? I did not look on imbh yet, just Amazon since I wish to buy it someday - waiting till I see a good price and good seller. It is very enthralling. Butterfly is so delicate and beautiful, like a butterfly, china doll. The male star is very appealing, too and he is young...so many opera singers are not. He is blondish/light brown hair, also. :lol:Well, of course not as cute as our Joseph Fiennes (wow, if he could sing we'd have something!).:D
You can listen to Ying Huang's CD's on Amazon. She has an amazing voice. The CD of the film is a bit expensive. She has another CD that I sampled, but I would love to have the "Madame Butterfly" one. I will probably buy the DVD; it is cheaper than the CD.
Lately, I have been getting more and more interested in these operas. It takes time, but it is part of the arts and very rewarding. It is as Adolescent pointed out about 2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick....very much the same concept. Sit back, relax and let it happen. It takes you into another world, sweeps you away to another time and place. If you can read Adolescent's entry right before mine - it is so well written. He is a very expressive writer.

Adol, Niamh, and everyone else, too, Have a Happy Easter! :)

Happy easter to you too Janine! I've never listened to madame Butterfly but i did go to see miss Sigon when it was over here and as far as i'm aware it is a modern adaptation of the opera by Puccini. It was fantastic! My Mother and Myself Bawled our eyes out at the end! very sad.

Philip Pulmans Book Northern Lights(which film is based on) goes by a different name in the states. Its called the golden Compass. Book one of His Dark Materials Trilogy. fantastic story!

[Janine]

Happy easter to you too Janine! I've never listened to madame Butterfly but i did go to see miss Sigon when it was over here and as far as i'm aware it is a modern adaptation of the opera by Puccini. It was fantastic! My Mother and Myself Bawled our eyes out at the end! very sad.

Philip Pulmans Book Northern Lights(which film is based on) goes by a different name in the states. Its called the golden Compass. Book one of His Dark Materials Trilogy. fantastic story!

I have the soundtrack to "Miss Saigon". I love the soundtrack. I have never seen the show, but I heard, years ago, it was fantastic, from someone who saw it when it first came out. I would love to see it especially after listening to the CD many times now.
If you get a chance to see "Madame Butterfly" do; again you will cry your eyes out. I always cry at films that are sad. The music will come to you - many of the arias are popular and used in other films. I think they used some in "A Room With a View"; I know they used a lot of Puccini. I have that soundtrack and love it.

Good to know that book goes by the "Golden Compass" here in the states. I will check it out. What is it about anyway?

Hope your Easter was nice. We all meet at my sister's house for a big family dinner/get together. I got to see my son and his wife, so I was happy. :)

[Bakiryu]

Janine, you mean the prequel to The Subtle Knife? *confused, too many books!*

[Janine]

Janine, you mean the prequel to The Subtle Knife? *confused, too many books!*

Bakiryu, not sure of what you mean. To what part of my posts are you making reference to - "The Subtle Knife" ?

[Niamh]

Janine, you mean the prequel to The Subtle Knife? *confused, too many books!*

His Dark Materials trilogy Starts off with Northern Lights/the golden compass followed by The Sutle knife and finishes with The Amber SpyGlass.

I have the soundtrack to "Miss Saigon". I love the soundtrack. I have never seen the show, but I heard, years ago, it was fantastic, from someone who saw it when it first came out. I would love to see it especially after listening to the CD many times now.
If you get a chance to see "Madame Butterfly" do; again you will cry your eyes out. I always cry at films that are sad. The music will come to you - many of the arias are popular and used in other films. I think they used some in "A Room With a View"; I know they used a lot of Puccini. I have that soundtrack and love it.

Good to know that book goes by the "Golden Compass" here in the states. I will check it out. What is it about anyway?

Hope your Easter was nice. We all meet at my sister's house for a big family dinner/get together. I got to see my son and his wife, so I was happy. :)

The books are about a Girl called Lyra Who sets out on a journey to rescue her friend, but there are other things happening her world, and people that are trying to prevent her. The Books are kind of based on a ficticious second war of the Angels but the human race are involved. They are very good.

[Craig049]

The last movie I saw was Grindhouse.
It was a two movie in one deal. The first movie, "Planet Terror" was your typical "There's zombies everywhere so let's shoot them and try to get away to a desolate area because they can't get us there" kind of movie. However, if you're completely into gore and blood and gross stuff, this is one for you to see. It had a typical ending, but i definitely suggest seeing.
Between movie's there would be previews of fake movies, but the format of all of this made it look like these movie were actually made in the 1970's. It was very interesting and entertaining.
The second movie, "Death Proof" was really not as good, but had some very awesome car scenes. Starring Kurt Russell, this movie got reallllly slow and boooring at times with all the talk about things that we have no idea about. But, once you start losing attention and think about leaving (Because there's two movies, it's three hours long!), the girls that star in the movie are in a suspenceful situation in a car. This movie was also very gory, but the car stunts are absolutely amazing. I definitely suggest seeing both
I give it a four out of five.

[Niamh]

Saw the Kate Beckinsdale version of Emma today. Liked the verson but it reminded my why i dont really like the story very much.

[manolia]

2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick---starring Gary Lockwood--10/10. I would consider it easily the greatest film I've ever seen in my life in exception to.. perhaps.. The Godfather.

Review: For all those bewildered by the length and pace of this film ("like, why does he show spaceships docking for, like, 15 minutes?"), here's a word you might want to think about:

Beauty.

Beauty is an under-rated concept. Sure, you'll often see nice photography and so on in films. But when did you last see a film that contains beauty purely for the sake of it? There is a weird belief among cinemagoers that anything which is not plot or character related must be removed. This is depressing hogwash. There is nothing wrong with creating a beautiful sequence that has nothing to do with the film's plot. A director can show 15 minutes of spaceships for no reason than that they are beautiful, and it is neither illegal nor evil to do so.

'2001' requires you to watch in a different way than you normally watch films. It requires you to relax. It requires you to experience strange and beautiful images without feeling guilty that there is no complex plot or detailed characterization. Don't get me wrong, plots and characters are good, but they're not the be-all and end-all of everything. There are different KINDS of film, and to enjoy '2001' you must tune your brain to a different wavelength and succumb to the pleasure of beauty, PURE beauty, unfettered by the banal conventions of everyday films.

"All art is quite useless" - Oscar Wilde.

:thumbs_up Well said Ado!
One of my all time favourites 12/10
If you liked this then you should definately see Solaris by Andrei Tarkowski (if you haven't seen this already). A wonderful film, with wonderful actors, music, cinematography, picture, landscapes, script and substance. I thank God that my brother owns it in dvd so i get to watch it again. I may sound overenthusiastic but it doesn't happen often (to see a film that i like so much). 10/10 for Solaris. But mind you it is a slow paced film (but i think that's fine with you) and a long one (2h 40 min approximately). You will definately be bewitched by the beauty of Tarkowski's images.

This week i also watched "King David and Bathesda" with Gregory Peck 7/10. I like Gregory sooo much. Afterwards i watched the Richard Geere version. Hmmm..i prefer not to rate this one..and last i watched "The sound of music" one of my favourite musicals which i have seen plenty of times 9/10.
And also the "300". It was entertaining, well crafted and artistically nice (and if you are a woman you get to appreciate the casting they did for this movie). It wasn't that inaccurate -historically speaking- but after all it's a comic adaptation and not a history lesson. On the whole i enjoyed it.

[manolia]

Borat was deinitely 10/10 for me, hilarious and pointed out so many things that are wrong with people today.

Yes it pointed out so many things that are wrong with people today, but i didn't like the fact that he manipulated real people in doing so. He could have made a parody using actors (like Monty Pythons or Rowan Atkinson etc). Making fun on innocent, ignorant people is not fun or decent for me. Of course you are entitled to your own opinion. Besides i know many people that loved the film, you are not the only one.;) :)

[Janine]

:thumbs_up Well said Ado!
One of my all time favourites 12/10
If you liked this then you should definately see Solaris by Andrei Tarkowski (if you haven't seen this already). A wonderful film, with wonderful actors, music, cinematography, picture, landscapes, script and substance. I thank God that my brother owns it in dvd so i get to watch it again. I may sound overenthusiastic but it doesn't happen often (to see a film that i like so much). 10/10 for Solaris. But mind you it is a slow paced film (but i think that's fine with you) and a long one (2h 40 min approximately). You will definately be bewitched by the beauty of Tarkowski's images.

This week i also watched "King David and Bathesda" with Gregory Peck 7/10. I like Gregory sooo much. Afterwards i watched the Richard Geere version. Hmmm..i prefer not to rate this one..and last i watched "The sound of music" one of my favourite musicals which i have seen plenty of times 9/10.
And also the "300". It was entertaining, well crafted and artistically nice (and if you are a woman you get to appreciate the casting they did for this movie). It wasn't that inaccurate -historically speaking- but after all it's a comic adaptation and not a history lesson. On the whole i enjoyed it.

Manolia and Adolescent, I fully agree - wonderfully written, Adol, and expressed! You should post this review on Amazon. I loved "2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick"; I saw it yrs ago in the theater - on a really large screen. I can't tell you how amazing that was! Yes, patience is necessary but you easily can get emersed in the beauty of it - the music alone can pull you in. How great it everything combined? Wonderful!
M, I have never seen that film version of "King David....." - only the Gere one, years ago. Don't recall much about that one now. I love Gregory Peck, so it sounds great. Does he have a great voice or what?
I adore "The Sound of Music" - I have seen it so many times now and it only gets better and better. I have the score on CD and adore that too!
I have not seen "300" - yet so no comment can be made.
I know I would hate "Borat" so I have no desire to see it. Sounds way too offensive to me. I agree - why attach and make fun of real people. If you want to do parady and satire hire a group of actors like Monty Python (one of my favorite groups) and play the roles out to illustrate your point. I find just looking at the guy offensive, now that I know more about the film.
Generally it sounds like good viewing for you this weekend.

[Janine]

Saw the Kate Beckinsdale version of Emma today. Liked the verson but it reminded my why i dont really like the story very much.

Thanks, Niamh, for your explanation of the books. They sound real interesting.
Glad you watched the Kate Beckinsale version. What did you dislike about Emma - the story? It is far from my favorite Austen book either. Just curious and wanted to compare notes and feelings on it.

Niamh, How is your cold/virus? I have been feeling badly again (slight relapse) but I am ok today, so far. The weather here has been crazy...cold:cold: . My sister told me she read it was a few degrees colder on Easter than on Christmas. Everyone commented on it yesterday...not too springlike or Eastery in the states. How about there? Was it warmer?

[Niamh]

Thanks, Niamh, for your explanation of the books. They sound real interesting.
Glad you watched the Kate Beckinsale version. What did you dislike about Emma - the story? It is far from my favorite Austen book either. Just curious and wanted to compare notes and feelings on it.

Niamh, How is your cold/virus? I have been feeling badly again (slight relapse) but I am ok today, so far. The weather here has been crazy...cold:cold: . My sister told me she read it was a few degrees colder on Easter than on Christmas. Everyone commented on it yesterday...not too springlike or Eastery in the states. How about there? Was it warmer?

My god the weather is unbelievable over her for this time of year! Its about 17c here which is quite warn in the Irish climate. People walking around in shorts!

As for Emma, Maybe we can set up a discussion thread and discuss it with other people a well? i'll go do it now if there isn't one already!

Sorry to hear you are still unwell. maybe the freak weather is contrabuting to it.

[manolia]

Manolia and Adolescent, I fully agree - wonderfully written, Adol, and expressed! You should post this review on Amazon. I loved "2001: A Space Odyssey directed by Stanley Kubrick"; I saw it yrs ago in the theater - on a really large screen. I can't tell you how amazing that was! Yes, patience is necessary but you easily can get emersed in the beauty of it - the music alone can pull you in. How great it everything combined? Wonderful!
M, I have never seen that film version of "King David....." - only the Gere one, years ago. Don't recall much about that one now. I love Gregory Peck, so it sounds great. Does he have a great voice or what?
I adore "The Sound of Music" - I have seen it so many times now and it only gets better and better. I have the score on CD and adore that too!
I have not seen "300" - yet so no comment can be made.
I know I would hate "Borat" so I have no desire to see it. Sounds way too offensive to me. I agree - why attach and make fun of real people. If you want to do parady and satire hire a group of actors like Monty Python (one of my favorite groups) and play the roles out to illustrate your point. I find just looking at the guy offensive, now that I know more about the film.
Generally it sounds like good viewing for you this weekend.

By the way, what i loved so much about 2001 space Odyssey was the first 15 minutes. And especially the music.

Yes Janine, i agree with Gregory Peck having a great voice (and appearance. Very handsome man!). I've seen him in a lot of movies. I particularly liked "Spellbound". I am a huge Hitchcock admirer. In fact he is my all time favourite director.

[Janine]

My god the weather is unbelievable over her for this time of year! Its about 17c here which is quite warn in the Irish climate. People walking around in shorts!

As for Emma, Maybe we can set up a discussion thread and discuss it with other people a well? i'll go do it now if there isn't one already!

Sorry to hear you are still unwell. maybe the freak weather is contrabuting to it.

Niamh, No way - really - shorts. Oh great for you! I would love it. I have mine in the basement in storage - itching to get them out and all my summer clothes. We are still wearing fleece and wool. May warm up some this week, I am hoping.

Great idea, Niamh, to start the thread on Emma. Interesting that should be. I will definitely contribute although it has been sometime since I actually read the book, but I have it here on my bookshelf so I will be prepared to refer to certain things.

I think this freak weather is contributing to my virus hanging on. Several people have told me they had it since November. On lady said 3 weeks now. I am over 3 weeks now. Hope the warm weather helps me. Flowers are coming out and hyacinths make me sneeze so it might be partly allergies now. I am not taking any more meds so that is one improvement. Just feel so energyless. Is that a word?:lol:

[Janine]

By the way, what i loved so much about 2001 space Odyssey was the first 15 minutes. And especially the music.

Yes Janine, i agree with Gregory Peck having a great voice (and appearance. Very handsome man!). I've seen him in a lot of movies. I particularly liked "Spellbound". I am a huge Hitchcock admirer. In fact he is my all time favourite director.

manolia,Yes, I agree about "Space Oddessy" and the first 15 mins. It is like a space ballet....so serene and mesmerizing. I loved it. Hummm, must see it again. Probably my library has the DVD. Maybe I can get it tonight.

I adored "Spellbound". I am a big Hitchcock fan. I have seen almost all his films and own some. I need to buy "Spellbound" and I long to get and view "Notorious". I have seen "Spellbound" several times. The dream sequence was done by Salvador Dali, you know. The floating eye part is my favorite. I should post that eye as my signature photo.
Did not know Peck directed or maybe I did and just forgot. What films did he direct? Interesting to me. He was great in "To Kill a Mockingbird".

[Niamh]

[QUOTE=Janine;356738 Just feel so energyless. Is that a word?:lol:[/QUOTE]

It is now!:lol:

[Janine]

I saw an older film last night I recall this from my adolescence...

"Spencer's Mountain" with Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara.

It was nostalgic for me, since it took me back to my innoscent years, and old film stars surfaced in the film. It was a cute film, a little overly sentimental at times and very 'Americana', also pretty corny now and then, but the performances were quite good and commendable. I especially liked the ending. I liked the fun chemistry between Fonda and O'Hara, she is one of my favorite actresses. The son and his girlfriend made me laugh, too, even thought they were pretty corny but the girl did have her sexy allure. I had forgotten that the long running Walton's TV series was based on this movie. Interesting to note that one of the young girls also became the big star on the Danny Thomas show; she played his daughter. All the actors were good and it was a little Disneyish, but I enjoyed it. Not a Disney film that I could see and actually pretty outspoken for the time it was first viewed in theaters. The music was nice and the scenry was gorgeous, really stunning views of the Grand Tetons. What a beautiful state! Made me want to go there. Nice family film.

[Janine]

It is now!:lol:

Quick add it to the dictionary!:lol:

[Mark F.]

Yes it pointed out so many things that are wrong with people today, but i didn't like the fact that he manipulated real people in doing so. He could have made a parody using actors (like Monty Pythons or Rowan Atkinson etc). Making fun on innocent, ignorant people is not fun or decent for me. Of course you are entitled to your own opinion. Besides i know many people that loved the film, you are not the only one.;) :)

All the people in the film were actors, it was a mockumentary. By the way it's directed, the cuts etc. you can see that everything was staged.

[manolia]

I adored "Spellbound". I am a big Hitchcock fan. I have seen almost all his films and own some. I need to buy "Spellbound" and I long to get and view "Notorious".

:nod: Good choice "Notorious":nod:
One of the best films by Hitchcock. I have seen many Hitchcock films (about 25) and this one is near the top of my list, my favourite being "the birds" or "North by Northwest" (i can't decide between the two).



I have seen "Spellbound" several times. The dream sequence was done by Salvador Dali, you know. The floating eye part is my favorite. I should post that eye as my signature photo.

Apart from the leading actors (Peck and Bergman) this is the very reason why i love this film. Dali is my favourite painter. I so enjoyed my trip to Spain 3 years ago because i could see so many paintings by Dali!! In my house and in my office the only pictures i have on my walls are those by Dali.



Did not know Peck directed or maybe I did and just forgot. What films did he direct? Interesting to me. He was great in "To Kill a Mockingbird".

I'm afraid i wasn't clear on this one. I meant that Hitchcock is my favourite director. As far as i know Peck didn't direct. Sorry for the mix-up.:)

[manolia]

All the people in the film were actors, it was a mockumentary. By the way it's directed, the cuts etc. you can see that everything was staged.

Are you sure? I read on the net and some magazines that it was real people and many of them sued him afterwards. I knew that the part with Pamela Anderson was directed (well..this one was quite obvious). Maybe you know better:)

[Janine]

:nod: Good choice "Notorious":nod:
One of the best films by Hitchcock. I have seen many Hitchcock films (about 25) and this one is near the top of my list, my favourite being "the birds" or "North by Northwest" (i can't decide between the two).
manolia, I want to buy "Notorious" but it is quite expensive everytime I look for it - seems it is very sought after. I saw a panel discussion on Hitch's films with two of his leading actresses and his daughter. They all though, especially his daughter, that "Notorious" was his best film. That talk show was amazing and revealed so much about Hitchcock. I had not realised his daugther played in a lot of his films. I thought that was really cool - mostly she had bit parts. She was a really nice lady on the talk show. They all were and one may have died by now. I also love "Vertigo", Kim Novak was great and stunning in that film, and I adore Jimmy Stewart.



Apart from the leading actors (Peck and Bergman) this is the very reason why i love this film. Dali is my favourite painter. I so enjoyed my trip to Spain 3 years ago because i could see so many paintings by Dali!! In my house and in my office the only pictures i have on my walls are those by Dali.

Ah ha! that is why you love it so. I remember you telling me before about seeing the Dali work in Spain. Did I send you my friend's blog of the Philadelphia show in a PM? There are a lot of Dali admirers on this site. I am a big fan now that I saw the show. The paintings are truly amazing. He was such a fine fine artist! Huge talent and imagination!


I'm afraid i wasn't clear on this one. I meant that Hitchcock is my favourite director. As far as i know Peck didn't direct. Sorry for the mix-up.:)
No problem. I did not think Peck directed, but he might have, who knows. Many stars do. He certainly was a handsome man and tall! Hitchcock is one of my favorite directors, too....so clever and intuitive.

[manolia]

manolia, I want to buy "Notorious" but it is quite expensive everytime I look for it - seems it is very sought after. I saw a panel discussion on Hitch's films with two of his leading actresses and his daughter. They all though, especially his daughter, that "Notorious" was his best film. That talk show was amazing and revealed so much about Hitchcock. I had not realised his daugther played in a lot of his films. I thought that was really cool - mostly she had bit parts. She was a really nice lady on the talk show. They all were and one may have died by now. I also love "Vertigo", Kim Novak was great and stunning in that film, and I adore Jimmy Stewart..

Hmmm..i didn't know about his daughter playing small parts ih his films. I have read a book about Hitchcock, but that was years ago and i have a bad memory:( . But i remember that he had also small parts in most of his films. He didn't have any lines but just showed up. I have been able to track him down in some of them, although he appears for just a few seconds. The "Vertigo" i haven't yet seen. Somehow i can't find it in the dvdclubs round here.:bawling: I know that it's a very nice film.




Ah ha! that is why you love it so. I remember you telling me before about seeing the Dali work in Spain. Did I send you my friend's blog of the Philadelphia show in a PM? There are a lot of Dali admirers on this site. I am a big fan now that I saw the show. The paintings are truly amazing. He was such a fine fine artist! Huge talent and imagination!

You haven't send me this blog. Do send it if it is convenient to you. I am always glad to see and learn more about my favourite painter.
I admire very much most of the spanish painters like Velasquez (i am not sure about the spelling) and so many more.

[Janine]

Hmmm..i didn't know about his daughter playing small parts ih his films. I have read a book about Hitchcock, but that was years ago and i have a bad memory:( . But i remember that he had also small parts in most of his films. He didn't have any lines but just showed up. I have been able to track him down in some of them, although he appears for just a few seconds. The "Vertigo" i haven't yet seen. Somehow i can't find it in the dvdclubs round here.:bawling: I know that it's a very nice film.

Well, his daughter was a teenager in the films or maybe even in her early 20's. She was ordinary looking and she usually plays a secretary or some small part. The fun of Hitchcock films is to find him in the film. He might even be in a reflection, or once I saw him in a newspaper, that one of the characters (Jimmy Stewart, I think) was reading. He was in an article and pictured but it was fast and you really had to pay attention to see it. I believe he was suppose to have make an appearance in every film he made. One other time I saw him quickly get on a bus. He usually appears in a crowd or somewhere where he will be disquised. You have to go back and run the film or DVD in slow motion and you will find him. It becomes a real fun, challenging game afterawhile. Now the director, Shamalayn (sp?) copies him in his films and he also always appears, sometimes he actually does have a speaking role, but mostly only a bit part. I saw him in one film where you only saw the back of his head and he was reading a newspaper, but you knew it was him from his voice. He adores Hitchcock and emulates his style.




You haven't send me this blog. Do send it if it is convenient to you. I am always glad to see and learn more about my favourite painter.
I admire very much most of the spanish painters like Velasquez (i am not sure about the spelling) and so many more.

Good, I will send you the link. You will love the blog. My friend from Japan did a great job setting it up, so organised. I like Velasquez, too and I don't know how to spell it. Spelling is a struggle for me - surely not my strong point.

[ForKnowledge]

A Bronx Tale was the last movie I've seen it was a bit of a disappointment not that it was a bad movie just that I expected to much. I did think it was a bit weird that the book I have been reading before and after the movie " the prince" was indirectly mentioned.

[Janine]

Ethan Frome ~ film adaptation of the novel ~ starring Liam Neeson, Patricia Arquette, and Joan Allen. American Playhouse Theatrical Films.

Good film but deviates some from the original book and the story/plot. Some things are added but basically it follows the same idea and storyline. If you view it separately as a film and not an adaptation it is a well done film and worth the viewing. All the performances are quite good. Scenry, set design and score are authentic and lovely, so it make the viewing enjoyable and interesting, even though the story is a very sad one.
I watched it since we are reading the book for the monthly book read. I have seen the film before, but it was still good the second time around. I wanted to have the visual experience to go along with my reading and commentary....round things out. Some key things have been changed to give the story more dimension on film and appeal to a modern audience.

[manolia]

. The fun of Hitchcock films is to find him in the film. He might even be in a reflection, or once I saw him in a newspaper, that one of the characters (Jimmy Stewart, I think) was reading. He was in an article and pictured but it was fast and you really had to pay attention to see it. I believe he was suppose to have make an appearance in every film he made. One other time I saw him quickly get on a bus. He usually appears in a crowd or somewhere where he will be disquised. You have to go back and run the film or DVD in slow motion and you will find him. It becomes a real fun, challenging game afterawhile.

Yes i know what you mean. I have read in a book about him that many of his fans did the same (trying to locate him in the movie) so after a while he showed up in the beginning of each film so the audience could spot him early and then concetrate on the movie itself.


.Now the director, Shamalayn (sp?) copies him in his films and he also always appears, sometimes he actually does have a speaking role, but mostly only a bit part. I saw him in one film where you only saw the back of his head and he was reading a newspaper, but you knew it was him from his voice. He adores Hitchcock and emulates his style..

Yes i like Shamalan (whatever the spelling may be) too. Though i haven't yet seen "The lady in the water". I guess i was discouraged by certain bad critics (i know i shouldn't pay attention to them). As for Shamalan appearing in his films i admit that i didn't know that. Then again i don't know how Shamalan looks like:D



.
Good, I will send you the link. You will love the blog. My friend from Japan did a great job setting it up, so organised. I like Velasquez, too and I don't know how to spell it. Spelling is a struggle for me - surely not my strong point.

Thanks again for the link. I send you a PM :)

[vheissu]

vheissu, you know I saw "Closer" about two years ago - I rented it, and usually (when everyone is raving over the film) when I do rent it, I end up disappointed. In this case again I was feeling that way. I am not sure exactly why. I don't know if I care to see it again. I found the film pretty pointless, as well, or could not get through to the meaning, like you. Maybe a second viewing would help. I just did not feel I liked any of the characters or even cared what happened to them in the end. I, too, would give it about the same number rating and agree on all you said. I did hear it was taken from a play.

The only character I did sort of like was the one played by Clive Owen (the doctor) and that was because he wasn't either too sad (like Jude Law's) or just a bit superficial and problematic (Julia Robert's). Just blunt. Natalie Portman's character I just did not get: simply lying about who you are and going from one continent to the next just like that! ~wish I could do that!~
So yes, when I'll have the time I might see it again...
I've bought another film on a sale (love these sort sales!) by Jarmusch called "Coffee and Cigarettes" with a rather long list of first cast and in B&W.
Have you heard of it?

[Mark F.]

Are you sure? I read on the net and some magazines that it was real people and many of them sued him afterwards. I knew that the part with Pamela Anderson was directed (well..this one was quite obvious). Maybe you know better:)

I saw the movie a few months ago so I don't remember it too well, maybe some of the scenes weren't staged but I'm sure most of it was. Saying that people sued him and stuff like that are part of the hype (like Fargo being a true story or the Blair Witch Project being real footage...)

[crisaor]

Saw A Dirty Carnival and Reprise these past two days. The first one is about gangsters, the second about aspiring writers. I heartily recommend both.

Overview: make it 8,5 crisaors for each one.

[Janine]

Saw "The Breakup" - yes, probably considered a chickflick. I kind of liked it....was amusing, and serious, but nothing to rave about really. Stars Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn. Vaughn was quite funny at times and Aniston sure looked great in most scenes. I would not mind having her figure. It was entertaining. A departure for me from tragedy! Cute:D .

[Janine]

The only character I did sort of like was the one played by Clive Owen (the doctor) and that was because he wasn't either too sad (like Jude Law's) or just a bit superficial and problematic (Julia Robert's). Just blunt. Natalie Portman's character I just did not get: simply lying about who you are and going from one continent to the next just like that! ~wish I could do that!~
So yes, when I'll have the time I might see it again...
I've bought another film on a sale (love these sort sales!) by Jarmusch called "Coffee and Cigarettes" with a rather long list of first cast and in B&W.
Have you heard of it?

Yes, vheissu, I think I remember sort of liking Clive Owen's character, but then I like Clive Owen, so that may have influenced that thought. But I don't think I would watch this film again...well maybe someday...not 100% sure yet. Yes, I could not get Portman's character's motives at all. She was a strange one. So was Robert's character, I thought. So what was the point of the entire film - that was my question? It just left me feeling blank or something.

[Janine]

Yes i know what you mean. I have read in a book about him that many of his fans did the same (trying to locate him in the movie) so after a while he showed up in the beginning of each film so the audience could spot him early and then concetrate on the movie itself.

That is true - usually he does show up in the beginning moments of the film. I try always now to look for him.


Yes i like Shamalan (whatever the spelling may be) too. Though i haven't yet seen "The lady in the water". I guess i was discouraged by certain bad critics (i know i shouldn't pay attention to them). As for Shamalan appearing in his films i admit that i didn't know that. Then again i don't know how Shamalan looks like:D

Yes, S is in all or most of his films. He was in "The Village" - most people hated that film. I thought it interesting. He was a ranger in the outside world and you only saw the back of his head - he was reading a newspaper or magazine. He's in the film about aliens in the wheat fields - the name of the film elludes me now. You can see him clearly; he is a neighbor fleeing from the aliens in his truck and stops to talk to Mel Gibson. He is of Eastern/Middle Eastern origin (not sure which country). He is dark with dark hair, nice looking man, young. He lives near me in Pennsylvania where he shot the last film I mentioned. I think he is in "The Sixth Sense" but not sure which character he plays - usually bit parts. I heard he has a sizable part in "Lady of the Water", but I have not seen that one either yet. I want to. I have seen him in interviews and he is a very young nice man and very smart and articulate.



Thanks again for the link. I send you a PM :)

No problem, glad you are enjoying the site.

[manolia]

I saw the movie a few months ago so I don't remember it too well, maybe some of the scenes weren't staged but I'm sure most of it was. Saying that people sued him and stuff like that are part of the hype (like Fargo being a true story or the Blair Witch Project being real footage...)

Thanx for clearing that out. I do not like to participate to the hype. By the way i didn't know that Fargo was believed to be a true story or Blair Witch Project real footage :lol:

[manolia]

Yes, S is in all or most of his films. He was in "The Village" - most people hated that film. I thought it interesting.

I liked this film very much, but i know what you mean. My friends didn't like it (most of them) because judging from the trailers they expected something different. It's true that the trailers (at least the ones we saw) were misleading. But i enjoyed the film nevertheless.




He's in the film about aliens in the wheat fields - the name of the film elludes me now. You can see him clearly; he is a neighbor fleeing from the aliens in his truck and stops to talk to Mel Gibson. .

I know which film you mean: "Signs" the one with the aliens who can't stand water. Interesting film.




He lives near me in Pennsylvania where he shot the last film I mentioned. I think he is in "The Sixth Sense" but not sure which character he plays - usually bit parts. I heard he has a sizable part in "Lady of the Water", but I have not seen that one either yet. I want to. I have seen him in interviews and he is a very young nice man and very smart and articulate.
.

I checked the imdb and it says that in "Sixth Sense" he played Dr Hill. I liked "Sixth Sense" very much and have seen it a lot of times...but i don't remember who dr. Hill was. I am not surprised. In fact, i'd be surprised if i did remember.:lol:
So Pennsylvania must be a nice place, judging from the movie "Signs":)

[Adolescent09]

I saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest two times in a row last night. 15/10-I think this is a movie that this is a movie that merits repeated viewings before its profound meanings can be fully grasped. This is a movie that will wisk you into an unflagging, purely horrifying, yet genuine world where paternal-like love, mental and physical abuse and joy are abound.

As everyone here knows, the movie is flawless in pretty much every axiom which constitutes towards greatness in cinema.

Review: First thing's first, while I watched this movie, I found myself stunned. This movie so entertained the viewer, as it did fascinate, and inform. A chilling, disturbing, and revealing look into the mental institutions as seen through the eyes of a con. Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Lloyd, round out the excellent, and very well casted cast.

Jack Nicholson brilliantly plays Randall Patrick McMurphy, an ex-con, who fakes being mentally insane, to enter the institution. As he goes to the hospital, he doesn't realize, that the people, and the atmosphere there is so out there. The patients are really psycho, and creepy. Randall, must try and survive these days, before he has to go to Jail. He has to entertain himself while at the same time, find good in this place of craziness.

Lousie Fletcher plays Nurse Ratched, a soft; but strong willed nurse, who will not take anything from anyone, or put up with misbehavior. She watches Randall, and notices something different about him, he's not as psycho as the others, but he is a little out there. Her job is tough indeed, having to put up with all these men, who don't listen, some go crazy and throw fits, and others just sit there and don't do anything.

Randall meets many new friends in this place, Brad Dourif who plays Billy Bibbit, is a mentally unstable, but voluntarily institutionalized person. Danny DeVito plays Martini, a slow but charming and sweet man, who means know harm in what he does or say. Christopher Lloyd plays Taber, a man, who also voluntarily institutionalized himself. He also meets Chief, a big 'dumb, and deaf' Indian, who happens to like to play basketball. Randall must try and survive these days with his new friends, and the hospital, as well as an everlasting war as to which they can watch the world series on TV. Put up with Nurse Ratched, and the other patients, doctors, vistors, and nurses. Ultimately leading up to a dramatic finale, that makes you want to stand up and cheer.

I think what was best about this film was the realism. I had no problem believing that this was happening. Almost like a documentary, it was striking and powerful, making the viewer not want to stop watching till the end. Some of the sequences are memorable as the basketball game, and the fishing trip. Jack Nicholson, who as always plays his character absolutely excellent, and makes the viewer want to hand him an Oscar himself.

The supporting cast, Louise Fletcher, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Brad Dourif also give terrific performances. Danny, Christopher, and Brad's careers all were made with this superb movie. It's all sentimental, funny, dramatic, intense, chilling, disturbing, diverting, and tragic. The finale leaves the viewer stunned and sitting there thinking about what he just saw. See this film, and believe it. I think you will find, its one of the BEST ever.

The second film to win all five major Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), Director, and Screenplay. And it deserved all of them.

Rated R for language, violence, sexual content, and brief nudity.

[Janine]

I saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest two times in a row last night. 15/10-I think this is a movie that this is a movie that merits repeated viewings before its profound meanings can be fully grasped. This is a movie that will wisk you into an unflagging, purely horrifying, yet genuine world where paternal-like love, mental and physical abuse and joy are abound.

As everyone here knows, the movie is flawless in pretty much every axiom which constitutes towards greatness in cinema.

Review: First thing's first, while I watched this movie, I found myself stunned. This movie so entertained the viewer, as it did fascinate, and inform. A chilling, disturbing, and revealing look into the mental institutions as seen through the eyes of a con. Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Brad Dourif, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Lloyd, round out the excellent, and very well casted cast.

Jack Nicholson brilliantly plays Randall Patrick McMurphy, an ex-con, who fakes being mentally insane, to enter the institution. As he goes to the hospital, he doesn't realize, that the people, and the atmosphere there is so out there. The patients are really psycho, and creepy. Randall, must try and survive these days, before he has to go to Jail. He has to entertain himself while at the same time, find good in this place of craziness.

Lousie Fletcher plays Nurse Ratched, a soft; but strong willed nurse, who will not take anything from anyone, or put up with misbehavior. She watches Randall, and notices something different about him, he's not as psycho as the others, but he is a little out there. Her job is tough indeed, having to put up with all these men, who don't listen, some go crazy and throw fits, and others just sit there and don't do anything.

Randall meets many new friends in this place, Brad Dourif who plays Billy Bibbit, is a mentally unstable, but voluntarily institutionalized person. Danny DeVito plays Martini, a slow but charming and sweet man, who means know harm in what he does or say. Christopher Lloyd plays Taber, a man, who also voluntarily institutionalized himself. He also meets Chief, a big 'dumb, and deaf' Indian, who happens to like to play basketball. Randall must try and survive these days with his new friends, and the hospital, as well as an everlasting war as to which they can watch the world series on TV. Put up with Nurse Ratched, and the other patients, doctors, vistors, and nurses. Ultimately leading up to a dramatic finale, that makes you want to stand up and cheer.

I think what was best about this film was the realism. I had no problem believing that this was happening. Almost like a documentary, it was striking and powerful, making the viewer not want to stop watching till the end. Some of the sequences are memorable as the basketball game, and the fishing trip. Jack Nicholson, who as always plays his character absolutely excellent, and makes the viewer want to hand him an Oscar himself.

The supporting cast, Louise Fletcher, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Brad Dourif also give terrific performances. Danny, Christopher, and Brad's careers all were made with this superb movie. It's all sentimental, funny, dramatic, intense, chilling, disturbing, diverting, and tragic. The finale leaves the viewer stunned and sitting there thinking about what he just saw. See this film, and believe it. I think you will find, its one of the BEST ever.

The second film to win all five major Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Fletcher), Director, and Screenplay. And it deserved all of them.

Rated R for language, violence, sexual content, and brief nudity.

Wow, Adol, you really wrote a lot about this film. It is funny, for years and years I wanted to see this film and somehow kept avoiding it...not sure exactly why. Finally I took it out of my library last year and watched it. I thought it was great! It has humor and yet is quite serious as well and deep in meanings. Nurse Rachet is a classic, is she not? Yes, you expressed her role very fairly and described it very well...what a tough job...really.
I will probably watch this fine film again sometime soon. It is some film - quite different, too. Nicholson does a fine job as they all do. The characters are interesting and draw you into their mindset. I know a little about these places; I have known those who were in mental facilities, or in similiar institutions, even nursing homes and it is sad and yet there is humor, as well. This film really captures that and does a fine job of expressing much. It does contain really deep meanings. I liked it a lot. How about that - it won 5 major Oscars - amazing!

[Janine]

I liked this film very much, but i know what you mean. My friends didn't like it (most of them) because judging from the trailers they expected something different. It's true that the trailers (at least the ones we saw) were misleading. But i enjoyed the film nevertheless. Funny, I liked the film, too. I enjoyed it when I was watching it. I might watch it again sometime. My son, who is also a movie buff and loves Shamalyan hated "The Village". My friend loved it. Seems opinions were divided on that one.





I know which film you mean: "Signs" the one with the aliens who can't stand water. Interesting film.
Yes, "Signs" - that's the one, filmed in Bucks County, PA - beautiful out that way. That is Andrew Wyeth's region - well all of that family of famous painters - the Wyeths. Some friends of mine just ran into Andrew and Jamie at their museum in Bucks County. I was really jealous. I only live about an hour away, but I have never seen them in person. I have to go across the bridge over the Delaware River...nice drive.
Anyway, while going blank and trying to think of the name of the film, I was thinking *is it circles, spheres, swirls - well something like that?*oh silly me:lol: I liked "Signs", too. Some people think these films are too silly or outlandish. Well, Hitchcock's "The Birds" is pretty silly and outlandish, if you think about it, especially watching it today. I have it on a VHS tape, I picked up cheap. The film is so much fun to watch.




I checked the imdb and it says that in "Sixth Sense" he played Dr Hill. I liked "Sixth Sense" very much and have seen it a lot of times...but i don't remember who dr. Hill was. I am not surprised. In fact, i'd be surprised if i did remember.:lol:
So Pennsylvania must be a nice place, judging from the movie "Signs":)

Good way to find out what he played in each film. He will be listed in the cast, both on imdb and Amazon. I think in Hitchcock films, H is listed in the end credits of the cast, as say "man with umbrella", or something vague like that. It is a fun game trying to find them.
I lived in PA for 4 yrs and loved it there. It is beautiful in many areas. The Pocono Mountains are especially lovely.

[kiz_paws]

I saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest two times in a row last night. 15/10-I think this is a movie that this is a movie that merits repeated viewings before its profound meanings can be fully grasped. This is a movie that will wisk you into an unflagging, purely horrifying, yet genuine world where paternal-like love, mental and physical abuse and joy are abound.

As everyone here knows, the movie is flawless in pretty much every axiom which constitutes towards greatness in cinema.

There is nothing that I could add to your post. You have said it brilliantly and eloquently (as usual, Adol!), I fully 110% agree with you on your sentiments. I loved this movie so much that I bought it for my dad for a gift, just so we'd have this movie in the family, lol! :)

[Silvia]

I bought Jesus Christ Superstar and kept on watching it for about a week!At first I was suspicious about it because of it being a musical, but eventually I liked it so so much. The music is great, the characters are great, the story is the one we all know taken from a different point of view and there are lots of parallels with the world of today. I would recommned it to anyone!

[Janine]

I bought Jesus Christ Superstar and kept on watching it for about a week!At first I was suspicious about it because of it being a musical, but eventually I liked it so so much. The music is great, the characters are great, the story is the one we all know taken from a different point of view and there are lots of parallels with the world of today. I would recommned it to anyone!

Hi Silvia, Everyone is saying how much they like this film. I saw the play 'live' years ago in a theater in the round. I loved it. I am not sure I saw the film. I will have to check it out. It is great music. Love the score. The story is so moving and wonderful and does relate to the world today. I must get a copy to re-watch soon.

[Idril]

I bought Jesus Christ Superstar and kept on watching it for about a week!


I love that movie! It's a highly underrated little gem.

[Janine]

wow, Idril, now the two of you watched it a whole week - it was that good, eh? I hope my library has it. I am going there tonight to check it out. Then I can get addicted and watch it all week long like you two!:lol:

[Idril]

wow, Idril, now the two of you watched it a whole week - it was that good, eh? I hope my library has it. I am going there tonight to check it out. Then I can get addicted and watch it all week long like you two!:lol:

Oh, I've been watching it for a lot longer than a week. :lol: I saw it for the first time in the theater when I was in second grade or something like that and have seen it too many times to count since then. Even after all those years, it never seems to lose it's appeal for me.

[Janine]

Oh, I've been watching it for a lot longer than a week. :lol: I saw it for the first time in the theater when I was in second grade or something like that and have seen it too many times to count since then. Even after all those years, it never seems to lose it's appeal for me.

Idril, I just got back from my library and on the shelves there was no copy of the film.:( I will check their catalogue online, but now I doubt they do have it....I am disappointed. Oh well....:bawling: Quess I will have to rent it someday soon.
Wow, you started young looking at this film - second grade? Glad you like it so much. I get like that about films. I watched one last night I have seen a dozen times now. Needless to say I get addicted to them. Sure you know what I mean;)

[Janine]

Forgot to mention the film I saw last night:

"How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog"

Yes, definitely a strange title....really throws one off. Who would pick it up in the video store? They say the director really made a mistake naming it that since the film is usually passed by because of the funky title - a shame. It is not really about killing your neighbor's dog, but it does involve a dog.

Stars Kenneth Branagh and Robin Wright Penn. It is a bit of a sleeper, indy film, executive producer is Robert Redford and directed by Michael Kalesniko; a black comedy of sorts, very witty with a good snappy thoughful and humorous script, but not flawless, still very amusing since the humor is low key and the everyday type. I always get a real kick out of this little known film. I have watched it many times and I always laugh and cry at certain moments and lines.

Here's the synopsis:
In the midst of writing a new play, Peter McGowen's world is one crazy scene after another. He has a wife who desperately wants to start a family, a stalker who's assuming his identity and a crisis which is a scribe's worst nightmare: writer's block. To top it all off, he's pushed to the edge by the barking dog next door. *Let me add - he also gets temporary insomnia and impotence. Peter only has time for his writing, until a special new neighbor teaches the cynical playwright that life is a work in progress.
*Let me also add that the special neighbor is a little 8 yr old girl with slight cerebral palsy. Chemistry between she and Branagh is great and makes the film.

Also features: Jared Harris as Peter's Doppleganger/stalker, Lynn Redgrave as Peter's mother-in-law with Alzheimers, Peter Reigert - agent, Johnathon Schaech - director, and the little girl actress - they don't seem to list her on my DVD cover and she was wonderful.

On Amazon there are some real good reviews on this film - you might want to read those and check this little known comedy/drama out sometime. It's really a cute and funny film and quite touching. Performances are very good. Jared Harris is a riot at the Doppleganger. Branagh gets the script and runs with it and he is really funny and serious, Robin Wright Penn is great and looks wonderful and compliments Branagh very well, you'd swear they are really a married couple. The little girl is darling, but not in the conventional sense of the word. She is really special.

This film is a definite departure for me, but I do love it. There is some language and a little bit of crudity here and there but nothing too offensive - mostly just everyday stuff that is really funny.

[Stieg]

Yesterday saw the Anchor Bay DVD re-release of Phantasm (1979) directed by Don A Coscarelli of Bubba Ho-tep fame. This horror cult film is easily recognizable as the one featuring "The Tall Man" (portrayed by Angus Scrimm) stalking around in a funeral parlor with those wicked chrome balls flying around gleefully seeking craniums to crack with retractable blades and liquefy grey matter with drill bits.

This zero budget horror romp is understandably a popular overachiever. Director Coscarelli knows how to spook viewers and play on their fears, creating a story that is both one of the most hallucinatory and dis-locating films ever. There are several moments that hold me absolutely spellbound, entranced by these dream-like sequences.

But Phantasm's biggest wallop is director Coscarelli's revisitations on the theme of abandonment which accompanied by a creepy score from Fredric Myrow and Malcolm Seagrave leaves a lingering shiver and solemn sadness. Flawed, yes, but effective!

5 out of 5

[Adolescent09]

Recently saw Lucky Number Slevin and I believe this film deserves a fair 7 out of 10 for its delivery of pure enjoyment yet ostensible lack of character believability and cliche ending.

Review: Lucky Number Slevin takes off the way a thriller ought to. Like Sin City or Hostage, the originality in the opening credits essentially lays the substance of what the film strives to contain. We see several numbers sliding vertically down a black screen in matrix formation, morphing to form the movie title/actor's name's etc.. This occurs as one of the member's of "The Boss's" group of goons is shot through the head and sprawls backward. The beginning sparks interest as it appears very rapidly and very mysteriously... A sheet of paper is lifted, a briefcase confiscated... a few scenes after that we witness a crippled Bruce Willis appearing as if by some portal-like phenomenon next to a "common, worthless better" who has no moral qualms against risking his stake to fill a bookie’s economic pockets. Bruce Willis (Mr. GoodKat) tells the life of a young boy in explicit terms, leaving the viewer to reasonably presume that this is a guy-stuck-in-an-awkward-position-seeking-vendetta type film. Josh Hartnett’s inevitable appearance in the next few scenes with Lindsey (Lucy Liu) confirms this presumption and renders the film automatically obvious and perhaps a bit mundane (especially as the flirtatious scenes between Slevin and Lindsey drag).

But you’ll be surprised. Slevin is dispatched on a joyride about town when he is misconstrued as the certified occupant of the room he appears to temporarily inhabit while waiting for a “friend”... He confronts “The Boss” in his first visit (attired in pajamas) after a brief comical interlude involving a second nose-busting (the first seemingly occurred, when a mugger purloined his golden watch) and the second visit with the Rabbi (which also occurs comically through a scene of nut-kicking and speaking with a goon who is always reticent)–I won’t give away more of the film so as to provide spoilers, but this movie is a thrilling experience... You might want to check it out ;)

[Janine]

Tonight I watched (second viewing)
The Illusionist ~ Ed Norton, Paul Giamani, Jesica Beil

I was not sure I liked this film the first time around; I decided it might have been my mood at the time; and I might like it on a second viewing better. I believe I do appreciate it more now since I payed closer attention, even to subtle expressions of the characters, but especially to all the little fine details. I still am a bit confused as to whether everything in the film could be explained or if there was some portion of supernatural elements present in the story. This sort of annoyed me, as I wanted to be able to explain it all in the end.
If anyone has seen the film, I would love some feedback or discussion. I think it would be benefical to read the short story the film is based on. The filming is interesting, but obviously CG, and I wondered if this look was intentional, to go along with the idea of illusion. I think if the story can be explained it was a bit far-fetched, but it still held my interest, even after a second viewing. Much made more sense to me on this second viewing of the film and I realised I had overlooked some elements in the plot(s) within the main story. The end made more sense, too.
I think the acting was good, but not great. I was confused why some people had accents and some did not. Maybe I was being too picky about that.
The photography was very interesting in the beginning of the film when the two main characters are children, then adolescents. The frames were fuzzy or out of focus around the edges or they flickered some like an old time movie. I was not sure if that annoyed me at first, but then I could see the point and it was rather unique and artistic.
I would recommend seeing it. It is definitely entertaining and interesting.

[kiz_paws]

Forgot to mention the film I saw last night:

"How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog"

Yes, definitely a strange title....really throws one off. Who would pick it up in the video store? They say the director really made a mistake naming it that since the film is usually passed by because of the funky title - a shame. It is not really about killing your neighbor's dog, but it does involve a dog. ...

...This film is a definite departure for me, but I do love it. There is some language and a little bit of crudity here and there but nothing too offensive - mostly just everyday stuff that is really funny.

Thanks for your overview, Janine, I shall try to see this one (because I am such an 'animal nut', the title would have likely sent me away from chosing this movie). So yes, I will try to see it! :)

[Moira]

Recently saw Lucky Number Slevin and I believe this film deserves a fair 7 out of 10 for its delivery of pure enjoyment yet ostensible lack of character believability and cliche ending.

Review: Lucky Number Slevin takes off the way a thriller ought to. Like Sin City or Hostage, the originality in the opening credits essentially lays the substance of what the film strives to contain. We see several numbers sliding vertically down a black screen in matrix formation, morphing to form the movie title/actor's name's etc.. This occurs as one of the member's of "The Boss's" group of goons is shot through the head and sprawls backward. The beginning sparks interest as it appears very rapidly and very mysteriously... A sheet of paper is lifted, a briefcase confiscated... a few scenes after that we witness a crippled Bruce Willis appearing as if by some portal-like phenomenon next to a "common, worthless better" who has no moral qualms against risking his stake to fill a bookie’s economic pockets. Bruce Willis (Mr. GoodKat) tells the life of a young boy in explicit terms, leaving the viewer to reasonably presume that this is a guy-stuck-in-an-awkward-position-seeking-vendetta type film. Josh Hartnett’s inevitable appearance in the next few scenes with Lindsey (Lucy Liu) confirms this presumption and renders the film automatically obvious and perhaps a bit mundane (especially as the flirtatious scenes between Slevin and Lindsey drag).

But you’ll be surprised. Slevin is dispatched on a joyride about town when he is misconstrued as the certified occupant of the room he appears to temporarily inhabit while waiting for a “friend”... He confronts “The Boss” in his first visit (attired in pajamas) after a brief comical interlude involving a second nose-busting (the first seemingly occurred, when a mugger purloined his golden watch) and the second visit with the Rabbi (which also occurs comically through a scene of nut-kicking and speaking with a goon who is always reticent)–I won’t give away more of the film so as to provide spoilers, but this movie is a thrilling experience... You might want to check it out ;)

I agree, i enjoyed watching this movie a few month ago. It was funny and entertaining.

[Janine]

Thanks for your overview, Janine, I shall try to see this one (because I am such an 'animal nut', the title would have likely sent me away from chosing this movie). So yes, I will try to see it! :)

Kiz, Well, maybe you would not like it - something does happen to an animal, but the book is not really about that. That is just a subplot. Can't say too much, or I would give away one of the climaxs.

[Silvia]

Janine, I really think you should watch the movie (getting back to Jesus Christ Superstar), personally, I have never been to the theatrical performance...I'm afraid I would be disappointed...some time ago an Italian version of it came out, but I fear they have ruined the original..

[manolia]

Forgot to mention the film I saw last night:

"How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog"

Yes, definitely a strange title....really throws one off. Who would pick it up in the video store? They say the director really made a mistake naming it that since the film is usually passed by because of the funky title - a shame. It is not really about killing your neighbor's dog, but it does involve a dog.


I love this film Janine! I liked it when i watched it so afterwards i bought the dvd. The funny thing is that i picked it up from the dvdclub because of it's title (and also because Kenneth plays the leading role). It sounded interesting!




Stars Kenneth Branagh and Robin Wright Penn. It is a bit of a sleeper, indy film, executive producer is Robert Redford and directed by Michael Kalesniko; a black comedy of sorts, very witty with a good snappy thoughful and humorous script, but not flawless, still very amusing since the humor is low key and the everyday type. I always get a real kick out of this little known film. I have watched it many times and I always laugh and cry at certain moments and lines. .


Yes you are right. The best thing is it's 'delicate' sense of houmor. And of course Kenneth Branagh :D

[Janine]

I love this film Janine! I liked it when i watched it so afterwards i bought the dvd. The funny thing is that i picked it up from the dvdclub because of it's title (and also because Kenneth plays the leading role). It sounded interesting!
Yes you are right. The best thing is it's 'delicate' sense of houmor. And of course Kenneth Branagh :D

Ok:thumbs_up - another Branagh fan! I love the man - read one autobiography and have a new one to read and I collect all his film, even the far from perfect ones. He is a regular 'cudmugeon' in this film, isn't he? I watch this film when I need something to amuse me. He so cynical it makes you laugh, but I love the way he is transformed over the course of the film, like letting the traffic go first. I like the way he is really such a softy underneath and his wife knows it and plays off his critical personality. She really is cute with him and centers him, too. Three scenes I really thought hilarious - the two cops interviewing he, his wife and neighbor about the stalker, and other cop kept asking him about what plays he has written. I won't give it away, but I got such a kick out of that and Branagh's expressions. Also, the scene when Branagh first meets his Doppleganger....is Jared Harris too much? I really like him; he is very good and so funny in this scene. He is Richard Harris' son, you know. Oh and I love the scene when the his mother-in-law keeps asking him his name. The script is really clever, don't you think? The chemistry between Branagh and all the characters is great. I love the teaparty scene with the little girl - it is so cute and funny and so typical of kids...the way they are. How about his director and the Petula Clark songs - was he hilarious or what? I could go on and on. I have the whole film memorized by now!
I found out about the film on Amazon looking Branagh films up and it sounded so funny I had to buy it. I was not disappointed one bit. Needless to say I will watch it many more times and still find it hilarious, amusing and heartwarming.

manolia, have you seen Ken Brangah in "High Season" - set in Greece on a beautiful island? Ken is young in this one with Jacqualine Bizet. It is also a comedy/drama with clever script and very amusing lines. Another one I watch from time to time - I get a kick out of.

[Janine]

Children of Men ~ Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore

Well....I wish I hadn't. To me this film was a total waste of time. I was actually either fast forwarding or falling asleep. I kept wondering why it was suppose to be 2027, 47 - something like that and everything looked nearly just like today, only decrepid. If you want entertainment don't rent or see this film. It is so unbearable to watch - everything is so dirty and sorid looking it is not a pleasure. I thought of turning it off midway through but I suffered on unfortunately. I can't even tell you what this film is about - only to sum it up furturistic, no children have been born for 18 yrs, infertility of the earth and the last days of the earth, demise and ruin of civilization, except England is still partly intact. Why England, I have no idea. Basically there is little plot but many chase scenes in which the bad guys (not even sure who they are) are shooting at the good guys, who now are trying to flea with a pregnant woman (a refuge from another country who is a miracle mom) to a safe haven so she can give birth and give hope to the world. I kept wondering how one isolated birth in all these mess and ruin would be capable of saving the world. Well, some of the lines are so lame, you can't believe it, like Clive Owen's character toward the end of the film and climax says to the woman who has been through hell, "boy, it has been some day!" I almost cracked up laughing.
I am anxious now to check out reviews on Amazon and imdb to see what other people say. I thought at the least it would be a interesting thriller - said so on the cover. I would not call it such. Can't Clive Owen get better roles? Don't even want to mention Michael Caine with long straggly white hair...ugh! Oh please...
I don't know -- some people gave it good reviews and some may see the merits in this film, but for me it just did not fly.

[Moira]

Forget Paris
Very sweet and funny

[manolia]

manolia, have you seen Ken Brangah in "High Season" - set in Greece on a beautiful island? Ken is young in this one with Jacqualine Bizet. It is also a comedy/drama with clever script and very amusing lines. Another one I watch from time to time - I get a kick out of.

No i haven't seen this one...i checked in imdb and it says that it was filmed in Rhodes (the second best greek island, after Crete of course). This island is famous for its medieval castle -one of the best preserved in Europe- and the "butterfly forest" which i guess is a forest full of butterflies (i've never been to Rhodes). The movie "El Greco" (the life of the famous painter) which will be in theatres soon (i won't miss it since my favourite greek actor stars in it) is partly filmed in Rhodes, Crete and Spain so you can get a glimpse of the island and its castle. This film is a co-production of Greece and Spain and it will be in english.
Have a look

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905329/

(the actor i told you about is the one who plays 'Nicolos'.)

[Janine]

Thanks, manolia! I know I will want to see this film. I would like it being about a famous artist. I have "Mondigliani" and I often watch films about artists and about composers. I also have "Eternal Beloved" about Beethoven. Both are interesting films.

"El Greco", the film, will be Greek then, with English subtitles, when it does finally make it to DVD? I really hope to see it. Funny, I have a very interesting CD I copied from my library called "El Greco" by Vangelis - I love Vangelis. I think it is one of his best compositions. I wonder if it is the soundtrack recording. I love this CD so much; I just put it on my stereo.

"This island is famous for its medieval castle -one of the best preserved in Europe- and the "butterfly forest" which i guess is a forest full of butterflies (i've never been to Rhodes)." this sounds serene and beautiful ~ I love butterflies! I looked on the movie base site but there were no photos of the cute guy...heck.

The other film is so entertaining. It is also subtle humor, sort of English humor and very funny with a serious twist to it. Yes, it is Rhodes - they mention the Colossas (SP?) of Rhodes often. The ocean there is so beautiful and the cliffs are really white and interesting. I don't recall seeing a castle. Must watch again to see if I do see it. Maybe the first scenes when the credits are rolling it might be in the castle they are filming the city below. A young and lean Branagh plays Rick, an office type agent/investigator, sent on an outside assignment to the island, because everyone else in the office is down with the flu. In the briefcase, his supervisor gives him, is a pistol and then subltly says to him "you do know how to use a gun, Mr.Lamb?" The expressions again are really funny and make the film. This sets up a little mystery for the adventure and the people he is about to encounter. He tells Rick to just tell his wife it is a second honeymoon. On the island they find out there are no rooms available - seems a lot of British folk infliltrate the island for this weekend for some festival or ? This in itself is quite humorous. Rick and Caroline are put up at Irene Papas' house by persausan from beautiful, Jacqualine Bizet, who they meet on the cliff earlier that day. Papas is a riot and seems to speak only Greek, but one day she slips and she speaks fluid English, but she won't take money from the couple - says "I can't take money from foreigners" very distainfully. She says prayers and lights candles constantly to her dead hero husband (or so she says he was, later you find out the truth). In the meantime her son, Yanni, owns his dad's cheese shop and is bend on modernizing it and calling it Lord Byron's. His mother, by his persauding, is sewing bikinis for the shop to sell to tourists. A lot more goes on, even though it is somewhat slow-paced humor, but this might entice you to see the film. It has some very funny moments!

[Janine]

Dead Again ~ Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson (both in double roles)

Derek Jacobi, Andy Garcia, Robin Williams

Directed by Kenneth Branagh 1991

The first time I saw this film I did not figure out or guess what was going to happen next; I found it very suspenseful and interesting in it's details and use of the past(depicted in b/w) and present(color) interweaving and intrigues. It is a basically a film noir with some black comedy thrown in for balance and entertainment. It also is quite romantic, so it would appeal to those who like suspense/drama/romance. It is a true sleeper, as many people point out on the Amazon reviews. I could not find as much on IMDB since I am not signed up to read all reviews.
I have seen this film countless times and always think I have noticed everything, but tonight I actually picked up on a few things, I previously missed. Even though I do know the plot and the end result I find it a fun film to rewatch. You really have to pay attention to all the details and the dialogue. The script is quite clever and the film has Gothic/Hitchcock elements, but does not overdo imitating them. It stands alone and it is quite suspenseful and intriguing first time around. Best viewing, of course, is the first one when you don't have a clue to how this mystery will end. My only complaint might be Branagh's exaggerated accent when he is playing the German role, but seriously I can overlook that easily, since I like the film so much. He still exudes quite a bit of charm and the chemistry between Branagh and Thompson is magnetic (at the time they were younger and still happily married).
If you really pay attention Branagh and Thompson are not the only actors playing multiple roles. The composer, Patrick Dole, plays a cop in an elevator and also a party guest. The nun in the beginning plays a starlight at the costume party in the past. It is interesting to note other oddities and if you listen to the commentaries you will find out more things of that nature and interest. Derek Jacobi is terrific in the part of the hypnotise. You can read some great reviews and comments on:

http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Again-Jo-Anderson/dp/6305882525/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-

Or check out IMDB.

This is a very stylish, little known, film and has a lot of class. The black humor is a little strange at first, but then makes more sense. I like the role of Ray Baker best, Robin Williams is a little too dire/strange for me, but he does prove he can act. I also like the role played by the guy who played Neuman on Seinfeld, I forget his name. The lighting and the set design is excellent capturing LA, in the past especially.

Seems on Amazon, it is rated a 4 out of 5, and on IMBD it is rated 7 out of 10. I probably would rate it a 8 1/2 out of 10, only because it has a few flaws but generally it is quite good, and enjoyable and one of my favorite films.

*Seems I am watching my Branagh films this week!

[vheissu]

Coffee and Cigarettes directed by Jim Jarmusch (2003)
Amongst a long cast: Roberto Benigni, Bill Murray, Iggy Pop, Cate Blanchett, Renee' French....

It's a series of black and white vignettes, each with different characters and a different short story, usually set around coffee and cigarettes. It's quite weird how all the actors actually impersonate themselves, but in completely bizzarre and unexpected situations. The vignettes are more like improvisations, not really related to each other apart from the coffee&cigarettes which are consumed in exceptionally large amounts.
They're all unique, but my favourite vignette has to be the one with the White Stripes pondering over the failed experiment of Jack White on a Tesla coil and Meg giving the solution in a completly serious and blaze' tone. As if complicated experimental instruments is something they do all the time!

8/10

Bad Education directed by Pedro Almodovar (2004)
Gael Garcia Bernal, Fele Martinez, Daniel Gimenez Cacho

Unlike the recent Volver by Almodovar, this one is centered particularly on male characters and spans from the adolescent romance of two boys in a a catholic school during the 60s, the obsession of their teacher/priest for one of them to the inevitable complications that arise when one of the boys, Ignacio, turns out to become a transvestite and a drug user. I won't say more about the plot, because there is a twist to it which is only revealed towards the end.
It's not one of my favourite by Almodovar, I much preferred Volver and Todo sobre mi madre (All about my mother), but it was really good nonetheless!

7/10

[kilted exile]

I watched Spygame (Robert Redford & Brad Pitt) a couple of days ago. It was ok, but nothing really special - Redford is good like always & Pitt manages not to ruin it (which is really the best thing you can say about him in most films) I do have a couple of issues with the film however; despite spanning a time period of 23 years the characters do not appear to age much. & Hong Kong is referred to as part of China - Now I am not 100% sure but I am reasonably confident that in 1991 (time at which film is set) Hong Kong was still controlled by the UK.

[manolia]

"El Greco", the film, will be Greek then, with English subtitles, when it does finally make it to DVD? I really hope to see it. Funny, I have a very interesting CD I copied from my library called "El Greco" by Vangelis - I love Vangelis. I think it is one of his best compositions. I wonder if it is the soundtrack recording. I love this CD so much; I just put it on my stereo.

The film will be in english in order to attract wider audience, i guess. I like 'El Greco' by Vangelis too :) . The actor i told you about is a comedian mostly. He is very famous here and even has aweekly show on tv with stand-up comedy. He is sooo funny. He has played a lot of serious part, though. He is very good in both. He is not cute but he has a unique face.



The other film is so entertaining. It is also subtle humor, sort of English humor and very funny with a serious twist to it. Yes, it is Rhodes - they mention the Colossas (SP?) of Rhodes often. The ocean there is so beautiful and the cliffs are really white and interesting. I don't recall seeing a castle. Must watch again to see if I do see it. Maybe the first scenes when the credits are rolling it might be in the castle they are filming the city below. A young and lean Branagh plays Rick, an office type agent/investigator, sent on an outside assignment to the island, because everyone else in the office is down with the flu. In the briefcase, his supervisor gives him, is a pistol and then subltly says to him "you do know how to use a gun, Mr.Lamb?" The expressions again are really funny and make the film. This sets up a little mystery for the adventure and the people he is about to encounter. He tells Rick to just tell his wife it is a second honeymoon. On the island they find out there are no rooms available - seems a lot of British folk infliltrate the island for this weekend for some festival or ? This in itself is quite humorous. Rick and Caroline are put up at Irene Papas' house by persausan from beautiful, Jacqualine Bizet, who they meet on the cliff earlier that day. Papas is a riot and seems to speak only Greek, but one day she slips and she speaks fluid English, but she won't take money from the couple - says "I can't take money from foreigners" very distainfully. She says prayers and lights candles constantly to her dead hero husband (or so she says he was, later you find out the truth). In the meantime her son, Yanni, owns his dad's cheese shop and is bend on modernizing it and calling it Lord Byron's. His mother, by his persauding, is sewing bikinis for the shop to sell to tourists. A lot more goes on, even though it is somewhat slow-paced humor, but this might entice you to see the film. It has some very funny moments!

Thanx for the review. It sounds interesting. I'd like to see Branagh in a comedy again. Besides i like Irene Papas very much. A teriffic actress.

Films i watched during the weekend:
'Summer with Monika' by Bergman 8/10. An excellent film about love.

'The Britannic'. It was entertaining but not something worth mentioning.

[manolia]

Coffee and Cigarettes directed by Jim Jarmusch (2003)
Amongst a long cast: Roberto Benigni, Bill Murray, Iggy Pop, Cate Blanchett, Renee' French....

It's a series of black and white vignettes, each with different characters and a different short story, usually set around coffee and cigarettes. It's quite weird how all the actors actually impersonate themselves, but in completely bizzarre and unexpected situations. The vignettes are more like improvisations, not really related to each other apart from the coffee&cigarettes which are consumed in exceptionally large amounts.
They're all unique, but my favourite vignette has to be the one with the White Stripes pondering over the failed experiment of Jack White on a Tesla coil and Meg giving the solution in a completly serious and blaze' tone. As if complicated experimental instruments is something they do all the time!
8/10


:thumbs_up
A very nice movie!

[papayahed]

Dead Again ~ Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson (both in double roles)

Derek Jacobi, Andy Garcia, Robin Williams

Directed by Kenneth Branagh 1991



One of my favorites as well. I always get eeked out at the part were KB goes to visit Andy Garcia in the nursing home and KB finally gives him a cigarrette.

[Janine]

One of my favorites as well. I always get eeked out at the part were KB goes to visit Andy Garcia in the nursing home and KB finally gives him a cigarrette.

papayahead, I think that scene is hysterical. It is pretty icky though: if you smoked, you would surely give it up when you saw that scene. I once listened to the full commentary turned on viewing the film again. It was great - lots of little tidbits about the film. Branagh, now older, says he could not smoke for anything, when he was younger. He tried and could not, thank heaven, he says. He says now that he is older he does smoke and that maybe seeing this scene again would inspire him to quit. This is what is so amusing to me in "How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog" - there is a scene where KB goes out to take a walk and is hacking away coughing and then hunts through his pockets and lights up, and stops coughing. I crack up everytime I see that, because I know people just like him. Papaya - have you seen this film, too?
I love "Dead Again" - glad someone else appreciates it. First time I saw it I really had no idea what was going to happen, did you? or what the solution to the mystery was? I love films that keep you wondering like that. This one did it for me. Jacobi and Garcia were great and B and T had such wonderful chemistry - sad they broke up eventually. But they both seem happily married now, to other people. They just made such a great film team.


Well, I must be having a Kenneth Branagh week. Last night I watched all 4 hours of:

Shackleton ~

Stars Kenneth Branagh as the famous Antarctic explorer, Matt Day, as Frank Hurley and a lot of other great actors/actresses.

It is one of my favorite survival stories of all times and miniseries. It was directed by Charles Sturridge; I greatly admire his work. The filming of this extraordinary movie so amazing. I always watch the extras on the DVD - they are fascinating with real footage taken by the expeditions photography, Frank Hurley, also a full-length film explaining how they did the film - quite dangerous in itself and fascinating. How these old films/photos survived is in itself a miracle.

As you all probably know, the English explorer, Sir Ernst Shackelton was part of the Scott expedition, but then later went back to Antarctica to attempt to be the first man to reach the South Pole; however he turned back 90 miles from his goal, in order to save his party; had they gone on they would have perished and he knew this. Back in England he learns that this deadly fate awaited Scott and his men because the did not turn back soon enough and were stranded in a blizzard. He also learns that a Norwegian, Amundsum, has reached the South Pole. S then decides to go back and be the first exporer to tranverse the continent. He hopes to bring England glory from this endeavor. What insues is the greatest survival story of all time; he and his crew of 28 men on their ship,The Endurance, are finally stranded in the iceflows and must survive a frozen winter. I don't want to give any more away, since it would ruin the suspense of this exciting tale. Just getting together the funds and men to go was a feat in itself, but S was a very determined man. Later this determination served him well in the aspect of saving his men's lives.

You might want to watch this film over several nights, since it was shown originally on A&E in segments. I prefer to watch it all in one sitting, but it is very long and takes patience. Don't skip parts - all is important to the plot. All the acting is first rate and it was nominated for many awards - see Imdb or awards and nominations. You can read much about it on Amazon. There are also many websites dedicated to the men and the dogs of the Endurance.

I highly recommend this film. Maybe more of a guy film but I think the ladies will appreciate it, also. It is such a unique and amazing story.

[kiz_paws]

Last night I watched all 4 hours of:

Shackleton ~ Stars Kenneth Branagh as the famous Antarctic explorer, Matt Day, as Frank Hurley and a lot of other great actors/actresses.

It is one of my favorite survival stories of all times and miniseries. It was directed by Charles Sturridge; I greatly admire his work. The filming of this extraordinary movie so amazing. I always watch the extras on the DVD - they are fascinating with real footage taken by the expeditions photography, Frank Hurley, also a full-length film explaining how they did the film - quite dangerous in itself and fascinating. How these old films/photos survived is in itself a miracle.

As you all probably know, the English explorer, Sir Ernst Shackelton was part of the Scott expedition, but then later went back to Antarctica to attempt to be the first man to reach the South Pole; however he turned back 90 miles from his goal, in order to save his party; had they gone on they would have perished and he knew this. Back in England he learns that this deadly fate awaited Scott and his men because the did not turn back soon enough and were stranded in a blizzard. He also learns that a Norwegian, Amundsum, has reached the South Pole. S then decides to go back and be the first exporer to tranverse the continent. He hopes to bring England glory from this endeavor. What insues is the greatest survival story of all time; he and his crew of 28 men on their ship,The Endurance, are finally stranded in the iceflows and must survive a frozen winter. I don't want to give any more away, since it would ruin the suspense of this exciting tale. Just getting together the funds and men to go was a feat in itself, but S was a very determined man. Later this determination served him well in the aspect of saving his men's lives.

You might want to watch this film over several nights, since it was shown originally on A&E in segments. I prefer to watch it all in one sitting, but it is very long and takes patience. Don't skip parts - all is important to the plot. All the acting is first rate and it was nominated for many awards - see Imdb or awards and nominations. You can read much about it on Amazon. There are also many websites dedicated to the men and the dogs of the Endurance.

I highly recommend this film. Maybe more of a guy film but I think the ladies will appreciate it, also. It is such a unique and amazing story.

I didn't realize that it was this long -- but no matter, it sounds quite enthralling, and I like movies based on true history. The dog thing will probably choke me up, but it was all done with reverence to the canine, as I have been told, so I just need to brace myself. Anyhow, good review, Janine, I shall surely see this movie (when I get my hands on a copy!).

And vheissu, thank you for your input on the "Coffee and Cigarettes" vignettes. I would be interested to see what that is all about.

[aeroport]

I started watching Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" today, but it was about thirty or forty minutes into it when I came around. I was flipping through channels (truly an event, folks), and I happened upon a scene in which Allen's character is flipping out while talking to a doctor about losing a little bit of his high-decibel hearing. It was positively impossible to change the channel. Then, very soon after, who do I encounter but Michael Caine! It was splendid. I found the adultery story pretty well-coordinated, and I was pretty fascinated with Allen's character throughout - perhaps this was only narcissism, as he really reminds me of myself... Maybe it's like that for everyone.
I can't claim to have a very well-founded review, having missed probably close to a third of it, but I would give it a 9/10.

[Janine]

I started watching Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" today, but it was about thirty or forty minutes into it when I came around. I was flipping through channels (truly an event, folks), and I happened upon a scene in which Allen's character is flipping out while talking to a doctor about losing a little bit of his high-decibel hearing. It was positively impossible to change the channel. Then, very soon after, who do I encounter but Michael Caine! It was splendid. I found the adultery story pretty well-coordinated, and I was pretty fascinated with Allen's character throughout - perhaps this was only narcissism, as he really reminds me of myself... Maybe it's like that for everyone.
I can't claim to have a very well-founded review, having missed probably close to a third of it, but I would give it a 9/10.

Jamesian, Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" - I love this movie and I am dying to see it again. It is funny, hilarious really, true to life, sad and very poignant and so true of sisters - I have two myself. I must get my hands on a copy - it has been years and I think about this film often; I honestly do - some scenes just stayed with me. Yes, great to see Michael Caine in this film. I can't recall who else is in it - Mia Farreh, I am sure.
J, rent the film and see the entire thing - you will love it!

Kiz_paws, I just watched "Shackleton" and part of the extras last night. Tonight I watched the rest of the extras and it is well worth it to do so. It might take you a couple of nights, but you will be fascinated with the history and pictures of the early explorers of the South Pole and the actual footage of the Shackleton expedition. There are two excellent full-length documentaries included in the 3 disk set. Antarctica is so beautiful, really breathtaking, colorful are the icebergs in one of these documentaries.
In the film, Branagh really takes on the persona of the real Shackleton; in some photos he even slightly resembles him. Funny since S and B were both born in Ireland and moved to England when they were about 9 yrs old. There are other parallels to their backgrounds.
And you can't beat meticulous direction by Charles Sturridge; he did "Brideshead Revisited", "Longitude", "Guliver's Travels", not to mention other great stuff for A&E.

[megan_m]

Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film For Theatres

7 out of 10

[Mark F.]

Golden Door 9/10

Crialese's new film. The first part is a bit too long but the film as a whole is brilliant. It's about a Sicilian family emigrating to the USA, and about emigration generally. There's an experimental side to this film, some very surrealistic scenes and shots, that has become very scarce in modern cinema. Reminded me of Fellini in a way. The last shot is magnificent. Second really good film I've seen in 2007 with Bug.

[kiz_paws]

Kiz_paws, I just watched "Shackleton" and part of the extras last night. Tonight I watched the rest of the extras and it is well worth it to do so. It might take you a couple of nights, but you will be fascinated with the history and pictures of the early explorers of the South Pole and the actual footage of the Shackleton expedition. There are two excellent full-length documentaries included in the 3 disk set. Antarctica is so beautiful, really breathtaking, colorful are the icebergs in one of these documentaries.
In the film, Branagh really takes on the persona of the real Shackleton; in some photos he even slightly resembles him. Funny since S and B were both born in Ireland and moved to England when they were about 9 yrs old. There are other parallels to their backgrounds.
And you can't beat meticulous direction by Charles Sturridge; he did "Brideshead Revisited", "Longitude", "Guliver's Travels", not to mention other great stuff for A&E.

I figured that I would indeed divide watching this movie into two nights, as it is a nice juicy long movie (but I cannot sit still that long, lol). But I can't wait to see it, thanks for your review! :)

[Janine]

Kiz, did you see any of the other Charles Sturridge miniseries? He also did "Fairies, a True Story". I really like that film. Note: his wife plays Shackleton's wife in this film - Emily. She appears in "Fairies", "Brideshead", and Gulliver". If you watch the extra making of the film - you will like him - he is very personable and funny and nice, and of course, really, really brilliant - has a quick silver mind. In Sh he had to change his filming plans quite often due to conditions, etc. He amazes me as a director.


Well, last night I saw a film I own and have seen before:

Passage to India ~ Based on the E.M.Forster book of the same name.

Stars Peggy Ashcroft, Judy Davis, James Fox, Alec Guinnes, Victor Banerjee

This movie is a classic and very close to the book, but has a character of it's own. It stands quite alone as a great film. David Lean the director has done such noteworthy films as "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge Over the River Kwai". The cinematography in this film is wonderful. I love one scene when they go to the Madabar caves and they are riding a decorated and painted elephant with the background of a stark gray rock face. Also, the colors of India are lovely and so well displayed throughout the film. The land is amazing with the most majestic mountains and scenery. I love the man who plays Aziz and Judy Davis does a great job in her role as a young girl come to India from England and rather naive. Likewise commendable are the fine performances by Peggy Ascroft, James Fox and Alec Guiness. The extra footage on the DVD, with remarks by Lean, are very nice and reveal interesting things about the film and the actors. David Lean is a perceptive man and brilliant in this interview. Highly recommend this film. It has class and was nominated for 11 awards. I would rate it highly.
I love Forster's novel and have most of the films based on them. Hope to get a few more. I try to collect good adaptations of books I particularly like.

[TEND]

Jamesian
Kiz_paws, I just watched "Shackleton" and part of the extras last night. Tonight I watched the rest of the extras and it is well worth it to do so. It might take you a couple of nights, but you will be fascinated with the history and pictures of the early explorers of the South Pole and the actual footage of the Shackleton expedition. There are two excellent full-length documentaries included in the 3 disk set. Antarctica is so beautiful, really breathtaking, colorful are the icebergs in one of these documentaries.
In the film, Branagh really takes on the persona of the real Shackleton; in some photos he even slightly resembles him. Funny since S and B were both born in Ireland and moved to England when they were about 9 yrs old. There are other parallels to their backgrounds.
And you can't beat meticulous direction by Charles Sturridge; he did "Brideshead Revisited", "Longitude", "Guliver's Travels", not to mention other great stuff for A&E.

Theres a Shackleton movie starring Kenneth Branagh? Oh my god! How come nobody told me about it? I may never see it, but I would love to, always been fascinated with Shackleton since hearing "Our Retired Explorer" :p . Plus who doesn't love Branagh?

Oh and the last movie I saw was "Blades of Glory." Not exactly the most mind numbing, heart touching movie out there, but I was actually rather entertained (I sometimes have quite shallow humour).

[Janine]

Theres a Shackleton movie starring Kenneth Branagh? Oh my god! How come nobody told me about it? I may never see it, but I would love to, always been fascinated with Shackleton since hearing "Our Retired Explorer" :p . Plus who doesn't love Branagh?

Oh and the last movie I saw was "Blades of Glory." Not exactly the most mind numbing, heart touching movie out there, but I was actually rather entertained (I sometimes have quite shallow humour).

Tend, I am a big fan too of both Shackleton history and Ken Branagh. Yes, indeed there is a miniseries film and it is extraordinary in my opinion. I bought mine off of Amazon and last I saw it was not that expensive for the 3 disk set - it has tons of extras on the third disk - so it is well worth the price.
Oh my goodness, if you love Branagh you have to see this film! Well of course he is older in the film, but he still exudes such charm and likability. If you read back a number of posts I have written up a whole thing about the film. Actually I have written several posts about it to Kiz. She is interested in seeing it soon. See post #1616 for full Shackleton review.
I highly recommend seeing all the disks and all the extras, too. That will take some time, but if you are like me you will get addicted to the story. I have now read about 3 books on the expedition and I bought a huge coffee-table size book with fabulous pictures by Frank Hurley, the Australian expedition photographer; it is a miracle, in itself, that these photos and films survived.

*Here's a tidbit. When Sturridge asked Ken to star in the role he had no script and no backers yet, and Ken immediately accepted the role. It is good he did, he was up for an emmy for his fine portrayal. I was sorry he did not win - but sometimes they don't have good taste; forget who beat him out that year. Also, Ken meet his second wife while filming Shackleton. Is that cool or what? She is on the extra disk - "Making of ....", assistent art director, I think.

Tend, I just checked Amazon. In the US you can order it for 9.32 from a seller and they have 99% positive - says brand new. Here's the main link to the film in Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Shackleton-Greatest-Survival-3-Disc-Collectors/dp/B000063TON/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1552490-9409746?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1176758836&sr=1-1

"Blades of Glory" - Tend, who stars in that film and how old is it? I know I have heard of it before.

[Niamh]

:wave: Hi Janine! Just popped in to say hello and that i hope you are better!
La Gra! Niamh

[Janine]

:wave: Hi Janine! Just popped in to say hello and that i hope you are better!
La Gra! Niamh

Niamh, I have missed you so much. Thanks so much for asking 'bout my health. I am better, but not all better yet. This lousy damp weather we are having her certainly is not helping matters. Today it is rainy, cold and windy....just awful. Many people have flooded basements, including Virgil....poor guy.
Now it is my stomach that keeps bothering me, etc. system is all upset - think it started with the antibiotics....never again! How about you? Are you feeling better? My good friend, who lives about 20 miles from here, but I have not seen in person - only computer chat has the virus now - she says we did not have good enough firewall protection on our computers:lol: Take care ~ J:)

[kiz_paws]

Kiz, did you see any of the other Charles Sturridge miniseries? He also did "Fairies, a True Story". I really like that film. Note: his wife plays Shackleton's wife in this film - Emily. She appears in "Fairies", "Brideshead", and Gulliver". If you watch the extra making of the film - you will like him - he is very personable and funny and nice, and of course, really, really brilliant - has a quick silver mind. In Sh he had to change his filming plans quite often due to conditions, etc. He amazes me as a director.
No, I think I need to get my head out of my piano, lol! (I don't really watch a whole lot of tv or movies, unless my hubby and I watch something together) :)


p.s. TEND, we live in the same city, lol!

Janine, please take care of yourself, you are too nice to be sick! :)

[Janine]

No, I think I need to get my head out of my piano, lol! (I don't really watch a whole lot of tv or movies, unless my hubby and I watch something together) :)


p.s. TEND, we live in the same city, lol!

Janine, please take care of yourself, you are too nice to be sick! :)

Kiz, Well, piano sounds wonderful to me. You must be really good. I love piano music, lovely to have such talent.
How funny, I was wondering if you could live there, same place as Tend. You see my former dentist was from there and told me about it - said it was so cold in the winter. He was the nicest, cutest young dentist. I loved talking to him, but he moved on and now I see someone else.:bawling:
Have a great night, Kiz!

[kiz_paws]

Kiz, Well, piano sounds wonderful to me. You must be really good. I love piano music, lovely to have such talent.
How funny, I was wondering if you could live there, same place as Tend. You see my former dentist was from there and told me about it - said it was so cold in the winter. He was the nicest, cutest young dentist. I loved talking to him, but he moved on and now I see someone else.:bawling:
Have a great night, Kiz!

Well, I dearly love my piano, and I daresay that I am 'good' but practice is part of my daily regime, lol (Chopin is my favorite).

Your dentist did not tell fibs -- yes indeedy-doo, it is cold here in winter, I am sure that TEND can back me up, lol!

And what is with these cute dentists that move on like this! Despite my being married, there is something nice about having an attractive dentist attending to one's pearly whites...lol! You take care, too, Janine! :)

[TEND]

Veeeery cold :cold::D . There is actually one more member from Winnipeg on here as well, quite the literary city we possess I suppose.

[Reccura]

Hello, Tend! :p
If you're sooo cold, then you must come here and experience an alienetic weather. IT'S BURNING HOT!!!!!! 32 degrees, to be exact. And Lain's about her modelling career outside, and it's very hot. I can't believe I'm still alive after this.

[Janine]

Well, I dearly love my piano, and I daresay that I am 'good' but practice is part of my daily regime, lol (Chopin is my favorite).

Your dentist did not tell fibs -- yes indeedy-doo, it is cold here in winter, I am sure that TEND can back me up, lol!

And what is with these cute dentists that move on like this! Despite my being married, there is something nice about having an attractive dentist attending to one's pearly whites...lol! You take care, too, Janine! :)

I love Chopin - shows your deep moody side, Kiz. Piano has such pathos to it I think and so much passion. I do love piano and Chopin, Beethoven, etc. Also, I especially love ballet classical music and I am appreciating opera more and more, although I only view them on DVD, no live ones yet.

Yes, I was quite broken up to hear that my cute dentist was leaving to go into private practice. Having no dental insurance, I go to a university dental school clinic and he was assigned my dentist for about a year. He was adorable and even sang while he worked on my pearlies - how cool is that? Also, he loved talking about books, movies, etc. I think I actually loved going to the dentist that entire year. He made my poor old heart beat faster.:lol: But he said it was way too cold up your way, Kiz and Tend!:cold:frigid! Interesting that there is 3 from your town on Lit Net.

Tend, did you check out the information I left you on "Shackleton"? I am sure you would enjoy the film and the extra documentaries about the actual man/men of the Endurance crew and other explorers of the Antarctic. The set is well worth purchasing.

Hi Recura, could you please package up some of that warm air and send it to me in New Jersey, USA? It is too cold here for this spring season. I love hot weather and can't wait till it comes and I can wear shorts again. Say hi to Lain and Toni for me; I have not seen them around lately or in Haiku. I, too, am one of three sisters - how nice it is:)

Forgot to list the movie I watched tonight - a change for me, but still a ship/sea film ~

The Hunt for Red October ~

stars Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neil, James Earl Jones, and a lot of other noteworthy stars.

Great suspenseful film! Intricate plot. Interesting sequence of events. I have seen this film several times before; best when it was first viewed because the suspense is more enhanced on first viewing. Based on the Tom Clancy book. Very well done and gripping.

Where is everybody - all the movie/film buffs? I miss you all!

Now this is earth shattering - *I did not watched a movie last night!*

PS: but today I will go to my library and stock up, so I will be viewing tonight. Hope I can get something good.

Kiz, your husband would like the Shackleton film - it's kind of a guy film - survival and comradery, etc.

[manolia]

'Saving Private Ryan'-Spielberg 7/10. Nice movie (especially the first 15 min) but i have seen much better war movies.

'Alien 4'...since i love the first 3 movies (especially the first which gets a 10/10 from me) and Alien is my fav movie monster..i prefer not to rate the unfortunate 4th sequel.

[Janine]

'Saving Private Ryan'-Spielberg 7/10. Nice movie (especially the first 15 min) but i have seen much better war movies.

'Alien 4'...since i love the first 3 movies (especially the first which gets a 10/10 from me) and Alien is my fav movie monster..i prefer not to rate the unfortunate 4th sequel.

manolia, Funny I was just at the library and saw it sitting on the shelf - it is always calling out to me *watch me, watch me, give me a chance* - of course referring to the legendary war film (or so people have told me) 'Saving Private Ryan'. I am glad you brought this up tonight, because I have heard this same remark every once in awhile, between the rave reviews. I know I have to watch this film to fully judge, be impartial. I keep putting it off. I think now I shall get it out on the weekend. It has been on my 'must see' list way too long.

Well, M, by the time you come to a 4th sequel, I don't think it would be so good. Not many films can hold out that long - remember Jaws? Interesting that Alien is your fav movie monster. I don't think I even have one.

[Janine]

Ok, library provided me with two new films....watched one tonight...

an inconvenient truth ~ directed by Davis Guggenheim ~ starring Al Gore

Here is what Roger Ebert wrote:
In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are. You owe it to yourself to see this film.

I thought this film was well-done and really frightening. The scientific informaton was presented very professionally and precisely. There was much solid evidence to support all the theories. Anyone professing that global warming is a 'hoax' has to have their head buried in the sand. It was not too hard to comprehend the facts/results and the why/how of all these adverse changes to our environments. This fine film opened my eyes to many aspects of global warming and the dire chain of events that threaten our planet. Truly educational, but it did sadden me greatly as to what man/civilization has done thoughtlessly to our precious planet earth. I hope and pray it is not too late to reverse the dire effects of global warming. Everyone world wide should view this film and be aware of what can be done, because otherwise someday it could be too late to act.

[Virgil]

I thought this film was well-done and really frightening. The scientific informaton was presented very professionally and precisely. There was much solid evidence to support all the theories. .
You mean the evidence that the movie projects of oceans rising 24 feet? The worst prediction of the many real climatologist have is 17 inches. That's right inches. So do you think the movie is a little erroneous? All art is an act of manipulating the audience. You have been manipulated.


Anyone professing that global warming is a 'hoax' has to have their head buried in the sand.
Perhaps not a hoax, but what is not clear is just how much is natural and how much is man made. And at what point does it level off. The earth in its history has varied in temperature by as much as five degrees. This supposed global warming shows we have gone up a fraction of a degree in a hundred years (and I'm assuming this is true, but who knows; how can we measure the temperature of the entire earth to less than one degree accuracy and know what it was to that accuracy a hundred years ago?) and did you know that in the 1970s climatologists were predicting that the earth was headed for an ice age? This is like caffeine is bad for you one day, then good for you another, and then neutral; and that margerine is better than butter, and then butter is better than margerine, and now you have smart margerine. Do you get my drift? This is a political movie made by a politician.


it could be too late to act.
Come on, this is hypochondira, or as someone put it eco-chondria. To act requires enormous expense. Don't you think one should be sure? I haven't seen any affects of the fraction of a degree that has gone up.

Sorry Janine, this is a pet peeve.

[SleepyWitch]

You mean the evidence that the movie projects of oceans rising 24 feet? The worst prediction of the many real climatologist have is 17 inches. That's right inches. So do you think the movie is a little erroneous? All art is an act of manipulating the audience. You have been manipulated.


Perhaps not a hoax, but what is not clear is just how much is natural and how much is man made. And at what point does it level off. The earth in its history has varied in temperature by as much as five degrees. This supposed global warming shows we have gone up a fraction of a degree in a hundred years (and I'm assuming this is true, but who knows; how can we measure the temperature of the entire earth to less than one degree accuracy and know what it was to that accuracy a hundred years ago?) and did you know that in the 1970s climatologists were predicting that the earth was headed for an ice age? This is like caffeine is bad for you one day, then good for you another, and then neutral; and that margerine is better than butter, and then butter is better than margerine, and now you have smart margerine. Do you get my drift? This is a political movie made by a politician.


Come on, this is hypochondira, or as someone put it eco-chondria. To act requires enormous expense. Don't you think one should be sure? I haven't seen any affects of the fraction of a degree that has gone up.

Sorry Janine, this is a pet peeve.

hehe, Uncle Virgil you're so predictable.
there was a meta-study recently that compared hundreds and thousands of studies on global warming to find out how many scientists believe it is happening and how many believe it was a hoax. It turned out that those who think it is a hoax are a small minority but they manage to clamour very loudly and draw a lot of attention to themselves.
if you want to know how they can measure the temperature of the earth thousands of years back, watch the film.

er... some politicians claim global warming is a hoax... they are politicians,too.. so what's the difference between them saying it's a hoax and Al Gore saying it's not a hoax?

hehe, i'd better shut up now, otherwise we'll be at each other's throats in no time :):D

i watched that film, too, and give it a 10/10

[manolia]

manolia, Funny I was just at the library and saw it sitting on the shelf - it is always calling out to me *watch me, watch me, give me a chance* - of course referring to the legendary war film (or so people have told me) 'Saving Private Ryan'. I am glad you brought this up tonight, because I have heard this same remark every once in awhile, between the rave reviews. I know I have to watch this film to fully judge, be impartial. I keep putting it off. I think now I shall get it out on the weekend. It has been on my 'must see' list way too long.

It was in my 'must watch' list too, untill i watched it a few months ago for the first time. I've seen many war movies and this one doesn't make it to the top list (among let's say 'The Deerhunter', 'Apocalypse now', 'Cross of iron', 'Schidler's list' etc) but this means nothing since the movie is good in every aspect. The first 15 min are very realistic, like actually being in a battlefield and can be really schoking or repulsive (depends on the viewer). If you have a good dolby suround system you'll see what i mean. The casting for the film was really good (although i personally don't like Matt Damon that much, but that's just me) since Tom Hanks is the leading man.



Well, M, by the time you come to a 4th sequel, I don't think it would be so good. Not many films can hold out that long - remember Jaws? Interesting that Alien is your fav movie monster. I don't think I even have one.

I guees you are right. Same with 'Jaw's. I've seen all the sequels just for the sake of watching them (to have the complete picture).
As for the Alien, i liked the artwork prior to the movie. I also like Sigourney Weaver so much.

[manolia]

Ok, library provided me with two new films....watched one tonight...

an inconvenient truth ~ directed by Davis Guggenheim ~ starring Al Gore

Here is what Roger Ebert wrote:
In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are. You owe it to yourself to see this film.

I thought this film was well-done and really frightening. The scientific informaton was presented very professionally and precisely. There was much solid evidence to support all the theories. Anyone professing that global warming is a 'hoax' has to have their head buried in the sand. It was not too hard to comprehend the facts/results and the why/how of all these adverse changes to our environments. This fine film opened my eyes to many aspects of global warming and the dire chain of events that threaten our planet. Truly educational, but it did sadden me greatly as to what man/civilization has done thoughtlessly to our precious planet earth. I hope and pray it is not too late to reverse the dire effects of global warming. Everyone world wide should view this film and be aware of what can be done, because otherwise someday it could be too late to act.

I definately must see this one. I've only watched a trailer and it had excited my interest. I've seen plenty of documentary films which cope with the same subject and i agree with what Sleepy says in her post (concerning the scientists).
Thanx for the review :)

[SleepyWitch]

PS: Al Gore is no longer running for any political office, so even if we don't agree with his views (that's a polite 'we' :) ) we can safely assume he's no longer using this topic to boost his career but out of genuine concern for humanity's life on this planet.

[Virgil]

hehe, Uncle Virgil you're so predictable.
there was a meta-study recently that compared hundreds and thousands of studies on global warming to find out how many scientists believe it is happening and how many believe it was a hoax. It turned out that those who think it is a hoax are a small minority but they manage to clamour very loudly and draw a lot of attention to themselves.
if you want to know how they can measure the temperature of the earth thousands of years back, watch the film.

er... some politicians claim global warming is a hoax... they are politicians,too.. so what's the difference between them saying it's a hoax and Al Gore saying it's not a hoax?

hehe, i'd better shut up now, otherwise we'll be at each other's throats in no time :):D

i watched that film, too, and give it a 10/10

I didn't say it was a hoax and nor is the opposition saying it is a hoax. That is a strawman argument. The question is how much is natural versues man-made, whether it is a problem at all, whether it levels off, and whether the cost of a solution is worthwhile.

And don't give me this crap that the oceans are going to rise 24 feet (732 cm). That is a lie. Worst case prediction (which I don't believe anyway) is 17 inches (43 cm). Do you understand the lie here: 732 cm predicted in the movie while worst case is 43 cm predicted by scientists. The movie was political manipulation.

[Mark F.]

Ok, library provided me with two new films....watched one tonight...

an inconvenient truth ~ directed by Davis Guggenheim ~ starring Al Gore

Here is what Roger Ebert wrote:
In 39 years, I have never written these words in a movie review, but here they are. You owe it to yourself to see this film.

I thought this film was well-done and really frightening. The scientific informaton was presented very professionally and precisely. There was much solid evidence to support all the theories. Anyone professing that global warming is a 'hoax' has to have their head buried in the sand. It was not too hard to comprehend the facts/results and the why/how of all these adverse changes to our environments. This fine film opened my eyes to many aspects of global warming and the dire chain of events that threaten our planet. Truly educational, but it did sadden me greatly as to what man/civilization has done thoughtlessly to our precious planet earth. I hope and pray it is not too late to reverse the dire effects of global warming. Everyone world wide should view this film and be aware of what can be done, because otherwise someday it could be too late to act.

One of the worst documentaries I have ever seen. The directing is simply awful, trying to pass it off as live footage while everything is evidently staged (and yes I remember saying the same thing concerning Borat but it didn't serve the same purpose). The film barely touches upon Global warming, check out any half-decent internet site and you'll be better informed than by this pos. I left the cinema feeling raped by this ode to Al Gore's life.

Good documentaries : Grizzly Man, Bowling For Columbine, Bukowski : Born into this

This one is horrible, what matters isn't the subject, it's the way the director treats the subject. In this case with too much awe and veneration.

[Janine]

Funny, to some extend, I agree on both sides of this issue, but I certainly don't take Global warming lightly, and I do believe it exists. The way they can determine the temperatures of the earth is in the Antactic with core samples taken by scientists; I have seen this in countless other films to back up this data that is shown in this film. In fact I have seen many other films that were excellent and more informative than this one on Global Warming and the predicted ice-age Virgil speaks of. But one has to believe that all this poluting of our earth will ultimately have a some kind of dire effect. How can you overlook that? I knew that years ago. The ego systems are being affected and this is not normal and it is not a regular occurance.

Virgil, I think you should watch this film, before you criticise it. I tried to watch it myself with an open-mind. I have a friend who is just like you , V, about these matters and he and I argue all the time on the phone about it.

The film may be contrived in someways and if you dislike Gore you may not like it, because you don't trust him, etc., but he does keep stressing this is not a political issue, it is a moral one. The basic truths are still there in his gathered and well researched evidence.
I agree that some of the filming was not that impressive or the direction lacked something. I was mostly interested in the flow charts and the scientitic information. What I found very startling was the state of Greenland and also the comparrison photos of places such as famous mountain regions now devoid of ice, snow, etc. If you doubt all of this you can go online and do further research. My friend in Michigan even joined a discussion group about the film in her community. Some places have these and you could join and air your opinions and concerns.

[SleepyWitch]

Funny, to some extend, I agree on both sides of this issue, but I certainly don't take Global warming lightly, and I do believe it exists. The way they can determine the temperatures of the earth is in the Antactic with core samples taken by scientists; I have seen this in countless other films to back up this data that is shown in this film. In fact I have seen many other films that were excellent and more informative than this one on Global Warming and the predicted ice-age Virgil speaks of. But one has to believe that all this poluting of our earth will ultimately have a some kind of dire effect. How can you overlook that? I knew that years ago. The ego systems are being affected and this is not normal and it is not a regular occurance.


yep, my Geography professor's say the same and they are generally critical of the sci-fi end-of-the-world-scenarious like in "The Day after tomorrow"...

edit:
Uncle Virg, I'm sure you'll have heard this a million times before, but saving engergy does NOT mean accepting a lower standard of living. what's so tragic about all of this is that today we have the ability and technical means to enjoy a high standard of living and live environmentally friendly at the same time, but we don't do it.
I'm sure it would be very interesting for you as an engineer, too, coz there are loads of new developments in technology.

Mark, you are right that the explanations and info in the film can be read up on the net or in books. Probably this film has zero new information for a well-educated person like you, but I think it's very different for the masses of the US (and to some extend also German) population. many of them (if they have watched the film at all) will have heard for the first time that it's not a good idea to set your heating to "full blaze" while the windows are open etc.

[Virgil]

I didn't question whether the movie was good or bad. I don't know nor do I care. Well, this is a thread on movies. If you want to talk science, we can do so elsewhere. In fact i bring up some arguments in this God is Green thread: http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22451&highlight=green. If you want to talk politics - and no matter what you say this movie is politics - we're not allowed to. So enjoy and go on with your eco-chondrias ("oh my, the temperature went up half a degree, the world is coming to an end").

[SleepyWitch]

hehe, look who's talking..
well i do agree it's a good idea to break this discussion off now before it really veers off into a political debate.

[Janine]

Absolutely agree with last two posters - some people could get in trouble here. Tempers can flair. Things can get out of hand so easily. Better to shake hands and depart. Sorry I mentioned the film at all. Let it go and let it die now. If you want to see the film see it, if you don't want to don't - if you want to believe the whole thing do and if not, don't. It is nothing to me or anyone else on here....right?

Now what new films has anyone seen lately?

[Virgil]

Come on ladies, you don't want to see me explode, go pop, and get booted off. :lol: :D Remember I'm Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know. :D

No I'm not exploding. :p

[TEND]

I saw "Once Upon a Time in America," on Monday I believe after looking forward to it more months. Well worth the wait, it took what I loved about Once Upon a Time in the West, the beautiful visuals, a wonderful soundtrack by Morricone and a seamless combination of the two. There were some gorgeous scenes, that I have since rewatched many times (the same way I've done with OUaTitW). Top notch acting from De Niro and Woods as expected, more schoking to me was the great job done by the young actors portraying the gang in the 1920 scenes, they were great and created some very touching scenes.
It had a fantastic narrative, that kept you wondering how, or why something happened earlier and trying to find out as the movie progressed. Roger Ebert said in his review that 'you never lose trust in the narrative,' and thats entirely true, there are points where it may seem confusing or you may have trouble understanding why or how something happened, but I had utter confidence that it would be resolved so I continued watching intently. There have been movies where halfway through you could realize, theres no way I'm gonna understand this thing at the end.
It was one of the best movies I've seen, well ever, it's a longer movie 229 minutes I believe so just over 4 hours, but I would highly recommend it, and I think it should definitely be watched straight through, no 2 hours here and 2 hours tommorow. A great final statement from a great director.

[Nightshade]

I saw Equilibrium recently.... I enjoyed even though it was a bit of same old same old story wise. Paternalistic goverment in postacoplyctic setting... brainwashing resistance movment, people win in the end..well k thats not so normal.

All in all a good film but the ending left me a bit :confused: I mean if they didnt tell everyone that 'Father' was just a figurehead whats to stop the next person say the resistance deciding to use it/him.

7/10

[Janine]

Tend, thank you for your wonderful review. I just saw this film on the shelf in my library. Who directed it? I love Morricone scores. Is it strictly a ganster film? It looked interesting to me, although I don't like ganster films much, but it all depends on the quality of the film direction. I like having a thoughful narration, so that part of your review interested me.

I am like you, I don't like to break up long films - one loses the momentum and mood of the film with two nights watching. I think it is more intelligent to watch it all at once. I do that often with miniseries/dramas.

Thanks again for your thoughful review - well written and expressed!

[Bakiryu]

Just watched the movie Beautiful, it was...well, beautiful I crieds. *blush*
I also saw THE BOURNED SUPREMACY and THE BOURNE IDENTITY, go jason bourne, you rock! *rants on*

[grace86]

I recently saw The Perfect Stranger. I don't like Halle Barry but I like Bruce Willis as a bad guy so I went and saw it. Surprisingly she did a pretty good job and the movie kept me entertained. I like the ending.

8/10

[Janine]

Just watched the movie Beautiful, it was...well, beautiful I crieds. *blush*
I also saw THE BOURNED SUPREMACY and THE BOURNE IDENTITY, go jason bourne, you rock! *rants on*

Bakiryu, I did not see "Beautiful" but sure sounds beautiful! I did, however, see the other two films and found them suspenseful and enjoyable, totally. Yes, Jason rocks! I like Matt Daimen - I probably spelled that wrong.

[rony]

yesterday I saw ( oliver Twist ) movie it was great as all the novels of Charles Dickens which full of suspence

[TEND]

Tend, thank you for your wonderful review. I just saw this film on the shelf in my library. Who directed it? I love Morricone scores. Is it strictly a ganster film? It looked interesting to me, although I don't like ganster films much, but it all depends on the quality of the film direction. I like having a thoughful narration, so that part of your review interested me.

I am like you, I don't like to break up long films - one loses the momentum and mood of the film with two nights watching. I think it is more intelligent to watch it all at once. I do that often with miniseries/dramas.

Thanks again for your thoughful review - well written and expressed!

It was directed by Sergio Leone, most well known for westerns so this is a bit of a departure. Though it is a gangster movie, it is very intelligent there are some parts which are a bit "questionable" I'm sure you'll be able to identify them yourself, but it's really a fantastic story and of course a gorgeous film, as far as visuals go and once again, Morricone composing the bulk of the soundtrack.

[Janine]

It was directed by Sergio Leone, most well known for westerns so this is a bit of a departure. Though it is a gangster movie, it is very intelligent there are some parts which are a bit "questionable" I'm sure you'll be able to identify them yourself, but it's really a fantastic story and of course a gorgeous film, as far as visuals go and once again, Morricone composing the bulk of the soundtrack.

Thanks, TEND, I will keep that in mind. I like Morricone scores. He did the score for "Days of Heaven" directed by Terrance Mallick. He also uses slow-paced thoughtful intelligent narration and gorgeous cinematography and photography (visuals). I really liked the film "Days of Heaven". Ever see it?

[Janine]

Marie Antoinette ~ directed by Sophia Coppola starring Kirsten Dunst

This film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola's daughter Sophia; she also wrote the screenplay. You may recall that she won an Oscar for "Lost in Translation" (screenplay), which actually I was quite ambivalent about. Still not sure to this day if I really liked that film.
Marie Antoinette is a period film, but it has a contemporary feel and look to it. It was actually filmed in the Palace of Versailles and in the magnificent grounds and gardens - truly spectacular! Although the sets are authentic looking enough and the costuming, as well - the palette is toned down to become a sort of youthful world of elaborate eye-candy, much use of soft beautiful pastel colors that blend artistically; then occasional bright or dark colors to indicate older characters or the old world. The soft colors and beautifully designed dresses, etc. are wonderful to see and to watch the movie is definitely a rare artistic treat. Some frames look just like fine paintings. The filming is also really commendable; lighting, etc. is extraodinary.
Coppola does some innovative things with contemporary music interspersed throughout the story. I was not sure I liked this aspect. I am usually a purist, when it comes to period adaptations, but actually I think it did work here to bring a youthful teenage atmosphere and mood to the film, and at times a feeling of the absurdity and lavish over-the-top farcical world of the French aristocracy in that time in history. The story was taken from a book, a contemporary novel about the famous and beautiful woman, who at age 14 was through into this non-private world of royalty. The film mostly is a concentration on her early youthful existence. I think this film would appeal to young people more than older adult, but I found it enjoyable enough not to be bored, although perhaps a little silly or unreal at times.
Kirsten Dunst did a fine job in the role and she never looked more beautiful or stunning than in this film, in my opinion. When need be she shows the sadness behind the mask of assuming such a role in life, so although the story feels very frolicsome for a long time, it later takes on more significance and depth. It never ventures too deeply though, I think, until perhaps very close to the last scenes.
I think the photography of the lavishness of the clothing and the food and the palace make those characters of their own in the film. You will especially love seeing the incredibly beautiful, elaborate and absolutely delectable foods and dishes the French would partake of each and every day. Those really go over the top and are so much fun to view, there is one scene with music that is great, which also involves designer shows and fantastic desserts. You will be hunting for something yummy to snack on. It is a very elaborate and pretty film. I don't think it relies heavily on plot, and what plot there is in rather incohesive and sketchy. The plot is not very intricate in my eyes, and reveals nothing much political about the king and queen. However, if you take it for what it is - entertaining - this film is enjoyable to view for those reasons. I would probably give it a high mark for set/design/costuming 10/10, and a lower one for plot/story, 7/10.

[SleepyWitch]

Come on ladies, you don't want to see me explode, go pop, and get booted off. :lol: :D Remember I'm Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to Know. :D

No I'm not exploding. :p

ah, get off it Uncle Virg. I'm sure we evil feminists could cope with your temper and out-mad and -bad you, but the mods wouldn't like it at all :) :)

i watched The Queen the other day. 10/10
it's weird to see pics of the real queen now, because she doesn't look like the actress and I have to remind myself that this is the real queen, not the other way round :)

we also watched John&Jane, a documenatary about Indians working at call centers 10/10

[Janine]

ah, get off it Uncle Virg. I'm sure we evil feminists could cope with your temper and out-mad and -bad you, but the mods wouldn't like it at all :) :)

i watched The Queen the other day. 10/10
it's weird to see pics of the real queen now, because she doesn't look like the actress and I have to remind myself that this is the real queen, not the other way round :)

we also watched John&Jane, a documenatary about Indians working at call centers 10/10

Sleepwitch, yeah poor Virgil:( We could have had some fun, but like you said the mods would never have permitted it. Better we ended that environmental film discussion before it got overheated.

I am dying to see "The Queen"! I am just waiting for my library to get it in. I laughed when you said that now you have to remind yourself she is the real queen, not Helen Mirren, the actress. I do this kind of thing all the time. Good actors/actresses can really take on the persona of the person or at least who we envision the person to be. Was it really good? I heard it was great from a friend of mine who saw it in the theater - did you see it on DVD or in the theater, too?

"John & Jane" also sounds interesting. I had never heard of it before. I like documentaries a lot.

[SleepyWitch]

Sleepwitch, yeah poor Virgil:( We could have had some fun, but like you said the mods would never have permitted it. Better we ended that environmental film discussion before it got overheated.

I am dying to see "The Queen"! I am just waiting for my library to get it in. I laughed when you said that now you have to remind yourself she is the real queen, not Helen Mirren, the actress. I do this kind of thing all the time. Good actors/actresses can really take on the persona of the person or at least who we envision the person to be. Was it really good? I heard it was great from a friend of mine who saw it in the theater - did you see it on DVD or in the theater, too?

"John & Jane" also sounds interesting. I had never heard of it before. I like documentaries a lot.

yep, I watched The Queen at the cinema... it took our foreign languages cinema forever to play it (in English.. the dubbed version was on last year) and when it was finally on they only played it for a week and we didn't have time but now it's on again...

[kiz_paws]

Wow, such an exciting thread, it is fun to read all the entries when one has not been in tune with this thread lately, lol!

Well, I watched March Of the Penguins (again) and was deeply touched (again).

I love this movie and if ever I want to get in touch with humanity/living things, I feel compelled to watch this incredible and deeply touching movie.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s122/kiz_paws/penguins.jpg
Humbly yours
Kiz_paws

[markymark]

Actually I am in the process of watching Dead Poets Society, it is a great movie, Robin Williams is a great actor.

[Janine]

Wow, such an exciting thread, it is fun to read all the entries when one has not been in tune with this thread lately, lol!

Well, I watched March Of the Penguins (again) and was deeply touched (again).

I love this movie and if ever I want to get in touch with humanity/living things, I feel compelled to watch this incredible and deeply touching movie.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s122/kiz_paws/penguins.jpg
Humbly yours
Kiz_paws

Kiz, I loved this film! I love that photo, too! Ah, sweet. You described the film so well with your last line. I made my mother and sister watch it and they both loved it. It has it's sad moments, doesn't it? But it is such a beautiful film, about the cycles of the penquin's life and reproduction. Did you watch the extras on the DVD if you saw it on disk? The making of the film is a film all in itself - what brave men to go and make such a difficult movie!
There are lots of penquins in the "Shackleton" film. In one scene some of the crew members are on the iceflow playing a bango and singing and along comes the penquins and they just love it; they look as though they are dancing, then alternating by sledding with their bodies along the snow. Your piano could really get them going!
If you liked this film, did you ever see "Winged Migration" ? It is a stunning nature film and it will amaze you. Also, the music is so lovely and relaxing. The film is a total delight to watch.

[Janine]

Actually I am in the process of watching Dead Poets Society, it is a great movie, Robin Williams is a great actor.

markymark, this is one of my all time favorite films. It is great and the end will have you weeping. A very touching and meaningful film. In this film Robin Williams excells as a fine actor, not just a funny guy. Also, a very noteworthy performance by a young Robert Sean Leonard. Did you see "Swing Kids"? Leonard has a fine performance in that film, as well.

[Janine]

yep, I watched The Queen at the cinema... it took our foreign languages cinema forever to play it (in English.. the dubbed version was on last year) and when it was finally on they only played it for a week and we didn't have time but now it's on again...

Lucky you! Unfortunately, I missed it in the theaters, so DVD will have to do. I can't wait to see it. I like Helen Mirren; she is a fine actress and deserves the praises and awards she received for this film.

[TEND]

Thanks, TEND, I will keep that in mind. I like Morricone scores. He did the score for "Days of Heaven" directed by Terrance Mallick. He also uses slow-paced thoughtful intelligent narration and gorgeous cinematography and photography (visuals). I really liked the film "Days of Heaven". Ever see it?

I'm afraid I haven't although I do like Terrence Malick very much. I've only seen Badlands and The Thin Red Line however, but both are fantastic films.

[Janine]

I'm afraid I haven't although I do like Terrence Malick very much. I've only seen Badlands and The Thin Red Line however, but both are fantastic films.

TEND, I like Malick, too. I thought "Thin Red Line" was excellent. I did not see "Badlands" but I really want to. It is on my list of "must see". I did see "The New World" - he did that right? I really liked it - like a long epic poem. Interesting.

[manolia]

Just watched the 'Black Dahlia' by De Palma and i was dissappointed. Not only did i expect the movie to be far better (such an interesting subject) but also being a De Palma fan i expected something better than this absurd film.
5/10

[kilted exile]

I saw that not long ago & agree it was pretty awful

[Janine]

Just watched the 'Black Dahlia' by De Palma and i was dissappointed. Not only did i expect the movie to be far better (such an interesting subject) but also being a De Palma fan i expected something better than this absurd film.
5/10

manolia and kilted, On this thread I have heard only bad reactions to this film. I don't think I care to see it now. Thanks for speaking up and warning us not to waste our time.

[Virgil]

ah, get off it Uncle Virg. I'm sure we evil feminists could cope with your temper and out-mad and -bad you, but the mods wouldn't like it at all :) :)



Sleepwitch, yeah poor Virgil:( We could have had some fun, but like you said the mods would never have permitted it. Better we ended that environmental film discussion before it got overheated.


You evil women. :lol: :p

[manolia]

manolia and kilted, On this thread I have heard only bad reactions to this film. I don't think I care to see it now. Thanks for speaking up and warning us not to waste our time.

It seems that tastes do differ. I just checked in imdb and there were many people who actually liked the film (but that happens every time, right?). But for me it was a waste of time. Today i was in the mood for a new movie (this doesn't happen often :lol: ) and i chose this one instead of 'Capote'. I believe i made the wrong choice :D.

[kiz_paws]

Kiz, I loved this film! I love that photo, too! Ah, sweet. You described the film so well with your last line. I made my mother and sister watch it and they both loved it. It has it's sad moments, doesn't it? But it is such a beautiful film, about the cycles of the penquin's life and reproduction. Did you watch the extras on the DVD if you saw it on disk? The making of the film is a film all in itself - what brave men to go and make such a difficult movie!
There are lots of penquins in the "Shackleton" film. In one scene some of the crew members are on the iceflow playing a bango and singing and along comes the penquins and they just love it; they look as though they are dancing, then alternating by sledding with their bodies along the snow. Your piano could really get them going!
If you liked this film, did you ever see "Winged Migration" ? It is a stunning nature film and it will amaze you. Also, the music is so lovely and relaxing. The film is a total delight to watch.

Yes, what a movie, even the soundtrack (Glass) was special. I didn't seen the extras (yet) sounds good to sit back and see just what was entailed in the making of such a movie.

And Shackleton is becoming more and more attractive to me, I wonder if our library has a copy of it, since it is historic... or at our local video rental place.... I have definately made a point of wanting to see it (think hubby would agree it would be time well spent).

As for Winged Migration, no have not seen (never heard of it), so thanks for that pointer!

As for that Black Dahlia film, I saw it and did not enjoy it either. They took a real story and totally butchered it. Don't know if anyone even knows what the truth is (so many myths out there about this subject). Maybe a 2/10 rating...

We rented that Capote movie and I liked it somewhat. It was well done, the acting was good and all, but I found that it dragged on and on, and I really didn't care for the way that the writer identified with that killer.... I don't know, maybe it is just my tastes. For what it is worth, I'd give it about 6/10.

[Janine]

Yes, what a movie, even the soundtrack (Glass) was special. I didn't seen the extras (yet) sounds good to sit back and see just what was entailed in the making of such a movie.

And Shackleton is becoming more and more attractive to me, I wonder if our library has a copy of it, since it is historic... or at our local video rental place.... I have definately made a point of wanting to see it (think hubby would agree it would be time well spent).

As for Winged Migration, no have not seen (never heard of it), so thanks for that pointer!

As for that Black Dahlia film, I saw it and did not enjoy it either. They took a real story and totally butchered it. Don't know if anyone even knows what the truth is (so many myths out there about this subject). Maybe a 2/10 rating...

We rented that Capote movie and I liked it somewhat. It was well done, the acting was good and all, but I found that it dragged on and on, and I really didn't care for the way that the writer identified with that killer.... I don't know, maybe it is just my tastes. For what it is worth, I'd give it about 6/10.

Kiz, good - glad these tips helped you. I think guys/men like the Shackelton film. My library is a real tiny one, and they have it - it is boxed with 3 disks. If you can take the time to watch them, all the actual surviving footage of the real expedition will entrall you, but first see the film and then dig deeper. The film will reel you in, beleive me. As you watch it remember I said - 'it may seem incredible and like it could not have happened this way, but it did'. To view and learn more about it you will find that actually the real (full story) was even more incredulous. The survival was definitely a miracle of sorts.

About "Capote" - I did like it a lot. Here we probably differ in opinion. You know after Capote's experiences, getting too wrapped up with the condemned prisoner, he never wrote another novel. This last novel and his involvement lead to a kind of downfall for him. Did you ever read "In Cold Blood"? I read it years ago and it is a fine novel although justifibly disturbing. I think having read it helped me understand better the film and Capote's views of the prisoners.

Kiz, I think one has to take the reviews online and read many to get a true sense of whether a film is really good, and then one can definitely disagree no matter how many people rave over it. It's all personal taste in the final analysis, don't you think? I often disagree with the Oscar choices, don't you?

By the way, I love movie soundtracks. I try to collect them. Luckily my library gets in a lot of CDs that are film soundtrack so I download them. Yes, the one by Glass for the penquin film was a fine score.

[Janine]

You evil women. :lol: :p

Virgil.......:D :lol: :D :lol: :D There's an old song..."Witchy Woman"....

I guess we are the "Witchy Women"!;)

[TEND]

Well, I called in sick from work today so I dipped into my big stack of unwatched movies and decided to watch 'Infernal Affairs,' the movie of which 'The Departed' was remade. All I've heard since The Departed came out was that Infernal Affairs was better, I just sort of chalked this up to cinephile elitist banter, I mean come on, Jack Nicholson, Marty Scorsese, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Leo DiCaprio. However, I admit I was wrong, Infernal Affairs is a better movie than The Departed though they are both excellent films.

The whole movie gives such a great feeling of urgency with wonderful directing, and editing, great pacing and acting led to not only a wonderful movie in an artistic sense but most importantly an extremely entertaining film as well. There was a lot of focus on the characters as opposed to the violence going on around them which was a great change from what I had expected, but it was pulled off wonderfully. The way the two main characters slowly become someone else one a cop into a gangster and the other gangster into a cop is fantastic.

I had never seen Tony Leung up until this point (well I did in 'Hero' but I didn't know it and have forgotten the film since then) but he has succesfully won me over. He is absolutely terrific.
I'll give this film a 9/10, fantastic film no matter which way you look at it.

[Mark F.]

The Devil's Backbone 8/10

Not quite the masterpiece that is Pan's Labyrinth but the structure and plot are very similar. Del Toro is one of the best modern directors and I can't wait for the last part of this trilogy.

[downing]

Anna Karenina(1935)
starring Greta Garbo, Fredric March, Maureen O'Sullivan, Basil Rathbone, Gyles Isham directed by Clarence Brown

9/10

I wanted for so long time to watch this film...and I did it today!
The first Greta Garbo film I saw and loved it! The swedish actress plays outstanding: she's got charm and beauty-a real good actress! I really felt sorry for Anna while watched her part-she knew how to convey Tolstoy's character's feelings. Especially in the end ***SPOILERS*** when Anna kills herself. Her facial expression when she throws herself in front of the train is very suggestive and shows her talent as an actress.
Richard March was very good in Vronsky's part. But I also liked Basil Rathbone in Karenin's part. He didn't show like that bad and disgusting old husband I imagined when I read the book. He looked more appealing than Vronksy, even though some scenes between Greta Garbo and Fredric March(Vronsky) are pure chemistry!
Maureen O'Sullivan was very sweet in Kitty's role and was close to what I imagined while reading the book.
Gyles Isham was also very well chosen for Levin's part.
The single thing that I would reproach to the film would be the big parts from the book missing. And I am talking about Levin's interior fights, a big part Levin's courtship to Kitty(I would have loved to see the part in which he makes her that original proposal of marriage), Levin's brothers Koznyshev and Nikolai, the moment in which Koznyshev wants to propose Varenka but fails, etc. There are many things which miss from the movie, but it is compliant, because the huge Tolstoy book couldn't have been put in a 95 minutes film. Maybe a longer film? Could the 1935 cinema techinique permit a longer one? I think it would have been better...

But I'd like to point that I liked very enormously the end; Iashvin and Vronksy talk about Anna and Vronsky says that he would never forgive himself. Iashvin replies that Anna forgot and forgave. And still Yashvin says:"Who knows?'', while Vronksy looks at Anna's photograph, which appears in full screen, while a melancholy melody is played and the screen slowly turnes dark...

[Janine]

Good review downing! I quite enjoyed it. Only thing - I think you need to edit and change the actor's name to [Fredric] March(Vronsky) in the bold. You mention him correctly at the end of the paragraph. Otherwise you review is great and makes me want to see Garbo's performance. I like Fredric March films, by the way. He was a very good actor.

[Janine]

Hamlet ~ Zeffirelli's version ~

Starring Mel Gibson, Glen Close, Alan Bates, Helena Bonham-Carter, Ian Holm, Paul Scofield

This version is set in medieval-era Denmark and was nominated for Art Direction and Costume Design. I like this version and the performances are really noteworthy. However, after viewing several other full-length versions, I am noticing many changes in script from the original Shakespeare text. For one thing, many of the lines are changed around and in a different sequence. It is odd to see this when I nearly have the full-length text/versions memorized by now, having viewed them so many times. This version is much more abreviated and condensed, more so than I originally thought. It is a noteworthy film if you think of it as a separate entity - a film in it's self. But it is a far cry from the complete play, if you are more of a purest about adaptations, as I tend to be especially concerning Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Also, I wish that some of the film with great moments was shown with more personal closeups of the actors delivering their lines. I would have like those moments to be more centered. A few parts get a little confusing with too much going on around the actors, too many distractions. I like very much some of the scenes, but felt the "To be or not to be" scene in the tomb, though mostly well done, was a little lacking in focus at times.
I recall seeing this film years ago with my teenage son who loved it, which delighted me. It seems this could be appreciated by youth or those who have not the patience for the full 4 hour play/films. First time I saw this version I was amazed with all of the fine acting and I loved this film's intensity and drama. Now that I have seen full-length versions I miss parts that were cut to make this version fit into a commercial theater timeslot. But this film does work well as a film standing alone from the play.
I especially like Alan Bates as the corrupt uncle/king. Mel Gibson gives a fine performance; so does Glen Close as his mother - in reality they were about the same age when shooting this film, but she is very believable as Hamlet's mother. Helena Bonham-Carter is quite young here and gives a fine performance as Ophelia. Strange though, how the script was so obviously changed around, especially when it came to interaction between Hamlet and Ophelia. That is when I first noticed that the director took this liberty of rearranging the script. Also, some key sections were completely left out, like in the bedroom scene between Hamlet and his mother. This rather annoys me now. If you have seen no other version, this will greatly delight you. Mel Gibson plays the role a bit madder, than I think Kenneth Branagh plays it, in his full-length version. I prefer the full-length film and many things about it, but this film is interesting in that it is set in earlier times so the settings are cruder, more rustic, and quite interesting.

[Werther]

'History Boys' - adapted from the play by Alan Bennett. Thoroughly engrossing and compulsory viewing for everyone. A friend of Alan Bennett is a friend of mine. What is it about him that is so endearing? Any ideas?

[andave_ya]

Freedom Writers ~ starring Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey

10/10

This is one fantastic movie! It's the story of a naive new teacher who comes to a school that used to teach students with a four point grade average but now is populated by students don't think school is of any use because it doesn't teach how to survive the streets. Fights erupt between gangs and people. Young adults are shot by rival gangs. Through time, Swank(the teacher) modifies her methods and really gets through to the kids by telling them "gangster" stories like Romeo and Juliet and showing racial problems through books like Anne Frank's diary. Also, the class got so excited about the holocaust (that sounds odd) that they held fundraisers to raise money to bring the woman who had sheltered Anne Frank to visit.
Through all the field trips and dinners and lessons learned, the students regain their self-esteem and learn that you don't need gangs to survive. But as Swank made progress with the students, the faculty was against her methods and did much to try to ensure that she wouldn't outshine their own efforts, which were poor because they didn't think the kids were worth it. Of course, everything ended happily.

[Janine]

'History Boys' - adapted from the play by Alan Bennett. Thoroughly engrossing and compulsory viewing for everyone. A friend of Alan Bennett is a friend of mine. What is it about him that is so endearing? Any ideas?

Hi Werther, a neighbor lent me this book (it was her son's when he studied in England), but I had not found time to finish reading it. I started it and now I am sure I will have to start over again. I was not aware their was a film adaptation of the book...interesting. Is the book really that good? I must try to read it soon....it is not that long so it should not take me much time between my major reading...no excuses now.

[Janine]

Freedom Writers ~ starring Hilary Swank and Patrick Dempsey

10/10

This is one fantastic movie! It's the story of a naive new teacher who comes to a school that used to teach students with a four point grade average but now is populated by students don't think school is of any use because it doesn't teach how to survive the streets. Fights erupt between gangs and people. Young adults are shot by rival gangs. Through time, Swank(the teacher) modifies her methods and really gets through to the kids by telling them "gangster" stories like Romeo and Juliet and showing racial problems through books like Anne Frank's diary. Also, the class got so excited about the holocaust (that sounds odd) that they held fundraisers to raise money to bring the woman who had sheltered Anne Frank to visit.
Through all the field trips and dinners and lessons learned, the students regain their self-esteem and learn that you don't need gangs to survive. But as Swank made progress with the students, the faculty was against her methods and did much to try to ensure that she wouldn't outshine their own efforts, which were poor because they didn't think the kids were worth it. Of course, everything ended happily.
Hi
andave_ya Do you know, was this film based on a true story? Just curious.

[livelaughlove]

Music and Lyrics with Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant.

8/10

It was your typical cute and sappy romance story. It didn't require much thought, and was overall a nice, sweet movie. The acting was not bad.

[manolia]

"Young Frankestein" By Mel Brooks starring Gene Wilder 10/10. A fantastic comedy.

"The lives of others" the already famous german film. It was nice but i wouldn't place it among the best german films i have seen. 7/10

[quasimodo1]

The movie was made after the novel by German writer Gunter Grass. Anyone seen it and if so... quasimodo1

[manolia]

The movie was made after the novel by German writer Gunter Grass. Anyone seen it and if so... quasimodo1

Idril has seen this one (i think). I remember having a conversation before about it so check a few pages back in this thread.

*EDIT* on page 97

[metal134]

Just watched "Talladega Nights". It sucked. Big time. The last 20 minutes were unbelievably bad. I give it a 3 out of 10 only because I did laugh a couple of times, though most of the jokes sucked and even when I did laugh, it was a mere chuckle. Bad movie.

[Shalot]

Last night I watched Idiocracy with Luke Wilson. Actually, I fell asleep before it was over, but from what I saw it was okay.

Two people of average intelligence (played by Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph - SNL) are frozen as part of an army experiment that's supposed to last one year (as in they'll be frozen for a year). I don't remember what the objective of the experiment was supposed to be, but of course, things go awry and the two frozen people are forgotten and buried under a pile of rubble for 500 years. When they wake up, the American landscape has changed, and it's no longer a democracy. It's an idiocracy, and the average joes from 2006 are now the smartest people in the country. If you think we're stupid now, wait till you see us in 500 years (if it lasts that long, right? :eek2: ).

Like I said, I fell asleep but I would like to see where they're going with this one. Since I only saw part of it, I can't give it an actual rating, but I might give it a second try, some other time.

[Janine]

"Hamlet" ~ Mel Gibson version
Since it took me two nights to watch, I have an updated view and something to add, mostly negative, sorry to say.
First off, I did not like the ending nearly as well as the Kenneth Branagh version or for that matter, the BBC version with Derek Jacobi playing Hamlet. Those two versions have a lot more style and a more emotion. I felt really let down by the end in the Zeffirella version (Gibson).
Secondly, I could not get over how many key lines and really poignant verses were completely eliminated. Some of the greatest lines/speeches from Hamlet were simply cut from the script. I was waiting for the scene when Hamlet ruminates on the fall of a sparrow and I thought the lines were clumsily delivered by a starry eyed Mel gazing out at a lovely ocean sunset. Where was Horatio?
Two really weak characters in my opinion were Laertes and Horatio. One hardly knew Horatio existed and Laertes was bland and flat in his performance. I have seen Nathaniel Parker in other films and he has improved since this film, but he fits a nice guy image and did not do well as a Laertes at all.
I would not recommend this version. Rather if you really want to see "Hamlet" and fully understand it, understand one needs the complete text.
Disappointing scene of all time was the graveyard scene - so much removed that I found it painful to watch. Also, the skull/mortality reflection was just awful...again too much removed from the text and little, or no emotion.
I think the women gave strong performances, Glen Close and Helena Bonham-Carter.
Mel Gibson displayed varying degrees of performances, as the film progressed I thought his Shakespeare delivery had a lot to be desired. I felt at the end, during the sword fight, he displayed downright silly jestures and he lost me at that point completely. Then his own death scene felt over-played to me. Without the Fortinbras part of the story, the impact of Hamlet's final words to Horatio, really loss all significance.
If you want to see a quality production of "Hamlet" see either full-length versions I have mentioned, Branagh's fine film or the BBC film starring Derek Jacobi.

[Andrea2007]

Hamlet ~ Zeffirelli's version ~

Starring Mel Gibson, Glen Close, Alan Bates, Helena Bonham-Carter, Ian Holm, Paul Scofield

This version is set in medieval-era Denmark and was nominated for Art Direction and Costume Design. I like this version and the performances are really noteworthy. However, after viewing several other full-length versions, I am noticing many changes in script from the original Shakespeare text. For one thing, many of the lines are changed around and in a different sequence. It is odd to see this when I nearly have the full-length text/versions memorized by now, having viewed them so many times. This version is much more abreviated and condensed, more so than I originally thought. It is a noteworthy film if you think of it as a separate entity - a film in it's self. But it is a far cry from the complete play, if you are more of a purest about adaptations, as I tend to be especially concerning Shakespeare's "Hamlet". Also, I wish that some of the film with great moments was shown with more personal closeups of the actors delivering their lines. I would have like those moments to be more centered. A few parts get a little confusing with too much going on around the actors, too many distractions. I like very much some of the scenes, but felt the "To be or not to be" scene in the tomb, though mostly well done, was a little lacking in focus at times.
I recall seeing this film years ago with my teenage son who loved it, which delighted me. It seems this could be appreciated by youth or those who have not the patience for the full 4 hour play/films. First time I saw this version I was amazed with all of the fine acting and I loved this film's intensity and drama. Now that I have seen full-length versions I miss parts that were cut to make this version fit into a commercial theater timeslot. But this film does work well as a film standing alone from the play.
I especially like Alan Bates as the corrupt uncle/king. Mel Gibson gives a fine performance; so does Glen Close as his mother - in reality they were about the same age when shooting this film, but she is very believable as Hamlet's mother. Helena Bonham-Carter is quite young here and gives a fine performance as Ophelia. Strange though, how the script was so obviously changed around, especially when it came to interaction between Hamlet and Ophelia. That is when I first noticed that the director took this liberty of rearranging the script. Also, some key sections were completely left out, like in the bedroom scene between Hamlet and his mother. This rather annoys me now. If you have seen no other version, this will greatly delight you. Mel Gibson plays the role a bit madder, than I think Kenneth Branagh plays it, in his full-length version. I prefer the full-length film and many things about it, but this film is interesting in that it is set in earlier times so the settings are cruder, more rustic, and quite interesting.

I would have to say that I agree with you. I enjoyed the film, but I believe that it was somewhat lacking in areas. Like you said in the "to be or not to be" speech. It didn't deliver as strong of a message as it could have. They focused a lot on Mel Gipson's acting rather than Hamlet in some parts. Overall, the film was good and I enjoyed watching it with my English class.

[Mark F.]

I finally saw 300 and it gets a 1/10 in my book, the actors were pathetic, and the music was awful (especially the saturated guitar bits). The worst thing about the film though is the total absence of directing, Snyder obviously figured he'd just replicate the graphic novel, firstly what makes a good comic doesn't necessarily make a good movie (that's what adaptation is about right? making the material suit another media...) and secondly I'm not sure the gn was much good to start with. Showing a bit of gore isn't enough for an audience that isn't out of their mind, otherwise we would just go watch the butcher do his job. A head flying across the screen isn't going to shock anyone, you need to do more than that. Avoid this film as if it were the plague, if you want a truely epic film check out Conan the Barbarian instead.

[Janine]

I finally saw 300 and it gets a 1/10 in my book, the actors were pathetic, and the music was awful (especially the saturated guitar bits). The worst thing about the film though is the total absence of directing, Snyder obviously figured he'd just replicate the graphic novel, firstly what makes a good comic doesn't necessarily make a good movie (that's what adaptation is about right? making the material suit another media...) and secondly I'm not sure the gn was much good to start with. Showing a bit of gore isn't enough for an audience that isn't out of their mind, otherwise we would just go watch the butcher do his job. A head flying across the screen isn't going to shock anyone, you need to do more than that. Avoid this film as if it were the plague, if you want a truely epic film check out Conan the Barbarian instead.

Thanks Mark F, Well, I think you have finally killed this film off for me for good! I am glad of all the warnings. A friend told me it was great, but at the time I seriously doubted his judgement. I doubt I will be watching this film; I don't care for seeing someones head flying across the screen. I don't like gore and don't even care for watching the butcher cut meat at the grocery store. Thanks again Mark!

[Janine]

I would have to say that I agree with you. I enjoyed the film, but I believe that it was somewhat lacking in areas. Like you said in the "to be or not to be" speech. It didn't deliver as strong of a message as it could have. They focused a lot on Mel Gipson's acting rather than Hamlet in some parts. Overall, the film was good and I enjoyed watching it with my English class.

Andrea, Thanks for agreeing with me on this film. I had not seen this particular film for years, and what happened is I picked up the VHS tape somewhere very cheap ($1.50). I thought - well, I will add it to my "Hamlet" collection. I recalled it from years ago and I thought it was quite good, then. I suppose one's perspectives really changes over time. Now that I have seen two fantastic full-length versions encompassing the whole story and richness of the play, I can't go back and watch a chopped version. Half the story was missing!

I read on Amazon so many reviews. Most were praising it, and educators were saying this was the version they were using to teach their class. Well, that is ashame, I thought - half the play - and not the best acting, to boot. If you really want to see a great version see the Branagh "Hamlet" when it comes out on DVD, hopefully this summer (people have been screaming for the DVD, they even had a campaign to get it on DVD, it took time due to the 70 mm film transfer). Ok, granted some of the casting was a little off, but only the minor minor roles and everyone quibbles about them; well none of the Hamlets are completely flawless. I can overlook one litte misjudgement in casting.

Branagh made a bold choice and used the entire text for his fantastic "Hamlet". Also, the delivery and the sheer beauty of Shakespeare's words are full bodied here and felt deeply. One can see that Branagh took years to perfect his craft and his "Hamlet". Countless times he played it onstage, but he made a wonderful transition to film. Closeups are plentiful and needed to show the full range of emotions for all characters. Branagh knows that the words of Shakespeare are the most important element (they are the magic).The poetry and the words are the play and nothing should distract from them.

Then why is it teachers don't opt to teach this version? Probably unavailable as yet, and their schedules, time limitations won't allow this length of production, maybe kids don't have that long a attention span. That is sad, though. I hope they do switch to this version soon and if need be show it in segments/episodes. Far better to see the whole play than be cheated with a half-baked production!

[Mark F.]

Thanks Mark F, Well, I think you have finally killed this film off for me for good! I am glad of all the warnings. A friend told me it was great, but at the time I seriously doubted his judgement. I doubt I will be watching this film; I don't care for seeing someones head flying across the screen. I don't like gore and don't even care for watching the butcher cut meat at the grocery store. Thanks again Mark!

Gore can be used in interesting ways, for example Peckinpah, Pasolini (Salo) and Romero all use gore to support their message. The problem with 300 is that it's just imagery, and it's not very interesting.

[Janine]

Gore can be used in interesting ways, for example Peckinpah, Pasolini (Salo) and Romero all use gore to support their message. The problem with 300 is that it's just imagery, and it's not very interesting.

Yes, I can deal with gore if it has a purpose but gore for the audience's reaction sake is sickening. I fully agree with you - quality film this does not sound like. I heard from others the film is lacking. It seems it does not have a lot of real content. Let's face it good CG and effects are one thing but a hollow story line is not enough to support such a film. It sounds thin and not worth viewing.

[Mark F.]

Well if I had to sumn up the story I'd say it's about 300 body builders in just their undies fighting other people.

[Janine]

Well if I had to sumn up the story I'd say it's about 300 body builders in just their undies fighting other people.

Mark, really a good one :lol: :lol: :lol: !

[Janine]

I have watched several movies since I last listed on this thread

The Libertine ~ Johnny Depp

Not too sure what to say about this film except that it did captivate my curiosity and kept me looking. JD is really extrodinary in his acting and so is Samantha Morton. The scenes with the two of them interacting are by far the best. Much of the film is really "out there" and quite distasteful but it shows how decadent and sorid London was in the time of the rule of (I think it was) Charles II. John Malkovitch plays the king and he is John M, what can I say. If you get easily offended by dialogue that is quite graphic and crude don't see this film. Also there is a stage scene that most people may run from in disgust. Others will find it humorous. JD plays a historical character - an earle who is a famous poet/playwright and he is pretty dispicable as a human being, yet at some point you might feel something for him. He is pathetic and dying of siphilis and excess of achohol and a lot of other excesses. He tells you in a monologue at the start of the film - that he is a character you will no like. It is a strange film and not easy to explain. I know I would not view it again and did feel it had much to be desired. Probably would give it about a 6/10 since some of the acting is quite good surprisingly.

Next movie I watched some other customer at the library suggested:

Two for the Money ~ Al Pacino and Mathew (somebody - sorry forget his name now)

Ok this film was interesting with a lot of facial closeups and character interaction. I don't know if in the end I really cared much for any of those characters. It could have been a better film if it had concentrated on the business these people run to set up bets on sports events and how customers got ruined by gambling. Instead it showed mostly the inside deal and how the whole system works and corrupts people. The trouble with the film is midway through it loses much focus and you feel like it goes and on forever and never really gets anywhere important. It feels so totally unfocused or something. Pacino hands in a good performance but he gets a little too mouthy for me. The other actor/ actress also hand in noteworthy performances. Ok, for this one I give it a 6/10 also.

I am David ~ Ben Tibber, Joan Plowright, Jim Caviezel

I actually saw this film twice. I had not realised I had seen it before and started to watch it again. The young boy gives a good nuanced performance - quiet with lots of subtle expressions. Jim Caviezal was good - his accent bothered me a little bit, but not nearly as much as the narrator who I believe is suppose to be a Nazi that sprung the kid from the camp he had been in nearly his whole life. Jim C does not have a huge role, the kid was in nearly every scene. It is a good story and I believe based on a novel of the same name. I think it lacks something but I am not sure exactly what. I watched some of the deleted scenes and wondered why they had cut them - those seems to perk up the film some. The film seems a bit sad and without sparkle or something I can't quite put my finger one. Of course it is a sad story of an outsider trying to get back to life. I liked it but did not love it. However, there are some really noteworthy scenes in the film and it is shot beautifully. It holds your interest and keeps you watching.
Probably about a 7/10.

[LoveToFreeRead]

Saw "Hot Fuzz" and enjoyed it greatly although I think "Shaun of the Dead" is better.

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/_images/db/41/34/Hot_Fuzz.413493.full.jpg

[Janine]

Dear Frankie ~ Emily Mortimer, Gerald Butler, Jack McElhone

Indedpendent film about a mother who writes letter to her 10 yr old young deaf son. In doing so she is posing as his astranged father, who has had a history of abuse, and whom she had left years ago to protect her family. Finally her protective lie catches up with them and she must face the fact of Frankie's need to meet his father. Again a lie ensues and she hires a man to pose as Frankie's dad.
I thought this was a very nicely done and slowly paced, but extremely thoughtful film about a mother's unconditional love and protection of her only son. It dealt with what lengths she will go to to maintain this protection. Also, it is about letting go of the past and moving on. It is very touching and sweet. I have wanted to see this film for awhile. The performances were subtle and nuanced; emotional at times, but not overly so. The young boy playing Frankie was really amazing, and part of the film is he reading his letters, which gives the film an emotional feel right off. He was totally believable as a deaf child who is very smart and does well in school, especially geography. His interests and talents compensate greatly for having to deal with his deafness on a daily basis and rivalries in school. He gets along in the speaking/hearing world better than you would have thought he could, yet he is convincing as a character of fine sensitivity and insight, very realistic. The film has a nice look and was filmed on the waterfront; by a seaport in Scotland. A very believable story and the ending is quietly wonderful. I even wondered if it was taken from a true story, but it was not. The film felt like real life and not a film at all. One could easily become emersed in the family and the characters and their emotions.
I would probably rate this film a 8/10.

[cuppajoe_9]

The Boy with the Incredible Brain

10/10. Not much to say, really. Just watch it. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3372301236664593143&q=movie&hl=en)

[malwethien]

"Pan's Labyrinth" - very good, but very strange....

[Moira]

The Libertine ~ Johnny Depp

It was a good movie and J Depp did a great role.
8/10 from me.

[manolia]

'The mission' with Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro, Liam Neeson (in fact some of the actors i like so much). 9/10. A very interesting movie and deeply disturbing since these things have happened in the not so distant past. The music score by Morricone is excellent and adds perfectly to the movie. The photography is great and the acting too. Jeremy Irons in a very touching and sensitive performance.

[manolia]

I have watched several movies since I last listed on this thread

The Libertine ~ Johnny Depp

Not too sure what to say about this film except that it did captivate my curiosity and kept me looking. JD is really extrodinary in his acting and so is Samantha Morton. The scenes with the two of them interacting are by far the best. Much of the film is really "out there" and quite distasteful but it shows how decadent and sorid London was in the time of the rule of (I think it was) Charles II. John Malkovitch plays the king and he is John M, what can I say. If you get easily offended by dialogue that is quite graphic and crude don't see this film. Also there is a stage scene that most people may run from in disgust. Others will find it humorous. JD plays a historical character - an earle who is a famous poet/playwright and he is pretty dispicable as a human being, yet at some point you might feel something for him. He is pathetic and dying of siphilis and excess of achohol and a lot of other excesses. He tells you in a monologue at the start of the film - that he is a character you will no like. It is a strange film and not easy to explain. I know I would not view it again and did feel it had much to be desired. Probably would give it about a 6/10 since some of the acting is quite good surprisingly.

Nice review. I want to see this one. When it comes to Johny Depp i can see anything :lol:

[Idril]

'The mission' with Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro, Liam Neeson (in fact some of the actors i like so much). 9/10. A very interesting movie and deeply disturbing since these things have happened in the not so distant past. The music score by Morricone is excellent and adds perfectly to the movie. The photography is great and the acting too. Jeremy Irons in a very touching and sensitive performance.

I absolutely love this movie! It's a devastating movie, absolutely devastating. One of the things I like about the movie is that even though Fathers Gabriel and Rodrigo choose very different paths in dealing with something they have no control over, neither are presented as the 'right' way, both are equally as powerful and ultimately, equally as futile. And as you said, the cinematography and musical score are flawless. This movie always makes my top-ten list. :thumbs_up

[Shalot]

Two for the Money ~ Al Pacino and Mathew (somebody - sorry forget his name now)

Come on now, that's Matthew McConaughey!

What a cutie! If nothing else, you should remember him as the naked bongo player.

Also, Frailty is a pretty good movie. It might be good for one viewing only, but I still enjoyed the first go round.

And I would give Two For the Money a 5/10.

[Janine]

Come on now, that's Matthew McConaughey!

What a cutie! If nothing else, you should remember him as the naked bongo player.

Also, Frailty is a pretty good movie. It might be good for one viewing only, but I still enjoyed the first go round.

And I would give Two For the Money a 5/10.

Hi Shalot,
:bawling: please give me a break - it was late and I had brain freeze:cold: I did keep thinking - Matthew McC something or the other - well, I was close, but no cigar. Yes, and he was so pumped in this film - nice biceps and toned arms and he worked out all the time - beautiful bod...very cute indeed. Did he play the bongos in this film? if he did I did not notice - maybe I was sleeping then:lol: Heck, you mean I missed naked, too:(

I agree - "Two for the Money" - about a 5 is right! Someone suggested it who was getting films in my library and he seemed to have good taste in films. I won't listen to him ever again. I should have known - he loved "Gangs of New York" and I hated that film.

Shalot, Gee, never heard of "Frailty" - who is in it?

[Janine]

Nice review. I want to see this one. When it comes to Johny Depp i can see anything :lol:

manolia, Are you being serious or are you poking fun at my lovely review?:lol:
I really was sort of flabbergasted after this film....speechless. It was vile and yet I kept watching, could not stop watching, totally drawn in by it. JD was so mesmerizing. Samantha Morton has long been someone I admire and she did some fantastic acting in this film. JD did his best acting, I believe so far, althought I like him in many of his odd-ball roles so much, and I have nearly watched everything he's been in. That is why I watched the film to begin with - Johnny Depp. His pretty/handsome face takes up practically the entire cover of the DVD - how can one resist? I loved him in "Benny and Joon", "Don Juan DeMarco", "Edward Sissorhands", "What's Eating Gilbert Grape"", The Man Who Cried", "Blow" and countless other films. His performances are always unique and noteworthy and besides he is such delicious eye-candy, don't you think?

manolia, My review was to prepare anyone who is going to view this film and his latest endeavor. His character is a far cry from Jack Sparrow in "Pirates"! He makes it quite clear in the beginning that you won't like him at all. Just that is a challenge - trying not to like someone who looks like Johhny Depp:lol:

[Janine]

Quote:
Originally Posted by manolia
'The mission' with Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro, Liam Neeson (in fact some of the actors i like so much). 9/10. A very interesting movie and deeply disturbing since these things have happened in the not so distant past. The music score by Morricone is excellent and adds perfectly to the movie. The photography is great and the acting too. Jeremy Irons in a very touching and sensitive performance.

I absolutely love this movie! It's a devastating movie, absolutely devastating. One of the things I like about the movie is that even though Fathers Gabriel and Rodrigo choose very different paths in dealing with something they have no control over, neither are presented as the 'right' way, both are equally as powerful and ultimately, equally as futile. And as you said, the cinematography and musical score are flawless. This movie always makes my top-ten list. :thumbs_up

Hi Manolia and Idril,
Oh, I really want to see this film. Thanks for both of your comments. I keep thinking maybe I already did see it - that brain freeze thing is happening to me again :cold: I see so many films by now I have lost track. But I am hoping actually, I am thinking of something else I saw and not this one. This film looks so good and I love scores by Morricone. I think my library has the DVD, so Monday I must take it out and view it that night. If I saw it already, a second viewing will be fine, since both of your say it is such a great film. Thanks for pointing that out!

[Shalot]

Hi Shalot,
:bawling: please give me a break - it was late and I had brain freeze:cold: I did keep thinking - Matthew McC something or the other - well, I was close, but no cigar. Yes, and he was so pumped in this film - nice biceps and toned arms and he worked out all the time - beautiful bod...very cute indeed. Did he play the bongos in this film? if he did I did not notice - maybe I was sleeping then:lol: Heck, you mean I missed naked, too:(

I agree - "Two for the Money" - about a 5 is right! Someone suggested it who was getting films in my library and he seemed to have good taste in films. I won't listen to him ever again. I should have known - he loved "Gangs of New York" and I hated that film.

Shalot, Gee, never heard of "Frailty" - who is in it?

Janine, you crack me up! There was a news report that the police were called to his home because of noise complaint, and there he was playing the bongos naked or something...his mug shot is on the internet.

And you would think that Two For the Money would be good with Al Pacino (Matthew McSomething is eye candy and I have seen more than one of his movies, but he is no Al Pacino ~ I don't know who is), but it was not good.

Frailty is a mystery movie with a twist ending and Matthew McSomething is in it with Bill Paxton. Keep in mind I was younger when I saw it, and despite what they say about 18 being the age of adulthood I think it's more around 23 or so. So if you do watch it and think it's stupid, just remember that I am saying it's good based on my memory of seeing it many years ago.

[Adolescent09]

Just saw The Prestige

10/10. This film easily transcended my highest expectations in both the delivery of performance (especially Hugh Jackman) and the joyride of twists in the plot. It begins with the simple error of a magic play involving a caged underwater trick which results in the demise of a woman-- the lover of Hugh Jackman's character. As a variety of plot holes form, are covered and new ones form to supplant the old, the tragic opening scenes gain more understandability and convey the true darkness of human wants and the lengths to which man is willing to go in order to reach initial glorification.

This is a great source of entertainment for people of all ages (although the presentation is rated pg-13) and will keep even a prudent audience of mysteries guessing until the closing scene.

[Janine]

Just saw The Prestige

10/10. This film easily transcended my highest expectations in both the delivery of performance (especially Hugh Jackman) and the joyride of twists in the plot. It begins with the simple error of a magic play involving a caged underwater trick which results in the demise of a woman-- the lover of Hugh Jackman's character. As a variety of plot holes form, are covered and new ones form to supplant the old, the tragic opening scenes gain more understandability and convey the true darkness of human wants and the lengths to which man is willing to go in order to reach initial glorification.

This is a great source of entertainment for people of all ages (although the presentation is rated pg-13) and will keep even a prudent audience of mysteries guessing until the closing scene.

Adol, how are you doing? I haven't seen you lately, but then again, I have not been in 'Recent Poem' thread for sometime, so busy in Lawrence thread and the book of the month, which I am now reading.
Thanks for this enlightening review on "The Prestige". I heard this film is excellent. Now I have to see it since your recommend it. I like the review you wrote; I love films with twists and intricate plots. I hope my library has it in by now, so I can see it soon. I love to keep guessing till the closing scene so I should like this film very much. Your write up really got me interested. Thanks!

[Janine]

Janine, you crack me up! There was a news report that the police were called to his home because of noise complaint, and there he was playing the bongos naked or something...his mug shot is on the internet.

And you would think that Two For the Money would be good with Al Pacino (Matthew McSomething is eye candy and I have seen more than one of his movies, but he is no Al Pacino ~ I don't know who is), but it was not good.

Frailty is a mystery movie with a twist ending and Matthew McSomething is in it with Bill Paxton. Keep in mind I was younger when I saw it, and despite what they say about 18 being the age of adulthood I think it's more around 23 or so. So if you do watch it and think it's stupid, just remember that I am saying it's good based on my memory of seeing it many years ago.

So Shallot, are you some kind of groupie(?), knowing the inside details on Matthew McSomething and his bongos:lol: ;) :lol: ? I will have to check out that mug shot on the net - is he clad, or no, and is he revealing his bongo drums? Note: I added 'drums', don't want to get in trouble on here. So funny - I have to see that photo:lol: Yes, very nice eye-candy but he is no Pacino. Only Pacino is Pacino!!! No I though it seriously was not good - mostly due to lacking no focus. Could have been good, but in the end I thought - who cares about any of these characters anyway - they just rip off the public and prey on gamlerholics (?)....sad....the almighty dollar surely reigns in their world, with no trace of moral responsibility. It left a bad impression on me about sports betting. I was not aware it was such high stakes, or that it broke so many people.

[Adolescent09]

Hello, Janine. I've noticed your lack of participance in the poetry section and I'm going to scold you for it eventualy. How've you been lately? :D

[Janine]

Hello, Janine. I've noticed your lack of participance in the poetry section and I'm going to scold you for it eventualy. How've you been lately? :D

Adol, I have been so busy reading and I got involved in the monthly book discussion, "Ethan Frome" last month; this month it is "A Prayer for Owen Meany", for which the discussion should start up soon.
I read your post about leaving and was so relieved to know you are not doing so. You know you have so many friends on here and much support. I knew from the start you had talent; someday it will be really great. You have a fine sensitivity to feelings and life, and to others, as well. One can just tell these things from the way you write so elequoently. I really mean that. You poems are lovely, meaningful and very heartfelt. Don't ever stop writing! Talent like yours is a rare gift.
I also was quite sick for about 3 weeks with a virus/cold. It took quite a while to feel normal again, well as normal as I will ever get.:)
Also, I am very involved in the D.H.Lawrence thread we started for short stories. It is going so well this week that 4 more people showed interest; now it will be a very lively discussion indeed. I am a big Lawrence enthusiatist, so I am quite happy with that thread's progress.
I will stop in the Recent Poetry thread soon. I try to to read the poems from time to time. I have not been inspired myself lately to write any poetry, but as summer comes something probably will come to me. I'll pop in and post one eventually. I am glad you scolded me, it might get me to write. You should really scold me about abandoning my artwork for so long. I need to get back to it. It is hard when one leaves something so long to resume it again.
Take care and have a fine day ~ Janine

[livelaughlove]

Just saw The Prestige

10/10. This film easily transcended my highest expectations in both the delivery of performance (especially Hugh Jackman) and the joyride of twists in the plot. It begins with the simple error of a magic play involving a caged underwater trick which results in the demise of a woman-- the lover of Hugh Jackman's character. As a variety of plot holes form, are covered and new ones form to supplant the old, the tragic opening scenes gain more understandability and convey the true darkness of human wants and the lengths to which man is willing to go in order to reach initial glorification.

This is a great source of entertainment for people of all ages (although the presentation is rated pg-13) and will keep even a prudent audience of mysteries guessing until the closing scene.

I'm glad you liked it. I saw it about a month ago and I thought it was very very good. Some of my friends saw it with me for their second time and they said it was even better the second time around.

[Janine]

Livelaughlove, If a film is good second or even third time around that it the sign of a good film. I have to see "The Prestige" now.

The Bridge Over the River Kwai ~ David Lean, director,
Alec Guiness, William Holden

I love David Lean films and this is such a classic. I had really forgotten the storyline; it has been years since I first saw this fine film. The characters were great and all the acting top-notch. I believe it won 7 Academy Awards and it still delivers. It really feel timeless, not so much like an older film. The ending is amazing. I don't think when I was younger I quite grasped the full irony in this film or the full meaning of the plot and the depth of the characters. The Japanese commander of the camp was funny, at times and then quite touching, as well. He could be so many things at different times - tough, vulnerable, humorous, stubborn, etc. Same with Alec Guiness - what an actor he was. Truly amazing the way he stood up against the camp commander and never flinched even on threat of death. Holden did a good job, too, playing the role perfectly. Interesting story and not typical at all. Some call this a war drama, but it is much much more than that. In fact there is really very little fighting with gunfire. Really suspenseful working up to the great ending.
10/10 ~ classic film!

[JaneB]

I just finished watching The Departed it was awesome I would definitely give it a 10/10

[vheissu]

Glad that people liked The prestige, it truly was a good film! I'm tempted to read the book as well, but maybe after exams are over.

So, the film I (didn't) see yesterday was certainly good, if it's popularity had anything to say about it! There's an indipendent cinema here which is currently showing a lot of french films. And about a month ago I noted down Paris, je t'aime which opened the Cannes film festival last year I think.
It's a bit like Coffee and cigarettes, about 20 short stories centred around Paris with different actors and director for each one.
About half an hour before the film started it was sold out and there were at least 20 people waiting in case someone re-sold their ticket. And for some reason yesterday was the only showing!

Back at home I (re)watched Buffalo soldiers: just before the Berlin Wall is taken down, an army soldier based in Germany is making an illigitimate living through black market products (drugs, cars and arms) and has to deal with the his weakening commander and the new tough superior who is on his case. And of course all the problems that come with his 'deals'.
Joaquin Phoenix and Ed Harris are pretty good and Scott Glenn is actually quite intimidating as the 'bad' sergeant.
7/10

[Janine]

Another old classic movie

Big Country ~ by Billy Wilder, starring Gregory Peck, Charleton Heston, Burl Ives (won the Oscar for his supporting performance), Chuck Connors, Jean Simmons, etc.

This movie was much better than I expected. I figured it was a cowboy movie but really now I would not call it such. It was much more than that. One person writing a good review on Amazon said it dealt with the theme of 'East meets West'.
Basically, the plot is this; young man (Peck), a former sea captain comes to the West to marry his sweetheart, he is very smart/diplomatic and does not believe in solving disputes by violence. When he arrives her family (more weathly and established) are warring with a neighbor rancher, who is not so well off. He has sons and they are somewhat bully's but the rich rangers hands are directed by him and they also are as bad if not worse. Now what issues is a little teasing and hazing when he arrives and the girls father takes action to teach the other clan a lesson. Needless to say this animosity mounts and what it boils down to is a feud between the two top men over a piece of land which has an large area of water to sustain their cattle. The land is owned by a school teacher (Simmons) and she will not sell to either party. I won't give anymore of the plot away.
This was a very well thought out script, and although the plot is not terribly intricate, it is the amazing actors who make this film a fine one. Peck is wonderful as the displaced man trying to stick to his principals, Heston is moody and actually carrying a torch for the financee, so he is hates Peck right off. Burl Ives will surprise you. Chuck Connors plays his role impecably. Performances are quiet and nuanced - facial expressions are subtle and tell all. The film is shot beautifully - wonderful scenery and cinamatography. It also has some humor, which is so well paced. I love the Mexican man who tends the horses; he's wonderful and sometimes steals the show! The wide open spaces and the beautiful western sceney make the film live up to it's name. The interactions between the women and the men is also a good part of this film and this is fully fleshed out.
I think this is a little known gem, since mostly the other Wilder films were such aclaimed ones, but this film has great merit and stands by itself and the test of time. The theme of violence verses non-violence is universal making this a classic. The end is incredible. Scenes in the canyon are like nothing I have ever seen in a western films before; the canyon is so white and there are some very interesting cave, cliff and rock formations. Just the scenery alone made this film worth it - to be emersed in rugged and natural world, so unlike my very own.
I would probably give this film a 9/10 because of it's pace and length (3 hours or longer), but it interested me all the way up to the climax and the ending, and I am not a big fan of cowboy movies. But as I said this is much more than that!
Classic - they don't make them like this anymore.

[Mark F.]

Jesus Camp 10/10

Hands down the best documentary of the year. It's so eery to see all these kids absolutely ruled by fear. SEE THIS.

[eleniel]

Les Miserables with Liam Neeson, Geoffery Rush and Claire Danes.

Probably 9/10. I watched this today and I thought it was beautiful. Liam Neeson's acting was incredible as usual. I haven't read the book yet so I cannot say anything about accuracy. I recommend it, great movie.

[Adolescent09]

Les Miserables with Liam Neeson, Geoffery Rush and Claire Danes.

Probably 9/10. I watched this today and I thought it was beautiful. Liam Neeson's acting was incredible as usual. I haven't read the book yet so I cannot say anything about accuracy. I recommend it, great movie.

YUCK! I hate when they cinematize beautiful classics!!! Look at the mess the filming industry did with Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment! It's a disgrace.. Some books are just far better off not being adapted into films no matter how good they are. I know that's not how a lot of you feel but I think it really is pathetic because it takes the immaculate originality of the novel as you know it and irrationally condenses it into a skimpy motion picture which slices half the facts present in the book and adds contemporanous nonsense to have more a mass appeal with today's audience. It compromises all the proverbial glory. :(

[malwethien]

Quote:
Originally Posted by manolia
'The mission' with Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro, Liam Neeson (in fact some of the actors i like so much). 9/10. A very interesting movie and deeply disturbing since these things have happened in the not so distant past. The music score by Morricone is excellent and adds perfectly to the movie. The photography is great and the acting too. Jeremy Irons in a very touching and sensitive performance.


I have never seen this movie but I love the score...Gabriel's Oboe and The Falls!! Great movie score!


Just saw The Prestige

10/10. This film easily transcended my highest expectations in both the delivery of performance (especially Hugh Jackman) and the joyride of twists in the plot.

I liked this film...though the novel is so much better...very eerie!! Try reading it if you haven't already!

[aeroport]

"Come and See" -- Elim Klimov, 1985

This is the bleakest film I have ever seen. It is basically a depiction of a young (as in, fifteen perhaps) man deciding to join a group of Partisans in battling the Nazis in Russia. He goes deaf pretty early on due to some dropped bombs, and he loses his fellows soon after, so he's wandering about the place with this peasant girl trying to stay alive, while watching very nearly everyone he encounters fail at doing this. I could not believe some of the scenes in this film. Horror after horror after horror...and then, near the end, will we have some sort of edifying contrivance to keep us from leaving the movie in tears of sadness and disgust? Will the brutality be balanced by some hopeful glimmer of pleasantry? Nope. Instead we get possibly the most monolithic man- (and woman- and child-) slaughter ever filmed, and it takes so long! Such unbearable tension! And then after this? More bleakness, my friend... Nothing contrived here.
I will never watch this again; but I consider it one of the best films I've seen - certainly the best war film. There is no romanticizing or glorifying here. It's a war movie. People go to war. It's not a happy scene. For anyone. And the last scene is such a tensely, violently sad thing...
Additionally, one does not seem to hear much about the things happening in Belurussia during WWII. One hears a good deal about Jews and Slavs in concentration camps, but little of the village-razing in Russia, so it was rather interesting to see a different perspective.

10/10

[aeroport]

"The Portrait of a Lady" -- Jane Campion, 1996

Altogether I did not think this was an awful film, even as an adaptation. However, it is a large book, and makes for a great deal of fascinating, delightful (in the darker sense) reading that a two-hour representation is doomed to miss. Even still, it could have been worse. I found the beginning of it (as in, Campion's own bizarre insertion - totally unrelated to James's novel or to the rest of the film) positively goofy, totally irrelevant, and almost enough to make one give up before the thing starts. There is another of these - though certainly less irrelevant - toward the middle. *potential readers of novel stop reading; slight spoiler ahead*
When Isabel is about to marry Osmond in the book, of course, the narrative ceases to follow her - between the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next we go from her potential and universally-dreaded engagement to a year later being on the brink of marriage - the effect being to close off the reader from this creature with whose more independent inclinations he has (hopefully) sympathized. In the film this is done through a very strange black-and-white sequence depicting images of Isabel in foreign settings (one recalls the pyramids) and some other strange things (like a plate full of little mouths squirming aroung reciting Osmond's words: "I am absolutely in love with you"; plus that malevolent hand of Osmond's reaching around her waist - which shows up on the cover). WEIRD! But...
For the rest, it more or less followed the novel, best I can remember (it's been a little over a year since I've read it), with naturally several omissions. Strangely, I actually remembered having a lot more sympathy for Madame Merle and for Caspar Goodwood in the film than in the novel. Plus, of course, the film uses, in several places, a Schubert impromptu which I learned a year or so ago, which was cool... While I liked Ralph Touchett in the movie, it was nothing like the very deep connection I felt with the guy in the novel (he remains my favorite literary character).
The real tragedy of this movie, though, I think, is that it omits one crucial scene in the story which disappointed me terribly: the scene in which Isabel figures it all out, in the space of a moment and totally unnoticed by the parties involved, is missing completely! I can somewhat understand the omission, as her realization depends, to a degree, on social proprieties which do not really exist for the modern film audience, though I still think it could have been accomplished...
Great music.
7/10

[byquist]

"My Bodyguard" from early 80's. This film holds up, still very touching.

[manolia]

I absolutely love this movie! It's a devastating movie, absolutely devastating. One of the things I like about the movie is that even though Fathers Gabriel and Rodrigo choose very different paths in dealing with something they have no control over, neither are presented as the 'right' way, both are equally as powerful and ultimately, equally as futile. And as you said, the cinematography and musical score are flawless. This movie always makes my top-ten list. :thumbs_up

I am glad you like it too! It made my top list already :). I liked the De Niro - Irons combination.

[manolia]

manolia, Are you being serious or are you poking fun at my lovely review?:lol:

manolia, My review was to prepare anyone who is going to view this film and his latest endeavor. His character is a far cry from Jack Sparrow in "Pirates"! He makes it quite clear in the beginning that you won't like him at all. Just that is a challenge - trying not to like someone who looks like Johhny Depp:lol:

Janine i was teasing you :lol:. But i believe that you were right. Most people i know agree with you about this film and besides you are an excellent film critic (or at least our tastes are similar). That's why i havent yet seen it, although i am a big fan of JD (besides being one of the most handsome men i have seen, he is an excellent actor as well and that -of course- is the most important.) I like his performance in all his movies even the most 'obscure' ones (like 'The Brave'. A very interesting film starring JD and Marlon Brando which in fact JD has directed).

Last movies i watched:

"Through a glass darkly" by Bergman 10/10.An excellent film. You must watch it!!
"Y ta mama tabien" by Cuaron 8/10
"The devil's advocate" 8/10

[manolia]

"Come and See" -- Elim Klimov, 1985


:thumbs_up I want to see this one soooo much. A few months back i watched "Matyorov" by Klimov and i was amazed..Have you seen it?? It's a wonderful film. Absolutely beautiful. The one you saw ('Come and see') is considered his best film (this of course is subjective). Nice review by the way.

[Captain Pike]

300

Since I watched it with my 14 year old son it was a great experience. That probably sounds corny, but we don't do as much together as we used to. It was fun, staying up late, hooting and hollering.

The Sparta were completely outnumbered all the time. But their intense warrior nature made each one of them worth 10 of their opponents. It wasn't actually as gory as it could've been.

[Moira]

Poseidon

Just another Titanic, without Leonardo di Caprio (which is a plus in my opinion:).

4/10

[Domer121]

Vacancy...
5/10
good for a cheap thrill.....

[Debrasue]

I just saw 300 about two weeks ago.....and I'm still blown away!!! I went to the 300 official web site (awesome!) and read the production notes, and was totally impressed on how the movie was made, the dedication of the actors & production crew in the face of negative criticism....read the graphic novel...read some historical accounts....and I still can't imagine the uproar over this incredibly unique movie! Most of those lines that seemed to some to be over-the-top overacting where actually said & recorded by the historian Herodotus....."Our arrows will blot out the sun!" the Spartan reply..."Then we will fight in the shade!" I love it!! The actors were perfectly cast, especially Gerard Butler as King Leonidas.......Rodrigo Santoro was excellent as Xerxes.
The movie is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel..an adaptation of the Battle of Thermopylae where King Leonidas & 300 Spartans defended their country from the vastly superior Persian army lead by King Xerxes. This historic battle united all Greece against the mighty invading force.....opening the doorway for democracy & freedom......."The world will know that few stood against many..." Yeah......Leonidas really said that! The visual nature of this film & the music are also stunning......Is this movie Over-the -top? Yep! There is action, humor, gore, tragedy,heroism, and yes...a little romance.......over all a genuinely fun movie!
I also saw The Prestige, and The Illusionist....both very good movies.

Debrasue

[Janine]

Babel ~Alejandro Gonzolas Inarritu

Interesting film, not told in sequencual order, but easy to piece together unlike, some films employing this technique of story telling. Set in 3 countries simultaneously it is a film of diversity, and culturally very interesting, as well. I think the main theme is the sheer breakdown in our modern world of communication and also how weapons of violence can get into the wrong hands; sadly enough too often those of children or innocents. The way the film and the separate stories all tie together at the end is worth waiting for, but I felt that the story in Japan was a bit aniclimatic; however perhaps that was the director's exact intention, and in a way now that I think of it, that may be brilliant. Keep this one quiet and also leave something for our imagination. I think there were a few things I felt that were a little far-fetched (unlikely to have a tie in) but I would rather not mention this - it would maybe spoil the show for someone else. Basically I felt the story totally realistic and believable.
I felt the film was very well done and that Brad Pitt actually did a fine job in his performance. I knew the guy could act from his fine young portrayal in "A River Run's Through it", and "12 Monkees". In this film his portrayal, at times, is finely tuned and quietly nuanced. I like those type performances very much. The filming and music added to the overall quality of the film. I would give it a 9/10. I liked this director's other film "21 Grams". This film has a similiar quality and I could feel his signature on the treatment of story/stories.

Also saw:

Mean Creek ~ Jacob Aaron Estes

I will comment on this indy film later. I don't have time now. It was quite good.

:) manolia, I will get back to you about your recent post. J

[vheissu]

Janine, I liked your review on Babel. It did point out to a lot of modern problems on discrimination, amongst others, without stressing it out too much, but rather giving the viewer some interesting thoughts.
The story about the japanese girl was the one that really stood out for me and I do agree that the relation between all three simoultaneously is a bit far fetched. But it nevertheless has an intriguing way of putting things which are actually going on today in an interesting perspective.
I hadn't realised that the director has also done 21 Grams and it's very true that there is quite a lot of similarity between the two in the way the stories are told.

[Janine]

Janine, I liked your review on Babel. It did point out to a lot of modern problems on discrimination, amongst others, without stressing it out too much, but rather giving the viewer some interesting thoughts.
The story about the japanese girl was the one that really stood out for me and I do agree that the relation between all three simoultaneously is a bit far fetched. But it nevertheless has an intriguing way of putting things which are actually going on today in an interesting perspective.
I hadn't realised that the director has also done 21 Grams and it's very true that there is quite a lot of similarity between the two in the way the stories are told.

vheissu, thanks, I wanted to say more, but I could not think at the time; I was a little busy. I think it was a very good film, better than most that come out these days. You know, of all three stories, I had the hardest time connecting with the young girl. I suppose because I am of a older generation. But I did feel for her and thought she was quite disturbed.
Yes, I think a few things were a little contrived and unreal, but maybe it had to be that way to bring out the point of the film, sort of like a modern day fable. It certainly was an interesting film, all in all.
Yes, did you like "21 Grams"? I really did like that film and should re-watch it when I get a chance. It comes into my library often.

[Janine]

Janine i was teasing you :lol:. But i believe that you were right. Most people i know agree with you about this film and besides you are an excellent film critic (or at least our tastes are similar). That's why i havent yet seen it, although i am a big fan of JD (besides being one of the most handsome men i have seen, he is an excellent actor as well and that -of course- is the most important.) I like his performance in all his movies even the most 'obscure' ones (like 'The Brave'. A very interesting film starring JD and Marlon Brando which in fact JD has directed).

Last movies i watched:

"Through a glass darkly" by Bergman 10/10.An excellent film. You must watch it!!
"Y ta mama tabien" by Cuaron 8/10
"The devil's advocate" 8/10

manolia, oh see I knew you were poking fun of me:bawling: ....:lol:

Since I wrote that a friend of mine (guy) convinced me it is a good film but even he said that Malcovitz is so into himself lately and really arrogant. I wished he was not in the film. I used to like the stuff he did but not so much anymore. I thought some stuff really did go over the top. This friend and I don't usually agree anyway, but some good points in the film we did agree on, such as JD's acting, which is hard to take considering how handsome and cute he is. What a sad degenerative person he plays in this film. He does have a shed of human decency, but only a shred and otherwise he is blazenly brazen and hard to figure out, but that may be the charm of the film.
Still one should always judge on your own and I would probably tell you to watch it for that reason. It is really not that distasteful, but some parts are. I have seen way worse. It is basically historical or at least 'based' on historic facts and so I found this part kept my interest.


I saw "Devil's Advocate" awhile ago; did you like it? I would like to hear you feedback and your take on the film. I thought it was pretty good with good performances, but real strange. I would say your 8/10 rating is fair.

"Through a glass darkly" by Bergman ~ I would love to see this film. I don't have assess to Bergman films, but I could try renting one at maybe Blockbuster. Not sure other than buying them, how to go about seeing them, or this one, for that matter.:(

[Aunty-lion]

Wow. I thought Pan's Labyrinth was a brilliant movie, but yeah... it was pretty damn graphic.

My boyfriend and I made the fatal mistake of taking his (conservative) parents along with us. If you've seen the movie then you'll understand why. They actually dealt with the violence and cruelty to children etc reasonably well.

It's amazing how seeing the reality and the fantasy of war and torture through the eyes of a child can ring so true. This movie really pulled out the child in me (well, I definately cried like a baby anyway!!).

[aeroport]

:thumbs_up I want to see this one soooo much. A few months back i watched "Matyorov" by Klimov and i was amazed..Have you seen it?? It's a wonderful film. Absolutely beautiful. The one you saw ('Come and see') is considered his best film (this of course is subjective). Nice review by the way.

I've not seen it, but it definitely sounds like it's worth checking out if I can find it someplace (for once I'm not finding something at Netflix...).
Yeah, I guess C&S was his last and is considered his best. It's definitely a great film, but it changes one a little... And it definitely has one of the best opening scenes I've encountered.

[Anne Boleyn]

the last film I have loved is "The Lives of Others", the German film winner of the Oscar 2007 for the best foreigner film.
The movie’s plot is placed in Berlin, before Wall Fall, when East Germany's Secret Police (STASI), , used to spy everyone who had the misfortune to be drawn to the attention of the Police Direction.
One of those people is a writer, Sebastian Koch, who lives with his actress girlfriend in a flat which is bagged and monitored day and night.
Careful reports are filled up with every word said and every noise made, until the man responsible of the whole operation and in charge of find out proofs to accuse the writer of being an anti-regime menace, begin to fall under the spell of the couple's life, a sort of awakening from the nearly robotic attitude he had towards people and his life, and, instead of charging them with evidences founded out, he became their guardian angel in spite of all the pressure he receive from the above – a politician has reasons to get the writer out of his way.
The film is very moving and very beautiful and keep your attention to the end, and treats a subject for too many time forgotten by cinema.
I'd suggest it to everyone.

[Kermitt]

The last movie i saw was Pursuit of Happyness. It was sort of slow at the beginning but good by the ending. I would rate it a 7. I love Will Smith and this was a different kind of movie for him.

[Moira]

Wow. I thought Pan's Labyrinth was a brilliant movie, but yeah... it was pretty damn graphic.

My boyfriend and I made the fatal mistake of taking his (conservative) parents along with us. If you've seen the movie then you'll understand why. They actually dealt with the violence and cruelty to children etc reasonably well.

It's amazing how seeing the reality and the fantasy of war and torture through the eyes of a child can ring so true. This movie really pulled out the child in me (well, I definately cried like a baby anyway!!).

I can't wait to see this movie. I''ve heard is great.

[GothMan]

"16 Blocks". Watchable thriller with Bruce Willis. :yawnb:

[byquist]

"Machuca" -- Chilean, about "the" coup ala "Missing" but with kids instead. Has a little of everything, some kindness and some anger; the priest teacher was very good but the rich parents call him a "commie" because he's for the little guy too.

[papayahed]

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - I had to turn it off, I couldn't get passed Gwyneth Paltrows bad acting. And it seemed so promising.

0/5

[byquist]

Electric Shadows - Chinese. Very late in the film about the saddest moment seen in a long time, maybe ever. It is redeemed. This film is a lot deeper than it appears.

[malwethien]

Spiderman 3....the worse of the 3 Spiderman movies....kinda cheesy and predictable......I hope they don't make a 4th one...

[Janine]

Mean Creek ~ indy film about kids that plan to play a joke on another kid who is an outcast and has turned into a real bully. So they plan to take him out for a boating excursion and picnic, to ultimately teach him a lesson. The kid is really nice while he thinks the other kids are sincere, but then the whole scene turns ugly when he finds out what they have been really planning. Right before this all, but one of the kids, pull out of the plan. Needless to say, things go horribly wrong; I don't want to give away any more details of this film, only to add that each kid is left to examine his own conscience. It is a good film, develops nicely and at a good pace and keeps ones interest. Photography is lovely on a creek or river in Oregon. The director takes the time to capture some very interesting images on the lake. The ending is very good and it is thought provoking. All the kids did a fine job in their repective roles. There are really no bad guys in this film just misunderstood kids some with problems. I felt this film was worth viewing. Probably would give it a 8/10.