Thanks, it's great to be here. And no, I haven't seen Winged Migration, but I'll have to check it out!Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I love it how Coen Brothers movies get better with repeat viewings. You notice new things every time.
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Thanks, it's great to be here. And no, I haven't seen Winged Migration, but I'll have to check it out!Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I love it how Coen Brothers movies get better with repeat viewings. You notice new things every time.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Almost cried! 8.5/10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Antiquarian
The one point where it does get really sad for me is when the old prisoner gets out and can't cope with life out of prison and well, you know what he does...:(
But hey, I don't get moved by some films either, which are regarded as 'sentimental': Titanic (when it came out all my friends were crying their eyes out) and Pearl Harbor. Just two I remember at the moment...
Oh I love it!!! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by vheissu
And Antiquarian, it's ok not to be moved by a movie, it really is a question of sensibility and maybe in this movie there was something lacking for your own sensibility. :)
Oh, I was moved by Titanic. :p
videodrome - 3.0/4.0 :confused:
Antiquarian, Oops, sorry if I steered you the wrong way on this one. I do agree with you; Redgrave was wonderful, as usual. I don't recall ever seeing her in a bad performance, have you? I thought her daughter, Natashia Richardson, looked a little tired and worn out, but maybe that was the point and they played her looks down. Yes, the story was slow-moving and choppy at times, too - but so many films these days, pop back and forth, between memory and reality, I guess I am finally getting used to that method, though I can't really admit I like it that much. It tends to break up the film and lose the flow. Someone on an Amazon review said 'why would everyone be in love with Harris?' I have to agree with that one. He was so benign. I just did not find him that enchanting, did you? He really lacked that certain 'charm' that so many actors have today and in the past, especially. I don't know - to me if they had only cast the two main characters - his character and Claire Danes was played by someone else, for instance, I think the movie would have been a better success. I didn't think it was a total failure, but it could have been much better. Did you say you did read the book, Antiquarian? I bet the book is better than the film, by far.Quote:
Originally Posted by Antiquarian
It was interesting to see the two mother/daughter combos in this film. I thought the revisiting of the old friend, played by Glenn Close, at the end was a bit much, unrealistic and so close to the woman's death. Oh, come on...how did she know to come there? Oh, I guess the daughters up and called her, but how did they even know about her...since they did not seem to know a bit about this part of their mother's life? I could relate to the two sisters, since I have a sister, who I have a difficult and mixed relationship with; one I do argue with, like they did, even though I know I love her...still we are so different. I could relate to the mother's passing, also. That is something someday I will have to experience myself.
I thought the imagery and the cinematography were lovely and the music score a fine one.
The weakest parts of the film were the slow 'thin' plot (you are accurate in calling it 'thin', the casting for the Harris character; I actually, did not hate the casting for the Dane's character, although she is far from my favorite actress, as well. I thought at one point in her grief, she would have shown more emotion than she did. That seemed to be totally strange to me - so she goes and sits silently in a sailboat. And what exactly was the significance of that sailboat, anyway? I think that was a little sketchy. I guess I did not expect too much out of this film, so I found it enjoyable in aspects. Afterall, it was free from my library and I have seen far worse. Sorry you had to pay to rent it and then was disappointed, Antiquarian.
Did you feel Dancy did a good job of his role or just so-so? I actually liked him best in the independent film, I just saw recently "The Jane Austen Book Club"...but of course, his performance was a much lighter one in that film.
My last comment is on the star thing. Wasn't that done much better in "A Beautiful Mind"? It seemed like the copied the idea. Also why did the brother designate a star to Claire Dane's character and then Harris did the same thing - kind of a copycat, don't you think? Couldn't he be a little more original. I also did not see much passion between he and the Danes...absolutely no chemistry there.
Speaking of films that are worse, last night I took a leap and tried this film in from my library called:
"The Stone Merchant" - starring Harvey Keital, F. Murray Abraham , Jordi Molla, Jane March
Good actors and a terrible mundane script and some of the secondary actors were just dreadful. I could not believe how 'wooden' their performances were...it was laughable. Don't rent this film; after I saw it I said - what a waste of time and what exactly was the point? I am still pondering that.
I would have to number rate this 5 out of 10 - really. I will be anxious to see what people are rating it on Amazon. Such a waste of good talent, too....sad...
Oh good, Antiquarian, sure glad you were not mad at me for suggesting that film. Did you see how I slashed the poor movie to threads above? :lol: well not really...but I actually, do have to agree that Claire Danes is not my favorite actress - well neither is Tony Collette, but I think she did a good job in this film, although I kept wondering 'just what is her problem, anyway?' She had this sweet boyfriend who would do anything for her apparently, and she just could not commit. What was wrong with that girl? Then she gets in her state (won't ruin it for anyone) and she is indecisive still. It seemed they had been together awhile. I could not quite figure out what her problem was; what was holding her back? And the guy who played Harris - Patrick somebody - I don't recall seeing him in a film for sometime now. He is just plain a dull type guy - no dimension to his character. I would have gone for Buddy, even if he drank too much. I would have straightened that boy out. He would have been worth the effort; now he was cute and had a personality.Quote:
Originally Posted by Antiquarian
Your poor hubby. Now I get confused too but right away I did know that the younger woman was the older on. That is funny, but glad at least, you both did enjoy the film. I thought the single image of the boat floating with her hand in the water, at the beginning, was lovely. I don't know - the film looked really stunning on my new HD tv so that might have influenced me. I like dramas also that basically take place in a few environments so one can concentrate on the drama. I am getting truly sick of slick special effects that one knows blantantly are CGI.
Well, I hope I am not steering you wrong on the other film. I liked it, but that is me. It was lighter than some and yet I thought it was well-done. I enjoyed it and laughed at the comical parts. I guess I should read the books for both and 'Atonement', also. I don't think any of those books are that long, are they?
I finally saw Atonement- LOVED IT. Why is Keira Knightly so good?
Atonement- Brilliant.
Antiquarian, sorry I had not answered this. I got tied up with other threads, really busy ones.;) Wasn't that scene interesting and lovely with the boat. I think at that point I thought - wow, this movie is going to be something great. Of course it was not great but I did enjoy it more than some I have seen lately.Quote:
Originally Posted by Antiquarian
I see everyone is loving "Atonement" - I loved it, loved it, loved it! One of the best this year in my opinion. *Classic*Charm* - is your guestion real or are you just kidding? I did like Keira in this film, but I didn't like her in all films I have seen her in. Her acting ability is getting better I think.
Here are a few films I just saw:
"The Stone Mason" - good cast, partly very bad acting and some good acting. It was a waste to me, of the good acting. Story was greatly lacking and confusing as heck; the screenplay was poorly written and trite and the plot was ok. The ending was unreal and totally pointless in my opinion. Ok, enough said about that film. I probably would rate it a 5 out of 10, just because it did have some interesting aspects and scenes. Otherwise don't waste your time.
"Cache" - French film with Juliet Binoche and Daniel Auteil; ok, this is a really really slow-paced film. It is pretty easy to follow although some things are out of time sequence. Curious to know if anyone has seen this film. It has some Hitchock type devices with little symbols and such and touches and a sort of framing device that is reminescent of Hitchcock's films. There is a truly shocking scene in this film but I don't know. I think I have seen far better performances from both actors before. The film ends very, very open-ended, so if you don't like that sort of ending, you will truly hate this film. In fact, I had to view the extras on the DVD, just to make sense of what the ending was all about. It also helped me understand other elements of the film. I don't know if I liked it; I would not see it a second time - I would fall asleep:yawnb: It has some interesting moments but certainly not enough to go out and rent the movie.
I just finished watching the 1995 Sense and Sensibility. I loved it, although that may only be because Alan Rickman was dashing as Colonel Brandon.:blush::lol:
EchtraNerai, I love that movie too, and have seen it now about 5 times. I agree - I fell for Rickman as Colonel Brandon, from the first minute I saw him watching her play the piano and singing. That scene was great and I loved the part when he was reading to her after Mr. Gorgeous went off and married that other girl. I loved it when he gave her the piano-forte. I think Brandon was actually my favorite male character in that film. I own the film on tape, but my library has the DVD, so I will have to watch it again real soon. I thought it was so well-done. Did you know that Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay?Quote:
Originally Posted by EchtraNerai
EchtraNerai, I forgot to welcome you to the forum. I see you are new here. I am from NJ, also. Enjoy exploring the site; it is a great one and offers so much.
I am Legend...
Very well done... but don't watch it right before bed.
Gave me nightmares.
Rating on a scale of 1-10... strong 8
I had no idea that Thompson had adapted it, I have a bad habit of not paying attention to the ending credits. She was lovely in it as well. I'll admit to being furious towards Marianne when she turned her favour towards "Mr. Gorgeous." I think I have to watch it again now.Quote:
EchtraNerai, I love that movie too, and have seen it now about 5 times. I agree - I fell for Rickman as Colonel Brandon, from the first minute I saw him watching her play the piano and singing. That scene was great and I loved the part when he was reading to her after Mr. Gorgeous went off and married that other girl. I loved it when he gave her the piano-forte. I think Brandon was actually my favorite male character in that film. I own the film on tape, but my library has the DVD, so I will have to watch it again real soon. I thought it was so well-done. Did you know that Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay?
EchtraNerai, I forgot to welcome you to the forum. I see you are new here. I am from NJ, also. Enjoy exploring the site; it is a great one and offers so much.
Thanks for the welcome.:)
Yes, I think she has written other screenplays, too and maybe some books. Emma Thompson is highly intelligent and went to Cambridge, I believe. Not only that, she is highly talented and was just great in S&S and countless other great films. She really started out on British TV in a comedy routine and show of her own.Quote:
Originally Posted by EchtraNerai
Did you know, in real life, she married "Mr. Gorgeous", Greg (?) - that is how memorable I think he is; I don't recall his real last name.:( She had a baby a few years ago; she's not so young anymore, maybe 47; she does seem really happy now. I think her former spouse, Kenneth Branagh and she are about the same age and he is 47. They probably collaborated the writing on some of the films, they did together, in the early days. Greg is her second husband and Branagh is remarried, as well. I believe they are still friends, which is nice to know.
Yes, I too was pretty mad at Marianne at that point. She seemed so selfish and so oblivious of poor Brandon. I felt so sorry for him.