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.
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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!!**Quote:
Originally Posted by JBI
"The Usual Suspects"Quote:
Originally Posted by Scheherazade
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!
Cool another Boggie admirer - you have good taste, manolia!Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
As an American, thanks for the compliment!Quote:
Originally Posted by JBI
Kiz_Paws, I am finally getting around to responding to your post. Ah, leave the best to last....;)Quote:
Originally Posted by kiz_paws
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.
"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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Amorphous
I saw The Reaping today with Hilary Swank. It was quite the thriller. 9/10. I didn't leave the theater once.
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..
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.
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... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
"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
LoL, sorry I find that amusing, but what can I say -- kids'll be kids? :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bakiryu
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! :)
I'll put them on a leash....(or get health insurance)Quote:
Originally Posted by kiz_paws
Thanks for the welcome.
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.
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
I would agree with you if you had written "how silly and ignorant people really are"...Quote:
Originally Posted by JBI
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by vheissu
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.
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.
I've never heard of the film, Janine, but it sounds like an enthralling expierience. I'll look it up :)
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niamh
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niamh
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. :)
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" ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bakiryu
His Dark Materials trilogy Starts off with Northern Lights/the golden compass followed by The Sutle knife and finishes with The Amber SpyGlass.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bakiryu
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
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.
Saw the Kate Beckinsdale version of Emma today. Liked the verson but it reminded my why i dont really like the story very much.
:thumbs_up Well said Ado!Quote:
Originally Posted by Adolescent09
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.
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.;) :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark F.
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by manolia
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.
Thanks, Niamh, for your explanation of the books. They sound real interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niamh
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!Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
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.
By the way, what i loved so much about 2001 space Odyssey was the first 15 minutes. And especially the music.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niamh
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: