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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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.

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/for...ighlight=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").

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.

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?

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

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.

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

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!

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*

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

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Originally Posted by 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*

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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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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!

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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.

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Originally Posted by TEND

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.

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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?

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.

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Originally Posted by 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

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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

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Originally Posted by SleepyWitch

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by Janine

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.

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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...

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/s...s/penguins.jpg
Humbly yours
Kiz_paws

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

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Originally Posted by 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/s...s/penguins.jpg
Humbly yours
Kiz_paws

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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.

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Originally Posted by markymark

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

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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.

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Originally Posted by SleepyWitch

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...

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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.

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Originally Posted by Janine

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?

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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.

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Originally Posted by TEND

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.

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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.

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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

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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.

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Originally Posted by SleepyWitch

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 :) :)

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Originally Posted by Janine

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.

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You evil women. :lol: :p

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Originally Posted by Janine

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Janine

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by kiz_paws

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

You evil women. :lol: :p

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

'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?

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.