"El Greco" 9/10
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"El Greco" 9/10
manolia, wow - a 9/10! I must have been a good film. I can't wait to go see it. I hope I can catch in in a movie theater. Can you expound on it any for all of us. Glad you got to go an see it.Quote:
Originally Posted by manolia
Hey, manolia, where have you been in Sons and Lovers thread? My reading continues to be slow, but now I am to part 2 ,at least, and enjoying the book much more the second time around. I guess everyone was anxious, on first reading, to see the outcome, so they speeded up to find out. I have the advantage of slowly going through the text, this time, and absorbing it better. I probably won't finish up by the end of the month, but it has been an enjoyable read. Trying not to be hard on myself if I don't finish it up by the 31 - anyway, I don't think we truly have a deadline, do you? I wrote a long post in there today - hope you can check it out and comment. Your comments always mean so much to me. :)
I saw a few good films this week. I can't comment extensively on them, but I can list them, say a few words on each, and give them a rating.
I saw "Champions" with John Hurt and loved it - true story and amazing - I love horse and horse-racing films. I highly recommend it. Very uplifting, too. 9/10 - Hurt gives a solid and believable performance.
I saw "Art School Confidential" - a very funny film, parody on attending an inter-city art school - not sure of the time - probably back several years ago - perhaps even when I went to art college in Philadelphia. I could really relate to certain scenes and so crazy characters. It was a little 'over the top' at some junctures, but it may be so in NYC. I enjoyed it although the ending is not uplifting but makes one think. There is a bitterness to it but all in all I liked the idea and the themes. I laughed a lot, too. I probably would give it an 8/10 because I felt it could have used a more light or uplifting ending - at least hopeful one.
Last night I saw an adaptation from Henry James' "The Bostonians". I saw this film before but payed closer attention to it last night. I enjoyed it very much although I had to watch it on VHS and it was older print and not so clear, plus extremely dark on my TV, which was annoying at times to the eye. I liked the story and drama very much. Too hard to explain but involves the woman's suffrage moments and has some very interesting characters portrayed by prominent actors...Vanessa Redgrave is amazing, Christopher Reeve played a solid performance as a southern lawyer, and I can't recall the young woman who is the main star but she was outstanding. I believe Redgrave won an Oscar for her performance but don't quote me on it. It is a critically acclaimed film by Merchant Ivory. I would have to give it a 9/10 - a little slow-paced, bad print I was viewing, but excellent production. I have not read the book but I do believe this seems it would come close to the original story.
I mentioned I had seen "The Piano" awhile back. I ordered the soundtrack since it was so beautiful and so impression. Plan on playing that today.
I also watched a DVD concert that was wonderful - do concerts count in here? Anyway, thought I would mention it.
Loreena McKennett's "Nights in Alhambra" - the setting in Spain was magnificent and the fill-in's of her walking around the city made it highly entertaining/fascinating, as well. I loved the concert - she did all her most popular songs and did not miss a beat or a note. It was about 2 hours long, with no apparent break in the performance, so that was more than satisfying. She played the harp, piano and accordian alternately and her band certainly had some exotic and ancient instruments. that kept my interest throughout the concert. You can buy the 3 disk set online (Amazon) - 2 CDs and one DVD of the concert - it was a great deal! Glad I ordered it.
Mr. Brooks I would have to give it a 10/10. I really loved this movie. It was interesting, suspenseful, and the acting was good too.
Wedding Daze. I would rate it 5/10. It has some green scenes and there are only two or three innocent scenes that were really funny.
Tales from Earthsea 10/10, but then i'm a Ghibli fanatic :D
I hope you get to watch the movie soon so we can discuss it :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Actually the movie "El Greco" is a 7/10 for me. I gave it a 9/10 for personal reasons though (you'll undestand when you see it :D ). You might like it a lot since you are an artist and the movie is about the life of a great artist ;)
The thing that is outstanding about this movie is the music :thumbs_up (apart from Vangelis you get to listen to 2 excellent performers who are quite famous here and play and write traditional Cretan music combined with medieval elements).
I really liked the costumes also. Good work. And the shots taken at the medieval castles of Greece (in Rhodes) and Spain.
I also like the two leading actors (the english guy starring as El Greco and the spanish guy starring as the inquisitor) and some of the greek actors (the one starring as Nicolo, who is my favourite greek actor) the one starring as Ticiano (a very famous actor here and a good one, he was nominated for an oscar for his performance as a supporting actor at Zorba the greek and he is considered as one of the last of a long heritage of good theatrical -mainly- actors we have here).
If you get to watch the movie i'll tell you what i didn't like :p
If you go to the SnL thread you'll find a mammoth post of mine..sorry :blush: i had to keep up with the conversation. No, we don't have a deadline! So read the book at your leisure ;) I read it fast because it is a very interesting book. I read another book now, but i can always go back to the thread and continue our SnL conversation :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
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Originally Posted by manolia
Hi manolia, this a great review and run-down on the film. It really whetted my appetite and interest to see it. I do like artist's films. In fact, I bought one on Mondiglani, not because I particularly love his art, but just because it was another artist's story. Unfortunately, the dumb DVD seems defective; does weird things when trying to watch it. I managed through it once, but have not tried it on my newer player - maybe that will be successful. You can't hurt your player, can you?
Anyway, El Greco does sound extremely interesting. Funny, last night I watched a movie filmed in Rhodes and another the other night filmed in Spain at the Alhambra...that was wonderful. Is Rhodes an island? I have been wanting to watch "Forunes of War" again, so I can visit Athens, via TV screen. I am in a Greek state of mind...;) - thanks to you and amalia!
I might recognise some of the actors you mentioned. Last night one Greek actor playing a tiny part, an older man, showed up in the film and I recognised him from some other film I have seen lately. I think he played a gypsy in a Johnny Depp film. The acting in El Greco sounds wonderful. I can't wait to see it now. I know I will adore that music. I played the soundtrack, the other day, in my car and loved it so much had to play it again a few times over. It is awesome! I love medieval castles and I love period costuming. I am buying my ticket this very moment (just kidding ;) - wish I was).
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If you go to the SnL thread you'll find a mammoth post of mine..sorry :blush: i had to keep up with the conversation. No, we don't have a deadline! So read the book at your leisure ;) I read it fast because it is a very interesting book. I read another book now, but i can always go back to the thread and continue our SnL conversation :)
:lol: :lol: Yes, I know!...and right after your gigantic post is one even more gigantic by little old me - the talker! haha Then amalia posted at the same time and I had to revise it and it is even longer now! Glad we don't have a deadline. I hate reading with pressure to finish. I like to go over parts again - especially when I read it a second time. I notice so many more little details that now seem to be significant to me since we have our discussions. Thanks, because if you could pop in from time to time to discuss certain parts of the text that would be great - it would mean a lot to me - thanks so much!
"Saving private Ryan" 7/10
Handsome soldiers, but a genre that I detest, so I cannot be objective. It was my cousin's choice, and we had nothing to do but follow. The 7 is for the troops...
amalia, everyone has been urging me to see this film forever now, but I thought - 'wow, this is really going to be bloody'; am I right? I keep avoiding seeing it, when I know I probably should, since so many people rave how good it is. I have seen other war films, but they are not my favorites by far, so why I avoid this one is beyond me.Quote:
Originally Posted by amalia1985
Always ~ Richard Dreyfuss and Holy Hunter; directed by Steven Spielberg
What can I say? I have 'always' loved this film! Recently, I bought it and like it even better now, than before. It is a good 'thoughful' film and has its fun moments, as well. It is definitely a 'feel good film,' which we need from time to time. Maybe a good date film. Not everyday is a good day for Hamlet or other tragedies, although those are usually my favorites - being the tragerian I am.
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Originally Posted by Janine
I can understand why most people thinki it is a good film, and it really is. Nice acting, photography, music, excellent direction. It's just that I don't like the genre, but although it is really bloody, it is an excellent movie for those who like was films, but I am not one of them.:D
The last movie I watched was 30 days of night. Wow really great vampires.
Tis the season! Happy Halloween Everyone!Quote:
Originally Posted by jenniferm
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Gosh, Halloween is here. The time is so fast! It sometimes scares me a little bit (that's the whole point :rolleyes:). When I watch TV, they are always talking about ghosts, vampires and more stories which really freak you out.
I watched Hostel 2 this past Sunday and was greatly disappointed. I enjoyed the first one, but the sequel became a campy gore-enthusiast's wet dream. It had a small amount of potential. The first focused on the victims and the second could have focused on the clients. Instead we have victims, clients, and the head of the organization. This could have been a great trilogy, but it seems as if they're going for a exploited franchise. I had high hopes for Eli Roth. I hate to see things with promise wasted.
I'm not a fan of the war film myself, unless Kubrick directed it, but I love the opening sequence of Ryan. I avoid Platoon and Apocalypse Now for this reason.Quote:
Originally Posted by amalia1985
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Originally Posted by NickAdams
Yes, you are right. The opening sequence with the old, now, Ryan in the cemetery is shocking and shows a real directing genious! I thought that he was Captain Miller until the end of the film, and I remember freezing, with my mouth open, in front of the cinema screen! That was a twist of plot!!!
I am not sure about that. The only thing i know is how to turn my dvd player on and off :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Yes, Rhodes is an island.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Which film with Johnny is that? Is it "The man who cried"? I liked this one.
The first 15 min of the movie are very bloody. So you might not like it ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I like war films, this was a nice film but there are much better war films out there.
I just watched this weird Russian movie called 4. It had a promising start and premise but then the action moved to this strange little village with a bunch of old, drunk and oversexed women and things started to get really odd. :rolleyes: I give it a 3 out of 10 because the beginning was so promising.
:wave: Hi manolia, using your waving guy again. You answered two of my posts today - thank you so much! I was thrilled to see you back in S&L and answering a question I posted about 6 or more back, everyone else seemed to skip over those - thanks again! I will answer that post later. Too busy with Halloween now.Quote:
Originally Posted by manolia
You sound like me with the DVD. Then I guess it is useless to ask you for help with my new MP3 player - I keep avoiding trying to download the music or books to it...ekkkk....another complicated device to figure out and tons of directions to read! We forget this part when we purchase these new tech things.:(
No, the film was a Kenneth Branagh early film - "High Season" and it also stars beautiful Jacqueline Bisset,...James Fox, and Irene Papas. A very amusing film and great scenery! I want to go to Rhodes now.Quote:
Yes, Rhodes is an island.
Which film with Johnny is that? Is it "The man who cried"? I liked this one.
I have seen the Depp film you speak of and I loved it. I just saw it again not long ago and think I appreciated it even more - great actors and a good story. I love Depp playing a gypsy anyway. Did you see him in "Chocolat" - I love that movie. Hummm...maybe I will watch it tonight - my sister owns it.
So the whole film is not that bloody? I can take that usually, in small doses or paced out, but not if it is senseless. I saw "Black Hawk Down" - now you could not get much bloodier than that. I also, did see "Platoon" years ago in the theater - my son dragged me there with him when he was younger, I could have killed him for that. It made me squirm in my seat. I heard that there were better war films out there than "Saving Private Ryan". I thought the concept sounded a little outlandish and unreal. Was it a true story?Quote:
The first 15 min of the movie are very bloody. So you might not like it ;)
I like war films, this was a nice film but there are much better war films out there.
Went to see Ratatouille last night, loved it!
See? I told you, vheissu! It's one of my favorites! I love our little chef.
I always assumed that it was based on the story of those five brothers (I think they were 5) that died in WWII. Then again, though, I think they died on a ship. There was also that family that lost 5 boys during the Civil War. I figured that they took the story and fictionalized it by bringing the one back. No, it isn't a true story. At least not to my knowledge.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
I honestly didn't care for it. I actually really like war films. I don't know why, but I do. So, I sat through it and was completely disappointed. I am kind of tired of movies getting all this praise. They get so hyped up and when I eventually get around to watching them I am disappointed because my expectations were so high.
Well, I recently saw "Curious George". I will give it a 9/10. I thoroughly enjoyed that film. :D
LW, Thanks for your opinions on PR. I honestly pass-by it, all the time, in the library. It never seems the right time to brace myself to watch it. I actually like some war films, too, if they are not overdone. I like ones with 'thought' behind them. Did you ever see Mallick's "Thin Red Line". I liked it, but a friend of mine tried to tell me it was so unreal and stupid. Oh well, to each his own opinion. I found the inner-workings of the minds of the soldiers so interesting, but that it how the director Terrance Malick works. I like his films: "The New World" and his older film, "Days of Heaven". They are more like 'long epic poems' and very 'cerebral'. Many people can't stand him, since they don't have the patience for his slow-paced style. I enjoy it and think it is relaxing and always interesting, but that is just me. Not a lot of action, but then it is like real life and not a sensationalist film, which always gets the big box office praise. I don't follow the norm so when I see a film like his I think it is fresh and new and he tried something entirely different - good for him. I have never seen "Badlands" but I understand it is a great film and I plan to someday.Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyWentworth
How funny "Curious George" - does that bring back memories for me or what! Everynight, my son wanted me to read him this book before bed, when he got a little older. It was a longer child's book, so I think he really just wanted to stay up later. But when he was growing up, we loved the "Curious George" books! I found his old book the other day in my basement and I thought - I have to keep this for posterity, if nothing else. I will have to buy my grandchild (expecting one in about 6 months) a "Curious George" film - it is a child's film, right?
I watched Hot Fuzz a month or so ago. Everyone had been telling me that it was incredibly funny etc, but I didnt enjoy it at all. I have laughed more at Will Farrell and that is truly saying something. Useless 1/10
i thought we thin of our own movie we saw:blush:
Nooooooo, that's next on my netflix list!!Quote:
Originally Posted by kilted exile
crystals friend bexi watched fracture about a week ago. her and her friends decided to leave as the storyline was too predictable. some of it was good though .
would rate it a 5 ish out of 10
I saw We Own the Night and I would give it 9/10
I tried to watch The Black Dahlia, but it was so vapid I haven't been able to finish. No wonder it only cost $5.
oh ive seen hot Fuz and i loved it!!
it maybe the english humour... i watch alot of the Bill etc, and i used to live in a small town like the one they based the story in so it was very funny for me.
the black dahlia - yes what an absolutly vapid boring movie! i kind of sensed that the scarlett johanssen and josh hartnett version was going to be like that so i vetoed it for the, apparently 'non hollywood version' but it was this stupid movie that apparently was the ghost of the 'dahlia' that came back to haunt this studio and all these blondes that couldnt act kept going up for castings and getting killed.... it was about as good as hearing nails scrape down a blackboard.
so i thought, its such a fab starting point for a movie that there must be something worth watching in the hollywood version and almost retched at the banality of it. why bother putting hartnett in any movie? he CANT ACT!!....
i just thought it would be such an interesting story line with the nature of the murder and all the glamour of that era. i was envisioning someone would make an 'aviator' type of set and a thriller plot... but not so
Oh, I didn't like this movie at all. This was out at the same time as "Hollywoodland". So, I thought that there was going to be two good films about mysterious Hollywood deaths. I am really into "classic" Hollywood, by the way. Anyway, I really liked "Hollywoodland", but I absolutely detested "The Black Dahlia". I seriously thought that they were going to focus a little more on the actual person rather than the fictional characters.Quote:
Originally Posted by nereid
I think the same thing about Scarlet Johannsen. I really don't "get" her. I don't think she's that spectacular of an actor either. I am not saying she is a bad actress. I just don't think she is a good one. At best, I think she is average. I know that a lot of people would disagree with me, but that is their opinion. I respect that. This just happens to be mine. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by grittylit
Yes, actually, I did see that. Before "Saving Private Ryan", in fact. I remember that they were out at the same time. I liked it. I found it to be more compelling than "Saving Private Ryan".Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
You know, I really liked "The New World"! A lot of people were bored with it. I don't know what they expected, but I enjoyed the way that he presented the story with little dialogue and focusing more on the actions. It made it seem almost more "realistic" (for lack of a better word).
Yes, "Curious George" is a children's film! :D Every now and then it is good to just sit back and enjoy something light and fun like that!
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Originally Posted by LadyWentworth
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I think the same thing about Scarlet Johannsen. I really don't "get" her. I don't think she's that spectacular of an actor either. I am not saying she is a bad actress. I just don't think she is a good one. At best, I think she is average. I know that a lot of people would disagree with me, but that is their opinion. I respect that. This just happens to be mine. :)
Hi LW, I am checking in kind of late, but anyway...I guess we do disagree on one thing here - Scarlett J. I like her in somethings, but not all. I don't think she is a bad actress. I loved her in "The Horse-Whisperer" - just rewatched that a few months back - a good film and she was wonderfully emotional; of course she was very young in that film. Did you see her in "Girl With a Pearl Earring"? I really liked that film, but I like Colin Firth and I like stories about artists, so I thought the film was interesting and well done.
I don't think I have seen Scarlett lately in anything. I was not crazy about "Lost in Translation" and could not see all the hype about that film...why? I had planned on seeing "Black Dalhia", because someone told me it was good, but I had not gotten to it yet. Thanks for you assessment of the film. I don't know if that will keep me from seeing it; out of sheer curiosity, I might if it comes into my library, since it is free to take out.
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Yes, actually, I did see that. Before "Saving Private Ryan", in fact. I remember that they were out at the same time. I liked it. I found it to be more compelling than "Saving Private Ryan".
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You know, I really liked "The New World"! A lot of people were bored with it. I don't know what they expected, but I enjoyed the way that he presented the story with little dialogue and focusing more on the actions. It made it seem almost more "realistic" (for lack of a better word).
Interesting that you saw it and you liked it, too. I actually bought the DVD, but have not opened it yet - got it cheap and thought 'what the heck'. I usually don't buy war films, but I did like it...it was more cerebral, I thought. I liked "The New World" - guess what? I just watched it again, about a month ago. I let myself just be swept away with it - the beauty, the music, the setting, and the poetry - it is like a long epic poem really - I read that and it made so much sense; true of all Mallick's work, actually. "Days of Heaven" is an amazing film; the cinematography and music is stunning. Yes, slow paced and thoughtful, but I really liked it. Both of these films I have appreciated more on second viewings. I really want to see "Badlands" - it was critically acclaimed - suppose to be his best. I think the more times you see his films the better they are - you notice things you did not on first, even second viewings.
Definitely agree, I watched Pixar's "Cars" not long ago. Hey, maybe I am practicing to be a grandmother. Anyway, I usually enjoy the Pixar films so much. I loved "Finding Nemo" - was that cute or what? As an artist I really love this studio's creativity! They are so clever and so witty. :DQuote:
Yes, "Curious George" is a children's film! :D Every now and then it is good to just sit back and enjoy something light and fun like that!
I will have to see "Curious George" for sure! I love kid films!
The Killers 10/10
Film noir based on a Hemingway short story. One of the best of the genre. The acting is spot on, the whole cast is up to it. The cinematography and directing is classic noir.
saw SpiderMan 3 - It was okay.
The Transformers played (husband wanted to watch it) but I am not a big fan of Shia LaBeouf anyway (Disturbia turned me off - he needs to select better roles maybe), and I just wasn't interested. When I looked up every once in a while, the special effects were good, but I didn't really follow the story.
"Empire of the Sun" by Steven Spielberg
10/10
Dinotopia, 10/10
Well, like I said, somebody was bound to disagree with me over her. Unfortunately it was you. :p No, I never saw "The Girl With the Pearl Earring". I 've only seen bits and pieces of "The Horse Whisperer". I thought "Lost in Translation" was OK. It could've been better. Especially with all the hype they gave it! Honestly, the one movie that she is in that I liked was "Ghost World". I really liked that one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Janine
Yeah, you might as well watch "The Black Dahlia". I just wish that they would've gone about the story differently. I saw that at the same time as "Hollywoodland". My mother, brother and I all went to see both together. My brother and I preferred "Hollywoodland" and my mother preferred "The Black Dahlia". So, it is really a matter of opinion. You may really like it!
Well, I have to get myself "The New World". I actually have been in the mood to watch it again. I figure that that will be something I will "treat" myself to after the holidays (or as a gift to myself for Christmas :) ).
Best part of "Finding Nemo" is in the beginning when his father tells him not to touch that ship (it was a ship, right? I need to watch it again to refresh my memory), and Nemo sticks his fin out and touches it, which, of course, leads to everything else in the film. But I just love that look on Nemo's face. Such a naughty "child". I think it is so cute! By the way, I heard that Pixar will be releasing a third "Toy Story". We'll see how that goes!
Completely agree!!! Great fillm!Quote:
Originally Posted by amalia1985
Hi LW, yes, it might as well be me to disagree even if we usually do agree on many things to do with actors, etc. We can't agree on everything. I think, I too, have mixed feelings about her, but I basically do like her performances and thought, in the two I mentioned, that she played well with her eyes and her expressions. You should see both films from the beginning. Hey, LW, what is this skipping around? I never do that, unless I have seen the film before. and want to get to the juicy bits. You must be anxious to get to the end. It is a shame though if you see the ending (like in Mayor of Casterbridge), before you experience the whole story and film; it really ruins it, or it would for me. LW, I bet you read the last page in a novel, first.;) Some people do that I understand. My mother does that sometimes, too.Quote:
Originally Posted by LadyWentworth
I may very well agree with you on this one. My friend who said it was good and I don't usually agree on what films we like. I am really curious now to see it, but will wait till it is available and free. I just thought of this - I can check on my online library site, to see if they own it yet. I love using that site.Quote:
Yeah, you might as well watch "The Black Dahlia". I just wish that they would've gone about the story differently. I saw that at the same time as "Hollywoodland". My mother, brother and I all went to see both together. My brother and I preferred "Hollywoodland" and my mother preferred "The Black Dahlia". So, it is really a matter of opinion. You may really like it!
I was to the library this afternoon, but they close on Friday at 5. I loaded up for the weekend since they had such great stuff - I got 4 films! I will probably watch one tonight and two the other two nights - these do have to be returned by Monday. Did I bite off more than I can chew? I hope not. :D After all my viewing I guess I will be listing them next week to let you know which ones are good ones or worth watching; at least in my opinion, for whatever that counts for. Getting my hollywood glasses on now --:cool: to preview the movies.
Yes, I said the same but my library has it available all the time, so I felt I wanted to relax one night and really let my mind 'drift' with it, as I viewed it on my new TV. It looked spectacular on there, also - so detailed and very vibrant. I enjoyed the entire film with all the elements - sountrack, setting, naturistic elements and it's slow-pace, with nuanced performances. I did so like this second viewing more than the first, and if I see the film out at a good price, I may just invest in it someday, who knows. It is a very pretty film and would be nice for my collection.Quote:
Well, I have to get myself "The New World". I actually have been in the mood to watch it again. I figure that that will be something I will "treat" myself to after the holidays (or as a gift to myself for Christmas :) ).
Yes, he was so naughty and disobeyed his dad, I recalled that, just like a typical kid - tell them don't do it and they do do it! It was a darling film. I will have to borrow it from my library one of these days and re-watch it. It is so delightul and colorful, too. I loved the voices, as well. First rate all the way. Wow, Toy Story 3 - no I had no idea they had planned another. I really did enjoy both 1 and 2 so it might be ok - good actually. Those were so entertaining and fun!Quote:
Best part of "Finding Nemo" is in the beginning when his father tells him not to touch that ship (it was a ship, right? I need to watch it again to refresh my memory), and Nemo sticks his fin out and touches it, which, of course, leads to everything else in the film. But I just love that look on Nemo's face. Such a naughty "child". I think it is so cute! By the way, I heard that Pixar will be releasing a third "Toy Story". We'll see how that goes!
Not sure if I have seen that one, but I know I have wanted to. I thought it to be a really fine film. Now I will have to track it down.Quote:
Completely agree!!! Great fillm!
"The Prestige" by Christopher Nollan.
9/10