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

[Janine]

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

[Bakiryu]

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

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

Children's movies should have a message.

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

[kiz_paws]

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

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

Children's movies should have a message.

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

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

[Bakiryu]

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

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

[Themis]

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

[kiz_paws]

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

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

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

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

[Bakiryu]

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

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

Thanks for the welcome.

[jon1jt]

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

[vheissu]

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

7/10

[Mark F.]

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

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

[Janine]

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

7/10

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

[Adolescent09]

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

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

Beauty.

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

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

"All art is quite useless" - Oscar Wilde.

[Janine]

Madame Butterfly - Puccini (1995)

Starring: Ying Huang, Richard Troxell
Director: Frédéric Mitterrand

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

[Adolescent09]

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

[Niamh]

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