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

[manolia]

'The Piano Teacer' -- I can't think of the director offhand, but Isabella Huppert plays the lead.

This is such a sexual film that I don't actually know how much I can say about it...
I should like to issue a warning: This is not a film about music! By no means would I advise watching this under that impression. It is about a woman with very particular...needs. Um, needs that I should think any man would have a good deal of hesitation in indulging. Besides all that, though, the musical aspects of the film are actually very well-written - perhaps we have the novel to thank for that. The woman is an extremely strict teacher, quite opinionated about certain composers, and it seems to me that the writer must actually know a good deal about music.
I must credit the film with being, in spite of all its eroticism, actually quite (and I hate using this word, but there's no other) tasteful. And very well-written. I cannot say much for the delivery of the lines, however, as I do not yet have a very good ear for French... Won some awards, though, if I'm not mistaken - at Cannes and so forth.

9/10
Certainly worth seeing once, at least.

Jamesian i have to admit that you have a very good taste in films . I've been reading your reviews occasionally and i agree with most of them. This is an excellent film by the way . If you liked this film by Haneke you should also see "Funny games" this one is a very disturbing film about violence-for no particular reason-and it is in german.

Janine i haven't seen "Rope" but "Rear window" is an excellent film.

[ElissaDido]

Ghost Rider 3/10

I didn't even want to watch the movie but it was the only one playing in the cinema and my friends wanted to watch it and I tagged along. I'm not a fan of action movies and the plot wasn't too strong imo.

[Elly_blue]

Superman Returns 4/10

I'm not a big fan of this genre but I did watch almost all the other Superheromovies. Some of them were ok, but this one definately NOT. Sometimes people should pay more attention to the phrase ˝less is more˝

[Janine]

While Rear Window is great, Rope is one of Hitch's worst films IMO. The only point was to make a single-shot film. The result ressembles a filmed play more than a film. The concept is gratuitous and the plot isn't really suited for cinema.

Mark F,, I disagree; I liked "Rope". It had it's moments and it's merits. It was definitely 'weird' in concept, but I still liked it. It kept my interest every minute and so what that it was filmed not as perfected as the others, but it certainly did have it's value. You know even the 'not as good' Hitchcocks are well worth viewing and better and more clever than mediocre directors. The man had a mastermind! Granted - it did feel more like a play, but I actually like films done in this format - single-shot. I have seen it several times and would watch it again, no doubt. I watch all Hitchcock films over and over again. I am a big fan of the man - he was brilliant! In this film he takes the remarks of one man, the professor and the youth turn them around to mean something else that suits them. It is so pychological that I really liked it and was drawn into the web of the play immediately. It was originally a stage play I believe, but I could be wrong.
"Rear Window" and "Dial M for Murder" are masterpieces. True "Rope" is secondary to these but it is still a good film and unique.

[Janine]

Lady in the water-- 6.5/10
It just didnt live up to expectations of M. Night Shyamalan movie, and was rather slow to start, but just had a look on Imdb andthats seems to be the pattern with him a great film then a so great one then a great one etc. So looking forward to 2008 and his next work

But the thing I did like about this film was the people, the little charcter sketches almost were amusing I especially enjoyed 13b's monologue.

so though it wsnt his best work still a fan I like the idea of bed time stories beng real, and possible connotations of the importance of children

HiNightshade, even though not one of M.Night Shyamalan's best (so I have heard) I really have the desire to see this film to judge on my own. I have liked the ones he made that others hated. Guess I am a rebelor just have bad taste
Anyway, I like your write-up on the film - seems really fair and I will try to see it soon and let you know what I thought of it. The 'character sketches' sound interesting and you brought out a good point - it is a children's story, in fact M.Night actually read this to his child at bedtime. I saw a video online of an interview with him concerning the film and it increased my curiosity to see it myself. I like his honesty and his manner - he seems like a very sincere young man.

[Mark F.]

Rope was a play first. Hitchcock is hit and miss, some of his films like Notorious and Strangers On A Train, I can do without, others like Rear Window, North By North West and The Birds are brilliant. I think there's another "single shot" Hitchcock film called Under Capricorn which is supposed to be much better than Rope.

[Janine]

Rope was a play first. Hitchcock is hit and miss, some of his films like Notorious and Strangers On A Train, I can do without, others like Rear Window, North By North West and The Birds are brilliant. I think there's another "single shot" Hitchcock film called Under Capricorn which is supposed to be much better than Rope.

Hi again Mark F, "Notorious" is suppose to be Hitchcock's very best film. I saw a panel of most of his leading ladies and his daughter on a talk show and they all agreed that "Notorious" was his best film. Hitchcock, himself, said it was his masterpiece. His daugher stated this fact. How odd you say you did not like it. Actually and unfortunately, I have never seen it and want to badly, but can't buy it presently - too expensive - and I don't know where to rent it. I saw two versions of "Strangers On A Train". I agree it is not my favorite, but I still enjoyed it very much. "The Birds" is good but after so many viewings I have to tell you I think it is just plain silly; now I am always laughing when I see it. The fact she rows across the lake in a mink coat and highheels is hilarious and the scene with the birds flying into the phone booth - yes, classic - but corny as anything; those birds look so fake. I can't help but laugh throughout the whole film, especially the ending. I love the film Dali did the dream sequence in. I am sure you know the name of the film. It is eluding me right now; it will come to me. I especially liked "Vertigo". "North by Northwest" is great. Love the cornfield scene. Not many Hitchcock films I don't like - probably none.

[kathycf]

Oh Notorious! I do like that one....but I still get annoyed with Cary Grant anyway. I expect you will think I can't stand him, Janine! I don't hate him but he is far too suave. Ingrid Bergman is just wonderful in this movie.

Rope is not one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, but it is interesting and a little suspenseful even. Of course I was about 14 when I watched it on TV, so I really would have to get a hold of it again to verify my opinion.


BTW, that dream sequence by Dali is in the film Spellbound, another Hitchcock classic. That stars Gregory Peck, who I will take over Cary Grant any day of the week. I should have been born like, 60 years ago.

[Janine]

Oh Notorious! I do like that one....but I still get annoyed with Cary Grant anyway. I expect you will think I can't stand him, Janine! I don't hate him but he is far too suave. Ingrid Bergman is just wonderful in this movie.

Rope is not one of my favorite Hitchcock movies, but it is interesting and a little suspenseful even. Of course I was about 14 when I watched it on TV, so I really would have to get a hold of it again to verify my opinion.


BTW, that dream sequence by Dali is in the film Spellbound, another Hitchcock classic. That stars Gregory Peck, who I will take over Cary Grant any day of the week. I should have been born like, 60 years ago.

Hi kathycf, Glad you are in support of "Notorious"; I could not imagine a bad Ingrid Bergman film - she was always so beautiful, luminous. Cary Grant is not my favorite actor either. I can see him in some things and he passes, but I don't know what all the raves were about him personally, but remember men were perceived differently in those days - maybe a bit more testoserone? Charm was a big thing back then and he was a good actor. Look at Fred Astaire - he was not exactly a handsome guy, at least not in my book. He was a great dancer and certainly oused charm and likability. I think Grant's charm was his strong point. People back then loved 'sauve', also. I agree with you; I would take Peck over Grant any day. Yes, it was "Spellbound" and I loved that film. I loved the Dali sequence and the eye and the ski scene. It really kept you wondering. I think being 14 and seeing "Rope" you would not see the brilliance in it. I think I felt it unusual and unique. The concept of the professor is somewhat 'twisted' and in a way it comes back to haunt him in the end. The two students twist his ideas around to suit their own greed. What I liked was the fact of the one guy really being dominent and controlling the actions of the other guy to do all the dirty. He perpetrated the whole murder, but he kept his hands clean all the time. The rope is the most interesting part of the film and is a character all of it's own - the way it is hanging out of the trunk first and then the use of it to tie up the books. The film was quite suspenseful. Hey, Hitchcock was the master of suspense!
I like old films, too. I think with new technology and DVD's they are making a whole resurgence in our modern day society and people are again appreciating their charm and their timeless qualities.

[Captain Pike]

the last movie I saw was "Little Manhattan". It really took me back to when I was a kid -- always in love with some girl or other, only, she never knew.

Ironically, the young boy that was in it, I believe was also in the movie I saw just before little Manhattan -- RV. RV was the worst use of Robin Williams I've ever seen. It could have been a much better movie.

[Mark F.]

Hi again Mark F, "Notorious" is suppose to be Hitchcock's very best film. I saw a panel of most of his leading ladies and his daughter on a talk show and they all agreed that "Notorious" was his best film. Hitchcock, himself, said it was his masterpiece. His daugher stated this fact. How odd you say you did not like it. Actually and unfortunately, I have never seen it and want to badly, but can't buy it presently - too expensive - and I don't know where to rent it. I saw two versions of "Strangers On A Train". I agree it is not my favorite, but I still enjoyed it very much. "The Birds" is good but after so many viewings I have to tell you I think it is just plain silly; now I am always laughing when I see it. The fact she rows across the lake in a mink coat and highheels is hilarious and the scene with the birds flying into the phone booth - yes, classic - but corny as anything; those birds look so fake. I can't help but laugh throughout the whole film, especially the ending. I love the film Dali did the dream sequence in. I am sure you know the name of the film. It is eluding me right now; it will come to me. I especially liked "Vertigo". "North by Northwest" is great. Love the cornfield scene. Not many Hitchcock films I don't like - probably none.

The one with the Dali sequence is Spellbound and I hate that one, it's so flawed. It can't stand up to multiple viewings despite good acting and directing. As you said Hitchcock is "classic - but corny as anything". I don't mind the fact that his films are corny, how corny is North By Northwest? Very. But it's such a great adventure film. I'll have to watch Notorious again, but I remember being bored the first time I saw it.

[quasimodo1]

Dear Janine: Where did you hear about the Dali sequence? Just a rumor on my end. And Vertigo, don't get tired of it especially the newer DVD. As for Notorious, I'll look around. quasimodo1

[Laporis]

Happy Feet ^^" It's soooo cute but before I saw "The Importance of being Earnest" both deserve 5 stars

[Janine]

Dear Janine: Where did you hear about the Dali sequence? Just a rumor on my end. And Vertigo, don't get tired of it especially the newer DVD. As for Notorious, I'll look around. quasimodo1

Hi quasimodo, I went to the Dali Show at the PMA in Philadelphia 2 yrs ago; they had some of the original artwork for the film, plus a 5 minute video of the sequence. I had known about it prior to going to the show, since a good friend of mine is very knowledgable about Dali. There also were sketches for the dream sequence. Surely you have seen the film (?)

This is from my friend's blog - Index:
#151. The Eye (Set design for the film Spellbound), 1945
#152. Dream sequence from the film Spellbound, 1945
DVD; 5 minutes, 12 secondsDesigned by Salvador Dali Directed by Alfred HitchcockCourtesy of Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Does this look familiar?


Yes, "Vertigo" is fabulous - one of my favorites! Could never tire of that film. Maybe Blockbuster has "Notorious", but I usually don't go there; go to "Wow"; doubt they have it, but will ask.
If you have your email set so you can get PM's I will send you a link to the Dali blog.
Janine

Here is another Dali picture from Spellbound:

[quasimodo1]

Very good clarification and I wasn't aware of many of those facts. I remember the first image but the second was new to me (or my memory). I guess I mentioned "Pan's Labarynth" as a first rate experience but if not...you have to see that one. Almost "Daliesque"/ the Spanish filmaker is someone I'll be delving into now for sure. Thanks again. quasimodo1