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

[novelsryou]

I loved that movie, too. Haven't read the book, though.

I haven't read The Painted Vail yet, in fact it hasn't even arrived in the mail but I believe the end of the book devotes some time to the relationship between Kitty and her father which the movie didn't touch - a disservice to Kitty's character in the movie IMHO.

[Idril]

The last movie I saw?

I just saw Fargo and No Country For Old Men, and I have to say that I gave them both 4/4 stars. Here's why:

FARGO:
-The ridiculously overdone North Dakotan accent.

It's so nice to see that someone actually realizes that that accent is, indeed, overdone. Most people think we North Dakotans really do talk like that. I suppose I do have to admit there are a few old Norwegian farmers that have that exaggerated accent but your average North Dakotan does not.

[Seabird111]

It's so nice to see that someone actually realizes that that accent is, indeed, overdone. Most people think we North Dakotans really do talk like that. I suppose I do have to admit there are a few old Norwegian farmers that have that exaggerated accent but your average North Dakotan does not.

Yes, lol. I've been to North Dakota and South Dakota plenty of times, and no one talks like that, lol.

But it helps add to the hilarity of it.

[Janine]

It's so nice to see that someone actually realizes that that accent is, indeed, overdone. Most people think we North Dakotans really do talk like that. I suppose I do have to admit there are a few old Norwegian farmers that have that exaggerated accent but your average North Dakotan does not.

Yes, but the exaggerated accent was so much fun, wasn't that the idea?....and just the fact that the top investigator was a woman who was very very pregnant. I thought the scene where her old friend meets her at a bar and tries to pick her up was hilarious. Fargo is such a fun movie to watch. I really loved it and I did not see it until a few years ago. I had heard of it for so long....it has become such a cult film. People are always immidating that accent when they tell you about it. I am sure that accent was exaggerated for laughs; also who now could forget the film just by that one device - that accent? I guess some people would think it was for real though (I never thought of that fact), not knowing what the local accent really sounds like.

Idril, I liked your post and all the reasons to see each movie, as you outlined them. That was really good and precise, although I have not seen the second one yet. I am sure that is the 'darker' of the two.

I saw "Silk" the other night. I don't want to review it entirely, now but want to see if anyone has seen it and what they thought.
I can say I was less than thrilled with the story and acting, and yet it is visually one of the loveliest films I have ever seen, drop-dead gorgeous scenery and cinamatography.

[Seabird111]

Yes, but the exaggerated accent was so much fun, wasn't that the idea?....and just the fact that the top investigator was a woman who was very very pregnant. I thought the scene where her old friend meets her at a bar and tries to pick her up was hilarious. Fargo is such a fun movie to watch. I really loved it and I did not see it until a few years ago. I had heard of it for so long....it has become such a cult film. People are always immidating that accent when they tell you about it. I am sure that accent was exaggerated for laughs; also who now could forget the film just by that one device - that accent? I guess some people would think it was for real though (I never thought of that fact), not knowing what the local accent really sounds like.

That scene was hilarious, rofl!

[Janine]

That scene was hilarious, rofl!

hi Seabird,Welcome...I saw you were new here; you will love this forum. I love your user-name, because I love the sea and all the natural elements in relation to oceans...especially the seabirds. Love to see albatross soaring, especially. Did you see "Winged Migration"? It is such an amazing film!

Yes, wasn't that scene just the funniest? I laughed and laughed. It has been awhile since I saw it and hoping now it returns to my library so I can rewatch it soon..... but she had no idea, right? that he was about to propose such a thing, and just the fact, of a 8 month pregnant woman being propositioned - is that hilarious, or what? Brilliant!

[Idril]

Yes, but the exaggerated accent was so much fun, wasn't that the idea?

Oh, I have no problem with the accent in the context of the movie, it works brilliantly in that regard. I guess I'm just overly sensitive to it because it often seems like the first thing people ask when they find out I'm from ND is if we all talk like they do in "Fargo". My usual response, especially if the question comes after having talked to these people for awhile is..."Do I talk that way?" and then they usually say, "Well, I hear a little bit of it but not like in the movie" and then I say, "Well, there you go then".

Idril, I liked your post and all the reasons to see each movie, as you outlined them. That was really good and precise, although I have not seen the second one yet. I am sure that is the 'darker' of the two.

That one wasn't me, Janine. I talked about the Armenian movie, Seabird was the one talking about the Coen Brothers' movies. He was the one with the thoughtful outlines for each movie, I'm rarely ever able to organized my thoughts that well.

[Janine]

Oh, I have no problem with the accent in the context of the movie, it works brilliantly in that regard. I guess I'm just overly sensitive to it because it often seems like the first thing people ask when they find out I'm from ND is if we all talk like they do in "Fargo". My usual response, especially if the question comes after having talked to these people for awhile is..."Do I talk that way?" and then they usually say, "Well, I hear a little bit of it but not like in the movie" and then I say, "Well, there you go then".

Oh that is so funny, Idril, but I know it can be annoying as well...people get impressions from media and films and often they are the wrong ones. That is like when I used to tell someone I was an artist and the first thing they would say - oh, do you oil paint? Like oil painting was the only media on earth. I would also just roll my eyes and then shy far away from any more discussion about art. Obviously, their view was a little limited.

That one wasn't me, Janine. I talked about the Armenian movie, Seabird was the one talking about the Coen Brothers' movies. He was the one with the thoughtful outlines for each movie, I'm rarely ever able to organized my thoughts that well.

Oh, sorry, Idril, and sorry to Seabird, as well.
I am like you, Idril, in that I don't feel I can't often organize my thoughts as well as I wish to; I can be rather scatterbrain and I desire to be more organised in my thoughts and posts. So, I commend you, Seabird, in that respect!

[Seabird111]

hi Seabird,Welcome...I saw you were new here; you will love this forum. I love your user-name, because I love the sea and all the natural elements in relation to oceans...especially the seabirds. Love to see albatross soaring, especially. Did you see "Winged Migration"? It is such an amazing film!

Yes, wasn't that scene just the funniest? I laughed and laughed. It has been awhile since I saw it and hoping now it returns to my library so I can rewatch it soon..... but she had no idea, right? that he was about to propose such a thing, and just the fact, of a 8 month pregnant woman being propositioned - is that hilarious, or what? Brilliant!

Thanks, it's great to be here. And no, I haven't seen Winged Migration, but I'll have to check it out!

I love it how Coen Brothers movies get better with repeat viewings. You notice new things every time.

[vheissu]

The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Almost cried! 8.5/10

[vheissu]

I'm an anomaly, and not in a good way. For some reason, I wasn't moved by that movie until the very end, when they were on the beach. For years I've wondered why and for years, I haven't known why.

The one point where it does get really sad for me is when the old prisoner gets out and can't cope with life out of prison and well, you know what he does...

But hey, I don't get moved by some films either, which are regarded as 'sentimental': Titanic (when it came out all my friends were crying their eyes out) and Pearl Harbor. Just two I remember at the moment...

[Sweets America]

The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Almost cried! 8.5/10

Oh I love it!!!

And Antiquarian, it's ok not to be moved by a movie, it really is a question of sensibility and maybe in this movie there was something lacking for your own sensibility.
Oh, I was moved by Titanic.

[Sir Bartholomew]

videodrome - 3.0/4.0

[Janine]

"Evening" based on the book by Susan Minot.

It was lovely in many ways, with a wonderful performance by the great Vanessa Redgrave, but I found it slow moving and rather thin, with none of the characters very likable.

I have to admit I CAN'T STAND Claire Danes, so she pretty much ruined the movie for me.

Still...

6/10

Antiquarian, Oops, sorry if I steered you the wrong way on this one. I do agree with you; Redgrave was wonderful, as usual. I don't recall ever seeing her in a bad performance, have you? I thought her daughter, Natashia Richardson, looked a little tired and worn out, but maybe that was the point and they played her looks down. Yes, the story was slow-moving and choppy at times, too - but so many films these days, pop back and forth, between memory and reality, I guess I am finally getting used to that method, though I can't really admit I like it that much. It tends to break up the film and lose the flow. Someone on an Amazon review said 'why would everyone be in love with Harris?' I have to agree with that one. He was so benign. I just did not find him that enchanting, did you? He really lacked that certain 'charm' that so many actors have today and in the past, especially. I don't know - to me if they had only cast the two main characters - his character and Claire Danes was played by someone else, for instance, I think the movie would have been a better success. I didn't think it was a total failure, but it could have been much better. Did you say you did read the book, Antiquarian? I bet the book is better than the film, by far.
It was interesting to see the two mother/daughter combos in this film. I thought the revisiting of the old friend, played by Glenn Close, at the end was a bit much, unrealistic and so close to the woman's death. Oh, come on...how did she know to come there? Oh, I guess the daughters up and called her, but how did they even know about her...since they did not seem to know a bit about this part of their mother's life? I could relate to the two sisters, since I have a sister, who I have a difficult and mixed relationship with; one I do argue with, like they did, even though I know I love her...still we are so different. I could relate to the mother's passing, also. That is something someday I will have to experience myself.
I thought the imagery and the cinematography were lovely and the music score a fine one.
The weakest parts of the film were the slow 'thin' plot (you are accurate in calling it 'thin', the casting for the Harris character; I actually, did not hate the casting for the Dane's character, although she is far from my favorite actress, as well. I thought at one point in her grief, she would have shown more emotion than she did. That seemed to be totally strange to me - so she goes and sits silently in a sailboat. And what exactly was the significance of that sailboat, anyway? I think that was a little sketchy. I guess I did not expect too much out of this film, so I found it enjoyable in aspects. Afterall, it was free from my library and I have seen far worse. Sorry you had to pay to rent it and then was disappointed, Antiquarian.
Did you feel Dancy did a good job of his role or just so-so? I actually liked him best in the independent film, I just saw recently "The Jane Austen Book Club"...but of course, his performance was a much lighter one in that film.
My last comment is on the star thing. Wasn't that done much better in "A Beautiful Mind"? It seemed like the copied the idea. Also why did the brother designate a star to Claire Dane's character and then Harris did the same thing - kind of a copycat, don't you think? Couldn't he be a little more original. I also did not see much passion between he and the Danes...absolutely no chemistry there.

Speaking of films that are worse, last night I took a leap and tried this film in from my library called:

"The Stone Merchant" - starring Harvey Keital, F. Murray Abraham , Jordi Molla, Jane March

Good actors and a terrible mundane script and some of the secondary actors were just dreadful. I could not believe how 'wooden' their performances were...it was laughable. Don't rent this film; after I saw it I said - what a waste of time and what exactly was the point? I am still pondering that.

I would have to number rate this 5 out of 10 - really. I will be anxious to see what people are rating it on Amazon. Such a waste of good talent, too....sad...

[Janine]

Oh, no, no, Janine. I liked the movie very much. In fact, I may even watch it again before I have to return it. I just didn't like Claire Danes, that's all.

I also had to wonder why everyone would be in love with Harris. He wasn't all that interesting to me. The Hugh Dancy character, Bobby, I guess, was more interesting, but he was always drunk, of course. I guess it had to be Harris they were in love with because the bride was Bobby's sister.

I liked the fact that the friend (Meryl Streep) came to see Vanessa Redgrave's character at the end. I didn't like the fact that Redgrave's character would sometimes "see" the night nurse in a formal (bridal?) dress. I thought that was a bit much, but it was a little thing in the overall movie.

Yes, I do have the book, Janine, and it's right downstairs on my bookshelf, but I have yet to read it, like so many other. LOL

You did not steer me wrong. I liked it very much. Even my husband liked it, but at first, poor guy, he was unaware that Claire Danes and Vanessa Redgrave were playing the same character. Poor guy! He likes his storytelling more straightforward.

I'll have to rent "The Jane Austen Book Club" next. I have read, and loved, that book.

Oh good, Antiquarian, sure glad you were not mad at me for suggesting that film. Did you see how I slashed the poor movie to threads above? well not really...but I actually, do have to agree that Claire Danes is not my favorite actress - well neither is Tony Collette, but I think she did a good job in this film, although I kept wondering 'just what is her problem, anyway?' She had this sweet boyfriend who would do anything for her apparently, and she just could not commit. What was wrong with that girl? Then she gets in her state (won't ruin it for anyone) and she is indecisive still. It seemed they had been together awhile. I could not quite figure out what her problem was; what was holding her back? And the guy who played Harris - Patrick somebody - I don't recall seeing him in a film for sometime now. He is just plain a dull type guy - no dimension to his character. I would have gone for Buddy, even if he drank too much. I would have straightened that boy out. He would have been worth the effort; now he was cute and had a personality.
Your poor hubby. Now I get confused too but right away I did know that the younger woman was the older on. That is funny, but glad at least, you both did enjoy the film. I thought the single image of the boat floating with her hand in the water, at the beginning, was lovely. I don't know - the film looked really stunning on my new HD tv so that might have influenced me. I like dramas also that basically take place in a few environments so one can concentrate on the drama. I am getting truly sick of slick special effects that one knows blantantly are CGI.
Well, I hope I am not steering you wrong on the other film. I liked it, but that is me. It was lighter than some and yet I thought it was well-done. I enjoyed it and laughed at the comical parts. I guess I should read the books for both and 'Atonement', also. I don't think any of those books are that long, are they?