"Quantum of Solace"-three stars-pretty good.
"Quantum of Solace"-three stars-pretty good.
You never answered what I wrote.
I couldn't agree more.
I wanted to see that one so bad. But I was afraid that Spike Lee would spoil it by making it too, as you said, "Spike Lee". But if you gave it a 9/10, then I guess it wasn't enough to taint it. I will have to check it out now.Last night, I watched Miracle at St. Anna. A friend of mine rented it, and I felt a little reluctant, since Spike Lee and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship; his films either amaze me or ruin a few hours for me. Wow, this one definitely impressed me! World War II never seems to get enough coverage in contemporary storytelling and film-making, and it can get a bit repetitious, to tell all honesty, but Miracle at St. Anna not only have originality, but also a fantastic plot, good acting, and a variety of scenes for tragedy, humor, and times to reflect; a few parts, however, seemed a bit too 'Spike Lee,' since, come on, he also did Bamboozled.
Rating: 9/10.
All movies that I have seen many times before, but decided to watch again recently:
Pretty in Pink - 9/10 James Spader is such a sleaze as Steff. He is great in here. One of my favorite "villains" in film.
Tombstone - 10/10 Always has been, and always will be, one of my all-time favorite films. For Val Kilmer's performance as Doc Holliday alone is enough for it to be on my favorite films list.
Sandlot 9/10 Cute film. I enjoy it.
A "new" movie for me:
Superbad - 8/10 I really wasn't crazy about the movie. I didn't hate it, it just wasn't that great. In fact, I deducted points for that reason, but the '8' is for every scene with Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Seth Rogen and Bill Hader. I thought their scenes together were hilarious. I'd watch the movie again just to watch them.
LadyWentworth, Oh my gosh, can you forgive me? I am so sorry I forgot to get back to you on this post. I had to go hunting for it and it got buried 3 pages back! Avy changes did not help either...I could not find you! haha...
Sounds incredible and now I know it ends tragically or I suppose it does. Who else plays in the film?
No, I don't think I ever saw it yet the name sounds so familar. Maybe my son did rent it years back. He used to rent movies all the time back then. Sometimes we would watch them together, which is a great memory for me now.He had some pretty good roles in his early career. Have you ever seen "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"? One of the classic films in my household when I was a kid. Nobody in the world could be as great as he was as Jeff Spicoli.![]()
I never saw that one either. I am pretty sure of that; I think I would have remembered it. I think it sounds good though.Then you have the film "Bad Boys". Another classic in my house from my childhood years. This is at the opposite end of the scale, though, when it comes to genre. It stars Penn and Esai Morales (he is just too beautiful - even when he is a bad guy). In fact, when I was little I was always quoting Morales' character.
It is about these two guys that end up in the same detention facility and they have it out for the other and blah, blah, blah. I personally love this film. I think it is one of the best from the 80's, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to you. I don't think you'd care for it. You wouldn't like to watch the ending.
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This I had forgotten or maybe I never knew it. How strange to think of him on that type of show. I bet it was fun looking for him. Someone on Youtube thought they spied Branagh as a very young man in "Chariots of Fire" so they put up the video excerpt. He appeared in a class gathering scene as an extra. I think it may have been him, but still not 100% sure. You could tell by his walk....so funny.Also, never forget that he is on "Little House on the Prairie".I can remember when I was a kid my brothers would say "That has to be Sean Penn". It IS him (his father directed a couple episodes). But it is kind of funny because he looks just the same. There is no doubt it is him. Then, a long time ago, I was looking him up on IMDB for a specific movie title, sure enough, "Little House" is on his resume.
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I loved "Pretty in Pink". I finally broke down and bought it a year ago. I love Molly Ringwald. I loved the kid who played "Duckie", Jon Cryer; he was super in this film. Harry Dean Stanton was good too as her father. I was ga ga over Andrew McCarthy..was he quietly cute or what? Yes, definitely James Spader was such a sleaseball. I could not stand him, but he was good being the ultimate villain. I also love the film "Sixteen Candles"; I thought that film was great fun and very sweet, too. I will probably buy that one someday too, along with "The Breakfast Club". Now these take me back to the 80's and films my son shared with me.Pretty in Pink - 9/10 James Spader is such a sleaze as Steff. He is great in here. One of my favorite "villains" in film.
Last edited by Janine; 04-04-2009 at 02:06 AM.
"It's so mysterious, the land of tears."
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Which one are you referring to now?
I am due for a rewatch now of ALL my films on my new pink Sony!I don't think you can go wrong with BHR. It's just so lovely and the acting is so good. I'm due for a rewatch soon on my red Sony!![]()
You will! This movie is so addictive. I can't believe I keep going back to it. I can't get enough of it for some reason. I do agree that is attracts me also to rewatch more than "Henry V", as a whole. It is such a unique experience and one keeps pondering Hamlet; that could be a forever thing. With Henry you get what you see. My favorite scene in Henry is still the camp night scene when he speaks about kings being mere humans weighted with such responsibility of their kingly station in life. I love that whole soliloquy and Branagh pulls it off so beautifully. I love the single tear rolling down his cheek at the end of that speech. I must see "Henry V" on the Sony soon, too. That will be a whole new experience. I think you hubby will like "Hamlet" a lot. I was shocked when my son saw "Hamlet" with Mel Gibson when it first was out and he was entraced with the play. Now my son, Sean, is not at all the literary/bookish type, although he is very smart and sensitive. I think Hamlet is a very manly play. I think the ending with the sword fighting is very masculine and men are usually keen on avenging or revenge. There is something in "Hamlet" for everyone in my opinion. Wasn't Kate Winslet amazing, too? I loved Nick Farrell as Horatio. He is sort of an under-rated actor, I believe. He is very good and played well off of the manic side of Hamlet, with his own quiet contained demeanor.I'll end up watching it that many times. And I'm going to make my husband watch it. He's due for some Shakespeare!I watch it all the way through, too. I don't like to break it up, and once you start watching, you are hooked. I love "Henry V," too, but I think I'm a little more addicted to "Hamlet."
I think both "Henry V" and "Hamlet" are Branagh at his best; one is the 'fresh young' Branagh while the other is the 'mature experienced' Branagh. I love them both so much. They both seem so sincere and honest to me.
I love that part, too. His prose is pure poetry to me. It flows so naturally, easily and has a certain rhythm. Have you read "The Trespasser"? It is like a long epic love poem. I loved it. Someday I will will re-read it, I believe. It is beautiful imagery and poetic text. One is carried away with it as on a wave. After-awhile, you just feel inclined to go with the flow.Well, "Boy in the Bush" IS Lawrence! So it was on my "must read" list. I do like the poetic writing. Lawrence was wonderful at that, among so many other things. But I've never seen the film. If I ever do, I'll grab a copy, but I doubt I will.
I own the movie version of "Kangaroo", also. I could only get it on VHS tape, but glad I did. It is very good and I have seen it now a number of times. I read the book first, but it is rare; it's difficult to find. The film stars Colin Friel and Judy Davis. The characters represent Lawrence and his German wife, Frieda. I like that it is based on some autobiograhical material and facts.
[QUOTE-Janine]
I'll have to mosey on over there when I have more time. Thanks for all the information.[/QUOTE]
Oh good; hope to see you over there. It is great fun and I love being part of the KBAS; you see videos others can't see of KB's - early rare bits and productions like "The Billy Plays" or "The Lady's Not for Burning". It is worth it to sign up.
I think the film is quite good; has a A-1 cast and they all depict the characters well. The ending is slightly different perhaps in meaning, but close to the original. I love the book, too. The Reddleman was my hero in that one.I love the book, but I've never seen the film. Shame on me! That's another one I'll have to put on my list. The list is growing.![]()
But the novellas are wonderful. Did you read "Love Among the Haystakes" or "The Fox"? I particularly love those two. I will look on Amazon for the books of his short stories - there are three paperbacks that comprise "The Complete Short Stories of DHL".I don't even own any of the stories except the novella ones, like "The Virgin and the Gypsy." The others are impossibly difficult to find.
So do I; I like her very much; a very fine actress; one of the best. Loved her in "Howard's End" and "Remains of the Day". Did you see their film "Dead Again"? I love them both in that film. I knew she adapted the novel to the screenplay for S&S; she won an Oscar that year doing so. She is very smart and a very good author. I love S&S and have it on tape and on DVD. Have you seen "Fortunes of War", with a very young Ken and Em? I love FOW - another one I watch many times over. They were magical together - sad they had to break up; but they both seem happy now with their new spouses. I think they remain friends to this day, which is nice to hear. They express great respect for each other and their talents.It's great, and I like Emma Thompson, too, Branagh's ex-wife. She's a fine actress and a good screenwriter as well. Did you know she adapted "Sense and Sensibility" for the screen, and then starred with Kate Winslet? I love that DVD and have that one. I think it's my favorite Austen adaptation.
Last edited by Janine; 04-04-2009 at 02:53 AM.
"It's so mysterious, the land of tears."
Chapter 7, The Little Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
"Find Me Guilty".
Well, truthfully, I can't judge if justice was done or not, but the film portrayed in the most touching manner the heart of a man, his love for people, for his people. It got into me, his wish of seeing everyone well off. Maybe it was just a way of feeling less guilty with himself, of asking forgivness for his past deeds, ... still, it was beautiful.
Really, aren't we all searching for a bit of love?...
You forget that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence: and the kingdom of heaven is like a woman.
James Joyce
It is a fatal miscarriage, so ill to order affairs, as to pass for a fool in one company, when in another you might be treated as a philosopher. Jonathan Swift
"I Love You, Man"
9/10. Possibly the funniest movie I've seen so far this year.
P.G.7.
Totally Obsessed Phantom Phan!
I am also a fan of: Lion King, High School Musical, Harry Potter, Disney in general, Days of Our Lives, Musicals in general, Dr. Seuss and Grinch!
Well, I will have to think about it first.
James Franco and Josh Brolin.Sounds incredible and now I know it ends tragically or I suppose it does. Who else plays in the film?
Yeah, this is a movie from the early 80's. There are so many people in there, too. It was kind of like a stepping stone for so many actors.No, I don't think I ever saw it yet the name sounds so familar. Maybe my son did rent it years back. He used to rent movies all the time back then. Sometimes we would watch them together, which is a great memory for me now.
It isn't an overly well-known film. Most people when they hear the title "Bad Boys" will immediately think of this Martin Lawrence-Will Smith movie that was out a few years ago. This is NOT that!! It is very good, but I still don't know if you would like it. Especially because of the ending (it involves a little bloodI never saw that one either. I am pretty sure of that; I think I would have remembered it. I think it sounds good though.).
Yeah, on the one episode he is one of the kids who donates a toy, or a pail, or whatever it was, to help this tinker create a bell for Walnut Grove's church. He is right out there in plain view in the midst of the other kids.This I had forgotten or maybe I never knew it. How strange to think of him on that type of show. I bet it was fun looking for him. Someone on Youtube thought they spied Branagh as a very young man in "Chariots of Fire" so they put up the video excerpt. He appeared in a class gathering scene as an extra. I think it may have been him, but still not 100% sure. You could tell by his walk....so funny.I have heard that about Kenneth. I will have to watch it and see how it looks to me. I won't be able to watch it on YouTube, though. All of a sudden NONE of the videos are working for me. That is why I haven't been around there at all.
Andrew McCarthy has one of the cutest smiles ever!! But I have to admit that I am one of the pro-Duckie fans. I would've wanted him.I loved "Pretty in Pink". I finally broke down and bought it a year ago. I love Molly Ringwald. I loved the kid who played "Duckie", Jon Cryer; he was super in this film. Harry Dean Stanton was good too as her father. I was ga ga over Andrew McCarthy..was he quietly cute or what? Yes, definitely James Spader was such a sleaseball. I could not stand him, but he was good being the ultimate villain. I also love the film "Sixteen Candles"; I thought that film was great fun and very sweet, too. I will probably buy that one someday too, along with "The Breakfast Club". Now these take me back to the 80's and films my son shared with me.Speaking of these 80's movies, have you ever seen "Some Kind of Wonderful"? It is very good. You might like that if you loved "Pretty in Pink". It is basically the same story, but it is different. Eric Stoltz and Mary Stuart Masterson are in it.
There's Something About Mary
9/10
I don't care. I love this movie.![]()
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist
8/10 Nick and Nora are charming.
The Changeling
Another fine movie from Mr. Eastwood. Angelina Jolie in a quietly understated role.
8/10
Zack and Miri do a Porno
8/10 I like Kevin Smith's movies. Be careful; there is always a ton of profanity. And I like Seth Rogan. He's funny.
The scene where Zack and Miri are filming their porno (they are spectacularly bad actors) and find they are falling in love is so beautiful.
The Electric Mist
7/10 With Tommy Lee Jones. I like Tommy Lee Jones, and this movie is well done, but it didn't draw me in and make me care.
The Lazarus Project
8/10 I think this one might be a straight to video; I don't remember it coming out anyway. It was actually pretty good.
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its' own reason for existing." ~ Albert Einstein
"Remember, no matter where you go, there you are." Buckaroo Bonzai "Some people say I done alright for a girl." Melanie Safka
Just saw Wall-E hours ago. I'll give it.. maybe 7/10. Good. Didn't quite live up to all the raves and praise, but it was good. Maybe I should watch it again..
I didn't get the whole fat colony thing. Over a thousand years in the future, humans are all the same exact fat shape floating around in chairs all the time.. Not sure what that's all about. But it was cool and cute. Eve and Wall-E were interesting to watch in how they interact together and how they respond to things. Good sound effects considering there's no normal voice acting for many charactes (I like the sound of Eve's laugh especially). I liked the whole plant in the boot motif, the cleanup robot, the roach.. The movie seemed to not focus enough on Wall-E himself though, and focused too much on the fat humans and Eve at times.
The 3D animation was good, probably the most realistic of all Pixar films, and showed some unexpected live-action moments, which I don't think has been done in a Pixar film before. So my opinion: maybe not a great movie, but pretty good.
I re- watched "Gangs of New York" the other night. Its one of my favorites. The amazing acting of Daniel Day Lewis. The endless Christ and Devil references. And even subtile hints to a certain world war.
An amazing movie even without the subtext.
I say 9/10
(plus DDL headbutts Leo Decaprio, which makes the whole movie worth it in itself)
Everyone knows what's in room 101.
Everything becomes irrelevant, when the sky tears open.
"Hey Kevin." "What?" "Theres a ditch there." "Sh*t!"
13 Conversations About One Thing
a beautiful film
"He was nauseous with regret when he saw her face again, and when, as of yore, he pleaded and begged at her knees for the joy of her being. She understood Neal; she stroked his hair; she knew he was mad."
---Jack Kerouac, On The Road: The Original Scroll
Catch me if you can, Taken and Snatch
LOVE LOVE LOVE
I completely agree about Jolie in this film!
Inside Man
9.8/10
I love this movie. I haven't seen it since I saw it in the theater. So I bought the DVD the other day. I love this movie!!! There, I said it again! My only disappointment is Jodie Foster (she is why I a tenth of a point was deducted). I actually feel that her performance is so amateurish. Especially with the performances of everyone else in there. But she isn't in it that much. So it doesn't take away from the film at all. I just think it was very odd casting. The other tenth of a point is for Spike Lee using that God awful "trademark" of his while a character seems to be moving on a conveyor belt down the street. Why??? I honestly think that for that brief moment, he cheapened his film. It didn't fit with the kind of movie that this is. I forgot that he did that in here, too, or else I just chose to block it from my mind. Anyway, still a great movie.