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Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
What have you been watching?

Firenze
Heaven Host
 
Posted by Amanda B. Reckondwythe (# 5521) on :
 
I just watched King of Hearts again. What a beautiful film. Sort of like the grown-up version of Rocky Horror Picture Show. "Don't dream it -- be it!"
 
Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 
Not that it's a major milestone in cinema or anything, but the comedy Morning Glory, which I watched the other night, was interesting in that it showcased Harrison Ford playing a character clearly meant to be understood as an older man, bordering on elderly.

Whereas usually he portrays people who are supposed to be younger than he is, or at least more youthful. But he did a fairly ctedible job as an older guy, even if he seemed to be channeling Clint Eastwood at times.

[ 01. January 2012, 18:36: Message edited by: Stetson ]
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
We'ew going to see "Puss in Boots" this afternoon. [Yipee]
 
Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 
Just rented The A-Team. Expected complete boredom, was utterly delighted (agreeing with the summary quoted on Wikipedia):
quote:
"big, loud, ludicrous and edited into visual incomprehension," but "pity the fool who lets that stand in the way of enjoying The A-Team"
I particularly liked the bit in which the team successfully slow down a tank plummeting through the air by firing repeatedly towards the ground... [ETA this bit, more or less]

[ 02. January 2012, 12:10: Message edited by: Eutychus ]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - good special effects around memory.
 
Posted by St. Gwladys (# 14504) on :
 
"Puss in Boots" was great fun, though I didn't think it was as good as the Shrek films. Looking forward to Ice Age 4.
 
Posted by Nicolemrw (# 28) on :
 
Just saw the new Sherlock Holmes movie. Lots of fun! See it if you liked the first one.
 
Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Kids watched Star Wars 2 last night. I caught some bits, and regretted those.

Off to see Tin Tinnin 3D with whole family in a while, will report back

Mr curly
 
Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
We saw the new Sherlock Holmes - really enjoyed it, even though we'd not seen the first one. It was interesting comparing how Guy Richie and Stephen Moffat show SH's "deductions".

We also saw "Hugo" in 3D. A really lovely film - I think children upwards of about 10 would enjoy it. I'm not a great fan of 3D, but in some places in the film it definitely enhanced the action/scene setting. In others though, I think it did nothing, or even spoiled it slightly. But all in all, I would say it was an excellent film...and quite moving too.
 
Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
For domestic reasons we haven't been to the cinema much lately but we did see the new Sherlock Holmes when it came out. I really enjoyed it, the silliness is part of the attraction as well as Jude Law's lovely Dr Watson, although I was sorry that Irene Adler only had a cameo.

I would like to see Ralph Fiennes' 'Coriolanus' when it's out as it looks very good and has been well reviewed. I also fancy seeing 'War Horse', as the stage version was so brilliant.
 
Posted by Hart (# 4991) on :
 
I saw Conspiracy on my flight over which was very good -- a timely legal drama about the trial of a woman associated with the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. If you give up your principles in trying your enemies, you've lost.
 
Posted by Watcher (# 15999) on :
 
Another recommendation for Hugo. Took two teenagers with us and we all enjoyed it. Very much a family film. Well filmed and the 3D was an enhancement not a distraction.

Also saw the new Sherlock and enjoyed it.

Two good nights out.
 
Posted by Hedgehog (# 14125) on :
 
The other night I saw "The Artist." I am a big fan of silent movies and it was great to have a film that respected the strengths of the genre.

Besides, it suited my sense of humor to go see, in an age of 3D and computer graphics, a B&W film that was mostly silent. And if the dog doesn't get an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, then there is no justice in the world.
 
Posted by Jante (# 9163) on :
 
Toook my sons to Mission Impossible which we all enjoyed.
 
Posted by UCCLynn (# 16633) on :
 
My sons (11 and 8) and I saw "We Bought a Zoo" yesterday. It was really quite good. Both boys enjoyed it, especially the 8 year old (more because he is quite an animal lover). Good for all ages, including (especially?) adults.

Still needing to see Hugo, Tintin and War Horse.
 
Posted by earrings (# 13306) on :
 
The Lady, an amazing film telling the story of Aung San Suu Kyi and her husband Michael Aris , and their children as they lived through her house arrest. Really thought-provoking about the conflicting loyalties between family and a cause.

Also saw Puss in Boots and loved it.
 
Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
WHole family loved Tin Tin.

Next is Hugo - we all loved the book (The INvention of Hugo Cabret)

mr curly
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
The Artist, a B&W mostly silent film in Oscar contention, Saturday:
It was outstanding, a wee bit reminiscent of Singin' in the Rain. For most of the film, you did not hear the actors and actresses. However, the acting was so awesome, it negated the need for sound other than the accompanying music. Excellent dance scenes were seen throughout. The ending was a real surprise. It definitely should earn an Oscar.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Today a friend and I saw "The Iron Lady". We both enjoyed the film a lot, and thought the acting was perfectly done. Well, it is Meryl Streep, of course!

How interesting, and sad, to see Mrs. Thatcher at so many different stages of life, (and all mixed together!) being strong and determined throughout. Or at least trying to be as an older widow.

This was a different kind of movie for my friend, an elderly lady, but she suggested it herself, and I'm glad she did!
 
Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
I liked The Iron Lady, though it was a bit sobering for someone looking toward older age.

I have also seen Red Dog, which is a good one for aussies, or those interested in Oz. An intentionally anachronistic part of the film was that there was no smoking, whereas a pub of that time would have been a fugg haze, but the producer or director did not want his kids to see smoking. We didn't notice its absence while viewing, nor the absence of product placement.

Our local film club is showing Casablanca in February, so I will be seeing that again.
 
Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
I saw Iron Lady yesterday and liked it generally. I thought Meryl Streep's performance was very good although it seemed as if director could not decide just how to treat Thatcher at times.

My Dad had Alzheimers and at the beginning knew something was wrong but couldn't put his finger on it. I was strongly reminded of this and found the first part of the film affected me because of Dad.
 
Posted by Nicolemrw (# 28) on :
 
Just saw Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with my daughter. Really awesomely good, Gary Oldman is the perfect George Smiley.
 
Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nicolemrw:
Gary Oldman is the perfect George Smiley.
Do you know the Alec Guinness one? I shall be comparing them.
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I very much enjoyed Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Lucky for me, it's been years since I saw the BBC series, and I've got a memory like a sieve, so I got through most of the film without remembering who was the mole. And mostly figuring that out sometime before the finale by thinking out the aesthetics of the story. Anyway, it was quite well done.
 
Posted by Nicolemrw (# 28) on :
 
Latchkey Kid, yes I know the PBS version, and though Alec Guinness did indeed make an excellent George Smiley, I think Gary Oldman is better.
 
Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
Hmm. It was the BBC version (do they show on PBS?).

BTW. I really like Bernard Hepton's Smiley in the BBC radio dramatisation. Radio dramations are generally closer to the book IMO.

Last night I some saw the FlickerFestBest Of International 1 short films.
 
Posted by Mamacita (# 3659) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Our local film club is showing Casablanca in February, so I will be seeing that again.
That's my favorite film. I'd love to see your comments after viewing it with your film club.
 
Posted by Mr Curly (# 5518) on :
 
Finally saw Hugo - thoroughly brilliant.

A good adaptation from the book (The Invention of Hugo Cabret), with the one exception of a minor storyline between the Station Inspector and a local policemen. Why have a story line about doubtful paternity of policeman's unborn child in a kids film?

A small quibble - recommended

mr curly
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
Just saw We Need to Talk About Kevin. Good Lord! Shades of Columbine. This is a sad, sad movie with only the teeniest glimmer of possible redemption at the end. But very well done. Tilda Swinton is amazing.
 
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
KQED, one of our local PBS stations, has several programs that show short films. (Imagemakers, POV, and Independent Lens.)

I just saw a couple of great ones, in the "A Higher Power" episode of Imagemakers. It consisted of "Glenn Owen Dodds" (Australia) and "Touch" (USA). The films from this series are sometimes available online. I strongly recommend them. They're really, really good.

The "When Sparks Fly" episode is also good, especially "Diplomacy" (USA)(!) and "Moore Street Masala" (Ireland).

[fixed the link]

[ 28. January 2012, 20:10: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
KQED, ...
for some unknown reason that first link doesn't work for me ...
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I saw "Joyful Noise". No, not our Shipmate! (There was no parrot.)

It's a cute movie, good for just turning your brain off to be entertained. If your brain insists on being awake, it might make you aware of some unreal choir facts. For instance, how many choirs have rehearsal while wearing their robes? None that I'm aware of, and I've been in a lot of choirs.

Also, when the robes are thrown to the ground (oops, that may be a spoiler) through the magic of film making, they disappear! Amazing!

There's some pretty good music in the film. And there are a few laughs, too! (Dolly Parton's fitted robe is a hoot!)
 
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:
quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
KQED, ...
for some unknown reason that first link doesn't work for me ...
Sorry. I put in a comma instead of a period. Try this: KQED.org.
 
Posted by St Everild (# 3626) on :
 
I saw "War Horse" this afternoon...I wasn't sure how I'd like it, but it ticked all the boxes for me - story, cinematography, a reflection on the utter stupidity and brutality of war...
 
Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
I've not seen War Horse yet, even though it is set in my area and therefore a 'must-see', mostly because I saw the play at the NT and am afraid the film might spoil the images I've retained from that. (Maybe I'll see it one day, once those strong memories have faded.)

But I'm really looking forward soon to watching Iron Lady with Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher.
 
Posted by Kaplan Corday (# 16119) on :
 
We took our grand-children to see Arrietty, which is a Japanese anime take on the Borrowers stories from the fifties.

It was very well done, but a couple of features of the graphics puzzled me.

First, the background (vegetation buildings, etc) were done in an extremely detailed naturalistic style, while the characters and their clothes tended to be presented in undifferentiated blocks of colour, as in most cartoons.

Secondly, the main, sympathetically presented characters (the boy, his grandmother and the Borrowers) had large, round, un-Japanese eyes, while the negative characters (the housekeeper, and a couple of pest exterminators who were dubbed in Cockney) had far more Japanese physiognomies.

[ 31. January 2012, 23:13: Message edited by: Kaplan Corday ]
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Curly:
Finally saw Hugo - thoroughly brilliant.

We saw it last weekend and liked it also.
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I went to see Albert Nobbs a couple of days ago. Glenn Close did a great job portraying a character who was trapped by circumstances of her youth into living the life of a person who didn't exist- even to him/herself. Brutality and poverty and loneliness drove Albert's real self totally underground as she lived as an obsequious, retiring little waiter, and all that was left was a tireless drive to find security. Albert lived in a milieu of upstairs/downstairs folks who lived much more passionately in their upscale Dublin hotel. But Albert stayed aloof and a mildly amused observer to these other lives until a moment arose when Albert could actually see a wee bit more possibility to life.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Daughter-Unit and I saw "Big Miracle" today. We both enjoyed it a lot!

I remember when the events that this story is based on took place in 1988. The whales captured the attention of many, many people, and this movie brought that all back in an avalanche of memories.

The actors do a great job of portraying some very annoying people!
 
Posted by Latchkey Kid (# 12444) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
quote:
Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
Our local film club is showing Casablanca in February, so I will be seeing that again.
That's my favorite film. I'd love to see your comments after viewing it with your film club.
I enjoyed the showing, as this time I could follow the whole plot; or at least I have the whole plot in my head so next time I will pretty much know what to expect scene by scene.
I did really enjoy it, though I had to overlook some of the flaws in the script.
The last time I watched it the idea that the cast did not know how it was going to end felt correct, but apparently it is not correct.
Even though I knew the ending I still felt the tension of wondering if they would make the plane.

Next month we see The Guard, which I highly recommend.

Here's looking at you, kid.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Made in Dagenham - true story about a strike in 1968 for equal pay for women - it resulted in the law being changed, first of all in the UK, late the rest of the civilised world. Deeply moving for interweaving the families behind the personalities.
 
Posted by Tilley (# 13687) on :
 
Saw J. Edgar a week ago. Mum's suggestion - I wouldn't have gone by myself.

Actually, it was better than I thought it would be, more restrained perhaps.
 
Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Made in Dagenham - true story about a strike in 1968 for equal pay for women - it resulted in the law being changed, first of all in the UK, late the rest of the civilised world. Deeply moving for interweaving the families behind the personalities.
To quote the recent Purg thread, it's based on a true story. The strike was real, but the lead character isn't. A good film nonetheless.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Lars and the Real Girl - a mentally ill man buys the sort of doll that is usually used as a sex toy - but he treats it as a real person. The whole community collude with his delusion and then the doll 'dies' they all turn up to the funeral.

The hospitality he he has receives turns the loner into a better adjusted individual.

Interesting 'take' on a possibly alternative to locking away or ignoring people with mental health problems.
 
Posted by Lucia (# 15201) on :
 
Recently enjoyed watching "Inception". An interesting movie based around the idea of being able to interact with people within their dreams intially to 'steal' information from them and then to try to plant an idea in someone without them knowing it. Part action movie, part heist, part fantasy, had to concentrate to keep track of what was happening especially once they were opperating in a dream which was within a dream, which was within another dream! I thought it was a good watch and a gripping story.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Made in Dagenham - true story about a strike in 1968 for equal pay for women - it resulted in the law being changed, first of all in the UK, late the rest of the civilised world. Deeply moving for interweaving the families behind the personalities.
That was an excellent film: I think we got it from Netflicks...
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Children of God - West Indian homophobia and violence by 'Christians'.
 
Posted by Angloid (# 159) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Eutychus:
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Made in Dagenham - true story about a strike in 1968 for equal pay for women - it resulted in the law being changed, first of all in the UK, late the rest of the civilised world. Deeply moving for interweaving the families behind the personalities.
To quote the recent Purg thread, it's based on a true story. The strike was real, but the lead character isn't. A good film nonetheless.
Sally Hawkins was great! As she was in Happy Go Lucky.
 
Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
I just went to see The Muppets with my kids. As a fan of the TV series, but not the original Muppet movies (which always seemed a bit lame compared to the TV shows), I was pleasantly surprised - lots of crap jokes delivered at a fast pace with clever stuff thrown in all around. Highly recommended.

And the kids (6&4) were well primed with VHS collections of old muppet highlights, plus two LPs...mna mna, no doubt...
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
A Time To Kill - two racist thugs rape and torture a 10 year old black girl. Her father takes the law into his own hands because he knows that racist jurors would find them innocent. The Ku Klux Klan gets involved.
 
Posted by Freelance Monotheist (# 8990) on :
 
I watched "Beyond The Sea" the other night & really enjoyed it. I called the big sister's reveal, but was charmed by the costumes, the music & staging of said numbers and thought the cast & acting were excellent. And aww to seeing Kevin Spacey's character bond with his son & his imperfect but beautiful relationship with Sandra Lee. I love my musicals so this was pretty much a perfect film for me.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
A friend and I saw "The Artist". Awesome movie! Also, an example of how difficult change can be for some of us.

There were a few surprises in the film. I won't share them here to avoid spoilers. But, since y'all probably know it's a silent film, I could tell you that we had a slight struggle getting used to it at first. By the first ten to twenty minutes, however, it was pretty easy to follow the action, and to read lips and words.

My friend's first words when the movie had finished: "It was over too quickly!" Which was good, because I was the one to suggest seeing it. I wouldn't have liked to disappoint her.

Oh, yes...the dog is very talented!

I will see it again.
 
Posted by Hugal (# 2734) on :
 
The last film I saw was the The Muppets and it was great. Loved The Artist as well particularly the bang moment.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Hugal:
...particularly the bang moment.
I jumped! No sound, yet it had the impact of a very large explosion.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jedijudy:
A friend and I saw "The Artist". Awesome movie! Also, an example of how difficult change can be for some of us.

It was well-worth seeing, wasn't it luv? The film did as I predicted at the Oscars. Zeke doesn't know yet, but I heard it on BBC radio while listening at the computer. We DVR'd the Oscars and shall be fast-forwarding through the boring bits tonight....
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Latchkey Kid:
quote:
Originally posted by Nicolemrw:
Gary Oldman is the perfect George Smiley.
Do you know the Alec Guinness one? I shall be comparing them.
I do, but we'll have to see the new one when we can. If we miss it at the cinema, there is always our mail-order movie service which should have it in a few weeks....
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Disturbia - based on a Hitchcock theme, a young man is electronically tagged and witnesses a serial killer at work.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
A Boy called Dad - a 14-year-old takes his baby away from the mother who is useless and tries to look after it and not be like his own, feckless father.

Also, Do Começo ao Fim - sibling incest dealt with without sensationalism.
 
Posted by pimple (# 10635) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Lyda*Rose:
Just saw We Need to Talk About Kevin. Good Lord! Shades of Columbine. This is a sad, sad movie with only the teeniest glimmer of possible redemption at the end. But very well done. Tilda Swinton is amazing.
I've just finished the book. Is the film stil showing in UK? Is the "We" in the title just addressed to Franklin, the fictional husband - or to society as a whole?
 
Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 
A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. Semifictionalised account of a teenager from Queens eventually decides to up and leave his rough background only to return as an adult when his father becomes seriously ill.

Confusing juxtaposition of then and now but very interesting insights into dysfunctional family relationships and delinquency.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
We just saw a film of Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. Now, I'll have to reread that book by my favourite author. The story revolves around a Japanese bloke named Watanabe who has no first name and the fascinating, but troubled, women in his life. It is definitely unsuitable for teenagers. It's in Japanese with English subtitles and I believed it is or was also showing in the UK. Well worth the drive to a distant cinema.
 
Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I've been in swashbuckling heaven!
Over the last couple of weeks I've seen the following:
The Black Swan, 1940, starring Tyrone Power and Maureen O'Hara. Forget that Captain Jack fellow - this is the real thing! Great fun! The model work won an Oscar (for the sea battle) and the plot is interesting in that it works two ways. The first is a straight action adventure, with Tyrone/Captain Jamie starring, and the second is a classic historical romance plot starring Maureen O'Hara - so catering for male and female audiences equally. What did surprise me on re-watching (I was a young and innocent teenager when I first saw it), was that Captain Jamie pretty much threatens to rape Maureen O'Hara the first time he sees her - "Captain's share - I bespeak her!" And then he knocks her out.
Also, he spends much of the film either looking gorgeous in red and black, or with his shirt off, and he's very easy on the eye.

Then I got my hands on two films that I've been looking for for years.
Kim, starring Errol Flynn and Dean Stockwell - who is actually very good as the young hero. Errol plays Mahbub Ali, the Afghan horse trader. They stay reasonably close to Kipling, and actually filmed in India (though with no Indian actors apart from very tiny parts!). I think they added in Mahbub Ali's dalliances with ladies as a nod to Errol Flynn's reputation (and probably also to get a few more women with speaking parts into the film!). So that was fun.

And finally, Scaramouche! Stewart Granger at his finest, and one of the best movie sword duels ever, in a crowded theatre. A well constructed plot, as you would expect from a film adapted from a book by Rafael Sabatini, and the blurb on the back of the DVD says "George Sidney directs as if making an MGM musical, only with swashbuckling instead of song-and-dance" - which is about right. When I first saw this film I found it difficult to get over the casting of Richard Anderson as the hero's best friend - I knew him only as Oscar Goldman, the Six Million Dollar Man's boss! But he's actually not bad in the part, and Mel Ferrer makes a very elegant baddie.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 - good visual effects. Moral: Don't have sex with a vampire.
 
Posted by Jahlove (# 10290) on :
 
Kung Fu (the pilot movie).


Fear is the only darkness.
 
Posted by Cara (# 16966) on :
 
Le Hérisson. Brilliant French film (2009). Based on Muriel Barbery"s beautiful international bestseller L'Elegance du Hérisson, The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I think it's available in an English language version--or subtitled?--The Hedgehog. So well-done, so faithful to the book (though with less philosophy obviously) and the three main actors are extraordinary. Josiane Balasko especially perhaps.

Cara
 
Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
Disturbia - based on a Hitchcock theme, a young man is electronically tagged and witnesses a serial killer at work.
That film was actually the subject of a lawsuit, launched by the estate of the author of the original short story. The estate lost, and I can understand why, because the story only really followed the bare outline of the original material.(I'm basing this on Rear Window, assuming it followed the short story closely).

Though since they were covering the same broad material, the makers of the film would have done well to include a few obvious homages to Rear Window in Disturbia. Since most viewers are going to make the connection anyway.

Can't do a wiki link for this. The lawsuit is mentioned in their article on Disturbia.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Bump.
 
Posted by infinite_monkey (# 11333) on :
 
I recently saw Jiro Dreams of Sushi , which is a sweet little documentary about an 85 year old sushi chef in Tokyo. Has a lot of interesting reflections on work and life: the man's had the same seemingly quotidian job for 75 years, but he sees it as a chance for continuous improvement, joy, and satisfaction.
 
Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 
The Book of Eli

I don't usually go for dystopian future films, but I was vaguely aware this one had some sort of religious theme so I decided to investigate.

It's not on a par with, say, Matrix, but the spiritual element is much more powerful, indeed moving, than I had expected.

And it definitely needs seeing more than once.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
Well, hello, thread! ;D

By coincidence, I just posted this on Facebook:

"So, if you really want to get an idea of what it is like to live in San Francisco, check out a little indie flick called "Sorry, Thanks." interior, exterior, wholly SF."

To unpack-- in a lot of San Francisco movies, they restrict the location shooting to places like the financial district or North Beach to make it as urban-looking as possible. Most of the city looks completely different. This film is shot all over the Mission District, and shows the kind of neighborhood life you might experience as a San Francisco resident. The architecture is authentic-- not just painted ladies, but little craftsman houses and the ubiquitous Rousseau homes.

The story is pure indie-- real San Franciscans, not a Hollywood type in sight. And (unlike a certain "the Practice" knockoff I can mention) the actors reflect the incredible diversity of the neighborhood. It is a pretty typical romcom plot-- two people serial-date around each other until they discover they ere meant to be-- but I sense a lot of it is improv, and the dialogue is sly and fresh.
 
Posted by Eutychus (# 3081) on :
 
Well I've been warned about posting too many spoilers, but let's just say SF gets a look in the Book of Eli and about the only thing sort of left standing is the Golden Gate Bridge [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
That's probably pretty accurate-- the GGB is flexible enough to withstand most trauma. Whoever might be standing on it? Different story. [Big Grin]
 
Posted by sllc (# 12707) on :
 
Just saw The Avengers this afternoon. Good popcorn flick. :-) A good start to the summer season.
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
We saw Beauty and the Beast - the 3D version - last night. I can't see in 3D so it wasn't much different for me, but Hugal enjoyed that aspect of it.

It's special for us anyway, as it was our first date movie! Nearly 20 years ago...

Still stands up well.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Eutychus:
The Book of Eli
Wonderful book.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
The Social network - about the start of Facebook. Reminds me why I don't like Facebook.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
[Killing me]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
The Blind Side - based on a true story about a family who take in a homeless, black teenager who becomes a football champion.
 
Posted by AristonAstuanax (# 10894) on :
 
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Good soundtrack, good fight scenes, great visuals, intentionally lousy character development.

No, really. In telling a story about a girl with just a bit of baggage and an issue or two, the producers intentionally leave out developing much of the rest of her backstory and personality. Now, in most contexts, this would be sloppy and bad—but, in this case, it's recognized by the characters. It's not that she's undeveloped, it's that our protagonist hasn't taken the time to learn who she is, beyond the fact that she has seven evil exes who all want to kill him. Is there more to her than just Hot Girl With Issues? As much is certainly alluded to. Can that be illustrated in the time allotted by the constraints of dramatic temporal unity? Not really.

The other great thing about the film is that, while Scott is most definitely a Nice Guy, he is not actually a nice guy. He's more than a bit of an asshole, actually, who thinks nothing of stringing along his "she'll do for now" high schooler girlfriend before Dreamgirl shows up—but can't summon the guts to break it off before taking up with Miss New. Oh, and we get to see other evidence of him being more of a genuine ass than the stereotypical "lovable slacker" archetype in films.

Sure, both these factors and traits are completely altered, or absent, in the graphic novels (had to track those down—they're pretty good!), which can take their sweet time in developing characters and relationships—but the constraints of the screen mean certain courses of development have to be chosen over others. It's a very good example of how to adapt something from one medium to another, while respecting the operative conventions of each.
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by sllc:
Just saw The Avengers this afternoon...
What's up with Emma Peel these days? She dresses funny and so do her friends!
 
Posted by DunkDuffel (# 16576) on :
 
I saw Avengers (2D, because we all have funny eyes) at the weekend with the 2 (male) offsprung. Great fun and funny. Everyone in it was playing the part well and the effects fantastic. The careful build up over the past years has paid off.

Saw The Artist with the female offsprung - we loved it. Cinematography showed why B&W can be so much more effective. Great characters - including the Mutt - and evocation of a changing world. The payoff joke was inevitable but great. Deserved all the award.

Saw 2 films with Herself as well this month. The Pirates! may well be Aardmann's best yet. Laughed out loud a lot and had great fun voice-spotting, though I completely missed the damned scotsman.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was an experience. We were the youngest in the cinema and it was like inadvertently joining a Derby & Joan Club. Great performances and a touching story.

ON DVD, I watched Oranges and Sunshine. It's a deeply moving true story about kids sent to Australia and elsewhere, while our government lied to them and their parents. [Tear] But inspirational that one committed person can make a difference. DVD Extras included the real people and PM Gordon Brown apologising for the shameful episode.

So, after a recent drought, the last 2 months have been excellent, film-wise.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Thor - based on the Marvin comic. Sibling rivalry, redemption - big themes.
 
Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
Is this a space for 'hey, here's a review of a new film' or 'here's a great old film I just watched which you might have missed'...? I have a recommendation in the latter category if it's welcome...
 
Posted by Balaam (# 4543) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by DunkDuffel:
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was an experience. We were the youngest in the cinema and it was like inadvertently joining a Derby & Joan Club. Great performances and a touching story.
Amazing what good screen writers and an A list cast can make of what is essentially a remake of a Carry On film.

M_i_M — What is that old film?
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
I like Carry On... We plan to see Marigold today or this weekend. Sounds like it's worth seeing!
 
Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
Two old films this week - 'The Pianist' (Polish-Jewish family in run-up to and thoughout the war in Warsaw ghetto - put the holocaust powerfully into a domestic context, for me - a true story) and 'The lives of others' - East-Berlin drama set in 1984 - redemption story through the eyes of a Stasi interrogator - German, subtitles. Guess I like modernish-historical dramas!
 
Posted by Marvin the Martian (# 4360) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by mark_in_manchester:
Is this a space for 'hey, here's a review of a new film' or 'here's a great old film I just watched which you might have missed'...? I have a recommendation in the latter category if it's welcome...
If you're actually willing to write more than half a dozen words about it, be my guest...
 
Posted by mark_in_manchester (# 15978) on :
 
OK Marvin - 'The Lives of Others' - I'll be more explicit but try not to spoil it. Stasi man starts film cold and unapproachable, giving lectures to students on (psychological - no physical torture-porn here - it's a good film) interrogation techniques. Is changed (redeemed, perhaps) by experience of long-term surveillance of playwrite and his girlfriend, both struggling with the meaning of a 'good' life in DDR context; his vicarious experience of their struggles contrasts strongly with his own sterile semi-existence. Lots of 'Ost-algia' (as the Germans say) and a really interesting insight into a place / period of history which can now only be experienced in drama. To me this does a convincing job - really immersive, and not at all spoiled by the subtitles, which one rapidly becomes accustomed to.

OK for length? [Smile]
 
Posted by The Machine Elf (# 1622) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Kevin:
quote:
Originally posted by sllc:
Just saw The Avengers this afternoon...
What's up with Emma Peel these days? She dresses funny and so do her friends!
Even if accompanied by pictures of the Marvel posse, I still get the first eight notes of the UK TV show's theme go through my head each time I read that title.
 
Posted by Yerevan (# 10383) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by mark_in_manchester:
OK Marvin - 'The Lives of Others' - I'll be more explicit but try not to spoil it. Stasi man starts film cold and unapproachable, giving lectures to students on (psychological - no physical torture-porn here - it's a good film) interrogation techniques. Is changed (redeemed, perhaps) by experience of long-term surveillance of playwrite and his girlfriend, both struggling with the meaning of a 'good' life in DDR context; his vicarious experience of their struggles contrasts strongly with his own sterile semi-existence. Lots of 'Ost-algia' (as the Germans say) and a really interesting insight into a place / period of history which can now only be experienced in drama. To me this does a convincing job - really immersive, and not at all spoiled by the subtitles, which one rapidly becomes accustomed to.

OK for length? [Smile]
Brilliant film. Some of it was filmed around where I (briefly) lived in the eastern suburb of Friedrichshain so I get very nostalgic watching it [Smile]
 
Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I went to see Avengers Assemble this week - treated ourselves to the 3D version, and had great fun.
Loki is a brilliant villain, and I want to take Captain America home and give him hugs and feed him apple pie!
Some great Joss Whedon dialogue going on too.
 
Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :
 
The Men Who Stare At Goats.

I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting it to be pretty gimmicky, from what sounded like a painfully oddball premise, but it managed to transcend that.

Pokes gentle fun at New Age culture, but ultimately comes down on the side of its better aspects, and against those who harness psychological insight for brutal ends. Recommended for nostalgia buffs who recall post-60s spiritual faddism.

I never saw Star Wars Epsiodes I, II, or III, so the po-mo joke of having Ewen MacGregor becoming a "Jedi warrior" during the Iraq War didn't really occur to me until I read some reviews.

[ 19. May 2012, 23:41: Message edited by: Stetson ]
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
I kind of liked the above as well-- kind of Coen-brothers- ish.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
When I was staying with friends in UYK one night we watched Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris - the guy is back on form, a lovely whimsical little number, beautifully crafted and amass with some great cliches.

Now I'll have to get myself a copy sometime.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
50 Dead Men Walking - about an IRA informant. Violent but captures the period.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
OK, I remember a little buzz about the Spanish zombie flick REC on the last version of this thread: allow me to add a submission from Uruguay. Just saw it last night.

La Casa Muda-- Creepy old house movie. Laura and her father spend the night in a secluded house, intending to fix it up for sale. During the night, they hear a sound on the upper level. Everything goes downhill from there.

In tone and fright-level it kind of reminded me of REC, only no zombies. What is really interesting is that, except for one short clip after the credits, it was shot in one long 78 minute take. Which means you can't look away for a second..
 
Posted by art dunce (# 9258) on :
 
I went to see Prometheus last night. It was a Chariots of the Gods redux with 3 minutes of Alien thrown in at the end. Beautiful visuals in 3D dismal storytelling. For some reason I'm annoyed when robots don't follow Asimov's three laws of robotics.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Release - a low-budget film produced and directed by a neighbour of mine, it is about a priest who is in jail for murder but the inmates think he is a paedophile and treat him extremely badly. Quite harrowing but it is a sort of meditation on priesthood.
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I gotta admit it, some of my favorite popcorn movies are the Men in Black franchise. And I just went to MiBIII and just loved it! It involved time travel to the 1960s in New York and they had a blast with it. The visit to Andy Warhol's The Factory was worth the price of admission, and Jay's line there while wandering among the glitterati: (approx)"I worked for three years before realizing that all supermodels are aliens." [Big Grin]
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
Oooh! I'm looking forward to seeing MiBIII!

I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with two companions. We giggled and laughed for quite a bit of the movie! There were some poignant moments that gave balance to the story.

I think the message I got is to make the best of your situation, even if it's not quite what you had hoped it would be.
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I went to a wonderful film yesterday that also happened to take place back in the sixties: Moonrise Kingdom. Oh, man, it is soooo good! [Yipee]

Very simply it is about how two offbeat, apparently disfunctional kids fall in love and decide to run away together from a Scout camp and home respectively. They have each finally found someone who sees them and loves them for exactly who they are. It's funny, poignant, romantic, and has a fine cast (the lead child actors are wonderful, and Bruce Willis and Edward Norton are particularly fine), and it is beautifully shot. It is now in limited release (why do they do that with such a thoroughly likable movie?! [Mad] ) so I only hope it comes your way soon.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Sarah's Key - it shows up French involvement in the Shoah/Holocaust.
 
Posted by Dormouse (# 5954) on :
 
We had a film fest in Lyon on Monday - we went to see Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (I agree with what's been said so far, don't really need to add much) and discovered it was La Fete de la Cinema...in buying full price tickets we received two wristbands entitling us to as many viewings of other films anywhere in France until next Monday at 2,50€
Sadly we didn't/don't have the opportunity to go other than straight after BEMH, so we went to see Moonrise Kingdom. I agree with what was said further up, so don't need to add much. But two excellent VO films in one day. We were both happy Dormice.

[ 01. July 2012, 12:33: Message edited by: Dormouse ]
 
Posted by Off Centre View (# 4254) on :
 
I went to see The Dark Knight Rises yesterday with my brother-in-law: it's an absolutely brilliant film with loads of surprises and great performances.

It seems like they actually can make a good part three of a Superhero trilogy after all.

Anyone else seen it yet?
 
Posted by Bene Gesserit (# 14718) on :
 
Yes, my Other Half and I have been to see it. It had some good bits but was rather overlong... Not bad overall, though.
 
Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
Yes, we saw it the other day - I loved it and didn't think it overlong. Oddly, several reviews said that Tom Hardy's dialogue was muffled by his mask and a lot couldn't be heard. We didn't find this the case at all, in fact I found that a few lines of both Gary Oldman's and Christian Bale's were more difficult to hear.

I like the fact that the director Chris Nolan did not employ a great deal of CGI and had no 3D. I thought the film much before for it.

My daughter wants to see it now, so we plan to go together tomorrow [Smile]
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
I'm thinking of taking an elderly friend to see "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" tomorrow. Do y'all think that's an appropriate movie?
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
The infidel - a muslim taxi driver discovers that he was adopted and that he is, by birth, Jewish.

Funny, yet has some serious things to say about interfaith cooperation and the danger of extremists of any religion.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
"The Odd Life of Timothy Green" was a very good movie, IMHO! My friend and I were transported into the story.

Spoilers!!

The story is about a couple who are brokenhearted to find they can't have children. When a child does come into their lives, they have to deal with the relatives who disparage the child and his parents for not being their 'real' offspring.

The interesting thing is that my friend went through that very scenario with her adopted children. She had tears running down her cheeks.

I recommend this movie highly! Daughter-Unit and her hubby were going to see it tonight. I told her they would really enjoy watching it!
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Eat Pray Love - a woman travels many miles to find herself - through escaping the protestant work ethic through food, mediation and love.

Based on a book - which I have ordered - much food for spiritual chewing.
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
If your reviews must be so short, could you not at least go the whole hog and give them as haiku ?
 
Posted by balaam (# 4543) on :
 
Tchaikovsky ballet,
Ballerina strife - Oscar
performance - "Black Swan."

This could make a game.
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
Re-watched "The Way" last Friday - the camino de compostela narrative. God it's good.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
the clan

about a highly dysfunctional family of Algerian drug dealers. Beautiful scenery, horrible people.
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
That is not a haiku [Waterworks]
 
Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I'm discovering so many fabulous old movies on You-Tube and wondering why I didn't see them at the movies when they first came out. I'm guessing lots of them just didn't come to a theater near me because they weren't about comic book heroes or rednecks with saws.

Another Country (1984) This was wonderful. English public school 1930. I thought it was going to be another A Separate Peace sort of thing but it was quite different. Young boys dealing with self discovery about homosexuality, communism, upper class guilt, the meaning of integrity, etc.

The main character is based on one of the Cambridge Five cold war spies, so I had to watch a BBC documentary about them immediately afterward -- total 3-4 hours of You Tube fun.

Number one reason to watch; Colin Firth and Rupert Everett when they were about 20.
 
Posted by LeRoc (# 3216) on :
 
Last week, I managed to watch the Portuguese film Sangue do meu Sangue (Blood of my Blood). I have to say that I'm a bit in two minds about it.

One of the things about the film is that it was really difficult for me to understand the Portuguese. At many moments, the family is talking with eachother but I only understand parts of what they're saying. At first, I thought this was because I'm much more familiar with Brazilian Portuguese, but I spoke with a number of people from Portugal who said the same thing.

Apparantly, this is a feature of the film. You're not supposed to understand everything the family says to get a feel about how they're living. I have to say I rather liked that. I wonder how this comes across in dubbed/subtitled versions.

What I also really liked is the portrayal of Lisbon. Some of its streets looked really more like Africa or a Brazilian favela. I sort-of knew that it was like this in parts of Portugal of course, but seeing it gives quite a strong impression.

I'm less enthousastic about the story line of the film. Many of the themes I've already seen in similar films. But I really liked the way it tried to portray the way families live in popular neighbourhoods of Lisbon.

[ 03. September 2012, 11:42: Message edited by: LeRoc ]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
The Tree of Life - a slow, meditative look at evolution with beautiful footage of growing things, focussing on a family where a father is distant to his sons, insisting that they call him 'Sir' because one of his brothers died at the age of 19. He thinks that sons need toughening up.
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
That is not a haiku [Waterworks]
quote:
Originally posted by leo:
The Tree of Life - a slow, meditative look at evolution with beautiful footage of growing things, focussing on a family where a father is distant to his sons, insisting that they call him 'Sir' because one of his brothers died at the age of 19. He thinks that sons need toughening up.
Autumn celluloid
Memory: drowned in the void
Paltry fonts adrift

[ 07. September 2012, 17:12: Message edited by: Doublethink ]
 
Posted by Sir Kevin (# 3492) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by jedijudy:
Oooh! I'm looking forward to seeing MiBIII!

I saw The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with two companions. We giggled and laughed for quite a bit of the movie! There were some poignant moments that gave balance to the story.

I think the message I got is to make the best of your situation, even if it's not quite what you had hoped it would be.
We liked it too!

[Since you were quoting me, I felt I simply had to fix your code!]

[ 10. September 2012, 23:00: Message edited by: jedijudy ]
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
The Ghost (Ghostwriter in the US) - a thinly veiled reference to Tony Blair, a former UK PM is wanted for war crimes and has his memoirs written. A thriller based on a book with a twist at the end.
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
Yes, but is it any good ?
 
Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :
 
Moonrise Kingdom is wonderful but I may be tripping on my own memories of summer camp on Long Island in the same time period. Anderson's obsessions with sibling rivalry and missing parents work better with children and animals then with adults. If you see it, be sure to see the end credits all the way through.

Another film I enjoyed was Beasts of the Southern Wild.. a fantasy set in a Lousiana Bayou which gets flooded. The protagonist is a 6 year old girl who copes with her alcoholic father while dreaming of mammoths.
 
Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
Yes, but is it any good ?
I recognise that you might not be looking for an actual answer... but, yes, it is. Visually stunning and, even though the twist is quite guess-able, that's OK, because it's realistic and adds to the fun. It may not play well in the US, however, as it takes rather a jaundiced view of the 'special relationship'*.


*There is a place for quotation marks, and this IMHO is one of them. They are not 'scare' quotes, 'k?
 
Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
Aardman's The Pirates! An Adventure with Scientists was the one bright spot in the 12 hour haul from Cape Town. It's wonderfully inventive and silly (and confirms what one always suspected about Queen Victoria).
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by QLib:
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
Yes, but is it any good ?
I recognise that you might not be looking for an actual answer... but, yes, it is. Visually stunning and, even though the twist is quite guess-able, that's OK, because it's realistic and adds to the fun. It may not play well in the US, however, as it takes rather a jaundiced view of the 'special relationship'*.


*There is a place for quotation marks, and this IMHO is one of them. They are not 'scare' quotes, 'k?
Worth seeing then ? I've always felt very betrayed by Blair, so unsure of how much headspace I want to give to related material. But if it stands on its own merits I might give it a go.
 
Posted by QLib (# 43) on :
 
it does stand on its own merits - and, although Robert Harris, who wrote the original book, was once friendly with the Blairs, I think it's fair to say that this speaks of a certain disillusionment. I doubt if the relationship with the Blairs got any warmer after this - or perhaps I should say it probably didn't get any more cordial - it might have got a bit heated.
 
Posted by leo (# 1458) on :
 
Nowhere Boy - about John Lennon's teenage years and the losses, by death, that he endured. The start of The Beatles.

It moved me to tears, remembering the best band that ever was and what formed them.
 
Posted by Kelly Alves (# 2522) on :
 
I just got done seeing "Melancholia" I have a feeling I will be watching it again, soon. Directed by Lars von Trier.

Briefly, it involves a bride (Kirsten Dunst) who discovers, on the evening of her wedding, that a planet is nearing earth, with the possibility of collision. If you don't like slow paced films, you will probably not like this-- it is definitely not "Armageddon." (To me, this is a great example of how a film can be slow-paced, yet dynamic.)

The narrative centers around the efforts of the Bride, her sister (Charlotte Gainsborough) and the sister's science nut husband (Kiefer Sutherland) to cope with the uncertainty of their future, as the planet looms larger and larger in the sky. Just to add to the portentous, panicky vibe, von Trier chose this soundtrack that evokes the music used in old Universal monster movies-- interesting choice, because that kind of meandering,sentimental music could quickly become cloying,but by adding it in small doses it just adds to the sense of heartbreak and fear these people have.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
bump
 
Posted by Eigon (# 4917) on :
 
I like to think of myself as a respectable, middle aged lady - but my Young Man brought over a DVD of Puss in Boots, the spin off from Shrek, a few days ago, and after the film we both spent some time bounding about the living room flourishing swords and having a "dance fight".
It was brilliant - magic beans, geese with golden eggs, honour, betrayal, references to Zorro, and the voice of Antonio Banderas!
And the joke about cats pouncing on little lights (amongst many other good jokes) really cracked me up.
 
Posted by jedijudy (# 333) on :
 
A friend and I saw 'Hotel Transylvania' yesterday. It was a cute kids' movie that had the adults in stitches!

After centuries of fearing humans (who come at poor monsters with pitchforks and fire) Count Dracula and his 118 year-old daughter find a *gasp* human! Of course, there's a romance in the movie, too. wink, wink

Anyway, for a fun and delightful 91 minutes, I recommend it. And, as a bonus, Beethoven, Bach and Mozart are in the movie, too. Even though they're zombies...
 
Posted by Palimpsest (# 16772) on :
 
I saw this at a film festival but it's coming out now. Robot and Frank is a film about an old Jewel Thief with Alzheimer's whose children give him a robot carsetaker.

It's fun. The plot is ok but it's made special by Frank Langella in the title role.
 
Posted by Freelance Monotheist (# 8990) on :
 
Robot and Frank was a great movie. I liked the unexpected little twist that totally took me by surprise. I thought Susan Sarandon was fab in her small role and thought Liv Tyler and James Marsden looked like they could be related.
On a totally different note, I saw Rock of Ages a while ago and thought it was great fun, although very cheesy. I have a soft spot for 80's Rock and thought the cast were all good enough singers. I've never seen the stage show so I have no idea how the film was different from it!
 
Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :
 
Anyone see "Looper"? I'm wondering if it's any good, since Inception was a bit of a disappointment (though fun to watch).
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
I've a few days in London soon and was hoping to take in a good new movie - any suggestions?

Anna Karenina was mentioned to me but it seems to have had mixed reviews.

I guess I'd like something with limited car ulation, like I could just find in the city, rather than nationwide.
 
Posted by Off Centre View (# 4254) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
I've a few days in London soon and was hoping to take in a good new movie - any suggestions?

Anna Karenina was mentioned to me but it seems to have had mixed reviews.

I guess I'd like something with limited car ulation, like I could just find in the city, rather than nationwide.
If it's your kind of movie, the new James Bond film Skyfall just opened in the UK. I've not been to see it yet, but I've heard it's the best Bond film yet and it's sure to be in almost every UK cinema now.

Has anyone on the ship seen Skyfall yet?
 
Posted by Lyda*Rose (# 4544) on :
 
I just saw The Sessions. It's an excellent film based on the true story of Mark O'Brien, played by John Hawkes, a Berkeley educated poet, who survived well into adulthood the effects of severe polio. He lived most of the time in an iron lung, was almost totally paralyzed yet sensate, and longed for sex and love. With the good wishes of his friend and RC priest played by William H. Macy (who believed that God would give him a "bye") he got in contact with a sex surrogate played by Helen Hunt and began the adventure. It's a film of beautiful humor and pathos.

And Helen Hunt still has a smokin' body, bless her! [Two face]
 
Posted by Zappa (# 8433) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Off Centre View:
I've heard it's the best Bond film yet
That's one helluva call!
 
Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Off Centre View:
If it's your kind of movie, the new James Bond film Skyfall just opened in the UK. I've not been to see it yet, but I've heard it's the best Bond film yet and it's sure to be in almost every UK cinema now.

Has anyone on the ship seen Skyfall yet?
We're going to see it tomorrow - my daughter has seen it and loved it, though she's not a Bond fan; my son, who *is* a Bond fan, has seen it and didn't like it... He has given me his DVD of Casino Royale with strict instructions to watch that before seeing Skyfall. Oo-er...
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Actually my request was not about the latest blockbuster but more about as I am in London soon is there a film on there which is not easy to find outside London which is well worth seeing in shipmates opinion?

[Smile]
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Percy B:
Actually my request was not about the latest blockbuster but more about as I am in London soon is there a film on there which is not easy to find outside London which is well worth seeing in shipmates opinion?
It depends what your tastes are, but I personally could be interested in something at the British Film Institute if I were in the vicinity. They're doing "Dark Ealing" in November, and if you like the old Ealing comedies you may like some of these. I'd recommend "Kind Hearts and Coronets" or "Whisky Galore".

However, I did note that you said "new", which these are not - they're classics. I'm sure there'd also be some good international films on in London, if you don't mind things with subtitles.

[ 29. October 2012, 18:10: Message edited by: Ariel ]
 
Posted by Percy B (# 17238) on :
 
Thanks Ariel. I am a novice at finding this sort of thing out. I don't know how to go about finding a good international or modern minority film currently on show in London.
 
Posted by Ariel (# 58) on :
 
While I think of it, here's a link to Time Out's film section, which may help. Worth a browse, anyhow.
 
Posted by Twilight (# 2832) on :
 
I'll second the recommendation of Kind Hearts and Coronets.

It's just a feast of dark comedy and brilliant British understatements.
 
Posted by Doublethink (# 1984) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Pine Marten:
quote:
Originally posted by Off Centre View:
If it's your kind of movie, the new James Bond film Skyfall just opened in the UK. I've not been to see it yet, but I've heard it's the best Bond film yet and it's sure to be in almost every UK cinema now.

Has anyone on the ship seen Skyfall yet?
We're going to see it tomorrow - my daughter has seen it and loved it, though she's not a Bond fan; my son, who *is* a Bond fan, has seen it and didn't like it... He has given me his DVD of Casino Royale with strict instructions to watch that before seeing Skyfall. Oo-er...
I really enjoyed it, beautifully shot and probably the best Bond film I've seen. Much, much, much better than Quantum of Solace - certainly up there with Craig's version of Casino Royale.

I can also see why your son might not like it - not much gadget porn I'm afraid.
 
Posted by Off Centre View (# 4254) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Twilight:
I'll second the recommendation of Kind Hearts and Coronets.

It's just a feast of dark comedy and brilliant British understatements.
I'll third that recommendation!

Alec Guinness is fantastic in the movie playing several members of the same crazy aristocratic family.

It's brilliant and I don't want to spoil it too much, but one of my favourite movie lines comes from Kind Hearts and Coronets: "I shot an arrow in the air/ She fell to earth on Berkeley Square" [Smile]
 
Posted by Jack the Lass (# 3415) on :
 
We saw "Frankenweenie", the new Tim Burton animation, last week. It's not as scary as I thought it would be (note: I am a wuss and am scared by most things) and I laughed a lot at the last 20 minutes or so. It took me a while to warm to the style of the animation, but it is very clever and I enjoyed it.
 
Posted by Pine Marten (# 11068) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
quote:
Originally posted by Pine Marten:
quote:
Originally posted by Off Centre View:
If it's your kind of movie, the new James Bond film Skyfall just opened in the UK. I've not been to see it yet, but I've heard it's the best Bond film yet and it's sure to be in almost every UK cinema now.

Has anyone on the ship seen Skyfall yet?
We're going to see it tomorrow - my daughter has seen it and loved it, though she's not a Bond fan; my son, who *is* a Bond fan, has seen it and didn't like it... He has given me his DVD of Casino Royale with strict instructions to watch that before seeing Skyfall. Oo-er...
I really enjoyed it, beautifully shot and probably the best Bond film I've seen. Much, much, much better than Quantum of Solace - certainly up there with Craig's version of Casino Royale.

I can also see why your son might not like it - not much gadget porn I'm afraid.
I enjoyed it too, and it certainly looked beautiful. My son's favourite is Casino Royale, and he didn't like Skyfall as it harked back too much to old Bond. I understand to an extent his objection now (bit like ClassicWho v NuWho I suppose), and did feel that the characterisation was a little lacking. And Sévérine seemed a bit pointless. But Javier Bardem was an interesting villain - though again my son felt he was derivative of the Joker. Oh dear, he really ought to get a job as a film critic, he can talk for England when he gets going...<sigh>
 
Posted by Earwig (# 12057) on :
 
Saw Skyfall last night and loved it! I don't like old Bond, but I did love Casino Royale. Skyfall was a big old silly action romp with plot holes you could drive a lorry through, but the characters were good and strong. Craig plays Bond as a bit of a git, which I think the character is. But MAN is he easy on the eye! (Earwig fans herself. [Hot and Hormonal] )


SPOILER-PANTS and maybe triggery for some people


.....


But Bond, honestly?! You work out a woman has been forced into the sex trade at the age of 12 or 13, is being held against her will by a baddie, and then you sneak up on her in a shower for sexy times? Shame on you. [Disappointed]
 
Posted by Gill H (# 68) on :
 
I wondered what Shipmates would make of the exchange;

"I prefer you without your biretta"
"I feel naked without it"

We liked Skyfall - very character driven, although lots of nods to previous films. Did not see that ending coming!
 
Posted by art dunce (# 9258) on :
 
I saw Cloud Atlas. I very much enjoyed the book but found the movie to be less than satisfying. The pace and structure of the book and its mixing of genres made it an interesting read. The movie is hacked into frenetic scenes that cut back and forth and I believe if you hadn't read the book you'd have no idea what was going on. Hugo Weaving has become a caricature of sneering villain, Tom Hanks accents/prosthetics are laughable and Halle Barry is plain awful. Jim Broadbent was marvelous as was Ben Whishaw. Their parts of the movie I enjoyed (although the story was changed in unsatisfying ways). I left thinking that instead of a movie Cloud Atlas would have made a better HBO series perhaps. Oh we'll.
 
Posted by Ramarius (# 16551) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink:
quote:
Originally posted by Pine Marten:
quote:
Originally posted by Off Centre View:
If it's your kind of movie, the new James Bond film Skyfall just opened in the UK. I've not been to see it yet, but I've heard it's the best Bond film yet and it's sure to be in almost every UK cinema now.

Has anyone on the ship seen Skyfall yet?
We're going to see it tomorrow - my daughter has seen it and loved it, though she's not a Bond fan; my son, who *is* a Bond fan, has seen it and didn't like it... He has given me his DVD of Casino Royale with strict instructions to watch that before seeing Skyfall. Oo-er...
I really enjoyed it, beautifully shot and probably the best Bond film I've seen. Much, much, much better than Quantum of Solace - certainly up there with Craig's version of Casino Royale.

I can also see why your son might not like it - not much gadget porn I'm afraid.
Been trying to find a site that lists all the allusions to previous Bonds. Anyone have a link?
 
Posted by Off Centre View (# 4254) on :
 
Saw the new thriller Argo at the weekend - based on the true story of how Canada and the CIA managed to rescue 6 US embassy staff from Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis by faking a Hollywood movie production.

I thoroughly enjoyed it, though the tone was really strange at times. It had three different strands: Washington (where it played like a tense political thriller), Hollywood (where it mocked the film making business) and Tehran (where it became an incredibly suspensful spy flick). While it wobbled a little bit (and played a bit fast and loose with the actual history), it was a good rollercoaster ride of a film.

Has anyone else seen it?
 
Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by art dunce:
I saw Cloud Atlas. I very much enjoyed the book but found the movie to be less than satisfying. The pace and structure of the book and its mixing of genres made it an interesting read. The movie is hacked into frenetic scenes that cut back and forth and I believe if you hadn't read the book you'd have no idea what was going on. Hugo Weaving has become a caricature of sneering villain, Tom Hanks accents/prosthetics are laughable and Halle Barry is plain awful. Jim Broadbent was marvelous as was Ben Whishaw. Their parts of the movie I enjoyed (although the story was changed in unsatisfying ways). I left thinking that instead of a movie Cloud Atlas would have made a better HBO series perhaps. Oh we'll.
I thought they worked hard to make the book more accessible than the movie was -- draw a lot of lines for the viewer that in the book you had to figure out for yourself. And it seemed they added a lot more chase/action/explosion/gunfight scenes to make it more "Hollywood." But then it's been a long time since I read the book so I could have forgotten a lot of that stuff. I had forgotten a lot, but many things did come back to me as I watched.
 
Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :
 
Saw "Lincoln" today. Very good. All-star cast. Really felt like I was back in that time.

Do mind the (US) PG-13 rating--there are some graphic depictions of the Civil War.
 
Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
My nephew and I had a Judi Dench day when I was in UK - his wife was away so on the Saturday we went to the flicks to see Skyfall and then we went to his place, where I was staying, to watch The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - two cracking performances from a great actress - and my first Bond movie since the '60s!!
 


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