What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART SIX - 2013) (ongoing thread)

[Jackie]

It was good; I liked the cast.

[Jim]

Joy H. wrote: "..."In a plot inspired by the writings of Bram Stoker, vampire hunter extraordinaire Dr. Van Helsing..."

LOL! While I liked the movie, a couple of names were about all it had in common with Stoker's writing.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "It was good; I liked the cast."

Yes, the cast in "History Boys" was great.
The only one I had ever heard of was Richard Griffiths.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341743/?r...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_...

Gee, I looked at the above-linked Wiki page and learned that Griffiths died last March at the age of 65 "after complications following heart surgery." Of course, he was terribly overweight.

The others in the cast were: Samuel Barnett, Stephen Campbell Moore, James Corden, Frances de la Tour, Andrew Knott, Georgia Taylor, Russell Tovey, Penelope Wilton.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464049/?...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "Joy H. wrote: "..."In a plot inspired by the writings of Bram Stoker, vampire hunter extraordinaire Dr. Van Helsing..."

LOL! While I liked the movie, a couple of names were about all it had in common with Stoker's writing. "

Ha! Well, they only said they were "inspired by the writings of Bram Stoker"!
A good way to put it. :)

[Werner]

Yes, the "inspiration" was very loose. :-) Count Dracula's nasty personality is a pretty good approximation of Stoker's characterization, but Hugh Jackman's Van Helsing bears no resemblance to Stoker's, and neither does the plot. I liked the movie too, but you have to take it on its own terms, not as anything remotely resembling an adaptation of Dracula.

[Jackie]

Those are the key words: 'inspired by', 'based on'. They let you know it's not a true rendering of the original.

[Nina]

I would like to recommend the Netflix movie, "Broken Hill," to each and every one of my Goodread friends, regardless of sex or age. I thought it one of the best I have seen in a long time. Don't be put off in one of the opening scenes of rowdy teen-agers; part of the story but a small part. This movie is based on real life. It is sooo good.

[Jackie]

Broken Hill: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212909/
I'm going to watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXoTO4...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I would like to recommend the Netflix movie, "Broken Hill," to each and every one of my Goodread friends, regardless of sex or age. I thought it one of the best I have seen in a long time. Don't be..."

Thanks, Nina, for the recommendation of the movie, "Broken Hill, and thanks, Jackie for the links for the movie. I've added it to my Netflix DVD queue. It's not streamable. Below is the Netflix description:
=================================================
"Broken Hill" (2009)
"Teenage Tommy McAlpine (Luke Arnold) spends his life helping run his family's sheep station in the Australian outback and playing soccer to make his father (Timothy Hutton) happy. But his real dream is to make it big in the music world. When he runs afoul of the law, he finds a silver lining in a community service sentence. In time, Tommy is transforming a group of inmates into a world-class choir. ... "

Genre: Family Dramas, Teen Dramas, Teen Romance, Children & Family
FROM: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Broken-H...
=========================================================

PS-I notice that the Netflix user reviews of this movie are very positive. So many people "loved" it!

[Jackie]

I just watched the craziest movie, Savage Grace http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379976/?... and only after it was over did I find out it was a true story of a son who kills his mother after she seduces him to cure him of being gay. Wow, people are crazy. I'm not sure who was crazier, the mother or the son.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I just watched the craziest movie, Savage Grace http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379976/?... and only after it was over did I find out it was a true story of a son who kills his mother after she ..."

Gee, Jackie, so much crime going on! So many crazy people! It's so sad. Here's the Netflix description:
=============================================
"Savage Grace" 2007
"Director Tom Kalin compellingly recounts the real-life circumstances and events that led to the murder of socialite Barbara Daly Baekeland (Julianne Moore) at the hands of her son (Eddie Redmayne) in 1972. Infidelity, family dysfunction and incest are all part of the unsettling brew in this shocking drama (based on a true story) also starring Stephen Dillane as Barbara's coldblooded husband. Howard A. Rodman penned a Best Screenplay nominee for an Independent Spirit Award."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Savage-G...
=====================================================

[Jackie]

I've been having a weird problem with my DVR, only on Sunday night if I record TNT and another show at 10pm, will one not record. The cable company needs more info so they asked me to record a bunch of stuff daily to gather more data. And Savage Grace was one of the things I recorded, as I'm trying different channel combinations.

Another recording proved quite interesting, on NOVA, Earth from Space, using satellite images in various wavelengths to see the interactions of the natural earthly processes and how everything is connected. I highly recommend it if it ever airs again. Season 40 Episode 11: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562610/ There's a thing at the page 'watch full episode' on amazon.

Here's an article about it, that explains it better than I could: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/15/no...

Here's the full episode on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqojtG...

[Jim]

That's really awesome, Jackie.

[Jackie]

It's hit or miss with NOVA, sometimes the topics are fantastic, other times not. This week is about the king of camouflage, the cuttlefish. I have to see this one, because octopuses are my idea of king of camoflage, if the cuttlefish tops that, then I have to see it!
Here's a very cool clip of what octopuses can do, it's more than impressive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS-USr...

[Earl]

Jackie wrote: "I've been having a weird problem with my DVR, only on Sunday night if I record TNT and another show at 10pm, will one not record. The cable company needs more info so they asked me to record a bun..."

I have a cranky TW cablebox also. It's always been famous for not recording what I've set up, particularly if I try to watch something at the same time it's recording. It seemed to get better what they changed the way it fast-forwards and backwards. It used to back up a bit for you once you pressed stop. That feature is no longer present but it seems to program more reliably. When Return to Lonesome Dove was playing on AMC a while back, I knew I didn't to miss recording so I recorded it on vcr also. When I played it back the cablebox version was missing some of it's sound. The vcr tape wasn't. ?????
Good show by the way.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Wow, Jackie. Lots of interesting stuff at those links you posted! I've opened up each one in a separate tab so I can take a look at them.

Meanwhile, I'm in the midst of following up on a search I made of documentaries by Stephen Fry. That man fascinates me.
WIKI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Fry
HIS DOCUMENTARIES: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
AUDIOS: http://www.audible.com/search/ref=sea...

So I have lots of choices on this rainy day! I guess I can put off doing my chores for one more day while I pursue all the above paths. :)

Or I can take a nap. :)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Earl wrote: "I have a cranky TW cablebox also. It's always been famous for not recording what I've set up, ..."

Earl, I haven't gotten involved in DVR recording. I know it has its advantages but I think it would bother me to have all those programs stacked up waiting for me to watch them. It might be like having a stack of books I can't quite get to. The feeling of having so many "undone" projects waiting for me creates a kind of pressure which I don't like... not to mention all the other projects I have going on at the same time. Gee, I thought I was retired! LOL

[Jackie]

Earl wrote: It used to back up a bit for you once you pressed stop.
I hate that it doesn't do that anymore! I loved it, I had it timed perfectly, what with all the practice I have, lol But now I have to waste time going back, going forwards, going back again.
I never had a problem until this feature was eliminated. I asked the cable guy why it's gone, he said there was other software deemed more important. Damned if I know what because nothing else seems to be added.
Admittedly my DVR was old, at least 3 years old and no problems. So I got a new one, yet the problem remains so it's not the DVR itself but something with the cable company. That's why I need to do the 'experiments', to try and isolate the problem and maybe then they can fix it.

Joy, I can understand that sentiment, and it is often like that. I don't like a bunch of stuff on there, I don't know why, but it's just how I am. Consequently I spend a lot more time watching TV. And it's so easy to press that record button.

I love Stephen Fry! You have to watch QI, he hosts that and it is 'Quite Interesting' and funny too. I've seen some on youtube.

[Werner]

Last night, I finally watched a DVD (yes, you guessed it, we had another big thunderstorm here yesterday evening!) that I picked up a couple of years ago, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), starring Russell Crowe. It's a (very loose, judging from the Wikipedia plot summary of the novel!) adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's novel The Far Side of the World. That's the tenth novel in his Aubrey/Maturin series (the first one is Master and Commander, hence the first part of the movie title), but the first one to be filmed. If you consider it on its own terms as an independent work, not an adaptation, it's well-done (though it has its grim and tragic parts).

This is naval warfare drama set in the age of sail (1805, during the Napoleonic Wars) and pitting a Royal Navy vessel against a more heavily-armed French privateer, as the former tries to keep the latter from carrying the war into the Pacific. I like this sub-genre of historical fiction, both in books and film (if you enjoyed the A & E versions of the Hornblower novels, you'll probably like this one, too), so it's up my alley. This was my first exposure to Crowe as an actor, and I thought he was perfect for the part (the supporting performances are excellent as well). The plot was very good, with lots of derring-do and action, in a chase on two oceans (with the hunter sometimes becoming the hunted), but there's as much concentration on the human relationships aboard ship, which is a plus for me. I appreciated the filmmakers' realistic picture of navy life at that time (and the nice look at the unique fauna of the Galapagos Islands, as well!) The film really brings home the harsh conditions these men (some of them young teens) faced --not only combat, but hazardous work high in the rigging in all kinds of weather with flimsy footholds, the horrors of early 19th-century surgery --including amputations-- without anesthesia, and a diet of such delicacies as weevil-infested bread, even in the officer's mess. It gave me a genuine appreciation of their guts and sacrifice --and it's a serious statement of the fact that some causes merit that kind of sacrifice, now as well as then.

My appetite to read Master and Commander is now officially whetted! I've got a couple of Hornblower novels I need to read first, though. (Of course, when I'll get to any of these would be the question....)

[Werner]

I forgot to include the imdb link; it's www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/ .

[Earl]

Jackie wrote: "Earl wrote: It used to back up a bit for you once you pressed stop.
I hate that it doesn't do that anymore! I loved it, I had it timed perfectly, what with all the practice I have, lol But now I..."

Actually I find I like this fastforward better. I ff on the '4' speed and backspace on the '2' speed and it works out fine.
Joy, you don't have to worry about stuff piling up cause the box will delete stuff when too old, there is limited space. Now that the new season is starting I am starting to fill up. A couple nights a week are taken up by a Netflix cd. That's almost always better than what I've got recorded anyway.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner wrote: "Last night, I finally watched a DVD ..., Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), starring Russell Crowe. It's a (very loose, judging from the Wikipedia plot summary of the novel!) adaptation of Patrick O'Brian's novel The Far Side of the World. That's the tenth novel in his Aubrey/Maturin series (the first one is Master and Commander, hence the first part of the movie title), but the first one to be filmed ... www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/ "

Werner, thanks for the great description of the film. That is indeed historical fiction with a good dose of history! Here is the Netflix description:
===============================================
"Master and Commander" 2003
"Set off the coast of South America during the Napoleonic Wars, this thrilling maritime drama pits "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), captain of the HMS Surprise, and his close-knit crew against a French privateer equipped with better weapons. This action-adventure, which won Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing, is based on the novels of Patrick O'Brian ..."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Master-a...
================================================

[Werner]

Thanks for the Netflix info, Joy!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Earl wrote: "... Joy, you don't have to worry about stuff piling up cause the box will delete stuff when too old, there is limited space. ..."

But, Earl, I probably WOULD worry because I'd want to get to the films before they were deleted. :) Pressure, pressure, pressure! LOL

Actually, I'm happy with my Netflix queues, both DVD and Streaming. I also have what Amazon Instant Video calls my "Watchlist", which serves the same purpose as a Netflix queue. So I have plenty of stuff waiting for me to watch... and no pressure. :)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "... I love Stephen Fry! You have to watch QI, he hosts that and it is 'Quite Interesting' and funny too. I've seen some on youtube."

Jackie, I will check QI out.

Have you seen Stephen Fry's: "The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive"?
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/stephe...
===============================================
"Stephen Fry presents this documentary exploring the disease of manic depression; a little understood but potentially devastating condition affecting an estimated two percent of the population.

"Stephen embarks on an emotional journey to meet fellow sufferers, and discuss the literal highs and lows of being bi-polar.

"Celebrities such as Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss invite the comedian into their home to relate their stories.

"Plus Stephen looks into the lives of ordinary people trying to deal with the illness at work and home, and of course to the people studying manic depression in an effort to better control it. A fascinating, moving and ultimately very entertaining Emmy Award-winning programme."

It's on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGDl6-...
It's a revealing account of Fry's own struggle with being bi-polar.
======================================================

I like the fact that Fry brings the problem to the forefront. Many people have it but don't realize it. He discusses the symptoms and the issue of the many medications which are prescribed for the bipolar disorder, including children.

Also, by coincidence, I'm currently watching a DVD of "Silver Linings Playbook" (2012), mentioned in this thread by Arnie. In the movie, the character suffers from having bi-polar symptoms. Robert De Niro plays the father of the main character. It's supposed to be a comedy but it's a bit tragic at the same time.

FILM:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1045658/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Silver-L...

NOVEL: The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

[Jackie]

Joy, no, that doesn't seem like anything I would be remotely interested in.

I saw Silver Linings Playbook a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I was fully prepared to quit within the first half hour but it kept me engaged. I hope you like it too.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie, I'm still in the middle of watching "Silver Linings Playbook". I found it a bit disturbing and had to bail out for a while. The problems of the characters keep building up and their manic behavior got annoying after a while. All that quarreling and dissension isn't pleasant to watch. Too much emotional turmoil for me. Maybe it will get better when I go back to see how things develop.

[Jackie]

I agree, I don't care for that kind of intensity because it feels like it could turn to violence at any moment. I was interested in the characters, the female lead, played by Jennifer Lawrence, was very good. She's what kept me interested.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "... I was interested in the characters, the female lead, played by Jennifer Lawrence, was very good. She's what kept me interested."

Jackie, I finally finished viewing "Silver Linings Playbook". The second half was better than the first half.

Yes, Jennifer Lawrence, as Tiffany, was good in the role as the romantic interest for Bradley Cooper, who played Pat.

About them, critic James Berardinelli commented:
=======================================================
"...the strong chemistry evident between Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence - these two crackle with energy ... She and Cooper are about as well-matched as a screen couple can be; those who appreciate their chemistry can re-visit it next year when they co-star as husband and wife in Serena."
FROM: http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_t...
========================================================

Jennifer Lawrence did a good job evincing Tiffany's strong character. Bradley Cooper has an appealing simpatico quality.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-Can you explain the meaning of the title: "Silver Linings Playbook"? I understand the meaning of silver linings but where does the "playbook" come in?

[Jackie]

I think 'playbook' is referencing the family's obsession with football. I'm not really sure.

[Margaret]

Joy H. wrote: "Jackie wrote: "It was good; I liked the cast."

Yes, the cast in "History Boys" was great.
The only one I had ever heard of was Richard Griffiths.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0341743/?r...
..."

I was lucky enough to see this cast - who were also the original cast of the play - at the National Theatre on New Year's Eve a few years back. Griffiths was extraodinary, and very light in his body for such a big man, but you did worry even then that he wasn't going to make it to the end of the play. James Corden, the stocky kid, is now a sizeable West End star after giving a fantastic comic performance in a play called ONE MAN, TWO GUV'NORS - the hardest I've laughed in a theatre in a long time. Jamie Parker, who played Scripps the aspiring writer (a much larger role in the play) has since taken his wonderful George Sanders voice and become an accomplished Shakespearean actor, playing Henry V and more at the Globe, and he and Sam Barnett who played Posner have done Stoppard's ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD together in London. Barnett will be in New York this Fall with the Globe Company appearing in TWELFTH NIGHT and RICHARD III. They became quite a little theatre family, Those Boys.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Margaret wrote: "... I was lucky enough to see this cast - who were also the original cast of the play - at the National Theatre on New Year's Eve a few years back. ..."

Hi Margaret! I'm glad to hear that the boys who were in the "The History Boys" cast are doing so well. It was obvious that each one was special in his own way.
Below are links to each one's IMDb page, showing their filmography and other work:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0179479/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1304386/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0461409/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0869871/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1756674/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1002641/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1154650/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0223527/?r...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0581378/?r...

Some of their names are: Samuel Barnett, Stephen Campbell Moore, James Corden, Frances de la Tour, Andrew Knott, Georgia Taylor, Russell Tovey

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I think 'playbook' is referencing the family's obsession with football. I'm not really sure."

Hmmm, Jackie, that's probably it. I looked up "playbook" and found the following:
===================================================
"playbook: a notebook containing descriptions and diagrams of the plays that a team has practiced (especially an American football team)" FROM: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary...
====================================================
One of the parts of the movie ("Silver Linings Playbook") I did NOT enjoy was all the football talk since I don't follow football. No wonder the title meant nothing to me! :) Besides, it was a bit of a stretch to see the connection between "silver linings" and "playbook"! I hate vague titles in films as well as in books. But I guess they can't be avoided since original titles are hard to come up with.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PPS-Can anyone recommend a movie (besides "The History Boys") with any of the following in the cast? --->
Samuel Barnett, Stephen Campbell Moore, James Corden, Frances de la Tour, Andrew Knott, Georgia Taylor, Russell Tovey.

[Arnie]

Joy, I'd like to know your final assessment of "Silver Linings..."--- for the actors in "The History Boys", go to IMDB.com--if you type in their names it will tell you what else they have been in.

[Nina]

I am picking up, "Clara and Mr. Tiffany," at the library tomorrow. I have rave reviews from my friends who have read it. I'll let you know later if I agree with them.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Arnie wrote: "Joy, I'd like to know your final assessment of "Silver Linings..."--- for the actors in "The History Boys", go to IMDB.com--if you type in their names it will tell you what else they have been in."

Arnie, see my post #583 above in which I have provided the links for the info re the actors in "The History Boys".

As for the movie, "Silver Linings Playbook", I didn't like the arguing in the beginning but the end of the movie was better. Although it's considered a comedy, it didn't seem like a comedy to me. Too many stressful scenes. Also see my posts above about the movie, from #577 on.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I am picking up, "Clara and Mr. Tiffany," at the library tomorrow. I have rave reviews from my friends who have read it. I'll let you know later if I agree with them."

Nina, about the book, Clara and Mr. Tiffany, see the following GR reviews, one positive, one negative:

Positive GR review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Negative GR review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Please tell us what you think after you read the book.

[Jackie]

I finally got around to watching Warm Bodies http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588173/ "With much of the world's population now an undead horde, R is a young and oddly introspective zombie. While fighting with and feeding on a human scavenger party, R meets Julie and feels an urge to protect her. What happens next is the beginning of a strangely warm relationship that allows R to begin regaining his humanity. As this change spreads through the local undead population like a virus, Julie and R eventually have to face a larger issue when the very nature of their friendship is challenged. Caught between the paranoid human forces and the ferocious "Bonies", zombies who are a mutual threat, R and Julie must find a way to bridge the differences of each side to fight for a better world no one thought possible."

I'm not a zombie fan so this unique take on zombies was a pleasant surprise. There's no blood or gore or anything that you would see on regular zombie movies. And it had a good and hopeful story.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I finally got around to watching Warm Bodies http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588173/ ..."

Jackie, here's the Netflix description:
=================================================
"Warm Bodies" (2013)
"After eating a young man's brains and absorbing the memories within, a freshly dead zombie falls in love with his victim's girlfriend. Saving her from the wrath of his cohorts, the zombie whisks the girl away to his lair and attempts to woo her."
Genre: Romantic Comedies, Comedy
This movie is: Scary, Romantic
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Warm-Bod...
=======================================================
I watched the trailer. The only performer I recognized was John Malkovich.

PS-I notice that the film was adapted from the book: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

[Nina]

I picked up "Clara.." at the library this morning and after reading it I will let you know which review I agree with; affirmative or negative.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I picked up "Clara.." at the library this morning and after reading it I will let you know which review I agree with; affirmative or negative."

OK, Nina. Thanks. Hope it's a good book.
Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

[Nina]

So far, I am liking the book but I think it would have been better if it had started on the fourth chapter and flashed back to all the stained glass working details, bit by bit, in the story. We'll see what my overall reaction is after I finish it.

[Nina]

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all."

Emily Dickinson

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: ""Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
and sings the tune without the words
and never stops at all." Emily Dickinson"

Here's the rest of the poem:

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
-Emily Dickinson

[Nina]

Thanks for the rest of the poem. I quoted it from a book and didn't know there was more.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "Thanks for the rest of the poem. I quoted it from a book and didn't know there was more."

You're welcome, Nina.

Tonight I'll be watching a Netflix DVD:
"The Odd Life of Timothy Green" (2012)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462769/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-Odd-...

Jackie recommended here last December 2012.

[Jackie]

I hope you like it Joy, it was a cute movie. A nice movie that the whole family can enjoy. Very sweet and innocent.

[Arnie]

Nina wrote: "Thanks for the rest of the poem. I quoted it from a book and didn't know there was more."

It was with reference to this poem that Woody Allen titled his second collection of humorous pieces, "WITHOUT Feathers." (emphasis mine)