Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART SIX - 2013) (ongoing thread)
I am three fourths the way reading, "The Boy in the Suitcase," and I have to keep convincing myself this isn't about real people so I can sleep at night.
"The Boy in the Suitcase," kept me almost glued to my seat but it should have ended a couple of chapters earlier.
I am not getting goodreads since the 22nd. Hope something breaks in tomorrow.
Nina wrote: "I am not getting goodreads since the 22nd. Hope something breaks in tomorrow."
Nina, it sounds like The Boy in the Suitcase is a real thriller! Not sure I want to be that thrilled. :)
Nina wrote: "I am not getting goodreads since the 22nd. Hope something breaks in tomorrow."Nina, about getting GR notifications, go to your profile and click on the "settings" tab. See if your email address is "verified". If it isn't, verify it according to the instructions there. Good luck!
My email address is verified as is my password. This is the lastest mail I've received/What do I try next if I don't get any tomorrow?
You can email goodreads. At the bottom of this page, in the right corner, click on 'help' then it gives you a list of options, one of them is 'contact us' and it will bring you to a page you can fill out. Wait a few days and they'll write back having either fixed it already or telling you what to do. I had a problem some months ago about non-friends inviting me to events, sending recommendations, etc, I did as I described above, and they took care of it, never happened again.
Nina wrote: "My email address is verified as is my password. This is the lastest mail I've received/What do I try next if I don't get any tomorrow?"Nina, our group hasn't been very busy lately. So perhaps that's why you haven't received any notifications.
Jackie, thanks for jumping in with your suggestion!
I got this one so maybe the problem is solved but Jackie I'll save this advice. Thanks.
Nina, glad to hear that you're getting notifications. They're a big help.
Not easy sitting and waiting for repair people. Hope to be finished by Thanksgiving..In the meantime, interesting read about the tugboat. I can't remember being on one of those; mostly it's been ferry boat rides and of course, sail boats.
I haven't gotten any daily e-mailed notices of my friend's reviewing activity since Monday, although I've gotten the daily notices of activity on the discussion boards in my groups; so, like Nina's, my e-mail address is still verified. Nina, my problem may be related to yours; when I clicked on "help" and reported it, the tech who responded said it sounded like another case of a bug they've been dealing with recently.
I took advice I'd been given before and verified my email and password and it seems after doing both I did begin to receive it again. Good luck.
Nina wrote: "Not easy sitting and waiting for repair people. Hope to be finished by Thanksgiving..In the meantime, interesting read about the tugboat. I can't remember being on one of those; mostly it's been fe..."Nina, I hope those repairs will be completed soon.
Glad you saw my tugboat topic in this group. For those who might be interested, it's at:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Today I finished streaming "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003). I was completely drawn in. Usually, I'm not a fan of Julia Roberts but I liked her performance in this film.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304415/?...
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/600...
IMDb description: "A free-thinking art professor teaches conservative 50's Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles."
Cast: Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ginnifer Goodwin, Dominic West, Juliet Stevenson, Marcia Gay Harden, John Slattery, Marian Seldes, Donna Mitchell, Terence Rigby, Topher Grace, Kristen Connolly
Genres: Dramas, Social Issue Dramas, 20th Century Period Pieces
There was food for thought in this film.
BTW, I enjoyed seeing the fashions we wore in the 50s. I recognized so many of the styles I wore then. My! How times have changed! lol
Also, BTW, this film actually had nothing to do with the Mona Lisa painting. The idea of the Mona Lisa relating to this movie was a huge stretch! Poor title, IMO. A better title would have been: "Pompous A**ses" or "Supercilious Snobs". Or better yet, "True Vocations".
(It's not so easy to think of a good title!) :)
Today I watched The Seventh Sign. Demi Moore, Juergen Prochnow, Michael Biehn.The Seventh Sign is a 1988 apocalyptic drama film written by Clifford and Ellen Green and directed by Carl Schultz. The title and plot reference the seven seals described in the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament of the Bible. (Wikipedia)
I've always loved this movie. It was even better now as an adult.
I saw Mona Lisa Smile but don't remember it. I saw The Seventh Sign and do remember that one, it was very good.
Joy wrote: "A better title would have been: 'Pompous A**es' or 'Supercilious Snobs.'". Actually, Joy, the first suggested title isn't a vulgarism, so you don't need the stars. In that phrase, "ass" refers to a donkey, used metaphorically (according to Webster's Third New International Dictionary) to denote a "simpleminded fool, often characterized by stubbornness or stolidity." When it's applied to a person, that's all the word means, though it's more apt to be used that way by Brits than Americans. The American use of the word for a body part is a completely different thing. :-)
Werner wrote: "Joy wrote: "A better title would have been: 'Pompous A**es' or 'Supercilious Snobs.'". Actually, Joy, the first suggested title isn't a vulgarism, so you don't need the stars. In that phrase, "as..."LOL - Thank you, Werner, for redeeming me. :) Actually, the expression was used in the movie, probably in the singular... can't quite remember. Anyway, the words stayed in my mind. :) Powerful words, IMO. :)
PS-My father used to call poor drivers "jackasses" as he drove by them. LOL What a memory to recall just now! :)
S.J, I see from Netflix that "The Seventh Sign" is categorized as: "Genres - Horror, Supernatural Horror, Satanic Stories." As Jackie said just now, in another thread: "I want something light and pleasant." :)
Horror, no. Satanic, no. Supernatural, yes, but more about God and the biblical apocalypse in Revelation. It's none of what Netflix says, in fact, it's beautiful and highly emotional because one woman thwarts the apocalypse by her willingness to die for her newborn son, restoring God's faith in humankind and giving them a reprieve, another chance. It was a movie about hope, all the hope in the world rests on one single person. Magnificent, really.
Yes, when Americans use the word British-style, we often lengthen it to "jackass(es)."I'm reminded of the late comedian Jackie Gleason, who once said a friend encouraged him to run for governor. When he asked why, the fellow replied, "Because you so perfectly embody the symbols of both political parties --an elephant and a jackass." :-)
Jackie wrote: "Horror, no. Satanic, no. Supernatural, yes, but more about God and the biblical apocalypse in Revelation. It's none of what Netflix says, in fact, it's beautiful and highly emotional because one..."Guess we can't trust all the descriptions. Here's the IMDb link for "The Seventh Sign" : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096073/?...
As for Netflix, here's their description:
"Demi Moore plays Abby, a pregnant woman with a curious new boarder in the apartment over her garage. Turns out he's heaven-sent and is speeding along the Apocalypse by bloodying rivers, egging on plagues and following scripture word for word. As the nosy and nearly-to-term Abby uncovers her tenant's secrets, she finds out her role in bringing about the seventh sign. This drama's popularity stems from Moore's turn, which smoothes over plot holes."
FROM: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-Seve...
Werner wrote: "... I'm reminded of the late comedian Jackie Gleason, who once said a friend encouraged him to run for governor. When he asked why, the fellow replied, "Because you so perfectly embody the symbols of both political parties --an elephant and a jackass." :-) "LOL ! Good retort!
I think they just apply any genre they think might fit. They can't have watched every single movie. I just want to clarify, having seen it.
I totally agree with Jackie. The Seventh Sign is a wonderful movie. Juergen basically plays the son of God returning. He states to Abby, "once I came as the lamb, now I return as the lion." He apologizes to her for what must be done. You can see the sadness as he talks to Abby. The story is beautiful on many levels. There is absolutely nothing horror or Satanic about it. The way Juergen plays his character is almost tortured.
Jackie Gleason was great. Him & his cup of 'coffee'.;-)
We watched the latest Star Trek flick (Into Darkness). I wasn't impressed. They took the new timeline that was established in the last one as a license to dredge up all sorts of things from the original series & films. I didn't care for their take on it. The end was particularly bad, IMO.
S.J. wrote: "I totally agree with Jackie. The Seventh Sign is a wonderful movie. ... There is absolutely nothing horror or Satanic about it. ... "Jackie and S.J., just now I called Netflix and told them what you told me about The Seventh Sign not being in the Satanic or horror genres. The rep told me that Netflix takes their information from "The Movie Picture Association of America". Anyway, he said he would pass on the complaint.
PS-He probably meant "The Motion Picture Association of America": http://www.mpaa.org/
I actually enjoyed Into Darkness. We saw it in the theaters as a family. I'm a huge Fan of the original, TNG, and DS9 and have passed that love on to ye ol' kids. But, that being said, I have heard that many were disappointed in it. I liked the nod to the original Khan movie and reversal of roles, as such.
Wow, then the MPAA needs to get their act together, their title implies they know what they're talking about.
My son and I went to see ST Into Darkness and we both liked it. Same deal with passing on the love of all things ST to my kid. Remakes/reboots will always be a disappointment to some, if it's not the poetic license they take with the new one, then it's people complaining that it's the same old story. My husband has an absolute loathing of remakes and reboots, lol I can roll with it.
Jim wrote: "We watched the latest Star Trek flick (Into Darkness). I wasn't impressed. They took the new timeline that was established in the last one as a license to dredge up all sorts of things from the o..."Here's the IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/?...
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
At Netflix, one of the member reviews seems to agree with you, Jim. It said:
====================================================
"The so called new Star Trek movies for me is one big letdown. The first movie was bad and now this is worse. The writers should hang their heads in shame and be charged with stealing considering all the past episodes they ripped off..."
FROM: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Star-Tre...
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I actually liked the first reboot Star Trek movie. This one was a huge let down for me & I didn't have my hopes too high. They had a good cast to work with & plenty of material, but they just kept screwing it up.------- spoilers below ----------
The dead tribble wasn't very well done. At least they mentioned dealing with Mudd before hand, but did nothing else. No one shuddered at the thing or wondered why it died. Too pasted on. If you didn't know what a tribble was, you wouldn't get it. If you did, it wasn't proper. Still, this was a very minor point compared to the rest of the idiocies in the movie.
It started out bad, if funny, with Kirk swiping a sacred text, but the natives kept running in from the side behind them & could never catch up. Kirk & McCoy run very well for a couple of guys that only work out in their spare time while the guys chasing them, who depend on their spears, bows, & running ability to feed themselves daily didn't do so hot. Well, they're the heroes, so I could roll with it.
BUT a lot of spears went past them very fast at various times. Then Kirk stuns their ride. (He left it there with McCoy, comes back & stuns it. Sure.) They could beam Spock up but not down? They hid the Enterprise under water?!!! It's a deep space ship & they're dipping the engines into the ocean on the seashore near the village & had to use a shuttle craft & didn't want to violate the Prime Directive?
Blech!
I liked Kahn & thought they got a good actor for the part. He's the guy that plays Sherlock Holmes in the British version that 'Elementary' in the US is based on. Why was only his blood so great, though? It was obvious his blood would be needed from the time McCoy injected it into the tribble, but what's wrong with Kahn's crew? And just how did McCoy manage to skin all of them out of their torpedoes so quickly?
I HATED the very end. They're going on a 5 year mission. "Where should we go, Mr. Spock?" No orders? Didn't spend any time planning before telling Sulu to hit warp speed? Nope. They just take off with out even telling Sulu a rough direction. No wonder they keep blowing the poor ship up. Idiots.
The Klingon home planet & system are so poorly defended that Federation ships come & go as they please - even have fights - without getting challenged? And that 'deserted' sector was in great shape with lots of lights on. Why was it deserted? They also apparently knew this off the top of the heads, too. How?
They lose power in all the fighting & yet their artificial gravity is kept on so it can roll around & drop people hundreds of feet through the ship? Or was that supposed to be Earth's gravity affecting them as they plummeted in? Neither one made sense. Some freefall would have.
And Kirk kicked the warp core back into alignment? Not even the angle made any sense. Luckily, all the rolling stopped so he had time to do this & die heroically. Ugh.
Those are just a few of the highlights off the top of my head. It was just one idiocy piled on top of another until my suspension of belief & love of Star Trek were battered into disgust.
:-(
I saw it in the theater and don't remember most of the things you mentioned. I know the original ST but that's so so far away in my mind that I can't make comparisons simply because I can't remember it. I can definitely see why you did not enjoy it, though.Oddly, when the first one came out a couple of years ago, I didn't even go see it in the theater because I was sure it would suck. Imagine my surprise when I rented it, then I had to go out and buy it! I did expect Into Darkness to be excellent and maybe it wasn't perfect but I did enjoy the ride while I was on it. I would need to see it again to pick out the individual plot holes and screw ups.
One thing I would like to clarify, is that Elementary in not based on BBC's Sherlock, they are nothing alike except that they have a character named Sherlock Holmes. If Elementary is 'based on' Sherlock then American TV should just shut down once and for all, lol Sherlock may be set in modern times but it's all very book-Sherlock-y, brilliant, quick and thrilling. Elementary so was so bad I couldn't get past the first couple of episodes, Holmes is an addict and a female Watson was hired by his family to watch him so he doesn't fall off the wagon. Ugh, so American. We really need to know when to keep our dirty mitts off iconic shows/characters. Sherlock used drugs but not like how it was in Elementary.
Jim and Jackie, I haven't watched any of those. So I can't comment.(PS-Jim, you have a good memory for detail!)
The other day I streamed "The Proposition" (1998) via Netflix.
I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120108/?...
https://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Th...
"In 1930s Boston, upper-class couple Arthur and Eleanor Barret becomes involved with a Harvard student and a mysterious priest in their efforts to produce an heir, leading to a torrent of violence that threatens to swallow them all."
Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Kenneth Branagh, Madeleine Stowe, Robert Loggia, William Hurt, Blythe Danner
The story drew me in and kept me watching. There was enough suspense and the characters were interesting.
My apologies, I had heard "Elementary" was based on the British one, but agree that beyond the new time setting, there isn't much in common. I actually like "Elementary" better, though.My memory for detail isn't that great when it comes to movies, especially of this sort, unless it really gets to me in some way. Unfortunately, none of what I noticed were actually details, but major items, like hiding the Enterprise under water. A big deal has been made out of it being a SPACE ship for over 40 years now.
Star Trek was the first serial SF show that I really loved. "The Twilight Zone" & "Outer Limits" were great, but they were all different stories with different characters. "Lost In Space" came out about the same time (a little earlier) but was pretty dumb, even to my young mind. (I liked the old Batman, too.)
Catching a great movie like "Forbidden Planet" or "The Green Slime" was more likely seen at drive-in or theater, a rare enough treat. Getting to see a horror or SF show was really rare. It was only when my father was around, usually for a weekend every other week, that such was even possible.
TV was really limited. I've always lived out in the country & back then even great reception meant 2 or 3 channels & all the good shows were on too late. Mom didn't care much for TV & not at all for 'garbage' (good!) shows. When I lived in CO, we didn't watch any TV - it was rare that the one station came in well enough.
Anyway, all that means is that when Star Trek came out, I soaked it up like it was manna from heaven.
Finally, some activity with our house repair problems; downstairs carpet cleaned and when it dries furniture can be moved back in. They are bringing boxes of our flooring to be distributed about the house until they can get to it. Might take another couple of weeks to start. I am so hoping we are settled by Thanksgiving. Wish us luck. We will have a new dishwasher and new flooring and no new granite countertops like the young folks all want.
The Proposition sounds good, Joy.Jim, it's fantastic that you remember the old ST series, I watched it but don't really remember any of it. I'm sure if I did, I wouldn't be too pleased with the modern take on it. Maybe this crappy memory is a blessing, lol
Jim, I remember growing up with three TV channels, too (and at our house, they were all black and white). We got a PBS channel in our area when I was in high school; that first year, I hardly watched anything else, until the novelty wore off!Lost in Space WAS spectacularly dumb, to my young mind, too. But its dumbness was part of its charm; you had to approach it with tongue glued into cheek. :-) (But I liked Star Trek much better!)
Nina, glad some progress is being made! Werner, we didn't get a color TV until I was 13. It was rarely on save for an hour or so in the evening. Too much to do.
Jim, it was interesting reading about your experiences with movies and TV years ago. Yes, our choices were very limited, compared to what we have today. Just a few channels on TV, if we had any at all. I remember enjoying "Twilight Zone". That is one fantasy program I always looked forward to.
Nina, I hope your house will be back to normal soon. Reminds me of the time when we were remodeling our house. What a mess! I went around saying: "When does the fun begin?" :)
House repair is finally coming along. Could I recommend a book that I think is great one more time? It's, "Short NIghts of the Shadow Catcher," by Edward Curtis. I think it should be required reading in high school. I have read lots about our Native Americans but learned so much more after reading this non-fiction concerning the life of photographer, Edward Curtis who shot pictures of them non-stop and wrote books about his experiences.
Nina wrote: "...Could I recommend a book that I think is great one more time? It's, "Short NIghts of the Shadow Catcher," by Edward Curtis. ... about our Native Americans ..."Nina, thank you for the recommendation. Below are the links.
Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher: The Epic Life and Immortal Photographs of Edward Curtis
by Timothy Egan
PS-Here's the description from our local library:
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"At once an incredible adventure narrative and a penetrating biographical portrait, Egan's book tells the remarkable untold story behind Edward Curtis's iconic photographs, following him throughout Indian country from desert to rainforest as he struggled to document the stories and rituals of more than eighty tribes. Even with the backing of Theodore Roosevelt and J. P. Morgan, it took tremendous perseverance. The undertaking changed him profoundly, from detached observer to outraged advocate. He would die penniless and unknown in Hollywood just a few years after publishing the last of his twenty volumes. But the charming rogue with the grade-school education had fulfilled his promise—his great adventure succeeded in creating one of America's most stunning cultural achievements."
FROM: http://salon.sals.edu/CEFF68AF-29E4-4...
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Joy, Thanks for pointing out the correct author. I think I was too tired when I copied this down the first time. The library must have liked this book as much as I did.
Joy H. wrote: "Jim, it was interesting reading about your experiences with movies and TV years ago. Yes, our choices were very limited, compared to what we have today. Just a few channels on TV, if we had any at ..."I remember in the sixties we took our children to my parents on Sunday evenings to see Disney productions because they had color tv and we didn't.
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Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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I googled to find examples of moral dilemmas. Below is a link to the hits:
https://www.google.com/#q=moral+dilem...
The examples really bend your mind. :)