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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART SIX - 2013) (ongoing thread)
message 151:
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Nina
(new)
Feb 23, 2013 07:04PM
Once long before the movie, I read the story of the Von Trapp family and I thought to myself that it would make a good movie. Guess I wasn't the only one.
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Spoiler: Don't read on if you haven't seen the last episode of Downton Abby: I just found out the reason Matthew "left" the series was because he is going to star in a Broadway play. He has already left Britain for NYC. Maybe you can see it, Joy. I need to find out the name.
Nina wrote: "Once long before the movie, I read the story of the Von Trapp family and I thought to myself that it would make a good movie. Guess I wasn't the only one."You were right, Nina! :)
PS-I didn't read all of your Message #152 because I've only gotten up to Season 2, Episode 3 of "Downton Abbey". (I'm watching the series via Amazon Prime streaming.)
Dan Stevens' play is called The Heiress. He's also filming 'The Fifth Estate' and has been hired to work on another film called 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' which is in pre-production so not set in stone. My friend Debbie is visiting, she loves romance movies and I only have few romances in my DVD collection, the best of them all is The Notebook which she has never seen. We watched it tonight and she loved it, and I found it just as beautiful as the first three times I've seen it, lol
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/
Jackie, beautiful, but sad, no? (movie, "The Notebook")PS-Netflix calls it a Tearjerker. :)
"Genres: Romance, Romantic Dramas, Tearjerkers..." ... "heart-tugging romance"
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-Note...
There are tears but not always sad ones. It was an epic romance, the kind of thing we don't see in movies any more.
Best romance movies, IMO:Brief Encounter (1945) (Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037558/?...
An Affair to Remember (1957) (Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050105/?...
'An affair to remember' is a great watch, I haven't seen Brief Encounter..adding it to my torrent list...Singin' in the Rain (1952) scores high IMO...
Ashraf, please let me know what you thought of "Brief Encounter".=============================================
Wiki says:
"The screenplay is by Noël Coward, and is based on his 1936 one-act play "Still Life". ...
"The film is widely admired for the beauty of its black-and-white photography and the atmosphere created by the steam-age railway setting..."
"The soundtrack prominently features the Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff..."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brief_En...
======================================================
Weather report; on the ground now, one foot except where it has drifted higher. More snow expected starting tomorrow afternoon; possibly 8 to 15 inches. We will be buried soon. Hope not. Wish us luck to get through this and the poor birds.And my daughter's horses and dogs. Cat's inside.
Good luck, Nina. It's supposed to be rain by the time it gets to us today, thankfully.
Nina wrote: "Weather report; on the ground now, one foot except where it has drifted higher. More snow expected starting tomorrow afternoon; possibly 8 to 15 inches. We will be buried soon. Hope not. Wish us lu..."Be safe, Nina! I'm sorry for the animals and birds!
Who watched the Oscars last night?What did you think of the host, Seth MacFarlane?
WINNERS: http://oscar.go.com/
INTERESTING PAGES FOR OSCARS 2013:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael...
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/...
GOOGLE HITS FOR OSCAR 2013:
https://www.google.com/#q=oscars+2013...
Joy H. wrote: "Who watched the Oscars last night? What did you think of the host, Seth MacFarlane? PS-What did you think of the BOOBS song? I thought it was funny.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02...
When Ang Lee was the recipient of the Best Director Oscar, I was reminded that I once got a call to be in one of his movies. I couldn't answer the call as I was at a granddaughter's wedding in ID. Oh well, that's my life. Not all bad.
Weather bulletin; one foot of snow on ground and more snow tonight; possibly seventeen inches more..Brrr~
Nina wrote: "When Ang Lee was the recipient of the Best Director Oscar, I was reminded that I once got a call to be in one of his movies. I couldn't answer the call as I was at a granddaughter's wedding in ID. ..."That's great, Nina. I was happy that Ang Lee won and that his movie got the awards it did. I had read the book, Life of Pi. Now I look forward to the movie. However, I doubt if the movie can live up to the book. There's just something about seeing it in your imagination that beats seeing it in actuality on the screen.
Nina wrote: "Weather bulletin; one foot of snow on ground and more snow tonight; possibly seventeen inches more..Brrr~"I saw the weather reports on TV tonight. It's frightening the way people are getting stuck on the roads.
I won't say because i'm stuck inside I am now at loose ends..because I really don't feel "stuck" even though our drive is under two feet of snow and I doubt we could get out even in an emergency. We have power which is a blessing as 98,000 in our area don't have it. I am doing the usual things like laundry and mending my heavy tights hole in one and struggling though the drifts to feed the birds. And, of course, I am fortunate to have a good book in my lap. I am currently reading, "The Housekeeper and the Professor," and it might be the most fascinating novel I have come across. Have any of you read it?
Joy, Speaking of novels that give us a better look at history like To Kill a Mocking Bird and Gone With the Wind, I also thought, My Name is Mary Sutter fits into that category.
Nina wrote: "Joy, Speaking of novels that give us a better look at history... I also thought, My Name is Mary Sutter fits into that category."Nina wrote: "... I am currently reading, "The Housekeeper and the Professor," and it might be the most fascinating novel I have come across. "
Nina, here's my review of the Mary Sutter book: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Yes, it's an interesting Civil War period novel.
I'm keeping The Housekeeper and the Professor in mind. Here's a good review from Jeff: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Right now I'm reading Pope Joan. The first 3 chapters can be read online here:
https://play.google.com/books/reader?...
So far, I'm hooked.
Joy, After those three chapters, I too, am hooked. I will see if the library has it. Or else I will order it on my Kindle. Thanks for the recommendation.
Nina, glad you enjoyed them.I think you'll enjoy the rest of the book. I am.
I'm about a quarter way through but it looks promising.
I love the historic details. They take you back to those strange days, so long ago.
The setting is the 9th century!
FOR REFERENCE: Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
I watched the final Twilight movie last night, it was good, same as the rest. If you liked the others then you'll like this one, if you didn't then don't bother watching.
Jackie wrote: "I watched the final Twilight movie last night, it was good, same as the rest. If you liked the others then you'll like this one, if you didn't then don't bother watching."Thanks for the advice, Jackie. :)
I just finished streaming (from Netflix) "The Book and the Rose" (2001), based on a short story by Max Lucado.. It's a sweet "boy meets girl" story and it has a "book-angle".
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278366/?...
"A hunky young math teacher comes across a first edition of Anna Karenina and falls in love with the previous owner based on her extensive scribblings in the margin."
AWARDS: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0278366/a...
Recommended. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
I watched Red Dawn, a remake of the same name from the 80s. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234719/ I enjoyed it, lots of action right from the start but better than other action movies because I couldn't help but be invested in the characters and their plight. Then, Playing for Keeps because Gerard Butler is in it; it was OK, not my kind of movie, rom-com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540128/
Jackie wrote: "...Then, Playing for Keeps because Gerard Butler is in it; it was OK, not my kind of movie, rom-com. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1540128/ "Here's what Netflix says about it:
"Playing for Keeps" (2012)
"A washed-up, former soccer star attempts to rebuild his relationship with his son and ex-wife by coaching his son's soccer team. His plan to reconnect with his family is met with challenges from the attractive soccer moms who pursue him at every turn."
Cast: Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Noah Lomax, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones...
Genre: Romantic Comedies, Sports Comedies, Soccer, Comedy
Jackie wrote: "I watched Red Dawn, a remake of the same name from the 80s. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234719/ I enjoyed it, lots of action right from the start but better than other action movies because I co..."I loved the original. Did they stick to it pretty well?
For Reference (from Netflix):FROM: http://dvd.netflix.com/Search?v1=Red%...
Red Dawn (1984)
"When a group of teenagers witnesses Soviet and Cuban paratroopers descending on their small town and systematically setting off World War III, they take food and whatever weapons they can find and hightail it to the hills to wait things out."
Cast: Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Charlie Sheen...
Genre: Military & War Action, Action Thrillers, Action & Adventure
"Red Dawn" (2012)
"When Chinese military forces invade American soil and try to pacify citizens in one community, Marine Jed Eckert (Chris Hemsworth) and a group of his local teenage pals elude capture and go underground to organize a resistance. But their uprising soon faces a ruthless adversary determined to stomp out their grass-roots rebellion. Dan Bradley directs and Josh Peck and Adrianne Palicki co-star in this remake of the hit 1984 drama of the same name."
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Adrianne Palicki, Josh Hutcherson, Jeffrey Dean Morgan...
Genre: Military & War Action, Action Thrillers, Espionage Action, Action & Adventure
IMDb says the following about the 2012 version of "Red Dawn" (2012)
"A group of teenagers look to save their town from an invasion of North Korean soldiers."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234719/
When Red Dawn was filming, it was Chinese soldiers, but as per usual with Hollywood pandering to the govt, they changed the flags and uniform patches to North Korean so as not to 'offend' the Chinese. I almost didn't watch it for that fact alone. But Chris Hemsworth is why I watched it anyway. It's the one thing that stick in my craw about the movie.
I've seen the original Red Dawn, and agree that it's superior to a lot of modern action films, though I had a few quibbles with some aspects that I considered unrealistic. In the main, though, I think it could really prompt people to think about how they might respond to military occupation of their community, or to the loss of the freedoms we take for granted; I like it that it doesn't encourage the viewers to think that in that situation, you should wait passively until the proper authorities come and rescue you. And it did pose a really profound ethical dilemma (though I'm not wholly satisfied with the filmmakers' handling of it): what exactly DO you do with surrendered enemy troops, under guerrilla warfare conditions?A Chinese military attack on the U.S. at some future time isn't a far-fetched possibility; a North Korean attack (other than as an ally of China!) certainly is. That makes the pandering to Chinese and U.S. government pressure artistically ludicrous, as well as disgusting coming from a Hollywood establishment that preens itself as the courageous voice of truth (usually when it's vilifying and smearing some group that's culturally and politically powerless). I'd be predisposed not to watch the remake for that reason, too. (I've never seen Chris Hemsworth act in anything --that I know of-- so he's not a drawing factor for me. :-) )
The idea that Hollywood is the voice of truth is ludicrous, but people are gullible, many still believe that if they 'saw it on TV' it must be true, and that includes the news who are equally guilty in pandering to the government and it's interests. It blows my mind the power TV and movies have over people, especially the young, and they should know better. Is it stupidity or willful ignorance?
I see actors as nothing but very good liars, that is their job, to convince me of something that isn't real. For that alone I could never believe anything they say, and most especially when they push politics or products. Why would I listen to a professional liar? lol
Chris Hemsworth played the title role in Thor, and very well I might add. Which is all I require, and want, from an actor: to play their roles well.
Well said, Jackie! (I've never seen Thor, so that explains why I didn't recognize Hemsworth's name.)
There's 3 Hemsworth brothers, all actors. His youngest brother Liam plays Gale in The Hunger Games.Another debate/argument I'm having is this: A friend blames the networks for 'willfully dumbing down the population' with their choice of programming. I say No, the networks give the people what they want, and it's stupid people who require stupid shows and they seem to be in the majority. The networks are in it to make money, that's it, they have no financial interest in our intellect, or lack of one. When idiotic and cheaply made shows like Honey Boo Boo bring in big ratings, and expensive and intelligent shows like Fringe don't, guess which ones they're gonna produce and air? And since reality TV is cheaper to make, all the better to their way of thinking. More viewers means more sponsors means more money, and that's all they care about. When crappy TV gets higher ratings, it just brings in more crappy TV because the networks are all about copying each other.
I liked the guy in Thor. Sounds fun. I don't have any real trouble with them changing the bad guys, but North Korea? Seriously? Have we fallen that low in the International stats? Blech. It's not much bigger than Kentucky & has less people than Texas. California could take them.
Laughing, and I concur! At least let us get invaded by someplace that matters! lolI think you'll like it, Jim.
Speaking of movies, after my five year old grandchild watched a Shirley Temple, that was in Black and White she asked, "Was the world black and white back then and then it changed into color?"
Werner wrote: "Well said, Jackie! (I've never seen Thor, so that explains why I didn't recognize Hemsworth's name.)"I had never heard of him either. For reference:
Chris Hemsworth (google images): https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&a...
Handsome!
Nina wrote: "Speaking of movies, after my five year old grandchild watched a Shirley Temple, that was in Black and White she asked, "Was the world black and white back then and then it changed into color?""Kids have such an original outlook on the world.
When I was 5 years old I had to convince my 5 year old friend that the New Year, 1939 to 1940, was a new year and NOT a "new world". I've never forgotten how we had to go to our parents for verification of that. LOL
Kids make up words too. When my 3 year old niece heard a car horn blow, she said: "Who's horning?" :)
Joy wrote: I had never heard of him either.If an actor does a Marvel movie, I'll notice 'em! lol Marvel has to be my #1 in movies, being a big Marvel comic fan, it's a sure bet I'll be at the theater. It's tradition for me and Eric to go them together. We have a long history of Marvel love, I used to read the comics to him at bedtime, lol We have a lot of great memories surrounding Marvel, comics, books, animated TV series and finally the movies!
Jackie, believe it or not, at one time I was hooked on Marvel Comics too! I remember loving the comics about Wonder Woman and also about Captain Marvel. SHAZAM! lolI like your tradition with Eric. I like all family traditions! My sister and I have a tradition of watching the Academy Award shows together. We both have the same interest in them. We also laugh together at "Father Ted". LOL BTW, I just bought the entire collection. It has subtitles. So I catch every word!
http://www.amazon.com/Father-Ted-The-...
Shared laughter is wonderful!
"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." ---Victor Borge
PS-I don't know why, but nothing relaxes me like the Father Ted movies.
I guess that's the secret of silliness.
PPS-One of the customer reviews (of the "Father Ted" series) at the Amazon page linked at my previous post, says the following:============================================
"This is an extraordinary show. The only minus is it was only on for three seasons. It is side-splittingly funny. You will be laughing out loud as Father Ted, Father Dougal and Father Jack, along with their housekeeper, Mrs. Doyle, stumble through life, almost demolish Catholicism, reveal the hypocrisy rampant in us all, and make social commentary that is incredibly witty, but is also bitingly accurate! Whether you're just looking for a laugh, or enjoy seeing pompous arse's brought down low, this show is for you. And as an added bonus, the location,the fictional "Craggy Island" is one of the most beautiful locations ever! You need this in your collection! And the Yuletide extra, "A Christmassy Ted" is worth the price all by itself!" --- By R. Rossier
FROM: http://www.amazon.com/Father-Ted-The-...
=================================================
Yes, I do laugh out loud when I watch "Father Ted"!
Oh, now I do remember watching and enjoying, "Father Ted," series. We used to watch all those wonderful things on British TV channel. LIke Good Neighbors etc. I have forgotten some of the names now. I loved, "To the Manor Born." Have you ever seen it?
Nina wrote: "Oh, now I do remember watching and enjoying, "Father Ted," series. We used to watch all those wonderful things on British TV channel. LIke Good Neighbors etc. I have forgotten some of the names now. I loved, "To the Manor Born." Have you ever seen it? "Haven't seen either one, Nina. I will check them out. Thanks!
Joy wrote: "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." ---Victor BorgeOh I love that one! I just used it as my FB status. One of the things I love most about Anthony is his ability to make me laugh, the kind of laughing where my sides hurt, and my cheeks hurt!
I never saw To The Manor Born http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078703/ but it sounds good. TY, Nina!
Nina wrote: "Speaking of movies, after my five year old grandchild watched a Shirley Temple, that was in Black and White she asked, "Was the world black and white back then and then it changed into color?""LOL! Love it. Kids do say the darndest things.
Jackie wrote: "One of the things I love most about Anthony is his ability to make me laugh, the kind of laughing where my sides hurt, and my cheeks hurt! ... "You're a lucky girl, Jackie.
"In those whom I like, I can find no common denominator; in those whom I love I can: they all make me laugh." ---W.H. Auden
About "To the Manor Born" and "Good Neighbors"With Netflix you have to get the DVDs. You can't stream them.
But with Amazon Prime, you can stream "Good Neighbors" free if you're an Amazon Prime member:
http://www.amazon.com/Plough-Your-Own...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...
Marg & I have the same thing going on with the laughing. She got a good one today when Cutter got his tongue just right & I got a face full of his antibiotic. I'm happy to say that peppermint flavored antibiotic doesn't sting in the eyes & tastes pretty good, too.;-)
Speaking of laughing, did any of you ever watch,"Faulty Towers." Some of those episodes are classic.
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