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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART SEVEN - 2014) (ongoing thread)
Jim wrote: "... Joy, you would hate it."Jim, my Netflix record tells me that I've already seen "The Departed" (via a Netflix DVD). I rated it only 2 stars on 5/18/2009. (You were right!) lol
I have no memory of seeing the movie but my records show that I definitely received the DVD by mail in 2009.
I can't understand why I would want to see that movie! It was probably because it won the 2007 Academy Award (Oscar) for "Best Motion Picture of the Year". It also had numerous other awards and nominations. Here's the IMDb Award page:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/a...
I remember liking it but that's it. Too long ago to remember what it was about or what happened.
It is the same with any loved animal; horse, cat, in my daughter's case, a mule. But, I agree, "Better to have loved and lost, then never to have been loved at all." I don't know who first said that. But, I agree. I still grieve over Bambi's mother.
Jackie wrote: "I remember liking it but that's it. Too long ago to remember what it was about or what happened."Yes, our memories can hold just so much. That's why I like the Goodreads review feature. It reminds me of what I thought about a book. Sometimes when I read my reviews, I'm surprised by my own writings. :)
I had a friend in a book group once who said she wrote down the plot of every book the group read. Not a bad idea if you like to do it.
Our memories are very selective. I find that I remember things which have had an emotional attachment to them, i.e., I was either surprised, or saddened, or thrilled, etc. We remember those moments.
Speaking of memories; I have a favorite I just heard last night on "Downton Abby." It is as follows, ""Life is an acquasition of memories," Lady Violet(aka Maggie Smith.)
Memories are unreliable too, it's crazy that people are used as eyewitnesses. You should watch a program called Brain Games, it's on one of the learning channels, like Science or Nat Geo or something. It's all about memories, perception and our brain power. Amazing stuff. We use less wattage to power our brains than the lightbulb in our fridge. Our brain actually filters out details it considers unimportant.
Nina wrote: "It is the same with any loved animal; horse, cat, in my daughter's case, a mule. But, I agree, "Better to have loved and lost, then never to have been loved at all." I don't know who first said tha..."" 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."
---from poem "In Memoriam A.H.H" by Alfred Lord Tennyson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Memo....
"For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings."
---William Shakespeare, from Sonnet 29
Jackie wrote: "Memories are unreliable too, it's crazy that people are used as eyewitnesses. You should watch a program called Brain Games, it's on one of the learning channels, like Science or Nat Geo or someth..."Jackie, it looks like the program is on the National Geographic channel tonight:
http://braingames.nationalgeographic....
Interesting stuff!
Nina wrote: "Speaking of memories; I have a favorite I just heard last night on "Downton Abby." It is as follows, ""Life is an acquasition of memories," Lady Violet(aka Maggie Smith.)"Good one, Nina.
Nine wrote: Speaking of memories; I have a favorite I just heard last night on "Downton Abby." It is as follows, ""Life is an acquasition of memories," Lady Violet(aka Maggie Smith.) That was Carson who said it, I put it up last night on facebook as soon as he said it and have the paper right next to me. The only reason I remember it because is I wrote it down as he said it. He was talking to Mrs Hughes about that woman he loved, prompted by the picture frame Mrs H gave him as a gift. The full quote is this:
Carson: The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that's all there is.
Julian Fellowes ~ Downton Abbey
See how unreliable those memories are? lol
Jackie wrote: That was Carson who said it ..."Thanks, Jackie.
Jackie wrote: "Nine wrote: Speaking of memories; I have a favorite I just heard last night on "Downton Abby." It is as follows, ""Life is an acquasition of memories," Lady Violet(aka Maggie Smith.) That was Ca..."Good point jackie! I still love the quote. Memories aren't completely untrue as I did at least remember the essence of the quote and perhaps that is the real truth of the matter with our own memories. At lesst I hope so as I am now in the process of writing my memoirs. Because I am an only "child" and because there is no one left around to verify or dispute my earliest ones. So be it.
Nina wrote: Because I am an only "child" and because there is no one left around to verify or dispute my earliest ones. You're probably better off not having other peoples' faulty memory muddying the waters of yours. I have a brother and a sister and on most of our shared memories, we all remember it differently. And none of us are actively lying, it's just how we each remember it. There's also perspective, we each have a unique one and I think that plays into memories too.
When you finish your memoirs I would to read it, you've led quite an exciting life.
Jim, Just sent you a picture of my daughter's horses's legs in winter. I didn't sign it nina so wanted you to know who it was from. Also, do your horses legs look like this?
I got it, Nina. Yes, they all get furry, some furrier than others. Speedy, a Welsh, looks like Cousin It.
Last night, I took advantage of a free evening to watch one of my stack of un-viewed DVDs, Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), starring Brendan Fraser as present-day geology professor Trevor Anderson. It doesn't purport to be a re-telling of the Jules Verne novel. Rather, the premise is that Verne's novel actually was based on fact. It was the favorite novel of Trevor's older brother and fellow scientist, Maxwell, who disappeared ten years earlier. Near the beginning of the film, Trevor's sister-in-law brings his 13-year-old nephew to stay with him for a few days, and leaves off a box of Max's effects. Thumbing through his brother's copy of the novel, Trevor discovers a clue that sends him haring off to Iceland with his nephew in tow (he insisted on coming along!), and the adventure begins.I give the writers credit for a good idea, and they actually stick fairly close to elements in the novel, or to elements that are basically Verne-like (of course, it's been some years since I read the book); they don't, for instance, confuse it with At the Earth's Core, like the writers of the 1999 miniseries version with Treat Williams did. The execution of the idea can be kitschy in places, the underlying science is more than dubious, and there's at least one logical fallacy that's so glaring the cast should have worn sunglasses. And while mountain guide Hannah is a competent lady whose presence is a nice change from Verne's sexist adventures-are-just-for-males approach, and certainly worthy of any man's admiration, the romance has kind of a tacked-on feel, like it's an inevitable concession to formula. (While Hannah's capable to start with, Trevor's transition from bumbler to resourceful hero is also a bit taxing to believability.) With those caveats, though, I did like it well enough as passable entertainment ("brain candy," as a couple of my friends would say), with no pretensions to being deep. The three stars who carry the bulk of the film on their lone shoulders handle their parts very well (Fraser was quite a trooper; he actually did burn himself accidentally in the first scene with the flare, seriously enough to halt filming for several days, so his cry of pain wasn't entirely acted!) and there's a nice leavening of humor throughout the movie.
Here's the imdb link, if anyone's interested: www.imdb.com/title/tt0373051 .
Werner wrote: "Last night, I took advantage of a free evening to watch one of my stack of un-viewed DVDs, Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), starring Brendan Fraser as present-day geology professor Trevor..."Thanks for the link, Werner. I found it on a listing at Netflix. I never realized there were so many films made with the same name!
http://www.imdb.com/find?q=Journey+to...
Of course, you were referring to the 2008 film.
Thanks for the review.
I just finished watching a Netflix DVD of "A Woman Called Golda" (1982) starring Ingrid Bergman as Golda Meir.http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/A-Woman-...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084914/?...
"The story of the Russian-born, Wisconsin-raised woman who rose to become Israel's prime minister in the late 1960s and early 1970s."
Below is from an excellent review by a Netflix member:
=====================================================
"Ingrid Bergman was awarded an Emmy posthumously for her portrayal of Golda Meir, the fourth Prime Minister of the State of Israel, and its first woman P.M. This film takes us from Golda, as a young woman, devoted to the establishment of the State of Israel (portrayed superbly by Judy Davis), through to her rise to prominance and the elder years portrayed by the legendary actress Ingrid Bergman. I think Bergman's magnificent performance speaks for her extensive range as an actress. It also speaks to her courage and indominatable will as she was fighting a painful cancer battle when she took this role upon herself.
This film by TV standard is lavish and I found there was not one boring moment. It has everything... historical events of politics, and war, as well as romance but mostly Golda's emotional and human struggles that finally, through personal sacrifice and perseverance, brought her triumph. By Golda's own self analysis, she was not the perfect wife to Morris, (Leonard Nimroy) or the perfect mother, but this film certainly says it all...she was the most formidable and important figure of the 20th Century.
This film received an Emmy in 1982, for "Outstanding Drama Special". If you enjoy films based on history, queue this one."
=====================================================
Besides all of the above, the film refreshed my memory of all the events I remember hearing about at the time they happened.
PS-See my question in Message #126.
PS-Here is the Golda Meir Wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golda_MeirGolda Meir (1898–1978)(died at the age of 80) - Another "Iron Lady".
I AM TRANSFERRING THE FOLLOWING FROM ANOTHER SECTION OF THIS GROUP DISCUSSION. ---Joy H.====================================================
Nina wrote: "... Joy, I thought the acting was good in "Blue Jasmine," but wasn't thrilled with the movie. Odd ending.
Nina, about the ending of "Blue Jasmine", I agree with you. It was odd. It seemed there was no resolution except for the fact that (view spoiler) But, IMO, that ending was too sudden and didn't give any obvious closure to the story at least until you thought about it a while and accepted it.
It refers to when she did the same thing before and had to be institutionalized for a breakdown, they mentioned it often. It was subtle and obvious at the same time. Unspoken was the fact that Jasmine would be going back to the mental ward. That was closure enough for me.
Jackie, I remember that parts of the movie ("Blue Jasmine") referred to Jasmine's mental problems but I never got the idea that she would definitely be (view spoiler)
Sitting on a park bench talking to herself was a good indication to me, since the last time she was walking the streets talking to herself and it landed her in the mental ward. They didn't come right out and say it, but I felt it was pretty clear.
I guess I was being optimistic and hoped Jasmine might overcome her problems.
The Netflix description of "A Woman Called Golda" says the following:====================================================
"Meir led the nation through the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany."
FROM: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/A-Woman-...
===================================================
I do remember the part in the movie about the Yom Kippur War. HOWEVER, I do not remember the part about the massacre at the Olympics.
Does anyone remember seeing the massacre mentioned in the movie?
That's the beauty in an ambiguous ending, it can be what you want it to be. I also saw American Hustle, a friend wanted to see it. She's always taking me places, I didn't feel right about declining and I'm glad I went, it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Good story.
Jackie wrote: "That's the beauty in an ambiguous ending, it can be what you want it to be. ..."Jackie, you know how I hate ambiguity! LOL
I do, lol! But in this case it gives you an optimistic ending. You know me, my ambiguous endings are all doom and gloom!
Jackie wrote: "... I also saw American Hustle ... it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Good story. "Oi, the mafia! :)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1800241/?...
PS-Now you've made me curious. lol
The mafia was just a blip in the story. Everything I read about this movie indicated it was definitely not for me. I'm still surprised that I liked it. I guess that's a good thing, because I can get so adamant about what I like and so sure of what I will not like that I often don't give things a chance.
Jackie wrote: "I do, lol! But in this case it gives you an optimistic ending. You know me, my ambiguous endings are all doom and gloom!"
I didn't think the ending looked very optimistic! (re "Blue Jasmine")
Jackie wrote: "The mafia was just a blip in the story. Everything I read about this movie indicated it was definitely not for me. I'm still surprised that I liked it. I guess that's a good thing, because I ca..."When I went to the IMDb site of "American Hustler" just now, I was "forced" to watch the trailer at the top. I noticed that it looked interesting with interesting performers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1800241/?...
Joy H. wrote: "I guess I was being optimistic and hoped Jasmine might overcome her problems."Joy I had the same reaction as you as far as the end of the movie, "Blue Jasmine," and Jackie's idea of the ending never even occured to me. Guess it's up to the individual to figure out for himself. That's not my kind of movie.
Nina, I know what you mean!. It was good until it got to the end. (re: "Blue Jasmine")
I too prefer a defined ending, even if I don't like it. I want a proper ending, not what I think might happen.
Jackie, I guess that the 3 of us agree! :)
Weather wise not as bad as some places. Just got a newspaper from my sister in law who lives in Milwaukee, WI. It was thiry five below wind chill this past week. BBBBRRRRRR~ she says, "Enough already,"
Jim, that sign is a riot! LOLNina, I can't imagine 35 below windchill! Wow! I wonder what the temp was without the windchill.
PS-My son is currently vacationing in Brazil and he sent an email saying the temp was 95F! (35C) Hope it's warm enough for him. LOL
I watched Dallas Buyer's Club last night. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790636/?...Not a fan of McConahey but I really like Jared Leto, who was fantastic in it.
It's an important movie that clearly illustrates the chokehold the FDA and Big Pharma have on us, and where it all started.
Interesting issue, Jackie. The cost of medicine these days takes a huge chunk out of people's incomes.I just finished watching a Netflix DVD of "Chaplin" (1992) starring Robert Downey, Jr. He was incredible in the role and won the 1993 BAFTA award for best actor. He was nominated for an Oscar but didn't win. What a shame! (Al Pacino won for "Scent of a Woman".)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103939/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Chaplin-...
"Through flashbacks and other nonlinear devices, director Richard Attenborough recounts comic icon Charlie Chaplin's (Robert Downey Jr.) poignant journey through triumph, failure, infamy and government persecution. The large cast of characters includes George Hayden (Anthony Hopkins), Douglas Fairbanks (Kevin Kline) and Chaplin's mentally unbalanced mother (Geraldine Chaplin). Downey's performance earned both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations."
Highly recommended! Five Netflix stars out of 5!
I just saw "Red 2" tonight. It had Anthony Hopkins in it & Bruce Willis. Lots of fun, although not quite as good as the first.
Jim, I wanted to see Red 2 but forgot about it, thanks for the reminder. I did like the first one.
I still haven't seen the original Red movie, but I'd like to sometime. (Not that I usually have much time to watch movies; and now I'm hearing rumors that Food City has dropped its "five for five" DVD rental deal. :-( Sigh! Oh well; DVD check-outs from the library are still free! :-) )
I just finished watching a Netflix DVD of the film adaptation of the book, Barry Lyndon, by William Makepeace Thackeray. I gave the film 5 Netflix stars out of 5.
See my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Years ago I read the book, Vanity Fair, by Thackeray. I enjoyed the book and am wondering if I would enjoy this book too. I'm certainly curious about it.
I just discovered that I can read the book online FREE! See it here:
https://play.google.com/books/reader?...
I think I shall put my mind to it.
I thought "Barry Lyndon" was about the 1964 presidential campaign!! No, but seriously, beautifully filmed by Kubrick, but it bored me to tears. Sorry to say the same for "Remains of the Day"---the problem for me was that Hopkins' character never changes---maybe that was the point but made for tedious viewing.
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/
over the course of the weekend. It was 3.5 hours long with all the commercials. I missed the first few minutes, but that wasn't a problem. Really an excellent movie, although the end was quite a gore shock. Still, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, & Vera Farmiga did a GREAT job. Terrific story.
Joy, you would hate it.