What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART SEVEN - 2014) (ongoing thread)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Arnie, now that you mention it, it's true that Hopkin's character never changes. Glad I didn't realize that at the time because I enjoyed every minute of his portrayal. Perhaps the restrained emotions were supposed to indicate his properness as a butler.

[Nina]

I think the character played by Anthony H. couldn't change. The story would have been different but I felt the mood changed at the end of the movie. It was quite different than the beginning. Today was an interesting interview published in our paper of the author, David O. Stewart regarding his novel, "The Lincoln Deception." The book sounded quite fascinating. Are you familiar with it, Joy?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

RE: The Lincoln Deception by David O. Stewart

Nina, no, I haven't heard of this book before now. Interesting speculation.

One of the GR reviews says:
"Really interesting premise for a novel. It's a quick read but sometimes easy to get lost in the plot and theories of conspiracy."

That comment would turn me off. I hate being confused by plot details.

[Nina]

I think it would turn me off also. Another author in town this week, Timothy Schaffert, to discuss his book, "The Swan Gondola," and the review printed in the paper sounded good. What's you take on this one?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "... Another author in town this week, Timothy Schaffert, to discuss his book, "The Swan Gondola," and the review printed in the paper sounded good. What's you take on this one?"

RE: The Swan Gondola by Timothy Schaffert

Nina, I found the following summary in a GR review:
"The story, set largely at and around the events of the 1898 Omaha World’s Fair, is a delight. Schaffert’s plot revolves around Ferret Skerritt, a ventriloquist on the midway of the fair. He falls in love with a traveling actress named Cecily, and the two spend their summer together against the fair’s gleaming backdrop. When William Wakefield, the well-to-do Omaha businessman spearheading the fair, also takes an interest in Cecily, Ferret is left trying to pick up the pieces of his summer."

Below are other excerpts from GR reviews:
"A stunning, magical novel that sweeps the reader away to a time and place so vivid you won't want to leave. The Swan Gondola is a tale of love, loss, perseverance and devotion. It is at times a ghost story, a sweeping romantic tale and a page-turning mystery."

"The Swan Gondola is a wonderful book. It is written beautifully and artfully. The prose intricately paints the era of the time and the thoughts and sentiments of the characters (even the ones that we seldom if ever voice in our day to day lives). The sometime odd characters are well presented and developed. I really enjoyed the comic undertone of the novel which brings to light that life should not be taken seriously but is to be enjoyed."

Below is an excerpt from a negative review:
"Things got a little slow after the balloon fell out of the sky in the beginning, then picked back up, then slowed down, then picked up, then slowed down, etc. At some points I was ready to give up only to be sucked back in before wanting to give up again for good, but I had to finish it to see if the ending would glue it all together."

Sounds like it's unevenly paced.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-Of course, you never know until you read the book yourself.

[Jackie]

I watched Ender's Game http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/?..., it was a lot like the book, very close really. My only complaint is that when it was being filmed, it claimed to be a merging of Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow. There was no Ender's Shadow in this movie. Bean was just a minor character as he was in Ender's Game. That bit of info made me read Ender's Shadow sooner rather than later, but I can't complain too much, as I liked Ender's Shadow.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie, thanks for reminding me about the film adaptation of Ender's Game. I loved the audio-book and am VERY curious about the movie. I just now added it to my Netflix DVD queue.

There is no way that the movie will live up to the audio book for me. It was the voice of the narrators which made the audio version so special to me. The 2 narrators were: Stefan Rudnicki & Harlan Ellison. It was the one with the rich voice whom I loved hearing. Not sure which was which.

Haven't read Ender's Shadow.

[Jackie]

In some ways Ender's Shadow was a better book. But it's not necessary to read before seeing the movie, as I was led to believe.

I still haven't listened to an audio book, so I don't know the experience, but if you liked the story itself, you won't be disappointed in the movie, it followed closely to what Ender went through. Some things were left out, like the blogs his brother and sister wrote, which as far as I'm concerned is a great big good riddance. I didn't care for his brother or that whole political blog stuff. It was just filler and you know my opinion on filler: fill the garbage with it, lol

The end, when you realize it wasn't really a game, was just as devastating in the movie as it was in the book. I'm generally pleased with a movie when it stick close to the book.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie, I wish you could hear the audio version I listened to (of Ender's Game). Then you would know what I'm talking about. That voice! Sigh! :)

[Jim]

Jackie wrote: "I watched Ender's Game http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/?..., it was a lot like the book, very close really. My only complaint is that when it was being filmed, it claimed to be a merg..."

I agree with you completely, Jackie. I've read both & was amazed at how well they fit it all into the movie. Just 2 scenes of the dream game (the important ones) & they compressed the finding of the egg, but overall it was great. They could have used another hour, but Marg said it was perfect & she doesn't remember the book or short story.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Today I streamed "Paradise Road" (1997) via Netflix.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119859/?...
"Fact-based recounting of a group of women who are imprisoned on the island of Sumatra by the Japanese during World War II and used music as a relief to their misery."
CAST: Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, Pauline Collins, Cate Blanchett

It kept my attention all the way through even though the theme was a dark one.

[Jackie]

I tell you what, Joy, if Idris Elba ever narrates a book, I'll listen to it. That man's voice is lovely, it makes me think of chocolate and velvet.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie, I had never heard of Idris Elba before now. I searched Netflix. I can stream him in "Luther". Is that a good choice for me to see what he's like?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1474684/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Search?v1=Luth...

PS-I searched audible.com. They don't have any audio books narrated by him... yet. :)

[Jackie]

Luther is amazing! I don't like cop shows, but I love this one. I recommend trying it and finish out the first season, it's only 6 episodes. You'll love Luther, everyone does.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

OK, Jackie. I'll watch the series. Thanks. I see it's a BBC feature. So he'll have a British accent. I love British accents. :)

[Jackie]

Yes, an East London accent. It's not posh. BTW, Idris won a Golden Globe for his performance of Luther, well deserved too.
He played Nelson Mandela in the new movie, and I saw just one clip on Graham Norton's show and he was amazing. Just on that clip alone, he should have been nominated for an Oscar. I'm definitely going to see it when it to DVD or On Demand.
I'm a big fan of Idris, can't you tell, lol

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Here's the link to "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" (2013)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2304771/?...
I've put it in my DVD queue at Netflix:
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Mandela-...
(available 3/18/2014)

[Jackie]

Nice. I didn't realize it would be out this soon.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

RE: Up at the Villa (1941) by W. Somerset Maugham

A few days ago I streamed the film adaptation of the above novella.
"Up at the Villa" (2000)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0153464/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Up_at_...
CAST: Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, Anne Bancroft, James Fox

This is a wonderful suspense story. This particular film version is very lush in scenery and dress. Beautiful Kristin Scott Thomas draws you in and you can't stop watching. Forget reading the summaries. Just start watching and let the story unfold. That's the best way to watch it. It starts out in a benign manner and then slowly draws you in.

Wiki says: "In the film, subplots were added to expand the material to feature film length, which reviewers and cinemagoers criticised." I saw no problem with any subplots. In fact, I didn't even notice them as such.

PS - An online description of the book says: "Erotic, haunting, and maddeningly suspenseful, Up at the Villa is a masterful tale of temptation and the capricious nature of fate." I agree!
Those words are at: https://play.google.com/store/books/d...
You can read a sample via the link above.

[Jackie]

My son put up a Netflix movie he thought I'd like "From Time to Time" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1031241/?...
Lots of familiar Downton Abbey faces, as well as being written and directed by Julian Fellowes.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks, Jackie. I see that "From Time to Time" is available for streaming at Netflix. I've added it to my Netflix list.
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/701...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1031241/?...

BTW, I've been noticing Pauline Collins lately.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0172604/?r...
She's in "From Time to Time" as Mrs. Tweedle. She's also in "Paradise Road" which I watched recently. She has such a sweet face. She played Sarah in "Upstairs, Downstairs" (the TV Series).

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Am watching "Luther". He's quite a guy! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1474684/?...

[Jackie]

How do you like his voice?
I totally love the character of Luther. This is why I love British shows so much better than ours, they really know how to bring a character to life in just a few episodes.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Luther has a very pleasing voice but it's his personality that keeps you watching. He's off the wall! LOL I didn't like the ending of the first episode. (view spoiler)[Looks like the murderess got away with it even though Luther discovered how she did it. (hide spoiler)]

[Jackie]

Just keep watching, you are in for some surprises there.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Oh, I see. I suppose the episode continues and it's not just a brand new episode then. Good. I'll watch another episode of "Luther".

I've been streaming "Nora" via Netflix. It's a film adaptation of the book: Nora: A Biography of Nora Joyce by Brenda Maddox.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0158033/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Nora/6...
It gives us a look into the personal life of James Joyce. Up to now, he's been just a name. But after watching the film, I feel I've learned a lot about him. The movie is very slow-paced but interesting because it's about James Joyce and his wife, Nora.

I've started watching "The Dead" via Netflix streaming.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092843/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_De...
It's a film adaptation of one of the short stories in Joyce's book, Dubliners. The film stars Anjelica Huston.

[Jackie]

Yes, it basically a mini-series, 6 episodes of continuing arc, other things are happening too but it's too early to realize that.

The Dead sounds good, I may give that a try.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "... The Dead sounds good, I may give that a try."

Don't bother. It's ridiculously boring. I haven't reached the end yet. Maybe something will happen.

[Jackie]

That's too bad, the cast seemed good. I often wonder how and why actors choose certain roles.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

This one ("The Dead") seems to have been a "Huston" project. John Huston directs it. His daughter stars in it. And there was another Huston among the credits. Basically, it's just gatherings of people talking about mundane subjects (e.g., did you like the food; did you like the theater) You have to sit through boring "recitals", musical and vocal. At one point they bring up the fact that certain monks sleep in coffins, to remind them of their temporary status (?). Not sure about that... I'm paraphrasing. Perhaps that's where the dead idea comes in. I am going to force myself to watch the ending. LOL Only 26 more minutes to go. LOL

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-I finished watching "The Dead". The last 10 minutes is related to the title about "the dead". (view spoiler)[After a party, a couple goes home. The wife (Angelica Huston) is very sad and tells her husband that the song sung just before they left the party had made her sad. It reminded her of a young boy she knew when she was young. The boy had died at the age of 17. She tells the story of how he died. The husband realizes that the boy had loved his wife very much and she had thought highly of the boy. The husband does a soliloquy about how we are all just passing through (my interpretation) and about how special it must be to have such a love as the boy did for her. (hide spoiler)] At any rate, the movie bored me even though the ending was something to think about.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-See my review about "The Dead" for more info about it. My review is at:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PPS-BELOW IS A SCATHING COMMENT FROM A NETFLIX MEMBER ABOUT PEOPLE WHO FOUND "THE DEAD" BORING:
====================================================
"... nothing is boring except the ignorance the culturally deprived bring to it. True deprivation is one thing; the other kind, the willful, stubborn kind that spits in the wind at anything it does not understand--that kind, after a film like this, is unbearable. Thank you, reviewers with heart, for sharing your insights and feelings--they acted as a cure for the vacancy of the others."
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_De...
========================================================

Oh, my! I guess I'm "culturally deprived" and "vacant". Either that or I'm "willfull" and "stubborn". LOL ('cause I found the film BORING!)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PPPS-ANOTHER COMMENT ABOUT "THE DEAD" FROM ANOTHER NETFLIX MEMBER:
=============================================
"This did not work for me as a movie. I did love the acting, the turn of the century costumes, and the feel of Ireland in winter. It created a charming atmosphere. However, the story itself is lacking, not the delivery given by the actors. I would probably love this as a play in a theatre. If I ever found one I definitely would go and watch it. But for those of you who can't understand that we're all individuals, and have differing views, and that you feel the need to put other people's opinions down - try to remember that your post is likely full of hyperbole for the sake of seeing yourself be witty, and that everyone is entitled to their opinion - even if it's different than yours. Can you do that, fascist? Yes, and you know who you are. :) This is my opinion and I'm entitled to it." [text boldened by J.H.]
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_De...
====================================================

[Jackie]

It's one thing to trash a movie or book, quite another to attack the people who do not like said movie or book. That reviewer is 'humanity deprived' and I'd rather be culturally deprived than be a pompous ass like him/her.

[Jackie]

Love the second review! Well said.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Right on, Jackie! LOL

[Werner]

Joy, if that second review was a Goodreads review, I'd immediately click on it to "like" it. (And if I was allowed to vote to like it several times, I'd do that, too! :-) )

[Nina]

One of the worst books I've read recently, "Philomena." Can't imagine what part Judy Dench was able to play; I guess the main character but in the book, Philomena's character was only in the first couple of chapters and the last and the epilogue. How do you make a movie out of that and title it "Philomena?"

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner wrote: "Joy, if that second review was a Goodreads review, I'd immediately click on it to "like" it. (And if I was allowed to vote to like it several times, I'd do that, too! :-) )"

Yes, Werner, I liked that review too. It was a Netflix member review. I clicked on the "Helful" button to show my approval. (That's Netflixes version of "liked".)

As for the first person's review which I posted (which was nasty), I clicked on Netflix's "Inapropriate" button but the 3 options after that didn't fit the circumstance. So I wasn't able to register my disapproval. At least I got it off my chest here. LOL

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "One of the worst books I've read recently, "Philomena." Can't imagine what part Judy Dench was able to play; I guess the main character but in the book, Philomena's character was only in the first couple of chapters and the last and the epilogue. How do you make a movie out of that and title it "Philomena?"

Nina, I skimmed the Netflix reviews but evidently none of the movie's reviewers had read the book because no one mentioned, as you did, that the movie had focused on only part of the book.

The movie "Ragtime" did the same thing. It focused on only part of the book. See my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

As one GR member said: "The most powerful portion of the novel (Ragtime ) is devoted to Doctorow's fictitious character, Coalhouse Walker ... This is an amazing story and I wish Doctorow had centered his whole novel on this amazing tale.".

[Nina]

Joy, I saw "Ragtime," over twenty years ago and remember liking it. I also read the book but now I can't remember enough about it to comment on your review. I didn't like Doctorow's latest book in the least. I have forgotten the title but think it was the names of two men.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina, according to Wiki, Doctorow's 2 latest books are:
Homer & Langley (2009) and Andrew's Brain (2014).

I still have Doctorow's Billy Bathgate (1989) on my side table. I picked it up free somewhere. When I mentioned it here before I wrote:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He presents details in such a skilled manner that you keep reading in amazement over his masterly use of words. To one who loves words, his prose is a pleasure. I'm not sure I will be able to keep up with his long sentences, but I will try. The brutal crime theme may be a deterrent for me as well. BTW, here are the words with which the book jacket describes Doctorow's prose: "... prose that astonishes with its lyric intensity".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Doubt if I will get too far with this book. So many other things are on the docket these days. I have read only the first chapter so far.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-I just realized that I have read Doctorow's The March. I gave it 4 Goodreads stars. I loved the characters in the book. I skimmed over the geographical details which mapped out the Civil War battle locations and the war strategies. I was mostly engrossed in the characters and their fate. See my review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Nina]

Joy, it was the Doctorow book, "Homer and Langley," that I didn't like. I do agree his way with words is somtimees astonishing. I should look at his list of novels as I know i've read some of his others beyond, "Ragtime." "March," sounds Interesting. I do like Civil War stories. Both of my great grandfathers were in it and great great uncles etc. And battles were fought nearby; in fact one was fought on the grounds of the now cemetery where my husband and I will ly someday. Nearby is a tall statue of a Confederate soldier honoring those whe died there. Our area was mixed; brother against brother in some cases.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina, I know you would enjoy reading Doctorow's novel, The March. There's an excellent review of it here:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/books...
The excerpt below (from the review) gives the following rundown of the characters in the book:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"In Doctorow's work, the march is made of many individuals, each of whom brings his or her specific personality to the journey.

"There is Dr. Sartorius himself, a methodical, inventive surgeon;

"Emily Thompson, the daughter of a Southern judge who becomes an assistant to Sartorius;

"Pearl, a freed slave;

"Arly and Will, two Confederate soldiers who change sides (and identities) as the opportunity provides;

"Calvin Harper, a photographer's black assistant;

"the brittle and inscrutable Sherman himself;

"and a variety of supporting characters, some real, some fictional, all part of the march's fabric, like the colors of a serpent."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Knowing that you will meet the above characters will make the reading easier because, as I remember, the story seemed a bit disjointed as the book skipped from character to character.

Anyway, I hope you will read the book, especially because your ancestors fought in the Civil War. What a marvelous legacy that is!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I gave up on "Luther" (TV series) during the second episode. Too gory, even though I like Luther. Last time I looked, a kidnapped woman was locked in a large trunk and begging to get out. I couldn't take it.

I finally watched the film adaptation of "Ender's Game". It was very good, much better than I had expected it to be. The audio book was so terrific that I didn't think it could be captured in a movie but they did a good job. Harrison Ford matched the deep voice of the person who had narrated the audio-book so well. And the young boy who played Ender was cast perfectly! He was just as I imagined him while listening to the audio book. The "war" scenes in space were depicted very well and almost matched the effect the book had. Well done! Four stars when compared to the book. The book was worth "Five". :)

[Jackie]

Ender's Game was better than I thought it would be too. The only thing about Ender is that he was so much younger in the book. I find that many TV shows and movies based on books age the kids up a few years.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I think that in the book Ender was 6 years old. I guess that in the film, Ender looked around 8. I hadn't thought about that, Jackie. So it didn't bother me. He was still a young boy.