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 EIGHT - 2015) (ongoing thread)
I saw Days of Heaven back in 1979 in a theater (I was with some friends who wanted to see it, or I wouldn't have bothered). IMO, the comments of several of the reviewers are dead-on: "this film has too much bad going on and not enough good...the viewer is left depressed and the story lacks purpose and power to overcome that feeling;" "went on and on with meaningless scenes;" "Don't waste your time." The cinematography is excellent, but it's wasted on this script.
Werner wrote: "I saw Days of Heaven back in 1979 in a theater (I was with some friends who wanted to see it, or I wouldn't have bothered). IMO, the comments of several of the reviewers are dead-on: "this film has too much bad going on and not enough good..."Werner, thanks for those validating comments!
Jim wrote: "Spock is dead. :( http://news.slashdot.org/story/15/02/..."Sorry to hear that, Jim. He won't be forgotten.
Today I streamed (via Netflix) ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER!The title is: "Today's Special" (2009)
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/701438...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1153053/?...
"In this super-feel-good foodie comedy, young Manhattan chef Samir rediscovers his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food."
The star of the movie is Aasif Mandvi. He is a charmer!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0541902/?r...
There is so much to like about this movie! It's filled with so much good humanity that you feel like you've fallen in love! Don't miss seeing this movie! TRUST ME!
PS-In the movie described in my previous post above, ("Today's Special") also watch for actor, Naseeruddin Shah, who plays Akbar. When you first meet him in the movie, he's a taxi driver. Abkar is also a charmer! :)http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0787462/?r...
I streamed (via Netflix) "Elsa & Fred" (2014) starring Shirley MacLaine & Christopher Plummer.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2113659/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/703013...
"Distraught widower Fred moves into a small apartment where he meets his neighbor Elsa, and discovers it's never too late for a second chance at life."
This was a bittersweet story. I find it interesting watching Shirley MacLaine play an old lady. I still remember the young, vibrant Shirley MacLaine who is now 80 years old. In this movie she shows her age and you have to admire her for that. I wonder if the makeup department made her look older or if she really looks that way nowadays. (I think she does because I saw her at the Oscar show recently and she does show her age. I hate to see that youthful face get old, but that's life!)
PS-Here is the Amazon page and descriptoin for "Elsa & Fred":
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P...
"After losing his wife, Fred (Christopher Plummer) moves into a nearby apartment building where he meets Elsa (Shirley MacLaine). Elsa bursts into his life like a whirlwind, teaching him that time is precious and that he should enjoy life--and love--to the fullest. "
Jackie wrote: "Thanks, Joy, that sounds good."You're welcome, Jackie. Just seeing MacLaine and Plummer together in their old age is interesting enough. Here's Christopher Plummer as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music (1965): http://screenrobot.com/wp-content/upl...
I almost forgot he was in The Sound of Music!
Jackie wrote: "I forgot how handsome he was."Me too! :)
I just found this NYer cartoon (by Robert Mankoff) among the cartoons I've saved:Psychiatrist to sad patient lying on couch...
"Why don’t you just go and see this summer’s feel-good movie?”
LOL! Would have been cheaper at one time. Not so sure now.;)
I love the NYer cartoons!
I streamed "Ondine" (2009) via Amazon Prime.http://www.amazon.com/Ondine-Colin-Fa... (Watch Trailer.)
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/701172...
"A fisherman's life is transformed when he catches a mysterious woman in his nets. His daughter comes to believe that the woman is a magical creature."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235796/?...
"An "Irish fisherman discovers a woman in his fishing net whom his precocious daughter believes to be a selkie."
I could have streamed it via Netflix but I preferred Amazon Prime because it provided captions on my TV screen. Colin Farrell's Irish accent was often hard to understand without the captions. The sound seemed muffled at times.
At times the screen lacked enough light and it was hard to see what was going on. Why can't directors realize that this a problem?
This movie dragged for me. I found it to be too heavy and depressing at times. Often it was hard to follow. I stayed with it because I wanted to see how it ended but I can't say that I enjoyed it. The main couple lacked a chemistry between each other and the little girl spoke too maturely to be believed. The film didn't didn't portray her as a likable character, IMO.
I just finished watching "Till the Clouds Roll By" (1946), a musical about Jerome Kern and his music. Absolutely marvelous! Five Stars!http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039035/?...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Search?v1=TILL...
"Composer Jerome Kern's life and times are tunefully chronicled in this star-studded biopic. Kicking off with a 20-minute production of "Show Boat" -- including Lena Horne's definitive rendition of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" -- the film culminates in a glitzy theatrical tableau featuring Frank Sinatra crooning "Old Man River.""
"Robert Walker stars as the Broadway songwriter, with Van Heflin zigzagging through the events as Kern's crotchety guru."
Cast: June Allyson, Lucille Bremer, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Van Heflin, Lena Horne, Van Johnson, Tony Martin, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Robert Walker, Cyd Charisse, Paul Langton, Angela Lansbury, Ray McDonald, Dorothy Patrick, Esther Williams
Robert Walker was a dream to watch and listen to. He had such a lovely speaking voice.
Jerome Kern wrote "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", one of my favorite songs.
I saw Ondine, I liked Colin Farrell native Irish accent and that was the best thing about the movie. Colin and the lead actress playing Ondine were together for a while in real life after meeting on the set of Ondine, isn't it funny they have no chemistry on screen?
Jackie wrote: "I saw Ondine, I liked Colin Farrell native Irish accent and that was the best thing about the movie. ..."I felt the same way, Jackie.
I just finished watching "If I Were You" (2012) starring Marcia Gay Harden. I never knew she had such comedic talent!http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587309/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/701409...
http://www.amazon.com/Were-You-Marcia...
"Marcia Gay Harden forms an unconventional pact with her husband's sexy mistress."
The plot is very droll. It had me hooked. I gave the movie 4 stars out of 5.
Nina and I were discussing how hard it can be to choose a good book. The same goes for choosing movies. Tonight I got lucky and came across a very unusual movie offered at Amazon Prime. I almost skipped over it because it didn't sound that special. I'm glad I decided to watch it. The movie was:"About Mrs. Leslie" (1954) [Stars Shirley Booth, Robert Ryan]
(adapted from the book: About Mrs. Leslie (1950) by Viña Delmar.)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046676/?...
"A rooming house landlady recalls her past in flashbacks."
http://www.amazon.com/About-Mrs-Lesli...
"When a Beverly Hills boarding house owner receives a large sum of money from a wealthy tycoon, she recalls the secret love affair that has affected her life."
The customer reviews at the webpages linked above are very favorable. Shirley Booth is highly praised in the reviews.
See more at my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I streamed (via Amazon Prime) "Arch of Triumph" (1948) starring Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer and Charles Laughton.http://www.amazon.com/Arch-Triumph-In...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040109/?...
"Illegal refugees lead dark lives in pre-World War II Paris."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/70105854...
"To escape the Nazis, an Austrian doctor flees to Paris, where he practices medicine under an assumed name. When he prevents a nightclub singer from committing suicide, he develops a connection with her -- just as the war begins to tear Europe apart."
The movie was too long and too dark and the plot was too thin. However, I loved seeing Bergman and Boyer on the screen. So I stuck with it. Charles Boyer mesmerizes me with his voice and accent. Ingrid is always so beautiful. Charles Laughton had a very small part but the role was important to the plot. Louis Calhern was good in his role and added a lot to the movie.
PS-This movie was adapted from the book: Arch of Triumph: A Novel of a Man Without a Country by Erich Maria Remarque (a male).
PPS-Erich Maria Remarque wrote the famous book: All Quiet on the Western Front which was adapted into a famous movie of the same name.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078753/?...
"A young soldier faces profound disillusionment in the soul-destroying horror of World War I."
Joy H. wrote: "PPS-Erich Maria Remarque wrote the famous book: All Quiet on the Western Front which was adapted into a famous movie of the same name.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078753/?......"
That was a great book!
I figured you had read it, Jim. :) You're amazing.
I streamed (via Amazon Prime) " An Unfinished Life" (2005) starring Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford & Morgan Freeman.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0350261/?...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/An-Unfin...
"When her husband dies, grieving widow Jean moves with her daughter into the Wyoming home of her estranged father-in-law, steely rancher Einar, even though they don't get along. Over time, the two learn to move on through the power of forgiveness."
I was reluctant to choose this film because the description didn't tempt me much. However, I tried it because the cast seemed to be a good one. I'm glad I did because it drew me in and held my attention throughout. So many times, a good cast makes all the difference, especially when you're familiar with the actors and their reputation. I tend not to choose films with unknown performers unless the description looks promising.
PS-I gave the film 4 stars out of 5.
Another good movie (streamed from Amazon Prime)."Little Boy Lost"(1953) starring Bing Crosby & Claude Dauphin.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046003/?...
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Boy-Lost...
"After his French wife is killed in the war (WWII), an American newspaper man returns to Paris to search orphanages for the son he doesn't know."
Here's another film I was reluctant to watch because it didn't sound like I would enjoy it. However, it turned out to be a touching story which I thoroughly enjoyed. Bing Crosby's acting was excellent and the little boy was perfect in the part. Bing even sings a little and I was reminded what a beautiful mellow voice he had.
I thought I had seen this movie before but the entire movie seemed new to me. Shows you how wrong you can be.
PS-It looked like the film was filmed in Paris. There were so many scenes which seemed to be set there.
I watched "My Old Lady" via a Netflix DVD. Nina had mentioned it at this group. It stars: Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas & Maggie Smith.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2908856/
http://www.amazon.com/My-Old-Lady-Kev...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/My-Old-L...
NETFLIX DESCRIPTION: "New Yorker Mathias Gold is delighted to learn that he's inherited a Paris apartment from his deceased father. But delight turns to dismay when Mathias travels to France to sell the property and finds his dad's former lover occupying the place."
I had hoped to enjoy it more because I like the performers in the cast. However, I found that it dragged a bit. Also, the themes were interesting but it was a bit heavy and dark. Besides that, I didn't enjoy the haggling over prices of things. That gets uninteresting after a while.
I read some of the user reviews. Some people said they expected it to be a lighter film and the ads were deceiving in this respect.
At least I learned a new word: "viager" regarding French real estate agreements. See: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/v...
PS - The film mentioned in my previous post above ("My Old Lady"), deals with the subject of (view spoiler). (This may not be a serious spoiler but I'm being cautious.)It so happens that in the book I just finished reading, Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter's Eyes by Deana Martin, Deana tells about the negative effect this problem had on her life and especially on the life of Dean Martin's first wife, Betty. (Dean Martin left Betty to marry Jeanne.) In a way, I wish I hadn't known about Dean Martin's life behind the scenes. I would like to have remembered him as the cheery fellow we are all familiar with from his career as a big star.
I saw My Old Lady recently; I thought it would be better with Maggie Smith in the cast. Five minutes in and I knew what the secret would turn out to be.
Jackie, you've seen too many movies! LOL You're wise to them all! :)
Books and movies, most follow the same-old-same-old format. That's why I have a great appreciation for the unique.
Yes, I know you do, Jackie. You are an experienced reader and viewer.
Jackie wrote: "I saw My Old Lady recently; I thought it would be better with Maggie Smith in the cast. Five minutes in and I knew what the secret would turn out to be."I didn't figure it out as fast as you as I as a bit confused as to the relationship of the two cahracters but I too thought it would be better than it was. A bit much at times. I hardely liked any of the characters. Jackie, I would be interested if you can guess the ending of "The Girl on the Train." Also, just watched a good movie, "Chef." I recommended it. Also set in Paris but not dark.
Here's the IMDb link to "Chef":http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2883512/?...
It's available for streaming from Netflix:
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/702970...
"When chef Carl Casper's plans for opening a restaurant in Los Angeles fail to pan out, he returns home to Miami and debuts a food truck instead."
Thanks for mentioning it, Nina. I'll try it.
I wasted time watching "Macaroni" (1985)(via Amazon Prime).Stars: Jack Lemmon, Marcello Mastroianni.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089529/?...
http://www.amazon.com/Macaroni-Jack-L...
I couldn't make head or tail of it. There didn't seem to be a worthwhile plot. Even Jack Lemmon couldn't make me like the movie. One Amazon customer review says: " Ebert has written that it's soggy and has too many sub-plots." I couldn't even find ONE plot!
IMDb description: "A businessman from the United States returns to Italy for the first time in four decades only to discover that an old girlfriend of his, along with her brother, have involved him in a massive hoax."
I kept waiting to see what they meant by "hoax" but it never became plain to me what the hoax was. I can only guess what that meant.
Amazon description: "A wealthy, ulcer-ridden American executive returns to Italy forty years after WWII where, with the help of an old friend, he rediscovers his optimism and love of life."
That's a pretty far-fetched description. I couldn't see where the "optimism and love of life" came in.
I streamed "Finding Normal" (2013) via Netflix.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2964360/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/703050...
"A big-city doctor traveling to her new home in the Hamptons has a run-in with the law, forcing her to do community service in a North Carolina town."
As one user-review said: "The whole premise of the movie is preposterous..."
I liked the actor, Lou Beatty Jr., who played the town judge (Doc Shelby). However, the female lead wasn't convincing enough. I couldn't wait for the movie to end.
PS-"Normal" was the name of the town. A trick title for the movie, "Finding Normal". I didn't like the title either. It was misleading.
Another movie I didn't like was the 1993 movie called "Morning Glory".http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107604/?...
"An ex-convict who is on parole is accused of murdering a loose woman in the town where he works."
I bailed out of this one early on because of a raunchy scene between a couple of the minor actors.
I watched (via Netflix streaming) "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) starring: James Stewart, John Wayne & Vera Miles. 5 stars!http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056217/?...
https://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/60011...
"A senator who returns to his dusty hometown for an outlaw's funeral explains how he rose to political prominence after killing a feared gunslinger."
Of course, it was great!
Lee Marvin played the bad guy, Liberty Valance. Marvin was good at playing bad guys "and other hardboiled characters". Wiki says he earned a Purple Heart in WWII. He died of a heart attack in 1987 at the age of 63.
My movie producer cousin, Jim Bigham, who did, "Sweetland," a few years ago,(about an immigrant woman who comes to America to get marriied etc.) I thought it was very good, in the meantime is now in the process of doing another movie, from the book, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Pecular Children." Tim Burton is the director. He was the Batman director. Do you know anything about that book? the author is Allison Janney. I think that is how you spell the last name.
Nina, here's the link to the Goodreads description of that book, with ratings/reviews, etc.: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I haven't read it myself.
I have't gotten around to reading it but will see the movie eventually.
Werner wrote: "Nina, here's the link to the Goodreads description of that book, with ratings/reviews, etc.: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I haven't read it myself."Thanks for posting that, Werner. "Spine-tingling" fantasies aren't my cup of tea. :)
Nina wrote: "My movie producer cousin, Jim Bigham, who did, "Sweetland," a few years ago,(about an immigrant woman who comes to America to get marriied etc.) I thought it was very good..."Thanks for posting about that movie, Nina. Here are the links:
"Sweet Land" (2005)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0428038/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Sweet-La...
"Norwegian-American farmer Olaf Torvik and his rural Minnesota community must struggle to overcome years of anti-German propaganda and prejudice when he discovers that his mail-order bride, Inge, is not only a German but also an accidental Socialist."
Jackie wrote: "I have't gotten around to reading it but will see the movie eventually."Here's the link:
"Peregrine's Home for Peculiars" (2016) - Not yet released. Director: Tim Burton
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1935859/?...
"16-year-old Jacob follows clues that take him to a mysterious island, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores the abandoned bedrooms and hallways, he discovers that its former occupants were far more than peculiar; they possessed incredible powers. And they may still be alive."
Adapted from
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel by Ransom Riggs
Joy, thanks for the recommendation for Elsa and Fred, I'm watching it now and am enjoying it.
Glad to hear it, Jackie.
The Miss Peregrine...movie won't be out until next year, from what I understand.
Yes, IMDb indicates that it will be out in 2016.
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Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Buried Alive (other topics)West with the Night (other topics)
Circling the Sun (other topics)
West with the Night (other topics)
The Ipcress File (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Beryl Markham (other topics)Len Deighton (other topics)
Barbara Claypole White (other topics)
Michael Gruber (other topics)
Vivian Van Damm (other topics)
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http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/425166...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077405/?...
"A hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune."
Setting: Early 20th century, Texas Panhandle [very long takes of wheat fields, farm scenes, "scenes of the prairie--buffalo, pronghorn antelope, sunsets", "wild mustangs"] [Won the Oscar for best cinematography.]
Netflix user review: "... depressing barrenness of a Texas range. Sounds of discomforting strains and dead whines remain confused amid the painterly landscape, with shots composed to the most calming yet overwhelming views."
Another Netflix user review: "Nice film moves very slowly and leisurely through the storyline, but there is an element of tradgedy and despair that is hard to get around and has a direct effect on the likeability of the film. Some stories, like this one, lack elements to balance good with bad and this film has too much bad going on and not enough good. As a result, the viewer is left depressed and the story lacks purpose and power to overcome that feeling."
IMDb User Review: "Days Of Heaven is absolutely perfect cinema, the plot is not important, Malick simply wants to fill your senses and he achieves it."
MY REACTION: The cinematography bored me after a while. At first it was beautiful but the takes were too long. I wanted more story. At least I got to see the Texas Panhandle!
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PS-The movie "To the Wonder" (2012) is another movie directed by Terrence Malick.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1595656/?...
I started watching and while I was waiting for the usual title introduction, it went on and on and on with meaningless scenes. I bailed out.
A Netflix user review wrote:
====================================================
" Think of this movie as one long artsy-fartsy bore shot in the genre of a perfume commercial with long shots of walking on the beach, in fields with tall grass, romantic scenes, all the while romantic words are spoken in french (english subtitles). My wife and I dutifully sat through waiting for the movie to get better . . . it never does. Don't waste your time. "
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