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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 watched (via a Netflix DVD) the film adaptation of The End of the Affair, written by Graham Greene in 1951. I read the book a long time ago and remember that it was a good story. FILM: "The End of the Affair" (1999)
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172396/?...
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NETFLIX DESCRIPTION:
"In wartime London, novelist Maurice Bendrix (Ralph Fiennes) has an affair with Sarah Miles (Julianne Moore), his best friend Henry's (Stephen Rea) wife. Years later, after Sarah has returned to Henry, Maurice tries to understand why she abruptly broke off their romance. It's made clear when he reads her diary, but Maurice is determined to be a part of her life in director Neil Jordan's subtle, Oscar-nominated drama about the heart's intricacies.
FROM: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/The-End-...
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AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
When a married woman inexplicably ends a deeply passionate affair, her broken-hearted lover attempts to learn why.
FROM: http://www.amazon.com/End-Affair-Ralp...
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It's a very good story. Five stars out of five for the movie.
I just saw a good movie/nice romantic story/good acting/fun setting/Mumbai and San Francisco/great backgoung music. i recommend it."The Other End of the Line."
I watched "Interstellar" over the past couple of days. It was pretty good, although I didn't care for the communication bit at the heart of the story. I liked the rest, though. The robots were especially impressive. Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway, & John Lithgow were all excellent. Matt Damon deserves a special mention. Not a big part, but Wow! Here's the IMDB & Wikipedia links:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interste...
Nina wrote: "I just saw a good movie/nice romantic story/good acting/fun setting/Mumbai and San Francisco/great backgoung music. i recommend it."The Other End of the Line.""Yes, Nina. I agree. I watched it a short time ago. It gives you a good taste of the culture in India. I gave it 4 Netflix stars.
"The Other End of the Line" (2008)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1049405/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/701051...
http://www.amazon.com/Other-End-Line-...
"An employee at an Indian call-center travels to San Francisco to be with a guy she falls for over the phone."
PS-The subtitles in the Amazon Prime movie helped me understand what they were saying. They spoke English but the accents sometimes make understanding difficult. So I'm glad I was able to view it via Amazon Prime streaming to my TV screen.
Jim wrote: "I watched "Interstellar" over the past couple of days. It was pretty good, although I didn't care for the communication bit at the heart of the story. I liked the rest, though. The robots were e..."Thanks for the links, Jim. I love Michael Caine and John Lithgow but I doubt if I'd enjoy the genre/theme of the movie. As you know, not my cup of tea.
"Interstellar" (2014)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T...
"From director Christopher Nolan (Inception) comes the story of ex-pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), who must leave his family and Earth behind to lead an expedition beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/70305903...
"From director Christopher Nolan comes this futuristic cosmic odyssey, which follows a band of space explorers who surmount the limits of interstellar travel, using a recently discovered wormhole to pass between dimensions."
I saw Interstellar on the big screen and that does make a difference. I thought it was highly imaginative ...but I have to agree, the communication part was a big stretch. While watching it, I didn't follow the logic or understand how Charlie understood what was being communicated.Matt Damon...yep, different sort of role for him.
Joy H. wrote: "...movie..."Interstellar" ... 'using a recently discovered wormhole to pass between dimensions.' "I wonder who coined this use of word "wormhole". Pretty ingenious!
Definitions
---a hole made by a worm in timber, plants, etc
---(physics) a tunnel in the geometry of space–time postulated to connect different parts of the universe
---(specialized-physics) a special type of structure that some scientists think might exist, connecting parts of space and time that are not usually connected
"Astrophysics sense is attested from 1957."
Online Etymology Dictionary: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?t...
PS-I JUST FOUND THIS AT WIKI:
"The American theoretical physicist John Archibald Wheeler coined the term wormhole in 1957; the German mathematician Hermann Weyl, however, had proposed the wormhole theory in 1921, in connection with mass analysis of electromagnetic field energy."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormhole
(See the sections called "Faster-than-light travel" and "Time travel" at above Wiki link.) MIND-BOGGLING!
Just saw, "Confessions of a Shopaholic," It was fun.
I'll try it, Nina."Confessions of a Shopaholic" (2009)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1093908/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Search?v1=Conf...
http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Sho...
"A New York writer desperately wants a job working for a high-fashion magazine, but instead she finds fame and romance with a finance column."
It wasn't the best movie I've seen but was fun to watch after some of the more depressing ones. I liked the characters.
Nina, I know what you mean. There are so many sad dramas out on the market. I dislike dwelling on negative subjects. Seems that some people thrive on them.
Joy, that is the main reason I didn't like, "The Girl on the Train," as each chapter was more depressing than the preceeding one. I had a different idea of what the book was like. That proves I should always check first.
Yes, I like to preview the books if I can, either by reading a sample or by reading the GR reviews.As for movies, I often read the Netflix user-reviews. They help me decide whether to see the movie or not. There are so many movies that don't interest me! Sometimes I stream the beginning of a movie and bail out of there's no hook for me.
We watched, "Darling Lille," last night and thougt it was OK/not great but passable. I always like listening to Julie Andrews but the announcer said they studio lost so much money on the film they considered Julie Andrews poison and even paid her not to be in one of their films. This was following her great success in "Sound of Music."
Nina, here are the links for "Darling Lili" (1970)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065611/?...
"Set during WWI, this movie is a cute spin on the Mata Hari legend."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Search?v1=Darl...
"During World War I, British-born Lili Schmidt agrees to go undercover and spy for the Germans but soon falls head over heels for one of the enemy, the dashing Maj. William Larrabee, an American flyboy."
http://www.amazon.com/Darling-Lili-Ju...
"Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted WW I musical. Lili Smith (Andrews) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fatale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act."
Where did you find the movie, Nina? Netflix doesn't have it available yet. It's in the "saved" section of my queue.
I've been streaming (via Amazon Prime) the following movie:"THREE GUYS NAMED MIKE" (1951) in which Jane Wyman plays an airline stewardess. The 3 Mikes are: Howard Keel, Van Johnson, & Barry Sullivan.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044125/?...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000...
"When small town girl Marcy Lewis (Wyman) becomes an airline stewardess, she finds herself the object of assorted romeos, all named Mike. She has to choose between science student and bartender Mike Lawrence (Johnson), crafty ad executive Mike Tracy (Sullivan), and handsome airline pilot Mike Jamison (Keel). As Marcy becomes more self-confident in her job and herself, her ideas about the type of men she likes also changes, which makes it all the more difficult to choose which Mike she will choose in the end. Pleasing comedy scripted by Sheldon Leonard."
I'm still watching and wondering which Mike Jane Wyman's character will choose. As for me, I would choose Howard Keel! I've always loved him and his singing. Very handsome fellow too!
BTW, it's getting harder and harder to find a pleasing, upbeat movie which doesn't bore me. I found this via a suggestion from Amazon.com which bases its suggestions on my past choices. So glad I paid attention to their suggestions. Sometimes that DOES work!
Joy H. wrote: "Nina, here are the links for "Darling Lili" (1970)http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0065611/?...
"Set during WWI, this movie is a cute spin on the Mata Hari legend."
http://dvd.netflix.c..."Joy, we watched, "Darling LIli," on TCM/Turner Classic Movies. Do you have that channel?
Yes, Nina. I have the TCM channel. I check their daily schedule every once in a while. It's at:http://www.tcm.com/schedule/
Tried to order "Three Guys named Mike," but it is only on the SAVE list at our Netflix. And that could mean NEVER. I haven't had any luck with the save in the past so now I don't bother. We can't stream Netflix. It sounded good. Last night we watched a good one/reasonably good movie, "Irma La Douce," with Jack Lemmon and Shirley McLain.
Nina wrote: "Tried to order "Three Guys named Mike," but it is only on the SAVE list at our Netflix. And that could mean NEVER. ...Nina, you can rent it at Amazon for $2.99. See the following link:
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Guys-Name...
Yesterday my sister visited me and she wanted to see "My Cousin Rachel". The only way I could get it was by renting it via Amazon. So I did. It was very good, very suspenseful. It starred Richard Burton and Olivia DeHaviland.
http://www.amazon.com/My-Cousin-Rache...
It's based on the book, My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier.
Thanks for the hint. I loved Daphne...and her memoir, "Myself When Young." Check it out if you like her books. Who wouldn't like "Rebecca?" It is the first movie I saw at a Drive-in. I'll see if I can get My Cousin..on Netflix..
Netflix has "My Cousin Vinny". LOL
I have an old DVD of My Cousin Vinny, that movie cracks me up! Judge: What's a ute? I'm not to impressed with comedies but Vinny is one of the better ones.
Joy H. wrote: "Netflix has "My Cousin Vinny". LOL"I take that back. Netflix doesn't have "My Cousin Vinny". Instead it will save it to your queue, which means, as Nina says, NEVER.
I streamed "HAPPY GO LOVELY" (1951) via Amazon Prime.Stars: David Niven, Vera-Ellen, Cesar Romero.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043618/?...
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Go-Lovely...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/571765?s...
"When a lovely, young dancer named Janet Jones (Vera-Ellen) arrives at a Scottish film festival in the limo of a well-known rich man, jaws drop. Even though Jones had simply hitched a ride -- and never even met the millionaire -- rumor suddenly has it that she and he are having an affair. Meanwhile, Jones believes that the man courting her (David Niven) is a reporter when he's actually the millionaire!"
David Niven was the bright spot in this movie. He certainly had a flair for comedy. Vera-Ellen had such an unusual build with an impossibly small waistline. She had very shapely legs though. This movie dragged in spots but it was a pleasant enough way to pass the time. Has some music and dancing. The plot involved the old theme of "mistaken identity". Niven made it fun, but I got sick of Cesar Romero playing the grumpy director of a play. He overplayed the part, shouting and ranting and raving all over the place. Annoying.
We commen on good movies but here's one that you shouldn't bother with/"Du Barry was a Lady," even though there's Lucille Ball and Red Skelton and even "Singin in the Rain,"Gene..It was totlally boring.
I just got back from seeing The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2555736/?..., just as good as the first one. Excellent cast.
Jackie, that's good news. I don;t know anyone else who has seen it. Can you ever go wrong with Judy Dench?
Jackie wrote: "I just got back from seeing The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2555736/?..., just as good as the first one. Excellent cast."Mom saw it & agrees. I was surprised with the first one. Marg & I both really liked it, too. Glad to hear the 2d didn't fall prey to the sequel syndrome.
Jackie wrote: "I just got back from seeing The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2555736/?..., just as good as the first one. Excellent cast."I'll look forward to that one, Jackie! I love Judy Dench.
I streamed (via Amazon Prime) "The Switch" (2010) for the second time because I hardly remembered the first time. It's an entertaining movie. I enjoyed it. Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman have good chemistry together.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0889573/?...
"Seven years after the fact, a man comes to the realization that he was the sperm donor for his best friend's boy."
Nina wrote: "We commen on good movies but here's one that you shouldn't bother with/"Du Barry was a Lady," even though there's Lucille Ball and Red Skelton and even "Singin in the Rain,"Gene..It was totlally bo..."Thanks for the tip, Nina.
I recently ordered, "The Duchess of Duke Street," and today received Series One/disc 2. You won't believe how difficult it was to try to order or find out why I didn't have Disc 1. Netflix wouldn't let me find it no matter how many avenues I tried. I finally had to call and so through at least two persons and answer all kinds of questions and give them last numbers of my credit card then only to find out it is not available and is in my SAVE column. I told them I thought they shouldn't put it on a list of movies when they don't have the beginning. She couldn't understand why I wss upset. Oh well, just beware as these things seem to happen and there is really no excuse as far as I'm concerned. I guess we'll watch number two and see if I should cancel the rest. IN the meantime, we saw a good movie last night, "The Chorus." But, it does have subtitles as it's in French.
Nina, that's a shame about "The Duchess of Duke Street". I don't blame you for being upset. I notice that it's currently unavailable from Amazon as well.http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_nos...
I just finished streaming The Prince & Me II (2): The Royal Wedding (2006) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477072/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/70043455...
http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Me-2-Luk...
"With just weeks before their royal wedding, Paige and Edvard find their relationship--and the Danish monarchy -- in jeopardy when an old law is brought to light."
I didn't think I'd enjoy this but I did. I don't know how they keep coming up with these corny plots but I'm glad they do! I guess I still like fairy tales. :)
I find Luke Mably, as the Prince, very appealing. He has a pleasant accent in this movie. Don't know if it's real. I doubt it because he's English.
Nina wrote: "I recently ordered, "The Duchess of Duke Street," and today received Series One/disc 2. You won't believe how difficult it was to try to order or find out why I didn't have Disc 1. Netflix wouldn't..."That happens to me with audio books & series all the time, Nina. Very frustrating. Often the library will have book 2 & all the rest, just not the first. I have asked for & they have acquired the first, so I guess it's just sloppy ordering sometimes. They probably didn't realize it was in a series & it showed up as popular or recommended on their list.
Sometimes I get the impression that the employees who write the blurbs for the old movies are very young. They aren't familiar with the old stars and they eliminate them from the description while mentioning less well-known performers.
Joy, I find myself in your kind of moood when I read very long description of battles. Enough, I want to say. I get the picture, don't drag it out. And yes, it is difficult sometimes to keep track of many characters. The book I am now readng has a list at the beginning of the book of the names of characters and who they are related to and that helps immensely
Joy, I stlll love "The Wizard of Oz," and "The Secret Garden," and "The Little Princess." And the new version of "Cinderella," is supposed to be good.
I agree that younger people don't have a clue about the older actors. And now do you notice when an actor or actress is mentioned they always have to what they were in last/or two or three last ones. Did they ever do that with John Wayne? Cary Grant? Jimmy Stewart? Marilyn Monroe? Never,,,
Nina, when a book provides a long character listing, that's enough to make me avoid it! LOL For example, those Russian novels with all the long Russian names! Tolstoy's War and Peace comes to mind. See the names in my review of the 1956 movie at:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
However, according to my review, I enjoyed the movie. (I can't remember.) :-) Maybe it was the wonderful cast!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049934/?...
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/60011759...
I have just watched one of the WORST movies I have ever seen!"Alchemy" (I) (2005)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285682/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/700468...
http://www.amazon.com/Alchemy-Sarah-C...
"Absent-minded professor Malcolm Downey (Thomas Cavanagh) has just invented the sure thing that will lead to the academic easy street of tenure: a computer that can register human emotions."
It sounded like a clever idea for a plot but it turned out to be a stupid movie. I kept watching just to see how it ended. One Netflix member-review says it all for me:
================================================
" Worst 90 minutes of my life I have ever spent outside of a department of motor vehicles or a dentist office. ... In all seriousness it is a terrible way to spend your evening. Bland film with flat characters. flawed continuity, and an overall lacking concept. Not really romantic nor comedic this romcom somehow only keeps your attention because your mind will be driven to find out how in god's name anyone managed to successfully pitch this idea."
================================================
Another member review put it very succinctly: "IT STINKS"
Besides all that, IMO, the actors and actresses spoke too fast. My mind couldn't take in the words fast enough to figure out what they were saying. I often find this to be true of movies starring the "younger generation". I hope it isn't a trend.
Joy, enjoyed reading your comments on the worst movie and also the other goodread one who compared it to the Motor Vehicle dept. She must live near me in KS. And yes, I also agree on the talking fast syndrome. Do you ever notice some of the announcers on TV have the same problem. Can't they slow down. It's like they are hurrying through so we can get the long winded commercials.
Nina, another problem with the actors talking too fast is that, because they're talking too fast, they can't pronounce the words clearly. Not enough training, I guess. I wonder if the directors are aware of this.
I streamed "ALWAYS A BRIDE" (1953) - about con-artist father & daughter team. It was a fair plot, nothing dark, very light. It starred handsome Terence Morgan & pretty Peggy Cummins.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0045498/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/701472...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009...
It's entertaining enough if you have nothing better at the time. I gave it 3 Netflix stars out of 5.
I'll see if I can get it on Netflix. Thanks
Nina, I just finished streaming (via Netflix) "Lost Lagoon" (1953). It's a surprisingly good story which kept me watching. Very touching. I gave it 4 Netflix stars out of 5.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051880/?...
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/701472...
"Presumed to be lost at sea during a tropical storm, Charlie Walker washes up on a small island in the Bahamas and encounters Elizabeth, a lovely younger woman. As their partnership develops, an insurance investigator seeks Charlie."
Did you ever wonder how accurate or effective the thumbnail movie descriptions are? Here's a case where 3 different descriptions for the SAME movie sound like 3 DIFFERENT movies!I just started streaming "Pursuit of Happiness" (2001) with Frank Whaley, Annabeth Gish & Amy Jo Johnson. Below are the descriptions:
"An advertising executive fails to realize that the woman of his dreams is his best friend since first grade, now married to his cheating co-worker."
FROM: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243508/?...
"Alan, an L.A.-based advertising executive, is currently being wooed by a tech firm in Seattle. He's about to move himself and his significant other to the rainier climate when, upon returning from the interview..."
FROM: http://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Happine...
"Two longtime platonic friends support each other through their respective romantic troubles -- but are they looking for love in all the wrong places?"
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/600282...
I'll be back to say more after I finish watching.
About the above message about "Pursuit of Happiness", I think the Netflix description is the best. The story was predictable and lackluster. Frank Whaley, as the male lead, is likable but the plot is too thin. I gave the movie one Netflix star out of five.
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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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"The March Hare" (1956)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048352/?...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A...
"Sir Charles Hare, a young Irish baronet, gambles his all on one of his horses at Ascot. But the horse is 'pulled', and Sir Charles is forced to sell his Irish estate."
This movie was about horses and I thought of our Jim of KY as I watched it. The name of the main horse was "March Hare", born in March, I believe and named after it's owner, Charles Hare.
The horse, when grown, was brown but when he was a colt, he was a mottled color. Is that possible?
One interesting scene shows that when the horse was moving around too much to allow the girl to mount him, the owner lifted the front leg of the horse as if to examine its shoe. While doing that, the girl was able to mount the horse who then stood still. Is this a common trick to aid in mounting?