Have you seen any good movies lately? (Part THREE - 2010) Showing 551-600 of 1,349

[Jackie]

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt was set in Savannah; the descriptions of the Squares were so beautiful that I long to see it with my own eyes.
I have the same feeling about the Garden District of New Orleans Anne Rice wrote about in The Witching Hour.
Both books made the areas come alive for me. Thanks for the photo Joy. I'd love to hear about your trip.

[Katherine]

When we were there, that was THE BOOK. That's how everyone described it. There were bus tours highlighting places in the book. There were walking tours that did the same. There were parties where lesser known characters of the book held court, and signed copies. Johnny Mercer music was heard everywhere.
Now, I'm afraid all the publicity goes to Paula Dean.

Another thought. At the time of our visit another movie was being filmed. This one starred John Travolta and was "The General's Daughter", from the book of the same name by Nelson Demille. We didn't get to see Travolta, just some of the streets blocked off for filming.

Joy, don't you just love Savannah?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, Savannah is a beautiful location for films. I'd like to spend a day visiting all the squares in Savannah. Parks are always so relaxing.

Actually, our tour covered several areas. So I wasn't able to tour Savannah in depth. On the same tour we also visited Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Jekyll Island.

A while ago I uploaded photos of our tour to the following website:
http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/m...
http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/m...
See the series dated October 17 and October 20, 2005.
You have to scroll down to the group of thumbnails and then click on each thumbnail. The captions I wrote explain things.

[Jim]

We started watching "District 9" the other night. Neither of us wanted to keep watching. I'm guessing we're 1/3 of the way through or so. It's just grotesque. I'm not sure if we'll try to finish it or not.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim wrote: "We started watching "District 9" the other night. Neither of us wanted to keep watching. I'm guessing we're 1/3 of the way through or so. It's just grotesque. I'm not sure if we'll try to finis..."

Here's how Netflix describes it:
===================================================
"District 9"(2009) R
"When aliens land on Earth, global business conglomerate Multi-National United forces them into rigid containment zones where they are compelled to labor, even as MNU commandeers their otherworldly technology for profit. As tensions build between human and non-human races, a rogue agent leads a resistance movement against MNU's ruthless consolidation of power. Neill Blomkamp directs this cinema verité-style sci-fi thriller nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award."

Genre: Sci-Fi Thrillers, Alien Sci-Fi
This movie is: Mind-bending, Exciting, Violent
====================================================
Not my cup of tea. :)

PS-Here's the IMDb award page for the movie:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1136608/a...

[Jackie]

Jim, I hated it too. It doesn't get any better, just more senseless hatred, violence, injustice and prejudice. All things that upset me greatly, real or fiction. No redeeming qualities whatsoever. You're not missing anything.

[Jim]

I won't continue watching it then. You just hit on everything we disliked about it. Thanks, Jackie.

[Nina]

I once read a great historical novel and the setting was the Owens-Thomas house and the occupants. Wish I could remember the title. I was fortunate enough to be in Savannah for the St. Patrick's Day parade. Made it even more special. And weren't the cotton factors buildings fun to see? Certainly has it's own charm. As for GA, three of my ancestors were born there; way back to the 1700's. So it has a place in my soul. nina

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "I once read a great historical novel and the setting was the Owens-Thomas house and the occupants. Wish I could remember the title. ... "

Nina, if you ever remember the name of that historical novel, please let us know. Sounds very interesting.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Last night I streamed the movie, "Camelot" (1967) from Netflix.
What a beautiful musical! Great melodies, lyrics and dialogue!
They don't make them like that anymore.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Camelot/...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061439/
A great story! A sad love triangle... but a brilliant and hopeful ending for the future!

How young all the actors were...
Richard Harris as King Arthur and Vanessa Redgrave as Guenevere!
How handsome Franco Nero was as Lancelot Du Lac!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Nero

At IMDb, The writing credits include:
-Alan Jay Lerner (play "Camelot")
-Alan Jay Lerner screenplay
and the book, The Once and Future King by T.H. White.

They should also have mentioned composer Frederick Loewe.
Wiki says: "Lerner and Loewe are the duo of lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe, known primarily for the music and lyrics of some of Broadway's most successful musical shows, including My Fair Lady, Camelot, and Brigadoon."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lerner_a...
Also see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelot_...
which mentions the contributions of Moss Hart to the musical.
More about the film here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camelot_...

From the lyrics:
"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot,
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as Camelot."

PS-I'm wondering if the plots in the book, the broadway musical, and the film, are more or less the same, especially the ending.

The following partially answers my question:
Wiki explains that at the beginning and the end of the film "King Arthur is preparing for a great battle against his friend, Sir Lancelot."
"As in the original stage version, the main plot of the film is presented as a long flashback (between the beginning and the end of the film)."

[Jackie]

I just watch a 2008 BBC TV movie that finally came to HBO last month, Einstein and Eddington.

From imdb:
A look at the evolution of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, and Einstein's relationship with British scientist Sir Arthur Eddington, the first physicist to understand his ideas.

The movie was well done and I enjoyed it immensely. I'm entralled by physics so this movie was a logical choice for me.
Set against a backdrop of WW1, rife with nationalism and prejudices from both the British and German University faculties, Eddington and Einstein's by-mail relationship went against everything their compatriots stood for and nearly cost them both their jobs and reputations.
Since Eddington has been largely forgotten, I was amazed to learn the profound influence he had upon Einstein and that he provided one of the earliest confirmations of relativity, which in turn disproves Newton's theory of gravity. The burst of genius Einstein displays in his General Theory of Relativity was ignited by a a question from Eddington, who goes on to make important contributions to the GToR. I find it disheartening that Eddington has been forgotten over time, which is typical in the scientific community. I'm really glad I watched this movie and learned something I didn't know before.

[Jim]

Sounds good, Jackie. I'll mention it to the Boss.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I just watch a 2008 BBC TV movie that finally came to HBO last month, Einstein and Eddington. From imdb: A look at the evolution of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, and Einstein's relati..."

Here's the IMDb link:
"Einstein and Eddington" (2008) (TV)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995036/
Among other things, the external review at IMDb says:
===================================================
"The cast are faces from Britain's elite and they do not disappoint. David Tennant proves he can play a doctor of a different kind and Lucy Cohu, Einstein's wife, has just picked up an Emmy for a role she played in a C4 drama. The sets and scenery are beautiful, changing between, England, Switzerland and Berlin. And although presenting true events, this film addresses the essence of the story and the factors that influenced these two revered men. The relationships between the key characters, which are often lost in run of the mill docu-dramas are emotional and believable. It’s a recommended watch, and gives you an insight into some pretty mind boggling workings of these great brains."
FROM: http://screenjabber.com/einstein-eddi...
==================================================
Jackie, I know how you like David Tennant. So this movie must have been doubly enjoyable for you.
Netflix doesn't carry the movie. Otherwise I would add it to my queue.

[Jackie]

Maybe they'll get it. I don't know if it's been released to DVD and it was on HBO only last month so maybe Netflix will get it.
I was going to mention the British actors but I didn't think anyone would know them. Andy Serkis who played Einstein was Gollum in LOTR. Einstein's wife played Captain Jack's daughter in Torchwood and the actor who played Max Planc was the priest in Being Human. All readily identifiable to British TV watchers.
The sets and scenery were remarkable too.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks, Jackie. The only one I know is David Tennant. (and the only way I know him is through your recommendation of Dr. Who.) (g)
Hope Netlix will get the DVD when it comes out.

[Jackie]

I just watched the latest Doctor Who episode with the new Doctor, Matt Smith. He's very good, I'm so pleased with his performance. Playing such an iconic role is intimidating as it is, coming after Tennant must have been terrifying.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Tennant was literally a hard act to follow. :)

[Michael]

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Jackie: Today I plan to watch a streaming of the next episode: "New Earth", Episode 2 (of Doctor Who: Season 2).
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Doctor...

Jim: Yes,..."

Actually "New Earth" is episode one of season two.

"Christmas Invasion" is a special. Just to be all nitpicky...:)

[Jackie]

Whovians take all things Doctor very seriously

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Michael wrote: "Actually "New Earth" is episode one of season two. ..."

Thanks for the correction, Michael. Nice to hear from you. I will try to rectify that error.

The quote below confirms your correction:
===================================================
" 'New Earth' is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who which was first broadcast on April 15, 2006. It is the first episode of Series 2 of the revived Doctor Who series."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Earth
===================================================

PS-Below is the link where the "error" occurs at Netflix:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Doctor_W...
(Scroll down. It's on the right side of the screen, under "Episodes".)

[Michael]

Jackie wrote: "Whovians take all things Doctor very seriously"

Yes, yes we do.

And if you look at the discs and how Netflix labels them, technically CI is the first episode of the Tennant era.

OK, I need to go and get a life....:)

[Jackie]

We finally watched Madea Goes To Jail and we both liked it. I don't know how Tyler Perry manages to inject hilarity in his movies while dealing with serious issues. But I like it.

[Jackie]

Michael, I am completely Doctor Who crazy and I wouldn't change it for the world. Who needs to get a life when we have The Doctor, LOL
Are you a Torchwood fan too?

[Michael]

Jackie,

I have a hot and cold relationship with Torchwood.

I like the concept of trying to be "more adult" but the first two seasons of execution left me cold. They seemed to me like what you'd get if you told sixth grade boys they could do an adult show--cussing, nudity, and lots of sex.

I loved "Children of Earth" in that it got that being adult meant more complex stories with darker choices made and characters put into situation in which there was no good way out and only lesser of several evils choices to be made. That kind of complexity really worked for me and showed that Torchwood can do it right when it's not obsessed with who the characters' sex lives.

[Jackie]

I adore Captain Jack. I'm a sucker for that incredible smile. I feel the same as you do, even though I liked Torchwood, there were some things I could do without. Juvenile sex games being top of that list.
Children of Earth blew me away! I was pleased they ran it days in a row, I think I would have lost my mind if I had to wait a week for each episode. The events of CoE were so emotionally gripping, at the end of each ep I was yelling NO or WTF. I've watched CoE back to back 3 times so far and will probably do it again. Each time, I feel the emotional intensity as if it were the first time.
I was disappointed when I heard Season 3 would be only 5 episodes, but once I saw CoE, I thought 'What a 5 it was'! At that time, Torchwood was cancelled and I felt it was a great way to end the series. Then I read that CoE brought in the highest ratings ever on the BBC and subsequently heard a radio interview with Barrowman saying there will be another season. That was a few months ago and haven't heard anything since. I have mixed feelings about a new season, I mean, can CoE be topped? I doubt it. Sometimes it's better to go out on top.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Michael wrote: "... And if you look at the discs and how Netflix labels them, technically CI is the first episode of the Tennant era. ..."

Yes, as I mentioned in the PS above (Message #570), you can see the Netflix labels here:
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Doctor...
(Scroll down. See "Episodes" on the right... the Christmas Invasion (CI) shows up as #1.)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Michael wrote: "... I loved "Children of Earth..."

Jackie wrote: "... Children of Earth blew me away!..."

Netflix has it as DVD and streaming:
"Torchwood: Children of Earth" (Torchwood: Season 3) (2009) (NR) 2 discs / 5 episodes
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Torchwoo...
I might try it just to see what it's like.

[Jackie]

As great as CoE was, it'll be better if you know the characters involved. Especially Captain Jack.

[Michael]

Children of Earth is accessible enough that I think you can come in without seeing the first two seasons and enjoy it.

But meeting Jack toward the end of Ecceleston's era of Dr Who is fun. And it does set up....well, that would be telling. :)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "As great as CoE was, it'll be better if you know the characters involved. Especially Captain Jack."

Yes, I'm sure that's true, Jackie and Michael. I would have to do a lot of catching up in order to get the full benefit of the story.

[Jackie]

Joy, A lot of Torchwood has no bearing on Children of Earth, just weekly thwarting of aliens. What would really help is getting a handle on Captain Jack, who makes his first appearance in The Empty Child. 'He's complicated' is a bit of an understatement. There are key episodes of Doctor Who where we get to see the many sides of Capt. Jack which are broadened in Torchwood.
Torchwood is an anagram for Doctor Who, which illustrates just how intertwined the two series are.

I like to watch series from the beginning, but to be honest, coming in cold to watch Children of Earth is bound to be hard-hitting no matter what. I just think it's more impacting when you know the players.

Michael, I just read at wikipedia: The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Fox is developing a spin-off of Torchwood to be set in the United States. Not sure how I feel about that.
Do you watch BBC's Being Human or Misfits?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "Joy, A lot of Torchwood has no bearing on Children of Earth, just weekly thwarting of aliens. What would really help is getting a handle on Captain Jack, who makes his first appearance in The Empty Child. ..."

I see "The Empty Child" among the episodes of Doctor Who, Season One:
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Doctor...
(Scroll down. See "episodes" on the right.)

I'll have to make the best of what I can.

[Michael]

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Joy, A lot of Torchwood has no bearing on Children of Earth, just weekly thwarting of aliens. What would really help is getting a handle on Captain Jack, who makes his first appearan..."

And if you watch The Empty Child, be aware it's the first half of a story....it concludes in the Doctor Dances. :)

[Michael]

Jackie wrote: "Michael, I just read at wikipedia: The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Fox is developing a spin-off of Torchwood to be set in the United States. Not sure how I feel about that.
Do you watch BBC's Being Human or Misfits? "

I've heard rumors about the American version that is being made as a pilot for Fox. Not sure if it's a good idea. Of course, I also heard that RTD and Julie Gardner have pitched an American version of Dr Who, which I can say I am totally against.

I've not watched Being Human yet, but I need to. I'm hoping the DVDs will come out soon and I can catch up.

[Jackie]

Being Human is pretty good. The reason I asked is because they're considering an American remake. Not happy about that. BBC has done 2 seasons, 6 episodes the first and 8 for the second. Last summer BBC America ran the first season and I expect season 2 to air on BBCA sometime this summer.
Misfits is brilliant. It centers on a group of juvenile delinquents who are doing community service. During a freaky storm, they acquire all sort of odd powers. It hasn't come to the US yet, hopefully BBCA will run it soon. Another 6 episode season.

[Jim]

We watched the first couple of episodes of "Being Human". It was OK, but didn't really grab us for some reason.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I watched "Children of Earth" (Day One)(Torchwood: Season 3). I streamed it from Netflix.
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Torchw...

It was too dark for me. Too eerie. After I watched the "Day One" episode, I read the plot summary at Wiki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children...

Now at least I know what the story is about. My curiosity is satisfied enough.

[Jackie]

I adore Mitchell in Being Human and he's why I come back.
CoE Day One was just the beginning, things only got darker and darker from there. The way that the story unfolded was cryptic and intense. Very well done.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, "Children of Earth" definitely was cryptic and intense.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Today the TCM Channel showed the movie "Fearless Fagan" (1952):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044608/
It's a comedy/drama about a man and his lion, adapted from a true story. The scenes with the lion are amazing! TCM online says: "When a circus clown is drafted, he tries to sneak his pet lion into the service."
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?st...

TCM online also gives the background about the real lion and the true owner of the lion:
====================================================
"An article in the February 12, 1951 issue of Life magazine titled "Fearless Fagan Finds a Home" first told the tale of Fagan the lion and his owner PFC Floyd C. Humeston. The next year, a film version entitled Fearless Fagan (1952), presented the real life story: Humeston (who in the film becomes Pvt. Hilston) raised Fagan from a cub, trained him to be gentle and eventually got Fagan work in a circus act. When Humeston was drafted and couldn't find a suitable caretaker for Fagan, he reported to the Army with the lion in tow."
...
"Humeston was granted leave from the Army to serve as technical advisor on the film. As part of the Private's agreement with MGM, Fagan resided at MGM's animal compound for the remainder of Humeston's enlistment. ... Humeston's enlistment was up in 1952. As for Fagan, he found a home with the Monterey County Humane Society."
FROM: http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?st...
====================================================

The Life Magazine article, telling the story of the real lion with amazing photos, can be seen at the link below:
http://books.google.com/books?id=4EsE...
"Floyd C Humeston explained. When he was 7 his grandfather gave him a lion cub as a pet and thereby set the course of his life."
(The font is small, but it's readable when enlarged.)

[Jackie]

Wow! I'm going to check and see if it's on at a later time. Great photos. The article said they lived in a trailer, how did they fit?

[Michael]

I love TCM. I'm a big fan of old time radio and I love skimming the listings for movies mentioned on comedy programs that I listen to. It's always interesting to see them.

I wish AMC showed more older classic films like TCM does.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Hope you can find the film, Jackie. The lion acted like an overgrown kitten much of the time. But I wondered if the actors and actresses were a bit scared to interact with him so closely.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Michael wrote: " ... I wish AMC showed more older classic films like TCM does."

But AMC has commercials, whereas TCM plays the movie straight through without interruptions. So of course I prefer TCM.

[Michael]

I can always use the DVR and skip commercials on AMC.

Of course, when their definition of classic is "CatWoman" with Hallie Berry....well, that's not exactly a classic. LOL

I get kind of annoyed that AMC seems to have a limited set of films they show in a certain rotation.

That said, their original series are great.

[Jackie]

I didn't know AMC has original series. What do they have?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Today TCM is celebrating director Stanley Donen's birthday.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_...
So they're playing some great movies, some of which I don't remember seeing. Among these are:

"Deep in My Heart"(1954) (on TCM today from 4:00-6:30PM)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Deep_in_...
"Some of MGM's biggest singing and dancing stars pop up in this classic Hollywood musical chronicling the life of composer Sigmund Romberg (José Ferrer), a film adapted from Elliott Arnold's biography by the same name: Deep in my Heart. Featured performers include Cyd Charisse, Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Jane Powell and Russ Tamblyn, as well as Gene Kelly and his brother Fred in their only on-screen appearance together."

Also: "Give a Girl a Break" (1953) (on TCM from 2:20PM to 4:00PM)
TCM-TV summary: "When a temperamental star walks out on a new play, a Broadway producer is forced to find a replacement. Gower Champion, Debbie Reynolds, Marge Champion..."
This movie includes music and dancing.
Per Leonard Maltin's 2000 Movie and Video Guide, especially notable is Bob Fosse dancing with Champion .

What a great afternoon I have in store! (Right now they're showing "Singin' in the Rain".)

[Werner]

Well, Barb and I watched Secrets of the Mountain last night, and I'm not sorry I did; it qualifies as a good movie, and if I were rating it like a book, I'd give it a solid three stars. (Barb liked it, too.) But while the AFA rhapsodizes over it mostly for what it doesn't have --sex and bad language (and I also appreciate their absence!)-- what a movie does have is just as, or more, important in evaluating it. On that score, this isn't a great movie, and isn't as good as it could have been.

On the positive side, it's as much about family dynamics as it is about action and mystery --and Dana James' family isn't an oasis of idyllic perfection, either. Her marriage, like too many today, has been torn apart by divorce, and early in the movie we find her picking up her kids so her ex and his new wife can leave for their honeymoon. She and her kids have real communication problems, which don't all stem from one side, and the teen twins have issues deeper than normal sibling rivalry. There are serious messages here about family relationships, and they're of a positive and constructive nature, which gives this more depth than the average adventure flick. The only cast member I'd previously heard of is Barry Bostwick, but the acting is competent all around --the one performance that's a bit generic and by-the-numbers is the villain's, and he's two-dimensional; but the writers don't really focus on him. They also don't introduce a heavy romantic strain into the picture, which many movies of this type have, choosing instead to focus on the family interactions --a smart decision, IMO, given the time limitations of both the movie itself and the plot-- though there are hints of a spark that the viewer can imagine as becoming a flame in the future. :-) While the "edge- of-the-seat thriller" hype is exaggerated, and Dana and her family aren't Indy by a long shot, the comparison isn't wholly from left field, either; the premise does involve Aztec archaeology, and ancient architecture here, as in the Indiana Jones movies (and in real life) can have unpleasant surprises, so the element of danger and physical challenge is real. (Connecting Aztecs with the vaguely U.S. East Coast setting might seem a stretch; but while the Aztecs in historical times lived in central Mexico, it is known that they didn't originate there, and in fact came originally from somewhere much further north.) A 17th-century journal in code, and the infamous Captain Kidd, come into play as well, and for me those kinds of historical-archaeological elements are a plus. I also appreciate the fact that the female characters are shown as smart and capable, not flighty damsels in distress who have to be rescued every five minutes by a male.

As negatives, the plot does have some major logical gaps, and minor logical mistakes, that are hard to describe without a spoiler, but which are obvious to the viewer if he/she thinks about it. Also, the 1519 date cited might fit into known historical reality, since Montezuma lived until 1520 (I'll have to do more research to know if the expedition mentioned has a basis in fact), but the 1689 date does NOT fit the career of Captain Kidd --he turned pirate only after 1695. (And nobody in 1689 was an "archaeologist," though a few were antiquarians.) Of course, these kinds of lapses are typical for movies of this kind, that Hollywood just doesn't take very seriously. But is it too far-fetched to think that if the viewers are asked to take a movie seriously, so should the producers? Or to dream that some of the $4.5 million that went into this could have paid for more time to iron kinks out of the plot, or to do some simple date checking? :-)

[Katherine]

Well said.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner wrote: "Well, Barb and I watched Secrets of the Mountain last night, and I'm not sorry I did; it qualifies as a good movie, and if I were rating it like a book, I'd give it a solid three stars. (Barb like..."

Werner, thanks for the thorough review. Yes, the family relationships angle was a positive one. I hadn't thought about the questions regarding historical accuracy. I thought the plot was a bit far-fetched, but accepted that as part of the fantasy genre.

One online review mentioned that there should have been a stronger father-figure in the story in order to stress the theme of family values. I can't find that review right now. Wish I had saved the link!

PS-I found the link. See my next post in Message #600.