Have you seen any good movies lately? (Part THREE - 2010) Showing 651-700 of 1,349

[Werner]

You're welcome, Joy! I hope you like it.

[Jim]

i saw that once years ago. I do recall it being funny, but in a way that really made me think. I should watch it again, too.

[Nina]

I can't remember how many times I have seen, "The Gods Must be Crazy." I count it as one of my very very favorite movies. I highy recommend it. I saw, "Letters to Juliet," this afternoon and loved it too. Partly, because I once attended an Italian wedding in the city where the movie takes place, Verona, Italy. It was a predictible theme but so pleasant; good acting with Vanessa Redgrave; always a charmer. nina

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I have the film, "Letters to Juliet", on my Netflix "saved" queue, waiting for it to be released as a DVD in the future.
"Letters to Juliet" (2010)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Letters_...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892318/p...

[Jackie]

I'm waiting on the DVD too. I'm so glad it was good, Nina.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I just streamed the following movie from Netflix. It was really entertaining:
"Boynton Beach Club" (2005)
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Boynto...
Netflix says it's a comedy and is "feel-good and romantic". Old tunes and older performers... Dyan Cannon, Joseph Bologna, Len Cariou, Sally Kellerman, Michael Nouri, Brenda Vaccaro.
I recommend it, especially for the "older" crowd. :)

[Nina]

Sounds good, thanks. Sometimes it is hard to find one and i hadn't heard of that movie. nina

[Joy H., Group Founder]

This weekend I watched the Netflix DVD of "The Gods Must Be Crazy". (1980) It was great.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Gods...
Thanks to those of you recommended it. It's a very different kind of movie, combining drama, suspense, and humor. The funny parts were so hilarious. Now Eddie is watching it and he's laughing out loud too.

[Jackie]

I saw Ondine today and really enjoyed it. Sort of a modern day fairy tale. It was a pleasure to see the beauty of the Irish coast and the added bonus of Colin Farrell speaking in his native Irish lilt. I don't think men would like this movie but it's sure be attractive to women.
Farrell and multi-talented co-star Polish actress Alicja Bachleda fell in love during the filming of Ondine and now have a child together. Like his character of Syracuse, Farrell has given up his bad boys ways for love. A real life fairy tale!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235796/

I recently saw Alicja Bachleda in 'Trade', an eye-opening movie about women being trafficked in the US, something I never would have believed possible but unfortunately is all too real. Alicja was excellent in the role of Veronika, which broke my heart with what was done to her.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399095/

[Jim]

I got a movie by Ralph Bakshi & Frazetta called "Fire & Ice". I watched it last weekend & I'm sorry to say that it pretty much sucked. It was interesting to see so much of Frazetta's work displayed, but all too briefly. The dialogue was terrible & the story line wasn't great either. Oh well, it didn't cost much on Amazon, so I guess it was worth it - barely.

For those of you unfamiliar with Bakshi, his best work was "Wizards" a cartoon movie that is a cult classic.

Frank Frazetta was an illustrator that had a very long & varied career. I've always known him best for the cover art paintings he did for the Conan, Edgar Rice Burroughs & Kane books by Karl Edward Wagner. He was a fantastic artist. It was his cover art for & that made me want to read so badly.

More of his work is here:
http://frankfrazettamuseum.com/prints...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I saw Ondine today and really enjoyed it. Sort of a modern day fairy tale. It was a pleasure to see the beauty of the Irish coast and the added bonus of Colin Farrell speaking in his native Irish..."

Jackie, thanks for telling us about "Ondine". That really looks interesting. I've put it on my Netflix queue:
"Ondine" (2009):
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
Netflix description:
==========================================================
"An Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) hauls in an unexpected catch when a mysterious girl (Alicja Bachleda-Curus) gets tangled in his nets and soon affects the lives of everyone around her in this fantastical seaside tale from director Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire). Is it possible this beautiful stranger is a mythical sea nymph who's been summoned from the ocean's depths … or is she something far more common?"

Genre: Fantasy
==========================================================
The availability of the DVD is "unknown", but perhaps it won't be too long.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim, thanks for the info about Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta. Frazetta's art work (shown at the link you gave) is striking. So dramatic!

For reference, here's the link again:
http://frankfrazettamuseum.com/prints...

[Jackie]

Joy, Ondine is just coming to theaters in the US now. I'd say 4 to 6 months til DVD release which is the average time between theater and DVD releases.

Jim, that's too bad the movie wasn't any good. I don't mind spending money on crappy movies, it's wasting my time that really irks me.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "Joy, Ondine is just coming to theaters in the US now. I'd say 4 to 6 months til DVD release which is the average time between theater and DVD releases."

Thanks, Jackie.

[Earl]

Netflixed The Hurt Locker
http://www.netflix.com/WiSearch?oq=hu...
my subscription hold has expired and I'm getting dvds from them again.
It wasn't bad, no sub-titles. I give it 3 stars.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Earl wrote: "Netflixed The Hurt Locker
http://www.netflix.com/WiSearch?oq=hu...
my subscription hold has expired and I'm getting dvds from them again. It wasn't bad, no sub-tit..."

Earl, I tried watching "The Hurt Locker", but couldn't stomach it. These days I find myself looking for feel-good movies. I enjoyed watching Netflix's DVD of "It's Complicated", a romantic comedy. I gave it 4 stars:
"It's Complicated" (2009):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/It_s_Com...
Netflix Description:
=========================================================
"Ten years after their divorce, Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) Adler unite for their son's college graduation and unexpectedly end up sleeping together. But Jake is married, and Jane is embarking on a new romance with her architect, Adam (Steve Martin)."
========================================================

[Jackie]

I want to see It's Complicated. I seem to be bored of action movies and war movies these days. I've probably seen too many of them, they all blur together.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie, I think you'll enjoy "It's Complicated". The casting is great. Very entertaining. It's nice to see the older performers in star roles.

[Jackie]

I'm recording In The Land of Women http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419843/p... and Serious Moonlighting http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1133993/ (which I may have seen already) on Lifetime Movie Network tonight.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I'm recording In The Land of Women http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419843/p... and Serious Moonlighting http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1133993/ (which I may have seen already) on Lifetime Movie N..."

Jackie, "In the Land of Women" looks good. I'm adding it to my Netflix queue. I like the cast.
"In the Land of Women" (2006):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/In_the_L...

"Serious Moonlighting" is a dark comedy. I'll put that one on hold. :)
"Serious Moonlight"(2009):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Serious_...

[Jackie]

Oops, it's the regular Lifetime Channel. In case anyone wants to watch.

[Jackie]

Not a movie but a 5 episode documentary by British physicist Brian Cox called The Wonders of the Solar System. I'm into every branch of science and it's been a long time since I've viewed a doc that actually teaches me something I don't already know. I've watched 3 of these so far, and have learned something on each one. Often physics is abstract and not easily grasped but Brian Cox explains in everyday language and uses simple visual aids to show you what he means. He's very enthusiastic and adorable, you just get caught up with him.
On to #4 right now...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "Not a movie but a 5 episode documentary by British physicist Brian Cox called The Wonders of the Solar System. I'm into every branch of science and it's been a long time since I've viewed a doc th..."

Jackie, on what channel did you find that series? Here's the IMDb webpage:
"Wonders of the Solar System" (2010):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1611787/

[Jim]

That sounds cool, Jackie. I'll keep an eye out for it.

we've been watching "Boston Legal", also not a movie, but 5 seasons of TV shows. I think it conflicted with something else, so we never saw it until recently. It is great! William Shatner plays crazy Denny Crane & Candice Bergen is his ex-wife, Shirley, & still his law partner. It's a big law firm & James Spader plays Alan Shore, my favorite character.

[Jackie]

Joy, I got it off of btjunkie, a bit torrent file sharing site. It's how I get all my British shows the same day they air in the UK. Gotta love technology! I dont see an air-date for the US. It usually takes at least a year for their programs to air here on BBCAmerica. Which is why I use torrents.

Jim, a friend just recommended Boston Legal to me today! She said it's great. I didn't watch it before for the same reasons, recording conflict, but that was back in the VCR days with limited slots.
I saw a few selected scenes of James Spader in the courtroom on youtube and I was cheering by the end of it. I know this is a good series for me. I'm getting very bored with medical and police dramas, but I can do one courtroom/lawyer drama and this is going to be the one for me. Once I catch up on Smallville, the Tudors and Fringe. I've got a busy summer!

[Jim]

Oh, you'll love it, Jackie. Alan is such a rogue. He gets off the elevator one day & stops next to Shirley. Two girls are fighting in the reception area.
Alan says with a deadpan expression, "Oh my. I guess they found out about each other."
Shirley: "Alan, how could you?"
Alan: "It's spring, Shirley. I'm in season." and then walks off to his office.

Alan, James Spader, also does some of the best closing arguments. He manages to make the reasonable absurd & vice versa. His & Denny's court room antics are lots of fun. Denny, once pulls down his pants & points his butt at the jury. He has a target on his underwear & is making a point.

Oh, & one of the judges is the judge from Rowan & Martin's Laugh-in, I think.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "Joy, I got it off of btjunkie, a bit torrent file sharing site. It's how I get all my British shows the same day they air in the UK. Gotta love technology! I dont see an air-date for the US. It..."

I see. That's amazing! Thanks, Jackie.

[Earl]

Netflixed Inglorious Basterds.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Inglouri...
Tarantino has redeemed himself in my estimation (after his execrable Hostel) If only he could have worked Uma Thurman and her samurai sword into the story too! 4 stars!

[Jim]

Marg & I enjoyed "Inglorious Bastards" too. Bard Pitt was a hoot.

[Jackie]

We still have to watch Inglorious. Waiting for Anthony to have the time.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Earl wrote: "Netflixed Inglorious Basterds.
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Inglouri...
Tarantino has redeemed himself in my est..."

I see that Netflix describes "Inglourious Basterds" as: " Exciting, Violent".

IMDb describes the plot as follows:
"In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/

I'm curious, but am not sure I could deal with all of that.

[Earl]

IMDb describes the plot as follows:
"In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361748/

I'm curious, but am not sure I could deal with all of that. "
It's in the same vein as Kill Bill 1&2 and Pulp Fiction. Either you like Tarantino or you don't. It's a bit tongue-in-cheek.

[Jackie]

Tarantino can be a bit strange and at other times he's an absolute genius.

Is Inglorious as violent as Kill Bill and Pulp Fiction? I liked both of those movies, Pulp better than Bill and not for the violence, both had good stories and the way Pulp was out of sequence was pretty cool.

[Jim]

Inglorious doesn't have the same fantasy violence as 'Kill Bill', but it has a fair amount, all very realistic. the story line is excellent & sequential. Watch it. You will really like it.

[Jackie]

I know we'll like it, just need to find the time to watch it. I'm catching up on TV series so I'm monopolizing the TV. Eric's grandparents are coming up this week, so we'll probably get to watch some movies.

[Jackie]

I just watched "Unthinkable": A psychological thriller centered around a black-ops interrogator (Samuel L. Jackson) and an FBI agent who press a suspect terrorist into divulging the location of three nuclear weapons sets to detonate in the U.S.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0914863/

This a powerful movie that will make you think. Not for the faint-hearted. Jackson gave an outstanding performance.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "I just watched "Unthinkable": A psychological thriller centered around a black-ops interrogator (Samuel L. Jackson) and an FBI agent who press a suspect terrorist into divulging the location of thr..."

Thanks, Jackie. Here's the Netflix link:
"Unthinkable"(2010)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Unthinka...

[Earl]

Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I just watched "Unthinkable": A psychological thriller centered around a black-ops interrogator (Samuel L. Jackson) and an FBI agent who press a suspect terrorist into divulging the ..."
Reminds me of the book The Contractor
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24...
People who do this for a living should not reflect deeply on it.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

As Jackie says... not for the faint-hearted.

[Jackie]

Earl wrote: People who do this for a living should not reflect deeply on it.
I'd imagine they couldn't. Or if they do, they see it as 'for the greater good'. The movie was fantastic in the sense that when things are peaceful and good, it's easy to be on the moral high ground. We can all say what we'd do in the situation in the movie, but I'm not so sure. Things have a way of changing your perceptions, hence, what you would really do.
While we were watching the movie, I said the interrogator was in the right, this is what must be done. Harm a few to save millions. But again, it's easy to say that because I'm not the one doing it.


We watched 'The Wolfman', it was OK. I expected more since Anthony Hopkins starred in it. I wouldn't recommend it because it wasn't all that good.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780653/

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie wrote: "... The movie was fantastic in the sense that when things are peaceful and good, it's easy to be on the moral high ground. We can all say what we'd do in the situation in the movie, but I'm not so sure. Things have a way of changing your perceptions, hence, what you would really do. ..."

Well said, Jackie.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I finally got to see "The Blind Side" via a Netflix DVD. Both Ed and I enjoyed it. I wish all movies could keep me that interested.
"The Blind Side"(2009) (based on a true story*):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Blin...
Netflix description:
============================================================
"Oversized African American Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Leigh Anne (Sandra Bullock) and Sean (Tim McGraw), Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL. Bullock's performance garnered a Best Actress Oscar and Best Actress Golden Globe Award. Kathy Bates co-stars."
"This movie is: Feel-good, Inspiring, Emotional."
===========================================================
*The movie is based on the book: The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0878804/

[Jackie]

We watched Inglorious Basterds last night. I'm sorry to say that it sucked. After wasting an hour of my time, I had enough and let the boys watch it by themselves; they rated it as OK. The parts with Brad Pitt were great, but they were too few and far between. And being mostly subtitled was a definite drawback.

[Earl]

Jackie wrote: " And being mostly subtitled was a definite drawback.
"
Actually, Jackie it WASN'T subtitled (don't forget, that's how I begin EVERY dvd: go to Setup and try to turn on subtitles.) You couldn't turn them on. What WAS subtitled was the language translations. On my tv set they were WAY to small to read in a hurry. I had to keep pausing and backing up to reread them. PITA. I still managed to enjoy it, but I'm mostly a Tarantino fan (except for Hostel).

[Earl]

Jackie wrote: "I'd imagine they couldn't. Or if they do, they see it as 'for the greater good'. The movie was fantastic in the sense that when things are peaceful and good, it's easy to be on the moral high ground. We can all say what we'd do in the situation in the movie, but I'm not so sure. Things have a way of changing your perceptions, hence, what you would really do.
While we were watching the movie, I said the interrogator was in the right, this is what must be done. Harm a few to save millions. But again, it's easy to say that because I'm not the one doing it.
"
I think you have to remember that interrogators don't have the freedom to make a whole lot of moral judgments. At least that's how I imagine it being done. Lt Colonels and above will want to keep their skirts clean. The Nazis were "just following orders" and we hung 'em for it. Now we have to fight the same sort of war with the same dirty weapons.

[Jackie]

Earl wrote:Actually, Jackie it WASN'T subtitled
I have no idea what the difference is; they were not speaking English, there were words across the bottom, to me, that's subtitled. Every foreign language film I've ever seen that has those language translations, it is clearly written on the DVD 'subtitled'. My point was, I didn't know it was not in English and if I did, I wouldn't have bothered at all.
Neither would Anthony, Eric or Grandpa.

It may have been a good movie to many, just not to me.

[Jackie]

Earl wrote: I think you have to remember that interrogators don't have the freedom to make a whole lot of moral judgments.
I was writing about us, civilians, not the interrogator, when I was writing about the moral high ground.

And: Now we have to fight the same sort of war with the same dirty weapons.
I know it, and I'm of two minds about it. Part of me is appalled and the other part knows it's the only way.

[Werner]

Both proponents and opponents of the use of torture in interrogating terrorists usually tend to assume that it works (they just differ on whether or not morality should trump practicality). Interestingly, though, many highly experienced interrogators challenge that assumption --or, rather, they point out that it "works" only too well. Most people under the threat, or the actual experience, of torture will eventually say anything they think their interrogator will accept to end their pain, whether it's true or not. (Prime historical examples include the torture- induced "confessions" in the Stalinist purge trials, and in the European and New England witch trials -- which in both cases yielded "information" that anyone conversant with reality would have considered highly dubious.) These experts maintain that the way to get reliable information is through careful questioning, patience, minute observation of the subject, and application of psychological knowledge --not torture.

[Jim]

Jackie, I'm sorry you didn't like "Inglorious.." We thought it was pretty good.

[Jackie]

Werner, I agree, I don't think torture is all that reliable. In the movie, Unthinkable, the subject was obstinate and there was a 72 hour time limit before the nuclear bombs he planted throught the US were set to go off. With time, maybe they could have gotten what they wanted by less violent means, but with the time constraints, there was no other way to get the locations of the bombs. And if you get to see themovie, you'll see how accurate the info the subject gave really was. It's definitely a thought-provoking movie, and I feel it should be seen by everyone in the US.

Jim, not your fault. I really thought I was going to like it too. Brad Pitt had some great lines. So it wasn't a total bust.