Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Movies, DVDs, and Theater
>
Have you seen any good movies lately? (Part THREE - 2010)
Jackie wrote: "Earl wrote:Actually, Jackie it WASN'T subtitledI 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. "
I went back and read Netflix's blurb on Inglorius
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Inglouri...
Under 'DVD Details' it claims it DOES have subtitles. Well, I couldn't turn on the subtitles that I wanted. On reflection, I guess the particular subtitles I want are 'Subtitles For The Hearing-Impaired'. Netflix doesn't make that distinction. I usually bitch about their absence in my little GoodReads critique. I liked Basterds enough not to mention it this time. I do wish we could buy tvs with subtitles displayed on a little window all their own, not plastered across the movie screen. I'd almost be curious enough to go and see Basterds in a movie theater to see if those, what I call 'Foreign Language English Subtitles', were big enough so I could read them as fast as they were presented. Of course then I'd be missing the audio without my Sears headphones (just getting the cinema mushed-up version thru the air).
Earl wrote: I do wish we could buy tvs with subtitles displayed on a little window all their own, not plastered across the movie screen.I think you're on to something here. If you could design it, you'd be rich!
I just watched "Remember Me", starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan and Lena Olin.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1403981/
This was a surprisingly good movie. Billed as a romantic drama, it's deeper than that, better than that. To say what made it so good would be to give spoilers, so I'll just say if you got two hours to kill, you could do worse than to spend it on Remember Me.
Thanks, Jackie. I finally watched "Miss Congeniality" (2000) with Sandra Bullock. I gave it 3 stars out of 5. An amusing film even though I'm not crazy about beauty pageants. I loved watching Michael Caine who plays a sharp-tongued beauty consultant who "is hired to transform Hart (Bullock) from "Dirty Harriet" into a beauty queen." William Shatner added to the fun as one of the people who runs the pageant.http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Miss_Con...
I just Netflixed The Men Who Stare At Goats.http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Men_...
Not as much fun as I'd hoped. I'd give it 2 stars. Clooney does a good job as a weirdo. I think the plot was sort of weak, even for a comedy.
Earl wrote: "I just Netflixed The Men Who Stare At Goats.http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Men_...
Not as much fun as I'd hoped. I'd give it 2 stars. Clooney does a good job..."
Thanks, Earl. The following is a comment from a Netflix member review about the film:
===========================================================
"Probably the best part of The Men Who Stare at Goats was when George Clooney is actually staring, scowling, whatever look was on his face, at this disinterested goat, who then falls over - the scene wasn't funny, but downright stupid. And that term stupid pretty much sums up my whole impression of this movie."
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Men_...
===========================================================
So, Earl, you weren't alone in your impression of the movie.
Thanks Earl. I'll stay away from that one. The commercials/previews for Goats didn't entice me. I was 'iffy' on it, now I know not to waste my time. Thank you!Joy, I saw Congeniality a long time ago; I don't remember much of it.But I do like Sandra Bullock.
Both my wife and I liked Miss Congeniality; Gracie Hart is a heroine we readily liked and admired. The one flaw of the movie, IMO (and one of the ladies who commented about it on the movies/TV thread in the Action Heroines Fans group agreed with me) is that the guy the writers gave her for a romantic interest is a stupid jerk; she deserved a lot better! There's also a sequel, Miss Congeniality II, but I haven't seen it.
Funny, I don't remember the love interest. Guess he didn't make much of an impression on me.
He was the male FBI agent she was partnered with. It's understandable that he didn't make much of an impression --if I were a woman, I don't think he'd make much of an impression on me, either! (Except to dismiss him as a sexist clod. :-))
Wasn't it Benjamin Bratt,formerly of Law & Order, and formerly a boyfriend of Julia Roberts?
Ah, yes. Now I remember. It was Benjamin Bratt. Thanks Katherine and Werner.Benjamin Bratt's IMDb page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000973/
A blast from the past--the far past! I just watched the old SF movie "World Without End". It was released in 1956 and I think I last saw it when I was twelve.Most of the critical review you find rate it horribly; but I watched a lot of 1950's SF and IMHO it is a cut above the usual Sf movie of the times.
It stars HUgh Marlowe--who old timers may remember from several SF movies of that era. He was in Earth Vs the Flying Saucers and also was Patricia Neals' boyfriend in The Day the Earth Stool Still.
Admittedly, only those who watch a lot of classic SF films would probably be interested. But, a fun bit of Nostalgia for me.
Old SF movies are fun, aren't they? A couple of years ago, I watched "The First Spaceship on Venus". As bad as it was in many ways, I could see the birth of many ideas that have since become standards. I love old SF movies, but rarely get to watch them. The Boss & The Little Boss both hate them. Now I know what I'll do this weekend! Thanks for the idea Mary JL. They're both going up to MD to visit for a week & I have a 4 day weekend coming up. It will just be me, the dogs & the horses. None of them will object, I'm sure!
Netflixed Capitalism a Love Story.http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=capi...
I can't remember why I put this on my Netflix queue, probably it was Ebert's review that attracted me. Moore shows how venal, corrupt and greedy modern corporations are. He makes a case that capitalism has changed since WWII. Well, MAYBE modern corporations are worse than our old robber barons, I don't know. I KNOW for a fact that human nature doesn't change. Moore makes Obama sound like a savior, which I guessed played at the time the film was made. Now that the shiny has rubbed off most of don't think he's anything but another politician. (That's what I think of EVERY politician). He says capitalism must be replaced by 'democracy'. I would say that the two are apples and oranges. Capitalism is a monetary system by my definition. Democracy is about giving every individual a vote. I went to sleep in the middle - 2 stars.
About SF movies, my memory takes me back to "The Thing" and "The Time Machine". I remember being riveted by both of them.
Earl wrote: "Netflixed Capitalism a Love Story.http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=capi...
... Capitalism is a monetary system by my definition. Democracy is about giving every individual a vote."
Good point, Earl.
Etched into my mind are "Them", giant ants inhabit the desert, and "The Creature from the Black Lagoon".
The 1951 version of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and the scene where Gort, the giant robot, comes out of the ship stick in my mind.First saw it in 1960 age the age of 10 and had a huge crush on Michael Rennie!
I love those old SF films! Good stuff. I'd watch them with my dad, no one else wanted to watch it. And I'm still a sucker for SF to this day.Earl, I used to like Michael Moore. But his shiny has rubbed off too. I once considered him a hero...until I found out he tells half truths and has supressed info. I vowed never to watch another of his films again.
I have no patience for those who knock capitalism, it's the same capitalism that has given us everything we have.
And I feel the same as you, all politicians are the same. You can wrap it up pretty but it still stinks beneath the bow.
I didn't see "Them" but I do remember the robot coming out of the ship in "The Day the Earth Stood Still". That was such a suspenseful scene!
Last night I watched Marie Antoinette (2006) starring Kirsten Dunst. The movie follows French history quite accurately, leading up to the Revolution. I haven't read any reviews regarding this movie, and whether critics agree with me or not, I thought Dunst did a remarkable job portraying such a well known and often despised figure in history. The scenes of Versailles were photographed magnificently. The costumes were wonderfully done. It's amazing to me how in the 1770's the skirts got wider and wider and the hair got higher and higher.
FOUR STARS
I saw that movie, Katherine; the sets and costumes were magnificent. I've liked Kirsten Dunst ever since Interview with a Vampire, she played Claudia to perfection.
Katherine wrote: "Last night I watched Marie Antoinette (2006) starring Kirsten Dunst. The movie follows French history quite accurately, leading up to the Revolution. I haven't read any reviews regarding this movie..."Thanks, Katherine. The film is on my Netflix queue. I should bump it up to first place.
Below is the Netflix description:
"Marie Antoinette" (2006)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Marie_An...
==================================================
"Sofia Coppola directs a stylized portrait of Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst), the naive Austrian princess who married Louis XVI (Jason Schwartzman) to become queen of France at age 19. The film explores the effects of a luxurious yet terribly confining lifestyle on the young queen. Her resulting youthful indiscretion and frivolity ultimately led to her undoing. A Cannes Golden Palm nominee, this biopic also took Oscar honors for costume design."
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Marie_An...
====================================================
Here's the IMDb link to all the reviews:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422720/e...
I finally got around to watching Avatar last night. It was pretty good. Didn't wow me, though.
I see that Avatar is now available at Netflix. It's on my queue.
I rented Avatar and I have to say, it was much more impressive and grander on the big screen. Still a good story but something was lost in the translation from big screen to little screen.
Jackie, I'm not surprised. The big screen is always more effective.
I watched "Marie Antoinette" (2006) on a Netflix DVD.http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Marie_An...
While Kirsten Dunst was lovely in the role of Marie Antoinette, I didn't find the movie very engaging. The characters seemed too distant, not real. However, I was motivated to read more about Marie Antoinette at Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_An...
EXCERPT:
"... she was executed [in 1793:] at the Place de la Révolution (present-day Place de la Concorde). Her last words were, 'Pardon me Sir, I meant not to do it', to Sanson the executioner, whose foot she had accidentally stepped on before she was executed by guillotine."
I watched "Avatar" (2009) on a Netflix DVD.http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Avatar/7...
(Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi)
Naturally it would have been better on the big screen but at least I found out what it was about. Very imaginative stuff, but too much violence for me. Sigourney Weaver was perfect in her part. Stephen Lang was frightenly impressive. The whole thing seemed like an allegory to me. I suppose it was. The unobtainium was a symbol for oil.
Clever the way those tails made special connections! I wonder whose idea that was. I guess the idea came from James Cameron who wrote and directed the film. Here's a link to an interesting IMDb webpage about Cameron:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000116/bio
It says that some his film trademarks are:
-Strong female characters.
-His films frequently feature scenes filmed in deep blues.
-Plots or events involving nuclear explosions or wars
-Likes to make nice/effective cuts
-Likes to show close-up shots of feet or wheels, often trampling things
It also says: "After seeing "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope" (1977), Cameron quit his job as a truck driver to enter the film industry."
PS-Below is more about James Cameron from the IMDb page referenced above:"Received a star at Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. Says he's too cheap to pay for a star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame."
I didn't know they had to pay for their stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Wiki says:
===================================================
"A fee (currently USD $25,000), payable at time of selection, is collected to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as general maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The fee is usually paid by the nominating organization, which may be a fan club, or a film studio, record company, broadcaster, or other sponsor involved with the honoree's current or ongoing project."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollywoo...
===================================================
Interesting info, Joy! I love the fact that he quit his job to pursue his passion. The American Dream at it's best.I too am surprised that one must pay for the Star, and absolutely shocked at the price.
About Avatar: I love the bond, the tail as you call it. Especially when the entire group bonded with the earth when trying to heal.
The ideas behind Avatar were idealistic. For me it symbolized not only oil but all natural resources. The Na'vi reminded me of the Native Americans and Celts more than any other group of people in their lifestyle and fierce determination to save their homes and way of life as well as their belief that all things are connected. The tail-bond was just a tangible and physical way of demonstrating those beliefs.
Jackie wrote: "The ideas behind Avatar were idealistic."Yes, Jackie, that's a good word for them. I like that word.
I found the following two quotes about "idealism" in my collection:
"Idealism increases in direct proportion to one's distance from the probem."
-John Galsworthy (1867-1933) [p. 213, [book:The Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time|391607]]
"Idealism is fine, but as it approaches reality, the cost becomes prohibitive." -William Buckley
Despite those quotes, I still like the word. :)
Jackie also wrote: "About Avatar: I love the bond, the tail as you call it. Especially when the entire group bonded with the earth when trying to heal. ... The tail-bond was just a tangible and physical way of demonstrating those beliefs."I've always found the idea of "bonding" very intriguing. In fact I find that the bonding between dogs and humans is, in a way, mysterious. Our Maltese, Romeo, has bonded with me more than any other dog we've ever had. Eddie feeds him, but Romeo is still more attached to me. I've never seen such devotion! LOL He cries (keens) when I'm gone. Don't know what I did to deserve this. :) Perhaps it's because I was the first one to pay attention and attend to him after we adopted him at ten months old. I also am a patient "scratcher". :)
I'm having terrible luck on Netflix lately, can't seem to pick a good movie. The latest two duds were Fallenhttp://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Fallen...
and Daybreakers
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Daybre...
I've got to learn to avoid Paul Wesley, the teenage heartthrob in Fallen. He's not a terrible actor, (though they've really gotta be BAD before I can tell) but every movie he plays in is crap. He and his agent should be getting pickier in selecting what he works in. Maybe in another 10 years, when the 13 year old girls quit going gaga over him. I'm not a big fan of cgi anyway, but the flapping angels in this one were AWFUL. 1½ stars.
Daybreakers was a vampire movie (how much can you expect of them?) but the PLOT sounded watchable. I'm a 'plot' kind of guy: tell me a story. But when Hollywood gets through with them they're awful. 2 stars.
Today in the mail I received the Crandall Library Film & Video brochure.AVATAR will be featured on Tuesday, July 20th at 6:30 PM.
On the following Tuesday,the 27th, also at 6:30 there will be a showing of the award winning documentary CRUDE. The focus is on a class action suit brought against Chevron (Texaco) by 30,000 natives of Ecuador, alleging that oil drilling and toxic waste ruined their health. Considering all that is going on in the Gulf of Mexico at this time, this is a very timely offering.
Earl, I thought Daybreakers would be good but I agree with your assessment. Movies have to have a good plot or why bother? I wanted to see Fallen but forgot about it, now I'll just take your word for it and save myself 2 hours of wasted time. I heartily Thank You! Time is too precious to waste on bad movies!
Earl: Better luck next time. :)Katherine: Thanks for the library info re AVATAR and CRUDE.
Crude (2009):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1326204/
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Crude/70...
Earl wrote: "I'm having terrible luck on Netflix lately, can't seem to pick a good movie. The latest two duds were Fallenhttp://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Fallen......"
I enjoyed Fallen but agree wholeheartedly with you about Daybreakers the plot was non-existent!
Yesterday I watched a Netflix DVD of "The Mill on the Floss" (1997):http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Mill...
(an adaptation of the novel, The Mill on the Floss,
by George Eliot (Mary Ann (Marian) Evans)
Once I got into the story (after a slow beginning), I became completely engaged in the plot. Emily Watson was great in the role of Maggie Tulliver.
FROM WIKI:
==================================================
"The novel details the lives of Tom and Maggie Tulliver, a brother and sister growing up on the River Floss ... in the United Kingdom ..."
"Maggie Tulliver holds the central role in the book, as both her relationship with her older brother Tom, and her romantic relationships with Philip Wakem, a hunchbacked, but sensitive and intellectual, friend, and with Stephen Guest, a vivacious young socialite in St. Ogg's and assumed fiancé of Maggie’s cousin Lucy Deane, constitute the most significant narrative threads."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mill...
===================================================
Has anyone heard of, The Happiness Project," by Gretchin Rubin? It was recommended to me. I just finished a great multi-generalization historical novel that takes place mostly in England and some Australia background. The time is 1900/2005. I love the descriptions; like, "he was a scribble of a man." The title of this book is, "The Forgotten Garden," by Kate Morton, author of, "The House of Riverton." The writing in this book is excellent and it keeps you guessing as there is a mystery woven into it. Lots of good reviews.nina
Nina, thank you for the recommendations.
Barb and I don't see movies in theaters very often; but over this past weekend, she took me to see Eclipse, since she knows I'm a Twilight series fan. (She's not so much so, though she liked this installment of the film series better than the preceding one.) If you're a series fan, I'd highly recommend it (if you're not, it probably won't convert you :-)). The producers continue to maintain their standard of quality and accurate adaptation (there are a few minor concessions to the time frame and visual nature of the different medium --the movie acts out some scenes of vampire action that aren't directly described in the book, for instance, and in the book Rosalie seeks Bella out for their conversation, not the other way around-- but it fully reproduces the storyline and spirit of the original). Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (sp?) deliver their usual great performances, the supporting cast is strong as always, and the cinematography is breathtaking. Barb was really impressed by the beauty of the mountain scenery, though I still haven't convinced her to plan a vacation trip to Forks. (Okay, just kidding about the trip --Rebekah says the Cullens won't be there, anyway. :-)) And I told her that she has to admit, the animal trainer on that film did a great job with those wolves.... :-)
Try watching, "Nowhere in Africa." exciting and interesting characterization and good scenery. And why has no one mentioned, "To Kill a Mockingbird," when it was the 50th anniversay of it being published on Sunday July 11th. Talk about a great book and needless to say, a great movie. nina
Nina wrote: "Try watching, "Nowhere in Africa." exciting and interesting characterization and good scenery. ..."Here's the Netflix description:
==================================================
"Nowhere in Africa" (2001)
"Shortly before the outbreak of World War II, a Jewish couple and their young daughter emigrate from Germany to Kenya to escape the Nazis, and are forced to come to terms with a new life on an unfamiliar continent. Not all members of the family are happy with this drastic change -- but going home isn't an option. Based on Stefanie Zweig's autobiographical novel [ [book:Nowhere in Africa: An Autobiographical Novel|106831] ], director Caroline Link's epic drama won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film."
Language: German
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Nowhere_...
==================================================
Joy wrote: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/
I'm pleased to report 'Wonders of the Solar System' will premiere on the Science Channel Wednesday August 4th at 9PM. It's 5 episodes, and I'm assuming one episode per week but I'll check to make sure when it appears on my DVR Guide because I plan on watching it again.
Joy, I get the Science Channel on Ch. 225 and I know it's available in HD. I just don't know what number channel it is.
Just watched a DVD that came out on Tuesday. 'The Greatest' starring Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226232/
Sarandon was extraordinary as a grieving mother. Watching it for her performance alone is worth the hour and a half.
The trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2051...
I wondered at the title, The Greatest. If you see this movie then you'll know, it's the greatest tragedy, the greatest gift, the greatest love. The greatest...everything. I can feel it, this is one of those movies that will stay with me.
Jackie wrote: "Joy wrote: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/
I'm pleased to report 'Wonders o..."
Thanks, Jackie.
Jackie wrote: "Just watched a DVD that came out on Tuesday. 'The Greatest' starring Susan Sarandon and Pierce Brosnan.http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226232/
Sarandon was extraordinary as a grieving mother. Watc..."
Thanks again, Jackie.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
Books mentioned in this topic
Thinner (other topics)Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (other topics)
Mirror Mirror (other topics)
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (other topics)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Gregory Maguire (other topics)Jeff Kinney (other topics)
Charles Portis (other topics)
Charles Portis (other topics)
Horton Foote (other topics)
More...
I probably won't watch either Unthinkable or Inglorious Bastards --some levels of movie violence, I'm just not comfortable with (and from what I've read, Tarantino's films would usually fit in that category). Okay, I admit I'm a wuss --but I'm not a total wuss (a certain amount of good clean butt-kicking I can live with and enjoy! :-))