Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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Have you seen any good movies lately? (Part THREE - 2010)
Earl, how does the book compare? I thought the movie was great.
Sounds like quite a thriller, Earl.
I have heard very good reports on the movie, "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo," movie. Also, good review of the book in our paper this morning. It is by, Stieg Larson. I understand it was filmed in Sweden. Check it out. Don't know if it is available on Netflix yet. nina
imdb doesn't give DVD release dates for the US as of yet, but I'm sure it won't be long. March was the last film festival in the USA. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1132620/r...If anyone sees it, I'd be curious to know how it is before I rent it.
Just this moment walked in from seeing Nicholas Cage in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Our local newspaper movie critic rated it 1 1/2 stars, so Scott and I thought we'd like it. (When our paper praises a film, we get way!) We both give it a solid 3 stars.Lots of fun; nothing too objectionable for children over 10 (a few scary bits for the littler ones); teens should enjoy it. Neat special effects, some decent characterization; plot a bit weak.
Still, definitely worth seeing once. Definitely did not feel I wasted time or money.
Mary JL, I saw the ads for The Sorceror's Apprentice when we went to see Eclipse, and I definitely thought it had possibilities! Your feedback makes me even more certain I'd like to see it, though (as usual) I'll wait until it's on DVD.
Mary JL, I'm glad it was enjoyable. I have it on my To Rent List when it becomes available.
It will be wroth seeing. Yes, there are a few plot holes, but the acting--especially by Nicholas Cage--I found pretty good. A good summer family flick--a few scary visuals for children under 10.After you see it, please let me know what you think.
Jackie wrote: "Earl, how does the book compare? I thought the movie was great."The first 100 pages were like a screen play from the movie. Then I noticed some deviation. Now I have to quit and get started on 61 Hours, as that is not renewable at library. At this point I enjoyed the Shuttle Island movie more than the book. I think that's the first time that ever happened to me. Maybe it because I liked the movie so well?
Mary JL wrote: "Just this moment walked in from seeing Nicholas Cage in "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". Our local newspaper movie critic rated it 1 1/2 stars, so Scott and I thought we'd like it. (When our paper pr..."Thanks, Mary. Here's the Netflix link:
"The Sorcerer's Apprentice"(2010) PG
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Sorc...
Genre: Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Adventure, Fantasy
I've saved it to my DVD queue at Netflix.
Availability of the DVD is unknown.
Earl wrote: "... At this point I enjoyed the Shuttle Island movie more than the book. I think that's the first time that ever happened to me. Maybe it because I liked the movie so well?"Earl, that definitely could be the reason.
"Shutter Island" (Ashecliffe) 2010
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Shutter_...
It's interesting to read the reviews at Netflix, both the "Member Reviews" and the "Critic Reviews".
PS-Why do they call it "Ashecliffe"?
Earl, do you think maybe you liked the movie better because you already knew the ending. One I see a movie it's hard for me to read the book afterwards. The payoff for spending time on a book is learning what happens.
Jackie wrote: "Earl, do you think maybe you liked the movie better because you already knew the ending. One I see a movie it's hard for me to read the book afterwards. The payoff for spending time on a book is ..."Maybe. I tend to always read the book before seeing the movie, and then I'm disappointed in the movie. I never thought about a 'payoff' when reading a novel, but many times I'm skipping pages to get to it, so maybe you have noticed a basic truth.
edit: Then there's the fact that with many books and movies you can figure out the ending just a little ways in. That's not true for Shuttle Island. Perhaps it was the surprise that charmed me so, and that's why I raved about the movie.
Earl, I prefer books first and the movie never stacks up well. Too many cuts, which I understand, an entire movie cannot be squeezed into 2 hours without losing a lot.I'm very disciplined in my reading, I won't allow myself to skip ahead. But it's that drive to know what happens that keeps me interested.
In Shutter Island, I figured some of it but not the big reveal in the end. That's when I love a movie, when something totally unexpected happens. Because it is so rare to be surprised these days, movies are usually so predictable. Shutter was definitely a fantastic movie. Not only the surprise ending, but the way the movie was presented that was fantastic. A must see!
My son saw Inception last night and sent me a text message from the theater telling me how great the movie was. It is definitely my kind of movie. I hope it gets to DVD quickly.
Netflixed The Lovely Bones. http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Love...
I enjoyed it 3 stars. The parts where Susie was in her 'in-between' place kind of dragged I thought. The book did a better job of explaining what was going on.
Earl wrote: "Netflixed The Lovely Bones. http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Love...
I enjoyed it 3 stars. The parts where Susie was..."
I read the book several years ago. ( The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold ) It was compelling in parts, but I don't think I'd enjoy the movie because seeing that horrible killer would give me the creeps.
PS-The following review (by GR member, Sarah) of The Lovely Bones (the book) was interesting:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
(588 people liked the review!) (158 people commented on the review!)
Earl wrote: The parts where Susie was in her 'in-between' place kind of dragged I thought. The book did a better job of explaining what was going on. I saw The Lovely Bones but haven't read the book. I wanted to, but I probably won't get around to it. What I liked about Susie's 'in-between' place in the movie was the incredibly stunning surreal visuals. I'm sure if I read the book, I'd feel the same way as you, Earl, but since I didn't, I have nothing to compare it to. I think I prefer it that way.
Joy H. wrote: "PS-The following review (by GR member, Sarah) of The Lovely Bones (the book) was interesting:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
(588 people liked the review!) (158 people commented on th..."
Boy! If I'd read that review I might not have even read the book. I was ENCHANTED by the idea of Susie looking down from heaven and recounting the tale from a supernatural viewpoint. It was a few months back that I read the book but I don't recall being offended by the writing at all. I was hugely entertained.
Earl, I didn't notice the bad writing either. I guess I wasn't looking for it or I overlooked it because I was concentrating on the story. However, the examples in the review do make a their own point.
We watched The Bounty Hunter, starring Gerry Butler and Jennifer Aniston, typical rom-com, utterly predictable.
Thanks, Jackie. I always find Jennifer Aniston to be very likable. For reference, here's the Netflix description:=================================================
"The Bounty Hunter" (2010) PG-13
"Milo Boyd (Gerard Butler) is a bounty hunter whose latest gig is rather satisfying, as he finds out that the bail-skipper he must chase down is his own ex-wife, Nicole (Jennifer Aniston) -- but she has no intention of getting nabbed without a fight. Complicating matters, Nicole's wannabe-boyfriend, Stewart (Jason Sudeikis), joins the chase in this high-octane comedy from director Andy Tennant (Hitch)."
Genre: Action Comedies, Romantic Comedies
FROM: http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
====================================================
The IMDb page is at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1038919/
A few days ago I watched a Netflix DVD of the film "The Other Boleyn Girl" which was adapted from the book, The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory.I had read the book and enjoyed it very much, but I found the movie very boring. I gave it one star.
The Netflix description is at:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Othe...
I saw the movie but didn't read the book. I agree that the movie wasn't as good as it could have been. I felt it was miscast also.The Showtime series 'The Tudors' was much much better.
PS - I just discovered that there are two different films based on the book, The Other Boleyn Girl. I watched the 2003 film. Perhaps the 2008 film was better.See both films described at:
http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=The%...
2008 was the one I saw. It was OK, but I wouldn't recommend it or watch it again.
I'm curious to compare the two different versions. I'm a glutton for punishment. LOL
Jackie, thanks for mentioning "The Tudors". I've put it on my instant queue at Netflix. I'll be able to stream it.http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=The%...
The Tudors' writers use poetic license and dramatize the history of Henry VIII. It's not 100% accurate historically but still a really good program. The sets and costumes are spectacular. The theme song won awards, a beautiful composition. And it was filmed in Ireland.
I totally agree with you, Joy, about The Other Boleyn Girl as I enjoyed the book and the movie was awful. I wonder why. nina
Netflixed The Informanthttp://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_In...
It's hard for me to see Matt Damon play this role. He'll always be my consummate CIA assassin. It's even kind of hard to recognize him with that 30 extra pounds he put on to play the role (how do they DO that, and take it back off again? I've got 20 extra and I can't lose an ounce) Based on a true story, I found it a bit depressing, watching him dig himself in deeper and deeper. I give it 2½ stars. It IS a high quality flick, it's just the subject matter just doesn't thrill me enough.
I am currently watching, "The Aristocrats," and enjoying it. Good actors. It is a Netflix, nina
Earl wrote: "... Matt Damon ... It's even kind of hard to recognize him with that 30 extra pounds he put on to play the role (how do they DO that, and take it back off again? ..."Earl, I've often wondered the same thing! It can't be healthy to do that.
Nina wrote: "I am currently watching, "The Aristocrats," and enjoying it. Good actors. It is a Netflix, nina"For reference:
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
Netflixed The Wolfman, Roger Ebert gave it 2½ starshttp://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/p...
I'll give it 2. I fell asleep in the middle, that's how engrossed I was. I hoped that they would have done some creative editing to make it interesting. They didn't. I saw the original when I was about 9? and had nightmares for a year. Probably what caused me to be such a warped individual. Interestingly, I think that old flick taught me some mind-control. Start thinking about this crap alone in a dark woods and you can talk yourself into a panic attack. So.. DON'T -that's what I learned. I was the most dangerous thing in the woods, why should I be scared?
I wasn't impressed either. The story was rather flat. And Benico Del Toro is probably the worst actor I've ever seen, so that didn't help.
Speaking of awful films, I just watched the worst film I've ever seen."Steambath" (1973) (Netflix DVD))
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Steambat...
Plot Summary from IMDb:
===================================================
"TV adaptation of Bruce Jay Friedman's off-Broadway play. Tandy, Merideth and assorted others unexpectedly wake up in a steambath with no easy exit. After spending some time there, it becomes clear that the steambath is a sort of Afterlife, where indifferent souls come to tell their stories to God who happens to be the attendant picking up the towels."
FROM: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167415/p...
=====================================================
Ridiculous! The anecdotes told by the characters were gobbledygook. They made no sense to me. Boring! The setting was depressing as well. The whole film takes place in a dreary steambath.
One star for "hated it"!
Scott and I watched two short animated films two days ago.First, we saw "Plant 51". Okay to watch once for adults; a few laughs, definitely aimed at young kids. It would probably be enjoyable if you have young children or younger neices/nephews.
Then, we saw "UP". It was much better written. No surprises either, here--I knew it would end okay--it was Disney after all. The two main characters however are well done; the colors are gorgeous, and it is definitely worth watching, if you have not yet seen it.
I watched "Up" via Netflix in July. I gave it 4 stars."Up" (2009):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Up/70103...
Below is a link to the Netflix description of "Planet 51" (2009)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Planet_5...
Yes, Joy. I did not expect to like "UP". But my freind Scott--we watch movies at his place because he has a big screen Tv--has great taste in movies.Almost everything he suggests watching I end up rating 3 stars or more. I was pleasantly surpiresed by "UP".
We got to see The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo at the Chalrie Woods Theater in Glens Falls, for Anthony's birthday. What a good movie; a rarity for reviews to match my assessment. I like when mysteries unfold bit by bit like this. It was disturbing in some parts. Joy, What did you think of The Tudors? Are you continuing with it?
Jackie, USA Today recently had an article on the film sequel (which apparently is already out, too; I forget the name of it) to the movie version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Lisbeth struck me as an intriguing character. However, my oldest daughter is reading the first book in the trilogy (her husband recommended it to her), and really disliking it because of the unremitting darkness of the treatment and the voluminous graphic portrayals of child sexual abuse --which is a theme I would intensely dislike, too. Would I be correct in thinking that a movie version would have to be much less graphic in depicting that aspect? Or --given what we already know about the denizens of Hollywood :-)-- am I giving them too much credit for restraint?
Werner: About "darkness" in books and movies, especially that which depicts reprehensible pain, I avoid reading or viewing it. I cannot tolerate it. (Jackie's word, "disturbing", was a good one.)Jackie, about "The Tudors", the TV series, I streamed the first five episodes of Season 1 via Netflix. It was too slow-going for me. So I didn't continue. There were too many long-takes without much happening, as if the producers were trying to stretch the show out. I didn't think the part of Henry VIII was well cast. The actor wasn't masculine enough to be believable. I also found the bedroom scenes too graphic and there were too many of them... the same thing over and over again but with different women. After a while that sort of thing gets very old and ho-hum, not to mention distasteful. It bordered on porn, IMO. But even without that, I don't think I would have enjoyed the rest of the series. I just wasn't engaged enough to stay with it.
Yes, the costumes were good. But it takes more than costumes and staging to make a film appealing. Besides, I find jousting and that sort of thing to be boring. So, all in all, the series wasn't for me.
However, thank you for bringing my attention to the show. At least now, when the Tudor series is mentioned, I know what they're talking about. My horizons have been widened... but not heightened. :)
Werner,Lisbeth's childhood wasn't shown; I'm not even sure if she was abused. There was one scene about Harriet's abuse but it wasn't shown, she tells about the fact of it but not the details; you only see her run out of the cabin in a dishevelled state.
There were two disturbing scenes with Lisbeth and her probation officer. One extremely disturbing.
I don't think I'd like to read the book, especially after you mentioned graphic child abuse. I can tolerate violence to a degree but never on a child; it's abhorrent to me.
While the movie doled out info piece by piece, I'd imagine it'd be too slow in a book format. And I knew whappens with Harriet right from the beginning so it wasn't a surprise to me but it was still a good movie.
Joy, I'm sorry you didn't like The Tudors. It did start out slow, but picked up with increasing pacing. I'd forgotten about that first season with Henry and his numerous mistresses but that doesn't last.
What I found most astonishing about Henry was how easily manipulated he was by those surrounding him, Cardinal Woolsey, Anne, and later by other characters.
Have any of you seen the movie or read the book, "Chanel?"One of my friends loved the movie and two of my friends hated it. I am going to try to see it next week if our heat wave breaks. Joy, here is a quote that was on a bookmark at a Memorial service yesterday:Live each season as it passes,
Breathe the air,
Taste the fruit...
Henry David Thoreau
nina
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http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Shutter_...
I expect someone here has already reviewed Shuttle Island, but I don't remember whoever it was raving about it. I thought it was GREAT and gave it 5 stars! It had worked out that, when I was out of reading material, I kept requesting books at the library. Naturally, when I got up to 3 requests they all came in at once: Innocent, Shuttle Island and 61 Hours. Then thru incompetence I bumped Shuttle Island to the top of my Netflix queue and received the dvd before I'd read the book. I really think it worked out better that way! Still am plodding thru the book, one bedtime at a time.