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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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Have you seen any good movies lately? (Part THREE - 2010)
I loved the original movie & have probably seen every episode in the series a few times. I thought it got wearing after a while, but everyone around me really liked it a lot. Alan Alda is too liberal for me & his hand was in a lot of the later writing of the show.Donald Sutherland is one of my all time favorite actors. Anyone remember "Kelly's Heroes" where he played Oddball? That was a star packed movie; Clint Eastwood, Don Rickles, Telly Savalas & Carrol O'Conner - off the top of my head.
For reference:"Kelly's Heroes" (1970):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Kelly_s_...
"It's The Dirty Dozen lusting after gold instead of fighting for clemency. ..."
There's a link to the trailer at the above link.
M.A.S.H seemed like a typical Robert Altman as the actors seem to not be acting, but hanging loose on their own. He gives his actors lots of freedom. nina
Nina wrote: "M.A.S.H seemed like a typical Robert Altman as the actors seem to not be acting, but hanging loose on their own. He gives his actors lots of freedom. nina"Nina, that's an interesting issue. Some of the comedy writers I've read about didn't allow one word of the script to be changed without permission. With comedy, one word can make a difference.
Wiki says:
====================================================
"Robert Bernard Altman (1925–2006) was an American film director known for making films that are highly naturalistic, but with a stylized perspective. In 2006, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognized his body of work with an Academy Honorary Award."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_A...
====================================================
When Robert Altman was making the movie, "Kansas City," he asked Harry Belafonte to be in it. Harry B. replied, "I am a singer, Bob, not an actor." to which Robert Altman replied, "What makes you think you can sing?" End of story, of course Harry Belafonte took the acting job. And when he was to read the script he said, "How can I read for the part, the page is empty?" to which Robert Altman replied, "Write it yourself." And he did and that is why his part sounds so authentic. My husband and I were extras in that movie and watched him direct. He was wonderful; never lost his cool, no matter what occured. It was exciting; I even had my own trailer dressing room and Italian hair dresser; beautiful clothes and such kindness shown to me. A different world from dishing out oatmeal to six starving kids in the morning. nina
What an exciting life you've led, Nina!
I forgot to mention that I gave Robert Altman a happening from my childhood that he incorperated into the movie, "Kansas City." All in all an interesting experience in my later life.Another funny thing was that my movie husband had red hair as does my real husband. It was funny introducing them to one another on the set. nina
Yes, Nina, that's was a great experience!
I watched Ghost Writer starring Pierce Brosnan today and it was better than I thought it would be. I only rented it because there was absolutely nothing else that's new that I wanted or haven't already seen.From IMDB: An unremarkable ghost-writer has landed a lucrative contract to redact the memoirs of Adam Lang, the former UK Prime Minister. After dominating British politics for years, Lang has retired with his wife to the USA. He lives on an island, in luxurious, isolated premises complete with a security detail and a secretarial staff. Soon, Adam Lang gets embroiled in a major scandal with international ramifications that reveals how far he was ready to go in order to nurture UK's "special relationship" with the USA. But before this controversy has started, before even he has closed the deal with the publisher, the ghost-writer gets unmistakable signs that the turgid draft he is tasked to put into shape inexplicably constitutes highly sensitive material.
I also rented The Secret Garden but since it's from 1993 I get to keep it for 5 days for $2. Can't beat that price. I read it as a child but never saw the movie. I can't believe our vid store even had it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108071/
How did you like "Ghost Writer", Jackie? We've liked Brosnan since he played on "Remington Steele".
Thanks for the info, Jackie.I watched "The Secret Garden" a while ago.
"The Secret Garden"(1993):
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"Genre: Family Dramas, Book Characters, Coming of Age"
"This movie is: Feel-good, Family-friendly, Sentimental, Imaginative"
Of course it's based on the book, The Secret Garden (1909) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, who also wrote .Little Lord Fauntleroy, one of my favorite stories.
PS: I see that you gave the book, The Secret Garden, 3 Goodreads stars. :)
I definitely liked it and would recommend it, if the topic is of interest to the viewer. Brosnan was excellent in an understated way. Did you ever see him in a Nomads (1986)? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091647/p...
Another really good movie.
Joy, I'm in the mood for sentimental and imaginative. So many of the new movies are so dark and heavy-themed. I think I've overdosed on movies because every week when the new DVD list comes out, I rarely find anything I want to watch. None of it is appealling to me.
Jackie, I see that Nomads is Supernatural Thriller:"Nomads"(1986)
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"In this supernatural thriller, Pierce Brosnan is Jean Charles Pommier, an anthropologist who's trotted the globe while studying nomad tribes. But now, the nomads -- in demonic force and flare -- are now apparently studying and stalking him. Pommier battles evil spirits and hallucinations into a wild showdown to retain possession of his body and soul."
Jackie wrote: "I watched Ghost Writer starring Pierce Brosnan today and it was better than I thought it would be. I only rented it because there was absolutely nothing else that's new that I wanted or haven't al..."I was avoiding Ghost Writer because the blurb sounded pretty blah. But on YOUR recommendation Jackie, I'll put it in my Netflix queue. If it stinks I'll come back and flame you:)
Netflixed Avatarhttp://www.netflix.com/Movie/Avatar/7...
I liked it much better than I expected. I give it 4 Netflix stars (out of 5). I thought it would be a big celebration of cgi (look how clever we are at making imaginary stuff come to life), but it had a STORY that grabbed me. A Walt Disney type story, but a fairly good one.
I also noticed in our paper that Dexter Season 4 releases on dvd today. Guess I'll bump that to top of my queue.
Earl, don't blame and flame me if you don't like Ghost Writer, LOL I didn't like the blurbs either, it sounded 'eh' to me. Being desperate, I gave it a go any way. Some parts were slow to me, I'm very impatient. I just have no patience for watching someone walk down a hall or walk through a parking lot or any of those filler minutes movies do. I don't know that others are in such a rush as I am so I don't know that you'll think it's slow in places.
I loved Avatar, and it was the story that held my attention. The visuals were outstanding but that's not enough to make me love a movie.
Dexter! I can hardly wait for the new season. My favorite season was 3, with Jimmy Smits. Every week it just blew my mind over and over again. Season 4 was equally good, with John Lithgow. What an excellent actor!
Isn't odd how much we like the character of Dexter? Great writing on the show.
I recently streamed "My Giant" (1998) with Billy Crystal. I gave it 5 out of 5 Netflix stars."My Giant" (1998)
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/My_Gia...
"This movie is: Witty, Heartfelt."
It's an unusual story but it kept my interest. I love Billy Crystal's personality.
Jackie wrote: "... I just have no patience for watching someone walk down a hall or walk through a parking lot or any of those filler minutes movies do. ..."Jackie, I agree with you about that!
Joy H. wrote: "Thanks for the info, Jackie.I watched "The Secret Garden" a while ago.
"The Secret Garden"(1993):
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"Genre: Family Dramas, Book..."
Have either of you seen the original Secret Garden made in the early 50s? Margaret O'Brien and Dean Stockwell were in it.
It was a black and white movie, but when the door to the restored secret garden was opened, the movie became Technicolor. My young eyes were quite impressed with that!
Katherine, I haven't seen that version of "The Secret Garden". Here it is at IMDb:"The Secret Garden" (1949):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041855/
The IMDb trivia says: "Though a noteworthy MGM adaptation of the acclaimed 1909 childhood tale by Frances Hodgson Burnett, this film, complete with a Technicolor sequence, failed to garner a contemporary New York Times review."
I see that Elsa Lanchester appears in that version.
Netflix carries several versions, but not that 1949 version. Here they are:
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
Katherine wrote: Have either of you seen the original Secret Garden made in the early 50s? That's what prompted me to get the newer version. I caught the beginning on TCM a few days ago. I didn't continuing watching it because I'm not a fan of B&W. If I see it again on TCM I'll watch it now that I know it goes to color.
Today I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the Netflix DVD of "Nim's Island" (2008), based on the book, Nim's Island (1999) by Wendy Orr. The GR description of the book says: "Meet Nim – a modern-day Robinson Crusoe!"I've given the movie 5 stars out of 5.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410377/
"A young girl inhabits an isolated island with her scientist father and communicates with a reclusive author of the novel she's reading."
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Nim_s_Is...
"Genres: Children & Family, Family Adventures, Book Characters, Ages 8-10, Ages 11-12."
I really didn't know what to expect when I ordered the DVD from Netflix. It turned out to be quite a compelling adventure story. It's a bit implausible, but I didn't mind. After all, the characters are played beautifully by Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, and the adorable Abigail Breslin, as the little girl, Nim.
A sort of fairy-tale with humor, adventure, and nature too.
I loved Nim's Island too. Good story.
I just saw the 1949 version of "The Secret Garden," last night. Margaret o'Brien was great. It was an interesting version. nina
Nina wrote: "I just saw the 1949 version of "The Secret Garden," last night. Margaret o'Brien was great. It was an interesting version. nina"Nina wrote: "I just saw the 1949 version of "The Secret Garden," last night. Margaret o'Brien was great. It was an interesting version. nina"
HURRAY!
Netflixed The Man In The Iron Maskhttp://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Man_...
Somehow I guess I never read this sequel to The Three Musketeers when I was a kid? It was all new to me. I'll give it 3 Netflix stars out of 5.
Earl wrote:Netflixed The Man In The Iron MaskGood movie, great book.
I watched The Secret Garden (1993); it was good.I tried Night Watch but the beginning was completely different, taking the beginning of Day Watch and using that. Too many changes and the standards for the film weren't up to par. I got Day Watch too but decided to forget them both.
Right now I'm going to watch Sunshine (2007), a scifi film about the sun dying and a manned mission to try to re-ignite it. The only found it because it was listed under Professor Brian Cox's imdb page with him as scientific consultant so I'm hoping for some sound science in this one.
Jackie wrote: "... I tried Night Watch but the beginning was completely different, taking the beginning of Day Watch and using that. Too many changes and the standar..."For reference:
"Night Watch"(2005):
http://www.netflix.com/Search?v1=Nigh...
"This movie is: Mind-bending, Violent."
"Day Watch" (2006):
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"Sunshine" (2007):
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
"Genre: Sci-Fi Thrillers"
This movie is: Suspenseful, Imaginative
I watched the Netflix DVD, "An Ideal Husband" (1999), an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's stage play, with Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, and Minnie Driver.Interesting and clever plot. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
"An Ideal Husband" (1999}
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/An_Ideal...
"Romantic Comedy"
"Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful Government minister, well-off and with a loving wife. All this is threatened when Mrs Cheveley appears in London with damning evidence of a past misdeed. Sir Robert turns for help to his friend Lord Goring, an apparently idle philanderer..."
IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122541/
"Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 wins & 14 nominations."
Sunshine was good, not great. I'd recommend it to scifi fans.
We watched "Tender Mercies," once again after a long time in between and were just as impressed as the first time. Robert Duval was and is a great actor and Tess Harper was also excellent. Acting great; good old fashioned country music. If you haven't seen it, do and if you have, see it again. You won't be sorry. Also, in the paper this morning there was a long critique of the new book, "Netherland," by Joseph O'Neil. It is a post 9/11 novel with one of the main interests being Cricket. It did sound interesting. Another note, the Newest, Nanny McPhee movie got a terrible write up in spite of Emma Thompson and Maggie Smith. and as to "The Forgotten Garden," critique I guess it is like wine, all to their own taste. I don't even remember the problem quoted about going back and forth in time. I just remember the beautiful writing and wondering what next was happening to the characters. My daughter who is a librarian says her library has a long waiting list so guess I am not the only one. The story begins with a four year old girs hiding between two barrells on a sailing ship in 1901 waiting for the person who told her not to move until she comes back for her. And then the ship sails for Australia. Of course the person who is named "The Authoress," never comes back. Can you see why I had to read onwards? nina
I watched "Enchanted" last night and really enjoyed it. It's a fun, singing, dancing, romantic fantasy that made me laugh out loud. Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey played the leads, she as a princess banished to New York City and he as the romantic interest.After watching this, I wondered if I was way off liking it so much, so I went on line to look at reviews. The New York Times gave it 4 Stars.
Not a serious piece, but great fun.
I enjoyed it. I like sweet movies like that. It's refreshing to see a movie you can watch with the whole family, including little ones. I thought Amy was hilarious in her ignorance and Patrick was a sweetheart. My favorite scene was when the birds helped her get dressed.
Thanks to all for your comments.For reference:
"Tender Mercies" (1983)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Tender_M...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086423/
"Enchanted" (2007)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Enchante...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0461770/
Netherland (2008) by Joseph O'Neill
Jackie wrote: "I enjoyed it. I like sweet movies like that. It's refreshing to see a movie you can watch with the whole family, including little ones. I thought Amy was hilarious in her ignorance and Patrick..."
I kept waiting for my cat to dust the furniture today, but I guess he didn't watch enough of the movie in order to know that animals can do housework!
Katherine, my wife and I both loved Enchanted, too!This afternoon, she and I wound up watching most of the movie A Mother's Gift starring Nancy McKeon (whom fans of the 80s TV series The Facts of Life will remember as Jo Polichek). We missed a bit of the beginning, but I'd already seen it through at least twice, and have it taped on VHS; it ranks as one of my ten top favorite movies! It's an adaptation of Bess Streeter Aldrich's novel, A Lantern in Her Hand (which I haven't read yet, but definitely plan to someday!), based on the life of her grandmother, who pioneered in late 19th- century Nebraska. If you like serious historical drama with a pioneer prairie setting, this would be a great viewing choice. McKeon is a good, underrated actress --and a pretty good singer too (if the assessment of a tone-deaf listener counts for much!); I liked the way the writers worked in her singing "The Lady of the Lea" at different key points over the 22-year span of the plot. It served as a kind of symbolic unifying thread that had a good resonance.
Thanks, Werner. Below are the reference links:A Lantern in Her Hand (1956) by Bess Streeter Aldrich.
"A Mother's Gift" (1995) (TV)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113859/
(Netflix doesn't seem to carry it.)
You're welcome, Joy, and thanks for the links. (We take too much advantage of your indefatigable searching out of links without telling you how much we appreciate it; you're a jewel!) I notice that the screenplay for the movie was done by Earl Hamner, Jr., who also wrote the script for the pilot film of the long-running TV series The Waltons.
I streamed the following movie from Netflix:"Something to Talk About" (1995) with Julia Roberts, Dennis Quaid, Robert Duvall, Gena Rowlands, and Kyra Sedgwick:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114496/
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Someth...
IMDb trivia says that the movie was "named after the song "Something To Talk About", popularized by Bonnie Raitt."
It was interesting to see how much younger Julia Roberts and Robert Duvall looked in 1995.
I gave the movie only 2 Netflix stars out of 5, mostly because of its uneven pacing. The movie seemed a bit fragmented to me.
For those interested in horses and horse shows, there are some interesting scenes. In fact I thought of our friend Jim in Kentucky and his daughter when I saw the little girl riding her show horse.
PS-Netflix classified the movie as both a "Romantic Comedy" and a "Romantic Drama". It seemed more of a drama to me than a comedy.
i loved the book, "Lantern in her Hand," but it's been a while since I read it. so, glad for your movie suggestion based on that book. nina
I just thought of a movie I haven't seen in years, "Iron Weed" with Meryl Streep & Jack Nickolson. I saw it once about 20 years ago. It was horrible, wonderful & awful. Depressing, but so well done. Those two were fantastic together. I think I'll have to dig up a copy & watch it again. Anyone else ever see it?
Jim wrote: "I just thought of a movie I haven't seen in years, "Iron Weed" with Meryl Streep & Jack Nickolson. I saw it once about 20 years ago. It was horrible, wonderful & awful. Depressing, but so well d..."Jim, the name of the movie, "Ironweed", is very familiar, but I've never seen it.
"Ironweed" (1987)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Ironweed...
Netflix says that it's an "Oscar-nominated adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by William Kennedy". ( Ironweed )
I remember when "Ironweed" was being made. Since the author William Kennedy is from Albany, the book and the film take place there Many of the scenes were filmed there. I think there are 3 books in the series, but none has attained the popularity of "Ironweed".
Katherine wrote: "I remember when "Ironweed" was being made. Since the author William Kennedy is from Albany, the book and the film take place there Many of the scenes were filmed there. I think there are 3 books in..."Katherine, thank you for that info.
I didn't know about the film's location or Kennedy's birthplace.
The GR page on William Kennedy says:
"William Joseph Kennedy is an American writer and journalist born and raised in Albany, New York. Many of his novels feature the interaction of members of the fictional Irish-American Phelan family, and make use of incidents of Albany's history and the supernatural.
Kennedy's works include The Ink Truck (1969), Legs (1975), Billy Phelan's Greatest Game (1978), Ironweed (1983, winner of 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; film, 1987), and Roscoe (2002)."
Well, if you ever get a chance, watch Ironweed. Both Jack & Meryl play destitute hobos during the Depression, if I remember correctly. He is haunted by the past & they do such a fantastic job of bringing the emotions home that it wrings you out. It did me, anyway.
Just watched Abandoned, starring Brittany Murphy, released today.Her character Mary brings her BF into the hospital for routine day surgery but when she goes to pick him up, no one at the hospital has seen him nor are there any records of him being there. Is she crazy? Or did something sinister happen to him?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1470171/
Good movie if you like this sort of thing. I do.
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Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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"MASH" (1970) (the movie):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066026/
"M*A*S*H" (1972) (the TV series)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068098/
In the original movie, Hawkeye was played by Donald Sutherland.
In the TV series, Hawkeye was played by Alan Alda.
In the original movie, Hot Lips was played by Sally Kellerman.
In the TV series, Hot Lips was played by Loretta Swit.
Gary Burghoff played the part of Corporal 'Radar' O'Reilly in both shows.