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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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Have you seen any good movies lately? (Part THREE - 2010)
Joy, the school was gorgeous. Rick, I'm going to pick up Away From Her one day this week. I liked what you wrote about it in the above comment.
Ndtflixed Sleeping Dictionary. http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Slee...
I'll watch anything with Jessica Alba in it. Unfortunately she doesn't appear in REALLY good movies. There's one heck of a seductive dance in the beginning of the movie, but it kind of degenerates into a chic-flick. Worth watching, I give 3 stars, mostly because of Alba.
Earl wrote: "Ndtflixed Sleeping Dictionary. http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Slee...
I'll watch anything with Jessica Alba in it. Unfortunately she doesn't appear in REALLY go..."
Hi Earl. Jessica Alba is new to me. Below are a couple of links to her pages at IMDb:
Filmography: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004695/
Photos: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004695/me...
She's very pretty. I can see why you like her.
Jackie wrote: "Joy, the school was gorgeous. Rick, I'm going to pick up Away From Her one day this week. I liked what you wrote about it in the above comment.
"
Jackie
You will not be disappointed - Joy is right- Munro writes without syrupy - sappy sentiment- and the film follows that style- yet- it is very affecting - without manipulating the emotions of the viewer
Earl, Did you ever watch Alba in Dark Angel?Rick, I can hardly wait to get to the store. Anthony isn't here so I have to wait.
I watched "The King of New York" tonight. It stars Christopher Walken, but has lots of other well known actors in it, too. This goes along with my reading the book about Walken. He's perfectly creepy in this movie. Excellent.
Rick wrote: "I just saw The Notebook - based on the book- it was wonderful- While the flashback scenes were excellant- I could not get over how tender James Garner was as the elderly husband to Gena Rowlands - ..."
James Garner has and always will be one of my top favorites, a wonderful actor, and a real sweetie pie. Another good one of his, of course they all are, but off the top of my head is Murphy's Law with Sally Field, another good actor.
Just thought of another, drat, can't think of the name, but with Julie Andrews, lately...and an earlier one with Andrews, Victor, Victoria, both great. If I think of the first name, I'll post it.
James Garner has and always will be one of my top favorites, a wonderful actor, and a real sweetie pie. Another good one of his, of course they all are, but off the top of my head is Murphy's Law with Sally Field, another good actor.
Just thought of another, drat, can't think of the name, but with Julie Andrews, lately...and an earlier one with Andrews, Victor, Victoria, both great. If I think of the first name, I'll post it.
James Garner is great. "Space Cowboys" put him together with Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones & Donald Sutherland - all favorites of mine. "The Rockford Files" were something we looked forward to every week.
Jim wrote: "James Garner is great. "Space Cowboys" put him together with Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones & Donald Sutherland - all favorites of mine. "The Rockford Files" were something we looked forward to ..."
One of my all time favorite lines.....
"I lied..." :):)
One of my all time favorite lines.....
"I lied..." :):)
Robert Preston was great in Victor Victoria!!!
Jim wrote: "I watched "The King of New York" tonight. It stars Christopher Walken, but has lots of other well known actors in it, too. This goes along with my reading the book about Walken. He's perfectly creepy in this movie. Excellent."Yes, Jim, Christopher Walken can look pretty creepy when he wants to. Below are links to photos at IMDb and also his Wiki page:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000686/me...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop...
Link to Netflix description of "King of New York" (1990):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/King_of_...
Interesting premise. Hmmm, perhaps I'll watch this "gritty action film"? Sounds intriguing.
Jim wrote: "James Garner is great. "Space Cowboys" put him together with Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones & Donald Sutherland - all favorites of mine. ..."Sounds like another good movie!
"Space Cowboys" (2000)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Space_Co...
Katherine M wrote: "Jim wrote: "James Garner is great. ...One of my all time favorite lines..... "I lied..." :):)"
Reminds me of a story. One time I mentioned the following Oscar Wilde quote to an old-timer in the boonies at Lake George:
"Anybody can be good in the country. There are no temptations there."
The old-timer replied: "They lie." :)
Katherine M wrote: "... James Garner has and always will be one of my top favorites, a wonderful actor, and a real sweetie pie. Another good one of his, of course they all are, but off the top of my head is Murphy's Law with Sally Field, another good actor. ..."Katherine M, could that have been "Murphy's Romance" instead of "Murphy's Law"?
"Murphy's Romance" (1985)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Murphy_s...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089643/
Another one for my Netflix queue!
And it's streamable! Hurray!
Garner was in a wonderful 60's comedy called Boys Night Out with Tony Randell, Howard Duff and the late great Fred Clark.Interesting too- Grand Prix
if I am correct- I believe he received many battle decorations from his time as a soldier in Korean War.
Rick wrote: "Garner was in a wonderful 60's comedy called Boys Night Out with Tony Randell, Howard Duff and the late great Fred Clark.Interesting too- Grand Prix
if I am correct- I believe he received many b..."
Rick, that sounds like another good one.
"Boys' Night Out" (1962)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Boys_Nig...
Another one for the queue.
I hope I live long enough to see all these movies. LOL
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Rick wrote: "Garner was in a wonderful 60's comedy called Boys Night Out with Tony Randell, Howard Duff and the late great Fred Clark.Interesting too- Grand Prix
if I am correct- I believe he rece..."
it was a really funny movie- 4 married guy- rent an apt- dont you love Fred Clark Joy? he was so funny in every movie he made
Rick wrote: "it was a really funny movie- 4 married guy- rent an apt- dont you love Fred Clark Joy? he was so funny in every movie he made"Rick, I had to search high and low online for a photo of Fred Clark. I finally found one here:
http://www.flixster.com/actor/fred-clark
(Scroll down for larger pic.)
To tell the truth, although I am very familiar with his face, I didn't realize his name was Fred Clark. Live and learn!
Yes, he was quite a character actor! The mini-biography at IMDb says:
====================================================
"This popular, baggy-eyed, bald-domed, big lug of a character actor had few peers when called upon to display that special "slow burn" style of comedy few others perfected. But perfect he did -- on stage, film and TV. In fact, he pretty much cornered the market during the 50s and 60s as the dour, ill-tempered guy you loved to hate."
FROM: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0163939/bio
====================================================
joyhere are some other pics of Fred Clark
http://images.tvrage.com/people/2/438...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...
Jackie wrote: "More movies for me to rent! "Ain't it great? :)
Rick wrote: "joy here are some other pics of Fred Clarkhttp://images.tvrage.com/people/2/438...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...
You rascal! You found more than I did. LOL
Joy, yes and no. Yes because I get more entertainment, and no because it takes time away from my reading. I'm in another Battlestar galactica marathon. 20 episodes in 3 days is my goal. I'm on #15 right now. Needless to say, I haven't read much at all, maybe 20 pages.
Jackie wrote: "Joy, yes and no. Yes because I get more entertainment, and no because it takes time away from my reading. I'm in another Battlestar galactica marathon. 20 episodes in 3 days is my goal. I'm on ..."As long as you're enjoying yourself, it's OK!
Reading shouldn't be an obligation.
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Joy, yes and no. Yes because I get more entertainment, and no because it takes time away from my reading. I'm in another Battlestar galactica marathon. 20 episodes in 3 days is my..."HERE HERE!!!!
Reading is never an obligation for me. I wouldn't do it if it were. I only wish there was more time to do all the things I want to do in a day.
Jackie wrote: "Reading is never an obligation for me. I wouldn't do it if it were. I only wish there was more time to do all the thigs I want to do in a day."Jackie, I know what you mean!
“Time is always ahead of us, running down the beach.”
-from "In the Middle", a poem by Barbara Crooker
http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org...
Joy H. (of Glens Falls) wrote: Katherine M, could that have been "Murphy's Romance" instead of "Murphy's Law"?
"Murphy's Romance" (1985)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Murphy_s_Ro...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089643/
Another one for my Netflix queue!
And it's streamable! Hurray!
YES!! Absolutely. What a brain I have. LOL Thanks Joy, you've got it.
Yes Rick, Robert Preston WAS fantastic in Victor, Victoria!
There were several movies that Garner played in with Julie Andrews, another occurred to me, later after I'd posted yesterday. The Americanization of Emily, must have been made in the 1960's sometime. That's the first pairing I can recall.
"Murphy's Romance" (1985)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Murphy_s_Ro...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089643/
Another one for my Netflix queue!
And it's streamable! Hurray!
YES!! Absolutely. What a brain I have. LOL Thanks Joy, you've got it.
Yes Rick, Robert Preston WAS fantastic in Victor, Victoria!
There were several movies that Garner played in with Julie Andrews, another occurred to me, later after I'd posted yesterday. The Americanization of Emily, must have been made in the 1960's sometime. That's the first pairing I can recall.
Katherine M wrote: "... There were several movies that Garner played in with Julie Andrews ... The Americanization of Emily, must have been made in the 1960's sometime. That's the first pairing I can recall."Yes, that was a good movie. Now I remember that I saw it via a Netflix DVD last year (I gave it 5 stars.):
"The Americanization of Emily" (1964)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Amer...
Garner and Andrews make a good screen couple.
Just finished watching the film adapted from the book: Charlie Wilson's Warby George Crile ((first published 2003).
"Charlie Wilson's War" (2007)
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Charlie_...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472062/
Plot from IMDb: "A drama based on a Texas congressman Charlie Wilson's covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects."
What a waker-upper THAT was!
The bonus features were excellent too. They showed the real Charlie Wilson in action. Quite a guy!
I guess we need more men like him. Too bad no one took his advice about following up on what he started.
Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were terrific. So was Julia Roberts. At first I didn't recognize Hoffman with darker hair, but he did look familiar. He was perfect in the part.
Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay, talked a bit during the bonus features. He writes great dialogue. At times the actors' words in the film were spoken so fast that I would have missed them if I hadn't had the help of the captions. Do people really talk that fast in D.C? :) Are they all so quick-witted? If so, it's truly a fast lane.
I don't usually watch this type of film, but I'm glad you folks made me curious about it. I gave it 5 stars. Eddie going to watch it today.
P.S. If anyone is interested in learning more about the author of _Charlie Wilson's War_, here's his Wiki page:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_C...
Excerpt:
"George Crile III (March 5, 1945 – May 15, 2006) was an U.S. American journalist most closely associated with his three decades of work at CBS News."
We watched In Bruges last night. I'd read good things of it on another forum months ago, and finally found a copy in the DVDs for sale in Blockbuster a couple of weeks ago.
The story is so well put together, flows so seemlessly that it's a pleasure to watch. The actors are amazing, Ralph Fiennes as always 'becomes' the role, but Colin Farrell surprised me. I'm not too familiar with his work, and all I can say is Bravo! He runs the spectrum of emotions you'd expect of a repentant hit man, but plumbs their depths, and even at the end surprises the viewer.....again. Brendan Gleeson, as his partner is heartbreaking.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
The warnings at the beginning of the film for "language" are appropriate, there is quite a lot of cursing, but I believe it integral to the characters validity. I don't like an over abundance of cursing in a film usually, and have stopped watching a few films because of it. But in those cases, it was unnecessary to the character, and unnatural to them.
In In Bruges it is totally natural, and necessary to the film in my opinion.
The story is so well put together, flows so seemlessly that it's a pleasure to watch. The actors are amazing, Ralph Fiennes as always 'becomes' the role, but Colin Farrell surprised me. I'm not too familiar with his work, and all I can say is Bravo! He runs the spectrum of emotions you'd expect of a repentant hit man, but plumbs their depths, and even at the end surprises the viewer.....again. Brendan Gleeson, as his partner is heartbreaking.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
The warnings at the beginning of the film for "language" are appropriate, there is quite a lot of cursing, but I believe it integral to the characters validity. I don't like an over abundance of cursing in a film usually, and have stopped watching a few films because of it. But in those cases, it was unnecessary to the character, and unnatural to them.
In In Bruges it is totally natural, and necessary to the film in my opinion.
Katherine M wrote: "We watched In Bruges last night. I'd read good things of it on another forum months ago, and finally found a copy in the DVDs for sale in Blockbuster a couple of weeks ago. The story is so well..."
Katherine M, thanks for the review of "In Bruges".
"In Bruges" (2008):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/In_Bruge...
The Netflix description says: "...this dark comedy earned a BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay."
I wondered what "Bruges" was. Of course, I learned from the description that Bruges refers to the city Belgium. :)
I rented Away From Her only to find I'd already seen it. Same thing with Ghost Town. So both rentals were a bust. That's OK, a friend let me borrow the first season of Smallville.
Jackie wrote: "I rented Away From Her only to find I'd already seen it. Same thing with Ghost Town. So both rentals were a bust. That's OK, a friend let me borrow the first season of Smallville.""Smallville", another one I've never heard of! :)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279600/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0279600/e...
"A young Clark Kent struggles to find his place in the world as he learns to harness his alien powers for good and deals with the typical troubles of teenage life in Smallville."
Netflix calls it the "precursor to the Superman mythology".
http://www.netflix.com/Search?oq=&...
I missed it's first season and to be honest, I never thought it would last this long. Smallville is now in it's 9th year! I figured I'd better play catch up.
Jackie wrote: "I missed it's first season and to be honest, I never thought it would last this long. Smallville is now in it's 9th year! I figured I'd better play catch up."Wow, 9 years. What TV channel is Smallville on?
I notice that Tom Welling has played the part of Clark Kent for all 9 years. Wiki says he started out as a model. He's 6'4" tall! Was born in upstate NY.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Welling
Here's Netflix's description of Season 1 (2001):
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Smallvil...
"This six-disc set contains all 21 episodes from the first season of the television series."
"A young Clark Kent (Tom Welling) struggles with normal adolescent issues -- along with figuring out just how to deal with the puzzling powers he now possesses and the oddly devilish goings-on in Smallville, the tiny Kansas town where he lives. Taking up most of his time, however, is his affection for the stunning Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk)."
Smallville is on the WB, channel 15. They have programs you'd never see on mainstream network TV. Many of their series are geared towards teens, but if the story is good, I'll watch it. Smallville began 3 years prior to my TV infatuation. I saw commercials and thought it might be good but just wasn't ready to delve into TV. I kind of wish I never got started. As entertaining as TV can be, it does eat up a lot of time.Some other wildly popular WB series are; Supernatural, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel and Charmed.
I figure I'll spend the summer catching up on Smallville. By the time I'm finished with 8 season, the 9th and current one will be available on DVD. My nephews watch it and highly recommend it to me. They know my love of comicbook characters and I think it'll be a good fit for me.
Jackie wrote: "Smallville is on the WB, channel 15. They have programs you'd never see on mainstream network TV. Many of their series are geared towards teens, but if the story is good, I'll watch it. Smallvil..."My Channel 15 shows WCWN.
You have Time Warner, right? You and I usually share the same channels. Strange.A few years ago, The WB merged with some other station and in some places it was one channel (like mine is 15) and in others it was a different channel number. I wonder what channel it is for you. Or if you get it at all. ???
Does CWN stand for any words? I'm trying to figure out if I have it or not.
Jackie wrote: "You have Time Warner, right? You and I usually share the same channels. Strange.A few years ago, The WB merged with some other station and in some places it was one channel (like mine is 15) an..."
Yes, Time Warner.
My Channel 15 is playing "The Tyra Show" right now, from 3:00PM to 5:00PM.
At 5:30PM my Channel 15 will be playing "My Name is Earl."
Don't know what CWN stands for.
OK, I have Tyra too right now. I guess they're giving it different call letters. Why do they have to make things more complicated than necessary?Can you do me a favor and check on the DVR guide, Thurday, 9 PM, Ch 15, see if Supernatural is in that slot for you. If it is then we do have the same channel, just different names. Smallville is on Friday but I don't know what time, 8 or 9 PM I'd guess.
Jackie wrote: "OK, I have Tyra too right now. I guess they're giving it different call letters. Why do they have to make things more complicated than necessary?Can you do me a favor and check on the DVR guide..."
I don't have a DVR guide for Thurdsay or Friday. The grid for tonight shows that at 9PM "Life Unexpected" will be on Channel 15.
I'll try to remember to check out the shows on Thursday and Friday nights.
Joy, yes, Life Unexpected is a WB program. In order to see up to a week in advance on the DVR Guide, press the Guide button which brings up the guide, then press the blue square button labelled B below the Select circle, below the little arcs. When you press the blue B, it'll allow you to browse by day/date by pressing the arcs up or down around the Blue Select button. Press the Blue Select button when you want to see the particular date.
You have to use this function in order to use the DVR on any day other than today. No wonder you can't use your DVR. It may be easier to explain over the phone. Call me if you want to learn. It's so easy.
Jackie, I could be mistaken, but I believe that CWN stands for "Country-Western Network." That's sort of a country-music version of MTV, which I've seen on the TV at our West Virginia daughter and son-in-law's place --at least, I think that CWN are the initials.
Jackie wrote: "Joy, yes, Life Unexpected is a WB program. In order to see up to a week in advance on the DVR Guide, press the Guide button which brings up the guide, then press the blue square button labelled ..."
Jackie, I followed your excellent directions and, yes, Smallville is indeed scheduled for Friday from 8PM to 10PM. And Supernatural is scheduled for Thursday at 9 PM. Thanks for teaching me that!
We don't do any recording. So I don't know anything about that.
Do I understand correctly that your Channel 15 identifies itself as WB and not WCWN?
Werner, I'm not sure what our CWN stands for but you may be right.
Yes, it's got a little WB in the right hand corner of whatever program is on.I'm so pleased that worked for you. Let's go one further. When you're in the DVR Guide, all you have to do is press the little red circle directly beneath the fast-forward button and voila! You have recorded that program. It'll take you to a new page, asking to record one episode or all episodes. Using the arcs for up and down around the blue Select button we used before, choose one ep or all eps. If you choose one ep, that will be the end of that and you'll get your recording on the designated day and time. If you choose all, another page comes up with 3 choices, on this channel this day this time slot, this channel any day this time slot, or anytime.
Using the arcs again, choose which one you want and it'll record it as per your instructions.
For example, I choose on the this channel any day this time slot, for Jeopardy because it's on daily. For weekly programs, I choose on this channel this day this time slot.
You should have to pay extra for a feature you're not using. We'll get you recording yet!
Jackie wrote: "Yes, it's got a little WB in the right hand corner of whatever program is on. I'm so pleased that worked for you. Let's go one further. When you're in the DVR Guide, all you have to do is press ..."Jackie, I see a little "CW" in the corner of the screen on Channel 15. I think the "CW" also indicates "Albany Region" in small letters. They have so many commercials, I have to wait to see it.
I'm not sure I have a "recorder" box. Mine may be a "non-recording" box. There are several types of boxes. I think we have the "Hi-Def non-DVR box". There's also a "Hi-Def DVR box". (There are also "Standard Definition" DVR and non-DVR boxes.) (I know this because I called Time-Warner a while ago and asked them to explain it.)
BTW, I tried pressing the red record button (after pressing the blue button) and nothing happened. :)
QUESTION: Once you record a program, how do you access the recording?
PS-Thanks for the explanations.
That's true about the different boxes. Eric has an HD box only. Mine is a HD-DVR but I only pay for the DVR part of it, HD would be extra and since we don't have an HD TV we never got the service.I don't know what you meant by pressing the red button AFTER the blue button. Do you mean, pressing the red button after you're on the guide?
You go through the guide, find a show you want, then you press the red button to record it.
To retrieve your recorded programs, look for a green button that says LIST, if you press that, all your recorded shows would appear.
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Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group
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Well said, Rick.
The director of the movie ("Away from Her") wrote in the preface of the book:
====================================================
“I’ve always loved Alice Munro’s writing, but this story punctured something. I read it, stunned, and let it sit there. It seemed to enter like a bullet. So concise and unsentimental, nothing to cushion the blow of its impact. When I was finished, I couldn’t stop weeping.”
—Sarah Polley, from the Preface (of the book, Away from Her)
FROM: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307...
====================================================