Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
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Movies, DVDs, and Theater
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What MOVIES or DVDs have you watched? (PART FIVE - 2012) (ongoing thread)
Interesting view of the book; notice I didn't say REview.
Earl wrote: "Netflixed Hunger Gameshttp://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/
I'd heard people say how good this flick was. I certainly might not have chosen it from its blurb. So I expected to like it, but not 5 s..."
The description at IMDb said:
"The Hunger Games" (2012)
Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
"Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match."
Doesn't sound like something I'd want to watch.
The books were good too. It's not for everybody.
Jackie wrote: "The books were good too. It's not for everybody."Yes, a lady at our beach this summer was totally involved in the book. Also, when I went on my cruise in April, a lady at our dinner table told me about it. She seemed to be wrapped up in it. I'm still not interested. :)
Joy wrote: I'm still not interested.It's good that you know that. I'm much the same, I know what I like and what I don't. I can go with the odd recommendation now and then, but it's not something I do often.
And now back to Lonesome Dove. The final two episodes recorded last night, so I'm on Part 3. I have to say, it's not what I expected; it's so realistic in portraying the harsh way of life in the Old West. Mostly The Old West gets romanticized, but not here and I appreciate that. I'm really enjoying LD even though some parts are appalling. It is truly a good story. I'm even debating read the book. Anyone here read it and see the TV miniseries? Considering I'm not a Western fan, would it be worth my while to read the book, or will I get the full story from this series?
Don't know, Jackie. But I'd bet the book would be better.
According to Korda, McMurty's editor, McMurty grew up on a ranch, but didn't particularly like the work or riding. He knew the area & the people well, though. Maybe that's what it takes to write well about something like the old West & not romanticize it.
Hi everyone!! Yes Jackie, I read Lonesome Dove and saw the mini-series (saw the latter first)--- both were superb.
The cliche about not being able to put a book down truly applied in my case.
The casting of Jones and Duvall was inspired---you cannot picture anyone else in those roles.
Jim wrote: "According to Korda, McMurty's editor, McMurty grew up on a ranch, but didn't particularly like the work or riding. He knew the area & the people well, though. Maybe that's what it takes to write ..."Good point, Jim.
Arnie wrote: "Hi everyone!! Yes Jackie, I read Lonesome Dove and saw the mini-series (saw the latter first)--- both were superb. The cliche about not being able to put a book down truly applied in my ca..."Hi Arnie! It's good to see you back again!
I finally got to see Prometheus http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/It was much better than I thought it would be; scifi and a tie to the old Alien movie. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/
Scary, gross and totally awesome, lol
Jackie wrote: "I finally got to see Prometheus http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1446714/It was much better than I thought it would be; scifi and a tie to the old Alien movie. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/
Scary, gross and totally awesome, lol "
You can't tempt ME, Jackie! LOL
I knew that, < great big grin >
Super, Jackie! I wondered how it would turn out. They went downhill some, although I liked "Alien vs. Predator". I love those movies, although I got in a lot of trouble for letting Erin watch Aliens when she was 2 or 3. She was sitting on my lap & I was half reading the paper when Marg came downstairs. I put the paper up quickly, but Erin pulled it back down ("Good part, Daddy!") & Marg blew up.Last night we watched the S Mart ending (much better than the apocalyptic ending, IMO) of "Army of Darkness" which Marg doesn't like much. (She's not a real Bruce Campbell fan.) Erin then requested the 'singing moose'. In "Evil Dead the Musical", a campy stage production of the first "Evil Dead" (which was campy enough - camp cubed?) the moose head sings to Ash to get him to join the dark side. It's hilarious, but Marg left the room. Oh well, at least I raised my daughter right.
;-)
We each watch TV on a different TV in a different room.Neither of us enjoys what the other watches. :)
Jim, I saw the first Alien movie, missed a whole bunch, saw parts of others; I think I saw all the Predator movies which I liked... then I saw the previews for Alien vs. Predator, me and Eric looked at each other and both said 'Yeah' at the same time, lol I raised the boy right too...most of the time. I haven't seen any of the Evil Dead movies. I don't like zombie movies. Except for Night of the Living Dead.
Joy, same here, Ant and I have gradually dropped each others' shows so that we now only have 2 or 3 shows we watch together.
You haven't seen the Evil Dead movies?!!! Well, do yourself a favor & skip the first one, but you really should see 'Evil Dead 2' & 'Army of Darkness'. They're not really zombie movies (certainly nothing like 'Night of the Living Dead') more like darkly funny & goofy horror movies. Bruce Campbell shines under Ramii's direction. If you like Bruce, these are must-sees. I think you'd love them. After you've seen them, "My Name is Bruce" is a good one to watch, too. A rabid fan kidnaps Bruce because only Ash (Bruce's character in the Evil Dead trilogy) can battle the alien that is stalking his home town.
Sounds like a plan, Jim, because I like Bruce Campbell back from this Xena days. I'll add them to my ever grown list of movies to see.
I try to watch Sf movies now and then, though I of course prefer books. I watched the DVD of "Minority Report" yesterday, with Tom Cruise.It was certainly unusual. Good premise; good special effects---not as enjoyable as I had hped though.
Mary JL wrote: "I try to watch Sf movies now and then, though I of course prefer books. I watched the DVD of "Minority Report" yesterday, with Tom Cruise.It was certainly unusual. Good premise; good special ef..."
Here's the Netflix description:
Minority Report 2002
"John Anderton is a top "Precrime" cop in the late 21st century, when technology can predict crimes before they're committed. But Anderton becomes the quarry when another investigator targets him for a murder charge. Can Anderton prove his innocence?"
Genre: Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Thrillers, Action Thrillers
IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181689/
Minority Report (2002)
"In a future where a special police unit is able to arrest murderers before they commit their crimes, an officer from that unit is himself accused of a future murder."
I recently watched "Back to the Future" (1985) via a Netflix DVD. I love Michael J. Fox!http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/
"In 1985, Doc Brown invents time travel; in 1955, Marty McFly accidentally prevents his parents from meeting, putting his own existence at stake."
An oldie but a goodie. :)
"Minority Report" and films such as "Inception" and "Source Code", imo, are in that disturbing new sub-genre of sci-fi films that give one pause while viewing to want to ask, "Can someone give me a clue of what's going on here?" They seem to use 'whiz kid just outta film school' cinematics---rapid cutting, rapid, often incomprehensible and/or inaudible dialogue, time, jumps, flashbacks, slo-mo, etc. to give the appearance of quality, but are really just a way to cover up absurd premises, coincidences and plot holes.
As the saying goes, "If you can't impress 'em with your genius, dazzle 'em with your bulls__t."
Arnie wrote: "Can someone give me a clue of what's going on here?" That's when I like a film best, when I don't have it figured out in 15 minutes. I like when it all makes sense at the end. Anyone can write a lead-me-by-the-nose story; not impressed, I'm actually POed that I wasted my time on something easily figured out.
I'll take the Inception-like films any day.
I do agree with Mary JL that Minority Report wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
Joy, I love that first Back to the Future, what a fun movie that was. I should watch it again too.
"I like when it all makes sense at the end." "Ay, there's the rub!" ---too often they don't.
Jackie wrote: "A... Joy, I love that first Back to the Future, what a fun movie that was. I should watch it again too."Yes, Jackie, I know you like time travel. So do I.
There was such humor in that movie. I really enjoyed that part.
I recently watched the movie adaptation of Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy (first published 1874). Although I haven't read the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Alan Bates, playing the part of the sheep farmer, Gabriel, won my heart. The movie was made in 1967; so he was young and handsome and had simpatico, a warm sympathetic quality.NOTE: Although the feminine lead character is called "Bathsheba", this is not a biblical story. IMO, it was misleading to name the character "Bathsheba".
Movie: "Far from the Madding Crowd" (1967):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061648/
"Bathsheba Everdine, a willful, flirtatious, young woman, unexpectedly inherits a large farm and becomes romantically involved with three widely divergent men."
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Far-from...
"Blessed with undeniable beauty and an independent spirit, country lass Bathsheba Everdene (Julie Christie) has her fair share of admirers. But while a sheep farmer (Alan Bates), a landowner (Peter Finch) and a soldier (Terence Stamp) vie for her affections, only one can win her heart. Directed by John Schlesinger and based on the novel by Thomas Hardy, this sweeping romance chalked up an Oscar nod for original score."
Now I want to watch more films with Alan Bates but he seems to be less appealing to me as he gets older. We'll see. :)
I am reading, along with, "In the Garden of Beasts," a book selected for our book club titled, "The Buddha in the Attic," and I recommend it. It is small and fascinating.
Nina wrote: "I am reading, along with, "In the Garden of Beasts," a book selected for our book club titled, "The Buddha in the Attic," and I recommend it. It is small and fascinating."Nina, I looked it up: The Buddha in the Attic - "a novel that tells the story of a group of young women brought over from Japan to San Francisco as ‘picture brides’ nearly a century ago."
Sounds like a good one!
Also sounds similar to one I read about some other Asian women who emigrated to CA. Can't remember the name, the author, or the shelf I put it on. Anyone remember that one?
EDIT: Ah! I found it. It was: Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
PS-One of our library's book groups read In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin last June. You can see the group's reading list here:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...
(See the Wednesday Evening Book Group.)
I liked "Minority Report" well enough, but I've never wanted to rewatch it. Funny, but I tend to like movies made from Philip K. Dick's stories better than reading them, for the most part. I find his writing boring or something. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? was an exception. I really liked both it & "Blade Runner" the movie made from it with Harrison Ford & Rutger Hauer. Actually, I still liked the movie better. I loved the way Scott made the ending (in some versions) indeterminate, as it should be. Is he a replicant or a true man? Is there a difference? The very fabric of Deckard's (the hero played by Ford) reality is put into question. Fantastic.
Here's the Wikipedia entry for it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_ru...
We recently watched on Netflix, "The First Grader," and thought it was one of best films we've seen this year. I hope you can see it; all of my Goodread friends.
Jim, today I went to IMDb and put in the word, "Blade". I was surprised to see how many movie titles use that word. No wonder I get the titles confused! LOLHere's what I found:
http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=...
How about this one:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083366/
LOL - "Zorro: the Gay Blade" (1981) (with George Hamilton! LOL)
Thanks for Wiki link to Blade Runner. The idea of robots "visually indistinguishable from adult humans" is fascinating. Now I'm wondering if I've been seeing some of them walking around, especially the people who look strange after face-lifts. LOL
PS-Hey, "Zorro: The Gay Blade" looks like fun!=============================================
Zorro, The Gay Blade 1981
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Zorro-Th...
"George Hamilton stars in a dueling dual role as twin sons of the legendary Zorro. Soon after the dashing Don Diego Vega inherits his father's famous sword and costume, a broken ankle prevents the masked avenger from fulfilling his heroic duties. When his flamboyantly fashion-conscious brother assumes the secret identity to continue an ongoing fight for justice, the results are nothing short of hilarious!"
Cast: George Hamilton, Lauren Hutton, Ron Leibman, James Booth, Donovan Scott, Brenda Vaccaro
Director: Peter Medak
Genres: Comedy, Spoofs and Satire, Action Comedies, Super Swashbucklers
This movie is: Absurd, Goofy
===========================================
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083366/
"Mexico, 1840s. When the new Spanish Governor begins to grind the peasants under his heel, wealthy landowner Don Diego Vega follows in his late father's footsteps and becomes Zorro..."
Joy, a while back I was reading an article about androids being creepy because they're too close to human, but not human enough. There actually are androids now, although the best are just pieces or images, depending on what you consider an android. One guy has a remote head that mimics his. Very, very creepy. Another is a set of legs that was running on a treadmill without a body. Perhaps the creepiest are some of the artificial intelligences in virtual worlds. I saw a Microsoft demo of one that was kind of like a cross between Mother Goose & Mr. Rogers. It will give parents nightmares or should. You could step up to a plate & become a character in that world, kind of a cartoonized you. Very weird & a short step away from The Twilight Zone.
Freaky stuff, Jim. Those legs would give me nightmares, lol
Jim wrote: "Joy, a while back I was reading an article about androids being creepy because they're too close to human, but not human enough. There actually are androids now, although the best are just pieces ..."Here's the Wiki page on androids:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_...
There's a head picture of one on the page (scroll down). It says: "The first android that has the ability to sing." Yes, creepy! Something like an advanced wax museum.
The word "android" "was coined from the Greek root ἀνδρ- 'man' and the suffix -oid 'having the form or likeness of'". Interesting.
Jackie, I just found the following at Netflix. Bet you would like it:"Celtic Legends: Scottish Legends" (Video 1999)
50 min - Documentary - November 1999 (USA)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1013536/
http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Celtic-L...
===================================================
"Exploring Scotland's legends, this edition of the documentary series presents some of the most intriguing tales from the Highlands, Central Lowlands and the Borders, including King James IV and the ghost of Flodden Field, Rob Roy and William Wallace. Among the other captivating stories passed down through generations is that of Robert the Bruce and the legend of the spider, a staple of Scottish lore."
Genres: Documentary, TV Documentaries, Historical Documentaries
Format: DVD
====================================================
That sounds like something I would like. I hope our library has it. I see it's a series, and has Irish Legends and Arthurian Legends.I watched The Raven http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486192/
It was a lot better than I thought it would be.
I've been finding a lot of good movies on Ovation Channel, that's Ch 365 for you and me, Joy. I watched The Queen's Sister, about Princess Margaret. Interesting. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464165/
The library has it, the whole series, 3 discs but it says Requests are not Permitted, Contact the Library. Ugh, why can't things be simple? lol
Jackie, I watched The Queen's Sister in March 2011 via a Netflix DVD. I gave it only one star. So I guess I was unimpressed. I wish I had written a review. I can't remember why I didn't give it more stars.I used to keep my eye on the Ovation Channel but I had forgotten about it. Thanks for reminding me about it. Ovation is currently airing a biopic about Jimi Hendrix, the famous guitarist. I've missed most of it.
When we were at the Wax Museum in NYC, our son asked me to take his picture next to the wax statue of Hendrix. Before that he seemed unimpressed with the wax museum. :) So I guess he is a fan of Hendrix. :)
At 5:00 PM they're airing a program about Clint Eastwood's influence on the film interesting. Should be interesting. It's called:
"Clint Eastwood: Steel Gaze"
http://ovationtv.com/programs/1601-cl...
Steel Gaze: An Unauthorized Story on Clint Eastwood (2010)
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/steel...
"This unauthorized biography of Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood takes a look at his remarkable decades long career, and notes his time as the mayor of Carmel, California."
PS-Our library system has a videotape of "Celtic Legends: Scottish Legends". It's at the Town of Chester Public Library. Maybe they will get it for you if you put in a request.
I hope they can get it for me when I call. This is the first time I was denied a request electronically. I like the convenience of placing a request on the computer. My library doesn't open til 10 am tomorrow, I'm just as likely to forget about it by then.
I watched "Prometheus", the lastest in the Alien universe. Bleh. I'm halfway through "Snow White & the Huntsman". Pretty good.
Oh, & I finally got around to watching Captain America, part of the Avenger's universe. It was better than I expected. I don't particularly like the character, but this was good.
I've seen commercials for Snow White and the Huntsman, and definitely think it has (as I often put it) "possibilities." :-) Let us know if you still like it when you're done with it, Jim! It's on my radar as one to watch if I get the opportunity.
I liked Prometheus, liked Snow White and the Huntsman much better. I felt the same about Cap A, never been a fan of his so I was pleasantly surprised at the movie.
Snow White was pretty good, Werner.'Prometheus' just didn't do much for me. I don't know what I expected, but that wasn't it. A whole other race that we never saw further down the time line just didn't seem to fit.
I agree that the connection to 'Alien' was a minor thing in the end. It's supposed to be about humans searching for our origins, so I didn't know how it fit into Alien until the very end. And even that wasn't very clear, I mean, if the 'Alien' came out of what evolved from the thing the human girl bore, then are they part human? I still liked it but I think I would have liked it better without the 'Alien' part.
Jackie wrote: "The library has it, the whole series, 3 discs but it says Requests are not Permitted, Contact the Library. Ugh, why can't things be simple? lol"Jackie, you might send an email to Andrea Herman at the Crandall Library. She often helps me get the books I want.
Did you say discs? I saw only video-tape in the online catalog.
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/
I'd heard people say how good this flick was. I certainly might not have chosen it from its blurb. So I expected to like it, but not 5 stars worth. Which is what I'll give it. And I only give 5 stars every 3 years or so.