You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, at no cost, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!
Hey, friends! This thread is for discussing current or vintage cinema: post here about what you have seen and recommend; what you have seen and despise; what you want to see; post your reviews! (And that means YOU, BillTheCat!)
After getting a nasty case of cabin fever due to illness the past 10 days, I snuck off to see Sideways, all by my lonesome today. I'm still thinking about it, which is a good sign! Paul Giamatti is awesome as Miles, a loser/schlump/mensch/novelist/wine snob. Thomas Haden Church was a bit too much the "dude" for my taste, but was very good in the role.
The premise: two friends (Paul Giamatti as Miles, Thomas Haden Church as Jack) set off on a road-trip before Jack's wedding a week hence. Miles, a teacher with aspirations of publishing a novel and Jack, a veteran actor (but not exactly prospering) are resolved – well, Jack is anyway – to have some fun as they sample wine and play golf while heading up the California coast.
What ensues is that Jack, committed at a bachelor-party level ( Miles is still reeling from his divorce two years previous) has to prod his less-than-enthusiastic accomplice to lighten up. Meeting a likely pair of attractive female matches, things get more complex. What comes of Jack's misadventures and Miles' reluctant accompaniment is not only borderline hysterical but painfully closer to our own experience than might be comfortable.
Virginia Madsden's and Sandra Oh's performances are really good...so authentic. Sideways makes me want to motor up to the Santa Ynez area for dinner at the Hitching Post and visit the attractive wineries for some tasting! I can recommend this film for its good acting, interesting (if a bit long) story, and for the gorgeous settings which are all very familiar to me. It's an involving buddy roadtrip movie!
The Wizard of Oz is my all time fav.Those flying monkeys still give me the willies.
Old Yeller is up there too.
Now I'm going to watch I,Robot,with Will Smith,let you know later what I think.Not going anywhere for awhile as the tail end of this blizzard is still blowing through,and the plows have not been through yet
I'm sure I'd seen bits and snippets before, but I watched the Marx Brothers in Duck Soup in it's entirety the other night. The film was of another age, but the pacing was quick, the story line all over the place (very Marx Brothers) and the humor was totally manic...a delightful combo. Not a film you'd want to think about much, of course, and most interesting if you're in the mood for a little cinematic history.
First, what a great idea for an on-going thread. I really want to see "Sideways", Clover. A number of people have recommended it but I haven't had the chance.
Generally speaking, I tend to like smaller films that aren't huge box office draws. By small I mean independent, foreign, and/or ones without millions of dollars in special effects but strong on character development and story line. I think that makes me a minority.
Some films from what's left of the Mexican film industry have been recent favorits. I even bought a DVD of "Like Water for Chocolate" I liked it so much.
More recently, "Y Tu Mama Tambien" grabbed me. Two upper class stoners trick a woman to journey with them to this beach they made up. The three journey south drinking and drugging looking fo the beauty of Mexico. They are oblivious and even dismissive of the real world around them: kindness and generosity of villagers, natural beauty, and contrary scenes of peasants being harrassed my soldiers and so on.
Also, even a really bad old film noir is fun. There are the famous ones but I also like the B ones that Ida Lupino, better known as an actress, directed.
__________________
Those that can't, teach others how not to.
Generally speaking, I tend to like smaller films that aren't huge box office draws. By small I mean independent, foreign, and/or ones without millions of dollars in special effects but strong on character development and story line. I think that makes me a minority.
Some films from what's left of the Mexican film industry have been recent favorits. I even bought a DVD of "Like Water for Chocolate" I liked it so much.
Me too, ini! I love the "art films," meaning the anti-blockbusters! I like thought-provoking films...I love comedy...I love kink...I love foreign...I love musicals...I love animation! I really love well-written screenplays, amazing soundtracks, and superb acting. :smile:
OMG! I loved Like Water For Chocolate! I liked it so much, that I took 3 different sets of friends/family to see it! You know I like anything with gourmet cooking involved, tee hee!
Gads, clo, you're so much more "with it" than me. There are at least 15 films I'd like to see, but I haven't found the time.
But today's mail yielded the latest newsletter from my local Alliance Francaise...they're going to show two films I really want to see, so I don't have to feel guilty about never remembering to rent them from Blockbuster. First Venus beaute institut (with Audrey Tautou!) in January, and Un coeur en hiver (with Emanuelle Beart!) in February. Bring on the fabulous French females!
First Venus beaute institut (with Audrey Tautou!) in January, and Un coeur en hiver (with Emanuelle Beart!) in February. Bring on the fabulous French females!
Woo hoooo! Audrey Tatou and Emanuelle Beart!!! Such lovely and talented actresses...such a pleasure to watch them perform!
Have I mentioned that I have a large, fun-loving extended family out here in the cornfields?... Well, MOVIE NIGHTS is one thing we do... several of us have big screen TV's and so we just announce a movie night from time to time... we hosted a couple over the holidays... filled the TV room with people and popcorn... lots of fun and most do actually watch the movie... last showing was The Clearing... quite good, I thought. (I'm too lazy to write a full review `a la Clover. )
We went to see "Meet the Fockers" over the holiday....I don't think it was as good as "Meet the Parents" but still very funny. "Something About Mary" is still one of my favs - I like comedies....
Chow!
Donna
__________________ Founding Members - DC METRO MINIs
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
08' LB MCS Clubman - Mike's Daily Driver - Merlin
67' Morris Minor Traveller - Donna's Daily Driver - Roxy
The Station Agent
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Kill Bill Vol 2
Garden State
still want to see Sideways. I did watch the LIfe Aquatic. Classic Wed Anderson (meaning if you liked Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums you'll dig this).
I saw Phantom of the Opera on Christmas Day. I'm not sure if I really liked it... its not really my kind of movie, but it was certainly "visually stunning".
I saw Phantom of the Opera on Christmas Day. I'm not sure if I really liked it... its not really my kind of movie, but it was certainly "visually stunning".
Now, see? If I read that something is "visually stunning," I will go see it just to see the sets, costumes, and art direction! Being a visual artist, that is enough for me, sometimes....just to revel in a spectacular visual feast (even if the words are painfully trite, tee hee)!
For example, when I fly, I NEVER buy the headphones. It is much more fun for me to watch the movie without sound. I can focus on the sets, as well as really notice who the bad actors/hams are!
Still, Andrew Lloyd Webber is an annoying one-note composer! All of his songs sound like the continuing riff on his original tune. ACK! But, I guess I will see it to enjoy the visuals.
At risk of sounding like an ex-president, to me it depends on what the meaning of "visually stunning" is. If it means lots of special effects at the expense of plot it is a turnoff. But if it is the sort of things Clover mentions, that can be great. I especially like feeling transported accurately (or abstractly) to a different place and time. For instance, Gangs of New York wasn't historically accurate, but I really felt like it was NYC at the time. Frida is another where every frame seemed artful. In another way, old black and whites depicting when they were shot, and especially ones with actual street scenes, I find fascinating.
Oh, and I agree about Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Another film I will admit to really liking is "8 Mile". I rented it to try to understand Eminen because I detested him. I was surprised and think I sort of get him now. Yeah, it is another remake of the film Rocky was a remake of, but with a new and interesting context.
__________________
Those that can't, teach others how not to.
Still, Andrew Lloyd Webber is an annoying one-note composer! All of his songs sound like the continuing riff on his original tune. ACK! But, I guess I will see it to enjoy the visuals.
Exactly. I've never seen Phantom of the Opera on stage before so this was my first time hearing the songs. It sounded like one or two different songs replayed through the whole movie That, compounded with some lousy actors, made for a mediorcre movie at best. BUT, it was fantastic to see the HUGE production they made. Costumes, tons of actors, dancing, twirling around... I was mesmorized.
Another film I will admit to really liking is "8 Mile". I rented it to try to understand Eminen because I detested him. I was surprised and think I sort of get him now. Yeah, it is another remake of the film Rocky was a remake of, but with a new and interesting context.
Ini, I like the old black & whites, especially the melodramatic ones, which had just GORGEOUS cinematography. One of my pet peeves was when Ted Turner bought the MGM library and proceeded to colorize! ACK! Those films were pure art and he turned many of them into pure schlock!
Now...about 8 Mile: hubby's former beach volleyball partner, Curtis Hanson, directed it. I saw it on DVD at a friend's, figuring it would be tough to watch, since I'm not into the rap scene, but I LOVED it! While you can draw parallels between Rocky and 8 Mile, what Curtis is especially sensitive to is creating a true sense of place. His movies' atmospheres are always authentic, to the point that you can taste and smell them! (Although, in 8 Mile, that might not be too pleasant!)
I found it hard to keep my eyes off Eminem. What a film presence! I hope he does more with film in the future, but it's my sense that he doesn't take direction well, and only put up with Curtis directing him because he wanted to get his story on screen.
My wife and I saw a few movies over the last few weeks. We both liked National Treasure, just plain fun.
We saw Aviator. Liked it but hard to describe why. I loved the sets and time period setting, acting was good.
Escape from Neverland - we both liked this one also. I keep seeing Johnny Deep as a 'Pirate' though, but he did such a great job IMHO.
Ladder 49 - Both loved it, but wife was a FF for awhile, her dad is a retired FF, and my son is now a firefighter. Guess that's why we went to see it.:smile:
...One of my pet peeves was when Ted Turner bought the MGM library and proceeded to colorize! ACK! Those films were pure art and he turned many of them into pure schlock!
Now...about 8 Mile: hubby's former beach volleyball partner, Curtis Hanson, directed it. Clover
Ted Turner. Two words that really p1ss me off. I consider his coloration of black and whites to be akin to finger painting colors onto an Ansel Adams photograph.
Turning to the positive, I am SOOOOO impressed Rick is friends with the director of 8 Mile. In addition to the other qualities pulling it above the Rocky genre was the use of actors. Some, especially his kinda dumb white homeboy, were brilliant casting lending authenticity.
kseckel99, I'm looking forward to seeing The Aviator, but with a late onset of ADD, I fear it's length. But the clips looked like if would have a nice period appeal and I've thought Leonardo DiCaprio was an inspired actor since What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
__________________
Those that can't, teach others how not to.
Turning to the positive, I am SOOOOO impressed Rick is friends with the director of 8 Mile. In addition to the other qualities pulling it above the Rocky genre was the use of actors. Some, especially his kinda dumb white homeboy, were brilliant casting lending authenticity.
Well, we knew him when he was "ONLY" a writer! LOL! He's a very nice guy and interested in preserving the history of Hollywood via preservation and conservation of the earliest films, which are fading fast! I believe he heads up a group at UCLA that is working hard toward that goal.
And, cheese...I REALLY want to see House of Flying Daggers! I loved Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, so I expect Flying Daggers to be excellent, too.
Now maybe part of the reason I liked this one so much was because it was my 3 y/o daughters first ever trip to the movies, but......
The Polar Express!!
Really cool animation and just a total feel good movie (plus I am a sucker for a good pufferbelly.
Her talking to the characters on the screen and asking them questions was icing on the cake.
It was also showing on the IMAX screen in 3-d but I figured that might be just a little TOO real for her!
Happy New Year all
__________________
milehighMCS
____________________________________________
05MCS B/W, UJ's on mirrors. Sunroof. Anthracite. Xenons. HK. F/R fogs. 16" Stocks. H-Sport Springs and Swaybar, Alta SSK, 15% Webb Reduction Pully, Webb C.A.I.
Oh, I love kidflix, too! I'm NUTS about SpongeBob...see the related thread in OT! LOL! I was wondering about The Polar Express...I'd like to see it.:smile:
And, cheese...I REALLY want to see House of Flying Daggers! I loved Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, so I expect Flying Daggers to be excellent, too.
Clover
I'm usually pretty good at predicting whats going to happen in movies but this one completely stumped me. I guess because its a foreign movie and doesnt really follow the american movie forumula. There are so many plot twists that you'll either love it or hate it.
On the other side of the spectrum, I saw Seabiscuit this weekend... Entertaining in a history channel sort of way.
I was off all last week and managed to make it out to a couple of films.
Ocean's Twelve. Fun in spots but let down by a weak script. Try to catch the early shows for the cheaper prices or wait for video if you haven't seen it yet.
The Incredibles. A wonderful movie. Everyone should see see this movie. Perfect casting for Holly Hunter as Elastigirl. After 20 minutes you forget it's a cartoon
Closer. Or you could call it, when bad things happen to good lookng people. I liked it. Julia Roberts comes off as a real person and not like a movie star. No escapism here, this movie you have to watch and listen too.
House of Flying Daggers. Beautiful to look at, but left me emtionally disconnected. I was disappointed and I was not expecting that.
Kinsey. Good solid film. Laura Linney playing the wife of Alfred Kinsey (Liam Neeson) I think should be nonminated for an Oscar for her performance.
Flight of the Phoenix. Can't hold a candle to the 1966 version. Either wait for the video, or better yet don't bother at all.
Hey, friends! This thread is for discussing current or vintage cinema: post here about what you have seen and recommend; what you have seen and despise; what you want to see; post your reviews! (And that means YOU, BillTheCat!) 
I really want to see "Sideways", Clover. A number of people have recommended it but I haven't had the chance. 
You know I like anything with gourmet cooking involved, tee hee! 
Founding Members - DC METRO MINIs
